Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Experimental Validation of a Multi Model PI Controller for a Non Linear Hybrid System in LabVIEW

In this paper a real time Single Spherical Tank Liquid Level System (SSTLLS) has been chosen for investigation. This paper describes the design and development of a Multi Model PI Controller (MMPIC) using classical controller tuning techniques for a single spherical nonlinear tank system. System identification of these different regions of nonlinear process are done using black box modeling, which is identified to be nonlinear and approximated to be a First Order Plus Dead Time (FOPDT) model. A proportional and integral controller is designed using LabVIEW and Chen-Hrones-Reswick (CHR), Zhuang-Atherton (ZA), and Skogestad’s Internal Model Controller (SIMC) tuning methods are implemented in real time. The paper provides the details about the data acquisition unit, shows the implementation of the controller, and comparision of the results of PI tuning methods used for an MMPI Controller.
Nonprofit Enterprise in the Performing Arts

This article explores the reasons for the current dominance of the nonprofit form in the high-culture performing arts, and concludes that this development is a response to the need for price discrimination in that sector. The article develops a model of a nonprofit performing arts organization based on this analysis, and employs the model to explore, first, the consequences to be expected if such an organization adopts any of the various plausible objective functions, and second, the circumstances in which subsidies to such an organization are justified and the way in which such subsidies should be structured.
Exploring Social Influence on Hedonic Buying of Digital Goods - Online Games' Virtual Items

Marketers and scholars are interested in the development of digital goods because of the growing popularity and profitability of these goods. The online game environment provides a perfect setting for investigating hedonic buying of digital goods. Using social influence theory and the theory of sense of community, we developed a research model to investigate the influence of online and offline social groups on consumers’ purchase decisions. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data. The analysis yielded several findings. Online and offline social influences affect purchase intentions. Happiness has a complementary mediating effect on the relationship between online informational influence and purchase intention. Happiness also has an indirect-only mediating effect on the relationships between offline informational influence and purchase intention, and between offline normative influence and purchase intention. Sense of virtual community and sense of community moderate the effects of social influence on happiness and social influence on purchase intention for online and offline social groups, respectively. These findings extend our knowledge of social influence and digital goods and have implications for online businesses.
THE STRATEGIC RELEVANCE OF TECHNOLOGY-RELATED VARIABLES TO THE COMPETITIVENESS OF SMALL - TO MEDIUM-SIZED FURNITURE MANUFACTURERS

SMMEs can make a critical and positive economic contribution to South Africa, and small- to medium-sized furniture manufacturers (SM/FMs) have the potential to contribute to economic growth, job creation, and GDP. However, the furniture industry has not stayed abreast of technological advances. To survive in an environment of increasing competition and imports, competitive strategies must be devised. One such strategy is for technology adoption and implementation that can provide solutions for the furniture industry to improve speed, quality, variety, flexibility, and productivity, resulting in improved competitiveness. However, the adoption of technology means that its acquisition and application must be managed strategically, as the use of technology involves far more than simply taking it into account during the business-planning process.
Establishment of Reference Ranges for Liver Biochemistry Tests in Children in Meru County, Kenya

This study was aimed at determining the reference range values for eight liver function parameters that are routinely analyzed in the clinical chemistry laboratory of Meru Level 5 Hospital. The study was cross-sectional, population-based and carried out on the young population of ages one to seventeen years in Meru County, Kenya. A total of 768 samples were collected from the volunteers who participated in the study. Out of these, 740, comprising 360 females and 380 males that were found to be free from HIV, Hepatitis B and syphilis were used to construct the reference ranges. DRI - CHEM NX 500I Clinical Chemistry analyzer (Fujifilm, Europe) was used to analyze eight biochemical parameters. Determination of reference ranges was done in order to estimate the lower 2.5 and upper 97.5 percentiles of the distribution by use of parametric methods. The determined percentiles were considered the lower and upper reference limits respectively. Significant sex differences were observed in children reference values for total protein. Other parameters (alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyl transferase, direct bilirubin, total bilirubin, albumin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase) did not show significant sex dependent differences. In conclusion, the findings of this study provide sex-specific reference range values for children from Meru County in Kenya. The study recommends the health care practitioners and facilities in the region under study to adopt the new reference values developed and for other regions in Kenya to carry out a similar study to determine their own reference values.
Taxation and Market Power in the Legal Marijuana Industry

In 2012 the state of Washington created a legal framework for production and retail sales of marijuana. Nine other U.S. states and Canada have followed. These states hope to generate tax revenue for their state budgets while limiting harms associated with marijuana consumption. We use a unique administrative dataset containing all transactions in the history of the industry in Washington to evaluate the effectiveness of different tax and regulatory policies under consideration by policymakers and study the role of imperfect competition in determining these results. We examine 3 main research questions. First, how effective is Washington’s excise tax at raising revenue? With the nation’s highest tax rate on marijuana, is Washington maximizing revenue or potentially overtaxing, leading to reduced legal sales and lower tax revenue. Second, what is the incidence of taxes in this industry? Finally, most states have restricted entry, resulting in firms with substantial market power. What is the role of imperfect competition in studying these basic questions on tax policy? We combine structural methods and a reduced form sufficient statistic approach to show a number of results. First, Washington’s 37% excise tax is still on the upward sloping portion of the Laffer curve and state revenue could be substantially higher with a higher tax rate. The amount of revenue generated by a tax increase is significantly larger due to retailer market power than it would be under perfect competition. In addition, these taxes are primarily borne by consumers and not by firms, and there is a large social cost associated with each dollar raised.
Caffsim: simulation of plasma caffeine concentrations implemented as an R package and Web-applications

Caffeine is a naturally-occurring central nervous system stimulant found in plant constituents including coffee, cocoa beans, and tea leaves. Consumption of caffeine through imbibing caffeinated drinks is rapidly growing among children, adolescents, and young adults, who tend to be more caffeine-sensitive than the rest of the general public; consequently, caffeine-related toxicities among these groups are also growing in number. However, a quantitative and interactive tool for predicting the plasma caffeine concentration that may lead to caffeine intoxication has yet to be developed. Using the previously established population-pharmacokinetic model, we developed “caffsim” R package and its web-based applications using Shiny and EDISON (EDucation-research Integration through Simulation On the Net). The primary aim of the software is to easily predict and calculate plasma caffeine concentration and pharmacokinetic parameters and visualize their changes after single or multiple ingestions of caffeine. The caffsim R package helps understand how plasma caffeine concentration changes over time and how long toxic concentration of caffeine can last in caffeine-sensitive groups. It may also help clinical evaluation of relationship between caffeine intake and toxicities when suspicious acute symptoms occur.
Iterative CT reconstruction on limited angle trajectories applied to robotic inspection

Robotic inspection is one of the acknowledged new trends in X-ray Non Destructive testing (NDT) since it allows more flexibility in the acquisition trajectory and therefore a valued adaptability to object and environment constraints. In this context, we are developing an advanced Computed Tomography (CT) robotic platform consisting of two robots equipped, with a micro-focus X-ray tube and a flat panel detector, respectively. In parallel to the equipment installation, we propose to address the new challenges brought by this robotic inspection. In particular we focus on 3D iterative reconstruction algorithms that deal with few and limited-angle data. For this purpose, we consider regularized algebraic methods. In particular, we propose two algorithms named SART-FISTA-TV and DART-FISTA-TV. The first one is based on the common used SART [1] algorithm and the second is based on Discrete Algebraic Reconstruction Technique (DART) [2] which is an algebraic algorithm that incorporates prior knowledge about the dif.
SYSTEMAND METHOD FOR THE CALCINATION OF MINERALS

(57) ABSTRACT A system and method for the calcination of minerals. The system comprises a vertically disposed reactor segment con figured to impart horizontal forces on particles passing through the reactor segment in a vertical direction; an injector unit for receiving granular feedstock, the injector unit being disposed at a top portion of the reactor segment, whereby granules of the feedstock move through the reactor segment in a granular flow under at least one of a group consisting of a force of steam, gravitational force and a centrifugal force; a reactor heat exchange unit thermally coupled to a wall of the reactor segment for providing heat to the flowing granules inside the reactor segment through heat transfer through the wall of the reactor segment; one or more inlets formed in the reactor segment for introducing a Superheated gas into the reactor segment to create conditions of a gas-solid multiphase system; and one or more exhaust openings formed in the retort segment Such that gas products are at least partially flushed from the reactor segment under the flow of the super heated gas from the inlets to the exhaust openings.
Descriptive Epidemiology Freshman 15 : Fact or Fiction ?

MORROW, MICHELLE L. , KRISTIANN C. HEESCH, MARY K. DINGER, HOLLY R. HULL, ALLEN W. KNEEHANS, AND DAVID A. FIELDS. Freshman 15: fact or fiction? Obesity. 2006;14:1438–1443. Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate changes in body weight, BMI, body composition, and fat distribution among freshman women during their 1st year of college. Research Methods and Procedures: Freshman women during the 2004 to 2005 academic year were recruited to participate. The initial baseline visit occurred within the first 6 weeks of the fall 2004 semester, with the follow-up visit occurring during the last 6 weeks of the spring 2005 semester. At each visit, height, weight, BMI, waist and hip circumferences, and body composition (by DXA) were obtained. Results: One hundred thirty-seven participants completed both the fall and spring visits. Significant (p 0.0001) increases between the fall and spring visits were observed for body weight (58.6 vs. 59.6 kg), BMI (21.9 vs. 22.3), percentage body fat (28.9 vs. 29.7), total fat mass (16.9 vs. 17.7 kg), fat-free mass (38.1 vs. 38.4 kg), waist circumference (69.4 vs. 70.3 cm), and hip circumference (97.4 vs. 98.6 cm), with no significant difference observed in the waist-to-hip ratio (0.71 vs. 0.71; p 0.78). Discussion: Although statistically significant, changes in body weight, body composition, and fat mass were modest for women during their freshman year of college. These results do not support the purported “freshman 15” weight gain publicized in the popular media.
Chemical Composition and Trypanocidal Activity of the Essential Oils from Hedychium coronarium J. Koenig (Zingiberaceae)

The composition of the essential oils (EO) from leaves and rhizomes of Hedychium coronarium was analyzed both by gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. Thirty and thirty-nine compounds were identified, respectively, in the oils from leaves and rhizomes, representing 88% and 86.1% of the whole compositions. Caryophyllene oxide is the major component in rhizomes while 1,8-cineole predominates in leaves oil. Essential oils and major components were tested for trypanocidal activity using procyclic forms of Trypanosoma brucei (427 and 29-13 strains). The cytotoxicity index (CI50), using the MTT colorimetric method, showed that essential oils and 1,8-cineole were inactive (>100 μg·mL−1. Nevertheless, caryophyllene oxide revealed a remarkable activity against both T. brucei strains (CI50 = 65.77 μg·mL−1 and 24.53 μg·mL−1, resp.), and the synergism between caryophyllene oxide plus pentamidine (1 : 1, v/v) highly increased the trypanocidal activity (<1.0 μg·mL−1).
Unconventional order parameter induced by helical chiral molecules adsorbed on a metal proximity coupled to a superconductor

Following our previous results, which provide evidence for the emergence of a chiral p-wave triplet-pairing component in superconducting Nb upon the adsorption of chiral molecules, we turned to investigate whether such an effect can take place in a proximal superconductor consisting of metal on superconductor bilayer. Note that in such proximity systems, correlated electron-hole (Andreev) pairs exist in the normal metal rather than genuine Cooper pairs. To that end, we used scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS) on thin Au films grown in-situ on NbN (a conventional s-wave superconductor) before and after adsorbing helical chiral, alpha-helix polyalanine molecules. The tunneling spectra measured on the pristine Au surface showed conventional (s-wave like) proximity gaps. However, upon molecules adsorption the spectra significantly changed, all exhibiting a zero-bias conductance peak embedded inside a gap, indicating unconventional superconductivity. The peak reduced with magnetic field but did not split, consistent with equal-spin triplet-pairing p-wave symmetry. In contrast, adsorption of non-helical chiral cysteine molecules did not yield any apparent change in the order parameter, and the tunneling spectra exhibited only gaps free of in-gap structure.
Uncovering psychopaths: an automated lingustic approach

The identification of psychopaths, especially those who commit violent crimes, is important to society because of their increased risk of criminal recidivism rates. In this paper, we examine communication patterns that may be unique to individuals high in psychopathy. Several linguistic features in the narratives of prisoners convicted of murder identified by the use of automated Natural Language Processing (NLP) suggest that spontaneously produced psychopathic speech differs from non-psychopathic speech. Psychopaths produced more speech disfluencies, past tense verbs, and food/drink related words in their narratives compared to non-psychopaths. Surprisingly, no overall differences in affective word use were detected.
Evaluation of lytB Gene for Detection of Streptococcus pneumoniae in Isolates and Clinical Specimens by Real-Time PCR

Background: Streptococcus pneumoniae is a causative agent of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Diagnosis of pneumococcal infection includes conventional culture-based and molecular methods. Diﬀerentiation of S. pneumoniae from other mitis group streptococci is not reliable. Objectives: Weaimedtoevaluatetheeﬃcacyof lytB genealongwith lytA genefordetectionof S.pneumoniae inisolatesandclinical samples using conventional and real-time PCR methods. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 560 clinical specimens were collected from patients during February-September 2015. The samples were cultured on 5% sheep blood agar and suspected colonies were identiﬁed by biochemical assays. The antibiotic susceptibility test was performed by disk diﬀusion and serial microdilution methods. 46 culture-negative and 46 culture-positive samples were examined to evaluate the presence of lytA and lytB genes using conventional and real-time PCR methods. Results: A total of 46 (8.2%) isolates of S. pneumoniae were identiﬁed in suspected specimens. 52% (24/46) of isolates exhibited multiple drug resistance (MDR). All 46 isolates contained both lytA and lytB genes. Real-time PCR assay detected both genes with low CT values in culture-positive samples. Among culture negative specimens, one sample was positive for both the genes. Conclusions: The lytB is similar to lytA in sensitivity for diagnosis of S. pneumoniae in isolates and clinical samples based on both the molecular methods. The results conﬁrmed the applicability of real time PCR based on lytB genes for detection of S. pneumoniae .
The Effects of Relaxation Exercises and Park Walks During Workplace Lunch Breaks on Physiological Recovery

Considering the increasing demands of various occupational interventions, this study aimed at examining the impact of relaxation exercises and park walks during lunch breaks on physiological recovery (i.e., on changes in cortisol excretion and blood pressure). In a four-week randomized controlled trial, 153 knowledge workers in seven companies were allocated to one of three groups: relaxation, park walk, or control. Both intervention groups were required to undertake either a lunchtime relaxation exercise or a park walk on each working day for two consecutive weeks. Data were collected at baseline, during the two-week intervention period, and in the week after the intervention. Mixed-design analyses of variance (ANOVA) were conducted. No beneficial intervention effects were observed in cortisol awakening response (CARi) or cortisol decline during the day (CDD). Blood pressure decreased significantly in the afternoon at work in each group. This decrease was more pronounced in the park walk group ( d = .51–.58) than in the relaxation ( d = .18–.28) and control ( d = .31–.41) groups. Our study showed that changing knowledge workers’ lunch routines for a short period of time does not affect cortisol excretion, but may lower blood pressure at the end of the working day. This lowered blood pressure also seemed to occur among the controls, suggesting that measuring and keeping track of blood pressure may serve as an intervention. However, longer interventions are needed to achieve stronger and long lasting physiological recovery effects.
Evaluation of the Impact of the Trivedi Effect®-Energy of Consciousness on the Structure and Isotopic Abundance Ratio of Magnesium Gluconate Using LC-MS and NMR Spectroscopy

Magnesium gluconate is a classical pharmaceutical/nutraceutical compound used as a magnesium ion source for the prevention and treatment of hypomagnesemia. The present study was aimed to investigate the effect of The Trivedi Effect® - Energy of Consciousness Healing Treatment (Biofield Energy Healing Treatment) on magnesium gluconate for the change in the structural properties and isotopic abundance ratio (PM+1/PM and PM+2/PM) using LC-MS and NMR spectroscopy. Magnesium gluconate was divided into two parts – one part was control, and another part was treated with The Trivedi Effect® - Biofield Energy Healing Treatment remotely by twenty renowned Biofield Energy Healers and defined as The Trivedi Effect® Treated sample. The LC-MS analysis of both the control and treated samples indicated the presence of mass of the protonated magnesium gluconate at m/z 415 at the retention time of 1.52 min and fragmentation pattern of the both sample were almost similar. The relative peak intensities of the fragment ions were significantly changed in the treated sample compared with the control sample. The proton and carbon signals for CH, CH2 and CO groups in the proton and carbon NMR spectra were observed almost similar for the control and the treated samples. The percentage change in the isotopic abundance ratio of PM+1/PM (2H/1H or 13C/12C or 17O/16O or 25Mg/24Mg) was significantly decreased in the treated sample by 17.51% compared with the control sample. Consequently, the isotopic abundance ratio of PM+2/PM (18O/16O or 26Mg/24Mg) in the treated sample was significantly increased by 79.44% compared to the control sample. Briefly, 13C, 2H, 17O, and 25Mg contributions from (C12H23MgO14)+ to m/z 416; 18O and 26Mg contributions from (C12H23MgO14)+ to m/z 417 in treated sample were significantly altered compared with the control sample. Thus, The Trivedi Effect® Treated magnesium gluconate might be supportive to design the novel potent enzyme inhibitors using its kinetic isotope effects. Consequently, The Trivedi Effect® Treated magnesium gluconate would be valuable for designing better pharmaceutical and/or nutraceutical formulations through its changed physicochemical and thermal properties, which might be providing better therapeutic response against various diseases such as diabetes mellitus, allergy, aging, inflammatory diseases, immunological disorders, and other chronic infections.
Effects of Predator Size and Gonad Maturation on Food Preference and Feeding Intensity of Sander lucioperca (Linnaeus, 1758)

This study examines temporal changes and predator size-dependent changes in the important dietary groups and feeding intensity of pikeperch Sander lucioperca. Monthly experimental fishing operations were conducted for sampling purposes using gillnets with different mesh sizes between July 2009 and June 2010. The results showed significant changes in the important dietary items as a function of predator size. Diptera and mysids were the most important groups for pikeperch smaller than 19 cm, whereas fish were most important for pikeperch larger than 19 cm. The important dietary items also varied significantly over time. The most important dietary groups were mysids during December, January and February; diptera during March and April; and teleosts during the other months. The feeding intensity of pikeperch peaks in October and March and then progressively decreases between October and February. The decrease in feeding intensity was related to the reproductive period.
Sedentary work style and heart rate variability: A short term analysis

Emerging studies suggest that sedentary work style is often associated with deleterious physiological implications, including diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity. However, only few studies linked prolonged periods of sitting with psychological responses thus the implications of sedentary behavior on mental health still remain highly unexplored. In this study, we investigated the relation between sedentary time and Heart Rate Variability (HRV) parameters, which are considered important biological markers of psychological processes including cognitive and emotional aspects. In this manner, we aim to explore factors that may indicate that sedentary behavior causes responses at psychological level. Recent progress in the sophistication and usability of wearable sensors offers the opportunity to continuously record ECG parameters and accelerometer data in daily-life settings, such as at workplace.