Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Estimates of the bistable region in metal cutting

The classical model of regenerative vibration is investigated with new kinds of nonlinear cutting force characteristics. The standard nonlinear characteristics are subjected to a critical review from the nonlinear dynamics viewpoint based on the experimental results available in the literature. The proposed nonlinear model includes finite derivatives at zero chip thickness and has an essential inflexion point. In the case of the one degree-of-freedom model of orthogonal cutting, the existence of unstable self-excited vibrations is proven along the stability limits, which is strongly related to the force characteristic at its inflexion point. An analytical estimate is given for a certain area below the stability limit where stable stationary cutting and a chaotic attractor coexist. It is shown how this domain of bistability depends on the theoretical chip thickness. The comparison of these results with the experimental observations and also with the subcritical Hopf bifurcation results obtained for standard nonlinear cutting force characteristics provides relevant information on the nature of the cutting force nonlinearity.
The Strategic Fit of Multiple Strategic Orientations and New Product Development Performance in Malaysian Manufacturing Firms

Resource orientation (RO ) and market orientation (MO) are two important strategic orientations that have significant impact towards new product development (NPD) performance. Althou gh research has examined the RO and MO individually, limited research has evaluated and compared their effect on new product success in one study. Furthermore, only a few have matched the fit between both strategie s and tests their effect on firm performance and none of them so far has study the role of external environment factors on the relationship between the fit of both strategies towards NPD performance. The purpose of this paper is to develop a conceptual framework of the impact of strategic fit towards NPD performance. The objective of the study is to determine the eff ect of strategic fit between RO and MO towards new product development performance. Specifically, it aims to evaluate whether single strategy or the fit between both strategies will have the greater impact on new product development performance. More importantly, the research will investigate the role of external environmental variables (i.e., market turbulence and technological turbulence) on the relationship between two strateg ic orientations and performance. In this paper, the researchers conducted a desk research by reviewing the literature to understand the impact of resource orientation, market orientation and environmental factors towards NPD performance. The practitioners and academicians will find this framework beneficial in their own, various scope as this study provide a clear guideline on how the variables interact with each other.
Were New Labour’s cultural policies neo-liberal?

This article assesses the cultural policies of ‘New Labour’, the UK Labour government of 1997–2010. It takes neo-liberalism as its starting point, asking to what extent Labour’s cultural policies can be validly and usefully characterised as neo-liberal. It explores this issue across three dimensions: corporate sponsorship and cuts in public subsidy; the running of public sector cultural institutions as though they were private businesses; and a shift in prevailing rationales for cultural policy, away from cultural justifications, and towards economic and social goals. Neo-liberalism is shown to be a significant but rather crude tool for evaluating and explaining New Labour’s cultural policies. At worse, it falsely implies that New Labour did not differ from Conservative approaches to cultural policy, downplays the effect of sociocultural factors on policy-making, and fails to differentiate varying periods and directions of policy. It does, however, usefully draw attention to the public policy environment in which Labour operated, in particular the damaging effects of focusing, to an excessive degree, on economic conceptions of the good in a way that does not recognise the limitations of markets as a way of organising production, circulation and consumption.
Employment protection and gender wage gap in Europe

In this paper we investigate gender wage disparities in 25 EU countries before and after the crisis, focusing on the role employment protection legislation played in shaping the gap across the wage distribution. Results of quantile regressions reveal a remarkable cross-country diversity in the size of the gap and confirm the widespread existence of glass-ceiling effects. Stricter rules for temporary contracts mitigate the gender gap, especially at the top of the distribution; stronger protection for permanent workers is found to increase the gap at the bottom of the distribution and to decrease it at the middle and at the top.Key words: Gender wage gap, Employment protection, Quantile regression, EU.JEL: J16, J31, J71. Zastita zaposlenosti i razlika u platama na osnovu pola u Evropi U ovom radu istražujemo razlike u platama na osnovu pola u 25 zemalja EU pre i posle krize, fokusirajuci se na ulogu zakonodavstva o zastiti zaposlenosti u oblikovanju jaza u raspodeli zarada. Rezultati kvantitativne regresije otkrivaju izuzetnu raznolikost među državama u velicini jaza i potvrđuju rasprostranjeno postojanje efekata staklenih plafona. Stroža pravila za privremene ugovore ublažavaju jaz na osnovu pola, posebno na vrhu raspodele; jaca zastita stalnih radnika povecava jaz na dnu distribucije i smanjuje ga na sredini i vrhu. Kljucne reci: razlika u platama na osnovu pola, zastita zaposlenosti, kvantitativna regresija, EU.
Immunofluorescence pattern of antinuclear antibody and its association with autoantibody profile in systemic lupus erythematosus

Background: Antinuclear antibody (ANA) is useful in the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Association of specific autoantibodies with the immunofluorescence pattern of ANA in SLE as noted in Western literature has been taken as reference in all over the world. However, in Bangladesh such research work or data correlating the autoantibodies and their ANA patterns is inadequate. Objective: To identify an association between immunofluorescence patterns of antinuclear antibody on HEp-2 cell and more specific antinuclear reactivities (e.g. anti-dsDNA and anti-extractable nuclear antigen) in the serum samples of SLE patients. Methods: Serum samples of 37 SLE patients who were diagnosed by ARA (American Rheumatism Association) classification criteria and laboratory tests, attending at lupus clinic of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) during the study period of six months were subjected for ANA testing by Indirect Imrnunofluorescence (IIF) on HEp-2 cell, anti-dsDNA by ELISA and anti- extractable nuclear antigen (anti-ENA) by Dot Immunoblot. Dot blot strips were tested for anti-Sm, anti-RNP, anti-SSA/Ro, and anti-SSB/La. Results: Out of 37 SLE patients 32 (86.5%) cases were ANA positive by IIF on HEp-2 cell. ANA positive sera exhibited three fluorescence patterns such as speckled (43.7%), peripheral (34.3%) and homogenous pattern (21.8%). Peripheral pattern (100%) was strongly associated with anti-dsDNA (p<0.05) and homogenous pattern (85.7%) was also predominantly associated with anti-dsDNA (p<0.05). Speckled pattern (85.6%) was significantly associated with anti-ENA (p<0.05). Anti-dsDNA was positive in 75% of SLE cases and majority (45.8%) of which showed peripheral pattern whereas anti-ENA was positive in 48.6% cases and majority (70.5%) of which showed speckled pattern. The most commonly identified antinuclear autoreactivity was directed towards anti-RNP (22.2%) then anti-Sm (16.6%), anti-SSA (16.6%) and anti-SSB (11.1 %). Multiple anti-ENA reactivities were identified in 33.3% cases. Conclusion: Peripheral and homogenous pattern is strongly associated with anti-dsDNA therefore may be predicted that patients have active SLE and speckled pattern may predict anti-ENA (specially ribonucleoprotiens). Thus, ANA-IIF method may suffice and probably reduce the expense of detailed immunological work-up with minimal loss in diagnostic accuracy.
A spectroscopic study of the Themis family

We present spectroscopic observations of 36 as- teroids, members of the Themis family. These observations were carried on at the European Southern Observatory in the wavelength range 4900 9200 A. Most of the objects present a spectra similar to C-type asteroids and some of them present indicative of aqueous alteration. We discuss the implications of these results on the formation and evo- lution of this family.
Institutional Governance, Education and Growth

This study articulates the interaction between institutional governance, education and economic growth. Given the current pursuit of education policy reforms and knowledge economy around the world, it is of policy relevance to theoretically analyze the main mechanisms by which the macroeconomic impact of education on growth (and economic development) occurs. Our theoretical model demonstrates how incentives offered by the government affect human capital accumulation which ultimately engenders positive economic development externalities. We articulate two main channels through which education affects economic growth. The first channel highlights direct positive effect of educational quality on the incentive to accumulate human capital by individuals, which makes them more productive. The second channel appears in the explicit function of the economic growth rate. As a policy implication, we have shown that the growth rate depends on the rate of return on human capital or that this rate of return itself depends on the quality of governance, which further increases growth. As a result, institutional quality has a double dividend, which suggests considerable benefits to educational reforms.
Interactive effect of HIV infection and smoking on lung immunity and related disorders

HIV-infected persons not only have higher rates of smoking than the general population, but are also unusually vulnerable to the associated adverse health effects, both infective and non-infective in origin. Indeed, in the setting of well-organised care and availability of HAART, HIV-infected smokers lose more life years to smoking than to HIV infection per se, presenting a major challenge to healthcare providers. Not surprisingly, the respiratory system is particularly susceptible to the damaging, interactive chronic inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects of HIV and smoking, intensifying the risk for development of opportunistic infections, as well as lung cancer and obstructive lung disorders. The impact of smoking on the immunopathogenesis and frequencies of these respiratory conditions in the setting of HIV infection, as well as on the efficacy of antiretroviral/antimicrobial therapy, represent the primary focus of the current review.
An Empirical Research on the Relationship between Property Insurance Premiums and Macroeconomic Variables Based on ARDL Model

Given that most of property insurance policies are one-year contracts and have a high renewal, this paper establishes Auto-regressive Distributed Lag Model (ARDL) which considers adding lags of the dependent variable and/or lags of some independent variables. Based on the data of Insurance Premiums in China, Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Fixed-asset Investment during the period from 1980 to 2012, this paper analyzes the long-term and short-term relationships between them with method of the ARDL bounds testing approach. The results indicate that GDP is the major factor driving the growth of property insurance premiums in China; fixed-asset investment has significant impact on Chinese property insurance premiums, and they show the conspicuous negative correlation; Moreover, CPI has little effect on the premium income.
Water-stress induced physiological changes in leaves of four container-grown grapevine cultivars ( Vitis vinifera L.)

Predawn leaf water potential, night respiration, stomatal conductance, transpiration, and photosynthesis of 4 grapevine cultivars were assessed under irrigated and non-irrigated conditions in July, August and September 1994. Predawn leaf water potential was not significantly related to either stomatal conductance or photosynthesis. Water stress induced distinct stomatal closure in all cultivars at 11 a.m. For a given stomatal conductance rate, photosynthesis of stressed vines was lower than that of nonstressed vines. At similar stomatal conductance rate, photosynthesis was lower in cv. Chardonnay than in any other cultivar. Photosynthesis was the physiological parameter mostly affected by water stress. Dry matter production was linearly related to stomatal conductance, photosynthesis, and the night respiration to photosynthesis ratio for all vines pooled together. In contrast, under stress conditions dry matter production was not related to any physiological parameter.
Risky Business: A Few Provocations on the Regulation of Electronic Gaming Machines

Electronic gambling machines (EGMs) proliferate in Australian club and hotel venues, generating revenues of billions of dollars annually and accounting for the majority of gambling expenditure. These revenues arguably rely on unsafe consumption practices, generating considerable harm. Clear evidence is available describing unsafe levels of EGM consumption by regular EGM consumers in hotels and clubs, and indicating modifications to EGM technology and systems to minimize harm. However, a comfortable orthodoxy, the discourse of ‘business as usual’, perpetuates current arrangements, sustaining in particular a model of the ‘problem’ gambler as an individualized flawed consumer. The article argues that the marketing and distribution of EGMs is neither accidental nor something for which the individual is responsible, and neither is the safeguarding of oneself from the harm produced by goods licensed by government. Pursuit of a goal of safe consumption for all EGM gamblers requires disruption of the discourse of business as usual.
Deformation of Wood-Based Material During Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Treatment

The deformation of various wood-based materials during supercritical carbon dioxide treatment was assessed in situ at a range of pressurization and venting rates. Deformation was minimal with oriented strandboard (OSB), medium density fiberboard (MDF), and solid Douglas-fir heartwood, and even this slight deformation was rapidly recovered once the pressure was released. Higher degrees of deformation were observed in laminated veneer lumber (LVL) composed of Douglas-fir veneers and this deformation was not completely recovered at the end of the process. The resulting deformation resulted in permanent veneer separations. The results indicate that there is little risk of damage during supercritical carbon dioxide treatment of OSB, MDF, and Douglas-fir heartwood, but that further process studies will be required to identify treatment cycles suitable for treatment of LVL.
Sorting: The Function of Tea Middlemen in Taiwan during the Japanese Colonial Era

In a case study of Taiwan's tea industry during the Japanese colonial period, we identify an important function of middlemen: sorting. The transaction cost saved by the intermediary due to sorting is shown to be empirically significant. We also study other services provided by tea middlemen, including financing and transportation. These are shown to be by-products of an intermediary's job, rather than his essential contribution to trading.
Health utility bias: A meta-analytic evaluation

textabstractA common assertion is that rating scale (RS) values are lower than both standard gamble (SG) and time tradeoff (TTO) values. However, differences among these methods may be due to method specific bias. While SG and TTO suffer systematic bias, RS responses are known to depend on the range and frequency of other health states being evaluated. Over many diverse studies this effect is predicted to diminish. Thus, a systematic review and data synthesis of RS-TTO and RS-SG difference scores may better reveal persistent dissimilarities. PURPOSE: To establish through systematic review and meta-analysis the net effect of biases that endure over many studies of utilities.
Biological Activity of Bunium persicum Essential Oil from Western Himalaya

Abstract The essential oil of Bunium persicum collected from cultivated sources in the cold desert area of Lahaul-Spiti is described for its antimicrobial, larvicidal, and biting deterrent activities. Additionally, odor characterization is given. The chemical composition of the essential oil was analyzed by simultaneous GC-MS and GC-FID. γ-Terpinene and p-cymene were found to be the major compounds. Antibacterial testing by an agar dilution assay revealed low activity of the oil against all tested bacteria. Antifungal activity was evaluated against Candida albicans as well as three species of the strawberry anthracnose causing plant pathogen Colletotrichum. Bunium persicum essential oil demonstrated antifungal activity against all four pathogens. Biting deterrent activity against Aedes aegypti was greater than the solvent control, but significantly lower than DEET. The essential oil of B. persicum exhibited larvicidal activity with an LC50 value of 58.6 ppm against Ae. aegypti larvae.
How Schools with Good Academic Results Justify Their Use of Outdoor Education

﻿﻿In this study, we focus on how teachers and headmasters in Norwegian schools achieving good results on national tests justify the use of outdoor education; a practice often considered time-consuming and less effective than traditional classroom education. The research strategy used in the study is case studies. The cases are three schools with good academic results. The study is based on seven semi-structured interviews with teachers and headmasters from the three schools. The interviews were analyzed in a comparative analysis process, aiming to develop appropriate categories descriptive of the argumentation for outdoor education. The results show that the emphasis on academic outcome is strong, but schools using outdoor education regularly have a broader justification. They recognize outdoor education as a tool that helps create a holistic learning environment. Variation, motivation and social skills are important elements contributing to the child’s holistic learning. Using the statements from teachers as a guide, we introduce “The Flower of Outdoor Education”.
Childhood aggression in Ogun State, Nigeria: Fallout from violent movies viewing

The level of aggression shown by children particularly during their formative and educational years have been found to be associated with the volume and type of aggression and violence they watch n the television. The study sample consisted of 199 students drawn from a secondary school in Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State. Video films consisting of violent scenes were shown to the participants for a period of time after which they were examined for their level of aggression after watching the films. The results showed that participants who were exposed to viewing violent movie reported higher level of aggression than those who are exposed to non-violent movies (t = 3.593, df = 197, p>0.05). The result also showed that female participants reported a higher level of verbal aggression than their male counterparts (t = 0.002 df = 197, p<0.05). The study opined that young children need to be monitored in the selection of what they watch on television because they could be easily influenced or prone to imitating any action they observe on the screens.
THE NANOGRAV NINE-YEAR DATA SET: OBSERVATIONS, ARRIVAL TIME MEASUREMENTS, AND ANALYSIS OF 37 MILLISECOND PULSARS

We present high-precision timing observations spanning up to nine years for 37 millisecond pulsars monitored with the Green Bank and Arecibo radio telescopes as part of the North American Nanohertz Observatory for Gravitational Waves (NANOGrav) project. We describe the observational and instrumental setups used to collect the data, and methodology applied for calculating pulse times of arrival; these include novel methods for measuring instrumental offsets and characterizing low signal-to-noise ratio timing results. The time of arrival data are fit to a physical timing model for each source, including terms that characterize time-variable dispersion measure and frequency-dependent pulse shape evolution. In conjunction with the timing model fit, we have performed a Bayesian analysis of a parameterized timing noise model for each source, and detect evidence for excess low-frequency, or “red,” timing noise in 10 of the pulsars. For 5 of these cases this is likely due to interstellar medium propagation effects rather than intrisic spin variations. Subsequent papers in this series will present further analysis of this data set aimed at detecting or limiting the presence of nanohertz-frequency gravitational wave signals.
Implementing peer evaluation to improve students' participation in oral presentations in a large mechanical design class

Arranging oral presentations has always been difficult in a large project-based engineering design class of about 110 students each year, and often ineffective. This study explores the scheme of implementing peer evaluation to improve students' participation and learning outcome in the oral presentation sessions. Basically, students were asked to grade and comment on oral presentations by other students in a pre-defined manner. The effect of oral presentations with or without the intervention of peer evaluation was compared. The obtained data, as well as the questionnaire results showed that with careful design of the format, peer evaluation indeed improved students' participation in oral presentations, naturally leading to more serious and positive learning attitude and eventually a better learning outcome.
Archaeological indicators of relative sea-level changes in the Attico-Cycladic massif: preliminary results

Recent underwater archaeological investigations and marine geological surveys in Attica and the Cycladic islands provide solid archaeological markers for the estimation of the RSL fluctuation since prehistory. The area under study, the Attico-Cycladic massif with small tidal range, relative geotectonic stability and with ample archaeological remains that bear witness to past sea levels, provides an excellent laboratory for examining various contributions to local relative sea level changes. As a result, the study of the field data demonstrate a severe RSL change of ca. 4.00-6.00m or more around 4000 BC, ca. -3.00 3.5m since Late Bronze Age/Mycenaean period (1550-1100 BC) and ca -2.50-2.80m (±0.30) since Classical/Hellenistic period (500-30 BC). The combined data can be used to correlate predictive sea-level curves, refine glacio-hydro-isostatic modelling approaches, and give insights for the prediction of future sea-level trends. Moreover, the results can advance the landscape reconstruction of Attica and the Cyclades in Classical antiquity and help inform current and developing environmental policy and cultural management decisions on coastal and submerged archaeological sites in the Central Aegean.