Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Geometric Optimization of Thermo-Electric Coolers Using Hybrid Simulated Annealing Evolutionary Algorithm

Thermo-electric Coolers nowadays are applied in a wide range of thermal energy systems. Over the past decades, many researches were employed to improve the efficiency of TECs by enhancing the material parameters and design parameters. The material parameters are the most significant, but they are restricted by currently available materials and module fabricating technologies. Therefore, the main objective of TECs design is to determine a set of design parameters such as leg area, leg length and the number of legs. In this paper, a new method of optimizing the dimension of TECs using hybrid simulated annealing genetic algorithm to maximize the rate of refrigeration was proposed. Equality constraint and inequality constraint were taken into consideration. The results of optimization obtained by using Hybrid Simulated Annealing Genetic Algorithm are validated by comparing with those obtained by simulated annealing and Cheng’s work using genetic algorithm. This work revealed that Hybrid Simulated Annealing Genetic Algorithm is more robust and more reliable than genetic algorithm and simulated annealing. 
Thromboembolism is a leading cause of death in cancer patients receiving outpatient chemotherapy

PCI on CEC counts or other endothelial markers were not investigated [5]. Dignat-George et al. [6] reported similar CEC counts in the FV vs. femoral artery following PCI (n 1⁄4 10). In a further small study (n 1⁄4 15), these investigators noted a significant increase in peripheral blood CECs, on comparing blood taken immediately post-PCI (15.9 ± 3.7 cells mL; P 1⁄4 0.001) compared with preprocedural counts (2.4 ± 0.9 CEC mL) [5]. The observed broadly similar rise in CEC counts, following PCI, regardless of the sample site, would appear to suggest that PCI leads either to widespread endothelial perturbation and/or a rapid equilibration of responses. Contrary to our initial hypothesis, we cannot presume that the increased CEC counts represent specific coronary artery endothelial shedding. Passage of the coronary guide catheter, angioplasty guide wire and/or balloon (±stent) into the aorta and coronary vasculature may have resulted in generalized CEC release, but we found no significant change in coronary osCECs/VWFwith contrast. As CECandVWFsamplingwasonlyperformedat two timepoints (immediately pre-PCI and post-PCI) we cannot excluded the possibility that we may have missed an abrupt rise in local release of VWF that may have been detected by more frequent and protracted sampling post-PCI. Finally, the autonomic procedural stress might engender a disseminated endothelial shedding response throughout the endothelium circulation. In conclusion, this study showed no significant differences in baseline CEC counts or VWF levels between the AR, CS and RFV. However, PCI was associated with a significant increase in CECs, but not VWF, across all three sampling sites. Acknowledgements
Increasing the voltage of PFN impulse generator capacitors by converting it to boost converter

This paper presents a new method to increase the magnitude of impulse square wave of Pulse Forming Grid (PFN) and capability of producing the repetitive impulse waves by temporary converting it to Boost Converter (BC). For achieving to this goal the PFN inductors and capacitors are connected in series and parallel respectively using solid state switches and during this procedure the PFN impulse generator converts to BC and increases the voltage of capacitors uniformly to the considerable value. This technique causes to increase the discharging voltage level to the load many times more than its DC voltage source without using additional converter or transformer. The yielding results from numeric simulations in MATLAB prove this technique.
Transcription analysis of the EcoRI D region of the baculovirus Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus identifies an early 4-kilobase RNA encoding the essential p143 gene

We have investigated the transcriptional activity of the 60.1- to 68.3-map-unit region of the baculovirus Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcMNPV). Twelve transcripts mapping to this region were expressed at various times during infection. An early 4.0-kb transcript, potentially coding for a 143-kDa peptide essential for viral DNA replication, was maximally abundant at 6 h postinfection (p.i.). Transcripts of 0.5, 1.1, 1.4, 2.1, and 3.1 kb were most abundant at 12 h p.i. , while two large transcripts of 5.2 and 6.8 kb were expressed maximally at 24 h p.i. In the presence of cycloheximide, and in ts8-infected cells at the nonpermissive temperature, only the 4.0-kb RNA was expressed. Northern (RNA) blot analysis using DNA subfragments from the EcoRI D fragment as probes suggested that many of the transcripts overlapped. Strand-specific cRNA probes revealed that the majority of the RNAs were transcribed in the counterclockwise direction. S1 nuclease and primer extension analysis were used to map the 5' ends of transcripts coded within the 60.1- to 64.8-map-unit region. Mapping of the 3' ends of the 1.1-, 4.0-, 5.2-, and 6.8-kb transcripts suggested that these RNAs were all coterminal at their 3' ends. A minicistron was found between the early 4.0-kb transcription start site and the predicted ATG start codon of the p143 gene. Several similar sequence motifs were identified in the promoter regions of the p143 gene and the AcMNPV DNA polymerase gene.
E-commerce in oligopsonistic and relational markets: An empirical investigation of transaction costs in agricultural e-markets in India from farmers’ perspective

Some important benefits of electronic marketplaces, especially in agriculture, include improved coordination, better and transparent price discovery, and reduced transaction costs. Agricultural markets in India have often been associated with high transaction costs and low returns to farmers. The government proposed, among different measures to overcome these challenges, creation of emarkets in agriculture. In this paper, we made an attempt to compare transaction costs incurred in marketing farm produce under non-electronic and electronic marketplace conditions in Karnataka, a state in India that pioneered reforms in agricultural marketing. To set the context of relational marketing, farmers’ perception of their relation with traders was surveyed. Exploratory factor analysis using polychoric correlations revealed the prevalence of relational marketing, as a mix of economic and non-economic items seemed to dictate farmer-trader relations. Transaction cost analysis was carried out and median transaction costs in e-marketplaces were not found to be significantly lower than those in in regular marketplaces. Investigations revealed that non-participation of substantial numbers farmers in actual electronic transaction process resulted in a perception among farmers that there was no discernible change in transaction costs. Synthesizing results of transaction cost analysis under prevalent conditions of relational marketing, we discuss the challenges that could prevent emarkets in delivering their objective of transparency, better price discovery and lower transaction costs. Policy implications and suggestions are discussed. 1 Fellow, Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad 2 Professor, Production and Quantitative Methods Area, Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad
Optimización mediante data mining de modelos para el diagnóstico de calidad en hojalata

La hojalata es una chapa de acero, de muy poco espesor y bajo contenido en carbono, recubierta electroliticamente de una capa de estano, Este recubrimiento es fundamental para evitar o retrasar la corrosion y determina los usos posteriores de la bobina de hojalata. Un defecto de estafo puede acarrear serios problemas de salud publica si se corrompen los alimentos envasados y un exceso de recubrimiento imposibilita algunos tratamientos posteriores como el pintado o lacado. Las dificultades de medicion de recubrimiento son multiples. Los sistemas off-line, basados en la extraccion de cupones, y su posterior medicion en laboratorios especializados, implica la imposibilidad de actuar en tiempo real y un alto coste. Por otro lado, los sistemas on-line ofrecen una medida precisa pero su elevado precio y su dificil manejo hacen de ellos herramientas complejas. Con respecto a los modelos de diagnostico de recubrimiento existentes en algunas lineas de hojalata, comentar que se apoyan en la ley de Faraday en tablas ajustadas mediante regresion clasica, pero en ningun caso tienen en cuenta todas las variables de proceso ni se utilizan como diagnostico de calidad. El objetivo de esta tesis es optimizar los sistemas de diagnostico de recubrimiento, mediante un nuevo modelo de prediccion del mismo que garantice el cumplimiento de unos estrictos objetivos comerciales, valorando el peso de cada variable de proceso en el parametro objetivo. Ademas, se pretende integrar estos modelos dentro de los programas de control estadistico avanzado de proceso como respuesta a las demandas de las nuevas normas ISO 9000:2000. Las conclusiones mas inmediatas de este trabajo son la minimizacion de reclamaciones de clientes y la reduccion de costes. Para centrar el ambito y alcance del problema plateado, se han incluido una introduccion del producto hojalata y una descripcion exhaustiva de las secciones que componen su linea de producci
Methods of determining the extreme points for trivariate functions

There have been some researches in recent years, e.g. [2–5], on how to determine the extreme points of a smooth multivariate function, especially in the case where Hesse criterion is ineffective; however, most of the researches focus only on bivariate functions or lower-order stable points. In this essay we adopt Taylor series expansion of the function at the stable points, consider the positive definiteness of the corresponding homogeneous polynomial, raise the image criterion for determining the extreme points of a trivariate function, and finally extend the conclusions to higher-order situations. One fact is that this criterion is effective, and there's no need to consider the influence of the order of the stable points.
Journalistische Praxis = Journalism Practice

Efforts to put the ideas of peace journalism into practice have so far largely neglected the role of the different stages of conflicts. With reference to an empirically-based model of six factors that influence the production of conflict coverage, this article examines how the preconditions of news production differ in three different stages of conflict: (1) nonviolent conflict, (2) violent conflict, (3) aftermath of violent conflict. The author shows how the differing preconditions of news production impact the chances for realising peace journalism. In the light of findings that suggest that peace journalism is harder to realise in wartime and if the journalists' own country is involved, the author argues in favour of changing the focus of implementation towards nonviolent stages of conflict. The ideas of peace journalism must be anchored within a society in peacetime; only then will they have a chance of sustainable realisation in wartime.
A comparison between nebulized terbutaline, nebulized corticosteroid and systemic corticosteroid for acute wheezing in children up to 18 months of age

One hundred and twenty‐three children, aged 1.5–18 months, participated in a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled multicentre study comparing different treatments for acute wheezing. The children were admitted to one of five participating paediatric departments. They were randomized into one of four treatment groups: (I) soluble prednisolone +placebo inhalation + terbutaline inhalation; (2) soluble placebo + budesonide inhalation + terbutaline inhalation; (3) soluble placebo+placebo inhalation + terbutaline inhalation; and (4) soluble placebo + placebo inhalation + normal saline inhalation. On admission, measurements of temperatures, respiratory rate and heart rate were made and once‐a‐day thereafter. Wheezing, accessory respiratory muscle use, prolonged expiration and general condition were scored on a scale ranging from 0 to 3. Significantly more treatment failures were recorded in the placebo group. Children from both steroid groups were discharged earlier than children from the terbutaline group. Compared with children from the placebo group, children from all three treatment groups had a greater improvement in symptom score, but this was significant for the budesonide group only.
Quality of life in elderly adults before and after hearing aid fitting

Presbycusis is a common disorder in the elderly, which causes hearing loss and may contribute to the development of some psychiatric disorders, leading to isolation due to communication difficulties in the social environment. Objective To identify through the WHOQOL (World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire), the quality of life of hearing impaired individuals before and after hearing aid fittings. Method We had 30 individuals with hearing loss, all over 60 years of age - patients from a Speech Therapy Clinic. The patients answered the WHOQOL questions without the use of hearing aids; and after the effective use of a sound amplification device for a period of three months they answered it again. The WHOQOL - Bref consists of 26 questions, two general quality-of-life questions and 24 associated with four aspects: physical, psychological, environmental and social relations. Results There was a significant improvement in quality of life in general, as far as leisure activities were concerned, there were no major changes regarding the frequency of negative feelings; even after the hearing aid fitting, the patients continue to have such feelings. Conclusion The use of hearing aids favored the overall quality of life of the individuals evaluated.
Consumer Behavior in Emerging Markets

Emerging markets are substantially different from markets in high-income, industrialized societies. While many aspects of consumer behavior are the result of inherent psychological processes and are, thus, generalizable across countries and cultures, the specific contextual characteristics of emerging markets can significantly influence other aspects of consumer behavior. In this chapter, we explore the behavior of emerging market consumers. This chapter reviews the existing literature and proposes an initial framework delineating the main differences between emerging markets and developed markets consumers that describe how consumers in these societies recognize a need for, select, evaluate, buy, and use products. The chapter discusses the issues and contributions of the research on emerging consumers and presents implications of extant research for international managers. Finally, the chapter elaborates on an agenda for future research in this area.
Identifying and Rewarding Subcrowds in Crowdsourcing

Identifying and rewarding truthful workers are key to the sustainability of crowdsourcing platforms. In this paper, we present a clustering based rewarding mechanism that rewards workers based on their truthfulness while accommodating the differences in work-ers’ preferences. Experimental results show that the proposed approach can effectively discover subcrowds under various conditions, and truthful workers are better rewarded than less truthful ones. Experimental results show that the proposed clustering approach is able to identify subcrowds even with a signiﬁcant amount of the population being untruthful. Results also show that the workers will receive more rewards if they provide more truthful answers.
Ultrasound‐guided subclavian venous catheterisation – is this the way forward? A narrative review

Central venous catheterisation is a commonly performed procedure in anaesthesia, critical care, acute and emergency medicine. Traditionally, subclavian venous catheterisation has been performed using the landmark technique and because of the complications associated with this technique, it is not commonly performed in the United Kingdom – where the accepted practice is ultrasound‐guided internal jugular vein catheterisation. Subclavian vein catheterisation offers particular advantages over the internal jugular and femoral vein sites such as reduced rates of line‐related sepsis, improved patient comfort and swifter access in trauma situations where the internal jugular vein may not be easily accessible. There is a growing body of evidence to suggest a potential emerging role for ultrasound‐guided subclavian vein catheterisation. Barriers to this approach include many physicians still believing that the clavicle obscures imaging of the vein. In this article, we review the evidence supporting ultrasound‐guided subclavian vein catheterisation and ask the question whether, in view of it potential advantages, it could be the way forward?
ON THE ORIGIN OF THE METALLICITY DEPENDENCE IN DYNAMICALLY FORMED EXTRAGALACTIC LOW-MASS X-RAY BINARIES

Globular clusters (GCs) effectively produce dynamically formed low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs). Observers detect ∼100 times more LMXBs per stellar mass in GCs compared to stars in the fields of galaxies. Observationally, metal-rich GCs are about three times more likely to contain an X-ray source than their metal-poor counterparts. Recent observations have shown that this ratio holds in extragalactic GCs for all bright X-ray sources with LX between 2 × 1037 and 5 × 1038 erg s−1. In this Letter, we propose that the observed metallicity dependence of LMXBs in extragalactic GCs can be explained by the differences in the number densities and average masses of red giants in populations of different metallicities. Red giants serve as seeds for the dynamical production of bright LMXBs via two channels—binary exchanges and physical collisions—and the increase of the number densities and masses of red giants boost LMXB production, leading to the observed difference. We also discuss a possible effect of the age difference in stellar populations of different metallicities.
The Walkerton disaster and family physicians.

From the perspective of a family physician and Medical Officer of Health involved in the Walkerton, Ont, water-borne disaster, I know there are lessons to be learned and issues to be understood that will aid physicians in their daily practice of family medicine. I also hope that this editorial will help readers get a better understanding of public health and our changing environment (both political and biological). Sources of drinking water can no longer be trusted to be uncontaminated. Contamination of municipal drinking water systems can be disastrous. We are changing our environment (and not for the better). New and dangerous water-borne pathogens are emerging. Worldwide, public health safeguards and surveillance are in decline, and governments seem less interested in the health and safety of their citizens. Family physicians need to be aware of community health issues (yes, yet another responsibility) and continue to work closely with public health authorities.
[The important role of neuropeptides in complex regional pain syndrome].

(hmj) Komplexe regionale Schmerzsyndrome (complex regional pain syndrome [CRPS]) können sich nach schädlichen Einwirkungen mit oder ohne klinisch offensichtlichen Nervenverletzungen entwickeln. Sie werden charakterisiert durch Spontanschmerzen oder Hyperalgesie und verschiedenen klinischen Symptomen wie Ödem, Veränderungen der Hauttemperatur und -durchblutung sowie durch Fehlfunktionen des sympathischen Nervensystems, wie erhöhter Schweißproduktion. Diese Symptome sind normalerweise im distalen Teil der betroffenen Extremität zu beobachten und persistieren in einigen Fällen, manchmal sogar über mehrere Jahre.
Sustainability Reporting by the Top 100 Companies in the S&P 500 Index: Findings from Some Recent Data

The research described in this paper examined sustainability reports and/or disclosures voluntarily published by some of the larger companies in the US for the year 2014. The term sustainability was considered interchangeable with corporate social responsibility in accordance with several of the past academic studies and the approach taken by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). Data collected from the stand-alone reports or the website-based disclosures for the top 100 S&P 500®companies showed that, while the number of companies that published such information had grown over the years, there was both considerable variation in the format and volume of the information published, and variety in the sustainability initiatives pursued by different companies. The study showed a need to bring comparability in the published data. Also, companies that published the data should use independent, external assurance services to enhance the credibility of such data, which happened only for less than half of the sample.
Using narratives in conferences to improve the CMC learning environment

This paper reports on the use of short stories in Internet discussions to promote student learning. It describes off-campus teacher education students CMC discussions of short stories concerning issues in human development. The content of students' discussions is analysed, as is their perceptions of the value of the discussion stories. The results indicate that the use of narratives can improve the social environment of online conferences and contribute to collaborative student learning.
Neurite Outgrowth and Growth Cone Morphology on Micropatterned Surfaces

The quantitative effects of micropatterned laminin surfaces on neurite outgrowth and growth cone morphology were investigated. Using microlithography, 20‐ or 30‐μm‐wide laminin stripes were applied to the surface of a glass coverslip, alternating with BSA‐coated glass stripes of the same dimension. Growth on these surfaces was strongly biased in the direction parallel to the stripes, but the mean length of outgrowth was reduced relative to that on uniform laminin surfaces. Growth cones were slightly more elongated on micropatterned surfaces than on controls and were aligned with the pattern. These results provide a starting point for examining the fundamental effects of micropatterned surfaces on neurite outgrowth and ways in which these may be useful in controlling and guiding neurite outgrowth for biotechnological applications.
The Effects of Psychopathic Traits on Social Support Networks

iii Chapter 1: Literature Review 1 Capturing Psychopathy 1 Psychopathy and Interpersonal Relationships 4 Social Networks 6 Quality of Social Relationships and Social Support 7 Chapter 2: Current Study 11 Hypotheses 11 Chapter 3: Method 13 Participants 13 Measures 14 Procedures 17 Chapter 4: Data Analyses 19 Factor Analysis 19 Correlations 19 Regressions 20 Mediational Analyses 21 Chapter 5: Results 22 Factor and Item Response Theory Analyses 22 Correlations 22 Friend Ratings 23 Homophily Analyses 25 Mediational Analyses 27 Chapter 6: Discussion 29 Psychopathy and FFM 29 Psychopathy and Friendship Quality 30 Psychopathy and Other Social Network Variables 31 Friends’ Perceptions 33 Homophily 35 Limitations 35 Future Directions 37 Appendix A 50 Appendix B 57 References 58 Curriculum Vitae 66 !