Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mini-grid design manual

The manual has been prepared to encourage, and support the design of improved village electrification schemes, anticipating its usefulness for rural development agencies, as well as for national, and provincial energy companies, and authorities. Theoretical and field experiences describe power mini-grid - i.e., low voltage network within a village, supplied at a single point by a diesel genset, or micro-hydropower plant. The manual focuses on the design of the system to distribute the power generated to consumers, and, designs covered in this manual range from low-cost designs to serve basic lighting needs, to more conventional designs that may become interconnected to the grid within the near future. Discussions on mini-grids do not involve the use of medium voltage (MV), however, it should be recognized that it may occasionally be necessary to use MV to reduce overall costs. The manual includes several examples of mini-grids, to illustrate the context in which such projects have been implemented, with additional detailed case studies. It also contains qualitative descriptions of the issues to be addressed in planning for mini-grids, and a range of design options for the various components of mini-grids, how these are sized, and incorporated into a mini-grid.
ERRα promotes gallbladder cancer development via activating PI3K/AKT signaling pathway mediated by Nectin-4

Background: Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is the most common malignant tumour of the bile duct with a poor prognosis. The estrogen-related receptor alpha (ERRα) is a nuclear receptor that has been associated with metabolic processes and cancer progression. Increased ERRα has been shown in endocrine-related cancer and non-endocrine-related cancer. Nevertheless, its role in GBC remains unknown. Methods: ERRα expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry in 59 GBC samples. Its association with clinicopathologic characteristics was evaluated. The effect of ERRα on GBC cell proliferation and invasion was evaluated by loss- or gain-of-function assays in vitro and in vivo. The influence of ERRα on EMT biomarkers, Nectin-4 and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway was detected by western blotting. Inhibition of Nectin-4 was conducted to explore the potential mechanism of ERRα in GBC. Results: Our study reveals increased ERRα expression in GBC tissues vs. non-tumour adjacent tissues. ERRα expression is significantly positively correlated with high TNM stage, high invasion depth and lymph node metastasis, while negatively associated with prognosis. Targeted depletion of ERRα by lentivirus-mediated shRNA decreased cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. ERRα promoted cancer cell migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition by regulating the expression of EMT relevant genes. Ectopic expression of ERRα promoted GBC cell growth and invasion in vitro, while inhibiton of Nectin-4 attenuated cell growth and invasion induced by ERRα. Moreover, ERRα overexpression activated the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway while this effect can be blocked by Nectin-4 depletion. Nectin-4 was involved in the oncogenic function of ERRα to activate PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in GBC. Conclusions: ERRα promotes GBC progression via activating PI3K/AKT signaling pathway mediated by Nectin-4. ERRα may be a potential prognostic factor and molecular therapeutic target for GBC.
A framework for analyzing and mitigating the vulnerabilities of complex systems via attack and protection trees

In recent years, attack trees have been developed to describe processes by which malicious users attempt to exploit or break complex systems. Attack trees offer a method of decomposing, visualizing, and determining the cost or likelihood of attacks. Attack trees by themselves do not provide enough decision support to system defenders. The defenders need methods to determine which protections to implement and where to place them in the system to mitigate the vulnerabilities found. This research develops the concept of using protection trees to offer a detailed risk analysis for the protection of a system. In addition to developing protection trees, this research improves the existing concept of attack trees as well as developing rule sets for the manipulation of metrics used in the security of complex systems. This research specifically develops the framework for using an attack and protection tree methodology to analyze the security of complex systems. To accomplish this, the structure of attack trees is extended and modified to create the concept of protection trees. To validate the effectiveness of the methodology, the Schematic Protection Model (SPM) is used. The SPM is extended and applied to verify that a system protected using the attack and protection tree methodology is safe. To demonstrate the general usefulness of this novel methodology, it is used to analyze the security of several varied domains including computer networks, online banking, homeland security, and mobile ad hoc networks.
Optimization of Different Extraction Methods to Obtaining Bioactive Compounds from Larix Decidua Bark

Bark is considered as waste generated by wood processing industries. Bark is being used for horticulture applications and energy production, but due to its complex structure, bark can become biorenewable source. It is rich in high add-value compounds, as bioactive compounds, which are used in medicine, nutrition or personal care products. The most used extraction method for this bio-compounds is the conventional (liquid extraction), but in recent years others are being investigated. In this work conventional extraction (CE), ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE) and microwave assisted extraction (MAE) were optimized to obtain the highest extraction yield (%). In the optimal point of the design, total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoids content (TFC) of the extract of each method were determined. Their antioxidant capacity was also measured using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) assay (ABTS) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. The best extraction yield (%) as well as the highest antioxidant capacities were obtained with microwaves. The results showed the potential of the bark of Larix Decidua as source of bioactive compounds. Using microwaves for extraction could save energy and reduce the processing time.
Who Should Make Medical Decisions When a Patient Lacks an Advance Directive?

Patients admitted to the hospital with neurological problems are sometimes incapacitated and unable to make end-of-life decisions. In these instances, without an advanced directive from the patient, clinicians and family members must make critical medical decisions without input from the patient. This paper looks at two cases - one child and one adult – in which neuroprognosis was uncertain, and physician and family members’ beliefs on end-of-life care clash. We provide insight into these disagreements and reflect on how best to manage them. We argue that when considering withdrawing treatment, respecting autonomy is of paramount importance, while decision-making about continuing life-sustaining treatment requires clinicians to ensure surrogates are adequately educated about the principle of beneficence.
Urine Collection in Cervical Cancer Screening – Comparison of Two HPV DNA Assays

Background: To reach non-participants, reluctant to undergo clinician-based cervical cancer screening and cervico-vaginal self-sampling, urine collection for high-risk human papillomavirus detection (hrHPV) may be valuable. Using two hrHPV DNA assays, we evaluated the concordance of hrHPV positivity in urine samples in comparison with cervico-vaginal self-samples and cervical cytology samples taken by the general practitioner (GP). We also studied women's accept of urine collection and preferences towards the different sampling procedures.Methods: One hundred fifty paired self-collected urine and cervico-vaginal samples and GP-collected cervical cytology samples were obtained from 30 to 59-year-old women diagnosed with ASC-US within the Danish cervical cancer screening program. After undergoing cervical cytology at the GP, the women collected first-void urine and cervico-vaginal samples at home and completed a questionnaire. Each sample was hrHPV DNA tested by the GENOMICA® CLART and COBAS® 4800 assays. Concordance in hrHPV detection between sample types was determined using Kappa (k) statistics. Sensitivity and specificity of hrHPV detection in urine was calculated using cervical sampling as reference.Results: With the COBAS assay, urine showed good concordance to the cervico-vaginal (k=0.66) self-samples and cervical samples (k =0.66) for hrHPV detection. The corresponding concordance was moderate (k=0.59 and k=0.47) using CLART. Compared to cervical sampling, urinary hrHPV detection had a sensitivity of 63.9% and a specificity of 96.5% using COBAS; compared with 51.6% and 92.4% for CLART. Invalid hrHPV test rates were 1.8% for COBAS and 26.9% for CLART. Urine collection was well-accepted and 42.3% of the women ranked it as the most preferred future screening procedure.Conclusions: Urine collection provides a well-accepted screening option. With COBAS, higher concordance between urine and cervico-vaginal self-sampling and cervical sampling for hrHPV detection was found compared to CLART. Urinary hrHPV detection is feasible, but its accuracy may need to be improved before urine collection at home can be offered to non-participants reluctant to both cervical sampling and cervico-vaginal self-sampling.
Performance measurement systems in service SME : a Brunei case study

The purpose of this study was to investigate the practice of performance measurement systems (PMS) in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) operating in the service sector in Brunei Darussalam. A further aim was to find the drivers and barriers of PMS adoption for such companies. Quantitative and qualitative methods were applied in this research. Documentary data, questionnaires, and interviews were used to collect the data. 357 questionnaires were sent out to service SME and a total of 62 responses were received. 29 managers from four case study companies were interviewed and semi-structured questions were used during the interviews. The results from the questionnaires showed that 26 per cent of the sample practice advanced PMS, 16 per cent still use a traditional PMS and the rest use a balanced system. The results of the interviews showed two additional drivers and one additional barrier to those found in the literature review. Business process and external stakeholders were identified as the additional drivers of PMS adoption and the former was also identified as the additional factor that could block such adoption. The additional findings indicated that organizational strategy, appropriate management style and management experience and qualifications were the core factors that could either drive or block the adoption of PMS. The lack of a clear mission and vision influenced all the other blocking forces. At the same time, the existence of a clear policy, such as a mission and vision statement, influenced the other driving forces. Furthermore, exercising an appropriate management style which takes into account the current organizational culture of the company has a significant positive impact on the acceptance of performance measurement. The employment of a qualified and experienced management team that understands the concept of performance measurement is also valuable in ensuring that the design of the PMS is appropriate and the implementation successful. A practical framework based on the findings was created to overcome the key identified problems associated with PMS adoption. From these findings, the research results offer both useful and actionable implications for practitioners such as managers and external consultants involved in PMS, particularly in Brunei. Consideration was given to the breadth of the interviews and the use of other documentary data, as well as the limitations of the case study method employed in the research. This should ensure the findings will be useful for companies currently implementing PMS or those intending to in the future. Given the context of this research, the findings will predominantly be of use in developing countries.
Relationships between the types and levels of instructors' stated expectations for student participation in threaded discussions and actual student participation outcomes

The purpose of this ex-post facto study was to examine the relationships between the types and levels of an instructor’s expectations for student participation in threaded discussions and the density and intensity of student participation in learner interactions occurring within the discussions. To address this purpose, a conceptual framework was introduced for analyzing different types and levels of an instructor’s stated expectations for student participation in threaded discussions and the density, average level of participation, and degree of persistence of student participation occurring within the discussions. Guided by this conceptual framework, descriptive quantitative analyses including frequencies, comparison of means, and one-way analysis of variance tests were used to answer the following five research questions considered in this study: ° What relationships exist between the types and levels of an instructor’s stated expectations for student participation in threaded discussions and the discussion’s overall density of student participation? 0 What relationships exist between the types and levels of an instructor’s stated expectations for student participation in threaded discussions and the discussion’s density of student participation in each discussion level? 0 What relationships exist between the types and levels of an instructor’s stated expectations for student participation in threaded discussions and the overall discussion’s average level of participation in learner interactions? 0 What relationships exist between the types and levels of an instructor’s stated expectations for student participation in threaded discussions and the average level of participation in learner interactions in each discussion level? ° What relationships exist between the types and levels of an instructor’s stated expectations for student participation in threaded discussions and the overall discussion’s degree of persistence? In the results of this study, a number of relationships were shown to exist between the types and levels of an instructor’s stated expectations for student participation in threaded discussions and the density and intensity of student participation in learner interactions within the discussions. The specific findings and respective conclusions are discussed in detail within the study. The study concludes with a discussion of contributions to theory, research and practice and a number of recommendations for further research are presented.
Evaluating e-Training for public library staff: A quasi-experimental investigation.

A comparative evaluation framework of instructional interventions for implementation of online training for public library staff would enable a better understanding of how to improve the effectiveness, efficiency and efficacy of training in certain training environments. This dissertation describes a quasi-experimental study of a two-week, asynchronous online training course that was provided at four levels of instructional intervention to public library staff in the United States. The course content addressed the complex issues of difficult patron policy development and situational coping techniques. The objective of the study was to develop and demonstrate a theoretically grounded, evidence-based impact evaluation framework. The framework was used to assess the relative impact of an online course for public librarians at four levels of instructional intervention. The researcher investigated the relationships between the type of e-Training instructional interventions and the short- and long-term impacts on participants' knowledge, self-efficacy, and workplace performance. The study used a longitudinal, quasi-experimental design that included a pretest, posttest and three-month delayed posttest with follow-up survey. 194 participants completed all three phases of the study. The evaluation tools measured course content related knowledge and self-efficacy at all three phases (pretest, posttest, and delayed posttest) and assessed workplace application of training at 3-month follow-up. The results of this study contributed to evaluation theory and learning theory literature applied to the online learning environment and informed public library staff online training practices and evaluation methodologies.
An Initial Conceptual Model for Morale Factors

TM1 , Human Behaviour Representation. ABSTRACT: To improve the representation of human behaviour in Computer Generated Forces (CGF) simulations, an effort was undertaken to model the concept of morale. The process began with a literature review that identified over two hundred factors affecting morale. British Army Officers were then interviewed to validate the set of factors in the context of an operational environment. The interview process gathered data to identify changes in morale during three historical military scenarios. This data offers a solution for a formal computational model to be constructed. This model can then be developed for implementation in the OneSAF TM Objective System. Whilst this data set is most valid for UK Land Forces, its generalisability in the wider domain is discussed, with proposed benefits to training audiences using CGF systems. The paper aims to present an initial investigation of the area of morale modelling. The research tests a novel method of using military judgment to estimate morale levels over the course of events in a realistic operational scenario. It hopes to provide an initial conceptual model for morale intended to stimulate further research 2 .
Morpho-functional machines : the new species : designing embodied intelligence

Morpho-functional Machines: Basics and Research Issues. - Deployable Structures in Biology. - Evolving Task-Specific Optimal Morphologies for an Artificial Insect Eye. - Co-evolving Control and Morphology with LEGO Robots. - Facilitating Controller Evolution in Morpho-functional Machines -A Bipedal Case Study. - Amoeba-like Robots in the Perspective of Control Architecture and Morphology/Materials. - A Skeletal Framework Artificial Hand Actuated by Pneumatic Artificial Muscles. - Face Robot-Soft Material and Multiple Actuation for Facial Expressions. - Homogeneous Distributed Mechanical Systems. - Emerging of Group Formation -Morphological Configuration of Multi-Robot System-. - Evolving Morphologies and Neural Controllers Based on the Same Underlying Principle: Specific Ligand-Receptor Interactions. - Evolving Complete Agents Using Artificial Ontogeny. - Design Principles of Morpho-functional Machines.
Microblog Marketing in China.

Currently, microblog marketing has become an important tool for market competition among companies in many countries. People become aware of its unique commercial value and pay more attention on it. As a newly developed social media tool, although microblogging has just started in China, by the end of March in 2011, the number of registered users has drastically reached 230 million compared to 53 million one year ago and it is still increasing. As microblog becomes increasingly popular in China, it is a great platform for companies to promote their products and services, broaden their business network and build their brand. Microblogging has opened a new dimension of marketing and there is great significance for conducting research on the microblog marketing in China.The aim of this thesis work is to probe the strategies of microblog marketing for different companies in China which could be a guideline for those who plan to try microblog marketing.In order to achieve this goal and find out the useful strategies, case studies and SWOT analysis are used to analyze different situations. Specifically, three case studies are from Dell, Kogi BBQ, and VANCL, who have achieved great success via microblog marketing. Through case studies and SWOT analysis, related strategies are proposed and the trend is also predicted.In the end, we conclude that most companies may benefit from microblog marketing if they use it properly and take suitable strategies. However, microblog is a double-edged sword and improper message posts may bring negative effects to companies. Companies should treat microblog cautiously and make good use of it.Key words: Microblog, Microblog marketing, Strategy, Company
Experiment of Telecom Customer’s Needs and Satisfaction Based on Kano Model

with the changing technology customers are more aware of services available to them. They access wide range of information of available products and services which has lead to change in their perception about services and service providers. This has made telecom a hard sector to survive for telecom service providers. These changes in behavioral intentions has made it necessary to us understand what all services customers feel a mandatory part of telecom service and what attract them to reuse the service. To study these customers needs Kano model was applied to category services of SERVQUAL model on four quadrant - attractive, one dimensional, must-be and indifferent. The result stated that network performance attract telecom customers the most and tangibility factors are the ones which service providers can minimize as customers are indifferent about them. Safety and security in transaction is one dimensional factor that can increase customer satisfaction. Must be attributes need to be continued to maintained customers stay with the telecom brands. Thus study tried to understand behavior of customers and identify factors that could increase customer satisfaction.
The Fiber-Optic Helmet-Mounted Display,

Abstract : The feasibility of the Fiber-Optic Helmet-Mounted Display (FOHMD) concept has been demonstrated on a breadboard system installed on a simulator at the Air Force Human Resources Laboratory (AFHRL). Behavioral and engineering evaluation are currently being conducted to determine the optimum design specification for an Engineering Prototype scheduled for completion in late 1984. This paper describes the significant engineering aspects of the FOHMD together with the exploratory program for improving its performance. (Author)
Variation of Natural Frequencies for 3F Wooden Structures in Fresh, Damaged and Reinforced States

Natural frequency of a structure certainly becomes an important index to identify the toughness of the structure. In other words variation of natural frequency can be utilized to indicate the health state of a structure, especially for a complicated structure. Many researchers believed that following the increase of damage, the stiffness of the structure will decrease, which means the natural frequency will decrease. This paper is to report our recent research on a 3F wooden structure. Comparisons of the variations of natural frequencies have been clearly shown for the fresh structure, structures with slight and heavy damages, and reinforced structure. Real structure is that in the campus of Kinki University. Natural frequencies of fresh structure, structures with slight and heavy damages decreased following the increase of damage for real structure, simulation and model structure in general. But in some stages natural frequency remains unchanged or increased even the damage increases. In the same time, comparisons between damaged structures and reinforced structures also have shown that the natural frequency increase in general but in some cases remains unchanged, after reinforcement.