Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modélisation mathématique et numérique de la propagation des ondes élastiques tridimensionnelles dans des milieux fissurés

Le sujet de cette these concerne la modelisation numerique des phenomenes de propagation des ondes dans des milieux elastiques. La comprehension et la modelisation de ces phenomenes jouent un role fondamental dans de nombreux domaines d'applications tels que la geophysique, la sismique, le controle non destructif,, etc. Nous avons developpe une methode numerique traitant ces problemes dans des milieux complexes (grande taille, geometries complexes, milieux tridimensionnels heterogenes et anisotropes). Les principales caracteristiques de cette methode sont: l'utilisation des maillages reguliers en carres (2d) ou cubes (3d), ce qui facilite l'implementation et favorise la vitesse du calcul. la condensation de masse qui nous permet d'obtenir des schemas explicites en temps. La prise en compte des geometries complexes (fissures, surfaces libres) s'effectue alors grâce a la methode des domaines fictifs (une methode de multiplicateurs de Lagrange). L'utilisation de cette methode nous a conduit a choisir une formulation mixte, en vitesses-contraintes, pour l'elastodynamique. Pour obtenir alors, une methode compatible avec la condensation de masse, nous avons construit une nouvelle famille d'elements finis mixtes. L'analyse de convergence de ces nouveaux elements constitue une partie importante de la these, la difficulte provenant du fait qu'ils n'entrent pas dans le cadre de la theorie classique. Nous avons egalement etudie les schemas obtenus avec ces elements en termes d'une analyse de dispersion et de stabilite. Ceci nous a permis de comparer la nouvelle methode a des methodes plus classiques. Enfin, nous avons etudie le probleme delicat de la modelisation des ondes elastiques en milieux non bornes. A ce sujet, nous avons d'abord propose de nouvelles conditions aux limites absorbantes (CLA) puis nous avons adapte au cas elastique la methode des couches absorbantes parfaitement adaptees (PML), introduite originalement en electromagnetisme.
The effect of organizational commitment to the performance of y generation employees in PT bank Sumut with transformational leadership as moderation variables

PT Bank Sumut is one of the North Sumatra regional government-owned enterprises that have a lot of employes from different generations. More than 50% of PT Bank Sumut employees come from generation Y who should have better and higher performance than employees from other generations. However, the performance produced both in terms of asset and relative profit growth is still lagging behind other regional banks. The purpose of this research is to determine the influence of organizational commitment which consists of affective commitment, continuance commitment, and normative commitment to the performance of Y generation employees in PT Bank Sumut. The research type is correlational research. This research uses transformational leadership as a moderating variable that can strengthen or weaken the relationship of organizational commitment to the performance of generation Y employees. The number of samples from the employee population is 40 respondents. The population was generation Y employees aged 22-32 years at the headquarters of PT Bank Sumut. Data analysis uses multiple linear regression and variable moderation tests. The research results showed that there was a significant influence that affective commitment had a positive and significant effect; continuance commitment has a positive and significant effect; and normative commitment has a positive and significant effect on the performance Y-generation employee. Transformational leadership as a moderating variable to the performance of generation Y employees in PT Bank Sumut. From these results, the factors that most influence the performance of generation Y employees are affective commitment, continuance, and normative commitment.
Comparison of energy storage operation in vertically integrated and market-based power system

Energy storage is expected to have a notable function in modern power systems. Its ability to act both as a load and as a generator, as well as its abundant ramp limits, make energy storage favorable in renewable energy intensive power systems. This paper presents two different environments of energy storage operation: operation under control of a vertically integrated power utility and as an independent entity in electricity market. Energy storage operation under vertically integrated power utility is analyzed using an augmented unit commitment model, while its operation in market environment is modelled as a bilevel program where the upper-level problem makes decisions on storage operation, while the lower-level problem simulates the market clearing procedure. Both models are mixed-integer programs modelled in GAMS and solved by CPLEX.
Tensile damage response from discrete element virtual testing

Depending on the loading conditions on brittle materials, damage can generally not be reduced to a simple scalar. Microcrack orientation affects the stiffness in a preferential direction perpendicular to the crack lips. Taking into account the damage anisotropy in phenomenological models is a possible option, but the identification of the corresponding models with respect to damage anisotropy is not an easy task, usually because of the limited number of experimental results. Handling and performing tensile experiments on damaged samples made of quasi-brittle heterogeneous material is quite delicate. Then, one can consider virtual testing for the identification of specific properties. We propose in the present work such a protocol, based on the use of discrete element models and codes as a virtual testing machine. Discrete models are based on a material description at the microscopic scale by an assembly of particles. Cracks (and cracks orientations) are naturally described by broken connections between particles. After a brief description of the chosen model, a cross-identification procedure is proposed for the determination of a hydrostatic sensitivity parameter of an anisotropic damage model. A second application deals with the description of the evolution of the strength envelope under different isotropic and anisotropic damage states. These examples show the interest of virtual testing by discrete modelling for material behaviour characterisation at fine scale.
Limbic nuclei of thalamus and connections of limbic cortex.

I. Organization of the Projections of the Anterior Group of Nuclei and of the Midline Nuclei of the Thalamus to the Anterior Cingulate Gyrus and Hippocampal Rudiment in the Monkey Introduction The views expressed in the literature on the cortical projection fields of the anterior nuclei, midline nuclei, and lateral dorsal nucleus of the thalamus are vague and often contradictory. LeGros Clark and Boggon5were apparently the first to point out that the anterior thalamic nuclei in the cat project to the whole length of cingulate gyrus. Walker26suggested that the anterior medial nucleus in the monkey projects to the inferior surface of the frontal lobe. Later he was inclined to the view that the anterior group of nuclei projects mainly to the posterior part of the cingulate gyrus and that the anterior part of the gyrus (area 24-LA in terminology used by us) "receives few if any fibers from the thalamus. "27Bailey and co-workers,1using the neuronographic method of strychnine-evoked potentials also came to the conclusion that the anterior cingulate gyrus is athalamic. However, Mettler
Joint Conference : 14 th ISMC and 8 th ICLTIBM-2018 OPEN INNOVATION IN DEVELOPING COUNTRY SMES : EVIDENCE FROM TURKEY

Earlier open innovation studies focused mainly on large enterprises. Limited number of studies on small and medium enterprises (SMEs), on the other hand, mainly focused on developed countries. Empirical studies on open innovation in developing country SMEs are still missing in the literature. This study addresses this gap by focusing on SMEs in a developing country context. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first explorative study that measures to which extent SMEs apply open innovation practices in Turkey. We draw on a survey database of 674 SMEs and found that more than two third of SMEs involve in open innovation. Among open innovation practices measured in this study, vertical collaboration (collaboration with suppliers and customers) emerged as the most common open innovation practice. We analysed the results according to the sector and found that SMEs in high technology sector involve in open innovation more than their counterparts in low technology sectors. However, more than half of low technology SMEs involve in open innovation. We also found that customers are the most preferred collaborators for SMEs, followed by suppliers and rivals. Final and the most interesting finding of this study is collaboration with suppliers yields more innovation than collaboration with customers. © 2019 Published by Future Academy www.FutureAcademy. org.UK
A modified folded multi-LSB decided resistor string digital to analog converter

This work proposes an improved folded multi-LSB decided resistor string digital to analog converter which has lower number of resistors. The nonlinearity calculations are done for this design in order to better analyze the resistor mismatch. Since no buffers are employed to this architecture, the proposed circuit has ameliorated performance in compare with the conventional digital to analog converters. As the buffer is omitted from this topology, the offset problem and the bandwidth limitations are solved.
Developing a Design-Led Approach for the Food-Energy-Water Nexus in Cities

Urban communities are particularly vulnerable to the future demand for food, energy and water, and this vulnerability is further exacerbated by the onset of climate change at local. Solutions need to be found in urban spaces. This article based around urban design practice sees urban agriculture as a key facilitator of nexus thinking, needing water and energy to be productive. Working directly with Urban Living Labs, the project team will co-design new food futures through the moveable nexus, a participatory design support platform to mobilize natural and social resources by integrating multi-disciplinary knowledge and technology. The moveable nexus is co-developed incrementally through a series of design workshops moving around living labs with the engagement of stakeholders. The methodology and the platform will be shared outside the teams so that the knowledge can be mobilized locally and globally.
Infant Breastfeeding and Kidney Function in School-Aged Children.

BACKGROUND Early life factors may influence kidney growth and function throughout the life course. We examined the associations of breastfeeding duration and exclusivity and age at introduction of solid foods with kidney outcomes at school age. STUDY DESIGN Prospective cohort study from fetal life onward. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS 5,043 children in the Netherlands. PREDICTORS Infant feeding was assessed prospectively using questionnaires. OUTCOMES & MEASUREMENTS In children at a median age of 6.0 years, we measured kidney volume with ultrasound, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) from serum creatinine level, and microalbuminuria from urinary albumin and creatinine levels. RESULTS 92% of all children were ever breastfed, of whom 27% were breastfed for more than 6 months and 21% were breastfed exclusively for at least 4 months. Compared with ever-breastfed children, never-breastfed children had smaller combined kidney volumes (-2.69 [95% CI, -4.83 to -0.56] cm(3)) and lower eGFRs (-2.42 [95% CI, -4.56 to -0.28] mL/min/1.73 m(2)) at school age. Among breastfed children, shorter duration of breastfeeding was associated with smaller combined kidney volume and lower microalbuminuria risk (P<0.05). Compared to exclusive breastfeeding for 4 months, nonexclusive breastfeeding in the first 4 months was associated with smaller combined kidney volume and lower eGFR (both P<0.05). Associations with eGFR were explained largely by kidney volume. Age at introduction of solid foods was not associated with any kidney outcome. LIMITATIONS Observational study, so causality cannot be established. Follow-up measurements were available for 76% of children. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that breastfeeding is associated with subclinical changes in kidney outcomes in childhood. Further studies are needed to explore whether early life nutrition also affects the risk of kidney disease in adulthood.
The function of ROCO proteins in health and disease

The ROCO family of multidomain proteins extends across the eukaryotes, and has been implicated in numerous cellular processes. Following the description of mutations causing PD (Parkinson's disease) in a human representative of the ROCO family, LRRK2 (leucine‐rich repeat kinase 2), a great deal of research has been carried out into these proteins. This review examines the published data regarding the roles the ROCO proteins are thought to play in cell processes, and how the structure and domain organization of these proteins relates to their function.
Analysis of the Relative Instructional Efficiency of Microcomputer-Based Instruction and Teacher-Directed Instruction for Hearing-Impaired and Normal-Hearing Youth

Recent literature has emphasized the virtues of computer-assisted instruction for hearing-impaired learners. Critics, however, have cautioned that the absence of empirical research suggests that microcomputer enthusiasts have oversold the technology. The present study was designed in response to this criticism. Its major objective was to contrast the efficiency of teacher-directed instruction with that of computer-based instruction for hearing-impaired youth. Four groups of six adolescents were randomly formed: hearing-impaired/microcomputer, hearing-impaired/teacher-directed, normal-hearing/microcomputer, and normal-hearing/teacher-directed. Information presented over five 10-minute sessions in each instructional condition was controlled through the use of paced and scripted presentations by the teacher. Hurkle, Elementary—Volume 1, developed by the Minnesota Education Computing Consortium, served as the basis for instruction. The dependent variables were the total number of responses, the number of correct responses, and the number of errors. Three separate 2 × 2 completely randomized factorial designs with tests for simple main effects were conducted on the dependent variables. The results of these tests indicated the following: no significant differences in the total number of responses: significantly more correct responses and fewer errors for the normal-hearing subjects, regardless of the instructional condition: and significantly fewer errors for hearing-impaired subjects in the microcomputer condition than for hearing-impaired subjects in the teacher-directed condition. In general, these data affirm that hearing-impaired students are less efficient learners than are normal-hearing students. However, the use of microcomputers appears to be an effective strategy for increasing instructional efficiency.
Vagal afferent control of opioidergic effects in rat brainstem circuits

We demonstrated recently that increasing the levels of cAMP allows opioids to modulate GABAergic synaptic transmission between the nucleus of the tractus solitarius (NTS) and dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV). Using a combination of electrophysiological, immunohistochemical and biochemical approaches, we provide evidence that vagal afferent fibres dampen cAMP levels within the vagal brainstem circuits via tonic activation of group II metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs). Whole‐cell patch‐clamp recordings were made from identified neurons of the rat DMV. Following chronic vagal deafferentation, the opioid agonist methionine‐enkephalin (ME) inhibited the amplitude of evoked IPSC (eIPSC) in 32 of 33 neurons, without exogenous enhancement of cAMP levels. The ME‐induced inhibition was prevented by the group II mGluR‐selective agonist APDC. Following perfusion with the group II mGluR‐selective antagonist EGLU, ME inhibited eIPSC amplitude in brainstem slices of control rats. Immunohistochemical experiments revealed that, following vagal deafferentation, μ‐opioid receptors were colocalized on GABAergic profiles apposing DMV neurons; the number of colocalized profiles was significantly decreased by pretreatment with APDC. Radioimmunoassay and Western blot analysis showed that cAMP and phosphorylated cyclic AMP response element binding protein (pCREB) levels in the dorsal vagal complex were increased following vagal deafferentation. Our data show that by tonically dampening the levels of cAMP within the GABAergic synaptic contacts, activated group II mGluRs prevent the modulation of this synapse by endogenous opioids. These data suggest that the plasticity, hence the response, of central circuits controlling the vagal motor outflow to visceral organs is modulated and finely tuned by vagal afferent fibres.
Notch1 and Jagged1 expression by the developing pulmonary vasculature

The molecular mechanisms of pulmonary vascular development are poorly understood. Cell‐specific developmental pathways are influenced by cell–cell signaling. Notch signaling molecules are highly conserved receptors active in many cell‐fate determination systems. Recent observations of Notch molecules and a Notch ligand, Jagged1, suggest their importance in vascular morphogenesis, and particularly pulmonary vascular development. We performed a systematic evaluation of Notch1/Jagged1 gene and protein expression in the developing mouse lung from embryonic day 11 until adulthood by using quantitative PCR, immunofluorescence, and electron microscopic analysis. mRNA transcripts for Notch1‐4 and Jagged1 increased progressively from early to later lung development, accompanied by a simultaneous rise in endothelial cell‐specific gene expression, a pattern not seen in other organs. Notch1 mRNA was identified on both epithelial and mesenchymal structures of the embryonic lung. Immunofluorescence staining revealed the progressive acquisition of Notch1 and Jagged1 proteins by the emerging endothelium. Notch1 and Jagged1 were seen initially on well‐formed, larger vessels within the embryonic lung bud and progressively on finer vascular networks. Each was also expressed on surrounding nonvascular structures. The localization of Notch1 and Jagged1 on endothelial cell surface membranes within the alveolar microvasculature was confirmed by immuno‐electron microscopy. These temporal and spatial patterns in Notch1/Jagged1 gene and protein expression suggest multiple potential paths of cell–cell signaling during lung development and vascular morphogenesis. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Venous Thrombosis in Athletes

&NA; Because deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can occur following orthopaedic procedures, knowledge of hereditary and acquired risk factors for DVT is essential. Hereditary forms of thrombophilia include factor V Leiden and prothrombin G20210A mutations, and deficiencies of antithrombin III, protein C, and protein S. Acquired risk factors include but are not limited to trauma, immobilization, and surgical procedures. In general, athletes have a low risk of venous thrombosis; however, this population is exposed to many acquired thrombogenic risk factors, including hemoconcentration, trauma, immobilization, long‐distance travel, and the use of oral contraceptives. Thus, orthopaedic surgeons should consider screening athletes for thrombogenic risk factors, including history of venous thrombosis, hypercoagulable disorders, or high altitude exercise, during preparticipation physicals and preoperative examinations. If a patient is determined to be at high risk of DVT, preventive measures such as physical antithrombotic measures and/or low‐molecular‐weight heparin should be instituted. If an athlete develops a DVT, a risk factor assessment should be conducted along with anticoagulation treatment in accordance with the American College of Chest Physicians guidelines.
Energy-Ef fi cient Multihop Cooperative MISO Transmission with Optimal Hop Distance in Wireless Ad Hoc Networks

In this paper, we investigate the hop distance optimization problem in ad hoc networks where cooperative multiinput-single-output (MISO) is adopted to improve the energy efficiency of the network. We first establish the energy model of multihop cooperative MISO transmission. Based on the model, the energy consumption per bit of the network with high node density is minimized numerically by finding an optimal hop distance, and, to get the global minimum energy consumption, both hop distance and the number of cooperating nodes around each relay node for multihop transmission are jointly optimized. We also compare the performance between multihop cooperative MISO transmission and single-input-single-output (SISO) transmission, under the same network condition (high node density). We show that cooperative MISO transmission could be energyinefficient compared with SISO transmission when the path-loss exponent becomes high. We then extend our investigation to the networks with varied node densities and show the effectiveness of the joint optimization method in this scenario using simulation results. It is shown that the optimal results depend on network conditions such as node density and path-loss exponent, and the simulation results are closely matched to those obtained using the numerical models for high node density cases.
Estrogens are potentially the only steroids with an antioxidant role in pregnancy: in vitro evidence

Background. Pregnancy is a condition that favors oxidative stress by reactive oxygen species. Oxidative stress is involved in the etiopathogenesis of disorders of pregnancy such as pre‐eclampsia. An antioxidant effect of estrogens has been described and a putative role of them as antioxidants has been proposed. The aim of this work was to evaluate in vitro the antioxidant properties of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, estradiol, estriol, progesterone, and testosterone, five steroid hormones present in the maternofetal circulation. Methods. The antioxidant properties of the hormones were evaluated by two methods: 1. their antioxidant effect on the auto‐oxidation of linoeic acid, a hydrogen atom transfer reaction; 2. diphenylpicrylhydrazil‐scavenging capacity, a single electron transfer reaction. Results. Of the five hormones tested, only estradiol and estriol at 10 μM concentration exerted a strong antioxidant effect of 81.73 and 70.97% respectively on linoleic acid auto‐oxidation, at the end‐point of the reaction. Likewise, only these two hormones showed radical‐scavenging activity on diphenylpicrylhydrazil, noticeable only at supraphysiological concentrations of 1 mM. Conclusions. Estradiol and estriol could play a role as antioxidants for maternofetal autoprotection in addition to their hormonal activity, but this role could be preferentially exerted by estriol due to its higher concentrations exhibited during pregnancy. In vivo studies are necessary to shed light on this issue.
Improving classification performance of RFID gates using Hidden Markov models

Many applications ranging from warehouse logistics to DVD rental require the robust localization and tracking of goods on the item level. RFID represents a popular technology to perform these tasks but suffers from false read events — especially in the widely used UHF range. This paper presents a probabilistic model for an RFID gate. The novelty of our approach is the incorporation of both the uncertainties introduced by the random nature of reader inventories as well as process knowledge into a single well-defined probabilistic framework based on HMMs. The robustness of the resulting tag detection algorithm against stationary tags in the vicinity of the gate is shown experimentally using a demonstrator RFID gate setup.