Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
High gain avalanche photodiode arrays for DIRC applications

The detection of light emitted in Cherenkov radiators requires fast detector arrays with high sensitivity to short wavelength photons. Photomultiplier tubes, the traditional imaging detectors for short wavelength optical radiation, have limited spatial resolution and require expensive anti-magnetic shielding. We report on the performance of a new, Geiger mode operated, Si micro-avalanche photodiode (/spl mu/APD) array, designed for Cherenkov light imaging applications. We address issues of optical interfacing, speed, and pulse spectra achievable with these /spl mu/APDs. The new /spl mu/APD array provides a high sensitivity detector for applications requiring two dimensional light mapping with single photon sensitivity. These features make it a promising candidate for the detection of Cherenkov light in modern high energy physics experiments.
Literature Review on Shared Leadership in Teams

Shared leadership has gained considerable popularity over the past few years, but it remains inconsistently defined and measured. This has been mainly caused by relatively little empirical research. Future research is needed to compare the effects of shared leadership in various types of teams such as knowledge-based work team, self-managed work team, and task force team. It is concluded that organizations can utilize shared leadership to establish strategies to enhance team performance, quality of products, and positive change which will eventually lead to improved organizational performance
Sunflower based rations for small-medium milk producing dairy cows.

Two dairy concentrates (ram press sunflower and sunflower heads) were formulated locally and their effects on the performance of crossbred dairy cows were compared with that of a commercial dairy concentrate. There were no significant differences in body condition and milk production responses by crossbred dairy cows to sunflower based diets compared to commercial dairy concentrates (p > 0.05). It was suggested that the sunflower based rations can be used as cheaper alternatives to conventional dairy concentrates. The ram press sunflower cake, in particular is an option that may be used by smallholder dairy farmers to formulate local dairy concentrate, which influence dairying to a similar extent as the commercial dairy concentrate but cheaply. More research is required to determine fermentation patterns, rumen microbial protein synthesis, true intestinal digestibility and absorption of nutrients from sunflower-based diets at the small intestines in crossbred dairy cows.
Analysis of G+42 R.C.C Structure Using Viscoelastic Damper

This paper describes the seismic and wind analysis of an R.C. C high rise structure with added viscoelastic dampers. It shows the results of the seismic and wind response of an R.C. C (G+42) storey structure with and without the use of viscoelastic dampers. When passive energy dissipating devices such as viscoelastic damper is provided to the structure, the seismic forces such as absolute displacement, absolute acceleration, storey drifts are considerably reduced. It also shows the comparison of viscoelastic damper with different stiffness and damping coefficient values. Analysis is carried out using ETABS. IndexTerms – Viscoelastic damper, damping, high rise structure, energy dissipating device, storey displacement. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Exploring Australian Housing Supply Volatility

Abstract This study examines the volatility series of housing supply in Australia. A Generalised Autoregressive Conditional Heteroskedasticity-in-Mean (GARCH-M) model is employed to analyse the volatility series of Australian housing supply over the study period of 1974–2010. The results show the volatility of housing starts is negatively linked to housing starts, suggesting that higher uncertainty does lower housing starts. The results also reveal that the uncertainty of housing starts is also captured by the volatilities of interest rates and construction costs. Therefore policy makers should monitor and attempt to minimise the volatility of housing supply. These steps will enhance housing construction activities and increase the availability of housing supply to potential home buyers.
Quality of higher education and earnings: Regression discontinuity evidence from the French Baccalaureate

An emerging body of literature examines the economic returns to quality of postsecondary education. This literature has predominantly focused on the returns to the most selective universities. However, less is known about the extent to which these gains are realized for the academically marginal student who does not necessarily attend the most selective of institutions. In this paper, we address this question by exploiting the presence of the Baccalaur\'{e}at G\'{e}n\'{e}ral (or the General Baccalaureate), a degree that students in France must earn to graduate from secondary school and enroll in postsecondary institutions. The degree is awarded upon passing a series of national exams. Students can retake the exam in the same year but the standards for passing are higher in the first round. Our data links individual-level information on secondary and postsecondary education to labor market outcomes, allowing us to track the complete educational and professional paths of all students in our sample. We use a regression discontinuity design that compares the outcomes of students who marginally pass and fail the first round of the French Baccalaureate exam. Marginally passing increases the likelihood of attending a higher quality university and a STEM major. Threshold crossing also raises earnings by 13.6 percent at the age of 27 to 29. After ruling out other channels that could affect earnings, we conclude that increased access to higher quality postsecondary education leads to a significant earnings premium for academically marginal students.
Adiabatic Geometric Phases and Response Functions

Treating a many-body Fermi system in terms of a single particle in a deforming mean field, we relate adiabatic geometric phase to susceptibility for the noncyclic case, and to its derivative for the cyclic case. Employing the semiclassical expression of the susceptibility, the expression for geometric phase for chaotic quantum system immediately follows. Exploiting the well-known association of the absorptive part of susceptibility with dissipation, our relations may provide a quantum mechanical origin of the damping of collective excitations in Fermi systems.
Experimental Investigation of Osmosis as a Mechanism for Low-Salinity EOR

The objective of this paper is to describe experiments conducted to investigate osmosis as a mechanism for low-salinity enhanced oil recovery (EOR). For this purpose, an experiment was designed to facilitate enhanced oil recovery by osmosis-induced connate water expansion, while at the same time reducing the contributions of other proposed low-salinity mechanisms. Considerations were also made to achieve osmotic water transport rates comparable to what is expected at reservoir temperature. The correlation between enhanced oil recovery and the surface-to-volume ratio was of particular interest. Because the osmotic pressure gradients occur over distances comparable to the pore size, it is plausible that fluid redistribution due to osmosis would lead to a fairly local redistribution of oil, and thereby have a small impact on overall enhanced recovery in the field. However, near exposed surfaces, this local redistribution may result in oil production. Previous investigations of osmosis as an underlying low-salinity mechanism have consisted of visualization experiments, where water transport and oil movement under influence of osmotic gradients have been observed. Our experiments are intended to increase the understanding of the relative importance of osmosis in both small-scale low-salinity experiment results, and for field-scale low-salinity flooding. In the experiments, oil-wet sandstone samples with different surface-to-volume ratios were saturated with high-salinity water and oil to irreducible water saturation. The samples were first left to spontaneous imbibe in high-salinity water and afterward in low-salinity water. Additional oil production from spontaneous imbibition of low-salinity was recorded and compared with the surface-to-volume ratio. The experiment was performed twice, at both ambient and elevated temperatures. The experiments at ambient temperature resulted in increased oil production values of 8-22% of pore volume by low-salinity spontaneous imbibition. No clear correlation was found between increased oil recovery and the surface-to-volume ratio. A correlation was, however, seen between increased oil production and the pore volume. Thus, increased oil production by low-salinity imbibition seems to be proportionate to the pore volume. The experiments at elevated temperature resulted in low values of increased oil production by low-salinity spontaneous imbibition, and the values do not seem to correlate with either surface area or pore volume. The low response is believed to be caused by thermal effects from repeated heating and cooling of the samples during the preparations. Our results cannot dismiss osmosis as an important mechanism for low-salinity EOR. Possible explanations for the correlation between increased oil production and pore volume are hysteresis and simultaneous connate water expansion throughout the core.
DISCLOSURE ON CORPORATE WEBSITES: CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN MALAYSIA & SINGAPORE GOVERNMENT- LINKED COMPANIES

This paper examines the current state of sustainability disclosure by focusing on information disclosed in the corporate websites of Malaysia and Singapore government-linked companies (GLCs) rather than through corporate annual reports. Content analysis is used to examine CSR disclosure in the websites of Malaysia and Singapore GLCs. Paired sample t-test was performed to identify the differences in the extent of CSR disclosure among websites of Malaysia and Singapore GLCs. Items disclosed under human resource theme are the most popular and high ranked disclosed among website of Malaysia GLCs while issues on the environment are more popular disclosed among website of Singapore GLCs. The paired sample t-test showed that there was no significant difference in CSR items disclosed on websites of Malaysia and Singapore GLCs. The findings imply that both GLCs in these countries relied on the precision of the website function as a good medium to communicate with their stakeholders as well as they conceived that the greater disclosure on firm’s contribution to social welfare, the better reputation they will receive.
A Model for Induction Motors with Non-Uniform Air-Gap

Equations to calculate inductances of induction motors, considering non-uniform air-gap, are proposed. The analyzed air-gap variations are static and dynamic eccentricity and stator slots. The equations for inductance calculation, obtained from the modified winding functions and the energy stored in the air-gap, allow considering the effect of rotor bar skewing. Experimental results that validate the proposed method are presented. Keywords— Air-Gap eccentricity, Induction Motors, Modeling, Winding Function Approach.
Analysis of Risk Factors in Severity of Rural Truck Crashes MPC 16-308

Trucks are a vital part of the logistics system in North Dakota. Recent energy developments have generated exponential growth in the demand for truck services. With increased density of trucks in the traffic mix, it is reasonable to expect some increase in the number of crashes. Analysis shows however, that the crash-injury risk associated with trucks cannot be explained solely with the traffic growth. Recent crash data has been analyzed to better understand characteristics and contributing factors in truckinvolved crash events. Comparisons of truck-involved crashes to those not involving trucks show aspects of the crashes differ. In addition, multivariate models of three driver groups were defined, including truck drivers in multiple-vehicle crashes, other vehicle drivers in multiple-vehicle crashes, and truck drivers in single-vehicle crashes. Results reveal several predictors significantly associated with an increased likelihood for severe driver injury outcomes. Seat belt use was a significant predictor for severe injury likelihood in all models. Failure to stop or yield, rollover event, multiple truck involvement, curves and intersections were associated with increased likelihood for severe injury to truck drivers. Severe injury to other drivers in truck-involved crashes was associated with alcohol or drug involvement, head-on and sideswipe collisions, rollover event, weather and distracted driving. Findings largely were consistent with previous findings indicating some differences among driver group injury predictors. Understanding factors associated with increased likelihood for severe injury by driver group can encourage targeted interventions and countermeasures, which will then improve safety by reducing incidence of severe injury crashes involving trucks. Insight into truck crashes may allow drivers and businesses to identify areas for safety performance improvement.
RNA Silencing Suppressor Encoded by Betasatellite DNA Associated With Croton Yellow Vein Mosaic Virus

Summary A novel single stranded DNA of approximately 1350 nucleotides in length has been identified associated with infected yellow vein mosaic croton termed as DNA- β, requires the begmovirus for replication, encapsidation, insect transmission and movement in plants. It exhibit the properties of a satellite molecule having approximately 80 nucleotides conserved region which has been suggested to be important in trans-replication of DNA- β by the begmoviruses rep, possibly containing cryptic rep binding sites. In the present study βC1genes encoded by DNA betasatellite were targeted in transient assay for stable transformation to develop resistance against geminivirus.
Polyphenolic constituents and antioxidant/antiradical activity in different extracts of Alstonia scholaris (Linn.)

Alstonia scholaris (Linn.) leaves extracted in aqueous, dichloromethane (DCM), methanolic and ethanolic solvents were assessed for different polyphenolic constituents endowed with antioxidant/antiradical activity. Total phenolic, flavonoids and tannin contents were significantly (P<0.05) higher in ethanolic extract as compared to other extracts. The antiradical activity and efficiency was significantly (P<0.05) higher in ethanolic extract followed by methanolic, DCM and aqueous extracts. The ethanolic extract as compared to other extracts also exhibited high total antioxidant capacity, superoxide and nitric oxide anion scavenging activity. However, aqueous extract has shown high hydroxyl radicals scavenging activity as compared to other extracts. Total phenolic content of the ethanolic extract of A. scholaris was positively correlated with total antioxidant capacity (r = 0.901), antiradical activity (r = 0.948) and antiradical efficiency (r = 0.891). Therefore, ethanolic extract showed maximum, contents endowed with high total antioxidant capacity, superoxide and nitric oxide radicals scavenging activity as compared to other solvents. Thus, the dietary supplementation of ethanolic extract may provide protection in preventing the free radicals induced damage besides improve the food quality by retarding oxidative degeneration of food lipids. Keywords: Total phenolics, antioxidant potential, free radicals, Alstonia scholaris
An Integrated Single Input Multi-Output DCDCConverter with Simultaneous Buck andBoost Outputs

Multi-port DC-DC converter topologies can be used to generate multiple DC outputs from a single DC input source. The voltage gains can be step-up and/or step-down type. This paper proposes a multi-port DC-DC converter topology which generates multiple outputs, which can step-up as well as step-down, from a single DC input. Operating modes and steady state behaviour of the proposed converter has been studied in this paper. Using MATLAB/SIMULINK (R2010a) the proposed converter topology is simulated to generate four outputs (two step-up and two step-down) from a single DC input. The control scheme used here is PIC controller (PIC16F877A) to control multiple outputs. The behaviour of the proposed converter has been verified using a laboratory prototype, which produces a step-up voltage of 30 V and a step-down voltage of 6 V from a single 15 V DC input.
Comparison of accuracy of selected models of time series at development of the Czech national bank assets

A lot of ways how to estimate the values of the time series for the future period are known. The basic approach starts from principle of linear regression methods. The BoxJenkins methodology is very often used in financier when the time series are analysed. The paper deals with application of the bootstap principle in this methodology. The classical and resampling methods are compared at extrapolation of the values of the time series of assets of the Czech national bank.
ACCRUAL QUALITY: THE PRESENCE OF WOMEN DIRECTORS ON AUDIT COMMITTEE BOARDS

This article examines whether the participation of women on audit committee boards enhances audit committee effectiveness to control earnings management practices. While numerous studies have investigated the effects of women audit committee on earnings management, empirical evidence is rather inconsistent. Therefore, it is imperative to investigate the impact of female representation on audit committee effectiveness. In order to address the objective of the study, we use cross-sectional version of the performance-adjusted current discretionary accruals model to detect earnings management (Kothari, Leone and Wasley, 2005). Using a sample of 356 companies for the year ended 2007; we found a significant negative relationship between the presence of women directors on audit committee boards and earning managements. The results suggest that the presence of women directors on audit committee boards reduces earning management practices.
Composite wainscot block construction in medieval sculptures: A question of quality?

In this contribution, a late-medieval technique for constructing polychrome wooden sculptures is discussed. This rare ‘composite block’ method employed blocks made from wainscot boards glued together. The technique is compared to the more common method of carving a solid block cut from a tree trunk, followed by hollowing out of the block to reduce the risk of cracking and splitting. The composite block technique is not widely known and has not yet been comprehensively studied. It merits further attention because it reveals the medieval carver’s advanced technical skills, in-depth material knowledge and concern for quality. Development of the construction technique during the 15th century in Northern Europe is explored by means of a case study of one such sculpture from the Museum of Cultural History, Norway. Northern German, northern Netherlandish and Florentine composite block techniques are examined, pointing to parallels within art production both north and south of the Alps. Composite wainscot block construction in medieval sculptures: A question of quality?
Overt Existential Closure in Bura (Central Chadic)

The article presents a semantic-based account of the syntactic distribution of the morpheme adi in Bura. This morpheme is traditionally glossed as an existential predicate there is (Hoffmann 1955) and occurs only in a limited set of – at first sight – heterogeneous syntactic environments, namely (i.) in (most) negative clauses; (ii.) in thetic constructions used for introducing new discourse referents (there is x .); and (iii.) in existential clefts (there is some x that .). The article will identify the semantic contribution of adi and give a unified account of its distribution. It is argued that adi is an overt marker of existential closure that can bind individual or event variables with existential force. The insertion of adi is argued to be a last resort operation. It applies if and only if alternative means of existentially closing a variable fail. The analysis of adi as an overt indicator of existential closure has repercussions for semantic theory as whole. For once, given that adi is overt, it gives us a better insight into the workings and the grammatical locus of existential closure, which can be accessed only indirectly in European languages (Diesing 1992). Second, given that adi must existentially close off event variables in negative clauses, it can be used as a diagnostic for the ability of verbal predicates to introduce an event argument into the semantic representation (Kratzer 1995). The structure of the article is as follows: Section 2 provides some background information on Bura. Section 3 lays out the main facts surrounding the distribution of adi. Section 4 presents the basic analysis. Section 5 extends the analysis to occurrences of adi in existential cleft-like structures. Section 6 discusses some general theoretical consequences and Section 7 concludes.
Genetic-fuzzy model of diesel engine working cycle

This paper concerns measurement and modeling of cylinder pressure in diesel engines. The aim of this paper is to build the empirical-analytical model of engine working cycle. The experiments on engine test bench were conducted. The new genetic-fuzzy system GFSm was proposed. By means of GFSm, the engine working cycle model was built. This model allows simulation of cylinder pressure for each allowable crankshaft speed, and loads and also for several biofuels. The model can be used to evaluate the quality of working cycles of piston engine with an accuracy required in practical technical applications.
Assessment of the potential effect of some streams properties on the isolated Aeromonas hydrophila strains susceptibility against some β-Lactams and Sulfamids

The isolation and characterization of A. hydrophila strains were carried out a given stream located in the equatorial zone in Cameroon (Central Africa), during the mild rainy season and the mild dry season. The water physicochemical parameters measured were temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, color, turbidity and suspended solids. It has been noted that bacterial abundances as well as the values of physicochemical parameters undergoes temporal variations. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests showed that the means diameters of inhibition with Oxacillin, Ceftriazone, Penicellin, Sulfamethoxazol-trimethoprim, Chloramphenicol, Imipenem, Amoxicillin-Clavulanic acid and Cefazolin were 6.44, 21, 6.63, 9.58, 15.37, 22.18, 14.29 and 10.26 mm respectively. 100% of strains tested were resistant to Penicillin, 89.47 % resistant to Oxacillin, 68.42% resistant to Sulphamethoxazole-trimetroprim and 63.15% were resistant to Cefazolin. There were 54.60% cases of antibiotic resistance, 24.34 % of intermediate sensitivity and 21.05% of sensitive strains against the tested antibiotics. The encoded redundancy analysis indicates that the percentage of the variation explained on the canonical axes is of 47.8% for the F1 axis and 25.9% for the F2 axis, for an accumulated percentage of 73.7%. The suspended solids, the Ceftriazon and Chloramphenicol are correlated to the F1 axis in positive coordinates, and the Temperature and Amoxicillin-Clavulanic acid in negative coordinates. The correlation test between the water physicochemical characteristics and the inhibition diameters of antibiotics showed some significant correlations (P<0.05). The regulation of bacterial genes would be regulated by complex mechanisms. Although many factors implied are linked to the bacterial cell, others may belong to the closed environment.