Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis of the application and sizing of pressure safety valves for fire protection on offshore oil and gas installations

In this paper, the effectiveness of a fire PSV has been investigated when offshore process equipment is exposed to a fire. According to API 521, care should be taken when a fire scenario is affecting the unwetted part of a pressure vessel. A case study is performed in order to map for which fire scenarios a PSV provides additional safety. Simulations of seven different pressure vessel from an offshore oil and gas separation train, are performed in the state of the art simulation tool, VessFire. The pressure vessels are exposed to a small jet fire, large jet fire, and a pool fire. Rupture times for the vessels are derived from stress curves from the vessels. Rupture times are compared for the vessels, with and without a PSV, in order to see the effect of the installed PSV. It is found that when a flame affects the unwetted part of a vessel, the PSV only offers minor additional protection. When a flame affects the wetted part of a vessel, the PSV relieve the inventory as designed. Blowdown and passive fire protection are found to be good alternatives to a fire PSV.
Credit Cycles, Regime Switching and Monetary Policy∗

Internationally synchronized credit cycles have become a major challenge for monetary policy. On the national level, monetary authorities moved to unconventional monetary policy to control the credit cycle on a national level. We include in an inflation targeting model of the type developed by Svensson (1997) a nonlinear Phillips curve – allowing for a state-dependent relation of the inflation rate and the output gap – and add nonlinear dynamics for credit flows and loan interest rate spreads. We solve such an extended monetary policy model and study the dynamic effects of price oriented as well as credit volume oriented monetary policy variants. We estimate our nonlinear simultaneous equation system based on data for the euro area, to thereby inform the model parameters and explore, via simulations, the stabilizing destabilizing effects of price (credit cost) and non-price (credit volume) policies. On the basis of a proposed small scale nonlinear quadratic (NLQ) model with two regime switches –similar to more complex large scale models – we can explicitly study the effects of conventional and unconventional monetary policy for various economic scenarios with endogenous credit flows, variation of risk premia, and credit spread movements, first in the NLQ model and then through a regime switching VAR and corresponding impulse-responses.
F2VD: Fluid Rates to Virtual Deadlines for Precise Mixed-Criticality Scheduling on a Varying-Speed Processor

Increasingly complex and integrated systems design has led to more timing uncertainty, which may result in pessimism in time-sensitive system design and analysis. To mitigate such pessimism, mixed-criticality (MC) design for real-time systems has been proposed, where highly critical tasks, often with extremely pessimistic execution time estimates, can share the processor with less critical ones in a manner that the latter is sacrificed, completely or partially, to guarantee temporal correctness to the former, when the extremely pessimistic scenario does happen. In contrast to such sacrifice of tasks, the precise MC scheduling model has recently been investigated, where all tasks, including less critical ones, must fully complete their execution in all circumstances. Meanwhile, the processor may operate at a degraded speed when the tasks' runtime behaviors are far from the extreme pessimistic estimates and would recover to the full processing speed once the extremely pessimistic scenario does happen. This paper presents a generalized fluid-scheduling-based solution to this problem, where feasible fluid-scheduling rates for each task are derived from an optimization problem. Furthermore, this paper proposes a novel algorithm F2VD for setting virtual deadlines from any feasible fluid rates, such that any fluid-scheduling-based solution can be converted to a deadline-based scheduling approach with no schedulability loss, where the latter is generally considered much more practical and easier to implement. Experimental studies based on randomly generated task sets are conducted to verify the theoretical results as well as the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms.
Modeling effects of the electromagnetic radiations on the cardiovascular system

The Cardiovascular system (CVS) consists of the heart and blood vessels. The activities of heart and lung are responsible for pumping and return path of the blood through a closed circuit of elastic vessels. Time-frequency analysis of blood flow, ECG and respiratory signals revealed the existence of five almost periodic frequency components having average frequencies of 1.0, 0.2, 0.1, 0.03 and 0.01Hz due to heartbeat, respiration, myogenic activity of smooth muscles, neurogenic and endothelial activity respectively. We have demonstrated the effects of the electromagnetic radiations (EMRs) on the CVS by modeling the CVS as nonlinear coupled oscillators having basic unit as Poincare oscillators and concluded that the blood flow is influenced by EMRs, thereby resulting in adverse effect on CVS. The safety standards for thermal, nonthermal and resonance effects of EMRs can be derived based on this model. Keywords— electromagnetic fields; nonlinear oscillators; modeling; cardiovascular system; noise; coupling; thermal effects; non-thermal effects; resonance effects; electromagnetic radiations; directionality; synchronization
Specialization, diversity, competition and their impact on local economic growth in Germany

This study systematically examines the impact of fundamental elements of urban economic structure on urban growth in Germany from 2003 to 2007. We test four elements simultaneously, that is sectoral specialization, diversification of economic activities, urban size as well as the impact of local competition. To account for the effect of varying spatial delimitations in the analysis of urban growth, we further differentiate between cities and planning regions as geographical units. The analysis covers manufacturing industries as well as service sectors. Most previous work produces inconsistent results and concentrates on localization economies and/or diversification, while urban size and the effect of local competition are widely ignored. Our regression results show a U-shaped relationship between localization economies and urban growth and positive effects of local competition on urban growth. With respect to diversification, we find positive effects on urban growth on the city-level, but insignificant results on the level of the planning regions. The impact of urban size also differs between free cities and planning regions; in the former a U-shaped relationship is found whereas the effect is inversely Ushaped for the latter.
Effect of Portfolio Diversification on Commercial Banks Financial Performance in Kenya

The study examined the effect of portfolio diversification on Commercial Banks financial performance. Mixed method of research design was used and data was collected using questionnaires and interview schedules. Target population was 43 licensed Commercial Banks in Kenya from which one hundred and thirty three (133) managers were randomly selected to form sample size. Validity of the research instruments was ensured through content, face and construct validity testing. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics which included correlation analysis and bivariate regression analysis. The study established a positive statistically significant relationship between portfolio diversification and financial performance. The portfolio diversification explained 68% of the changes in the financial performance of commercial banks in Kenya and that most banks diversify their investments which has enabled them to increase profits and performance in the past years.The study recommended that financial institutions should invest in a combination of assets which are negatively correlated because this maximizes revenue (returns) and minimizes losses (risks). Further study should be undertaken to establish the best combination of assets that can yield an efficient portfolio.
Papillary Carcinoma Thyroid and Histologically Proven Associated Lesions

Background: Several studies all over the world have proposed the association of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma with Hashimoto Thyroiditis, Lymphocytic Thyroiditis and Multinodular goitre. Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma (≤ 1cm size lesions) which are detected incidentally on histopathological examination of thyroidectomy specimens can progress to clinically evident Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma if left untreated. In this study, we aim to determine the types of lesions associated with Papillary Carcinoma Thyroid and to study the most commonly associated lesion, age group and gender affected. Materials and Methods: A total of 74 cases of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma who underwent thyroidectomy at a tertiary care hospital in Kerala were included in the study. The association between types of lesions, age group and gender were studied and the data obtained was analyzed using Chi Square test. Results: Mean age of the study population was 47 years and majority were females (86.5%). Out of 74 cases of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma, 58 cases (78%) had associated lesions. The most common associated lesion with Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma was Multinodular goitre (59%), followed by Lymphocytic Thyroiditis (50%) and Hashimoto Thyroiditis (16%). Among the 74 cases, 17 cases (23%) were of Papillary Thyroid Micro carcinoma. Conclusion: It was found that there was significant prevalence of associated lesions with Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma. Hence all non neoplastic lesions of thyroid which are usually managed conservatively require a strict follow up to rule out the possibility of developing Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma. This will go a long way in preventing the morbidity and mortality that could arise in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma.
Simulation of Collective Motion of Self Propelled Particles in Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Medium

The concept of self-propelled particles is used to study the collective motion of different organisms such as flocking of birds, swimming of schools of fish or migrating of bacteria. The collective motion of self-propelled particles is investigated in the presence of obstacles and without obstacles. A comparison of the effects of interaction radius, speed and noise on the collective motion of self-propelled particles is conducted. It is found that in the presence of obstacles, mean square displacement of the particles shows large fluctuation, whereas without obstacles fluctuation is less. It is also shown that in the presence of the obstacles, an optimal noise, which maximizes the collective motion of the particles, exists
Prejudice and Polish immigrants in the UK

One recurring criticism of immigrant groups is their alleged failure to be employed and contribute to the host society. Here we examine how speakers mobilise a criticism that has attracted less research attention: that through their economic activity immigrant groups usurp others’ employment entitlements. Discourse analysis of data from seven focus group discussions about pre-Brexit Polish immigration into the UK, involving 31 UK nationals, shows that participants accomplish exclusionary outcomes in two divergent ways. The first attributes qualities to Polish workers but also makes explicit the consequences of these attributions for UK nationals, rendering speakers’ investment in such claims visible. The second relies on the production of category pairs, within which claims can be made for the category that excludes Polish workers. This use of categories comprises ‘safe prejudice’, a form of prejudice not previously identified but which is less open to challenge than other forms of prejudiced talk.
The Effects of Perceived Price, Website Trust and Online Reviews on Online Hotel Booking Intention in Kuala Lumpur

This research study is conducted to determine the factors that effects consumers online hotel booking intention and their usage. The objective of this study is to find out the three main factors which is the perceived price, website trust and online reviews and its effect on consumers when they make an online hotel booking and how they use online bookings to make an online booking for hotels. The 2 theoretical frameworks used in this research is the consumers’ purchase intention model and the technology acceptances model. This research is conducted in a quantitative method approach and was conducted in Kuala Lumpur with a sample size of 384 respondents. The questionnaire is developed by using the 5-point Likert scale to measure the influence of the independent variables towards the dependent variable. The questionnaires were distributed using the simple random sampling method which is easy and convenient. This research shows that the three factors; perceived price, website trust and online reviews do have a significant relationship with consumers booking intention and all the 4-hypothesis tested in this study is accepted and proven to be significant. The findings of this research show that website trust has the highest influence when consumers make an online hotel booking intention and the lowest concern when it comes to online hotel booking intention is perceived price. The analysis is conducted by using IBM SPSS Version 24 and by the means of ANOVA test and the Pearson Correlation test. The analysis on the relationship between the independent variables of perceived price, website trust and online reviews with the dependent variable of online hotel booking intention and the analysis of online hotel booking intention and online hotel booking usage, has shown that all the independent variable affects consumers booking intention.
SORT-That Aim to Decrease Malicious Activity

: Anonymous nature of peer-to-peer (P2P) systems exposes them to malicious activity. Establishing trust among peers can mitigate attacks from malicious peers. This paper presents distributed algorithms used by a peer to reason about trustworthiness of others based on the available local information which includes past interactions and recommendations received from others. Peers collaborate to establish trust among each other without using a priori information. A peer's trustworthiness in providing services and giving recommendations is evaluated in service and recommendation in trust. Defining trust metric in separate contexts makes possible to measure trustworthiness of peers more precisely. Peer may be a good service provider and a bad recommender at the same time. Interactions among peers have varying importance. An interaction loses its importance with time. These effects are considered along with the satisfaction of peers while evaluating an interaction. A recommendation contains the recommender's confidence in the information provided. This factor is considered with trustworthiness of the recommender when evaluating recommendations. A file sharing application simulated to understand advantages of the proposed algorithms in mitigating attacks related with services and recommendations. The results of several empirical studies are used to simulate peer, resource, and network parameters. This enables us to study the effects of external parameters on the algorithms and the evolution of trust relationships among peers. Individual, collaborative and pseudonym changing attack scenarios simulate nine different malicious behaviors. In most experiments, we find that malicious peers are isolated from other peers and their attacks are mitigated. There are cases where they obtain a high reputation but their attacks are still contained.
Optimal Monetary Rules with Downward Nominal Wage Rigidity∗

At the individual and country level nominal wages have been found to be downwardly rigid, such that they are more likely to increase than decrease. This has strong implications for optimal monetary policy in the standard New-Keynesian model, which typically assumes flexible wages or symmetric nominal wage rigidities. This constraint causes the optimal monetary policy to react asymmetrically to symmetric shocks. Furthermore, motivated by the welfare loss generated by using a standard Taylor rule, this paper searches for a new optimal simple rule that can replicate the optimal monetary policy in this framework. As an extension I solve a non-linear model that internalises this constraint at all periods in time, which dampens wage increases in a model where agents can flexibly increase their wage, thus creating an endogenous rigidity. This work adds to the literature by introducing the downward nominal wage rigidity (DNWR) constraint of Schmitt-Grohé and Uribe (2016) into a standard New-Keynesian model and finds an optimal simple rule that places a high weight on the unemployment gap. Moreover, as with other work on DNWR, this paper finds support for ‘greasing the wheels’ positive trend inflation that helps to deflate real wage increases. ∗I am greatly indebted for the support and advice of my advisors, Jordi Galí and Davide Debortoli, as well as helpful comments from Michael Elsby and the participants of the SAEe 2019, EEA-ESEM 2019, Bank of Canada Brown Bag seminar, 2nd Catalan Economic Society Conference, T2M 2019, SMYE 2018, UPF Student Seminar, UPF Monetary Economics Research Group, UPF Macroeconomics Lunch. Inspiration for this work came during my MRes year while taking Luca Fornaro’s Open Economy Macroeconomics course and Jordi Galí’s Monetary Economics course. Part of this work was completed whilst visiting Princeton Univeristy and I am grateful to Nobuhiro Kiyotaki and Arlene Wong for their discussions with me on this topic. Funding during the completion of this project has been from FI AGAUR, contract number 2019FI-B-00565. All errors are my own. Christopher.Evans@upf.edu.
Water Use, Grain Yield, and Osmoregulation in Wheat

Genotypic differences in turgor maintenance in wheat were shown to be associated with differences in grain yield in the field at both high and Low water deficits. High water deficits were produced by growing plants in field plots using water stored in the soil at sowing, and excluding rain with a rain cover. At low water deficits plants received rainfall, and irrigation was supplied before and immediately after sowing, at tillering, at jointing, at ear emergence, and during grain filling. Yield differences were analysed in terms of harvest index, water use, and water use efficiency. Water use was calculated from changes in soil water contents. At high water deficits all three factors were associated with differences in turgor maintenance. However, only the variations in water use and harvest index could be logically associated with differences in turgor maintenance. Analysis of the soil water extraction data showed that the differences in water use efficiency were due solely to differences in water use at depth while surface water losses were the same, i.e. the ratio of transpiration to soil evaporation would have been higher in low-osmoregulating genotypes. At low water deficits, no differences were observed in harvest index, though there were non-significant correlations between turgor maintenance and total water use efficiency or total water use. A similar result was obtained when the water use and yield data were related to osmoregulation measurements made in the glasshouse. It is therefore concluded that effects of turgor maintenance or osmoregulation on grain yield were primarily associated with differences in water use which were, in turn, due to differences in water extraction at soil depths between 25 and 150 cm.
Immunoglobulin E Binding Activity of Recombinant and Native Blo t 11 Allergens

Acta Manilana (ISSN 0065-1370) Volume 55 • 2007 Abstract. The full-length Blo t 11 allergen was expressed as a GST-fusion protein in E. coli by IPTG induction and purified by affinity chromatography using an Agarose-Glutathione column. Fractions containing recombinant Blo t 11, resolved as 128 kD protein, were pooled and quantified using the BioRad Protein Assay. Native Blo t 11 was purified from a Blomia tropicalis (Bt) aqueous extract using a Blo t 11 monoclonal antibody affinity column. Two milliliters of the Bt extract yielded 467 ng of native Blo t 11 which was resolved as ~60 kD in an SDS-PAGE. The immunoglobulin E binding activity of the purified allergens was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using a panel of 110 atopic Filipino patients’ sera and 85 non-atopic sera. The native Blo t 11 allergen registered an IgE reactivity of 63% (69/110) while the recombinant Blo t 11 registered 57% (63/110). The Blo t 11 allergen can inhibit up to 63% IgE binding activity of Bt aqueous extract. Results presented herein demonstrate the clinical importance of Blo t 11 allergen as a triggering factor for allergies among Filipino atopic patients thus a potential reagent for diagnosis and immunotherapy of house dust mite allergy in the local setting.
Host Specificity of Fire Ant Decapitating Flies (Diptera: Phoridae) in Laboratory Oviposition Tests

Host specificities of 3 species of Pseudacteon decapitating flies ( P. litoralis Borgmeier, P. tricuspis Borgmeier, P. wasmanni Schmitz) were tested in quarantine facilities in Gainesville, FL. Female flies from Brazil were placed into test trays containing either red imported fire ants, Solenopsis invicta Buren; tropical fire ants, Solenopsis geminata Forel; or native ants from 6 other genera ( Crematogaster, Pheidole, Aphaenogaster, Neivamyrmex, Forelius, Camponotus ). Tests lasted 60–90 min. The 3 species of flies tested were all at least 15 times more likely to attack their natural host, S. invicta, than they were to attack the native fire ant, S. geminata. More than 200 larvae resulted from numerous attacks on S. invicta workers. No larvae resulted from the few possible attacks on S. geminata or the other species of ants that were tested. We induced several P. tricuspis to attack a few S. geminata workers by mixing these workers in with freeze-killed S. invicta workers. One adult fly emerged from these attacks, demonstrating that P. tricuspis can develop in S. geminata workers. This indicates that the field release of P. tricuspis poses some risk to native fire ants; however, the extremely low rates of attack on S. geminata in the laboratory and in the field indicate that this risk would be minimal. The argument is made that this small risk is acceptable because, among other things, native fire ants are under much more risk from expanding populations of imported fire ants than they would be from imported Pseudacteon flies.
A Review of Twelve Aphid Species Described as New by Edith M. Patch

The present status of 12 aphid species described as new in the genus Macrosiphum by Edith M. Patch in 1919, is discussed. Redescriptions, photographs, and tables of measurements are given for 10 of the species: Macrosiphum pseudorosae Patch, as M. pallidum (Oestlund) ; M. carpinicolens Patch, as Neocorylobwm carpinicolens (Patch); M. ptericolens Patch; M. diervillae Patch; M. impatiensicolens Patch, as Dactynotus (Dactynotus) impatiensicolens (Patch) ; M. onagrae Patch, as M. gaurae (Williams) ; M. pseudocoryli Patch; M. pseudodirhodum Patch, as Acyrthosiphon pseudodirhodum (Patch) ; M. cupatoricolens Patch, as D. (D.) cupatoricolens (Patch) ; and M. lanceolatum Patch as D. (D.) lanceolatus (Patch). Measurements are given only for the holotype and paratypes of M. gravicornis Patch, as D. (Lambersius) gravicornis (Patch). The name Macrosiphum amelanchiericolens Patch cannot associated with any known taxon and is declared a nomen dubium.