Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
GexSi1−x/Si strained‐layer superlattice grown by molecular beam epitaxy

Ge x Si1−x films are grown on Si by molecular beam epitaxy and analyzed by Nomarski optical interferencemicroscopy, Rutherford ion backscattering and channeling, x‐ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. The full range of alloy compositions will grow smoothly on silicon. Ge x Si1−x films with x≤0.5 can be grown free of dislocations by means of strained‐layer epitaxy where lattice mismatch is accommodated by tetragonal strain. Critical thickness and composition values are tabulated for strained‐layer growth. Multiple strained layers are combined to form a Ge x Si1−x /Si strained‐layer superlattice.
A conceptual framework for cloud-based advanced planning systems

ABSTRACT In the last decade, Cloud Computing (CC) and Advanced Planning Systems (APS) are two emerging topics. However, no comprehensive model that considers both topics at a conceptual level exists. Purpose of this article is to provide a conceptual framework for cloud-based APS. Within the framework, we propose a generic structure of fundamental services and components to fulfill different consumer requirements from the area of supply chain planning. In addition, we elaborate appropriate service, deployment, and pricing models and introduce the ‘Result-as-a-Service’ model. The research is generally based on the design science research approach by extending CC to the problem domain of supply chain planning. Based on the framework, several findings concerning the potential of cloud-based APS but also caveats like insufficient planning capabilities are elaborated. Furthermore, several most important research topics (e.g. process and object reference models) are formulated and form an initial agenda for research on cloud-based APS.
The trade-off between accuracy and the complexity of real-time background subtraction

Background subtraction used in object detection, tracking and action recognition is a typical method that separates foreground objects from the background. These applications require accuracy and a complexity reduction technique. Some approaches have been proposed to either increase accuracy or decrease complexity. However, the trade-off between increasing accuracy and reducing the complexity of background subtraction is a big chal-lenge. To address this issue, a background subtraction-based real-time moving object-detection approach is proposed. The key contribution in authors’ proposal is to use a colour image and a novel colour-gradient blending fused image to achieve accurate back-ground/foreground segmentation. The fused image is a combination of a gradient image and a colour image to correct illumination variations and preserve the edge information. Also, thresholds are adaptively selected based on the dynamic background behaviour to attain a more robust classiﬁcation system. The proposed model based on real-time and complex videos from the CD-2012 and CD-2014 change detection data sets, and the CMD data set is evaluated. Experimental results indicate that authors’ method processes around 43 frames per second and requires six bytes of memory per pixel, which is noticeably more efﬁcient and less complex than other background subtraction methods.
The Effect of Organic Compounds on the Recovery of Ammonium by Struvite Precipitation from Swine Anaerobic Digester Effluent

Recovering nitrogen and phosphorus through struvite crystallization from swine wastewater has gained increasing interest. However, effluents of anaerobic digested swine wastewater contains other constituents including complex and hardly definited organic compounds, which may hinder the formation of struvite crystal and affect the purity of the precipitates by forming other insoluble minerals. Struvite precipitation was carried out at laboratory scale by adding magnesium chloride and potassium hydrogen as external sources of magnesium and phosphorus to equal Mg: N: P molar ratio, respectively, and regulating the pH at 9.5 in the absence and presence of organic compounds. Exceeded 70% phosphate and ammonium reduction were obtained. The recovered products were detected and analyzed by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and chemical methods, which were proved to be struvite crystals. The soluble organic compounds had less than 6% changes in amount during struvite precipitation and it was proved that the removal of TCOD during the precipitation of struvite may be attributed to the co-precipitation of struvite. The results indicate that struvite precipitation could be a viable method of ammonium removal in the presence of organic compounds from anaerobically digested swine manure.
Formulation of two-stage problem of structural-parametric synthesis of adaptive electronic document management system

The paper scrutinizers the options of optimization and adaption to the individual characteristics of users of Electronic Document Management Systems (EDMS). The problem solution requires further development of the necessary methods, models and criteria. Therefore, the article considers the problem of the structural-parametric synthesis of adaptive EDMS. On the basis of previously conducted research in this area, a new architecture of EDMS is developed, within which a mathematical model of adaptive EDMS is proposed. It includes the main components of the information system, as well as a set of estimates for a number of indicators: total discounted costs, productivity, software quality and, above all, adaptability to the requirements of the user. Using this mathematical model, a two-stage task of structural-parametric synthesis of an adaptive EDMS was set, at the first stage of which the system is synthesized according to the criterion of economic efficiency, and at the second stage the process happens according to its adaptation to each user. The scientific novelty of the proposed approach consists in dividing the optimization task into two stages such as the formalization of the criteria for adaptive EDMS and development of a new architecture and mathematical model of adaptive EDMS. The results can be used to solve problems of design, modernization and adaptation of various information systems
Corporate Hedging Theories and Usage of Foreign Currency Loans: A Logit Model Approach

The present study has attempted to discuss the association between corporate hedging theories and the usage of foreign currency loans by companies listed in India. A total of 349 non-financial companies were selected, and the data for the financial year ending 31st March, 2018 were considered for the analysis. The descriptive statistics indicate that 55% of the sample companies had borrowed funds in foreign currency. The companies were highly levered and maintained adequate short-term assets to honor short-term obligations. A logit model was employed for analyzing the cross-sectional data. The dependent variable being binary (‘0’ for non-user of foreign currency loans and ‘1’ for foreign currency loan user), the study found the variable ‘industry type’ to have a significant association with usage of foreign currency loans. Companies from the manufacturing sector were likely to use foreign currency loans than companies from the services sector. Debt to net worth, export to sales, revenue (log of revenue) were the variables that significantly influenced the likelihood of companies raising foreign currency loans. Interest coverage ratio had a negative influence on the likelihood of companies opting for foreign currency loans. Hosmer and Lemeshow test showed that the model is a good fit indicating 73% accuracy in predicting the users of foreign currency loans as ‘foreign currency loan users’. Theories such as financial distress, size, and extent of international operations explain why companies raise foreign currency loans.
Sorption of phenols on hexadecyltrimethylammonium- modified bentonite: Application of Polanyi−Manes potential theory

This study investigated the sorption of phenol and 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) on natural bentonite modified with hexadecyltrimethylammonium (HDTMA) cation. The Freundlich, Langmuir, Dubinin−Radushkevich (DR), Sips, and Polanyi−Dubinin−Manes (PDM) models fitted the sorption data well (R2 > 0.92). The Freundlich coefficient and the maximum sorbed amount of the Langmuir and PDM models of 4-CP were higher than phenol because of higher hydrophobicity (log Kow = 2.39 for 4-CP and 1.46 for phenol). The PDM model that includes solubility and molar volume was highly useful in predicting the sorption of phenols having widely different hydrophobicity and solubility. The characteristic curves, the plot of sorbed volume (qv) versus the sorption potential per molar volume (ε/Vm) of 4-CP and phenol were distinctly different although they have similar chemical compositions. The selectivity of 4-CP (3.72) was higher than that of phenol (0.27) in binary sorption systems. The sorbed volume (qv) in the binary sorption was remarkably reduced and the characteristic curve had wider distribution owing to competition in pore-filling. The sorption behaviors were elucidated by partitioning and pore-filling mechanisms. Among the tested binary sorption models, the modified Langmuir competitive model was the best in the prediction of the binary sorption (R2 > 0.98).
Many ways of measuring: a scoping review of measurement instruments for use with people with aphasia

ABSTRACT Background In clinical practice and in research, aphasia measurement instruments are used for many reasons: to screen and diagnose, to identify deficits and strengths, and to measure outcomes. A proliferation in available measurement instruments presents challenges to both the aphasia clinician and researcher and forms a barrier to optimal practice. There is a need for a comprehensive review of measurement instruments to identify the diversity of constructs measured by available tools and their cultural and linguistic applicability to the international aphasia community. Aims (1) To identify all available standardised measurement instruments which have been developed or tested with people with aphasia; and (2) To describe the construct/s measured, method of report, structure (components and scoring system), and availability of cultural/linguistic adaptations, of identified instruments. Methods and Procedures This scoping review is reported in alignment with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Studies were identified through searches of PUBMED, EMBASE, and CINAHL databases. Secondary searches of individual measurement instruments and hand searching were also undertaken. Two reviewers independently assessed titles, abstracts, and full-text articles. Inclusion criteria: studies reporting psychometric properties of measurement instruments, participants with aphasia (or their proxies), English language full-text journal articles. Data extracted: purpose, structure, and method of report of each instrument. The construct(s) reported to be measured by each instrument was classified according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). Outcomes and Results A total of 3642 articles were identified through database searches. Following the removal of duplicates, 2879 articles were screened by title and abstract; with 334 articles undergoing full-text review. Secondary searches of individual measurement instruments and hand searching identified a further 99 publications. In total, 284 references for 143 measurement instruments were included in this review. Measurement instruments were classified by ICF component; the majority were reported to be measures of Body Functions (n = 94); followed by Activity/Participation (n = 23); Environmental Factors (n = 5); and quality of life/other constructs not within the ICF (n = 16). Five measured multiple ICF components. Conclusions and Implications This review identified 143 measurement instruments, developed or tested with people with aphasia. Classified according to the ICF, these instruments primarily measure Body Functions (n = 94). Some measurement instruments have undergone extensive cultural and linguistic translation/adaptation, however most have not. The resulting corpus of instruments provides a basis for the selection of measurement instruments in clinical and research settings.
Modelling of Urban Growth and Planning: A Critical Review

For thousands of years, cities have been the center of civilization. According to that, detecting, monitoring and controlling urban growth became the most urgent need in urban planning and urban development process to get the expected results that can build a concrete base for decision makers to drive the polices toward best track. The issue of this paper is about urban growth and planning models and techniques such as geographic information system (GIS), cellular automata (CA), genetic algorithm (GA), regression model (R model) and etc. The main objective of this paper is to summarize the 70 scientific papers concern about urban growth to make a review and find out the most important objective, factors, techniques and results for best approach to studying urban growth. The criteria of choosing the papers are that each paper should focus mainly on urban growth modeling and techniques, also, using wide variety of data and factors. This paper aims to fill the gap of absence of the best methods for studying urban growth, as there is a diversity in the methods used, and there is also an absence of exemplary methods or optimal methods for using analytical tools to study urban growth. So, this paper tries to make it easy for researcher to mix the suitable techniques to get acceptable result for their hypothesis. The results assert combining two or more than two techniques and model to assure that the simulation or prediction models can give real and right approaches. However, most researches focused on combining specific techniques with models such as Cellular Automata CA-Markov Chain MC Model-Logistic regression or Cellular Automata CA-Markov Chain MC model or GIS-MCDM or GIS Based AHP etc. Although, in many references some of these techniques were combined together to extract best result. However, the rule that defines the best combination relies on project criteria, the infinite factors, analysis tools, the nature and quality of these models. On the other hand, whether the project needs a simulation or prediction models, all these models can achieve better result when integrated with quantitative models such as analytic hierarchy process (AHP), the Markov chain analysis or multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) techniques. Also, using remote sensing, satellite images and land use and land cover maps as basic data for analysis were the most common factors according to this review.
Emotional exhaustion and its consequences for hotel service quality: the critical role of workload and supervisor support

ABSTRACT This study develops and tests a research model which investigates the impact of workload and supervisor support on emotional exhaustion and analyzes its consequences for critical employee and job-related outcomes, such as affective organizational commitment, intention to leave, and the quality of service performance. A survey instrument was used to collect data from 162 hotel employees in Poland. The study findings confirmed that workload and supervisor support are both significant antecedents of emotional exhaustion, which, in turn, exerts a significant impact on hotel employees’ leaving intention that reduces the quality of service performance. This study also offers useful implications including trainings and emotional management courses to protect hotel employees from emotional exhaustion and maintain committed workforce who are likely to deliver high service quality.
Misled by the Xpert-Kikuchi’s disease masquerading as tuberculosis

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD), also called histiocytic-necrotizing lymphadenitis is a rare, idiopathic and self-limiting cause of lymphadenitis. Clinical presentation of KFD closely resembles nodal tuberculosis (TB). Here we present a case of an adolescent female whose diagnosis of KFD was made despite being misled in the course. A 15-year-old female, previously treated for tuberculous lymphadenitis was brought with complaints of fever for 1 month. Various possibilities considered were TB reactivation, autoimmune disorders, lymphoma. Lymph node biopsy for gene Xpert showed TB bacilli detected but low with no RIF resistance. Despite anti tuberculous treatment initiation, there was no improvement in the clinical condition. Histopathology of cervical node showed features of Kikuchi lymphadenitis. Literature search revealed that gene Xpert can detect the intact DNA of Mycobacterium tuberculosis even years after the previous treatment. On stopping anti tuberculosis therapy (ATT) and starting IV steroid, she started improving dramatically. KFD should always be kept as a differential diagnosis in any individual with fever and lymphadenopathy. Diagnosis can be misled in any patient based on gene Xpert reports alone which often turns out to be positive if there is past history of TB as gene Xpert detects DNA from non-intact cells suggesting that dead bacilli contribute to the false positivity.
The Economic Value of the Ecosystem Services of Beekeeping in the Czech Republic

Beekeeping is an important part of the bioeconomy. Throughout its existence, it has been one of the fields of human endeavour that contributes to sustainability. It has significant benefits for society, both economically and environmentally. Most (90%) of honeybees’ benefit to humankind lies in their pollination capacity, and only 10% lies in bee products (honey, propolis, wax, etc.). The research presented was carried out in the conditions of the Czech Republic in the first half of 2020 through a questionnaire survey within a Google Form, which was aimed at beekeepers. The aim of this paper is, based on a questionnaire survey, to evaluate ecosystem services of beekeeping from the perspective of beekeepers, including the valuation of selected types of ecosystem services. The results show that in the Czech Republic, the most common reason for beekeeping is as a hobby (34.18%). As expected, the demand for pollination is very low compared to other countries (11.6%). From the point of view of the benefits of ecosystem services, the questionnaire survey showed that the most important benefit is the pollination of cultivated and other plants (54.7%) and honeybee products (24.8%). The value of all selected ecosystem services totals 3,646,368 CZK. The results show that state support is needed, which should address the negative demographic development of beekeepers and thus ensure the production of ecosystem services.
Fate of Hop and Fermentation Odorants in Commercial Belgian Dry-Hopped Beers over 2 Years of Bottle Storage: Key-Role of Oxidation and Hop Esterases

Abstract The aim of the present work was to compare levels of short chain fatty acids, esters, terpenoids and polyfunctional thiols in (mostly bottle-refermented) commercial Belgian dry-hopped beers before and after 2 years of storage at 20 °C (the usual best-before date in Belgium). Among the hop-derived volatiles, the terpenoids linalool and geraniol, the polyfunctional thiols 3SHol, 3SHA and 3S4MPol, and the esters ethyl isobutyrate, ethyl isovalerate and ethyl heptanoate (up to 499, 53, 0.2, 2, 3, 84, 63, and 19 µg/L, respectively) were found above their sensory thresholds in most fresh dry-hopped beers. The fermentation-derived esters reached concentrations similar to those previously reported for non-dry-hopped beers, with ethyl hexanoate and isoamyl acetate (up to 0.4 and 3.9 mg/L, respectively) often above their sensory thresholds. Except ethyl isovalerate (more than 85% still present), most hop odorants and fermentation esters showed degradation over the 2-year storage period: only 45%–70% of linalool, geraniol, and ethyl hexanoate and even less than 40% for polyfunctional thiols, ethyl isobutyrate, and ethyl heptanoate initial concentrations were detected after storage. How the dry-hopping process affects this degradation was further investigated in model media. Fermentation esters proved to be more strongly impacted in dry-hopped than in non-dry-hopped beers because of hop esterase activity. In addition to being aware of the need to avoid hop esterases, craft brewers are here advised to use bottle refermentation for its ability to regenerate some flavors and consume packaged oxygen. No deleterious effect of yeast, such as short chain fatty acid excretion, was evidenced.
Bond behavior between near-surface mounted fiber reinforced polymer strips and concrete using nonlinear finite element: a parametric study

Abstract A nonlinear finite element (NLFE) model is proposed to predict the bond behavior between concrete and near-surface mounted (NSM) fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP). The model is validated, based on the results from an experimental program carried out by the present authors, before being employed to generate a wide range of data considering key parameters, such as grooves spacing (50–200 mm), and embedment length (50–300 mm), and fiber type (basalt and carbon) of the NSM FRP strips as well as concrete's strength (25–55 MPa). The impact of steel reinforcement is also evaluated. The findings demonstrate a significant impact of NSM FRP strips' type, embedment length, and grooves' spacing on bond behavior. The higher-strength grade for concrete imparted noticeable improvements in bond characteristics, whereas the presence of steel reinforcement seems to enhance the pull-out force slightly by as much as 15% yet reduce bond ductility. The NLFE cracking patterns are used to help understand the influence of different parameters on bond failure mode between the NSM FRP strips and concrete.
Enrichment of N15 by chemical reactions in a glow discharge at 77 °K

We have observed enrichments of N15 as large as 21±1% in the mixed nitrogenous products (NO, N2O, NO2) of the reaction of N2 and O2 driven by a pulsed glow discharge at 77 °K. A typical energy expenditure per atom separated was 0.22 MeV. Enrichments increased but yields decreased as the electrical energy deposited per reactant molecule was reduced. Under similar conditions enrichment of 15% was observed for N15 from the reaction N2+3D2→2ND3.
A quantum beat of quantum discord induced by the number of qubits in non-Markovian environments

We investigate the protection of the quantum discord of two qubits, individually originated by two generalized amplitude-damping models. Here, each generalized amplitude-damping model consists of N non-interacting qubits interacting with a common zero-temperature reservoir. First, for initial states with extended Werner-like states, we find that the robust quantum discord of two qubits against decoherence can be obtained by controlling the number of qubits in the reservoir. More interestingly, we find that a quantum beat for quantum discord can occur when both the number of qubits in each reservoir is large and when the number of qubits have a tiny difference, even in the resonant case. Our results shed new light on the protection of quantum discord by means of a quantum-reservoir engineering approach in quantum-information processing.
Emerging Therapeutic Options in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Immunotherapies have dramatically increased response rates in the relapsed/refractory setting of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. These emerging therapeutic options include blinatumomab, a bispecific T-cell engager construct; inotuzumab, an antibody–drug conjugate; and CAR T cells. Despite significantly improved rates of response, however, CAR T-cell therapy is the only approach associated with durable survival in a significant proportion of patients. Immunotherapies come with characteristic toxicity profiles. Inotuzumab is associated with hepatotoxicity, and blinatumomab and CAR T cells are associated with both cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity. Furthermore, immunotherapy is not always successful. Several mechanisms of failure exist, including failure to manufacture the CAR product, failure to engraft or lack of persistence of CAR T cells, endogenous T cell or CAR T-cell exhaustion, and antigen escape.