Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ON JOINT DISTRIBUTION OF WAVE HEIGHTS AND DIRECTIONS

In the individual wave analysis of short-crested irregular waves, the wave direction of an individual wave is an important quantity as well as the wave height and period. In this paper, the joint probability density of the wave height and direction is derived theoretically on the assumption of a narrow-banded frequency spectrum. A field experiment was carried out to examine the validity of the theory. The measured joint distribution agreed well with that predicted by the theory.
IMPACT OF "ISLAMIC ETHICS" ON IRANIAN CUSTOMER SATISFACTION INDEX MODEL

In recent decades many countries have been attempted to measure and formulate customer satisfaction index (CSI), as an important factor in micro and macro-economic level. In most presented CSI models, product or service attributes have been considered as the basic criteria of satisfaction while social factors play important role in mental picture of satisfaction concept. One of the most important factors is ethics. On the other hand factors considered in the national customer satisfaction index model derived from the cultural, social and business environment of each country. Accordingly, this paper examines the impact of Islamic business ethics, as prevalent ethics in Iran, on Iranian customer satisfaction. �Therefore, after considering the role of ethics as a primary factor in customer satisfaction models and role of Islamic ethics in the Iranian business, Conceptual model of research has been presented. Model Relationships have been examined by Lisrel software and using structural equation modeling approach. The results show the impact of Islamic business ethics on customer satisfaction and it can be considered as one of the primary factors in Iranian customer satisfaction index model. omersatisfactionindexmodel,�customerloyalty� �
Properties of aerosols and formation mechanisms over southern China duringthe monsoon season

Abstract. Measurements of size-resolved aerosols from 0.25 to 18 µm were conducted at three sites (urban, suburban and background sites) and used in tandem with an atmospheric transport model to study the size distribution and formation of atmospheric aerosols in southern China during the monsoon season (May–June) in 2010. The mass distribution showed the majority of chemical components were found in the smaller size bins (
Calpain inhibitor AK 295 inhibits calpain-induced apoptosis and damage in rat kidney

Objectives: In the present investigation, the effect of a calpain inhibitor, AK 295, on ischemia/ reperfusion damage in rat kidney were investigated and evaluated. Materials and Methods: 28 male Wistar Albino rats were separated into 4 main random groups (n=7), named group I (control), group II (ischemia-reperfusion), group III (AK295+ischemia-reperfusion) and group IV (DMSO+ischemia-reperfusion). Right kidney nephrectomy under anesthesia of xylazine (5 mg/kg) and ketamine (75 mg/kg) was performed to the rats except for group I. The rats under reversible general anesthesia underwent 30 min total ischemia and then, blood samples (5 cc) and kidney tissues were taken from all the groups rapidly. Caspase 3 enzyme activity was detected in the kidney tissues by Western-blot technique. Serum creatinine and urea values, amount of kidney malondialdehyde, and differences in the cellular antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase were also analyzed. Results: In AK295+IR group, caspase-3 enzyme band was not observed due to the fact that the calpain inhibitor AK295 prevented the ischemic damage. On the other hand, in DMSO+IR group, significant bands appeared due to apoptosis. It was also found that catalase levels in AK295+I/R and DMSO+I/R groups increased insignificantly compared to I/R group (p<0.05). Conclusions: As a result of the study, AK295 could provide further knowledge on ischemia-reperfusion damage that has no current treatment and it could have a place in ischemia-reperfusion damage treatment protocol.
Effect of nonprecipitating clouds on the aerosol size distribution in the marine boundary layer

The size distribution of particles smaller than 0.5 µm has been measured over the tropical Atlantic and Pacific oceans with a differential mobility analyzer. In regions remote from continental influences the size distribution generally has peaks at about . 02-. 03 µm and at . 08-. 15 µm with a minimum in the . 05-. 08 µm radius range. The data provides strong evidence that nonprecipitating clouds play an important role in transferring material from the gas phase and from smaller particles into the 0.08 to . 15 µm radius range, and that they are responsible for the doubly peaked size distributions frequently observed over the oceans.
Radiative Transfer Simulation for the Optical and Near-infrared Electromagnetic Counterparts to GW170817

Recent detection of gravitational waves from a binary neutron star merger (GW170817) and the subsequent observations of electromagnetic counterparts provide a great opportunity to study the physics of compact binary mergers. The optical and near-infrared counterparts to GW170817 (SSS17a, also known as AT 2017gfo or DLT17ck) are found to be consistent with a kilonova/macronova scenario with red and blue components. However, in most previous studies wherein the contribution from each ejecta component to the lightcurves is separately calculated and composited, the red component is too massive of a dynamical ejecta, and the blue component is too fast of a post-merger ejecta. In this Letter, we perform a two-dimensional radiative transfer simulation for a kilonova/macronova, consistently taking the interplay of multiple ejecta components into account. We show that the lightcurves and photospheric velocity of SSS17a can be reproduced naturally by a setup that is consistent with the prediction of the numerical-relativity simulations.
Agricultural Price Instability: A Survey of Competing Explanations and Remedies

There are two explanations for agricultural price dynamics. One follows cobweb logic and models fluctuations driven by expectation errors but emphasises that these expectations create complex dynamics and possibly chaos. The other stems from the rational expectations tradition of dynamics driven by real shocks. The empirical evidence tends to support the latter, but is not conclusive. The rational expectations model generates an optimal dynamic path from which no improvement can be expected from public intervention. However, if we take account of all the potential market failures in agricultural markets, and especially in developing countries, this conclusion might require some qualifications, although an appropriate policy design for stability has still to be achieved. This paper surveys the positive and normative literature on agricultural prices, highlighting empirical evidence and identifying remaining unresolved issues.
A Study on the Deposit Uniformity and Profile of Cu Electroplated in Miniaturized, Laboratory-Scale Through Mask Plating Cell for Printed Circuit Board (PCBs) Fabrication

A miniaturized lab-scale Cu plating cell for the metallization of electronic devices was fabricated and its deposit uniformity and profile were investigated. The plating cell was composed of a polypropylene bath, an electrolyte ejection nozzle which is connected to a circulation pump. In deposit uniformity evaluation, thicker deposit was found on the bottom and sides of substrate, indicating the spatial variation of deposit thickness was governed by the tertiary current distribution which is related to transport. The surface morphology of Cu deposit inside photo-resist pattern was controlled by organic additives in the electrolyte as it led to the flatter top surface compared to convex surface which was observed in the deposit grown without organic additives.
Corporate diversification and firm value: a survey of recent literature

We survey the recent literature on corporate diversification. How does corporate diversification influence firm value? Does it create or destroy value? Until the beginning of this century, the predominant thinking among researchers and practitioners was that corporate diversification leads to an average discount on firm value; however, several studies cast doubt on the diversification discount. In the last decade, there has been no clear consensus as to whether there is a discount or even a premium on firm value. Recent literature concludes that the effect on value differs from firm to firm and that corporate diversification alone does not drive the discount or premium; rather, the effect is heterogeneous across certain industry settings, economic conditions, and governance structures.
Income Distribution and the Great Depression

There is a growing literature comparing the current financial crisis or Great Recession to the worst economic crisis of capitalism, the Great Depression. However, the role of rising income inequality, which has risen dramatically before both crises, is rarely discussed. In this paper we discuss the rise of top-end inequality and its effects on household consumption, saving, and debt for the 1920s by applying a non-standard theory of consumption, the relative income hypothesis, to the period of interest. We argue that income inequality is linked to the increase of household consumption and the simultaneous decline of household savings as well as rapidly increasing household debt. Thus, the rise of top-end inequality in connection with a broader institutional change, such as the deregulation of financial markets, has contributed to a build-up of financial and macroeconomic instability, in the period leading to the Great Depression.
Multi‐Modal Order Fulfillment: Concept and Application

Empirical work on order fulfillment strategies suggests that building products to customer order is an important driver of organizational value. Similarly, the experimental literature indicates that customers derive value from customization. The modeling literature provides a more equivocal perspective, suggesting that a combination of buildâ€ toâ€ forecast and buildâ€ toâ€ order (BTO) fulfillment modalities may lead to the best systemâ€ wide outcomes. Using an industry studies approach, we build on these theoretical perspectives to examine order fulfillment at a global automotive producer. Interviews with key decision makers and a statistical analysis of 48,534 individual vehicle sales enable the development of four propositions on the organizational and profitability implications of the firm's evolution in order fulfillment strategy. Our analyses indicate that building products to customer order is a source of higher unit profit margin. The BTO process also exposes fault lines and generates opportunities for operational improvement, both in the orderâ€ toâ€ delivery system and in the broader organization. Buildâ€ toâ€ order evolves to provide the firm with insight on customersâ€™ willingness to trade delivery lead times against their product attribute preferences. This information allows BTO to incorporate a demand management role, for example, by shifting custom orders to later time periods to accommodate excess demand. These changes lay the groundwork for a multiâ€ modal order fulfillment strategy that no longer distinguishes between the order source or production modality. This strategy enhances customer responsiveness, while addressing manufacturing capacity management imperatives. Our findings open new avenues for theory building, as well as experimental, empirical and modeling research in order fulfillment.
Tax Competition for Foreign Direct Investments and the Nature of the Incumbent Firm

In this paper we investigate tax/subsidy competition for FDI between countries of different size when a domestic firm is the incumbent in the largest market. We investigate how the nature (public or private) of the incumbent firm affects policy competition between the two governments seeking to attract FDI. We show that the country hosting the incumbent always benefits from FDI if the domestic firm is a public welfare-maximizing firm, while its welfare may decrease when it is a private firm, as already shown by Bjorvatn and Eckel (2006). We also show that, contrary to the case of a private domestic incumbent, a public firm acts as a disciplinary device for the foreign multinational that will always choose the efficient welfare-maximizer location. Finally, an efficien cy-enhancing role of policy competition may only arise when the domestic incumbent is a private firm, while tax competition is always wasteful when the incumbent is a public firm.
Towards Structured Modelling with Hyperdag P Systems

Although P systems are computationally complete, many real world models, such as socio-economic systems, databases, operating systems and distributed systems, seem to require more expressive power than provided by tree structures. Many such systems have a primary tree-like structure augmented with shared or secondary communication channels. Modelling these as tree-based systems, while theoretically possible, is not very appealing, because it typically needs artificial extensions that introduce additional complexities, inexistent in the originals. In this paper, we propose and define a new model called hyperdag P systems, in short, hP systems, which extend the definition of conventional P systems, by allowing dags, interpreted as hypergraphs, instead of trees, as models for the membrane structure. We investigate the relation between our hP systems and neural P systems. Despite using an apparently restricted structure, i.e., a dag instead of a general graph, we argue that hP systems have essentially the same computational power as tissue and neural P systems. We argue that hP systems offer a structured approach to membranebased modelling that is often closer to the behavior and underlying structure of the modelled objects.
Statistical Population Reconstruction Using Wings from Harvested Northern Bobwhites Can Inform Management

Despite the widespread collection wings from harvested northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) by state wildlife agencies and private entities, age-at-harvest information has been largely underutilized for guiding management decisions for this species. Statistical population reconstruction (SPR) techniques can use age-at-harvest information and provide a valuable tool for monitoring trends and the status of bobwhite (and other game bird) populations. However, SPR has not been applied to bobwhite. We evaluated the utility of statistical population reconstruction models, which have been applied successfully to other species (e.g., elk, Cervus elaphus; blacktailed deer, Odocoilues hemonius; and greater sage-grouse, Centrocercus urophasianus), to reconstruct annual abundance and demographic attributes for a bobwhite population in southwest Georgia. During 1998 – 2016, we collected wings from harvested birds (n1⁄4 17,448; nannual1⁄4 969 6 104) in conjunction with survival information from mark-recapture. We derived independent estimates of fall abundance from the same site using covey call counts and a standardized measure of hunting success (coveys moved per hour). SPR models suggested that population change was stable (k1⁄4 1.00; CV1⁄4 0.19) compared to moderate population growth (k1⁄4 1.05; CV1⁄4 0.29) indicated by the covey call quadrat method. Abundance estimates from SPR and covey call counts were moderately correlated (r 1⁄4 0.48) with only 3 out 18 years statistically different. Abundance estimates from SPR and hunting success (coveys moved per hour) was highly correlated (r1⁄4 0.86). SPR provides valid, conservative abundance estimates for bobwhite age-at-harvest data. Therefore, we endorse the use of SPR for bobwhites where age-at-harvest, hunter effort and another source of auxiliary data are readily available. As such, given that the collection of harvested wings is simple and low cost, we recommend managers and state agencies consider incorporating this technique into their management program. Citation: Terhune II, T.M. , K. M. Malone, D. C. Sisson, and J. A. Martin. 2017. Statistical population reconstruction using wings from harvested northern bobwhites can inform management. National Quail Symposium Proceedings 8:241–247.
European Central Bank and Federal Reserve USA: monetary policy effects on the returns volatility of the Italian Stock Market Index Mibtel

What is the effect of either European Central Bank and Federal Reserve monetary policies on the Italian Index Mibtel? This paper aims to evaluate the impact of monetary policy announcements of the most important Central Banks on the volatility of returns which have been considered at both sectorial and sub-sectorial levels during the period 1999-2008. Using EGARCH models, this work shows that expansive monetary policies may influence stock market indexes much more than restrictive monetary policies. The difference among the two central bank monetary policies is that the ECB influences indexes much more than Fed monetary policy.
Genomic of the severe isolate of Maize chlorotic dwarf virus

C������ R. , R��������� M.G. , M�������� M. , H�������� S.A. (2004): Genomics of the severe isolate of Maize chlorotic dwarf virus. Plant Protect. Sci., 40: 113–119. The complete sequences of the severe isolates of Maize chlorotic dwarf virus (MCDV-S) were obtained from cDNA clones of the viral RNA. The genome is 11 785 nucleotides (nt) in length and contains one large open reading frame between nt 455 and 10 825 that encodes a polyprotein of 3458 amino acids. Computer analysis revealed several conserved protein motifs similar to other plant picorna-like viruses. Comparison of the genome sequence of MCDV-S with that of the type strain of MCDV showed high similarities despite the difference in symptoms.
Shielding Idiosyncrasy from Isomorphic Pressures: Towards Optimal Distinctiveness in European Filmmaking

This paper advances a micro theory of creative action by examining how distinctive artists shield their idiosyncratic styles from the isomorphic pressures of a field. It draws on the cases of three internationally recognized, distinctive European film directors—Pedro Almodóvar (Spain), Nanni Moretti (Italy) and Lars von Trier (Denmark). We argue that, in a cinema field, managing artistic pressures for distinctiveness versus business pressures for profits drives filmmakers' quest for optimal distinctiveness. This quest seeks both exclusive (unique style) and inclusive (audience-appealing) artwork with legitimacy in the field. Our theory of creative action for optimal distinctiveness suggests that film directors increase their control by personally consolidating artistic and production roles, by forming close partnerships with committed producers, and by establishing their own production companies. Ironically, to escape the iron cage of local cinema fields, film directors increasingly control the coupling of art and business.
POINT CLOUD ANALYSIS FOR UAV-BORNE LASER SCANNING WITH HORIZONTALLY AND VERTICALLY ORIENTED LINE SCANNERS – CONCEPT AND FIRST RESULTS

Abstract. In this paper, we focus on UAV-borne laser scanning with the objective of densely sampling object surfaces in the local surrounding of the UAV. In this regard, using a line scanner which scans along the vertical direction and perpendicular to the flight direction results in a point cloud with low point density if the UAV moves fast. Using a line scanner which scans along the horizontal direction only delivers data corresponding to the altitude of the UAV and thus a low scene coverage. For these reasons, we present a concept and a system for UAV-borne laser scanning using multiple line scanners. Our system consists of a quadcopter equipped with horizontally and vertically oriented line scanners. We demonstrate the capabilities of our system by presenting first results obtained for a flight within an outdoor scene. Thereby, we use a downsampling of the original point cloud and different neighborhood types to extract fundamental geometric features which in turn can be used for scene interpretation with respect to linear, planar or volumetric structures.
Power Management Circuit Design for Vibration Energy Harvesting from Freight Railcars

Although the locomotive of a train is energized, in general, other railcars are not. This prevents commercial rail companies from installing sensor equipment on the railcars. Thus, several different solutions have been proposed to provide energy for commercial railcars. One such solution is a vibration-based energy harvester which can be mounted in the suspension coils of the railcar. The harvester translates the linear motion of the suspension vibration into rotational motion to turn a 3-phase AC generator. When subjected to real-world suspension displacements, the harvester is capable of generating peak energy levels in excess of 70 W, although the average energy harvested is much lower, around 1 W. A battery pack can be used to store the useful energy harvested. However, a power conditioning circuit is required to convert the 3-phase AC energy from the harvester into DC for the battery pack. The power converter should be capable of extracting maximum power from the energy harvester as well as acting as a battery manager. Experimental results with the energy harvester conclude that maximum power can be extracted if the harvester is loaded with 2 Ω. In order to maintain a constant input impedance, the duty cycle of the power converter must be fixed. Conversely, output regulation requires the duty cycle to change dynamically. Consequently, there is a tradeoff between extracting maximum power and prolonging the battery life cycle. The proposed converter design aims to achieve both maximum power transfer and battery protection by automatically switching between control modes. The proposed converter design uses an inverting buck-boost converter operating in discontinuous conduction mode to maintain a constant input impedance through a fixed duty cycle. This constant input impedance mode is used to extract maximum power from the harvester when the battery is not close to fully charged. When the battery is near fully charged, extracting maximum power is not as important and the duty cycle can be controlled to regulate
Effects of credit constraints on the productivity of small and medium-sized enterprises in Cameroon

This paper assesses the determinants and effects of credit constraints on the productivity of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Cameroon. Use is made of the Cameroon enterprise survey data collected by the World Bank in 2009 and an endogenous switching regression model. Results show that interest rates, size of enterprise, size of loan, size of collateral, maturity of loans and legal status of enterprises are major sources of credit constraints faced by SMEs. Results also indicate that medium enterprises are more credit constrained than small enterprises; meanwhile the effects of credit constraints affect small enterprises more than medium enterprises. Credit constrained firms have lower levels of productivity relative to unconstrained firms. These results have implications for the creation of credit bureaux, prudential stringency and rationalization of the Cameroon tax system. Key words: Small and medium-sized enterprises, credit constraints, endogenous switching regression model, Cameroon tax system.