Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fluid structure interaction in piston diaphragm pumps

Piston diaphragm pumps are used world-wide to transport abrasive and/or aggressive slurries against high discharge pressures in the mining, mineral processing and power industries. Limitation of excessive deformation of the diaphragm is of utmost importance for eliminating fatigue failures of the diaphragm and thereby obtaining a high reliability of the piston diaphragm pump. The deformation shape of the diaphragm is the result of a complex 2-way Fluid Structure Interaction (FSI) mechanism within the pump chamber between the propelling fluid, the diaphragm and the pumped slurry. The understanding of this FSI mechanism has improved in the last decades but is still limited. Load and deformation analysis of the diaphragm is currently based quasi-static assumptions. This is however an over-simplification, especially for the larger piston diaphragm pumps used in the mining and mineral processing industries. In these applications, fluid momentum loading by both convective as well as unsteady fluid acceleration become important to consider. For improved analysis of the diaphragm deformation a numerical model is required. The objective of this study is therefore: Development of an experimentally validated numerical Fluid-Structure-Interaction model for the prediction of, operating condition induced, diaphragm deformation in piston diaphragm pumps
Are Reits Real Estate? Evidence from Sector Level Data

The aim of this study is to examine whether securitized real estate returns reflect direct real estate returns or general stock market returns. In contrast to previous research, which has generally relied on overall real estate market indices and neglected the potential long-term dynamics, our econometric evaluation is based on sector level data for the U.S and aims to cater for both the short-term and long-term dynamics of the assets. The use of sector level data is likely to yield more accurate results regarding the linkages between direct and securitized real estate. In addition to the real estate and stock market indices, the analysis includes a number of fundamental variables that are expected to influence real estate and stock returns significantly. We estimate vector error-correction models and investigate the forecast error variance decompositions and impulse responses of the assets. Both the variance decompositions and impulse responses suggest that the long-run REIT market performance is much more closely related to the direct real estate market than to the general stock market. Consequently, REITs and direct real estate should be relatively good substitutes in a long-horizon investment portfolio.
Improving Agricultural Extension Human Resource Capacity in a Decentralized Policy Context: A Ghanaian Case Study

Agricultural extension provision in many developing countries is affected by the quality of the extension staff. To understand the factors that can improve the capacity of extension staff in a decentralized extension context, a single-case study of a successful district level public extension organization in Ghana was studied. To improve the capacity of extension staff, the case study emphasized the importance of combining formal needs-based training and an organizational learning culture. The study suggests that traditional training in technical areas and extension methods is not sufficient in this context. With the shift from a top-down to bottomup management approach, managerial staff need a new training in participatory management and administration. With a cross-sector pluralistic system, they also need training about the mechanisms that will facilitate coordination, collaboration and lobbying within the extension system. Also, with a broader focus and roles of district extension, the field staff would need a broader knowledge base of technical expertise that takes into consideration indigenous knowledge of farmers, and attitudes of searching for knowledge that they do not have, or for seeking out others to provide the necessary knowledge. The study highlighted the importance of fostering an open environment where extension staff feel comfortable to meet, interact, share information and ideas, and motivated to work.
Response of Base-Isolated Liquid Storage Tanks

Seismic response of liquid storage tanks isolated by elastomeric bearings and sliding system is investigated under real earthquake ground motions. The continuous liquid mass of the tank is modeled as lumped masses known as sloshing mass, impulsive mass and rigid mass. The coupled differential equations of motion of the system are derived and solved in the incremental form using Newmark's step-by-step method with iterations. The seismic response of isolated tank is studied to investigate the comparative effectiveness of various isolation systems. A parametric study is also carried out to study the effect of important system parameters on the effectiveness of seismic isolation for liquid storage tanks. The various important parameters considered are: (i) aspect ratio of the tank and (ii) the time period of the isolation systems. It was observed that both elastomeric and sliding systems are found to be effective in reducing the earthquake forces of the liquid storage tanks. However, the elastomeric bearing with lead core is found to perform better in comparison to other systems. Further, an approximate model is proposed for evaluation of seismic response of base-isolated liquid storage tanks. A comparison of the seismic response evaluated by the proposed approximate method and an exact approach is made under different isolation systems and system parameters. It was observed that the proposed approximate analysis provides satisfactory response estimates of the base-isolated liquid storage tanks under earthquake excitation.
The Coyote Lure Operative Device revisited: A fresh look at an old idea

We field-tested the Coyote Lure Operative Device (CLOD), a bait delivery system for coyotes originally conceived by UC Davis researchers in the 1980s. Our objectives were to determine whether free-ranging coyotes would activate CLODs repeatedly when exposed to them over a 12-month period, and whether CLOD activations varied by season. We placed CLODs in pastures with a history of chronic sheep depredation at the UC Hopland Research and Extension Center in Mendocino County. Free-ranging coyotes activated the CLODs repeatedly, but more CLODs were activated during the winter months than at other times of the year. Our study suggests that the CLOD has the potential to become an important tool for managing coyote predation on livestock when used to deliver contraceptive or predacide baits.
MODELING THE WATER BALANCE PROCESSES FOR UNDERSTANDING THE COMPONENTS OF RIVER DISCHARGE IN A NON-CONSERVATIVE WATERSHED

The study was conducted in the Shibetsu watershed, eastern Hokkaido, Japan, to examine the possibility of using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model in a non-conservative watershed (the surface watersheds are lying on a discontinuous impervious horizon) with external contribution (EXT). After confirming the capability of model simulation, the EXT was estimated to understand the components of river discharge. The EXT is difficult to measure directly and simulate by SWAT due to its subsurface circulation. In this study, the EXT was roughly estimated from the water balance equation using measured data. The average daily flux of EXT (1.38 mm d-1) was assumed as a point-source discharge in SWAT. The simulation of daily streamflow during the calibration and validation periods produced satisfactory results, with R2 values of 0.65 and 0.66, respectively. In addition, the simulated daily baseflow, monthly streamflow, surface runoff, and evapotranspiration (ET) all showed good agreement with the corresponding observations. Our simulation suggested that the EXT assigned as the assumed discharge in SWAT can help us to reasonably simulate the streamflow in the Shibetsu watershed. The EXT was then investigated indirectly by considering the difference between the observed streamflow and simulated streamflow using calibrated SWAT without adding the assumed EXT. The result indicated that the EXT was an important water source in the Shibetsu watershed, accounting for 47% of streamflow during the study period.
Use of Immunofluorescence with Frozen Sections for the Detection of Vitellogenin Year-2 Class Natural Population Rainbow Trout-A Preliminary Investigation

Vitellogenin (VTG) is an egg yolk precursor protein produced in the liver in response to estrogen and is taken up by the oocytes of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) by receptor-mediated endocytosis. It is a useful biomarker which can be detected in blood plasma using an enzyme-linked-immunosorbent assay (ELISA) by using primary and secondary antibodies to detect the protein. This study utilized 12 juvenile male and female rainbow trout, to develop and test a new method as a hybrid of frozen section histology and ELISA to directly detect VTG within gonad tissue using immunofluorescence (IF). Frozen sections of gonads fluoresced bright yellow within Medium Stage IV cells, indicating the presence of VTG within the developing oocytes. Paraffin and frozen histology sections were also compared for efficacy and quality. The two methods produced similar results, however frozen sectioning was faster and the tissue was better preserved when viewed under the microscope. Paraffin provided excellent color contrast, but the tissue exhibited more damage when compared to the frozen sections. Use of frozen sections to examine morphology and IF to detect VTG in rainbow trout gonadal cells proved to be effective for analyzing VTG at the tissue level.
Prediction of biomarker miRNAs signature in colorectal cancer metastasis to liver cancer

Introduction:microRNAs (miRNAs) are frequently dysregulated in colorectal cancer (CRC) primary tumors vs. metastasic to the liver.Objective:Our aim was to prediction of biomarker miRNAs signature of CRC Metastasis to liver cancer.Material and Methods:mRNA and miRNA expression profiles of CRC primary tumors to metastases formed in the liver were downloaded from NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. miRNAs targets were predicted using Targetscan algorithm. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway and Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis were performed using DAVID online tool, since mRNA expression profile of liver and colon cancer primary tumors vs. metastasis to the liver were used in background of these analysis.Results:43 and 58 down- and up-regulated miRNAs were obtained from GSE98406 (p-value < 0.05). mRNA expression profile include of 1,048 mRNAs differentially expressed in metastatic and non-metastatic CRC to liver from GSE40367 (p-value < 0.05). The some of the down-regulated miRNAs were significantly enriched in migration signaling and cancer stem cell signaling. Moreover, the some of the up-regulated miRNAs were significantly enriched in negative regulation of cell migration.Conclusions:Some of the miRNAs are many number of target genes that some of these are oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. It is concluded that differentially expressed miRNAs in metastatic vs. non-metastatic CRC to the liver take part in cell migration and cancer stem cell signaling pathways.
The cost of price de-linkages between European gas hubs

The growth of trading activity on Europe’s gas hubs and access to anonymised OTC price data provides the OIES Gas Programme with the opportunity to analyse and draw conclusions on issues of direct relevance to policy makers and market participants. With 2014 data available, the objective of this paper is primarily to explore the extent to which conclusions reached in the Author’s previous papers have changed. As trading volumes and liquidity increase one would expect to see price correlations across market geography improve, and indeed this is the general trend observed in this paper. Of equal interest however are the anomalies to this trend which may be one-off or recurrent in nature. Beatrice identifies such ‘de-linkages’ and with reference to the work of market monitoring groups and using data on infrastructure capacities and flowrates which has recently become more widely available, applies a forensic approach to assessing the prime causes for such episodes – whether due to physical or contractual congestion. With the IGU’s annual price survey data available at a national market level, a measure of the financial impact on consumers of such price de-linkages is also estimated, helping to focus the minds of policy makers on appropriate actions to ensure the free flow of gas across interconnection points. As the future pattern of gas flows inevitably changes over time, due to LNG import level fluctuations, pipeline import patterns changing and a more diverse supply pattern from the European core to eastern Europe and indeed Ukraine, we should expect this to be a continuing and dynamic challenge.
Designing a Model of Consumer Purchase Behavior towards Domestic Brands of Sports Apparel

Iran's apparel market is currently filled with foreign brands that are generally ranked as high quality goods with high prices. With a surface examination of the apparel market and customers’ opinions, it can be concluded that Iranian apparel, despite having lower prices, is not in a suitable status in comparison with its foreign counterparts. Accordingly, the purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of individual characteristics and brand-specific features, and finally design a model of consumer purchase behavior towards domestic brands of sports apparel that are available in the Iran market. The method of this study is descriptive-correlational and in terms of the aim, is applicable. The statistical population of the study consisted of sports experts. 141 individuals as sample size were studied out of 220 individuals of the population. A questionnaire used by Kumar, Kim, and Pelton (2009) was also used to collect the data, and the validity of the model and the relationship between the studied variables was supported by the techniques of structural equation modeling. The research findings showed that self-concept of individuals has no role in their orientation towards domestic brands of sports apparel, but need for uniqueness was effective on individual’s orientation towards brand. On the other hand, brand orientation also had positive impact on both emotional value and perceived quality of domestic brands of sports apparel. Also, according to the findings, increasing brand orientation did not increase their purchase intention. All the dimensions of brand in this study, both perceived quality and emotional value had significant positive impact on consumer’s purchase intention towards domestic brands of sports apparel.
The problem with self-management: Problematising self-management and power using a Foucauldian lens in the context of stroke care and rehabilitation

Self-management is a concept which is now firmly established in Western healthcare policy and practice. However, the term remains somewhat ambiguous, multi-faceted and contentious. This is evident in stroke care and rehabilitation, in which a self-management approach is increasingly adopted and advocated, yet interpreted in different ways, resulting in contradictions and tensions around control, responsibility, power and discipline. This paper aims to further our understanding of tensions and contradictions in stroke self-management, by critically examining contemporary self-management practices. We use a Foucauldian theoretical lens to explore the various power dynamics in the operationalisation of self-management, in addition to the complexity of the term self-management itself. Conducting a secondary analysis of interview and focus group data from the Self-Management VOICED study, supplemented with analysis of relevant documentary evidence from policy and practice, we describe the multiple aspects of power in operation. These include rhetorical, hierarchical, personal and mutual forms of power, representing interweaving dynamics evident in the data. These aspects of power demonstrate underlying agendas and tacit and explicit understandings of self-management which exist in clinical practice. These aspects of power also give insight into the multiple identities of ‘self-management’, acting as a simultaneous repressor and liberator, directly in keeping with Foucauldian thinking. The findings are also consistent with Foucault’s notions of bodily docility, discussions around governance and biopower, and contemporary discipline. Our analysis positions self-management as a highly nuanced and complex concept, which can fluctuate in its conceptualisation depending on the structures, routines, and the individual. We encourage healthcare professionals, policymakers and commissioners in the field of self-management to reflect on these complexities, to make transparent their assumptions and to explicitly position their own practice accordingly.
Effect of Germination on Functional Properties and Degree of Starch Gelatinization of Sorghum Flour

Sorghum grains were germinated for 24, 48 and 72 hours with a view to determining the effect of germination on some functional properties and degree of starch gelatinization of the flour. Flour from non-germinated grains served as control. In order to measure the effect of germination on degree of starch gelatinization, the flours were processed into cookies. Germination of sorghum grains for 48 hours and above significantly (p<0.05) decreased both loose and packed bulk densities from 0.59 g/ml and 0.77 g/ml to 0.56 g/ml and 0.70 g/ml respectively. The water absorption capacity of the sample germinated for 72 hours was 1.38 g/g which was significantly (p<0.05) higher than the other samples. The oil absorption capacity of the samples germinated for 48 and 72 hours (1.16 and 1.18 g/g respectively) were significantly (p<0.05) higher than those of the control sample and 24 hour germination (1.03 and 1.04g/g respectively). Germination also significantly (p<0.05) increased the swelling power (22-23.2 ml/g), foaming capacity (14-16.2%) and emulsion capacity (58.6-65.5%). The degree of starch gelatinization increased with increasing germination time but decreased with increasing temperature. Generally, germination had a beneficial effect on the functional properties measured. Flour obtained from sorghum grains germinated for 72 hours had the best results.
Hiring and Escalation Bias in Subjective Performance Evaluations: A Laboratory Experiment

In many organizations the measurement of job performance can not rely on easily quantifiable information. In such cases, supervising managers often use subjective performance evaluations. We use laboratory experiments to study whether the way employees are assigned to a manager affects managers’ and co-employees’ subjective evaluations of employees. Employees can either be hired by the manager, explicitly not hired by him and nevertheless assigned to him or exogenously assigned to him. We present data from three different treatments. For all three we find escalation bias both by managers and by co-employees. Managers exhibit a positive bias towards those employees they have hired or a negative one towards those they have explicitly not hired. Managers’ and employees’ biases are connected. Exogenously assigned employees are biased in favor of employees hired by the manager and against those explicitly not hired.
Fabrication and Characteristics of Chitosan Non-woven Fabric developed using only water as plasticizer

This article describes a method for producing chitosan non-woven fabrics by just hot pressing without the use of a binder. A study has been made of the wet spinning of chitosan fiber. The fibers were rinsed thoroughly in running water and chopped wet into staples of with a length of approximately 5-10 mm. The chopped chitosan staples were dis- persed uniformly in water and fabricated using a non-woven making machine. This study examined the formation and the characteristics of chitosan non-woven fabrics manufactured by hot pressing without the use of a binder. The effects of the non-woven fabrication conditions on the thermal, morphological, structural, and physical properties of chitosan non-woven fabric with and without water as a plasticizer were studied. The temperature of the exothermic peak, decomposition of chitosan fibers increased with increasing heating rate. Water in the chitosan fiber effectively plasticized the chitosan fiber. The thermal bonded structure of the wet chitosan fiber with water as a plasticizer was clearly found in many parts of the non-woven fabric at a fabrication temperature of 200 o C. The intensity and profile of the (100) plane(2θ =1 0.2 o ) and (040) plane(2θ =2 0.9 o ) in the chitosan non-woven fabric decreases and became smooth in the non-woven fabric formation by melting.
Adeles and the spectrum of compact nilmanifolds.

Let G be a nilpotent Lie group and Γ a discrete cocompact subgroup of G. A basic problem in harmonic analysis is to determine the structure of L 2 (G/Γ). We apply adelic techniques to determine the decomposition of L 2 (G/Γ). To do so, we first develop a "ratio-nal" Kirillov theory for the adele group GΆ Once this is done, the decomposition and multiplicity formulas follow from elementary con-siderations.
Integrating online learning in NSW secondary schools : three schools' perspectives on ICT adoption

This report examines factors associated with integration of online learning in Sydney region high schools. Past studies have shown that schools can be identified as operating at a certain level of use - ranging from non-use, through stages such as entry, and adaptation, arriving at transformation - when a focus on technology shifts to a focus on the learner. This report highlights several factors affecting the use of online learning in Sydney high schools, including systemic factors such as institutional support, as well as micro factors such as teacher capability. After questionnaires and interviews conducted with computer coordinators during 2009, it was found that immediate school factors such as school support and focus on pedagogy were perceived as being more important than broader systemic factors.
The Effects of a Temporary Migration Shock: Evidence from the Arab Spring Migration Through Italy

This study estimates the short-term effects of migration on employment of native workers in Italy using the exogenous, unanticipated and temporary migration resulting from the Arab Spring. While migration does not have overall effects on native employment, I find significant and offsetting short-term effects across industries. In negatively affected sectors, I estimate quarterly displacement effects that range between 0.68 and 0.8 displaced natives for every immigrant hired. The positive employment effects are consistent with a rise in sectoral employment operating through increased demand from immigrants. Both positive and negative effects on employment tend to dissipate over time.