Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Large thermoelectric power factors and impact of texturing on the thermal conductivity in polycrystalline SnSe

Single crystals of SnSe have been reported to have very high thermoelectric efficiencies with a maximum figure merit zT = 2.5. This outstanding performance is due to ultralow thermal conductivities. We report on the synthesis of highly textured polycrystalline SnSe ingots with large single-crystal magnitude power factors, S2/ρ = 0.2–0.4 mW m−1 K−2 between 300–600 K, increasing to 0.9 mW m−1 K−2 at 800 K, and bulk thermal conductivity values κ300K = 1.5 W m−1 K−1. However, small SnSe ingots, which were measured in their entirety, were found to have a substantially reduced κ300K = 0.6 W m−1 K−1. Microscopy and diffraction revealed two distinct types of texturing within the hot-pressed ingots. In the interior, large coherent domains of SnSe platelets with a ∼45° orientation with respect to the pressing direction are found, while the platelets are preferentially oriented at 90° to the pressing direction at the top and bottom of the ingots. Fitting the κ(T) data suggests an increase in defect scattering for the smaller ingots, which is in keeping with the presence of regions of structural disorder due to the change in texturing. Combining the measured S2/ρ with the bulk ingot κ values yields zT = 1.1 at 873 K.
USING VARIANCE NEIGHBOURHOOD SEARCH TO OPTIMIZE THE BUS WAITING ALLOCATION PROBLEM IN A MULTI-FLOOR BUS STATION

This research deals with a multi-floor bus station, which provides services for a large number of passengers. The bus station has a limited platform capacity and there is no temporary parking lot for buses. When a large number of buses move into one floor of the station, buses cannot move smoothly and may not even be able to move at all. When a floor is full, buses waiting outside cannot enter, and buses inside cannot move out. It is fortunate that the station is designed as a multi-floor structure. When a bus is scheduled to move onto a floor, which has no more space for parking, it can move to another floor temporarily to wait. This research proposes the use of integer-programming to optimize the assignment of temporary waiting floor for all incoming buses in order to minimize the maximum delay. A Variance Neighbourhood Search (VNS) is proposed to solve the problem. The results show that when temporary waiting on another floor is permitted, the total time delay can be reduced by up to 47.41%.
Efficient fault monitoring with Collaborative Prediction

Isolating users from the inevitable faults in large distributed systems is critical to Quality of Experience. We formulate the problem of probe selection for fault prediction based on end-to-end probing as a Collaborative Prediction (CP) problem. On an extensive experimental dataset from the EGI grid, the combination of the Maximum Margin Matrix Factorization approach to CP and Active Learning shows excellent performance, reducing the number of probes typically by 80% to 90%.
Measuring service quality and satisfaction of students: A case study of students perception of service quality in high-ranking business schools in Iran

This paper aims to measure master students’ perception of service quality in business schools in Iran. In this research, an enhanced approach in use of modified SERVPERF for measuring students’ satisfaction in higher education is represented. The modified scale including 42 attributes was tested at 5 first-class business schools in Iran. Both confirmatory and exploratory factors analyses were undertaken on the data. A conceptual model including 6 dimensions which are entitled tangibles, reliability, empathy, employee, professor and career guidance was represented for measuring service quality in business schools by the authors. The research findings suggest that in all 6 dimensions, there is discrepancy between 5 selected business schools. Students in Sharif business school in 5 factors are more satisfied than those in other business schools except Tarbiat Modares. Students of selected business schools have positive evaluation of reliability and professors; however, they have negative evaluation of career guidance and employees’ dimensions of their schools. Our findings are not sufficient for different aspects of assessing business schools’ service quality in Iran. Furthermore, the research has focused on M.A students, and fails to include B.A and PhD candidates. It seems that Iranian business schools should focus more on their academic board and try to improve their academic credibility. Furthermore, they should have great attention to make warm relationship with students in order to build up trust and confidence and also help students realize their capabilities. The paper shows for the first time how service quality of business schools satisfy students and what is the importance of different dimensions of service quality. Moreover, it should be of interest to schools managers in order to improve the quality of schools’ services. Key words: Service quality, customer satisfaction, SERVPERF, business schools, master students.
Frequent monitoring of temperature: an essential requirement for site selection in bivalve aquaculture in tropical–temperate transition zones

Frequent monitoring of temperature (FMT) for over 1 year at two aquaculture sites in the western Baja California peninsula was analysed in terms of hourly, daily and monthly variability, and with this information, temperature-change indices were calculated. These data were contrasted against a long-term series from a global database (Extended Reconstruction of Sea Surface Temperature (ERSST)) to evaluate whether these could substitute for FMT. The compatibility of species requirements with the thermal conditions was evaluated by comparing the temperature frequency distributions from the two FMTs, with the optimum and lethal temperature information available on five bivalve species of aquacultural interest. We concluded that there was no correlation between ERSST and FMT because the former underestimates the amplitude of real temperature fluctuations and exhibits a different pattern of variation during the year. Therefore, FMT was needed for a correct selection of an aquaculture site for bivalves. The FMT indicated high temperature variability at both sites studied on different time scales, with the site located at lower latitude (Rancho Bueno) warmer and with a higher variability than Laguna Manuela. Contrasting these results with optimum and lethal temperature values of bivalve species, it was possible to find the ideal site, for temperature, for culturing the species, taking into account the variability associated with large-scale phenomena.
Rorty through and with Putnam: a viable antifoundationalism

The article attempts to clarify the main issues underlying the debate between Richard Rorty and Hilary Putnam, with a view to showing how it is possible to see emerging from it a viable anti-foundationalist conception of normativity capable to eschew the corrosive pitfalls of radical scepticism and relativism. It is argued that this conception is centred on three key distinctions: between a physical and grammatical sense of the impossibility of foundationalism; between a view of the universalistic aspirations of normativity as grounds for our normative judgments as opposed to their scope; and between a view of the transcendent aspirations of normativity as self-transcendence as opposed to self-reflexivity.
PYROMETALLURGICAL PROCESSING OF ZINC ASH AND FLUE DUST

Large amounts of zinc ash and flue dust, containing more than 80 % zinc, are accumulated during galvanization processes at the surface of molten zinc bath and in the chimney, respectively. Pyrometallurgical recovery of zinc from both the ash and dust samples has been carried out. The ash was sieved with the help of an industrial sieve shaker provided with mesh sieve having a pore size 0.9 mm. The oversize fraction cut (+ 0.9 mm) was melted at 550 °C under ambient conditions. The produced ingot (1) was analyzed whereas the coarse fraction of the produced slag (+ 0.9 mm) was treated as the coarse ash or added to it. The dust was enriched with suitable fluxing salt prior to heat treatment at 600 °C for 1 h. The produced ingot (2) was analyzed whereas the resulting slag was mixed with the fines of the ash and treated by hydrometallurgical processing to prepare zinc salts. Parameters affecting recovery processes such as time, temperature and flux percentage were studied. Results obtained revealed that the two prepared ingots (1&2) were successfully recovered with THE recovery efficiency amounting to ≥ 85 %. The obtained samples meet the standard specifications with relatively low price. Also reuse of these wastes helps in keeping the environment clean.
Max-Ent in fast belief fusion

This paper deals with Jaynes' MaxEnt Principle and Yager's combination rule for weighting the masses associated with the focal ele- ments. The main goal is to manage uncertainty by suitably modelling the degrees of belief. The solution of this problem is classically approached by the Bayesian method based on probability functions. The DS theory also provides a useful framework for the representation of information con- tent in an uncertain variable. However in both approaches the weights, associated with the focal elements can be referred to probabilities, and must be know in advance. We show that, under Max-Entropy principle, the fusion of belief is faster. We present a new way of obtaining from two independent and equally reliable sources of evidence, a new set with the probability allotted on each focal element.
Aerosol indirect effects on glaciated clouds. Part I: Model description

Various improvements were made to a state‐of‐the‐art aerosol–cloud model and comparison of the model results with observations from field campaigns was performed. The strength of this aerosol–cloud model is in its ability to explicitly resolve all the known modes of heterogeneous cloud droplet activation and ice crystal nucleation. The model links cloud particle activation with the aerosol loading and chemistry of seven different aerosol species. These improvements to the model resulted in more accurate prediction especially of droplet and ice crystal number concentrations in the upper troposphere and enabled the model to directly sift the aerosol indirect effects based on the chemistry and concentration of the aerosols. In addition, continental and maritime cases were simulated for the purpose of validating the aerosol–cloud model and for investigating the critical microphysical and dynamical mechanisms of aerosol indirect effects from anthropogenic solute and solid aerosols, focusing mainly on glaciated clouds. The simulations showed that increased solute aerosols reduced cloud particle sizes by about 5 μm and inhibited warm rain processes. Cloud fractions and their optical thicknesses were increased quite substantially in both cases. Although liquid mixing ratios were boosted, there was however a substantial reduction of ice mixing ratios in the upper troposphere owing to the increase in snow production aloft. These results are detailed in the subsequent parts of this study.
Properties of the ZrO2MgO/MgZrO3NiCr/NiCr triple-layer thermal barrier coating deposited by the atmospheric plasma spray process

This paper presents the results of the examinations of TBC - ZrO2MgO / MgZrO3NiCr / NiCr thermal barrier layers deposited by the plasma spray process at the atmospheric pressure on substrates of Al alloys. In order to obtain the structural and mechanical properties of layers, which will provide a good heat and abrasion protection of the tail elevators of aircraft J-22 when firing '. Lightning' and 'Thunder' rockets, the deposition of three powder types was performed on 0.6 mm thick Al alloy substrates. This study describes a procedure of using triple-layer TBC coatings as a good combination among many available ones, which gives a good compromise between thermal protection and resistance to abrasion for protecting aircraft tail elevators. The study is mainly based on the experimental approach. The evaluation of the mechanical properties of layers was done by the examination of microhardness by method HV0.3 and bond strength on the tensile machine. The structure of layers was examined by the method of light microscopy while the surface of ZrO2MgO ceramic layers was examined by the method of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The thermal protection of TBC layers and resistance to abrasion were tested in the tunnel of the Military Technical Institute, Zarkovo. The obtained characteristics of the surface layers and the rocket firing simulations have proven the triple-layer system of TBC coatings reliable.
The Effect of Sucking Bits of Ice Containing (mentha) Mint Extract on Xerostomia, During Chemotherapy in Patients with Breast Cancer

Background: Breast cancer is the most common and fatal cancer among women. Numerous methods, included surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, are applied to cure cancer. Chemotherapy, as a common therapeutic method, results in some physical and mental side effects. Among numerous side effects of chemotherapy, xerostomia is possible. Objectives: This study has been designed to study the effect of sucking ice containing mint extract on xerostomia during chemotherapy. Methods: In this clinical study, 60 patients suffering from breast cancer with chemotherapy were randomly put into two groups of control and ice containing mint extract. Thirty ice bits in 1 cc containing 30 drops of super mint in chemotherapy and 30 cc water were given to experimental and control groups; respectively. Xerostomia was estimated by VAS. Data was analyzed by SPSS 16. Results: The findings indicate that there is a significant difference in the xerostomia averages of 17.33 and 46 in the experimental and control groups; respectively (P < 0.000). Conclusions: According to the study results, ice containing mint extract has an effect on xerostomia caused by chemotherapy.
Two-photon readout of three-dimensional memory in silica

We report the readout of three-dimensional (3D) optical memory in silica by detecting the photoluminescence (PL) of the bits (voxels). A broad defect-related PL band at 400–700 nm was excited by two-photon absorption of femtosecond (pulse duration of 120 fs) illumination at 795 nm. We employed a simple reflection-type scanning readout without the use of a confocal detection scheme to read 3D memory by recording the PL of the bits (the same objective lens was used for the excitation and the collection of the PL). Bit plane separation as small as 3 μm was resolved without cross talk, when the theoretical limit of the axial resolution evaluated as a full-width at half maximum measure of a bit size was 1.4 μm at the fabrication conditions employed.
2 Industrial Networks of the Future: Review of Research and Practice

Academic researchers have followed closely the interest of companies in establishing industrial networks by studying aspects such as social interaction and contractual relationships. But what patterns underlie the emergence of industrial networks and what support should research provide for practitioners? Firstly, it appears that manufacturing is becoming a commodity rather than a unique capability, which accounts especially for low-technology approaches in downstream parts of the network, for example in assembly operations. Secondly, the increased tendency towards specialization has forced other, upstream, parts of industrial networks to introduce advanced manufacturing technologies to supply niche markets. Thirdly, the capital market for investments in capacity, and the trade in manufacturing as a commodity, dominates resource allocation to a larger extent than previously was the case. Fourthly, there is a continuous move towards more loosely connected entities that comprise manufacturing networks. More traditional concepts, such as the “keiretsu” and “chaibol” networks of some Asian economies, do not suffi ciently support the demands now being placed on networks. Research should address these four fundamental challenges to prepare for the industrial networks of 2020 and beyond.
Measurement Equivalence of Nationalism and Constructive Patriotism in the ISSP: 34 Countries in a Comparative Perspective

Studies on national identity differentiate between nationalistic attitudes and constructive patriotism (CP) as two more specific expressions of national identity and as theoretically two distinct concepts. After a brief discussion of the theoretical literature, the following questions are examined: (1) Can nationalism and CP be empirically identified as two distinct concepts? ; (2) Is their meaning fully or partially invariant across countries? ; and (3) Is it possible to compare their means across countries? Data from the International Social Survey Program (ISSP) 2003 National Identity Module are utilized to answer these questions in a sample of 34 countries. Items to measure nationalism and CP are chosen based on the literature, and a series of confirmatory factor analyses to test for configural, measurement (metric), and scalar invariance are performed. Full or partial metric invariance is a necessary condition for equivalence of meaning across cultures and for a meaningful comparison of associations with other theoretical constructs. Scalar invariance is a necessary condition for comparison of means across countries. Findings reveal that nationalism and CP emerge as two distinct constructs. However, in some countries, some items that were intended to measure one construct also measure the other construct. Furthermore, configural and metric invariance are found across the full set of 34 countries. Consequently, researchers may now use the ISSP data to study relationships among nationalism, CP, and other theoretical constructs across these nations. However, the analysis did not support scalar invariance, making it problematic for comparing the means of nationalism and CP across countries.
Fostering Metacognition in a Professional Course: towards redesign of a Master’s programme in Occupational Psychology

Metacognitive skills such as critical reflection, problem solving and contextual/situational awareness are core employability skills (amongst others); they also foster deep, constructivist approaches to learning and facilitate lifelong learning via critical reasoning and transformation of prior learning in Piagetian terms (Montgomery, 1994; Biggs, 2003). These skills are also desired outcomes for occupational psychology master’s students/consultants-in-training (my own subject teaching area). Upon graduation, many students further their consultant-in-training skills and must continually self-monitor understanding and tailor solutions to meet client problems and challenges independently. These skills (amongst others) are then externally assessed and full chartered status awarded. Thus learning must be active and continual. However, the course aims, outcomes and assessment criteria generally make only vague references to reflection in particular; remaining mostly implicit and part of a hidden curriculum. Reflection is only informally assessed and not consistently part of the course structure or teaching strategies. Thus, these skills are often poorly demonstrated within student coursework . This paper discusses proposals for the redesign of the course. It deals with the enhancement of aims/outcomes with reference to one particular module, for example purposes, along with assessment criteria and teaching-learning activities, all with a view to fostering metacognitive skills of critical reflection.
The Use of the AHP in Civil Engineering Projects

Most engineering, economic, social and institutional decisions are made with explicit notions of optimal behavior and implicit human motivations. In such a process, manipulation of both tangible and intangible data and satisfaction of multiple criteria are essential to the success of decision-making. In this paper an approach to multiple-criteria decision making known as the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is presented. Some mathematical details of the procedure are briefly discussed. The application of the method to a real life civil engineering project for the selection of an appropriate bridge design is also presented.
A New Curated Corpus of Historical Electronic Music: Collation, Data and Research Findings

A corpus of 1878 recorded works of historic electronic music from 1950–1999 has been collated. This novel data set empowers chronological study of variation over time, and the answering of research questions based on associated annotated metadata, such as art music versus popular music or comparing female and male composers. We describe the challenges of building our new corpus, audio analysis over all the works in it carried out via the SuperCollider Music Information Retrieval code library, and results of tackling two example research questions. The article involves some discussion of the material, but also accompanies release of the data itself.
Assessment of motor recovery and MRI correlates in a porcine spinal cord injury model

The study concentrated on behavioral and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics in a porcine spinal cord injury model. Six adult minipigs weighing 32–35 kg were narcotized by thiopental, intubated, and placed on a volume-cycled ventilator. Anaesthesia was maintained by 1.5% sevoflurane with oxygen. Following location of the 1 st lumbar vertebra animals were fastened in an immobilization frame. The spinal cord, exposed through a laminectomy, was compressed by a 5 mm thick circular rod with a peak force of 0.8 kg at a velocity of 3 cm·s 1 . The next day the minipigs were paraplegic but improved rapidly to paraparesis. On the 12th postoperative day they were euthanasied. Neural tissue changes were evaluated by post mortem MRI, which showed damage to the spinal cord white and/or gray matter in the epicentre of compression with longitudinal spreading over one segment cranially and caudally. Statistical analyses performed by Spearman’s rho test revealed positive correlations between damaged areas and the whole area of the spinal cord white/gray matter (P = 0.047; rs = 0.742) and (P = 0.002; rs = 0.943), respectively. The study confirmed the reliability and reproducibility of the utilised model of spinal cord trauma. The structural changes in the epicentre of injury did not impede the rapid but incomplete recovery of motor functions. Experimental model, minipig, spinal trauma, outcome Spinal cord injuries (SCI) with their life-long consequences belong to the most devastating pathological conditions. Their severity has stimulated both basic researchers and healthcare professionals for decades to study the pathophysiological processes initiated by the traumatic event and their sequelae with the goal of developing effective treatment. Animal experiments are essential to these efforts. Recent data demonstrate that therapeutic measures producing positive results in small laboratory animals are not effective in humans (Kwon et al. 2010). These facts inspired the authors to study behavioral and MRI changes following spinal cord trauma in minipigs.