Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Basic design of UAE's smart microgrid and the simulation analysis using PSCAD

This paper covers the basic design and simulation study performed on the smart micro grid in UAE's offshore island called Al Futaisi island. The capacity of all distributed energy resources (DER) are selected based on the existing loads and forecasted demand. The solar and wind generation is considered as the primary power source to meet all the load demand in Al Futaisi island. The battery energy storage system (BESS) is considered as the primal backup power source during no power generation from renewable sources, which gives the uniqueness in the design of UAE's smart micro grid that can operate on 100% renewable energy. The micro turbine operated using bio fuel produced from Algae farm is also considered in the design. The demonstration of a high-efficiency DC power distribution system is also considered, which makes the micro grid as hybrid power system. The water demand is met by Reverse Osmosis sea-water desalination plant which will be located in the island. The basic design is verified by PSCAD/EMTDC simulation and the outcome of the simulation shows that such a renewable generation smart micro grid will be a reliable and robust for providing power to areas with limited power infrastructure.
Intention to screen for colorectal cancer among white male employees.

BACKGROUND This study identifies factors associated with employee intention to participate in a company-sponsored program of continuous screening for colorectal cancer. Automobile industry pattern and model makers who had been offered screening for over a decade were included in the study. METHODS Data were collected at the outset of a randomized trial of screening and nutrition interventions. A baseline survey was mailed to 4,490 white men without a history of colorectal cancer. This mailing generated complete responses from 2,693 (60%) individuals. Survey data obtained for these men, including measures of cognitive and psychological representations related to colorectal screening, social influence, and intention to screen, were supplemented by background information gathered from employment records of these men. Workplace screening services were documented via a survey of plant health care professionals. RESULTS Fifty-eight percent of respondents reported a high level of intention to screen. Multivariate analyses showed that intention to screen was positively associated with employee past participation in screening, belief in the salience and coherence of screening, belief in screening efficacy, perceived self-efficacy, belief that polyp removal prevents colorectal cancer, perceived personal susceptibility to colorectal cancer or polyps, receptivity to family member support for screening, and workplace scheduling of screening examinations. CONCLUSIONS Factors associated with intention to screen may contribute to participation in continuous screening programs. Research is needed to assess the impact of interventions that facilitate appointment scheduling, provide tailored education about screening, and encourage lay support.
中国证券市场行业板块效应现状，成因及潜在交易策略 (Current Situations, Causes and Related Trading Strategy of Industry Effect in Chinese Stock Market)

本文利用相关系数、VAR 模型、Granger因果检验等方法首次系统检验了中国证 券市场各行业内的板块效应及龙头股效应，结果显示中国股市存在明显的板块效应，呈现出 全行业的走势趋同性特征；但是，龙头股滞后期的股价波动对全行业的股价波动不具有显著 的单向解释力，即不存在显著的龙头股股价带动效应。 另外本文通过对历史数据的研究，对 行业板块效应的成因提出了实证解释。 最后本文利用ECM模型发现的数量关系，构造了一 个有效利用滞后期股价波动信息的交易策略，2008-2010年的真实交易数据表明该模型成功 地击败了市场。 Based on correlation analysis, VAR model and Granger causality test, I find the industry effect significant and lead-lag effect unstable in Chinese stock market. Stocks in the same industry tend to move in the same direction and stocks of companies with larger size cannot always lead the tendency of the whole industry. In the paper, I analyze the causes of the effect and construct an effective trading strategy based on ECM model. Real price data from 2008 to 2010 shows that the strategy beats the market.
Sources of Real Exchange Rate Volatility and International Financial Integration: A Dynamic GMM Panel Approach

The aim of this paper is to provide some new empirical evidence on the determinants of volatility of real exchange rates in emerging countries, focusing on the role of international financial integration in particular. A reduced-form model is estimated using the GMM method for dynamic panels over the period 1979-2004 for a sample of 39 developing countries grouped into three regions (Latin America, Asia and MENA). Our findings suggest that different types of shocks (external, real and monetary) can account for volatility of real exchange rates in emerging economies, with international financial integration being a major driving force. Therefore, financial liberalisation and integration should be pursued only gradually in emerging countries.
Reducing Bullwhip Effect in Fresh Food Vegetable Supply Chain Management: A Strategic Approach for Inclusive Growth

Inclusive growth is the mantra for a country’s growth. Inclusive growth itself demands inclusive support from all the sectors of industry and agriculture. But economy of industry and agriculture growth depends on proper supply of goods and food items to the ultimate consumers at right place, right time, right quantity with right price based on effective prediction or judgement of demand. The failure to predict proper demand by a company leads to fluctuation of demand between supply chain stages. This extends to bullwhip effect, which is a threat for economic growth. Nowadays Indian retailing industry is booming with more opportunities and has got increased contribution to the growth of economy. Due to the impact of globalization, Indian retailing formats are seeing metamorphosis. Retailing is getting transformed like India from unorganized to semi organized and organized retailing. Retailing in fresh food vegetable supply is slowly gaining importance in the agricultural based economy. Reaching the fresh food to vast country like India without proper supply chain and infrastructure is a daunting task. Balancing the demand and supply between semi-organized fresh food vegetable (SOFFV) retailers and fresh food suppliers amongst the supply chain activities is a challenging job. Using conjoint analysis this research focuses on different levels of combination of attributes preferred by the semi organized vegetables retailers, based on demand to identify fresh food delivery package with best utility rate. This article helps to understand the efficiency of information sharing to reduce the bullwhip effect.
Tools for stools: the challenge of assessing human intestinal microbiota using molecular diagnostics

The human GI tract is inhabited by an incredibly complex and abundant microbiota, whose composition is dependent on a variety of factors. The gut microbiota has an influence in the morphological, immunological and nutritional functions of the digestive tract and may be involved in many diseases. This article proposes the rationale behind conducting in vitro diagnostics (IVDs) of the human microbiota, as well as outlining the conceptual and technical difficulties involved in IVD testing. The molecular methods that can be used according to whether the IVD tools are employed to study one individual constituent species or to determine the microbiota as a whole will also be described. In the latter case, these technologies include high-throughput sequencing for metagenomics and DNA microarrays, which can now be efficiently used to study gut ecology and are believed to represent the future of standardized diagnostics.
Rifapentine is active in vitro and in vivo against Toxoplasma gondii

Rifapentine, a derivative of rifamycin, was examined for its in vitro and in vivo activities against the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. The drug inhibited the intracellular replication of parasites and was not cytotoxic for the host cells at inhibitory concentrations. Mice infected either intraperitoneally with tachyzoites of the RH strain or orally with tissue cysts of the C56 strain were protected against death by treatment with rifapentine. The degree of protection was similar to that induced by atovaquone and apparently higher than that induced by rifabutin. Rifapentine may be a useful drug for the treatment of toxoplasmosis in immunocompromised individuals.
Imidazoline binding sites in human placenta: evidence for heterogeneity and a search for physiological function

1 An α2‐adrenoceptor antagonist, idazoxan, that binds to both α2‐adrenoceptors and to imidazoline sites (IR), has been used to characterize human placental IR. Human placenta is shown to be the richest source of IR (1800 ± 100 fmol mg−1 protein; Kd 38.9 ± 3.4 nm). 2 Primary cells derived from human placenta and grown in monolayers, also displayed a high density of receptors (3209 ± 136 fmol mg−1 in cytotrophoblasts and 3642 ± 144 fmol mg−1 protein in syncytiotrophoblast enriched cell culture). 3 [3H]‐idazoxan did not show binding characteristics of α2‐adrenoceptors in human placental membranes or human trophoblastic cells, thus making it a ligand of choice to study the imidazoline site. The tissue appeared to be lacking α2‐adrenoceptors in that other α2‐adrenoceptor ligands, [3H]‐rauwolscine and [3H]‐clonidine, do not bind to α2‐adrenoceptors in human placenta. 4 IRs are localized on the cell surface, as determined by the release of bound [3H]‐idazoxan from cells, when washed with high ionic/acidic medium. 5 Imidazoline receptors of human placenta display high affinity for amiloride (72 ± 27 nm). The high affinity was used as a criterion to classify IR to IRa subtype (placenta, rabbit kidney, rabbit liver and rabbit adipose cells) as opposed to the IRb subtype which display low affinity for amiloride (> 2 μm, in all the other tissues). 6 Several novel ligands comprising a guanido functional group attached to an aromatic residue (e.g. benziliden‐amino‐guanidine (BAG), guanido pyrole) display pronounced selectivity for IR over the α2‐adrenoceptors as the affinity of BAG is about 40 fold higher (Kd = 18.9 ± 13.8 nm in human placenta), than the affinity for α2‐adrenoceptors (Kd = 768 ± 299 nm in human platelets). Imidazoline sites bind selectively BAG and other guanido ligands thus indicating a distinct structural requirement at its site of binding. 7 K+ channel blockers and monovalent ions (e.g. Cs+ and NH4+) interfere with idazoxan binding to IR, indicating a possible involvement of IR in K+ transport.
Special issue on older driver safety and community mobility.

As the population ages, more older adults are living longer with chronic conditions and using multiple medications which can affect their ability of driving safely and having independence in mobility. The evidence base of occupational therapy pertaining to older driver safety and community mobility is growing. These are particularly exciting times for this emerging practice area; yet, much needs to be done to demonstrate efficient and effective interventions, to secure reimbursement for occupational therapy services in this practice area, and to facilitate policy change. Such change can be fueled only from evidence emerging from our joint practice and research activities. This article reviews how occupational therapy can help to keep the roads safe and help the elderly retain their mobility.
ScienceDirect The 5 th International Conference on Emerging Ubiquitous Systems and Pervasive Networks ( EUSPN-2014 ) A Model for Privacy Compromisation Value

Privacy concerns exist whenever sensitive data relating to people is collected. Finding a way to preserve and guarantee an individual’s privacy has always been of high importance. Some may decide not to reveal their data to protect their privacy. It has become impossible to take advantage of many essential customized services without disclosing any identifying or sensitive data. The challenge is that each data item may have a different value for different individuals. These values can be defined by applying weights that describe the importance of data items for individuals if that particular private data item is exposed. We propose a generic framework to capture these weights from data providers, which can be considered as a mediator to quantify privacy compromisation. This framework also helps us to identify what portion of a targeted population is vulnerable to compromise their privacy in return for receiving certain incentives. Conversely, the model could assist researchers to offer appropriate incentives to a targeted population to facilitate collecting useful data. © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. Peer-review under responsibility of the Program Chairs of EUSPN-2014.
CMOS Quadrature VCOs Using the Varactor Coupling Technique

This letter presents a new quadrature voltage-controlled oscillator (QVCO), which consists of two complementary cross-coupled voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs) coupled via varactors. The proposed CMOS QVCO has been implemented with the TSMC 0.18 μm CMOS technology and the die area is 0.61 × 0.95 mm2. At the supply voltage of 1.2 V, the total power consumption is 3.7 mW. The free-running frequency of the QVCO is tunable from 3.86 GHz to 4.22 GHz as the tuning voltage is varied from 0.0 to 1.2 V. The measured phase noise at 1 MHz frequency offset is -123.42 dBc/Hz at the oscillation frequency of 3.94 GHz and the figure of merit (FOM) of the proposed QVCO is -190.38 dBc/Hz.
Odor identification and Alzheimer disease biomarkers in clinically normal elderly

Objectives: Our objective was to investigate cross-sectional associations between odor identification ability and imaging biomarkers of neurodegeneration and amyloid deposition in clinically normal (CN) elderly individuals, specifically testing the hypothesis that there may be an interaction between amyloid deposition and neurodegeneration in predicting odor identification dysfunction. Methods: Data were collected on 215 CN participants from the Harvard Aging Brain Study. Measurements included the 40-item University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test and neuropsychological testing, hippocampal volume (HV) and entorhinal cortex (EC) thickness from MRI, and amyloid burden using Pittsburgh compound B (PiB) PET. A linear regression model with backward elimination (p < 0.05 retention) evaluated the cross-sectional association between the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test and amyloid burden, HV, and EC thickness, assessing for effect modification by PiB status. Covariates included age, sex, premorbid intelligence, APOE ε4 carrier status, and Boston Naming Test. Results: In unadjusted univariate analyses, worse olfaction was associated with decreased HV (p < 0.001), thinner EC (p = 0.003), worse episodic memory (p = 0.03), and marginally associated with greater amyloid burden (binary PiB status, p = 0.06). In the multivariate model, thinner EC in PiB-positive individuals (interaction term) was associated with worse olfaction (p = 0.02). Conclusions: In CN elderly, worse odor identification was associated with markers of neurodegeneration. Furthermore, individuals with elevated cortical amyloid and thinner EC exhibited worse odor identification, elucidating the potential contribution of olfactory testing to detect preclinical AD in CN individuals.
Seasonal variation of mood and behaviour in a healthy middle‐aged population in Japan

A population survey of seasonality in six representative cities in Japan was conducted using the Japanese version of the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ). The questionnaires were given to 951 parents (male: female ratio 1 : 1 age range 34‐59 years) of high‐school students. Significant regional differences in seasonal variations of mood, length of sleep, and weight were observed; the proportion of individuals reporting high seasonality in the two northern cities was significantly higher than that in the other areas. These results provide evidence for a northern predominance in the prevalence of seasonal affective disorder in Japan.
THE EFFECT OF INTEREST RATES ON THE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF FIRMS OFFERING MORTGAGES IN KENYA

Mortgage is a long-term commitment that ties a prospective homeowner down to mortgage repayment for at least 20 years or transfer of a legal or equitable interest in a specific immovable property for the payment of debt. Mortgage loans are secured by real the real property and provide a schedule of payments of interest and repayment of the principal to a bank. Following interest rates liberalization, interest rates have fluctuated to respond to changes in demand and supply of loan able funds in the financial market. However, this could be counter-productive or result in an unsound financial sector, in a country where financial institutions lack experience management. This study seeks to determine the effect of interest rates on financial performance of firms offering mortgages in Kenya. The study adopted a survey research design on a target population of all organizations registered for mortgage lending as of 31 December 2011 which were 33. The study used secondary data sources to collect data from CMA library and Central Bank of Kenya. The data collected were analyzed using multiple linear regression analysis conducted at 95% confidence level. The study established positive relationships in the five regression analysis between financial performance and the amount of mortgage loans advanced; three positive results were established between interest rates and the former. The study concludes that the amount of mortgage advanced by mortgage firms would lead to a high financial performance (EBIT) as it raises the revenue thereof. On the other hand, interest rate would positively relate with financial performance till it starts discouraging borrowings owing to increase in the cost of mortgage. The study recommends that mortgage firms in Kenya charge interest rates on the mortgage appropriately as ineffective interest rate policy raises the cost of mortgage borrowing, negate its demand thus lowers financial performance.
Assaults against general practitioners in Ireland.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Violence directed at general practitioners (GPs) is on the increase in urban areas of Ireland. However, little information has been available on the incidence, effects, or precipitants of this violence. This study documents the frequency of the problem in Ireland's capital city, Dublin. METHODS A survey was sent to all 634 GPs in the Eastern Health Board region of Ireland. The survey asked each GP to report an incident of violence or aggression using standardized definitions and reporting forms. The survey also requested that participants provide information on their practice and its staff and setting. RESULTS We collected information from 622 of 634 doctors (98%). The overall incidence of violence or aggression in the sample was 21%. Of the 131 incidents reported, only 7% resulted in injury to the doctor; the remainder all involved verbal abuse and/or threats. The most frequent assailant characteristics identified were alcohol or opiate abuse. CONCLUSIONS Violence and aggression against GPs are common. Several interventions are discussed.
Xylulose 5-phosphate mediates glucose-induced lipogenesis by xylulose 5-phosphate-activated protein phosphatase in rat liver

Carbohydrate-responsive element binding protein (ChREBP) is a transcription factor that activates lipogenic genes in liver in response to excess carbohydrate in the diet. ChREBP is regulated in a reciprocal manner by glucose and cAMP. cAMP-dependent protein kinase (protein kinase A) phosphorylates two physiologically important sites in ChREBP, Ser-196, which is located near nuclear localization signal sequence (NLS), and Thr-666, within the basic helix–loop–helix (bHLH) site, resulting in inactivation of nuclear translocation of ChREBP and of the DNA-binding activity, respectively. We demonstrate here that crude cytosolic extracts from livers of rats fed a high carbohydrate diet contained protein phosphatase (PPase) activity that dephosphorylated a peptide containing Ser-196, whereas a PPase in the nuclear extract catalyzed dephosphorylation of Ser-568 and Thr-666. All these PPases are activated specifically by xylulose 5-phosphate (Xu5P), but not by other sugar phosphates. Furthermore, addition of Xu5P elevated PPase activity to the level observed in extracts of fed liver cells. These partially purified PPases were characterized as PP2A-ABδC by immunoblotting with specific antibodies. These results suggest that (ia) Xu5P-dependent PPase is responsible for activation of transcription of the L-type pyruvate kinase gene and lipogenic enzyme genes, and (ii) Xu5P is the glucose signaling compound. Thus, we propose that the same Xu5P-activated PPase controls both acute and long-term regulation of glucose metabolism and fat synthesis.
Analysis of the radiated characters of phased-array antennas under the influence of shelter by parallel FDTD algorithm

Phased-array antennas are the production of phased-array technology which is receiving considerable attention by the military and commercial applications. Because of FDTD's obvious advantage on the analysis of the radiated and scattering characters and the development of parallel technology, in this paper, the radiated characters of the phased-array antennas given are simulated by parallel FDTD algorithm on COW (cluster of workstation) parallel computing system. The good results obtained show that parallel FDTD algorithm is quite a robust method for analysis of the radiated characters of the complex large phased-array antennas under the influence of shelter.
The role of anticitrullinated protein antibodies in the early stages of rheumatoid arthritis

Purpose of reviewThis review provides an update on the recent discoveries on the role of anticitrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA) in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Recent findingsRA is characterized by an immune response against posttranslationally modified proteins, in particular citrullinated proteins. Recent studies have found that the ACPA response matures shortly before clinical disease manifests itself and is characterized by an increase in titre, isotype switching, antigen-recognition profile, and a change in the Fc-glycosylation pattern. To date, many citrullinated autoantigens have been identified and novel studies suggest that the human leucocyte antigen class II locus may directly influence the maturation of the ACPA response via antigen-specific T cells. Clinical studies have demonstrated that effective treatment of arthritis can lead to reduced ACPA levels or a change in composition of ACPA. In addition to ACPA, autoantibodies targeting other posttranslational modifications have been identified and may be associated with disease prognosis. SummaryKey studies have demonstrated that autoimmunity against citrullinated proteins is already present in preclinical RA and matures over time. Future studies are required to reveal whether autoantibodies and the B cells that produce them play a role in disease development or can function as biomarkers for disease maturation.