Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Executive Compensation and Deregulation in UK Building Societies

Abstract Herein we examine executive compensation in UK building societies in two differing regulatory regimes: (a) in a weakly competitive environment, and (b) in conditions of increased competition. Our results show that the change in regulation did affect the manner in which CEOs in building societies were remunerated. In particular, when there is little external competition, profitability does not positively influence compensation. However, when this external competition increases, improvements in profitability lead to subsequent increases in CEO remuneration. Our work supports the contention that mutuality can be efficient when operating in a sufficiently competitive environment.
Advances in low-power visible/thermal IR video image fusion hardware

Equinox Corporation has developed two new video board products for real-time image fusion of visible (or intensified visible/near-infrared) and thermal (emissive) infrared video. These products can provide unique capabilities to the dismounted soldier, maritime/naval operations and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) with low-power, lightweight, compact and inexpensive FPGA video fusion hardware. For several years Equinox Corporation has been studying and developing image fusion methodologies using the complementary modalities of the visible and thermal infrared wavebands including applications to face recognition, tracking, sensor development and fused image visualization. The video board products incorporate Equinox's proprietary image fusion algorithms into an FPGA architecture with embedded programmable capability. Currently included are (1) user interactive image fusion algorithms that go significantly beyond standard "A+B" fusion providing an intuitive color visualization invariant to distracting illumination changes, (2) generalized image co-registration to compensate for parallax, scale and rotation differences between visible/intensified and thermal IR, as well as non-linear optical and display distortion, and (3) automatic gain control (AGC) for dynamic range adaptation.
Sigma Point Kalman Filters for GPS Navigation with Integrity in Aviation

This paper presents an investigation into the benefits of Sigma Point Kalman Filters (SPKF) applied to GPSOnly estimation problem for highintegrity navigation in aviation applications. Navigation systems used for aircraft approach and landing must meet strict requirements for accuracy, integrity, availability and continuity. Modern GPS is capable of meeting the accuracy and availability requirements, however the integrity and continuity required for approach navigation mandate the use of additional sensors to meet the standards. Modern signal processing techniques can allow greater capability of existing systems, lowering the costs for all users of the system, particularly in the General Aviation sector. This work begins by comparing the raw estimation performance of the sigmapoint filter against established approaches of the Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) and snapshot Leastsquares (LSQ). The fault detection algorithms are then developed for the SPKF filters based on an approach used for highgrade navigation systems. It is hypothesised that since the SPKF can provide a more accurate estimate of the state covariance, then the fault detection scheme, including the integrity protection level, will be more reliable. Comparisons of the faultdetection performance against current techniques are presented. Finally, conclusions are drawn as to the overall benefits of the SPKF approach to navigation integrity. It is demonstrated that whilst the accuracy of the SPKF is not significantly different than the EKF or Least Squares approaches, the covariance estimation and resultant integrity protection level is reliable.
Bioscrubbing as a treatment for a complex mixture of volatile organic compounds: influence of the absorption column characteristics on performanceThis article is one of a selection of papers published in this Special Issue on Biological Air Treatment.

A semi-industrial bioscrubber was developed to treat a complex mixture of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including oxygenated, aromatic, and chlorinated compounds. Packed and atomizing columns were used for the bioscrubber. For an applied inlet load of around 850–870 g VOCs·m–3 packing material·h–1, the various performances of the bioscrubber were equivalent (around 50%), regardless of the selected absorption column. Only the removal efficiency of oxygenated compounds was found to be reasonable, close to 80%–85%. For the bioscrubber equipped with an atomizing column, a doubling of the inlet load involved a decrease in the removal efficiency of the VOC mixture (35%) and oxygenated compounds (from 80% to 55%). As the transferred compounds were biodegraded, the limits could be explained by the hydrodynamic characteristics of the atomizing column. Furthermore, these results demonstrate the necessity of optimizing the gas–liquid mass transfer step. Two-phase partitioning bioreactors seem to represent an at.
Examination of SPT-Based Liquefaction Triggering Correlations

The differences between the liquefaction triggering correlations published by Seed et al. (1984) and those published more recently by Cetin et al. (2004) and those by Idriss and Boulanger (2004, 2008) are examined in this paper. The case histories, which cause the Cetin et al. correlation of the cyclic resistance ratio, adjusted for M = 7.5 and σ v ′ = 1 atm, to plot significantly lower than those by Seed et al. and Idriss and Boulanger, are examined in detail. The lower position of the Cetin et al. liquefaction triggering correlation is found to be primarily caused by their interpretations and usage for 8 of the 11 key case histories that had controlled the position of their liquefaction triggering correlation. When properly interpreted, these eight case histories no longer support the position of the published Cetin et al. liquefaction triggering curve.
On knowledge intensive industry life cycles

The theme of industry life cycle (ILC) is today one of the central fields of research in industrial dynamics. ILC shows that industries behave like biological organisms, and proceed through different phases of development, from emergence to decline. Although this approach constitutes one of the most important recent advances in industrial dynamics, its major results are drawn from the historical evolution of industries that emerged during the first half of the 20th century in the US. In this perspective, we stress that these results relative to industries which are today mature industries are not necessarily generalisable to the evolution of industries that emerged or radically changed during the late 20th century, such as the biotechnology and the telecommunications industry, often termed as knowledge intensive industries. We thus elaborate on the new theme of knowledge intensive industry life cycle.
Analysis of internal winding stresses in EHV generator step-up transformer failures

This paper describes studies carried out to investigate the failure of one phase of a 990 MVA generator step-up transformer bank at one of Ontario Hydro's major generating stations. A high accuracy frequency dependent transformer model was used to determine the behaviour of the transformer at the terminals under transient conditions. With this information, and with measured transfer functions between the terminals and various points inside the windings, it was possible to create internal voltage distribution maps. This information was then used to evaluate the insulation stresses within the winding, and to ascertain that the use of additional capacitance at the HV terminals to reduce the magnitude and frequency of incoming transients would be adequate to reduce the disk-to-disk stresses near the line end of the HV winding. The values of the HV terminal capacitances were chosen so that no undue stresses in other portions of the winding would take place.
Combined smart chemFET/resistive sensor array

Here we describe a novel CMOS compatible gas sensor array based on a combined resistive/chemFET sensor cell. We have fabricated an array of 70 sensors with integrated drive, gain and baseline removal circuitry using an AMS 0.6 /spl mu/m CMOS process. The sensing materials are carbon black/polymer composite (CB) thin films, which have been previously reported to have good vapour-sensing properties. Different CB films have been deposited onto the sensor array and have been shown to respond differently to volatile organic compounds. This combined sensing element both reduces silicon area and, more importantly, measures different physical properties of the same gas sensitive material improving discrimination and giving more insight into the sensing mechanism.
Variability in traffic monitoring data. Final summary report

For highway maintenance and planning purposes, it is desirable to characterize each road segment by its traffic flow [such as the annual average daily traffic (AADT) and the AADT for each vehicle class], by the weight distribution of vehicles that travel on its roads [such as the annual average daily equivalent single axle loadings (ESAL) and the annual average daily weight per vehicle for each vehicle class]. As with almost any data collection effort, the monitoring data suffer from errors from many sources. This report summarizes results of a two year empirical research effort, which was sponsored by the Federal highway Administration, (i) to study and characterize the variability in the traffic data (volume, classification, and weight) from the continuously monitored road segments, and (ii) to study the extent to which this variability is transferred to, and affects the precision of the data produced form the road segments which are monitored only one or two days each year. The ultimate hope is not only that states will eventually be able to publish an estimate of a characteristic such as AADT for each road segment, but also that each estimate will be accompanied by a statement of how good the estimate is in terms of the estimated variability or precision which will likely be experienced as a coefficient of variation (i.e., the quotient of a standard deviation and a mean). This report provides highlights of research reported in five working papers.
Spatial segregation between immatures and adults in a pelagic seabird suggests age‐related competition

Individual competitiveness conditions access to resources when they are limited. Immature individuals that are less skilled than adults have to adapt their foraging strategies to survive. Among strategies to reduce competition, spatial segregation has been widely demonstrated. However, the use of spatial segregation by immatures to limit intra-specific competition with adults has rarely been tested. In this study, we investigated and compared habitat preferences and distributions of free-ranging immature and breeding adult northern gannets Morus bassanus in order to determine whether they compete for similar habitats during the year, and if this results in a spatial segregation between birds of different age groups. Based on > 66 000 km of aerial surveys conducted in the North-East Atlantic Ocean during winter and summer 2012, habitats selected by immatures and adult birds were modelled independently, linking gannet density to a set of oceanographic and physiographic predictors. Their large-scale seasonal distribution was then predicted. We found that gannets displayed a strong season-dependent competition between immatures and adults, as a consequence of immatures and adults using similar habitats in both summer and winter. During summer, when adults are constrained by reproduction, both groups were spatially highly segregated despite similar habitat preferences (thermal fronts), with youngest individuals selecting habitats out of range of central-place foragers, highlighting intra-specific competition. Contrastingly during winter, when reproductive constraints disappear, immature and adult distributions largely overlapped. Our study provides new insights into the role played by age, foraging experience and reproductive constraints on the distribution of marine predators. More specifically, these results highlight in seabirds how the youngest fraction mitigates, through spatial segregation, the competition with experienced adults, and suggest a progressive strategy along the maturation process.
Crop management advances for nutritional status and fruit yield of guava in semiarid

Abstract Guava is an important fruit species but poorly studied for the effect of humic substances and soil mulching on its nutrition and fruit production. Thus, an experiment was conducted to evaluate the nutritional status and fruit production of guava as a function of humic substances and soil mulching in Brazilian semiarid. The experimental design was in randomized blocks with treatments distributed in a factorial arrangement (5 × 2) referring to humic substances doses (0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 mL of Humitec plant−1) and organic mulching (with and without organic mulching). Nutritional status of guava is affected by humic substances and soil mulching. The use of humic substances combined with soil mulching promotes optimum supplies of nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, sulfur, boron and iron, but not calcium, copper and zinc. Under sandy soil and semiarid climate it is possible to recommend 40 mL L−1 of humic substances and soil mulching.
Theoretical Basements for a Clinical Trial on COVID-19 Patients with Systemic Ozone Therapy

Due to the extreme world situation caused by COVID19 pandemic we consider unethic not to try any treatment option with a justified rationale. We have explained that medical ozone therapy has a clear scientific basement thanks to all preclinical investigation already published. It can be classified as chemical stressor that produces a modulation of the redox balance and immunity. Moreover, it is easy and safe to administer [1]. The efficacy in viral diseases have been published together the modulation of IL-6 and other proinflammatory cytokines that could potentially help in COVID19 patients. We proposed to carry out a randomized control trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of systemic ozone (indirect endovenous and rectal) in these patients.
Mastering self-leadership: empowering yourself for personal excellence, second edition

Mastering Self-leadership is a comprehensive self-help guide that is thoroughly grounded in sound principles and research. It effectively addresses the most interesting subject you will ever encounter-yourself. If you want to be more effective in your behavior, this book is for you. Mastering Self-Leadership provides powerful advice and the tools for better managing yourself in work and in life. It provides material that should serve as the foundation for the study of management and is grounded in a simple yet revolutionary principle: First learn to lead yourself, and then you will be in a solid position to effectively lead others.
Suitability of Parkinsonia aculeata (L.) Wood Grown as an Architectural Landscape Tree in North Darfur State for Interior Design and Furniture

Wood samples of Parkinsonia aculeata (L.) were collected from Al bohaira Gardens of Al Fashir Town (the capital of North Darfur State, Western Sudan) where they were planted as architectural landscape trees and studied to determine their physical and mechanical properties as potential wood species for structural and furniture purposes. Moisture content, wood density (basic and oven-dry), as well as radial and tangential shrinkage were determined. The mechanical properties studied included static bending strength, compression strength parallel to the grain, the modulus of elasticity (MOE), the modulus of rupture (MOR), and the maximum crushing strength. The obtained results were compared with those of the well-known dominant small hardwood tree in the same area (Boscia senegalensis ). The wood of P. aculeata has shown medium oven-dry density (534.0 kg m-3) with reasonable bark-to-wood and shrinkage ratio. Due to the acceptable bending and compression strength results, P. aculeata wood can be considered as a suitable wood for interior design and decoration work as well as its suitability for indoor furniture.
Vibration Control of Beams with Embedded Smart Composite Material

With an external electrical stimulus, a method of controlling the elastic/viscoelastic behavior of a cantilever beam embedded with a bulk viscoelastic material having ``smart'' properties, is addressed. The test smart material used is constituted of a heteorogeneous mixture of barium titanate and ferrite (in powder forms) dispersed in a sol-gel phase of polyacrylamide with a specific aqueous content. The barium titanate content possesses the piezoelectric property that enables the material to exhibit electroelastic characteristics. The test beam made of plexiglass material keeps the smart material constrained in its core along its axis. When subjected to transient and static load conditions, and electrically stimulating the embedded smart material, the free-vibration damping characteristics of the test beam are elucidated. It is shown that the measured response of the cantilever beam excited to vibrate in its first natural mode can be controlled with the application of the voltage stimulation. Relevant ex.
Attentional Skills in Soccer: Evaluating the Involvement of Attention in Executing a Goalkeeping Task in Virtual Reality

Physical abilities are essential to goalkeepers in soccer but the involved cognitive abilities for these players have only recently become the focus of extensive research. In this study, we investigated the role of different aspects of attention in a basic goalkeeping task in soccer. One hundred participants assumed the role of a goalkeeper in immersive virtual reality (VR) and carried out a task that entailed blocking balls shot towards their goal. In addition, they carried out two computerized tasks each assessing different attentional abilities: the Attention Network Test provided scores for three well-established networks of attention, namely the alerting, the orienting, and the executive control. The Whack-a-Mole task evaluated inhibitory control, by measuring performance in a classic Go/No-Go task and tapping on response inhibition. A regression analysis revealed that all three attention network scores contributed to performance in the VR goalkeeping task. Furthermore, performance in the Whack-a-Mole task correlated significantly with performance in the VR goalkeeping task. Overall, findings confirm that cognitive skills relating to attention play a critical role in the efficient execution of soccer-specific tasks. These findings have important implications for the training of cognitive skills in sports.
Dairy productivity potential of camels.

While it is recognized that the camel has the ability to produce more milk than the cow in similar conditions, camel milk productivity is not well known. Data from the literature are scarce, mainly issued from observations in research stations, and more rarely from pastoral areas where performance monitoring is not common. Elsewhere, the data are not homogeneous among the authors: mean daily yield, total yield per lactation, herd average . Therefore comparisons are not easy. Furthermore, there is a high variability of reported productions which leads to suppose a potential for selection on that criterion. This selection is possible but rarely achieved except in the Soviet Union period for dromedary and Bactrian camels. The world production of camel milk was officially estimated at 1.3 million tons in 2002. However, according to the high level of self-consumption and the individual potential, this production could probably be higher (Le. 5.4 million tons). The individual production varies between 1 000 and 12 000 litres per lactation according to some sources. The lactation curve is similar to bovine with a better persistence. The lactation length is very variable (from 8 to 18 months in general), i.e. longer than that for dairy cattle in similar conditions. Obviously, the feeding and seasonal conditions have an impact on those performances. Some intensified systems found in many places showed good prospects in camel milk production to supply populations from arid lands. (Resume d'auteur)
Unified Coding of Spectral and Temporal Phonetic Cues: Electrophysiological Evidence for Abstract Phonological Features

Abstract Spoken word recognition models and phonological theory propose that abstract features play a central role in speech processing. It remains unknown, however, whether auditory cortex encodes linguistic features in a manner beyond the phonetic properties of the speech sounds themselves. We took advantage of the fact that English phonology functionally codes stops and fricatives as voiced or voiceless with two distinct phonetic cues: Fricatives use a spectral cue, whereas stops use a temporal cue. Evidence that these cues can be grouped together would indicate the disjunctive coding of distinct phonetic cues into a functionally defined abstract phonological feature. In English, the voicing feature, which distinguishes the consonants [s] and [t] from [z] and [d], respectively, is hypothesized to be specified only for voiceless consonants (e.g., [s t]). Here, participants listened to syllables in a many-to-one oddball design, while their EEG was recorded. In one block, both voiceless stops and fricatives were the standards. In the other block, both voiced stops and fricatives were the standards. A critical design element was the presence of intercategory variation within the standards. Therefore, a many-to-one relationship, which is necessary to elicit an MMN, existed only if the stop and fricative standards were grouped together. In addition to the ERPs, event-related spectral power was also analyzed. Results showed an MMN effect in the voiceless standards block—an asymmetric MMN—in a time window consistent with processing in auditory cortex, as well as increased prestimulus beta-band oscillatory power to voiceless standards. These findings suggest that (i) there is an auditory memory trace of the standards based on the shared [voiceless] feature, which is only functionally defined; (ii) voiced consonants are underspecified; and (iii) features can serve as a basis for predictive processing. Taken together, these results point toward auditory cortex's ability to functionally code distinct phonetic cues together and suggest that abstract features can be used to parse the continuous acoustic signal.
Bilateral Sensorineural Deafness in a Young Pregnant Female Presenting with a Fever: A Rare Complication of a Reemerging Disease—Spotted Fever Group Rickettsioses

Background Rickettsial illnesses are a group of arthropod-borne remerging diseases. They are subdivided into three groups as typhus, spotted fever, and scrub typhus group. Complications such as reversible bilateral deafness due to spotted fever rickettsioses are infrequently reported in the literature. Case Presentation We present a young pregnant female who developed bilateral sensorineural deafness on the fifth day of an acute febrile illness with a maculopapular rash. Rickettsia conorii IgG (>1/450) became highly positive, and she received oral azithromycin for ten days with complete resolution of fever and rash. The sensorineural deafness slowly improved over several months. Conclusion Sensorineural deafness is a rare complication of spotted fever group rickettsioses. Since usage of doxycycline is controversial in pregnancy, azithromycin gave a favourable recovery of fever. Sensorineural deafness took several months to resolve after completion of antibiotics.