Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Precautionary Reserves: An Application to Bolivia

Using precautionary savings models we compute levels of optimal reserves for Bolivia. Because of Bolivia's reliance on commodity exports and little integration with capital markets, we focus on current account shocks as the key balance of payments risk. These models generate an optimal level of net foreign assets ranging from 29 to 37 percent of GDP. For comparison purposes, we contrasted these results with standard rule of thumb measures of reserve adequacy, which in the case of Bolivia resulted in substantially lower levels of adequate reserves. These differing results emphasize the need to appropriately account for country-specific risks in order to derive adequate measures of reserve buffers.
Design and Implementation Buck Converter for 540 WP Solar Charger Using Fuzzy Logic Control

This paper presents the details of design and implementation of DC-DC Buck converter as solar charger. This converter is designed for charging a battery with a capacity of 100 Ah (Ampere Hours) which has a charging voltage of 27.4 volts. The constant voltage method is selected on battery charging with the specified set point. To ensure the charging voltage is always on the set point, the duty cycle control of buck converter is set using Fuzzy Logic Control (FLC). The design implementation has been tested on PV (photovoltaic) with 540WP capacity. Based on the test results, this method is quite well implemented on the problem charger.
Lexical Limits on the In fl uence of Context

This paper introduces an approach to modeling the interpretation of semantically underspecified logical metonymies, such as John began the book. A distinctive feature of the theory presented is its emphasis on accounting for their behavior in discoursecontexts. The approachdependson the definition of a pragmatic componentwhich interacts in the appropriatemanner with lexicosyntactic information to establish the coherence of a discourse. The infelicity of certain logical metonymy constructions in some discourses is shown to stem from the non-default nature of the lexicosyntactically determined interpretation for such constructions. The extent of the influence of contextual information from the discourse on the interpretation of logical metonymies is therefore constrained by the lexical properties of the constituents of the metonymies. Contextually-cued interpretations are shown to be unattainable when indefeasible lexical information conflicts with these interpretations.
Indoor Environmental Quality ( IEQ ) Title Personal comfort models — A new paradigm in thermal comfort for occupant-centric environmental control Permalink

A personal comfort model is a new approach to thermal comfort modeling that predicts an individual’s thermal comfort response, instead of the average response of a large population. It leverages the Internet of Things and machine learning to learn individuals’ comfort requirements directly from the data collected in their everyday environment. Its results could be aggregated to predict comfort of a population. To provide guidance on future efforts in this emerging research area, this paper presents a unified framework for personal comfort models. We first define the problem by providing a brief discussion of existing thermal comfort models and their limitations for real-world applications, and then review the current state of research on personal comfort models including a summary of key advances and gaps. We then describe a modeling framework to establish fundamental concepts and methodologies for developing and evaluating personal comfort models, followed by a discussion of how such models can be integrated into indoor environmental controls. Lastly, we discuss the challenges and opportunities for applications of personal comfort models for building design, control, standards, and future research.
The Role of Ripe Musa sapientum (Plantain) Peels in the Removal of Phosphorus and Nitrogen from Aqueous Solution

The effluents that are generated from wastewaters are major contributors to various water pollution problems. The aim of this study was to investigate the applicability and feasibility of using plantain peel in the removal of phosphorus and nitrogen in aqueous solutions, using four different modifications of the peel at three (2.5%, 5 % and 10 %) different concentrations. Although some measure of phosphate absorptions were observed in the presence of some of the peel medications, remarkable nitrate removals were observed in the presence of all the peel modifications used. In the presence of the untreated carbonated sample, after a 5 h contact period, nitrate levels were shown to decrease from the initial concentration of 297.80 mg/L to 174.46 mg/L, 196.57 mg/L and 221.91 mg/L, at 2.5 %, 5 % and 10 % peel concentrations, respectively. Nitrate levels after a 5 h contact time in the presence of the treated carbonated peel revealed a decrease from 297.80 mg/L to 144.21 mg/L, 174.33 mg/L and to 202.10 mg/L, at 2.5 % 5 % and 10 % peel concentrations, respectively. Also, after a 5 h contact time, nitrate levels in the aqueous solution in the presence of the treated raw peel were observed to change from an initial level of 297.80 mg/L to 280.60 mg/L, 164.58 mg/L and 151.98 mg/L, at peel concentrations of 2.5 %, 5 % and 10 %, respectively. The study was able to reveal the potential of using this agro-waste for use in the bioremediation of polluted wastewater effluents. Keywords : Nitrogen, phosphorus, plantain peels, wastewater
The Gravity of Institutions in Resource-Rich Country

This research will analyze the effects of the similarities in economic size and institutional level on bilateral trade. It is interested whether similarities at the country size and institutional level encourage international trade between countries. Using panel data of the bilateral trade of Azerbaijan with 50 different countries from 1995 to 2012 estimating by the Poisson Pseudo-Maximum Likelihood (PPML) method, it is expecting that similarity at the income size is not necessary for increasing bilateral trade across countries, on the contrary, country has interest to trade with dissimilar economic-size countries. Institutional similarity is expecting plays pivot role in international relationships and it has positive impact on bilateral trade.
RISK MEASURES AND CREDIT RISK UNDER THE BETA-KOTZ DISTRIBUTION

This paper considers the use for Value-at-Risk computations of the so-called Beta-Kotz distribution based on a general family of distributions including the classical Gaussian model. Actually, this work develops a new method for estimating the Value-at-Risk, the Conditional Value-at-Risk and the Economic Capital when the underlying risk factors follow a Beta-Kotz distribution. After estimating the parameters of the distribution of the loss random variable, both analytical for some particular values of the parameters and numerical approaches are provided for computing these mentioned measures. The proposed risk measures are finally applied for quantifying the potential risk of economic losses in Credit Risk.
The French cluster policy put to the test with differences-in-differences estimates

There is an abundant literature on innovative clusters but the incidence of cluster policies is hardly ever assessed. We assemble a panel of 94 French regions for 1997-2008 and use difference-in-differences regressions to evaluate the cluster policy that is being implemented in France since 2004-2005 in some of these regions. We obtain a positive, significant but rather small impact on patenting.
Governmentality, social policy and the social construction of old age in England

This article looks in more detail at the incidence and consequence of social policies for older people through the distinctly French post-structuralist lens of governmentality (Foucault, 1977). This will enable us to consider the implications of the re-figuring of the relationship between the state, older people and social work. This re-figuring constructs an ambiguous place for older people: they feature either as a resource - captured in the idea of the ‘active citizen’, as affluent consumers, volunteers or providers of child care - or as a problem in the context of poverty, vulnerability and risk. In many ways, policy provides three trajectories for older people: first, as independent self-managing consumers with private means and resources; second, as people in need of some support to enable them to continue to self-manage; and third, as dependent and unable to commit to self-management. Governmentality provides the theoretical framework through which to view policy and practice that is largely governed by discourses of personalisation, safeguarding, capability and risk.
INCIDENCE OF THROMBOCYTOPENIA AND CHANGES IN VARIOUS PLATELET PARAMETERS IN NEONATES WITH BLOOD CULTURE POSITIVE SEPSIS

Results Among 560 neonates, 80/560 (14.28%) had culture positive sepsis. Grampositive sepsis occurred in 21/80 (26.25%), gramnegative sepsis in 54/80 (67.5%), and fungal sepsis in 5/80 (6.25%). Incidence of thrombocytopenia in gramnegative sepsis was (35/54) 64.81%, in grampositive sepsis (15/21) 71.41%, and in fungal sepsis was (3/5) 60%. Mean platelet count at the onset of sepsis in all the patients was 123287.5± 49428.68. The mean duration of thrombocytopenia in grampositive sepsis was 4.66 ±2.6 days, in gramnegative sepsis 4.39 ± 2.22 days and in fungal sepsis 5.2±1.3 days. Mean platelet volume (MPV) at the time of onset of sepsis was high in grampositive sepsis than in gramnegative sepsis (11.57±0.88 Vs 11.29 ± 0.76). The MPV of thrombocytopenic neonates was significantly higher than of non-thrombocytopenic neonates (P< 0.01).
Toward Broadband Vibration-based Energy Harvesting

The dramatic reduction in power consumption of current integrated circuits has evoked great research interests in harvesting ambient energy, such as vibrations, as a potential power supply for electronic devices to avoid battery replacement. Currently, most vibration-based energy harvesters are designed as linear resonators to achieve optimal performance by matching their resonance frequencies with the ambient excitation frequencies a priori. However, a slight shift of the excitation frequency will cause a dramatic reduction in performance. Unfortunately, in the vast majority of practical cases, the ambient vibrations are frequency-varying or totally random with energy distributed over a wide frequency spectrum. Hence, developing techniques to increase the bandwidth of vibration-based energy harvesters has become the next important problem in energy harvesting. This article reviews the advances made in the past few years on this issue. The broadband vibration-based energy harvesting solutions, covering resonance tuning, multimodal energy harvesting, frequency up-conversion, and techniques exploiting non-linear oscillations, are summarized in detail with regard to their merits and applicability in different circumstances.
Psychometric Evaluation of an Instrument to Measure Hispanic Mothers’ Normative Beliefs, Intentions, Past Experience and Past Behavior Related to the Discussion of Sex-Related Topics with their Adolescent Daughters

Aim: The aim of this project was to describe the psychometric properties of a recently developed instrument that measures Hispanic mother normative beliefs, intentions, past experience, and past behavior regarding the Discussion of Sex-Related Topics (DSRTs) with their adolescent daughters. Background: The DSRTs between Hispanic mothers and their adolescent daughters is important because this interaction has been found to be a protective factor against the daughter’s risk for STDs and unintended pregnancy. Hispanic mother talk less with their daughters about sex-related topics (SRTs) than other ethnic groups. The Rodriguez Normative Belief Instrument (RNBI) has been established to measure normative beliefs, normative beliefs, past behavior, and past experience regarding Hispanic mothers’ DSRTs with their adolescent daughters. Method: The 44-item RNBI was developed based on the Theory of Planned Behavior and the Parent-Based Expansion Theory of Planned Behavior. A convenience sample of 119 Hispanic mothers of adolescent females grades 6 through 8 from two Midwestern Catholic Middle Schools was enrolled completed the instrument. Paper and pen instruments were administered in the language of the participant’s choice, English or Spanish. Results: The entire RNBI and each of the four subscales demonstrated acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach’salpha ≥ .70). The overall reliability of the RNBI was . 82 with the normative beliefs subscale of . 85, intentions . 88, past behavior . 89, and past experience . 88. Confirmatory factor analysis validated the four subscales. Conclusion: Psychometric analyses indicated that the RNBI demonstrates acceptable validity and reliability for this sample.
Contigent Valuation with Multiple Bounded Format and Uncertainty Response of a Rural Land Zoning Program in the South of Cordoba Province, Argentina

This study aims to incorporate urban population perception in the rural land zoning of the South of Cordoba province. Contingent valuation with multiple bounded format taking into account uncertainty was applied to value a land zoning program for controlling soil erosion and deforestation of calden forest in the South of Cordoba. The data was collected by a face-to-face survey done to 716 heads of household chosen by probability sampling in the cities of Rio Cuarto and Villa Huidobro. Willingness to pay (WTP) was estimated following the procedure of Welsh and Poe (1998). The results show the existence of WTP by households. The WTP estimated with four model specifications ranges from $18 to $92 (Argentinean pesos) by household per month. WTP estimation is robust for different model specifications and the signs of estimated parameters are consistent with theory.
Evaluation of morpho-physiological traits at various growth stages and its correlation with seed yield in guar gum genotypes

Field experiment was conducted during kharif, 2015-16 at Dry land farm, on sandy loam soils of Sri Venkateswara Agricultural College, Tirupati situated in Southern Agro-Climatic Zone of Andhra Pradesh. The experiment was layout in randomized block design with ten treatments and three replications. Ten guar genotypes were evaluated. The results revealed that there was significant difference between the varieties for plant height, number of branches, total dry matter and leaf area. Among the ten guar genotypes, RGC-986 recorded higher morphological traits viz. plant height and number of branches. However RGG-13-4 and RGG-12-3 recorded higher dry matter accumulation and leaf area compared to other genotypes. The physiological traits CGR, NAR, LAI and total chlorophyll contents were significantly higher in RGG-13-4 and RGG-12-3 genotypes compared to all other genotypes. Correlation studies revealed that seed yield recorded positive correlations with dry matter (R2 = 0.495) and leaf area index (R2 = 0.254).
Effect of time of day for harvest and postharvest treatments on the sugar metabolism of broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica)

Loss of sugars contributes to accelerate postharvest senescence of broccoli. Several treatments have been developed to delay senescence, but in many cases their effects on sugar metabolism were not analyzed. We studied the effect of harvest at different times of day (08:00, 13:00 and 18:00 h) and of several postharvest treatments as heat treatment (HT), modified atmosphere (MA) and 1-methylcylcopropene (1-MCP) on sugar levels and activities of enzymes related to sucrose and starch degradation. Harvesting at the end of day delayed the loss of chlorophylls and caused the lowest decrement in sugars, although no differences in invertase, sucrose synthase and β-amylase activities were detected among samples. Treatments of MA and 1-MCP caused a lower loss of glucose and fructose, while HT caused a lower decrement of sucrose. Treated samples maintained higher levels of chlorophylls. The treat ments reduced the activity of invertase and sucrose synthase and induced higher levels of β-amylase activity. Har vesting at the end of day and performing simultaneously a MA treatment could be a good combination to maintain the green color of the inflorescence and sugar levels during postharvest of broccoli.
LHCb results in proton-nucleus collisions at the LHC

The forward acceptance of the LHCb detector allows it to probe proton-ion collision in a unique kinematic range, complementary to the other LHC experiments. The production of J/Ψ and ϒ-mesons decaying into two muons is studied at the LHCb experiment in proton-lead collisions at a proton-nucleon centre-of-mass energy = 5 TeV. The analysis is based on a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1.6 nb-1. The nuclear modification factor and the forward-backward production ratio are determined for J/Ψ and ϒ(1S) mesons. Clear suppression of prompt J/Ψ production is observed with respect to the production in pp collisions at large rapidity, while the suppression of J/Ψ from b-hadron decays is less pronounced. The nuclear modification factor for ϒ(1S) mesons in the forward region is found to be similar to those for J/Ψ from b-hadron decays. Furthermore, a first observation of Z bosons in proton-lead collisions is reported.
Effect of 1-methylcyclopropene treatment on sensory characteristics of apple fruit

Effect of an inhibitor of ethylene action, 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), on sensory qualities of apple fruit of 15 common cultivars of Latvia was evaluated in this study. Taste, aroma, sourness, sweetness, juiciness and colour change of control and 1-MCP-treated apple fruit before and after six and nine months of storage were compared using two different methods of sensory evaluation. The evaluated parameters significantly changed during storage, but the results suggest that treatment with 1-MCP did not lead to significant change in sensory qualities of fruits. Experts admitted that treated fruit were juicier and had more distinctive colour even after nine months of storage, although they were slightly more sour than non-treated samples. However, control samples of all apple cultivars were somewhat tastier and sweeter than were 1-MCP-treated fruits.
Foreign Languages Acquisition: Self-Learning and Language Schools

We examine patterns of acquiring non-native languages in a model with two linguistic communities with heterogeneous learning skills, where every individual faces the choice of self-learning the foreign language or acquiring it at a profit-maximizing linguistic school. We consider a one-school model with divisions in both communities and various two-school settings with a school in each community. We compare the number of learners and welfare implications under self-learning with those obtained under various schooling contexts. In particular, we show that for communities with similar size, introducing language schools always increases the number of learners with respect to the exclusive self-learning option.
Pricing Convertible Bonds with Default Risk: A Duffie-Singleton Approach

We propose a new method to value convertible bonds(CBs). In particular, we explicitly take default risk into consideration based on Duffie-Singleton(1999), and provide a consistent and practical method for relative pricing of securities issued by a firm such as CBs, non-convertible corporate bonds and equities. Moreover, we show numerical examples using Japanese CBs' data, and compare our model with other practical models.
Optimization of Lighting Systems with the use of the Parallelized Genetic Algorithm on Multi-Core Processors using the .NET Technology

The paper presents possible parallelization of the optimization process of complex lighting systems with the use of the genetic algorithm. The features of modern personal computers and the tools enabling distribution of the computation process among multi-core processors are depicted. The duration of a test task computed on the machines provided with the Intel processors of P4, i5 and i7 types with the use of the tools available in the . NET environment has been investigated. Streszczenie. W artykule przedstawiono przykladowe metody skrocenia czasu realizacji zagadnienia optymalizacyjnego wykorzystującego algorytm genetyczny, za pomocą rozproszenia obliczen na procesorach wielordzeniowych, stosowanych w komputerach klasy PC. Podczas przygotowywania aplikacji obliczeniowej wykorzystano wbudowane mechanizmy udostepnione w środowisku . NET. (Optymalizacja systemow oświetleniowych za pomocą zrownoleglonego algorytmu genetycznego na procesorach wielordzeniowych z wykorzystaniem technologii .NET).
MAXIMUM DYNAMIC LOAD DETERMINATION OF MOBILE MANIPULATORS VIA NONLINEAR OPTIMAL FEEDBACK

In this paper, a nonlinear optimal feedback control law is designed to nd the maximum load carrying capacity of mobile manipulators for a given trajectory task. The optimal state feedback law is given by the solution to the nonlinear Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman (HJB) equation. An iterative procedure is used to nd a sequence of approximate solutions of the HJB equation. This is done by solving a sequence of Generalized HJB (GHJB) di erential equations. The Galerkin procedure is applied to nd a numerical solution to the GHJB equation. Using this method, a nonlinear feedback is designed for the mobile manipulator and, then, an algorithm is developed to nd the maximum payload. In mobile base manipulators, the maximum allowable load is limited by their joint actuator capacity constraints, nonholonomic constraints and redundancy that arise from base mobility and increased Dofs. To solve the extra Dofs of the system, an extended Jacobian matrix and additional kinematic constraints are used. The validity of the methodology is demonstrated via simulation for a two-link wheeled mobile manipulator and linear tracked Puma arm and the results are discussed.
DETERMINATION OF THERMAL AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF PALMYRA WOOD (BORASSUS AETHIOPUM MART.) FROM MALFANA IN CHAD

Palmyra or Borassus aethiopum Mart is a timber that is used in the traditional construction of housing and semi-modern yet its thermal characteristics are very little known. The aim of this work is to determine experimentally thermo physical characteristics of palmyra wood of Chad. In this contribution, we will determine the moisture content and density of the wood palmyra and we use the method of guarded hot plate to estimate the thermal conductivity in different parts of the specimen namely the Heart, and the sapwood duramen after reaching steady state. Given the results, we note that the thermal conductivity of palmyra wood depends on its anatomical structure and humidity. The lighter parts are more insulating and remain always with high humidity. Note also that the heat spreads more in the direction parallel to the fibers than perpendicular to the fibers.
Study on G-protein-coupled receptor polymorphisms reveals close relationship with asthma in a population of China

To evaluate the relationship of G protein-coupled receptor for asthma susceptibility (GPRA) with asthma and the total IgE levels in a Chinese population. Six Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) from GPRA were determined by Taqman SNP genotyping assay and genotyped by studying the subjects of 143 cases and 171 controls. We assessed Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in control group. Association between SNPs and corresponding haplotypes, IgE as well as asthma was studied. Regarding allelic distribution, current study showed similar pattern with that of other populations. For rs324981, the minor allele homozygotes AA lowered the risk for asthma (case-control OR: 0.34, P=0.002). rs324396 (TT) was protective for asthma (OR: 0.42, P=0.003). Although association between the six SNP haplotypes and asthma was not observed, haplotype H3 CTACGA was related to total IgE (OR: 1.53, P=0.004). Our study supports that GPRA gene plays a role in asthma susceptibility and also suggests two protective factors for asthma from this gene.