Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Consumer Credit Constraints on Earnings, Sorting, and Job Finding Rates of Displaced Workers

Earnings losses after layoff are severe on average and differ significantly across individuals (Jacobson et al. [1993], Jacobson et al. [2005], Couch and Placzek [2010], Davis and von Wachter [2011]). While much is known empirically and theoretically about the impact of unemployment benefits on earnings losses (Ljungqvist and Sargent [1998], Saporta-Eksten [2013]), little is known about the role consumer credit plays in the earnings losses of displaced workers, their job finding rates, and the subsequent quality of jobs they take. To answer this question, we merged confidential, quarterly, individual employment records from the Census with proprietary individual credit reports based on social security numbers. Our first contribution is to use this new administrative panel dataset to measure the impact of consumer credit access on job finding rates and re-employment earnings of displaced workers. We find that credit constrained workers have earnings losses that are [X]% greater than unconstrained households, and that the job finding rates of credit constrained workers are [X]% greater then unconstrained households. To understand the impact of credit access on sorting, employment, output, and productivity, we introduce risk aversion into a model with heterogeneous workers and firms, building on the influential prior work by Eeckhout and Kircher [2010], Eeckhout and Kircher [2011] and Hagedorn et al. [2012]. In our model, heterogeneous credit-constrained workers accumulate human capital while working and direct their search for jobs among heterogeneous credit-constrained firms while unemployed. We find that an increase in credit limits equal to [X]% of GDP (decreases or) increases employment by [X]%, increases output by [X]%, and increases productivity by [X]%. The mechanism is that credit access acts as a safety net, allowing workers to sort into better matches with firms.
Resource Adaptive Cloud Services for the Connected Vehicle A study of auto-scaling cloud for remote diagnosis of vehicles

Cloud-based services are becoming more and more common thanks to the evergrowing cellular networks technology. There are several research works that aim at integrating cloud computing with different industries. The automotive industry is one of those areas that can benefit a lot from connectivity and cloud computing. Vehicular systems and cloud computing can be integrated to provide a safer and better driving experience. One of the areas that connected vehicles can benefit from cloud computing is remote diagnosis. Modern vehicles are made up of thousands of computing devices that work together. Troubleshooting and diagnosing these complex systems is not a trivial task as there are lots of components to diagnose and monitor. Currently, there are modern vehicles that store diagnostic data on a local hard drive and manufacturers use that offline diagnostic data to troubleshoot failures. Connected vehicles can leverage the increasingly fast and cheap mobile wireless networks to log diagnostic data so that it can be accessed and used my the manufacturers on fly. Cloud services can help manufacturers diagnose and even maintain vehicles remotely without recalling them to automotive workshops. They can monitor the different components while they are working and examine how the components are operating. This help diagnose problems that are not even detectable by the drivers. In order to realize the concept of connected vehicles, there is a need to have a robust cloud back-end system that adapts to data traffic from these vehicles. Vehicular data traffic is tends to fluctuate from place to place due to the mobile nature of the vehicles. Cloud instances that run in different geographical areas should be able to adapt to this changing nature of vehicular data traffic. Vehicular cloud service, like the other cloud services, it faces a number of challenges that need to be addressed such as privacy, security, scalability and a lack of standards. This thesis work aims at studying one of the core challenges: scalability. There is a need to have an architecture which can accommodate scaling number of users (connected vehicles, vehicle technicians) and services. There is extensive research work on autoscaling cloud systems that are not necessarily in the domain of connected vehicles. This work aims at taking advantage of these works to the area of vehicular cloud services. This is done by first building a prototype cloud back-end service and using it as a testbed to study autoscaling. This work proposes a cloud back-end service design and implementation that is capable of communicating with vehicles and provide access to manufacturers. We also looked into existing algorithmic implementations that enable vehicular cloud back-end services to adjust their resource usage according to the encountered traffic loads. Stress tests enabled us to preliminarily evaluate the implemented algorithm’s usability in the case of connected vehicles.
Least Absolute Deviation Support Vector Regression

Least squares support vector machine (LS-SVM) is a powerful tool for pattern classification and regression estimation. However, LS-SVM is sensitive to large noises and outliers since it employs the squared loss function. To solve the problem, in this paper, we propose an absolute deviation loss function to reduce the effects of outliers and derive a robust regression model termed as least absolute deviation support vector regression (LAD-SVR). The proposed loss function is not differentiable. We approximate it by constructing a smooth function and develop a Newton algorithm to solve the robust model. Numerical experiments on both artificial datasets and benchmark datasets demonstrate the robustness and effectiveness of the proposed method.
Modal sensing of efficient acoustic radiators with polyvinylidene fluoride distributed sensors in active structural acoustic control approaches

An experimental investigation was performed to determine the feasibility of implementing polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) piezoelectric distributed sensors on the surface of a structure as error sensors in an adaptive least‐mean‐squares (lms) control approach to minimize acoustic radiation. While much research has been devoted to controlling vibration of structures with these sensors, they have yet to be implemented in structural acoustic control. To this end, two narrow strip PVDF sensors were positioned on a simply supported plate such that the dominant observed response was due to the odd–odd modes of the plate (i.e., the more efficient acoustic radiators). The error sensors in effect act as spatial wave‐number filters and only observe those components that contribute significantly to far‐field sound radiation. A variety of test cases were studied for controlling sound radiation due to a disturbance both on and off resonance. Results from these experiments indicate that PVDF sensors and piezoceramic actu.
Damage and failure analysis of concrete using synthetic 3D meso-structures

Concrete is one of the key materials used in the construction of nuclear power plants, with both structural and shielding functions. Understanding the aging of concrete in service is essential prerequisite for advanced plant life assessment. Aging is associated with changes in the complex heterogeneous structure of concrete, which could be chemically and/or mechanically driven. First steps towards modelling and predicting aging can be made by appropriate representations of concrete at its meso-structural length scale, where it is a three-phase composite, containing mortar, coarse aggregates and voids. This work presents generation and packing algorithms for modelling three-dimensional heterogeneous concrete specimens with randomly distributed spherical, ellipsoidal and polyhedral aggregates and voids, with prescribed size distributions, shape and volume fraction. Models are meshed automatically and include cohesive elements at all interfaces between continuum elements. The cohesive elements represent potential crack paths and their traction-separation laws are different within the mortar, within the aggregates and at the interface between these phases. Mesoscale crack initiation, propagation and coalescence are simulated naturally with the cohesive elements. The models are solved by FEM, and statistically analysed to evaluate the effects of mesostructual parameters on the mechanical behaviour. The proposed methodology provides an effective and efficient tool for damage and failure analysis of concrete, and a comprehensive study was conducted for 3D heterogeous concretes in this paper.
How Are They Gaining such Positions? An Examination of Antecedents of Informal Leadership at Organizations

Drawing upon leadership emergence and conservation of resource theories, we proposed that relationship with formal leaders, voice behaviors of employees, and impression management tactics of employees influence the acquisition of informal leadership position in their social circles at organizations. We also found that education of focal employee also plays vital role in determining emergence of informal leadership in social circles. Research implications and future research directions also discussed. Keywords: LMX, empowering leadership, voice behavior, impression management, political skills
Stability of laminated composite curved panels with cutout using finite element method

Cutouts are inevitable in structures due to practical consideration. The present study involves vibration and stability of laminated composite curved panels with cutouts using finite element method. The first order shear deformation (FSDT) is used to model the curved panels, considering the effects of transverse shear deformation and rotary inertia. Since the stress field is non -uniform due to cutout, plane stress analysis is carried out using the finite element method to determine the stresses and these are used to formulate the geometric stiffness matrix. The global matrices are obtained using skyline technique. The eigenvalues are obtained us ing subspace iteration scheme. The study reveals that the fundamental frequencies of vibration of an angle ply flat panel decrease with introduction of small cutouts but again rise with increase in size of cutout. However the higher frequencies of vibratio n continue to decrease up to a moderate size of cutout and then rise with further increase of size of cutout. The stability resistance decreases with increase in size of cutout in curved panels unlike the frequencies of vibration. The buckling loads of cro ss ply panels reduces drastically with increase in size of cutout compared to angle ply plates. The frequencies of vibration and the stability resistance increase with introduction of curvature in the flat panel with cutout. However, the effect of curvature is reduced with increase of size of cutout. NOTATION
Spatial Structure of Electrical Diffuse Layers in Highly Concentrated Electrolytes: A Modified Poisson–Nernst–Planck Approach

Studies of room-temperature ionic liquids showed that electrical diffuse layers in these highly concentrated electrolytes may exhibit spatially extended nonmonotonic (oscillatory) and monotonic decays. These unconventional properties are fundamentally different from traditional (dilute) electrolytes and demonstrate the limited mechanistic understanding of highly concentrated electrolytes. Moreover, electrolyte behavior placed in close proximity of two charged surfaces becomes even more unclear due to the possible overlap between diffuse layers. The latter is important as many applications require confinement into narrow spaces, e.g., energy and lubrication related applications. To advance the understanding of electrical diffuse layers in highly concentrated electrolytes (and ionic liquids) we use a semiphenomenological modified Poisson–Nernst–Planck equation and regulate weak dilutions. Using spatial dynamics methods and numerical computations, we analyze distinct diffuse layer characteristics (nonmonoton.
Connecting low- and high-mass star formation: the intermediate-mass protostar IRAS 05373+2349 VLA 2

Until recently, there have been few studies of the protostellar evolution of intermediate-mass (IM) stars, which may bridge the low- and high-mass regimes. This paper aims to investigate whether the properties of an IM protostar within the IRAS 05373+2349 embedded cluster are similar to that of low- and/or high-mass protostars. We carried out Very Large Array as well as Combined Array for Research in Millimeter Astronomy continuum and 12CO(J=1–0) observations, which uncover seven radio continuum sources (VLA 1–7). The spectral index of VLA 2, associated with the IM protostar is consistent with an ionized stellar wind or jet. The source VLA 3 is coincident with previously observed H2 emission line objects aligned in the north–south direction (P.A. −20 to −12◦), which may be either an ionized jet emanating from VLA 2 or (shock-)ionized cavity walls in the large-scale outflow from VLA 2. The position angle between VLA 2 and 3 is slightly misaligned with the large-scale outflow we map at ∼5-arcsec resolution in 12CO (P.A. ∼30◦), which in the case of a jet suggests precession. The emission from the mm core associated with VLA 2 is also detected; we estimate its mass to be 12–23 M , depending on the contribution from ionized gas. Furthermore, the large-scale outflow has properties intermediate between outflows from low- and high-mass young stars. Therefore, we conclude that the IM protostar within IRAS 05373+2349 is phenomenologically as well as quantitatively intermediate between the low- and high-mass domains.
A SURVEY ON WATER USE EFFICIENCY OF RICE PRODUCERS IN KAMFIROUZ REGION, FARS PROVINCE, IRAN

Regarding the increase in needs of human societies to agricultural products, increasing water use efficiency can lead to persistent use of limited water resources. Therefore, in this study using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), technical, allocative, managerial and economic efficiency and also Optimal level of inputs is surveyed in order to achieve maximum Efficiency in Marvdasht city in 2010. Furthermore, using sub-vector efficiency, Water Use Efficiency (WEU) of rice producers in Kamfirouz region located in Fars province, Iran, is determined. The results showed the average of technical, allocative, economical and managerial efficiency are 72, 40, 28, 79 and 91 percent respectively. Average of WEU with constant and Variable Return to Scale (CRS, VRS) assumptions were 28 and 35 percent, respectively. Rice producers have a potential to reduce the level of water use about 65 percent, without reducing productions. Based on the results, the worst uses of inputs are related to water, area and pesticide uses which are 40, 35 and 39.74 percent respectively. By findings, amendment of Water prices' tariff as well as conducting some training meeting and courses in order to fully introduce scientific principles of planting, conservation and harvest in optimal usage of production factors, specially water ,and also acquirement of farmers about Periodic irrigation instead of dipping irrigation is recommended.
The effect of attribution on perceptions of managers' performance

Managers can influence the evaluation of their performance by advancing various reasons for or making attributions regarding their financial achievement or the financial achievement of their divisions. In this study, an experimental design is used to determine the effect that the advancing of controllable reasons versus uncontrollable reasons, of which evaluators are either aware or not aware, has on the evaluation of managers’ performance in conditions in which they had recorded financial results that are lower or higher than the budgeted figures. The experiment reveals that performance evaluations are higher when variances are explained by means of controllable reasons in the abovebudget setting, whereas higher evaluations result in the below‐budget setting when variances are explained by means of uncontrollable reasons. Furthermore, the evaluator’s prior knowledge of these reasons results in a difference in the performance evaluation rating. Specifically, known reasons result in higher manager evaluation ratings. The experiment reveals that managers that record above‐budget performance are given higher evaluation ratings than managers that record below‐budget performance, even when variances are explained by means of reasons that the managers cannot control. This is known as the outcome effect. However, the findings indicate that the outcome effect is smaller when the evaluator has independent knowledge of the reason(s) advanced.
Investigating the recent apparent hiatus in surface temperature increases: 2. Comparison of model ensembles to observational estimates

To assess published hypotheses surrounding the recent slowdown in surface warming (hiatus), we compare five available global observational surface temperature estimates to two 30‐member ensembles from the Norwegian Earth System Model (NorESM). Model ensembles are initialized in 1980 from the transient historical runs and driven with forcings used in the CMIP5 experiments and updated forcings based upon current observational understanding, described in Part 1. The ensembles' surface temperature trends are statistically indistinguishable over 1998–2012 despite differences in the prescribed forcings. There is thus no evidence that forcing errors play a significant role in explaining the hiatus according to NorESM. The observations fall either toward the lower portion of the ensembles or, for some observational estimates and regions, outside. The exception is the Arctic where the observations fall toward the upper ensemble bounds. Observational data set choices can make a large difference to findings of consistency or otherwise. Those NorESM ensemble members that exhibit Nino3.4 Sea Surface Temperature (SST) trends similar to observed also exhibit comparable tropical and to some extent global mean trends, supporting a role for El Nino Southern Oscillation in explaining the hiatus. Several ensemble members capture the marked seasonality observed in Northern Hemisphere midlatitude trends, with cooling in the wintertime and warming in the remaining seasons. Overall, we find that we cannot falsify NorESM as being capable of explaining the observed hiatus behavior. Importantly, this is not equivalent to concluding NorESM could simultaneously capture all important facets of the hiatus. Similar experiments with further, distinct, Earth System Models are required to verify our findings.
The Effects of Centella asiatica Aqueous Extract on some Blood Parameters in Rat Model of Alzheimer's Disease

Introduction: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive and irreversible neuropsychiatric disorder of the brain with a deadly outcome and unknown etiology in which the concentration and function of some brain transmitters, particularly acetylcholine, reduce in AD in the cerebral cortex, e.g., the hippocampus. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of aquatic extract of Centella asiatica (CeA) leaf on hematological parameters in NBM (Nucleus Basalis of Mynert)lesioned rats induced by Ibotenic acid (IA). Methods: Thirty-two male Wistar rats (2024 months old; weighing 330±30 g) were selected and randomly divided into four equal groups (n=12) including 1. Control group (which were intact rats), 2. L group (NBMlesioned rats), 3. CeA group and 4. L+CeA group. NBM was bilaterally lesioned. Seven days after stereotaxic surgery, the total number of white blood cells (WBCs), the total number of red blood cells (RBCs), hemoglobin level (Hb), and hematocrit level (Hct) were assessed. For statistical analysis of data Mann Whitney Utest (p≤0.05) was used. Results: IA treatment induced a significant decrease of WBCs, followed by significant decrease in RBCs, Hb and Hct compared with control group (p≤0.05). Also, the lesion of the NBM after oral administration of Centella asiatica extract had no effect on the above blood parameters and even all of the parameters in two groups of CeA and CeA+L compared with the control group showed a non-significant increase (p≥0.05). Conclusion: It appears that some blood parameters decrease in rat model of Alzheimer's disease. Also, this research shows the important role of the cholinergic neurons of central nervous system in the regulation of erythropoiesis, also Centella asiatica extract can stimulate hematopoiesis.
Determining diet from faeces: Selection of metabarcoding primers for the insectivore Pyrenean desman (Galemys pyrenaicus)

Molecular techniques allow non-invasive dietary studies from faeces, providing an invaluable tool to unveil ecological requirements of endangered or elusive species. They contribute to progress on important issues such as genomics, population genetics, dietary studies or reproductive analyses, essential knowledge for conservation biology. Nevertheless, these techniques require general methods to be tailored to the specific research objectives, as well as to substrate- and species-specific constraints. In this pilot study we test a range of available primers to optimise diet analysis from metabarcoding of faeces of a generalist aquatic insectivore, the endangered Pyrenean desman (Galemys pyrenaicus, É. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1811, Talpidae), as a step to improve the knowledge of the conservation biology of this species. Twenty-four faeces were collected in the field, DNA was extracted from them, and fragments of the standard barcode region (COI) were PCR amplified by using five primer sets (Brandon-Mong, Gillet, Leray, Meusnier and Zeale). PCR outputs were sequenced on the Illumina MiSeq platform, sequences were processed, clustered into OTUs (Operational Taxonomic Units) using UPARSE algorithm and BLASTed against the NCBI database. Although all primer sets successfully amplified their target fragments, they differed considerably in the amounts of sequence reads, rough OTUs, and taxonomically assigned OTUs. Primer sets consistently identified a few abundant prey taxa, probably representing the staple food of the Pyrenean desman. However, they differed in the less common prey groups. Overall, the combination of Gillet and Zeale primer sets were most cost-effective to identify the widest taxonomic range of prey as well as the desman itself, which could be further improved stepwise by adding sequentially the outputs of Leray, Brandon-Mong and Meusnier primers. These results are relevant for the conservation biology of this endangered species as they allow a better characterization of its food and habitat requirements.