Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Variable-structure observer for solar-array current estimation in a photovoltaic power-generation system

A variable-structure observer for solar-array current estimation in a photovoltaic power-generation system is presented. The solar-array-current information is obtained from the variable-structure observer and fed into the maximum-power-point tracker to update the reference voltage. The parameter values such as inverter DC-link capacitances can be changed by up to 50% from their nominal values and the linear observer cannot estimate the correct state values under parameter variations and noisy environments. The configuration of the variable-structure observer is simple, but it shows robust tracking performance against parameter variations and modelling uncertainties. The method for constructing the variable-structure observer is presented and the convergence of the proposed observer is verified using the Lyapunov method. The mathematical modelling and the experimental results verify the validity of the proposed method.
Supply Response in Rainfed Agriculture of Odisha, Eastern India: A Vector Error Correction Approach

This paper provides an empirical investigation of supply response in case of rice in rainfed agriculture of Odisha. A composite weather index, instead of rainfall has been incorporated in the model to monitor farmers’ supply response to weather. The vector error correction approach which avoids the unrealistic assumption of fixed supply on the basis of static expectation is applied. The empirical results reveal the fact that there is price inelasticity of supply whereas the supply elasticity with respect to weather is found to be very high. The policy implications suggest that there should be huge emphasis on irrigation as well as weather insurance. Assured irrigation minimizes the dependence on weather conditions and secures the crop from the vagaries of monsoon and thereby reduces the risk attached with farming.
CONTINUUM MECHANICAL DESCRIPTION OF GROUP ROBOTS

A continuum mechanical picture to describe dynam- ics of group robots is proposed. We introduce a density function f1(� �; t) representing a number of robots lo- cated at aroundwith momentum around � p at time t. This scheme is applied to new transportation systems by group robots. We control potential force that mo- tivate the robots. The objects that do not respond to the potential can be transported by repetitive collisions with the robots moving aimlessly under the potential force, a negative gradient of the potential.Each robot of the group need not have specific sensors for mutual information. Increasing number of the robots makes it difficult to predict collective motion of the robots in transportation tasks. To give a well organized strat- egy of designing the tasks, we apply the continuum mechanical description of robots. Our analysis tells that the objects are motivated by a positive gradient of the potential. The design is validated by comparing paths of the object predicted by the continuum picture of robots with that calculated by Newton dynamics.
MAPPING THE PATIENT SAFETY CULTURE STUDIES FROM 1992 TO 2013

Patient safety culture or climate (PSC) is a relatively new topic in patient safety studies, and the current paper maps the intellectual structure of the works in this area, investigating the evolution of this literature. We searched the Web of Science database collection and obtained relevant study sample published from the oldest to 2013. The most-cited articles and cited references were also profiled and analyzed using HistCite analysis to create a historiograph, using social network analysis to map sociogram, while main path analysis was carried out to draw the developing path. The results show that the paradigm shift from organizational climate studies to safety culture studies, and from safety culture studies to patient safety culture studies. It is also evident that the patient safety culture is important topic in patient safety studies, and provides a clearly picture of the relationship between patient safety studies and patient safety culture studies. This study also presented the developing paths and divided into three stages. We introduce researchers to the concepts of profile history and development, which can help both academics and practitioners to understand the evolution of the PSC.
Aerial Foragers in The Periyakulam Lake, Tiruchirrappalli District, Tamil Nadu, Southern India

Wetlands are the most preferred habitats for water birds. They support the birds by way of feeding, roosting, nesting and rearing young ones. The Periaykulam lake, Tiruchirappalli District, Tamil Nadu, India is one such habitat frequently used by waterbirds. Current status of the waterbirds and habitat was studied for the present investigation. Aerial foraging birds were estimated using total count method. Totally five species of aerial foragers were observed from January 2011 to December 2012. Densities of aerial foraging birds were at their maximum during the monsoon of both the study years. The density, diversity and species richness varied significantly between the years and among the seasons. The Periyakulam lake is an important habitat as it support aerial foragers throughout the year.
Exploration of NSF-ATE Projects Approaches in the Integration of Technology and Engineering Education at the K-12 Levels.

Access to post-secondary education, specifi cally in the technical, two-year institution area, is a topic of growing interest in the country. Funding agencies, such as NSF, via the Advanced Technological Education Program (ATE), are supporting initiatives and research aimed at increasing the number of technicians and engineers and improving science, mathematics performance, and technological literacy among pre-college populations. This study focused on projects and programs awarded under the NSF-ATE program. It aimed to understand their approaches to K-12 engineering and technology education. Forty eight percent of the 2009 spring-summer active awards with K-12 components were identifi ed. Through a mixed-method design, 49 NSF-ATE award representatives responded to an online survey, and fi ve were interviewed after their online responses were analyzed. Results show that “pathways to increase the number of engineers and technicians” was the most prevalent goal, that their activities were more informational than instructional, that and their concerns concentrated primarily on their evaluations.
Oceanic three-dimensional Lagrangian Coherent Structures: A study in the Benguela upwelling region

We study three dimensional oceanic Lagrangian Coherent Structures (LCSs) in the Benguela region, as obtained from an output from the ROMS model. To this end we first compute Finite-Size Lyapunov exponent (FSLE) fields in the region volume, characterizing mesoscale stirring and mixing there. Average FSLE values show a general decreasing trend with depth, but there is a local maximum at about 100m depth. LCSs are extracted as ridges of the calculated FSLE fields. They present a “curtain-like” geometry in which the strongest attracting and repelling structures appear as quasivertical surfaces. LCSs around a particular cyclonic eddy, pinched off from the upwelling front are also calculated. The LCSs are confirmed to provide pathways and barriers to transport in and out of the eddy.
The PV Corrosion Fault Prognosis Based on Ensemble Kalman Filter

The degradation of photovoltaic (PV) modules remains a major concern on the control and the development of the photovoltaic field, particularly, in regions with difficult climatic conditions. The main degradation modes of the PV modules are corrosion, discoloration, glass breaks, and cracks of cells. However, corrosion and discoloration remain the predominant degradation modes that still require further investigations. In this paper, a model-based PV corrosion prognostic approach, based on an ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF), is introduced to identify the PV corrosion parameters and then estimate the remaining useful life (). Simulations have been conducted using measured data set, and results are reported to show the efficiency of the proposed approach.
In-house R&D and External Knowledge Acquisition – What Makes Chinese Firms Productive?

This paper analyses the influence of in-house R&D and external knowledge acquisition on the total factor productivity (TFP) of listed Chinese firms for the time period 2001-2010. We find a quantitatively important positive effect of in-house R&D. The achieved level of technological sophistication of Chinese firms is sufficient to benefit from R&D collaboration with domestic partners. We do not find a significant effect for employing inventors with access to international knowledge or for collaborating with international partners. International knowledge acquisition is only effective if conducted via joint ventures, i.e. if it is supported by a deep organizational relationship.
An efficient training scheme that improves the forecast skill of a supermodel

Weather and climate models have improved steadily over time as witnessed by objective skill scores, although significant model errors remain. Given these imperfect models, predictions might be improved by combining them dynamically into a so-called “supermodel”. In this paper a new training scheme to construct such a supermodel is explored using a technique called Cross Pollination in Time (CPT). In the CPT approach the models exchange states during the prediction. The number of possible predictions grows quickly with time and a strategy to retain only a small number of predictions, called pruning, 5 needs to be developed. The method is explored using low-order dynamical systems and applied to a global atmospheric model. The results indicate that the CPT training is efficient and leads to a supermodel with improved forecast quality as compared to the individual models. Due to its computational efficiency, the technique is suited for application to state-of-the art highdimensional weather and climate models.
Development of social media and web 2.0 in the top hotel chains

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the use of Web 2.0 tools and social communication media in the hotel sector, to determine whether these technologies are a real solution for increasing the hotel sector’s visibility and enhancing that level of e-participation. Furthermore, it aims to examine what influences certain independent variables have in the greater use of these information and communication technologies. The web sites of the world's 50 largest hotel chains have been classified according to an index of visibility, considering the most important Web 2.0 tools and social networks. Results indicate a low use of Web 2.0 tools by hotel chains. However, their presence in social networks is more significant. The size and the age of the hotel chain influence the increased use of Web 2.0 and social communication media.
Long‐lead seasonal rainfall forecasting using time‐delay recurrent neural networks: a case study

A temporal artificial neural network‐based model is developed and applied for long‐lead rainfall forecasting. Tapped delay lines and recurrent connections are two different components that are used along with a static multilayer perceptron network to design a time‐delay recurrent neural network. The proposed model is, in fact, a combination of time‐delay and recurrent neural networks. The model is applied in three case studies of the Northwest, West, and Southwest basins of Iran. In addition, an autoregressive moving average with exogenous inputs (ARMAX) model is used as a baseline in order to be compared with the time‐delay recurrent neural networks developed in this study. Large‐scale climate signals, such as sea‐level pressure, that affect the rainfall of the study area are used as the predictors in the models, as well as the persistence between rainfall data. The results of winter‐spring rainfall forecasts are discussed thoroughly. It is demonstrated that in all cases the proposed neural network results in better forecasts in comparison with the statistical ARMAX model. Moreover, it is found that in two of three case studies the time‐delay recurrent neural networks perform better than either recurrent or time‐delay neural networks. The results demonstrate that the proposed method can significantly improve the long‐lead forecast by utilizing a non‐linear relationship between climatic predictors and rainfall in a region. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Protocol Analysis of Social Problem Solving in Counselor Trainees.

This study investigated social problem solving (SPS) and cognitive style (field dependence-independence) in 70 counselor trainees who were also elementary or secondary school teachers. Specifically, the study attempted to analyze and describe the SPS responses of counselor trainees; to examine whether SPS elements, styles, and processes varied depending on the type of problem; and to determine the influence of individual differences on the SPS of counselors. Protocol analysis was used to determine how subjects solved ill-defined interpersonal, intrapersonal, complex, and simple problems. Problem situations were scored for eight SPS elements (e.g., strategy, evaluation), three SPS processes (sequential, holistic, simultaneous), and three SPS styles (analytical, affective, behavioral). Results indicated that subjects used more analysis and evaluation of self on intrapersonal problems, while employing more evaluation of strategies on interpersonal problems. On simple problems, subjects used more strategies, elaborations, and problem statements, while on complex problems they used more analysis, evaluations and feeling statements. (Author/NB) ********************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. ********************************************************************** Protocol Analysis of Social Problem Solving in Counselor Trainees Anne L. Cummings, Harry G. Murray, and Jack Martin The University of Western Ontario Faculty of Education London, Ontario, Canada
Convergence and Economic Growth considering Human Capital and R&D Spillovers Convergencia y Crecimiento Economico en Mexico considerando al Capital Humano y derrames en Investigacion y Desarrollo

In the recent growth literature, the accumulation of human capital and R&D have gained a central role. This study tries to narrow the bridge between the fields of regional convergence theory, economic growth and human capital. Unlike traditional economic growth theories, which tend to focus on exogenous comparative advantage or technological differences among regions as causes for growth, regional economic growth emphasizes the roles of increasing returns to scale in production, human capital and R&D in determining the growth of economic activities. In particular, I will consider the interaction of regional human capital and R&D economics following the recent work in economic growth and convergence. Using the recent developments in economic growth, the study centers on the regional convergence pattern in Mexico emphasizing the effects of human capital, R&D and interregional spillovers on growth. The findings suggest the existence of some human capital and bounded knowledge spillovers across regional states in Mexico. En la literatura del crecimiento, la acumulacion del capital humano y la investigacion y desarrollo tienen un papel central. El estudio trata de cerrar la brecha entre el campo de la convergencia, el crecimiento economico y el capital humano. A diferencia de las teorias tradicionales del crecimiento, que se centran en las ventajas comparativas y las diferencias tecnologicas entre las regiones como los determinantes del crecimiento, las nuevas teorias del crecimiento regional enfatizan el papel de los retornos crecientes a escala en la produccion, el capital humano y la investigacion y desarrollo para determinar el crecimiento de las actividades economicas. En particular, el estudio considera la interaccion entre el capital humano y la investigacion y desarrollo en el ambito regional, siguiendo los estudios recientes en el campo del crecimiento economico y la convergencia economica. El estudio se centra en el patron de convergencia para Mexico, al enfatizar los efectos del capital humano, la investigacion y desarrollo y las derramas interregionales en el crecimiento. Los resultados sugieren que existen derrames en el capital humano pero restricciones en la actividad de investigacion y desarrollo regional para los estados de Mexico.
Bankers Without Borders? Implications of Ring-Fencing for European Cross-Border Banks

This paper presents a stylized analysis of the effects of ring-fencing (i.e., different restrictions on cross-border transfers of excess profits and/or capital between a parent bank and its subsidiaries located in different jurisdictions) on cross-border banks. Using a sample of 25 large European banking groups with subsidiaries in Central, Eastern and Southern Europe (CESE), we analyze the impact of a CESE credit shock on the capital buffers needed by the sample banking groups under different forms of ring-fencing. Our simulations show that under stricter forms of ring-fencing, sample banking groups have substantially larger needs for capital buffers at the parent and/or subsidiary level than under less strict (or in the absence of any) ring-fencing.
The ambiguous role of remittances in West African countries facing climate variability

Abstract We investigate the consequences of remittances inflows on the macroeconomic performance of West African countries over the 1985–2007 period. We take into account the exposure of those countries to climate variability by estimating a PCHVAR model which allows heterogeneity between countries’ responses to rainfall shocks. Our results show that the impact of remittances on macroeconomic performance is highly sensitive to those shocks. In particular, when drought conditions prevail, remittances no longer exert any short-term spillover effects on growth and may increase a situation of economic dependence, by spurring agricultural imports.
Parametric study on dynamic behavior of rectangular concrete storage tanks

Tanks are used to store a wide variety of liquids such as oil, gasoline and water. It is reported that, a large number of tanks have been damaged during severe earthquakes. Therefore, understanding their behavior under earthquake is an important subject for structural engineers. In this paper, a comprehensive study is presented on dynamic response of tanks. A parametric study has been completed on the rectangular storage tanks with aid of finite element method (FEM). Various parameters are investigated, such as; liquid height, density and earthquake with different peak ground acceleration (PGA). When investigating these parameters, modal and time history method is used. Six different earthquake records are used for time history analysis. The analysis results show that when the PGA increases by 10.7 times, the maximum displacements, stress, sloshing and base shear increase by 11.4, 22.6, 5.46 and 17.8 times, respectively and when the liquid height increases by two times, the absolute maximum values of stress, displacements, base shear and sloshing increase 1.65, 2.04, 2.05 and 1.34. Furthermore, values of sloshing increase with decrease in density.
Quantification of propranolol in rat plasma by LC- MS/MS using tramadol as an internal standard: Application to pharmacokinetic studies in TAA-induced liver fibrotic rats

A simple, rapid and selective liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is developed and validated for quantification of propranolol without the sample extraction step in rat plasma using tramadol as an internal standard (IS). The analytes are separated using an isocratic mobile phase which consist of methanol and 10 mm ammonium formate (70/30, v/v) on an isocratic UK-C18 (Imtakt Unison 2.0 × 50 mm, 3 μm) column and was analyzed by MS/MS in the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode using the transitions of respective (M+H)+ ions, m/z 260.0→116.2 and m/z 264.2→58.2 for quantification of propranolol and IS, respectively. The standard calibration curves showed good linearity within the range of 2.0 to 800.0 ng/ml (r2 = 0.999, 1/x2 weight). The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 2 ng/ml. The retention time of propranolol and IS were 1.12 and 0.939 min which means that it is the potential for the high-through put potential of the proposed method. In addition, no significant metabolic compounds were found to interfere with the analysis. Acceptable precision and accuracy were obtained for the concentrations over the standard curve range. The validated method was successfully applied for the pharmacokinetic studies after 2 mg/kg of propranolol HCl in the thioacetamide (TAA)-induced fibrotic rats. Key words: Propranolol, liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, pharmacokinetics, thioacetamide, liver fibrosis.
(Post)-Methodism: Possibility of the Impossible?

This paper is a critical review of the concept of post-method language teaching. The author first presents a quick review of the history and concept of method and introduces the concept of postmodernism as a source of influence for post-method-ism. The author, then, adopts a critical approach to reviewing the concept of post-method and the idea of searching for "an alternative" to method (Kumaravadivelu, B. (1994). The postmethod condition: (e) merging strategies for second/foreign language teaching. TESOL Quarterly, 28, 27-48. ). The paper argues that these two concepts can have the same mode of existence in reality and the difference between them is only a virtual one that would exist in the mind of the practitioner/expert. Finally, it is further argued that skepticism toward the concept of method and the search for "an alternative" to method (as Kumaravadivelu has put it) would not guarantee the future of practice in the field of language teaching, as this search has not proved to bridge the gap between theory and practice.
PRICM – A Framework for Project Management

In today’s world, project management is a rapidly developing area. The various models and frameworks available to implement a project vary according to the nature of the project. However, not all of them are applicable to all types of projects. This paper describes a project management framework, PRICM, which is a combination of CMMI, PRINCE2 and PMBOK. The framework integrates these three technologies. Key process areas of CMMI are aligned with PRINCE2 while tools and techniques are taken from PMBOK. The already available framework of PRINCE2 was used as a guide in developing a new one. Research was done to make a new framework for project management that can be used to handle projects of various nature and sizes.
Efficacy of everolimus in ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation: a retrospective study

php and incorporate the Creative Commons Attribution – Non Commercial (unported, v3.0) License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/). By accessing the work you hereby accept the Terms. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further permission from Dove Medical Press Limited, provided the work is properly attributed. For permission for commercial use of this work, please see paragraphs 4.2 and 5 of our Terms (https://www.dovepress.com/terms.php). Transplant Research and Risk Management 2017:9 43–48 Transplant Research and Risk Management Dovepress