Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relationship between Free Cash Flow and Corporate Performance Evidence from the Listed Real Estate Companies in China

There is no consensus on the impact of free cash flow upon corporate performance. Based on the data from 2006-2012 of all listed real estate companies in China, authors studied the relationship between the free cash flow and performance of these firms. Using principal component analysis and regression analysis, key financial performance indicators were calculated out of 18 financial performance indicators, and these key indicators of sample companies were correlated to their free cash flow. The results showed that the free cash flow of a company is negatively linear-correlated to its performance, i.e., too much free cash flow will lead the corporate performance to decline. Therefore, the investors and the managers should avoid business inefficient because of too much free cash flow, which triggers the investment risk and loss.
Virtual environments and ergonomics: needs and opportunities

Although based on a still immature technology, virtual environments appear to have potential for applications in industry, commerce, medicine and education. The role of ergonomics will be in development of improved virtual environment interfaces and in enabling better utilization of the technology through specifying user needs and requirements and developing evaluation methodologies. By extension, ergonomists will also be involved in building virtual environments for use in areas of ergonomics activity such as workplace layout, interface design, procedures testing, education and training. This paper overviews virtual environment attributes and capabilities and proposes a framework for their specification, development and evaluation, before summarizing current ergonomics research issues. Current work on participant side effects is summarized. A strong case is made for the potential value of ergonomics for virtual environments and vice versa.
Scattering from conducting loops and solution of circular loop antennas by numerical methods

The integral equation of the current distribution along a circular loop antenna is solved by numerical methods. The integral equation is converted into a set of linear simultaneous equations, whose solution gives the desired current distribution. First, the loop antenna driven by a voltage source is considered and solutions to loops of various sizes are obtained. Secondly, current distributions are obtained for the loop as a scatterer illuminated by a plane wave. Finally, from the knowledge of the current on the illuminated loops, backscattering patterns are obtained for loops as a function of the rotation angle. The results of measurements for the latter case are also presented and compared with the calculations.
Digitally controlled oscillator design with a variable capacitance XOR gate

A digitally controlled oscillator (DCO) using a three-transistor XOR gate as the variable load has been presented. A delay cell using an inverter and a three-transistor XOR gate as the variable capacitance is also proposed. Three-, five- and seven-stage DCO circuits have been designed using the proposed delay cell. The output frequency is controlled digitally with bits applied to the delay cells. The three-bit DCO shows output frequency and power consumption variation in the range of 3.2486–4.0267 GHz and 0.6121–0.3901 mW, respectively, with a change in the control word 111–000. The five-bit DCO achieves frequency and power of 1.8553–2.3506 GHz and 1.0202–0.6501 mW, respectively, with a change in the control word 11111–00000. Moreover, the seven-bit DCO shows a frequency and power consumption variation of 1.3239–1.6817 GHz and 1.4282–0.9102 mW, respectively, with a varying control word 1111111–0000000. The power consumption and output frequency of the proposed circuits have been compared with earlier reported circuits and the present approaches show significant improvements.
Parallel-optical-interconnecting multiwavelength star network (POIMS Net) for high-capacity switching

The POIMS Net is a multiple-fibre star network that combines optical space-, time-, and wavelength-division techniques to provide n/spl times/n cell switching with port bandwidth >10 Gbit/s, and sub-Tbit/s total capacity. An implementation with arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) routers and semiconductor electroabsorption gate switches demonstrates cell switching at 10 Gbit/s/port.
Not in whose backyard? Minority population concentrations and noxious facility sites

The NIMBY (not in may backyard) syndrome has become the nemesis of facility siting efforts in the USA. Given people's reluctance to live near noxious facilities, in whose backyard are such facilities located This study employs US county-level data to examine relative concentrations of minorities living near noxious facilities. Facility types analyzed include electric generating plants, manufacturing plants, Superfund sites, and radioactive waste disposal sites. While this study does not address which cam first, the minority population concentration or the noxious facilities, it documents their current degree of association.
Social Studies Curriculum: An Educational Response Tool to the Different Problems Faced in Family Life Today in Africa

Family is a gift of God. The holy family of Nazareth (Jesus, Mary and Joseph) exemplifies a model family. A family is the basic social unit of the society based on marriage. It comprises the child (children), their mother and their father. In some extreme cases when children do not arrive, it does not make it less a family. The scripture exposes us to the different realities of family life. It tells stories about births, love and family crises. This is drawn from the first book of the Bible which recorded the stories of Adam and Eve’s family with all its burden of violence and enduring strength. There are myriads of problems faced in family life today in Africa. Some of these problems include domestic violence, marital rape, incest, infidelity, hatred, marital slavery, patriarchy, child labour, male child vis à vis female child syndrome, information and communications technologies, just to mention a few. Despite faith response to these problems; a response based on the sacred scripture and the teachings of the church, there is need for its educational response; the Social Studies Curriculum, in order to bring plausible solutions to these problems. This qualitative study, based on content analysis is anchored on the functionalist theory and supported by the conflict theory.
Sustaining motivation and academic delay of gratification: Analysis and applications

ABSTRACT To be academically successful, students need to delay gratification, sustain motivation, keep a high level of self-efficacy, and maintain an appropriate balance within their hot/cool cognitive-affective system. The cognitive-affective personality system includes 5 cognitive-affective mediating components (i.e., individuals’ way of encoding themselves and situations; expectancy for success and beliefs; affective responses, emotions, and feelings; goals and values; and competencies and self-regulatory plans), and it is the theoretical framework that guides this article. Consistent with the theme of this special issue and by focusing on college students, I present applications of motivational theory to educational practices for each of the 5 cognitive-affective mediating components with particular attention to a hot-cool system analysis of delaying gratification. The article describes specific motivational practices that could advance existing knowledge and enhance teaching, learning, and performance among college students. The article provides practical applications about how teachers could promote motivation when assigning long-term projects.
Modeling and Simulating of Multi-Rigid-Body System with Friction-Affected Translational Joints

In this paper, a modeling and simulating method is presented for the planar rigid multi-body system with friction-affected translational joints. The dynamical equations of the non-smooth system are formulated by the first kind of Lagrange's equations in Cartesian coordinate system. The normal forces are expressed by the Lagrange multipliers, and the frictional forces are characterized by Coulomb's friction law. The state transition problem of stick-slip and normal forces of bilateral constraints is solved by an improved trial-and-error method. Finally, the planar rigid multi-body system with two translational joints is considered as a illustrative application example.
Near-infrared enhanced position-sensitive avalanche photodiodes

A laser processing method was used to microstructure the surface of position-sensitive silicon avalanche photodiodes (PSAPDs) and enhance their near-infrared response. Following laser microstructuring and high-temperature annealing, experiments were performed on PSAPDs to determine their performance at 1064 nm. As a result of this processing method, we fabricated APDs with quantum efficiencies as high as 58% at 1064 nm. The enhanced near-infrared response has now been realized in both lateral effect and quadrant-type PSAPDs without altering their electronic noise, avalanche gain or position resolution. A near-infrared-enhanced PSAPD module with temperature control and position output was assembled and tested.
Larger Array Fine Pitch Wafer Level Package Drop Test Reliability

In this study, drop test reliabilities of wafer level packages (WLP) are investigated. Failure mechanism, crack map and crack initiation location are presented. Failure rates of six groups defined by JEDEC are examined through both drop test experiment and finite element (FE) analysis with ANSYS software. Effects of component placement, PCB design, WLP structures, array size, pitch, and solder alloy are studied through drop test experiment per JESD22-B111 and finite element modeling. It is found that the primary failure mechanism of WLP drop test failures is fracture of intermetallic compound (IMC) at WLP side. During the drop test, solder joints at outer columns experience most stress and will fracture first. And the corner balls always fail first. The crack initiates at inner side of solder joint and propagates to the opposite side. When JEDEC recommended PCB is used for WLP drop test, the corner components fail first. This is different from the findings from BGA packages. It is confirmed that the dominant failure rate of corner WLP components is mainly due to the effect of mounting screws, rather than the intrinsic drop test reliability of WLP. Therefore, it is not appropriate to judge the drop test reliability of WLP with the drop test data for the corner components. Instead, middle component drop test data represent intrinsic shock resistance of WLP, and they should be used to represent the drop test performance of WLP. Drop test DOE results showed that WLP structure and material make visible difference. Non-soldermask defined (NSMD) PCB pad designs result in better drop reliability than SMD pads. With a given ball array, WLP with smaller pitch has worse drop reliability. As array size increases from 6×6 to 10×10 and 12×12, the drop test performance drops significantly. In addition, choice of solder alloy makes visible difference for WLP.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Significant Genetic Impacts Accompany an Urban Rat Control Campaign in Salvador, Brazil

Rats thrive in human-dominated landscapes, and have expanded to a near global distribution. Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) contaminate food, damage infrastructure, and are reservoirs for zoonotic pathogens causing human diseases. To limit these negative impacts, entities around the world implement intervention and control strategies designed to quickly and drastically reduce the number of rats in a population. While the primary goal of these interventions is to reduce rat numbers and their detrimental activities, there are important, yet unexplored, population genetic implications for these rapid population declines. Here, we compare the population genetics of R. norvegicus before, immediately after, and several months following a rodenticide-based eradication campaign targeting rats in an urban slum of Salvador, Brazil. This slum has been the focus of long-term research designed to understand and reduce the risk of leptospirosis to people in this area. We also look for a clear source of rats contributing to population recovery by either rebound through breeding of local survivors or by immigration/reinvasion of the site. We found evidence of severe genetic bottlenecks, with effective population size dropping 85-91% after eradication, consistent with declines in population size. These rapid declines also led to a strong shift in the genetic structure of rats pre- and post-eradication campaign. Relatedness increased in two of the three study areas after eradication, suggesting reduced population sizes and uneven impacts of the campaign across colonies within the population. Lastly, dozens of low-frequency alleles (mean frequency of 0.037) observed before the campaign were undetected after the campaign, potentially lost from the population via drift or selection. We discuss the public health and ecological implications of these rapid genetic impacts of urban control efforts. Our data suggest that targeting the genetic viability of rat populations may be another important component for integrated pest management (IPM) strategies designed to reduce urban rats.
Force sensing submicrometer thick cantilevers with ultra-thin piezoresistors by rapid thermal diffusion

One of the most important requirements for a cantilever-type sensor to obtain high force sensitivity is small thickness. By using current micromachining technology it is possible to produce cantilevers of submicrometer thickness. Where self-sensing piezoresistive cantilevers with submicrometer thickness are concerned, it is necessary to use a technology which can create ultra-thin (<100 nm) piezoresistors on a cantilever surface. This work demonstrates for the first time the application of a relatively simple, rapid thermal diffusion method by using spin-on glass film to fabricate sub-100 nm piezoresistors on an ultra-thin single-crystal silicon cantilever. Compared to other shallow junction fabrication methods, which involve implantation or deposition of a doped layer, this method is advantageous since no damage is created in the crystal structure and no toxic gas or hazardous material is used during the process. Besides, this technique can be applied by using low-cost rapid annealers, which can be readily found in most laboratories. By using this method, piezoresistive cantilevers with stiffness in the range of 0.001 N m−1 with sub-100 nm thick piezoresistors are fabricated, and a complete characterization of the fabricated cantilevers is performed.
Subsurface drip irrigation : A review

A comprehensive review of published information on subsurface drip irrigation was performed to determine the state of the art on the subject. Subsurface drip irrigation has been a part of drip irrigation development in the USA since its beginning about 1960, but interest has escalated since the early 1980s. Yield response for over 30 crops indicated that crop yield for subsurface drip was greater than or equal to that for other irrigation methods, including surface drip, and required less water in most cases. Lateral depths ranged from 0.02 to 0.70 m and lateral spacings ranged from 0.25 to 5.0 m. Several irrigation scheduling techniques, management strategies, crop water requirements, and water use efficiencies were discussed. Injection of nutrients, pesticides, and other chemicals to modify water and soil conditions is an important component of subsurface drip irrigation. Some mathematical models that simulate water movement in subsurface drip systems were included. Uniformity measurements and methods, a limited assessment of root intrusion into emitters, and estimates of overall system longevity were also discussed. Sufficient information exists to provide general guidance with regard to design, installation, and management of subsurface drip irrigation systems. A significant body of information is available to assist in determining relative advantages and disadvantages of this technology in comparison with other irrigation types. Subsurface drip provides a more efficient delivery system if water and nutrient applications are managed properly. Waste water application, especially for turf and landscape plants, offers great potential. Profitability and economic aspects have not been determined conclusively and will depend greatly on local conditions and constraints, especially availability and cost of water.
Service provision for depressed children and youth: a survey of program managers in Ontario

Background The worldwide prevalence of depressive disorders among children and youth has been reported in ranges from just under 3% to over 10%. In Canada, 7% of youth report past year depression, which is higher than any other age demographic. Yet, many of these youth do not receive evidence based interventions, increasing their risk for serious lifetime consequences. To better understand low service use, it is crucial to map and evaluate current services. This study aimed to determine the scope and nature of services available to depressed children and youth, and compare services to best evidence treatment guidelines. Methods Several government and non-government resources were utilized to develop a new multi-sectoral database of depression services for children and youth across Ontario. An online survey was sent to program managers serving children/youth with depression, examining agency characteristics, populations served, services provided, patterns of service use, evaluation activities, and research priorities. Results 413 agencies with 869 program managers participated, representing mental health, addictions and other sectors. Age groups served included children up to 12 years of age (31%), adolescents aged 13-17 (70%) and transition aged youth (18-25 years) (81%). Over half of respondents worked in the mental health (43.4%) or mental health and addiction (24.4%) sectors. The most frequently provided services were assessment, psychotherapy, case management, and psychoeducation; the most common types of psychotherapy provided included cognitive behavioral therapy, social skills training, and solution-focused therapy. Psychotherapies are offered in widely varying formats, frequencies and durations. Discontinuation rates varied, with higher discontinuation among transition aged youth as compared to children. Respondents identified effective treatment, improving access, and reducing service gaps as top future research priorities. Conclusions This study provides important new data on service provision and uptake for depressed children and youth. Comparing these results with best-evidence practice guidelines raises significant concerns about the services most commonly offered and their delivery formats. In addition, high early discontinuation rates raise questions about the service experiences of children, youth and their families. Other factors which may contribute to ongoing treatment engagement challenges include access barriers, service or client characteristics, and unintentional treatment impacts.
Occupational mobility in Queensland’s aged care, automotive and civil construction sectors

Current trends in workforce development indicate the movement of workers within and across occupations to be the norm. In 2009, only one in three vocational education and training (VET) graduates in Australia ended up working in an occupation for which they were trained. This implies that VET enhances the employability of its graduates by equipping them with the knowledge and competencies to work in different occupations and sectors. This paper presents findings from a Government-funded study that examined the occupational mobility of selected associate professional and trades occupations within the Aged Care, Automotive and Civil Construction sectors in Queensland. The study surveyed enrolled nurses and related workers, motor mechanics and civil construction workers to analyse their patterns of occupational mobility, future work intentions, reasons for taking and leaving work, and the factors influencing them to leave or remain in their occupations. This paper also discusses the implications of findings for the training of workers in these sectors and more generally.
A sensorless MPPT technique for a gridconnected PMSG wind turbine system

Maximum power point tracking (MPPT) techniques had evolved rapidly in the last decade with the evolution of power electronics. This paper presents a control technique for a variable speed, grid connected direct driven permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG). The PMSG is connected to the grid through three-phase diode rectifier followed by a boost converter controlled with the MPPT technique to maintain a constant DC bus voltage for different wind velocities. The paper compares between two MPPT techniques, HCS and fuzzy logic. The control depends upon sensorless rotor speed estimator through measuring the input dc voltage and current for the boost converter. The system performance is investigated using a MATLAB/ SIMULINK model for 2 MW PMSG wind turbine.
Emotion recognition using multimodal matchmap fusion and multi-task learning

Emotion recognition is a complex task due to the great intraclass and inter-class variability that exists implicitly in the problem. From the point of view of the intra-class, an emotion can be expressed by different people, which generates different representations of it. For the inter-class case, there are some kinds of emotions that are alike. Traditionally, the problem has been approached in different ways, highlighting the analysis of images to determine the facial expression of a person to extrapolate it to a type of emotion, also, the use of audio sequences to estimate the emotion of the speaker. The present work seeks to solve this problem using multimodal techniques, multitask and Deep Learning. To help with these problems, the use of a fusion method based on the similarity between audio and video modalities will be investigated and applied to the emotion classification problem. The use of this method allows the use of auxiliary tasks that enhance the learned relationships between the emotions shown in video frames and audio frames belonging to the same emotion label and punish those that are different. The results show that when using the fusion method based on the similarity of modalities together with the use of multiple tasks, the classification is improved by 7% with respect to the classification obtained in the baseline model that uses concatenation of the characteristics of each modality, the experiments are performed on the Interactive Emotional Dyadic Motion Capture (IEMOCAP) database.
Supply-chain network configuration for product recovery

The current growth in consumption results in resource reduction, increasing waste production and, ultimately, environmental deterioration. Both government and consumer concerns regarding these issues have been driving reduction efforts in waste and natural resource-usage. These environmental issues, in addition to economic opportunities, result in the concept of product cycles that oppose the traditional ‘one-way’ economy. One approach is to create product recovery networks in which used products are collected, reprocessed and later redistributed to the customer. Product recovery networks differ from typical forward-only networks. Therefore, specific work considering their issues is necessary. In this work, we study a closed-loop supply chain in which manufacturers produce new products and remanufacture used products. The decisions to be made are: which warehouses and collection centres should be open, which warehouses should have sorting capabilities and how much material should be transported between each pair of sites. The multi-period integer programming model uses the present worth method to jointly analyse investment and operational costs. A sensitivity analysis of the model is performed, and conclusions are made regarding model behaviour and performance.