Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Astrometry of AGB Variables with VERA : Annual Parallax and the Orbit of SY Sculptoris in the Galaxy

We report on the results of astrometric observations of H2O masers toward a Mira variable, SY Sculptoris (SY Scl), with the VLBI Exploration of Radio Astrometry (VERA) from 2006 October to 2008 October. We determined that SY Scl’s annual parallax is 0.75 ˙ 0.03 mas, corresponding to a distance of 1.33 ˙ 0.05 kpc. SY Scl is 1.3 kpc south of the Galactic plane and moves approximately south from the plane with a velocity of 63 ˙ 2k m s � 1 with respect to the LSR. From the present position and motion, we calculated SY Scl’s orbit for the last 1 Gyr based on a parametrized model of the Galactic gravitational potential. SY Scl has an orbit as a member of the Galactic thick disk stars. Subtracting the averaged absolute proper motions of masers, we derived an internal motion of H2O masers in SY Scl. The kinematics of the masers is consistent with motion in a single plane. The masers around SY Scl were found to be distributed in an area of 70 AU � 80 AU, corresponding to 15 times as large as the stellar photosphere diameter of 5 AU. Based on the measured distance and apparent magnitude of SY Scl, we find the absolute magnitude of SY Scl to be MK = � 8.07 ˙ 0.08 mag. This is approximately consistent with the value of � 8.09˙0.07 mag, which was derived from the Galactic Mira period–luminosity relation (2008, MNRAS, 386, 313).
Assessing the Effects of Product Quality and Environmental Management Accounting on the Competitive Advantage of Firms

Arguments have been made in the literature that product quality provides a basis for establishing and maintaining a firm’s competitive advantage. Proposals suggest that the framework provided by environmental management accounting facilitates product quality having the attributes that are likely to contribute to competitive advantage, and hence it is likely that environmental accounting plays an influential role in that relation. The purpose of this study is to examine empirically whether there is evidence for environmental management accounting impacting on the relation between product quality and competitive advantage. These findings support the view that environmental management accounting has an important role to play in firms. Specifically, the results of the study suggest that product quality contributes to a firm’s competitive advantage when the reliance on environmental management accounting is high. However, it fails to do so when the reliance on environmental management accounting is low.
Validation of supply chain integration scales and the effect that size, level of vertical integration, industry and country have on their value

English) Academic literature would appear to indicate that supply chain integration is a major factor in explaining the performance of companies. The results are nevertheless inconclusive. Certain authors put forward the idea that the vast range of results obtained are due, amongst other things, to the fact that there is no exactness to the group of scales used, no-one has yet published an analysis of the measurement models nor clear benchmarks. In this paper, we pre- sent the theoretical definition of four supply chain integration scales (clients, sup- pliers, external and internal) and the convergent and discriminant validity of a measurement instrument based on a list of items taken from earlier papers. We al- so propose a benchmark to interpret the scales by percentiles, using a diverse in- ternational sampling broken down into sub-samples based on sector, type of com- pany, size of company and degree of vertical integration.
Impact Force Identification of CFRP Structures Using Experimental Transfer Matrices

This paper presents a method for identifying the location and force history of an impact force acting on CFRP structures such as laminated plates and stiffened panels. The identification method is an experimental one without using any analytical model of the structure. Here, experimental transfer matrices, which relate the impact force to the corresponding responses of PZT sensors, are used to identify the impact force. The transfer matrices are preliminarily constructed from the measured data obtained by impact tests with an impulse hammer. To identify the impact location, the arrival times of the flexural waves to the PZT sensors are used, and an analog band-pass filter is used to obtain waves with a specified frequency. The wave velocity is determined experimentally from impact test results. The present method is verified experimentally by performing impact force identification of CFRP laminated plates and CFRP stiffened panels. The results reveal that the location and force history of the impact force can be identified accurately and rapidly using the present method.
Mathematical Modelling and Control of a Two-Wheeled PUMA-LikeVehicle

This paper presents mathematical modelling and control of a two-wheeled single-seat vehicle. The design of the vehicle is inspired by the Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility (PUMA) vehicle developed by General Motors® in collaboration with Segway®. The body of the vehicle is designed to have two main parts. The vehicle is activated using three motors; a linear motor to activate the upper part in a sliding mode and two DC motors activating the vehicle while moving forward/backward and/or manoeuvring. Two stages proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control schemes are designed and implemented on the system models. The state space model of the vehicle is derived from the linearized equations. Controller based on the Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) and the pole placement techniques are developed and implemented. Further investigation of the robustness of the developed LQR and the pole placement techniques is emphasized through various experiments using an applied impact load on the vehicle.
NUMERICAL INVESTIGATION ON THE INFLUENCE OF TURBULENCE FLUCTUATIONS OVER WIND ENGINEERING PROBLEMS USING LARGE EDDY SIMULATION AND A SYNTHETIC INFLOW TURBULENCE GENERATOR

A numerical investigation to study the influence of inflow turbulence fluctuations over predictions obtained from wind engineering applications using Large Eddy Simulation (LES) is performed in this work. It is well known that accurate LES results can be obtained if the inflow boundary conditions imposed on the computational domain satisfy prescribed spatial correlations and other turbulence characteristics. In order to reproduce experimental predictions obtained from wind tunnel tests and full-scale measurements, a synthetic turbulence generator is adopted here to produce velocity fluctuations over a specified region of the inflow plane considering the von Karman spectrum and the divergence-free condition. A numerical model based on the Finite Element Method (FEM) and the explicit two-step Taylor-Galerkin algorithm is employed in this work to simulate wind flows, where turbulence is also simulated by using LES with the classic and dynamic sub-grid scale models. Some numerical analyses are carried out with the present scheme and results are compared with experimental and numerical predictions obtained by other authors.
How experimental studies should be analyzed, presented, and interpreted in interval and semi-interval scales; Potential and pitfalls, with examples

Experimental studies have an undeniable role in the production of knowledge and are implemented to establish a cause and effect relationship between variables. But there are a range of biases that can affect the results of a study. In the meantime, even if the statistical method is being selected properly, the result may still be a bias due to confounding. Sometimes in data analysis we see that the statistical methods has not been properly selected and the substantial proportion of the incorrect use of statistical methods is related to experimental studies which are more sensitive than observational studies. In this study we have provided one of the correct methods of analyzing experimental studies with examples and relevant commentary. We also have explored the pitfalls of experimental studies’ analysis.
ROLE OF FREE RADICALS IN CHILDREN WITH MALNUTRITION

Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM) in children, is still an important issue throughout the world especially in developing countries, because it is the largest contributor to the increased morbidity and mortality in children under age five years (WHO 1999; Black 2003). Limited knowledge about the pathogenesis of kwashiorkor, have consequences slow progress in the development of treatment or prevention strategies during the last decade. The objective was to study the role of free radicals in children with malnutrition. All patients with children (ages 1 month - 14 years) that admitted in Child Inpatient at Dr. Soetomo and willing to participate in this study, was examined for anthropometry, clinical examination and laboratory. Investigation aims to determine the value of the anthropometry z-scores of weight / age, height for age, weight / height, BMI and percentage of ideal body weight, so that nutritional status can be determined. This study revealed that concentrations of NO in children with malnutrition are 1.5 times higher than control group (children with good nutrition). Concentration of NO at higher kwashiorkor when compared with the control group (children with good nutrition), but did not differ significantly when compared with marasmic. Besides, there were no significant correlation between high levels of NO in children with kwashiorkor degree of edema. There were no significant correlation between high levels of child malnutrition NO with duration of treatment in hospital. Also, there was a decrease in NO concentration when there is clinical improvement, but this decrease was not significant.
Chasing the queens of the alien predator of honeybees: A water drop in the invasiveness ocean

The Yellow-legged hornet, Vespa velutina , was accidentally introduced in France in 2004, and then spread rapidly through the French territory but also to adjacent European countries (Spain, Portugal, and Belgium). During summer and autumn, V. velutina workers hunt domestic honeybees, Apis mellifera, for feeding their larvae. The impact of this alien species is mainly economic, beekeepers experiencing heavy colony losses, but also ecological, V. velutina hunting other pollinators. In their year-round life cycle, nest initiation by single queen during spring is the critical stage. In invaded areas, spring queen trapping using food baits has been promoted by apicultural unions in order to limit V. velutina population expansion. The goals of this work were 1) to evaluate the yield of this method, 2) to identify appropriate sites for trapping, 3) to identify potential optimal climatic windows of capture, and 4) to quantify the impact on local entomofauna. Our results showed that water proximity enhances trapping but not beehives proximity, and that trapping is inefficient if average week temperatures are below 10°C. Although the trapping effect on biodiversity should be studied more carefully, spring queen trapping is highly questionable unless specific attractants could be proposed.
A loadable task execution recorder for Linux

This paper presents a task recorder for Linux-based operating systems, in the form of a loadable kernel module. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first Linux task recorder which does not require kernel patches (kernel modifications). This complies with the requirements in the area of embedded systems where reliability and stability are important properties, hence, proven versions of Linux are therefore preferred. The implementation is based on the loadable real-time scheduler framework RESCH (REal-time SCHeduler). RESCH uses only exported Linux kernel primitives as a means for controlling scheduling. The disadvantage with this solution is that it can only detect scheduling events of the tasks being scheduled by RESCH itself, since it can not directly manipulate nor have knowledge of the tasks in the Linux task ready queue. In order to verify the correctness of the task recording, a comparison has been made with a second recorder, which uses a kernel patch. Our tests indicate that the new, RESCH-based, recorder gives identical results.
Silicon nanophotonic devices based on resonance enhancement

In recent years, silicon nanophotonic devices have attracted more and more attention due to their compactness, low power consumption, and easy integration with other functions. In addition to the higher index of silicon material providing stronger light confinement, the optical resonance associated with the novel structure design also enhances the performance of nanophotonic devices and offers stronger light-matter interaction. Silicon nanophotonic devices such as polarization beamsplitters, mirrors and reflectors, slow light waveguides, and microring sensors are studied, and all of them demonstrate much better performances due to the incorporated optical resonance enhancement.
Tests of Equity Market Anomalies for Select Emerging Markets

The study tests prominent equity market anomalies for six emerging markets - Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, South Korea and South Africa. We find that using the Fama French model (FFM) as performance benchmark the size anomaly is present in India, South Korea and Brazil, value anomaly in South Korea and South Africa, momentum in India and South Africa, mild reversals in Brazil, liquidity anomaly in South Korea and South Africa, profitability anomaly in Brazil and South Africa, accruals anomaly in South Africa and stock repurchases anomaly in India and South Africa. Stock issues anomaly does not pose a challenge to asset pricing for sample markets. The four factor liquidity augmented FFM is a better descriptor of asset pricing compared to CAPM and FFM only in the Indian context. The Fama French model seems to be an appropriate performance benchmark for other sample emerging markets. South Africa seems to be the most exciting destination for portfolio managers followed by Brazil, South Korea and India. The research is relevant for global portfolio managers who indulge in international diversification as well as for policy makers who are looking for long-term economic cooperation and greater financial integration among these markets.
Synthesis of porous silica by co-micelle emulsion templating technique using PEG/acrylamide and 2–(acryloyloxy)–N,N,N–trimethylethanaminium chloride/acrylamide as templates

Co-micelle emulsion templating (co-MET) technique is a new method to synthesize uniform and ordered porous silica from tetraethylortosilicate precursor using double polymer as templates. In this study, co-MET technique was conducted by varying template type (namely PEG/acrylamide and 2–(acryloyloxy)–N,N,N–trimethylethanaminium chloride/acrylamide) and percentage of polymer (2.5%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% for PEG and 0.5%, 1%, 2.5%, 5%, 10% for 2–(acryloyloxy)–N,N,N–trimethylethanaminium chloride). The resulting porous silica were then characterized by SEM-EDS, BET and XRD to investigates the pore character and structure of silica. Based on SEM-EDS and BET analysis, it is shown that the amount and the type of polymer gave a significant effect to the structure formation of the porous silica. Cationic polymer as templates gave higher surface area and uniform pore size than neutral polymer templates. Polymer concentration of 2.5% gave the best result for both template types, resulting an interconnected mesopore silica with surface area of 615 m 2 /g for PEG and 1137 m 2 /g for 2–(acryloyloxy)–N,N,N–trimethylethanaminium chloride.
Application of Test-Driven Development Framework for Environmental Software: A Case Study in Long-Term Photosynthetic Process Simulation

In test-driven development, programs for tests are written before coding the main program, and using software frameworks for support testing, implementation of the program becomes easy by the frequent and low cost feedback of these tests. In this work, application of test-drive development framework for environmental software was attempted. As a case study, a simulator for photosynthesis and plant growth was developed using JUnit framework as a base of testing tool for test-driven development. In development phase, test case class which checking all equations in the model is constructed first, using JUnit with some extensions. And afterward, simulator for the model is developed, with the aid of this test case class. The test case class and the simulator were developed independently by different programmers and checking misunderstandings of equations, in addition to simple coding errors. This test code is also utilized during application phase of the model simulator. All equations in the model are tested for every simulation calculation, therefore, some rare combination of variables which results exceptional case of some equation will be checked and then users to be alerted. 2 years of simulation with 1 hour time-step was performed using series of measured data of photo-irradiation, temperature, humidity, and wind speed at an arid land in Leonra, Western Australia. The simulation, running with the test case class, was alerted to the unsatisfied leaf energy balance equation in some conditions. Afterwards, it became clear that the empirical equation for gas exchange conductance was the cause of such errors. The case study showed that utilization of the test case class successfully found an error, easy to fix but difficult to find.
Color typicality and content planning in definite reference

We investigated whether knowledge of the typical color of objects affects content planning in reference production. In a language production experiment, we elicited identifying de- scriptions of typically colored (e.g., orange goldfish) and atypically colored objects (orange crocodile). In line with our expectations, speakers are more likely to redundantly include color in a description of a target when it has an atypical color, than when it is typically colored. This finding leads to some recommendations for current computational models of con- tent planning, such as the Incremental Algorithm.
Proportional Odds under Conway-Maxwell-Poisson Cure Rate Model and Associated Likelihood Inference

Cure rate models are useful while modelling lifetime data involving long time survivors. In this work, we discuss a flexible cure rate model by assuming the number of competing causes for the event of interest to follow the Conway-Maxwell Poisson distribution and the lifetimes of the non-cured individuals to follow a proportional odds model. The baseline distribution is considered to be either Weibull or log-logistic distribution. Under right censoring, we develop the maximum likelihood estimators using EM algorithm. Model discrimination among some well-known special cases are discussed under both likelihood- and information-based criteria. An extensive simulation study is carried out to examine the performance of the proposed model and the inferential methods. Finally, a cutaneous melanoma dataset is analyzed for illustrative purpose.
A Method for Recommending Learning Contents Using Similarity and Difficulty

It is required that an e-learning system has a content recommendation component which helps a learner choose an item. In order to predict items concerning learner`s interest, collaborative filtering and content-based filtering methods have been most widely used. The methods recommend items for a learner based on other learner`s interests without considering the knowledge level of the learner. So, the effectiveness of the recommendation can be reduced when the number of overall users are relatively small. Also, it is not easy to recommend a newly added item. In order to address the problem, we propose a content recommendation method based on the similarity and the difficulty of an item. By using a recommendation function that reflects both characteristics of items, a higher-level leaner can choose more difficult but less similar items, while a lower-level learner can select less difficult but more similar items, Thus, a learner can be presented items according to his or her level of achievement, which is irrelevant to other learner`s interest.
Evidence for a systematic component within scan paths in visual search

We present evidence that scan paths in visual search can include a systematic component. The task for subjects in the experiment was to search for a target that was either present or absent. With regular grid-like displays, participants generated more horizontal saccades than vertical saccades. Disruption of the grid structure in the display modulated but did not eliminate the systematic component. This is consistent with the scan path being partly determined by a cognitive strategy. We discuss the implications of this finding for studies that use refixation to investigate memory mechanisms in visual search.
RANS-VOF modeling of hydrodynamics and sand transport under full-scale non-breaking and breaking waves

A 2D RANS-VOF model is used to simulate the flow and sand transport for two different full-scale laboratory experiments: i) non-breaking waves over a horizontal sand bed (Schretlen et al., 2011) and ii) plunging breaking waves over a barred mobile bed profile (Van der Zanden et al., 2016). For the first time, the model is not only tested and validated in terms of water surface and outer flow hydrodynamics, but also in terms of wave boundary layer processes and sediment concentration patterns. It is shown that the model is capable of reproducing the outer flow (mean currents and turbulence patterns) as well as the spatial and temporal development of the wave boundary layer. The simulations of sediment concentration distributions across the breaking zone show the relevance of accounting for turbulence effects on computing suspended sediment pick-up from the bed.
Family history of hypertension increases risk of preeclampsia in pregnant women: a case-control study

Background Preeclampsia is one of the leading causes of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortalities worldwide. Despite extensive research, the underlying cause of preeclampsia remains poorly understood. This study aimed to offer compelling evidence on the important risk factors of preeclampsia in Amhara region, Ethiopia. Methods A case control study was conducted in public health facilities of Bahir Dar city from September 2014 to January 2015. A total of 453 (151 cases and 302 controls) pregnant women were enrolled in this study. Hemoglobin level and urinary tract infection (UTI) status were collected from clinical notes. Oral examination was performed by a dentist for detection of periodontal diseases. Univariate and multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the relationship of all the independent variables with the outcome variable. A p-value <0.05 was declared statistically significant. Result Advanced maternal age (AOR=4.79;95% CI 1.031-22.18), family history of hypertension (AOR=11.16;95% CI 5.41-41.43), history of diabetes mellitus (AOR=6.17;95% CI 2.11-20.33), UTI in the current pregnancy (AOR=6.58;95% CI 2.93-14.73), failure to comply with iron and folic acid supplement during pregnancy (AOR=8.32;95% CI 3.35-20.62), lack of exercise (AOR=3.33;95% CI 1.35-8.17), multiple pregnancy (AOR=4.05;95% CI 1.57-12.27), anemia (AOR=4.19;95% CI 1.27-13.92), and periodontal disease or gingivitis (AOR =3.51;95% CI 1.14-10.83) were associated with preeclampsia. Conclusion Family history of hypertension was the most dominant risk factor for preeclampsia in pregnant women. Encouraging pregnant women to have health seeking behavior during pregnancy would provide a chance to diagnose preeclampsia as early as possible.