Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Perceived Organizational Support and Work Environment on Organizational Commitment; Mediating Role of Self-Monitoring

Purpose: This study investigates the effect of perceived organizational support and work environment on organizational commitment, as well as, analyzes the mediating role of self-monitoring in this relationship in the service sector of Lahore, Pakistan. Methodology: Self-administered survey was conducted for the collection of responses from employees working in service sector. Total 680 questionnaires were distributed among employees from which 355 questionnaires were completely filled that were used for further analysis. Findings: Results of this study revealed that work environment has significant and positive association with organizational commitment whereas insignificant association is found between perceived organizational support and organizational commitment. Results further exposed that self-monitoring plays mediating role in the association between perceived organizational support and work environment with organizational commitment. Value/Originality: This study divulges that work environment and perceived organizational support help enhance the organizational commitment and self-monitoring mediates this association. This attempt contributes in academic literature and helps to fill the gap in current literature. Practical implications/Limitation: Results of this study do have practical implications for service sector. It helps to convince managers in service sector that facilitative work environment enhances the organizational commitment in employees. This research further suggests that one of the personality variables, namely, self-monitoring plays mediating role in the relationship between perceived organizational support and work environment with organizational commitment. Low sample size, region and time constraint are the limitations of this study.
Robust Optimization Analysis on Green Manufacturing Process Evaluation Based on Ordinal Interval Preference Information

With regard to the problem of ranking alternatives in green manufacturing process evaluation based on ordinal preference information with uncertain weight vector of attributes, a robust optimization analysis method is proposed. Firstly, the basic concepts and characters of ordinal interval preference information are introduced. Secondly, according to the probability matrix of ordinal preferences, a robust optimization model based on uncertain scenario with mini- max regret criterion is suggested. Then, a group preference gathered from individual preference is obtained by solving the model to acquire an overall robust solution. Finally, a numerical example is given to illustrate the feasibility of the method.
Mathematical Morphology And Wavelet Transformation Based Moving Object Detection Algorithm

Moving object detection (MOD) is gaining extensive attention. On the basis of introduction of three conventional ways for MOD, in order to overcome the disadvantage of inter-frame difference method can not completely extract all the relevant points for the moving object, a new moving object detection (MOD) algorithm based on mathematical morphology (MM) and wavelet transformation (WT) is proposed. Firstly, on the basis of description of the basic theory of WT and MM, the detail part of the detected image is achieved by utilization of WT. Then, the inverse wavelet transformation is applied to reconstruct the signal. It finally gets the detection target by means of open and close calculation from MM. In order to evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithm in the paper, clear images fitting for computer digital image processing are selected to be detected. The experimental results show that the presented algorithm can detect the whole moving target, and satisfy the real-time requirement. Keywords-moving object detection; mathematical morphology; wavelet transformation; inter-frame difference method; frame detection
Unconditional skewness from asymmetry in the conditional mean and variance

In this paper we consider the third-moment structure of a class of nonlinear time series models. Empirically it is often found that financial time series exhibit unconditional skewness, and thus it is of importance to know what kind of models can accommodate for this. On the other hand, if one chooses to use a nonlinear model, one has to recognize its implications on the unconditional third-moment structure. We especially investigate the effect of having a nonlinear first or second conditional moment, and different conditions under which the unconditional distribution exhibits skewness as well as nonzero third-order autocovariance structure. The nonlinear specification of the conditional mean is found to be of greater importance than the specification of the conditional second moment. Several examples are discussed and, whenever possible, explicit analytical expressions are provided for all third-order moments and cross-moments. JEL classification: C22
A New Actuator Surface Model with Improved Wake Model for CFD Simulations of Rotorcraft

Simulations of rotorcraft operating in unsteady flow-fields, manoeuvring flight, or with complex rotor configurations pose a significant challenge to current simulation methods. Simplified rotor models lack the generality required for the diverse range of operating conditions that a rotor may be exposed to, while higher-fidelity Navier-Stokes CFD simulations with fully-resolved rotors are expensive in terms of computational resources, simulation time, and pre-processing time. Here we present a new rotor and wake model which is fully-coupled to a CFD solver and is based on the actuator surface model. This model is designed to reduce the cost of complex rotorcraft simulations in comparison with fully-resolved simulations and provide greater generality than other rotor models. Results from simulations using the new actuator surface and wake model provide validation of the concept for hover and forward flight. The spanwise loading distribution, thrust coefficient, and wake geometry are shown to be reasonable in comparison with data from experiments, fully-resolved simulations, and prescribed wake models.
An arbitrary high-order discontinuous Galerkin method for elastic waves on unstructured meshes - I. The two-dimensional isotropic case with external source terms

SUMMARY We present a new numerical approach to solve the elastic wave equation in heterogeneous media in the presence of externally given source terms with arbitrary high-order accuracy in space and time on unstructured triangular meshes. We combine a discontinuous Galerkin (DG) method with the ideas of the ADER time integration approach using Arbitrary high-order DERivatives. The time integration is performed via the so-called Cauchy-Kovalewski procedure using repeatedly the governing partial differential equation itself. In contrast to classical finite element methods we allow for discontinuities of the piecewise polynomial approximation of the solution at element interfaces. This way, we can use the well-established theory of fluxes across element interfaces based on the solution of Riemann problems as developed in the finite volume framework. In particular, we replace time derivatives in the Taylor expansion of the time integration procedure by space derivatives to obtain a numerical scheme of the same high order in space and time using only one single explicit step to evolve the solution from one time level to another. The method is specially suited for linear hyperbolic systems such as the heterogeneous elastic wave equations and allows an efficient implementation. We consider continuous sources in space and time and point sources characterized by a Delta distribution in space and some continuous source time function. Hereby, the method is able to deal with point sources at any position in the computational domain that does not necessarily need to coincide with a mesh point. Interpolation is automatically performed by evaluation of test functions at the source locations. The convergence analysis demonstrates that very high accuracy is retained even on strongly irregular meshes and by increasing the order of the ADER‐DG schemes computational time and storage space can be reduced remarkably. Applications of the proposed method to Lamb’s Problem, a problem of strong material heterogeneities and to an example of global seismic wave propagation finally confirm its accuracy, robustness and high flexibility.
Considering the use of alternative antifoulings: the advantages of foul-release systems

__________________________________________________________________________________________________ Author’s Biography M. Candries is a PhD Research Student under the supervision of Dr. M. Atlar, who is senior lecturer and director of the Emerson Cavitation Tunnel in the Department of Marine Technology of the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Dr. C. D. Anderson is the Business Manager of Antifoulings at International Coatings Ltd., Felling, Tyne and Wear. Considering the use of alternative antifoulings: the advantages of foul-release systems
Spatial distribution of mammals in relation to spruce plantations in birch forests of northern Norway

Spruce plantations in coastal birch forests of northern Norway might affect the spatial activity of mammals in the landscape. To investigate this relationship, I censused tracks of mammals in the winter according to the Finnish wildlife triangle method and analysed these at three spatial scales; tree stand level, landscape level and regional level, the two first being related to spruce. The spatial activity of mammals did not show any distinct responses to spruce plantations at the level of spruce stands or landscapes. There were, however, significant trends in spatial distribution of some species at the regional level, but these could not be attributed to structural alterations of the forest due to spruce plantations. There is still a lack of basic knowledge, requiring further research on the spatial ecology of mammals in birch forests of northern Norway.
Underactuated Control of Quadrotors with Collision Avoidance

Abstract In this paper a saturated controller is derived that solves the translational control problem for underactuated quadrotors. The controller is applied to multiple quadrotors during a formation reconfiguration where the quadrotors move from an initial position to a desired position. The null-space-based behavioral control method is a popular method for avoiding collisions between mobile agents, and is augmented in this paper with saturation functions to enable feasible collision-free trajectories for the quadrotors during the reconfiguration. Simulations have been performed to validate the theoretical results and show the performance of the solution.
Design and Analysis of Horn Antenna for Microwave Frequencies

The broadband concept of the antenna design is a complex process. Generally consists of Broadband radiating structure (transformer between the guided and radiating part of the antenna), Broadband transition between the feeder (e.g. coaxial structure) and input of the antenna (transformation of the impedance and “geometries” at the “input” of the antenna). The primary objective is to study every part in all angles for the design of the overall antenna system and from each and every part to be optimized by using the basic concepts and the simulations. This analysis is useful for any broad band antenna system design. Keywords— horn antenna, ultra-wide band.
DETERMINATION OF INTRINSIC RATE CONSTANTFOR HYDRATE FORMATION IN THE METHANE-TBAB-WATER SYSTEM

The potential applications of semi-clathrates, particularly those of tetra-n-butyl ammonium bromide (TBAB) in gas storage, gas separation, air-conditioning, etc. have initiated significant scientific interest. In the present work, we have studied the semi-clathrates formed from TBAB solution and methane gas from a kinetic point of view. The rate of gas uptake and the rate of hydrate formation were determined from experimental data at pressures up to 10.3 MPa and concentrations up to 3.7 mol%. The initial stage of hydrate formation where the growth can be assumed homogeneous was considered for calculations. The results showed that the rate of hydrate formation increases with increasing the feed pressure and TBAB concentration. Additionally, when the initial rate of hydrate formation is higher, the amount of methane gas incorporated into the semi-clathrates is lower. In other words, the maximum number of moles of gas which goes into hydrate phase is higher when the hydrates form slowly.
Transfer impedance simulation and measurement methods to analyse shieldingbehaviour of HV cables used in Electric-Vehicles andHybrid-Electric-Vehicles

Abstract. In the power drive system of the Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs), High Voltage (HV) cables play a major role in evaluating the EMI of the whole system. Transfer impedance (ZT) is the most commonly used performance parameter for the HV cable. To analyse and design HV cables and connectors with better shielding effectiveness (SE), appropriate measurement and simulation methods are required. In this paper, Ground Plate Method (GPM) with improvements has been proposed to measure ZT. Use of low-frequency ferrites to avoid ground-loop effects has also been investigated. Additionally, a combination of analytical model with a circuit model has been implemented to simulate limitations (frequency response) of the test setup. Also parametrical studies using the analytical model have been performed to analyse the shielding behaviour of HV cables.
Early Detection of Diastolic Dysfunction in Diabetic Patients (Single Center Cross Sectional Study)

Background: Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in asymptomatic patients with diabetes mellitus may represent the early stage of diabetic cardiomyopathy even in patients without structural cardiac disease or systemic hypertension and have a preserved left ventricular systolic function. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in asymptomatic patients with diabetes mellitus. Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out on 86 diabetics and compared with 65 age and sex matched controls. Detailed history, physical examination , specific investigations and transthoracic echocardiography study (including conventional pulse wave Doppler and tissue Doppler imaging) were done to assess the diastolic function. Results: Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction is more prevalent in diabetic patients comparing with control group (62.3% versus 12.8%, p<0.05) and this correlated independently with increasing age, duration of the disease and glycated hemoglobin level. Conclusion: Diastolic dysfunction can occur in diabetic patients even in young patients and those with shorter duration of disease. Tissue Doppler imaging, left atrial size and peak tricuspid regurgitation velocity are sensitive indices of LV diastolic dysfunction.
Robotized time-lapse imaging to assess in-planta uptake of phenylurea herbicides and their microbial degradation

Two key physiological parameters of plant leaves, photosynthesis and transpiration, can be continuously monitored by, respectively, chlorophyll a fluorescence imaging and thermography. These non-contact techniques immediately visualize any local stress or treatment affecting either photosynthetic efficiency or water status. Photosystem II-inhibiting herbicides, including the phenylurea derivatives diuron and linuron, cause a marked increase in chlorophyll a fluorescence several days before appearance of chlorosis. Here, bioprotection through microbial degradation of linuron in the feeding solution of common bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) was monitored by the absence of an increase in chlorophyll a fluorescence in primary leaves. The different treatments and repeats were imaged sequentially at 2 h intervals using a robotized system with thermal, fluorescence and video cameras. Chlorophyll fluorescence imaging visualized the effect of linuron transported by the transpiration stream earlier than thermography. In addition, local effects and transport after topical application of diuron were recorded presymptomatically in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) and Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. Thermal imaging clearly monitored localized stomatal closure, coinciding with the first increase in chlorophyll fluorescence, at the sites of diuron treatment. In conclusion, the robotized chlorophyll a fluorescence set-up permits fully reliable, early high-contrast visualization for bioremediation purposes.
Knowledge of Morphine Administration by Ambulance Paramedics: A Comparison of Two Clinical Levels of Paramedics

Objective: The purpose of this study is to identify any differences in adherence to morphine administration protocols between two clinical levels of paramedics within one emergency medical system in Australia. Methods: The participants were made up of 63 Advanced Care Paramedics (ACPs) who were trained in basic and intermediate life support and 45 Intensive Care Paramedics (ICPs) who were trained in advanced life support skills; all were operational and practicing paramedics qualified in morphine administration. Participants were required to complete a survey designed to assess their knowledge of morphine drug therapy protocol (DTP). The survey involved two sections: 1) demographics, and 2) questions related to two scenario-based cases. Scenario one was a cardiac case and scenario two was a pediatric case. Results: In scenario one, more intensive care paramedics administered the correct dose than the advanced care paramedics (25.4% vs. 4.4%; df = 101, P = 0.002); scenario two showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups (35.5% vs. 31.6%; df = 97, P = 0.3). Conclusion: The comparison of the two levels of paramedics and their adherence to drug protocols identified that ICPs had a higher rate than ACPs for adherence to morphine administration protocols for patients suffering cardiac related chest pain. The clinical differences may be based on the length of the opioid-administration training program, clinical exposure to morphine administration, work experience and length of qualifications as an ACP or ICP. Our findings suggest that there is a need for structured initial and ongoing continuing education programs in pain management to maintain knowledge and behavior in pain management strategies. Further research is also required into paramedic’s behavioral intention regarding morphine administration to also identify what constructs affect their intent to administer morphine.
Automated video processing and image analysis software to support visual inspection of AGR cores

Remote visual inspection of fuel channels in Advanced Gas-cooled Reactor (AGR) cores provides nuclear operators with an understanding of the condition of the UK’s fleet of nuclear power plants. During planned, periodic outages, specialist inspection tools equipped with video cameras and other sensors are manipulated inside fuel channels selected for inspection and a video of the entire channel bore is recorded for each. If cracks are observed in this process, a montage of the entire crack region needs to be: produced, analysed and sentenced (classifying the crack morphology, location, orientation and size) before the station is returned to service – provided it is safe to do so. At the present time, the video analysis and crack montage production is done manually by an expert team of inspection engineers. In line with this process, bespoke image stitching software named “ASIST” (Automated Software Image Stitching Tool) has been trialled in the last 12 months and evaluated using data from: Dungeness, Hunterston B, Hinkley Point B, Heysham 1 and Torness outages. The software is now almost ready to replace the manual process and will provide higher quality images with 100% channel visualisation properties in a fraction of the time taken by the current approach. This paper provides a summary of the ASIST evaluation undertaken in the last year. It also describes recent research endeavours aiming to provide ASIST with: crack detection techniques; keyway locating algorithms and methods to compute Structure-from-Motion which will facilitate the extraction of 3D depth information directly from the 2D video footage.
Harmonic Suppression Method Based on Immune Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm in Micro-Grid

Distributed generation has attracted great attention in recent years, thanks to the progress in new-generation technologies and advanced power electronics. And micro-grid can make full use of distributed generation, so it has been widespread concern. On the other hand due to the extensive use of power electronic devices and many of the loads within micro-grid are nonlinear in nature, Micro-grid generate a large number of harmonics, so harmonics pollution needs to be addressed. Usually we use passive filter to filter out harmonic, in this paper, we propose a new method to optimize the filter parameters, so passive filter can filter out harmonic better. This method utilizes immune particle swarm optimization algorithm to optimize filter parameters. It can be shown from the simulation results that the proposed method is effective for micro-grid voltage harmonics compensation.
Identifying migration corridors of mule deer threatened by highway development

Highways are hazardous to migratory ungulates world-wide, causing direct and indirect impacts to ungulate survival. Moreover, significant financial costs are incurred in damage from wildlife– vehicle collisions and in building and maintaining wildlife passage structures. Information is needed to link ungulate movements to collision occurrence to prioritize needed construction of wildlife crossings on highways. We simultaneously documented mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) migration corridors and mule deer–vehicle collisions (DVCs) in South-central Oregon, USA, over 6 years (2005–2011). We calculated Brownian Bridge Movement Models for 359 migrating mule deer equipped with Global Positioning System technology. We modeled DVC counts as functions of probability of use during migration, annual average daily traffic (AADT), and habitat characteristics. Probability of use during migration was the strongest predictor of where DVCs occurred (r1⁄4 0.93). Predicted DVCs also increased with AADT but peaked at approximately 8,000 and then decreased. Where AADT was above approximately 8,000, fewer deer attempted to cross the highway andDVCs decreased because, over time, deer either abandoned the migration route or were killed trying to cross this busy highway. Our results suggest that managers should focus on migration corridors or high-density DVC locations to identify where fencing and under/overpasses could be most effective for maintaining migratory corridors when confronting increasing traffic and development that bisect seasonal ranges of mule deer. 2015 The Wildlife Society.
Assessing the Impact of a School-Based Group Approach with Adolescent Males.

This study assessed the impact of a school-based group intervention, The Council for Boys and Young Men, specifically designed for adolescent males. The participants who attended an alternative school in a metropolitan area were randomly assigned to the intervention or to waitlist control groups. Measures assessed self-esteem, future and school-related self-efficacy, masculine identity ideology, identity distress, and relational aggression. Participants in The Council intervention group showed significant increases in school and future self-efficacy from preto post-test. For all boys at pre-test, higher scores on stereotypical masculine ideology were related to more relational aggression and lower self-esteem.