Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Slip of a one-body dynamical spring-slider model in the presence of slip-weakening friction and viscosity

This study is focused on analytic study at small displacements and numerical simulations of slip of a one-body dynamical slider-slider model in the presence of slip-weakening friction and viscosity. Analytic results with numerical computations show that the displacement of the slider is controlled by the decreasing rate, [gamma], of friction force with slip and viscosity, [eta], of fault-zone material. The natural period of the system with slip-weakening friction and viscosity is longer than that of the system without the two factors. There is a solution regime for [eta] and [gamma] to make the slider slip steadily without strong attenuation. The viscous effect is stronger than the frictional effect. Meanwhile, a change of [eta] results in a larger effect on the slip of the slider than a change of [gamma] . Numerical simulations are made for a one-body dynamical slider-slider model in the presence of three slip-weakening friction laws, i.e., the thermal-pressurization (TP) friction law, the softening-hardening (SH) friction law, and a simple slip-weakening (SW) friction law, and viscosity. Results show that slip-weakening friction and viscosity remarkably affect slip of the slider. The TP and SW friction laws cause very similar results. The results caused by the SH friction law are quite different from those by the other two. For the cases in study, the fixed points are not an attractor.
Multi-Fidelity Multi-Grid Design Optimization of Planar Microwave Structures with Sonnet

Simple and reliable algorithm for design optimization of microwave structures with Sonnet em is introduced. The presented methodology exploits coarse-discretization models of the structure of interest, starting from a very coarse grid, and gradually increasing the discretization density. Each model is optimized using a grid-search routine. The optimal design of the current model is used as an initial design for the finer-discretization one. Our methodology is computationally efficient as most of the operations are performed on coarse-discretization models. Two examples of microstrip filter design are given.
A Randomly Selected Chamber: Promises and Challenges

This paper explores the idea of a randomly selected chamber of representatives (RSC) through an appreciation of the promises it offers and the challenges it would face. We identify two main promises: a RSC could offset the aristocratic character of elections, thereby increasing the legitimacy of the political system; and it could increase democracy’s epistemic potential, thanks to gains in terms of diversity, deliberations, humility, and long-term perspective. We then discuss four key challenges. First, participation: how can the chamber have diversity without mandatory participation or heavy sanctions? Second, how can we conceive or build legitimacy for this non-elected and somehow unaccountable chamber’s views? Third, independence: how to safeguard randomly selected people from corruption? Finally, there may be a linguistic challenge: if the RSC has a deliberative role, how should it cope with the possible linguistic diversity of its members? We conclude that these challenges are not insurmountable, but reveal some trade-offs that cannot be entirely dissolved.
Constraints on squark and gluino masses in R-parity violating scenarios from jet triplet resonance searches

This thesis begins with the formulation of supersymmetry. Further on, the concept of R-parity is introduced, squarks and gluinos that can interact through R-parity violating couplings are studied, bounds on their masses at 95 % confidence level are found by use of Monte Carlo simulations for proton–proton collisions at 7 TeV.
Nesting biology and social organization of Halictus sexcinctus (Fabricius) in southern Greece

Halictus sexcinctus is a large halictine bee species widely distributed across central Europe and into the Middle East. Although its behaviour had not previously been studied in detail, it is known to exhibit solitary behaviour in central Europe. An aggregation nesting beside the seashore at Pyla-Daimonia, Demos Molai, in the southeastern Peloponnesos, Greece, was studied during the summers of 1997 and 1998. In southern Greece, H. sexcinctus exhibits weakly eusocial colonies, based on a partially bivoltine colony cycle, so across its range it is socially polymorphic. Weak eusociality in this Mediterranean population is characterized by haplometrotic nest-founding, a relatively high degree of queenworker size dimorphism, high rates of worker mating and ovarian development, relatively short queen life-spans, and relatively low second-brood productivity. Overall, the sex ratio of the first brood is highly female-biased, while that of the second brood is variable, the proportions of males and females varying.
Augmented reality based reaching exercise for shoulder rehabilitation

Stroke or cerebrovascular accident (CVA) causes disability and affected the person's quality of life. The rehabilitation therapies are normally conducted for post stroke patients to promote their quality of life and daily living standard. Among rehabilitation exercises, shoulder range of motion (ROM) exercise and muscle strengthening exercise are the most important rehabilitation therapies for post stroke patients as this can improve their activities of daily life. Among the shoulder ROM exercises, the reaching exercise is normally conducted with checkerboard in rehabilitation centre as a traditional therapy which becomes boring after trained for few times. To overcome this problem, same exercise with augmented reality (AR) based game like style incorporate with motivated visual and audio feedbacks has developed and details of the system is presented in this paper. The AR based reaching exercise has developed within the normal average range of motion. The system includes personal computer or laptop, webcam, marker and BioGraph Infiniti system. Thus, it can be used at home without modifying anything and patient can use easily by himself without extra help. The developed system has integrated with biofeedback system to become more effective in rehabilitation. The integrated system has already tested with healthy subject and worked perfectly with positive feedbacks.
Intercomparison of stratospheric ozone profiles for the assessment of the upgraded GROMOS radiometer at Bern

Since November 1994, the GROund-based Millimeter-wave Ozone Spectrometer (GROMOS) measures stratospheric and lower mesospheric ozone in Bern, Switzerland (47.95° N, 7.44° E). GROMOS is part of the Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change (NDACC). In July 2009, a Fast-Fourier-Transform spectrometer (FFTS) has been added as backend to GROMOS. The new FFTS and the original filter bench (FB) measured parallel for over two years. In October 2011, the FB has been turned off and the FFTS is now used to continue the ozone time series. For a consolidated ozone time series in the frame of NDACC, the quality of the stratospheric ozone profiles obtained with the FFTS has to be assessed. The FFTS results from July 2009 to December 2011 are compared to ozone profiles retrieved by the FB. FFTS and FB of the GROMOS microwave radiometer agree within 5% above 20 hPa. A later harmonization of both time series will be realized by taking the FFTS as benchmark for the FB. Ozone profiles from the FFTS are also compared to coinciding lidar measurements from the Observatoire Haute Provence (OHP), France. For the time period studied a maximum mean difference (lidar – GROMOS FFTS) of +3.8% at 3.1 hPa and a minimum mean difference of +1.4% at 8 hPa is found. Further, intercomparisons with ozone profiles from other independent instruments are performed: satellite measurements include MIPAS onboard ENVISAT, SABER onboard TIMED, MLS onboard EOS Aura and ACE-FTS onboard SCISAT-1. Additionally, ozonesondes launched from Payerne, Switzerland, are used in the lower stratosphere. Mean relative differences of GROMOS FFTS and these independent instruments are less than 10% between 50 and 0.1 hPa.
HOW ARE THE EFFECTS OF PROFITABILITY AND CAPITAL STRUCTURE ON STOCK RETURN WITH INFLATION AS A MODERATION VARIABLE

This study aims to determine the effect of profitability and capital structure on stock return with inflation as a moderation variable; thus, it can reveal the strength or the weakness of the effect on stock return. Furthermore, financial statement data in this present research consist of 120 data from five manufacturing industry companies using method of analysis of General Linear Model. The result of this research is that profitability gives effect on increasing stock return of company and also the high capital structure increases company’s stock return. Moreover, this study also reveals that inflation can moderate both profitability toward stock return and capital structure toward stock return. On the other hand, investor can see the three variables as a consideration for investment decision making.
Frequency of L1721W Polymorphism in TET2 Gene Among a Cohort of Sudanese Patients with Myeloproliferative Disorders: Possible Roles in Pathogenicity and Leukemic Transformation

Transformation of myeloproliferative disorders (MPDs) to acute leukemia is an evitable event that represents a stumbling block in the management of patients. The Janus Kinase-2 JAK2V617F mutation of MDP does not clarify the phenotypic variability observed in this disorder. But, a mutations in Ten-eleven-translocation-2 (TET2), a putative tumor suppressor gene, was recently implicated in MPDs and other hematologic malignancies. TET-2 is believed to play a role in leukemic transformation. This study aimed to determine the frequency of L1721W polymorphism in TET2 gene in a cohort of Sudanese patients with MPDs. Following informed consent, 25 (25/50, 50%) patients with polycythemia rubra vera (PRV), thirteen patients (13/50, 26%) with essential thrombocythemia (ET), eleven patients (11/50, 22%) with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), and one patient (1/50, 2%) with primary myelofibrosis (PMF) were enrolled. None of the patients was in the transformation phase. Patients were diagnosed based on clinical picture, hematological parameters and JAK2V617F and BCR_ABL molecular aberrations. JAK2V617F was detected in Ph-negative-MPDs cases as (24/25, 96%) in PRV, (10/13, 76%) in ET, and (1/1, 100%) in PMF. BCR_ABL fusion was detected in all (11/11, 100%) cases of CML. DNA was extracted using the guanidine chloride method, followed by (PCR-RFLP) analysis. Only one patient showed the presence of L1721W polymorphism of the TET2. It was inferred that the low frequency of this transformation within the study cohort [all in chronic phase] probably indicates that it plays a minor role in MPD pathogenesis, while its role in blast transformation needs further studies in MPD patients.
Winter anticyclonic blocking effects over Europe during 1960-2000 from an ensemble of regional climate models

Anticyclonic blocking is an important factor for mid-latitude climate variability and is considered to play a key role in anomalous and extreme events. In this study we present an ana lysis of atmospheric blocking events on the output of a multi-model ensemble of regional climate model (RCM) simulations. The ensemble consists of a set of 13 RCMs, nested in the Euro- pean domain with a resolution of 50 × 50 km. All RCM simulations were driven by similar lateral boundary conditions, namely, the ERA-40 reanalysis for the period 1961−2000, as part of the European project ENSEMBLES. The aim was to investigate the ability of the different RCMs to reproduce the anticyclonic blocking events of the forcing reanalysis fields. When the atmo - spheric blocking events were examined in terms of their frequency in the RCM outputs, we found that the longitudinal dependence of the frequency in ERA-40 is reproduced by all RCMs. The composite map of the 500 hPa geopotential height for the days central to blocking episodes calculated for the RCM ensemble was found to be similar in pattern and magnitude to the respec- tive composite map from ERA-40 reanalysis. Related effects of the blocking events on daily aver- age temperature and precipitation were studied in the RCM simulations and compared with respective observational (E-OBS) and reanalysis (ERA-40) gridded data sets. The results of this process-oriented evaluation study indicated a rather good ability of the different RCMs to repro- duce the anticyclonic blocking events of the forcing reanalysis, as well as their influence on temperature and precipitation anomalies.
TOURISM COOPERATION AND PEACE - AN EXAMPLE FROM THE DIVIDED NATION OF KOREA

At the end of 1996, international tourist arrivals reached 600 million, generating US $423 billion. By the year 2020 tourist arrivals will reach to 1.6 million (WTO, 1997). Despite the strength of global tourist demand, many destinations especially in the third world, are facing fluctuations in tourist arrivals, due to unsafe political conditions. Richter (1992, p.36) points at the fifth critical element ‘S’-security, in addition to four favourable ‘S’s’ (sun,sea, sand, sax) which are often seen as the core of developing a nation’s tourist appeal. This paper addresses a number of key issues related to tourism cooperation and peace, using the case study of the divided nation between South Korea and North Korea. The research and analysis of this case includes both theory and facts. The theoretical concepts are of two kinds: theories on division and political boundary and theories on peace and tourism. The purpose of this paper is to expose the current economic condition of the tourism industry in South and North Korea, and the suggested options for tourism cooperation.
Phytosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles from Caesalpinia pulcherrima (L.) Sw.

The zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were synthesized using whole plant extracts of Caesalpinia pulcherrima in this study. Five grams of cleaned plant materials were boiled in 50 mL distilled water at 60°C for 10 min. The plant extracts were filtered through Whatman number-1 filter paper. One mM solution of Zinc nitrate hexahydrate [Zn (NO3)2.6H2O] was prepared using distilled water and used as a precursor for the synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles. Initial visual color change (yellow) was observed as a preliminary confirmation of reaction mixtures with varied time intervals. The synthesis of ZnO NPs was further confirmed using the UVVisible absorption spectroscopy. Leaf and flower reaction mixtures exhibited strong peaks at 314 nm, stem at 305 nm, root at 299 nm and seeds at 296 nm. This green approach is safe, eco-friendly, cost-effective and the prepared nanoparticles can be used in agriculture, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries.
Performance of a Boundary Layer Ingesting (BLI) propulsion system

This paper presents an assessment of the performance of an embedded propulsion system in the presence of distortion associated with boundary layer ingestion. For fan pressure ratios of interest for civil transports, the benefits of boundary layer ingestion are shown to be very sensitive to the magnitude of fan and duct losses. The distortion transfer across the fan, basically the comparison of the stagnation pressure non-uniformity downstream of the fan to that upstream of the fan, has a major role in determining the impact of boundary layer ingestion on overall fuel burn. This, in turn, puts requirements on the fidelity with which one needs to assess the distortion transfer, and thus the type of models that need to be used in such assessment. For the three-dimensional distortions associated with fuselage boundary layers ingested into a subsonic diffusing inlet, it is found that boundary layer ingestion can provide decreases in fuel burn of several per cent. It is also shown that a promising avenue for mitigating the risks (aerodynamic as well as aeromechanical) in boundary layer ingestion is to mix out the flow before it reaches the engine face.
An Improved Lumped Parameter Model for a Piezoelectric Energy Harvester in Transverse Vibration

An improved lumped parameter model (ILPM) is proposed which predicts the output characteristics of a piezoelectric vibration energy harvester (PVEH). A correction factor is derived for improving the precisions of lumped parameter models for transverse vibration, by considering the dynamic mode shape and the strain distribution of the PVEH. For a tip mass, variations of the correction factor with PVEH length are presented with curve fitting from numerical solutions. The improved governing motion equations and exact analytical solution of the PVEH excited by persistent base motions are developed. Steady-state electrical and mechanical response expressions are derived for arbitrary frequency excitations. Effects of the structural parameters on the electromechanical outputs of the PVEH and important characteristics of the PVEH, such as short-circuit and open-circuit behaviors, are analyzed numerically in detail. Accuracy of the output performances of the ILPM is identified from the available lumped parameter models and the coupled distributed parameter model. Good agreement is found between the analytical results of the ILPM and the coupled distributed parameter model. The results demonstrate the feasibility of the ILPM as a simple and effective means for enhancing the predictions of the PVEH.
Dissolution of Spinel Oxides and Capacity Losses in 4 V Li / Li x Mn2 O 4 Cells

Dissolution of spinel manganese oxides and the concomitant cathodic capacity losses were examined in 4 V Li/PC + DME + LiClO 4 /Li x Mn 2 O 4 cells where PC is propylene carbonate and DME is dimethoxyethane. Dissolved Mn 2+ contents in the electrolytes were analyzed as a function of cathode potential and carbon contents in the composite cathodes. Characteristically, manganese dissolution was notably high at the charged state (at >4.1 V vs. Li/Li + ), in which potential range an electrochemical oxidation of the solvent molecules was also prominent. From this and another observation whereby the Mn dissolution increased with increasing carbon content in the composite cathodes, it was proposed that, at the charged state of the cathode the solvent molecules are electrochemically oxidized on carbon surfaces and an as-generated species promotes the manganese dissolution. Results of an ac impedance study revealed that Mn dissolution brings about an increase in contact resistances at the Mn-depleted spinel/carbon interface, and also in the electrode reaction resistances for Li + intercalation/deintercalation. Thus, the Mn dissolution causes capacity losses in two different pathways; material loss of the loaded spinel and polarization loss due to a cell resistance increment. The former prevailed when cathodes contained excess amounts of carbon, while the latter became more of a problem as the carbon contents decreased.
Power Losses and Thermal Impedance Characterization of Power Modules

The trend of electrification in automotive industry over the last years, has lead to the production of numerous vehicles that have either fully electric or hybrid drivetrains. The main component of the power electronics in the drive-train of such vehicles, are the power modules. During driving cycles, the heat produced from power losses at power electronics, forces the power modules to thermal cycling, consequently to thermal-mechanical stress. Thus, sufficient knowledge of the power losses and the thermal behavior of the power modules is necessary for the sake of proper dimensioning and reliability. This thesis deals with the measurement of power losses for an IGBT power module, the extraction of the power losses according to its manufacturer and the comparison between them. In addition, a Finite Element model of a power module is built and verified with experimental measurements, to extract the self and mutual thermal impedances of its silicon chips. As a result, look-up tables with power losses of the power module in several operating points are obtained, as well as mathematical models that describe the thermal behavior of the module are derived after simulations.
New aspects in the unfolding of the nilpotent singularity of codimension three

This paper is concerned with three-dimensional vector fields and more specifically with the study of dynamics in unfoldings of the nilpotent singularity of codimension three. The ultimate goal is to understand the dynamics and bifurcations in the unfolding of the singularity. However, it is clear from the literature that the bifurcation diagram is very complicated and a complete study is far beyond the current possibilities, not only from a theoretical point of view but also from a numerical point of view, despite recent developments of computational methods for dynamical systems. Since all complicated dynamical behaviour is known to be of small amplitude, shrinking to the singularity for parameter values tending to the bifurcation parameter, the aim in this paper is especially to focus on a different aspect that might be interesting in the study of global bifurcation problems in the presence of such a nilpotent singularity of codimension three. The notion is introduced of 'traffic regulator' and the specific sets called the 'inset' and 'outset', which give a new framework for studying a transition map in a cylindrical neighbourhood of the singularity that contains all the non-trivial dynamics that can bifurcate from the singularity, focusing on the domains on which the transition map is defined. A list is also given of open problems which are believed to be helpful for future investigation of the bifurcations from the nilpotent triple zero singularity in 3.
Malware Analysis and Detection on Android: The Big Challenge

The popularization of the use of mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, has accelerated in recent years, as these devices have experienced a reduction in cost together with an increase in functionality and services availability. In this context, due to its openness and free availability, Android operating system (OS) has become not only a major stakeholder in the market of mobile devices but has also become an attractive target for cybercriminals. In this chapter, we advocate to present some current trends and results in the Android malware analysis and detection research area. We start by briefly describing the Android’s security model, followed by a discussion of the static and dynamic malware analysis techniques in order to provide a general view of the analysis and detection process to the reader. After that, a description of a particular set of software developments, which exemplify some of the discussed techniques, is presented accompanied by a set of practical results. Finally, we draw some conclusions about the future development of the Android malware analysis area. The main contribution of this chapter is a description of the realization of static and dynamic malware analysis techniques and principles that can be automated and mapped to software system tools in order to simplify analyses. Moreover, some details about the use of machine learning algorithms for malware classifications and the use of the hooking software techniques for dynamic analysis execution are provided.