Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Wave slam response of large high-speed catamarans

The rapid evolution of high-speed sea transportation has led to the development of large, fast, lightweight vessels. The structural design optimisation of such vessels requires knowledge of the effect of sea loads on their structure. Of particular importance for high-speed catamarans are severe wet-deck slam events, which can impart a large global load onto a vessel's structure and as a consequence cause significant structural damage. The dynamic whipping response of the structure may also be important by making a significant contribution to fatigue damage. Extensive full-scale hull stress, motion and wave measurements were conducted on two Incat high-speed catamaran ferries. A definition of a slam event, for these vessels, was proposed and used to identify slam events from the data records. The character and effects of these slamming events are investigated with respect to a number of factors. Slam events were found to produce bending moments up to 700% of the largest underlying global wave loads. The data from the full-scale slam events, including an extreme slam event that caused extensive structural damage, was used in conjunction with finite element modelling to develop a realistic quasi-static slam loading scenario for structural design purposes. This slam load case gives a maximum bending moment approximately 16% greater than that stipulated by classification society Det Norske Veritas, with a greater bias towards the bow of the vessel. A method for scaling the design load case for use with new designs is also proposed. A technique for predicting the mode shape and frequency of the whipping behaviour utilising finite element analysis including the fluid-structure interaction is presented. The hydrodynamic added mass of the surrounding fluid was calculated using a two-dimensional panel method for a range of speeds. The calculated whipping modes are then compared favourably with those found through the full-scale measurements and exciter experiments. The exciter experiments were conducted on two vessels with the anchors being dropped and instantaneously arrested to excite the vessels' first longitudinal mode of vibration. The level of damping of the whipping behaviour is investigated through the full-scale results and exciter experiments. Methods for evaluating the various hydrodynamic components which constitute the damping are also presented including wavemaking damping, viscous damping and acoustic damping. It is concluded that structural damping is the dominant damping component. Fatigue life estimates, utilising full-scale slam data and derived whipping behaviour information, were conducted which found that slamming and whipping behaviour have a large influence on fatigue life. Finally, knowledge of the dynamic slamming response was utilised to develop a dynamic extreme slam design load case. This dynamic load case more realistically simulates the dynamic structural response of the vessel to a slam. It is the core component of a new practical methodology for the structural design of large high-speed catamarans for slamming.
High Frequency of 45,X/46,XY mosaicism carring a structurally abnormal Y chromosome in patients with Y chromosome microdeletions: a 8-year period retrospective study

Background: Structural abnormalities of Y chromosome are commonly described in associated with the occurrence of a 45,X/46,XY chromosomal mosaicism. In recent years, evidences of an association between Y chromosome microdeletions and 45,X/46,XY mosaicism had been investigated, and 45,X/46,XY mosaicism was found to be particularly common in patients with Y chromosome microdeletions. The aim of our study was to investigate the presence of 45,X/46,XY mosaicism carrying a structurally abnormal Y chromosome in patients with Y chromosome microdeletions.Results: A 8-year retrospective study was conducted on 6545 infertile men with nonobstructive azoospermia or oligozoospermia. A total of 19 patients with 45,X/46,XY mosaicism or its variants were found, of which 78.95% (15/19) had a structural Y chromosome abnormalities in 46,XY cell line. Thirteen of 19 (68.42%, 13/19) patients with 45,X/46,XY mosaicism had Y chromosome microdeletions, and 12/13 (92.31%) of them exhibited a structurally abnormal Y chromosome.Conclusions: Our results were consistent with previous studies that a high frequency of 45,X/46,XY mosaicism or its variants were detected in patients with Y chromosome microdeletions. Different from previous studies, we found that 45,X/46,XY mosaicism in patients with Y chromosome microdeletions almost all exhibited a structurally abnormal Y chromosome.
Assessing the impact of climate on annual and seasonal discharges at the Sremska Mitrovica station on the Sava River, Serbia

Flood frequency analysis was performed on annual maxima series for 90 years (1928–2017) of discharge data recorded at the Sremska Mitrovica gauging station on the Sava River. The three-parameter distributions (PearsonIII, Log-PearsonIII) are more suitable for modelling annual maxima than distribution functions with only two parameters (Normal, Log-normal, Gumbel). The Mann–Kendall test statistic indicated that there is no statistically significant trend identified in annual maximum discharges or average annual discharges. A positive increasing trend was observed in annual temperature, while annual precipitation shows a decreasing trend which is non-significant. The seasonality analysis found a statistically non-significant weak negative trend in discharge in spring, summer and autumn and a statistically non-significant weak positive trend in winter. During winter, spring, and summer a non-significant negative trend in precipitation was observed, while autumn has experienced a statistically significant increasing trend. Temperatures show a positive trend in all seasons, but only temperatures during the warm period show a statistically significant increase. The results demonstrate that decreasing discharges of the Sava River at the Sremska Mitrovica gauging station are mainly the consequence of decreasing precipitation and increasing temperature (increasing evaporation), which is consistent with the results of other studies of the region.
How to develop the buyer-supplier relationship management : An investigation of the Swedish furniture industry

During the last decades, the competition changed from taking place between individual companies to take place between supply chains. As a natural consequence, the importance of buyer-supplier relationships (BSRs) increased since both actors need to work together (Dyer & Singh, 1998; Kannan & Choon Tan, 2006). During a seminar provided by the Swedish trade and employers’ association Tra- och Mobelforetagen (TMF), companies within the Swedish furniture industry revealed the BSR management to be deficient from time to time, where price focus has increased from the producer side. Whereas the suppliers stressed the disinterest to compete on price, the authors formulated the purpose of this thesis as: To investigate how the furniture industry can further develop the management of BSRs for the benefit of both producers and suppliers within the industry segment.To fulfill the purpose, the authors have conducted an observation, interviews and distributed a survey to both producers and suppliers of the studied industry segment, design- and office furniture. The aim was to holistically understand how the BSRs are currently managed, and from the current state provide improvement suggestions.The analysis of the collected data highlights that the problems perceived by the companies are not as wide-ranging as first indicated, but there are rather small-scale changes that need to be done in order to improve the BSR management. The suggested improvements that need to be considered were drafted from earlier theories and merged into a single BSR framework. However, a BSR development model, suggesting that the furniture industry could beneficially manage the BSRs more strategically, also accompanies the BSR framework. The authors conclude that in order for companies to manage BSRs more strategically, the main focus needs to shift from price towards flexibility, long-term commitment and co-development. Only by shifting focus from transactional BSRs towards collaborative BSRs, the authors argue the furniture industry can realize the domestic BSRs’ full potential.
Some perspectives on statistical computing

The author argues for an increased emphasis on computing in the training of statisticians and in their professional practice. He describes some of the current technological challenges and demonstrates the importance for statisticians of becoming more active in computational aspects of their work and specifically in producing software for carrying out statistical procedures. Such a reorientation will require substantial changes in thinking, pedagogy and infrastructure; the author mentions some of the conditions required to achieve these goals.
Convective Heat and Mass Transfer to Fluids from a Rotating Sphere

Convective heat and mass transfer from a rotating sphere have been study here. The study cases were divided into the rotating sphere in an axial flow and in still fluid. The heat transfer is a major part in this study because the mass transfer that we got was from analogy. The heat transfer from rotating sphere in an axial flow was solved by taking the advantage of Merk’s method, with uniform wall temperature (UWT) and uniform heat flux (UHF) heating conditions, while in still fluid we obtained a new equation for heat transfer for constant wall temperature heating condition. The result was that the heat transfer from the (UHF) case is greater than (UWT) case, while booth cases are increased with the rotation parameter (B) and Prandtl number. Now, for the still fluid case, the heat transfer increases with rotational Reynolds number and with Prandtl number. The mass transfer case had been obtained by the analogy, and because of that we got almost the same equations but with different coefficients and with the same cases that we dealt with heat transfer. A central finite deference method was used to solve fi, gi and θi's parameters for the case of heat and mass transfer from a rotating sphere.
Selected ‘Starter Kit’ energy system modelling data for Vietnam (#CCG)

Energy system modelling can be used to assess the implications of different scenarios and support improved policymaking. However, access to data is often a barrier to energy system modelling, causing delays. Therefore, this article provides data that can be used to create a simple zero order energy system model for Vietnam, which can act as a starting point for further model development and scenario analysis. The data are collected entirely from publicly available and accessible sources, including the websites and databases of international organizations, journal articles, and existing modelling studies. This means that the dataset can be easily updated based on the latest available information or more detailed and accurate local data. These data were also used to calibrate a simple energy system model using the Open Source Energy Modelling System (OSeMOSYS) and three stylized scenarios (Fossil Future, Least Cost and Net Zero by 2050) for 2020–2050. The assumptions used and results of these scenarios are presented in the appendix as an illustrative example of what can be done with these data. This simple model can be adapted and further developed by in-country analysts and academics, providing a platform for future work.
The Narrative/storytelling approach in branding a place: an analytical study of Oldham

The aim of the study was to determine the extent to which the narrative or storytelling approach shapes a brand with a focus on Oldham. The objectives of the study were to ascertain the nature of stories; understand the way stories are told; identify ways places shape their identity; determine the extent to which stories are mirrored in the unfolding re-branding or re-storying of Oldham; compare Oldham’s experience to Bradford; profile perceptions of the Oldham stakeholders; develop an identity matrix for Oldham; formulate a framework for conceptualising the Oldham brand; make recommendations on the way forward; and suggest an approach to story based branding (story-branding). The conceptual framework states that, This study is a research of the storytelling approach or the narrative in the development of a place brand focusing on Oldham. The four core elements of the theoretical framework of the study include branding, place branding, the case study approach, Oldham and the storytelling or narrative approach. The researcher’s epistemological perspective is that of a phenomenological interpretivist engaged ethnographically in the study, i.e., grounded in the dynamics of Oldham as a social constructioninst. The methodology employed storytelling, using the narrative by thirty people familiar with Oldham, the Oldham historian’s perspective, eighty questionnaires and a focus group discussion rendering the methodology to a mixed method (triangulation). The literature review showed that the storytelling approach is central to human understanding. The Oldham brand is diverse given its heritage and its multiple stakeholders. The Oldham story projects hard work leading to global industrial excellence “king cotton”, peaking in 1866 and then deteriorating into dilapidation in the 1970’s and chaos, culminating in the race riots of 2001. Rebranding Oldham is complex as various elements are considered. The researcher recommends consolidation of the story and the utilisation of the great sub-stories of Oldham. The study proposes the Adaptive Story branding Conceptual Framework where the main story is adapted for different stakeholder groups.
Quasi-One-Dimensional Modeling of an Adiabatic-Compression Preheated Ludwieg Tube

Title of thesis: QUASI-ONE-DIMENSIONAL MODELING OF AN ADIABATIC-COMPRESSION PREHEATED LUDWIEG TUBE Joseph Chung, Master of Science, 2015 Thesis directed by: Professor Stuart Laurence Department of Aerospace Engineering A novel hypersonic facility is proposed that will reproduce the high pressures and temperatures necessary for the accurate simulation of hypersonic flight conditions. It will provide sufficient test times for investigating unsteady, transient flow effects while maintaining high flow quality due to the absence of vitiation contaminants and shocks in the generating flow. An electrically preheated Ludwieg tube provides the initial means of heating while the piston-compression is used to further increase the pressure and temperature. Preliminary constraints on the design space for optimal operation are presented through the method of characteristics (MOC). Further characterization is performed with quasi-one-dimensional Euler computations. The MOC approach shows the optimal operating condition constrains the compression ratio and Ludwieg tube to nozzle exit diameter ratio, assuming proper simulation of flight conditions. The unsteady Euler computations predict the presence of pressure oscillations generated during the piston-compression process. Methods are investigated to mitigate these oscillations. QUASI-ONE-DIMENSIONAL MODELING OF AN ADIABATIC-COMPRESSION PREHEATED LUDWIEG TUBE
Sex-specific risk profiles for suicide mortality in bipolar disorder: incidence, healthcare utilization and comorbidity

Abstract Background Evidence on sex-specific incidence and comorbidity risk factors of suicide among patients with bipolar disorder is scarce. This study investigated the sex-specific risk profiles for suicide among the bipolar disorder population in terms of incidence, healthcare utilization and comorbidity. Methods Using data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2016, this nationwide cohort study included patients with bipolar disorder (N = 46 490) and individuals representative of the general population (N = 185 960) matched by age and sex at a 1:4 ratio. Mortality rate ratios (MRRs) of suicide were calculated between suicide rates of bipolar disorder cohort and general population. In addition, a nested case–control study (1428 cases died by suicide and 5710 living controls) was conducted in the bipolar disorder cohort to examine the sex-specific risk of healthcare utilization and comorbidities. Results Suicide risk was considerably higher in the cohort (MRR = 21.9) than in the general population, especially among women (MRR = 35.6). Sex-stratified analyses revealed distinct healthcare utilization patterns and physical comorbidity risk profiles between the sexes. Although female patients who died by suicide had higher risks of nonhypertensive cardiovascular disease, pneumonia, chronic kidney disease, peptic ulcer, irritable bowel syndrome, and sepsis compared to their living counterparts, male patients who died by suicide had higher risks of chronic kidney disease and sepsis compared to the living controls. Conclusions Patients with bipolar disorder who died by suicide had sex-specific risk profiles in incidence and physical comorbidities. Identifying these modifiable risk factors may guide interventions for suicide risk reduction.
Dopaminergic neuron injury in Parkinson’s disease is mitigated by interfering lncRNA SNHG14 expression to regulate the miR-133b/ α-synuclein pathway

This study explored the influence of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) SNHG14 on α-synuclein (α-syn) expression and Parkinson’s disease (PD) pathogenesis. Firstly, we found that the expression level of SNHG14 was elevated in brain tissues of PD mice. In MN9D cells, the rotenone treatment (1μmol/L) enhanced the binding between transcriptional factor SP-1 and SNHG14 promoter, thus promoting SNHG14 expression. Interference of SNHG14 ameliorated the DA neuron injury induced by rotenone. Next, we found an interaction between SNHG14 and miR-133b. Further study showed that miR-133b down-regulated α-syn expression by targeting its 3’-UTR of mRNA and SNHG14 could reverse the negative effect of miR-133b on α-syn expression. Interference of SNHG14 reduced rotenone-induced DA neuron damage through miR-133b in MN9D cells and α-syn was responsible for the protective effect of miR-133b. Similarly, interference of SNHG14 mitigated neuron injury in PD mouse model. All in all, silence of SNHG14 mitigates dopaminergic neuron injury by down-regulating α-syn via targeting miR-133b, which contributes to improving PD.
Non-Intrusive Network-Based Estimation of Web Quality of Experience Indicators

Quality of Experience (QoE) deals with the acceptance of a service quality by the users and has evolved significantly as an important concept over the past 10 years. Network operators and service providers have gained interest in QoE-aware management of networks, in order to better fulfill end-user demands and gain a competitive edge in the market. While this growth promises new business opportunities, it also presents several challenges to the networking researchers, which are mainly related to the assessment of user experience. Several QoE assessment models have been proposed to estimate the user satisfaction for a given service quality. Most of them are intrusive and require knowledge of the content reference. In contrast, the network operators require non-intrusive methods, which allow models to be implementable on the network-level without having much knowledge about that reference. The methods should be able to monitor QoE passively in real-time, based on the information readily available on network level. This thesis investigates indicators, which are intended to be used in the development of non-intrusive network-based methods for the real-time QoE assessment and monitoring. First, a bridge is made between the user and the network perspectives by correlating the user traffic characteristics measured on an operational network and user subjective experience tested on an experimental platform. It is shown that the user session volume appears to be an indicator of users’ interest in the service. Second, the TCP connection interruptions are investigated as an indicator to infer the user experience. It is found out that the request-level performance metrics show stronger correlations between the interruption rates and the network Quality of Service (QoS). Third, a wavelet-based criterion is devised to assist in the identification of those traffic gaps, which may result in the degradation of QoE. It can be implemented on the network-level in quasi-real-time to quickly identify the user-perceived performance issues.
Performance evaluation of louvered fin compact heat exchangers with vortex generators

Every day large amounts of heat are transferred in many industrial and domestic processes. This heat transfer takes place in a heat exchanger. Any energy savings in heat transfer processes have a significant impact on the fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. More energy efficient heat exchangers help to meet the 20-20-20 climate and energy targets of the European Union. In many applications air is one of the working fluids (e.g. coolers in compressed air systems, heat pumps, air conditioning devices, domestic heating, etc.). When heat is exchanged with air, the main thermal resistance is located at the air side of the heat exchanger. To increase the heat transfer rate, the heat transfer surface area is enlarged by adding fins to the air side of the heat exchanger. When a high compactness is needed, complex interrupted fin surfaces are used. A typical example is the louvered fin design. The main disadvantage of the louvered fins is the high pressure drop. Delta winglets mounted on a heat transfer surface generate vortices which cause an intense mixing of the flow and thin the thermal boundary layers. In contrast to louvered fins, they enhance the heat transfer with a relatively low penalty in pressure drop. The objective of this doctoral work is to evaluate if the thermal hydraulic performance of a louvered fin heat exchanger with round tubes in a staggered layout can be improved by adding delta winglets to the fins. Such compound designs form the next generation of heat exchangers. Both experiments (flow visualizations in a water tunnel and heat transfer and pressure drop measurements in a wind tunnel) and simulations (Computational Fluid Dynamics - CFD) were performed. The louvers affect the main flow, while the delta winglets reduce the wake regions downstream of the tubes. The generated vortices cause three important mechanisms of heat transfer enhancement: a better mixing, a reduction of the thermal boundary layer thickness and a delay of the flow separation from the tube surface. Further, it was found that the vortices do not extend far downstream as they are destroyed by the deflected flow in the downstream louver bank. The compound heat exchanger has a better thermal hydraulic performance than when only vortex generators or only louvers are used. It is shown that for the same pumping power and heat duty, the compound heat exchanger is smaller in volume. Consequently, less space is required, the material cost is lower and (often also) the operational cost is reduced. The combination of louvered fins and vortex generators is mainly interesting for low Reynolds applications, such as HVAC&R applications or in compressed air systems. A well-considered location and geometry of the vortex generators are essential for an improved performance of the heat exchanger.