Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Campaign Spending and Rents in a Probabilistic Voting Model

How the levels of corruption and embezzlement of a political system are influenced by electoral campaigns? How rent extraction can be reduced with anti-corruption policies? We answer these questions in the context of a probabilistic voting model characterized by the absence of political pressure groups and by the presence of ideological voters whose preferences can be manipulated by political candidates through campaign spending. Our main innovation is the introduction of an analysis of candidates’ campaign choices in the literature on the agency costs of political delegation. Moreover, we contribute to the literature establishing a direct link between campaign expenditures and the utility of the voters. We find that campaigning choices are orthogonal to decisions about rent extractions and that candidates always invest a significative amount of their resources of their expected rents in advertisements. As the electoral competition itself does not suffices to reach an efficient outcome, we then study how welfare policies can reduce the inefficiencies of the electoral competition. We show that limitations of campaign expenditures are, in absence of lobbies, always welfare decreasing for voters. Indeed, our main policy suggestion is to introduce an anti-corruption, i.e. a policy that reduces the ability of candidates to extract rents by abating the incentives to rent accumulation. We show that the introduction of such tax can make the citizens better off. Surprisingly, it may also make the candidates better off if the policy is not sufficiently funded. Finally, we establish the conditions under which a policy of this kind can achieve the popular support required for an effective implementation and we show that these conditions are difficult to achieve in countries with large income inequalities.
A study on the biomechanical efficiency of different cycling positions

This study was designed to determine how modifications in cycle geometry and lower-limb kinematics determine changes in oxygen uptake and lactate accumulation during submaximal cycle ergometry. First a series of tests with ten athletes was carried out with different seat-tube angles (STA test) determining different frame geometries. The tests performed with a rigid protocol show an interesting relationship between the trend of the coefficient of variation of O2 consumption (respiratory dynamics) and the forces measured on saddle and handlebar. The stabilization of the respiratory dynamics registered for a particular position could be considered as a first step of O2 consumption physiologic adaptation. For this reason a long term adaptation test (LTA test), in which the subject trained for 8 weeks with a determined STA, was executed to find out how long time spent using a specific frame geometry results in a minimization of the energetic cost of pedalling at a constant power output. The findings obtained suggest that, after a long training period with a bicycle frame geometry that minimizes the force exerted by the subject on saddle and handlebar, a stabilization of O2 consumption and a decrease of blood lactate accumulation occur. This physiologic adaptation of the human body means a decreasing trend of energy consumption in central (O2) and peripheral (lactate) level. Moreover this paper proposes an innovative method to determine the optimum cycling position, considering also the contribution of the upper part of the human body. In fact the original method proposed here, takes into consideration the horizontal components of the forces exerted on the handlebar and on the saddle as fundamental parameters for minimizing the ineffective efforts during cycling. This study is part of an extensive research that uses quantitative methods to establish the optimum rider position in order to minimize the muscular efforts performing a specific task, in aerobic phase.
The effect of parameterized ice microphysics on the simulation of vortex circulation with a mesoscale hydrostatic model

It has been proposed that ice microphysics, particularly the melting effect, can play an important role in the generation of mesoscale structure and evolution of convective weather systems and associated stratiform rainfall. In this paper, parameterized cloud ice and snow crystals are incorporated into an explicit (grid-resolved) convective scheme as prognostic variables and tested using an observed mesovortex on a grid resolution of 25 km. With the inclusion of ice microphysics parameterization, the resolvable-scale precipitation begins to develop nearly 1 h earlier and undergoes a more rapid acceleration. Meanwhile, the resulting maximum upward motion and locally accumulated rainfall are significantly larger than that without ice microphysics. However, the model produced a relatively weak mesovortex circulation with the maximum cyclonic vorticity located more than 50 mb higher when the ice microphysics is incorporated. It is found that the freezing and sublimation provide a positive forcing for the rapid development of the mid-tropospheric warm-core vortex circulation, while the melting tends to destroy the concentration of cyclonic vorticity in the lower levels. In particular, intercomparisons among all sensitivity experiments so far performed reveal that the melting effect can be of equal importance to those of the hydrostatic water loading and evaporative cooling in retarding the development of the CISK-like instability and in reducing the intensity of the mesovortex. The results indicate that the vertical distribution of diabatic heating may be more important than the total heating in determining the strength of mesovortices, when the melting effect is considered. DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0870.1989. tb00371.x
Mechanism for Novel Products

Preferences for pomegranates, including some novel pomegranate varieties, were evaluated using an experimental auction and nonhypothetical preference ranking mechanism. Additional information on the taste and health benefits of the products was provided to mimic the information-gathering process on novel products. Product familiarity, product information, and reference prices were key factors in explaining willingness to pay for the included novel products. Results from the auction and nonhypothetical preference ranking procedures were divergent. Furthermore, interactions were detected between information treatments and product characteristics.
Next Generation Planar IGBTs with SPT + Technology

Following the successful introduction of the high voltage Soft-Punch-Through (SPT) IGBT range, ABB now introduces the next generation of planar IGBTs employing the newly developed SPT technology. The new IGBTs exhibit significantly reduced on-state losses while maintaining low turn-off losses; smooth switching waveforms and a benchmark SOA performance associated with the well-established SPT IGBTs.
Subtyping of Shiga Toxin 2 Producing E. coli using Real-time PCR with HRMA

Background: Shiga toxin producing E. coli (STEC) can produce two types of Shiga toxins (Stxs): Stx1 and Stx2. The latter is more associated with severe disease such as haemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) in humans, and is the main focus of this project. Stx2 can be categorised into several subtypes which differ in virulence: Stx2a, Stx2b, Stx2c, Stx2d, Stx2e, Stx2g, and Stx2f, with Stx2a and Stx2c being more virulent than other subtypes. Because of this it is desirable to be able to differentiate between them. Aim: Two common methods used in Stx2 subtyping includes conventional PCR with agarose gel electrophoresis and sequencing. As these methods are laborious and relatively expensive, the objective of this project was to find a more effective way of subtyping Stx2 producing E. coli. Materials and Methods: Real-time PCR with high resolution melt analysis was chosen as a method for Stx2 subtyping, and two different sets of primer pairs were tested and evaluated on seven reference strains provided by Flemming Scheutz and Statens Serum Institut in addition to a collection of pure and mixed culture samples containing Stx2 provided the Department of Medical Microbiology at St. Olavs Hospital. Results: The first set of primer pairs could not successfully discriminate between the different Stx2 subtypes. The second set showed more promise as it could differentiate between subtypes Stx2a, Stx2c, Stx2d, Stx2b, Stx2e, Stx2g, and determine that a sample contained Stx2a and Stx2c or Stx2a and Stx2d when using the reference strains. Using the same set, 25 out of 29 pure culture samples were successfully subtyped as well as 18 out of 21 mixed culture samples. Discussion and Conclusion: There were some problems regarding primer efficiency, and some of the tested patient samples were incorrectly subtyped or did not get amplified at all. Untill these issues are resolved, the method should not be put into practice.
Methods for quantifying the stable sintering region in laser sintered polyamide-12

Manufacturing complex parts by the laser sintering process requires a minimum amount of energy input for consolidation of polymer particles to occur; however too much energy can result in a decline in mechanical properties. This decrease is thought to be the result of polymer chain degradation. A stable sintering region (SSR) has been proposed to describe the optimum temperature range for successful laser sintering. This article will aim to quantify the SSR for polyamide-12 by using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to provide a framework for identifying key laser sintering processing parameters. Weight loss with respect to temperature is the main measurement output of the TGA procedure. However, the precise temperature and thermal history of a material is difficult to quantify during the laser sintering process; instead an energy input approach has been developed. A degradation energy was calculated from the TGA data and was used in conjunction with a laser sintering formula called energy melt ratio to prescribe build parameters for laser sintered parts. The mechanical properties of these parts illustrated the effect of degradation at various levels of energy input. Implications for this work include optimizing the material selection process for polymer laser sintering materials beyond polyamide-12. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2013. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers
ANO Detection with K-Nearest Neighbor Using Minkowski Distance

Full unloading of the left ventricle in patients implanted with ventricular assist devices over a long period of time has been reported to cause aortic valve fusion and thrombosis. Therefore, it is vital to detect the occurrence of aortic valve non-opening (ANO) in these patients. In the present study, measurements were obtained from four greyhounds under a wide range of operating conditions, which covered varying levels of blood volume, vascular resistances, contractilities and pumping speeds. K nearest neighbor classifier was implemented on two features, i.e. root mean square and standard deviation of pump speed amplitude. Classification performance using different Minkowski distance metrics (Manhattan distance, Euclidean distance, Minkowski distance with a power of 3 and Chebyshev distance) and k parameter (odd numbers ranging from 1 to 29) were evaluated. Results showed that the compared metrics achieved similar performance (accuracy of 93%) and concurred unanimously with regards to the optimal numbers of k parameters (k=9) for the data tested. 
The role of hydrodynamic parameters in the forming of low-frequency oscillations in arterial blood pressure in human

The mechanism of forming of low-frequency oscillations in the human cardiovascular system is a burning issue today. The current paper considers a hypothesis of hydrodynamic nature of these oscillations, which are formed without the involvement of autonomous control of the cardiovascular system from the autonomic nervous system. The developed reduced hydrodynamic model was used to study the system response on additive periodic perturbation of wide-ranged frequencies that affects the performance of the heart pump, as well as the role of hydrodynamic parameters of the cardiovascular bed in this process. It was shown that low-frequency perturbation of pump wall rigidity forms low-frequency oscillations in the arterial part of the cardiovascular flow without autonomous control, with the maximum amplitude observed at frequency close to 0.1 Hz.
LWPC ANALYSIS OF LIGHTNING-INDUCED SFERICS’ ELF PROPAGATION VELOCITY By SANDEEP

The Long Wave Propagation Capability (LWPC) software package is a comprehensive simulation tool with a longstanding track record of simulating the propagation of very low frequency (VLF: 3-3kHz) electromagnetic waves in the Earth-ionosphere waveguide. The code is able to simulate waves launched at any geographic location and takes into account effects of parameters that vary spatially around the world, such as the Earth’s magnetic field, the ground conductivity, and the zenith angle of the sun. In this work, we apply LWPC to the extremely low frequency (ELF : 03kHz) band and focus on the group velocity of electromagnetic impulses generated by lightning discharges, known as “sferics”. The group velocity shows variation as a function of the electron density profile of the lowest region of the ionosphere known as the D-region. The D-region’s electron density profile can generally be fitted as an exponential function quantified by two key parameters, 1) the scaling factor for the reflection height of the Earth-ionosphere waveguide 2) the sharpness of the exponential profile. We analyze the change of the group velocity for profiles with reflection heights ranging from 70  90 km as well as sharpness magnitudes ranging from 0.4 0.6 km−1. These parameters correspond to day and night conditions. The variation of the propagation velocity in an Earth-ionosphere waveguide containing a nonexponential electron density profile is also analyzed.
Advanced Metering Infrastructure Based on Smart Meters in Smart Grid

Due to lack of situational awareness, automated analysis, poor visibility, and mechani‐ cal switches, today's electric power grid has been aging and ill‐suited to the demand for electricity, which has gradually increased, in the twenty‐first century. Besides, the global climate change and the greenhouse gas emissions on the Earth caused by the electricity industries, the growing population, one‐way communication, equipment failures, energy storage problems, the capacity limitations of electricity generation, decrease in fossil fuels, and resilience problems put more stress on the existing power grid. Consequently, the smart grid (SG) has emerged to address these challenges. To realize the SG, an ad‐ vanced metering infrastructure (AMI) based on smart meters is the most important key.
Impact of PCB Manufacturing Process Variations on Trace Impedance

This paper demonstrates statistically the impact of PCB manufacturing variations on the characteristic impedance. Moreover, it shows that the characteristics of the PCBs vary across different suppliers. These differences cannot be tolerated in some applications where the characteristic impedance is restricted to be within a specific range. We sampled 3 × 20 PCBs, each batch of twenty is ordered from a different manufacturer. The sampling consist of measuring the phase shift between the reected and the incident signals when injecting a 180 MHz sinewave into a PCB trace. The trace is selected to be the same for all samples. All the PCBs are ordered to be identical and designed for 50 Ω devices. Our conclusion was drawn after running the T-tests to assess statistically the significance of the difference occurring between the PCBs. Based on the computed P-values all the three batches are different from each other in the mean of the measured phase shift with 95 % confidence. The difference between the measured.
Structural and spectroscopic changes to natural nontronite induced by experimental impacts between 10 and 40 GPa

Many phyllosilicate deposits remotely detected on Mars occur within bombarded terrains. Shock metamorphism from meteor impacts alters mineral structures, producing changed mineral spectra. Thus, impacts have likely affected the spectra of remotely sensed Martian phyllosilicates. We present spectral analysis results for a natural nontronite sample before and after laboratory‐generated impacts over five peak pressures between 10 and 40 GPa. We conducted a suite of spectroscopic analyses to characterize the sample's impact‐induced structural and spectral changes. Nontronite becomes increasingly disordered with increasing peak impact pressure. Every infrared spectroscopic technique used showed evidence of structural changes at shock pressures above ~25 GPa. Reflectance spectroscopy in the visible near‐infrared region is primarily sensitive to the vibrations of metal–OH and interlayer H2O groups in the nontronite octahedral sheet. Midinfrared (MIR) spectroscopic techniques are sensitive to the vibrations of silicon and oxygen in the nontronite tetrahedral sheet. Because the tetrahedral and octahedral sheets of nontronite deform differently, impact‐driven structural deformation may contribute to differences in phyllosilicate detection between remote sensing techniques sensitive to different parts of the nontronite structure. Observed spectroscopic changes also indicated that the sample's octahedral and tetrahedral sheets were structurally deformed but not completely dehydroxylated. This finding is an important distinction from previous studies of thermally altered phyllosilicates in which dehydroxylation follows dehydration in a stepwise progression preceding structural deformation. Impact alteration may thus complicate mineral‐specific identifications based on the location of OH‐group bands in remotely detected spectra. This is a key implication for Martian remote sensing arising from our results.
Birmingham Number size distributions and seasonality of submicron particles in Europe 2008–2009

Two years of harmonized aerosol number size distribution data from 24 European ﬁeld monitoring sites have been analysed. The results give a comprehensive We also show that the aerosol number concentrations of Aitken and accumulation mode particles (with 100 nm dry diameter as a between modes) are although there is signiﬁcant in the of Different and station are this and this methodology has potential for categorization of stations
Drivers of fishing at the household scale in Fiji

Coral reefs sustain millions of people worldwide, yet in recent years, social, environmental, and climate change have caused major declines in coral reef fisheries. Small-scale coral reef fisheries research has largely focused on community-level drivers of fishing, ignoring the heterogeneities that exist within communities. We used social-ecological indicators from 20 coastal villages in Fiji to identify potential fine-scale, context-appropriate drivers of estimated household fish catch. Indicators were developed based on a review of the literature, discussions with local experts, and a pilot study. Using structural equation models, we found that importance of fishing to income, household fish consumption, livelihood diversity, travel time to market, and coral reef area all positively affect estimated household-level fish catch. Our results contrast with findings from other larger scale studies by identifying that households further from markets had higher fishing frequency. We highlight the role of middlemen in these small-scale fisheries, who have been largely overlooked as drivers of fisheries catch. Our findings emphasize the need for household-level analyses to better understand the complexities in coral reef social-ecological systems to more effectively manage small-scale fisheries in communities.
Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma – Integrating Loco-regional and Molecular-targeted Therapies

The treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is rapidly evolving as loco-regional and systemic therapies continue to improve. Image-guided radiofrequency (RF) ablation is established as the treatment of choice for patients with early-stage HCC when transplantation or resection are precluded. Recent refinements to technique have substantially increased the ability of RF ablation to achieve sustained complete response of target tumours in properly selected patients, and new alternate thermal and non-thermal methods for local tumour treatment are currently under investigation. Transarterial chemo-embolisation (TACE) is the standard of care for patients with multinodular disease at the intermediate stage. The introduction of drug-eluting beads, which enhance drug delivery to the tumour and reduce systemic exposure, appears to improve anticancer activity and the safety profile of TACE compared with conventional regimens. Despite these advances, the long-term outcomes of patients treated with loco-regional therapies remain unsatisfactory because of the high rate of tumour recurrence. The introduction of molecular-targeted therapies that inhibit tumour proliferation and angiogenesis has opened new prospects in this regard. Clinical trials focused on combining interventional treatment with systemically active drugs are ongoing. The outcomes of such studies are eagerly awaited, as they have the potential to revolutionise the treatment of HCC.