Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multi-Layer Artificial Neural Networks Based MPPT-Pitch Angle Control of a Tidal Stream Generator

Artificial intelligence technologies are widely investigated as a promising technique for tackling complex and ill-defined problems. In this context, artificial neural networks methodology has been considered as an effective tool to handle renewable energy systems. Thereby, the use of Tidal Stream Generator (TSG) systems aim to provide clean and reliable electrical power. However, the power captured from tidal currents is highly disturbed due to the swell effect and the periodicity of the tidal current phenomenon. In order to improve the quality of the generated power, this paper focuses on the power smoothing control. For this purpose, a novel Artificial Neural Network (ANN) is investigated and implemented to provide the proper rotational speed reference and the blade pitch angle. The ANN supervisor adequately switches the system in variable speed and power limitation modes. In order to recover the maximum power from the tides, a rotational speed control is applied to the rotor side converter following the Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) generated from the ANN block. In case of strong tidal currents, a pitch angle control is set based on the ANN approach to keep the system operating within safe limits. Two study cases were performed to test the performance of the output power. Simulation results demonstrate that the implemented control strategies achieve a smoothed generated power in the case of swell disturbances.
Spatio‐temporal dynamics at rDNA foci: Global switching between DNA replication and transcription

We have investigated the in situ organization of ribosomal gene (rDNA) transcription and replication in HeLa cells. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) revealed numerous rDNA foci in the nucleolus. Each rDNA focus corresponds to a higher order chromatin domain containing multiple ribosomal genes. Multi‐channel labeling experiments indicated that, in the majority of cells, all the rDNA foci were active in transcription as demonstrated by co‐localization with signals to transcription and fibrillarin, a protein involved in ribosomal RNA processing. In some cells, however, a small portion of the rDNA foci did not overlap with signals to transcription and fibrillarin. Labeling for DNA replication revealed that those rDNA foci inactive in transcription were restricted to the S‐phase of the cell cycle and were replicated predominantly from mid to late S‐phase. Electron microscopic analysis localized the nucleolar transcription, replication, and fibrillarin signals to the dense fibrillar components of the nucleolus and at the borders of the fibrillar centers. We propose that the rDNA foci are the functional units for coordinating replication and transcription of the rRNA genes in space and time. This involves a global switching mechanism, active from mid to late S‐phase, for turning off transcription and turning on replication at individual rDNA foci. Once all the rRNA genes at individual foci are replicated, these higher order chromatin domains are reprogrammed for transcription. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Impact of enhanced secondary prevention on health behaviour in patients following minor stroke and transient ischaemic attack: a randomized controlled trial

Objective: To evaluate whether enhanced secondary prevention more significantly influences readiness to change health behaviour after minor stroke/transient ischaemic attack, compared with conventional stroke secondary prevention. Design: Single-blind randomized control trial. Setting: Rural district general hospital outpatient clinic. Subjects: Fifteen women and 37 men with a mean age of 68.3 years with first minor stroke or transient ischaemic attack. Interventions: The intervention group received ‘enhanced secondary prevention’ (additional advice, motivational interviewing and telephone support) to change health behaviour. Both groups received ‘conventional care’ which included advice given during routine care. Main measures: The primary outcome was ‘readiness to change behaviour’ measured using a validated stroke specific score based on the transtheoretical model. Secondary outcomes were the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and self-reported alcohol consumption, smoking behaviour, exercise frequency, and fruit and vegetable consumption. Results: Analysis of the data for the 52 participants showed no statistical difference in the groups for the primary outcome of readiness to change behaviour. Statistically significant improvements for change in self-reported exercise were demonstrated (P = 0.007); to 2—3 times per week in the intervention group compared to 0—1 times per week in the control group, and in fruit and vegetable consumption (P = 0.033); to 10 portions of fruit and vegetables consumed per week in the intervention group compared to 1 or 2 portions a week for the control group. No evidence of a difference between groups was seen for alcohol consumption or Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Conclusions: While no difference was demonstrated between the groups for readiness to change behaviour, a clinically significant effect in reported exercise behaviour and diet were demonstrated in the intervention group. This interesting finding indicates a dissonance between the behaviour scale and actual behaviour change, potentially indicating a lack of sensitivity of the scale to detect a change in this patient group.
Profit efficiency analysis of rice production in Taiwan

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze and compare the profit efficiency of custom and self-farming methods of rice production in Taiwan. Design/methodology/approach This study examines the nature and extent of the profitability and profit efficiency of custom and self-farming based on a farm survey in Taiwan. Furthermore, it estimates the stochastic profit frontier to measure the degree of inefficiency and analyze the determinants of these inefficiencies. Findings The profitability and profit efficiency of custom farming are lower than for self-farming, and the differences in profitability are more significant for large rice farmers. The estimation results show that the custom farming area and the farmer’s age decrease efficiency and, regardless of the farming style used, larger farms have higher profit efficiency. Research limitations/implications This study’s findings show that self-farming is more favorable than custom farming for profit efficiency. This study examined this problem by conducting a regression adjustment for explanatory variables, but did not remove all self-selection bias, which may occur between profit efficiency and the choice of farming system. Originality/value Previous studies that measured the efficiency of rice farming often considered cost efficiency by the cost function, and ignored the increased profit from producing high-quality rice. This study used a one-step estimation of the profit frontier function to measure the degree of inefficiency and analyze the determinants of this inefficiency.
Decision directed versus non-data aided plls: A comparative review

The performance of discrete-time Decision Directed (DD) and Non-Data Aided (NDA) first-order Phase Looked Loops (PLL) for a QPSK modulated signal is evaluated under the disturbance of thermal noise and 1/f2 phase noise. A well known continuous-time model is presented that closely approximates the loop¿s behavior. Using the continuous time model, Fokker-Planck techniques are applied to compute the Mean Time to Lose Lock (MTLL) for both PLLs. We optimize the loop filter using the MTLL as the optimization criterion. On the basis of the optimal MTLL, we determine the regions where one PLL outperforms the other. Monte-Carlo simulation results are presented to validate the analytic analysis. For the setting under study, the NDA PLL outperforms the DD PLL for SNR below 4.5dB regardless of the phase noise level. Applicability of the results for a second-order PLL is discussed.
Management Accounting Information Properties and Operations Management

This monograph introduces Management Accounting to Operations Management researchers and illustrates how unleashing this accounting information perspective into the world of Operations Management can improve our understanding of topics of interest to Operations Management researchers and practitioners. We start by offering a crash course in accounting terminology and then introduce the three important properties of accounting information (i.e. imperfect nature, endogenously determined, and multi-purpose). Next, we address four different areas in Operations Management: capacity acquisition and allocation, inventory management, production scheduling, and product design. For each of these areas, we describe the approaches used in Operations Management and Management Accounting and spend considerable attention on how using an accounting approach can spur progress in Operations Management.
Thalli Growth, Propagule Survival, and Integrated Physiological Response to Nitrogen Stress of Ramalina calicaris var. japonica in Shennongjia Mountain (China)

In this study, effects of nitrogen (N) availability on growth, survival of Ramalina calicaris var. japonica, and whether it respond nitrogen stress in an integrated physiological way was evaluated. Thalli growth and propagule survival, thalli N and phosphorus (P) content, and activity of phosphomonoesterase (PME) of R. calicaris var. japonica were determined in a field experiment. Its differentiate adsorption in ammonia and nitrate, the activity of glutamine synthetase (GSA) and nitrate reductase (NRA) also were investigated in a series of indoor experiments. The results showed that N deposition significantly decreased the growth and survival of this lichen, and the N sensitivity threshold was suggested at 6.0 kg N⋅ha-1⋅y-1. When the N deposition increased from 8.59 kg N⋅ha-1⋅y-1 to 14.24, 20.49, 32.99 and 57.99 kg N⋅ha-1⋅y-1, the growth rates of lichen thalli decreased by 26.47, 39.01, 52.18 and 60.3%, respectively; Whereas the survival rate of the lichen propagules decreased from 92.8% of control (0.0 kg N⋅ha-1⋅y-1) to 10.7% of 50.0 kg N⋅ha-1⋅y-1, when they were treated with 0.00, 6.25, 12.5, 25.0, and 50.0 kg N⋅ha-1⋅y-1 deposition. Compared with an adequate adsorption of ammonium N, no nitrate adsorption occurred when thalli was submerged in solution lower than 0.4 mM. Our results also suggested that thalli total nitrogen, N:P ratio increased with N availability, and the activity of PME was significantly correlated with thalli total nitrogen. These all indicated that phosphorus limitation occurred when R. calicaris var. japonica treated with higher nitrogen deposition. Compared with slightly effects of NRA, GSA of R. calicaris var. japonica responded nitrogen availability significantly; In addition, GSA and NRA negatively correlated with thalli growth rate and propagule survival significantly. These results indicated that nitrogen stress do decrease growth and survival of R. calicaris var. japonica, and lichen would be impacted by excess nitrogen in a integrated, not a fragmentary way, including nitrogen uptake, assimilation, even nutrient balance of nitrogen and phosphorous.
Companion Animals in Natural Disasters: A Scoping Review of Scholarly Sources

ABSTRACT During a disaster, people may make evacuation decisions based on their companion animal’s welfare, therefore exposing themselves, their companion animals, and emergency responders to increased risk for injury or death. The loss and suffering of companion animals in disasters causes deep distress, diminishing people’s capacity to rebuild their lives. This scoping review presents scholarly research studies and reviews relating to people and their companion animals in the context of disasters, with an aim of informing researchers, policymakers, and practitioners and providing direction for future research. Using the Arksey and O’Malley framework, articles in scholarly journals from 2004 to 2014 are discussed. Analysis included 38 articles: 20 research studies, 12 reviews, and 6 editorials. Findings revealed 2 central themes: companion animals as a risk factor to human health and safety and companion animals being “at risk” themselves. An emerging theme was “responsibility”: Who is responsible for companion animals in disasters and how? Understanding the implications of human–nonhuman animal relationships for disaster response and having a broader public consensus on what is owed to animals at times of emergency are important to community preparedness and resilience.
Marinobacterium aestuarii sp. nov., a benzene-degrading marine bacterium isolated from estuary sediment.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, motile, flagellated rod-shaped bacterium, designated ST58-10T, was isolated from an estuarine sediment in the Republic of Korea. The strain was able to degrade benzene. Growth of strain ST58-10T was observed at 4-35 °C (optimum, 20-25 °C), pH 5-9 (optimum, pH 7-8) and 1-8 % NaCl (optimum, 3 %). Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain ST58-10T formed a phyletic lineage within the genus Marinobacterium of the family Oceanospirillaceae. Strain ST58-10T was most closely related to Marinobacterium profundum PAMC 27536T (99.6 %) and Marinobacterium rhizophilum CL-YJ9T (98.3 %), and to other members of the genus Marinobacterium(94.5-91.5 %). However, the mean value estimated by using the Genome-to-Genome Distance Calculator was 50.6±7.4 % with M. profundum PAMC 27536T and 30.9±2.8 with M. rhizophilum CL-YJ9T, respectively. An average nucleotide identity value was 89.0 % with M. profundum PAMC 27536T and 85.6 % with M. rhizophilum CL-YJ9T, respectively. The major fatty acids of strain ST58-10T were summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1ω7c/C16 : 1ω6c), summed feature 8 (comprising C18 : 1 ω7c/C18 : 1ω6c), C16 : 0 and C10 : 0 3-OH, and contained ubiquinone (Q-8) as the sole isoprenoid quinone. Phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, three unidentified aminolipids, an unidentified glycolipid and an unidentified lipid were detected as polar lipids. The DNA G+C content of strain ST58-10T was 58.78 mol%. On the basis of the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular properties, strain ST58-10T represents a novel species of the genus Marinobacterium, for which the name Marinobacterium aestuarii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is ST58-10T (=KCTC 52193T=NBRC 112103T).
Critical Success Factors for Economic Development & Growth in Developing Countries: A Case Study of Pakistan

Multiple economic indicators and tools are intensively discussed in the academic literature. In the current piece of art, the factors like FDI, Gross Domestic Productivity (GDP), Human development, literacy rate, youth and unemployment have been primarily analyzed to define the current economic situation in the country. Specifically the indicator of ‘Foreign Direct Investment’ (FDI) has been focused to define the economic growth of Pakistan. For the research secondary source of data has been gathered for the time duration of last 5 years. Findings show that, factors such as FDI, GDP and Human development are of significant importance for the economic growth and development of Pakistan, while the factors like literacy rate, youth and unemployment are relatively less important. The paper is of great importance. This study can play a vital role in compelling the government authorities to focus their intention towards the economic and growth indicators of high importance. The study can also be an effectual case for other countries facing alike economic situation.
A multi-perspective service evaluation exploring tuberculosis contact screening attendance among adults at a North London hospital.

BACKGROUND Non-attendance at TB contact screening clinics has been highlighted as a common phenomenon across a number of sites during recruitment to the PREDICT TB Study. This has obvious implications for the safety of patients, their communities and for NHS resources. The objective of this study was to explore why adults who have been in contact with TB do, and do not, attend their screening appointment, thereby allowing identification of interventions to reduce non-attendance. METHODS A multi-method approach was taken using 15 questionnaires with adults who attended for screening, 15 telephone questionnaires with adults who did not attend and in-depth interviews with 8 TB nurses. Interviews were coded to trace emerging descriptive themes, then refined through an iterative process of interpretation and recoding. RESULTS Findings from the questionnaires and interviews were categorized into three principle themes following analysis: awareness, hospital factors and leadership. These themes deconstruct the complex phenomena of patients' lack of attendance at this TB contact screening service. CONCLUSION Recommendations related to issues of leadership, outreach services, flexibility of clinic timing and awareness amongst both the local community and GPs were made.
Financial Stability and Concentration: Evidence from Emerging Europe

This paper investigates the impact of banking sector concentration on financial stability, across a sample of 134 commercial banks from 17 countries of Central and Eastern Europe during the period 2007-2012. Empirical findings highlight the concentration-fragility hypothesis, indicating that a high level of concentration in the banking sector is associated with a higher probability of default among banks, especially for the smaller ones. We also show that the negative influence of concentration might be reduced through a tight supervisory framework: (i) stringent official supervisory power of the banking sector, but also, (ii) differences between host and home country in terms of supervisory power, can significantly reduce the negative impact of concentration on banks’ probability of default.
Modular Multilevel Converter Control Strategy Based on Arm Current Control Under Unbalanced Grid Condition

The existing control strategies of modular multilevel converter (MMC) balance the capacitor voltage on the premise that the active power of ac side is balanced with that of dc bus. Thus, the symmetrical ac-side current references and the unevenly distributed dc current references in three legs are obtained by coordinate transformation, precise calculation, and numerous filters under unbalanced grid condition. However, by controlling capacitor voltages, the active powers between ac side and dc bus can self-regulate to balance, and this could simplify the obtainment of ac-side current references and dc-bus current references. Based on this idea, this paper proposed a control strategy, which combines the multi-hierarchy control with the arm current control for MMC under unbalanced grid condition. Within the multi-hierarchy control, the symmetrical ac-side current references and the unevenly distributed dc current references in three legs could be obtained easily by three voltage controllers in the abc coordinate, avoiding coordinate transformation, precise calculation, and numerous filters in the existing methods. Besides, the employment of the arm current control removes the need of the three-sequence ac-side current controllers and the three-sequence circulating current suppressing controllers. The proportional regulator with a feedforward steady-state duty cycle is designed for arm current regulator, which can perfectly track its reference and is easy to design, avoiding the complicated design of proportional resonant (PR) controllers. Both system-level simulation results and low-level experiment results verify the feasibility and effectiveness of proposed strategy.
G-RoI

Geotagged data gathered from social media can be used to discover interesting locations visited by users called Places-of-Interest (PoIs). Since a PoI is generally identified by the geographical coordinates of a single point, it is hard to match it with user trajectories. Therefore, it is useful to define an area, called Region-of-Interest (RoI), to represent the boundaries of the PoI’s area. RoI mining techniques are aimed at discovering ROIs from PoIs and other data. Existing RoI mining techniques are based on three main approaches: predefined shapes, density-based clustering, and grid-based aggregation. This article proposes G-RoI, a novel RoI mining technique that exploits the indications contained in geotagged social media items to discover RoIs with a high accuracy. Experiments performed over a set of PoIs in Rome and Paris using social media geotagged data, demonstrate that G-RoI in most cases achieves better results than existing techniques. In particular, the mean F1 score is 0.34 higher than that obtained with the well-known DBSCAN algorithm in Rome RoIs and 0.23 higher in Paris RoIs.
User Location Prediction by Diffusion-Type Estimation Using Location-Based SNS Check-in Data

With the growing number of location-based SNS (Social Networking Service) users, the utilization of SNS data is getting more and more important. In this paper, we focus on the prediction of users' locations from location-based SNS data. The location-based SNS data consists of sequence of checkins which are too sparse to predict the users' locations. In our previous research we generated users' probability distributions by smoothing the sparse check-in data using diffusion-type estimation. However, the generated probability distributions do not take the repeating nature of the check-in data into consideration and cannot be used to predict the users' future locations. In this paper, we propose a method to predict users' future locations by utilizing the repeating nature of the check-in data and similar users' check-in data. Experimental results show that our method outperformed the existing prediction methods.
Short-term effects of centrally administered galanin on the hyperosmotically stimulated expression of vasopressin in the rat hypothalamus. An in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry study.

Galanin (GAL) is a 29-amino acid peptide that is present in the hypothalamic magnocellular neurons of the rat supraoptic nucleus (SON) and paraventricular nucleus (PVN). Since previous studies revealed a possible role of GAL in the hydro-osmotic regulation, we have investigated the effects of GAL on the vasopressin (AVP) mRNA content in the hypothalamic magnocellular neurons. We demonstrated by in situ hybridization (ISH) and immunohistochemistry that 100 pmol of GAL or GAL fragment (1-16) injected into the lateral ventricle of anesthetized dehydrated male rats induced a rapid (10 min time interval) decrease of AVP mRNA and AVP content in the magnocellular cell bodies of SON and PVN. These effects were quantified on an autoradiographic film and were also obvious at the cellular level by using ISH with a radiolabeled or digoxigenin-labeled oligonucleotide probe. Oxytocin mRNA content is not altered by the same injection either in dehydrated male or lactating female rats. Under the same conditions of lactation, AVP mRNA content is not modified and the i.c. v. injection of GAL has no effect. GAL antagonist (M15) injection suppressed the GAL-induced decrease of AVP mRNA in the dehydrated rats and increased AVP mRNA level in control rats. The efficacy of M15 in antagonizing GAL effects on AVP mRNA suggests the involvement of GAL receptors in the regulation of the vasopressinergic cell bodies. Moreover, endogenous GAL seems to depress the AVP mRNA content of SON and PVN in vivo. The possible origin of endogenous GAL and the mechanisms by which GAL can regulate the AVP mRNA content are also discussed.