Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Study of Boundary Conditions in the Meshless Local Petrov-Galerkin (MLPG) Method for Electromagnetic Field Computations

Meshless local Petrov-Galerkin (MLPG) method is successfully applied for electromagnetic field computations. The moving least square technique is used to interpolate the trial and test functions. More attention is paid to imposing the essential boundary conditions of electromagnetic equations. A new coupled meshless local Petrov-Galerkin and finite element (MLPG-FE) method is presented to enforce the essential boundary conditions. Unlike the conventional coupled technique, this approach can ensure the smooth blending of the potential variables as well as their derivatives in the transition region between the meshless and finite element domains. Then the boundary singular weight method is proposed to enforce the boundary conditions for electromagnetic field equations accurately. Practical examples in engineering, including the computations of the electric-field intensity of the cross section of long straight metal slot, the end region of a power transformer and axisymmetric problem in the electromagnetic field, are solved by the presented approaches. All numerical verification and all kinds of comparison analysis show that the MLPG method is a promising alternative numerical approach for electromagnetic field computations, and the proposed techniques can be good candidates for imposing essential boundary conditions. Keyword: Meshless local Petrov-Galerkin (MLPG) method, electromagnetic field computation, essential boundary, coupled method.
Innovation in Times of Crisis: The Uneven Effects of the Economic Downturn across Europe

This article addresses the impact of the current economic downturn on innovation across Europe. Using micro and macro data we investigate to what extent some characteristics of a country affect the reaction of its firms in terms of innovation investment. It emerges that the effects of the economic downturn in terms of firms’ innovation investment are not the same across European countries. The competences and quality of the human resources, the specialization in the hi-technology sector together with the depth of the financial system seem to be the structural factors which are able to offset the effect of the economic downturn on innovation investments of firms across Europe. Finally, some considerations about policies during the crisis are discussed.
Genetic Modification of Herbaceous Plants for Feed and Fuel

Referee: Dr. E. Charles Brummer, Forage Breeding and Genetics, 1204 Agromonomy, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011 Much of the research on the genetic modification of herbaceous plant cell walls has been conducted to improve the utilization of forages by ruminant livestock. The rumen of these animals is basically an anaerobic fermentation vat in which the micro flora break down the complex polysaccharides of plant cell walls into simpler compounds that can be further digested and absorbed by the mammalian digestive system. Research on improving the forage digestibility of switchgrass, Panicum virgatum L. , and other herbaceous species has demonstrated that genetic improvements can be made in forage quality that can have significant economic value. To meet future energy needs, herbaceous biomass will need to be converted into a liquid fuel, probably ethanol, via conversion technologies still under development. If feedstock quality can be genetically improved, the economics and efficiency of the conversion processes could be significantly enhanced. Improving an agricultural product for improved end product use via genetic modification requires knowledge of desired quality attributes, the relative economic value of the quality parameters in relation to yield, genetic variation for the desired traits, or for molecular breeding, knowledge of genes to suppress or add, and knowledge of any associated negative consequences of genetic manipulation. Because conversion technology is still under development, desirable plant feedstock characteristics have not been completely delineated. Some traits such as cellulose and lignin concentration will undoubtably be important. Once traits that affect biomass feedstock conversion are identified, it will be highly feasible to genetically modify the feedstock quality of herbaceous plants using both conventional and molecular breeding techniques. The use of molecular markers and transformation technology will greatly enhance the capability of breeders to modify the morphologic structure and cell walls of herbaceous species. It will be necessary to monitor gene flow to remnant wild populations of biomass plants and have strategies available to curtail gene flow if it becomes a potential problem. It will also be necessary to monitor plant survival and long-term productivity as affected by these genetic changes to herbaceous species.
Radiocarbon Dating of Shells and Foraminifera from the Skagen Core, Denmark: Evidence of Reworking

We report on 69 radiocarbon dates of mollusk shells and benthic foraminifera from the upper 132 m of the marine shelf sediments of the Skagen Core (220 m total length). The dated sequence covers the Late Glacial and the Holocene (from 15 ka bp to Recent). Sedimentation rates range from 1 to 70 m ka−1. The macrofossil shell dates follow a smooth curve constituting an age model for dating the sediments. The foraminiferal dates fall into two groups: those that agree exactly with the mollusk shells and those that deviate substantially, always being older than the shells by as much as 5 ka. One mixed foraminiferal sample consisted of members from both groups, and as a result, the age deviation of the sample turned out to be some weighted average. The data indicate that the age deviations are due to admixtures of reworked older foraminifera.
Novel Biopolymers/Functionalized Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube Composite Scaffolds for Cardiac Tissue Engineering

Abstract This work introduces the novel gelatin/chitosan blend scaffolds containing different amounts of functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (f-MWCNTs) up to 0.1wt%, which were prepared by freeze drying (freezing and lyophilization). The composite scaffolds were characterized by Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to distinguish the functional groups and different bonds in the structure of composite, and field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE−SEM) to evaluate the morphology of scaffolds. The scaffolds with the porosity of 89−93% and pore size of 40−200µm could be obtained by freezing at −20 °C and subsequent lyophilization. The porosity and swelling ratio of scaffolds were decreased, but the pore diameter was increased with an addition of f-MWCNTs. The electrical conductivity of incorporated scaffolds showed a significant increase with f-MWCNTs at an amount of 0.05wt%, and could achieve to those of the heart muscle. Compressive mechanical properties of the scaffolds revealed that the incorporation of f-MWCNTs led to significantly stiff the biopolymeric scaffold. The findings indicate that these novel fabricated composite scaffolds have microstructurally and electrically the potential to use in cardiac tissue engineering applications.
TREND ANALYSIS OF RAINFALL, TEMPERATURE AND RUNOFF DATA: A CASE STUDY OF RANGOON WATERSHED IN NEPAL

Purpose: The study has been carried out to investigate and assess the significance of the potential trend of three variables viz. rainfall, temperature and runoff over the Rangoon watershed in Dadeldhura district of Nepal.Methodology: In this study, trend analysis has been carried out on monthly, seasonal and annual basis using the data period between 1979 to 2010 for rainfall and temperature and 1967 to 1996 for runoff. Mann-Kendall test and Sen’s slope estimate test were applied to identify the existing trend direction and Sen’s slope estimator test were used to detect the trend direction and magnitude of change over time.Main findings: The most important findings are, i) There is warming trends over the Rangoon watershed as Mann-Kendall statistic (Z-value) for most of the maximum temperature values are positive, ii) Rainfall and runoff affected by fluctuations every year though the annual rainfall showing a rising trend whereas runoff showing a falling trend. The rainfall seasonal trend analysis indicates that monsoon and post-monsoon period showed a positive rainfall trend with z statistics of +1.93, and +1.12 respectively, whereas pre-monsoon and winter seasons showed a negative trend with z statistics of -1.02, and -0.54 respectively. However, the annual rainfall in the Rangoon watershed showed a positive trend with a z value of +1.70. Importance of this study: This case study has been undertaken to investigate the trends of important climatic variables viz. rainfall, temperature which have a direct impact on the agriculture of the region.Originality / Novelty of study: This is an original research work undertaken under the M. Tech programme during 2016-17 at IIT Roorkee by the scholar Er. Amar Bahadur Pal from Nepal.
EVALUATING THE NOVEL METHODS ON SPECIES DISTRIBUTION MODELING IN COMPLEX FOREST

The prediction of species distribution has become a focus in ecology. For predicting a result more effectively and accurately, some novel methods have been proposed recently, like support vector machine (SVM) and maximum entropy (MAXENT). However, high complexity in the forest, like that in Taiwan, will make the modeling become even harder. In this study, we aim to explore which method is more applicable to species distribution modeling in the complex forest. Castanopsis carlesii (long-leaf chinkapin, LLC), growing widely in Taiwan, was chosen as the target species because its seeds are an important food source for animals. We overlaid the tree samples on the layers of altitude, slope, aspect, terrain position, and vegetation index derived from SOPT-5 images, and developed three models, MAXENT, SVM, and decision tree (DT), to predict the potential habitat of LLCs. We evaluated these models by two sets of independent samples in different site and the effect on the complexity of forest by changing the background sample size (BSZ). In the forest with low complex (small BSZ), the accuracies of SVM (kappa = 0.87) and DT (0.86) models were slightly higher than that of MAXENT (0.84). In the more complex situation (large BSZ), MAXENT kept high kappa value (0.85), whereas SVM (0.61) and DT (0.57) models dropped significantly due to limiting the habitat close to samples. Therefore, MAXENT model was more applicable to predict species’ potential habitat in the complex forest; whereas SVM and DT models would tend to underestimate the potential habitat of LLCs.
Promising Effect of Metallic Mordants on Colorimetric Physiognomy of Dyed Cotton Fabric Employing Banana (Musa Sapientum) Agricultural Waste

This analysis intends to unveil the effect of metallic mordants on colorimetric properties of ecologically dyed cotton fabric using banana floral stem sap (BFS). Natural dye retrieved from banana floral stem by roller squeezer machine. Pre-mordanting action was performed by potassium alum, iron (II) sulphate, copper (II) sulphate and tin (II) chloride. Pre-mordanted specimens were dyed at 100℃ for 60 minutes. Dye fiber binding actions was determined by FTIR-ATR spectra. Effect of metallic mordants were calculated using CIE L * a * b * color space in terms of colorimetric properties viz. color coordinates value i.e. lightness (L*), redness (a*), yellowness (b*), color saturation (C*) and hue angle (h 0 ); color strength (K/S) value; degree of color levelness and brightness index (BI). Though iron (II) sulphate treated samples exhibited height color saturation but uneven physiognomy was observed. Among them best colorimetric appearance yielded in case of alum. This reports forecast a sustainable pathway for effective utilization of agricultural waste i.e. banana floral stem sap for coloration of cotton fabric.
Approaching Engagement in Audio Description

Humans’ attraction to fiction is believed to respond to a search for pleasure, entertainment or enjoyment. Readers and film viewers engage with books and movies to participate in an experience that will provide some kind of gratification. However, the mechanisms that lead to engagement with written and audiovisual narratives are highly complex and not yet fully understood. This paper constitutes a theoretical approach to engagement in audio description. Drawing on literature from Psychology and Media Studies, it will be argued that engagement is facilitated by comprehension and immersion. An insight on these intricate mental processes will be provided by dwelling on the creation of mental models, the feeling of being transported to the narrative world and the development of affective dispositions towards fictional characters. The close relationship between comprehension and immersion will then be unraveled, before some strategies that could enhance engagement in audio described films are outlined. Approaching Engagement in Audio Description*
Assessing the appropriation of social media by academic librarians in South Africa and Zimbabwe

Research into the appropriation of social media by academic libraries in countries with growing economies is scarce. There remains an empirical and theoretical gap in the literature about how librarians, particularly those in Southern Africa, are deploying social media in their work routines and in their personal lives. Based on one of the researchers’ experiences at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) Library and both researchers’ use of the University of the Western Cape (UWC) Library, the researchers aimed to examine the way librarians deploy and appropriate social media platforms as part of their service delivery. Using data derived from a questionnaire survey among librarians at UWC in South Africa and NUST in Zimbabwe, this study examined how librarians use social media for professional and personal purposes. The findings suggest that UWC librarians are more proficient social media users than NUST librarians. They further reveal that UWC librarians themselves are managing social media, while at NUST, the Information Technology department is directly responsible for managing the platforms. The study found that UWC Library utilises social media to promote its services more widely, whereas the NUST Library uses social media for reference services.
Investigation of the Photodecomposition Rate Constant of Poly (Vinyl Chloride) Films Containing Organotin (IV) Complexes

The photodecomposition of poly(vinyl chloride), films containing organotin complexes (0.5% by weight) was investigated. The photodecomposition rate constant was reduced significantly in the presence of organotin complexes compared to the blank PVC. The Ph3SnL complex was found to be the most effective additive in photostabilization of PVC films. The photodecomposition rate constant for PVC films containing triphenyltin(IV) was found to be 1.80 ´10-3 sec-1 compared to 4.75 ´ 10-3 sec-1 for PVC films in the absence of any additives.
The supermassive black hole mass-Sérsic index relations for bulges and elliptical galaxies

Scaling relations between supermassive black hole mass, MBH, and host galaxy prop- erties are a powerful instrument for studying their coevolution. A complete picture involving all of the black hole scaling relations, in which each relation is consistent with the others, is necessary to fully understand the black hole-galaxy connection. The relation between MBH and the central light concentration of the surrounding bulge, quantified by the Sersic index n, may be one of the simplest and strongest such re- lations, requiring only uncalibrated galaxy images. We have conducted a census of literature Sersic index measurements for a sample of 54 local galaxies with directly measured MBH values. We find a clear MBH n relation, despite an appreciable level of scatter due to the heterogeneity of the data. Given the current MBH Lsph and the Lsph n relations, we have additionally derived the expected MBH n relations, which are marginally consistent at the 2σ level with the observed relations. Elliptical galaxies and the bulges of disc galaxies are each expected to follow two distinct bent MBH n relations due to the Sersic/core-Sersic divide. For the same central light concentration, we predict that MBH in the Sersic bulges of disc galaxies are an order magnitude higher than in Sersic elliptical galaxies if they follow the same MBH Lsph relation.
The Comparative Significance of Contingencies to Quality Management

The purpose of this research is to examine the relative effect of contingencies such as organizational characteristics and business environment on the implementation of quality management system in business. The predictor variables affect the adoption of quality management system at different levels. Nonetheless, these influential levels have not been assessed and compared amongst the predictor variables. This research uses the analytic hierarchy procedure to evaluate and rank the comparative importance that the predictor variables play in implementing quality management system in business. Then for the robustness of the findings from the analytic hierarchy procedure, this research also employs mean-test procedures to re-assesses the relative importance levels. The findings are robust across the two methods. Organizational characteristics are more important than business environment in explaining the implementation of quality management system. Of the twelve elements of organizational characteristics and environmental uncertainty, decentralization is the most imperative; whereas technology is the least essential. This research has some implications on how business executives should adopt quality management system facing different types of organizational characteristics and business environment.
The Knowledge and Prevalence of Cyberbullying in a College Sample

Cyberbullying is a new type of bullying of which many children and teens are falling victim. Cyberbullying involves harming another person through use of the internet or texting. The purpose of the current studies was to examine the knowledge and prevalence of cyberbullying in a sample of college students. Participants were asked to report about technology use, past and present instances of bullying (traditional and cyberbullying), as well as respond to questions concerning the consequences of cyberbullying. While college students seem aware of what cyberbullying involves, instances of cyberbullying in college appear to be minimal. Although college students have access to many technologies, the majority do not seem to engage in bullying through the internet. However, those individuals who are cyber bullies are also likely to be victims of cyberbullying. Limitations and directions for future research are discussed. Cyberbullying is really just kids being mean to other kids online because they feel that their actions on the internet have no consequences in real life. Most children/teens don’t have the guts to bully someone in the traditional sense because there are instant repercussions whereas they feel that they can “get away” with cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is no different than traditional bullying; it lowers self-esteem and self-worth.
Scan Angle Stability of a Second-Order Plasma-Switched Frequency Selective Surface

Multiphysics for electromagnetic simulation of a plasmabased frequency selective surface (FSS) structure that can provide significant shielding in harsh environments. A secondorder structure containing encapsulated plasma elements is introduced, with plasma modeled as homogeneous negative permittivity dielectric material. The structure is transparent at X-band in the off state and blocks energy in the on state. Performance of an infinite array was simulated using Floquet boundary conditions. Off state performance is stable in terms of frequency and bandwidth across wide incidence (scan) angles, and significant switchable attenuation is predicted in the on state.
SOFT MAGNETIC Fe-BASED METALLIC GLASSES PREPARED BY FLUXING AND WATER-QUENCHING

Fe 0.5 Co 0.5 ) 0.75 B 0.20 Si 0.05 ) 96 Nb 4 soft magnetic bulk metallic glasses were prepared by flux- ing and water-quenching in a silica tube. Dimension of the bulk metallic glass specimens was up to 7.7 mm in diameter, which is about 1.5 times larger than those prepared by Cu mold-casting. The critical cooling rate of ((Fe 0.5 Co 0.5 ) 0.75 B 0.20 Si 0.05 ) 96 Nb 4 alloys with fluxing for forming a metallic glass phase was 150 - 170 K/s, which was considerably smaller than that without fluxing. Satura- tion magnetization was 1.13 T, and coercivity was lower than 20 A/m. Fluxing suppresses hetero- geneous nucleation by isolating the nucleation sites from the molten alloys and improves their glass-forming ability.
Cognitive Impairment in Schizophrenia: Current Perspective

Impairments in a variety of cognitive functions are found in patients with schizophrenia. These impairments affect a wide array of different cognitive abilities and are often of moderate to severe degree. Cognitive impairments appear to present across lifespan, detectable at the time of first episode of illness, probably predate the illness and manifest a generally stable course over time.Though cognitive impairment does not form a part of diagnostic criteria, it has been included in DSM-V and proposed to be included in ICD-11 as a schizophrenia course specifier. This review attempts to provide a broad overview of the domains, onset, severity and course of cognitive impairments in schizophrenia, with a focus on functional relevance and treatment possibilities. There is strong evidence for a relationship between cognitive impairment and vocational and functional impairment in individuals with schizophrenia.
Diet Diversity Score may not be a Good Indicator of Healthy Diet

Background: The close relationship between diet and disease emphasizes the need for optimal diet evaluation. The aim of this study was to compare the efficiency by which each of Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2010, Diet Quality Index-International (DQI), Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS), and Diet Diversity Score (DDS) evaluates the diet. Methods: In a cross-sectional design, 438 adults aged 20-50 years were recruited. Dietary intakes were assessed using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. HEI-2010, DQI, MDS, and DDS were calculated and scored according to their corresponding criteria. Results: Energy (1917 ± 554 kcal to 2898 ± 933 kcal), saturated fats (17.0 ± 6.8 g to 28.1 ± 11.5 g), and cholesterol (244 ± 195 g to 414 ± 343 g) increased across tertiles of DDS and energy (2017 ± 699 kcal to 2621 ± 748 kcal) increased across tertiles of DQI. In contrast, saturated fats decreased (23.9 ± 12.0 g to 20.8 ± 8.1 g for HEI-2010 and 23.7 ± 10.0 g to 20.5 ± 10.4 g for MDS), but energy and cholesterol did not change significantly across tertiles of HEI-2010 and MDS. Other nutrients either did not change or changed appropriately across tertiles of the different indices. Conclusion: DDS and, to a less extent, DQI may not be good indicators of healthy diet especially in terms of obesity and cardiovascular diseases.