Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
MICRONEEDLE STRUCTURE DESIGN AND OPTIMIZATION USING GENETIC ALGORITHM

This paper presents a Genetic Algorithm (GA) based microneedle design and analysis. GA is an evolutionary optimization technique that mimics the natural biological evolution. The design of microneedle structure considers the shape of microneedle, material used, size of the array, the base of microneedle, the lumen base, the height of microneedle, the height of the lumen, and the height of the drug container or reservoir. The GA is executed in conjunction with ANSYS simulation system to assess the design specifications. The GA uses three operators which are reproduction, crossover and mutation to manipulate the genetic composition of the population. In this research, the microneedle is designed to meet a number of significant specifications such as nodal displacement, strain energy, equivalent stress and flow rate of the fluid / drug that flow through its channel / lumen. A comparison study is conducted to investigate the design of microneedle structure with and without the implementation of GA model. The results showed that GA is able to optimize the design parameters of microneedle and is capable to achieve the required specifications with better performance.
Xeractinol: a new flavanonol C-glucoside from Paepalanthus argenteus var. argenteus (Bongard) Hensold (Eriocaulaceae)

New compound isolated from methanolic extract from the leaves of Paepalanthus argenteus var. argenteus (Bongard) Hensold was characterized as xeractinol, a new dihydroflavonol C-glucoside. The structure was elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis (1D and 2D NMR, MS, HREIMS, IR and UV). Ab initio electronic structure calculations support our proposal to the molecular structure. The dihydroflavonol herein isolated may serve as taxonomic marker of Paepalanthus subgenus Xeractis, because this flavonoid have not been reported in any other taxon of Eriocaulaceae.
UNVEILING SPANISH UNEMPLOYMENT PERSISTENCE BY OUTPUT GAP : A TIME-VARYING PARAMETER APPROACH A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES OF MIDDLE EAST TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY BY DİLAN AYDIN IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE

UNVEILING SPANISH UNEMPLOYMENT PERSISTENCE BY OUTPUT GAP: A TIME-VARYING PARAMETER APPROACH AYDIN, DİLAN M.S., Department of Economics Supervisor: Assist. Prof. Dr. Dilem Yıldırım Kasap September 2018, 76 pages This paper investigates the persistence of Spanish unemployment by incorporating the output gap over the period of 1972-2015. Unlike to the existing literature which identifies labor market rigidity as the triggering factor of high unemployment, we utilize output gap extracted by Kalman filter in order to discriminate between impacts originated from (demand side) shocks and labor market institutions. Time-varying parameter approach allowing for both abrupt and smooth structural changes of parameters facilitates to explore the evolution of the persistence in the country whose history is full of crises and labor market reforms. The presence of lags between the implementation of the policy and its influence on the economy and the interactions between the shocks induce direction towards the gradual changes in Spain. Moreover, the model enables to scrutinize the natural rate or hysteresis hypothesis for each period without restricting the analysis into a dichotomous framework. Estimation results providing evidence in favor of hysteretic effects during the late 1970s and the early 1980s reveal a declining (rising) coefficient for lagged unemployment (output gap) in the subsequent years. Whereas abrupt changes of coefficients after 1984 and 1994 reforms coincided with the start of recovery phases, smooth transition of persistence coefficient after 2008 underlies different dynamics.
A Systematic and Generic Method for Choosing A SDN Controller

Controllers are fundamental elements for the implementation of a Software-Defined Network (SDN) application. The present work focusses on the problem of choosing the appropriate controller, for a specific use case, among the multiple solutions proposed by academia and industry. We here present a new method for controllers' benchmarking, which allows finding the right controller for each use case in a systematic and rational manner. The Method is based on two steps: the first consists on classifying the controllers using a Multi-Criteria Decision Making method according to the relevance of their features for the use case. This step enables to limit considerably the number of potential controllers for the SDN application. In the second step, a performance evaluation is carried out using the „CBENCH‟ tool, where only the first three ranked controllers at the first step are considered. The method has been tested in the case of user traffic classification over SDN, where ten most known controllers were considered. The results showed that „OpenDaylight‟ (ODL) is the controller that responds the better to the constraints and requirements of this specific application. The method is generic and can be applied regardless of the SDN application.
Clearcutting upland forest alters transpiration of residual trees in the riparian buffer zone

Our objectives are (1) to compare tree sap flux density (Js in g cm−2 d−1) and stomatal conductance (Gs in mmol m−2 s−1) across five dominant species, red maple (Acer rubrum), sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), and oak species (Quercus spp.), (2) to quantity riparian buffer stand transpiration (Es in mm d−1), and (3) to link riparian buffer Es of residual trees to stream discharge. In June 2010, the above species were instrumented with sap flow sensors in a pair (HF1 and HF2) of 12 hectare gauged watersheds. HF1 was clearcut, leaving a 15.2‐m riparian buffer around the stream, and HF2 was the reference. Trees were harvested in the riparian buffer reducing HF1 riparian buffer basal area by 27%. The riparian buffer growing season net radiation increased from 11.9 W m−2 preharvest to an average of 24.3 W m−2 postharvest. HF1 stream growing season discharge increased dramatically (150%) from the preharvest to postharvest period. HF1 2010 preharvest growing season soil moisture was 22.5%. HF1 postharvest growing season soil moisture was 28.5% in 2011, 26.5% in 2012, and 27.2% in 2013. HF2 canopy cover, energy input, and soil moisture showed little change over the same period. From preharvest to postharvest, mean daily growing season Js of trees in HF1 increased in all species. A reduction in HF1 Gs was less evident over the study vapour pressure deficit range in loblolly pine, red maple, and tulip poplar than in oak and sweetgum during the postharvest period. HF1 residual trees in the riparian buffer used 43% more water in growing season postharvest (314 mm) than growing preharvest (220 mm) period. This resulted in an 8% reduction in stream discharge because of an increase in riparian buffer Es. Although clearcutting increased stream discharge, we conclude that the increase in transpiration by the residual trees in the riparian buffer will, at least, partially mitigate the hydrologic effects of forest removal through increased transpiration. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Green building materials: hemp oil based biocomposites

Novel acrylated epoxidized hemp oil (AEHO) based bioresins were successfully synthesised, characterized and applied to biocomposites reinforced with woven jute fibre. Characterisation of the synthesised AEHO consisted of acid number titrations and FTIR spectroscopy to assess the success of the acrylation reaction. Three different matrices were produced (vinylester (VE), 50/50 blend of AEHO/VE and 100% AEHO) and reinforced with jute fibre to form three different types of biocomposite samples. Mechanical properties in the form of flexural and interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) were investigated and compared for the different samples. Results from the mechanical tests showed that AEHO and 50/50 based neat bioresins displayed lower flexural properties compared with the VE samples. However when applied to biocomposites and compared with VE based samples, AEHO biocomposites demonstrated comparable flexural performance and improved ILSS. These results are attributed to improved fibre-matrix interfacial adhesion due to surface-chemical compatibility between the natural fibres and bioresin.
Stomatal conductance and xylem-sap abscisic acid (ABA) in adult oak trees during a gradually imposed drought

Des chenes âges de 30 a 40 ans appartenant aux deux especes pedoncule et sessile (Quercus robur L et Q petraea Matt Liebl) ont ete selectionnes dans un haut perchis de la foret domaniale de Champenoux (Nancy, France), et soumis a une secheresse controlee dans une cuve lysimetrique au cours de deux etes successifs. De la seve brute a ete extraite du xyleme de rameaux feuilles a intervalles de temps reguliers pendant l'installation de la secheresse, et sur des arbres temoins. Le potentiel hydrique de base, le potentiel hydrique du sol a differentes profondeurs et la conductance stomatique en milieu de journee ont ete releves sur les memes arbres. Les concentrations en acide abscissique (ABA) et en glucose-ester d'ABA (ABA-GE) ont ete determinees dans ces echantillons de seve a l'aide d'un dosage Elisa, apres purification par HPLC. En l'absence de secheresse, les concentrations moyennes en ABA etaient de l'ordre de 30 μmol m -3 , et de 45 μmol m -3 pour l'ABA-GE. Ces concentrations etaient independantes de l'espece et de l'annee de mesure; seules les concentrations en ABA-GE ont fortement augmente d'une annee sur l'autre. Aucune augmentation significative due a la secheresse n'a pu etre detectee, bien que les potentiels hydriques de base aient chute jusqu'a des valeurs inferieures a -1,5 MPa, et que la conductance stomatique ait ete reduite a 10 % des valeurs initiales dans certains cas. Une bonne correlation entre conductance stomatique et potentiel hydrique de base a pu etre mise en evidence. Cette correlation a ete amelioree en utilisant les valeurs de potentiel hydrique de sol a 25 cm de profondeur. Nous concluons que, meme si une bonne correlation existe entre conductance stomatique et humidite du sol, l'existence d'un signal racinaire sous la forme exclusive d'un transport d'ABA ou d'ABA-GE des racines vers les couronnes est peu probable. La conductance stomatique de chenes de grande taille poussant en conditions naturelles est vraisemblablement controlee par un processus complexe qui reste a preciser.
Comparison of AODV and AOMDV routing protocols

A mobile ad-hoc network is multi hop wireless network that consists of mobile nodes that communicate with each other. The nodes communicate with each other by means of the air as the medium. Each node in the network moves freely and so the topology changes continuously. One of the challenges of MANET is to design robust routing algorithms so that they adapt to frequently changing network topology. Simulation of variety of routing protocols has been carried out extensively. In this paper, we will study the performance of two types of On demand routing protocols-Ad-hoc On-demand Distance Vector (AODV) and Ad-hoc On-demand Multi path Distance Vector (AOMDV).
Seasonal reproductive biology of the small cyclopoid copepod Oithona davisae in a temperate eutrophic inlet

The seasonal variation in reproductive rate of the small cyclopoid Oithona davisae was investigated in a eutrophic inlet of the Inland Sea of Japan. The densities of its adults and copepodites were low in late winter and spring, and high in early summer and fall. A decline of the population in mid summer coincided with the occurrence of the lobate ctenophore Bolinopsismikado. Adult sex composition was highly skewcd for females (annual mean: 85')6), particularly in winter (96%). Female prosome length changed inversely with temperature, while egg diameter did not change throughout the year The variation in clutch size of ovigerous females was bicyclical, with peaks in early summer and fall. The duration of egg development was temperature dependent, w h l e the time from hatching of egg sacs to production of new ones was uniform (0.75 d ) and independent of temperature. The egg production rate of breedlng 0. davjsee was hlgh (mean: 11.6 eggs female-' d' , or a carbon welght-specific rate of 0.39 d') in early summer, and low (mean: 2.6 eggs female-' d' , or 0.08 d.') in winter. Since there were considerable numbers of non-breeding females in the population, the egg production rate on a population average was lower than the above-mentioned rate. The specific egg production rate of reproductive females increased linearly with increasing temperature up to ca 22OC, but at temperatures >22"C, the rate did not change or was even reduced. The reduction in the rate was remarkable in fall, indicating females' physiological stress in this season.
GARCH Option Pricing Models: Evidence from Joint Likelihood Estimations

In this paper we utilize the ane-GARCH option-pricing framework of Heston and Nandi (2000) combined with the recently-introduced variance-dependent pricing kernel of Christoffersen, Heston and Jacobs (2013) (henceforth CHJ) that has been proved to explain some commonly observed option-pricing irregularities. In our empirical analysis we verify the validity of the implications of this kernel specication by employing a somewhat dierent estimation approach. We build a joint likelihood function that incorporates both spot and forward-looking information, but instead of working with the wide cross-section of index options as in CHJ, we propose to use the daily variance dynamics inferred from the VIX index to approximate the implied risk-neutral variance process. Minimizing the implied variance errors in the objective function is technically equivalent to minimizing a cross-section of vega-weighted option-valuation errors. This technique is straightforward and computationally more ecient and, as we show, it can produce similar results. We nd strong evidence
The Physics of Mesoscopic Systems

A system comprised of multiplexed communication control units and a communication control unit for such multiplexing, where the switching between the stand-by unit and the active unit at the time of an abnormality can be performed in a short time and the cause of a breakdown obstructing operation can be grasped from the condition of the transmission line and the switching made conditional on that condition, thereby enabling highly reliable communication. The communication control units are connected in a multidrop configuration and both of the active unit and the stand-by unit are kept activated (communicable in state). The stand-by communication control unit transmits a frame through the transmission line at a timing not obstructing the communications, so it is possible to detect an abnormality in the active unit and rapidly switch to the stand-by unit at the time of an abnormality using the unit switching processing unit.
Typology of the Patent Troll Business June 2011

Patent trolls have many faces, since the media uses this expression in various ways. The patent troll phenomenon thus seems to be an ambiguous term that is discussed in several directions. This paper reveals that a patent troll as such has no distinct shape or appearance. Our analysis redeems a troll classification solely from firms’ market position, such as being non-practicing, and shows that a patent troll business can only be defined by the respective practice to enforce IPR. Using 10 case studies, of which five are treated in detail, the analysis reveals a distinct typology of IPR enforcement mechanisms and suggests a framework to assess the troll business. This paper is furthermore able to identify the nature of troll behavior to be: a) a best practice to enforce IP rights and b) a strategy that may create costs for affected industries. The differentiated troll analysis further reveals negative but also positive effects of the troll business on incentives to innovate. * Berlin University of Technology, Chair of Innovation Economics, Mueller-Breslau-Strasse VWS 2, 10623 Berlin Germany, tim.pohlmann@tu-berlin.de, Blog: innovationtomorrow.wordpress. com. ** University of Marburg, Department of Technology and Innovation Management, opitz@wiwi.unimarburg. de.
Availability of E-commerce Support for SMEs in Developing Countries

Although research indicates e-commerce offers viable and practical solutions for organizations to meet challenges of a predominantly changing environment, the few available studies related to SMEs in developing countries reveal a delay or failure of SMEs in adopting ICT and e-commerce technologies. The various factors identified as causes for the reticence can be broadly classified as Internal Barriers and External Barriers. This paper presents a model for barriers to adoption of ICT and e-commerce based on the results of an exploratory pilot study, survey and interviews of SME intermediary organization. It identifies support for SMEs in Sri Lanka with regard to ICT and e-commerce. It also determines a strong need for necessary support and discusses the availability of the support.
Normalized and standard Dantzig estimators: Two approaches

We reconsider the definition of the Dantzig estimator and show that, in contrast to the LASSO, standardization of an experimental matrix leads in general to a different estimator than in the case when it is based on the original data. The properties of the first method, resulting in what is called here the normalized Dantzig estimator are studied and the results on its estimation and prediction error are compared with similar results for the standard version. It is shown that in general the normalized version yields tighter estimation and prediction bounds than the other approach. In the correct specification case tighter bounds are obtained for the normalized Dantzig estimator than for the LASSO. Numerical examples indicate that in the case of imbalanced data the normalized estimator also performs better than the standard version. MSC 2010 subject classifications: Primary 62J05, 62J07; secondary 90C25.
On the distortion of turbulence by a progressive surface wave

A rapid-distortion model is developed to investigate the interaction of weak turbulence with a monochromatic irrotational surface water wave. The model is applicable when the orbital velocity of the wave is larger than the turbulence intensity, and when the slope of the wave is sufficiently high that the straining of the turbulence by the wave dominates over the straining of the turbulence by itself. The turbulence suffers two distortions. Firstly, vorticity in the turbulence is modulated by the wave orbital motions, which leads to the streamwise Reynolds stress attaining maxima at the wave crests and minima at the wave troughs; the Reynolds stress normal to the free surface develops minima at the wave crests and maxima at the troughs. Secondly, over several wave cycles the Stokes drift associated with the wave tilts vertical vorticity into the horizontal direction, subsequently stretching it into elongated streamwise vortices, which come to dominate the flow. These results are shown to be strikingly different from turbulence distorted by a mean shear flow, when ‘streaky structures’ of high and low streamwise velocity fluctuations develop. It is shown that, in the case of distortion by a mean shear flow, the tendency for the mean shear to produce streamwise vortices by distortion of the turbulent vorticity is largely cancelled by a distortion of the mean vorticity by the turbulent fluctuations. This latter process is absent in distortion by Stokes drift, since there is then no mean vorticity. The components of the Reynolds stress and the integral length scales computed from turbulence distorted by Stokes drift show the same behaviour as in the simulations of Langmuir turbulence reported by McWilliams, Sullivan & Moeng (1997). Hence we suggest that turbulent vorticity in the upper ocean, such as produced by breaking waves, may help to provide the initial seeds for Langmuir circulations, thereby complementing the shear-flow instability mechanism developed by Craik & Leibovich (1976). The tilting of the vertical vorticity into the horizontal by the Stokes drift tends also to produce a shear stress that does work against the mean straining associated with the wave orbital motions. The turbulent kinetic energy then increases at the expense of energy in the wave. Hence the wave decays. An expression for the wave attenuation rate is obtained by scaling the equation for the wave energy, and is found to be broadly consistent with available laboratory data.
Defocused transmission spectroscopy: a potential detection of sodium in the atmosphere of WASP-12b

We report on a pilot study of a novel observing technique, defocused transmission spectroscopy, and its application to the study of exoplanet atmospheres using ground-based platforms. Similar to defocused photometry, defocused transmission spectroscopy has an added advantage over normal spectroscopy in that it reduces systematic errors due to flat-fielding, point spread function variations, slit-jaw imperfections and other effects associated with ground-based observations. For one of the planetary systems studied, WASP-12b, we report a tentative detection of additional Na absorption of 0.12 ± 0.03[+0.03] per cent during transit using a 2 A wavelength mask. After consideration of a systematic that occurs mid-transit, it is likely that the true depth is actually closer to 0.15 per cent. This is a similar level of absorption reported in the atmosphere of HD 209458b (0.135 ± 0.017 per cent; Snellen et al. 2008). Finally, we outline methods that will improve the technique during future observations, based on our findings from this pilot study.
The Six Faces of Traditional Ecological Knowledge: Challenges and Opportunities for Canadian Co-Management Arrangements

The First Nations of Canada have been active over the past three decades in negotiating natural resources co-management arrangements that would give them greater involvement in decision- making processes that are closer to their values and worldviews. These values and worldviews are part of the traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) that First Nations possess about the land; to reach agreements to the satisfaction of First Nations, appropriate ways to involve TEK in decision-making processes must be designed. Through a review of the literature on TEK, I identified six "faces" of TEK, i.e., factual observations, management systems, past and current land uses, ethics and values, culture and identity, and cosmology, as well as the particular challenges and opportunities that each face poses to the co-management of natural resources.
Fiscal Multipliers at the Zero Lower Bound: The Role of Policy Inertia

The presence of the lagged shadow policy rate in the interest rate feedback rule reduces the government spending multiplier nontrivially when the policy rate is constrained at the zero lower bound (ZLB). In the economy with policy inertia, increased inflation and output due to higher government spending during a recession speed up the return of the policy rate to the steady state after the recession ends. This in turn dampens the expansionary effects of the government spending during the recession via expectations. In our baseline calibration, the output multiplier at the ZLB is 2.5 when the weight on the lagged shadow rate is zero, and 1.1 when the weight is 0.9.