Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Finite element based fatigue assessment of corrugated steel web beams in highway bridges

This paper presents a finite element analysis and its related experimental test of corrugated steel web beams subjected to fatigue loading. A particular focus in this study was set on the fatigue failure arising from web-to-flange welded joints of corrugated steel web beams. Using ANSYS and FE-SAFE software packages, a detailed three-dimensional finite element model which explicitly includes the geometry of the web-to-flange welds along the corrugated web was developed to simulate the test corrugated web beams. The finite element model is verified by comparing with related fatigue experimental test results. The effective notch stress approach was also applied to analyse the web-to-flange welded joint replicating the local critical region in the corrugated web beam. The fatigue strength of the web-to-flange welded joint was evaluated and compared numerically by considering the stress distribution at potential fatigue crack initiation location. The fatigue life of the corrugated steel web beam was assessed numerically by incorporating material S-N relation and employing fracture mechanics approach. The comparison with fatigue test results show that it is possible to expect the fatigue crack failure arising at the weld root or weld toe corresponding to the sections with reference angle using the effective notch stress analysis. The range of these predictions was evaluated by comparing with fatigue test results with good accuracy and can be considered between AASHTO fatigue categories B and B’. The parametric notch stress analysis incorporating the influences of corrugation angle was performed and demonstrates it is possible to expect the fatigue crack failure arising at the weld root or weld toe. Finally, a practical solution for possible fatigue life enhancement of such structure is suggested by decreasing corrugation angle or smoothing the intersection geometry of the corrugated web together with moderate increase of the flange thickness.
Analytical modeling of inversion carrier effective mobility for drain current of nanoscale mosfet

Critical transistor dimensions scale below the 100 nm regime. where quantum mechanical analysis is more appropriate than the semi-classical approach to model the device parameters. Simulation tools. which can be applied to design nanoscale transistors in the future. require new theory and modeling techniques that capture the physics of carrier transport accurately and efficiently. Quantum analysis needs rigorous calculation and it is time consuming. This thesis outlines an easy approach to model carrier transport in nanoscale transistors which is in between semi-classical and quantum mechanical analysis. The semi-classical expressions are modified so that the evaluated results are consistent with that derived quantum mechanically. In this work •. carrier scattering in the inversion channel has been described in terms of mobility. A simple model of the effective mobility of MOSFET is proposed taking into account the carrier scattering mechanisms. Current-voltage characteristics are obtained using the effective mobility. The model shows good agreement with the simulation and experimental results for nanoscale MOSFETs.
Response of Relative Water Content and Cell Membrane Stability to Mycorrhizal Biofertilizer in Maize

Maize (Zea mays L.) is an effective host of mycorrhiza in infertile and drought conditions. In order to study the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on relative water content (RWC) and cell membrane stability (CMS) of maize two field experiments were conducted in 2011 and 2012. The experiments were carried out as split-plot factorial based on randomized complete block design with three replications. Irrigation was imposed at three levels based on 70, 50 and 30% field capacity. Mycorrhizal biofertilizer was applied at two levels; control and 100 kg ha -1 . Phosphorus fertilizer was applied at three levels; 0, 75 and 150 kg ha -1 triple superphosphate. The results of combined analysis showed that different irrigation treatments and mycorrhizal biofertilizer application have significantly affected RWC and CMS, but different P fertilizer levels have not significantly affected measured traits. RWC and CMS as affected by different irrigation regimes were decreased by increasing drought stress. The data showed that the mycorrhizal biofertilizer application improved RWC and CMS in maize plant as a consequence of enhancing nutrient uptake, extension of the root system and water status of the plants. Generally, AM plants have a greater effect than non-AM plants.
Training Teachers to Assess the Challenging Behaviors of Students with Autism Using Video Tele-Conferencing

We examined the effects of performance feedback provided via video tele-conferencing (VTC) on the acquisition of functional analysis procedures by six teachers. A university supervisor used VTC equipment (i.e., computers equipped with web cameras and Internet) to provide feedback to teachers learning to implement functional analysis conditions (i.e., escape, attention, and play) with students with autism. Multiple baseline designs across teacher-student dyads with embedded multi-element designs were used to evaluate the effects of performance feedback delivered via VTC on the percentage of functional analysis procedures implemented correctly. Results indicated that teachers learned to implement functional analysis conditions following training (M duration of training 75 minutes; range 60 -95 minutes). Results were maintained for a number of weeks following the termination of performance feedback (M 5 weeks; range 4 -9 weeks), but teacher performance declined thereafter. Video conferencing technology may provide supervisors an efficacious way to deliver performance feedback to teachers learning research-based strategies.
Mortgage debt and entrepreneurship Item type

We study the link between mortgage debt and entrepreneurship using a model of occupational choice and housing tenure in a setting where loans are recourse—like in the UK and several US states. Our model shows that as long as the mortgage interest rate exceeds the risk-free rate: (i) mortgage debt diminishes the likelihood of entrepreneurship by amplifying risk aversion; and (ii) the negative relation between mortgage debt and entrepreneurship increases with income volatility. Our model also shows that the link between housing equity and entrepreneurship is ambiguously signed because of competing portfolio and wealth effects. We use the British Household Panel Survey to test and confirm the model predictions, and deal with unobservable heterogeneity employing three research designs — individual fixed effects, housing-spell fixed effects, and instrumental variables. A one standard deviation increase in leverage reduces the probability of entrepreneurship by 10-20 percent. JEL Classification: L26, D14, G11, R21
WEATHER BASED MODEL DEVELOPMENT FOR OUTBREAK OF MUSTARD APHID (L.ERYSIMI., KALT) USING ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORK

Mustard cultivation is practiced widely throughout the world. It is basically a winter crop and it requires a temperate climate to prosper. In India the mustard crop is grown during the rabi season i.e. October to November. The crop starts flowering in the months of November to February. The harvesting period is from February to March. It needs a right proportion of rainfall that is provided by the monsoon during the sowing season of the crop. Oilseeds occupy an important place in agriculture and industrial economy. Among different insect pests attacking mustard, the mustard aphid (Lipaphis erysimi, Kaltenbach) is the most serious and destructive pest and is a major limiting factors for its cultivation (Begum, 1995 and Biswas and Das, 2000). Abiotic factors viz., temperature, light, moisture etc. have a direct influence on insect distribution and development. Among these weather parameters, temperature plays an important role in determining the growth rate of insects. Wind and rain are of importance not only for survival but also for disposal of insect population. The pest remains active throughout the growth period and has been observed feeding on foliage, inflorescence and pods. The incidence and spread of aphid is largely influenced by weather conditions. Hence, it was felt pertinent to assess the relative importance of weather variables in mustard aphid population dynamics. The nymphs and adults of aphids suck sap from leaves, stems, inflorescence and pods as the plant shows stunted growth, withered flower and deformed pod (Butani and Jotwani, 1984; Begum, 1995; Atwal and Dhaliwal, 1997). This pest may reduce about 30 to 90% yield of mustard without any control measure (Rouf and Kabir, 1997). Weather conditions play the most favorable role for its rapid multiplication (Sinha et al., 1989; Rana et al., 1993; Singh and Malik, 1998). Reliable and well timed forecasts are of vital importance for appropriate and up-to-date plannings specially for agriculture which is full of uncertainties. In crops, production and attack of pests & diseases are the two key aspects which necessitate forethought. Pests and diseases are foremost cause of reduction in crop yield. To reduce the yield loss timely application of remedial measures is essential which is feasible with prior knowledge of the time and severity of the outbreak of the pest and diseases. Weather plays an important role in crop growth as well as development of pest and diseases. Therefore, model based on weather parameters can provide reliable forecast of crop yield in advance of harvest and also forewarning of pests and diseases attack so that suitable plant protection measures could be taken timely to protect the crops (Agrawal and Mehta, 2007). An artificial neural network (ANN), usually called neural network (NN), is a mathematical model or computational model that is inspired by the structure and/or functional aspects of biological neural networks. A neural network consists of an interconnected group of artificial neurons, and it processes information ABSTRACT
Characterisation of Ionian-Lucanian coastal aquifer and seawater intrusion hazard

The paper deals with the seawater intrusion hazard along the Ionian coastal plain (Southern Italy), between the mouths of Sinni and Bradano Rivers. Subjected to intense agricultural activities, the good quality of the tapped groundwater is seriously important for the economic growth of this coastal area. The stratigraphical and hydrogeological set-up of the area as the geochemical features of the groundwater arise from the data analysis of 1130 boreholes, widespread over the whole area and from 1.3 up to 423 meters deep. The contribution of seawater intrusion to salinization processes of the studied groundwater system is characterised. As pointed out by chemical-physical data, this phenomenon involves the studied coastal plain for a width of 1-1.5 km on average and it is less evident moving inwards where the altitude of the clayey bottom of the aquifer becomes progressively higher than the sea level. A preliminary seawater hazard map has been carried out through piezometric and aquifer geometrical data.
Transformation of Mathematics in Primary Schools

Integral calculus is often taught in high schools to students aged fifteen or older. The project described in this paper investigates the possibility of introducing these concepts and capabilities to students aged 10 to 12 years using computer based algebra system software. At the end of the programme, the students attempt a test based on first year engineering degree calculus examinations. The results clearly show that properly structured programmes utilising appropriate technology can impart the required knowledge and skills to students, even at ages below the target range. In addition, the paper compares the performance of students in four Australian states in their understanding and skill in the handling of the more complicated application questions, with a trend indicating that students from urban schools are outperforming their peers in rural schools. Females also demonstrated better skills at solving real world problems contrary to published data.
Determining the Quality of Management and Structural Elements of the Epidemiology and Biostatistics Department in Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Introduction: The system of quality in higher education requires a systematic evaluation of all of its different aspects. Different patterns of evaluation reveal the strengths and weaknesses of the programs and facilitate the informed decisions. Objectives: The objectives of the present research are as follows: 1) Determining the quality of the structural elements of the Epidemiology and Biostatistics Department; 2) Determining the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to improve the quality of activities in the department under research. Design: In this research, the efficiency of the department was studied based on the internal self-evaluation. For this purpose, pre-determined indices with relative modifications were used. This study was conducted with the collaboration of the head of the department, faculty members, all of the students (residents, Ph.D. and M.S. students) and the graduates. Through a pilot study the initial rates of the areas under research were first determined by the opinion poll carried out among all the faculty members, then through proper tests, unrelated data were identified and omitted and the final rates were extracted. Results: The mean of the areas under study was 59.8% of which the minimum (37%) was related to the area of aims and objectives and the maximum (72.6%) related to area of the graduates. Conclusions: The graduate domain is one of the key areas under study in the internal evaluation of this department which received a good score.
Irrigation-Induced Changes in Phosphorus Fractions of Caribou Sandy Loam Soil Under Different Potato Cropping Systems

Abstract Sequential fractionation is a common method used in evaluating the impacts of soil management practices on soil phosphorus (P) distribution. However, to our knowledge, this method has not been used in investigating the effects of irrigation on the changes in soil P fractions. In this work, we measured sequentially extracted P by deionized H2O, 0.5 M sodium bicarbonate (pH 8.5), 0.1 M sodium hydroxide (NaOH), and 1 M hydrochloric acid (HCl) in Caribou sandy loam soil samples from 10 potato fields under different 3-year crop rotations both with and without irrigation. As inorganic fertilizer was applied to these fields, irrigation and rotation management practices mainly affected the distribution of inorganic P fractions, but had no significant changes of organic P fractions. The impact of crop rotation was mainly reflected by H2O-extractable P. Irrigation had greater influence on stable or recalcitrant P in NaOH, HCl, and residual fractions. Higher levels of NaOH-extractable inorganic P were observed in soil from rainfed fields, whereas higher levels of HCl-extractable P were observed in soils under irrigated management. Our data indicate that irrigation may eventually decrease P availability and runoff potential in these potato soils over the long term because of the partial transfer of P in the sink from the active NaOH fraction to more stable HCl and residual fractions. Whereas information and knowledge derived from this study may shed some light on the transformation mechanism of soil P fractions for sustainable agricultural production, more field data from short- and long-term experiments are needed to confirm our observations.
UK microgeneration. Part II: technology overviews

This paper reviews the current status of microgeneration technologies at the domestic scale. Overviews are given for nine such technologies, grouped into three sections: (a) low carbon heating: condensing boilers, biomass boilers and room heaters, air source and ground source heat pumps; (b) renewables: solar photovoltaic panels, flat plate and evacuated tube solar thermal panels and micro-wind; and (c) combined heat and power: Stirling engines, internal combustion engines and fuel cells. Reviews of the construction, operation and performance are given for the leading commercial products of each technology. Wherever possible, data are presented from the field, giving the actual prices paid by customers, efficiencies and energy yields experienced in real-world use, reliability and durability, and the problems faced by users. This information has a UK focus but is generally relevant in the international context. Two issues are found to be prevalent throughout the microgeneration industry. Total installed costs are a premium and vary substantially between technologies, between specific products (e.g. different models of solar panel), and between individual installations. Performance in the field is found in many cases to differ widely from manufacturers’ quotes and laboratory studies, often owing to installation and operational problems. Despite this, microgeneration has demonstrated substantial improvements over conventional generation in terms of fossil fuel consumption, carbon dioxide emissions and energy cost, provided that the appropriate technologies are employed, being installed and operated correctly according to the load requirements of the house and their physical location.
Nitric oxide PLIF measurement in a point-to-plane pulsed discharge in vitiated air of a propane/air flame

The effect of a point-to-plane pulsed discharge on the vitiated downstream of a propane/air flame has been investigated by phase-locked NO planar laser-induced-fluorescence (PLIF) measurements. Phase-locked NO PLIF measurements with the variation of pulsed plasma energy, equivalence ratio and applied voltage rise time have been performed. Fast rise time (25 ns) and slower rise time (150 ns) high-voltage pulsers are used to produce NO radical densities greater than the ambient flame-produced NO radicals in lean, balanced and rich premixed flames. The pulsed plasma produced excess NO radical densities were found to decay to 50% level with time constants greater than 250 µs in the burnt gas regions with gas temperatures greater than 1000 K. The super-equilibrium NO populations were dependent on energy deposited and overall equivalence ratio, but independent of voltage pulse rise time for similar energy deposition per pulse. Due to long NO radical density decay lifetimes, super-equilibrium NO populations are convected away from production regions with the ambient flow and observed in downstream exhaust gas regions.
Estimation of Fluoride Level in Drinking Water and Prevalence of Dental Fluorosis in Vairag Village of Solapur District, Maharashtra, India: A Cross Sectional Study

Introduction: Dental fluorosis occurring due to drinking water with high concentration of fluoride is a common public health problem in India. Hence the present study was designed with an aim to estimate fluoride levels in drinking water source of the people from Vairag village and to determine the prevalence of dental fluorosis among residents of Vairag village. Materials and Methods: It was a cross sectional study conducted on residents of Vairag village of Solapur district in Maharashtra state. Drinking water source was analyzed for fluoride content by specific ion meter method. Dental fluorosis was assessed in 950 subjects using Community Fluorosis Index. Water samples from 4 different sources were analyzed for fluoride level. Data obtained was subjected to descriptive statistics. Results: The fluoride concentration in the water samples collected ranged from 0.64-7.8 ppm. Of 950 subjects studied, 149 (15.68%) subjects suffered from various grades dental fluorosis. Community fluorosis index was found to be 0.354. Conclusions: Though we found subjects suffering from dental fluorosis in Vairag village (15.68% prevalence), it can be considered as a public health problem (according to CFI value 0.354).
The Gender and Ethnic Diversity of US Boards and Board Committees and Firm Financial Performance

We examine the business case for the inclusion of women and ethnic minority directors on the board. Specifically, we investigate the relationship between the number of women directors and the number of ethnic minority directors on the board and important board committees and financial performance measured as return on assets and Tobin’s Q. We do not find a significant relationship between the gender or ethnic diversity of the board, or important board committees, and financial performance for a sample of major US corporations. Our evidence also suggests that the gender and ethnic minority diversity of the board and firm financial performance appear to be endogenous. Reasonable theoretical arguments drawn from resource dependence theory, human capital theory, agency theory, and social psychology suggest that gender and ethnic diversity may have either a positive, negative, or neutral effect on the financial performance of the firm. Our statistical analysis supports the theoretical position of no effect, either positive or negative. Our results are consistent with a contingency explanation because the effect of the gender and ethnic diversity of the board may be different under different circumstances at different times. Over several companies and time periods, the results could offset to produce no effect. The results of our analysis do not support the business case for inclusion of women and ethnic minorities on corporate boards. However, we find no evidence of any negative effect either. Our evidence implies that decisions concerning the appointment of women and ethnic minorities to corporate boards should be based on criteria other than future financial performance.
Impact of smartphones on the achievement of sepak takraw learners

This paper aims at explaining impact of smartphones on the achievement of sepak takraw learners. The study used an ethnographic research design. The participants of the study were four learners of sepak takraw (ages 12 to 15). The data were collected by administering an in-depth interview and a non-participant observation. The analysis of data showed that the use of smartphones seemed to deteriorate the achievement of the sepak takraw learners. The excessive use of smartphones seemed to cause disruptive training sessions, lack of social interactions, lack of self-practice, and decrease physical health. This study indicated that smartphones might contribute negative impacts to its users. The study thus suggests that teachers/coaches should educate their young people to use smartphones wisely and effectively.
How to escape the middle income trap: international evidence from a binary dependent variable model

The middle-income trap refers to an economic situation at which a country gets stuck when it achieves the middle-income status. According to Rigg et al. (2014), there are 28 countries which by 1987 had attained middle-income status but in 2012 still remained in this middle-income category. In this context, this study aims to find a way out from the trap by analyzing countries some of which are high-income status and the others are not. To this end, the study employs a binary model with the cross-section data of 26 high and middleincome countries and estimates the marginal effects that have a good potential to show the way out from the trap. Findings indicate that countries which spend more on secondary education, health and R&D, which have more educated labor force, which experience higher level of labor force participation, which export high-tech items and which create higher level of value added in the manufacturing industry are more likely to achieve the high-income status. On the other hand, countries which spend more on primary education, which import more, and which create higher level of value added in the agricultural sector are less likely to get the high-income status.