Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A PROCEDURE FOR EVALUATING THE SOIL-STRUCTURE INTERACTION EFFECTS ON THE SYSTEM PERIOD AND DAMPING OF PILE-SUPPORTED STRUCTURES

Abstract. Soil-structure interaction involves kinematic and inertial effects that affect the dynamic behaviour of the structures. Thus, a proper assessment of their dynamic response requires the development of models that incorporate, in a rigorous manner, the interaction between the structure and the soil on which it is founded. These interaction phenomena depend on factors such as: the foundation type, its geometry and embedment depth, the soil type and stratigraphy as well as the characteristics of the structure. In line with other authors’ studies for shallow [7] and embedded foundations [15], a simple substructuring model of soil-structure interaction in the frequency domain is proposed herein to evaluate the influence of these factors on the dynamic response of structures founded on pile groups when subjected to seismic loads. A BEM-FEM coupling model [5] is used to compute the impedance functions and the kinematic interaction factors. A simple and stable procedure is developed in order to estimate the period and damping of structures supported by different configurations of pile groups considering soil-structure interaction. For this purpose, several modifications are introduced in the strategy presented by Avil és and Ṕerez-Rocha [15] for embedded foundations. A diagonal impedance matrix that takes into account the cross-coupled impedances of pile groups, which allows getting manageable equations, is obtained in the lines of Maravas et al. [16] in the case of single piles. All equations are expressed in terms of dimensionless parameters. An analysis of the influence of some of the main characteristics of the foundation affecting the system response is accomplished. The results show that cross-coupled impedances and soil-structure interaction effects should not be neglected.
Numerical and experimental investigation on ultimate strength of cracked cylindrical shells subjected to combined loading

, crack lengthto-cylindrical shell perimeter (λ = a/2π r = 0.2, 0.3, 0.4) and shell length-to-diameter (L/D = 2.38, 3.57, 5.59) ratios on the buckling and post-buckling behavior of cylindrical shells. Parameter a shows the crack length and parameter θ shows the orientation of the crack direction measured from the horizontal axis. The distance between the center of the crack and the lower edge of the shell is designated by L0. Additionally, several experimental buckling tests were performed using an INSTRON 8802 servo hydraulic machine, and the test results were compared with the results of the finite element method. A very good correlation between experiments and numerical simulations was ob
An adaptive sampling strategy for automatic detection of child pornographic videos

Automatic detection of child pornographic files is a desirable task for law enforcement, especially at crime scenes, where pedophiles can be arrested immediately. The NuDetective Forensic Tool was developed to quickly identify these illegal files, even at crime scenes. To detect child pornography videos, an approach was prior developed, based on extraction and sampling frames of video files. The previous strategy established a fixed number of video frames to be sampled, independently of the video duration. This work proposes a new adaptive sampling approach, considering the video duration, with the objective to increase the detection rate and/or reduce the runtime. Several experiments were performed and the results proved that this new approach is more appropriate to be used in the detection of child pornographic videos at crime scenes, with detection rates around 87% and a reduction about 45% of the runtime over previous experiments.
Making Sense of an Unstable Legislature: Committee Assignments in the Argentine Chamber of Deputies, 1946–2001

Latin American legislatures have gone largely unstudied, with the functioning of the Argentine Chamber of Deputies prior to the 1980s being an entirely unexplored subject. This paper fills that gap by examining the organization of the Chamber, with particular focus on its standing committee system from 1946 to 2001. We assess the portability of two U.S.-based theoretical approaches to legislative organization by applying them to committee assignments. An original data set of Argentine deputies was constructed and a way of measuring political power in committees was devised for this study. Despite weak democratic governments, military interventions, and changes to the electoral system, we find that ruling parties have consistently influenced the committee system, shaping its structure and securing an over-proportion of their deputies in key committee positions. These results support the applicability of the U.S. originated Cartel Theory of legislative organization to understanding and studying legislatures outside that country.
On the Dependence of F2 Layer Critical Frequency on F10.7 Solar Flux at an Equatorial Station

ENGLISH/ANGLAIS] Affiliations: 1 Department of Industrial Physics, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara State, NIGERIA 2 Department of Physics, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara State, NIGERIA Address for Correspondence/ Adresse pour la Correspondance: stevewolex1@yahoo.com Accepted/Accepté: February, 2012 Citation: Ikubanni SO, Adeniyi JO. On the Dependence of F2 layer critical frequency on F10.7 solar flux at an Equatorial station World Journal of Engineering and Pure and Applied Sciences 2012;2(3):85-91. The dependence of the critical frequency of the F2 layer on solar radio flux of 10.7 cm wavelength (F10.7) was studied using data from a low latitude station of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (Lat. 12.4o N, Long. 1.5oW, dip. 5.7). These span a period of 11 years i.e. 1985 1995 (solar cycle 22). Hourly coefficient of correlation between the hourly-monthly averaged values of foF2 and monthly averaged values of F10.7 index was obtained using the Pearson’s correlation formula. These correlations was found to be dependent on time and season (or month) of the year. Good correlation (r > 0.5) was observed for larger part of the day and poor correlation (r < 0.5) was observed for few hours of the nighttime except during December solstice (December and January). Generally, daytime correlation is high (r > 0.7) for all seasons. High correlation (r > 0.7) is observed during December solstice for both daytime and nighttime hours. The possible reason for December solstice observation was discussed.
What can we learn about convection from asteroseismology?

Abstract Asteroseismology—using stellar oscillations to study the interiors of stars—is a relatively new and growing research field in astrophysics. Oscillations are found in stars of most masses and essentially all stages of evolution. Their frequencies are determined by the internal sound speed and density structure of the star, as well as rotation, convection processes and possibly effects of magnetic fields. Recent developments have led to a breakthrough in our ability to study the details of cores of solar-like stars and it is foreseen that a number of key science questions will be addressed through the analysis of frequencies and other properties of stellar oscillations. In this paper we review some of the latest results from asteroseismology of solar-like stars, with the focus on properties of convection.
Air temperature changes in the arctic from 1801 to 1920

In this paper, the results of an investigation into the thermal conditions in the Arctic in the period from 1801 to 1920 are presented. For this ‘early instrumental’ period limited meteorological data exist. Generally, the first meteorological stations in the Arctic were established in the second half of the 19th century and almost all of them were located in the coastal parts of Greenland. In order to get at least a rough idea of thermal conditions in the Arctic in the study period, data from different land and marine expeditions were collected. A total of 118 temperature series of monthly means have been gathered. Although the area and time periods covered by the data are variable, it is still possible to describe the general character of the temperature conditions.
Regulating Lobbyists: A Comparative Analysis of the USA, Canada, Germany and the European Union

Lobbying is central to the democratic process. Yet, only four political systems have lobbying regulations: the United States, Canada, Germany and the EU (most particularly, the European Parliament). Despite the many works offering individual country analysis of lobbying legislation, a twofold void exists in the literature. Firstly, no study has offered a comparative analysis classifying the laws in these four political systems, which would improve understanding of the different regulatory environments. Secondly, few studies have analysed the views of key agents—politicians, lobbyists and regulators—and how these compare and contrast across regulatory environments. We firstly utilise an index measuring how strong the regulations are in each of the systems, and develop a classification scheme for the different ‘ideal’ types of regulatory environment. Secondly, we measure the opinions of political actors, interest groups and regulators in all four systems (through questionnaires and elite interviews) and see what correlations, if any, exist between the different ideal types of system and their opinions. The conclusion highlights our findings, and the lessons that can be used by policy-makers in systems without lobbying legislation.
Estimation and Empirical Properties of a Firm-Year Measure of Accounting Conservatism

We estimate a firm-year measure of accounting conservatism, examine its empirical properties as a metric, and illustrate applications by testing new hypotheses that shed further light on the nature and effects of conservatism. The results are consistent with the measure, C_Score, capturing variation in conservatism and also predicting asymmetric earnings timeliness at horizons of up to 3 years ahead. Cross-sectional hypothesis tests suggest firms with longer investment cycles, higher idiosyncratic uncertainty and higher information asymmetry have higher accounting conservatism. Event studies suggest increased conservatism is a response to increases in information asymmetry and idiosyncratic uncertainty.
Analysis and Finite Element Modelling of Water Flow in Concrete

Due to the construction of underground structures and hazardous waste storages, understanding and modelling of seepage in concrete has become an important issue in life-span analyses. The theories and calculation methods of unsaturated soil mechanics provide an opportunity to analyze water flow in other types of porous media (e.g. concrete) as well. This study deals with the determination of the permeability for unsaturated and saturated concrete and modelling the water flow in concrete. The direct measurement of the saturated permeability, the preparation of the drying water retention curve and determination of the depth of penetration of water under pressure are involved in the series of tests. For the fitting method of the experimental water retention curves were used Fredlund and Xing (1994) and van Genuchten (1980) model. The theory of lateral shift was applied to estimate the wetting water retention curve from the drying WRC. Thus, we could calculate the unsaturated permeability functions with Fredlund et al. (1994) and van Genuchten (1980) model. The finite element modelling of the standard test for watertightness were performed with Midas GTS using the measured and calculated unsaturated property functions.
On testing for the mean vector of a multivariate distribution with generalized and {2}-inverses

Generalized Wald's method constructs testing procedures having chi-squared limiting distributions from test statistics having singular normal limiting distributions by use of generalized inverses. In this article, the use of two-inverses for that problem is investigated, in order to propose new test statistics with convenient asymptotic chi-square distributions. Alternatively, Imhof-based test statistics can also be defined, which converge in distribution to weighted sum of chi-square variables; The critical values of such procedures can be found using Imhof's (1961) algorithm. The asymptotic distributions of the test statistics under the null and alternative hypotheses are discussed. Under fixed and local alternatives, the asymptotic powers are compared theoretically. Simulation studies are also performed to compare the exact powers of the test statistics in finite samples. A data analysis on the temperature and precipitation variability in the European Alps illustrates the proposed methods.
Rootstock influences the response of pistachio (Pistacia vera L. cv. Mateur) under saline stress condition

Effects of saline irrigation water were studied on the behaviour of 5-year-old female trees of ‘Mateur’ variety grafted on Pistacia vera L. and Pistacia atlantica Desf. rootstocks for three successive years. Different irrigation water qualities were used: (i) fresh water (ECw: 1.95 dS/m); (ii) moderately saline water (ECw: 5 dS/m); and (iii) saline water (ECw: 12 dS/m). The following parameters were assessed: Individual trunk cross-sectional area, scion shoot growth, stomatal density, leaf area, chlorophylls and water contents. Results showed that scion axillary shoot lengths, internode lengths and bud number decreased significantly at the highest level of saline water treatment mainly in the thrird year of study. Trees grafted on P. atlantica rootstock showed a slight early growth advantage compared to those having P.vera as rootstock. Stomatal density was affected by both salinity and rootstocks. The highest stomata density was obtained with severe saline treatment (ECw: 12 dS/m). During the three years of study, the highest and the lowest stomata density on the abaxial leaf surface were recorded on P. atlantica and P. vera rootstocks, respectively.Leaf chlorophyll content, relative water content and leaf area decreased by increasing salinity. The most important reductions in chlorophyll content, leaf area and relative water content were observed on P.vera rootstock. P. atlantica rootstock induced the lowest decline in chlorophyll content suggesting higher salt tolerance due to the maintenance of higher cell turgor. Agricultural practice based on its use as rootstock may lead to better rusticity of P. vera varieties.
Wellbeing in long-term primary carers: biopsychosocial outcomes

Carers are vital to sustaining the independence and optimal functioning of some of the most vulnerable members of the community, yet carers themselves are at risk of poor health and wellbeing outcomes. Indeed, carers often subjugate their own needs in order to fulfill their caring role. This study examined wellbeing outcomes in long-term primary carers. The consequences of providing extended informal care were investigated using a mixed methodology, including questionnaires, saliva sampling and individual interviews. Carers and age and gender matched non-carers were compared across stress, distress, and subjective wellbeing as well as sleep variables and stress hormones. The findings are used to explore the biopsychosocial bases of carer wellbeing. This research has the potential to inform policy on the growing population of Australian carers and to add to the developing wellbeing literature.
Assessing the vulnerability of infrastructure to climate change on the Islands of Samoa

Abstract. Pacific Islanders have been exposed to risks associated with climate change. Samoa, as one of the Pacific Islands, is prone to climatic hazards that will likely increase in the coming decades, affecting coastal communities and infrastructure around the islands. Climate models do not predict a reduction of such disaster events in the future in Samoa; indeed, most predict an increase. This paper identifies key infrastructure and their functions and status in order to provide an overall picture of relative vulnerability to climate-related stresses of such infrastructure on the island. By reviewing existing reports as well as holding a series of consultation meetings, a list of critical infrastructure was developed and shared with stakeholders for their consideration. An indicator-based vulnerability model (SIVM) was developed in collaboration with stakeholders to assess the vulnerability of selected infrastructure systems on the Samoan Islands. Damage costs were extracted from the Cyclone Evan recovery needs document. Additionally, data on criticality and capacity to repair damage were collected from stakeholders. Having stakeholder perspectives on these two issues was important because (a) criticality of a given infrastructure could be viewed differently among different stakeholders, and (b) stakeholders were the best available source (in this study) to estimate the capacity to repair non-physical damage to such infrastructure. Analysis of the results suggested a ranking of sectors from the most vulnerable to least vulnerable are: the transportation sector, the power sector, the water supply sector and the sewerage system.
Cross-border acquisitions of science-based firms: Their effect on innovation in the acquired firm and the local science

This paper asks what happens to the technological resources and assets of host country science-based firms when they are acquired by foreign firms. Drawing on a multiple case study research design and interviews with UK biopharmaceutical firms and on patent data, the paper derives different patterns of knowledge base combinations through acquisition that have different outcomes in terms of innovation. These patterns are based on combinations of two factors: the complementarity or similarity of the technology, and the complementarity or similarity of the discovery and development capabilities of the target and acquiring firm. These combinations have clear differential outcomes in terms of investment in the acquired firm’s technology and important effects for the local science and technology system.
VET workers’ problem-solving skills in technology-rich environments: European approach

The European workplace is challenging VET adults' problem-solving skills in technology-rich environments (TREs). So far, no international large-scale assessment data has been available for VET. The PIAAC data comprise the most comprehensive source of information on adults' skills to date. The present study (N=50 369) focuses on gaining insight into the problem-solving skills in TREs of adults with a VET background. When examining the similarities and differences in VET adults' problem-solving skills in TREs across 11 European countries, two main trends can be observed. First, our results show that only a minority of VET adults perform at a high level. Second, there seems to be substantial variation between countries with respect to the proportion of VET adults that can be identified as "at-risk" or "weak" performers. For the future, our findings indicate the variations that can be used as a starting point to identify beneficial VET approaches.
Active vibration and structural acoustic control of shape memory alloy hybrid composites: Experimental results

Shape memory alloy hybrid composites have been shown both by analytical simulations and experiments to be effective adaptive materials for active vibration and structural acoustics control [Rogers and Robertshaw, Engineering Science Preprints 25, ESP25.88027, Society of Engineering Sciences (1988) and ASME Paper 88‐WA/DE‐9 (1988); Rogers et al., in Proceedings of the 30th Structures, Structural Dynamics, and Materials Conference, AIAA Paper 89‐1389 (1989)]. Structural acoustics is the study of how elastic structures radiate or receive sound, and in its most fundamental form involves the simultaneous solution of the differential equations describing the structure and fluid media with appropriate boundary conditions between the two, i.e., a ‘‘fully’’ coupled analysis. This paper will review the state‐of‐the‐art of active control utilizing shape memory alloy hybrid composites and present experimental results showing active dynamic tuning by a method called active strain energy tuning (ASET), active control o.
Traditional milk production in cattle in a semi-arid area in Kenya

Livestock of pastoralists provide meat, milk, blood, dung and are useful for transportation purposes. In semi-arid and arid areas with very low precipitation the herder must often walk far distances to feed the livestock. This affects the animals’ production, especially of milk. Previous studies have investigated how to improve milk production in terms of milking strategies in cattle. Letting the calf suckle at milking improves milk yield and is also positive for udder health, but shows different impact on growth rate of the calf compared to no suckling at milking. The present study is part of a bigger study and was carried out in Kajiado district at Shompole Conservancy and Ngurumani Escarpment, Kenya. Cross-bred Zebu cattle were used in the study with the objective to control the milking strategy locally. With help of literature, an evaluation of the effects of the milking strategies on calf growth was made. Maasai people are using restricted suckling system, meaning that the calves were separated from the dam during the day, but during milking they were allowed to suckle before, during and after milking. During milking, the milker must balance the needs of the calf against nutritional needs of humans. Most common was to milk three out of four teats, giving the calf access to suckle one teat. Normally the milkers emptied the milked udder quarters completely. Calf size determined both number of teats for the calf and if the milked udder quarters were emptied by the milker or by the calf.
DETERMINATION OF CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND SUITABLE LEVEL OF WHEAT MIDDLINGS IN BROILER DIETS

Two trials were conducted to determination of chemical composition and nutritive valueof grade 1 wheat middlings wastes and its suitable levels in broiler chick’s diets were investigated. Experiment 1 evaluated the chemical composition, and energy and protein content. The experiment2 was conducted by 400 day old unsexed Ross 308 chicken were housed in straw litter pens. Fiverations were used as a five treatments includes (0, 7.5, 15, 30 and 45%) of wheat middlings in broilerdiets. Four replicates with 20 birds were arranged in each. All of diets were Isoenergetic and isonetrogenous. The main experiment was started from 14 days of age to the slaughter weight. Experiment statistical was in complete random design (CRD), data analysed by SAS program and means were examined by Duncan multiple test. The metabolizable energy and protein content were 3225 kcal/ kg and 14% respectively. No significant differences were found in body weight (BW), feed intake (FI)and feed conversion ratio (FCR) and production index (PI) in the broiler's feeding trial and in bydifferent levels of wheat middlings(p>0. 05). There were significant variables in final weight. Thetreatments fed with 45% wheat middlingss have had less weight than others (p 0. 05). However, in this study, these variations did not significantly affect the performance of broiler chickens. It would suggested that 30% of wheat middlings in broiler ration could leads to decrease the ration price and approach more benefits for poultry industry.