Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Creditors’ Protection Law and Financial Development in France, Germany, UK and USA, 1970-2005

This study re-examines the theory of legal-origin on the basis of a new longitudinal dataset on creditor protection for four OECD countries over a long time span 1970-2005. It observes that the civil law countries (France and Germany) provided better creditor protection relating to debtors’ control while the common law countries (UK and USA) provided better creditor protection relating to credit contract and insolvency. Through panel causality test and dynamic panel data modelling our study shows that debtors’ control has a long-term favourable effect on credit market expansion while the credit contract component of creditor protection has the opposite effect.
Antioxidant Activity of Ethanolic Extract of Ricinus communis Leaf

The present study deals with an antioxidant potential of Ethanolic leaf extract of Ricinus communis. Ricinus communis commonly known as castor oil belongs to the family Euphorbiaceae. In the present study antioxidant potential of Ethanolic leaf extract of Ricinus communis was investigated employing two different established in vitro methods , such as free radical scavenging activity using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazil (DPPH) and Reducing power assay. The results of the assay were then compared with reference standard Gallic acid. The Ethanolic extract of the bark of Ricinus Communis is a good source of compounds with antioxidant properties and the extract exhibited significant Free Radical Scavenging activity, Reducing power activity . Results obtained in the present study reveal ethanolic extract of Ricinus communis leaves posses significant antioxidant activity
A Historical Reflection on the Use of Bolzmann Approaches for Fluid System Modelling

To understand the value, popularity and role of the Boltzmann approach to fluid modelling, it is important to situate it within the spectrum of fluid modelling approaches, sitting as it does flexibly between continuum and discrete approaches. This unique conceptual position allows the Boltzmann approach to have the distinct advantage of staying in touch with both the physical basis of fluid flow, in which flows are visualized as being made of a vast number of individual particles, while maintaining much of the computational tractability of the continuum approach involving PDE formulations. Occupying this middle ground allows Boltzmann approaches to be both useful for prediction in practical problems and yet existentially satisfying to modellers. It is argued that this dual role is a useful grid from which to assess the historical development of the method.
EVALUATING STRUCTURAL VALIDITY OF CLASS DIAGRAMS BY MEASURING THE NUMBER OF HIGHLY RESPONSIBLE CLASSES

Design models are often developed using UML class diagrams. Based on past questionnaire surveys reported by Lange and Nugroho, we assumed that the existence of highly responsible classes indicate that a class diagram was created through the proper consideration of the structure of the system. Thus, we analyzed the structure of UML design class diagrams. Specifically, we measured our novel metrics (the amount of highly responsible classes in class diagrams), and investigate the correlations between our metrics and the structural validity of design. In this study, we propose two viewpoints to distinguish large values which indicate high responsibility. Additionally, we conducted the evaluation experiment using 65 design class diagrams, which were originally submitted to a Robot Contest on the domain of embedded systems and evaluated by software development experts based on structural validity. Then the correlations between our novel metrics and the experts’ qualitative assessment were analyzed.
Predicting the Performance of Forecasting Strategies for Naval Spare Parts Demand

Hierarchical forecasting strategy does not always outperform direct forecasting strategy. The performance generally depends on demand features. This research guides the use of the alternative forecasting strategies according to demand features. This paper developed and evaluated various classification models such as logistic regression (LR), artificial neural networks (ANN), decision trees (DT), boosted trees (BT), and random forests (RF) for predicting the relative performance of the alternative forecasting strategies for the South Korean navy’s spare parts demand which has nonnormal characteristics. ANN minimized classification errors and inventory costs, whereas LR minimized the Brier scores and the sum of forecasting errors.
Corncobs as Substrate for Oleaginous Yeast-Pretreatment via Steam Explosion and Hydrolysis

Corn cobs are a promising lignocellulosic substrate for the production of biofuels like bioethanol via conventional yeast or biodiesel via oleaginous yeast. Pretreatment of the substrate is essential for further hydrolysis and fermentation steps. This study focused on the steam explosion method as pretreatment. Therefore, different steam explosion severities were evaluated. The content of glucan, xylan and Klason lignin was examined. Xylan degraded with increasing severity from 412.7 g·kg -1 (untreated) to a minimum of 127.3 g·kg -1 dry matter (190 °C/30 min). Glucan concentrations increased from 315.1 g·kg -1 (untreated) to a maximum of 371.6 g·kg -1 dry matter (200 °C/20 min). For soluble lignin, an increase could be observed at rising severity, from 145.3 g·kg -1 (untreated) to a maximum of 214.9 g·kg -1 dry matter (190 °C/30 min). Furthermore, the mass recovery was calculated. At harsher pretreatment conditions, a significant mass loss was observed, estimated by the ash content in the recovered dry matter. The lowest recovery rate was observed for SF = 4.13 (190 °C/30 min) with 68.39%. The produced inhibitors were evaluated.
ARX residuals in damage detection

The relationship between residuals obtained from Autoregressive with Exogenous Input (ARX) predictors is examined from the perspective of resolution in damage detection. It is shown that residuals from all ARX structures are filtered versions of those obtained when only inputs are used to compute the predictions, i.e. the output error (OE) residuals. Examination shows that the transfer matrix from the OE residuals to the equation error (EE) ones has repeated poles at the origin and transmission zeros and zero directions that coincide with the poles and eigenvectors of the input–output map. This result, together with an examination of the spectral distribution of the OE residuals suggest that these are likely more informative for damage detection than the EE ones. Results of a Monte Carlo study and tests on an aluminum beam, where damage is simulated by the addition of a small mass, are shown to support this contention. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modeling and Simulation of Hydration Operation of Date Palm Fruits Using COMSOL ® Multiphysics

Hydration is the key unit operation in the thermal process of dates. This study focuses on modeling and simulation of this unit operation in order to improve the quality of final product and reducing processing time. The work is divided into two parts: an experimental investigation and a modeling approach with COMSOL ® MultiPhysics release 5.1. In the first part, dry Tunisian Deglet Nour dates were hydrated experimentally at a laboratory scale by using saturated air. In the second part of the work, a 2D axisymmetric model was developed in COMSOL ® Multiphysics by taking into account only mass transfer phenomena. This model considers the real shape of dates and the variation of density as a function of moisture content. Both moisture diffusivity and convective mass transfer coefficient at the surface were estimated by using an optimization algorithm based on least-square approach from experimental and numerical mean moisture contents. Results showed a good agreement between experimental values of average moisture contents and those numerically computed using estimated moisture diffusivity and convective mass transfer coefficient for various operating conditions. Such a methodology can be employed as a predictive tool to simulate the hydration of dates in order to optimize this unit operation.
A Study of Image Segmentation Based on Level Set Method

Geometric active contour model has many advantages over parametric active contour model, such as computational simplicity and the ability to change curve topology during deformation, et al. The level set method is a class of curve evolution methods based on the geometry active contour model. Level set method coupled with curve evolution theory conquers many limitations of traditional snakes, which widens the utilization of active contours model. Moreover, by analyzing latest level set method, this paper summarizes the research, development and applications of active contour model. Finally, this paper points out future research orientations on the theories and applications research of level set method. Index Terms - Image segmentation, level set, active contour mode.
A Qualitative Investigation of Trainees' Adjustment in Japan: A Case Study of Trainees from Indonesia.

In Japan, there is a residence status known as "the trainee". This is the status for residents who undertake "activities to learn and acquire the technology, skills, or knowledge at public or private organizations in Japan". With the introduction of the Industrial Training Program in 1993, trainees have been permitted to extend their stay in Japan for education and employment purposes up to a maximum of three years. This study aims to investigate the adjustment styles of trainees and to consider the changes in their attitudes toward Japan in the course of this adjustment. Six male Indonesian trainees (mean age=23.83) were invited to a semi-structured interview. They were employed at the same factory, involved in the manufacture of car components, and were trainees in their first-, second-, and third-years. The interview mainly focused on the trainees' Japanese language skills, the changes in their images of Japan or Japanese people, the communication between them and their Japanese colleagues, and the difficulties they encountered during their stay in Japan. The results revealed that there were clear differences between the first, second, and third trainees. As the trainees' Japanese language skills improved, their communication with the Japanese colleagues increased. Subsequently, they developed more positive images of Japan and Japanese people and hoped to have more informal communication with Japanese
Integrated Ray Tracing (IRT) simulation of SCOTS measurement of GMT fast steering mirror surface

The Software Configurable Optical Testing System (SCOTS) is one of the newest testing methods for large mirror surfaces. The Integrated Ray Tracing (IRT) technique can be applicable to the SCOTS simulation by performing non-sequential ray tracing from the screen to the camera detector in the real scale. Therefore, the radiometry of distorted pattern images are numerically estimated by the IRT simulation module. In this study, we construct an IRT SCOTS simulation model for the Fast Steering Mirror Prototype (FSMP) surface of the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT). GMT FSMP is an off-axis ellipsoidal concave mirror that is 1064 mm in diameter and has PV 3.1 mm in aspheric departure. The surface error requirement is less than 20 nm rms. The screen is modeled as an array of 1366 by 768 screen pixels of 0.227 mm in pitch size. The screen is considered as a Lambertian scattering surface. The screen and the camera are positioned around 4390 mm away from the mirror and separated by around 132 mm from each other. The light source are scanning lines and sinusoidal patterns generated by 616,050 rays per one screen pixel. Of the initially generated rays, 0.22 % are received by the camera’s detector and contribute to form distorted pattern images. These images are converted to the slope and height maps of the mirror surface. The final result for the height difference between input surface and reconstructed surface was 14.14 nm rms. Additionally, the simulated mirror pattern image was compared with the real SCOTS test for the GMT FSMP. This study shows applicability of using the IRT model to SCOTS simulation with nanometer level numerical accuracy.
Interactive comment on “Co-limitation by iron, silicate, and light of three Southern Ocean diatom species” by L. J. Hoffmann et al

Comments on the manuscript : “ Co-limitation by iron, silicate, and light of three Southern Ocean diatom species” by L.J. Hoffmann, I. Peeken, and K. Lochte. Reviewer : B. Quéguiner The manuscript gives results on the effects of iron/light/silicic acid (not “ silicate ”) colimitation of three Southern Ocean diatoms. I think there are too many protocol problems to make the results coherent with what can occur in the natural environment. Silicic acid concentrations used are too high, Fe concentrations have not been measured, there are problems of sample storage for countings and morophological study. I think it will be difficult to get something serious from these data and it is certainly not possible to deduce something as to the effects of Fe fertilization in natural PFZ waters. There-
Analyse visgegevens DFS (Demersal Fish Survey) ten behoeve van de compensatiemonitoring Maasvlakte 2

Binnen het monitoringprogramma dat is ingesteld om de compensatie opgave voor de aanleg van de Tweede Maasvlakte te onderzoeken is er in 2014 geen specifiek visprogramma uitgevoerd. In plaats daarvan is een analyse uitgevoerd van de data uit de lange termijn monitoring in het kader van de Demersal Fish Survey (DFS) met een tweeledig doel: 1. in het jaar waarin er geen vismonitoring plaatsvond, toch een ‘vinger aan de pols’ te houden. 2. om de ontwikkeling van vis in de Voordelta in breder kader te plaatsen: door recente ontwikkelingen in de visstand in de Voordelta te relateren aan lange termijn veranderingen en door de trends in vis in de Voordelta te contrasteren met die in andere gebieden in de Nederlandse zoute wateren.
Key Roles of Amino Acids In Cow Performance and Metabolism – Considerations For Defining Amino Acid Requirements

Traditionally, maintenance protein requirement (rqt) included integumental, endogenous urinary and metabolic fecal protein loss; NRC (2001) has added a rqt for duodenal endogenous protein. Most of the current models used to balance dairy rations for metabolizable protein (MP; e.g. NRC (2001), CNCPS (Fox et al., 2004), van Duinkerken et al. (2011)) base their estimation of maintenance MP rqt on an excellent but relatively old review from Swanson (1977). However, recently rqt for metabolic fecal protein (MFP) has been revisited in Norfor (2011) and Systali (Sauvant et al., 2015) as well as rqt for endogenous urinary in Systali (Sauvant et al., 2015). Regarding individual amino acid (AA) rqt, the NRC (2001) subcommittee agreed that “current knowledge is too limited, both for model construction and model evaluation, to put forth a model that quantifies AA requirements for dairy cattle” (in a factorial approach). They have therefore adopted a proportional approach, similar to the French system (Rulquin et al., 2001). This approach determines the AA rqt based on empirical relationships between observed milk protein concentration or yield relative to the proportion of the AA in MP supply.
Nature and Dynamics of Adjustment of Commercial Banks' Retail Rates to Monetary Policy Changes in Kenya

Monetary authority’s legitimacy is based on the underlying assumption that policy actions are transmitted to market interest rates instantaneously, symmetrically and in a linear fashion. However, empirical evidence suggest that commercial banks’ pricing behavior, collusion and structure of financial system have an important bearing to transmission of policy-induced changes to the wider economy. Using monthly time series data from June 1993 to February 2012, this study investigated these assumptions by exploring nonlinear adjustment of commercial banks’ retail rates to monetary policy changes. Error correction model were re-parameterized to capture nonlinear aspects that may influence interest rate transmission via commercial banks in Kenya. The results revealed that adjustment towards long run equilibrium interest rates is sluggish, speed of adjustment of commercial bank retail rates to monetary policy changes ranges from 5 per cent per month to 15 per cent per month. Secondly, nonlinearity was established as speed of adjustments asymmetrical across monetary policy regimes and/or continuously time varying. The findings revealed that lending rates are rigid downwards as they adjusted faster during expansionary monetary policy regime compared to contractionary monetary policy regime. Third, there was evidence to suggest that nonlinearity adjustment simultaneously time varying and regime switching.
Nose Shape Optimization of High-speed Train for the Consideration of Crosswind Stability

Increasing the train speed for the efficiency improvement increases aerodynamic problems threatening the safety of high-speed train. Because of shape characteristics about high ratio of cross-sectional area to its total length, at higher driving speed, driving stability could be reduced by crosswind incoming from the train side. High-speed train nose is optimized for the improvement of crosswind stability. The base model is already optimized from KTX Sancheon nose for the aerodynamic drag reduction and the objective of the design optimization is the side force coefficient of total 10-car train. Side force coefficient of the optimized shape is reduced by 4.9% when compared to that of the base model. High pressure region forming on the windward side of the train nose is decreased and it reduces the side force coefficient.
Primary Commodity Prices, Manufactured Goods Prices, and the Terms of Trade of Developing Countries

The authors revisit in this article the empirical foundation of the alleged secular decline in the prices of primary commodities relative to those of manufactures. They use a newly constructed index of commodity prices and two modified indexes of manufactured good prices, and find that from 1900 to 1986 the relative prices of all primary commodities fell on trend by 0.5 percent a year and those of nonfuel primary commodities by 0.6 percent a year. They thus confirm the sign, but not the magnitude, of the trend implicit in the work of Prebisch. But even the more limited secular decline shown by their relative price indexes may be magnified by an incomplete account of quality improvements in manufactures. They then show that the evolution of terms of trade of nonfuel primary commodities is not the same as that of the net barter terms of trade of non-oil-exporting developing countries. Finally, they find that despite the decline that has probably occurred during the current century in the terms of trade of nonfuel primary commodities, the purchasing power of total exports of these products has increased considerably. Similarly, the fall that may have occurred after World War II in the net barter terms of trade of developing countries seems to have been more than compensated for by the steady improvement in their income terms of trade.
Random Matrix Theory Tutorial – Introduction to Deterministic Equivalents

ABSTRACT. In the following we provide a tutorial on the practical application of random matrix theory (RMT) in communication problems, in order to facilitate utilization of the analytic RMT approach for interested researchers. To this end, we first state the necessary basic theoretical concepts, lemmas and tools from RMT. After this we will build intuition, confidence, and insight into RMT concepts and their applications, by putting the introduced theoretical results into a tutorial like context. To familiarize the reader with the introduced tools we rely on an example of a step by step derivation of the deterministic equivalent for a non-trivial rate problem. Thus, we provide the theory needed to soundly use the framework of RMT in the design of future large scale (w.r.t. the numbers of users, base stations and antennas) communication networks.
THE ROLE OF ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS IN THE FORMATION OF ZOOPLANKTON IN TRIBUTARIES OF LAKE LADOGA (RUSSIA)

The role of environmental factors in the formation of zooplankton in tributaries of Lake Ladoga is still poorly investigated. The authors aimed at exploring composition and quantitative patterns of zooplankton development in the major tributaries of Ladoga and assessing the impact of environmental factors and features of river catchment basins on the parameters of zooplankton development. A total of 137 taxa ranking below genus were identified (56 species and subspecies of Rotifera, 57 of Cladocera, 24 of Copepoda). Species composition and patterns of quantitative development cannot be explained by any environmental factors or their combination. It is impossible to determine groups of rivers with similar patterns of zooplankton development basing on the composition and abundances of individual zooplankton species. River clustering based on hydrochemical and hydrological parameters and features of catchment basins provides an opportunity to distinguish groups of similar rivers. Total abundances of copepoda, cladocera, and rotifera in the rivers are closely associated with certain combinations of studied physiographic parameters. Physiographic factors, namely, the catchment basin area, water discharge, and lake percentage on the territory of the catchment basin, are the most important in the level of quantitative development of Copepoda, Rotifera, and Cladocera in tributaries of Lake Ladoga.
A comparison of most recent MapReduce joins algorithms

: In this interesting line of research, an attempt has been to overview different parallel processing platforms that implement MapReduce jobs. This survey provides a wide-ranging analysis of work and publications related to MapReduce framework to data, and it also can be used as a basis for further research and examination. The scope of this survey is focused on pre-processing, pre-filtering, partitioning, replication, load balancing, performance, memory space, communication cost, and query processing and optimization aspects in the light of big data analysis in MapReduce. Moreover, a set of efficient optimized and improved approaches in the context of analytical query processing and optimizing using MapReduce. It provides an added value to current research published yearly by introducing a comprehensive classification of recently presented papers in the era of join types using MapReduce. From data-centric perspective, the main topic of this approach is intended to highlight the importance of traditional problems of data management and analysis in the regard of efficient big data processing and analysis approaches.
INFLUENCE OF BACTERIA ON RAISING OF PLANT NUTRIENTS ABSORPTION FROM SOIL

Investigating various bacteria on elevating of plant nutrients absorption from soil can be useful for raising of plant's growing and phytoremediation. In this study, Brevundimonas diminuta (bacteria 5) and Alcaligenes faecalis (bacteria 60) were examined for their ability to increase the plant nutrients absorption of Scirpus mucronatus in soil. Three sample treatments were utilized in this study. Two of the treatments enriched with bacteria 5 or bacteria 60, and the third treatment was growth without the addition of bacteria (control sample). After 1 and 42 days of enrichment, the Scirpus mucronatus was prepared, and the B, C, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, N, Ni, P, S, and Zn concentrations were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. To evaluate statistical differences of elemental concentration in our results, the one-way ANOVA test was used. Comparison of elemental concentrations in our samples demonstrated which there were statistically significant differences between concentration of all elements in bacterium and control samples except for Mn and Mo (for all elements, p>0.05). Moreover, our findings was proved the concentration of most of the elements in bacteria 5 and bacteria 60 were strongly correlated to the results in control sample using Pearson's correlation test (R>0.3). The results showed that bacterium increased the plant nutrients absorption from soil.