Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Wave Scattering by Cracks at Macro- and Nano-Scale in Anisotropic Plane by Boundary Integral Equation Method

Abstract Elastic wave scattering by cracks at macro- and nano-scale in anisotropic plane under conditions of plane strain is studied in this work. Furthermore, time-harmonic loads due to incident plane longitudinal P- or shear SV- wave are assumed to hold. In a subsequent step, the elastodynamic fundamental solution for general anisotropic continua derived in closed-form via the Radon transform is implemented in a numerical scheme based on the traction boundary integral equation method (BIEM). The surface elasticity effect in the case of nano-crack is taken into consideration via non-classical boundary condition along the crack surface proposed by Gurtin and Murdoch [1]. The numerical results obtained herein reveal substantial differences between anisotropic materials containing a macro- and a nano-crack in terms of their dynamic stress response, where the latter case demonstrates clearly the strong influence of the size-effects. Finally, these types of examples serve to illustrate the present approach and to show its potential for evaluating the stress concentration fields (SCF) inside cracked nanocomposites. The obtained results concern the reliability and safety of the advancing nanomaterials.
Extending PRT Framework for Lowly-Tessellated and Continuous Surfaces

Precomputed Radiance Transfer (PRT) is widely used for real-time photorealistic effects. PRT disentangles the rendering equation into transfer and lighting, enabling their precomputation. Transfer accounts for the cosine-weighted visibility of points in the scene, while Lighting is usually a distant emitted lighting, e.g., environment. Transfer computation involves tracing several rays into the scene from every point on the surface. For every ray, the binary visibility is calculated, and a spherical function is obtained. The spherical function is projected into Spherical Harmonic(SH) domain. SH is a band-limited representation of spherical functions, and the order of SH decides the representation capacity of the SH (the higher the SH order better the approximation of a spherical function). The SH domain also facilitates fast and efficient integral computation by simplifying the integral into simple dot products and convolutions. The original formulation of PRT by Sloan et al. 2002 provides different storage requirements for the transfer—vectors in the case of diffuse materials and matrices in the case of glossy materials. Using matrices for Transfer representation makes it infeasible as the SH orders increase. The work of Triple Product Formulation by Ng et al. in 2004 extended the formulation to allow simple vector-based Transfer storage even for the case of glossy materials. Prior art stored precomputed transfer in a tabulated manner in vertex space. These values are fetched with interpolation at each point for shading. Since the barycentric interpolation is finally employed to calculate the final color across the geometry apart from the vertex locations, the vertex space methods require densely tessellated mesh vertices to obtain accurate radiance. Sometimes high-density(tessellated) meshes adversely affect runtimes and memory requirements. This is mainly observed in simple geometries with no additional detailing but still demanding higher triangle counts (e.g., planes, walls, etc.). The first work provides a solution by leveraging Texture space, which is more continuous than the Vertex space. We also added additional functionality to obtain inter-reflection effects in the texture space. While Texture space methods provide faithful results in meshes, they require non-overlapping, areapreserving UV mapping, and a high-resolution texture to avoid artifacts. In the subsequent work, we propose a compact transfer representation that is learnt directly on scene geometry points. Specifically, we train a small multi-layer perceptron (MLP) to predict the transfer at sampled surface points. Our approach is most beneficial where inherent mesh storage structure and natural UV mapping are unavailable, such as Implicit Surfaces, as it learns the transfer values directly on the surface. Using our approach, we demonstrate real-time, photorealistic renderings of diffuse and glossy materials on SDF geometries with PRT.
Filling the Gaps Childcare Laws for Women’s Economic Empowerment

The Policy Research Working Paper Series disseminates the findings of work in progress to encourage the exchange of ideas about development issues. An objective of the series is to get the findings out quickly, even if the presentations are less than fully polished. The papers carry the names of the authors and should be cited accordingly. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this paper are entirely those of the authors. They do not necessarily represent the views of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/World Bank and its affiliated organizations, or those of the Executive Directors of the World Bank or the governments they represent.
Encoding of Emotional Concepts in Depression

Depression has always been an exciting topic of research due to its high prevalence and complex underlying mechanisms. Cognitive impairment, alterations in mood, emotion dysregulation, aversion to activity are just a few of the consequences of depression. Despite there being an ocean of literature present there, attempting to understand depression, we have just scratched the surface. There is still a lot to explore about the intricacies of this perplexing subject. This thesis is yet another attempt to understand and evaluate how depression changes how we understand and represent information (or concepts). In this work, our primary focus is on emotional concepts. In a nutshell, we are trying to look for answers to the question, ’Whether or not there exist any differences in the way people exhibiting moderate to severe depressive symptoms encode emotional concepts, compared to people with no or minimal depressive symptoms? ’. To address this question, we first conducted a pilot study involving 48 participants. A corpus of 50 emotional words of varying hedonic and arousing content was given to the participants in this study. They were instructed to rate their affective experience of valence and arousal for each word on a 9-point self-assessment manikin (SAM) scale. This study aimed to record the Indian affective experience of emotional words and construct a comprehensive affective word database for the following main study. Fifteen words were selected from the corpus, which according to the participants’ responses, were capable of accurately capturing the required affect and arousal. These 15 words were clustered on the arousal-valence bi-dimensional model into five groups (3 belonging to each) and used as stimuli for the second study. An additional objective of the study was to compare and contrast the affective responses of the Indian population with the data collected by other studies on the western people to see if there existed any cultural differences between them. Following the pilot study, we conducted a detailed psychological study involving 107 participants and instructed them to generate properties for 15 emotional words (from the pilot study) presented to them as stimuli. Using state-of-the-art computational models, we evaluated the data collected to efficaciously shed some light on the linguistic, semantic, and sentiment differences in the properties generated by the two groups of samples (participants exhibiting no or mild symptoms and participants showing moderate to severe symptoms). These two groups were created after assessing the predisposition emotional state of the entire sample individually by using Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI). We found an overall increased negative sentiment and decreased positive sentiment in the properties generated by the sample showing depressive symptoms. Emotion analysis of the data reflected that the sample with
Comparative Evaluation of Four RANS Turbulence Models for Aerosol Dispersion from a Cough

The study of aerosol dispersion in indoor environments is essential to understanding and mitigating airborne virus transmission, such as SARS-CoV-2. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) has emerged as a valuable tool for investigating aerosol dispersion, providing an alternative to costly experimental methods. In this study, we investigated the performance of four (4) Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) turbulence models in predicting aerosol dispersion from a human body coughing in a small, ventilated indoor environment. We compared the Standard, RNG, Realizable k-ϵ models and the SST k- ω model using the same boundary conditions. We initially observed that the horizontal distance of the coughed aerosols after 10.2s dispersion time was substantially shorter with the standard k-ϵ turbulence compared to the other three turbulence models compared to the SST k-ω model, the RNG, and realizable k-ϵ models exhibit a high degree of similarity in their dispersion patterns. Specifically, we observed that the aerosols dispersed horizontally faster with the RNG and Realizable k-ϵ models. In conclusion, when compared to qualitative data from the literature, our observations exclude the standard k-ϵ turbulence. However, to select the most appropriate turbulence model for capturing the cough flow and aerosol dispersion dynamics, further detailed validation against both quantitative and qualitative data is needed.
Evaluating the Efficacy of Multicultural Education Programs at Reducing Anti-Muslim Prejudice on College Campuses.

Colleges and universities are becoming increasingly aware of the need to foster more diverse and inclusive spaces. The present study sought to investigate the effectiveness of Multicultural Education Programs (MEP) at a research university in the Southeastern United States. Whereas prior research evaluated such programs, none have examined their effect in reducing anti-Muslim sentiment, which has been on the rise since 9/11, and more recently throughout the presidency of Donald J. Trump. Using a quasi-experimental independent group posttest design, students from two groups (MEP and non-MEP) were surveyed to examine the effects of the MEP in reducing anti-Muslim sentiment. The sample consisted of 125 respondents from a control and experimental group. Data were collected and analyzed through a survey to measure symbolic threat, realistic threat, and Islamophobia. Relying on t -tests and linear regression, findings suggest that those engaged in MEP’s were less likely to perceive Muslims as threats and less likely to hold Islamophobic views of their peers from the control group.
Privacy Regulation and Quality-Enhancing Innovation

We analyze how a privacy regulation taking the form of a cap on information disclosure affects quality‐enhancing innovation incentives by a monopolist—who derives revenues solely from disclosing user data to third parties—and consumer surplus. If the share of privacy‐concerned users is sufficiently small, privacy regulation has a negative effect on innovation and may harm users. However, if the share of privacy‐concerned users is sufficiently large, privacy regulation has a positive effect on innovation. In this case, there is no trade‐off between privacy and innovation and users always benefit from privacy regulation.
Quantifying the Germany Shock: Structural Reforms and Spillovers in a Currency Union

We examine the effects of unilateral structural reforms within a currency union. Focusing on the surge of German competitiveness following the introduction of the Euro, we first provide reduced-form causal evidence supporting the notion that German structural labor-market reforms in the early 2000s led to a crowding-out of manufacturing employment in other Eurozone economies. To assess the impact of this German competitiveness shock, we build a quantitative multi-sector trade model that features downward nominal wage rigidities, endogenous labor supply, unemployment-insurance benefits and international savings. The fixed nominal exchange rate can create binding nominal rigidities in response to a foreign real supply shock – like the one prompted by the German reforms – resulting in significant contraction of manufacturing sectors and increased involuntary unemployment across other Eurozone countries. We consider a number of counterfactual scenarios, such as the impact of German labor-market reforms in the absence of a fixed exchange-rate regime, the role of coordinated reforms within the Eurozone and a higher average inflation rate.
Kernel- vs. User-Level Networking: A Ballad of Interrupts and How to Mitigate Them

Networking performance has become especially important in the current age with growing demands on services over the Internet. Recent advances in network controllers has exposed bottlenecks in various parts of network processing. User-level networking, which bypasses the operating system’s network stack and replaces it with one re-implemented in the userspace, is often framed as a silver bullet to mitigate any performance issues arising in the kernel network stack. However, there is often no comprehensive study on where this performance increase ultimately comes from. This work aims to explore potential areas from which improvements in overall performance can arise. Most importantly, it is identified that asynchronous interrupts and their handling is a major source of overhead associated with the kernel network stack. Several proposals are presented with the goal of reducing the need for interrupts in the kernel network stack, simulating the execution model of user-level networking. It is shown that a small kernel modification with around 30 lines of code change results in a substantial performance increase without the need to replace the kernel network stack in its entirety.
How Banks Anticipate and Propagate Global Financial Sanctions

We study the impacts of global financial sanctions on banks and their corporate borrowers in Russia. Financial sanctions were imposed consecutively between 2014 and 2019, allowing targeted (but not-yetsanctioned) banks to adapt their international and domestic exposures in advance. Using a staggered difference-in-differences approach with in-advance adaptation to anticipated treatment, we establish that targeted banks immediately reduced their foreign assets and actually increased their international borrowings after the first sanction announcement compared to other similar banks. We reveal that the added value of the next sanction announcements was rather limited. Despite considerable outflow of domestic private deposits, the government support prevented disorderly bank failures and resulted in credit reshuffling: the banks contracted corporate lending by 4% of GDP and increased household lending by almost the same magnitude, which mostly offset the total economic loss. Further, we introduce a two-stage treatment diffusion approach that flexibly addresses potential spillovers of the sanctions to private banks with political connections. Employing unique hand-collected board membership and bank location data, our approach shows that throughout this period, politically-connected banks were not all equally recognized as potential sanction targets. Finally, using syndicated loan data, we establish that the real negative effects of sanctions materialized only when sanctioned firms were borrowing from sanctioned banks. When borrowing from unsanctioned banks, sanctioned firms even gained in terms of employment and investment but still lost in terms of market sales pointing to a misallocation of government support. (JEL: F51, G41, H81, L25.)
Comparison of the Head-Neck Kinematics of Different Active Human Body Models with Experimental Data

Up until now, various Active Human Body Models (AHBMs) have been developed using different anatomical references, validation data, modelling approaches and simulation software programs. Nevertheless, all these models should comply with the same validation requirements to deliver equivalent simulation results. This study focusses on the comparison of several AHBMs in different finite element software codes against the recently published experimental data for the head-neck kinematics. The main goal of such a comparison is the evaluation of the behaviour of different models when it comes to application in virtual testing procedures. Simulations were conducted based on a multi-dimensional simulation matrix varying two software codes, two muscle material models, two muscle control approaches and three existing AHBMs. Outcomes were compared to volunteer’s head centre of gravity vertical displacement trajectories resulting in the CORA evaluation rating from marginal to fair (0,281 – 0,636).
Resolution pharmacology and the treatment of infectious diseases.

Inflammation is elicited by the host in response to microbes, and is believed to be essential for protection against infection. However, we have previously hypothesized that excessive or misplaced inflammation may be a major contributor to tissue dysfunction and death associated with viral and bacterial infections. The resolutive phase of inflammation is a necessary condition to achieve homeostasis after acute inflammation. It is possible that targeting inflammation resolution may be beneficial for the host during infection. In this review, we summarize the evidence demonstrating the expression, roles and effects of the best described pro-resolving molecules in the context of bacterial and viral infections. Pro-resolving molecules play a pivotal role in modulating a spectrum of pathways associated with tissue inflammation and damage during both viral and bacterial infections. These molecules offer a blend of anti-inflammatory, pro-resolving and sometimes anti-infective benefits, all the while circumventing the undesired and immune-suppressive unwanted effects associated with glucocorticoids. Whether these beneficial effects will translate into benefits to patients clearly deserve further investigation.
An Investigation of Teachers’ Views on Applicability of Modeling in Mathematics Courses

The purpose of this study has been to determine the views of elementary mathematics teachers on the applicability of modeling in mathematics courses. A case study was conducted with 17 elementary mathematics teachers working in various provinces in Turkey. An interview form consisting of open-ended questions was designed for the purpose of collecting data, which was obtained through semi-structured interviews. From the categories constituting the themes developed via the views of the teachers, four major conclusions and one minor conclusion were reached at the end of the study. Study results showed that the elementary mathematics teachers’ knowledge of the process and teaching performance had an impact on their views of the applicability of modeling.
OP-EMPH200021 114..128

Background and objectives: Among placental mammals, females undergo immunological shifts during pregnancy to accommodate the fetus (i.e. fetal tolerance). Fetal tolerance has primarily been characterized within post-industrial populations experiencing evolutionarily novel conditions (e.g. reduced pathogen exposure), which may shape maternal response to fetal antigens. This study investigates how ecological conditions affect maternal immune status during pregnancy by comparing the direction and magnitude of immunological changes associated with each trimester among the Tsimane (a subsistence population subjected to high pathogen load) and women in the USA. Methodology: Data from the Tsimane Health and Life History Project (N1⁄4 935) and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (N1⁄4 1395) were used to estimate population-specific effects of trimester on differential leukocyte count and C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of systemic inflammation. Results: In both populations, pregnancy was associated with increased neutrophil prevalence, reduced lymphocyte and eosinophil count and elevated CRP. Compared to their US counterparts, pregnant Tsimane women exhibited elevated lymphocyte and eosinophil counts, fewer neutrophils and monocytes and lower CRP. Total leukocyte count remained high and unchanged among pregnant Tsimane women while pregnant US women exhibited substantially elevated counts, resulting in overlapping leukocyte prevalence among all third-trimester individuals. Conclusions and implications: Our findings indicate that ecological conditions shape non-pregnant immune baselines and the magnitude of immunological shifts during pregnancy via developmental constraints and current trade-offs. Future research should investigate how such flexibility impacts VC The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Foundation for Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ 4.0/), which permits unrestricted reuse, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. 114 ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health [2020] pp. 114–128 doi:10.1093/emph/eoaa022 D ow naded rom http/academ ic.p.com em ph/article/1/114/5866980 by gest on 20 O cber 2020 maternal health and disease susceptibility, particularly the degree to which chronic pathogen exposure might dampen inflammatory response to fetal antigens. Lay Summary: This study compares immunological changes associated with pregnancy between the Tsimane (an Amazonian subsistence population) and individuals in the USA. Results suggest that while pregnancy enhances non-specific defenses and dampens both antigen-specific immunity and parasite/allergy response, ecological conditions strongly influence immune baselines and the magnitude of shifts during gestation. K E Y W O R D S : reproductive ecology; fetal tolerance; ecological immunology; Tsimane
Bank choice, bank runs, and coordination in the presence of two banks

We investigate learning in a repeated bank choice game, where agents first choose a bank to deposit in and then decide to withdraw that deposit or not. This game has a single Nash equilibrium in pure strategies, characterized by all agents depositing in the bank that offers the highest return, even though it may be more vulnerable to bankruptcy if some agents withdraw early. We use an individual evolutionary learning algorithm to model under which circumstances and with which beliefs agents can learn the Nash equilibrium in the repeated game and compare the results to an experiment. We find subjects coordinating on the Nash equilibrium under low and medium risk, but efficient coordination fails under high risk (irrespective of whether subjects have full or only partial information).
AUGMENTED REALITY IN ONLINE RETAIL: GENERATIONAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MILLENNIALS AND GENERATION Z USING VIRTUAL TRY-ON’S

The aim of this thesis is to examine the differences across two generational cohorts, millennials, and Generation Z, in terms of their augmented reality (AR) experience using virtual try-on’s (VTO) in online retail. Based on a quantitative study involving an online survey and experiment carried out among 198 participants, the results revealed significant differences in post-usage variables. Millennials experienced higher hedonic value and need for touch while Gen Z experienced higher utilitarian value, ease of use, attitude towards using and purchase intention. There were no statistical differences in spatial presence, psychological ownership, and awareness of privacy practices. However, the study clearly shows differences among the generations and thus contributes to the research on augmented reality and generational marketing. Considering cohort-specific differences will enable practitioners to cluster demographic groups, thus creating specific buyer personas to target more efficiently for optimised marketing strategies, and, as a bonus, to increase the environmental sustainability of online retail.