Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hepatitis B: The Past, Present and the Future

Hepatitis B is an acknowledged disease which killed more than 600,000 people yearly due to the HBV related complications. The review discussed the history of HBV, its morphology, and its morphogenesis. It has also discussed the pathogenesis of the virus and the previous and current HBV screening method. Finally, the potential of DNA aptamers as the detection materials for HBV in comparison to antibodies has also been discussed.
Thrombopoietin could protect cerebral tissue against ischemia-reperfusion injury by suppressing NF-κB and MMP-9 expression in rats

Objective: To determine the neuroprotective effects and underpinning mechanisms of thrombopoietin (TPO), Matrix Metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9) and Nuclear Factor-κB (NF-κB) after focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in rats. Methods: Male rats underwent 2 hours of right middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) followed by 22 hours of reperfusion. PBS or TPO (0.1ug/kg) was administered from caudal vein before reperfusion. Neurologic deficits, brain edema, Evans blue (EB) extravasation, NF-κB and MMP-9 expression were subsequently examined. Results: Ischemia-reperfusion injury produced a large area of edema. TPO significantly reduced edema and alleviated neurologic deficits after ischemia-reperfusion. Ischemia-induced increases of NF-κB, MMP-9 and Evans blue extravasation were reduced by TPO intervention. Conclusion: TPO improved neurological function and ameliorated brain edema after stroke, partly by reducing the ischemia-induced increase of NF-κB and MMP-9.
Effect of Feeding Habit , Size and Season on Proximate Composition of Commercially Important Fishes from Lentic Water Bodies of Indus River at Ghazi Ghat , Pakistan

The present study was undertaken to analyze the effect of feeding habit, size and season on body composition of six commercially important wild fishes. The fishes were captured in summer and winter months. The water, ash, lipid and fat contents (%) were determined. One way ANOVA was used to analyze statistical significance of data. The water, ash, lipid and fat contents (%) were significantly different (P<0.05) between fish groups of different feeding habits. At species level, % water contents (77.64±1.96) and % ash contents (3.24±0.40) of Wallago attu (carnivore), % ash contents (4.19±0.82) of Aorichthyes aor (carnivore), % lipids contents (9.95±3.11) and % protein contents (17.20±2.09) of Barbodes sarana (omnivore) were significantly different (P<0.05) from other species. There was no significant difference between various size groups for body composition parameters of most of fish species except for % water (73.23±2.17, 77.76±1.13), % ash (3.88±0.90, 5.64±2.63) and % lipid contents (3.86±0.65, 6.88±1.28) of Labeo rohita; and % water (71.67±2.95, 74.3±3.01), % ash (5.73±0.92, 5.77±0.92), % lipid (5.13±1.29, 6.34±2.09) and % protein contents (14.81±1.60, 16.18±1.29) of Oreochromis mossambicus. The season related significant effect (P<0.05) was demonstrated for % water contents of Barbodes sarana (66.16±1.15 in summer, 68.27±1.30 in winter); % lipid contents of Barbodes sarana (14.18±2.63 in summer, 8.94±1.32 in winter) and Labeo rohita (6.45±1.66 in summer, 4.69±1.55 in winter); and % protein contents of Barbodes sarana (15.03±2.40 in summer, 18.20±1.23 in winter), Aorichthyes aor (15.81±0.61 in summer, 14.16±2.02 in winter), Wallago attu (16.62±1.34 in summer, 14.53±1.92 in winter) and Labeo rohita (13.19±1.55 in summer, 14.87±1.83 in winter). In conclusion, several significant species specific effects in body composition parameters related with feeding habit, size and seasons were demonstrated.
Optimization of Mixed-Integer Non-Linear Electricity Generation Expansion Planning Problem Based on Newly Improved Gravitational Search Algorithm

Electricity demand is forecasted to double in 2035, and it is vital to address the economics of electrical energy generation for planning purposes. This study aims to examine the applicability of Gravitational Search Algorithm (GSA) and the newly improved GSA (IGSA) for optimization of the mixed-integer non-linear electricity generation expansion planning (GEP) problem. The performance index of GEP problem is defined as the total cost (TC) based on the sum of costs for investment and maintenance, unserved load, and salvage. In IGSA, the search space is sub-divided for escaping from local minima and decreasing the computation time. Four different GEP case studies are considered to evaluate the performances of GSA and IGSA, and the results are compared with those from implementing particle swarm optimization algorithm. It is found that IGSA results in lower TC by 7.01%, 4.08%, 11.00%, and 6.40%, in comparison with GSA, for the four case studies. Moreover, as compared with GSA, the simulation results show that IGSA requires less computation time, in all cases. Review History: Received: 6 November 2016 Revised: 16 August 2017 Accepted: 21 August 2017 Available Online: 17 September 2017
THE TEMPORAL WEIGHTING OF ANNOYANCE

The influence of individual temporal portions of a level-fluctuating noise on global annoyance judgments was measured using perceptual weight analysis (cf. Berg, 1989). For loudness judgments it has been found that listeners attach greater weight to the beginning and the ending than to the middle of a stimulus (e.g. Oberfeld & Plank, 2005). Similar weights were expected for annoyance. Annoyance and loudness judgments were obtained from 12 listeners for the same stimuli in a two-interval forced-choice task. The results demonstrated a primacy effect for the temporal weighting of both annoyance and loudness. A recency effect was observed only for annoyance, although the temporal weights for loudness and annoyance were only marginally significantly different. A control experiment showed that the listeners were capable of independently judging the stimuli according to either their loudness or their annoyance: Noises with the same energy-equivalent level but different modulation depths were judged to differ in annoyance but not in loudness.
Biological 1,4-dioxane wastewater treatment by immobilized Pseudonocardia sp. D17 on lower 1,4-dioxane concentration.

Biological 1,4-dioxane removal performance using newly isolated Pseudonocardia sp. D17, which can utilize 1,4-dioxane as the sole carbon source, was evaluated. A low level of influent 1,4-dioxane, at 5–50 mg/L, was treated to meet the Japanese effluent standard of 0.5 mg/L. The gel entrapment technique was used for immobilization of Pseudonocardia sp. D17 so that it is not washed out from the bioreactor under a short hydraulic retention time. Consequently, an average effluent 1,4-dioxane concentration of 0.49 mg/L was achieved at a loading rate of 0.096 kg dioxane/(m3 · d) with an influent 1,4-dioxane concentration of 50 mg/L. The startup of the bioreactor was observed at 25°C within 2 weeks. Moreover, the effluent 1,4-dioxane concentration of 0.38 mg/L on an average was confirmed at a loading rate of 0.060 kg dioxane/(m3 · d), even though the operating temperature was 15°C. The temperature effect on 1,4-dioxane removal activity was characterized on the batch experiment. The maximum 1,4-dioxane removal activity was observed at 33.9°C. Moreover, 1,4-dioxane removal activity was observed even at 7.4°C, although that was decreased to 27% compared with that at 25°C. The activation energy for 1,4-dioxane removal by Pseudonocardia sp. D17, representing the temperature dependency, was calculated as 51.9 kJ/mol.
Eliciting Domain Knowledge Using Conceptual Metaphors: A Case Study from Music Interaction

Interaction design for domains that involve complex abstractions can prove challenging. This problem is particularly acute in domains where the intricate nature of domain-specific knowledge can be difficult for even the most experienced expert to conceptualise or articulate. One promising solution to the problem of representing complex domain abstractions involves the use of conceptual metaphors. Previous applications of conceptual metaphors to abstract domains have yielded encouraging results. However, the design of appropriate methods for eliciting conceptual metaphors for the purposes of informing interaction design remains an open question. In this paper, we report on a series of studies carried out to elicit conceptual metaphors from domain experts, using music as a case study, reflecting on the benefits and drawbacks of each approach.
ANALISIS PENGARUH IMPLEMENTASI ERP TERHADAP PROFITABILITAS DAN NILAI PERUSAHAAN

ABSTRAK Tujuan dari penelitian ini ialah untuk membuktikan pengaruh implementasi ERP terhadap profitabilitas dan nilai perusahaan. Sampel yang digunakan penlitian ini yaitu perusahaan manufaktur yang terdaftar di Bursa Efek Indonesia yang sudah mengimplementasikan ERP. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode regresi berganda dengan data panel. Dan hasil dari penelitian ini membuktikan bahwa implementasi ERP berpengaruh secara positif signifikan terhadap profitabilitas dengan menggunakan Net Profit Margin, serta implementasi ERP juga berpengaruh signifikan terhadap nilai perusahaan dengan menggunakan nilai dari pasar saham. Kesimpulan dari penelitian ini yaitu perusahaan yang telah menerapkan ERP dapat memiliki kinerja yang lebih baik dibandingkan sebelum menerapkan ERP.
Winter 6-10-2013 Data Driven Feed Forward Adaptive Testing

Test cost is a critical component in the overall cost of the product. Test cost varies in direct proportion with test time. This thesis introduces a data driven feed forward adaptive technique for reducing test time at wafer sort while maintaining the product defect level. Test data from first insertion of wafer is statistically analyzed to make a decision about adaptive test flow at subsequent insertions. The data driven feed forward technique uses a statistical screen to analyze test data from first probe of wafer and provides recommendations for test elimination at second insertions. At the second insertion dies are subjected to only the optimum number of tests for a reduced test flow. This technique is applicable only for the products which are tested at two or more insertions. The statistical screen identifies the dies for reduced test flow based upon correlation of tests across insertions. The tests which are repeated at both the insertions and are highly correlated are the candidates of elimination at second insertion. The feed forward technique is applied to a mixed signal analog product and figures of merit are evaluated. Application of technique to the production data shows that there is an average 55% test time reduction when a single site is tested per touchdown and up to 10% when 16 sites are tested in parallel per touchdown.
Standalone Tensile Testing of Thin Film Materials for MEMS/NEMS Applications

The microelectronics industry has been consistently driven by the scaling roadmap, colloquially referred to as the Moore’s law. Consequently, during the past decades, integrated circuits have scaled down further. This shrinkage could have never been possible without the efficient integration and exploitation of thin film materials. Thin film materials, on the other hand, are the essential building blocks of the microand nano-electromechanical systems (MEMS and NEMS). Utilization of thin film materials provides a unique capability of further miniaturizing electromechanical devices in microand nano-scale. These devices are the main components of many sensors and actuators that perform electrical, mechanical, chemical, and biological functions. In addition to the wide application of thin film materials in microand nano-systems, this class of materials has been historically utilized in optical components, wear resistant coatings, protective and decorative coatings, as well as thermal barrier coatings on gas turbine blades. In some applications, thin film materials are used mainly as the load-bearing component of the device. Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) are the example of these applications. Thin film materials carry mechanical loads in thermal actuators, switches and capacitors in RF MEMS, optical switches, micro-mirror hinges, micro-motors, and many other miniaturized devices. In these applications, one of the main criteria to choose a specific material is its ability to perform the mechanical requirements. Therefore, a clear understanding of the mechanical behavior of thin film materials is of great importance in these applications. This understanding helps better analyze the creep in thermal actuators (Tuck et al., 2005; Paryab et al., 2006), to investigate the fatigue of polysilicon (Mulhstein et al., 2001; Shrotriya et al., 2004) and metallic micro-structures (Eberl et al., 2006; Larsen et al., 2003), to scrutinize the relaxation and creep behavior of switches made of aluminum (Park et al., 2006; Modlinski et al., 2004) and gold films (Gall et al., 2004), to study the hinge memory effect (creep) in micro-mirrors (Sontheimer, 2002), and to address the wear issues in micro-motors. (van Spengen, 2003) In some other applications, the thin film material is not necessarily performing a mechanical function. However, during the fabrication process or over the normal life, the device experiences mechanical loads and hence may suffer from any of the mechanical failure issues. Examples of these cases are the thermal fatigue in IC interconnects (Gudmundson & Wikstrom, 2002), strain ratcheting in passivated films (Huang et al., 2002; He et al., 2000), the
College Students’ Interpersonal Relationship and Empathy Level Predict Internet Altruistic Behavior—Empathy Level and Online Social Support as Mediators

Relationship between online and offline behavior is close. This study investigated the relationship among college students’ interpersonal relationship, level of empathy, social support, and altruistic behavior in the online environment. Results: interpersonal relationship was positively correlated with empathy and online altruistic behavior, and there was a significant positive correlation between social support and online altruism. Complete mediating effect of empathy and online social support was significant. Conclusion: individual’s level of empathy was the mediator of offline interpersonal relationship and online altruistic behavior; online social support was the mediator of empathy and Internet altruistic behavior.
Capture of breeding and wintering shorebirds with leg-hold noose-mats

Abstract Development of effective trapping techniques is important for conservation efforts, as marking and subsequent monitoring of individuals is necessary to obtain accurate estimates of demography, movements, and habitat use. We describe a leg-hold noose-mat trap for capturing breeding and nonbreeding shorebirds. Using this method, we trapped 50 Piping Plovers (Charadrius melodus), 2258 Snowy Plovers (C. alexandrinus), 38 Killdeers (C. vociferus), and 64 Dunlins (Calidris alpina) in the western and southern United States. The trap was lightweight, making it easy to transport and set up. It was effective on unvegetated substrates at both coastal and inland sites and could be modified for a variety of habitats. Furthermore, this trap allowed researchers to target specific groups of birds including territorial individuals. Easy removal of birds from traps minimized handling time, stress, and injury.
Mathematical models for planning support

In this paper we describe how computer systems can provide planners with active planning support, when these planners are carrying out their daily planning activities. This means that computer systems actively participate in the planning process by automatically generating plans or partial plans. Active planning support by computer systems requires the application of mathematical models and solution techniques. In this paper we describe the modeling process in general terms, as well as several modeling and solution techniques. We also present some background information on computational complexity theory, since most practical planning problems are hard to solve. We also describe how several objective functions can be handled, since it is rare that solutions can be evaluated by just one single objective. Furthermore, we give an introduction into the use of mathematical modeling systems, which are useful tools in a modeling context, especially during the development phases of a mathematical model. We finish the paper with a real life example related to the planning process of the rolling stock circulation of a railway operator.
Direct Wind Superconducting Corrector Magnets for the SUPERKEKB IR

Eight new superconducting interaction region (IR) quadrupoles and a variety of correction and cancel coil windings are needed for the SuperKEKB luminosity upgrade underway at KEK [1-2]. The correctors are required to fit in limited space inside the main IR quadrupole bores. Because there is insufficient space for magnetic yokes for the magnets closest to the interaction point (IP), external field cancel coil windings are needed to remove non-linear fields that would otherwise impact beams passing close to the main magnet coils. We are investigating if an additional cancel coil set would be useful to reduce detector background. The design and production of SuperKEKB corrector and cancel coils, using BNL Direct Wind magnet technology, is underway.
Large Area n-Type Silicon Solar Cells with Selective Front Surface Field and Screen Printed Aluminum-Alloyed Rear Emitter

Large area n-type silicon solar cells with a screen-printed aluminum rear side emitter are mainly limited by their front surface recombination velocity. In order to overcome this limitation, we use an industrially applicable etch-back process to create a selective front surface field (s-FSF). This process was developed for the formation of a single diffusion selective emitter on p-type silicon; it generates a deep doping profile with a low surface concentration which results in an excellent emitter saturation current and a highest independently confirmed stable cell efficiency of 18.7% on 5” p-type Cz silicon. In this work we focus on the applicability of this process to n-type silicon. 6” solar cells with different front side etchback depths have been processed from n-type silicon leading to a highest efficiency of 18.5% for a s-FSF cell and an average gain of 0.8%abs compared to cells with a homogeneous FSF. We furthermore investigate the quality of the etch-back FSF and the screen printed alloyed emitter from different pastes by QSSPC measurements.
Structure and immunological activity of a novel polysaccharide from the spores of Ganoderma lucidum

The water-soluble polysaccharide (GLP) was obtained from the spores of Ganoderma lucidum by hot water extraction and gel chromatography. The molecular weight was estimated to be 143 KD determined by using HPGPC. Structure features of GLP were investigated by a combination of chemical and instrumental analysis. The results indicated that GLP consisted of a backbone composed of (1→6)- linked-α-d-glucopyranosyl, (1→3)-linked-β-d-glucopyranosyl and (1→3,6)-linked-β-d-glucopyranosyl residues in the ratio of 1:2:1, and terminated with one single terminal (1→)-β-d-glucopyranosyl at the O- 6 position of (1→3,6)-linked-β-d-glucopyranosyl, along the main chain. Preliminary tests in vitro showed that GLP has stimulating effects on murine lymphocyte proliferation induced by concanavalin A (ConA) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in a dose-dependent manner. It is a possible potential immunopotentiating agent for use in functional foods or medicine against both pathogens and cancer. Key words: Ganoderma lucidum, polysaccharide, structure, lymphocyte proliferation.
Surface Indices of Wind, Stability, and Turbulence at a Highly Polluted Urban Site in Santiago, Chile, and their Relationship with Nocturnal Particulate Matter Concentrations

ABSTRACTThe local meteorological factors of the cold season nocturnal particulate matter (PM) air quality problem in the western urban area of Santiago City are documented and analyzed by means of three years of multi-level temperature and turbulence measurements performed in-situ on a 30 m meteorological tower. For the 20–23 LT period in which the highest PM concentrations commonly occur, high prevalence of low wind and low vertical turbulence conditions are found. With wind speeds less than 1 m s–1, the frequency of calms and the intensity of meandering increase, although the highest PM concentrations are associated more to meandering than to purely calm conditions. In terms of the stability of the near surface layer, while there is a general association between high PM concentrations and high stability, the most extreme PM event in the period occurred with an intermediate value of stability probably affected by the presence of mid-tropospheric clouds. Using a nocturnal vertical height scale based on the stability and the surface turbulent heat flux to compute a nocturnal ventilation factor (VF), a marked inverse relationship between VF and PM concentrations is documented. The prevalence of low winds and high meandering in this sector of Santiago is hypothesized to be related to the local topography that precludes the development of the weak but persistent drainage surface winds observed at other sites of the city. Further investigation of this very stable atmospheric boundary layer is deemed necessary for improving the numerical models used in forecasting and managing the air pollution problem of Santiago.
Analysis of Rutting for Selected Road Stretches

ISBN 978-93-82338-01-7 | © 2012 Bonfring Abstract--Asphalt concrete (AC) pavement is one of the most important infrastructures that involve multiple layers of different materials subjected to non-uniform traffic loadings. The repetitive traffic loadings cause rutting, fatigue and other forms of deteriorations, which ultimately degrade the performance and durability of pavement structures Both traffic volume and loads are increasing from year to year with rapid rate. The various categories of vehicles with different performance contribute to pavement distresses. The dynamic load generated by heavy vehicles is considered as the primary cause of road structural damage and contribute the greater portion of the deterioration of AC pavements. To predict pavement response and the development of pavement distress (such as rutting) under various traffic conditions. It is hard to say that specific design technique is absolutely addressing and solving the real problem of the road that designers, constructors and road users are currently facing. This involves observations of how pavements interacted with soils, and levels of traffic and then determining the pavement thickness on bases of these observations and experiences. This is possible when the response of the pavement can be properly evaluated under the prevailing circumstances of loading conditions.