Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Equicontinuous actions of semisimple groups

We study equicontinuous actions of semisimple groups and some generalizations. We prove that any such action is universally closed, and in particular proper. We derive various applications, both old and new, including closedness of continuous homomorphisms, nonexistence of weaker topologies, metric ergodicity of transitive actions and vanishing of matrix coefficients for reflexive (more generally: WAP) representations.
Physical interpretation of the NGC 7469 UV/X-ray variability

We present a re-analysis of the simultaneous ∼30 day IUE/XTE observation of NGC 7469 done in 1996. Our main progress in this paper, in comparison to previous spectral analyses (Nandra et al. 1998, 2000), is to adopt and fit directly to the data a detailed model of the Comptonized spectrum. This firstly allows one to fit simultaneously the data from the UV to the hard X-ray band in a self-consistent way and secondly it gives direct constraints on the physical parameters of the disc-corona system, like the temperature and optical depth of the corona. Our results are completely consistent with a slab geometry where all the observed UV emission is supposed to cross the corona but more photon-starved geometries also give acceptable fits. Whatever the geometry, the UV seed photon emission appears to be dominated by the reprocessing of the X-rays. We also found very interesting correlations between the different model parameters, the most important one being the anticorrelation between the corona temperature kT e and the UV flux F U V . Such an anticorrelation is clearly inconsistent with a fixed disc-corona configuration and suggests a variation of the geometry of the system. We also find a correlation between the corona optical depth and the X-ray flux which may reflect processes linked to the corona formation. During the observations, NGC 7469 appears to accrete near its Eddington limit. This source could then be an example of magnetically dominated disc-corona system as recently proposed by Merloni (2003). Finally, these data strongly support the presence of a pair free corona.
Determinants of Banking Sector Profitability in Zimbabwe

The study sought to establish the determinants of banking sector profitability in Zimbabwe during the period 2009-2014. The study specifically looked at the evolution and determinants of banking sector profitability after Zimbabwe adopted a multicurrency system. Employing the fixed effects panel regression models the study shows that banking sector profitability in Zimbabwe is driven by the quality of decisions made by bank management with regard to liquidity risk, credit risk, asset composition and management, expense management and capital size. The results implies that profitability of the Zimbabwean banking sector can be improved by increasing the quality of the assets, improving expense management, improving liquidity and capital levels. The study confirms that bank managers have a significant role in shaping the profitability of the sector.
Availability and quality of herbivore winter browse in relation to tree height and snow depth

The vertical distribution of biomass, nutrients, and concentrations of secondary defence compounds in the current annual growth of the main winter forage trees (birch and willows) of herbivores was studied in the mountain range of northern Scandinavia. In addition, forage availability in relation to snow accumulation was studied through-out winter. The quantity and quality of forage improved with the height of the trees, i.e. biomass and nitrogen concentrations increased, and ﬁ bre decreased. The concentration of defensive compounds increased with height for willow, but decreased for birch. Shoots of willow were of better quality than of birch. The negative effect of the higher levels of total defensive compounds in birch may to some extent be balanced by their higher nutrient content and total forage biomass as compared with that of willow, how-ever willow had more available biomass within the heights browsed by herbivores. Although snow accumulation had signiﬁ cant effects on forage availability, the effects within the entire height range browsed by herbivores were small.
The effects of harvest intensity and seedbed type on germination and cumulative survivorship of white spruce and balsam fir in northwestern Quebec

The effects of different harvest intensities, including uncut, 1/3 and 2/3 partial cuts, clearcuts with and without slash, were investigated on the germination and cumulative survivorship of white spruce and balsam fir over 2 consecutive years. We also investigated the regenerative capacity of both species on three different seedbeds across all harvest intensities. The seedbeds included were mineral, humus, and organic soil. At the germination stage, both species were strongly affected by seedbed type (p < 0.032). The germination rates of fir seeds in partial cuts were significantly greater than clearcut treatments, but spruce remained unaffected at this stage by harvest intensity. The addition of slash improved the germination rates of fir relative to the clear-cut plots without slash. The germination rates the following year were reduced on mineral soil for spruce. The cumulative survivorship at the end of the third summer still showed a significant seedbed response for both species (p < 0.007) and a significant harvest response for fir (p < 0.005). The cumulative survivorship of the second fir cohort was no longer affected by either harvest or seedbed type. Spruce, however, was still affected by seedbed type (p = 0.006). The data from this study provide us with a more detailed description of the fate of cohorts recruited following a harvest operation. Still, what remains to be studied is the fate of these cohorts over the next 5-10 years.
Adsorbent Particle Design for Application in Gas Adsorption Processes

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are novel materials that are showing great potential for different applications and in particular for gas adsorption-based separation processes. MOFs have been subject to a growing scientific interest due to their particular framework versatility and also because they have higher porosity and surface areas in comparison to other traditional adsorbents. Since these materials are relatively new, they are still only mostly studied in their primary powder form. To further study the feasibility of application of MOFs in gas adsorption processes such as Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA), these must be shaped into body like forms, such as pellets or extrudates. One particular MOF, aluminum terephthalate (MIL-53(Al)) has a very high surface area with a great capacity to adsorb a large amount of gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2). Due to its characteristics there is interest in further studying this material in gas adsorption processes. Therefore, the objective of this work is to shape MIL-53(Al) with different techniques and study the characteristics of the formulated particles. MIL-53(Al) was shaped using two different methods: compression without a binder (binderless) and extrusion with a binder. The binderless method resulted in two samples, one with a 1ton-force compression and another with a 0.5ton-force compression. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was used as a binder to shape four samples with percentages of binder between 2% and 15%. The obtained shaped materials were characterized using several mechanical, structural and physico-chemical techniques. Furthermore, CO2 adsorption equilibria measurements were performed to understand the adsorption capacity of shaped MIL-53(Al) and compared it to its primary powder form. The shaped materials with the best characteristics to be used in CO2 gas adsorption processes were the binderless sample of 0.5ton-force compression and the sample with 5% of PVA binder. Overall, both methods show good potential in shaping MIL-53(Al) and may be a good fit for future scale-up studies.
Idle and axial roll speed law trend effect in an industrial ring rolling process

In Ring Rolling process, to generate a seamless and axis symmetrical ring, two independent deformation processes simultaneously occur to reduce the starting ring cross section shape (width and height) in order to increase the diameter. How this shape changes during the whole deformation process greatly affects the produced ring quality and the loads and energy needed. The main problem is that the shape change is due to two deformation processes that occur in two different ring sections. The ring width reduction is realized in the cross section between the Idle and the Driver roll while the cross section deformed by the Axial rolls movement regulates the ring height. The main problem is that each roll speed law could be set independently from the others. In the industrial environment, a milling curve is introduced to correlate them to the ring section shape. In order to enhance the knowledge on how the Idle and Axial roll speed laws affect the Ring Rolling process, in this work an industrial case study was modeled by a numerical approach. Different Idle and Axial roll speed laws (linearly decreasing, constant, linearly increasing), were designed and simulated. The results were analyzed in order to understand how each speed law trend affects the produced ring quality (higher diameter, lower fishtail) and the process performance (lower loads and energy required for manufacturing).
Structure of soyabeans markets in Benue and Enugu States, Nigeria

The importance of agricultural marketing in national development cannot be over-emphasized. The study examined the structure of soyabeans markets in Benue and Enugu States, Nigeria. Primary data were collected using questionnaire admininstered to 207 marketers. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, regression model, HHI, Gini coefficient and lorenz curve. The result showed that the major determinants of soyabeans marketed were price of soyabeans, transfer and handling costs, education and quantity of credit. The study also found that Benue soyabeans markets were by dominated rural assemblers while they were not found in Enugu markets. Soyabeans markets were characterized by many buyers and sellers with little or no barrier to entry and exit. However, the seeds were homogenous. High values of HHI (2,017.18 and 1,081.97) and gini coefficient (0.84 and 0.81) were got for wholesalers and retailers implying high concentration of sales in the hands of few wholesalers and retailers. Soyabeans marketing did not exhibit competitive market behaviour. Education of marketers, provision of credit facilities as well as construction and rehabilitation of roads should be carried out. Increased household utilization could improve the competitiveness of soyabeans markets. Again, MIS should be established for better dissemination of information and improved decision making. Key words: Structure, soya beans, Gini coefficient, marketing, concentration.
An Ergonomics Approach towards Efficient and Productive Maintenance of Fluidized Bed Heat Exchangers (FBHEs) (Morupule B Power Station)

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders have been identified as one of the most costly and demanding illnesses across the world amongst the working population, with labour intensive industries largely affected. The situation is appalling in developing nations wherein there is high demand for energy and yet has limited energy systems and expertise to produce clean energy. Moreover, there is often a distressing lack of awareness on ergonomic issues, education and training initiatives. Erudite fellows have undertaken similar studies with reference to MSDs in power stations around the world and provided possible remedies. However, this study focused on the circulating fluidised bed boiler technology installed with fluidized bed heat exchangers (FBHEs). Since the commissioning of Morupule B power plant 4*150 mw units, the fluidized bed heat exchangers (FBHEs) proved to be a regular stop point for maintenance and operations team, hence a high ergonomic risk area for everyone working at the area. Methods: A Modified Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire was chosen and used to examine the extend at which the Morupule B power plant employees are affected by their daily work. In addition to that, the job and environment analysis questionnaire was administered as well to evaluate their work load, management system, work area, vibrations and sound and lastly an anthropometric survey was conducted on employees directly working at the FBHEs. These set of surveys were administered to 257 employees at Morupule B power station. All participants answered the questions and the data was evaluated with SPSS 18 software. Results: The prevalence of MSDs are high amongst main plant workers especially Auxiliary Plant Operators (APO) and labourers at Morupule B power plant on almost all body parts listed on the Nordic Questionnaire i.e. neck, shoulders, hands, back, and knees. Conclusion: MSDs occurred at an alarming rate within the lower cadre workers working at the FBHEs
Stock Market and Economic Development: A Causality Test

An attempt has been made in this paper to examine the existence of causality relationship between stock market and economic growth based on the time series data for the year 1988 to 2005 using Granger causality test. The study finds the empirical evidence of long-run integration and causality of macroeconomic variables and stock market indicators even in a small capital market of Nepal. The causality has been observed only in real terms but not in nominal variables. In econometric sense, it depicts that the stock market plays significant role in determining economic growth and vice versa. Interestingly, the causation is evident with a lag of 3 to 4 years. Also, the paper reveals the importance of stock market development for fostering economic development
A dearth of dark matter in strong gravitational lenses

I show that the lensing masses of the Sloan Lens Advanced Camera Surveys sample of strong gravitational lenses are consistent with the stellar masses determined from population synthesis models using the Salpeter initial mass function. This is true in the context of both General Relativity and modified Newtonian dynamics (MOND), and is in agreement with the expectation of MOND that there should be little classical discrepancy within the high surface brightness regions probed by strong gravitational lensing. There is also dynamical evidence from this sample supporting the claim that the mass-to-light ratio of the stellar component increases with the velocity dispersion.
The Roles of Working Memory and Cognitive Load in Geoscience Learning

ABSTRACT Working memory is a cognitive system that allows for the simultaneous storage and processing of active information. While working memory has been implicated as an important element for success in many science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, its specific role in geoscience learning is not fully understood. The major goal of this article is to examine the potential role that working memory plays in successful geoscience learning. We start by reviewing two popular approaches to studying working memory in science learning—the individual differences approach and the cognitive load approach—and consider how these two approaches have been utilized in geosciences education research. Next, we highlight examples of various activities and curricular materials that have been used in geoscience classrooms in an effort to improve student learning and offload working memory resources, including using concept sketches and providing varying levels of scaffolding. We outline recommendations about how to structure geoscience classrooms and labs to maximize student learning and suggest potential avenues for future research aimed at investigating the role of working memory in geoscience learning.
Separation of CO2 by Using Aqueous Mixtures of AMP and [B3MPYR][BF4] at High Pressure

In this study, CO2 absorption capacity in aqueous mixtures of 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol, (AMP) and N-butyl-3-methylpyridinium tetrafluoroborate, [B3MPYR][BF4] was measured at pressures from 200 kPa up to 5000 kPa and temperatures of 303.15 K - 333.15 K. The AMP concentration was maintained at 1 M while the [B3MPYR][BF4] concentration ranges from 0.05 M to 0.3 M. It was observed that CO2 loading capacity increases when the pressure increased. However, increasing of temperature will decrease the CO2 loading. From the experimental results, a simple correlation, as suggested by Jou and Mather was used to predict the CO2 loading in the aqueous AMP-[B3MPYR][BF4] mixtures. The model were found to be in a good agreement with the experimental results where only 1.66% of the predicted values deviate more than 20% compared to the experimental values.
The Impact of Career Customization on Work Outcomes: Boundary Conditions of Manager Support and Employee Age

The current paper investigated the longitudinal effects of mass career customization (MCC) on job attitudes and objective career outcomes of employees in a professional service firm in the Netherlands. Based on theory on individualization of career trajectories, it was expected that the possibility for employees to customize their careers would be positively related to their job attitudes and subsequent objective career success, as indicated by their levels of affective commitment, work engagement, and received salary and bonuses. However, these effects were expected to occur primarily under the combination of high manager support for implementation of career customization and, based on lifespan theory, older workers, since customization fulfills their increased heterogeneous career preferences. A three-wave longitudinal study largely showed support for the study hypotheses; the relation between MCC use and work engagement and subsequent career success was stronger for older workers who received support for MCC, while the relation between MCC use and commitment was negative for older workers who received low support. The study shows the benefits of career customization in organizations by showing the conditions under which these benefits will manifest.
Association of single nucleotide polymorphism of Hsp90ab1 gene with thermotolerance and milk yield in Sahiwal cows

Heat shock proteins play a critical role in the development of thermotolerance and protection from cellular damage associated with heat stresses. The study was undertaken to investigate the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of Hsp90ab1 gene with thermo-physiological parameters viz, respiration rate (RR), rectal temperature (RT), heat tolerance coefficient (HTC) and total milk yield in Sahiwal cows. The RR and RT were recorded once in different seasons, viz., winter, spring, and summer, at the probable extreme hot hours of the day. Polymorphism of Hsp90ab1 gene, evaluated by comparative sequencing revealed five SNPs, viz., T17871421C, C17871485del, C17872061T, T17872112C and T17872148G. Individuals with CT genotype recorded significantly (P≤0.01) lower RT (°C) than CC genotype in Sahiwal cows. The CT genotype animals also had better production parameter in terms of total milk yield (TMY) (P<0.01). Therefore, our results inferred that CT genotype in Sahiwal cows may be an aid to selection and breeding to enhance thermo-tolerance. Key words: Hsp90ab1, SNPs, respiration rate, rectal temperature, total milk yield, Sahiwal.
Ownership Structure, Excess Cash Holdings, and Corporate Performance

This research aims to investigate the correlation between a firm’s ownership structure and cash management policy and then evaluate performance effects. Focusing specifically on the agency problem between the controlling shareholder and minority shareholders, the perspective of ownership structure can be an effective lens for examining why firms hold so much excess cash and extend the managerial discretion issue that highlights the possibility for controlling shareholders to transfer liquidity resources without fully pursing investment opportunities. Our empirical estimates report that the board of directors and supervisors places greater emphasis on current value and that members likely have much more power over managers to direct the cash utilization policy. This agency problem clearly proves the necessity of an independent figure, such as an independent director, to play a monitoring role in corporate management.
Safety of Intra-Articular Oxygen-Ozone Therapy Compared to Intra-ArticularSodium Hyaluronate in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Single Blind PilotStudy

Objective: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative musculoskeletal disease and one of the leading causes of chronic musculoskeletal pain, often affecting the knee. Despite intra-articular (IA) injectable hyaluronan (HA) preparations are widely used in the treatment of this debilitating condition, only a few data about their efficacy have been reported so far. Therefore, the use of HA in OA management is not universally recommend in clinical practice. Oxygen-ozone (O2O3) therapy can be employed in several pain-related conditions and diseases. However, both its efficacy and safety for IA therapy in knee OA have never been explored. Here, we evaluated the reliability of knee IA therapy with O2O3 compared to IA HA in chronic knee OA. Methods: A total of 42 consecutive chronic OA patients with radiological diagnosis of knee OA were prospectively enrolled in this single-blind, controlled study. After randomization, all patients underwent IA therapy with O2O3 or HA (q1wk) for 4 weeks, with additional 4 weeks of follow-up. Examination of the adverse events occurred during the whole study was performed. To measure knee function and pain, visual analogue scale (VAS), Oxford knee questionnaire (OKQ), and 12-item short form survey (SF-12) were administered. EuroQol five dimensions questionnaire (EQ-5D) was used to assess patients’ quality of life. Results: No significant difference in adverse events occurrence was observed. Knee IA treatment with O2O3 showed shorter reduction of pain compared to IA HA. VAS score decreased in both groups during the treatment period (p<0.001), while OKQ score significantly increased (p<0.001). SF-12 and EQ-5D scores were comparable between the two groups of patients. Conclusions: Despite IA administration of O2O3 and hyaluronan are comparable treatments in knee OA both in terms of safety and quality of life improvement, the latter shows longer times of pain reduction.
Education in transition and job mismatch: Evidence from the skills survey in non-EU transition economies

This paper explores the incidence and determinants of education‐job vertical mismatch in four non-EU transition economies, namely Armenia, Georgia, Macedonia and Ukraine. It uses cross‐section data from the recent World Bank’s Skills toward Employment and Productivity (STEP) surveys of working-age urban population and applies several methods of measuring the incidence of education‐job mismatch. The particular interest is to examine whether the young generation that acquired education in modern economic environment is different from the older generation that studied before or shortly after the onset of transition, and whether overeducated and undereducated workers are different from those who are well-matched in terms of cognitive and non-cognitive skills. Our study shows that although workers from the older pre-transition cohort have relatively higher incidence of overeducation in Georgia and Armenia and lower incidence of overeducation in Ukraine and Macedonia as compared to younger workers from the transition cohort, the effect of cohort and age is rarely significant when other important characteristics are taken into account. Overeducated individuals seem to possess a relatively worse bundle of skills than workers who are adequately matched to their jobs in terms of formal education, undereducated individuals often perform better than well-matched workers, but the differences are not always significant.