Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
NEETs and the Process of Transition From School to the Labor Market: A Comparative Analysis of Italy, Romania, and Bulgaria

The aim of this article is to identify the main mechanisms leading to the NEET status in Italy, Romania, and Bulgaria. It does so by highlighting the differences amongst them and verifying how place of residence effectively affects the connected propensity to this status after having controlled for many personal characteristics through a series of probit models. Furthermore, multiple correspondence analyses produce profound understanding of the NEET phenomenon and associated determinants. The results highlight the need to plan support actions tailored to specific NEET characteristics. Whilst the degree of urbanization impacts upon the NEET status throughout Romania and Bulgaria, Italy shows a strong divide between the North and the South. However, in all three countries there is a need to improve the education system and stimulate higher levels of education as the main measure of NEET prevention.
Application of passive control to energy harvester efficiency using a nonideal portal frame structural support system

An analysis of a new energy harvester model is presented, based on a simple portal frame structure, considered a nonideal system due to the kind of excitation influenced by the response of the system, such as a direct current motor with limited power supply. The horizontal motion of the portal frame is considered under a nonideal excitation, and the approximated mathematical model of the system is obtained, considering the coupled oscillators. To model the piezoelectric coupling, the nonlinearities of the piezoelectric material were considered. A constantly sustained energy harvesting is essential for using these devices in real applications; for this, a control strategy is required. Passive control was obtained by means of a nonlinear substructure with properties of nonlinear energy sink. Numerical simulations were performed in order to find best values of control parameters. To check the robustness of the control strategy, an analysis considering uncertainties in the parameters of the model was performed, showing the efficiency of the passive control (energy pumping) in the suppression of the chaotic behavior, as well as the sensitivity of the control system to parametric errors. Passive control leads the system to a stable periodic orbit, allowing a more efficient energy harvest, due to the higher peak-to-peak amplitude of oscillation mean value. The passive control strategy eliminates the need for an active microcontroller to stabilize the system in a periodic orbit, improving the energy budget (harvested versus expended). The results show the displacement of the structure and the maximum power harvested by the device with and without passive nonlinear energy sink. It can be concluded that the application of passive control was successful. The control was robust and improved the energy harvested through the suppression of the chaotic motion, leading the system to a periodic orbit with stable amplitude of vibration, without damaging the structure.
A sensor-based accelerated approach for multi-attribute machinability and tool life evaluation

SUMMARY This paper presents an accelerated approach and an automated system for short-term machinability evaluation of metal materials. The proposed approach is developed for ranking materials in terms of machinability. It considers both objective factors, such as machine variables and process outputs, and subjective factors, such as the decision maker's preferences regarding different criteria (objectives, e.g. operation cost, production rate, and product quality). A set of analytical and empirical formulas relevant to different aspects of machinability are identified. A definition of machinability as a function of process outputs is proposed. A method for assessing the weights of importance of different criteria is proposed. Based on the approach, a computer software package called MACPRO for machinability assessment is developed. The computerized machinability evaluation system interfacing with sensors is configured to facilitate data sampling/processing and man/machine interactions. Results of experim.
Dynamic response of a hollow cylinder under memory-dependent differential hygrothermal coupling

Abstract The dynamic response of a hollow cylinder subjected to a hygrothermal coupled shock is studied. The memory-dependent differential is introduced into the heat transfer equation and the diffusion equation, and a memory-dependent differential generalized hygrothermal coupling model is developed. In this article, Laplace transform and inverse transform are used to find the closed-form solutions of various physical quantities. The influence of the hysteresis factor and the kernel function on the distribution of each physical quantity is analyzed and the time history of the hygrothermal coupling is studied. The numerical results show that the larger the ratio of temperature gradient hysteresis factor to heat flux hysteresis factor, the faster the wave speed. Also, the hysteresis factor affects the wave crest. For the time course of hygrothermal, it is once again verified that the hygrothermal wave has a finite propagation speed. At the same time, we can get the conclusion that the wave is dominated by fluctuations in the early stage after the onset of hygrothermal shock. The above findings are of reference value for the structural design and optimization of tubes in a hygrothermal environment.
Anthropometric influences on dynamic foot shape: Measurements of plantar three-dimensional foot deformation

Purpose: Advances in scanner technology enable the capture of feet during walking. Knowledge of dynamic deformation is essential for fundamental research and application-oriented improvements in terms of comfortable and functional footwear. The core hypothesis of our study is that there is a relationship between dynamic foot measures and the anthropometric dimensions age, gender and body mass index. Methods: We measured the dynamic foot shape of 129 subjects (77 female, 52 male) with a plantar dynamic scanner system. During stance phase we captured maximum values (MaxDyn) and changes (ΔDyn) of length, width, and height measures as well as angles and indices of feet. We identified relationships between foot measures and anthropometric dimensions by two statistical methods: analysis of variance (ANOVA) between matched groups and multiple regression analysis within whole sample size. Results: MaxDyn values of foot width measures are higher in overweight subjects. Most important predictors of MaxDyn are static measures and gender, regarding values that characterise the longitudinal arch as well as lateral ball length. More dynamic deformation was found in ball and arch angle as well as medial ball length and ball width of overweight subjects and in width measures of women. Multiple regression analysis detects body weight as an important predictor for changes in foot width measures as well as arch height and angle. Conclusion: The ability to collect foot measures during natural walking is the basis for the following findings. First, our study confirms that static foot measures can be used as basic design criteria for footwear. Second, our study points out the influence of factors like gender and body weight on dynamic foot morphology. Consideration of these additional factors can essentially improve design methods and particularly the fit of footwear.
Planning and Operational Flow Forecasting of Lesser Zaab River at Dokan Dam, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

Flow forecasting is of paramount importance for efficient management of water resources. Information about availability of flows plays a pivotal role in making efficient decisions in water services operation and planning future water developments. Current study is aimed at understanding the behavior of Lesser Zaab River flows at Dokan Dam and forecast future flows accordingly for planning and operational purposes of water services. Lesser Zaab River is one of the main tributaries in Tigris River Basin. Historical flow series data were collected from dam authorities and it is assumed that data follow normal distribution with no significant trend. The First Order Markov Model for stationary time series was applied for mean annual flow forecasting. The Markov Model with periodicity is also applied for mean monthly flows forecasting. Forecasted data were compared with the observed flow series and found a close match between the two series, both for stationary and periodic flows. Based on the study, it can be recommended that the First Order Markov Model for stationary and periodic hydrologic time series can applied for forecasting with confidence.
Hetero/Homo-Complexes of Sucrose Transporters May Be a Subtle Mode to Regulate Sucrose Transportation in Grape Berries

The sugar distribution mechanism in fruits has been the focus of research worldwide; however, it remains unclear. In order to elucidate the relevant mechanisms in grape berries, the expression, localization, function, and regulation of three sucrose transporters were studied in three representative Vitis varieties. Both SUC11 and SUC12 expression levels were positively correlated with sugar accumulation in grape berries, whereas SUC27 showed a negative relationship. The alignment analysis and sucrose transport ability of isolated SUCs were determined to reflect coding region variations among V. vinifera, V. amurensis Ruper, and V. riparia, indicating that functional variation existed in one SUT from different varieties. Furthermore, potentially oligomerized abilities of VvSUCs colocalized in the sieve elements of the phloem as plasma membrane proteins were verified. The effects of oligomerization on transport properties were characterized in yeast. VvSUC11 and VvSUC12 are high-affinity/low-capacity types of SUTs that stimulate each other by upregulating Vmax and Km, inhibiting sucrose transport, and downregulating the Km of VvSUC27. Thus, changes in the distribution of different SUTs in the same cell govern functional regulation. The activation and inhibition of sucrose transport could be achieved in different stages and tissues of grape development to achieve an effective distribution of sugar.
Repurposing of the ALK Inhibitor Crizotinib for Acute Leukemia and Multiple Myeloma Cells

Crizotinib was a first generation of ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitor approved for the treatment of ALK-positive non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) patients. COMPARE and cluster analyses of transcriptomic data of the NCI cell line panel indicated that genes with different cellular functions regulated the sensitivity or resistance of cancer cells to crizotinib. Transcription factor binding motif analyses in gene promoters divulged two transcription factors possibly regulating the expression of these genes, i.e., RXRA and GATA1, which are important for leukemia and erythroid development, respectively. COMPARE analyses also implied that cell lines of various cancer types displayed varying degrees of sensitivity to crizotinib. Unexpectedly, leukemia but not lung cancer cells were the most sensitive cells among the different types of NCI cancer cell lines. Re-examining this result in another panel of cell lines indeed revealed that crizotinib exhibited potent cytotoxicity towards acute myeloid leukemia and multiple myeloma cells. P-glycoprotein-overexpressing CEM/ADR5000 leukemia cells were cross-resistant to crizotinib. NCI-H929 multiple myeloma cells were the most sensitive cells. Hence, we evaluated the mode of action of crizotinib on these cells. Although crizotinib is a TKI, it showed highest correlation rates with DNA topoisomerase II inhibitors and tubulin inhibitors. The altered gene expression profiles after crizotinib treatment predicted several networks, where TOP2A and genes related to cell cycle were downregulated. Cell cycle analyses showed that cells incubated with crizotinib for 24 h accumulated in the G2M phase. Crizotinib also increased the number of p-H3(Ser10)-positive NCI-H929 cells illustrating crizotinib’s ability to prevent mitotic exit. However, cells accumulated in the sub-G0G1 fraction with longer incubation periods, indicating apoptosis induction. Additionally, crizotinib disassembled the tubulin network of U2OS cells expressing an α-tubulin-GFP fusion protein, preventing migration of cancer cells. This result was verified by in vitro tubulin polymerization assays. In silico molecular docking also revealed a strong binding affinity of crizotinib to the colchicine and Vinca alkaloid binding sites. Taken together, these results demonstrate that crizotinib destabilized microtubules. Additionally, the decatenation assay showed that crizotinib partwise inhibited the catalytic activity of DNA topoisomerase II. In conclusion, crizotinib exerted kinase-independent cytotoxic effects through the dual inhibition of tubulin polymerization and topoisomerase II and might be used to treat not only NSCLC but also multiple myeloma.
Impact of Attitudes and Life Stage on Decline in Rates of Driver's License Acquisition by Young People in Melbourne, Australia

In recent decades, young adults in North America, Australia, and much of Europe have become less likely to obtain a driver's license. Research into this trend is only recently emerging, yet it is likely to have important impacts on public transport and road planning. Little is known about the attitudes of young adults toward cars and driving and how these attitudes affect the decision of whether to acquire a driver's license. This paper presents the results of a survey of more than 200 young adults in Melbourne, Australia. The survey explores the relationship between possession of a driver's license and demographics, life stage, use of social media, and attitudes, as well as the reasons why some young adults do not have a driver's license. Although most young adults find that a car provides independence, they also see it as a big responsibility; they are much less likely to equate a car with success in life. Nondrivers say that they would rather spend money on other expenses and believe that they can get where they want to go without driving. The policy implications of the results are discussed, and future research directions are suggested.
Evaluation of process-based resolution enhancement techniques to extend 193-nm lithography

This article addresses the evaluation of non-conventional approaches to pattern smaller contacts than those obtained through standard 193nm lithography. The 2002 update of the ITRS Roadmap specifies 100nm and 110nm contacts in resist for DRAMs and ASICs respectively at the 90nm node. The depth of focus (DOF) for small contacts with the current 193nm exposure tools is not adequate and according to Raleigh’s equation, the higher numerical aperture (NA) 193nm exposure tools can be expected to have further decreased DOF. Therefore it is important to investigate the capabilities of process based resolution enhancement techniques to print smaller contacts using the current 193nm exposure tools. This article presents an evaluation of proves based resolution enhancement techniques such as REFLOW, RELACS and SAFIER.
Evolution of microstructure in centrifugal cast Al-Cu alloy

在这研究，在离心演员组的 Al-Cu 合金的微观结构上的离心的半径和模子旋转速度的效果被调查了。 随离心的半径或模子旋转速度的增加，当包含 Al2Cu 的白阶段的内容从 -phase, 猛抛时，离心演员组的 Al-Cu 合金的谷物尺寸逐渐地减少的结果表演与最容易溶解、常规的最容易溶解的微观结构增加离婚了，导致更高的 Cu macrosegregation。 在在模子旋转速度的 600 rpm 的离心演员组的 Al-Cu 合金的微观结构的变化水平在 300 rpm 比那大。
Structural Behavior of Cast In Situ Concrete Block Pavement

This paper describes the findings of a study carried out for evaluating the performance of cast in situ concrete block pavements for low volume roads. Concrete is filled up into a formwork of cells 150 mm×150 mm×100 mm made up of thin plastic sheets and compacted to form flexible interlocked concrete blocks. Details of a laboratory investigation on the proportioning of mixes and the evaluation of the strength of different mixes are presented. Cast in situ block pavements were constructed and tested in an accelerated pavement test facility. It was found that the blocks became interlocked and that the block pavement displayed a very little amount of rutting along the wheel path. A falling weight deflectometer test indicated that the equivalent elastic modulus of cast in situ concrete blocks was over 2,500 MPa. An example of pavement design using cast in situ concrete blocks is presented.
Unified power quality conditioner based on current source converter topology

Nonlinear devices, such as power electronics converters, inject harmonic currents in the AC system and increase overall reactive power demanded by the equivalent load. Also, the number of sensitive loads that require ideal sinusoidal supply voltages for their proper operation has increased. In order to keep power quality under limits proposed by standards, it is necessary to include some sort of compensation. Different types of power quality compensators of higher or lower complexity have been reported. The aim of this paper is to present a unified power quality conditioner (UPQC) that consists of two three-phase current-source converters connected on the same inductive DC link. Such system has faster phase voltage control loop than its voltage-source converter based counterpart, as well as the inherent short circuit protection capability. Also, in this case passive filter connection between UPQC and the load is not needed, which minimizes the cost of the system.
Nanostructure and Microstructure of Cement Concrete Incorporating Multicementitious Composites

The nanostructural and microstructural behavior of concrete plays a decisive role in determining the properties of a material. The pore structure of paste, mortar, or concrete affects the behavior of the material and can give insight into the material's nanostructure and microstructure and their performance. Permeability and other durability-related properties of concrete are directly affected by pore structure. The pore structure also influences strength, modulus of elasticity, volume stability, and environmental resistance. Therefore, pore size, extent, and shape are of paramount importance in deciding the suitability of materials for practical applications, and the determination of pore structure has vital importance in evaluating the performance of concrete. This investigation was performed to assess and understand the influence of fly ash and silica fume as cement replacements on the pore structure of mortar. The pore structure study was conducted by using mercury intrusion porosimetry on the cement mortar incorporating fly ash and silica fume as partial cement replacements for the preparation of various combinations of blended systems. It was observed that incorporation of fly ash has a slight pore refinement effect, while inclusion of silica fume significantly improved pore refinement.
The effect of different Masai Barefoot Technology (MBT) shoe models on postural balance, lower limb muscle activity and instability assessment

Unstable shoe constructions may counteract balance deficits and underutilization of lower limb muscles. The Masai Barefoot Technology (MBT) concept has been widely analysed in terms of footwear-induced instability. However, previous experiments investigated predominately one specific MBT shoe model. Therefore, the purpose of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of differently shaped MBT soles on stance biomechanics. Mean velocity of centre of pressure (CoP) displacement, root mean square (RMS) tibialis anterior (TA), peroneus longus (PL), gastrocnemius medialis (GM), vastus lateralis (VL) and biceps femoris (BF) activity, as well as subjective perception of instability were recorded in 31 young asymptomatic adults during standing with three different MBT models and a standard control shoe. Statistical analysis included repeated-measures ANOVAs with Bonferroni–Holm adjusted post-hoc tests. MBT footwear, regardless of shape and structure, significantly increased postural sway compared to the control condition. Additionally, there were significant differences between the MBT shoe types. These results coincided with those obtained from instability assessment testing. No significant effects of MBT footwear were detected for the GM and BF muscles. A consistent increase in TA, PL and VL RMS activity was only found for one MBT model. On a muscular level, within-MBT differences were statistically less pronounced than for CoP and for instability rating measures. These findings suggest that specific variations in MBT sole construction criteria differently challenged the postural control system without forfeiting the principal feature of simulating a less firm surface for the user. Further investigations are warranted to examine the framework of instability within the MBT concept, as well as associated intrinsic and extrinsic influences related to rehabilitation and prevention programmes.
Risk assessment of construction projects

Abstract The paper presents risk assessment of construction projects. The assessment is based on the multi‐attribute decision‐making methods. The risk evaluation attributes are selected taking into consideration the interests and goals of the stakeholders as well as factors that have influence on the construction process efficiency and real estate value. Ranking of objects and determination of their optimality are determined by applying TOPSIS grey and COPRAS‐G methods with attributes values determined at intervals. A background and a description of the proposed model are provided and key findings of the analysis are presented.
Produtividade de híbridos de milho em função da velocidade de semeadura

The present work was lead in the experimental area of the Laboratory of Machines and Agricultural Mechanization of the Sao Paulo State University, Jaboticabal, Brazil, in a soil classified as Haplustox, in conventional tillage. It had been evaluated the development and the components of production of two hybrids of corn (DKB 390, simple and DKB 435, double) in function of three speeds of the set tractor-seeder-fertilizer (5.4; 6.8 and 9.8 km h-1), totalizing six treatments with four repetitions in a randomized block-type design, factorial 2 x 3. The results had evidenced that the increase of the speed of the tractor-seeder-fertilizer set, reduced the productivity of grains for the simple hybrid and did not interfered with the productivity of the double hybrid. But in the lower speed the simple hybrid presented greater productivity of grains when compared with the double hybrid. The increase of the speed in the operation of seeding reduced the percentage of normal spacing between the seeds, independent of the studied hybrid.
Abnormal Vertical Eye Movements as a Clue for Diagnosis of Niemann–Pick Type C

Background Adult-onset Niemann–Pick Type C is a rare neurogenetic lysosomal disorder, whose diagnosis is often delayed and missed because of its heterogeneous clinical presentations and rarity as well as the lack of awareness of characteristic eye findings among neurologists. Phenomenology Shown Impaired smooth pursuits, saccades, and optokinetic nystagmus in the vertical direction, with relatively normal eye movements in the horizontal direction, and ataxia features on finger chase testing, tandem walking, and gait ataxia. Educational Value Impairment of vertical eye movements in combination with ataxia, cognitive impairment, and/or psychiatric symptoms in an adult patient should always raise clinical suspicion of Niemann–Pick Type C.