Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A three-phase mixture theory for particle size segregation in shallow granular free-surface flows

Particle-size segregation within granular materials is of great technological significance yet it is still very poorly understood. There are several causes of segregation, but this paper focuses on kinetic sieving which is the dominant mechanism in dense gravity-driven shallow free-surface flows, or, granular avalanches. The segregation model is derived from a three-phase mixture theory composed of large particles, small particles and a passive interstitial fluid. Steady-state solutions are constructed for a normally graded inflow in a steady uniform flow field. This problem is of fundamental interest, because it shows how an unstably stratified layer readjusts into a stable configuration. Expansion fans and concentration shocks are generated and sufficiently far downstream inversely graded segregated layers form, with the larger particles overlying the finer ones. This a good approximation for segregation in flows with weak diffusive remixing. The distance for complete segregation to occur is shown to increase with rising fluid density and tends to infinity as its density approaches that of the grains. If the particles are buoyant then the initial configuration is stable. An exact time-dependent two-dimensional solution is constructed for plug flow, which exploits the uncoupling of material columns of grains in the absence of shear. This yields insight into the nature of more complex numerical solutions for strong shear, which are computed with a high-resolution shock-capturing numerical scheme.
Once‐daily liraglutide (1.2 mg) compared with twice‐daily exenatide (10 μg) in the treatment of type 2 diabetes patients: An indirect treatment comparison meta‐analysis

Glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists provide effective hyperglycemia management in patients with type 2 diabetes. In a randomized head‐to‐head trial, liraglutide 1.8 mg q.d. led to greater reductions in HbA1c than exenatide 10 μg b.i. d. There are no direct comparisons of liraglutide 1.2 mg q.d. and exenatide b.i. d. ; therefore, in the present study, an indirect comparison and meta‐analysis were undertaken.
Synthesis and characterization of metal sulfide clusters for toxicological studies

Zinc sulfide clusters were synthesized and characterized at low micromolar concentrations to assess the effect of metal‐sulfide ligands on metal toxicity to aquatic organisms in oxic environments. Recommended preparation times are greater than 2 h initial reaction of equimolar sodium sulfide and zinc nitrate, followed by oxic aeration for 3 d. Ionic strength, pH, and anoxic stabilization time were found to be relatively unimportant in controlling the final yield. Adsorptive losses of zinc sulfide (ZnS) clusters to surfaces, however, were significant for a variety of vessel materials and membrane filters. Ionic strength and pH were found to be important factors controlling the extent of adsorptive losses with minimal loss for pHs greater than 9 and for soft waters. The Ag(I), Cu(II), and Hg(II) as metal sulfides completely suppress the analysis of sulfide, whereas Pb(II), Mn(II), and Co(II) partially suppress the analysis of sulfide by the methylene blue technique. Ultraviolet and fluorescence spectra are shown for synthesized ZnS clusters.
Towards optimal sleep scheduling in sensor networks for rare-event detection

Lifetime maximization is one key element in the design of sensor-network-based surveillance applications. We propose a protocol for node sleep scheduling that guarantees a bounded-delay sensing coverage while maximizing network lifetime. Our sleep scheduling ensures that coverage rotates such that each point in the environment is sensed within some finite interval of time, called the detection delay. The framework is optimized for rare event detection and allows favorable compromises to be achieved between event detection delay and lifetime without sacrificing (eventual) coverage for each point. We compare different sleep scheduling policies in terms of average detection delay, and show that ours is closest to the detection delay lower bound for stationary event surveillance. We also explain the inherent relationship between detection delay, which applies to persistent events, and detection probability, which applies to temporary events. Finally, a connectivity maintenance protocol is proposed to minimize the delay of multi-hop delivery to a base-station. The resulting sleep schedule achieves the lowest overall target surveillance delay given constraints on energy consumption.
Infectious agents affecting fertility of bulls, and transmission risk through semen: Retrospective analysis of their sanitary status in Colombia

Summary The most important infectious diseases that affect fertility of the bull, and their transmission via semen are reviewed in this article. Additionally, a retrospective analysis of the diseases reported in Colombia was also addressed. In general, there is high sero positivity for IBR and BVD, two diseases that can be transmitted by semen due to viral latency and persistence, and lack official control programs in Colombia. It is necessary to move forward with the support of livestock associations and animal health institutions in order to establish true artificial Insemination centers that allow a permanent surveillance of donor's health status, and the production of pathogen-free semen as a way to control transmission of diseases via semen. Key words: bull, Colombia, fertility, infectious agents. Resumen Se revisa en este articulo las principales enfermedades infecciosas que afectan la fertilidad del toro y su trasmision por semen. Se analiza a la vez, en forma retrospectiva, el estado sanitario de los reproductores a partir de algunos estudios realizados en Colombia. En general, existe una alta seropositividad para IBR y DVB, dos enfermedades que pueden ser trasmitidas por el semen en razon de la latencia y persistencia viral y para las cuales no existe un programa de control oficial. Se plantea la necesidad de avanzar con el apoyo de las asociaciones ganaderas y las instituciones encargadas de la sanidad Animal en el establecimiento de verdaderas centrales de inseminacion artificial que permitan un monitoreo permanente del estado de salud de los donantes y la obtencion de semen libre de enfermedades como una forma de controlar la trasmision por esta via. Palabras clave : agentes infecciosos, Colombia, fertilidad, toros. Resumo Foi feita uma revisao das principais doencas infecciosas que afetam a fertilidade de touros e sua transmissao pelo semen. Tambem foi analisado retrospectivamente o estado sanitario de reprodutores a parir de alguns estudos realizados na Colombia. Em geral, ha uma alta soro positividade para IBR e BVD, duas doencas que podem ser transmitidas pelo semen por causa da latencia e persistencia viral e para os quais nao ha um programa de controle oficial. Isso indica a necessidade de avancar com o apoio de associacoes de animais e instituicoes responsaveis pela saude animal no desenvolvimento de verdadeiras estacoes de inseminacao artificial que permitem a monitorizacao continua da saude dos doadores e obtencao de semen livre de doenca como uma forma de controlar a transmissao por esta via. Palavras chave : bovinos, doencas reprodutivas, saude animal.
An Euler–Bernoulli second strain gradient beam theory for cantilever sensors

Abstract This paper derives an Euler–Bernoulli beam theory for isotropic elastic materials based on a second strain gradient description. As such a description has been proved to allow for the definition of surface tension for solids, the equations satisfied by a beam featuring a through-thickness cohesion modulus gradient are established in order to describe the behaviour of micro cantilever sensors. Closed-form solutions are given for mechanical and chemical loadings. It is then shown that the involved material parameters seem virtually identifiable from full-field measurements and that the shape of the displacement field resulting from a chemical loading depends on the cantilever’s thickness as well as on the material parameters. This makes such a theory potentially able to explain some of the experimental results found in the literature.
Degradation in Cemented Marine Clay Subjected to Cyclic Compressive Loading

The influence of cyclic loading on the strength and deformation behavior of cemented marine clay has been studied. This marine clay is of recent Pleistocene origin and deposited in a shallow water marine environment. Open pits were dug in sheeted enclosures and from these pits, undisturbed samples were taken for strength testing. A series of standard triaxial shear tests and stress controlled one-way cyclic load tests were conducted at consolidation stress ranges below and above the preconsolidation pressure. For the stress levels below the preconsolidation pressure, the cyclic loading has brought about the collapse of the cementation bond through an increase in strains, and at higher pressure ranges, the soil behaves like typical soft clay. This experiment studied the rate of development of strain and pore water pressure and shows that rate is a function of number of cycles, applied stress, and stress history. In addition, soil degradation during cyclic loading is studied in terms of Degradation Index. Attempt has been made to predict stain, pore water pressure, and degradation index through an empirical model.
Combinatorics, Probability and Computing Pólya Urns via the Contraction Method P ´ Olya Urns via the Contraction Method

We propose an approach to analysing the asymptotic behaviour of P ´ olya urns based on the contraction method. For this, a new combinatorial discrete-time embedding of the evolution of the urn into random rooted trees is developed. A decomposition of these trees leads to a system of recursive distributional equations which capture the distributions of the numbers of balls of each colour. Ideas from the contraction method are used to study such systems of recursive distributional equations asymptotically. We apply our approach to a couple of concrete P ´ olya urns that lead to limit laws with normal limit distributions, with non-normal limit distributions and with asymptotic periodic distributional behaviour.
Observations of reduced ozone concentrations in the tropical stratosphere after the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo

The eruption of Mt. Pinatubo (15oN, 122oE) on June 15 and 16, 1991, placed a large amount of SO2 and crustal material in the stratosphere. Based on measurements of decreases of stratospheric ozone after previous volcanic eruptions, it was expected that the aerosols deposited into the stratosphere (both directly and as a result of SO2 conversion into particulate sulfate) by this eruption would give rise to significant ozone depletions. To check for such an effect, ozone profiles obtained from ECC sondes before and after the eruption at Brazzaville, Congo (4oS, 15oE), and Ascen- sion Island (8oS, 14oW), are examined. Aerosol profiles determined from a lidar system in the western Pacific (4 o- 6o1,,1, 125oE) show that most of the material injected into the stratosphere is located between 18 and 28 km with highest mounts at 24-25 km. For the period 3-6 months after the eruption, decreases in ozone are found at 16 to 29 km, with peak decreases as large as 20% found at 24 km. Integrated between 16 and 28 km, a decrease of 13-20 Dobson units is observed when the ozonesonde data after the Pinatubo eruption are compared with those prior to the eruption. The altitude at which the most pronounced ozone decrease is found strongly correlates with peak aerosol loading deter- mined by the lidar. In addition, a small increase in ozone density is found above about 28 kin. Mechanisms that might explain the results such as heterogeneous chemistry, radiative effects, and dynamics are discussed.
Patterns and Processes of Salt Efflorescences in the McMurdo region, Antarctica

Abstract Evaporite salts are abundant around the McMurdo region, Antarctica (∼78°S) due to very low precipitation, low relative humidity, and limited overland flow. Hygroscopic salts in the McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDVs) are preferentially formed in locations where liquid water is present in the austral summer, including along ephemeral streams, ice-covered lake boundaries, or shallow groundwater tracks. In this study, we collected salts from the Miers, Garwood, and Taylor Valleys on the Antarctic continent, as well as around McMurdo Station on Ross Island in close proximity to water sources with the goal of understanding salt geochemistry in relationship to the hydrology of the area. Halite is ubiquitous; sodium is the major cation (ranging from 70%–90% of cations by meq kg-1 sediment) and chloride is the major anion (>50%) in nearly all samples. However, a wide variety of salt phases and morphologies are tentatively identified through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) work. We present new data that identifies trona (Na3(CO3)(HCO3)·2H2O), tentative gaylussite (Na2Ca(CO3)2·5H2O), and tentative glauberite (Na2Ca(SO4)2) in the MDV, of which the later one has not been documented previously. Our work allows for the evaluation of processes that influence brine evolution on a local scale, consequently informing assumptions underlying large-scale processes (such as paleoclimate) in the MDV. Hydrological modeling conducted in FREZCHEM and PHREEQC suggests that a model based on aerosol deposition alone in low elevations on the valley floor inadequately characterizes salt distributions found on the surfaces of the soil because it does not account for other hydrologic inputs/outputs. Implications for the salt distributions include their use as tracers for paleolake levels, geochemical tracers of ephemeral water tracks or “wet patches” in the soil, indicators of chemical weathering products, and potential delineators of ecological communities.
ESR dating of teeth from Brazilian megafauna

The study of radiation defects created in biomaterials, such as bone and teeth, can be used in dating with importance to palaeontology and archaeology. Two Stegomastodon teeth (AL1 and AL2) from north-eastern Brazilian megafauna were studied by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. The samples were collected in Fazenda Ovo da Ema, (913349 / 3714965) UTM, Alagoas state, Brazil. The dating of these samples can contribute to the better knowledge of megafauna presence in this region as well as to the events associated to the extinction of these species.
Association Between Physician Supply, Local Practice Norms, and Outpatient Visit Rates

Background:There is considerable regional variation in Medicare outpatient visit rates; such variations may be the consequence of patient health, race/ethnicity differences, patient preferences, or physician supply and beliefs about the efficacy of frequently scheduled visits. Objective:The objective of the study was to test associations between varying regional Medicare outpatient visit rates and beneficiaries’ health, race/ethnicity, preferences, and physician practice norms and supply. Methods:We used Medicare claims from 2006 and 2007 and data from national surveys of 3 different groups in 2005—Medicare beneficiaries, cardiologists, and primary care physicians. Regression analysis tested explanations for outpatient visit rates: patient health (self-reported and hierarchical condition category score), self-reported race/ethnicity, preferences for care, and local physician practice norms and supply in beneficiaries’ Hospital Referral Regions (HRRs) of residence. Results:Beneficiaries in the highest quintile of the hierarchical condition category scores experienced 4.99 more visits than those in the lowest. Beneficiaries who were black experienced 2.14 fewer visits than others with similar health and preferences. Higher care-seeking preferences were marginally significantly associated with more visits, whereas education and poverty were insignificant. HRRs with high physician supply and high-frequency practice norms were associated with 2.04 additional visits per year, whereas HRRs with high supply but low-frequency norms were associated with 1.45 additional visits. Adjusting for all individual beneficiary covariates explained <20% of the original associations between visit rates and physician supply and practice norms. Conclusions:Medicare beneficiaries’ health status, race, and preferences help explain individual office visit frequency; in particular, African-American patients appear to experience lower access to care. Yet, these factors explain a small fraction of the observed regional differences associated with physician supply and beliefs about the appropriate frequency of office visits.
Spatial and Temporal Patterns of Endocrine Active Chemicals in Small Streams Indicate Differential Exposure to Aquatic Organisms

Alkylphenolic chemicals (APCs) and hormones were measured six times from February through October 2007 in three Minnesota streams receiving wastewater to identify spatial and temporal patterns in concentrations and in estrogen equivalency. Fish were collected once during the study to evaluate endpoints indicative of endocrine disruption. The most commonly detected APCs were 4‐tert‐octylphenol and 4‐nonylphenol and the most commonly detected hormones were estrone and androstenedione. Chemical concentrations were greatest for nonylphenol ethoxycarboxylates (NPECs) (5,000‐140,000 ng/l), followed by 4‐nonlylphenol and 4‐nonylphenolethoxylates (50‐880 ng/l), 4‐tert‐octylphenol and 4‐tert‐octylphenolethoxylates with concentrations as great as 130 ng/l, and hormones (0.1‐54 ng/l). Patterns in chemicals and estrogen equivalency indicated that wastewater effluent is a pathway of APCs and hormones to downstream locations in this study. However, upstream contributions can be equally or more important indicating alternative sources. This study indicates that aquatic organisms experience both spatially and temporally variable exposures in the number of compounds, total concentrations, and estrogenicity. This variability was evident in fish collected from the three rivers as no clear upstream to downstream pattern of endocrine disruption endpoints emerged.
Detrital zircon ages in Buller and Takaka terranes, New Zealand: constraints on early Zealandia history

Detrital zircon ages are presented for 34 early Palaeozoic sandstones from Buller and Takaka terranes, New Zealand, and formerly adjacent parts of Australia–Antarctica. The Buller–Takaka datasets always have two major groups: Ordovician–late Neoproterozoic, 444–700 Ma (but mainly 540–700 Ma), termed ‘Gondwana Assembly’ (GA), and early Neoproterozoic–Mesoproterozoic, 700–1600 Ma (but mainly 900–1200 Ma), termed ‘Rodinia Assembly’ (RA). In both terranes, significant age components within these groups are strikingly similar and also have RA/GA ratios, 0.6–1.8. The Cambrian volcanic arc of the Takaka Terrane has contributed little to the zircon patterns. Proportions of Late Cambrian–Early Ordovician zircons, characteristic of granitoid sources in the Ross–Delamerian Orogen are low. The zircons are predominantly reworked with contemporary zircons only evident in a few Buller datasets. The zircon patterns suggest that two major sources (late Mesoproterozoic and late Neoproterozoic), enduring over 120 Ma, were widely distributed and it is postulated they form Precambrian basement beneath southern Zealandia.
The Horizontal Diffusion of Tracers by Surface Waves

Abstract The horizontal dispersion of tracers in the presence of a random field of ocean surface waves is examined. Random fluctuations in the local Stokes-drift current cause a water particle to follow a random-walk path. The associated diffusion coefficients for individual particles, particle pairs and a continuous tracer patch can be calculated rigorously within the framework of perturbation analysis. For a fully developed Pierson-Moskowitz wave spectrum all diffusion coefficients scale as the third power of the wind speed and are typically of the order 10−2 m2 s−1 for a wind speed of 10 m s−1. The diffusion coefficients are strongly anisotropic and decrease approximately exponentially with depth below the sea surface.
Calculation of Temperature Effects on Wetting Coefficients of Porous Solids and Their Capillary Pressure Functions

We explored the notion that changes in wetting coefficients of porous solids contributed to the temperature sensitivities of capillary pressure functions (CPFs). A chemical-thermodynamic explanation for these contributions was developed. If the temperature sensitivities of CPFs were due to capillarity (i.e., due to temperature-induced changes in liquid-gas interfacial tensions or wetting coefficients), then for a given degree of saturation the ratios of capillary pressures to their temperature derivatives should have been linear functions of thermodynamic temperature with slopes equal to 1. This indeed was the case for samples of both synthetic and natural porous media. Further, the estimated intercepts of these linear functions indicated that changes with temperature of these porous materials' wetting coefficients had pronounced effects on temperature sensitivities of their CPFs. A simple model for temperature effects on CPFs, which was derived from the linear relationship between temperature and the ratio of capillary pressure to its temperature derivative, could be fitted precisely by nonlinear regression to CPFs of two soils determined at four temperatures.
Characteristics of Rock Motions During Earthquakes

Rock motions during earthquakes are characterized in terms of the maximum amplitude of accelerations, the predominant period of the motions, and the duration of the motions. It is shown that these characteristics depend mainly on the magnitude of the earthquake and distance of the site from the zone of energy release. Available data relating the rock motion characteristics to the magnitude of the earthquake and the distance to the causative fault are presented and used to establish a general procedure for assessing the maximum acceleration, the predominant period, the duration of shaking and the time history of accelerations developed during any given earthquake. As an example, the rock motions at the E1 Centro site (for the 1940 E1 Centro earthquake) are estimated using the proposed procedure and incorporated in analyses of the response of the site. The computed surface motions are shown to be in good agreement with those recorded during the 1940 E1 Centro earthquake.
A 27/GHz/151 mW GaAs 256/258 dual-modulus prescaler IC with 0.1 /spl mu/m double-deck-shaped (DDS) gate E/D-HJFETs

We have developed 0.1-/spl mu/m double-deck-shaped (DDS) gate enhancement-mode (E) and depletion-mode (D) heterojunction (HJ) FET technology based upon an all-dry-etching process, which enables high current-gain cut-off frequencies (f/sub T/) in both E- and D-mode FETs above 100 GHz. We also report the first 256/258 dual-modulus prescaler IC operating above 20 GHz with low power consumption. Obtained maximum input frequency for the prescaler was 27 GHz with power consumption of 151 mW at a supply voltage of 1.2 V. This power consumption is about 1/50 of the value extrapolated from ones reported for prescalers.