Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation and selection of sensing materials for carbon dioxide ( CO 2 ) sensor by molecular modeling

We report a molecular modeling study to evaluate and select conducting polymers (CPs) as the sensing materials of carbon dioxide (CO2) sensor. The interaction between polymer and gas and the adsorption of the gas molecules in the polymer matrix are investigated. Polymers considered for this work include emeraldine base polyaniline (EB–PANI) and unprotonated sodium polyaniline salt (NaSPANI) with sulfur to nitrogen ratio (S/N) of 0.4, 0.5 and 0.6. Gases studied include CO2, humidity (H2O) and carbonic acid (H2CO3). The interaction energies of polymer-gas and the loading number of the analytes predict that the NaSPAN is more suitable for CO2 sensing than the EB–PANI. © 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Comparison of Metal Stylet, Small Tracheal Tube and Combined Introducer-Aided Insertions of the Flexible Reinforced Laryngeal Mask Airway with the Conventional Method: a Manikin Study

Purpose: The present study compared the conventional method (without any adjunct) and three different adjunct-aided methods (a metal stylet, a small tracheal tube, and a combined introducer) with regard to the time required for insertion of the flexible reinforced laryngeal mask airway (FLMA). We also surveyed participants’ views on the ease of FLMA insertion with each method. Methods: Thirty dental students inserted the FLMA in a manikin by each method and the times required for insertion were measured. Subjects were asked to rate the ease of insertion with each method using a 100-mm visual analogue scale (VAS; from 0 mm = extremely easy to 100 mm = extremely difficult). Results: Insertion time was significantly shorter with the small tracheal tube compared with the conventional method. However, insertion times with the metal stylet-aided insertion and the combined introducer-aided insertion were not significantly different as compared to the conventional method. With regard to the ease of insertion as rated using the 100-mm VAS, the dental students rated tracheal tube-aided insertion and combined introducer-aided insertion as being significantly easier, and the metal stylet-aided insertion as significantly more difficult than the conventional method. Conclusions: The small tracheal tube-aided insertion and the combined introducer-aided insertion each appear to possess advantages over the conventional method. The small tracheal tube-aided insertion seems overall more favorable in terms of ease and time to insertion.
Probability of error for LDPC -OC with one co-channel Interferer over i.i.d Rayleigh Fading

An analytical approach is used to derive bit error rate for LDPC coded-optimum combined (LDPC- OC) system in the presence of only single co-channel interferer. A probability density function has also been derived using moment generating function for optimum combining with one interferer. This paper considered that signal is BPSK modulated and transmitted over i.i. d Rayleigh fading channel. The analytical result shows that for BER 10 -2 , the LDPC-OC system provides an additional gain of 4.1 dB over OC system alone.
From Employment Relations to Consumption Relations: Balancing Labor Governance in Global Supply Chains

Global supply chains are part of the corporate strategy of many multinational companies, often with adverse effects on labor conditions. While employment relations scholars focus on a production-oriented paradigm, revolving around interactions among employers, workers, and government, much of the activism motivating the development of private labor standards is based around companies' relations with their consumers. This article proposes an analytical framework conceptualizing the interface of employment relations and consumption relations within global supply chains, identifying four regimes of labor governance: governance gaps, collective bargaining, standards markets, and complementary regimes. Finally, we suggest a research agenda for examining the role of consumption relations in the changing nature of global labor governance. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Robust Tracking Controller for a DC/DC Buck-Boost Converter–Inverter–DC Motor System

This paper has two aims. The first is to develop a robust hierarchical tracking controller for the DC/DC Buck-Boost–inverter–DC motor system. This controller considers a high level control for the inverter–DC motor subsystems and a low level control for the DC/DC Buck-Boost converter subsystem. Such controls solve the tracking task associated with the angular velocity of the motor shaft and the output voltage of the converter, respectively, via the differential flatness approach. The second aim is to present a comparison of the robust hierarchical controller to a passive controller. This, with the purpose of showing that performance achieved with the hierarchical controller proposed in this paper, is better than the one achieved with the passive controller. Both controllers are experimentally implemented on a prototype of the DC/DC Buck-Boost–inverter–DC motor system by using Matlab-Simulink along with the DS1104 board from dSPACE. According to experimental results, the proposal in the present paper achieves a better performance than the passive controller.
Analysing an Advertising Campaign: Towards an Integrated Cultural-Industrial Analysis

This article critically examines an advertising campaign for Smithwick's ale that is known as the ‘locals’ campaign and was televised in Ireland throughout the 1990s. My intention is not to ‘explain’ the campaign but to suggest an analytical approach that captures and preserves its sociological complexity. The article is divided into two parts and the analysis is built primarily around the interview accounts of producers of the campaign. In the first part I suggest that the ‘retelling’ of the Smithwick's ‘locals’ campaign not only animates a variety of sociologically significant themes in Ireland but also reveals some of the cultural assumptions of its producers, especially regarding Irishness. In the second part I switch my analytical focus to foreground the inherent ‘uncertainty’ of advertising expertise and the asymmetrical power relations which characterise the advertising industry. From this perspective, I suggest that Irishness is a malleable ingredient of advertising production that often has little to do with what producers ‘believe’, or even necessarily what consumers want, but is largely shaped by the exogenous pressures put on advertising agencies, such as the demands of the client company (in this case Diageo). However, the article concludes by highlighting the benefits of a ‘synthetic’ approach that incorporates different modes of analysis with a view to building an ‘integrated cultural-industrial analysis’.
Coral reefs modify their seawater carbon chemistry – case study from a barrier reef (Moorea, French Polynesia)

Changes in the carbonate chemistry of coral reef waters are driven by carbon fluxes from two sources: concentrations of CO2 in the atmospheric and source water, and the primary production/respiration and calcification/dissolution of the benthic community. Recent model analyses have shown that, depending on the composition of the reef community, the air‐sea flux of CO2 driven by benthic community processes can exceed that due to increases in atmospheric CO2 (ocean acidification). We field test this model and examine the role of three key members of benthic reef communities in modifying the chemistry of the ocean source water: corals, macroalgae, and sand. Building on data from previous carbon flux studies along a reef‐flat transect in Moorea (French Polynesia), we illustrate that the drawdown of total dissolved inorganic carbon (CT) due to photosynthesis and calcification of reef communities can exceed the draw down of total alkalinity (AT) due to calcification of corals and calcifying algae, leading to a net increase in aragonite saturation state (Ωa). We use the model to test how changes in atmospheric CO2 forcing and benthic community structure affect the overall calcification rates on the reef flat. Results show that between the preindustrial period and 1992, ocean acidification caused reef flat calcification rates to decline by an estimated 15%, but loss of coral cover caused calcification rates to decline by at least three times that amount. The results also show that the upstream–downstream patterns of carbonate chemistry were affected by the spatial patterns of benthic community structure. Changes in the ratio of photosynthesis to calcification can thus partially compensate for ocean acidification, at least on shallow reef flats. With no change in benthic community structure, however, ocean acidification depressed net calcification of the reef flat consistent with findings of previous studies.
SOCIAL STEREOTYPES AND AUTOMATIC GOAL PURSUIT

Our repertoire of social behavior may include the ability to grasp and take on the goals of others automatically-that is, without conscious intent. Two experiments tested and confirmed the hypothesis that priming social groups causes individuals to pursue the goals stereotypical for members of those groups. Study 1 found that participants provided more feedback to help another person optimizing a computer task after subliminal priming of social groups associated with a helping goal. Importantly, these goal priming effects were qualified by goal strength: participants helped more when the concept of helping more strongly preexisted as a goal or desired state in the participant's mind. Study 2 established that participants worked harder on an unrelated task instrumental in attaining the goal to make money after priming social groups related to this goal. Implications for stereotype activation and automatic goal pursuit are discussed.
Degradation modeling–based remaining useful life estimation: A review on approaches for systems with heterogeneity

Prognostics and health management has drawn increasing attention and gained deepening recognition and widening applications during the past decades. Due to offering guidance for sequential managements involving inspection schedule, maintenance, replacement, and spare parts ordering, remaining useful life estimation has been termed as the kernel technology of prognostics and health management and is the focus of this research in the field of reliability. Heterogeneity is widespread in the inner states of a system and its related working environments. This article provides a review on approaches for degradation modeling and remaining useful life estimation, with an emphasis on the heterogeneity in the systems. Approaches for three kinds of heterogeneity, including the unit-to-unit variability, the variability in time-varying operating conditions, and the diversity of tasks and workloads of a system during its lifetime, are summarized consecutively, and the corresponding methods are provided. Merits and drawbacks are summed up, respectively, following each approach. In addition, several possible future research directions are provided at the end of this article.
Symplectic geometry and geometric quantization

We review in a pedagogical manner the geometrical formulation of classical mechanics in the framework of symplectic geometry and the geometric quantization that associate to a classical system a quantum one. These notes are based on Lectures given at the 3rd Modave Summer School in Mathematical Physics by Sophie de Buyl and Stephane Detournay.
Social Networks in Rural Situation: A Case Study in Mymensingh District of Bangladesh

This study based on social networks has identified the socio-economic status of the respondents, their risk management strategies, size and density of the social networks of the actors, and the patterns of relations among social actors in the village Chargobodia of Mymensingh district. A snowball sampling technique was applied and data were collected from 35 respondents from the selected village through field survey using a pre-designed questionnaire, PRA and observation technique. The study indicated that social ties play an important role to manage risk, and the level of income; education and position in the society have great impact on social ties. The strategies used for risk management included communication with family members, neighbours, and friends for getting help, and use of other means such as money lender, NGOs etc. The actors having more ties had a better position in the society to manage any adverse situation. Some actors were in a large network but maintained close interaction with selected few for managing their risk. The group formation mainly depended on close relationship, reciprocity and mutual trust. Based on the findings suggestions have been made for taking sound policies, stronger institutions and better governance as the key tools for more effective poverty reduction and risk management in Bangladesh. Keywords: Social network; risk management DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3329/agric.v9i1-2.9481 The Agriculturists 2011; 9(1&2): 73-81
The Feldstein–Horioka model re-visited for African countries

We study the relationship between the saving and investment rates for 20 African countries using a long period of data. A high correlation between saving and investment is often taken as evidence of capital immobility. We use the new Ng–Perron unit root tests to examine the stationarity of saving and investment rates. Both Johansen cointegration tests and fractional cointegration tests are used. The results are mixed. The Johansen cointegration tests show that the saving and investment rates are cointegrated only for Rwanda and South Africa. This implies that for the other 18 countries, there is evidence of capital mobility. The fractional cointegration test results are different. The two rates are found to be fractionally cointegrated for the following 12 countries: Algeria, Burundi, Egypt, Morocco, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Swaziland, Tunisia, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. For Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya, Lesotho and Sierra Leone there is some evidence of capital mobility while the results for Ethiopia, Malawi, Mauritius and Nigeria are mixed.
Managerial Flexibility Quantification Under Competition Threat in ICT Investments

In this paper, we estimate the value of an Information Communication Technology (ICT) investment opportunity, modeled as a Real Option (RO), when there is competition threat that can influence negatively its value or even more eliminate it. We put our analysis in the revenue management concept, which is a very real concern for ICT service providers across the globe especially after the increase of competition as a result of markets’ liberalization. The target is to maximize revenue level and minimize risk that influence business profitability. Finally, we apply our model to a real life e-learning case study showing how it can be formulated and solved.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BLOOD PHYSIOLOGICAL ATTRIBUTES AND CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS IN IRANIAN FAT-TAILED SHEEP

The relationship between blood physiological attributes and carcass characteristics wasstudied in 40 randomly selected 8-month-old ram lambs of Ghezel and Mehraban (20 rams per breed)sheep. One day before slaughter, blood samples were obtained after a 24 hr fast. Serum samples wereassayed for glucose, cholesterol, serum urea nitrogen (SUN), total protein, albumin, triglycerides,creatinine, and calcium and magnesium ion concentrations. Dry matter, crude protein, crude fat (etherextract) and ash were determined in carcass soft tissues (carcass without bone and tail fat). Overall,serum cholesterol (r=-0.70; P<0.01) and creatinine (r=-0.48; P<0.05) concentrations were negativelycorrelated with the crude protein percentage of soft tissues dry matter (CPDM) in these sheep. Serumcholesterol concentration was positively correlated with the total dissected fat in both Ghezel (r=0.83;P<0.01) and Mehraban sheep (r=0.60; P<0.01). CPDM was negatively (P<0.01) correlated with a serumglucose concentration in Ghezel (r=-0.60), and with a SUN concentration in Mehraban (r=-0.60). Apositive correlation was also found between the serum cholesterol concentration and crude fat (etherextract) as a percentage of the soft tissues dry matter in Ghezel (r=0.66; P<0.01). In general, fewercarcass traits in Mehraban were significantly correlated with cholesterol, and the coefficients weregenerally smaller than those for the Ghezel breed. The regression equations showed that bloodcholesterol, glucose, triglyceride and SUN could be regarded as good predictors of carcasscharacteristics in Ghezel sheep. Serum cholesterol concentration was the only blood attribute that wasretained in equations for Mehraban sheep. The coefficients of determination for Mehraban sheep weremuch smaller than those for Ghezel. More research with a larger number of animals is needed beforethey find application in carcass evaluation.
Biomarkers of Inflammation in Peripheral Blood during Treatment with Inhaled Corticosteroids in Patients with Asthma

BACKGROUND: The main attribute of asthma is inflammation, which leads to airway remodelling, bronchial hyper-reactivity and reversible or partly reversible airway obstruction. According to GINA, asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways in which many cells play a role, in particular, mast cells, eosinophils (Eo), and T lymphocytes. Many cells and mediators take part in creating the asthmatic inflammatory reaction, but eosinophils play a central role. AIM: The aim of this study was to show the values of biological inflammatory markers (IL-5, Eo, and ECP) during treatment with ICS by non-invasive methods. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study includes 30 patients of the Pulmonology and Allergology Clinic, Skopje, with confirmed asthma, treated with ICS. In all of the patients, we followed Eo count, ECP and IL-5 in peripheral blood at the beginning of the study, after 2 and six months treatment. Following the parameters during treatment with ICS we registered changes in all of the tested parameters. RESULTS: Our results show high level of the tested biomarkers at the beginning of the study, IL-5 in all patients (100%), Eosinophils in 80%, and ECP in 90% of the asthmatics. Following the parameters during treatment with ICS we registered changes in all of the tested parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Our conclusion is that the ICS objectively suppress the inflammatory reaction in asthma and the biologic markers (IL-5, Eo and ECP), which we have followed, can measure the accomplished effect. They could be used in everyday practice, not only as diagnostic parameters but also as valid therapeutic guides in the treatment of asthma.
Proximity to citrus influences Pierce's disease in Temecula Valley vineyards

Pierce's disease has caused extensive losses to grapes in the Temecula Valley. The primary vector of Pierce's disease in the region is the glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS), which has been found in large numbers in citrus trees. We examined the role of citrus in the Temecula Valley Pierce's disease epidemic and found that citrus groves have influenced the incidence and severity of Pierce's disease in grapes. Because GWSS inhabit citrus in large numbers, California grape growers should take additional care with vineyards located near citrus groves.
Induction of CDC2 Phosphorylation in Skin Biopsies from Patients with Solid Tumors Undergoing DNA-Damaging Chemotherapy

This study was to clinically validate phosphorylated CDC2(pCDC2) as a biomarker for Wee1 kinase inhibitors by measuring pCDC2 in skin biopsies from patients receiving DNA damaging chemotherapy. Skin biopsies were performed at scheduled times after chemotherapy. Total CDC2 and pCDC2 in epidermal cells, hair follicle and bulb from skin biopsies were determined using chromogenic multiplex immunohis-tochemistry with multispectral image analysis. Statistical analyses were performed for each cell type after log-transformation of data. Thirty-one patients (29-88 years) completed the study. Significant induction of pCDC2 in response to chemotherapy was detected. Epidermis was most consistently evaluable across skin biopsies, demonstrating strong induction of pCDC2. The percentage of cells positive for total CDC2 and pCDC2 showed a 1.40-fold induction from baseline to 24h post-infusion (p=0.012) and a 2.05-fold increase from baseline to 48h (p<0.001).
On the importance of the forward speed of hurricanes in storm surge forecasting: A numerical study

A systematic investigation of storm surge along the coast of Louisiana was conducted by using the fully nonlinear Finite‐Volume Coastal Ocean Model. FVCOM was first applied to Hurricane Rita and validated by in situ measurements. Experiments were conducted with different parameters to evaluate the impacts of each factor on inundation over a wide and shallow shelf. Results show that a hurricane's forward speed is a significant parameter which has been overlooked in previous studies. Resonance may occur for certain hurricane forward motion speeds: increasing this speed increases peak surge heights while decreasing inland volume of flood. The effects of wind intensity, Radius of Maximum Winds, tidal timing, amplitude, and wind inflow angle were also examined. It was concluded that varying a storm's forward motion may account for variations in flooded volumes equivalent to an upgrade or downgrade of about 1 category on the Saffir‐Simpson scale.
PROFILE OF STROKE PATIENTS ADMITTED TO AZADI TEACHING HOSPITAL IN DUHOK

Background: Stroke remains an outstanding worldwide disease process that results in high mortality and significant mental and physical disabilities. Stroke inflicts profound economic burden on both individual and governmental budgets. Patients and Methods: This study has been designed to describe the profile of stroke patients in our locality. A cross sectional study design with consecutive sampling procedure were used to enroll nine hundred fifty patients who were admitted the Neurology Ward of Azadi General Teaching Hospital in Duhok during the period between January and December 2014. A suitable data sheet was designed to accommodate the relevant patient’s data. Patients suspected of having vascular anomalies and / or neoplastic lesions and traumatic cases were excluded. Results: Out of 950 patients, the females were 510 (53.7%) age range 23-105 years (mean 63.9±SD 13.1 years), while the rest were 440 (46.3%) males, age range 25-98 years (mean 65.4±SD 13.1years). The majority of patients 684 (70%) had their ages between 50-79 years. There were 803 (84.5%) ischaemic strokes, while haemorrhagic strokes accounted for 147 (15.5%) of cases. The patients’ populations suffering identifiable RFs were as follow: obesity 734 (77.3%), hypertension 568 (59.8%), hyperlipidaemia 235 (24.7%), smoking 191 (20.1%), previous stroke 190 (20%), heart disease 153 (16.1.3%), diabetes mellitus 77 (8.1 %). Although 21 (2.2%) patients had no gross identifiable RFs, however, the rest of patients had one or more apparent risk factors. Regarding outcome during the admission period, 133 (14%) patients had died; mortality rate among ischaemic stroke had been 86/803 (10.7%) while among haemorrhagic stroke 47/147 (32%). Conclusions: The findings in this study show many similarities to other studies worldwide. Although the present study has thrown the light on few common risk factors for stroke, both of modifiable and non-modifiable nature, at a tertiary referral teaching hospital in Duhok City, which includes a multiethnic community, it is recommended that further detailed and well-designed medical and statistical research to be conducted in this community in order to study genetic predisposition to stroke, setup preventive measures, implement proper management protocols aiming at improving the outcome, and directing health authorities planning health services for those surviving the stroke disorder. Duhok Med J 2017; 11 (2): 46-58