Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
pH Measurements with a Microcantilever Array-Based Biosensor System

In this paper, we present a pH measurement method that uses a microcantilever-array-based biosensor system. It is composed of microcantilever array, liquid cell, micro syringe pump, laser diode array, position sensitive detector, data acquisition device, and data processing software. Four microcantilevers are functionalized with pH-sensitive MHA(mercaptohexadecanoic acid) as a probe, while three microcantilevers are functionalized with HDT(hexadecane thiol) as reference. We prepare PBS(phosphate buffered saline) solutions of different pH and inject them into the liquid cell with a predefined volumetric speed at regular time intervals. The functionalized mircocantilevers in the liquid cell deflect as a self-assembled monolayer on the microcantilever binds with probe molecules in the solution. The difference in deflection between the MHA-covered probe microcantilever and the HDT-covered reference microcantilever was used to compensate for thermal drift. The deflection difference clearly increases with increasing pH in the solution. It was shown that when the pH values of the PBS solutions are high, there were large variations in the deflection of microcantilevers, whereas there were small variations for low pH value. The experimental results show that the microcantilever array functionalized with MHA and HDT can detect pH value with good repeatability.
Measurement of Vehicle Cooling Fan Air Flow using Laser Doppler Anemometry

When a combustion engine in a vehicle is operating it generates large amount of heat. Therefore it is crucial to provide cooling in the engine bay to prevent components from overheating. The axial fan in the front of the engine bay is a very import component of the cooling procedure, since it drives fresh air through the heat exchangers into the engine bay. To study the behaviour of the cooling air ow in the engine bay, numerical simulations are commonly used today, but in order to verify and develop numerical tools, physical testing is needed. In this thesis, LDA has been used to investigate how the actual ow eld behaves in the wake of a circular cylinder and the cooling fan used in a Volvo V40. Laser Doppler Anemometry, LDA is a non-intrusive optical technique used for velocity measurements of turbulent and laminar ows. The measurements were performed in the model scale wind tunnel at Volvo Cars. From the cylinder measurements, the performance of the experimental equipment could be con rmed to yield precise results. The downstream ow behaviour of the fan was investigated for cases with different contributions of wind tunnel velocity and fan rotation speed. Results of the downstream velocity eld in all three directions are presented at different distances downstream of the fan. Furthermore, the in uence of the mesh resolution on the measured velocity elds is shown and discussed. Lastly, a spectral analysis of the vortex shedding downstream the blade span was performed.
Clonal variation in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and in transgenic silver birch (Betula pendula)

The aim of this study is to assess the clonal variation in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) clones and in transgenic lines of silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) and its causes, with special attention to the effects of cloning and transgenesis in tree breeding programmes. The parental effect on cloning success variation was studied in an experiment where Scots pine embryogenic lines were initiated from immature seeds of a full diallele cross. The evaluation was made after culture initiation, on maintenance medium and by mature embryo production. Growth and stem straightness of Scots pine clones were assessed in a 10-year field trial established with rooted cuttings. The effect of a single gene transfer, the sugar beet chitinase IV gene (chiIV), was assessed on plant growth, susceptibility to fungal diseases and development of root associated fungal communities and phenology, in a 3-year field trial established with micropropagated transgenic silver birch lines and wild-type clones. The results of the somatic embryogenesis experiment with Scots pine showed that the initiation success, as well as maturation, was more affected by the genotype of the mother than the one of the father, while during the proliferation period the mother’s effect decreased and the father’s increased. The field trial with Scots pine showed that the tree’s genotype, more than the propagation method, has an effect on the plant behaviour in the field. In silver birch transgenic lines, the introduction of a single gene (chiIV) led to a reduction in growth and quality characteristics, although no significant changes occurred regarding fungal disease resistance, ectomycorrhizal colonization or fungal community structure, as compared to the natural variation occurring in wild type clones. The conclusion was that the variation in the success of Scots pine embryogenesis and in the growth of Scots pine rooted cuttings is strongly affected by genotype and, hence, the rooted cuttings are suitable for testing height growth in breeding programmes. A single chiIV gene transfer did not improve significantly fungal disease resistance in silver birch or interfere with root associated fungal community. However, the variation in adaptive traits among silver birch transgenic lines is at the same level with the variation detected in randomly selected wild-type silver birches and single transgenic lines may be selected in breeding programmes.
EVALUATION OF THE IMPLEMENTATION, USE AND EFFECT OF A COMPUTERIZED MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM IN COLLEGE OF BUSINESS

Computerized management information system in COB user behavior was found in terms of the internet technology employed but also in terms of the likely behavioral and performance changes expected to occur through technology applications to academic, business functions and level of organization. These changes include the exploration of perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness of information system in COB. Developing competitive advantage for computerized management information system is a complex issue. Information system through internet is a product that is both highly intangible and has characteristics, which create special user requirements. This research has identified critical success factor that appear important to performance in IT implementation in college. The regression analysis undertaken suggests that perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness of system associated with user behavior. As the conclusion, the present study confirmed that perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness in computerized management information system has a direct positive influence to user behavior. Lecturer, COB staff and student are in the right position to run every movement related to the improvement of the system. Academic and management system are main items in the performance of COB. The acceptance level of user will influence the success of the system. The present study confirmed that through the survey to user directly has an effect to their knowledge improvement. Overall, each level in college has an active interaction with system and this is shows a dynamic performance of COB.
Roxburgh, Zoe and Cleland, Joanne and Scobbie, James M. (2016) Multiple phonetically trained-listener comparisons of speech before and after articulatory intervention in two children with repaired submucous

In Cleft Palate (CP) assessments based on phonetic transcription are デエW さェラノS ゲデ;ミS;ヴSざ デエWヴ;ヮ┞ outcome measure, despite reliability difficulties. Here we propose a novel perceptual evaluation, applied to ultrasound-visual biofeedback (U-VBF) therapy and therapy using visual articulatory models (VAMs) for two children with repaired submucous CP. Three comparisons were made: post VAM, post U-VBF and overall preand post-therapy. Twentytwo phonetically-trained listeners were asked to determine whether preor post-therapy recordings ゲラ┌ミSWS さIノラゲWヴ デラ デエW English デ;ヴェWデざが ┌ゲキミェ デエWキヴ ラ┘ミ implicit stored knowledge (prompted via orthographic representation) as a comparison. Results are compared with segment-oriented percent target consonant correct (PTCC) derived from phonetic transcriptions by the authors. Listener judgements and PTCC suggest that both children made improvements using both VAM and U-VBF. Statistical analysis showed listener agreement across all three comparisons, despite agreement being poor. This perceptual evaluation offers a straightforward method of evaluating the effectiveness of interventions and can be used by phonetically trained or lay listeners.
Music Genre Classification using Deep Neural Networks

genres can be defined as categorical labels created by humans to identify or characterize the style of music. This work presents a comprehensive machine learning approach to the problem of automatic musical genre classification using the audio signal. The system is developed using a Deep Neural Network (DNN) to recognize the genres. Mel Frequency Cepstral Coefficients (MFCC) features are used to represent the music characteristics. The system is evaluated with MIR datasets. The proposed system observed higher classification accuracy of 97.8%.
The crustal structure of the north-eastern Gulf of Aden continental margin: insights from wide-angle seismic data

The wide-angle seismic (WAS) and gravity data of the Encens survey allow us to determine the deep crustal structure of the north-eastern Gulf of Aden non-volcanic passive margin. The Gulf of Aden is a young oceanic basin that began to open at least 17.6 Ma ago. Its current geometry shows first- and second-order segmentation: our study focusses on the Ashawq–Salalah second-order segment, between Alula–Fartak and Socotra–Hadbeen fracture zones. Modelling of theWAS and gravity data (three profiles across and three along the margin) gives insights into the first- and second-order structures. (1) Continental thinning is abrupt (15–20 km thinning across 50–100 km distance). It is accommodated by several tilted blocks. (2) The ocean–continent transition (OCT) is narrow (15 km wide). The velocity modelling provides indications on its geometry: oceanic-type upper-crust (4.5 km s−1) and continentaltype lower crust (>6.5 km s−1). (3) The thickness of the oceanic crust decreases from West (10 km) to the East (5.5 km). This pattern is probably linked to a variation of magma supply along the nascent slow-spreading ridge axis. (4) A 5 km thick intermediate velocity body (7.6 to 7.8 kms−1) exists at the crust-mantle interface below the thinned margin, the OCT and the oceanic crust. We interpret it as an underplated mafic body, or partly intruded mafic material emplaced during a ‘post-rift’ event, according to the presence of a young volcano evidenced by heat-flow measurement (Encens-Flux survey) and multichannel seismic reflection (Encens survey). We propose that the non-volcanic passive margin is affected by post-rift volcanism suggesting that post-rift melting anomalies may influence the late evolution of non-volcanic passive margins.
Review of doctoral research in English language education in the Philippines, Singapore and Malaysia (2007–2010)

This review highlights recent doctoral research in English language education and related areas completed between 2007 and 2010 in three countries in Southeast Asia: Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines. Out of sixty dissertations initially chosen from major universities in these countries, five from the Philippines, four from Malaysia and three from Singapore were selected for review, the selection being based mainly on their quality of work and representation of key areas of intellectual work in the field in these countries. This review shows how the shared postcolonial identities of these countries and their unique sociohistorical locations help explain the coalescing and diverging agendas and trajectories in English language education doctoral research in the region. Much of the work affirms the dominant intellectual position of the West as the producer of knowledge, so there is a need to reposition the intellectual stance of research in English language education in the region within and emerging from its multilingual but unequally globalizing landscapes. Thus, there is an urgent need for more nuanced attention to socio-cultural factors that impact on English language education in the three countries under review, which, in turn, can help scholars produce new knowledge that can contribute to academic conversations in the field.
Time-varying correlations and interrelations: Firm-level-based sector evidence

Using firm-level data, we examine stock market correlations and interrelations for the G7 over the period 2000–2013. An examination using aggregate market data supports the view that correlations have risen and particularly so during crisis periods. Using firm-level data, which is tradeable, we establish sector portfolios. We consider three regression approaches. The results support, first, that correlations using firm data are lower than those observed using aggregate market index data. Second, the most important driver for home sector returns is the home market followed by the corresponding US sector. Third, correlations rose during the crisis but have stabilised and even fallen since. This supports the view that markets fall together but rise apart. Fourth, there is evidence that most sector correlations follow a market-wide component, but some sector correlations follow their own component. Subsequently, we examine the key drivers of time-varying correlations. We find that the market-wide component of correlations increases in a US bear market as well as with higher US market volatility and lower US interest rates. However, on a sector basis, there are notable exceptions with some correlations falling in a bear market. Together, these results support the view that diversification benefits remain across market sectors.
Exponentially tted Runge – Kutta methods (

Exponentially tted Runge–Kutta methods with s stages are constructed, which exactly integrate di erential initial-value problems whose solutions are linear combinations of functions of the form {x j exp(! x); x j exp(−! x)}, (! ∈ R or iR; j= 0; 1; : : : ; jmax), where 06jmax6bs=2−1c, the lower bound being related to explicit methods, the upper bound applicable for collocation methods. Explicit methods with s ∈ {2; 3; 4} belonging to that class are constructed. For these methods, a study of the local truncation error is made, out of which follows a simple heuristic to estimate the ! -value. Error and step length control is introduced based on Richardson extrapolation ideas. Some numerical experiments show the e ciency of the introduced methods. It is shown that the same techniques can be applied to construct implicit exponentially tted Runge–Kutta methods. c © 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. MSC: 65L05; 65L06; 65L20
Linear coupled thermoelastic analysis for 2-d orthotropic solids by MLPG

In this paper, the Meshless Local Petrov-Galerkin (MLPG) method for twodimensional (2-d), linear and transient coupled thermoelastic analysis in orthotropic solids is presented. To eliminate the time-dependence in the governing equations, the Laplace-transform technique is used. Local integral equations are derived for small circular sub-domains which surround nodal points distributed over the analyzed domain. As for the spatial variations of the displacements and temperature, they are approximated by the Moving Least-Squares (MLS) scheme.
DISTINGUISHING BETWEEN EXPORTING AND NON-EXPORTING SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES IN SWAZILAND

The exporting successes of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in industrialized countries have led to the increasing recognition of the potentially critical role of SMEs in exportand private sector-led economic growth in many developing countries. Policies to assist more SMEs to export must be informed by any systematic differences between current exporters and non-exporters. This study employs the logit model to ascertain the explicability of why some SMEs are exporters and some are not (export propensity) in Swaziland, a small, landlocked African country. The often-used firm-specific and manager-related variables are utilized and a good fit is obtained. Foreign language proficiency is very highly significant in explaining high export propensity; so is the frequency of businessrelated foreign trips. A quadratic specification of the age-of-manager variable seems to resolve the seemingly contradictory effects of that variable reported in previous studies based on linear specification. Effectual policies must aim at upgrading the language skills of managers and assist with business-related foreign travel. 1 We acknowledge helpful comments by James E. Alvey. The usual caveats apply.
PRICING INDUSTRIAL POWDER-COATING SERVICE

Powder-coating is an industrial surface finish method that has been constantly increasing its popularity due to the positive features it has compared to other metal surface finishes. This study investigates cost accounting and pricing of industrial service through a case company Mittametalli. The company under observation is a contract manufacturer operating in the field of metal industry and powder-coating. The aim is to create a clear understanding of industrial powder-coating ́s cost structure. The knowledge is further employed to help the case company to achieve profitability through making right kind of pricing decisions. The final goal of this research is to create a cost structure and a pricing tool for them. The author approached the topic inductively by using qualitative research method. The secondary data was collected from reliable published sources such as literature, articles and internet-based sources. Primary data was collected through author ́s participant observations and semistructured interviews. The theoretical part consists of the concept of cost accounting in the service industry, which was first investigated to understand where costs come from. Also the concepts of profitability and budgeting were studied to demonstrate ways to measure and achieve profitability. Different types of pricing methods were also viewed to find a suitable pricing strategy. The study results identify the biggest challenges in industrial service pricing. Pricing powder-coating service is a complex process requiring an adjustable pricing model, customized for the specific powder-coating unit under observation. Based on the findings, a cost structure was defined for Mittametalli and a user-friendly pricing tool was created.
Bi-objective supply chain problem using MOPSO and NSGA-II

Article history: Received 25 October 2011 Received in revised form November, 2, 2011 Accepted February, 3 2012 Available online 16 February 2012 The increase competition and decline economy has increased the relevant importance of having responsiveness supply chain. This has created much motivations to reduce the cost of services and, at the same time, to increase the quality of services. In this paper, we present a multi-stage supply chain network by considering multi products, single resource and deterministic cost and demand. There are two objectives of minimizing total cost and maximizing total responsiveness, which is the minimization of total numbers of delayed products and services. The proposed model of this paper is formulated as a mixed integer linear programming and we present two metaheuristics namely MOPSO and NSGA-II to solve the resulted problems. The performance of the proposed models of this paper has been examined using some randomly generated numbers and the results are discussed. The preliminary results indicate that while MOPSO is able to generate more Pareto solutions in relatively less amount of time, NSGA-II is capable of providing better quality results. © 2012 Growing Science Ltd. All rights reserved
Interactions of Hsp 23 , FoxO , and ESCRT III-Vps 24 in Mediating Proteostasis in Drosophila melanogaster Flight Motor Cells

Understanding the molecular mechanisms of cell degeneration, which cause degenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, is a key objective in biology and medicine. This complex biological process results from interactions between genetic and environmental factors. We examine these mechanisms using powerful genetic approaches and a newly developed experimental model for stress-induced degeneration in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster. Our project focuses on the cellular and molecular mechanisms mediating neuromuscular degeneration induced by environmental stress, which activates the heat-shock response (HSR) in order to maintain quality control of cellular proteins (proteostasis). We examine the flight motor system of Drosophila melanogaster, which has shown selective susceptibility of neuronal, glial, and muscle cells to increased temperatures. Our previous research showed an upregulation of one particular chaperone protein, Heat-shock protein 23 (Hsp23), during the HSR response. Additionally, an overexpression of Hsp23 in fly muscle cells was shown to protect muscle and have a non-autonomous protective effect on neurons and glia. Moreover, these muscle cells also showed perinuclear localization of ubiquitinated proteins, which are normally targeted for degradation, and thus reveal a unique aspect of proteostasis. Our current research expands on these findings by exploring potential pathways that lead to cell non-autonomous protection from HS stress, focusing on the FoxO transcription factor, which has been implicated in proteostasis and protection from aging. Furthermore, we take a closer look at patterns of ubiquitination to determine whether proteostasis mechanisms involving clearance of misfolded proteins responsible for cell degeneration are carried out by the proteasome or by selective autophagy as related to the ESCRT III complex. We hope our findings will shed light onto the complex and elusive mechanisms responsible for environmental stress-induced degeneration. Moreover, we
Life Quality Index for Assessing Risk Acceptance in Geotechnical Engineering

The Life Quality Index (LQI) is a recently developed concept that establishes a relation between the resources invested in improving the safety of an engineering facility and potential fatalities that are avoided by the investment. In this way, the LQI provides a rationale for determining acceptability of decisions involving life safety risks in engineering, including the establishment of target reliabilities. In this contribution, the principle of the LQI is outlined and its relevance for making safety-relevant decisions in geotechnical engineering is highlighted. The methodology is illustrated by an application to the design of a slope, involving a FE-based reliability analysis.