Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mining of Ultraviolet Spectra of Environment Pollutants

This paper suggests a novel method named DOSC-WT-GRNN based on generalized regression neural network (GRNN) with direct orthogonal signal correction (DOSC) and wavelet transform (WT) as a pre-processing tool for the simultaneous spectrophotometric determination of o-nitro-aniline, m-nitro-aniline and p-nitro-aniline. DOSC was applied to remove structured noise that is unrelated to the concentration variables. Wavelet representations of signals provide a local time–frequency description, thus in the wavelet domain, the quality of noise removal can be improved. GRNN was applied for overcoming the convergence problem met in back propagation training and facilitating nonlinear calculation. In this case, by optimization, the number of DOSC components, tolerance factor, wavelet function, decomposition level and the width (σ) of GRNN for DOSC-WT-GRNN were selected as 1, 0.001,Coiflet 1, 5 and 0.4 respectively. The relative standard errors of prediction (RSEP) for all components with DOSC-WT-GRNN, WT-GRNN and GRNN were 4.37%, 4.93% and 6.56% respectively. The proposed method has been successfully applied to analyze overlapping spectra and was proven to be better than other techniques.
The design of a modular probe incorporating thick-film sensors for detecting phase interfaces in oil well primary separator plant

In the extraction of hydrocarbons from the ground, the fluid pumped out of the well is not pure crude oil or natural gas, but a combination of oil, gas, and water, often containing entrained mud and particulate debris. This is usually a well-mixed multiphase flow, which often appears at the wellhead at high temperature and pressure.
Thermodynamics and stability of pseudobrookite-type MgTi2O5 (karrooite)

Abstract Pseudobrookite-type MgTi2O5 (karrooite) is a synthetic crystalline phase with the Bbmm structure and a component in orthorhombic oxide solid solutions, R2+Ti2O5-R3+2TiO5, which are present as accessory minerals in lunar and terrestrial rocks. In this study, we present a model for the molar Gibbs free energy of MgTi2O5 as a function of T, P, and the order parameter s = XM1Mg - 2XM2Mg, (-1 ≤ s ≤ 1). We describe the molar Gibbs free energy, (G̅), with the equation: G̅ = g̅0 + g̅1·(1 - s) + 3/2g̅2·(1 - s2) - T·S̅config, and take parameter go to represent the molar Gibbs free energy of ordered MgTi2O5 (s = 1), whereas parameters g1 and g2 may represent cation-disorder contributions. We used powder and single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and high-temperature relative enthalpy data, to calibrate the disorder contribution to the volume (bo = 7.3822·10-3 J/bar), and the model parameters g1 (7370.8 J/mol) and g2 (3576.1 J/mol), and heat capacity and volume equation coefficients. We also optimized standard state thermodynamic data from the elements for ordered MgTi2O5, (ΔH0 = - 2 498 515.28 J/mol, S0 = 149.55 J/(mol·K), ΔG0 = -2 362 181.72 J/mol, V0 = 5.445 J/bar) consistent with the model parameters and equations, the thermodynamic data in QUILF, and phase-equilibrium experiments involving MgTi2O5, geikelite, rutile, orthoenstatite, and forsterite in the range 973 to 1673 K and 0.0001 to 2.0 GPa. Finally, we investigate theoretically the stability of MgTi2O5 (karrooite) with respect to geikelite, rutile, diopside, enstatite, and forsterite in the CaO-MgO-TiO2-SiO2 system. We find that diopside- and titanite-bearing reactions require extremely high temperatures, and are thus not stable with respect to liquid. The inferred phase relations can be of help in understanding the stability of MgTi2O5 with respect to rutile, geikelite, forsterite, and orthoenstatite, and by extrapolation that of armalcolite relative to rutile, ilmenite, olivine, and orthopyroxene in terrestrial mantle rocks and high-Ti lunar basalts.
Influence of ERP System Imported on Accountants - An Empirical Study of Taiwan

The purpose of the study is to explore the impact of the company's introduction of the ERP system on accountant. Through the questionnaire survey, this study uses the accountants as the object of the questionnaire to understand the status, workload and work effectiveness of the finance personnel after the company has imported the ERP system. The results of the study indicate that if companies introduce "financial benefits", "cost-efficiency" or "Cognition of E business" into the enterprise after the introduction of the ERP system, they will bring positive benefits to the finance staff in terms of their status in the organization, reduced workload, and improved work effectiveness.
A Model of Transfer Problem with Application to LDCs

This paper studies a form of Dutch disease known as the Transfer problem in developing countries. On the theoretical side, we propose a model which unifies the channel proposed by Keynes (1929), Balassa (1964) and Samuelson (1964), and Yano and Nugent (1999). The real exchange rate dynamic is decomposed in three components: the productivity differential, the terms-of-trade, and international transfer. The effects of international transfer on the real exchange rate depend mainly on the propensity of governments to subsidize the tradable or the nontradable sectors. In the empirical section we take into account the heterogeneity of the sample, the dynamic of the real exchange rate and the non stationary nature of the data. Furthermore, we demonstrate empirically that the channels identified by Balassa, Samuelson and Keynes are the main driving forces of real exchange rate movements in developing countries. The Balassa-Samuelson effect by itself accounts for 57% of RER variations while capital inflows account only for 19% of RER variations. The Transfer problem through capital inflows is not rejected but its impact on RER movements in the LDCs is weak.
THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS AND WEAK SIGNAL TREATMENT

Along day to day conduction of organizational activities, several decisions are taken, some of which are merely operational whilst others directly influence corporate strategy. To treat issues pertaining to organizational strategy, many companies devote effort concerning the monitoring of the competitive environment which, despite bringing forth positive results to the corporation, is not naturally reflected in routine activities. One of the most proactive ways to monitor the competitive environment is treating weak signals which, given their distinctive characteristics, are able to demonstrate, in an anticipated manner, the occurrence of strategically relevant events. This article develops a theoretical analysis concerning these practices, starting off with conceptualizations, their similarities and seminal aspects of activities and characteristics of both fields: the occurrence of individual and organizational biases, the use of processual models and methodologies, the need for interpretation, organizational learning and the use of intuition. A theoretical approach concerning these two apparently distinct practices demonstrates that many of their characteristics are similar. This allows for the suggestion that, once the organization presents any initiative in whatever type of processual organization decision making, or given the consolidation of a treatment process for weak signals, resources might be reduced and results multiplied.
Quality Map Generation in Two-Dimensional Phase Unwrapping Process by Using Edge Detection Techniques

Two-dimensional phase unwrapping is the task of recovering the true phase values, given the wrapped phase values in an image. Phase unwrapping arises in several branches of applied optics, physics, medicine and engineering, such as homomorphic signal processing, solid-state physics, optical interferometry, adaptive or compensated optics, magnetic resonance imaging, synthetic aperture radar interferometry, and optical and electron holography (Volkov & Zhu, 2003). In these applications, the measured information is denoted by a two-dimensional phase distribution called the wrapped phase image. In wrapped phase images, the phase is the interval (-π, π] or (0, 2π] due to the use of the mathematical arctangent function (Bone, 1991). Since this wrapped phase suffers from 2-π phase jumps, it is unusable until the phase discontinuities are removed. In order to recovering the true continuous phase values to denote real physical quantity, a phase unwrapping process is needed to recovering the true phase values. The procedure of phase unwrapping is performed by either adding or subtracting integer multiples of 2π to all successive pixels when a phase discontinuity encounters, which are based on some kind of threshold mechanism (Ghiglia et al., 1987). However, many factors, such as surface discontinuities, noise, under-sampling, or shadow, would produce unreliable phase data, which make the recovery of the wrapped phase challenging. To solve the problem, many phase unwrapping algorithms have been developed during the last three decades. These phase unwrapping algorithms can be found in a very good reference book (Ghigli & Pritt, 1998) and review papers such as (Baldi et al., 2002; Jenkinson, 2003; Su & Chen, 2004; Zappa & Busca, 2008). In many phase unwrapping algorithms, a quality map, which evaluated the quality or the reliability of the phase data, is used for completing the phase unwrapping process. In wrapped phase images, the quality of a pixel is low if it is located in areas where the surface discontinuities, noise or undersampling exists. On the contrary, the quality of a pixel is high if it is located in areas where the variation of phase value is low. From the mathematical point of view, quality map is a matrix of the same size of phase image that assign a quality value to each pixel. The quality values are usually normalized in the range [0, 1], where a large value means high reliability of the corresponding pixel. In most phase unwrapping algorithms, a quality map is necessary to guide the phase unwrapping process for achieving desire results. Furthermore,
Control Strategies for Smart Charging and Discharging of Plug- In Electric Vehicles

This chapter aims to provide an overview of the plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) charging and discharging strategies in the electric power system and the smart cities, as well as an application benefiting both consumers and power utility. The electric vehicle technology will be introduced. Then, the main impacts, benefits and challenges related to this technology will be discussed. Following, the role of the vehicles in smart cities will be presented. Next, the major methods and strategies for charging and discharging of plug-in electric vehicles available in the literature will be described. Finally, a new strategy for the intelligent charging and discharging of electric vehicles will be presented, which aims to benefit the consumer and the power utility.
CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling in glioma stem cells—prospects for therapeutic intervention

Glioblastomas (GBM) are highly invasive and angiogenic brain tumors that progress rapidly. The disease is intractable despite aggressive treatment, including postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Glioma stem cells (GSCs), which are phenotypically similar to neural stem cells and neural progenitor cells (NPCs), are more resistant to cancer therapies than differentiated GBM cells. One of the characteristics of GSCs is the utilization of the CXCL12/CXCR4 pathway in the tumor microenvironment.
Predicting kidney failure risk after acute kidney injury among people receiving nephrology clinic care

Abstract Background Outcomes after acute kidney injury (AKI) are well described, but not for those already under nephrology clinic care. This is where discussions about kidney failure risk are commonplace. We evaluated whether the established kidney failure risk equation (KFRE) should account for previous AKI episodes when used in this setting. Methods This observational cohort study included 7491 people referred for nephrology clinic care in British Columbia in 2003–09 followed to 2016. Predictors were previous Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes–based AKI, age, sex, proteinuria, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and renal diagnosis. Outcomes were 5-year kidney failure and death. We developed cause-specific Cox models (AKI versus no AKI) for kidney failure and death, stratified by eGFR (</≥30 mL/min/1.73 m2). We also compared prediction models comparing the 5-year KFRE with two refitted models, one with and one without AKI as a predictor. Results AKI was associated with increased kidney failure (33.1% versus 26.3%) and death (23.8% versus 16.8%) (P < 0.001). In Cox models, AKI was independently associated with increased kidney failure in those with an eGFR ≥30 mL/min/1.73 m2 {hazard ratio [HR] 1.35 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07–1.70]}, no increase in those with eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m2 ([HR 1.05 95% CI 0.91–1.21)] and increased mortality in both subgroups [respective HRs 1.89 (95% CI 1.56–2.30) and 1.43 (1.16–1.75)]. Incorporating AKI into a refitted kidney failure prediction model did not improve predictions on comparison of receiver operating characteristics (P = 0.16) or decision curve analysis. The original KFRE calibrated poorly in this setting, underpredicting risk. Conclusions AKI carries a poorer long-term prognosis among those already under nephrology care. AKI may not alter kidney failure risk predictions, but the use of prediction models without appreciating the full impact of AKI, including increased mortality, would be simplistic. People with kidney diseases have risks beyond simply kidney failure. This complexity and variability of outcomes of individuals is important.
Design of a Payment Network with Fees

A big issue of blockchain systems is scalability. Solutions, such as payment channels, have been suggested to alleviate the problem by allowing transactions to take place off-chain. We study the problem of creating a payment channel network with fees, which are charged by a Payment Service Provider (PSP). Customers, however, only prefer this variant of making transactions, if the total fee of routing the payment through the network costs less than the fee on the blockchain. We introduce various network structures and algorithms that allow the PSP to maximize its profit by assigning optimal fees to the the network’s payment channels. For tree-structured networks, where the PSP wants to cater to all transactions, a linear program can find a solution. In the case of paths, we introduce a polynomial-time dynamic program. Finally, we examine star graphs. We provide an optimal fee assignment and a near-optimal solution, when adding an additional central node.
A practical and efficient asymptotic coarse-graining model for the elastohydrodynamics of slender-rods and filaments

The inertialess fluid-structure interaction of active and passive inextensible filaments and slender-rods are central in many processes in nature, from the dynamics of semi-flexible polymers to cytoskeletal filaments, flagella and artificial swimmers, covering a wide range of scales. The nonlinear coupling between the geometry of deformation and the physical effects invariably result on intricate governing equations that negotiate elastohydrodynamical interactions with non-holonomic constraints, as a direct consequence of the filament inextensibility. This triggers numerical instabilities and require penalization methods and high-order spatiotemporal propagators. Here, we exploit the the momentum balance in the asymptotic limit of small rod-like elements which are integrated semi-analytically. This bypasses the nonlinearities arising via the inextensibilty constraint, avoiding in this way the need of Langrange multipliers. The equivalence between the continuous and asymptotic model allows a direct comparison between the two formalisms. The nature of the asymptotic approximation entails that coarse discretisation is possible while having a higher precision when compared with the continuous approach. We show that the asymptotic model is also numerically stable in situations in which the continuous formalism has a very poor performance, while the coarse structure guarantees faster computations, over than a hundred times faster than previous schemes. The asymptotic model is simple and intuitive to implement, and generalisations for complex interaction of multiple rods, Brownian polymer dynamics, active filaments and non-local hydrodynamics are straightforward. We demonstrate these via four exemplars: transient dynamics, force-displacement buckling instability, magnetic artificial swimmer and cross-linked filament-bundle dynamics, and we additionally provide the Matlab codes.
An intervention on how using easily accessible resources to carry out hands-on practical activities in science influences science teachers’ conceptual development and dispositions

The reform and transformation of education systems in terms of enhancing Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education in the schooling systems is gaining momentum in different parts of the world. It is argued that there is a need to enhance science education, particularly in Africa, because science education is considered to be the main vehicle through which the greater objectives such as national development and improvement in the quality of life can be realised. Namibia as a country is no exception. A key way through which science education can be enhanced is through carrying out practical activities during teaching and learning. Despite the crucial role that practical activities play in science subjects, it appears that they are not carried out in most of the Namibian science classrooms. It is against this background that this study explored an intervention on how easily accessible resources to carry out hands-on practical activities in science, influenced science teachers’ conceptual development and dispositions towards the use of practical activities in science. In this study, a mixed methods case study approach underpinned by an interpretive paradigm was adopted. The research was conducted with 21 in-service science teachers from schools in Namibia who were all on a two year part-time BEd (Honours) program delivered in Namibia by a South African university from the Eastern Cape. To generate data, document analysis, questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, an intervention in the form of workshops on practical activities, lesson observations, which were videotaped, as well as teacher reflections were used. Conceptual development, disposition and professional development served as the conceptual lenses. Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory in conjunction with Shulman’s pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) were the theoretical frameworks adopted in the study.The findings showed that there was a general perception among the participants before the intervention that in order to carry out practical activities, well-equipped laboratories, conventional chemicals and equipment are needed. Some teachers had never used practical activities in their science classes with a range of constraints or hindrances provided as reasons. The findings additionally showed that for teachers to use easily accessible resources to carry out practical activities in their science classrooms, they need the knowledge and exposure on how to use these resources. The findings thus showed that this professional development approach raised motivation, knowledge and the skills of the science teacher participants to include practical activities in their science lessons using easily accessible resources. A recommendation is that if teachers are given opportunities, through professional development platforms to engage in hands- on practical activities using easily accessible resources, they can be enabled and motivated to implement these in their science classrooms.
Computation of Greeks for Asset Price Dynamics Driven by Stable and Tempered Stable Processes

The purpose of this paper is to derive the Greeks formulas of Delta, Gamma, Vega and Theta, for derivative securities with both continuous and discontinuous payoff structures under asset price dynamics described by stable and tempered stable processes with presentation of their practical simulation methods. Our approach is based on the representation of stable distributions using exponential distribution whose scaling property with respect to the Girsanov transform is used in the Malliavin calculus framework on the Poisson space. Numerical results are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of our formulas in Monte Carlo simulations relative to the finite difference method.
Computer simulations of local anesthetic mechanisms: Quantum chemical investigation of procaine

A description at the atomic level of detail of the interaction between local anesthetics, lipid membranes and membrane proteins, is essential for understanding the mechanism of local anesthesia. The importance of performing computer simulations to decipher the mechanism of local anesthesia is discussed here in the context of the current status of understanding of the local anesthetics action. As a first step towards accurate simulations of the interaction between local anesthetics, proteins, lipid and water molecules, here we use quantum mechanical methods to assess the charge distribution and structural properties of procaine in the presence and in the absence of water molecules. The calculations indicate that, in the absence of hydrogen-bonding water molecules, protonated procaine strongly prefers a compact structure enabled by intramolecular hydrogen bonding. In the presence of water molecules the torsional energy pro? le of procaine is modified, and hydrogen bonding to water molecules is favored relative to intra-molecular hydrogen bonding.
03 41 2 v 2 [ qu an tph ] 1 3 Ja n 20 16 Nuclear Spin Squeezing via Electric Quadrupole Interaction

Control over nuclear spin fluctuations is essential for processes that rely on preserving the quantum state of an embedded system. For this purpose, squeezing is a viable alternative, so far that has not been properly exploited for the nuclear spins. Of particular relevance in solids is the electric quadrupole interaction (QI), which operates on nuclei having spin higher than 1/2. In its general form, QI involves an electric field gradient (EFG) biaxiality term. Here, we show that as this EFG biaxiality increases, it enables continuous tuning of single-particle squeezing from the one-axis twisting to the two-axis countertwisting limits. A detailed analysis of QI squeezing is provided, exhibiting the intricate consequences of EFG biaxiality. The initial states over the Bloch sphere are mapped out to identify those favorable for fast initial squeezing, or for prolonged squeezings. Furthermore, the evolution of squeezing in the presence of a phase-damping channel and an external magnetic field are investigated. We observe that dephasing drives toward an anti-squeezed terminal state, the degree of which increases with the spin angular momentum. Finally, QI squeezing in the limiting case of a two-dimensional EFG with a perpendicular magnetic field is discussed, which is of importance for two-dimensional materials, and the associated beat patterns in squeezing are revealed.