Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rotor-bearing vibration control system based on fuzzy controller and smart actuators

Most rotating machines, especially those mounted on flexible shafts and bearings when it starts operating, tend to pass through critical speeds, ie speeds that can cause the system to resonate the mechanical structure. Hence it is a constant concern for finding effective methods to mitigate the effect of vibration when passing through such speeds. Currently, it has been studied applications of materials made from special alloys as actuators in dynamic systems, in order to reduce the vibrations in a frequency range related to the resonance region. In this direction, it is the use of components made of active materials such as Shape Memory Alloys (SMA), considered "smart", able to recover its original shape when the change in temperature and/or mechanical stress, and as the main characteristics, its high damping capacity, due to the increased levels of vibration. This paper presents a rotor-bearing vibration control system based on actuators SMA coil springs. A fuzzy controller has been used for control the vibration of the system based on the measuring of critical speeds. The experimental results of the operation of the system shown their effectiveness being obtained reductions of up to 60% in amplitude, during the passage through the resonance region.
Spatial Prisoner´s Dilemma and Laws of Imitation in Social Psychology

It is designed a game based on the spatial prisoner introducing the three laws of imitation defined by Tarde. The French author described (1) the law of close contact, (2) the law of imitation of superiors by inferiors and (3) the law of insertion. The first law is defined like a Conformist rule; the second law is defined like a Maximization rule and the third law is defined like a Fashion rule or, alternating, a Snob rule. The method used to design the simulation in Java language programming is based on interactive evolutionary game rules which are constantly updated and is inspired by the paradigm of Chavalarias´ metamimetic games. These games introduce very suggestive notions of Nonlinear Dynamics such as mimetic attractor or mimetic equilibrium. It is obtained the formation of little “clusters” of cooperators supporting these laws of imitation
Comparison of Spinal or General Anesthesia for Cardiac Complications with Using High Sensitive Cardiac Troponins in Non-cardiac Surgeries

Objective: There is uncertainty of prognostic value of serum high sensitive cardiac troponin (hs-cTns) measurement after non-cardiac surgery and which anesthetic method cause more harmful cardiac event. Even silent cardiac complications can be detected by monitoring hg-cTns measurements after non-cardiac surgery. In this study we aimed to show the role of cardiac troponins that are preferred markers of their high specificity and sensitivity instead of classical markers such as creatine kinase MB. Methods: The study group included 86 preoperative non- cardiac surgery patients that were separated randomly into the general or spinal anesthesia groups. We obtained patients 12 lead electrocardiograms and hs-cTns on the operation day and post operation 1, 2 and 3 days. Results: In both groups all patients had a low level of hs-cTnT concentrations but didn’t have any cardiac complication. In spinal anesthesia group there is slight increase near significant hs-cTnT on postoperative third day. Conclusion: In this study we wanted to show we wanted to show which anesthetic method is safer for cardiac tissue by monitoring serum hs- cTns.
A global strategic framework for marketing across cultures

The meaning and definition of “international marketing” can be extracted and understood differently. This paper explores the need for “cross-cultural marketing” that crafts a unified global strategic marketing framework rather than exporting an Anglo-Saxon driven model from one culture to another. The application of dilemma theory is introduced as a means to resolving failed market entry strategies by examining Wal-Mart’s penetration into the South Korean and German markets. It is suggested that if reconciliation is not built into the international market strategy formulation process, then the execution of market entry strategies will continue to fail.
Dust Shells Around Carbon Mira Variables

The spectral energy distributions and mid-infrared spectra of 44 carbon Mira variables are fitted using a dust radiative transfer model. The periods cover the entire range observed for carbon Miras. The luminosities are calculated from a period-luminosity relation. Parameters derived are the distance, the dust mass loss rate and the ratio of silicon carbide to amorphous carbon dust. The total mass loss rate is derived from a modified relation between the photon momentum (L/c) and the momentum in the wind (M υ∞). Mass loss rates between 1 × 10−8 and 4 × 10−5 M⊙ yr−1 are found. We find good correlations between mass loss rate and pulsation period, and mass loss rate and luminosity. The dust-to-gas ratio appears to be almost constant up to periods of about 500 days, corresponding to about 7900 L⊙, and then to increase by a factor of 5 towards longer periods and higher luminosities. A comparison is made with radiation-hydrodynamical calculations including dust formation. The mass loss rates predicted by these models are consistent with those derived in this paper. The main discrepancy is in the predicted expansion velocities for models with luminosities below ∼5000 L⊙. The radiation-hydrodynamical calculations predict expansion velocities which are significantly too large. This is related to the fact that these models need to be calculated with a large C/O ratio to get an outflow in the first place. This is contrary to observations. It indicates that a principle physical ingredient in these radiation-hydrodynamical calculations is still missing. Possibly the winds are ‘clumpy’ which may lead to dust formation on a local scale, or there is an additional outwards directed force, possibly radiation pressure on molecules.
Dry spell frequencies and their variability over southern Africa

Marked interannual fluctuations in rainfall are a fundamental aspect of southern African climate. This study uses dry spell frequency (DSF) to assess spatial and temporal patterns in the con- sistency of rainfall during the mid-summer (DJF) season and their relationships to interannual drought occurrences in southern Africa. The Climate Prediction Center Merged Analysis of Precipi- tation (CMAP) pentad data are used to identify dry spells, which are defined here as a pentad with mean daily rainfall less than 1 mm. It was found that DSFs over most of southern Africa are highest (lowest) during El Nino (La Nina) events and that their occurrence is associated with shifts in the loca- tion of the tropical-temperate-trough (TTT) systems that are the dominant rain-producing systems over much of southern Africa. The latter are tropical-extratropical cloudbands that link a tropical low over low latitude southern Africa with a westerly disturbance passing south of the landmass. A pre- ferred zone of occurrence of high DSFs, within which the interannual range is also highest, lies across the 20 to 25° S band in southern Africa and is identified as the drought corridor. This region often experiences half or more of the season under dry spells. In addition, a tendency during 1979 to 2002 towards an increasing frequency of heavier rainfall events was observed over Angola/Namibia in the west and Tanzania/Mozambique in the east. Only a small area in central southern Africa showed the reverse tendency.
Ensuring a Sustainable and Efficient Fishery in Iceland

Iceland has managed its large fishing industry in a sustainable and profitable way. The foundations of this success are setting Total Allowable Catches (TACs) based on scientific recommendations of what is biologically sustainable and the Individual Transferable Quota (ITQ) system, which gives each holder the right to catch a certain of the TAC in various species. The efficiency of this system could be under threat from potential policy responses to the perceived unfairness of quotas having initially been given away and by Iceland’s possible accession to the EU. However, there is nothing the government can do now to do undo the unfairness of the initial allocation. Nevertheless, it could be attractive to increase the special fisheries resource rent tax as it is likely to be a more efficient tax than most others, although the increase should not be so great as to damage the fisheries management system. The resource rent could also be increased by reducing TACs from the current, biologically sustainable level to the level that maximizes rent. Provided that Iceland is able to negotiate to maintain the authority to set TACs and to keep the ITQ system, joining the EU, and hence the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), should not reduce the efficiency of the Icelandic fisheries management system. This Working Paper related to the 2011 OECD Economic Survey of Iceland. (www.oecd.org/eco/surveys/Iceland) Pour une peche durable et efficiente en Islande L’Islande a gere son vaste secteur de la peche de facon durable et rentable. Ce succes repose sur l’instauration de totaux admissibles de captures (TAC) fondes sur des recommandations scientifiques concernant la durabilite biologique, et sur le systeme des quotas individuels transferables (QIT) qui confere a chaque detenteur d’un quota le droit de pecher une part du TAC defini pour chacune des especes. L’efficience de ce systeme pourrait etre menacee par des mesures publiques possibles en reponse au sentiment d’injustice lie a l’attribution initiale des quotas, et par l’adhesion eventuelle de l’Islande a l’UE. Toutefois, les autorites islandaises ne peuvent rien faire a present pour remedier au caractere inequitable de la distribution initiale. Neanmoins, il pourrait etre interessant d’augmenter la taxe speciale sur la rente halieutique car elle devrait etre plus efficiente que la plupart des autres taxes, a condition que cette augmentation ne soit pas trop forte pour ne pas porter atteinte au systeme de gestion des peches. On pourrait aussi augmenter la rente halieutique en reduisant les TAC de facon a passer du niveau actuel qui est biologiquement durable a un niveau qui permette de maximiser la rente. Sous reserve que l’Islande soit en mesure de negocier pour conserver le pouvoir de fixer ses TAC et pour maintenir son systeme de QIT, l’adhesion a l’UE, et donc a la politique commune de la peche (PCP), ne devrait pas reduire l’efficience du systeme islandais de gestion des peches. Ce Document de travail se rapporte a l’Etude economique de l’OCDE de l’Islande 2011 (www.oecd.org/eco/etudes/Islande).
Effect of bypass protein or bypass starch on milk yield and bodyweight gain in grazing dairy cows.

In recent years, there has been considerable interest in protecting dietary nutrients from rumen fermentation and thus ensuring greater amounts of nutrients for metabolism in the animal. In dairy cows, bypass protein has given mixed results. On low energy diets, @rskov (1981) observed that bypass protein increased milk yield, but caused marked body weight loss presumably due to fat mobilization. On subtropical pastures, Stobbs et al. (1977) reported increases in both milk yield and live weight gain when cows were supplemented with bypass protein possibly due to increased pasture intake. Bypass starch has received less attention than protein, but its effect on ruminant production is far from understood. Due to physical and chemical structure, certain grains (maize, sorghum and rice) are slowly fermented, thus allowing some starch to move out of the rumen and be absorbed from the small intestine (Waldo 1973). In the studies now reported, the object was to determine the effects on milk yield and live weight gain of isocaloric bypass protein and bypass starch diets, and isonitrogenous bypass starch and soluble starch/protein diets.
Evaluation of Cellulase Activity from Trichoderma spp. and Xylanolytic Bacteria

Fungi and bacteria were considered as potential decomposers on various substrates. This study was aimed to evaluate the ability of Trichoderma spp. to degrade various cellulolytic substrates and xylanolytic bacteria to decompose lignocelluloses from rice straw. Six selected Trichoderma spp. isolates showed high activities of specific celullase in given substrates. Pan23.2 isolate was shown to be superior in all cellulose substrates without glucose with the highest activity to hydrolyze cellulose crystals. Some isolates preferentially hydrolyzed crystalline (Pan23.2, Bo17, Andi2.1) while others (Kun4, Gam4.1, Pan23.1) were more dominant on amorph hydrolysis. Not all cellulases from Trichoderma spp. with high activity on cellulose amorph showed activity on cellulose crystals. The addition of glucose into cellulose substrates increased the cellulase productivity of Andi2.1 and Gam4.1 isolates. Combination of 1% glucose and 1% cellobiose were the best substrate for CMCase activity, while 1% glucose and 1% CMC were good for avicelase. However, xylanolytic bacteria had no ability to degrade lignocelluloses on rice straw which was indicated by low temperature and high C/N ratio during composting process. In this study, all Trichoderma spp. isolates demonstrated high potency as decomposers, but the xylanolytic bacteria may be used for other applications other than as decomposers.
Factors affecting the export destination decision:The case of the Greek firms’ export activity.

This dissertation was written in fulfillment of the requirements of the MSc in Management at the International Hellenic University. The aim of this study is to examine the aspects of firm export activity and internationalization, which have not been sufficiently explored so far, with a focus on the choice of export destinations. The number of export destinations is considered as an indicator of the export activity complexity. Generally, the export decision has been extensively investigated, but a lot remains to be said about the connection between firm characteristics and a firm’s decision, with regards to the most profitable destinations to serve and their number. Specifically, several aspects of the firm size and the characteristics and the import countries were examined, such as barriers and involved risks, incentives forcing firms to export, theories on which the destination decision is based upon and the general macro-environment of the markets. In addition to exploring the findings of several studies, Greek export firms and Greek Export Association interviews were conducted. The outcomes of this research enlighten the procedure of export activity and the destination decision. Theoretical findings involved differences between new entrants and continuing exporters, the relationship between exports and efficiency, general trends, barriers and factors affecting the export activity. The findings were further enriched with the Greek exporters view and what applications take place in practice.
Metaphor and Gesture

1. Contributors 2. Acknowledgements 3. Introduction (by Cienki, Alan) 4. Why study metaphor and gesture? (by Cienki, Alan) 5. From left to right. : Coverbal gestures and their symbolic use of space (by Calbris, Genevieve) 6. Gesture as a conceptual mapping tool (by Williams, Robert F.) 7. A fresh look at the foundations of mathematics: Gesture and the psychological reality of conceptual metaphor (by Nunez, Rafael) 8. Peircean semiotics meets conceptual metaphor: Iconic modes in gestural representations of grammar (by Mittelberg, Irene) 9. Unexpected metaphors (by McNeill, David) 10. Catchment, growth point and spatial metaphor: Analysing Derrida's oral discourse on deconstruction (by Montredon, Jacques) 11. Form, meaning, and convention: A comparison of a metaphoric gesture with an emblem (by Parrill, Fey) 12. What gestures reveal about the nature of metaphor (by Muller, Cornelia) 13. Commentaries on the value of studying metaphor and gesture from the perspectives of different disciplines 14. Metaphoric gesture and cognitive linguistics (by Langacker, Ronald W.) 15. Metaphoric gestures and cultural analysis (by Quinn, Naomi) 16. Metaphor and gesture: A view from the microanalysis of interaction (by Streeck, Jurgen) 17. Implications of cognitive metaphor and gesture studies for Ethnomethodology and Conversation Analysis and vice versa (by Hougaard, Anders) 18. Sign and gesture: Towards a new paradigm (by Wilcox, Sherman) 19. The study of metaphor and gesture: A critique from the perspective of semiotics (by Bouissac, Paul) 20. The neuroscience of metaphoric gestures: Why they exist (by Lakoff, George) 21. Metaphor and gesture: Some implications for psychology (by Gibbs, Jr., Raymond W.) 22. Index
Assessing Income Inequality in North-Eastern Nigeria

This study investigates income inequality in rural North-East Nigeria (NEN), using the Harmonized Nigerian Living Standards Survey (HNLSS) data of 2009/2010. Data were analyzed using; descriptive statistics, Gini index and Tobit regression methods. The results indicate that most of the respondents were in their middle age accounting for 35.2% and approximately 68 % with no formal education. Inequality among rural folks as reflected by the Gini index of 0.85 is very high, The tobit results shows that household size, education, age and marital status were all significant at 1% levels. It is therefore recommended that Government should provide an enabling environment for learning to help household improve on their human capital for a sustained poverty reduction. Keywords: Inequality, North- east Nigeria, Poverty, Rural, Tobit model.
Model for sustainable tourism development for Least Developed Countries (LDCs)

Despite the various approaches for a sustainable tourism development in Least Developed Countries (LDCs), issues of economic leakage, environmental and socio-cultural degradation associate with tourism continues to persist in many of such countries. Few, if any tourism product are still said to be truly sustainable, or few, if any destination can be called sustainable (Mckercher, 2003). However, tourist destinations to a greater or lesser extent possess a set of capitals or assets, including environmental, human, socio-cultural, economic and political capital for sustainable tourism development (Sharpley, 2009). These capitals can be exploited by a destination in different ways to meet local needs for sustainability and to match developmental objectives as defined by the destination and to take advantage of opportunities offered in the external market. Hence the importance of the tourism economy, an understanding of operational strategies applicable to LDCs is essential. The aim of this paper is to present a model for sustainable tourism developed from Sharpley’s (2010) destination capitals model sustainable tourism. Data was collected from 73 participants, using a self completed questionnaire. Hence, the diverse perceptions of managers SMEs of what sustainable tourism means, it is suggested that not all the components of the destination capitals are found to be accessible to LDCs or has any form of influence over (Drammeh, 2014). Reenforcing the importance and relevance of Sharpley’s destination capitals Drammeh (2014) suggests three types of capitals that seem to be unique to LDCs: Environmental capitals (linked to nature), socio-cultural capitals (linked to culture of the people) and human capitals (linked to local knowledge).
Palladium Decorated SWCNTs Sensor for Detecting Methane at Room Temperature Based on UWB-RFID

─ A chipless sensor in the protocol of ultra wideband radio frequency identification (UWB-RFID) is proposed in the paper. This sensor, used to detect methane at room temperature, is configured by a planar patch antenna plus a U slot on which interdigitated fingers electrodes (IDE) with load of palladium decorated single walled carbon nanotubes (Pd-SWCNTs) are embedded. The sensor can cover the entire UWB spectrum except for the band that produce band-gap. The amplitudes and frequencies of the band-gap are designated as the signatures modulated and reflecting the status quo of methane retrieved by Pd-SWCNTs. The sensor is validated by an approximate combination of the analytical and numerical method. Results show that if the concentration of methane is increased from 0 ppm to 100 ppm at room temperature, the identifiable sensitivity can be achieved by -9.32 dB in terms of the scheme of the amplitude modulation of band-gap frequency; or, the identifiable sensitivity can be achieved by -11.30 dB in terms of the scheme of the frequency modulation of band-gap frequency. Index Terms ─ Chipless tag, methane sensor, nanotechnology, room temperature, ultra-wideband radio frequency identification (UWB-RFID).
A Novel Elliptic Curve Scalar Multiplication Algorithm against Power Analysis

Nowadays, power analysis attacks are becoming more and more sophisticated. Through power analysis attacks, an attacker can obtain sensitive data stored in smart cards or other embedded devices more efficiently than with any other kind of physical attacks. Among power analysis, simple power analysis (SPA) is probably the most effective against elliptic curve cryptosystem, because an attacker can easily distinguish between point addition and point doubling in a single execution of scalar multiplication. To make elliptic curve scalar multiplication secure against SPA attacks, many methods have been proposed using special point representations. In this paper, a simple but efficient SPA-resistant multiscalar multiplication is proposed. The method is to convert the scalar into a nonadjacent form (NAF) representation at first and then constitute it in a new signed digit representation. This new representation is undertaken at a small precomputation cost, as each representation needs just one doubling and 1/2 additions for each bit. In addition, when combined with randomization techniques, the proposed method can also guard against differential power analysis (DPA) attack.
Regional Community Portals: Success Factors for Planning and Implementation

Several government-funded projects throughout Australia have involved the establishment of community portals in an attempt to stimulate interest by local business communities. This paper presents a case study of a community portal, focusing on planning and implementation issues specifically in relation to two key stakeholder groups of businesses and consumers. Both businesses and consumers were surveyed with results identifying two key success factors, firstly the need to focus on not only the establishment phase of the portal but also the longer term growth and development of the portal and secondly, the importance of considering the needs of all stakeholder groups at initial planning and implementation phases, rather than focussing on one stakeholder group. Overall the results question the viability of regional community portals if they are to be self-funding. ; ;