Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Occurrence of the alien crab Percnon gibbesi (H. Milne Edwards, 1853) (Decapoda) and sea hare Aplysia dactylomela Rang, 1828 (Opistobranchia) in shallow marine waters north of Elafonisos Island (Laconian Gulf, Peloponnese, Greece).

Percnon gibbesi (H. Milne Edwards, 1853) (Decapoda, Plagusiidae) and Aplysia dactylomela Rang, 1828 (Opistobranchia, Aplysiidae) are reported for the first time from shallow coastal waters between Pounta and Elafonisos village (Laconia, Greece). The occurrence of the crab unsurprisingly bridges findings from Antikithyra Island to the south and the Mani coast to the west, while the presence of the sea hare links records from the Messinian Gulf, Paros Island, and western Crete.
Toward the ultimate conservative scheme: following the quest

Abstract The aim of this paper is to develop a class of numerical schemes that work on triangular finite element type meshes, and which are devoted to the computation of steady transonic flows. The schemes are extensions of the positive streamwise invariant scheme of Struijs and are built directly on the system of the Euler equation for fluid mechanics. They are a blending between a first-order and a second-order scheme, which is realized from entropy considerations. It is formally second-order accurate at steady state. Several numerical examples are shown to demonstrate the stability and accuracy of these schemes.
Bacterial consumption of DOC during transport through a temperate estuary

Bacterial utilization of natural levels of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) was measured in the York River estuary, a sub-estuary of the Chesapeake Bay. This study was undertaken in order to elucidate spatial and temporal changes in bacterial carbon utilization and to evaluate its impor- tance as a pathway for organic matter transformation in estuaries. Multiple pools of DOC were defined based on decomposition kinetics. The first pool (G1) made up a mean of 2.8% of total DOC and had turnover times of ￻ 5 d. The second pool (G2) comprised an average of 4.9% of total DOC and had turnover times of ~1 mo. Our data indicate that although the total amount of DOC utilized was low, there was a continual supply of both the G1 and G2 fractions within the estuary. Bacterial growth efficiency on the G1 pool averaged 28%. The production of CO2 through bacterial respiration of the G1 pool could not balance CO2 evasion for the majority of the estuary. Bacterial DOC degradation in the York River estuary was limited by temperature for the majority of the year. This temperature con- straint coupled with relatively short hydrologic residence times resulted in the export of labile DOC from the estuary prior to complete bacterial decomposition. We estimate that ~10% of the riverine DOC exported annually from estuaries to the mid-Atlantic Bight (MAB) is a labile fraction of DOC that is not utilized within the estuaries due to temperature constraints on estuarine bacteria. This DOC is not inherently recalcitrant and is an allochthonous source of labile DOC for the coastal Mid- Atlantic Ocean.
Nocturnal Perching of Scarabaeine Dung Beetles (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae) in an Australian Tropical Rain Forest'

Wongabel, a northeastern Queensland tropical, wet, evergreen forest, contains 22 species of Scarabaeinae dung beetles. Five of these species were observed to perch commonly on leaves at night. Length of the beetle and the height of its perch were recorded for each of 56 1 specimens. Unlike the New World tropical dung beetle perchers, no clear evidence was found that small species perched closer to the ground than larger species. The evidence gathered, at least for the four most common perchers, supports the hypothesis that perching is one type of foraging strategy. The similarities and differences between the Australian and New World perchers are discussed.
Some optimal control problems of multistate equations appearing in fluid mechanics

Nous etudions deux problemes de controle optimal se rapportant aux equations de Navier-Stokes stationnaires. L'etat du systeme est le champ de vitesses dans le fluide, et les controles sont, soit les forces volumiques, soit le flux de chaleur au bord; dans le second cas, les equations de Navier-Stokes sont couplees avec l'equation de convection-diffusion pour la temperature, dans l'approximation de Boussinesq. On cherche a minimiser une fonctionnelle caracterisant l'etat de la turbulence a l'interieur du fluide, eventuellement sous certaines contraintes portant sur les controles
EARNINGS MANAGEMENT CONSTRAINTS AND MARKET REACTIONS TO

In this dissertation, I examine investors’ use of balance sheet information to infer earnings management constraint and the extent to which they utilize that information to assess the quality of subsequent earnings surprises. Ex-ante constrained firms may not have sufficient ability to manage earnings towards desired earnings thresholds and thus their reported earnings surprises are more likely to be the result of real performance. Exante flexible firms, however, have more room to manage earnings and so it becomes less clear to investors whether the reported earnings surprises are the result of real performance or earnings management. My tests provide mixed support for the constraint theory. I find evidence that the market reacts more to small positive earnings surprises when they are reported by ex-ante constrained firms than when reported by ex-ante flexible firms. This suggests that the market interprets the earnings surprise reported by constrained firms to be of higher quality. However, I also find that earnings surprises reported by ex-ante constrained firms are no more persistent with regard to one-yearahead earnings than those reported by ex-ante flexible firms, a result that is not consistent with the differential reaction to earnings surprises.
Inverse feedforward controller for complex hysteretic nonlinearities in smart-material systems

Undesired complex hysteretic nonlinearities are present to a varying degree in virtually all smart-material-based sensors and actuators provided they are driven with sufficiently high amplitudes. In motion and active vibration control applications, for example, these nonlinearities can excite unwanted dynamics, which leads in the best case to reduced system performance and in the worst case to unstable system operation. This necessitates the development of purely phenomenological models that characterize these nonlinearities in a way that is sufficiently accurate, amenable to a compensator design for actuator linearization, and efficient enough for use in real-time applications. To fulfil these demanding requirements, this article describes a new compensator design method for invertible complex hysteretic nonlinearities that is based on the so-called Prandtl-Ishlinskii hysteresis operator. The parameter identification of this model can be formulated as a quadratic optimization problem, which produces the best L 2 2 -norm approximation for the measured output-input data of the real hysteretic nonlinearity. Special linear inequality constraints for the parameters guarantee the unique solvability of the identification problem and the invertability of the identified model. This leads to a robustness of the identification procedure against unknown measurement errors, unknown model errors, and unknown model orders. The corresponding compensator can be directly calculated and thus efficiently implemented from the model by analytical transformation laws. Finally, the compensator design method is used to generate an inverse feedforward controller for the linearization of a magnetostrictive actuator. In comparision to the conventionally controlled magnetostrictive actuator, the nonlinearity error of the inverse controlled magnetostrictive actuator is lowered from about 30% to about 3%.
Fault diagnosis of digital systems

From the combination of knowledge and actions, someone can improve their skill and ability. It will lead them to live and work much better. This is why, the students, workers, or even employers should have reading habit for books. Any book will give certain knowledge to take all benefits. This is what this fault diagnosis of digital systems tells you. It will add more knowledge of you to life and work better. Try it and prove it.
The Dynamics of Earnings in Germany: Evidence from Social Security Records

This paper uncovers ongoing trends in idiosyncratic earnings volatility across generations by decomposing residual earnings auto-covariances into a permanent and a transitory component. We employ data on complete earnings life cycles for prime age men born 1935 through 1974 that covers earnings between 1960 and 2009. Over this period, the German labor market undergoes a heavy transformation and experiences strong deregulation, deunionization and a shift in employment from the industrial to the service sector. Our findings of increases in both components reflect the distinct phases of this transformation process. In magnitude, the transitory component increases most strongly in the early 1970s and the 1990s for young workers, whereas the permanent component displays the strongest increases for older workers in the early 1980 and the 2000s. Thus, the changes complicate the labor market entry for young workers while widening wage differences for established workers.
Pathways theory of progression through higher education

This paper is concerned with the pathways students take through their studies at university. A critique of current research demands a fresh approach to explaining student progression, in particular within Australian higher education. To date, theories of student progression commonly consider the fit of the person to the university environment within one rather homogeneous socio-cultural milieu. Socio-ecological approaches provide a new, more appropriate framework for investigating the progression of undergraduate students. Student pathways are conceptualised as a diverse series of choices within the discrete learning contexts of courses. In principle, student pathways and related behavioural outcomes are a function of student characteristics and the supports and constraints within each course. Understanding the differential impact of personal and social characteristics of students and their specific learning contexts contributes to an understanding of the choice behaviour of students as they negotiate common and distinct pathways through courses within the broader context of higher education. This paper presents an appropriate, useful and meaningful theoretical framework for understanding how students navigate the Australian higher education system.
Narrow-Line AGNs: confirming the relationship between metallicity and accretion rate

We have selected a sample of 292 SDSS Narrow-Emission-Line galaxies known to have formed and evolved in relative isolation to study the nature and origin of the AGN phenomenon. The galaxies in our sample have line fluxes with S/N>3 and were separated using a standard diagnostic diagram into Star Forming Galaxies (SFGs; 36.0%), Transition type Objects (TOs; 28.4%) and Narrow-Line AGNs (NLAGNs; 35.6%). Having found a strong correlation between the bulge mass and the NLAGN phenomenon, we have applied the same relation as for the Broad-Line AGNs to estimate their black hole (BH) masses. The BH in the NLAGNs are 2 to 3 orders lower in mass than the BHs found in BLAGNs, but are comparable to those observed in Narrow-Line Seyfert~1, although none of our objects can be classified as such. To determine the metallicities, [O/H], of the NLAGNs we calibrated the standard diagnostic diagram [OIII]/Hb vs. [NII]/Ha using similar relation as for the SFGs, which reproduce the values obtained with CLOUDY simulations developed for Bennert et al. [3]. For some individual objects we compared our line ratios with other CLOUDY similations by different authors. This suggests we achieve a typical uncertainty of 0.2 dex on [O/H], increasing to 0.3-0.5 in the Seyfert~2 (S2). This calibration suggests the metallicities of the NLAGNs are subsolar, varying between 1 and 0.3 $Z_\odot$. We find two statistically significant positive correlations: for [O/H] with the BH mass and for [O/H] with the luminosity at 5100\AA, $\lambda L(5100$\AA$)$. No correlation is found between [O/H] and the accretion rate, L_bol/L_Edd. However, comparisons with the BLAGNs suggest the NLAGNs extend the metallicity-accretion rate relationship [24] to the low metallicity regime. Although the NLS1 have similar BH masses as the NLAGNs they show higher accretion rates, which is consistent with their higher metallicities.
Hcc Angiogenic Propriety and Tumor Recurrence in Liver Transplant Recipients

Objective: Clinic-pathologic characteristic of hepatocellular carcinoma are mostly accounting for the tumor recurrence after liver transplantation. It is assumed that tumor angiogenesis capability contributes to the rates of post-transplant relapse, as well. The aim of study was to evaluate the contribution of the circulating hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs); endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to the recurrence of HCC after liver transplantation. Methods: The study was carried out on 49 cirrhotic patients with HCC within the Milan criteria. They were transplanted in 2009 and followed-up for 54 months, so far. The rates of circulating HSCs and EPCs were assessed through a phenotypic analysis of 2 ml of fresh blood in a flow cytometer. Serum VEGF concentration was measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA). Histopathology examination of the liver explants was performed for tumor characteristic. The data were analyzed with statistical tests. Results: There were 9 deaths related to the procedure. Of 40 remaining patients the tumor recurred in 6 (15%) prior to 36 months and then in 5 (12.5%) prior to 54 months of observation. The pre-transplant rates of circulating HSCs and EPCs were significantly higher in patients with tumor relapse; Chisq=17.25, p<0.001 and Chisq=13.96, p<0.001, respectively. The differences in the serum VEGF concentration were not significant in this group, however. Conclusion: Tumor angiogenesis capability should be considered as the predictive factor of tumor relapse after liver transplantation.
Molecular docking studies of kirenol a traditional Chinese medicinal compound against rheumatoid arthritis cytokine drug targets (TNF-?, IL-1 and IL-6)

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) an autoimmune multifactorial disease impairing the quality of life of the diseased is a challenging prospect in terms of treatment. The disease has been treated from ancient times and from their wisdom, we have taken one traditional Chinese medicinal compound named kirenol. The compound is from herbal extract of Herba Siegesbeckiae and in this study we are exploring its inhibiting potential of cytokine target i.e. TNF-α, IL-1 and IL-6 using Auto Dock tool. In our study we have used Auto Dock 4.2 an Insilico tool to check the effect of the kirenol on three important cytokine target i.e. TNF-α, IL-1 and IL-6. The molecular docking approach using AutoDock 4.2 tool with default parameters was used to calculate the binding energies. All the three cytokines showed spontaneous binding with kirenol, varying from a ΔG range of -6.75 to -2.68 Kcal/mole. The results generated showed IL-6 to be the best target for kirenol. Both, its binding energy and number of interactions is higher when compared to that of other two.
Assessment of heavy metal contamination in vegetables consumed in Zanzibars

Samples of amaranth and cabbage from Zanzibar were analyzed for heavy metal concentrations using Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence spectrometry (EDXRF) of Tanzania Atomic Energy Commission (TAEC) in Arusha. Thirty samples of amaranth and twenty five samples of cabbage were collected from four farms and two markets at Urban West Region in Zanzibar. The concentrations of Al, Cl, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Zn, Cu, Ag, I, Br, Cd and Pb are presented and discussed. Amaranth had significant (P < 0.05) higher concentrations of Zn, Fe, Cr and Mn than cabbage, whilst Cd, Ni and Pb were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in cabbage than amaranth. Although the mean concentrations of the essential elements were in the range reported in literature, Pb and Cd were in concentrations above FAO/ WHO maximum tolerable limits.
Experiences in Developing Tidal Current and Wave Energy Devices for Mediterranean Sea

In the last years, the interest for renewable energies has shown a continuously increasing trend, in search of a convenient and sustainable source alternative to carbon and fossil fuels, also due to government incentive systems, as can be seen for example in the objectives proposed by the EU 2020 target. In such context, marine energy sources are particularly attractive, both for the high conceptual available resource and for some specific technical characteristics, such as a more predictable behavior with respect to other sources like wind energy. The work here presented resumes the experience gained over more than twenty years of activities conducted at Department of Industrial Engineering of the University of Naples “Federico II”, in collaboration with research consortium Seapower scrl, in the field of ocean renewable energies. The work refers to several case reports related to different projects in which the research group has been involved. Two main energy sources have been investigated, namely tidal currents and wave energy, through the development, among others, of two different projects reported in this paper: • GEMSTAR: a submerged floating tidal current hydrokinetic turbine system (an evolution of GEM turbine) • PIVOT: a wave energy converter based on a pivoting buoy GEMSTAR is a project which is at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7 being the first prototype tested in real field while PIVOT is at TRL 5 since the full-scale prototype has been tested only in controlled environment. In any case both projects are still in development, evolving to more mature technology levels. The article reports the two case studies related to the above-mentioned systems at the present development stage along with the resource assessment of both energy sources in Mediterranean area.
The Falling Rate of Profit Thesis Reassessed: Toward a Sociology of Marx’s Value Theory of Labor

Marx considered his theory of the falling rate of profit to be one of the most important discoveries in the field of political economy. According to Marx’s theory, productivity increases put downward pressure on prices and hence profits. Recurrent crises of capital devaluation are both the consequence and solution to this pressure, aggravating the loss of profits initially, but enabling the pursuit of profits via accumulation to once again ensue. Marx’s argument, however, has been the subject of intense dispute for over a century. His critics charge that Marx’s thesis is not only improbable but impossible. This study is an attempt at arbitration of this dispute, inspired by recent quantitative reinterpretations of Marx’s critique of political economy. In the interest of providing a detailed review of the theoretical and empirical literature surrounding this issue, I specifically address the debate about the “transformation” of values into prices. Resolving this issue not only removes some a priori objections to Marx’s value theory, it also provides a coherent interpretation of Marx’s falling profit rate thesis. It appears, then, that the alleged refutations of Marx have themselves been refuted. In addition to investigating the logical validity of Marx’s argument, I attempt to ascertain whether and to what extent his argument is supported empirically. I therefore conduct a multivariate time-series regression analysis of various profit rates in the United States. I test several partially competing hypotheses concerning the most important determinants of the profit rate. Most importantly, I operationalize Marx’s concept of value by calculating an aggregate ratio of total price to total labor hours. I find that accelerating value accumulation correlates with a falling rate of profit, which is entirely consistent with Marx’s thesis. Sociology, knowingly or not, has always been the study of modern society. Because of this, I suggest that there are certain core processes at work that are necessary for its reconstitution and which therefore retain a spatial and temporal contiguity. My aim in this study is to help reclaim for sociology the investigation of one of modern society’s most fundamental processes: the accumulation of value.
Political Connection, Board Characteristics and Firm Performance in Nigeria

This study examines the relationship between political connection, board characteristics and firm performance in Nigerian quoted firms. The model of the study is built based on the agency theory. It utilises a cross-sectional data of 116 firms for the year 2013, obtained from the annual reports of the firms. The robust corrected standard error regression was used in estimating the model. The study provides partial support for the proposition of the agency theory. The study finds board gender positively related to firm performance, while political connections and CEO incentives were negatively related with firm performance. The findings of this study should interest organisational stakeholders. Particularly, the negative association of political connection with firm performance has implication for auditors, shareholders and management. Furthermore, the study recommends more females to be considered into directorship positions, since they play a significant role in shaping the transparency of the board for better performance.
ScholarWorks at WMU

: Healthcare industry is essential for the wellbeing of society members, however this industry is characterized by high cost and by plagued by serious medical errors. Personal health records (PHR) can play an important role in solving healthcare problems by enhancing patients’ involvement in their treatment, and improving patient-provider communication. Despite the potential importance of PHR systems, they suffer from low adoption rate because of several factors such as digital divide and lack of training. In this paper we propose that mobile PHR systems (MPHR) can aid in overcoming barriers to adopt PHR. We present a theoretical model based on theory of planned behavior and innovation diffusion model that attempts to explain the relationship between mobile technology and MPHR. This model helps in understanding the relationship between mobile technology and PHR, and provide insight to how to overcome PHR adoption barriers.
THE EFFECT OF A CONGESTED FIXTURE PERIOD ON THE ACTIVITY OF ELITE SOCCER PLAYERS

: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of a succession of matches on the physical performance of elite soccer players. Forty-two players of a professional team from the Spanish Soccer League in the 2005-2006 season who played 2 full matches with 3 days in between matches 1 and 2 were monitored using a multiple-camera match analysis system. Differences on work-rate profiles of soccer players were analysed for the following variables: distance covered for all of the above activity profiles, frequency of high-intensity activities, recovery time, average speed, and top speed. Data were analyzed using a paired samples t-test. Overall, the activity profiles were not statistically influenced by the short recovery periods between matches. Difference between halves in the total distance covered was slightly greater during the first match compared to the second match (-84.4±354.0 v -41.3±318.8 m, respectively). Although a higher difference between halves was found in the distance covered by players at high intensity activities during the second match than in the first match (-34.0±193.1 v -14.3±208.2 m, respectively) this difference was not significant. There were no differences in the number of sprints and high speed runs performed by players across successive games. Difference between halves in the recovery time tended to be greater in the second match compared to the first match (13.0±58.9 v 28.4±87.4 s, respectively). However, this difference was not significant.