Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
THE USE OF SIMULATION FOR THE SOLUTION OF EFFICIENCY INCREASE PROBLEMS IN TECHNOLOGICAL PROCESSES IN THE AUTOMOTIVE

Article is devoted to practical model designing for selecting technological process optimum parameters in mechanical engineering. The growing requirements to the quality and competitiveness of production, the growing globalization of the economy, forcing the producers to find reserves of the productivity and safety of work. In the past two decades many companies are identifying the reasons for the ineffectiveness of technological processes, using modern tools like, for example, simulation. One of such directions is the account of ergonomic parameters. Today special software solutions are used on the basis of accurate three-dimensional model of the person . Such approach allows to refuse from the more costly physical modeling, significantly reduce time for ergonomic analysis, since such an analysis can be conducted in parallel with technological preparation of production, and not after their launch, raise efficiency of the production, to lower loading on the personnel and to reduce the risk of injury.
New South Wales regions and globalisation - a conceptual analysis of innovation driven network structures

Using the results from a survey of 146 regional exporters, this paper presents an analysis of variations in the behaviour of small, medium and large firms within local and external information networks,. It tests the extent to which new concepts in regional development commonly identified as learning regions are found in New South Wales. The analysis provides little evidence for the existence of SME-innovative milieu type networks. However, it does indicate a predominant structure of small (SME), specialized, independent firms. Although some collaboration and local networking was found, it falls well short of that associated with learning regions. Local client-supplier relationships were limited which prevented closer collaboration between the regional firms. It is argued that regional development agencies should utilise local networks (particularly for SMEs) to encourage more interaction in order to reach higher levels of knowledge sharing.
The Effects of Dark Chocolate Consumption on Oxidative Stress and Blood Pressure in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome: A Randomized Clinical Trial

This paper should be cited as: Mozaffari-Khosravi H, Naghdipour-Biregani A, Zavar-Reza J, Poursoleiman F. The Effects of Dark Chocolate Consumption on Oxidative Stress and Blood Pressure in Patients with MetabolicSyndrome: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Journal Of Nutrition And Food Security (JNFS), 2016; 1 (1): 1-8. The Effects of Dark Chocolate Consumption on Oxidative Stress and Blood Pressure in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Applicability of the Shallow Ice Approximation inferred from model inter-comparison using various glacier geometries

Abstract. This paper presents an inter-comparison of three different models applied to various glacier geometries. The three models are built on different approximations of the Stokes equations, from the well known Shallow Ice Approximation (SIA) to the full-Stokes (FS) solution with an intermediate higher-order (HO) model which incorporates longitudinal stresses. The studied glaciers are synthetic geometries, but two of them are constructed so as to mimic a valley glacier and a volcano glacier. For each class of glacier, the bedrock slope and/or the aspect ratio are varied. First, the models are compared in a diagnostic way for a fixed and given geometry. Here the SIA surface velocity can overestimate the FS velocity by a factor of 5 to a factor of 10. Then, the free surface is allowed to evolve and the time-dependent evolution of the glacier is studied. As a result, the difference between the models decreases, but can still be as large as a factor of 1.5 to 2. This decrease can be explained by a negative feedback for the SIA which overestimates velocities.
MHD flow and heat transfer of a micropolar fluid over a stretchable disk

A numerical study of an axisymmetric steady laminar incompressible flow of an electrically conducting micropolar fluid over a stretchable disk is carried out when the fluid is subjected to an external transverse magnetic field. The governing nonlinear equations of motion are transformed into a dimensionless form through Von Karman's logic similarity functions. An algorithm based on a finite difference scheme is used to solve the reduced coupled nonlinear ordinary differential equations with the associated boundary conditions. Effects of the micropolar parameters, the magnetic parameter and the Prandtl number on the flow velocity and temperature distribution are discussed. Investigations predict that the heat transfer rate at the surface of the disk increases with an increase in the values of micropolar parameters. The magnetic field enhances the shear and couple stresses. The shear stress factor is lower for micropolar fluids as compared to Newtonian fluids, which may be beneficial in flow and heat control of polymeric processing.
Some silicified Middle Ordovician brachiopods from Kentucky

__________________________________________ Introduction and acknowledgments ___________________ Stratigraphy. _ ______________________________________ The collections_____________________________________ Preparation. _. ____________________________________ Cataloging and depository______-___-_-_---. _________ Paleontology. ___-_-____-_-____-_--_--_---_____-_--_ Enteletacean brachiopods________________________ Enteletid brachiopod. _______________________ Genus Pionodema Foerste, 1912___________ Pionodema rectimarginata new species. _ Page
STUDY OF ELECTROPHORETIC DEPOSITION OF Pd METAL NANOPARTICLES ON InP AND GaN CRYSTAL SEMICONDUCTORS FOR H 2-GAS SENSORS

Depositions on surfaces of semiconductor wafers of InP and GaN were performed from isooctane colloid solutions of Pd nanoparticles in AOT reverse micelles. Metal nanoparticles in the colloid were monitored by SEM and by optical transmission spectroscopy. Deposited Pd nanoparticles were characterized by SEM and AFM. Diodes were prepared by making Schottky contacts with colloidal graphite on Pd deposited semiconductor surfaces and ohmic contacts on blank surfaces. Forward and reverse current-voltage characteristics of the diodes showed high rectification ratio and high Schottky barrier height giving evidence of small Fermi level pinning. It was found that several ppb of hydrogen in nitrogen gas can be detected by monitoring the change of diode current at a constant bias voltage. Properties of diodes made on GaN were compared with those made on InP.
The Impact of Firm Level Contracting on Wage Levels and Inequality: Spain 1995-2002

This paper provides microeconomic evidence on the variation over time of the firm-specific wage premium in Spain from 1995 to 2002, and its impact on wage inequality. We make use of two waves of a detailed linked employer-employee data set. In addition, a new data set with financial information on firms is used for 2002 to control as flexibly as possible for differences in the performance of firms (aggregated at industry level). To our knowledge, there is no microeconomic evidence on the dynamics of the firm-specific wage premium for Spain or for any other country with a similar institutional setting. Our results suggest that there is a clear tendency towards centralization in the collective bargaining process in Spain over this seven-year period, that the firm-level contract wage premium undergoes a substantial decrease, particularly for women, and finally that the "centralization" observed in the collective bargaining process has resulted in a slight decrease in wage inequality.
HIGH SCHOOL DROPOUTS: CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES

This study investigates the causes and consequences of dropping out of high school using data obtained from the National Education Longitudinal Study 1988-2000. Duration modelling techniques are used to estimate the determinants of dropping out. A flexible piecewise-linear baseline hazard is estimated, controlling for unobserved heterogeneity. The hazard function rises steadily during the first three years of high school and then increases substantially in the final year. The conditional probability of dropping out is estimated separately for males and females. Labour market outcomes are investigated for dropouts eight years after the end of high school. Comparisons are made between unqualified dropouts and dropouts who subsequently obtain a qualification.
Quantitative functional analysis of Late Glacial projectile points from northern Europe

This paper discusses the function of Late Glacial arch-backed and tanged projectile points from northern Europe in general and southern Scandinavia in particular. Ballistic requirements place clear and fairly well understood constraints on the design of projectile points. We outline the argument that, based on metric considerations, arch-backed points (pen-knife points or Federmesser) most likely were part of a bow-and-arrow weapon system, while large tanged points (Bromme points) most likely tipped spears propelled with the help of a spear-thrower/atlatl. This paper then presents a comparative symmetry analysis using the Flip Test of Hardaker & Dunn (2005) and an analysis of the tip angles of Late Glacial points. While these analyses do reveal a trend towards greater symmetry over time, the often very wide tip angles of the large tanged points indicate that these armatures, whilst surely fully serviceable, diverged considerably from the functional optimum predicated by ballistic theory. These observations relate directly to southern Scandinavian Late Glacial culture-history which is marked by a sequence of co-occurrence of arch-backed and large tanged points in the earlier part of the Late Glacial, followed by a disappearance of the slender backed points, later to be followed by a miniaturization of tanged points. This can be interpreted as reflecting an initial parallel use of bow and spear-thrower, followed by a loss of bow-and-arrow technology, and a subsequent reintroduction of this technology. Furthermore, our analysis suggests that the function of, in particular, the large tanged points may have been compromised by their highly variable morphology. Coupled with the generally lower economic utility of the spear-thrower when compared to the bow-and-arrow, the suggested loss of bow technology in the Bromme culture probably would have had substantial demographic implications. The loss of bow technology in southern Scandinavia went hand in hand with a reduction in typological and technological complexity and we interpret this loss of ostensibly adaptive technologies in light of Henrich’s (2004) demographically driven model in which population size, density and connectedness scaffold cumulative cultural evolution. Finally, we suggest that it was the Laacher See eruption (12,920 BP) that cut southern Scandinavian hunter-gatherer populations off from continental European groups leading, via demographic fluctuations, to the ‘disappearance of useful arts’ (Rivers 1912) reflected in lithic technology. Full reference: Dev, S. and Riede, F. 2012. Quantitative functional analysis of Late Glacial projectile points from northern Europe. Lithics: the Journal of the Lithic Studies Society 33: 40–55. Keywords: Late Glacial, southern Scandinavia, tanged points, arched-backed points, symmetry, function, Flip Test.
Testing asymmetry in financial time series

This paper examines the problem of evaluating the presence of asymmetry in the marginal distribution of financial returns by means of a suitable statistical test. After a brief description of existing tests, a bootstrap procedure is proposed. A Monte Carlo study showed that this test works properly and that, in terms of power, it is competitive with existing tests. An application to real financial time series is also presented.
On the volume growth and the topology of complete minimal submanifolds of a Euclidean space

Let M be a n-dimensional complete properly immersed minimal submanifold of a Euclidean space. We show that the number of the ends of M is bounded above by k = sup volume(M ∩B(t)) ωntn , where B(t) is the ball of the Euclidean space of center 0 and radius t, ωn is the volume of n-dimensional unit Euclidean ball. Moreover, we prove that the number of ends of M is equal to k under some curvature decay condition.
Inflation and Central Bank Independence: Is Japan Really an Outlier?

The Bank of Japan has often been viewed as an outlier in combining low inflation with little formal central bank independence. This view has been based mainly on simple correlations between average inflation and measures of central bank independence. When additional factors that might account for cross-country variation in inflation rates are incorporated into the empirical analysis, Japan no longer appears to be a significant outlier. Since reputational considerations may have played a role in supporting a low-inflation environment in Japan, a simple model is used to show how increased political competition might affect equilibrium inflation.
STRATEGIC PLANNING AND SME SUCCESS: EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FROM THAILAND

The role of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) is becoming increasingly prominent throughout the world. Thailand is no exception. SMEs in Thailand represent over 90 percent of the total number of entrepreneurs in nearly all business sectors, and employ over 60 percent of the labor force. However, many SMEs fail each year. Given the significance of SMEs to the Thai economy and the fact that no study has yet examined strategic planning in the SME sector, this study seeks to investigate the linkage between strategic planning and growth of SMEs in Thailand. The primary objective is to determine whether or not there is a relationship between the use of strategic planning by SMEs and their growth. In addition, this research seeks to explore the factors that influence SME decision makers to use strategic planning. The findings indicate that the level of strategic planning is positively associated with the growth of the SME. This conclusion is very significant for SMEs because it shows them the usefulness and b enefits of practicing strategic planning. Furthermore, the results reveal that certain demographic factors, s uch as age and education level, are significantly and positively related to the decision to use strategic planning. However, neither the gender of the SME decision maker nor the age of the SME business is related to the decision to use strategic planning.
Knowledge about HIV/AIDS among senior secondary school students in Jamnagar, Gujarat

A number o f knowledge, attitude, behavior and practice (KABP) studies conducted in different parts o f India reveal a widespread ignorance and misconceptions about the disease among adolescents. Hence, this study was undertaken to assess the extent o f knowledge, beliefs and attitudes o f adolescent students towards HIV/AIDS in two senior secondary schools of Jamnagar, Gujarat The findings o f Jamnagar revealed that (i) all the students under study had heard o f the disease; (ii) though the sample subjects included both the biology and non-biology stream students but no major difference was found in-the knowledge level regarding mode o f transmission o f HIV/AIDS between the two groups; (iii) most o f the subjects had misconceptions about the pandemic; and (iv) books were on the top o f the list followed by TV and newspapers as leading sources o f information regarding HIV/AIDS for the students. The authors suggest that a specific chapter on HIV/AIDS should be included in the school curriculum which could make them aware o f the problems o f HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Descriptions of Co-extension Paths in Khasi

This study looks at the description of inanimate objects in Khasi using motion or dynamic expressions. The paper specifically looks at how information on path and manner is encoded in such expressions. These descriptions are taken from an elicitation experiment. The first part of the paper gives a brief account of the experiment and the quantitative results. The experimental design consists of speakers describing visual scenes containing spatially extended objects, such as roads, pipes and fences. The second part of the paper focuses on the linguistic analysis of the descriptions. It is found that Khasi speakers in this study use a combination of path verbs, manner verbs, path and manner conflating verbs, and compound verbs with deictic components to describe these objects. A fairly large repertoire of verb types is attested in the data. The combination jayd ‘walk’+ satellite is the most frequently used verb, placing Khasi in the category of satellite languages. It is also observed, that boundary crossing acts as a stimuli feature with path-conflating verbs. These constitute the second and third most frequently used verb types. The use of some path+manner conflating verbs places Khasi in the category of languages with non-actual movement, in the hierarchy proposed by Blomberg.
The External Auditor Mandatory Changes Impact on Improving the Quality of the Auditing Process

This study identifies the effect of mandatory rotation of the external auditor in improving the quality of auditing and to confirm his objectivity and independence. A questionnaire has been designed and distributed to a sample of 185 external auditors and managers of corporation at Gaza. The study introduces many results; e. i, there is a relationship of applying the mandatory and its effect on the quality, cost and audit fees, and to improve the quality of auditing and to confirm his objectivity and independence. The study introduces many recommendations; e. g. , applying the professional specialization strategy in the client's industry.
Analysis of the Utilization of Agency Banking on the Performance of Kenyan Banks

The objective of the study was to assess the utilization of agency banking on the performance of Kenyan banks. Descriptive research design was used in this study. The target population from which the sample was drawn is commercial banks within Nairobi region. A census was done to include all the banks which have successfully rolled out agency banking. Both primary and secondary data was used in the study. Data collected was validated, edited and coded then analysed using descriptive statistics with the aid of statistical package for social sciences (spss). Data presentation methods used were tables, charts and diagrams. The study established that liquidity availability, agency regulation, agency infrastructure cost and security was a major influence to banks performance. Some of the recommendations that the study made were that banks should give more attention to security and find better ways of vetting their agents. The agents should be more financially included to handle many transactions.
Course Website Usage: Does Prior Experience Matter?

Course websites have been used to enhance the delivery of learning materials that is not bounded by time and space. Although the usage of course websites are common in the West, but in a developing country like Malaysia, it is not the norm but the exception. This research builds on previous research done in Malaysian by looking at the moderating role of prior experience in explaining usage of an Internet course website. Data was collected from second year business management students who are required to use the course website for their business research methods class. The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) developed by Davis (I) was used as the model for investigating the usage of the course website. TAM proposes that perceived usefulness (PU) and per:ceived ease of use (PEU) are key determinants of usage of a particular technology or system. This research further extends the relationship to include prior experience as a moderator in this relationship. The regression analysis results indicate that the two constructs were able to explain 47.8% of the variation in the usage of the course website. Perceived usefulness (13 = 0.45, p<O,Ol) was the more influential predictor of usage with perceived ease of use (13 = 0.34, p<O.Ol) also significant. Perceived ease ofuse was also positively related to perceived usefulness ofthe course website. The findings of this study however did not support the moderating role on prior experience. The reasons for the contradiction are further explored,
U–Pb zircon SHRIMP evidence for Cambrian volcanism in the Schistose Domain within the Galicia-Trás-os-Montes Zone (Variscan Orogen, NW Iberian Peninsula)

SHRIMP U–Pb zircon analyses have shown the complexity of dating volcanic rocks due to the presence of inner cores within zircon crystals. Using the cathodoluminescence studies assisting ion microprobe analyses allow as to conclude that: the two low-grade metavolcanic samples from the Schistose Domain of the Galicia-Tras-os-Montes Zone in the northeast limb of the Verin-Braganca synform (NW Spain and NE Portugal) yield ages of 488.7 ± 3.7Ma and 499.8 ± 3.7Ma (lowermost Ordovician-Upper Cambrian). The Schistose Domain had been traditionally considered as a parautochthonous tectonic unit, i.e. as the stratigraphic continuation of the autochthonous underlying rocks, only locally or moderately detached from them as a result of strong dragging forces from large allochthonous units above it. Current interpretation of the Schistose Domain suggests that this domain formed the outboard edge of the Iberian terrane. Important Arenig, felsic magmatism with similar geochemical signature to the volcanic bodies in the Schistose Domain of the Galicia-Tras-os-Montes Zone (GTMSD) series is present also in the adjacent Ollo de Sapo Domain of the Central Iberian Zone. This contemporary nature of magmatic events provides an additional argument to support the "Iberian" affinity of the Schistose Domain of the Galicia-Tras-os-Montes Zone. However, the Cambro–Ordovician facies are very different in the Schistose Domain with respect to the autochthonous unit, the Central–Iberian Zone, suggesting that the Schistose Domain must be considered as a major allochthonous unit with a displacement of over several tens of kilometers.
Biotechnology as an alternative to chemical pesticides: a case study of Bt cotton in China

The overall goal of this study is to determine the extent by which genetically engineered (GE) crops in China can lead to reductions of pesticide use, the nature and source of the reductions, and whether or not there are any non-pecuniary externalities. One of the first studies of the effect of plant biotechnology on poor farmers, the study is based on a data set collected by the authors in 2000 in North China. The paper’s descriptive, budget and multivariate analysis find that Bt cotton significantly reduces the number of sprayings, the quantity of pesticides used and the level of pesticide expenditures. All Bt cotton varieties—both those produced by foreign life science companies and those created by China’s research system are equally effective. In addition to these input-reducing effects, the paper also demonstrates that such reductions in pesticides also likely lead to labour savings, more efficient overall production, as well as positive health and environmental impacts. © 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.