Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A direct determination of the World Ocean barotropic circulation

AbstractThe time-mean Argo float displacements and the World Ocean Atlas 2009 temperature–salinity climatology are used to obtain the total, top to bottom, mass transports. Outside of an equatorial band, the total transports are the sum of the vertical integrals of geostrophic- and wind-driven Ekman currents. However, these transports are generally divergent, and to obtain a mass conserving circulation, a Poisson equation is solved for the streamfunction with Dirichlet boundary conditions at solid boundaries. The value of the streamfunction on islands is also part of the unknowns. This study presents and discusses an energetic circulation in three basins: the North Atlantic, the North Pacific, and the Southern Ocean. This global method leads to new estimations of the time-mean western Eulerian boundary current transports maxima of 97 Sverdrups (Sv; 1 Sv ≡ 106 m3 s−1) at 60°W for the Gulf Stream, 84 Sv at 157°E for the Kuroshio, 80 Sv for the Agulhas Current between 32° and 36°S, and finally 175 Sv for the.
GENDER ISSUES IN CARING FOR DEMENTED RELATIVES

Background:The burden of providing care for dementia patients falls increasingly upon families and it has been identified as a chronic stressor that places family members at risk for physical and emotional problems. Aims: To explore family burden in the care of patients with dementia in Cyprus and to look at gender differences in the area of caregiving and its consequences like burden, psychiatric morbidity and coping with caregiving difficulties. Methods:This is a cross-sectional study, with a sample of 172 primary caregivers. The questionnaire included the Memory and Behavior Problem Checklist, the Zarit Burden Interview, the Center of Epidemiological Studies Depression scale, and the Ways of Coping Questionnaire. Several statistical methods were used for data analysis, such as independent samples t-tests. One-way ANOVA, chi-square tests of independence, reliability studies and factor analysis. Results:The analysis revealed gender differences in the overall burden (p-value=0.048) and depression (p-value=0.011) where female caregivers experience higher levels compared to males. Women had a higher mean of burden in the questions included in relational deprivation (10.44 compared to 8.47 for men) and this difference is statistically significant (p=0.02). One-way ANOVA showed that, according to kinship, there exist some highly significant differences in burden (F=6.17, p=0.003) and marginal differences in depression (F=2.74, p=0.067) with the sons being less affected by the consequences of caregiving. Regarding the ways of coping, women use mostly emotional-focused strategies like denial (p =0.09). Conclusions: The results of this study confirm gender differences for dementia family caregivers as regards burden and depression. The study clearly indicates the need for programs to help relieve the vulnerable caregivers especially in the area of coping so to alleviate the harmful effects of caregiving.
Adaptive Interconnected Observer-Based Backstepping Control Design For Sensorless PMSM

Abstract In this paper, a robust sensorless speed observer-controller scheme for a surface permanent magnet synchronous motor (SPMSM) is proposed. First-of-all, an adaptive high gain interconnected observer is designed. This observer estimates the rotor speed, the stator resistance and the load torque as well. A non linear backstepping controller is developed. The above observer is associated to this controller and the proof of the complete scheme is given. The overall system is tested by simulation in the framework of an industrial benchmark.
The Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Based on Kesh's Eight-Step Model on Body Image and Self-Esteem among Married Women in Birjand

Background and objective: In recent decades, body image problems have been considered by clinical practitioners and some therapeutic methods have been designed for them. At present, a widespread attention is paid to cognitive-behavioral therapy, because this type of treatment provides clear and complete methods for intervention and measurements. The present study was done to investigate the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy based on Kesh's eight-step model on the body image and sexual self-esteem among married women in Birjand. Method: This was a semi-experimental study which was carried out on 30 married women referred to Omid Counseling Clinic in Birjand. The subjects were selected through convenience and voluntary sampling method and randomly assigned to experimental group (n=15) and control group (n=15). The experimental group received eight 90-minute sessions of training techniques of cognitive-behavioral therapy based on Kesh's eight-step model. The instruments to collect data were Multidimensional Body Self-Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ) and Zeanah and Schwarz Sexual Self-Esteem Inventory for Women (SSEI-W). To analyze data, multivariate analysis of covariance in the environment of SPSS software (ver. 21) was used. Findings: The results of covariance analysis showed that there was a significant difference between the mean scores of body image in experimental and control groups based on group membership in the post-test with 99% confidence (P<0.01), and the intervention effect was 0.49. Also, there was a significant difference between the mean scores of sexual self-esteem in experimental and control groups based on group membership in the post-test with 99% confidence (P<0.01), and the intervention effect was 0.38. ConclusionOverall, it can be said that the cognitive-behavioral therapy based on Kesh's model can be used as an appropriate intervention method to treat problems related to body image and sexual self-esteem. Keywords: Cognitive therapy based on Kesh's eight-step model, Body image, Sexual self-esteem.
PREDICTION OF DELAM INATION IN WIND TURBINE BLADE STRU CTURAL DETA ILS

Delamination between plies is the root cause of many failures of composite materials structures such as wind turbine blades. Design methodologies to prevent such failures have not been widely available for the materials and processes used in blades. This paper presents simplified methodologies for the prediction of delamination under both static and fatigue loading at typical structural details in blades. The methodology is based on fracture mechanics. The critical strain energy re lease ra te, G IC and GIIC, are determined for opening mode (I) and shearing mode (II) delamination cracks; fatigue crack growth in each mode is also characterized. These data can be used directly for matrix selection, and as properties for the prediction of delamination in structural details. The strain energy release rates are then determined for an assumed interlaminar flaw in the structural detail. The flaw is positioned based on finite element analysis (FEA), and the stra in energy release rates are calculated using the virtual crack closure feature available in codes like ANSYS. The methodology has been validated for a skinstiffener intersection. Two prediction methods differing in complexity and data requirements have been explored. Results for both methods show good agreement between predicted and experimental delamination loads under both static and fatigue loading. INTRODUCTION Composite material structures such as wind turbine blades are generally designed to be fiber dominated, with
The Permanent Component of GNP and Consumption: Results from an Univariate Analysis for Switzerland

Traditional empirical studies of macroeconomic fluctuations did not spend a lot of time tojnodel the permanent or trend component of macroeconomic time series. The Keynesian analysis of the 60's as well as the neoclassical studies of the 70's proceeded on the assumption that the long run behavior of macroeconomic variables can be modeled as deterministic trend functions, which were to reflect the smoothly changing supply conditions. Thus, macroeconomic fluctuations were mainly understood as transitory responses of the economy to demand disturbances. At the beginning of the 80's, this view was challenged. On an empirical level, the very influential paper of NELSON and PLOSSER (1982) argued that the trend behavior of most macroeconomic time series is adequately represented by stochastic and not deterministic trends. This implies that the effect of shocks on the level of macroeconomic variables is to a certain extent permanent and not purely transitory as in the deterministic trend case. Moreover, NELSON and PLOSSER claim that a substantial proportion of the fluctuations of US GNP growth is accounted for by permanent shocks. This finding was considered as empirical support for the concept of real business cycles models as formulated by KYDLAND and PRESCOTT (1982) and LONG and PLOSSER (1983), which model economic fluctuations as equilibrium responses of the economy to real shocks. The NELSON/PLOSSER paper triggered-off a lot of subsequent research which tried to establish the importance of the permanent or persistent component of the US GNP fluctuations [i.e. WATSON (1986), CAMPBELL/MANKIW (1987a, b), COCHRANE (1988)]. These studies, however, do not unambiguously support the NELSON/PLOSSER findings. Most recently, the relevance of the results of the work cited above was questioned. The papers of CHRISTIANO and EICHENBAUM (1989) and LIPPI and REICHLIN (1989) are two excellent sources developing and summarizing this critic. Two points are to be mentioned. First, the measures of persistence developed in this literature say nothing about the relative importance of transitory or cyclical and permanent or persistent shocks for macroecon-
Feeding, bioenergetics and growth in the common jellyfish Aurelia aurita and two hydromedusae, Sarsia tubulosa and Aequorea vitrina

We assessed feeding and growth of the common jellyfish Aurelia aurita and 2 hydro- medusae, Sarsia tubulosa and Aequorea vitrina, by examining the effect of temperature, medusa size, prey concentration and prey species on feeding and growth. In growth experiments with A. aurita ephyrae fed different species and concentrations of prey organisms (Artemia sp., Balanus sp., Brachionus sp., Rathkea octopunctata), the specific growth rate increased with increasing prey con- centration, and a maximum specific growth rate of about 0.22 d -1 was obtained. For A. aurita medusae fed Acartia tonsa and Artemia sp. , maximum growth was about 0.08 d -1 . The minimum prey concen- tration resulting in maximum growth rate was 80 to 100 µg C l -1 for ephyrae (depending on prey type), and about 100 µg C l -1 for medusae. For S. tubulosa fed different prey concentrations of A. tonsa nauplii, the maximum specific growth rates were 0.32 and 0.1 d -1 for 2 and 4 mm individuals, respec- tively, achieved at prey concentrations between 15 and 30 µg C l -1 . Maximum growth rates decreased with initial size in A. aurita and A. vitrina, to become approximately constant at 0.05 to 0.06 d -1 . Clear- ance rates (F, l d -1 ) of A. aurita offered different prey types increased as a function of the umbrella diameter (D, mm) squared, expressed as F = aD 2 , where a-value depends on prey type. Both maxi- mum specific growth rate and clearance rate increased exponentially with temperature between 4 and 19°C for ephyrae, and between 8 and 19°C for medusae, but at higher temperatures both growth and clearance decreased markedly. From experiments with A. aurita (both ephyra and medusae) in which growth, ingestion and respiration were measured simultaneously, carbon budgets were con- structed for individuals growing at maximum rates when feeding on different prey types. Assimila- tion efficiency, net growth efficiency, and minimum concentrations of prey organisms needed for sustaining maximum growth were estimated, allowing evaluation of the degree to which jellyfish realize their growth potential in the field, or whether the jellyfish are controlling the zooplankton.
A Behavioral and Neural Investigation of the Impact of Age and Genetic Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease on Inhibitory Control

A BEHAVIORAL AND NEURAL INVESTIGATION OF THE IMPACT OF AGE AND GENETIC RISK FOR ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE ON INHIBITORY CONTROL Kathleen Hazlett Elverman, B.A., M.S. Marquette University, 2016 Significant advances have been made in understanding Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but our ability to accurately predict who will develop AD remains limited. Executive functioning has been neglected as a preclinical marker of AD, despite the vital role of these abilities (e.g., planning, set shifting, inhibition) in everyday functioning. Inhibitory deficits in particular have been found to predict impairment in activities of daily living, an important criterion in the diagnosis of AD. This study examined differences in behavioral task performance and underlying neural processing based on event related potentials (ERPs) during an inhibition task as a function of age and genetic risk for AD based on apolipoprotein-E (APOE) ε4 status. Participants included 49 healthy, cognitively intact older adults and 42 young adult college students. Genetic testing was conducted for older adults, 24 of whom were APOE ε4 carriers. Participants completed the Parametric Go/NoGo/Stop (PGNGS) task while EEG data was collected for later extraction of ERPs. Significant ERP differences by genetic risk emerged such that APOE ε4+ participants exhibited significantly more negative amplitudes than APOE ε4participants at midline electrodes in response to Stop trials (Fz: p<.001, FCz: p=.002, Cz: p=.012). These neural differences were seen in the absence of genetic risk differences in behavioral task performance, suggesting that psychophysiological measures may be more sensitive to early disease stage differences than neuropsychological testing alone. Expected age differences also emerged, with older adults exhibiting slower response times and longer ERP latencies in most task conditions and at most electrode sites. In conclusion, this study revealed significant ERP differences across genetic risk groups in cognitive intact older adults, revealing a new early marker of AD risk. Moreover, these findings underscore the importance of considering executive abilities, such as inhibition, as preclinical markers of risk for AD.
Capacity evaluation of multi-service W-CDMA: a spectral analysis approach

We study the capacity of a multi-service WCDMA technology. We consider two types of calls: real time calls (RT) and non-real time calls as Best effort (BE). The first type of calls is characterized by a quasi static transmission rate. In this paper we develop an approach based on spectral analysis for assessing the cell capacity. We obtain explicitly the simultaneous distribution of number of RT connections and the number of BE connections in the steady-state. This analysis allow us to simplify the computation of blocking probability of the RT as well as the performance measures including expected delay and throughput. By calculating the blocking probability of BE cell, we further propose some CAC policies for BE traffic.
Condition of Live Fire-Scarred Ponderosa Pine Twenty-one Years After Removing Partial Cross-Sections

Abstract Concern over the effects of removing fire-scarred partial cross-sections may limit sampling of live ponderosa pine to reconstruct fire history. We report mortality rates for ponderosa pine trees 20 to 21 years after removing fire-scarred partial cross-sections to reconstruct fire history. In 2015, following surveys every five years since 2000, we revisited 138 trees that were alive when we sectioned them in 1994/95 and 386 similarly sized, un-sectioned neighbor trees of the same species that were also alive in 1994/95. Between 1994/95 and 2015, a significantly greater proportion of sectioned than neighbor trees died, yielding average annual mortality rates of 3.3% versus 2.2%. However, many of the trees that died were likely killed by prescribed fires in 2002 and 2003 (64 sectioned plus neighbor trees). When we excluded these trees to assess the effect of fire-scar sampling rather than the effect of modern fires, the difference in proportion of dead trees was no longer significant and yielded average annual mortality rates of 2.1% versus 1.4% for sectioned and neighbor trees. We continue to suggest that sampling live, fire-scarred ponderosa pine trees remains a generally non-lethal method of obtaining information about historical fires that can supplement the information obtained from dead fire-scarred trees.
Export Marketing Performance: A Study of Thailand Firms

Because foreign markets have become increasingly more viable over the past twenty years, it is important to identify the key factors that influence export marketing performance. The purpose of this study of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Thailand, which is of particular interest to market performance researchers, is to test the validity of the Cavusgil and Zou scale (an export marketing performance scale) across different countries. Following a review of relevant literature, the design of the study is outlined.A mail survey was sent to 1,000 Thai SMEs involved in direct exporting, and 151 firms responded.Respondents were asked to assess the importance of seven strategic objectives and to indicate whether these objectives were met.They then indicated the degree to which they felt that the export venture was successful. Results show that the four factors influencing export marketing performance are competition, commitment (to the product/service), export market characteristics (particularly market infrastructure, degree of government intervention, and degree of adaptation required for a product's positioning strategy), and product characteristics (including uniqueness, culture-specificity, and patent characteristics). Firm-specific characteristics and export marketing strategy were found to have no effect on the Thai firms' export marketing performance. (SAA)
An improved theory for regenerative pump performance

Abstract Owing to their low specific speed, regenerative pumps allow high heads with small flow rates and have performance curves with very stable features. This kind of pump is also smaller and simpler to construct than the other equivalent volumetric pumps, although it has fairly low efficiency. Over the past few years, regenerative pumps have been subject to more interest in various industrial applications. Previous mathematical models do not describe the flow characteristics very well as they are based on simplified assumptions. An improved model is proposed in this paper for the pump performance. The model can handle one inlet angle and two exit angles for the impeller blades and it can be used for the design of twisted blades that would increase the pump head and efficiency. A new feature of the pump characteristics based on the proposed model is discussed. It is shown that the proposed model yield results that are in good agreements with the experimental results. The new model also shows that the side-blade exit angle has a major effect on the performance of regenerative pump, which has not been accounted for in the previous theory.
Territory size of the flavescent warbler, Basileuterus flaveolus (Passeriformes, Emberizidae), in a forest fragment in Southeastern Brazil

Factors determining territory size of Neotropical birds are still poorly studied. However, it has been pointed out that it varies according to resource availability. Here, we estimated territory size of the flavescent warbler (Basileuterus flaveolus) and evaluated its correlation with arthropod biomass. We conducted this study at a 19.3 ha grid inside a 50 ha forest fragment, in southeastern Brazil. Territory sizes were small, and did not vary significantly among seasons. Eight territories were recorded during the breeding season of 1998, with a mean size of 2.0 + 0.6 ha. In six of the eight territories, males were paired. During the non-breeding season of 1999, the mean territory size was 2.2 + 0.9 ha and in the breeding season of 1999, it was of 1.9 + 0.8 ha. Territory sizes were not correlated with distance to the forest edge, but males defending territories closer to the forest edge were more successful in pairing than those in the forest interior. There was no significant relationship between territory size and arthropod biomass. Keywords: Basileuterus flaveolus, birds, pairing success, territory size.
Business Studies Teachers’ Satisfaction with Their Work: An Application of Herszberg’s Two Factor Theory

Abstract This paper focussed on the application of Herzberg’s Two-factor Theory to discern secondary school Business Studies teachers in Botswana’s satisfaction with their work. It aimed at identifying those factors that lead to the teachers’ job satisfaction which in turn could have implications on the effectiveness of their classroom performance, vis-à-vis student achievement. The findings suggest that Business Studies teachers have numerous concerns in areas regarding Herzberg’s motivators and hygiene factors. With regard to hygiene factors the findings suggest that business teachers were mostly concerned with establishing good relations with school administrators, colleagues and students, and the adequacy of quantities of teaching resources and consumables. They were also extremely concerned with their living conditions and the sizes of their pay packages. Regarding motivating factors, results indicate that overall, teachers find teaching Business Studies “satisfying” since they were not overly concerned about matters that are pedagogical, which form the core duties and responsibilities of teachers.
A new region-aware bias-correction method for simulated precipitation in areas of complex orography

Abstract. Regional climate modelling is used to simulate the hydrological cycle, which is fundamental for climate impact investigations. However, the output of these models is affected by biases that hamper its direct use in impact modelling. Here, we present two high-resolution (2 km) climate simulations of precipitation in the Alpine region, evaluate their performance over Switzerland and develop a new bias-correction technique for precipitation suitable for complex topography. The latter is based on quantile mapping, which is applied separately across a number of non-overlapping regions defined through cluster analysis. This technique allows removing prominent biases while it aims at minimising the disturbances to the physical consistency inherent in all statistical corrections of simulated data. The simulations span the period 1979–2005 and are carried out with the Weather Research and Forecasting model (WRF), driven by the ERA-Interim reanalysis (hereafter WRF-ERA), and the Community Earth System Model (hereafter WRF-CESM). The simulated precipitation is in both cases validated against observations in Switzerland. In a first step, the area is classified into regions of similar temporal variability of precipitation. Similar spatial patterns emerge in all datasets, with a clear northwest–southeast separation following the main orographic features of this region. The daily evolution and the annual cycle of precipitation in WRF-ERA closely reproduces the observations. Conversely, WRF-CESM shows a different seasonality with peak precipitation in winter and not in summer as in the observations or in WRF-ERA. The application of the new bias-correction technique minimises systematic biases in the WRF-CESM simulation and substantially improves the seasonality, while the temporal and physical consistency of simulated precipitation is greatly preserved.