Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
MENDELU Working Papers in Business and Economics

Jitka Poměnková, Roman Maršálek: Time and frequency domain in the business cycle structure The paper deals with identification of cyclical behaviour of business cycle from time and frequency domain perspectives. Herewith, commonly used methods for obtaining growth business cycle are investigated – the first order difference, the unobserved component models, regression curves and filtration using Baxter-King and Christiano-Fitzgerald band-pass filters as well as Hodrick-Prescott high-pass filter. In the case of time domain analysis identification of cycle lengths is based on dating process of the growth business cycle. For this reason, methods such right and left variant of naive techniques as well as Bry-Boschan algorithm are applied. In the case frequency domain analysis of cyclical structure trough spectrum estimate via periodogram and autoregressive process with optimum lag are suggested. Results from both domain approaches are compared. On their bases recommendation for cyclical structure identification of growth business cycle of the transition economy type (the Czech Republic) are formulated. In the context of the time domain analysis evaluation of unity results of de-trending techniques from identification turning point points of view is attached. All analyses are done on the quarterly data of the gross domestic product, the total industry excluding construction, the gross capital formation in the period 1996/Q1-2008/Q4 and on the final consumption expenditure in the period 1995/Q1-2008/Q4.
Improving Biosecurity through Instructional Crisis Communication: Lessons Learned from the PEDv Outbreak

Crises, by their nature, demand effectively designed and quickly delivered instructional messages that compel stakeholders to take appropriate actions to protect themselves and their assets. The challenges of crisis communication are intensified in crises involving unanticipated and relatively unknown disease outbreaks with the potential to spread exponentially. This study assesses the communication challenges and opportunities in such volatile crises through an analysis of the Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus (PEDv) outbreak that severely threatened the United States pork industry in 2013 and 2014. Interviews were conducted with 13 individuals directly involved in developing and distributing risk and crisis biosecurity messages during the PEDv outbreak. Participants were selected based on affiliation with the National Pork Board, American Association of Swine Veterinarians, university extension, or their swine industry expertise. Four generalizable implications emerged: 1) the advantage of maintaining flexibility in crisis communication planning; 2) the value of audience analysis and message adaptation; 3) the importance of understanding not only what to do, but also why the recommended actions are essential; and 4) the utility of risk/crisis communication and education both prior to and during a crisis event.
IS ANYBODY LISTENING? Stakeholders' Perspectives on the In-Service Diploma in Education Programme at the School of Education, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus

The Diploma in Education (Dip.Ed.) programme at the School of Education of The University of the West Indies (UWI), St. Augustine, provides initial training for teachers employed in the secondary school system in Trinidad and Tobago. In keeping with the tenets and stages of fourth generation evaluation research, stakeholders' perspectives were integral to the process of evaluating the Dip. Ed. programme, which was delivered during the period 2004-2009. Through purposive and stratified random sampling focus group and individual interviews were conducted with three separate groups of stakeholders: principals, heads of departments, and deans from a sample of schools; and Central Administration officers of the Ministry of Education. Teachers who had graduated from the programme during the period were asked to complete a questionnaire. Data were analysed, using the NVIVO qualitative data analysis software, to determine stakeholders' issues, claims, and concerns. This article reports on these selected stakeholders' perspectives on the programme. Preliminary findings reveal the extent to which the current in-service Dip.Ed. programme meets stakeholders' expectations, and the benefits and limitations of the programme. The implications of the findings for teacher education and reform are discussed.
On Solving Some Classes of Nonlinear Fractional Differentional Equations Using Fractal Index Method

We provide a new solution of diffusion fractional differential equation using fractal index and fractional sub-equation method. Also we shall impose a new solution for fraction Birnolli equation of arbitrary order using the fractal index method. As a result many exact solutions are obtained. It is shown that our considered method provides a very effective tool for solving fractional differentional equations.
Characteristics of diazotrophs in surface to abyssopelagic waters of the Sargasso Sea

The presence and expression of nitrogenase genes in diazotrophic prokaryotes has been documented in oligotrophic surface waters of the North Pacific gyre; however, there have been few investigations in other ocean basins. We initiated a study into the ecology of planktonic diazotrophs at 4 stations in the Sargasso Sea. Nucleic acid samples from the surface to 5890 m were collected on several dates between October 2003 and September 2005. Surprisingly, nifH could only be amplified from nano- and picoplankton DNA in surface waters on only 1 of 2 sampling dates at 1 station in the Sargasso Sea. Although no nifH was detected in the surface DNA samples earlier in the year at that station, Crocosphaera sp. cyanobacterial nifH was detected in enrichment cultures initiated with sur- face water collected at the time. In contrast to surface waters, diazotrophs were more consistently detected in deeper waters, including at several stations elsewhere globally. The nifH microarray fingerprints from the Sargasso Sea from 0, 5 and 25 m depths were remarkably consistent between samples taken 2 yr apart, but were different from fingerprints from subeuphotic waters. The results of our study suggest the presence of diazotrophic plankton in the Sargasso Sea, which is not con- strained to surface waters. Furthermore, our study demonstrates that a deep-water diazotrophic flora persists in the meso- and abyssopelagic zones in the presence of high concentrations of combined nitrogen; however, the gene expression patterns of such species and their role in the N cycle remain unknown.
Carbon Copy The Benefits of Autonomous Cognitive Models of Air Traffic Controllers in Large-Scale Simulations

NextGen proposes a suite of new technologies and procedures to be employed by the en route air traffic controller. Typically, the benefits of NextGen concepts are evaluated using fast-time simulation systems. However, these systems often ignore the human component of the National Airspace System (NAS) or represent it with little fidelity. Providing better estimates of NextGen productivity and efficiency benefits requires, in part, better models of human performance. In this paper we describe the construction and use of a cognitive model, Edgar, designed to address this problem. Keywords-cognitive modeling; human performance; controller agents; controller worklaod
The Effects of 1993 EITC Expansion on Marginal Tax Rates

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) expansion affects labor supply and hence wages through changes in marginal tax rates (MTRs). This paper describes the effects of the 1993 EITC expansion on MTRs experienced by unmarried women. To demonstrate changes in MTRs, I use variation in the federal and state EITCs under the 1993 EITC expansion. Results suggest that the 1993 EITC expansion results in differential decreases in MTRs faced by unmarried women. Women with lower education experienced a larger decrease in their MTRs. Moreover, among women with the same education level, those with two or more children faced a larger decrease relative to those with one child and those with no children.
Linking Experimental Capillary Pressure-Saturation Data with Lattice Boltzmann Simulations.

Recent advances in observational and computational techniques have facilitated the study of fluid dynamics and interfacial geometry in porous media. Within some experimental limitations, computed tomography X-ray (CMT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are now able to accurately map the 3D structure of porous geometries. Computational advances largely concern Lattice Boltzmann (LB) method that has been shown to be useful in simulating microscale flow in porous media. With some phenomenological or thermodynamic extensions, the LB method is also able to deal with microscale interfacial phenomena in single or multiphase systems. The goal of this presentation is to provide insight into what is needed to make a link between 3D experimental observations of interfacial geometry and LB simulations. The experimental data consist of CMT observations several Sotrol-water displacements inside a glass bead system with a resolution of 17 microns. Also available are capillary pressure-saturation curves between 0 and 1kPa. The LB model is that of Shan-Chen as modified by Martys and Chen (1996). We present the most parsimonious way to calibrate the surface tension and contact angle in the model, define space, pressure and time scaling. We will also identify potential problems relating to pore-size and digitization effects that are present in the simulations, but not in the original observations. The analyses are partly performed on idealized systems and finally applied to large scale (107 voxel) simulations of the real physical systems. Observations are simulations are compared in terms of pressure-saturation curves, and where possible, in terms of fluid distribution and interfacial curvatures.
INDUCED MUTAGENESIS AND IN VITRO CELL SELECTION FOR RESISTANCE AGAINST ALTERNARIA BLIGHT IN BRASSICA NAPUS L.

The percentage of survival of cell lines of Brassica napus was worked out against the different physical (gamma rays) and chemical (EMS) mutagens. Half of the regenerated calli of var. DGS 1 were subjected to three doses viz., 80 Gy, 120 Gy and 160 Gy of gamma rays. However, the treatment did not show any adverse effect on the growth of calli at any of the above doses, though it significantly affected the regeneration percentage. On the other hand, treatment of calli with 3 per cent of EMS for 90 minutes resulted in 100 per cent lethality, whereas, 30 and 60 minutes duration could produce 20 per cent and 15 per cent surviving calli, respectively. Calli treated with two mutagens, viz. gamma rays and EMS were subjected to different concentrations of culture filtrate of Alternaria brassicicola. Survival of the calli decreased with the increase in the concentration of culture filtrate. Among these, the selective dose of culture filtrate was found to be 10 per cent and the cell survival of calli treated with two mutagens at this dose of culture filtrate varied between 1.88 -5.76 per cent in different treatments. The study resulted in regeneration of A. brassicicola resistant plants from selected and unselected calli.
Data-driven Avalanche Forecasting

In this paper, a decision support system for avalanche forecasting based on data from automatic weather stations is developed and tested. 17 years of avalanche and weather observations from Senja in Northern Norway are processed and analyzed to identify meteorological factors important for avalanche formation. Current snow depth and precipitation the preceding days of an avalanche release are found to be most important. Further, a simple model based purely on snow depth, a logistic regression model and a random forest model are fitted to training data and used to forecast the probability of an avalanche on test data. The results show that the logistic regression model and random forest model performs better than the simple snow depth model. Random forest is able to detect 12 out of 19 avalanches, obtaining a true skill score of 0.6. This is better than logistic regression that detects 9 out of 19, obtaining a true skill score of 0.43. The study shows that it is possible to develop a decision support system for avalanche forecasting using already existing infrastructure. However, the results also shows that the models have their limitations. Many avalanches are not detected, and hence, a system based on these models should only act as decision support system and not be relied on solely. At last, a prototype is developed and tested live. Live testing showed that reliability of the weather stations in use is important for operational usage.
The Timing of the School-to-Permanent Work Transition: a Comparison across Ten European Countries

The school-to-work transition is a turbulent period of youth, with possible consequences on the social and working conditions of individuals. The alternative status of employment during the transition possibly affect the transition probabilities. On the one side, the larger use of temporary contracts has made entry in the labour market easier, but has also made longer and, sometimes, harder the path toward a stable job. On the other side, periods of no work possibly deteriorate skills, while vocational experiences possibly avoid the obsolescence of skills. This paper applies discrete time duration models to ECHP micro information to investigate both the role of individual characteristics and, overall, of alternative origin labour market status in favoring the school-to-permanent work transition, focusing on ten European countries. The timing of the transition and the allocation of time to alternative labour market status differ among countries. Vocational training experience increases the hazard rate. Temporary contracts positively operate in Southern countries, where unemployment and inactivity prevail among school-leavers. On the contrary, where temporary jobs are widely used they reduce the hazard rate, favoring the establishment of a strong separating equilibrium, at least in the short-term. However, individuals with at least one temporary job or vocational training period show a greater duration dependence parameter, indicating their role in reducing the stigma effect of no permanent employment positions.
Melting of Nanoprticle-Enhanced Phase Change Material inside Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger

This paper presents a numerical study of melting of Nanoprticle-Enhanced phase change material (NEPCM) inside a shell and tube heat exchanger using RT50 and copper particles as base material and nanoparticle, respectively. In this study, the effects of nanoparticles dispersion (, 0.03, and 0.05) on melting time, liquid fraction, and penetration length are investigated. The results show that the melting time decreases to 14.6% and the penetration length increases to 146% with increasing volume fraction of nanoparticle up to .
Alterations on phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity during sour grape juice concentrate processing

The alterations of phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity of sour grape juice were investigated during the concentration process stages. Phenolics and antioxidant properties of the samples changed more at the vacuum evaporation stage than that of the other stages. After evaporation, the antioxidant capacity of the samples decreased approximately between 14.2 and 17.0 % for DPPH and ABTS methods, respectively. Besides, phenolic contents also decreased approximately as 14.8%. HPLC data on phenolics of sour grape juice during concentrate processing gave 12 polyphenols, including gallic acid, (+)-catechin, (-)-epigallocatechin, vanillic acid, (-)-epigallocatechin gallate, (-)-epicatechin, caftaric acid, caffeic acid and p -coumaric acid, which were determined as 1.05-1.83 mg/100 g, 5.40-7.83 mg/100 g, 6.35-9.21 mg/100 g, 3.01-5.18 mg/100 g, 0- 1.95 mg/100 g, 2.33-3.54 mg/100 g, 12.40-37.60 mg/100 g, 1.44-2.26 mg/100 g and 0.27-0.44 mg/100 g, respectively. Ferulic, sinapic acids and quercetin were only detected at concentrate step of the sour grape juice processing and were found as 0.18 mg/100 g, 0.28 mg/100 g and 0.76 mg/100 g, respectively.
Outlines of Two Masonry Robot Sytems

Functional requirements, technical specifications and economical feasibility on masonry robotic theme have been investigated. Two alternatives are discussed: a modular SCARAbased system and a six D.O. F. articulated configuration. Market prices of $ 310 000 and $ 350 000 respectively have been estimated for the systems with a payback period of 6 years with realistic partition wall sizes. Economic analysis shows that a critical factor in the feasibility of such automatic masonry systems is the partition wall size due to manual preliminary works, which require rather constant amount of time. To reach a proper technical and economical feasibility, partition wall as the end product has to be restricted. The results of the study will be used for planning future research projects. 1. WALL DEFINITION The automatic systems are designed to build up simple partition walls with maximum height of 3.2 meters. Only certain lime sand bricks, i.e. 270*130*75 mm3 with strict tolerances, are allowed. The traditional mortar is replaced by a special glue-like material. In this method, the joints are only 3 mm thin. This method is becoming more common in Finland, and it is promising for automation, since the mortar can be spread to bricks by dipping. The wall is recommended to be plastered afterwards . The wall must be straight and may contain doors , windows and comparable openings. It can be in connection with the ceiling, crossing walls or columns . Flat bars should be provided after every 8th brick row for connecting the partition wall to crossing walls or columns. A narrow gap (20 40 mm) should be left between the highest brick rows of and the ceiling due to the creep of concrete slabs. 2. MODULAR SCARA-BASED SYSTEM The preliminary designed modular system consists of 1) a three axis depalletizing gantry robot, 2) a brick conveyor, 3) a brick lift and 4) a moving masonry unit. This unit consists quite similarly to BLOCKBOT [3] of a carriage with positioning devices, a scissors lift, a bowl of mortar, a cutter station and a SCARA-robot attached to two linear servo tracks (Fig. 1). The main principle is to divide the masonry process in functional blocks and automate them separately, but however in a manner, where all processes run in parallel; the brick moves further until it is attached to the partition. The parallelism of processes would
3D Object Classification Based on Multi Convolutional Neural Networks

With the development of 3D sensing technology in recent years, making it possible to obtain high quality color image as well as its depth information, the combination of both can improve the accuracy of image classification. Traditional methods are mostly based on well-designed features separately for color image or depth image, which does not consider relation-features between color and depth information. A 3D object classification approach based on multi convolutional neural networks is presented in this paper. Our approach consists of three parts: (1) Two resizing methods for keeping image aspect ratio were proposed, which can keep the aspect ratio information of the original image, besides, data was augmented by applying both methods. (2) Different from traditional methods, CNN (Convolutional Neural Network) was used to extract features from both color image and depth image. (3) Consider on the relation-features about color and depth, we designed a multi CNN which focuses on relation-features and trained it successful, that is, we could extract relation-features using this network. Comparing with current approaches, our experiment results show better performance on 3D object classification.
The indoorisation of outdoor sports: an exploration of the rise of lifestyle sports in artificial settings

During the last 20 years, a remarkable new type of service has been developed in the world of sports, which can be described as the indoorisation of outdoor sports. Typical outdoor sports like climbing, skiing, surfing, rowing and skydiving, which used to be exclusively practised in a natural environment of mountains, oceans, rivers and the air, are now being offered for consumption in safe, predictable and controlled indoor centres. The present article emphasises the rise of indoor lifestyle sports, such as rafting, snowboarding, skydiving and surfing. It discusses the conditions under and ways in which commercial entrepreneurs in the Netherlands have created this market, the meanings that they have ascribed to their centres and the dilemmas with which they have been confronted. It is argued that the rise of this economic market cannot be understood if it is solely interpreted as the result of economic, technological or natural developments. These economic activities were also embedded in and influenced by shared understandings and their representations in structured fields of outdoor sports, mainstream sports and leisure experience activities. A better understanding of the indoorisation of outdoor lifestyle sports can be achieved by recognising how these structures and cultures pervaded the rise of this new market.
Factors related to the presence of the Austropotamobius pallipes (Lereboullet, 1858) species complex in calcareous mountin rivers in central Spain

Key-words: Austropotamobius pallipes, distribution, habitat, management Alto Tajo Natural Park is a protected area in Central Spain. Mainly welldrained limestone country, this area has traditionally held abundant whiteclawed crayfish populations. Nevertheless, its occurrence has decreased during the last few decades because of different factors. To address the scarce information on the species, an extensive survey including habitat characterisation was carried out during the summer of 2008, sampling 116 water bodies. Using a combination of survey techniques, a total of 23 populations in different degrees of conservation was found. Crayfish mainly inhabited headwater stretches less than 1 km in length, together with small ponds. A significant proportion of these populations could be related to previous stocking events. The present study revealed a high degree of isolation, with populations showing a fragmented distribution pattern. The information obtained might be used to discriminate the most adequate localities for future stocking actions, hopefully improving the success of this management tool.
Super-resolution Image Created from a Sequence of Images with Application of Character Recognition

Super-resolution techniques allow combine multiple images of the same scene to obtain an image with increased geometric and radiometric resolution, called super-resolution image. In this image are enhanced features allowing to recover important details and information. The objective of this work is to develop efficient algorithm, robust and automated fusion image frames to obtain a super-resolution image. Image registration is a fundamental step in combining several images that make up the scene. Our research is based on the determination and extraction of characteristics defined by the SIFT and RANSAC algorithms for automatic image registration. We use images containing characters and perform recognition of these characters to validate and show the effectiveness of our proposed method. The distinction of this work is the way to get the matching and merging of images because it occurs dynamically between elements common images that are stored in a dynamic matrix.