Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Measuring Improvements in the Disaster Resilience of Communities

This paper demonstrates the concept of disaster resilience through the development and application of quantitative measures. As the idea of building disaster-resilient communities gains acceptance, new methods are needed that go beyond estimating monetary losses and that address the complex, multiple dimensions of resilience. These dimensions include technical, organizational, social, and economic facets. This paper first proposes resilience measures that relate expected losses in future disasters to a community's seismic performance objectives. It then demonstrates these measures in a case study of the Memphis, Tennessee, water delivery system. An existing earthquake loss estimation model provides a starting point for quantifying resilience. The analysis compares two seismic retrofit strategies and finds that only one improves community resilience over the status quo. However, it does not raise resilience to an adequate degree. The exercise demonstrates that the resilience framework can be valuable for guiding mitigation and preparedness efforts. However, to fully implement the concept, new research on resilience is needed that goes beyond loss estimation modeling.
Research on the Robustness of Peer-to-Peer Overlay

Many complex networks display a surprising degree of tolerance against error comes at a high price in that these networks are extremely vulnerable to attacks (that is , to the removal of a few nodes that play a vital role in the networks). Complex peer-to-peer overlay networks display a surprising degree of robustness: although some components regularly malfunction, local failures rarely lead to the loss of the information carrying ability of the network. The stability of these and other complex systems is often attributed to the redundant wiring of the functional web defined by the systems components. In this paper a model of peer-to-peer overlay is presented based on the actual topology. According to the model it is found that such error tolerance and attack vulnerability are generic properties of peer-to-peer overlay.
PECVD-ONO: A New Deposited Firing Stable Rear Surface Passivation Layer System for Crystalline Silicon Solar Cells

A novel plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposited (PECVD) stack layer system consisting of a-:H, a-:H, and a-:H is presented for silicon solar cell rear side passivation. Surface recombination velocities below 60 cm/s (after firing) and below 30 cm/s (after forming gas anneal) were achieved. Solar cell precursors without front and rear metallisation showed implied open-circuit voltages values extracted from quasi-steady-state photoconductance (QSSPC) measurements above 680 mV. Fully finished solar cells with up to 20.0% energy conversion efficiency are presented. A fit of the cell's internal quantum efficiency using software tool PC1D and a comparison to a full-area aluminium-back surface field (Al-BSF) and thermal is shown. PECVD-ONO was found to be clearly superior to Al-BSF. A separation of recombination at the metallised and the passivated area at the solar cell's rear is presented using the equations of Fischer and Kray. Nuclear reaction analysis (NRA) has been used to evaluate the hydrogen depth profile of the passivation layer system at different stages.
Molecular and Morphological Characterization of The Root -lesion Nematode, Pratylenchus Neglectus, on Corn from Henan Province of China

Summary Root-lesion nematodes, Pratylenchus spp. , are economically important pathogens because of their detrimental and economic impact on a wide range of crops. In August 2018, two samples of both roots and rhizosphere soil were collected from a corn field in Liangyuanqu of Shangqiu city, Henan Province, China. Root-lesion nematodes were recovered from the roots and soil samples using the modified Baermann funnel extraction method. Both the morphological characters and molecular analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and D2-D3 expansion region of 28S ribosomal RNA sequences confirmed that the root-lesion nematode population collected from corn in this study was P. neglectus. Phylogenetic analyses showed that this isolate formed a highly supported clade with other P. neglectus isolates. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of P. neglectus on corn in Henan Province of China. This study reports the first partial sequences of 28S D2-D3 region of P. neglectus on corn in China. Due to the great harmfulness of root-lesion nematodes to corn, care should be taken to prevent the spread of P. neglectus to other regions in China. At the same time, further study on the biological characteristics of P. neglectus is needed, which will be helpful to develop corresponding management and control strategies.
Can soft-starters help save energy?

This article describes results of an experimental evaluation of seven commercial soft-starters used with three motors of different power ratings. Several performance indicators have been measured and compared to illustrate operation of soft-starters and assess their energy-saving capabilities. Three standard squirrel-cage induction motors, rated at 3 kW, 7.5 kW, and 22 kW, were used. Several European manufacturers provided soft-starters for the investigation. Tests were performed under the steady-state and transient operating conditions.
Toxin gene profiles and antimicrobial resistance of Clostridioides difficile infection: a single tertiary care center study in Iran

Background and Objectives: Due to the reduced susceptibility of clinical Clostridioides difficile strains in hospitals to various antimicrobial agents, the importance of antimicrobial susceptibility testing (ASTs) has increased. This study aimed to investigate the toxin gene profiles and the antimicrobial resistance of C. difficile isolated from hospitalized patients suspected of having Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) in Tehran, Iran. Materials and Methods: The stool samples were obtained from a hospitalized patients. The samples were shocked by alcohol and the patients cultured on cycloserine-cefoxitin-fructose agar in anaerobic Conditions. Toxin assay was performed for detection of toxinogenic isolates. An antibiotic susceptibility test was done. Furthermore, their genome was extracted for PCR to confirm C. difficile and detect toxin gene profile. Results: Toxigenic C. difficile were identified in 21 of the 185 stool samples (11.3%). PCR detected seven toxin gene profiles; the highest prevalence was related to tcdA+B+, cdtA+B− toxin gene profile (57.1%). There were 14.3% and 28.6% resistant rates of the isolates towards vancomycin and metronidazole with the toxin gene profiles; tcdA+B+, cdtA±B+; and tc- dA+B−, cdtA−B+. All resistant isolates to moxifloxacin, clindamycin, and tetracycline were belonged to the toxin gene profiles; tcdA+B+, cdtA+B+; tcdA+B+, cdtA+B−, and tcdA−B+, cdtA+B−. Conclusion: Relative high resistance was detected towards metronidazole and vancomycin, although, still have acceptable activity for CDI treatment. However, a proper plan for the use of antibiotics and more regular screening of C. difficile antibiotic resistance seems necessary.
Cardiovascular Risk in Patients with COPD: Cardiovascular Comorbidities in Patients with COPD Increase CAT and mMRC Dyspnea Scores

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with a number of different comorbidities. Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the most frequent comorbidities in COPD. The economic burden associated with cardiovascular comorbidity (CVC) in this population of patients is considerable. The COPD patients are related to the increased systemic inflammation, reduced capacity for physical activity, and airflow obstruction. AIM: The aim of our investigation was to evaluate the dyspnea as a disabling symptom in COPD patients with cardiovascular comorbidity (CVC) especially heart failure. The main aim of this study is to evaluate its intensity in patients with COPD in stages II according to GOLD. METHODS: The investigation was conducted from December 2019 to January 2020, on pulmonology and allergology clinic and cardiology clinic of medical faculty in Skopje. We investigated 65 outpatients with COPD, 44 with different type of CVD, Group I, and 21 without CVD, Group II. All patients were with partial chronic respiratory failure (In type 1 respiratory failure hypoxemic). Patients, according GOLD initiative, were in COPD stadium II, 70% < forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)>50%. Heart condition was diagnosed on the basis of clinical examination, electrocardiography, and echocardiography of the heart. Included patients with CVD were with ejection fraction (EF) <65%. Dyspnea was measured with modified MRC (mMRC) dyspnea scale. RESULTS: The forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 s were statically significantly higher in Group II with CVD. Dyspnea measured with Modified Medical Research Council (MRC) dyspnea scale showed statistically significantly higher values in Group I COPD patients with CVC (2.9 ± 1.4) versus Group II without CVC (1.7 ± 1.4), (p < 0.05). The perception of the higher dyspnea in Group I was associated with increased COPD assessment test-scores, in Group I: Group I (19.8 ± 9.1) versus Group II: (9.8 ± 9.1), (p < 0.001). The number of exacerbations and what is more important the number of severe exacerbation leading to hospitalizations was statistically higher in patients of Group I with CVC than in Group II without CVC (3.0 ± 1.1 vs. 1.0 ± 2.1), (p < 0.001) and the number of hospitalizations (1.0 ± 1.1 vs. 0.3 ± 2.1) (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: We can conclude that patients with COPD who have CVC have an increased risk of high symptoms, which mean poor quality of life and increased morbidity.
A new class of microwave active filters

The new active filter concept being presented employs band-limited directional signal channels that are connected in parallel to produce filtering action through controlled interference among respective signal components. Attributes of the technique include a convenient 50-ohm-based building-block-type design procedure, unconditional circuit stability, tolerance for passive circuit element losses, graceful performance degradation in the face of active element parameter changes, and an ability to realize both wideband and extremely narrowband high-Q filter circuits in planar, compact form. The concept is illustrated with an experimental 10-GHz bandpass filter of two percent bandwidth and an experimental 9.75-GHz notch filter of one quarter percent bandwidth. <<ETX>>
Računalniška emulacija kot strategija digitalnega ohranjanja računalniških sistemov in programske opreme

Z razvojem in vzponom področij kot so elektrotehnika, računalništvo ter informatika je vzniklo tudi področje digitalnega ohranjanja, ki se ukvarja z ohranjanjem digitalnih artefaktov. Zaradi interdisciplinarnosti področja in širokega nabora pristopov, katerih sistematičen pregled podamo v prvem delu članka, se v osrednjem delu članka osredotočimo predvsem na računalniško emulacijo, ki skupaj z muzejskim pristopom nudi enovit pristop k digitalnemu ohranjanju. Glavni namen članka je opisati metode, pristope, tehnike in izkušnje, ki smo jih pridobili z digitalnim ohranjanjem slovenske računalniške zapuščine in izvedbe emulatorjev dveh starodobnih računalnikov. Poleg emulacije procesorja in naprav so za digitalno ohranjanje računalniških sistemov pomembni tudi drugi vidiki ohranjanja, kot sta emulacija okolja in integracija z gostiteljem. V članku podamo sistematičen pregled ohranitvenih vidikov emulacije skupaj s sistemskimi tehnikami za njihovo izvedbo.
Does ISO 9000 certification improve business performance

This paper examines the issue of ISO 9000 certification and its perceived benefits for Singapore based companies. Using an empirical approach, the paper seeks to ascertain if certification has indeed improved the performance for listed and non‐listed companies. The results from a survey of 146 firms suggest that while certification leads to better overall financial performance, non‐listed certified firms experience better documentation procedures, higher perceived quality of products or services, and more effective communication among employees than listed certified firms. Some problems encountered in certification include the failures to establish adequate monitoring programs, to follow set procedures and to carry out appropriate management reviews of the new system as well as unclear authorisation.
Towards Improving Performance and Reliability of Cloud Platforms

Cloud computing refers to both applications delivered as services over the Internet, as well as the hardware and system software in the data centers, that provides these services. It has emerged as one of the most versatile forms of utility computing, where both applications and infrastructure facilities can be leased from an infinite pool of computing resources in the form of fine-grained pay-as-you-go mode of billing. Over recent years, there has been an unprecedented growth of cloud services from various key cloud providers like Amazon, Google, IBM and Microsoft. Some of the unique characteristics that make cloud computing so attractive and different from traditional distributed systems like data centers and grids include self-organization, elasticity, multi-tenancy, infinite resource pool availability and flexible economy of scale. With all the promises and benefits offered by cloud computing, also comes the associated challenges. Amidst various challenges, performance and reliability related issues in clouds are very critical and form the main focus of this dissertation. Specifically, the focus of this dissertation is to address the following four specific performance and reliability concerns in clouds: (i) lack of representative cloud workloads and performance benchmarking that are essential to evaluate and assess the various characteristics of cloud systems; (ii) poor management of resources in big data cloud clusters running representative large scale data processing applications like Hadoop MapReduce. Specifically, this is due to the problems associated with the static, fixed-size, coarse-grained, and uncoordinated resource allocation in Hadoop framework; (iii) inefficient scheduling and resource management of representative workload mix of interactive and batch applications, running on hybrid data centers which consist of both native and virtual machines; and (iv) lack of end-to-end effective problem
Mathematical Modelling of Gene Regulatory Networks

This research includes the use of an artificial intelligence algorithm, which is one of the algorithms of biological systems which is the algorithm of genetic regulatory networks (GRNs), which is a dynamic system for a group of variables representing space within time. To construct this biological system, we use (ODEs) and to analyze the stationarity of the model we use Euler's method. And through the factors that affect the process of gene expression in terms of inhibition and activation of the transcription process on DNA, we will use TF transcription factors. The current research aims to use the latest methods of the artificial intelligence algorithm. To apply Gene Regulation Networks (GRNs), we used a program (MATLAB2020), which provides facilitation to the most important biological concepts for building this biological interaction
Real-time yaw rate prediction based on a non-linear model and feedback compensation for vehicle dynamics control

The yaw rate is a key state for vehicle dynamics stability control. However, the time delay from the steering input to the yaw rate measured by the yaw rate sensor changes with the frequency of the steering input and can also be affected by the road friction and the vehicle speed. In order to reduce the time delay effect on the vehicle dynamics stability controller, a new comprehensive yaw rate prediction method is proposed. A seven-degree-of-freedom non-linear vehicle model is adopted as the prediction model. A quadratic polynomial extrapolation method is used to compute the future steering-wheel input in the prediction horizon. A model-based yaw rate prediction algorithm is combined with a feedback compensator to guarantee the robustness of the algorithm. Meanwhile, a linear extrapolation method is utilized to minimize the defects of model-based prediction since the simplified vehicle model cannot fully model the hysteresis or other non-linearities of the vehicle systems. Experimental tests on the vehicle show that the combined algorithm is able to predict the yaw rate about 100 ms earlier than the sensor measurement is. Simulations show that the vehicle stability control strategy based on the proposed comprehensive prediction method has a better performance than the traditional control strategy does.
A generalized integral charge-control relation and its application to compact models for silicon-based HBT's

A generalized version of Gummel's integral charge-control relation (ICCR) is derived, which-in contrast to the classical ICCR-is valid also for HBTs. As a drawback of this generalized ICCR (GICCR) the required separation of the total minority charge into the contributions of the different transistor regions is not possible by measurements. Therefore, a simplified version of the GICCR is presented the parameters of which can be determined experimentally in a simple manner for the operating range of interest. This approach could provide a powerful basis for the development of compact HBT models for circuit simulation. The validity of the different approaches is verified by one- and two-dimensional device simulation for several practical SiGe-base HBTs with different doping profiles and Ge mole fractions. >
Oxidative Stress in Multiple Sclerosis Disease (Review Article)

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system, in which the myelin sheaths got injured. The prevalence of MS is on grow, as well as, it affects the young ages. Females are most common to have MS compared to males. Oxidative stress is the situation of imbalance between oxidants (free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS)) and antioxidants in a living system, in which either the oxidants are elevated or antioxidants are reduced, or sometimes both. ROS and oxidative stress have been implicated in the progression of many degenerative diseases, which is important in cracking the unrevealed mysteries of MS. In this review article, some of the proposed mechanisms that link oxidative stress with MS disease would be described. Keywords: Oxidative stress, ROS, multiple sclerosis, antioxidants
Permanent magnet brushless motors for industrial variable speed drives

The paper describes aspects of product design optimization and manufacturing technology development for PM brushless motor drives specific to industrial applications. Low speed direct drive motors with high specific torque have been built using a high polarity flux concentrating rotor design with radial ferrites. High efficiency and/or reduced size synchronous motors, rated at 1500 rpm and higher, have been built using NdFeB magnets.
Consumer Participation and Productivity in Service Operations

Operations managers have traditionally increased productivity by substituting machines for labor, simplifying work, and devising employee incentive plans. For services, the consumer represents an untapped productive resource. A service delivery system can be designed to permit greater consumer involvement in the production process thereby achieving productivity gains and revising the concept of employment.
A novel on-chip electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection with common discharge line for high-speed CMOS LSIs

A novel on-chip electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection for high-speed CMOS LSI's that operate at higher than 500 MHz has been developed. Introduction of a newly developed common discharge line (CDL) can completely eliminate the protection device influence on the inner circuit operation. This enables minimization of the I/O capacitance by shrinking the dimension of the output transistor, which also serves as a protection device in conventional devices. This new protection (CDL protection) was applied to a high-speed DRAM of which I/O pin capacitance specification is 2 pF. As a result, the ESD tolerance of 4 kV for the charged device model test, 4 kV for the human body model test, and 700 V for the machine model test were obtained. In addition, the DRAM data rate higher than 660 MHz at room temperature was achieved. The results show significant improvement for both ESD and the I/O capacitance, compared with the conventional structure.
OX40 agonism enhances efficacy of PD-L1 checkpoint blockade by shifting the cytotoxic T cell differentiation spectrum

Immune checkpoint therapy (ICT) has the potency to eradicate cancer but the mechanisms that determine effective versus non-effective therapy-induced immune responses are not fully understood. Here, using high-dimensional single-cell profiling we examined whether T cell states in the blood circulation could predict responsiveness to a combined ICT, sequentially targeting OX40 costimulatory and PD-1 inhibitory pathways, which effectively eradicated syngeneic mouse tumors. Unbiased assessment of transcriptomic alterations by single-cell RNA sequencing and profiling of cell-surface protein expression by mass cytometry revealed unique activation states for therapy-responsive CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Effective ICT elicited T cells with dynamic expression of distinct NK cell and chemokine receptors, and these cells were systemically present in lymphoid tissues and in the tumor. Moreover, NK cell receptor-expressing CD8+ T cells were also present in the peripheral blood of immunotherapy-responsive cancer patients. Targeting of the NK cell and chemokine receptors in tumor-bearing mice showed their functional importance for therapy-induced anti-tumor immunity. These findings provide a better understanding of ICT and highlight the use of dynamic biomarkers on effector CD4+ and CD8+ T cells to improve cancer immunotherapy.
Hibridna difuzijska metoda za globalno osvetlitev volumetričnih podatkov

V članku predstavljamo hibridno difuzijsko metodo za interaktivno osvetljevanje in upodabljanje volumetričnih podatkov. Metoda temelji na konvekcijsko-difuzijskem modelu, ki neposredno osvetlitev opisuje s konvekci- jskim, sipanje pa z difuzijskim procesom. V naši metodi smo konvekcijo nadomestili s sledenjem poti. Metodo smo performančno in kvalitativno ovrednotili in primerjali s konvekcijsko-difuzijsko metodo, sledenjem poti z enkratnim sipanjem in s sledenjem poti z večkratnim sipanjem. Rezultati kažejo na primerljivo kvaliteto končnih slik, pridobljenih s hibridno metodo, glede na konvekcijsko-difuzijsko metodo, poleg tega pa naš pristop prinaša mnoge prednosti, predvsem nepristranskost, neodvisnost od števila luči in zmanjšano porabo pomnilnika.