Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Consistent Petrov-Galerkin finite element simulation of channel flows

Navier-Stokes fluid flows in curved channels are considered. Upstream of the backward-facing step, there exists a channel with a 90° bend and a fixed curvature of 2.5. The purpose of conducting this study was to apply a finite element code to study the effect of the distorted upstream velocity profile developing over the bend on laminar expansion flows behind the step. The size of the eddies formed downstream of the step is addressed. The present work employs primitive velocities, which stagger the pressure working variable, to assure satisfaction of the inf-sup stability condition. In quadratic elements, spatial derivatives are approximated within the consistent Petrov-Galerkin finite element framework. Use of this method aids stability in the sense that artificial damping is solely added to the direction parallel to the flow direction. Through analytical testing, in conjunction with two other benchmark tests, the integrity of applying the computer code in quadratic elements is verified
Polar mesosphere winter echoes during MaCWAVE

During the MaCWAVE winter campaign in Jan- uary 2003, layers of enhanced echo power known as PMWE (Polar Mesosphere Winter Echoes) were detected by the ESRAD 52 MHz radar on several occasions. The cause of these echoes is unclear and here we use observations by meteorological and sounding rockets and by lidar to test whether neutral turbulence or aerosol layers might be respon- sible. PMWE were detected within 30 min of meteorolog- ical rocket soundings (falling spheres) on 5 separate days. The observations from the meteorological rockets show that, in most cases, conditions likely to be associated with neu- tral atmospheric turbulence are not observed at the heights of the PMWE. Observations by instrumented sounding rockets confirm low levels of turbulence and indicate considerable small-scale structure in charge density profiles. Compari- son of falling sphere and lidar data, on the other hand, show that any contribution of aerosol scatter to the lidar signal at PMWE heights is less than the detection threshold of about 10%.
Estimating the short run effects of South Africa's Employment Tax Incentive on youth employment probabilities using a difference-in-differences approach

What effect did the introduction of the Employment Tax Incentive (ETI) have on youth employment probabilities in South Africa in the short run? The ETI came into effect on the 1st of January 2014. Its purpose is to stimulate youth employment levels and ease the challenges that many youth experience in finding their first jobs. Under the ETI, firms that employ youth are eligible to claim a deduction from their taxes due, for the portion of their wage bill that is paid to certain groups of youth employees. We utilize nationally representative Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) data for the period from January 2011 to June 2014, and implement a difference-in-differences methodology at the individual level to identify the effects of the ETI on youth employment probabilities. Our primary finding is that the ETI did not have any statistically significant and positive effects on youth employment probabilities. The point estimate from our preferred regression is -0.005 and the 95% confidence interval is from -0.017 to 0.006. We thus obtain a fairly precisely estimated 'zero effect'. We also find no evidence that the ETI has resulted in an increase in the level of churning in the labour market for youth. What our results imply is that any decrease in tax revenues that arise from the ETI are effectively accruing to firms which, collectively, would have employed most of these youth even in the absence of the ETI. We conclude with a discussion of some of the policy implications of our findings.
Wake characteristics of time trial helmets using PIV-3 C technique

1-4: Institute of Movement Sciences, ISM Wind Tunnel Platform UMR6233 CNRS and University of Mediterranee, CP 918, F-13288 Marseille Cedex 09, France 1: chabroux@crans.org, 2: nsi-mba@univmed.fr, 3: patrick.sainton@univmed.fr, 4: daniel.favier@univmed.fr _______________________________________________________________________________________ Abstract The paper focuses on stereoscopic PIV-3C measurements performed to investigate the vortical flow generated in the wake of helmets dedicated to Time Trial (TT) stages. The objective is to characterize the wake flow of TT helmet shapes and to provide the characteristics of the wake generated by different streamlined helmet geometries. The study specifically aims to provide detailed flow databases on helmet wakes in order to improve our understanding to identify efficient factors that may provide an efficient drag force reduction. Experiments are carried out in the ISM wind tunnel at a freestream velocity close to 14 ms. The use of a laser light technique does not allow testing on human and PIV measurements are thus performed on a rigid articulated mannequin (full scale 1/1) installed on the bicycle. The ensemble mannequin-bicycle is mounted on a force measurement platform in the wind tunnel. The posture of the articulated mannequin is specified by different geometrical parameters (hands, elbows and arms positions; head, trunk and back inclinations, .) which are deduced from previous tests conducted on real cyclists operating in identical flow conditions within the test section. Such mannequin-bicycle flow configurations are thus representative of real ones and take into account the aerodynamic interactions occuring between all parts of the cyclist’s body, the bicycle and the flow environment. For a given helmet geometry installed on the mannequin-bicycle flow configuration, the helmet wake is surveyed. Velocity fields are determined in Zplanes normal to the uniform free-stream and at different distance Z from the helmet trailing edge, ranging from Z=70mm to Z=370mm in the downstream wake. The wake characteristics (height hs, width ls, surface S) as well as the axial velocity deficit (DW), are then used to quantify the momentum (Qs=S.DW) contained in the wake and thus to determine the drag force contribution (Fs=k.Qs) produced by the helmet geometry. Such wake data allow to discriminate the streamlined geometries and to define helmet characteristics suited for future TT helmets design. Main conclusions deduced from present results indicate that : (1) external helmet dimensions must be minimized, (2) the trailing edge must not be smoothed, and (3) contour discontinuities on the rear part must be banned. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Compensatory Efforts for Body Dissatisfaction: Some Gender and Ethnic Differences

Traditionally, research has characterized body dissatisfaction as occurring primarily among EuroAmerican women, although conflicting results exist. Using analysis of variance and chi-square analyses, the present study examined gender and ethnic differences in body dissatisfaction and externalizing compensatory behaviors (i.e., dieting, diet pill use, diet shake use) and desire to alter physical appearance via plastic surgery in a diverse sample of undergraduate college students (N = 82). Results indicated that more women than men diet, use diet aids, and endorse a desire for plastic surgery. No gender differences in body satisfaction were found. In terms of ethnic differences, Hispanic Ameri- cans endorsed less body satisfaction than other ethnic groups. No ethnic differences were identified in externalizing compensatory behaviors. These results suggest that body dissatisfaction is not exclusive to EuroAmerican women. Although male gender and non-EuroAmerican ethnicity were previously thought to be potential buffers against body dissatisfaction, the present study suggests the need to reexamine these assumptions.
Biocontrol of Botrytis cinerea by successful introduction of Pantoea ananatis in the grapevine phyllosphere

Background and aims: The fungus Botrytis cinerea is a common problem in viticulture and leads to serious losses in both yield and quality. The objective was to study the potential of the antagonist Pantoea ananatis BLBT1-08 for controlling this disease. Methods: Pathogen suppression by Pantoea treatments was investigated in different field trials and in detached leaf assays. The mode of action was studied by confocal laser scanning microscopy of treated grape leaves and by in vitro assays. Results: The introduction of P. ananatis BLBT1-08 in a 3-year field trial resulted in statistically significant reduction of disease symptoms. However, B. cinerea abundance, measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction of a B. cinerea specific gene, was not reduced when compared to non-treated, symptom-free leaves. A DsRed fluorescent protein labeled BLBT1-08 strain showed a high phyllosphere competence and competition on the leaf surface, but did not colonize the inner parts of plant tissue. Germination of B. cinerea was not inhibited by BLBT1-08 on the leaf, but mycelial growth and symptoms were suppressed without direct pathogen-antagonist contact. The antimicrobial activity was amino acid and temperature dependent. Conclusion: P. ananatis BLBT1-08 is a competitive and promising biocontrol agent for the control of B. cinerea and is highly effective at reducing disease incidence.
Plasma A b peptides and apolipoprotein E in sporadic Alzheimer ’ s disease and mild cognitive impairment

Introduction: Plasma Ab levels have been examined in sporadic Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients yielding conflicting results. Some studies showed no difference between plasma concentrations of Ab1–42 and Ab1–40 in sporadic cases of AD as compared to controls, others found increased levels of Ab1–42 in at least some AD patients. The results of several recent studies suggest that elevated plasma Ab1–42 levels may be detected several years before the onset of symptoms, though the value of that effect in predicting progression to dementia in mildly cognitively impaired (MCI) subjects is not known. Finally, it’s been proposed that plasma Ab levels increase merely with age and are neither sensitive nor specific for AD or MCI. Material and method: Levels of Ab1–40 and Ab1–42 were measured in plasma from 54 patients with AD, 39 subjects with MCI and 35 controls using a commercially available ELISA. Results: Mean plasma Ab1–42 levels were significantly higher in MCI as compared to both AD (p<0.001) and control subjects (p<0.001) while levels of Ab1–40 did not differ between the groups. In contrast to some earlier reports no correlations were observed between Ab species levels and age or MMSE scores. However, Ab1–42 were significantly lower in subjects carrying at least one apoliprotein e4 allele. Employing ROC curve analysis we found that the maximum accuracy in discriminating MCI versus both controls and AD subjects has been achieved using a cut-off value of 3.8. Conclusions: Mean plasma levels of Ab peptides differ between AD, MCI and control subjects though their usefulness in the differential diagnosis of AD is doubtful. Further studies are needed to establish the value of Ab peptides levels in identifying patients with MCI and (possibly) in prediction of their progression to clinically overt AD.
Multitask Machine Learning for Financial Forecasting

In this paper we propose a new neural networks based regularization method requiring only 4 additional hyperparameter and that can be easily injected in any machine learning architecture. It is based on the use of auxiliary loss functions designed to appropriately learn data momenta. Our approach can be used both for classification and regression problems. A comparative analysis with real time series will be provided concerning cryptocurrency data, showing improvements in accuracy of about 5% with respect to existing approaches, without requiring additional training data or further parameters. The presented approach constitutes an innovative, new step towards the statistical moments oriented regularization scheme for statistical forecasting. Keywords— Machine learning, deep learning, neural networks, forecasting, multitask learning, cryptocurrency.
Gravitational Field of a Condensed Matter Model of the Sun: The Space Breaking Meets the Asteroid Strip

This seminal study deals with the exact solution of Einstein's field equations for a sphere of incompressible liquid without the additional limitation initially introduced in 1916 by Karl Schwarzschild, according to which the space-time metric must have no singularities. The obtained exact solution is then applied to the Universe, the Sun, and the planets, by the assumption that these objects can be approximated as spheres of incompressible liquid. It is shown that gravitational collapse of such a sphere is permitted for an object whose characteristics (mass, density, and size) are close to the Universe. Meanwhile, there is a spatial break associated with any of the mentioned stellar objects: the break is determined as the approaching to infinity of one of the spatial components of the metric tensor. In particular, the break of the Sun's space meets the Asteroid strip, while Jupiter's space break meets the Asteroid strip from the outer side. Also, the space breaks of Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars are located inside the Asteroid strip (inside the Sun's space break).
Impact of Free Charges on Polarization and Pyroelectricity in Antiferrodistortive Structures and Surfaces Induced by a Flexoelectric Effect

Landau-Ginzburg-Devonshire theory has been used to show that the combined effect of flexoelectricity and rotostriction can lead to a spontaneous polarization and pyroelectricity in the vicinity of antiphase boundaries, structural twin walls, surfaces, and interfaces in the octahedrally tilted phase of otherwise non-ferroelectric SrTiO3. In particular, the spontaneous polarization reaches the values ∼0.1–5μC/cm2 at the SrTiO3 antiphase boundaries and twins without free charges. In the current study we consider the contribution of free charges and show that the spontaneous polarization reaches the values ∼1–5μC/cm2 in the case. Pyroelectric coefficients also strongly increase allowing for the free charges.
Effects of stage of lactation on protein metabolism in dairy cows

Forty-two lactating dairy cows were used to determine the interaction between folic acid and methionine dietary supplementation on protein metabolism at 6 and 25 weeks of lactation. Treatments were tested according to a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement, with two levels of methionine (0 vs 18 g of rumen protected methionine) and three levels of folic acid (0, 3, or 6 mg/d per kg of BW of pteroylmonoglutamic acid), equally distributed in 7 blocks of 6 cows each. Whole body leucine kinetics were determined using a constant infusion of L[1-13C]leucine (1.8 mmol/h). Neither milk production, protein yield or leucine kinetics were affected by treatments. Milk production (45.5 to 35.4 ± 0.85 kg/d) and protein yield (1.43 vs 1.22 ± 0.028 kg/d) were higher (both P<0.001) at 6 vs 25 weeks of lactation. However, total whole body leucine irreversible loss rate was not affected by stage of lactation, but fractional oxidation increased as lactation advanced (0.136 vs 0.156 ± 0.0065; P=0.03). Whole body protein synthesis was not affected by the stage of lactation (4.14 and 4.08 ± 0.091 kg/d), but the partition of this synthesis was altered, with 0.453 vs 0.403 ± 0.0095 (P<0.001) of leucine used for protein synthesis directed towards milk output. However, absolute rates of non-milk protein synthesis were not affected by the stage of lactation. Although concentrations of IGF-1, insulin and somatotropin varied with stage of lactation, they did not correlate with protein metabolism. In the dairy cow, the high demand for milk production still represents an important portion of the leucine used for protein synthesis until mid-late lactation.
Retrieval of the aerosol direct radiative effect over clouds from spaceborne spectrometry

[1] The solar radiative absorption by an aerosol layer above clouds is quantified using passive satellite spectrometry from the ultraviolet (UV) to the shortwave infrared (SWIR). UV-absorbing aerosols have a strong signature that can be detected using UV reflectance measurements, even when above clouds. Since the aerosol extinction optical thickness decreases rapidly with increasing wavelength for biomass burning aerosols, the properties of the clouds below the aerosol layer can be retrieved in the SWIR, where aerosol extinction optical thickness is sufficiently small. Using radiative transfer computations, the contribution of the clouds to the reflected radiation can be modeled for the entire solar spectrum. In this way, cloud and aerosol effects can be separated for a scene with aerosols above clouds. Aerosol microphysical assumptions and retrievals are avoided by modeling only the pure (aerosol-free) cloud spectra. An algorithm was developed using the spaceborne spectrometer Scanning Imaging Absorption Spectrometer for Atmospheric Chartography (SCIAMACHY). The aerosol direct radiative effect (DRE) over clouds over the South Atlantic Ocean west of Africa, averaged through August 2006 was found to be 23 ± 8 Wm−2 with a mean variation over the region in this month of 22 Wm−2. The largest aerosol DRE over clouds found in that month was 132 ± 8 Wm−2. The algorithm can be applied to any instrument, or a combination of instruments, that measures UV, visible and SWIR reflectances at the top of the atmosphere (TOA) simultaneously.
Microenterprise, Multinational Business Support, and Poverty Alleviation in South Africa's Informal Economy

The authors examine corporate programs that support microenterprise development in Africa. Specifically, the analysis assesses the extent to which local income and sales are affected by Coca-Cola's initiatives to assist South Africa's microenterprise in the retail trade sector. To quantify the impact, questionnaires were obtained from owners of small-scale retail establishments in the country's vast informal economy. Regression analysis is performed on key variables from the survey, testing hypotheses advanced to explain the size of an owner's income and sales. In addition to business development support, the explanatory variables include startup capital, size, and male/female ownership. It appears that business development support has a positive effect on lifting income and reducing poverty for microenterprise owners, after controlling for other influences.
Régression PLS et applications

La regression PLS permet de relier un ensemble de variables dependantes Y = {Y 1 ,. ,Y P } a un ensemble de variables independantes X = {X 1 ,. ,X M } lorsque le nombre de variables independantes et/ou dependantes est eleve. La regression PLS consiste a effectuer une analyse en composantes principales de l'ensemble de variables X sous la contrainte que les (pseudo-)composantes principales des X j soient aussi «explicatives» que possible de l'ensemble de variables Y. Il est alors possible de predire les Y k a partir des X j en separant mieux le signal (ce qui est synthetique, structure, commun aux donnees) du bruit (ce qui est plus specifique a l'echantillon de donnees etudie). Nous presentons la regression PLS d'un point de vue «analyse des donnees», puis exposons deux applications industrielles, l'une realisee au Centre de Recherches d'Aubervilliers et l'autre au Centre d'Industrialisation de Decines de Rhone-Poulenc. Enfin nous montrons comment utiliser la regression PLS usuelle lorsque les donnees sont qualitatives
Flipped Gaming: The Teachers Role When Using the Students as Content Providers

In order to activate students and make them active contributors in a class, the concept of “Flipped Classroom” has been used at several Universities, also at The Inland University of Applied Sciences Norway. Flipping the classroom and making the students contribute, and being active, has supported the students learning outcome. Generally, when using games for learning, the game scenario is either decided by the lecturer/teacher, or defined by the designers and/or producers of the game used. In this paper we will explore how the teachers/lecturers role changes when the scenarios to be played in the game environment are defined and developed by the students themselves. The methodological approach is mainly qualitative and the data are observations from gaming sessions, minutes from review processes and interviews with faculty staff responsible for the course. The paper will present how the lecturer/teacher changes role from being the center of attention and the provider of knowledge, to a facilitator that both empower the students and enables the students to contribute towards developing increased understanding and enhanced learning outcome. By enabling the students to contribute in such a way, the support towards the reflection processes described by Donald Schön in his work “The reflective practitioner” from 1991, is being supported in all stages. The reflection before action is when they discuss and agree on scenario, they need to reflect in action upon action, and they need to reflect on action when finished gaming. These reflection processes need to be facilitated in order to support the learning process and when flipping the gaming, this is one of the roles of the facilitator; the lecturer/teacher. The paper will present a project called “Seed corn 2017 – Pedagogical Use of Games in Crisis Management Education”, using a course at The Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Campus Rena, Norway, and the results from the research.
The Impact Of Brand Awareness On Market Brand Performance Of Service Brands: Contextual Consideration of Kenya’s Banking Industry

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of brand awareness on market brand performance in the services sector within the context of a developing economy, in particular the banking industry in Kenya. The study was necessitated by lack of empirical evidence from a developing economy's context linking brand awareness measures from the perspective of the customer and brand market performance measures from the brand managers' perspective. The study adopted ap ositivist, quantitative research design, with cross-sectional field survey data collection method. Data were collected from stratifies, randomly selected sample of 347 consumers of financial services of 35 commercial banks in Kenya and 35 senior managers of these banks.Correlation analysis was conducted to investigate the impact of brand awareness variables on market brand performance. The study finds that brand recall and brand recognition are positively and significantly correlated, and that brand recall and overall brand awareness are significant predictors of market brand performance. However, brand recognition has no significant correlation with market brand performance.These results suggest that marketing/brand managers should continue to develop and implement effective brand awareness campaigns in order to attract and enhance consumers’ attention towards their brands and thus enhance market brand performance. Keywords: Brand Awareness; Brand Recall; Brand Recognition; Market Brand, Brand Performance.