Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
HEAT TRANSFER AND FLUID FLOW ANALYSIS OF FLAT SURFACE WITH ARTIFICIALLY ROUGHENED SQUARE TRANSVERSE WIRE RIB FOR APPLICATION IN SOLAR AIR HEATER

Metal duct or channels of rectangular cross section with black selective coating has an application in solar air heaters. Increase in heat transfer rate is achieved by suitably modifying the absorber surface with fins, corrugations, honey comb structure etc. In the present article numerical study is performed using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) on a rectangular metal duct having transverse square wire rib roughness of small diameter created artificially on the absorber surface. The design parameters of the analysis are the flow Reynolds number, hydraulic diameter roughness pitch and height. The 3D analysis is performed using ANSYS FLUENT 12.1 code with Renormalization-group (RNG) k-e model having the mesh model under five lakh nodes to investigate the heat transfer and fluid flow characteristics. The results of smooth duct are compared with results from literature and found to be in good agreement. The ratio of increase in heat transfer to friction factor referred as energy gain ratio with the use of artificial roughness is estimated for range of parameters and optimum performance condition is arrived. The maximum value of energy gain ratio is about 1.31 times more compared to the plain duct for the range of operating parameters investigated.
Determining Technological Innovation and Competitiveness: A Cross Organizational Analysis of the Malaysian Manufacturing Industry

This study analyzed the determinants of technological innovation in the Malaysian manufacturing industry. Its main purpose is to identify a set of management- related variables characterizing Malaysian innovative firms. Moreover, the study aimed to test whether the set of determinant differs for firms with different technological trajectories. A sample of 204 Malaysian firms was used for the investigation, with one respondent from each firm. The questionnaire measured the technological innovation, as well as 5 main potential determinants of innovation adopted from literature. Statistical analysis used, including bivariate correlation and multivariate regression, in identifying association between the technological innovation and the determining variables. The results of the analysis lead the researcher to the model of 5 important determining factors of technological innovation. The important factors were intensity of R&D, trvhnoogical trajectories,intensity of marketing, engineers, scientist and managers with experience locally and technical competency of personnel,. The analysis of technological trajectories confirmed the hypotheses that set of important determinants of innovation as well as the extent of technological innovation differs for firms in different innovation processes.
Weight Loss and Attrition in Overweight and Obese Young Women During a 36-Week Internet-Based Lifestyle Intervention

Background: Young women are at high risk of weight gain yet few studies have examined the long-term effectiveness of weight loss programs in this group. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a self-directed internet-based lifestyle program on body weight in young women. Methods: Overweight or obese young women (BMI 33.4 ± 0.3 kg/m2, age 27.8 ± 0.3 years) were initially randomized to General lifestyle advice (G) or Structured lifestyle advice (S) via in-person and website support for 12 weeks (Phase I). After Phase I, all participants were supported through a self-directed internet-based program for 36 weeks (Phase II). The internet-based program included a structured hypocaloric diet, physical activity program, selfmonitoring tools, peer group forum and monthly emails. Body weight, energy intake and physical activity were measured at week 0, week 12, week 24 and week 48. Adherence to self-regulatory behaviors was measured at week 48. Mixed model analyses were conducted to determine changes in body weight, energy intake and physical activity. Results: A total of 203 overweight or obese young women commenced Phase I and 130 commenced Phase II. In Phase I, S group had significantly greater weight loss than G group (4.2 ± 0.6 kg vs 0.6 ± 0.3 kg, P 0.05). Forty-one percent (53/130) of the participants who commenced Phase II completed the internet-based intervention. Dropouts had a higher baseline BMI, were more likely to be married or in a de facto relationship, and more likely to have at least one child. Conclusions: A self-directed internet-based program could be effective in providing support in maintaining weight loss on a structured lifestyle program in young women over 36 weeks. Further research is required to maintain engagement in young women who were married/in a de facto relationship or have children.
Prevention of metallic corrosion by some salts of benzoic hydrazide under vapour phase conditions

Three volatile corrosion inhibitors (VCIs) namely, benzoic hydrazide benzoate (BHB), benzoic hydrazide salicylate (BHS), and benzoic hydrazide nitrobenzoate (BHN), were synthesized and evaluated as corrosion inhibitors of mild steel, brass and copper by weight loss method. Eschke test method, sodium chloride inoculation test method and sulphur dioxide (SO2) test method were also carried out to investigate the corrosion inhibiting effect of the compounds. All the investigated VCIs exhibited good inhibition efficiency (IE) for all the metals. Benzoate salt showed best result among all the studied compounds for all the metals.
Analysis of Technology Acceptance Model in Understanding of Students Behavior Intention in Use of Sikadu

The research aims to know the perception of students of ease use of Sikadu, the perception of students of usefulness use of Sikadu, and the impact of students' perception of ease and usefulness of Sikadu. The approach of this research used quantitative research with descriptive analysis. Sample was students of Faculty of Economics, class of 2015 and 2016. The results of research indicates that students' perception of the menu and display existing is easy to use in lecture activities up to the utilization of obtaining learning result information; students' perception of the menu and display existing in Sikadu is very useful in lecturing activities up to the utilization of learning result information; the ease and usefulness in Sikadu encourages the students to use it although it is still rare used when it is seen from the frequency of using. Students mostly use it at the beginning and end of the semester; and the skill to operate computers. The need and demand to use Sikadu in academic administration becomes the main factors that encourage students to use Sikadu.
Correlation between risk factors, functional recovery, and the health-related quality of life of stroke survivors

Introduction/objective: It has been estimated that 50% of strokes are preventable through the control of modifiable risk factors. The objective of the paper was to determine the correlation between the risk factors, functional status, and the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of stroke survivors. Method: The prospective cohort study was used. The study included 136 patients 30–79 years old. Functional recovery was assessed using the Barthel index (BI) and the Modified Rankin Scale (mRS). The HRQOL was evaluated by the generic Short Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire. BI and mRS were determined at admission at the rehabilitation, one, three and six months after the stroke. The SF-36 was filled out at the same time. The analysis of the repeated measure variance (Repeated Measures ANOVA) was applied, as well as the correlation analysis and Spearman’s coefficient of rank correlation. Results: A total number of 136 patients [66 (48.5%) male and 70 (51.5%) female] completed the questionnaire. The average age of stroke survivors was 63.72 ± 8.73. At admission, mRS was 4.75 ± 0.55, and six months after the stroke onset it decreased to 2.60 ± 1.08. The average value of BI at admission was 25 ± 24.66, and within six months it increased to 83.75 ± 18.59 (p = 0.001). The ANOVA showed that the values of mRS significantly decreased (p < 0.001) and the values of BI significantly increased (ANOVA: p < 0.001). All domains of the SF-36 questionnaire, except for the pain domain, significantly increased (p < 0.001). The physical function (r = 0.238; p < 0. 01), physical role (r = 0.199; p < 0.05), and emotional role (r = 0.237; p < 0.01) were significantly lower among alcohol addicts (r = 0.199; p < 0.05). Mental health (r = 0.244; p < 0.01) and social relationships domains were significantly lower among smokers (r = 0.272; p < 0.01). The general health (r = -0.290; p < 001) and health condition change domains were significantly lower among smokers (r = 0.225; p < 0.01). Conclusion: The most important risk factor which was negatively correlated with the HRQOL was smoking. The patients who were smokers and alcohol addicts had a significantly smaller increase of the HRQOL domains compared to other patent groups. Six months after the stroke, all domains of the HRQOL significantly increased. The significant improvement of patients’ functional status was positively correlated to the increase of their HRQOL.
The benefits and challenges of e-procurement implementation: a case study of Malaysian company

Traditionally, procurement covers the sales and purchase activities between two entities, which covers various aspects from searching, sourcing, negotiating, ordering, and receipt, to post-purchase review. In line with the advancement of Information and Communication Technologies, as well as with the rapid growth of the Internet, more and more people and organisations are becoming connected. In order to move with the times, many governments around the world have looked into implementing e-government systems, part of which is the e-procurement system. This paper presents the advantages as well as challenges faced when implementing an e-procurement system based on results of a case study, from the perspective of a Malaysian company (Telekom Research and Development Sdn. Bhd.) implementing an e-procurement system that has been developed internally, rather than installing an off-the-shelf software application. Internally developed e-procurement systems covers four important dimensions, namely information collected, type of application, contract negotiation, and intelligence analysis, all of which are analysed in view of e-procurement performance. The outcome of this research yielded pertinent information for the company in identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the internally developed e-procurement system, as well as enabling the organisation to highlight the practices and performance as a benchmark to measure the level of success of their own e-procurement system. Thus, due to the potential cost savings and highlighted benefits in this paper, e-procurement requires more attention from the government as related entities for greater expansion and adoption in order to ultimately contribute to the growth and well-being of the country’s economy.
Coordinating Contracts for Two-Stage Fashion Supply Chain with Risk-Averse Retailer and Price-Dependent Demand

When the demand is sensitive to retail price, revenue sharing contract and two-part tariff contract have been shown to be able to coordinate supply chains with risk neutral agents. We extend the previous studies to consider a risk-averse retailer in a two-echelon fashion supply chain. Based on the classic mean-variance approach in finance, the issue of channel coordination in a fashion supply chain with risk-averse retailer and price-dependent demand is investigated. We propose both single contracts and joint contracts to achieve supply chain coordination. We find that the coordinating revenue sharing contract and two-part tariff contract in the supply chain with risk neutral agents are still useful to coordinate the supply chain taking into account the degree of risk aversion of fashion retailer, whereas a more complex sales rebate and penalty (SRP) contract fails to do so. When using combined contracts to coordinate the supply chain, we demonstrate that only revenue sharing with two-part tariff contract can coordinate the fashion supply chain. The optimal conditions for contract parameters to achieve channel coordination are determined. Numerical analysis is presented to supplement the results and more insights are gained.
Herbivores on the plate: the growing fishing pressure on parrotfish

In coral reef environments, there is an increasing concern over parrotfish (Labridae: Scarini) due to their rising exploitation by commercial small-scale fisheries, which is leading to significant changes in the reefs’ community structure. Three species, Scarus trispinosus (Valenciennes, 1840), Sparisoma frondosum (Agassiz, 1831) and Sparisoma axillare (Steindachner, 1878), currently labeled as threatened, have been intensively targeted in Brazil, mostly on the northeastern coast. Despite their economic importance, ecological interest and worrisome conservation status, not much is known about which variables determine their occurrence. In this study, we adopted a hierarchical Bayesian spatial-temporal approach to map the distribution of these three species along the Brazilian coast, using landing data from three different gears (gillnets, spear guns, and handlines) and environmental variables (bathymetry, shore distance, seabed slope, Sea Surface Temperature and Net Primary Productivity). Our results identify sensitive habitats for parrotfish along the Brazilian coast that would be more suitable to the implementation of spatial-temporal closure measures, which along with the social component fishers could benefit the management and conservation of these species.
Performance of Reinforced Reactive Powder Concrete Beam-Column Joints under Cyclic Loads

An experimental research was carried out to investigate the seismic performance and shear strength of reactive powder concrete interior beam-column joints subjected to reverse cyclic loads. Four beam-column joint specimens were cast and tested in the investigation. The failure characteristics, deformational properties, ductility, and energy dissipation of reinforced reactive powder concrete interior beam-column joints were analyzed in this paper. The shear strength of joints was calculated according to the GB5001-2010 and ACI 318-14. The results shows that reactive powder concrete beam-column joints have a higher shear-cracking strength and shear carrying capacity and strength degradation and rigidity degradation are not notable. Additionally, the use of RPC for beam-column joints can reduce the congestion of stirrups in joints core. The shear force in the RPC joint is mainly carried by the diagonal strut mechanism; the design expression of ACI 318-14 can be used for calculating the shear strength of RPC joints, which has a safety margin of 22%∼38% in this test.
Investment in Tourism Market: A Dynamic Model of Differentiated Oligopoly

We present a theoretical dynamic model in tourism economics, assuming that the market for tourism is an oligopoly with differentiated products. Destinations can invest in order to improve their stock of physical, natural or cultural resources. Tourism flows yield current revenues, but they are usually detrimental for the stock of resources. We find the solution of the dynamic model, and in particular we find the open-loop Nash equilibrium of the game among destinations, under alternative settings, depending on whether the degree of differentiation among destinations is exogenous or endogenous. In particular, under the latter case, an increase of the number of destinations leads to a higher degree of product differentiation in steady state.
On pitch accent phenomena in standard Japanese

L'A. propose un resume de sa these consacree a l'extension de la notion de domaine de legitimation phonologique - du domaine d'un constituant syllabique et d'une combinaison de constituants (Kayne, Lowenstamm et Vergnaud 1990) a celui d'un mot, et a celui de divers types de syntagmes. Dans ce contexte, il propose une formalisation de l'assignation de l'accent en japonais standard en se basant sur la legitimation binaire menee par la droite entre les noyaux, ce qui le conduit a proposer une clarification de la typologie prosodique : langues a ton vs. langues a accent de hauteur/d'intensite. Ce resume est suivi d'un comte rendu redige par N. Ritter qui souligne les points forts et les faiblesses de la these
Efficacy of various herbicides against weeds in wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.)

Weeds are one of the most important factors that impose a great threat to the crop yield. In order to alleviate the weeds infestation in wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.), the efficacy of various pre and post-emergence herbicides were tested during Rabi 2009 to 2010 at the Agronomic Research Area, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan. Results promised that clodinafop propargyl at 0.045 kg a.i. ha -1 with maximum weed kill efficiency severely reduced the Avena fatua, Coronopus didymus and Melilotus indica population and dry weights compared with the control. Poor weed control was achieved using isoproturon at 1.5 kg a.i. ha -1 , isoproturon + diflufenicon at 0.98 kg a.i. ha -1 , fenoxaprop-p-ethyl at 1.00 kg a.i. ha -1 , tralkoxydim at 0.5 kg a.i. ha -1 and chlorsulfuron at 0.074 kg a.i. ha -1 . Considering total grain and straw yields (4900 kg ha -1 ); (6600 kg ha -1 ), post-emergence clodinafop propargyl at 0.045 kg a.i. ha -1 causes an excellent increase in wheat yield (51.02%) over control. The highest spikebearing tillers (380.67), number of grains spike -1 (47.28) and 1000-grain weight (49.38 g) were maximum in clodinafop propargyl at 0.045 kg a.i. ha -1 as post-emergence treated plots. Based on the total wheat yield (grain and straw) obtained, isoproturon at 1.5 kg a.i. ha -1 , metribuzin + fenoxaprop-p-ethyl at 1.00 + 1.00 kg a.i. ha -1 , chlorsulfuron at 0.074 kg a.i. ha -1 seemed someway phytotoxic to crop plants and depressed wheat yield. Hence, maximum net income of Rs. 136997 ha -1 and maximum MRR (%) of 231316.6 was recorded with the use of clodinafop propargyl at 0.045 kg a.i. ha -1 as post applied followed by carfentrazone ethyl (0.015 kg a.i ha -1 ) with the MRR (%) of 89700. Key words: Triticum aestivum L. , Avena fatua, Coronopus didymus, Melilotus indica, clodinafop propargyl, weed control, herbicides.
The Bayamo Earthquake (Cuba) of the 18 October 1551

Using contemporary and original documents from the Archivo General de Indias it has been possible to complete the data for the 18 October 1551 earthquake in Cuba. The seism took place at midday, approximately. It had foreshocks and aftershocks. In Bayamo, 7 inhabitants were injured, and the town was severely affected. Maximum seismic intensity was IX degrees on the MSK scale, and the area of perceptibility is estimated at 40,000 km2. Liquefaction processes and soil type in Bayamo contributed to the damage. This locality is in the Eastern region of the island, and continues to suffer the most and the strongest seismic events. The epicenter was in the southern marine area of the western segment of Oriente trough (19.6 N 77.8 W, h = 15 km, Ms = 6.6), where there is a crossing of faults, and neotectonics and focal mechanisms are affected by transtension, although the Bartlett-Cayman region’s tendency to left-lateral strike-slip movement is maintained, in the Caribbean and North American plate boundary zone.
Kalman Smoothing Techniques in Medical Image Segmentation

An existing C++ library for efficient segmentation of ultrasound recordings by means of Kalman filtering, the real-time contour tracking library (RCTL), is used as a building block to implement and assess the performance of different Kalman smoothing techniques: fixed-point, fixed-lag, and fixed-interval smoothing. An experimental smoothing technique based on fusion of tracking results and learned mean state estimates at different positions in the heart-cycle is proposed. A set of $29$ recordings with ground-truth left ventricle segmentations provided by a trained medical doctor is used for the performance evaluation. The clinical motivation is to improve the accuracy of automatic left-ventricle tracking, which can be applied to improve the automatic measurement of clinically important parameters such as the ejection fraction. The evaluation shows that none of the smoothing techniques offer significant improvements over regular Kalman filtering. For the Kalman smoothing algorithms, it is argued to be a consequence of the way edge-detection measurements are performed internally in the library. The statistical smoother's lack of improvement is explained by too large interpersonal variations; the mean left-ventricular deformation pattern does not generalize well to individual cases.
Information-theoretic security proof for quantum-key-distribution protocols

We present a technique for proving the security of quantum-key-distribution (QKD) protocols. It is based on direct information-theoretic arguments and thus also applies if no equivalent entanglement purification scheme can be found. Using this technique, we investigate a general class of QKD protocols with one-way classical post-processing. We show that, in order to analyze the full security of these protocols, it suffices to consider collective attacks. Indeed, we give new lower and upper bounds on the secret-key rate which only involve entropies of two-qubit density operators and which are thus easy to compute. As an illustration of our results, we analyze the Bennett-Brassard 1984, the six-state, and the Bennett 1992 protocols with one-way error correction and privacy amplification. Surprisingly, the performance of these protocols is increased if one of the parties adds noise to the measurement data before the error correction. In particular, this additional noise makes the protocols more robust against noise in the quantum channel.
Because Location Matters: What Multinationals Must Know About Cultural

El objetivo de este articulo es analizar la influencia que tiene la distancia cultural sobre el nivel de compromiso asumido en los mercados internacionales y como los directivos son mas propensos a cambiar el sentido de esta decision cuando tienen en cuenta el efecto moderador del riesgo pais. Con este fin hemos revisado la literatura pertinente, asi como diferentes casos espanoles. El estudio empirico ha sido realizado con un modelo Tobit sobre una muestra representativa del sector manufacturero espanol (2000-2005). Los resultados contrastan positivamente nuestras hipotesis acerca del efecto que la distancia cultural y el riesgo pais tienen sobre el nivel de compromiso y nos permite reconciliar dos vertientes de trabajos que, tradicionalmente en la literatura, han estado enfrentados.
A G-SCIDAR for Ground-Layer Turbulence Measurements at High Vertical Resolution

We propose a new method based on the generalized SCIDAR principle to characterize the vertical distribution of the turbulence in the first few hundred meters above the telescope with a better vertical resolution than usually achievable by such an instrument. Using a wide binary star (35″ separation) and analyzing the spatio-temporal cross-correlation images, we achieve a C N 2 profile with a vertical resolution of a few tens of meters. We present the principle and the data-reduction process of this method and show first results obtained with a SCIDAR instrument mounted to the Vatican Advanced Technology Telescope (VATT) on the top of Mount Graham. As an application, we estimate the fraction of the turbulence between the dome of the VATT and the primary mirror of the Large Binocular Telescope.