Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Active Flow Control in a Radial Vaned Diffuser for Surge Margin Improvement: A Multislot Suction Strategy

This work is the final step of a research project that aims at evaluating the possibility of delaying the surge of a centrifugal compressor stage using a boundary-layer suction technique. It is based on Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes numerical simulations. Boundary-layer suction is applied within the radial vaned diffuser. Previous work has shown the necessity to take into account the unsteady behavior of the flow when designing the active flow control technique. In this paper, a multislot strategy is designed according to the characteristics of the unsteady pressure field. Its implementation results in a significant increase of the stable operating range predicted by the unsteady RANS numerical model. A hub-corner separation still exists further downstream in the diffuser passage but does not compromise the stability of the compressor stage.
Evaluation of Insulating Materials for HVDC Transmission Cable using Space Charge Measurement

SUMMARY Some large HVDC (High Voltage Direct Current) electric power transmission networks are under contemplation in Europe area. To establish the HVDC network, a long distance DC cable must be developed. From an economic point of view, maintenance-free XLPE (cross-linked polyethylene) cable is preferable rather than traditional OF (oil-filled) cable for the future HVDC network. However, it is usually said that the space charge accumulates in the insulating layer of the XLPE cable under dc high stress, and it is believed that a distorted electric field induced by the space charge accumulation leads an electrical breakdown. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the space charge characteristics in the developed material for the HVDC cable under dc high stress. We have investigated the relationship between the space charge accumulation and the breakdown in a LDPE (low-density polyethylene), a base material of XLPE, under dc high stress using so-called PEA (pulsed electro-acoustic) method. We have found through the study that a huge amount of, so-called, a “packet-like charge” has been injected into the bulk of LDPE, and the distorted electric field by the packet-like charge accumulation has led the breakdown as it has been prospected. However in XLPE, the breakdown occurs with different process from that in LDPE. Many researchers have pointed out that the existence of residues of cross-linking by-products in XLPE may be the reason why the space charge accumulation characteristics in XLPE are different from those in LDPE. To understand the breakdown process in XLPE, we have investigated the time dependent space charge density, electric field and conduction current density distributions under dc high stress. Furthermore, we also estimate the dissipation power density distribution. Judging from the results on XLPE under dc high stress, it was suggested that the heat generation was dominant factor for the breakdown in XLPE under high dc stress. As noted above, the measurements of the space charge distribution and the external current in materials under dc high stress are important to show their performance as the insulating layer of power transmission cable for HVDC network. In this report, I would like to introduce some typical results of the space charge accumulation in various insulating materials and show the importance of such measurements on the estimation of insulating materials for HVDC cable.
Design and Implementation of a Current-balancing Circuit for LED Security Lights

This paper presents a current-balancing circuit for security lights that uses parallel-connected LEDs. The parallel connection of LEDs causes current differences between the LED strings because of characteristic deviations. These differences can reduce the lifespan of a particular point of LEDs by thermal spotting. They can also cause non-uniform luminance of the lighting device. Among the different methods for solving these problems, the method using current-balancing transformers makes it easy to compensate for current differences and it has a simple circuitry. However, while the balancing transformer has been applied to AC light sources, LEDs operate on a DC source, so the driving circuitry and the design method have to be changed and their performances must be verified. Thus in this paper, a design method of the balancing transformer network and the driving circuitry for LEDs is proposed. The proposed design method could have a smaller size than the conventional design method. The proposed circuitry is applied to three types of 100-watt LED security lights, which use different LEDs. Experimental results are presented to verify the performance of the designed driving circuits.
A CLASSIFICATION OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES (ICTS) USED FOR LEARNING IN HIGHER EDUCATION

This paper identified ICTs used in HEIs in Ghana for learning. A quantitative research technique was employed in this study. The study’s sample were students of selected HEIs in the Greater Accra and Ashanti Regions of Ghana. The study involved a sample size of 3,199 students. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Principal Component Analysis was used to present findings. The study identified 21 ICTs that are used for learning in HEIs in Ghana. Among them, desktop PC, laptop PC, e-encyclopaedia, e-libraries, e-books and ejournals are the most frequently used ICTs. The ICTs retrieved are placed in three components. The first component accounts for the highest variation of 51.4% of the total variation of 100% and contains the most frequently used ICTs in the HEIs. The second component contributes 22.6% of the total variation and contains the second most frequently used ICTs for learning in HEIs. The third component accounts for 16.1% of the variation. It is recommended that HEIs focus on deploying ICTs contained in the three components.
arTenTen: a new, vast corpus for Arabic

We present arTenTen, a web crawled corpus of Arabic, gathered in 2012, and a member of the TenTen Corpus Family (Jakubicek et al 2013). arTenTen comprises 5.8 billion words. It has been carefully cleaned, including duplicate removal, using the JusText and Onion tools (Pomikalek 2011). We are currently (May 2013) in the process of tokenising, lemmatising and part-of-speech tagging arTenTen with the leading MADA tool version 3.2 (Habash and Rambow 2005; Habash et al. 2009). Once arTenTen is fully encoded, we will compare it with Arabic Gigaword and an earlier web-crawled corpus (Sharoff 2006). We also plan to explore arTenTen’s composition in relation to Modern Standard Arabic and the dialects, using, amongst other things, Buckwalter and Parkinson’s Frequency Dictionary (2011) and the keywords method presented in (Kilgarriff 2012).
Complex-network description of thermal quantum states in the Ising spin chain

We use network analysis to describe and characterize an archetypal quantum system - an Ising spin chain in a transverse magnetic field. We analyze weighted networks for this quantum system, with link weights given by various measures of spin-spin correlations such as the von Neumann and Renyi mutual information, concurrence, and negativity. We analytically calculate the spin-spin correlations in the system at an arbitrary temperature by mapping the Ising spin chain to a fermionic system, as well as numerically calculate the correlations in the ground state using matrix product state methods, and then analyze the resulting networks using a variety of network measures. We demonstrate that the network measures show some traits of complex networks already in this spin chain, arguably the simplest quantum many-body system. The network measures give insight into the phase diagram not easily captured by more typical quantities, such as the order parameter or correlation length. For example, the network structure varies with transverse field and temperature, and the structure in the quantum critical fan region is different from the ordered and disordered phases.
What do we know about Private Family Firms? A Meta–Analytical Review

The universe of family firms is heterogeneous, and findings gleaned from publicly listed firms may not apply to the ubiquitous, but less frequently studied, privately held family firm (PFF). As PFFs are insulated from capital market pressures, owner–managers have greater latitude in setting strategic goals, which may result in different strategic choices and performance outcomes. By employing meta–analytical techniques on 48 studies conducted in nine countries, we synthesize prior PFF research. We show that PFFs prefer more conservative strategies, but contrary to received wisdom, this risk aversion does not hurt their performance. We conclude with an agenda for future research.
Characterization of antibiotic resistance in environmental enteric pathogens from Kibera slum in Nairobi-Kenya

Kibera slum is characterized by poor sanitation hence the frequent outbreaks of diarrheal diseases. Emergence of antibiotic resistance by diarrhoea-causing bacteria is an inevitable challenge in the area. Diarrhea-causing bacteria were isolated from water, soil, vegetables, meat and dry foods samples and their antibiotic susceptibility was characterized. 237 samples were aseptically collected and analyzed. Morphological and biochemical characterization was done using Bergey’s manual of determinative bacteriology as a reference. 174 Escherichia coli, 8 Salmonella and 6Shigella isolates were identified. Drug susceptibility of the isolates was done using disk diffusion method where 9 antibiotics from 5 classes of antibiotics were used. The frequencies of resistant isolates to antibiotics were as follows: ampicillin (56.79%), trimethoprim+ sulphamethoxazole (29.63%), augmentin (27.16%), tetracycline (18.52%), streptomycin (13.57%), chloramphenicol (7.41%), nalidixic acid (4.94%), gentamycin (2.47%) and ciprofloxacin (0%). Polymerase chain reaction was done to amplify the antibiotic determinants tet-A, sul 1 and dfrb1. Gel electrophoresis revealed presence of tet-A gene and sul 1 genes but absence ofdfrb1 in 15 isolates that were resistant to tetracycline and SXT. Plasmid extraction and profiling was done and plasmid sizes compared to plasmids of E. coli V517 and 39R861. Large and small plasmids were present in the isolates with tet-A and sul 1genes. Plasmid of 63 bp was present in all isolates. Conjugation experiments confirmed 100% transfer of 63 bp plasmid and 90% complete phenotype in all cases. This study showed presence of contamination of the area by antibiotic resistant diarrhea-causing pathogens, hence proper hygiene procedures and adherence to correct drug prescriptions need to be reinforced. Key words: Characterization, antibiotic resistance, susceptibility, polymerase chain reaction, transconjugants, phenotype, plasmids.
Plasma properties and Stokes profiles during the lifetime of a photospheric magnetic bright point

Aims: In this paper we aim to investigate the evolution of plasma properties and Stokes parameters in photospheric magnetic bright points using 3D magneto-hydrodynamical simulations and radiative diagnostics of solar granulation. Methods: Simulated time-dependent radiation parameters and plasma properties were investigated throughout the evolution of a bright point. Synthetic Stokes profiles for the FeI 630.25 nm line were calculated, which also allowed the evolution of the Stokes-I line strength and Stokes-V area and amplitude asymmetries to be investigated. Results: Our results are consistent with theoretical predictions and published observations describing convective collapse, and confirm this as the bright point formation process. Through degradation of the simulated data to match the spatial resolution of SOT, we show that high spatial resolution is crucial for the detection of changing spectro-polarimetric signatures throughout a magnetic bright point’s lifetime. We also show that the signature downflow associated with the convective collapse process tends towards zero as the radiation intensity in the bright point peaks, because of the magnetic forces present restricting the flow of material in the flux tube.
Architectural Solution as a tool for planning and approval of changes in projects for information systems implementation and customization

The agile project management approach has been considered to be one of the most popular approaches for developing IT solutions. Use of this approach allows us to change the requirements at any stage of the IT project, and one of the twelve principles of Agile Manifesto, – “Simplicity”, – promotes the use of a minimum amount of project documentation. One of the disadvantages limiting the implementation in such resource-intensive projects as Information Systems Projects (ISP) is the risk of exceeding budgets and time limits. Therefore it is highly important to develop such a tool that will contribute in discussion and approval process with the customer before changes are started so as to minimize the possibilities of changes at further stages of the project. This article investigates the possibility of applying holistic methods of the Enterprise Architecture (EA) in order to support solutions design during an Information System Project, in particular, in the form of documentation at the stage before implementation planning. The main aim of our research is to develop a tool that will help the customer to understand the planned changes and will contribute in that their infl uence on the already existing EA is taken into account. This article fi rst reviews standards of IT project management in the context of recommendations for “conceptual project” outcomes. Next, the results of interviews conducted with IT consultants are presented. The proposed Architectural Solution (AS) is a document that completes the stage of design and coordinating IT changes. It is based on the application of methods and models from the fi eld of EA. We believe this solution may be a suffi cient document for coordinating projects that are conducted under agile philosophy.
ABUSIVE SUPERVISION - A FORM OF WORKPLACE HARASSMENT: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY IN THE ECUADORIAN HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY

In light of the conspicuous absence of workplace harassment ("acoso labo- ral") in the Ecuadorian Constitution and the country's Labor and Penal Codes, this article re- ports on an exploratory study about abusive supervision, a form of workplace harassment, in the country's hospitality industry. Based on a review of the literature on various forms of workplace harassment, the study investigated employee opinions about their supervisors' be- haviors and found that abusive supervision is a prominent issue in the Ecuadorian hospitality industry and that it is signi�耀cantly related to employees' intentions to leave the organization. The study advocates future research into other components of workplace harassment in these and other industries in the country and into the development of measures that reduce abusive supervision and workplace harassment. Keywords: Workplace harassment, abusive supervi- sion, employee turnover intentions, hospitality, Ecuador.
Postnatal Expression of Growth/Differentiation Factor-8 (GDF-8) Gene in European and Asian Pigs

Myostatin (growth differentiation factor (GDF)-8), is one member of the transforming growth factor β superfamily. Investigations of GDF-8 null mice and double-muscled cattle revealed that GDF-8 has a profound influence upon skeletal muscle growth. Therefore, the GDF-8 effect upon the productive performance of pigs is worth exploring. In the present study, the nucleotide sequences and expression levels of GDF-8 genes in European pigs (Landrace and Duroc) and Asian pigs (Taoyuan and Small-ear) were evaluated. Based upon their genetic background these breeds possess significantly distinct growth rate and muscle production-phenotypes. Our sequence data showed that the nucleotide sequences of European and Asian pigs were 100% similar. Postnatal expression of GDF-8 gene in skeletal muscles, from birth to 12 mo of age, among different breeds was measured. GDF-8 expression levels in the longissimus muscle of neonatal European breed littermates were the highest, however it declined significantly (p<0.05) at 1 and 3 mo, and then increased gradually at 6 to 12 mo. The Asian breeds, however, GDF-8 expression level increased markedly at 3 mo and maintained a constant level thereafter. The results indicate that rather than polymorphism within the GDF-8 functional sequence between European and Asia breeds, it was relative to the gene regulation in postnatal muscle growth.
Intergenerational Education Mobility in Africa: Has Progress Been Inclusive?

This paper employs nationally representative household survey data on parents of adult individuals to analyze the intergenerational transmission of education in nine Sub-Saharan African countries. The paper provides the levels, trends, and patterns of intergenerational persistence of educational attainment over 50 years, with a special focus on gender differences. The study finds a declining cohort trend in the intergenerational educational persistence in all the countries, particularly after the 1960s. The increase in educational mobility coincides with drastic changes in educational systems and a huge investment in human capital accumulation in the region following independence. Nevertheless, the education of parents' remains a strong determinant of educational outcomes among the children in all the countries. Ghana, Guinea, Nigeria, and Uganda experienced the highest intergenerational mobility, and the Comoros and Madagascar the lowest. In all the sample countries, more mobility is observed in the lower tail of the distribution of education. Intergenerational educational persistence is strong from mothers to children, and the effect is more pronounced among daughters than sons. The results highlight the need for targeted redistributive policies that improve intergenerational mobility in the region.
The Acute Toxicity of Ammonia on Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) Larvae and Fingerlings

The aim of the present study was to determine median lethal concentrations (LC 50) of unionised ammonia (NH3) for the larvae and fingerlings of Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L. 1758). The mean 48 h LC50 values were determined as 1.009 - 0.02 mg/l for larvae and 7.40 - 0.01 mg/l for the fingerlings. Larvae exposed to different concentrations of ammonia moved very rapidly, lost equilibrium in water and showed sideways swimming. In the case of the fingerlings, an increase in their movements, ventilation, convulsions, spiral swimming, efforts to swallow air from the surface of water, increase in the mucous secretion in the gills and on the body surface, haemorrhage in the gills, and darkening in the eye and on the skin were observed. The histological study showed hyperplasia and fusion of the lamella on the gills.
Signal Processing Methods for Heart Rate Detection Using the Seismocardiogram

Cardiac diseases are one of the major causes of death. Heart monitoring and diagnostic techniques have been developed over decades to address this concern. Monitoring a vital sign such as heart rate is a powerful technique for detecting heart abnormalities (e.g., arrhythmia). This work presents novel heart rate detection methods, which are both robust and adaptive compared to existing heart rate detection methods. Two different experimental data sets, with varying operating conditions, were used in validating the proposed methods. In this work, utilized methods for heart rate detection include Signal Energy Thresholding (SET), Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD) and Empirical Wavelet Transform (EWT). To the best of the author’s knowledge, this work is the first to use EMD and EWT for heart rate detection from Seismocardiogram (SCG) signal. Obtained result from applying SET to ECG signal is selected as our ground truth. Then, all three methods are used for heart rate detection from the SCG signal. The average error of SET method, EWT and EMD respectively 13.9 ms, 13.8 ms and 16 ms. Based on the obtained results, EMD and EWT are promising techniques for heart rate detection and interpretation from the SCG signal. Another contribution of this work is arrhythmia detection using EWT. EWT provides us with the instantaneous frequency changes of the corresponding modes to ECG signal. Based on the estimated power spectral density of each mode, power spectral density of arrhythmia affected ECG is higher (more than 50dB) compared to the power spectral density of a normal ECG which is less than 20dB. This provides the potential for arrhythmia detection using EWT.
Reconstruction Assessment of the Paleo-inundation Condition in the Nile River Basin Part I: Basic Process

Synopsis Paleo-inundation condition assessment is the study of the historical inundation under the past flood events which occurred prior to direct measurement of hydrologic parameters using modern methods. The ultimate objectives of this study are to estimate paleo-inundation under the extreme floods using historical literature and incomplete data records. This paper focuses on showing an application example for estimating the historical inundation conditions under the paleo-floods using modern technologies at the river basin scale.
Dynamics modeling of a semi-submersible autonomous underwater vehicle with a towfish towed by a cable

ABSTRACT In this paper, we employ a dynamics modeling method for investigating a multi-body dynamics system of semi-submersible autonomous underwater vehicles consisting of a towing vehicle operated near the water surface, a tow cable, and a towfish. The towfish, which is towed by a marine cable for the purposes of exploration or mine hunting, is modeled with a Six-Degree-of-Freedom (6-DOF) equation of motion that reflects its hydrodynamics characteristics. The towing cable, which can experience large displacements and deformations, is modeled using an absolute nodal coordinate formulation. To reflect the hydrodynamic characteristics of the cable during motion, the hydrodynamic force due to added mass and the drag force are imposed. To verify the completeness of the modeling, a few simple numerical simulations were conducted, and the results confirm the physical plausibility of the model.
An experience of software process improvement applied to education: the personal work planning technique

This case describes the use of the Personal Work Planning (PWP) technique as a time management tool for student practicals on the Software Engineering II course at Carlos III University. It analyzes the results obtained and presents the methodology used to implement activities associated with the Personal Work Planning technique in an academic institution. In addition, an empirical study was carried out to determine the level of student satisfaction after using this technique. This case study concludes that many students realized the usefulness of PWP for their assignments. This technique is of invaluable help to lecturers who wish to improve the course curriculum and the practicals.