Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Numerical Modeling of Two-Fluid Interfacial Flows

Smolianski, Anton Numerical Modeling of Two-Fluid Interfacial Flows Jyväskylä: University of Jyväskylä, 2001, 109 p. (Jyväskylä Studies in Computing ISSN 1456-5390; 8) ISBN 951-39-0929-8 Finnish summary Diss. The present work is devoted to the study on unsteady flows of two immiscible viscous fluids separated by free moving interface. The goal of the present work is to elaborate a unified strategy for numerical modeling of all kinds of two-fluid interfacial flows, having in mind possible interface topology changes (like merger or break-up) and realistically wide ranges for physical parameters of the problem. The presented computational approach essentially relies on three basic components: finite element method for spatial approximation, operator-splitting for temporal discretization and level-set method for interface representation. Finite element discretization is based on variational formulation of the problem and, thus, allows to naturally incorporate discontinuous material coefficients and singular interface-concentrated forces. The use of finite elements permits to localize the interface precisely, without introduction of any artificial parameters like interface thickness. We also show that interface normal and curvature can be recovered with the second-order accuracy after applying a gradient averaging technique; that allows us to compute accurately the surface tension force. For temporal discretization we employ an operator-splitting, thus, separating all major difficulties of the problem. This approach enables us, in particular, to implement equal-order interpolation for the velocity and pressure. In order to model the phenomena involving interface topology changes we make use of the levelset approach, the finite element implementation of which brings some additional benefits as compared to the standard finite difference level-set realizations. We introduce also a simple mass-correction procedure allowing to maintain an optimal, second order accurate mass conservation. Diverse numerical examples including simulations of bubble dynamics, bifurcating jet flow and Rayleigh-Taylor instability are presented to validate the proposed computational method.
Developments in Practice X: Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) - An Internet for Physical Objects

This paper explores the applications and future commercial impacts of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. Its objective is to summarize the ways in which organizations and academics are thinking about these technologies and to stimulate strategic thinking about their possible uses and implications. It first provides an overview of this technology and how it works. Then it explores the surprisingly wide variety of current applications of RFID. Next it looks at several classes of potential RFID applications and how these might affect how organizations work. Finally, it examines the cost and implementation considerations of this technology. The paper concludes that RFID is a viable technology with many possible applications. However, only some of the impacts on organizations and society can be anticipated at present.
Book-to-Market, Size, and Industry Effect

This paper aims to extend the paper by Saleh and Bitar (2009) by addressing whether variation in stock returns can be explained by differences in industry concentration. The paper concludes that firms operate in highly concentrated industries earn lower returns and less risk than those operate in highly competitive industries. Furthermore, the paper provides evidence to suggest that investors in Amman Stock Exchange cannot benefit from a trading strategy based on industry structure
Fishing gear recognition from VMS data to identify illegal fishing activities in Indonesia

The surveillance of illegal fishing activities is a critical issue for the management of marine resources. Here, we address the monitoring of fishing activities from space, namely from VMS data (Vessel Monitoring System). We propose and evaluate a novel method for the recognition of the fishing vessel gear type from VMS trajectories as a mean of detecting abnormal uses of undeclared fishing gear. Our approach combines supervised and unsupervised data mining techniques. It consists of a three-step framework: i) for each gear type, we first train a Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) for the unsupervised identification of the relevant regimes from the series of the speed and turning angle computed from the VMS data, ii) for any given VMS data series, we apply the fitted gear-specific GMMs to extract some associated regime related features (e.g., time spent in each regime, mean duration of each regime period), iii) we combine the resulting feature vector with other relevant features (e.g., mean position and sinuosity index) within a supervised classification framework and we train a supervised classified, namely RF (Random Forest) and SVM (Support Vector Machine), for the automated recognition of the fishing gear from monthly VMS data. Overall, we report mean correct recognition rates around 94.59%, which demonstrates the relevance of the proposed approach.
The Construction of a Probiotic Lactic Acid Bacterium Expressing Acid-Resistant Phytase Enzyme

The use of probiotics engineered to express specific enzymes has been the subject of considerable attention in poultry industry because of increased nutrient availability and reduced cost of enzyme supplementation. Phytase enzyme is commonly added to poultry feed to improve digestibility and availability of phosphorus from plant sources. To construct a probiotic with potential of phytate degradation, phytase gene (appA) from E. coli was cloned and transformed into two probiotic bacteria Lactobacillus salivarius and Lactococcus lactis. L. salivarous showed plasmid instability, unable to express the gene. The expression of appA gene in L. lactis was analyzed by detecting specific RNA and zymography assay. Phytase enzyme was isolated from cellular extracts of recombinant L. lactis, showing a 46 kDa band upon the SDS-PAGE analysis. Zymogram also confirmed the phytase activity of the 46 kDa band corresponding to the enzyme. An enzyme activity of 4.9U/ml was obtained in cell extracts of L. lactis. The growth of native and recombinant L. lactis was similar in the presence of two concentrations of ox bile. Keywords—Lactobacillus salivarus, Lactococcus lactis, recombinant, phytase, poultry.
Strategy implementation framework used by SMEs in Zimbabwe

﻿The field of strategic management has been expanding to embrace new concepts and models with a view to better understanding the field. One area of strategic management which is gaining currency is strategy implementation. Many a scholar and practitioner is exploring ways in which strategy implementation can be enhanced for organisations to function effectively. Several approaches have been proffered including the development of implementation models and frameworks. This study seeks to enhance strategy implementation knowledge among SMEs in Zimbabwe by developing a new framework that seeks to shed light on how the SMEs implement strategy. The development of the framework seeks to explain why, despite government policies to support economic growth, SMEs in Zimbabwe have failed to drive economic growth yet evidence from literature has indicated the significant role played by SMEs in growing economies in other countries. In depth interviews were used to gather the data from multiple case studies. The major finding of this study was that the framework used by SMEs in Zimbabwe emphasized both self and family survival. There appears to be a significant focus on inward behaviour that focuses on relationships and family anchored business survival. This could be the underlying reasons for the somewhat underperformance of SMEs in delivering strong economic growth in Zimbabwe despite a plethora of state driven assistance programmes. There is therefore need to test the applicability of this model in a longitudinal study and make adaptations to make the current framework have a more business focussed approach.
Assessing the performance of smart inverters in large-scale distribution networks with PV systems

The emergence of clusters of rooftop Photovoltaic (PV) systems in Distribution Networks (DNs) might result into voltage rise that can exceed the voltage limits particularly in secondary systems. This paper assesses the performance of two smart inverter controllers (Volt-Watt and Volt-Var) to mitigate these technical problems. A large-scale DN fully modeled in OpenDSS is used in the assessment considering realistic load profiles and irradiation for the area where the distribution circuit is located. Four penetration levels of PV systems are evaluated without and with smart inverters. Results demonstrate that overreacting settings of Volt-Watt and Volt-Var controllers can help reducing the magnitude of the problem; however, they show that the reactive power consumed or active power curtailed varies significantly among customers participating on voltage regulation; thus highlighting that coordinated control actions are needed in real DNs with thousands of customers.
FDA Adverse Event Reports on Statin-Associated Rhabdomyolysis

OBJECTIVE: To determine the number of cases of statin-associated rhabdomyolysis reported to the Food and Drug Administration for 6 statins and to profile the cases. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all domestic and foreign reports of statin-associated rhabdomyolysis between November 1997 and March 2000 was conducted. Outcome measures included the total number of reports (initial plus follow-up), the number of unique cases, age, gender, percentages of report codes and role codes, and frequencies of concomitant interacting drugs that may have precipitated rhabdomyolysis, outcomes codes, and report source codes. RESULTS: There were 871 reports of statin-associated rhabdomyolysis in the 29-month time frame examined, representing 601 cases. The following number of cases were associated with each of the individual statins: simvastatin, 215 (35.8%); cerivastatin, 192 (31.9%); atorvastatin, 73 (12.2%); pravastatin, 71 (11.8%); lovastatin, 40 (6.7%); and fluvastatin, 10 (1.7%). Drugs that may have interacted with the statins were present in the following number of cases: mibefradil (n = 99), fibrates (n = 80), cyclosporine (n = 51), macrolide antibiotics (n = 42), warfarin (n = 33), digoxin (n = 26), and azole antifungals (n = 12). The reports of 62.1% of cases were classified as expedited. Statins were designated as the primary suspect in 72.0% of the cases. Death was listed as the outcome in 38 cases. The majority of reports (n = 556) were from health professionals. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with the other statins, simvastatin and cerivastatin were implicated in a relatively higher number of reports. Because of the various limitations of a spontaneous reporting-system database, caution is urged when interpreting the relative number of cases reported.
A self-actuating PZT cantilever integrated with piezoresistor sensor for AFM with high speed parallel operation

In this research, we studied the parasitic parameters inducing the electrical coupling between a sensor and PZT actuator using a simple equivalent circuit model of the cantilever with a piezoresistor sensor and PZT actuator. A fully integrated self-actuating PZT cantilever with a piezoresistor has been newly designed, fabricated, and characterized for high speed AFM. The fabricated PZT cantilevers provide 0.55 /spl mu/m/V of high tip displacement and about 5 times lower crosstalk than the previous cantilever structure. The measured resonant frequency was 73 kHz, which is 100 times higher than a conventional piezotube scanner. The piezotube scanner shows creep phenomena at approximately 180 /spl mu/m/sec of scan speed, but the fabricated self-actuating PZT cantilever has a good scanned image at 1 mm/sec.
Uptake of pesticides from water by curly waterweed Lagarosiphon major and lesser duckweed Lemna minor.

The uptake of pesticides from water by two aquatic plants, the submersed Lagarosiphon major (Ridley) Moss and the floating duckweed Lemna minor L. , was measured over periods of up to 72 h. Twelve non-ionised pesticides and analogues, chosen to span a wide range of physicochemical properties, and one analogue (3,5-D) of the phenoxyacetic acid herbicide 2,4-D were studied. Concentrations of the parent compound were determined in the plants following extraction and separation by chromatography. Quantification was by liquid scintillation counting for the (14)C-labelled compounds and by high-performance liquid chromatography for the four non-radiolabelled commercial pesticides. Uptake for all compound and plant combinations had reached equilibrium by 24 h. Accumulation of compound in the plant could be described well for most non-ionised compounds by equilibration into the aqueous phase in the plant cells together with partitioning onto the plant solids, this latter process becoming dominant in Lagarosiphon for compounds with log K(ow) > 1 and in Lemna for compounds with log K(ow) > 1.8. Lipophilic compounds with log K(ow) > 4 were concentrated more than 100-fold on a fresh-weight basis. However, the uptake of isoproturon and chlorotoluron was up to threefold less than expected from their K(ow) values, and their behaviour was better explained using solvation descriptors. Uptake of the acid 3,5-D was dependent on solution pH, this compound being strongly taken up at lower pH by the process of ion trapping, as previously observed in barley roots. Aquatic vegetation can thus rapidly accumulate pesticides, and could be an important sink especially for lipophilic pesticides reaching well-vegetated waters.
Spectral occupancy and error rate considerations of coherent GMSK

The objective of this proper is to develop an analytical method of calculating the average power spectral density (PSD) and bit error rate (BER) of Gaussian minimum shift keying (GMSK) modulation scheme. GMSK modulation has been widely used in terrestrial and satellite communication systems. No method, other than simulation is currently available to calculate GMSK PSD. In this paper we express the PSD in a compact Hermitian form suitable for numerical computation. We also analyze the BER performance of a coherent I-Q receiver. The relationship between out of band radiation attenuation and BER degradation is clearly shown. The degradation caused by the transmit and receive filters is estimated. The formulas given in this paper can be extended to arbitrary pulse shapes of finite duration.
Routine angiography after surgery for ruptured intracranial aneurysms: a cost versus benefit analysis.

Modelling A Markov chain was constructed for the two algorithms, routine postoperative angiography and no postoperative angiography. The Markov states for both algorithms were State 1, healthy (completely clipped aneurysm), State 2, partially clipped aneurysm, State 3, unclipped aneurysm, State 4, neurological deficit and State 5, dead. Transitions between the states occurred once each year at the 6-month point in the cycle. An initial age of 40 years was used and patients were assumed to be neurologically intact after initial surgery.
7 Microfluidic Systems for Engineering Vascularized Tissue Constructs

A major challenge in tissue engineering is the lack of proper vascularization of the fabricated tissue constructs. Microscale technologies, especially microfluidic systems, provide new opportunities to overcome the challenge of developing artificial micro-vasculatures. In this chapter, the application of microfluidic systems for generating vascularized tissue constructs by using microfluidic platforms has been outlined. Mathematical modeling has been shown as a powerful tool for optimizing the microfluidic system design parameters. Future challenges for the microfluidic-based tissue engineering constructs have also been discussed for success in clinical application. 7 Microfluidic Systems for Engineering Vascularized Tissue Constructs 3
Junglemobile: A Mobile Injury‐Prevention Program for Young Children

Objective To evaluate the child passenger safety curriculum of the Junglemobile, a traveling injury prevention program for young children. Design Cross-sectional evaluation with self-controls, convenience sample. Setting School and community events in rural Colorado, Wyoming, and western Nebraska where the Junglemobile participated for the years 2000–2003. Participants Children 11 years of age or younger attending a Junglemobile event. Intervention Children were tested on the Junglemobile child passenger safety curriculum. Children 3 to 6 years of age (Group 1) completed a pretest and a posttest. Children 7 to 11 years of age (Group 2) completed a pretest, an immediate posttest, and a 30-day posttest. Results Two hundred thirty-seven children in Group 1 completed the pretest, 76% completed both tests. In Group 2, 420 children took the pretest, 55% took all the 3 tests. Group 1 showed significant improvement in the ability to demonstrate the appropriate place to ride in a car, t (179) = −4.06, P < . 001. In Group 2, 61% reported always being restrained on the pretest and 73.2% on the 30-day posttest, t(230) = −3.85, P < . 001; 85.7% reported being restrained the last time they rode in a car or truck on the pretest; and 93.5% on the 30-day posttest t(228) = −3.38, P < . 001. Reported booster seat use increased on 30-day posttest and was greater when parents received an educational brochure (increased approximately 5% without brochure vs 25% with brochure). Conclusions Children can be taught about child passenger safety through the Junglemobile, a simple educational strategy. Parental education significantly modifies booster seat use.
Server and Content Selection for MPEG DASH Video Streaming with Client Information

In HTTP adaptive streaming (HAS), such as MPEG DASH, the video is split into chunks and is available in different quality levels. If the video chunks are stored or cached on different servers to deal with the high load in the network and the Quality of Experience (QoE) requirements of the users, the problem of content selection arises. In this paper, we evaluate client-side algorithms for dynamically selecting an appropriate content server during DASH video streaming. We present three algorithms with which the DASH client itself can determine the most appropriate server based on client-specific metrics, like actual latency or bandwidth to the content servers. We evaluate and discuss the proposed algorithms with respect to the resulting DASH streaming behavior in terms of buffer levels and quality level selection.
Educational Choices and Subjective Expectations of Returns to Schooling: Evidence on Intra-household Decisions and Gender Differences

The goal of this paper is to improve our understanding of human capital investment decisions. We analyze two aspects of this decision process: firstly we shed some light on the decision-making process within the household by addressing the question whose expectations matter in schooling decisions, the ones of the parents or the ones of the youths, and whether this depends on the gender of the youth. And secondly we investigate the role of potential determinants of schooling, such as expected monetary returns, perceptions of earnings and unemployment risk and returns in the marriage market, allowing for differences between male and female youths. To address these questions we use a data set on Mexican junior and senior high school graduates that elicits their own and their parents’ beliefs about future earnings for different scenarios of highest schooling degree, that contains proxies for returns in the marriage market and provides information about the actual schooling choice and an extensive set of controls. We find that for boys, both parents’ and youths’ expectations matter for the high school choice, while for the college attendance choice only the ones of the youths appear relevant. For girls on the other hand, only parents’ expectations seem important for both high school and college attendance decision. While we do find evidence of important differences in information sets between parents and youths and boys and girls, girls do not appear to be less informed about potential returns to schooling than boys. In our analysis, we take into account one determinant that has often been neglected, that is perceptions of earnings and employment risk for different schooling scenarios. We find that their role depends on the gender of the child as well as on whether the decision is about attending high school or college. While for boys risk perceptions seem be more important in high school decisions and expected returns appear more relevant in college attendance decisions, for girls risk perceptions appear to be the key determinant of both schooling decisions. In addition we provide suggestive evidence that for girls returns in the marriage market might also be playing a role. Our results have important policy implications for the design of programs aiming at increasing schooling, for example in terms of who should receive the conditional cash or fellowship. For the effective design of such programs, it is indispensable to understand, whether there are differences in the determinants of schooling choices and differences in the intra-household decision process depending on the gender of the child. JEL-Classification: I21, I22, O15
Independent short-term variability of spike-like (600 Hz) and postsynaptic (N20) cerebral SEP components

Human scalp-derived somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) elicited by median nerve stimulation contain an early (20 ms latency) high-frequency (600 Hz) wavelet burst which is supposed to reflect non-invasively the timing of rapidly repeating population spikes in thalamocortical afferences and/or the receiving neocortical cell populations. This burst is superimposed onto the slower (⩽100 Hz) primary cortical response (N20) representing intracortically generated postsynaptic events. The present study addressed the temporal dynamics and correlation of these response components in awake human subjects and found that at a 3 min time scale the burst response was significantly more variable than the concomitant N20, and that the burst and N20 varied independently of each other. Thus, wavelet burst and N20 represent parallel and partly independent steps in sensory processing at cortical input stages in awake human subjects. We propose that the N20 represents a stable somatosensory input whereas the more fluctuating high-frequency burst could index variable modes of processing, such as a floating focus of attention.