Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
INFOR!'vIATION AND COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE

We study the channels through which private information affects the competitive position of firms in the marketplace. Firms try to gain a competitive advantage via strategic investments in cost reduction or demand improving efTort in an uncertain context. It is found that. under regularity conditions, an improvement in the information precision of a firm has always a favorable impact in its competitive position and profitability. The rivals are hurt if the market is characterized by quantity competition but favored if price competition prevails. A better informed competitor is thus a ‘nicer’ competitor under Bertrand competition but the opposite happens under Cournot competition.
Itinerant ferromagnetism in ultracold Fermi gases

Itinerant ferromagnetism in cold Fermi gases with repulsive interactions is studied applying the Jastrow-Slater approximation generalized to finite polarization and temperature. For two components at zero temperature, a second-order transition is found at ak{sub F}{approx_equal}0.90 compatible with results of quantum-Monte-Carlo (QMC) calculations. Thermodynamic functions and observables, such as the compressibility and spin susceptibility and the resulting fluctuations in number and spin, are calculated. For trapped gases, the resulting cloud radii and kinetic energies are calculated and compared to recent experiments. Spin-polarized systems are recommended for effective separation of large ferromagnetic domains. Collective modes are predicted and tricritical points are calculated for multicomponent systems.
DISTRIBUTED BROADCAST PROTOCOL IN COGNITIVE RADIO ADHOC NETWORKS

joint design of Resource allocation and routing algorithms in cognitive radioWMNs. To share the spectrum with primary users the mesh nodes utilize cognitive overlay mode. Depending on the traffic characteristics and primary user activities, the available spectrum resources will vary between mesh transmission attempts, posing a challenge to dealing with guarantee timely delivery of the network traffic. Prior to each transmission, the mesh nodes then senses the wireless medium to identify available spectrum resources.The system is analyzed from a queuing theory perspective, to capture the channel availability dynamics and the joint routing and resource allocation problem is constructed as a non-linear integer programming issue. The objective is to minimize the aggregate end-to-end delay of all the network flows. A distributed solution scheme is developed based on the Lagrangian dual problem. Numerical results demonstrate the convergence of the distributed solution procedure to the optimal solution, as well as the performance gains compared to other design methods. It is shown that the joint design scheme can accommodate double the traffic load, or achieve half the delay compared to the disjoint methods. It is shown that the joint design scheme can accommodate double the traffic load, or achieve half the delay compared to the disjoint methods.
Mobile Phones App to Promote Daily Physical Activity: Theoretical Background and Design Process

Considering advances from research and technologies concerning physical activity and health, this chapter presents the C2S’s Project (Coaching Sport Sante). C2S is a French start-up aiming at designing a device for promoting Daily Physical Activity (DPA). Based on Self-Determination, Self-Esteem Self-Regulation theories, and on the Trans-theoretical Model of Behaviour Change, a mobile phone App was developed including pedometer technology. The app offer a five step-strategy aimed at taking in account a) initial or normal everyday steps counts, b) individual motivational factor, and c) personallyadapted feedbacks.
Mesoscale Convective System Rainfall in the Sahel

Abstract Based on a full-resolution Meteosat dataset, an extensive climatological study of the mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) observed by satellite over the Sahel leads to the definition of a subpopulation of MCSs—called organized convective systems (OCSs)—that represents only 12% of the total number of MCSs observed during 9 yr over the central Sahel while accounting for almost 80% of the total convective cloud cover defined at the 233-K threshold. Using a high-resolution rainfall dataset, it is shown that these OCSs are also the main source of rain in this region, accounting for about 90% of the seasonal rainfall, with a mean areal rainfall of 14.7 mm per system. All of the OCSs are associated with a rain event, and more than 90% of the major rain events are associated with an OCS. These figures are compared with those obtained for mesoscale convective complexes (MCCs). Each MCC produces more rainfall on average (19 mm per system) but there are only a few of them (1.2% of the total number of MCSs),.
FRACTIONAL FLOW RESERVE IN PATIENTS WITH INTERMEDIATE VALUES OF DUKE TREADMILL SCORE AND BORDERLINE CORONARY LESIONS

Despite the wide usage of exercise ECG tests and Duke Treadmill Score (DTS) in clinical practice, no comparison between this scoring system and Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) has yet been made, particularly in cases of angiographically verified borderline lesions. Thirty patients with single coronary lesions and angiographically assessed borderline stenosis (between 30-70%) and previously calculated intermediate values of DTS between -10 to +4 were examined using FFR. Adequate specificity and sensitivity (0.769 and 0.556, respectively) were in a more narrow range of -0.5 to -10. Sex and age did not have an influence on the DTS values. There was a correlation between the values of FFR and age (r=0.395, p=0.031) and between angiographic assessment of stenosis and quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) (r=0.648, p<0.0001). In the study population, a decision on revascularization could not be based solely on angiographic or QCA assessment of the artery or on the values of DTS.
Zoo-hygienic assessment of lighting in semi-open freestall barns for dairy cows

Abstract. The aim of the present study was to perform a zoo-hygienic assessment of lighting (natural and artificial) in different technological zones (stalls, manure and feed alleys) in semi-open freestall barns for dairy cows. The survey was conducted over a period of one year in 3 production buildings from 3 cattle farms located in three different areas of Southern Bulgaria - Stara Zagora District, Haskovo District and Plovdiv District. The building’s parameters were as follows: building No.1 - capacity 120 cows, 60.00/18.00/3.00m, 1080m2; building No.2 - capacity 120 cows, 66.00/18.00/3.00m, 1188m2 and building No.3 - capacity 500 cows, 90.00/45.00/3.30m, 4050m2. The premises lighting was measured with two combined apparatuses (Lutron EM-9300SD, 0-20000 lux and PU 150, 0-100000 lux), twice a month at 10.00, 12.00, 14.00, 16.00 and 18.00h at a height of 1m from the floor of the three technology zones. Summarized for all buildings, the light level varies widely by buildings, by seasons, by hours of reporting and by technological zones with limit values between 1 and 9810 lux. In all barns the most intense was the light above the feed alleys, followed by stalls and manure alleys; by hours of reporting during the day the level of lighting above the three technological zones was higher at midday (12.00-14.00h) compared to morning (10.00h) and afternoon (18.00h). Buildings No.1 and No.2 with a smaller built-up area provide more intensive lighting over all technological zones throughout all seasons compared to building No.3 with bigger built-up area: from 7.34 to 13.8 times over stalls, from 3.22 to 5.62 times over manure alleys and from 2.79 to 8.00 times over feed alleys. In buildings No.1 and No.2 there were prerequisites at least 16 hours of day light (photoperiod) to be provided during summer, autumn and spring, while in the winter months up to 8.00am and after 6.00pm the used artificial lighting was with low intensity and cannot provide the recommended over 160 lux intensity of the light. In building No.3 during most of the day for all seasons, the level of lighting above stalls and manure alley where the animals stay the longest time, the lighting level was lower than 160 lux. The factors ‘building’, ‘season’ and ‘hour of the day’ had a statistically significant effect (P<0.05-0.001) on the level of lighting in the three technological zones in the studied buildings. Of the associated factors, only the combination ‘season*hour of reporting’ had no significant effect on the lighting in the zones above the stalls and manure alleys.
The magnetic field and wind confinement of beta Cephei: new clues for interpreting the Be phenomenon?

In this paper, we use the very recent spectropolarimetric observations of β Cep collected by Henrichs et al. and propose for this star a consistent model of the large-scale magnetic field and of the associated magnetically confined wind and circumstellar environment. A re-examination of the fundamental parameters of β Cep in the light of the Hipparcos parallax indicates that this star is most likely a 12-M⊙ star with a radius of 7 R⊙, effective temperature of 26 000 K and age of 12 Myr, viewed with an inclination of the rotation axis of about 60°. Using two different modelling strategies, we obtain that the magnetic field of β Cep can be approximately described as a dipole with a polar strength of , the axis of symmetry of which is tilted with respect to the rotation axis by about . Although one of the weakest detected to date, this magnetic field is strong enough to magnetically confine the wind of β Cep up to a distance of about 8 to 9 R∗. We find that both the X-ray luminosity and variability of β Cep can be explained within the framework of the magnetically confined wind-shock model of Babel & Montmerle, in which the stellar-wind streams from both magnetic hemispheres collide with each other in the magnetic equatorial plane, producing a strong shock, an extended post-shock region and a high-density cooling disc. By studying the stability of the cooling disc, we obtain that field lines can support the increasing disc weight for no more than a month before they become significantly elongated in an effort to equilibrate the gravitational plus centrifugal force, thereby generating strong field gradients across the disc. The associated current sheet eventually tears, forcing the field to reconnect through resistive diffusion and the disc plasma to collapse towards the star. We propose that this collapse is the cause for the recurrent Be episodes of β Cep, and finally discuss the applicability of this model to He peculiar, classical Be and normal non-supergiant B stars.
Energy Density of Introduced Round Goby Compared with Four Native Fishes in a Lake Michigan Tributary

Abstract The round goby Neogobius melanostomus is an invasive species that has changed Great Lakes food webs and become an important prey for many predators. We tested whether the round goby from a Lake Michigan tributary was energetically equivalent to four native fishes: Mottled sculpin Cottus bairdii, johnny darter Etheostoma nigrum, bluntnose minnow Pimephales notatus, and rock bass Ambloplites rupestris. We found positive linear relationships between energy density and the percent dry weight of a fish for each species. We also found evidence of temporal and spatial variation in round goby energy density. Energy density was lower in spring and summer than in fall. The spatial variation in energy density may be linked to the inclusion of the low-quality prey, dreissenid mussels, in the diets of larger round goby. For a given size, the johnny darter and bluntnose minnow had the highest energy density while mottled sculpin had the lowest. Our results show that the energy density of the round goby is inte.
A Novel Hybrid VI Control Strategy for DG-Grid Interfacing Converters based on RES

This paper develops a fuel cell source Based DG-Grid Interfacing Converters using a novel hybrid voltage and current control method (HCM). To overcome the drawbacks of voltageand current controlled DG units. The proposed method allows the coordinated closed-loop control of the DG unit fundamental voltage and line harmonic currents. With the HCM, local harmonic loads of the DG unit can even be compensated without using harmonic current extraction. In addition, the HCM guarantees smooth transition during the grid-connected/islanding operation mode transfer. Simulation results are provided to verify the feasibility of the proposed
Diet and dental morphology of two coexisting Aethomys species (Rodentia) in Mozambique. Implications for diet reconstruction in related extinct species from South Africa

The examination of dental morphology of coexisting modern Aethomys namaquensi Smith, 1834 ands A. chrysophilus de Winton, 1896 from Mozambique, whose diet has been studied in the field, shows that the development of stephanodont crests and the multiplication of supplementary cusps on labial side of the lower molars is associated with a mainly vegetarian diet. The most specialized dention corresponds the most specialized diets.
Bovine Epizootic Diarrhea Resembling Winter Dysentery Caused by Bovine Coronavirus

The etiologic factors of bovine diarrhea are complex. Many viruses associated with this disease have been reported. Epizootic diarrhea in cattle resembling commonly called winter dysentery·•> has been described in Australia, 10> Canada,s> England,17J France,5,17> Israel1 2> and United States.12, 16> We also observed outbreaks of the disease in ten or more areas in Japan during the winter of 1976 and 1977. More than 3000 adult cattle in 12 prefectures in the northern, central and western parts of Japan developed profuse diarrhea, and the milk production in these animals declined by 2025% during the disease and recovered to only 80% of the previous production levels at 3 or 4 weeks after the disease. The purpose of the present report is to give a serological evidence for the etiological role of bovine coronavirus in the epizootic diarrhea of adult cattle, with supportive electron-microscopical and cell culture studies.
96 Strategic Business Process Management for Organisational Effectiveness

Business Process Management in one form or another has become a feature in the language if not the actions of many organisations. Large organisations in particular have now had exposure to general quality improvement methodologies. Many large organisations have used the quality models proposed by the European Foundation of Quality Management (EFQM) or the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA) in the States. Some may have adopted Business Process Re-engineering (BPR). Manufacturing companies or those which are part of a materials supply chain will also have used performance improvement activities, such as ‘‘lean manufacture’’ and ‘‘concurrent engineering’’ or ‘‘justin-time’’. All of these approaches are of course based mainly on a notion of process. However much of this activity has been firmly based at an operational level and we have contributed previously to the literature. The purpose of this article is to explain a more strategic view of Business Process Management. We do this very much in the context of the models of the kind used by the EFQM. These espouse a broad view of quality to the extent that in some organisations it has become known as a Business Excellence model. Models of this kind incorporate (Business) Processes as an integral and important aspect. Indeed proposed developments of the EFQM model appear to highlight even more the issue of processes. Our recent research has involved mainly organisations who are members of the EFQM and who have considerable experience of Business Process Management. They would be considered by many as being exemplars of
Modelling fluid flow in a reciprocating compressor

Efficiency of reciprocating compressor is strongly dependent on the valves characteristics, which affects the flow through the suction and discharge line. Understanding the phenomenon inside the compressor is necessary step in development process. Commercial CFD tools offer wide capabilities to simulate the flow inside the reciprocating compressor, however they are too complicated in terms of computational time and mesh creation. Several parameters describing compressor could be therefore examined without the CFD analysis, such is valve characteristic, flow through the cycle and heat transfer. The aim of this paper is to show a numerical tool for reciprocating compressor based on the energy balance through the cycle, which provides valve characteristics, flow through the cycle and heat losses from the cylinder. Spring-damping-mass model was used for the valve description. Boundary conditions were extracted from the performance test of 4- cylinder semihermetic compressor and numerical tool validation was performed with indicated p-V diagram comparison.
Self-Regulation, Coregulation, and Socially Shared Regulation: Exploring Perspectives of Social in Self-Regulated Learning Theory

Background/Context Models of self-regulated learning (SRL) have increasingly acknowledged aspects of social context influence in its process; however, great diversity exists in the theoretical positioning of “social” in these models. Purpose/Objective/Research Question/Focus of Study The purpose of this review article is to introduce and contrast social aspects across three perspectives: self-regulated learning, coregulated learning, and socially shared regulation of learning. Research Design The kind of research design taken in this review paper is an analytic essay. The article contrasts self-regulated, coregulated, and socially shared regulation of learning in terms of theory, operational definition, and research approaches. Data Collection and Analysis Chapters and articles were collected through search engines (e.g., EBSCOhost, PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, ERIC). Findings/Results Three different perspectives are summarized: self-regulation, coregulation, and socially shared regulation of learning. Conclusions/Recommendations In this article, we contrasted three different perspectives of social in each model, as well as research based on each model. In doing so, the article introduces a language for describing various bodies of work that strive to consider roles of individual and social context in the regulation of learning. We hope to provide a frame for considering multimethodological approaches to study SRL in future research.
Labour standards and technological upgrading: competitive challenges in the global football industry

Football manufacturing is a billion dollar industry heavily dominated by major global brands. Over the past 15 years there have been significant changes in the geographies of production with China consolidating its position as the number one football producer taking market share from Pakistan, the second largest producer. On the end market side, newly emerging markets have increased in importance but the EU and the USA have remained dominant. Over the past 15 years global football manufacturing has faced concerns on labour standards compliance and experienced distinct patterns of product and process upgrading. Using the analytical frameworks of global value chains and technological capabilities and learning, this study considers the challenges arising from technological upgrading and labour standards compliance within the global football industry and its implications for local producers.
AN EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY ON ASSOCIATION BETWEEN ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO USE IN AN URBAN SLUM OF MEERUT

Introduction: Alcohol consumption and problems related to alcohol vary widely around the world, but the burden of disease and death remains significant in most countries. Though there are studies indicating co-occurrence of alcohol use with tobacco, not much work is done on association of alcohol and tobacco use in India. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the catchment area of UHTC (Urban Health and training Centre) among 324 males aged > 15 years. Data was collected by home visit using WHO questionnaire (AUDIT: Alcohol use disorder identification test) Modified Kuppuswamy scale was used to assess the socioeconomic status of the families. Also, data was collected to know the association of alcohol use with tobacco. Data was analyzed by chisquare test using SPSS 20.0 version. Results: Among current drinkers, 56.2% used smoked tobacco while 11.8% of the teetotallers were smokers. Similarly, smokeless tobacco was used by 48.9% of current drinkers and 2.6% of the teetotallers. A highly statistically significant association was found between tobacco use and alcohol use (p value<0.001). Conclusions: It can be very well concluded that alcohol users are more indulged into tobacco use as compared to teetotalers. Therefore, high risk screening for tobacco use among the alcoholics can be a vital step in the prevention of addiction, which is emerging as one of the major risk factor for non-communicable diseases.
International Reserves for Emerging Economies: A Liquidity Approach

The massive stocks of foreign exchange reserves, mostly held in the form of U.S. T-bonds by emerging economies, are still an important puzzle. Why do emerging economies continue to willingly loan to the United States despite the low rates of return? We suggest that a dynamic general equilibrium model incorporating international capital markets, characterized by decentralized trade and U.S. T-bonds as facilitators of trade, can provide one possible resolution to this question. Declining financial frictions in these over-the-counter (OTC) markets would generate rising liquidity premium on U.S. T-bonds, thereby causing low U.S. real interest rates. Meanwhile, the superior liquidity properties of the U.S. T-bonds would induce recipients of foreign investments, namely emerging economies, to hold more liquidity, that is U.S. T-bonds, in equilibrium. The prediction of our model is confirmed by an empirical simultaneous equations approach considering an endogenous relationship between OTC capital inflows and reserve holdings.
Younger age of onset of gout in Taiwan

Objective. To study the clinical features of gout in the community and in medical centres, and to describe the recent changes in gout in Chinese patients. Methods. We analysed retrospectively the clinical features of 1079 Chinese gout patients seen by a rheumatologist between 1993 and 2000. These included 558 patients from a private clinic and 521 patients from a medical centre. The data were compared with those in previous reports of large Caucasian and non-Caucasian series. Results. The mean age of onset was 41.6 yr and the mean disease duration before first visit was 4.2 yr. For medical centre patients, the mean age of onset was 43.0 yr and mean disease duration before the first visit was 4.8 yr. For private clinic patients, the mean age of onset was 40.2 yr and mean disease duration before the first visit was 3.6 yr. Young patients with gout, with onset before age 30, constituted 23.3 and 26.7% of the medical centre and private clinic patients respectively. Female patients constituted 10.6 and 5.6% respectively, the family history was positive in 27.1 and 28.7%, and urolithiasis occurred in 11.5 and 10.9%. Tophi were found in 21.1% of medical centre and 12.7% of private clinic patients. The mean time from first gouty attack to visible tophi was 6.6 yr in those who developed tophi. Conclusions. The age at onset of gout was much earlier than in previous reports. Twenty-five per cent of patients had their first gouty attack before age 30. The first attack frequently occurred between the third and fifth decades (68.2%) rather than between the fourth and sixth decades, as reported in previous papers. The incidence of gout in females had increased (8.0% of the patients were female) and the incidence of tophi was high (16.8%). Besides, our patients had more frequent gouty attacks and the interval from the first attack to visible tophi was shorter than in previous reports of the disease in Caucasians.