Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modeling and simulation of magnetostriction in a twin lateral transducers energy harvester

Magnetostrictive transducers are used in a broad variety of applications that include fast response valve actuator, linear pumps, rotary motors, acoustic underwater devices and energy harvesting devices. Optimization of their performance is based on accurate modeling of the static and dynamic behavior of magnetostriction. This paper describes the modelling and the finite element analysis of magnetostriction for a magnetoestrictive and piezoelectric vibration energy harvester employing twin lateral Terfeonl-D\PZT laminate composite. The presented design can make the best use of the magnetic field produced by the magnets. In addition, the volume of the harvester does not increase with the placement of the twin transducers since they are placed in the air gap between the magnets. A three dimensional model is built to investigate the response of the laminate composite and to determine the optimal initial position of the transducers at the static equilibrium.
Internal Capital Markets of the Japanese Firms

We thank Zenkoku Ginko-Kyokai Research Fellowship for ﬁnancial sup-port, and Naohito Abe and Yasuhiro Monden for helpful comments. Sub-stantialpartofempiricalresultsreportedinthispaperare basedonKobayashi’sMaster’s thesis which he had written under the supervision of Iwaisako andsubmitted to Graduates School of Management Sciences & Public PolicyStudies, University of Tsukuba. Iwaisako is mainly responsible for prepar-ing current English draft. All opinions expressed in this document are thoseof the authors alone, and not necessarily the opinions of Sumitomo-MitsuiBanking Corporation.
Contractors in Green Construction: Relationships to Suppliers and Developers

Introduction of green changes in different stages of a construction project are reflected in construction processes and products, and in the relationship between contractors and other firms and consequently in the business model of contractors. The aim of this thesis is to understand and analyse contractors’ collaboration practices with suppliers and clients in green construction projects and processes, and see if there are differences in how contractors collaborate with their clients and suppliers as a result of engaging in green construction. This thesis is based on three studies. The first study identifies probable changes in the business model of construction firms when they engage in green construction through a systematic literature review, and its results are the foundation for the second and third studies. The second study analyses contractors’ relationships with their goods suppliers in green projects, through semi-structured interviews. The third is a case study of how vertically-integrated developers can affect innovation in construction projects, based on semi-structured interviews and documents with a Swedish contractor and its vertically-integrated developer. This is followed by a conceptual investigation of the phenomenon of vertical integration of developers. This thesis suggests that for contractors to profit from engaging in green construction, simultaneous or co-evolutionary changes in a number of business model elements, including capability and partner network, are needed. This implies that firms in the contractors’ partner network act as sources of knowledge. Selection of suppliers with green knowledge and collaboration with them in close relationships were found to be important for both knowledge acquisition and reduction in contractors’ costs primarily through reduction of supplier failures to meet green requirements. The integration with developers allows contractors to work more continuously with innovative projects to develop and exploit new capabilities, and also to signal proficiency to the market, employees and the investment community while mitigating the risks involved in green projects.
Consumer buying motives and attitudes towards organic food in two emerging markets

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate if consumer buying motives regarding organic food in emerging economies China and Brazil are culture bound or determined by key characteristics of the product. Design/methodology/approach – A survey was collected in Guangzhou, China, and Porto Alegre, Brazil. Data were analyzed by means of structural equation modeling, checking for measurement invariance between samples. Findings – The reasons why Brazilian and Chinese consumers buy organic food are strikingly similar to what is found in Europe and North America. Consumers’ attitude toward buying organic food is strongly linked to beliefs about its healthiness, taste and environmental friendliness. Also, consumer attitudes toward buying organic food are positively related to what Schwartz’s “Universalism” values in all studied cultures. Research limitations/implications – Correlational (survey) data do not allow conclusions about causality and conclusions are limited by the covered countries and produc.
On necessary and nonconflicting assignments in algorithmic test pattern generation

Necessary, nonconflicting, and arbitrary assignments can be distinguished during algorithmic test pattern generation. The identification of necessary and nonconflicting assignments is algorithmic in the sense that there is no element of choice or luck in the computation, no reliance on heuristics, and no possibility of these assignments causing a backtrack if the fault is testable. This paper presents algorithms based on the mathematical properties of images and inverse images of set functions to define reduction and tendency lists in combinational logic circuits, used to identify necessary and nonconflicting assignments, respectively. Issues relating to the efficient implementation of these algorithms are addressed from both a theoretical and practical perspective. Experimental results obtained on a variety of benchmark circuits show that algorithmic assignment identification can be used to reduce or eliminate backtracking in automatic test pattern generation. >
'Relational' Procurement Contracts: A Simple Model of Reputation Mechanism

We show how repeatedly awarded procurement contracts where unverifiable quality dimensions are relevant can be reinterpreted as relational contracts between a buyer and a contractor that is threatened by a potentially less efficient competitor. We compare two scenarios: 1) Under freedom of choices the (public) buyer freely chooses the contractor, the price and the (unverifiable) quality it should stick to, 2) in a competitive discretionary tendering the buyer evaluates differently the bids of the suppliers by means of a handicap, based on the firm's past performance. We show that, if firms' costs are common knowledge, relational discriminatory tenderings replicates the results of long term contracting (freedom of choice). The handicap ensures the existence of a relational contract under which the buyer selects the more efficient firm and pays it a price higher than its cost, and the firm delivers the required quality. This outcome is an equilibrium when thecost of quality is not too high, and the players' discount factor and the valuation of quality are not small. A self-enforcing relational contract entails an handicap which is closer to the difference between the firms' specific-cost, the lower is the variable cost of quality and the higher is the players' discount factor.
Financing Costs of Portuguese Companies

The financing conditions faced by the non-financial private sector are classical determinants of investment and consumption decisions and, consequently, of economic activity and prices. In the case of companies, financing costs are dependent inter alia on the initial financing structure (namely the share of debt, the maturity structure and/or the interest resetting period), the depth, liquidity and cross-border integration of capital markets, as well as by both investors’ and savers’ preferences. Thus, monetary policy impulses are likely to be transmitted heterogeneously to corporate financing conditions across individual euro area countries, thereby inducing differentiated effects on future economic and price developments. Although the price formation mechanism in financial markets provides information on financing conditions, it should be borne in mind that information asymmetries in this market are likely to lead to quantitative restrictions, by rationing funds available at the prevailing market price (Stiglitz and Weiss (1981)).
Forming a context-sensitive web of trust by relying on sentimentally like-minded

Purpose – Trust in open networks has emerged as a prime research topic, partly due to the vast unexploited possibilities unrestricted distribution of ideas, innovations and information provided. This paper aims to present an abstract model for anticipating the probabilities of the target object to meet with the expectations of the inquirer, emphasising consistent behaviour and managing diverse conceptions by relying on sentimentally like‐minded.Design/methodology/approach – The basic building blocks of trust are presented and motivated. Each presented problem is addressed and formulas facilitating rightful interpretation are given.Findings – The paper presents some ideas how to approach the problems faced when rightfully interpreting information gathered from anonymous collaborates in a scalable manner by pointing out the basics of them.Research limitations/implications – This paper depicts ideas as illustrations that are easy to understand and give an overview of the fundamentals on which to conduct furt.
Glycerol acetylation on mesoporous KIL-2 supported sulphated zirconia catalysts

Zirconia nanomaterials were prepared by impregnation of KIL-2 type silica with 4, 8 and 12 wt. % ZrO2 and were modified by sulphate groups in order to vary the type and strength of acidity. Samples were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and N2 physisorption methods. Acidic properties of adsorbed pyridine were investigated by FT-IR spectroscopy. The catalytic performance of ZrKIL-2 and SO42−/ZrKIL-2 in glycerol esterification with acetic acid was studied and compared to that of pure zirconia varieties. It was found that silica-supported zirconia samples are more active than pure zirconia ones. With increasing ZrO2 content, KIL-2-supported catalysts showed increasing catalytic activity and selectivity in producing valuable fuel additives, di- and triacetyl glycerols. Sulphated analogues showed even higher activity and selectivity compared to non-sulphated ones due to their strong Bronsted acidity.
Constant on-time variable frequency one-cycle control for switched-capacitor converter

The constant-on time variable frequency one-cycle control is adapted for switched-capacitor converter in this paper. Based on the capacitor ampere-second balance principle, mathematical derivation of control model is provided. Simulation and experiment results show that the external disturbances can be immediately rejected by adjusting the switching period while maintaining the switch “on time”, resulting in a variable frequency control. Compared with conventional constant frequency control method, the dynamic response speed is significantly improved with minimum overshot at the transient time. The constant on-time variable frequency OCC control method can be used in a wide power range and different types of switched-capacitor converters.
Acute-on-chronic liver failure is a distinct syndrome that develops in patients with acute decompensation of cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Patients with cirrhosis hospitalized for an acute decompensation (AD) and organ failure are at risk for imminent death and considered to have acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). However, there are no established diagnostic criteria for ACLF, so little is known about its development and progression. We aimed to identify diagnostic criteria of ACLF and describe the development of this syndrome in European patients with AD. METHODS We collected data from 1343 hospitalized patients with cirrhosis and AD from February to September 2011 at 29 liver units in 8 European countries. We used the organ failure and mortality data to define ACLF grades, assess mortality, and identify differences between ACLF and AD. We established diagnostic criteria for ACLF based on analyses of patients with organ failure (defined by the chronic liver failure-sequential organ failure assessment [CLIF-SOFA] score) and high 28-day mortality rate (>15%). RESULTS Of the patients assessed, 303 had ACLF when the study began, 112 developed ACLF, and 928 did not have ACLF. The 28-day mortality rate among patients who had ACLF when the study began was 33.9%, among those who developed ACLF was 29.7%, and among those who did not have ACLF was 1.9%. Patients with ACLF were younger and more frequently alcoholic, had more associated bacterial infections, and had higher numbers of leukocytes and higher plasma levels of C-reactive protein than patients without ACLF (P < .001). Higher CLIF-SOFA scores and leukocyte counts were independent predictors of mortality in patients with ACLF. In patients without a prior history of AD, ACLF was unexpectedly characterized by higher numbers of organ failures, leukocyte count, and mortality compared with ACLF in patients with a prior history of AD. CONCLUSIONS We analyzed data from patients with cirrhosis and AD to establish diagnostic criteria for ACLF and showed that it is distinct from AD, based not only on the presence of organ failure(s) and high mortality rate but also on age, precipitating events, and systemic inflammation. ACLF mortality is associated with loss of organ function and high leukocyte counts. ACLF is especially severe in patients with no prior history of AD.
Collaborative benchmarking, transparency and performance: Evidence from The Netherlands water supply industry

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate how benchmarking affects transparency and economic performance in the public sector.Design/methodology/approach – The paper applies a quasi‐experimental method to 1989‐2000 time series data on benchmarking and non‐benchmarking water utilities in The Netherlands.Findings – Benchmarking immediately enhanced transparency, but only affected utility economic performance after benchmarking information entered the public domain. This confirms that benchmarking enhances transparency and performance. The findings do not support the yardstick regulation hypothesis that utility managers will only tighten financial discipline when benchmarking is embedded in a regime of managed competition.Research limitations/implications – The main limitation of this study is its single‐industry scope. Further testing of benchmarking effects in other public services is needed to validate its findings.Originality/value – The paper presents evidence from the Dutch water supply ind.
Comparative efficacy of oral dexamethasone versus oral prednisone in acute pediatric asthma.

OBJECTIVE The objective was to determine whether 2 days of oral dexamethasone (DEX) is more effective than 5 days of oral prednisone/prednisolone (PRED) in improving symptoms and preventing relapse in children with acute asthma. STUDY DESIGN This was a prospective randomized trial of children (2 to 18 years old) who presented to the emergency department with acute asthma. PRED 2 mg/kg, maximum 60 mg (odd days) or DEX 0.6 mg/kg, maximum 16 mg (even days) was used. At discharge children in the PRED group were prescribed 4 daily doses (1 mg/kg/d, maximum 60 mg); children in the DEX group received a prepackaged dose (0.6 mg/kg, maximum 16 mg) to take the next day. The primary outcome was relapse within 10 days. RESULTS When DEX was compared with PRED, relapse rates (7.4% of 272 vs 6.9% of 261), hospitalization rates from the emergency department (11% vs 12%) or after relapse (20% vs 17%), and symptom persistence at 10 days (22% vs 21%) were similar. In the PRED group more children were excluded for vomiting in the emergency department (3% vs 0.3%; P =.008), more parents were noncompliant (4% vs. 0.4%; P =.004), and more children missed > or =2 days of school (19.5% vs. 13.2%; P =.05). CONCLUSION In children with acute asthma, 2 doses of dexamethasone provide similar efficacy with improved compliance and fewer side effects than 5 doses of prednisone.
Performance Drivers: A Practical Guide to Using the Balanced Scorecard

Since the groundbreaking work of Robert S. Kaplan and David P. Norton, the concept of the Balanced Scorecard has achieved increasing popularity in the business world. Previously, many organizations had built their business objectives around financial targets and goals that bore little relation to a long-term strategic vision. Typically, this leaves a gap between the development of a company's strategy and its implementation. The business scorecard, however, provides a more 'balanced view' by looking at not just-financial concerns, but also customers, internal business processes, and learning and growth. But it is not just a system of performance measurement - by focusing on future potential success it can be used as a dynamic management system that reinforces, implements and drives corporate strategy forward. In this book, the authors draw on their extensive experience with scorecard projects to provide a step-by-step method for introducing the Balanced Scorecard into an organization. This is done through the use of some of the most important practical examples in existence, with case studies from ABB, Coca Cola, Electrolux, British Telecom, Nat West, Skandia and Volvo. The desired strategic control system using scorecards that is presented focuses on creating and communicating a total comprehensive picture to all members of the organization from the top down, a long-term view of what the company's strategic objectives really are, how to make use of knowledge gained through experience and the required flexibility of such a system to cope with the fast-changing business environment. This book will provide senior and operational managers, consultants and business academics with a comprehensive view of emerging Balanced Scorecard practice supported by both business advice and a theoretical foundation. Reflections on the relations between the Balanced Scorecard and other areas, such as TQM, information systems and intellectual capital and knowledge management are also made.
The neuropsychology of schizophrenia: relations with clinical and neurobiological dimensions

It is now beyond question that the symptoms observed in schizophrenia include a range of cognitive neuropsychological deficits that may be more enduring than psychotic symptoms (Cassens et al. 1990; Goldberg et al. 1993) Goldberg et al. (1993) found that a group of patients treated with clozapine whose psychotic symptoms improved significantly over a 15 month study period showed no improvement in cognitive impairments. He argued that the enduring cognitive deficits are responsible for failure of patients to rehabilitate socially even when psychotic symptoms are in remission. Clearly an understanding of neuropsychological deficits is Important from a clinical as well as a theoretical viewpoint. There is, however, still much debate about the nature of these deficits and how they related to the psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia and also to the neurobiological substrate of this disorder.
The ACCC Enforcement and Compliance Survey: Report of Preliminary Findings

The ACCC Enforcement and Compliance Survey is a national survey to assess the attitudes, beliefs and experiences of Australian businesses in relation to compliance with competition and consumer protection law and the enforcement activities of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). This Report of Preliminary Findings from the survey describes the broad purpose and context of the survey (Chapter 1), the method of data collection used for the survey (Chapter 2), and the explanatory model and major themes of the survey (Chapter 3). Chapters 4 through to 10 go through each of the major themes of the survey in turn setting out preliminary analyses of the responses to the survey by reference to size (number of employees), industry, and whether the firm had experienced an ACCC interaction and/or ACCC investigation or enforcement in the previous six years.
General purpose dynamic dead time generator

A dynamic dead time controller for synchronous dc-dc converters is presented. It was specifically designed to operate in a boost stage based on GaN FETs switching at frequencies in the MHz range, but its analog circuitry can be easily modified to accommodate other switch technologies and converter topologies. Experimental tests were carried in the presence of wide variations of the operating conditions, demonstrating stable dead time duration in the few nanoseconds range.
Introgressive Hybridization

105 historical records of four hundred years, is worthy of careful consideration by a wide audience, for it brings hope for the future of mankind through continued acclimatization. This book is a collection of the thirteenth series of the Laity Lectures of the New York Academy of Medicine. Delivered for the benefit of those interested in the medical and teaching professions and also in the related fields of social service and public health, the essays have a common theme which emphasizes the interrelationship of medical research with the public and its elected representatives in the government. The lectures deal mainly with contemplated research, such as the potentialities of radioactive isotopes in medical investigations which are discussed by Lewis L. Strauss of the Atomic Energy Commission. However, they include such diverse topics as "Food and Civilization," psychiatric problems in ageing, and cancer research. This little book contributes to the background knowledge of workers in the biological and physical sciences. The discussion of the "Inter-Relation of Pure and Applied Science in the Field of Medicine" by James B. Conant, President of Harvard, is of fundamental importance to all research workers. It presents to the laity with force and clarity the justification for the public and private financial support of all fields of medical research, extending from the basic sciences through the applied research laboratories to the clinical research workers in the hospitals and public health clinics. It is recommended to anyone who is concerned with scientific progress. Recent years have seen a resurgence of evolutionary studies: the establishment of a special journal and the publication of Julian Huxley's Evolution, the Modern Synthesis are noteworthy events. And now comes Anderson's little book, casting a searchlight beam on a neglected, possibly fundamental process in evolutionary adaptation-exchange of genes between species, races, etc. Examples of great cogency are presented in iris, sunflower, lettuce, and other familiar plants. Anderson points out that one of the prime agencies in encouraging the start of evolutionary developments from hybridization is great disturbance of the environment. Of course the hybrids must have at least a small amount of fertility for further diversification among descendants. This book is not only an exposition of new information but a fervent call for more research along this line. But he says that for showing relations between the main variables in populations "the methods of conventional