Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
SEAKEEPING IN THE NAVIGATION - EXAMPLE IN TRIMARAN SHIPS

Seakeeping ability is a measure of how well-suited a floating structure is to conditions when underway. A ship, boat, vessel or any other floating structure which has good seakeeping ability is said to be very seaworthy and is able to operate effectively even in high sea states. This paper presents an investigation of the seakeeping behaviour of a fast ferry multihull, which is a typical trimaran for operations in the Mediterranean sea. Numerical results and the measurements at the trimaran agree quite well in frequency and time domain. The movements in trimaran ships are less than the movements of a conventional boat (monohull) equivalent. Assuming linearity, the trimaran’s raos (Response Amplitude Operator) depend only on the trimaran’s geometry, speed and heading. Although seakeeping theory has been extensively applied for monohulls, such studies have not been accomplished for trimarans. This paper provides important information regarding the seakeeping of trimaran ships and how to be used in numerous scenarios.
Advantageous use of metallic cobalt in the target for pulsed laser deposition of cobalt-doped ZnO films

We investigate the magnetic properties of ZnCoO thin films grown by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) from targets made containing metallic Co or CoO precursors instead of the usual Co3O4. We find that the films grown from metallic Co precursors in an oxygen rich environment contain negligible amounts of Co metal and have a large magnetization at room temperature. Structural analysis by X-ray diffraction and magneto-optical measurements indicate that the enhanced magnetism is due, in part, from Zn vacancies that partially compensate the naturally occurring n-type defects. We conclude that strongly magnetic films of Zn0.95Co0. 05O that do not contain metallic cobalt can be grown by PLD from Co-metal-precursor targets if the films are grown in an oxygen atmosphere.
Cross‐correlation of random fields: mathematical approach and applications

Random field cross‐correlation is a new promising technique for seismic exploration, as it bypasses shortcomings of usual active methods. Seismic noise can be considered as a reproducible, stationary in time, natural source. In the present paper we show why and how cross‐correlation of noise records can be used for geophysical imaging. We discuss the theoretical conditions required to observe the emergence of the Green's functions between two receivers from the cross‐correlation of noise records. We present examples of seismic imaging using reconstructed surface waves from regional to local scales. We also show an application using body waves extracted from records of a small‐scale network. We then introduce a new way to achieve surface wave seismic experiments using cross‐correlation of unsynchronized sources. At a laboratory scale, we demonstrate that body wave extraction may also be used to image buried scatterers. These works show the feasibility of passive imaging from noise cross‐correlation at different scales.
Effect of husbandry manipulations on respiratory rates in captive bearded dragons ( Pogona vitticeps )

The behaviour, body temperatures and respiratory rates of captive bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps ) were recorded during periods with handling and non-handling intervals. Respiratory rates increased at approximately equal rates with increasing body temperatures irrespective of whether the animals were handled or not. Respiratory rates increased significantly after handling but there were no significant differences in behaviour before and after handling. The implications have been discussed in respect to animal usage in captive husbandry and education programmes.
Study of Thermo Physical Properties and an Improvement in Production of Distillate Yield in Pyramid Solar still with Boosting Mirror

We report the experimental analysis of a pyramid solar still with boosting mirror system for increasing the distillate yield rate under clear climatic conditions in Coimbatore (11° N latitude), India. The radiation received by the still is boosted up by reflecting the solar radiation. A tracking system keeps track of incident radiation into the still. The area of the still is 0.25 m 2 . Water and ambient temperature are measured along with solar radiation and humidity at regular intervals of time. The inner and outer faces of the glass cover temperatures are also recorded. The average solar radiation received is 760.43 W/m 2 . The daily average efficiency of the still was found to be 15%. A 2.9 l/m 2 /d distillate yield is obtained with the help of the boosting mirror; whereas, 1.52 l/m 2 /day are collected without the boosting mirror. In this work an attempt has been made to study the effect of heat transfer within a pyramid solar still. The thermo physical properties of the still are analyzed for this study. Thermal conductivity dynamic viscosities of water are also studied for this system. The thermal conductivity is in the range of 26.77 x 10 -2 Wm -2 C -1 to 29.64 Wm -2 C -1 . Dynamic viscosity ranges from 18.6 x 10 -6 Nsm -2 to 20.2 x 10 -6 Nsm -2 .
Review of the Cambrian Stratigraphy of the Argentine Precordillera

The Cambrian rocks of the Argentine Precordillera are analyzed and updated providing a new stratigraphic interpretation. The lithostratigraphic assemblages provide evidence that the Precordilleran Cambrian Basin was a rimmed platform. The lithostratigraphy record enables to distinguish three large areas corresponding to an inner platform, an outer platform to slope environment and a mixed zone where both platforms and the rim interfinger. The biostratigraphic proposal based on trilobites include restricted shelf biozones to the East, characterized by sparse, endemic and low diversity polymeroid faunules. Moreover, to the West outer shelf biozones are characterized by widespread, high diversity, mixed endemic and cosmopolitan polymeroid and agnostoid faunas. The lithostratigraphic and biostratigraphic data prove the existence of an important hiatus near the Lower-Middle Cambrian boundary, which is correlated to the Hawke Bay regressive event recorded along the eastern margin of Laurentia. The Olenellus Zone assemblage trilobites underlies the Glossopleura or the Ehmaniella Zone. The early Middle Cambrian zones (from Plagiura-Poliella to Albertella) are lacking in the whole Precordillera.
Comprehensive Analyses of Gaussian Graphical Model under Different Biological Networks

Naturally, genes interact with each other by forming a complicated network and the relationship between groups of genes can be shown by different functions as gene networks. Recently, there has been a growing concern in uncovering these complex structures from gene expression data by modeling them mathematically. The Gaussian graphical model is one of the very popular parametric approaches for modelling the underlying types of biochemical systems. In this study, we evaluate the performance of this probabilistic model via different criteria, from the change in dimension of the systems to the change in the distribution of the data. Hereby, we generate high dimensional simulated datasets via copulas and apply them in Gaussian graphical model to compare sensitivity, specificity, F measure and various other accuracy measures. We also assess its performance under real datasets. We consider that such comprehensive analyses can be helpful for assessing the limitation of this common model and for developing alternative approaches, to overcome its disadvantages.
Code Shifted Reference Based Cooperative Using Multiple Relays In Ultra Wide Band Communication System

The technology of Ultra Wide band now a days is quite demanding due to the characteristics like its simple architecture , low power consumption and cost reliability but still it faces some deficiencies in term of its design to achieve low complexity and low cost. UWB systems experience problems while using digital signal processing technology and require high sampling frequencies. In this paper, the performance of UWB system in the cooperative communication environment is evaluated in terms of its Bit Error Rate for different number of relays and different average distances from source to destination node. The simulations are performed for both line of sight (LOS) and non-line of sight (NLOS) environment. Results from simulation shows that the performance of the system decreases by increasing average source to destination distance. The simulation results also shows that the system performs better in LOS channel environment as compared to NLOS channel environment. In the end results, it shows that the performance of the system increases by increasing the number of relay nodes to adequately large number.
AN INTELLIGENT SYSTEM FOR THE DEFECT INSPECTION OF SPECULAR PAINTED CERAMIC TILES

OF THESIS AN INTELLIGENT SYSTEM FOR THE DEFECT INSPECTION OF SPECULAR PAINTED CERAMIC TILES Product visual inspection is still performed manually or semi automatically in most industries from simple ceramic tile grading to complicated automotive body panel paint defect and surface quality inspection. Moreover, specular surfaces present additional challenges to conventional vision systems due to specular reflections, which may mask the true location of objects and lead to incorrect measurements. Some sophisticated optical inspection methods have already been developed for high precision surface defect inspection in recent years. Unfortunately, most of them are highly computational. Systems built on those methods are either inapplicable or costly to achieve real-time inspection. This thesis describes an integrated low-cost intelligent system developed to automatically capture and extract regular defects of the ceramic tiles with uniformly colored specular coatings. The proposed system is implemented on a group of smart cameras using its on-board processing ability to achieve real-time inspection. The results of this study will be used to facilitate the design of a robust, low-cost, closed-loop inspection system for a class of products with smooth specular coatings. The experimental results on real test panels demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of proposed system.
Effect of scaling and regression on reconstructed temperature amplitude for the past millennium

Examination of large‐scale millennial‐long temperature reconstructions reveals a wide range of datasets and methods used for calibration. Proxy time series are commonly calibrated against overlapping instrumental records, representing different seasons, Northern Hemisphere latitudinal bands, and including or excluding sea surface temperature data. Methodological differences include, using scaling or regression, the calibration time period, and smoothing data before calibration. We find that these various approaches alone can result in differences in the reconstructed temperature amplitude of about 0.5°C. This magnitude is equivalent to the mean annual temperature change for the Northern Hemisphere reported in the last IPCC report for the 1000–1998 period. A more precise assessment of absolute reconstructed temperature amplitudes is necessary to help quantify the relative influences of forcing mechanisms in climate models.
Estuarine Physical Processes Research: Some Recent Studies and Progress

The literature on estuarine physical studies is vast, diverse and contains many valuable case studies in addition to pure, process-based research. This essay is an attempt to summarize both some of the more recent studies that have been undertaken during the last several years, as well as some of the trends in research direction and progress that they represent. The topics covered include field and theoretical studies on hydrodynamics, turbulence, salt and fine sediment transport and morphology. The development and ease-of-application of numerical and analytical models and technical software has been essential for much of the progress, allowing the interpretation of large amounts of data and assisting with the understanding of complex processes. The development of instrumentation has similarly been essential for much of the progress with field studies. From a process viewpoint, much more attention is now being given to interpreting intratidal behaviour, including the effects of tidal straining and suspended fine sediment on water column stratification, stability and turbulence generation and dissipation. Remote sensing from satellites and aircraft, together with fast sampling towed instruments and high frequency radar now provide unique, frequently high resolution views of spatial variability, including currents, frontal and plume phenomena, and tidal and wave-generated turbidity. Observations of fine sediment characteristics (floc size, aggregation mechanisms, organic coatings and settling velocity) are providing better parameterizations for sediment transport models. These models have enhanced our understanding both of the estuarine turbidity maximum and its relationship to fronts and intratidal hydrodynamic and sedimentological variability, as well as that of simple morphological features such as intertidal mudflats. Although few, interdisciplinary studies to examine the relationships between biology and estuarine morphology show that bivalve activity and the surface diatom biofilm on an intertidal mudflat can be important in controlling the erosion of the surface mud layer.
PSYCHOLOGICAL DISPOSITIONS AS DETERMINANTS OF ORGANIZATIONAL CITIZENSHIP BEHAVIOR

PSYCHOLOGICAL DISPOSITIONS AS DETERMINANTS OF ORGANIZATIONAL CITIZENSHIP BEHAVIOUR The purpose of the present study is to examine the contribution of egotism and personality traits in the determination of organizational commitment and organizational citizenship behavior. A representative sample of 200 employees of Insurance companies in Agra was selected randomly for the research, who were administered Egotism scale (constructed by the investigator herself), NEO Five Factor Inventory by McCrae and Costa (1985), Organizational Commitment Scale by Allen and Meyer (1990) and Organizational Citizenship Behavior Scale by Podsakoff, et al. (1990). Correlational design was used. Multiple Regression Analysis was used in the present study. Multiple Regression Equations revealed that although egotism has negligible contribution (b = -.086) in the determination of organizational commitment, egotism is a significant negative contributor (b = -.474) of organization citizenship behavior. Neuroticism has significant negative contribution (b = -.128) in the determination of organizational commitment and in the determination of organizational citizenship behavior (b = -.020). Extraversion has significant negative contribution (b = -.262) in the determination of organizational commitment, but has significant positive contribution (b = .122) in the determination of organizational citizenship behavior. The regression coefficient of openness is low and negative (b = -.022). ), showing negligible role in the determination of organizational commitment but also significant positive (b = .171) contribution in the determination of organizational citizenship behavior. Agreeableness has significant positive contribution in the determination of organizational commitment (b = .196) and organizational citizenship behavior (b = .116). Conscientiousness has significant positive contribution in the determination of organizational commitment (b = .499) and organizational citizenship behavior (b = .216). So it is concluded that conscientiousness has strong contribution in the determination of organizational commitment and organizational citizenship behavior. Also egotism has strong negative contribution in the determination of organizational citizenship behavior. Finally implications, limitations and suggestions are also discussed.
Roadside aesthetic appeal, driver behaviour and safety

Earlier publications report that on average the accident rate per hour of driver exposure is virtually the same across samples of different road sections. Both physiological and cognitive measures of the level of risk perceived, taken from drivers while passing different road sections, have shown substantial positive correlations with the police-recorded accident rate per km of the road sections in which the driving was done. Taken together, these studies indicate that where the historical accident rate is high, drivers on average maintain lower speeds, and vice versa. Apparently then, drivers are sensitive to environmental features that are associated with the accident rate per km driven, and they adjust their behaviour accordingly. This paper presents an analytical discussion of pertinent literature. Attention is drawn to the psychological effects of roadside scenery as documented in the literature. In contrast with the assumption that roadside trees distract travellers from the driving task and thus add to collision risk, several studies actually support the notion that the presence of trees along the roadside has a calming and restorative effect on the state of mind of passing drivers and leads them to lower moving speeds. Moreover, there is evidence that both driver (semi-permanent) traits and (temporary) states have an effect on their choice between more or less scenic roads. In order to overcome some of the limitations of the evidence gathered so far (simulation, quasi-experimentation in the field, and small sample sizes), this paper proposes that a time-based accident rate for different road sections be determined, and this with the ultimate aim to identify the distinctive geometric and scenic road features that make drivers run more risk per hour in certain road sections, and less in others than they do on average.
Synthesis and Characterization of Nano-Hydroxyapatite/mPEG-b-PCL Composite Coating on Nitinol Alloy

In this study the bioactivity of hydroxyapatite/poly(e-caprolactone)–poly(ethylene glycol) bilayer coatings on Nitinol superelastic alloy was investigated. The surface of Nitinol alloy was activated by a thermo-chemical treatment and hydroxyapatite coating was electrodeposited on the alloy, followed by applying the polymer coating. The surface morphology of coatings was studied using FE-SEM and SEM. The data revealed that the hydroxyapatite coating is composed of one-dimensional nano sized flakes and the polymer coating is uniformly covered the sublayer. Also, High resolution TEM studies on the hydroxyapatite samples revealed that each flake contains nano-crystalline grains with a diameter of about 15 nm. The hydroxyapatite monolayer coating was rapidly covered by calcium phosphate crystals (Ca/P=1.7) after immersion in simulated body fluid confirming the bioactivity of the nanostructured flakes. However, the flakes were weak against applied external forces because of their ultra-fine thickness. Scratch test was applied on hydroxyapatite/polymer coating to evaluate delamination of the coating from substrate. It was shown that, the polymer coating has a great influence on toughening the hydroxyapatite coating. To assess the degradation effect of the polymer layer on hydroxyapatite coating, samples were immersed in phosphate-buffered saline at 37 ᵒC. SEM studies on the samples revealed that the beneath layer of hydroxyapatite appears after 72 h without any visible change in morphology. It seems that, application of a biodegradable polymer film on the nanostructured hydroxyapatite coating is a good way to support the coating during implantation processes
On stability and boundedness properties of solutions of certain second order non-autonomous nonlinear ordinary differential equation

In this paper, sufficient criteria for the existence of solutions to uniform asymptotic stability and boundedness problems associated with certain second order nonlinear non autonomous ordinary differential equation are established with the aid of Lyapunov's direct method. Furthermore, the appropriate complete Lyapunov function is given explicitly. Our results complement some well known results on the second order differential equations in the literature.
Phylogenetic relationships among five marine Catfish species (Pisces: Ariidae) from Mexico Relaciones filogenéticas entre cinco especies de bagres (Pisces: Ariidae) de México

The systematics of the marine catfish of the family Ariidae is controversial because at the present time the number of species and genera in the family, or their relationships, remain uncertain. Phylogenetic relationships among five representative species of marine catfish of the family Ariidae from both the Pacific and the Atlantic coasts of Mexico were assessed by the analysis of the variability in 21 alloenzymatic loci, and by the comparison of the electrophoretic patterns of whole muscle proteins. Interspecific genetic divergence levels obtained by both electrophoretic methods showed a clear separation among the genera Cathorops, Bagre and Ariopsis, as well as in the studied species of Cathorops and Ariopsis, with Bagre marinus showing a greater genetic similarity with the Ariopsis group. Finally, our results contribute to the definition of the presence of this species in the coasts of the Gulf of Mexico
Oncogenic Pathways and Molecular Prognostics in Neuroblastoma

Neuroblastoma is an embryonal malignancy that accounts for 15% of all cancer related deaths amongst children. Although the overall survival of patients has been improving over the last decades, the high-risk neuroblastoma patients have a survival rate of <50%. Using gene expression microarrays we identify a group of proteins (snoRNPs) whose expression correlates with poor prognosis. We futher show that the snoRNPs are involved in regulation of telomerase activity in neuroblastoma cells. Upon snoRNP knockdown there is an observed increase in anaphase bridge fromation, indicitive of elevated genetic instability. Examination of genes associated with good prognosis revealed genes involved in growth cone formation. Combination of the expressoin of growth cone associated genes with the snoRNPs resulted in a 4-gene prognostic signature. Calculating the ratio (R-score) between the expression of the good and bad prognostic genes removed the need for housekeeper normalization, and provided a means of individual patient analysis. Application of a fixed-value R-score to 3 independent cohorts using standard qPCR revealed its functionality on an individual patient basis, as well as identified a subgroup of ulta-high risk patients who could potentially benefit from new treatment modalities. Amongst high-risk neuroblastomas is a subgroup of patients harbouring MYCN-amplification. Here we show that MCYN-amplified tumours have elevated expression of the miR-17-92 cluster of miRNAs. High-throughput proteomic analysis of miR-17-92 overexpressing cells revealed enrichemnt of the TGF-β pathway. Further analyses showed miR-17-92 targeted inhibition of the TGF-β pathway at multiple levels, resulting in increased tumourigenic capacity of the neuroblastoma cells. Using primarily breast cancer cells, we identified a hypoxia driven induction of the Notch-ligand JAG2. Deminished expression of JAG2 in hypoxic tumour cells resulted in a reduced capacity of neighbouring endothelial cells to form tubes. Evaluation of these results in neuroblastoma revealed a similar pattern of Notch-ligand dependent crosstalk between tumour and endothelial cells, however in this case with via DLL1. Here we have investigated, with a focus on high-risk patients, key signalling patways that are involved in the maintenance and progression of the disease. In addition, we describe a novel prognostic signature that has clinical implications for specifically high-risk patients. (Less)