Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On rate-state and Coulomb failure models

We examine the predictions of Coulomb failure stress and rate-state frictional models. We study the change in failure time (clock advance) Δt due to stress step perturbations (i.e., coseismic static stress increases) added to “background” stressing at a constant rate (i.e., tectonic loading) at time t0. The predictability of Δt implies a predictable change in seismicity rate r(t)/r0, testable using earthquake catalogs, where r0 is the constant rate resulting from tectonic stressing. Models of r(t)/r0, consistent with general properties of aftershock sequences, must predict an Omori law seismicity decay rate, a sequence duration that is less than a few percent of the mainshock cycle time and a return directly to the background rate. A Coulomb model requires that a fault remains locked during loading, that failure occur instantaneously, and that Δt is independent of t0. These characteristics imply an instantaneous infinite seismicity rate increase of zero duration. Numerical calculations of r(t)/r0 for different state evolution laws show that aftershocks occur on faults extremely close to failure at the mainshock origin time, that these faults must be “Coulomb-like,” and that the slip evolution law can be precluded. Real aftershock population characteristics also may constrain rate-state constitutive parameters; a may be lower than laboratory values, the stiffness may be high, and/or normal stress may be lower than lithostatic. We also compare Coulomb and rate-state models theoretically. Rate-state model fault behavior becomes more Coulomb-like as constitutive parameter a decreases relative to parameter b. This is because the slip initially decelerates, representing an initial healing of fault contacts. The deceleration is more pronounced for smaller a, more closely simulating a locked fault. Even when the rate-state Δt has Coulomb characteristics, its magnitude may differ by some constant dependent on b. In this case, a rate-state model behaves like a modified Coulomb failure model in which the failure stress threshold is lowered due to weakening, increasing the clock advance. The deviation from a non-Coulomb response also depends on the loading rate, elastic stiffness, initial conditions, and assumptions about how state evolves.
A New Coupling Metric: Combining Structural and Semantic Relationships

Maintaining object-oriented software is problematic and expensive. Earlier research has revealed that complex relationships among object-oriented software entities are key reasons that make maintenance costly. Therefore, measuring the strength of these relationships has become a requirement to develop proficient techniques for software maintenance. Coupling, a measure of the interdependence among software entities, is an important property for which many software metrics have been defined. It is widely agreed that the level of coupling in a software product has consequences for its maintenance. In order to understand which aspects of coupling affect quality or other external attributes of software, this dissertation introduces a new coupling metric for object-oriented software that combines structural and semantic relationships among methods and classes. The dissertation studies the usage of the new proposed coupling metric throughout change impact analysis, predicting fault-prone and maintainable classes. Three empirical studies were performed to evaluate the new coupling metric and established three results. Firstly, the new coupling metric can be effectively used to specify other classes that might potentially affected by a change to a given class. Secondly, a significant correlation between the new coupling metric and faults has been found. Finally, it has been found that the new metric shows a good promise in predicting maintainable classes. We expect that this new software metric contributes to the improvement of the design of incremental change of software and thus lead to increasing software quality and reducing software maintenance costs.
Topology Optimization of a Linear Piezoelectric Micromotor Using the Smoothed Finite Element Method

This paper presents the topology optimization design for a linear micromotor, including multitude cantilever piezoelectric bimorphs. Each microbeam in the mechanism can be actuated in both axial and flexural modes simultaneously. For this design, we consider quasi-static and linear conditions, and the smoothed finite element method (S-FEM) is employed in the analysis of piezoelectric effects. Certainty variables such as weight of the structure and equilibrium equations are considered as constraints during the topology optimization design process, then a deterministic topology optimization (DTO) is conducted. To avoid the overly stiff behavior in FEM modeling, a relatively new numerical method known as the cell-based smoothed finite element method (CS-FEM, as a branch of S-FEM) is introduced for our DTO problem. The topology optimization procedure is implemented using a solid isotropic material with a penalization (SIMP) approximation and a method of moving asymptotes (MMA) optimizer. Because of the higher efficiency and accuracy of S-FEMs with respect to standard FEMs, numerical results of our DTO analysis using a softer CS-FEM are substantially improved, compared to FEMs using quadrilateral elements (Q4) and triangular elements (T3) when the same sets of nodes are used.
Near metrizability via a new approach

The present article deals with near metrizability, initiated in an earlier paper, with a new orientation and approach. The notions of nearly regular and uniform pseudo-bases are introduced and analogues of some results concerning metrizability and paracompactness are obtained for near metrizability and near paracompactness respectively via the proposed approach, suitably formulated.
Hilbert–Huang transform analysis of periodicities in the last two solar activity cycles

We investigated periodicities associated with the last two-and-a-half solar activity cycles with the novel Hilbert–Huang transform (HHT) method. Raw data signals of five different observational proxies: the 10.7 cm radio flux intensity, the helioseismic frequency shift, and the sunspot area signals recorded from the whole solar disc, and separately from the Northern and Southern hemispheres, were expanded into a set of intrinsic modes with the ensemble empirical mode decomposition technique. Instant and mean periods of each empirical mode were obtained with the use of the Hilbert transform applied independently to each separate mode. The periodicities were allocated to three distinct groups: short-term variations (with periods shorter than 0.5 yr), quasi-biennial oscillations (with typical periods from 0.5 yr to 3.9 yr), and longer periodicities, e.g. such as the 11 yr cycle. All periodicities detected in the examined solar cycles 22–24 are consistent with the well-known results found in the earlier solar epochs. We have demonstrated that the HHT method is a good tool for characterizing periodicities in the helioseismic data, which are necessarily relatively limited in terms of their time resolution. Periodicities obtained using the helioseismic data are, nevertheless, consistent with those found in other proxies. Since helioseismic oscillations are sensitive to the solar interior, this indicates that the behaviour of surface and atmospheric magnetic activity reflects that of the Sun's internal magnetic field. All identified intrinsic modes are seen to have clear amplitude modulation highly correlated with the 11 yr cycle. This amplitude modulation is most pronounced in the short-period modes. The short-term periodicities were found to be multiples of the shortest period, of 25 d. This ordering of the short-term periodicities is consistent with the previous findings. Signatures of the north–south asymmetry were detected in the individual hemisphere sunspot area indices. Furthermore, evidence of the last ‘extended’ solar minimum was detected too.
Assessing the productive vocabulary of Spanish–English bilingual toddlers from low-income families

ABSTRACT This study investigates the utility and validity of the MacArthur–Bates Communicative Development Inventory (CDI) for use with low-income parents and their 24- to 36-month-old Spanish–English bilingual children (n = 79). Issues in the interpretation of the integrated CDI/Inventarios del Desarrollo de Habilidades Comunicativas (IDHC) score to index bilingual children's overall conceptual knowledge are also considered. Results indicate that the CDI/IDHC can be used with this population through at least age 36 months and parents are accurate reporters of their children's Spanish and English vocabulary. The value of the integrated score was confirmed. However, given the lack of norms associated with the integrated score, the complexity of determining how best to interpret this score was underscored.
EFFECTS OF SHEAR COUPLING ON SHEAR PROPERTIES OF WOOD

Under pure shear loading, an off-axis element of orthotropic material such as pure wood undergoes both shear and normal deformations. The ratio of the shear strain to a normal strain is defined as the shear coupling coefficient associated with the direction of the normal strain. The effects of shear coupling on shear properties of wood as predicted by the orthotropic elasticity theory were validated using our recently developed shear test fixture. The validation also serves to demonstrate that the shear test fixture possesses the capability to introduce a state of pure shear to the critical section of a specimen as required and that orthotropic elasticity theory should be used to describe the mechanical properties of pure wood. Kevwords: Orthotropic elasticity, shear coupling, shear modulus, shear strength, shear test.
PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING, PLANT GROWTH INHIBITION, AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY STUDIES OF XYLOCARPUS GRANATUM

Phytochemical analysis of the methanolic extract of Xylocarpus granatum Koen indicated the presence of carbohydrates, saponins, tannins and flavonoid types of compounds. Alkaloids and glycosides were found to be absent from the extract. The primary methanolic extract exhibited a potent growth inhibitory effect. Inhibition of both the rootlet and shoot showed a dosedependent response. The residual methanolic extract also has a growth inhibitory effect. Both methanolic extracts have a greater inhibitory effect on rootlet growth than shoot growth. The residual methanolic extract has a lesser inhibitory effect than the primary methanolic extract. Removal of the non-polar compounds (by n-hexane and chloroform) from the primary methanolic extract reduced the inhibitory activity on both the rootlet and shoot growth, which suggests that the non-polar fractions may contain growth inhibitory principles. The primary extract demonstrated antibacterial activity against the gram positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis and the gram negative bacteria Proteus vulgaris. The primary methanolic extract was found to be inactive against Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The primary methanolic extract was more active against grampositive bacteria than gram-negative bacteria. The residual methanolic extract was also found to be inactive against all the tested microorganisms.
Climate change and peripheral populations: predictions for a relict Mediterranean viper

Ecological niche-based models were developed in peripheral populations of Vipera latastei North Africa to: 1) identify environmental factors related to species occurrence; 2) identify present suitable areas; 3) estimate future areas according to forecasted scenarios of climate change; and 4) quantify habitat suitability changes between present and future climatic scenarios. Field observations were combined with environmental factors to derive an ensemble of predictions of species occurrence. The resulting models were projected to the future North African environmental scenarios. Species occurrence was most related to precipitation variation. Present suitable habitats were fragmented and ranged from coastal to mountain habitats, and the overall fragmented range suggests a relict distribution from wider past ranges. Future projections suggest a progressive decrease in suitable areas. The relationship with precipitation supports the current unsuitability of most North Africa for the species and predicts future increased extinction risk. Monitoring of population trends and full protection of mountain forests are key-targets for long-term conservation of African populations of this viper. Predicted trends may give indications about other peripheral populations of Palearctic vertebrates in North Africa which should be assessed in detail.
Effect of Solution Concentration on the Electrospray/Electrospinning Transition and on the Crystalline Phase of PVDF

A study was conducted regarding the effect of concentration of poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)/N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and PVDF/DMF/acetone solutions on the transition between electrospray and electrospinning and on the formation of the ? and ? crystalline phases of PVDF. The crystalline phases present in the samples, crystallinity and morphology were determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. Low concentration solutions resulted in films consisting of small droplets (electrospray) containing predominantly the ? phase. High concentration solutions resulted in a non-woven mesh of nano-to-micron diameter fibers (electrospinning) containing exclusively the ? phase. These results showed that, the formation of this phase in the electrospinning is related mainly to the solvent evaporation rate, and not to drawing experienced by the polymer during the process. Solvent type affected the amount of crystalline phase present, the boundary concentration between the two processes and the average diameter of fibers. Meshes processed by electrospinning display a degree of crystallinity higher than the films obtained by electrospray.
Energy Distribution of a Regular Black Hole Solution in Einstein-Nonlinear Electrodynamics

A study about the energy momentum of a new four-dimensional spherically symmetric, static and charged, regular black hole solution developed in the context of general relativity coupled to nonlinear electrodynamics is presented. Asymptotically, this new black hole solution behaves as the Reissner-Nordstrom solution only for the particular value , where is a positive integer parameter appearing in the mass function of the solution. The calculations are performed by use of the Einstein, Landau-Lifshitz, Weinberg, and Moller energy momentum complexes. In all the aforementioned prescriptions, the expressions for the energy of the gravitating system considered depend on the mass of the black hole, its charge , a positive integer α, and the radial coordinate r. In all these pseudotensorial prescriptions, the momenta are found to vanish, while the Landau-Lifshitz and Weinberg prescriptions give the same result for the energy distribution. In addition, the limiting behavior of the energy for the cases , , and is studied. The special case and is also examined. We conclude that the Einstein and Moller energy momentum complexes can be considered as the most reliable tools for the study of the energy momentum localization of a gravitating system.
The association between body mass index, lipid profiles and total cholesterol among married versus spinster.

Background: Previous epidemiologic studies have revealed that cumulative body mass index (BMI) is allied with higher total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL). However, these scholarships were limited by the underrepresentation of obese subjects according to Shamai. Objective: To evaluate the association between body mass index (BMI) and total cholesterol among some Algerian women's. Methods: A case-control study was performed involving some worker’s women and spinster in OPAPS laboratory for the academic years (2015-2016). All participants in this study accepted to venous blood withdrawal under fasting conditions and anthropometric measurement (body weight, body height and body mass index). The datum was performed by SPSS 22 using Levene’s statistic, T-test independently and correlation of Pearson. Result: the samples included 36 females 18 spinsters and 18 married, their average age 22.75 ± 2.56 years. The homogeneity of the two groups was based on administrative workers with the same education and the social status. Founded on the statistical applied, we confirm that cholesterol level increased with increasing BMI case women married in the opposite of a spinster. Conclusion: Upper BMI was inversely associated with HDL and TG in the benefit of a spinster. Although the association between BMI and both HDL and TG may be explained by oral contraceptives causing a decrease in Apoprotein, cholesterol, HDL, triglycerides the case of married women. In contrast, our findings are in conformity with the similar studies which advised the positive relationship between BMI and triglycerides related to lower HDL cholesterol and its relationship to lipoprotein lipase activity.
Components of corn crop yield under inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense using integrated crop-livestock system

The objective of this study was to evaluate the agronomic characteristics of corn seed inoculated with Azospirillum brasilense , grown on black oat and ryegrass straw, and managed under different grazing strategies and doses of nitrogen. The experiment was conducted in Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, during two agricultural seasons (2012/2013 and 2013/2014) in a randomized, complete block design with three replications. In the winter period, black oat and ryegrass straw were managed at different grazing heights by sheep (0.30, 0.20, 0.10 m, conventional grazing, and no grazing) with three doses of nitrogen (0, 50, and 100 kg ha -1 , with or without inoculation by A . brasilense ). We used the hybrid Pioneer (P1630H ® ) in 2012 and the hybrid Agroeste (AS 1551 ® ) in 2013. The height of corn plants was greater when they were grown on black oat and ryegrass straw, and the absence of grazing favored productivity. Under drought conditions, the application of nitrogen to the pasture favored corn development, increasing plant height, ear height, and stem diameter. Inoculation with A. brasilense had a positive effect on the characteristics of yield and productivity of corn, independent of growing season and hybrid used.
Ultrasound Measurements of Patellar Tendon: Differences Depending on Previous Training

PURPOSE:to evaluate if the lack of experience in musculoskeletal ultrasonography generates measuring errors based on patellar tendon measurements. Ultrasound is recognized as an outstanding tool in musculoskeletal pathology diagnosis, despite being physician-dependent in knowledge as much as in experience. METHODS: Six donated knees (ages 58-71 years old) were chosen for the present study. Four observers performed the measurements, which were length, thickness and width of the patellar tendon; an expert in musculoskeletal ultrasonography (gold standard), an obstetric sonographer, an orthopedic surgeon and a third-year medical student. An external participant collected all data and analyzed results. RESULTS: regarding length, an 8% mean decrease with respect to the gold standard’s mean was observed. With respect to the width, the evaluators showed lower measurements with respect to the gold standard, (less than 5% difference) with no constant systematic error, although a trend of a proportional systematic error was observed (0.59). Third, measurements from observers were an 8% higher than the gold standard’s regarding thickness. The evaluator that most approximated measurements to the gold standard performed was the obstetric sonographer. CONCLUSION: The present paper represents an approach to learning systems in musculoskeletal ultrasound and counseling courses to focus on ultrasound technique knowledge rather than anatomical domains.
Observations on the Maturation and Development of a Roman Snail (Helix Pomatia, Linnaeus, 1758) Population of Farmed Origin in Natural Plots

Abstract Observations were made concerning active species protection of the Roman snail. Samples were collected from three natural plots in which 3,000 marked hatchlings of farmed origin, aged 1+ (three individuals per m2), were placed in mid-May 2011. The hatchlings originated from breeding snails of the park, or ‘source’ plot. The other plots were a forest, or ‘inhabited’ plot, occupied by a foreign population and a cultivated ‘empty’ plot, which had been emptied of its natural population. By the end of June 2012, the introduced snails were aged 2+, when snails of this species reach maturity. During this period, as part of the analysis of collected samples, the snails in their final maturation period in this age group were divided into mature and immature groups. After thirteen months of observations, a greater density was observed for the farm-originated, naturalised population in the ‘empty’ plot than in the total populations for the other two plots. In the ‘empty’ plot the percentage of somatic and sexually mature farmed snails aged 2+ was significantly higher than in the same snail groups from the other two research plots. There were no statistically significant differences between the shell diameters of the mature farmed snails in all the research plots. The Roman snails of farmed origin considerably extended their territorial range, maintaining their high percentage share in the local natural populations.
MEASUREMENT AND MODELING OF THE INFLUENCE OF GRAIN SIZE AND PRESSURE GRADIENTS ON SWASH ZONE SEDIMENT TRANSPORT

The paper examines the dependency between sediment transport rate, , and grain size, (i.e. ) in the swash zone. Experiments were performed using a dam break flow as a proxy for swash overtopping on a mobile sediment beach. The magnitude and nature of the dependency (i.e. value) is inferred for different flow parameters; the initial dam depth (or initial bore height), , the integrated depth averaged velocity, , and against the predicted transport, , using the Meyer-Peter Muller (MPM) transport model. Experiments were performed over both upward sloping beds and a horizontal bed. The data show that negative dependencies ( 0) are obtained for and , while positive dependencies ( 0) are obtained for . This indicates that a given and transport less sediment as grain size increases, whereas transport increases with grain size for a given . The value is expected to be narrow ranged, 0.5 -0.5. A discernible difference observed between the measured and predicted transport on horizontal and sloping beds suggests different modes of transport. The incorporation of a pressure gradient correction, , using the surface water slope (i.e. piezometric head), in the transport calculation greatly improved the transport predictions on the horizontal bed, where is positive. On average, the incorporation of a pressure gradient term into the MPM formulation reduces in the uprush by 4% (fine sand) to 18% (coarse sand) and increases over a horizontal bed by 1% (fine sand) to two orders of magnitude (coarse sand). The measured transport for fine and coarse sand are better predicted using MPM and MPM+ respectively. Poor predictions are obtained using Nielsen (2002) because the pressure gradient in the uprush is of opposite sign to that inferred from velocity data in that paper. It is suggested that future swash sediment transport models should incorporate the grain size effect, partly through the pressure gradient, although the influence is small for fine sands because of the grain size scaling contained in the stress term.