Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nonlinear Transient Response of Thermally Loaded Laminated Panels

The nonlinear response of a composite laminated panel that is suddenly exposed to a heat flux is examined using the finite element method. The panel is cantilevered onto a rigid hub, the rotation motion of which is either fully or partially restrained. The panel elastic deformations are assumed large and are modeled via the von Karman strain-displacement relationship while the rigid-body angular rotation, for the case of a rotating rigid hub, is assumed small. The system of nonlinear governing equations is solved by the Newton-Raphson method in conjunction with the Newmark time integration scheme. The panel deformation is observed to he sensitive to the motion of the base.
Planetary Nebulae: Observational Properties, Mimics and Diagnostics

Abstract The total number of true, likely and possible planetary nebulae (PN) now known in the Milky Way is nearly 3000, double the number known a decade ago. The new discoveries are a legacy of the recent availability of wide field, narrowband imaging surveys, primarily in the light of H-alpha. In this paper, we summarise the various PN discovery techniques, and give an overview of the many types of objects which mimic PN and which appear as contaminants in both Galactic and extragalactic samples. Much improved discrimination of classical PN from their mimics is now possible based on the wide variety of high-quality multiwavelength data sets that are now available. We offer improved taxonomic and observational definitions for the PN phenomenon based on evaluation of these better diagnostic capabilities. However, we note that evidence is increasing that the PN phenomenon is heterogeneous, and PN are likely to be formed from multiple evolutionary scenarios. In particular, the relationships between some collimated symbiotic outflows and bipolar PN remain uncertain.
Call Blocking Probabilities of Elastic and Adaptive Traffic with Retrials

Abstract—We study a single-link multirate loss system,which accommodates both elastic and adaptive trafﬁc ofPoisson arriving calls, with exponentially distributed servicetime and ﬂexible bandwidth requirements. If the availablelink bandwidth is not enough to accept a new call with itspeak-bandwidth requirement, then the call can retry one ormore times (single/multi-retry loss models) to be connectedin the system with reduced bandwidth. If its last bandwidthrequirement remains higher than the available link bandwidth,the call can still be accepted in the system, by compressingthe bandwidth of all in-service calls together with its lastbandwidth requirement. The proposed models do not have aproduct form solution, and therefore we propose approximaterecursive formulas for the efﬁcient calculation of call blockingprobabilities. The consistency and the accuracy of our modelsare veriﬁed by simulation, and found to be very satisfactory.Keywords-Poisson process; elastic/adaptive trafﬁc; call block-ing; Markov chains; recurrent formula.
Reduced cerebral vascularisation in experimental neuronopathic Gaucher disease RUNNING TITLE Reduced cerebral vascularisation in Gaucher disease

The glycosphingolipidosis Gaucher disease, in which a range of neurological manifestations occur, results from a deficiency of acid β-glucocerebrosidase, with subsequent accumulation of β-glucocerebroside, its upstream substrates and the unacylated congener, ß-glucosylsphingosine. However, the mechanisms by which endorgan dysfunction arise are poorly understood. Here we report strikingly diminished cerebral microvascular density in a murine model of disease and provide a detailed analysis of the accompanying cerebral glycosphingolipidome in these animals, with marked elevations of ß-glucosylsphingosine. Further in vitro studies confirm a concentration dependent impairment of endothelial cytokinesis upon exposure to quasipathological concentrations of ß-glucosylsphingosine. These findings support a premise for pathogenic disruption of cerebral angiogenesis as an end-organ effect, with potential for therapeutic modulation in neuronopathic Gaucher disease.
Absolute Velocity Estimates from Autonomous Underwater Gliders Equipped with Doppler Current Profilers

AbstractDoppler current profilers on autonomous underwater gliders measure water velocity relative to the moving glider over vertical ranges of O(10) m. Measurements obtained with 1-MHz Nortek acoustic Doppler dual current profilers (AD2CPs) on Spray gliders deployed off Southern California, west of the Galapagos Archipelago, and in the Gulf Stream are used to demonstrate methods of estimating absolute horizontal velocities in the upper 1000 m of the ocean. Relative velocity measurements nearest to a glider are used to infer dive-dependent flight parameters, which are then used to correct estimates of absolute vertically averaged currents to account for the accumulation of biofouling during months-long glider missions. The inverse method for combining Doppler profiler measurements of relative velocity with absolute references to estimate profiles of absolute horizontal velocity is reviewed and expanded to include additional constraints on the velocity solutions. Errors arising from both instrumental bias .
Morphological comparison of a poorly known scorpionfish, Parapterois macrura, with a related species, P. heterura (Scorpaenidae: Pteroinae)

Morphological comparison of a poorly known scorpionfish, Parapterois macrura, with a related species, P. heterura (Scorpaenidae: Pteroinae). Zoological Studies 43(1): 1-7. The taxonomic status of a scorpionfish Parapterois macrura (Scorpaenidae: Pteroinae), originally described as Pterois macrura from the Malabar Coast off Calicut, west coast of India by Alcock (1896), has long been in doubt. Comparison of P. macrura collected from Indian waters with a related congener P. heterura (Bleeker, 1856), originally described from Ambon, Indonesia and subsequently collected from the southeast coast of Africa and western Pacific Ocean, revealed that the former was distinguished from P. heterura by the following characters: a scaleless interorbital space, lower counts of longitudinal scale series, greater head and snout lengths and head depth, a shorter tentacle on the posterior spine of the lacrimal, the upper margin of the orbit higher than or level with the base of the first dorsal spine (in lateral view) in adults and top of a bulge on the snout much lower than the ventralmost margin of the orbit (in lateral view) in adults. Morphological changes with growth for both species and populations in P. heterura are also discussed.
Older People's Mobility: Segments, Factors, Trends

Abstract The expanding older population is increasingly diverse with regard to, for example, age, income, location, and health. Within transport research, this diversity has recently been addressed in studies that segment the older population into homogeneous groups based on combinations of various demographic, health-related, or transport-related factors. This paper reviews these studies and compares the segments of older people that different studies have identified. First, as a result of a systematic comparison, we identified four generic segments: (1) an active car-oriented segment; (2) a car-dependent segment, restricted in mobility; (3) a mobile multi-modal segment; (4) and a segment depending on public transport and other services. Second, we examined the single factors used in the reviewed segmentation studies, with focus on whether there is evidence in the literature for the factors’ effect on older people's travel behaviour. Based on this, we proposed a theoretical model on how the different determinants work together to form the four mobility patterns related to the identified segments. Finally, based on current trends and expectations, we assessed which segments are likely to increase or decrease in future generations of older people and what should be done to support the multi-optional and independent mobility of older people.
The Value of Prototypes in the Early Design and Development Process

Prototypes are considered to be efficient tools in engineering design as they help to reveal flaws in ideas and concepts, highlighting problems to be solved. Limited research has been conducted in detail about prototyping activities that have contributed to the increase of designers ideas in the design process. This study explores the use of prototypes to generate more ideas compared to the designers that were not involve with prototypes in design process. It also investigates how prototypes enhance designers idea by involving 45 participants in three separate groups in early ideation and concept development process. The aim of this paper is to explore the ability of prototyping to produce creative and innovative ideas in the conceptual phase of design process. Results indicated that the group of participants who were involved with prototypes in their design process produced more amount of ideas compared to the group who did not use it. It also shows prototypes helps designers to generate more creative and innovative ideas .
Using Social Networking Sites for Teaching and Learning

This study investigates students' involvement in Facebook® as a course management system (CMS), Facebook acceptance, and the relationships between the two. The study used Facebook as a CMS in two freshman courses and employed mixed method as part of an action-research approach. Forty-two students participated in the study, and 12 of those students were selected for face-to-face interviews through maximum variation sampling. Quantitative data were collected through questionnaires and course Facebook page logs. Qualitative data were collected through the interviews. The quantitative data analysis consisted of descriptive statistics and correlation analyses. The findings indicate that the relationships between course Facebook page involvement and Facebook acceptance differed according to the course. The findings support that Facebook as a CMS has the potential to increase student involvement in discussions and out-of-class communication among instructors and students.
The mechanics of deposit removal in kraft recovery boilers

L'enlevement des depots sur la surface exposee aux flammes des chaudieres de recuperation kraft est un probleme complexe impliquant une interaction entre la mecanique des fluides du jet du souffleur de suie et la mecanique des solides des depots. La presente communication discute des effets de la pression de vapeur ainsi que du type de tuyere de soufflage et de sa dimension sur la pression d'impact maximale de la tuyere, le rayon de nettoyage et la consommation de vapeur. Une analyse de la mecanique d'enlevement des depots solides est aussi presentee. Nous avons montre que les principales proprietes d'un depot solide influencant le processus d'enlevement sont la resistance a la traction des depots etla force d'adhesion des depots aux tubes. Des etudes en laboratoire indiquent que ces proprietes sont fortement fonction de la temperature. Le rayon de nettoyage d'un souffleur de suie a n'importe quel endroit d'une chaudiere de recuperation peut etre evalue si les proprietes physiques de dependance des depots sur la temperature et les caracteristiques d'exploitation du souffleur de suie sont connues.
Long-term Predictive Ability of Bankruptcy Models in the Czech Republic: Evidence from 2007-2012

Bankruptcy models are a common tool of financial analysis to predict the financial distress of companies. However, in the recent years, the instability and risk of the overall economic environment have underlined the need for accurate tools to predict bankruptcy and assess the overall performance of companies. In this article, we analyze the ex-ante predictive ability of selected bankruptcy and solvency models commonly used in financial analysis: Kralicek quick test, Taffler model, the IN99 and IN05 indexes, and Altman Z’-score models in the case of Czech companies from 2007 to 2012. We determined the percentage of cases when these models correctly predicted failures of companies up to five years in advance, and found that the IN05 and IN99 credibility indexes provided the best results, as well as the Altman Z’-score model. However, the predictive ability of the Taffler model and Kralicek quicktest has only been limited.
Physical forces constrain the depth distribution of the abundant native mussel Elliptio complanata in lakes

Summary 1. Unionid mussels often account for a large portion of benthic biomass and contribute to nutrient cycling and sediment processes, but are thought to be limited to shallow areas (<2–3 m). 2. The depth distribution and body size of Elliptio complanata were compared in seven Canadian Shield lake basins of different sizes to test what factors determine the upper and lower limit of their depth range. Specifically, I tested whether (i) the upper range of their distribution is limited by exposure to winds and wave action and (ii) the lower range of their distribution is limited by the depth of the thermocline or by the boundary of mud deposition. 3. The average depth distribution of E. complanata shifted to greater depths in larger lake basins. When comparing individual transects, maximum mussel density was found deeper at more exposed sites. Mussel size decreased with increasing depth and was larger, on average, in larger lake basins. These results suggest that physical forces limit the upper range of mussel distribution in lakes. 4. The maximum depth at which mussels were found in different lakes was closely related to thermocline depth. However, mussels were commonly observed below the predicted depth of the mud deposition boundary. The thermocline limits the lower range of mussel distribution in lakes, probably by limiting food availability and by determining water temperature. Substratum type does not limit the lower distribution of mussels. 5. These results suggest that unionid mussels are present in the deeper parts of the littoral zone, especially in large lakes. Therefore, comparisons of mussel populations between sites and between lakes would be biased unless the full depth distribution of these mussels is considered. These results also suggest that long-term changes in the thermal structure of lakes could affect the range of unionid mussel populations and their functional role in littoral ecosystems.
Fuzzy Sliding Mode Controller of DFIG for Wind Energy Conversion

Wind turbine based on Doubly-Fed Induction Generator (DFIG) is gaining in the growing wind market. This paper describes a design method for the fight control of doubly-fed induction generator (DFIG) based on fuzzy sliding mode control, based on the coupling of the fuzzy logic control and sliding mode control. This technique is defined on general, yet detailed. To ensure this requirement a detailed decoupled modeling of DFIG is presented. The relationship between the control parameters and the desired active and reactive power is provided and tested. The main goal achieved by the control strategy is to control the amount of active and reactive power produced by the doubly fed induction generator and injected in the main grid according to the power references derived from turbine’s mechanical power and the grid operator. The results of simulation are conducted to validate the theory and indicate that the control performance of the DFIG is satisfactory and the proposed fuzzy sliding mode control (FSMC) can achieve favorable tracking performance.
An assessment of trends in technology use, innovative work practices and employees’ attitudes in Europe

Several studies of innovative work practices show a positive link with firm performance and employees’ task involvement, organizational commitment and citizenship behaviours. One of the recent changes faced by firms is the introduction of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). Although several empirical studies analyse the links between ICT use, innovative work practices and firm performance, employee-level analyses are scarce. Using data from the European Working Condition Survey (EWCS), this article investigates the relationships between use of the Internet and computers and positive attitudes among employees (social support, job satisfaction, extra effort) in the European context. Our empirical results are based on data for more than 9500 employees from 16 European countries in 2005, and more than 14 000 in 2010. Among the different effects of ICT use, based on the results for the 2005, 2010 and the pooled 2005–2010 sample, and in a within-cohorts change analysis, we find that Internet use is positively related to employees’ job satisfaction and extra effort. We find that computer use is not related to employees’ behaviours. We find also that most of the innovative work practices considered are positively related to employees’ positive attitudes.
THE RELEVANCE OF BALANCED SCORECARD AS A TECHNIQUE FOR ASSESSING PERFORMANCE IN THE NIGERIAN BANKING INDUSTRY

In the recent past, organizations rely solely on financial indicators as the measures of performance. There is the need to integrate financial and non-financial measures of performance and identify key performance measures that link measurements to strategy and Balanced Scorecard is one of such tools because it measures the performance of an organisation from four different angles, namely financial, customer, internal process and learning and growth. However, there appears to be no significant documentation on the translation of BSC in any Nigerian firm that could serve as a reference point for replication in spite of the success already recorded by companies that have implemented it. This study aimed at examining the relevance of BSC as a technique for assessing performance in the Nigerian banking industry. The population of the study comprised the entire 21 banks operating in Gombe State, Nigeria. A judgmental sampling technique was adopted to arrived at the sample of eleven (11) banks. A total of fifty five (55) copies of questionnaire were distributed to the executive staff of the sampled banks (5 each to every selected bank) out of which forty three (43) copies were dully completed and returned. Descriptive statistics and Kruskal Wallis ANOVA was used as the techniques for data analysis. The study concluded that there is recognition of the importance of using BSC by the management of Nigerian banks for assessing performance, and the use of the full structure of BSC comprising its four perspective cannot be seen. The paper recommended that there is the need for more enlightenment of Nigerian bank managers by the academics and practitioners alike on the relevance of BSC in assessing performance of banks in Nigeria.
An empirical examination of stock market integration in EMU

This thesis provides clear empirical evidence that the establishment of the EMU has influenced the stock market integration process within the Euro-area. This is mostly evident across the large four EMU-stock markets: France, Germany, Italy and Netherlands, which appear to be near to perfect integrated after 2001. A considerable influence, but at a lower extent is also found for medium sized markets of Belgium, Finland, Portugal and Spain. Smaller markets such as Greece and Ireland appear to be modestly influenced by the establishment of the EMU, while Austria is the least integrated market within the single currency area. These findings indicate that the stock market integration process remains relatively incomplete for the medium-sized and smaller markets. Thus, the EMU-area cannot yet be considered as a single financial block implying that potential benefits of international portfolio diversification still exist across the EMU countries.
Conditions for Optimal Growth of Black Hole Seeds

Supermassive black holes weighing up to ∼109 M⊙ are in place by z ∼ 7, when the age of the universe is ≲1 Gyr. This implies a time crunch for their growth, since such high masses cannot be easily reached in standard accretion scenarios. Here, we explore the physical conditions that would lead to optimal growth wherein stable super-Eddington accretion would be permitted. Our analysis suggests that the preponderance of optimal conditions depends on two key parameters: the black hole mass and the host galaxy central gas density. In the high-efficiency region of this parameter space, a continuous stream of gas can accrete onto the black hole from large to small spatial scales, assuming a global isothermal profile for the host galaxy. Using analytical initial mass functions for black hole seeds, we find an enhanced probability of high-efficiency growth for seeds with initial masses ≳104 M⊙. Our picture suggests that a large population of high-z lower-mass black holes that formed in the low-efficiency region, with low duty cycles and accretion rates, might remain undetectable as quasars, since we predict their bolometric luminosities to be ≲1041 erg s−1. The presence of these sources might be revealed only via gravitational wave detections of their mergers.
Effects of Dietary Supplementation of Monensin and Soybean Oil on Production of Early Lactating Dairy Cows

Sixteen 7/8 Holstein-Zebu multiparous cows averaging 30 DIM were used in a complete randomized block design with a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement to study the effects of supplementing monensin and/or soybean oil on production of early lactating dairy cows. The experimental period lasted 84 days and was divided in three phases as follows: I 5th to 8th, II 9th to 12th, and III 13th to 16th week of lactation. The following treatments were used: control diet without monensin and soybean oil (CT); diet with 33 ppm of monensin with no soybean oil (MN); diet with 3.9% of the dry matter (DM) as soybean oil with no monensin (OL); or diet with a combination of soybean oil and monensin (OM). Cows were fed twice a day a diet containing 52% of corn silage and 48% of concentrate on DM basis. Although energy intake did not differ across treatments, DMI was reduced on cows fed diets supplemented with soybean oil. Despite similar milk yield among treatments, cows fed diets not supplemented with soybean oil increased both DMI and milk production as lactation advanced while no changes were observed for those fed diets containing soybean oil. Feeding soybean oil to early lactating dairy cows reduced corrected milk yield whereas content of milk fat decreased when either monensin or soybean oil was added to the diet; milk fat content was reduced in phases II and III of lactation on diets with supplemental fat while the opposite was observed on diets with no fat inclusion. Feeding monensin increased milk protein content but milk protein content and yield were both reduced by feeding soybean oil to dairy cows. Diets supplemented with soybean oil had greater feed efficiency but their lower energetic efficiency suggested that energy was switched from milk yield to weight gain in the current trial.