Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of kinetic models for data from a positron emission tomograph

The purpose of this research was to compare a physiological model of 82Rb in the myocardium with two reduced order models with regard to their ability to assess physiological parameters of diagnostic significance. A three compartment physiological model of 82Rb uptake in the myocardium was used to simulate kinetic region of interest data from a positron emission tomograph (PET). Simulations were generated for eight different blood flow rates reflecting the physiological range of interest. Two reduced order models which are commonly used with myocardial PET studies were fit to the simulated data and the parameters of the reduced order models were compared with the physiological parameters. Then all three models were fit to the simulated data with noise added. Monte carlo simulations were used to evaluate and compare the diagnostic utility of the reduced order models.
High Resolution Distribution Dataset of Double-Season Paddy Rice in China

Although China is the largest producer of rice, accounting for about 25% of global production, there are no high-resolution maps of paddy rice covering the entire country. Using time-weighted dynamic time warping (TWDTW), this study developed a pixel- and phenology-based method to identify planting areas of double-season paddy rice in China, by comparing temporal variations of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) signals of unknown pixels to those of known double-season paddy rice fields. We conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the method’s performance at pixel and regional scales. Based on 145,210 field surveyed samples from 2018 to 2020, the producer’s and user’s accuracy are 88.49% and 87.02%, respectively. Compared to county-level statistical data from 2016 to 2019, the relative mean absolute errors are 34.11%. This study produced distribution maps of double-season rice at 10 m spatial resolution from 2016 to 2020 over nine provinces in South China, which account for more than 99% of the planting areas of double-season paddy rice of China. The maps are expected to contribute to timely monitoring and evaluating rice growth and yield.
Formulation, Implementation and Control of Competitive Strategy

Contemporary research in strategic management, with an emphasis on conceptual tools and skills created by scholars and practitioners in the field are evident throughout this 12-chapter text-only book. "Formulation, Implementation, and Control of Competitive Strategy" is the softcover, text-only version of Pearce and Robinson's "Strategic Management". Pearce and Robinson present a pedagogical model for instructors who desire quantitative analysis. The financial data available here should appeal to instructors and the strong coverage of "Business Week" material provides a currency to the text.
The statistics of electrical tree inception

A theoretical model is proposed to explain the statistics of electrical tree inception based on the geometry of the initiating electrode and the field variation around its surface. Numerical calculations show that the model is sufficient to describe qualitatively the observed features of both the time to inception distribution and the distribution of inception voltages (fields) obtained in ramp experiments. The implications of the model for the analysis of such experiments are discussed. >
Seamless Transfer of Microturbine Generation System Operation Between Grid-connected and Islanding Modes

Abstract The intentional islanding operation of grid-connected distributed generation systems can greatly improve the reliability and quality of the power supply. The existing control techniques for distributed generation systems are designed to operate either in the grid-connected or islanding modes of operation, thus, not allowing for both modes to be implemented and transitioned between. In this article, a novel scheme for automatic mode switching of a microturbine-based distributed generation system between the grid-connected and islanding modes of operation is proposed. The presented scheme is based on the phase angle estimated by the phase-locked loop. The developed phase-locked loop provides an accurate estimation of the phase angle even under unbalanced conditions. The presented scheme does not negatively affect the distributed generation system or utility operations and can work even under matching distributed generation and load power ratings. In this work, back-to-back converters are used to interface the microturbine-based distributed generation system to the grid. Converter control strategies developed for both modes of distributed generation operation is also presented. The simulation results show good accuracy of the proposed scheme.
Multicriterion Sustainability Assessment in Transportation

The increase in the number of hybrid electric vehicles and carshare users in the United States in the past decade urges transportation officials to incorporate vehicle characteristics into traditional transportation planning and sustainability assessments. This study updates the state of the art in three main ways: (a) employs a life-cycle approach instead of focusing only on the operation of modes, (b) disaggregates vehicles by type instead of assuming a uniform light-duty vehicle fleet, and (c) assesses conventional and hybrid technologies explicitly for travel mode combinations instead of assuming only fossil fuel–powered vehicles and private cars. The sustainability framework used in this study sets the direction for a multicriterion assessment of urban transportation. Six highway vehicles and modes are analyzed: an internal combustion engine vehicle (ICEV), a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a carsharing program with ICEVs, a carsharing program with HEVs, a diesel bus, and a hybrid diesel–electric bus. The three travel combinations are developed into three case studies: (a) passenger vehicle only, (b) passenger vehicle and public bus, and (c) carsharing and public bus. The results show that the inclusion of carsharing in the travel mix is the best option. The most sustainable mode, relative to the other five, is found to be carsharing with HEVs. The superior performance of carsharing over transit buses reveals opportunities for new policies in sustainable transportation.
Computer Experiments with Qualitative and Quantitative Variables: A Review and Reexamination

ABSTRACT In this article, we review and reexamine approaches to modeling computer experiments with qualitative and quantitative input variables. For those not familiar with models for computer experiments, we begin by showing, in a simple setting, that a standard model for computer experiments can be viewed as a generalization of regression models. We then review models that include both quantitative and quantitative variables and present some alternative parameterizations. Two are based on indicator functions and allow one to use standard quantitative inputs-only models. Another parameterization provides additional insight into possible underlying factorial structure. Finally, we use two examples to illustrate the benefits of these alternative models
When the Going Gets Tough…

In the aftermath of the Great Recession, the Spanish government reduced the replacement rate (RR) from 60 percent to 50 percent after 180 days of unemployment for all spells beginning on or after July 15, 2012. Using Social Security data and a differences-in-differences approach, we find that reducing the RR by ten percentage points (or 17 percent) increases workers’ odds of finding a job by 41 percent relative to similar workers not affected by the reform. To put it differently, the reform reduced the mean expected unemployment duration by 5.7 weeks (or 14 percent), implying an elasticity of 0.86. A regression discontinuity approach indicates that the reform increased the job-finding rate by 26 percent. We find strong behavioral effects as the reform reduced the expected unemployment duration right from the beginning of the unemployment spell. While the reform had no effect on wages, it did not decrease other measures of post-displacement job-match quality. After 15 months, the reform decreased unemployment insurance expenditures by 16 percent, about one-half of which are explained by job seekers’ behavioral changes.
Behavioral New Keynesian Models: Learning vs. Cognitive Discounting

This paper estimates a New Keynesian model with new and old behavioral elements. Agents in the model exhibit cognitive discounting, or myopia: they discount variables far into the future at higher rates than typically implied in the benchmark model. We investigate the model under different expectational assumptions: rational expectations, subjective expectations with infinite-horizon learning, and subjective expectations with Euler-equation learning. Under rational expectations, the model necessitates of large, possibly unrealistically so, degrees of myopia. The same result persists under infinite-horizon learning, given that agents are still remarkably far-sighted. But, under Euler-equation learning, the model can fit the data with only minimal estimated degrees of myopia. The results indicate that the empirical evidence for cognitive discounting may be sensitive to the modeling of expectations, and they highlight learning as a key behavioral feature to understand macroeconomic fluctuations.
Feasible Diversion and Instream Flow Release Using Range of Variability Approach

A methodology based on the range of variability approach (RVA) is presented for determining the feasible combinations of flow diversion and instream flow release for a projected diversion weir. The RVA is designed to support efforts to manage water system operations in a manner that minimizes impacts on natural hydrologic variability, and thereby minimizes ecological impacts. This approach is used to evaluate the prediversion flows and establish the riverine management targets in terms of 32 hydrologic parameters called indicators of hydrologic alteration (IHAs). The goal is to make the postdiversion flows attain the target ranges at the same frequency as that which occurred in the prediversion flow regime. A weir-operation simulation approach is employed to compute the postdiversion flows. Based on the simulation results, the degree of hydrologic alteration under various combinations of flow diversion and release is evaluated and plotted as a contour diagram for each IHA. Overlapping the contour diagrams of the 32 IHAs, three overall hydrologic-alteration regions are constructed. The feasible region, i.e., the overall low-alteration region, is defined by the combinations of flow diversion and instream flow release for which none of the 32 IHAs is significantly altered. The feasible combinations of flow diversion and release are further evaluated with their corresponding water-supply shortage indices. The proposed methodology allows for the incorporation of both water-supply and environmental protection concerns in water resources planning and management. The merits of this methodology are demonstrated with an application to the proposed Taitung diversion weir in Taiwan.
Minimization of Bounded Cable Tensions in Cable-Based Parallel Manipulators

In this work, the application of the Dykstra’s alternating projection method to find the minimum-2-norm solution for actuator forces is discussed in the case when lower and upper bounds are imposed on the actuator forces. The lower bound is due to specified pretension desired in the cables and the upper bound is due to the maximum allowable forces in the cables. This algorithm presents a systematic numerical method to determine whether or not a solution exists to the cable forces within these bounds and, if it does exist, calculate the minimum-2-norm solution for the cable forces for a given task force. This method is applied to an example 2-DOF translational cable-driven manipulator and a geometrical demonstration is presented.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Measured acoustic characteristics of ducted supersonic jets at different model scales

A large-scale (about a 25x enlargement) model of the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) hardware was installed and tested in the Propulsion Systems Laboratory of the NASA Lewis Research Center. Acoustic measurements made in these two facilities are compared and the similarity in acoustic behavior over the scale range under consideration is highlighted. The study provide the acoustic data over a relatively large-scale range which may be used to demonstrate the validity of scaling methods employed in the investigation of this phenomena.
Frequency Response Analysis of an Actively Lubricated Rotor/Tilting-Pad Bearing System

In the present paper the dynamic response of a rotor supported by an active lubricated tilting-pad bearing is investigated in the frequency domain. The theoretical part of the investigation is based on a mathematical model obtained by means of rigid body dynamics. The oil film forces are inserted into the model by using two different approaches: (a) linearized active oil film forces and the assumption that the hydrodynamic forces and the active hydraulic forces can be decoupled, and (b) equivalent dynamic coefficients of the active oil film and the solution of the modified Reynolds equation for the active lubrication. The second approach, based on the equivalent dynamic coefficients, leads to more accurate results because it includes the frequency dependence of the active hydraulic forces. Theoretical and experimental results reveal the feasibility of reducing resonance peaks by using the active lubricated tilting-pad bearing. By applying a simple proportional controller it is possible to reach 30% reduction of the resonance peak associated with the first rigid body mode shape of the system. One of the most important consequences of such a vibration reduction in rotating machines is the feasibility of increasing their operational range by attenuating resonance peaks and reducing vibration problems.
Evaluation of Conservation Strips as a Conservation Biological Control Technique on Golf Courses

Title of Thesis: EVALUATION OF CONSERVATION STRIPS AS A CONSERVATION BIOLOGICAL CONTROL TECHNIQUE ON GOLF COURSES Steven D. Frank, Master of Science, 2003 Thesis directed by: Assistant Professor Paula M. Shrewsbury Department of Entomology Conservation strips combine the conservation biological control tactics of beetle banks and flowering insectary strips. Conservation strips were established on golf course fairways to evaluate their effect on arthropod abundance and distribution. The conservation strips contained two flowering plants, alyssum and coreopsis, and an ornamental grass. In general, the plants species in the conservation strips supported a greater abundance of predators, parasitoids and alternative prey than turf. Conservation strips also resulted in a greater abundance of natural enemies and alternative prey in the fairway adjacent to the conservation strips versus fairways without conservation strips. Predation on cutworm larvae in fairways was significantly more frequent when conservation strips were present. For these reasons conservation strips show great potential as a conservation biological control tactic on golf courses. Installation of conservation strips could result in reduced pest pressure and a reduction in the need for insecticide applications on golf courses. EVALUATION OF CONSERVATION STRIPS AS A CONSERVATION BIOLOGICAL CONTROL TECHNIQUE ON GOLF COURSES
Transmission of an Optical Wave Beam Through a System of Two Aperture Stops

The beam-mode expansion method used in the discussions of the diffraction of a Gaussian wave beam through an aperture is applied to a system of two circular or square aperture stops, and the analytical expressions of the power transmission and conversion coefficients of a fundamental mode through the system are obtained. By using these expressions, the optimum incidence conditions that maximize the power transmission coefficient of the fundamental mode can be known. These conditions coincide formally with those obtained by Kogelnik and Yariv for an incident wave having a prolate spheroidal-wave function distribution. Both circular and square geometries can be analyzed in the same way.
Effects of CSR Messages on Apparel Consumers’ Word-of-Mouth: Perceived Corporate Hypocrisy as a Mediator

This study focused on understanding how (mis)match between a company's corporate social responsibility claims as indicated in their mission and the activities it actually undertakes to meet its CSR goals leads to consumers’ corporate hypocrisy and how consumers’ CSR-CA beliefs moderate the relationship between the two. Using the Moral Responsibility Theory of Corporate Sustainability as a framework, this research analyzed the difference in corporate hypocrisy between consumers with high versus low CSR-CA tradeoff beliefs. In addition, we examined the impact of consumers’ corporate hypocrisy on their negative word-of-mouth intention and how participants’ injunctive norm impacts the relationship between the two. A sample of 538 adult US consumers were recruited for an online experimental study. The study extends the findings of MCRS and also provides implications for apparel businesses.
Taper and volume equations for poplar trees growing on farmland in Sweden

Effective management of poplar plantations for high yield production would be facilitated by the availability of improved equations for predicting the taper and volume of poplar stems. Therefore, this thesis is based upon a polynomial stem taper equation and two volume equations constructed for individual poplar trees growing on farmland. Data for fitting and evaluate the taper and volume equations were collected from 51 trees growing in 27 stands in central and southern Sweden (lat. 55-60° N). The mean age of the stands was 22 years, mean density 970 stems ha⁻¹, and mean diameter at breast height 24 cm. Validation data were collected from 17 trees growing in ten stands, not used for fitting the equations. The outputs of the polynomial taper equation were compared with five published equations. The statistical evaluation indicated that the variable exponent taper equation presented by Kozak (1988) performed best and can be recommended. Because this equation´s complex construction, alternative recommendations were made. The constructed taper equation and the segmented equation presented by Max & Burkhart (1976) were second and third ranked. The first constructed stem volume equation is a function of diameter at breast height (DBH) and total height (H) as independent variables. In addition to these variables the other is also a function of an upper diameter. The outputs of these two equations were analyzed and compared to those of five published equations developed for, or applied on, poplar or aspen species. Of the stem volume equations examined the best performance was provided by the constructed equation with an additional upper diameter and recommended when precise and accurate volume estimations are required. However, because of difficulties to measure diameters high above ground, this equation is less practical in traditional surveys. For this purpose, the first constructed equation or the equation developed by Fowler & Hussain 1987 can be recommended. The taper and volume equations recommended in the study are likely to be useful in optimizing the efficiency and profitability of poplar plantation management.
Verbod op verrijkte kooien voor leghennen in Nederland : een verkenning van de gevolgen

Vanaf 2012 wordt in de EU de traditionele kooihuisvesting voor leghennen verboden en vervangen door verrijkte kooien of alternatieve systemen, zoals scharrelhuisvesting. In deze studie zijn de gevolgen beschreven indien Nederland besluit om huisvesting in verrijkte kooien niet toe te staan. Een verbod heeft directe gevolgen voor het dierenwelzijn, de milieubelasting, de markt voor eieren en eiproducten in binnen- en buitenland en de concurrentiepositie en inkomenssituatie voor alle bedrijven binnen het legpluimveecomplex. With effect from 2012, the traditional cages for laying hens will be forbidden in the EU and replaced by enriched cages or alternative systems, such as barn housing. This study describes the consequences if the Netherlands decides not to permit housing in enriched cages. A prohibition has immediate consequences for animal welfare, the environmental impact, the market for eggs and egg products at home and abroad and the competitive position and incomes of all holdings in the laying poultry complex.
A multilayer process for the connection of fine‐pitch‐devices on molded interconnect devices (MIDs)

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a new multilayer process for three‐dimensional molded interconnect devices (3D‐MIDs) that allows the assembly of modern area array packaged semiconductors.Design/methodology/approach – A new 3D‐MID multilayer process based on local overmolding is developed. To investigate this new process, a 3D demonstrator is designed, simulated and fabricated. Various technologies such as injection molding, maskless laser assisted electroless metallization, overmolding and laser via drilling are used.Findings – Using the new 3D‐MID multilayer process a 3D demonstrator with three metallization layers is fabricated. Injection molding simulation is utilized to ensure a feasible demonstrator design. It is shown that a surface laser treatment improves layer‐to‐layer adhesion during the process. Shear and pull tests prove the adhesion promotion. The 3D fine‐pitch‐metallization is done down to 60 μm track width. Via resistance is measured by four terminal sensing in agreement w.
The Greek paradigm of corporate governance and board of directors

Corporate governance encompasses a multidisciplinary approach, which includes the internal and external factors that affect the interests of a company’s stakeholders. The Greek corporate governance framework of listed companies has initially been established in accordance with EU regulation and soft law recommendations, in order to enhance board accountability and transparency, empower shareholders’ activism and promote financial disclosure. In that regard, it has recently been reformed by the provisions of Law 4706/2020, aiming mainly: to empower the strategic and supervisory role of the board of directors, by introducing a clear description of the obligations of non-executive and independent non-executive directors and by including the establishment of an “adequacy (internal fit-and-proper) policy” for the appointment of board members. Accordingly, two new compulsory committees are added, the nomination and the remuneration committee, which should entirely be composed by non-executive members and are invested with an advisory role in determining the remuneration policy and proposing board candidates. Furthermore, the adoption of a Corporate Governance Code is rendered substantial for all listed companies. These provisions illustrate specifically the reform of the internal corporate governance structures, which should be implemented having regard to the general principles of transparency and proportionality
Diffraction loss and selection of modes in maser resonators with circular mirrors

The losses, phase shifts and field distribution functions for the two lowest-order modes of interferometer-type maser resonators consisting of spherically curved mirrors with circular apertures are computed by solving a pair of integral equations numerically on a digital computer. Solutions are obtained for the symmetric geometry of identically curved mirrors and for the half-symmetric geometry consisting of one plane and one curved mirror, with the radius of curvature of the mirrors as a variable parameter. The confocal or near-confocal configuration is shown to have good mode-selective properties in that the ratio of the loss of the second lowest-order (TEM 10 ) mode to that of the lowest-order (TEM 00 ) mode is the largest of the configurations considered. The numerical results should be of interest to those concerned with the problem of mode selection in optical masers and with the design of single-mode masers with relatively low gain.