Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inverted HVAC

Emerging countries predominantly rely on room-level air conditioning units (window ACs, space heaters, ceiling fans) for thermal comfort. These distributed units have manual, decentralized control leading to suboptimal energy usage for two reasons: excessive setpoints by individuals and inability to interleave different conditioning units for energy savings. We propose a novel inverted HVAC approach: cheaply retrofitting these distributed units with “on-off” control and providing centralized control augmented with room and environmental sensors. Our binary control approach exploits an understanding of device consumption characteristics and factors this into the control algorithms to reduce consumption. We implement this approach as Hawadaar in a prototype 180ft2 room to evaluate its efficacy over a 7-month period experiencing both hot and cold climates. Through a post analysis, we show that our on-off algorithms are not far from a theoretically optimal approach based on a priori information that precisely knows the optimal control points to minimize consumption. We collect enough evidence to plausibly scale our empirical evaluation, demonstrating countrywide benefits: with just 20% market penetration, Hawadaar can save up to 6% of electricity per capita in residential and commercial sectors—resulting in a substantial countrywide impact.
Diabetic foot ulceration and amputation

The number of people with diabetes mellitus (DM) has been conservatively estimated to approximately double by 2030 to a worldwide prevalence of 4.4% at which time 366 million people will have diabetes (Wild et al., 2004). As the number of people with DM rises, so too will the burden of diabetic foot disease, particularly since the factors contributing to ulcer formation such as peripheral neuropathy and vascular disease are already present in 10% of people at the time of diagnosis (Boulton et al., 2005). The risk of an individual with DM developing a foot ulcer some time in his or her lifetime could be as high as 15% and foot ulcers are found in 12% to 25% of diabetics (Singh et al., 2005; Brem et al., 2006). Results from population and community based studies in the UK have shown a 1.3-4.8% prevalence rate of foot ulcers in persons with type 2 DM (Boulton et al., 2005). The annual incidence of foot ulceration is more than 2% among all persons with diabetes and 5% to 7.6% among diabetics with peripheral neuropathy (Abbott et al., 2002; Boulton et al., 2004).
Spatial scales in the assessment of risks of contaminants to higher organisms, with comparison to human health procedures

Recently, the research on the assessment of risks of contaminants in the environment for higher organisms has also been focussed on spatial aspects (see for instance Cairns et al., (1996). This included spatial heterogeneity of the occurrence of contaminants, but also the spatial variability in the occurrence of organisms. Very little literature however, is available on the explicit effects of scaling on the results of spatially explicit assessment of risks. Woodbury (2003) and Hope (2000) addressed this, and conclude that the choice of scales may affect the outcome of risk assessments. Gehlke and Biehl (1934) discussed this problem, and demonstrated that it is possible to estimate different results by applying different scales of an area of interest. In their habitats organisms may roam at different scales, ranging from meters for worms, to km for the badgers. In the current abstract the scales in environmental studies will be addressed, including the modifiable area unit problem (MAUP). This is related to the fact that there are no absolute levels of hierarchical organisation in natural systems, except as defined by perception. The definition of scales in spatial research is therefore subject to some degree of arbitrary. However, it has been established that the choice of scale may affect the results of the research. This may then result in the fact that the outcome of a risk assessment based on spatially explicit models, may be depending on the choice of scales. This will be illustrated later with a few simple examples. Before addressing the examples, some methods to upscale or downscale data will be presented.
The German Humpback: Internationalization and Foreign Exchange Hedging

Previous studies find a monotonic positive relationship between a firm's internationalization and its foreign exchange hedging. We argue that high levels of internationalization can reduce the need for foreign exchange hedging through diversification (e.g. sales to several markets) and operational hedging (matching of cash flows and operational flexibility). We employ multivariate regression analysis and find an inverse U-shape relationship (“humpback”) for large listed non-financial German firms. Foreign exchange hedging activity peaks when half of sales (or long-term assets) is outside Europe. We do not find support that diversification or production facilities abroad drive our results. Our paper is the first empirical paper to document an inverse U-shape relationship between internationalization and foreign exchange hedging.
Price effect analysis on electric vehicle charging networks in Jeju city

This paper conducts an analysis on the occupancy rate according to price level, distance to the closest free charger, and charger density, taking advantage of data archives acquired from an electric vehicle charging network currently operation in Jeju City. In hour-by-hour traces, the occupancy rates for 3 price groups, namely, free, medium-price, and expensive chargers, are almost evenly separated by about 9.0 %. The daily occupancy rate gap between free and non-free chargers reaches 13 %, while medium-price chargers catch up with free chargers for some tour seasons. The distance and density factors have not so much effect on the occupancy rate than expected, judging from the Pearson coefficient of 0.12 and 0.25, but free chargers are more frequently used in high-density areas. According to the analysis, we find out that a differentiated pricing policy is needed during the time interval between 12 PM to 18 PM, especially on the high charger density areas, to distribute charging demand and integrate with an appropriate reservation mechanism.
Syddansk Universitet Strategies for reward-based crowdfunding campaigns

Crowdfunding represents an alternative way of funding entrepreneurial ventures – and is attracting a high amount of interest in research as well as practice. Against this background, this paper analyzes reward-based crowdfunding campaign strategies and their communication tools. To do this, 446 crowdfunding projects were gathered and empirically analyzed. Three different paths of successful crowdfunding projects could be identified and are described in detail. Practical implications of crowdfunding strategies are derived, and are dependent on the required sales effort and the project added value. The terms communicator, networker and self-runner are created for this crowdfunding strategy and filled with practical examples. This paper contributes to the literature in different ways: first, it sheds more light on the developing concept of crowdfunding, with an overview of current academic discussions on crowdfunding. Furthermore, the analysis of success factors for crowdfunding initiatives adds to an emerging area of research and allows entrepreneurs to extract best practice examples for increasing the probability of successful crowdfunding projects under consideration of the key influencing factors of communication. © 2016 Journal of Innovation & Knowledge. Published by Elsevier España, S.L. U. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Estrategias para campañas de crowdfunding de recompensa
The Utility of Single Nucleotide DNA Variations as Predictors of Postoperative Pain

Objectives: Genetic variation is an important contributor to postsurgical pain and thereby analgesia requirements. A description of the potential predictive power of genetic variants in pain should instruct improvements in pain management postoperatively. We set out to examine whether a set of genetic variants in pain related genes would show any association with actual pain outcomes in a typical surgical population. Methods: A candidate gene study was carried out in 135 surgical patients with 12 DNA variants (single nucleotide polymorphisms or ‘SNPs’) in known or putative pain pathway genes to detect associations with postoperative pain measured by a verbal rating score (VRS) and patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) usage rate. Standard PCR based molecular biology approaches were used. Results: At 20-24h after surgery, patients with the 1032G/1032G variant pair for the A1032G variant of the potassium channel KCNJ6 gene had a slightly higher median VRS than those with 1032A/1032A or 1032A/1032G pairs (p=0.04; dominant genetic model). This small difference was most apparent in the orthopaedic surgery patients where the 1032G/1032G pair associated with VRS (median(interquartile range)) of 5(4-6) vs. 3(0.5-4) in 1032A/1032A or 1032A/1032G groups. For PCA, patients with 3435C/3435C or 3435C/3435T pairs for ATPdependent efflux pump gene ABCB1 variant C3435T used PCA at a considerably higher rate of 0.89(0.07-1.66) mg.h -1 compared with just 0.11 (0-0.52) mg.h -1 for the 3435T/3435T pair (p=0.03; dominant model). A significantly higher usage rate was also detected for opioid receptor OPRM1 variant IVS2-691 with usage of 0.77(0.01-1.56) mg.h-1 for the IVS2C/IVS2C or IVS2C/IVS2G group vs. 0.24(0-1.26) mg.h-1 in the IVS2G/IVS2G group (p=0.04; recessive model). Conclusion: While this study has identified some significant statistical associations the potential utility of the studied DNA variants in prediction of postoperative pain and patient-controlled opioid analgesia requirements appears to be quite limited at present.
Well-to-Wheels analysis of landfill gas-based pathways and their addition to the GREET model.

Today, approximately 300 million standard cubic ft/day (mmscfd) of natural gas and 1600 MW of electricity are produced from the decomposition of organic waste at 519 U.S. landfills (EPA 2010a). Since landfill gas (LFG) is a renewable resource, this energy is considered renewable. When used as a vehicle fuel, compressed natural gas (CNG) produced from LFG consumes up to 185,000 Btu of fossil fuel and generates from 1.5 to 18.4 kg of carbon dioxide-equivalent (CO{sub 2}e) emissions per million Btu of fuel on a 'well-to-wheel' (WTW) basis. This compares with approximately 1.1 million Btu and 78.2 kg of CO{sub 2}e per million Btu for CNG from fossil natural gas and 1.2 million Btu and 97.5 kg of CO{sub 2}e per million Btu for petroleum gasoline. Because of the additional energy required for liquefaction, LFG-based liquefied natural gas (LNG) requires more fossil fuel (222,000-227,000 Btu/million Btu WTW) and generates more GHG emissions (approximately 22 kg CO{sub 2}e /MM Btu WTW) if grid electricity is used for the liquefaction process. However, if some of the LFG is used to generate electricity for gas cleanup and liquefaction (or compression, in the case of CNG), vehicle fuel produced from LFG can have no fossilmore » fuel input and only minimal GHG emissions (1.5-7.7 kg CO{sub 2}e /MM Btu) on a WTW basis. Thus, LFG-based natural gas can be one of the lowest GHG-emitting fuels for light- or heavy-duty vehicles. This report discusses the size and scope of biomethane resources from landfills and the pathways by which those resources can be turned into and utilized as vehicle fuel. It includes characterizations of the LFG stream and the processes used to convert low-Btu LFG into high-Btu renewable natural gas (RNG); documents the conversion efficiencies and losses of those processes, the choice of processes modeled in GREET, and other assumptions used to construct GREET pathways; and presents GREET results by pathway stage. GREET estimates of well-to-pump (WTP), pump-to-wheel (PTW), and WTW energy, fossil fuel, and GHG emissions for each LFG-based pathway are then summarized and compared with similar estimates for fossil natural gas and petroleum pathways. « less
The 25 October 2010 Mentawai tsunami earthquake, from real‐time discriminants, finite‐fault rupture, and tsunami excitation

The moment magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck offshore the Mentawai islands in western Indonesia on 25 October 2010 created a locally large tsunami that caused more than 400 human causalities. We identify this earthquake as a rare slow‐source tsunami earthquake based on: 1) disproportionately large tsunami waves; 2) excessive rupture duration near 125 s; 3) predominantly shallow, near‐trench slip determined through finite‐fault modeling; and 4) deficiencies in energy‐to‐moment and energy‐to‐duration‐cubed ratios, the latter in near‐real time. We detail the real‐time solutions that identified the slow‐nature of this event, and evaluate how regional reductions in crustal rigidity along the shallow trench as determined by reduced rupture velocity contributed to increased slip, causing the 5–9 m local tsunami runup and observed transoceanic wave heights observed 1600 km to the southeast.
VIRULÊNCIA DE CEPAS DE Escherichia coli ISOLADAS DE CARCAÇAS DE OVINOS

Foram coletados esfregacos de carcacas de ovinos abatidos em cinco propriedades rurais da regiao de Dracena no Estado de Sao Paulo e amostras de fezes desses animais, no periodo de janeiro a novembro de 2007. O objetivo do trabalho foi caracterizar e identificar o perfil de virulencia das amostras de E. coli isoladas de carcacas de ovinos, bem como avaliar o nivel de contaminacao de carcacas ovinas manipuladas em frigorificos e o risco potencial de transmissao de doencas entericas atraves da ingestao de carne ovina. Cento e dezesseis cepas de E. coli foram selecionadas a partir de noventa e quatro carcacas de ovinos analisadas. O mes que apresentou maior contaminacao pela bacteria E. coli foi o mes de marco, caracterizado por um periodo de chuvas. Atraves da tecnica de PCR foi analisada a presenca dos genes stx1, stx2, eae, LT-II, STa. Nenhuma cepa apresentou esses genes analisados. Apenas tres amostras isoladas das carcacas foram positivas para o gene stx2. Os ovinos abatidos nas propriedades apresentaram contaminacao em suas carcacas e os resultados ainda sao ineficientes para avaliar o quanto as carcacas contaminadas de ovinos contribuem para as infeccoes em humanos no Brasil.
Constraints on the nuclear equation of state and the neutron star structure from crustal torsional oscillations

We systematically examine torsional shear oscillations of neutron star crusts by newly taking into account the possible presence of the phase of cylindrical nuclei. In this study, we neglect an effect of magnetic fields, under which the shear oscillations can be damped by the magnetic interaction. First, by identifying the low frequency quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) observed in the soft-gamma repeaters (SGRs) as the fundamental torsional oscillations, we constrain the slope parameter of the nuclear symmetry energy, $L$, for reasonable values of the star's mass $M$ and radius $R$. Meanwhile, we find that the 1st overtone of torsional oscillations obtained for given $M$ and $R$ can be expressed well as a function of a new parameter $\varsigma\equiv (K_0^4 L^5)^{1/9}$, where $K_0$ is the incompressibility of symmetric nuclear matter. Assuming that the lowest of the QPO frequencies above 500 Hz observed in SGR 1806-20 comes from the 1st overtone, we can constrain the value of $\varsigma$. Then, for each neutron star model, such a value of $L$ as can be obtained from the observed low frequency QPOs translates to the optimal value of $K_0$ via the above constraint on $\varsigma$. Finally, its consistency with allowed values of $K_0$ from empirical giant monopole resonances leads to neutron star models with relatively low mass and large radius, which are qualitatively similar to the prediction in earlier investigations. This result suggests that $L\simeq 58-73$ MeV, even when uncertainties in the neutron superfluid density inside the phase of cylindrical nuclei are allowed for.
Can a stress management programme reduce stress and improve quality of life in people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis?

Background Despite evidence of perceived stress as a risk factor for multiple sclerosis activity, the evidence for managing stress is limited. Objective To evaluate a stress management programme on perceived stress and quality of life, over 6 months. Methods One hundred people with multiple sclerosis were randomly assigned to either a stress management programme of mindfulness, meditation and progressive muscle relaxation, or wait list. Perceived stress and quality of life were assessed at three intervals across 6 months. Salivary cortisol levels were assessed at two intervals: baseline and first follow-up. Results The stress management programme did not significantly reduce perceived stress, when comparing mean scores. Secondary analysis using median scores found a significant improvement for quality of life, favouring the intervention group. Conclusion Stress management had no significant effect on the primary outcome of perceived stress but did improve quality of life in a secondary analysis of median scores.
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis with Complications at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria: A Case Report

Background: Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis is a progressive diffuse lung disease, characterised by interstitial fibrosis, minimal inflammation, and archetectural distortion interpersed with areas of normal lung tissue. It is rarely reported in Nigeria. Aim: The aim is to present a case of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in our centre. Methods: A review of a case of a 60 year old woman who presented to our centre with two year history of progressively worsening breathlessness and unproductive cough. Results: A 60 year old foodstuff trader was managed in our center with two year history of progressive breathlessness and unproductive cough. She eventually developed complications of right sided heart failure and hypoxemia. The investigations she had included spirometry, chest X-ray, pulse oximetry, high resolution chest CT scan and lung necropsy. The results are all in keeping with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.She died after about 8 months steroid therapy as well as antifailure regimen. Conclusion: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic progressive fibrosing interstitial pneumonia of unknown cause. Lung transplant is the only effective treatment as response to medical therapy is generally poor
Students' perceptions of their science teacher's behaviour and how it affects their self-efficacy: A qualitative analysis

The purpose of this paper is to recognize the influence that teacher behaviour has on students’ perceptions of their science classroom environment and on their self-efficacy. The focus is to present, analyse and evaluate the qualitative data that were collected from secondary school science students in Australia. The impact that teacher interpersonal behaviour has on student learning is well documented. It is also understood that students are primarily responsible for their level of engagement in classroom activities. However, the extent to which they perform and whether they enjoy their learning environment can be attributed to a combination of factors. Bandura (1977) promotes self-efficacy as the cornerstone of self-belief and suggests that verbal persuasion can determine the level of commitment students exert towards a particular task. The qualitative research entailed interviewing ten percent of the students who completed the Questionnaire on Teacher Interaction (QTI) and the Students’ Motivation, Attitude and Self-Efficacy in Science (SMASES) questionnaire. Ten research questions were constructed based on the two instruments and in small groups, the students elaborated on factors that they believed affected their learning. This study highlights the fact that the manner in which teachers communicate in science classrooms does play a significant role in affecting students’ levels of self-efficacy. It suggests that teachers should use appropriate behaviour to create an inviting classroom environment and ultimately enable students to reach their academic potential.
Dynamics of Cladocera Community in a Tropical Hypereutrophic Environment (Garças Reservoir, São Paulo, Brazil)

This study was performed at Garcas Reservoir, a hypereutrophic urban lake within Sao Paulo metropolitan area, Southeast Brazil. This reservoir underwent to a marked limnological change after the harvest of free floating macrophytes, shifting to a hypereutrophic state. Present purposes were to characterize the Cladocera community and verify its association with the water deterioration after the macrophytes removal period as well as to compare it to previous studies, before macrophytes harvesting. Samplings were collected from October 2007 until September 2008 and the results were compared to data obtained during pre-removal period (1997). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) showed that the highest values for water transparency were associated with the macrophytes pre-removal period while the highest values of electrical conductivity, chlorophyll a and total phosphorus were associated with the macrophytes post-removal period, indicating the degradation of the water quality. During this period, large cladocerans disappeared and the small sized species of Bosmina predominated. Male organisms of this genus were found as well as elevated densities of Bosmina huaroensis, suggesting overcrowding. Furthermore, it was detected a reduction of 82% in the number of species compared to data from 1997. The shifts to the hypereutrophic state led to aggressive alterations in Cladocera community, suggesting a strong stress on populations.
Molecular Tracing of the Emergence, Adaptation and Transmission of Hospital-Associated MRSA

Hospital-associated infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are a global health burden dominated by a small number of bacterial clones. The pandemic EMRSA-16 clone (ST36-II) has been widespread in UK hospitals for 20 years, but its evolutionary origin and the molecular basis for its hospital-association are unclear. We carried out a Bayesian phylogenetic reconstruction based on the genome sequences of 86 S. aureus isolates including 60 EMRSA-16 and 26 additional clonal complex 30 (CC30) isolates, collected from patients in 3 continents over a 53 year period. The 3 major pandemic clones to originate from the CC30 lineage, including phage type 80/81, South-West Pacific, and EMRSA-16, shared a most recent common ancestor that existed over 100 years ago while the hospital-associated EMRSA-16 clone is estimated to have emerged about 35 years ago. Our CC30 genome-wide analysis revealed striking molecular correlates of hospital- or community-associated pandemics represented by non-synonymous mutations and mobile genetic elements affecting antibiotic resistance and virulence. Importantly, phylogeographic analysis indicates that EMRSA-16 spread within the UK by transmission from large hospitals in London and Glasgow to regional health-care centers, implicating patient referrals as an important cause of nationwide transmission. Taken together, the high-resolution phylogenomic approach employed resulted in a new understanding of the emergence and transmission of a major MRSA clone and provided molecular correlates of its hospital adaptation. Similar approaches for hospital-associated clones of other bacterial pathogens may inform appropriate measures for controlling their intra- and inter-hospital spread.