Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modeling the Dynamic Water Transport in the Porous Layers of PEM Fuel Cells Based on Numerical Upscaling

A one-dimensional two-phase model is developed to study the dynamic water transport in the porous layers of polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells. Liquid water transport and diffusion of oxygen are described by a coupled differential equation system. Capillary pressure, relative permeability, and oxygen diffusivity are determined based on the results of microstructural simulations. The model is compared quantitatively to two different chronoamperometric experiments, potential step voltammetry, and sine wave testing, whereby the optimization algorithm of Nelder and Mead is used. The model predicts the measured dynamic current behavior for both experiments. As a result of the optimization, important two-phase and material parameters are extracted.
The dual uorescence of 4N , N-dimethylaminobenzonitrile ( DMABN ) was rst reported

4-N,N-Dimethylaminobenzonitrile (DMABN) is a simple molecule which is extensively studied to understand the excited state kinetics and the origin of time dependent  uorescence in several organic solvents. We use a recently described method, time resolved area normalized emission spectroscopy (TRANES), for the analysis of wavelength dependent  uorescence of DMABN in acetonitrile and 1,4-dioxane. An isoemissive point was observed in the TRANES spectra, which con rms that there are only two emissive species A* and B*: A ! A* , B*.
Biometrics Variation and Directional Preferences of Immature Robins (Erithacus rubecula) Caught in Northern Italy during Autumn Migration in 2005

Biometrics Variation and Directional Preferences of Immature Robins (Erithacus rubecula) Caught in Northern Italy during Autumn Migration in 2005 Inter-seasonal changes of biometry and preferred migration directions of Robins were studied according to data collected during autumn migration in northern Italy at the Arosio Bird Observatory (45°43'N, 9°12'E). Altogether 598 immature Robins were caught and 187 orientation tests were performed. Wing, tail and tarsus length, wing shape and weight were analysed in subsequent five migration waves distinguished according to migration dynamics. General pattern of migration as well as graphs with distribution of preferred directions in subsequent waves were prepared. In the case of tail length and weight their average values in subsequent waves were significantly different. Decrease of wing length was noted along the season. On the contrary, increasing trend was observed in the case of tail length and wing shape. Results of orientation tests showed that SSE direction was predominant (34%). SW direction was not clearly marked and its percentage was 23%. Distribution of directions slightly changed in subsequent migration waves. Noted results suggest passage of Robins heading to the Mediterranean basin and Apennine winter quarters. Obtained inter-seasonal changes of biometry and preferred directions can be an effect of differences in migration time between this groups or gradual inflow of more northern populations what the authors discuss here.
Optimization of revenues from a distributed generation portfolio: a case study

Many companies are investing in energy production from renewable energy sources and are looking at ways to optimize their portfolio performance. The case study under consideration aims at maximizing the revenues from such a distributed energy generation portfolio, consisting of gas engines and a PV installation, by actively controlling the available flexibility within a cluster. The gas engines themselves and an on-site water treatment plant turned out to be flexible respectively in their electricity production and consumption. This paper presents the results of two simulation scenarios where each one has a different level of automation and discusses the technical as well as the economic outcomes of the analysis. The study turned out to be positive since there is a viable business case for actively controlling the available flexibility within the cluster.
Traditional periodization upgrade sport performance and heart rate variability of experienced triathletes.

: Periodization of athletic training is conceptualized as a pedagogical process, which involves varying volume, intensity and frequency of training in attempt to optimize sporting performance. The primary purpose of this research was compares change in running and swimming performance, after 36 weeks of intervention program of 17 weeks traditional periodization (TP) followed to a 17 weeks period of Polarized training distribution(POL). The secondary purpose was to examine changes in heart rate variability. There were eight healthy well-trained triathletes, with average 9 years of experience training for a competition (36.2 ± 4.8 years; 173.5 ± 12 cm; 73.1 ± 2.6 kg). Results after 36 weeks of study showed exhibit significant (p<0.05) improvements in swimming, running performance and heart rate variability after completing the TP plan of 17 weeks. Otherwise, the results exhibit stagnates of swimming and running performance, during and after the intervention of POL. The results demonstrated that Traditional periodization based on endurance period, competitive and peak periods; is efficient strategy for training and improve competitive performance to experienced triathletes. Polarized training distribution is an option to maintenance performance at time to reduce volume of training.
How many systolic and diastolic variables must be measured in elderly patients with symptoms of heart failure

Objectives: To explore the concordance and the feasibility of obtaining systolic or diastolic variables of left ventricular function in elderly patients with heart failure symptoms. Methods: One hundred twenty four patients with symptoms of heart failure (mean age 77 years, 70% females) were included in a cross-sectional, explorative study. Nineteen echocardiographic variables (7 systolic and 12 diastolic) were measured. Results: Overall, feasibility ranged from 93% to 100% for 15 variables and was 48% for mitral regurgitation dp/dt(MRdp/dt), 66% for the difference between pulmonary AR-dur and mitral A-dur, 81% for the ratio between early and late mitral inflow velocity (E/A), and 76% for tissue Doppler imaging late dia-stolic velocity (TDI A’). Concordance was very good/ good in 83% and poor/missing in 17% of systolic variables, whereas it was very good/good for 67% of diastolic variables and poor/missing for 33%. Factor analysis reduced systolic variables to two factors that explained 69% of the total variance in systolic function. Conclusions: Low feasibility for some and questionable concordance of especially diastolic variables questions the rationale for routinely measuring a high number of echocardigraphic variables. The results of the factor analysis further strengthen the possibility of reducing the number of measured variables. The clinical value of such a reduction needs to be validated.
A new convection state at substorm onset: Results from an MHD study

A global simulation of a December 22, 1996 substorm revealed a previously unknown state of magnetospheric convection. Earthward flow from a tail neutral line reversed direction in the inner magnetosphere and formed a large‐scale vortical nightside convection pattern. The dawnside vortex formed a flux rope just prior to the substorm onset, but this was not the cause of the substorm breakup. The vortex structure of the dusk‐side flow created strong field‐aligned currents directed away from the Earth that connected to the region of maximum auroral luminosity in the ionosphere. These currents are probably related to the westward traveling surge. The flow reversal and formation of the tail vortices may be a result of the simulation's earthward convection being limited by the high near‐Earth plasma pressure and/or by line‐tying caused by the high ionospheric conductance.
Rural non-farm activities and poverty alleviation in sub-Saharan Africa (NRI Policy Series 14)

This publication is about rural non-farm (RNF) activity in sub-Saharan Africa and the determinants of differential access to RNF incomes. Growing interest in RNF incomes reflects increasing evidence that rural people’s livelihoods are derived from diverse sources and are not as overwhelmingly dependent on agriculture as previously assumed. Moreover, policy-makers are looking to the wider rural economy, to reduce persistent rural poverty and stem urban migration. The determinants of access to RNF activities, or capacity to engage in such activities are discussed. In the ‘growth with equity’ equation, the focus here is on the equity factors.
Using theory to guide policy relevant health promotion research

The concept of health promotion has evolved into a strategy for improving health that goes beyond individual behaviour to include the physical, social and economic environments in which health and behaviour are shaped. The core of the strategy is to stimulate action against the root causes of ill health in communities. A prerequisite for effective health promotion action is valid knowledge about how forces protect or damage health in daily life. Developing and using theory to guide the collection, analysis and evaluation of empirical evidence is a neglected aspect of obtaining the knowledge needed for promoting health. Population interventions to reduce cholesterol provide an example that illustrates the consequences of basing community health policy and programmes on findings from empirical research without developing a logically sound theoretical basis for identifying inconsistencies and contradictions in the findings. The use of theory to guide research to support health promotion action is discussed.
Two‐dimensional numerical models of open‐top hydrothermal convection at high Rayleigh and Nusselt numbers: Implications for mid‐ocean ridge hydrothermal circulation

Mid‐ocean ridges host vigorous hydrothermal systems that remove large quantities of heat from the oceanic crust. Inferred Nusselt numbers (Nu), which are the ratios of the total heat flux to the heat flux that would be transported by conduction alone, range from 8 to several hundred. Such vigorous convection is not fully described by most numerical models of hydrothermal circulation. A major difficulty arises at high Nu from the numerical solution of the temperature equation. To avoid classical numerical artifacts such as nonphysical oscillatory behavior and artificial diffusion, we implement the Multidimensional Positive Definite Advection Transport Algorithm (MPDATA) technique, which solves the temperature equation using an iterated upwind corrected scheme. We first validate the method by comparing results for models with uniform fluid properties in closed‐ and open‐top systems to existing solutions with Nu ≤ ∼20. We then incorporate realistic fluid properties and run models for Nu up to 50–60. Solutions are characterized by an unstable bottom thermal boundary layer where thermal instabilities arise locally. The pattern of heat extraction is periodic to chaotic. At any Nu > ∼13 the venting temperatures in a given plume are chaotic and oscillate from ∼350° to 450°C. Individual plumes can temporarily stop short of the surface for intervals ranging from tens to hundreds of years at times when other plumes vent with an increased flow rate. The solutions also display significant recirculation, and as a result large areas of downflow are relatively warm with temperatures commonly exceeding 150°C at middepths. Our results have important implications for mid‐ocean ridge hydrothermal systems and suggest the following: (1) The reaction zones of mid‐ocean ridge hydrothermal systems are enlarged by thermal instabilities that migrate laterally toward upflow zones. This will substantially increase the volume of rock involved in chemical reactions compared to steady state configurations. (2) Hydrothermal discharge can stop temporarily as zones of venting are dynamically replaced by zones of seawater recharge. (3) Anhydrite precipitation occurring at temperatures exceeding ∼150°C will likely occur throughout a large portion of recharge zone and will not necessarily clog downflow pathways as efficiently as has been recently inferred.
Getting to the Right Algebra: The Equity 2000 Initiative in Milwaukee Public Schools. MDRC Working Papers.

This paper describes the Milwaukee Public Schools' involvement in Equity 2000, a standards-based reform initiative to enhance mathematics education and achievement among students of color, thereby increasing their likelihood of college enrollment and completion. The study highlights efforts to support and sustain a key component of Equity 2000: districtwide policy change to end tracking and raise academic standards for all students, beginning with the requirement that all students complete algebra by 9th grade and geometry by 10th grade, and including curriculum reform to reflect National Council of Teachers of Mathematics standards. Section 1, "Introduction," presents key themes. Section 2 discusses "Equity 2000: Policy Rationale and Implementation in Milwaukee. " Section 3 discusses "Increasing Student Achievement in Mathematics. " Section 4, "Barriers to Student Achievement in Mathematics," discusses student attendance and preparation in mathematics, large class size and meeting diverse led"rning needs, and limitations on building teacher capacity. Section 5, "Getting to the Right Algebra," discusses algebra curriculum content, when algebra should be taught, and how algebra should be taught. Section 6 discusses "The Legacy of Equity 2000 in Milwaukee. " Two appendixes offer the context of reform in Milwaukee's schools and other professional development math initiatives in Milwaukee Public Schools. (Contains 58 references.) (SM) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document!
The Role of Effort Advantage in Consumer Response to Loyalty Programs: The Idiosyncratic Fit Heuristic

Over the past few years, customer relationship management and loyalty programs (LPs) have been widely adopted by companies and have received a great deal of attention from marketers, consultants, and, to a lesser degree, academics. In this research, we examine the effect of the level of effort required to obtain a LP's reward on consumers' perception of the LP's attractiveness. We propose that, under certain conditions, increasing the program requirements can enhance consumers' likelihood of joining the program, thus leading consumers to prefer a dominated option. Specifically, we hypothesize that consumers often evaluate LPs based on their individual effort to obtain the reward relative to the relevant reference effort (e.g., the effort of typical other consumers). When consumers believe they have an effort advantage relative to typical others (i.e., an idiosyncratic fit with the LP), higher program requirements magnify this perception of advantage and can therefore increase the overall perceived value of the program. This proposition was supported in a series of studies in which the perceived idiosyncratic fit was manipulated either by reducing the individual effort or by raising the reference effort. The findings also indicate that (a) idiosyncratic fit considerations are elicited spontaneously, (b) idiosyncratic fit mediates the effect of effort on consumer response to LPs, and (c) an alternative account for the results based on signaling is not supported. We conclude that these findings are part of a broader phenomenon, which we term the idiosyncratic fit heuristic, whereby a key factor that affects consumers' response to marketing programs and promotional offers is the perceived relative advantage or fit with the individual's idiosyncratic conditions and preferences.
Legal Determinants of External Finance

Using a sample of 49 countries, we show that countries with poorer investor protections, measured by both the character of legal rules and the quality of law enforcement, have smaller and narrower capital markets. These findings apply to both equity and debt markets. In particular, French civil law countries have both the weakest investor protections and the least developed capital markets, especially as compared to common law countries.
Effect of post-harvest processing on the nutrient and anti-nutrient compositions of Vernonia amygdalina leaf

Vernonia amygdalina leaves are used as soup condiment in Nigeria either in the processed or unprocessed forms. This study assessed the effect of some conventional post-harvest treatments on the proximate, vitamins, minerals and anti-nutrient compositions of the leafy vegetable. Fresh leaves of V. amygdalina were subjected to two different processing methods; abrasion with salt (AWS) and abrasion without salt (AWOS). The proximate, β-carotene, vitamins B1, B3, C and E, minerals sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), cupper (Cu), aluminium (Al), selenium (Se), cobalt (Co), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) and anti-nutrients (phytate, tannin, oxalate and cyanide) contents of the vegetable were subsequently evaluated by standard methods. The results showed that unprocessed V. amygdalina had 34.56% protein, 6.04% fat, 9.08% fibre, 5.60% ash and 44.73% carbohydrate on dry weight (DW) basis. However, processing techniques employed caused a significant decrease (p<0.05) in the protein, fat and ash contents of V. amygdalina leaf; while there was no significant difference in the fibre and carbohydrate contents. Processing with or without salt significantly decreased (p<0.05) the levels of vitamins B1, B3, C, E and β-carotene compared with the unprocessed leaf. Elemental analysis revealed varied activities for all the elements except As and Cd that were non-detectable. The processing also depleted the levels of all the minerals detected in the fresh leaf. Phytate, tannins, oxalate and cyanide were detected in the fresh leaf and were notable to decrease by processing steps. In conclusion, V. amygdalina has very high nutrient and anti-nutrient potentials; however, the various conventional post-harvest processing tend to cause a significant decrease (p<0.05) in these parameters. Abrasion with minimal salt is most advisable. Key words: Vernonia amygdalina, proximate, vitamins, minerals, anti-nutrients, processing.
Arnebia euchroma hydro-alcoholic extract against liver toxicity induced by CCl 4 in mice

*Corresponding author: azadbakht110@gmail.com Arnebia euchroma is from Boraginaceae family. Various therapeutic effects have been reported for different species of this plant. The aim of this study was to investigate antioxidant activity of hydroalcoholic extract of the root of A. euchroma and its protective effect on hepatotoxicity induced by CCl4 in mice. In this experimental study, A. euchroma was extracted with ethanol solvent by maceration method. Antioxidant activity of the plant has been evaluated by the DPPH free radical scavenging method. Then, the hepatoprotective effect of A. euchroma was evaluated through determination the content of glutathione in liver tissue, ALP, AST, ALT serum levels and histopathology of liver in different groups. The total phenolic content determined as 0.56% per 100 g of plant was equivalent to gallic acid. The total flavonoid content was 0.079% per 100 g of plant that was equivalent to quercetin. The IC50 of the extract for free radical scavenging was obtained 139.2 μg/ml. The extract increased liver glutathione and serums ALP, AST, ALT that were decreased by CCl4 administration in animal. All protective effects were dose-dependent and the results of liver histopathology showed a significant improvement of inflammation and necrosis that were caused by CCl4 in mice. The results of this study revealed that the hydroalcoholic extract of A. euchroma root has an antioxidant effect and excellent hepatoprotection in mice. Article history: Received: Oct 3, 2017 Accepted: Dec 25, 2017
Experimental and Computational Study on Flapping Wings with Bio-Inspired Hover Kinematics

In this paper, force and particle-image-velocimetry vorticity measurements of biologically inspired hover kinematics are compared to corresponding results of an unsteady aerodynamic vortex model and a Navier–Stokes (NS) solver. The Reynolds number and the reduced frequency are 4.8×103 and 0.38, respectively. Three kinematics derived from the measured hovering kinematics of an Agrius convolvuli are considered: 1) without elevation angle, 2) elevation angle accounted in the pitch angle, and 3) pure sinusoidal pitch–plunge neglecting higher harmonics. The Navier–Stokes computations show good qualitative agreement with experiments with consistent underprediction. The time-averaged thrust coefficients obtained using Navier–Stokes computations are 82 to 87% of the corresponding force measurements. The standard deviation of time history of thrust coefficients, also normalized by the measured time-averaged values, is 13 to 20%. The underprediction is possibly due to blockage effects in the experiments, also refle.
On the rebound: soil organic carbon stocks can bounce back to near forest levels when agroforests replace agriculture in southern India

Abstract. Tropical agroforestry has an enormous potential to sequester carbon while simultaneously producing agricultural yields and tree products. The amount of soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestered is influenced by the type of the agroforestry system established, the soil and climatic conditions, and management. In this regional-scale study, we utilized a chronosequence approach to investigate how SOC stocks changed when the original forests are converted to agriculture, and then subsequently to four different agroforestry systems (AFSs): home garden, coffee, coconut and mango. In total we established 224 plots in 56 plot clusters across 4 climate zones in southern India. Each plot cluster consisted of four plots: a natural forest reference, an agriculture reference and two of the same AFS types of two ages (30–60 years and > 60 years). The conversion of forest to agriculture resulted in a large loss the original SOC stock (50–61 %) in the top meter of soil depending on the climate zone. The establishment of home garden and coffee AFSs on agriculture land caused SOC stocks to rebound to near forest levels, while in mango and coconut AFSs the SOC stock increased only slightly above the agriculture SOC stock. The most important variable regulating SOC stocks and its changes was tree basal area, possibly indicative of organic matter inputs. Furthermore, climatic variables such as temperature and precipitation, and soil variables such as clay fraction and soil pH were likewise all important regulators of SOC and SOC stock changes. Lastly, we found a strong correlation between tree species diversity in home garden and coffee AFSs and SOC stocks, highlighting possibilities to increase carbon stocks by proper tree species assemblies.