Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Preventive maintenance for a single-machine system under variable operational conditions

It is a common industrial practice that machines work under variable operational conditions. This article develops an imperfect maintenance model for machines working under variable operational condition, assuming that the failure time distribution of machines under different operational conditions follows the accelerated failure time model. To deal with the case that the future operational conditions’ information over the planning time interval are unknown in advance, it proposes a preventive maintenance policy which is based on current hazard rate function. An example is studied, and the results are compared with the cases that the whole operational condition information is given in advance, and the influence of operational condition is not considered. The results reveal the necessity of integrating operational condition with preventive maintenance optimization. In addition, the performance of the proposed policy has been explored with different parameters of operational conditions.
Factors Affecting Hospital Length of Stay for Drivers with Traumatic Brain Injuries from Motor Vehicle Crashes: South Carolina Case Study

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are a major cause of disability and mortality, and many TBIs are caused by motor vehicle crashes. Hospital length of stay (LOS) is often regarded as a representation of consumption of hospital resources and may also represent injury severity. This study investigated the effects of crash factors and driver characteristics on hospital LOS for drivers sustaining a TBI in traffic crashes. The South Carolina Crash Outcome Data Evaluation System for 2005 to 2007 was used to build a zero-inflated negative binomial regression to predict hospital LOS for drivers experiencing a TBI as a result of a crash. Not wearing a seat belt, ejection from the vehicle, and a crash on a roadway with a high speed limit were factors associated with a greater likelihood of being admitted to the hospital and having longer hospital LOS for drivers sustaining TBIs in crashes. Intoxicated drivers were more likely to be admitted to the hospital but tended to have shorter LOS when they sustained a TBI in a crash. Hospital LOS may be a surrogate measurement of injury severity as well as a representation of health care resource consumption. Understanding the effects of crash factors on hospital LOS for drivers sustaining a TBI in crashes can help policy makers, roadway designers, and health care providers develop specific interventions for understanding traffic crash–related health care resource consumption.
Are the neglected tropical diseases under control in the tri-border region between Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay?

INTRODUCTION Implementation of prevention and control measures for communicable diseases in border regions can be challenging and lead to inefficient attempts to control them. We describe evidences on the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges regarding implementation of health interventions for control, prevention and treatment of selected neglected tropical diseases (NTD), a group of transmissible diseases typically prevalent in tropical countries and vulnerable populations, in the tri-border between Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay. METHODOLOGY A systematic literature review of observational and experimental studies was conducted, using PubMed and Bireme databases. Eligibility criteria were location (tri-border area) and subject (health interventions). RESULTS Of a total of 595 references identified, 34 studies were included (18 pertaining to leishmaniasis, 11 to dengue, 2 to leprosy, 2 to soil-transmitted helminthiases and 1 to Chagas' disease), with an inclusion rate of 6.4%. The main strengths were the similarity of health interventions between countries and easiness of mobility and communication flows. The main weaknesses were access to rural areas and discrepancies in the number of studies between countries. As for opportunities, we identified increased tourism, economic development and recent increasing research in this field. The main challenges were the absence of studies regarding other prevalent NTD in the region and movement of goods, animals and people across borders. CONCLUSIONS Although epidemiological studies are still needed to better understand and assess the prevalence of NTD in the area, mainly in Paraguay, these findings can inform decision-makers and health managers to plan a common strategy to address NTD.
Keterkaitan Social Media Terhadap Customer Satisfaction

This study aims to analyze the effect of social media activity, social media interactivity and social media content on customer satisfaction in fashion products. The methodology of this research is quantitative with a total sample of 105 respondents using purposive sampling. This research was conducted by distributing online questionnaires using a google form. The research hypothesis was tested using the Structural Equation Model (SEM) with the software used by AMOS. The results showed that social media activity, social media interactivity and social media content had a positive effect on customer satisfaction. Based on the three test results that have the greatest influence on customer satisfaction, namely on social media activity. The results of this study will assist in developing consumer satisfaction for fashion products that allow academics and practitioners to formulate operational strategies that are honed to optimize consumer satisfaction and profitability in fashion products. This study discusses the shortcomings and gaps in previous research. These findings provide a better understanding of consumer satisfaction.
SINGLE KERNEL CHARACTERIZATION OF WHEAT VARIETIES IN RELATION TO MILLING QUALITY

Mango Research Institute, Multan, Pakistan, 2 National Institute of Food Science and Technology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan, 3 Wheat Research Institute, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad, Pakistan, Citrus Research Institute, Sargodha, Pakistan, 5 Food Technology Section, Post-Harvest Research Institute, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad, Pakistan Corresponding author’s e-mail: zafarft@yahoo.co.in
A world checklist of extant and extinct species of Megaloptera (Insecta: Neuropterida)

A global synonymical checklist of the species and higher taxa of the insect order Megaloptera is provided. The checklist includes both extant and extinct taxa, and recognizes 2 families, 4 subfamilies, 48 genera, 425 species, and 6 subspecies. Both families (Corydalidae and Sialidae), and three of the four subfamilies (Corydalinae, Chauliodinae, and Sialinae) are known from both extant and extinct species; the Sharasialinae (Sialidae) is entirely extinct. Country-level geographic distribution data are provided for all species and subspecies. Synoptic type data are provided for taxa in the family and genus groups. Summary data are given for the numbers of megalopteran species currently known to occur in each of the major biogeographical regions of the world, and for the world fauna. Increase of knowledge about the diversity of the world Megaloptera fauna is summarized in counts of valid species described per decade and in a global taxonomic description curve. An updated set of keys to the world families, subfamilies, and genera of the Megaloptera is also provided.
Improved Daily Evapotranspiration Estimation Using Remotely Sensed Data in a Data Fusion System

Evapotranspiration (ET) represents crop water use and is a key indicator of crop health. Accurate estimation of ET is critical for agricultural irrigation and water resource management. ET retrieval using energy balance methods with remotely sensed thermal infrared data as the key input has been widely applied for irrigation scheduling, yield prediction, drought monitoring and so on. However, limitations on the spatial and temporal resolution of available thermal satellite data combined with the effects of cloud contamination constrain the amount of detail that a single satellite can provide. Fusing satellite data from different satellites with varying spatial and temporal resolutions can provide a more continuous estimation of daily ET at field scale. In this study, we applied an ET fusion modeling system, which uses a surface energy balance model to retrieve ET using both Landsat and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data and then fuses the Landsat and MODIS ET retrieval timeseries using the Spatial-Temporal Adaptive Reflectance Fusion Model (STARFM). In this paper, we compared different STARFM ET fusion implementation strategies over various crop lands in the central California. In particular, the use of single versus two Landsat-MODIS pair images to constrain the fusion is explored in cases of rapidly changing crop conditions, as in frequently harvested alfalfa fields, as well as an improved dual-pair method. The daily 30 m ET retrievals are evaluated with flux tower observations and analyzed based on land cover type. This study demonstrates improvement using the new dual-pair STARFM method compared with the standard one-pair STARFM method in estimating daily field scale ET for all the major crop types in the study area.
Genome-Wide Identification, Expansion, and Evolution Analysis of Homeobox Gene Family Reveals TALE Genes Important for Secondary Cell Wall Biosynthesis in Moso Bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis)

The TALE gene family is a subfamily of the homeobox gene family and has been implicated in regulating plant secondary growth. However, reports about the evolutionary history and function of the TALE gene family in bamboo are limited. Here, the homeobox gene families of moso bamboo Olyra latifolia and Bonia amplexicaulis were identified and compared. Many duplication events and obvious expansions were found in the TALE family of woody bamboo. PhTALEs were found to have high syntenies with TALE genes in rice. Through gene co-expression analysis and quantitative real-time PCR analysis, the candidate PhTALEs were thought to be involved in regulating secondary cell wall development of moso bamboo during the fast-growing stage. Among these candidate PhTALEs, orthologs of OsKNAT7, OSH15, and SH5 in moso bamboo may regulate xylan synthesis by regulating the expression of IRX-like genes. These results suggested that PhTALEs may participate in the secondary cell wall deposition in internodes during the fast-growing stage of moso bamboo. The expansion of the TALE gene family may be implicated in the increased lignification of woody bamboo when divergent from herbaceous bamboos.
Uma Implementação de Algoritmos BSP/CGM de Ordenação

Neste trabalho descrevemos três algoritmos paralelos de ordenação: Ordenação_Bitônica, Ordenação_CD e Ordenação_Divisão, desenvolvidos no modelo CGM e suas respectivas implementações. No CGM, cada processador possui memória local de tamanho O(n/p) e em cada rodada de comunicação cada processador pode enviar ou receber O(n/p) dados, onde n é o tamanho da entrada e p é o número de processadores utilizados. O algoritmo Ordenação_Bitônica utiliza O(log p) rodadas de comunicação e tempo de computação local O(n log n/p) e sua implementação apresenta um bom desempenho em relação ao algoritmo seqüencial. Além disso, não foi encontrada nenhuma outra implementação deste algoritmo no modelo CGM e este algoritmo pode ser utilizado em ordenação externa. Os algoritmos Ordenação_CD e Ordenação_Divisão utilizam O(1) rodadas de comunicação e tempo de computação local O(n log n/p). Entretanto, o algoritmo Ordenação_ CO apresenta um desempenho um pouco melhor. A implementação do deste algoritmo apresenta resultados muito bons em relação ao tempo de execução, mostrando que este algoritmo é eficiente se executado para tamanhos de entradas grandes.
Rape by Blood Relatives: A Study of Children as Subjects of Sexual Assault

This study’s focus was children as the subjects of sexual assault by blood relatives, commonly known as incest, in Kendari city. The main questions were: 1) what were the modus operandi of these blood relatives in committing the sexual assault; 2) what were the physical and psychological impacts inflicted on the victims; and 3) what were the treatments given by the authorities in an attempt to rehabilitate the victims from post-accident trauma? The data were collected through interviews, observations and document analysis. The findings indicated that these blood relatives committed the sexual assault based on the following modus operandi: isolating the victim from the neighbourhood, taking the victim on a trip, threatening the victim with killing or beating, teasing the victim by offering something desirable, or poisoning the victim with drugs. The physical impacts inflicted on the victims were vaginal infections with pus and blood streaming from the lesion, dysfunctions of the reproductive organs, high-risk pregnancy, lacking in vitality, and paleness. Regarding the psychological impacts, the victims suffered from post-accident trauma by living in a constant fear and avoiding contact with people, isolating themselves from the crowd, social damnation and excommunication that led to internal disharmony in the family or parental divorce. The authorities, led by The Woman Empowerment and Children Protection Service, attempted immediate rehabilitation of the victims by working in cooperation with third parties such as civil society organizations and psychologists to provide basic needs, counsel the neighbourhood where the victims live to support and foster the rehabilitation, as well as educate them that such a tragedy should not justify social damnation upon the victims and their families. Keywords: rape, blood relatives, sexual assault, children
Evaluating the Effectiveness of a New Auditory Training Program on the Speech Recognition Skills and Auditory Event-Related Potentials in Elderly Hearing Aid Users

Introduction: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a new auditory training (AT) program on the speech recognition in the noise and on the auditory event-related potentials in elderly hearing aid users. Methods: Thirty-three elderly individuals using hearing aids aged from 60 to 80 years participated. A new AT program was developed for the study. AT program lasts for 8 weeks and includes sound discrimination exercises and cognitive exercises. Seventeen individuals (mean age 72.17 ± 6.94) received AT and 16 individuals (mean age 71.75 ± 6.81) did not receive AT. The mismatch negativity (MMN) test and matrix test were used to evaluate the effectiveness of AT. Tests were conducted for the study group before and after the AT. The tests were carried out for the control group at the same times with the study group and the results were compared. Results: In comparison with the first evaluation, the last evaluation of the study group demonstrated a significant difference regarding the decrease of mean latency in the MMN wave (p = 0.038), and regarding the improving score of matrix test (p = 0.004), there was no difference in the control group. Conclusion: The AT program prepared for the study was effective in improving speech recognition in noise in the elderly, and the efficiency of AT could be demonstrated with MMN and matrix test.
A low-supply voltage GHz MOS integrated circuit for mobile computing systems

A processor having over one GOPS performance and dissipating less than 10 mW power is required for mobile computing systems which can handle video data. Circuit innovation is necessary to satisfy the requirement. Not only GOPS and mW performance but also monolithic integration capability with CMOS circuits are necessary for constructing mobile computing systems. This paper proposes an adaptive current control (ACC) technique for MOS current mode logic (MCML) circuits operating at low-supply voltage down to 1.2V. An interface circuit is also discussed for MCML/CMOS mixed signal LSIs. Experimental results of an MCML frequency divider and comparisons with CMOS and GaAs circuits are also discussed.
Activation of the Ca2+/NFAT Pathway by Assembly of Hepatitis C Virus Core Protein into Nucleocapsid-like Particles

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the primary pathogen responsible for liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The main virion component, the core (C) protein, has been linked to several aspects of HCV pathology, including oncogenesis, immune evasion and stress responses. We and others have previously shown that C expression in various cell lines activates Ca2+ signaling and alters Ca2+ homeostasis. In this study, we identified two distinct C protein regions that are required for the activation of Ca2+/NFAT signaling. In the basic N-terminal domain, which has been implicated in self-association of C, amino acids 1–68 were critical for NFAT activation. Sedimentation analysis of four mutants in this domain revealed that association of the C protein into nucleocapsid-like particles correlated with NFAT-activated transcription. The internal, lipid droplet-targeting domain was not required for NFAT-activated transcription. Finally, the C-terminal ER-targeting domain was required in extenso for the C protein to function. Our results indicate that targeting of HCV C to the ER is necessary but not sufficient for inducing Ca2+/NFAT signaling. Taken together, our data are consistent with a model whereby proteolytic intermediates of C with an intact transmembrane ER-anchor assemble into pore-like structures in the ER membrane.
BOUTIQUE HOTELS USERS EXPERIENCE, EXPERIENCIA DE USUARIOS EN HOTELES BOUTIQUE

The purpose of this research is to analyze the experience of tourists who were lodged in boutique hotels located at Queretaro Mexico. We use a theorical, qualitaitve and transverse research with information retrieved from two specialized lodging online reviews websites: Tripadvisor and Booking, for the period between July 1st 2014 through July 1st 2015. The discussion revolves around Pine and Gilmore´s Theory of economy experience that considers four dimensions: entertainment, education, esthetic and escapism. It is linked with the Barney´s resources theory, where competitive advantage is linked with the resources generated in the enterprise´s interior. Our initial research proposal is that these resources are closely linked to the experience of the tourist. Data treatment and discourse analysis was conducted with the support of Atlas Ti software. We conclude that esthetic experience is the major presence in the tourist´s comments. It is highly linked to physical and equipment resources, of the hotels. Entertainment and education experiences present ample opportunities for development in the boutique lodging.
Evaluation of Lipid Profile and Fasting Blood Glucose Among Pregnant Women at Omdurman Maternity Hospital

Background: During pregnancy, maternal metabolic environment is modified by a rise in serum levels of estrogen and progesterone, pancreatic beta-cell hyperplasia and an increase in the secretion of insulin. Hyperinsulinemia leads to an increase in peripheral glucose utilization, a decline in fasting plasma glucose levels, increased tissue storage of glycogen, increased storage of fats and decreased lipolysis. The aim of our current study to investigate the changes in lipid profile, blood glucose and blood pressure throughout three trimesters in pregnant ladies. Materials and Methods: This is a hospital based, descriptive analytical cross-sectional study, performed at refer clinic of Omdurman Maternity hospital in Khartoum state. Included 150 apparently healthy pregnant ladies in the study group and 40 healthy non-pregnant ladies as a control group. Anthropometric measurements and blood pressure were measured and blood sample was obtained to analyzed lipid profile and blood glucose. Results: Data analysis showed that the mean level of triglyceride tend to change from slight increase in first trimester and significant increase in the second and third trimester. While mean level of HDL tend to change from slight decrease in the first and second trimester to significant decrease in the third trimester. Whereas there was an increase in both total cholesterol and LDL but was not significant. The mean level of fasting blood glucose was significantly raised in third trimester compared to other first and second Trimesters. Both component of blood pressure was significantly elevated in the first and third trimesters compare to second trimester. Conclusion: Normal pregnancy is associated with dyslipidemic changes due to elevated pregnancy related hormones. Increased insulin resistance leads to production of dyslipidemic changes in mother in form of elevated TG, total cholesterol, LDL and decreased HDL in serum and increased random blood glucose.
Pholiota nameko Polysaccharides Protect against Ultraviolet A-Induced Photoaging by Regulating Matrix Metalloproteinases in Human Dermal Fibroblasts

Ultraviolet-A (UVA) exposure is a major cause of skin aging and can induce oxidative damage and accelerate skin wrinkling. Many natural polysaccharides exhibit a UV protective effect. In research on Pholiota nameko polysaccharides (PNPs), a natural macromolecular polysaccharide (4.4–333.487 kDa), studies have shown that PNPs can significantly decrease elastase activity to protect against UVA-induced aging in Hs68 human dermal fibroblasts. Cellular experiments in the present study indicated that PNPs can protect against UVA-induced oxidative damage in Hs68 cells by inhibiting the production of reactive oxygen species. Furthermore, PNPs significantly attenuated UVA-induced cell aging by decreasing the protein expression of matrix metalloproteinase 1, 3, and 9. Pretreatment of Hs68 cells with PNP-40, PNP-60, and PNP-80 before UVA irradiation increased protein expression of tissue inhibitor metalloproteinase 1 by 41%, 42%, and 56% relative to untreated cells. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that PNPs are a natural resource with potentially beneficial effects in protecting against UVA-induced skin aging.
Fabrication of Ni2P Cocatalyzed CdS Nanorods with a Well-Defined Heterointerface for Enhanced Photocatalytic H2 Evolution

Developing non-noble metal photocatalysts for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution is crucial for exploiting renewable energy. In this study, a photocatalyst of Ni2P/CdS nanorods consisting of cadmium sulfide (CdS) nanorods (NRs) decorated with Ni2P nanoparticles (NPs) was fabricated using an in-situ solvothermal method with red phosphor (P) as the P source. Ni2P NPs were tightly anchored on the surface of CdS NRs to form a core-shell structure with a well-defined heterointerface, aiming to achieve a highly efficient photocatalytic H2 generation. The as-synthesized 2%Ni2P/CdS NRs photocatalyst exhibited the significantly improved photocatalytic H2 evolution rate of 260.2 μmol∙h−1, more than 20 folds higher than that of bare CdS NRs. Moreover, the as-synthesized 2%Ni2P/CdS NRs photocatalyst demonstrated an excellent stability, even better than that of Pt/CdS NRs. The photocatalytic performance enhancement was ascribed to the core-shell structure with the interfacial Schottky junction between Ni2P NPs and CdS NRs and the accompanying fast and effective photogenerated charge carriers’ separation and transfer. This work provides a new strategy for designing non-noble metal photocatalysts to replace the noble catalysts for photocatalytic water splitting.