Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Experimental damage localization in beam by using natural frequency distribution and modal strain energy change ratio based methods

Two methods for a beam like structures damage identification using frequencies distribution and Modal Strain Energy Change Rate (MSECR) are presented in this paper. Firstly, the measured frequencies sensitivity is improved, and the frequency distribution is used to determine the suspected damage location. Secondly, the change of modal strain energy before and after the occurrence of damage is employed to locate the damage location. To conduct these studies, an experimental modal analysis program was carried out on a cantilever Bernoulli-Euler beams subjected to a controlled crack levels and the first seven modes (natural frequencies and mode shapes) were extracted and used to localize the damage. The effect of crack sizing in the local stiffness and in the frequency fluctuation was evaluated. The localization magnitude of the damage by the frequency distribution was predicted within an acceptable error range. The experimental MSECR was computed and the location of the damage was accurately identified especially for crack sizing as small as 10 % of the beam height. Finally, finite elements models were built and validated, MSECR method was applied and the results demonstrate that the method is capable of localizing damage for beam structure.
Numerical simulations of the differentiation of accreting planetesimals with 26Al and 60Fe as the heat sources

Abstract— Numerical simulations have been performed for the differentiation of planetesimals undergoing linear accretion growth with 26Al and 60Fe as the heat sources. Planetesimal accretion was started at chosen times up to 3 Ma after Ca‐Al‐rich inclusions (CAIs) were formed, and was continued for periods of 0.001–1 Ma. The planetesimals were initially porous, unconsolidated bodies at 250 K, but became sintered at around 700 K, ending up as compact bodies whose final radii were 20, 50, 100, or 270 km. With further heating, the planetesimals underwent melting and igneous differentiation. Two approaches to core segregation were tried. In the first, labelled A, the core grew gradually before silicate began to melt, and in the second, labelled B, the core segregated once the silicate had become 40% molten. In A, when the silicate had become 20% molten, the basaltic melt fraction began migrating upward to the surface, carrying 26Al with it. The 60Fe partitioned between core and mantle. The results show that the rate and timing of core and crust formation depend mainly on the time after CAIs when planetesimal accretion started. They imply significant melting where accretion was complete before 2 Ma, and a little melting in the deep interiors of planetesimals that accreted as late as 3 Ma. The latest melting would have occurred at <10 Ma. The effect on core and crust formation of the planetesimal's final size, the duration of accretion, and the choice of (60Fe/56Fe)initial were also found to be important, particularly where accretion was late. The results are consistent with the isotopic ages of differentiated meteorites, and they suggest that the accretion of chondritic parent bodies began more than 2 or 3 Ma after CAIs.
Sequential Responses of Bacteria to Noxious Agents (Antibiotics) Leading To Accumulation of Mutations and Permanent Resistance

Bacteria have the capacity, as all living cells, to escape harm from a noxious agent by extruding the agent before it reaches its target and harms to the cell. This initial response is intrinsic and involves plasma membrane bound efflux pumps which have the capacity to recognise and extrude a large variety of structurally unrelated molecules. When the concentration of the agent is progressively increased, the number of efflux pumps is also progressively increased as a consequence of over-expression of genes that regulate and code for the synthesis of these pumps. Often, when the bacterium is transferred to drug free medium, the number of pump units returns to baseline levels. However, when the concentration of agent is maintained over a prolonged period of time, mutations in genes that code for essential proteins which are usual targets of antibiotics, begin to accumulate and the expression of genes that code for the efflux pumps decreases, oftentimes reaching wild type levels. When the patient is treated with an antibiotic over a prolonged period of time and initial therapy is ineffective, the bacterium most likely escapes via its own intrinsic efflux pump system and with time, it is expected that the number of efflux pump units progressively increase rendering the clinical isolate resistant to the given antibiotic. The amount of energy needed to maintain a high level of efflux pump activity is great and at the expense of other activities that are needed for survival and replication. When this point is reached, and following the second law of thermodynamics, the bacterium goes through changes to survive at low energy costs (for example: switches its mutator gene and a number of predicted mutations of essential proteins take place). These changes render the bacterium permanently resistant to given antibiotics, the need for efflux is no longer and the number of efflux pump units returns to baseline levels. This review will discuss the structure, genetic regulation, physiology of efflux pumps and the means by which a clinical isolate can be characterized for the components that contribute to its resistance during therapy, namely, evaluation of efflux pump activity versus mutations. The ability of a laboratory to perform these evaluations will go a long way toward the selection of effective antibiotic therapy on a real-basis.
Return forecasts and optimal portfolio construction: a quantile regression approach

Abstract In finance there is growing interest in quantile regression with the particular focus on value at risk and copula models. In this paper, we first present a general interpretation of quantile regression in the context of financial markets. We then explore the full distributional impact of factors on returns of securities and find that factor effects vary substantially across quantiles of returns. Utilizing distributional information from quantile regression models, we propose two general methods for return forecasting and portfolio construction. We show that under mild conditions these new methods provide more accurate forecasts and potentially higher value-added portfolios than the classical conditional mean method.
A Novel Approach to Automated Merge 4D Arrival Trajectories for Multi-parallel Runways

: This paper reports on the research status of automated merging 4D trajectories for multi-parallel runways operations in complex terminal area. In order to simultaneously reduce delay and increase capacity in metropolis airport with multi-parallel runways, based on the classic Point-Merge route structure, a novel Multiple-Points-Merge (M-PM) route system is ﬁrstly proposed. It consists of multi-layers on the sequencing legs for di ﬀ erent categories of aircraft with H, M and L, and a M-PM system for Beijing Capital international airport is built with lazy “8” topology. After that, a multiple-objectives function is discussed for this aircraft scheduling problem, operational constraints are analyzed in detail, a modelling strategy with sliding time window and simulated annealing algorithm is proposed for solving this real-time scheduling and sequencing landing problem. According to the relationship between aircraft entry time and the position of sliding time window, all arrival aircraft are ﬁrstly classiﬁed into 4 di ﬀ erent status: planned, ongoing, active, and completed, and then in the sliding time window the aircraft with active or ongoing status are optimized with re-sequence and conﬂict detection and resolution (CD&R) process. Conﬂict detection (CD) is based on pairwise form to detect separation infringement between aircraft. There are two types of conﬂict, catching up conﬂict and converging conﬂict. Conﬂict resolution (CR) solve the detected horizontal conﬂict with speed adjustment, slot time control, and turning time control technique. In a future work, this novel M-PM system will be evaluated with real operational data.
Properties of Bioplastic Sheets Made from Different Types of Starch Incorporated With Recycled Newspaper Pulp

A b s t r a c t The use of biodegradable material based on natural polysaccharides, particularly starch helps to reduce the usage of non-degradable materials. In this study, three types of starch were used to produce the bioplastic sheets (cassava, corn and potato). The sheets were produced with the mixture of bioplastic (B) incorporated with recycled newspaper pulp fibre (N) at four different ratios (newspaper pulp fibres:bioplastic) N50%:B50%, N30%: B70%, N10%:B90% and N0%:B100%. Water absorption and tensile properties were investigated for these bioplastic sheets which were done in room temperature. Cassava-based bioplastic sheet had the worst water repellent while corn starch-based bioplastic sheets had the lowest water absorption percentage. Based on the ratios, bioplastic sheet N30%:B70% shows the lowest percentage of water absorption. Result also showed that as the amount of bioplastic ratio increase, the tensile strength decrease. The optimum mixture of fibres/bioplastic was N50%:B50% which obtained highest percentage of tensile strength. Elongation at break was increased as the bioplastic increased. © Transactions on Science and Technology 2016
The Effect of Elevated Temperature on Bending Properties of Normal Wood inside Chinese Larch Wood during Fire Events

Timber is used extensively in construction. Therefore, it is important to characterize the response of wood when exposed to elevated temperatures for a sustained period of time. In fire-resistant designs for timber structures, the main goal is to assess in-fire and post-fire structural integrity. The objectives of this study were to study the immediate effect and the residual effect of temperature on bending properties for Chinese larch (Larix gmelinii). A total of 72 specimens were subjected to a static 3-point bending test at various temperatures. The results indicated that both the bending strength (BS) and modulus of elasticity (MOE) decreased nonlinearly as the temperature was increased from 20 to 225 °C for the immediate effect test. For the residual effect test, both the BS and MOE first increased non-linearly and then decreased with increasing temperature. There were significant differences between the immediate effect test and the residual effect test for both BS and MOE. The bending properties in the residual effect test were larger than those in the immediate effect test.
Personal health records in Dutch hospitals : is hte hype already over?

Personal Health Records, which are electronic, universally available,lifelong resources of health information [87] claim to bridge the gap between obedient patients and informed, involved and percipient patients [13]. They can assist patients as well as healthy people in their health care process and give patients the opportunity to monitor their health. Usage of PHRs can create more awareness about the current health status and can help to achieve a healthier life. There is a growing interest in PHRs and since the development of a nationwide EHR has been shut down by the Dutch government [20], hope is set on the development of PHRs in order to track an individual’s health. In addition, in combination with already established regional EHR’s, PHRs claim higher quality of healthcare, more efficiency and greater patient trust in health care [13]. EHRs are already established in the vast majority of the hospitals and therefore, the current presence and development of PHRs is investigated in Dutch hospitals to uncover the status quo. Research Design By means of a thorough literature research, important elements and theoretical benefits of PHRs in hospital setting were retrieved. Thereafter, IT experts and physicians from seven distinct Dutch hospitals were questioned about the current status of presence and development of PHRs in their hospitals.
Population growth and standard of living: A threshold regression approach

This study employs Hansen's (2000) threshold regression analysis to examine the relationship between population growth and per capita GDP in 117 countries. Threshold regression analysis allows controlling the quality of population when examining the relationship between the quantity of population and per capita income in a country. The paper uses Human Development Index (HDI) value as the threshold regression variable. In the course of the analysis, a sample of 117 countries was split twice and separated into four sub-samples. The threshold regression analysis revealed that there was a significant negative relationship between population growth and per capita GDP only in the countries with a low level of human development. In other words, quantitative expansion of population would have negative impact on standard of living only in the countries with low quality of population. The empirical findings of this paper support a proposition that the quality of population aspect should be included in the debate on the relationship between population expansion and economic development.
Electrical geophysics of carbonate mound spring complexes of the South- Western Great Artesian Basin

Artesian mound springs occur along the south-western edge of the Great Artesian Basin, in northern South Australia, but their underground structure and relationship to faulting is not well understood. We have performed geophysical surveys over three different systems using a range of techniques: early-time TEM, self-potential, and magnetotellurics. The self-potential data contains a local response due to specific spring vents, and also a broader stronger response due to laterally extensive upwelling in the lower part of the Bulldog Shale, at depths of approximately 100 m. Modelling of TEM and magnetotelluric data show that the confining Bulldog Shale, which is generally very conductive, contains resistive areas underneath springs and spring complexes which are believed to be related to spring-related carbonate deposition. Magnetotelluric modelling in particular indicates that anisotropic resistivity in the form of vertical sheets at a depth of 100 to 200 m, can explain the observations more readily than a conductive 2D feature, suggesting that the structures underlying the springs are sets of closely-spaced faults. The orientation of this anisotropy matches the regional NNW/SSE orientation of spring complexes.
The remote after-effects of a resistive static contraction of the pelvic depressors on the improvement of active hand-behind-back range of motion in patients with symptomatic rotator cuff tears

The purpose of this study was to determine the remote after-effects (RAE) of a resistive static contraction of the pelvic depressors (RSCPD) using a Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) pattern in the mid-range of pelvic motion in side-lying as an indirect approach on the improvement of hand-behind-back (HBB) range of motion (ROM) in patients with rotator cuff tears. A static stretch (SS) group and hold-relax (HR) group were used for comparison to the RSCPD group. Twelve outpatients with symptomatic rotator cuff tears were randomly assigned to the RSCPD group, HR group, or SS group. The mean (SD) age was 68.8 (6.2) years (range: 34-81). HBB ROM determined by measuring the distance between the top of the thumb and the spinous process of C7 (TSD) in centimeters was assessed with a tape. Percentage change in TSD after each technique was calculated in comparison with TSD before the technique. Group means were compared using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Scheffe's test. The results of a one-way ANOVA showed significant differences between the techniques. Scheffe's post hoc testing revealed a significant difference only between the RSCPD group and SS group (p<0.05), sreflecting a greater percentage change in TSD in the RSCPD group. Application of RSCPD technique may be an effective approach in indirectly treating extremities that cannot be exercised directly because of pain. RAE of RSCPD technique may improve the AROM of the shoulder joint in patients with rotator cuff tears.
Technical Efficiency of Tomato Production: A Case Study of District Peshawar (Pakistan)

2 Abstract: This study is designed to measure the mean technical efficiency of tomato production in district Peshawar of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Pakistan). Data from 120 tomato growers were collected using multistage sampling technique and was analyzed using Maximum Likelihood Estimation technique. The mean technical efficiency was found 92 percent implying that on average tomato growers were 92 percent efficient. The study further reveled that farmers have increasing returns to scale. Estimates of the inefficiency model shows that among various factors experience and age are the only factors that significantly affect the inefficiency of the farmers. Using formal and informal education farm technical efficiency may be increased. To take benefits of high technical efficiency and economies of scale, farming community should be motivated to increase their scale of operation. Farming community should also be trained in processing the tomato so that crop may be preserved to avoid commodity losses.
FREE VIBRATION OF THICK COMPOSITE PLATES ON NON-HOMOGENEOUS ELASTIC FOUNDATIONS BY DYNAMIC STIFFNESS METHOD

This research presents a new model for vibration analysis of thick laminated plates on a non-homogeneous elastic foundation by the Dynamic Stiffness Method (DSM). The non-homogeneous foundation consists of multi-segment Winkler-type and Pasternak-type elastic foundation. The Dynamic Stiffness Matrices using the First Shear Deformation Theory (FSDT) are constructed for cross-ply thick composite plates. A computer program is written using the present formulation for calculating natural frequencies and harmonic response of composite plates subjected to various types of boundary conditions. Numerical results are validated by comparison with available results in the literature and with Finite Element Method (FEM). Different test cases make evidence the advantages of the present model: higher precision, less data storage, less computing time and studied frequency range extended.
Three Lenses on Occupations and Professions in Organizations: Becoming, Doing, and Relating

Abstract Management and organizational scholarship is overdue for a reappraisal of occupations and professions as well as a critical review of past and current work on the topic. Indeed, the field has largely failed to keep pace with the rising salience of occupational and professional (as opposed to organizational) dynamics in work life. Moreover, not only is there a dearth of studies that explicitly take occupational or professional categories into account, but there is also an absence of a shared analytical framework for understanding what occupations and professions entail. Our goal is therefore two-fold: first, to offer guidance to scholars less familiar with this terrain who encounter occupational or professional dynamics in their own inquiries and, second, to introduce a three-part framework for conceptualizing occupations and professions to help guide future inquiries. We suggest that occupations and professions can be understood through lenses of “becoming”, “doing”, and “relating”. We develop th.
Food supply chains: Are efficiency and responsiveness mutually exclusive?

This article presents the empirical results of a study of strategic change in 291 organisations operating in New Zealand food supply chains. Firms in food-related businesses have been increasingly responsive to changing customer demands and competitive pressures and have introduced substantial product and process changes. This research considers firm-internal and supply chain relationship characteristics as the cause of strategic change. Using structural equation modelling, significant relationships between firm resources and strategic change were sought. Multi-group analyses were used to identify moderating effects of supplier and customer collaboration. The results indicate that resources have an effect on product and process changes. Supplier and customer collaboration were not found to have any moderating effects. The results have important implications for both supply chains and firms in terms of strategic change and the benefits of supplier and customer collaboration.
Tolerance of Seven Faba Bean Varieties to Drought and Salt Stresses

Seven varieties of faba bean (Vicia faba L.), one of them is Egyptian origin and the other six varieties were provided by ICARDA, were investigated for evaluating their drought and salt tolerance. Faba bean plants were grown under three different irrigation water intervals, 5, 10 and 15 days and two concentrations of NaCl, 25 and 50mM. Control plants showed higher growth and yield than plants subjected to water or salt stress. Control plants of the seven varieties arranged by yield follow the order: V5, V6, V3, V2, V1 and V4. Variety 4 exhibited significant stimulation of yield under salinity effect of the adopted concentrations, thus this variety has the highest salt tolerance of the seven studied varieties. Expose the faba bean varieties (1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7) to water stress leads to significant increase in photosynthetic pigments after 45days from sowing, this effect inversed after 90 days. Salt stress commonly reduce chlorophyll but increase carotenoids in plant leaves. The photosynthetic pigments of variety 3 leaves increased by water and salt stresses. Salinized plants showed the highest values of total soluble sugars, proline and total free amino acids. Highest records of total soluble sugars of the seven varieties of control plants were exhibited by varieties 5, 6 and 1. Higher values of total soluble sugars were recorded for varieties 1, 7 and 3 under 25mM and varieties 6, 5 and 1 under 50 mM NaCl. Variety 3 showed the highest amounts of proline under water and salt stresses. Variety 2 showed the highest values of total free amino acids under water stress and V2, V5 and V1 under 50 mM NaCl. The dendrogram obtained by application of clustering analysis on the reduction percentage values in the yield as a result to water and salt stresses, appeared that varieties; 4, 6 and 3 are more drought tolerance, and varieties 4 and 3 are more salt tolerant than the other varieties.
Predators indirectly protect tundra plants by reducing herbivore abundance

The role of predators in controlling herbivores and indirectly affecting plant abundance is controversial, and some have argued that such trophic cascades are rare in terrestrial habitats. To examine the potential of trophic cascades in a shrubby tundra ecosystem, vole densities, plant damage and plant cover were examined in areas with and without small mammal predators. On islands without predators, vole densities and plant damage were upto five times higher compared with predator-rich mainland habitats. As a consequence, the abundance of three out of five dwarf shrub species was substantially reduced on predator-free islands, providing evidence for strong cascading effects in a rather large-scale terrestrial system. Herbs on the other hand were not affected by the increased herbivory on islands. This suggests that the strength of trophic cascades also depends on the interaction between plant type and seasonality.
Consumer adoption of wireless services: Discovering the rules, while playing the game

This research aims to explain the adoption of mobile gaming based on a refined model of Rogers’ adoption theory, including context-specific factors and consumer traits. Overall, the empirical findings suggest that perceived risk plays a crucial role in the adoption process, followed by complexity and compatibility. Moreover, through cluster analysis we identified three consumers segments, termed “Value Seekers,” “Risk Avoiders,” and “Game Players. ” Whereas perceived risk remains the most important factor for the Risk Avoiders, Value Seekers also are concerned about compatibility. Game Players emphasize navigation, communicability, and payment options.