Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The interplay between anisotropyand strain localisation in granular soils: a multiscale insight

This paper presents a multiscale investigation on the interplay among inherent anisotropy, fabric evolution and strain localisation in granular soils, based on a hierarchical multiscale framework with rigorous coupling of the finite-element method (FEM) and discrete-element method (DEM). DEM assemblies with elongated particles are generated to simulate inherent anisotropy and are embedded to the Gauss points of the FEM mesh to derive the required constitutive relation. Specimens preparedwith different bedding plane angles are subjected to biaxial shear under either smooth or rough loading platens. Key factors and physical mechanisms contributing towards the occurrence and development of strain localisation are examined. The competing evolutions of two sources of anisotropy, one related to particle orientations and the other related to contact normals, are found to underpin the development of the shear band. A single band pattern is observed under smooth boundary conditions, and its orientation relative to the bedding plane depends critically on the relative dominance between the two anisotropies. Under rough boundary conditions, the non-coaxial material response and the boundary constraint jointly lead to cross-shaped double shear bands. The multiscale simulations indicate that the DEM assemblies inside the shear band(s) undergo extensive shearing, fabric evolution and particle rotation, and may reach the critical state, while those located outside the shear band(s) experience mild loading followed by unloading. The particle-orientation-based fabric anisotropy needs significantly larger shear and dilation for mobilisation than the contact-normal based one. The asynchrony in evolution of the two fabric anisotropies can cause non-coaxial responses for initially coaxial packings, which directly triggers strain localisation.
Motivational aspects of teachers' intercultural competence: Development and psychometric evaluation of new scales for the assessment of motivational orientation

This paper deals with the development of three scales for the assessment of motivational aspects of teachers' intercultural competence - Teacher Cultural Diversity Enthusiasm Scale (TCDES), Teacher Cultural Diversity Self-Efficacy Scale (TCDSES) and Teacher Commitment to Social Justice Scale (TCSJS). The second goal of the study was to test the assumption that these three scales were indicators of a single latent concept - Motivational orientation related to diversity. The results have demonstrated strong reliability (ɑs> .80), one-factor structure (cross-validated with EFA and CFA) and satisfactory content and concurrent validity for each scale. Additionally, EFA has shown that three distinct factors explain item level variations. These results suggest that the three scales are reliable measures of three different motivational aspects. In the next step, CFA has confirmed the model of Motivational orientation, where a single latent construct explains variations at the level of the scales. The assessment of motivational orientation may better inform training and pedagogical interventions aiming to develop teachers' competence to deal with diversity and measure the outcomes and efficacy of educational efforts such as pre-service and in-service intercultural training programs for teachers.
Korea, China and Japan: Their Trade with the World and Its Impact on New Asian Regionalism ASEAN+3

Success of recent developments in Asian economic regionalism and free trade agreements depends to some significant extent on the continuing role and importance of trade of these economies with themselves and also with the world's major trading blocs. The paper reviews especially the case of Korea, Japan and China's interest in new Asian economic regionalism and FTAs, surveys particularly its important trends in international trade in the past 35 years and discusses how these trends and patterns will affect the Asian 3's growth and provide the background for more effective implementation of ASEAN+3 or even ASEAN+5 or similar bilateral, pluri-lateral and multilateral regional economic integrations in the long term.
Patterns and drivers of carbohydrate budgets in ice algal assemblages from first year Arctic sea ice

Ongoing changes in sea ice distribution will have major implications for the ecology of the Arctic Ocean. First year ice (FYI) supports abundant ice‐algae communities that produce dissolved and particulate carbohydrates, including extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), which are significant carbon sources, influence ice formation and microbial survival within sea ice, and water column carbon cycling following ice melt. Key drivers of the distribution and composition of these carbohydrates are poorly characterised. Carbohydrates and chlorophyll a concentrations were linearly related in springtime bottom FYI at 36 sites in the Canadian Archipelago region, with high levels of spatial heterogeneity. Nanoeukaryote cell density and phosphate concentration were strong drivers of total and dissolved carbohydrate and uronic acid concentrations. Particulate carbohydrates were strongly related to total bacterial abundance. Dissolved carbohydrates contributed 77% of total carbohydrate: the most abundant (51%) size fraction being dissolved carbohydrates < 8 kDa in size, with dissolved EPS contributing 7% to total carbohydrate. Carbohydrate fractions differed in monosaccharide profiles; dissolved components being glucose rich; particulate EPS containing more mannose, xylose, fucose and arabinose. These profiles corresponded to those of cultured sea‐ice diatoms. Microbial abundance, silicate, nitrate and phosphate concentration and ice thickness were important environmental drivers, with thicker ice containing relatively more particulate EPS, with thinner ice containing high amounts of glucose‐rich smaller‐sized carbohydrate moieties. Changes in ice characteristics will alter the relative balance of labile and refractory carbohydrates generated within bottom ice layers, with implications for food webs and carbon turnover in the warming Arctic Ocean.
Heat of Formation of Calcium Aluminate Monosulfate at 25 °C

The heat of formation of calcium aluminate monosulfate, 3CaO·Al2O3·CaSO4·12H2O, at 25 °C, and of less completely hydrated samples of the same compound, was determined by the heat-of-solution method, with 2N HCl as the solvent, and 3CaO·Al2O3·6H2O(c) and CaSO4·2H2O(c), as the reactants. The results were as follows: ΔH, kj/mole ΔH, kcal/mole 3CaO·Al2O3·CaSO4·12H2O(c) Heat of formation from elements, ΔHf° −2100 from reactants and H2O(1) −15.0 Heat of solution in 2N HCl − 495.7 − 118.5 Change of heat of solution with H2O content at 12H2O, per mole H2O d(ΔH)dn 1.93 The heat of the reaction (ΔH) 3CaO⋅Al2O3⋅CaSO4⋅12H2O(c)+2(CaSO4⋅2H2O)(c)+15H2O(l)→3CaO⋅Al2O3⋅3CaSO4⋅31H2O(c)is −134.4 kj/mole or −32.1 kcal/mole. The heat of the reaction (ΔH) 3CaO⋅Al2O3⋅CaSO4⋅12H2O(c)+2(CaSO4⋅2H2O)(c)+16H2O(l)→3CaO⋅Al2O3⋅3CaSO4⋅32H2O(c)is −144.9 kj/mole or −34.6 kcal/mole. Values reported earlier for the heat of formation of calcium aluminate trisulfate and of calcium aluminate monocarbonate should be revised by adding −0.9 kcal/mole to each reported ΔH value, with the following resulting values: ΔH from appropriate reactants ΔHf° kcal/mole kcal/mole 3CaO·Al2O3·3CaSO4·31H2O(c) −47.01 −4123 3CaO·Al2O3·3CaSO4·32H2O(c) −49.52 −4194 3CaO·Al2O3·CaCO3·10·68H2O(c) −19.77 −1957 Conditions for the formation of the monosulfate from solution, and its properties on exposure to moisture, are discussed.
A Ricardian Theory of Production, Trade and Finance - The Role of Credit Market Imperfection

We build up a Ricardian trade model for a small open economy with imperfection in the market for credit which eventually affects the pattern of production and trade. Workers/entrepreneurs are endowed with different levels “capital” and need to borrow to produce the credit intensive good. Firms with strong internal cash flow will enter the credit intensive sector. Among those the weaker ones will like to deal in fragments and the richer ones will vertically integrate. Thus distribution of capital ownership determines the nature of production and trade. Those producing fragments may engage in external as well as internal trade. Two credit constrained nations may trade in fragments. The unconstrained richer firms will follow the standard Ricardian incentive to trade. Even if trade does not require credit, shortage of production credit will affect production and trade. Later we generalize our framework to determine prices and interest rate simultaneously. Even there is no role for trade credit, financial stringency will reduce volume of production and trade.
Quasi-maximum likelihood estimation of heteroskedastic fractional time series models

In a recent paper Hualde and Robinson (2011) establish consistency and asymptotic normality for conditional sum-of-squares estimators, which are equivalent to conditional quasi-maximum likelihood estimators, in parametric fractional time series models driven by conditionally homoskedastic shocks. In contrast to earlier results in the literature, their results apply over an arbitrarily large set of admissible parameter values for the (unknown) memory parameter covering both stationary and non-stationary processes and invertible and non-invertible processes. In this paper we extend their results to the case where the shocks can display conditional and unconditional heteroskedasticity of a quite general and unknown form. We establish that the consistency result presented in Hualde and Robinson (2011) continues to hold under heteroskedasticity as does asymptotic normality. However, we demonstrate that the covariance matrix of the limiting distribution of the estimator now depends on nuisance parameters which derive both from the weak dependence in the process (as is also the case for the corresponding result in Hualde and Robinson, 2011) but additionally from the heteroskedasticity present in the shocks. Asymptotically pivotal inference can be performed on the parameters of the heteroskedastic model, provided a conventional “sandwich”estimator of the variance is employed.
Influence of sowing and harvest dates on production of two different cultivars of sugar beet

Pavlů K. , Chochola J., Pulkrábek J., Urban J. (2017): Influence of sowing and harvest dates on production of two different cultivars of sugar beet. Plant Soil Environ. , 63: 76–81. Small-plot trials conducted in 2013–2015 studied the impact of longer vegetation periods (by means of earlier drilling and/or later harvest) on production results of two sugar beet cultivars – one nematode-tolerant cultivar and one cultivar without such tolerance. The trials took place at two sites with different Heterodera schachtii infestation levels. In all trial seasons, root yield was significantly higher in the earlier drilled plots. On average, prolongation of the vegetation period in spring by 13 days increased root yield by 10.9%. Therefore, each day by which drilling is postponed represents a 0.7–0.8% loss of yield. As to sugar content, no statistically significant benefit of vegetation period prolongation by early drilling was found. The spring gain was slightly higher for the non-tolerant cultivar than for the tolerant one on average over all trial seasons. This result confirms the theory that nematodes impact the crop mainly in later stages of vegetation, and early drilling can thus help eliminating, to a certain degree, the risk of nematode damage. In the autumn, root yield increased by 14.3% on average over 39 days. The autumn daily gain was about half of the rate found in the spring. The increase in sugar content was between 0.6% and 1% (abs.) on average. Autumn growth achieved at the non-infested site was much higher than at the infested site.
Behavioural microsimulation modelling with the Melbourne Institute Tax and Transfer Simulator (MITTS): uses and extensions

This paper describes microsimulation modelling in non-technical terms; and it explains what can be achieved with microsimulation modelling in general, and the Melbourne Institute Tax and Transfer Simulator (MITTS) in particular. The focus is on behavioural microsimulation modelling, which takes individuals’ labour supply responses into account when analysing tax and transfer reforms. Microsimulation models are built to replicate closely the considerable degree of heterogeneity observed in the population. Several examples of recent uses of MITTS are given and briefly described. In addition, one worked-out example is presented to illustrate some of the features and typical outputs of MITTS. Given the relatively recent development of behavioural microsimulation models, there are several opportunities for further extensions. For example, it would be valuable to allow for the demand side of labour, indicating whether new labour force participants are likely to find work; or to allow for life-cycle dynamics, which are important to deal with population-ageing issues or with female labour force participation.
Administration of extract Salix tetrasperma combined with extract of turmeric and neem to improve eggs quality of chicken reared under heat stress.

Quality of eggs might decrease when hens under heat stress. A further study found that a specific plant extracts could reduce the impacts of heat stress. The aim of this study was to determine effects of Salix tetrasperma plant extract in combination with extract of turmeric and neem to improve egg quality and productivity of laying hens under heat stress. Sixty laying hens strain Isa Brown of 6 months old were used and reared in individual cages. The feed and drinking water were supplied ad libitum. This study was conducted in a completely randomized design with five treatments (two controls and three treatments) and each treatment consisted of 12 replication. Treatment consisted of with (KP) and without (KP) commercial anti-stress supplement. Formulations of extract were S. tetrasperma 1.000 mg / l water (EJ), S. tetrasperma 1.000 mg / l + Turmeric 250 mg / l + neem 250 mg / l (EJ+K1), and S. tetrasperma 1.000 mg / l + Turmeric 500 mg / l + neem 500 mg / l drinking water (EJ+K2). The hens were exposed to heat stress for 5 hours per day at a temperature range of 34.0±1.0°C. Supplements were dissolved in drinking water and were given for 30 days in the morning and noon. Results showed that a single extract of S. tetrasperma or the combination of an extract of turmeric and neem were significantly increased thickness of eggshell (P<0.05), but did not affect color of egg yolk, height albumin, egg weight, and HU value. Extract of S. tetrasperma combined with turmeric and neem extract dissolved in drinking water for 30 days in laying hens reared under heat stress could not improved quality of the eggs, but may increase thickness of the egg shell and cause decreased water consumption.
THERMOMECHANICAL BUCKLING OF SIMPLY SUPPORTED SHALLOW FGM SPHERICAL SHELLS WITH TEMPERATURE-DEPENDENT MATERIAL

Functionally graded materials (FGMs) are microscopically inhomogeneous commonly manufactured from a blend of metals and ceramics with continuous composition gradation from pure ceramic on one surface to pure metal on the other surface. Dissimilar to fibermatrix composites, where cracking and debonding may take place at high temperatures due to the material properties mismatch at the interface of two discrete materials, the ceramic constituents of FGMs are capable of withstanding high temperature environments because of their better thermal resistance characteristics, while the metal constituents provide stronger mechanical performance and decrease the possibility of catastrophic fracture. FGMs are now developed for general use as structural components in high-temperature environments and high temperature changes [1]. Due to their special benefits of being able to withstand hightemperature environments while maintaining structural integrity, FGMs, whose material properties vary uniformly and continuously from one surface to the other by gradually varying the volume fraction of their constituent materials, have received substantial attention in various industries, particularly in high-temperature applications [2]. Shahsiah and Eslami [3] analyzed the thermal buckling of FGM cylindrical shell. The same authors [4] utilized the improved Donnell equations for the thermal instability analysis of * Postgraduate Student, Mechanical Engineering Department, I. A. U. , South Tehran Branch, Tehran † Corresponding Author, Professor, Mechanical Engineering Department, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, eslami@aut.ac. ir A. Hafezalkotob Postgraduate Student
Sexual Harassment, Self Esteem and Academic Engagement as Predictors of Academic Success of Female Secondary School Students

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the extent to which sexual harassment, self-esteem, and academic engagement predict academic success of female secondary school students in Gondar city. Correlational design was employed to answer the research questions raised. Respondents were 366 female secondary school students selected using multistage random sampling technique from three secondary schools. Data were gathered through questionnaires and document review. Sexual harassment, self-esteem, and academic engagement scales were used to collect data on the predictor variables while documents were reviewed to fetch data on respondents‟ academic performance as a proxy for academic success. Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient, Multiple Linear Regression and Structural Equation Modeling - Path analysis were used to analyze data. Zero order correlation results indicated that all the variables treated in the study have statistically significant relationships to one another (at P=0.01). Multiple linear regression results revealed that all of the predictor variables had a statistically significant effect on the outcome variable-academic success. The path analysis on the other hand showed that the predictor variables had both direct and indirect impacts on the outcome variable with academic engagement having the strongest contribution (= 0.68). It was concluded that sexual harassment, self-esteem, and academic engagement are important precursors of academic success of female secondary school students. Drawing on the results of the study several recommendations were forwarded among which offering orientation on sexual harassment and its consequences to members of school community and aligning learning experiences and assessment to academic engagement are some. Keywords : Sexual harassment; Self-esteem; Academic engagement; Academic success
Improved success rate and stability for phase retrieval by including randomized overrelaxation in the hybrid input output algorithm

In this paper, we study the success rate of the reconstruction of objects of finite extent given the magnitude of its Fourier transform and its geometrical shape. We demonstrate that the commonly used combination of the hybrid input output and error reduction algorithm is significantly outperformed by an extension of this algorithm based on randomized overrelaxation. In most cases, this extension tremendously enhances the success rate of reconstructions for a fixed number of iterations as compared to reconstructions solely based on the traditional algorithm. The good scaling properties in terms of computational time and memory requirements of the original algorithm are not influenced by this extension.
Evaluating Soil Degradation under Different Scenarios of Agricultural Land Management in Mediterranean Region

In this research work the Agro-Ecological Decision Support System MicroLEIS DSS, was applied to evaluate land degradation under different scenarios of land management. El-Fayoum depression was selected as a pilot area, this is one of the western desert depressions in the Arab Republic of Egypt. The area offers a great potential for agriculture using water from the river Nile. The main objective is to investigate and predict the risk of soil contamination for phosphorus, nitrogen, heavy metals and pesticides under traditional and recommended management scenarios of maize cultivation. The following components of MicroLEIS DSS have been used: 1) soil database (SDBm), 2) agro-climate database (CDBm), 3) agricultural management database (MDBm), and 4) the specific assessment model for the vulnerability of soil contamination called "Pantanal". Then, a recommended scenario based on different land management has been produced for maize crop, which aimed to reduce soil contamination vulnerability of phosphorus, nitrogen, heavy metals and pesticides. The model application results are grouped in five vulnerability classes: V1 (none), V2 (low), V3 (moderate), V4 (high) and V5 (extreme) for each specific contaminant. Results obtained for El-Fayoum area showed that 47.8% and 52.2% of total studied area were classified as V3 and V4 vulnerable land due to phosphorus contamination under the traditional management scenario, but 41.9%5.9% and 52% of total area were classified as V2, V3 and V4 because of the same contaminate under recommended management scenario. On the other hand, 98.7% and 1.3% of the total area were classified as V3 and V4 vulnerable land due to nitrogen and heavy metals under the traditional management scenario, however in the other recommended scenario 94.0% and 5.6% were classified as V1 and V2 classes due to nitrogen contaminate and 79.0%, 19.1% and 1.7% were classified as V1, V2 and V4 for heavy metals contaminates. In the same trend 2.6%, 8.1%, 17.4% and 91.7% were classified as V1, V3, V4 and V5 due to pesticides contamination in the actual management scenario, however 24.0% and 76.0% were classified as V1 and V2 respectively due to the same contaminant under the recommended management scenario. In summary, we can ensure that these innovative agro-ecological studies such as those developed by MicroLEIS DSS can be applied and adapted in the agricultural provinces of Egypt in order to achieve a national sustainable rural management. (Abd-Elmabod SK, Ali RR. Anaya-Romero M, Jordan A, Munoz-Rojas M, Abdelmageed TA, Zavala LM, de la Rosa D. Evaluating Soil Degradation under Different Scenarios of Agricultural Land Management in Mediterranean Region. Nat Sci 2012;10(10):103-116). (ISSN: 1545-0740). http://www.sciencepub. net/nature. 16
Sales Integration and Business Performance in the Telecommunication Industry in Nigeria

The purpose of this explanatory research is to evaluate the association between sales integration and business performance in the telecommunication industry in Nigeria. This study used a structured questionnaire to elicit responses from respondents from the Telecommunication firms in Nigeria. Returned copies of questionnaire were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics was used to determine the mean and standard deviation of the distribution, while the Spearman rank order correlation co-efficient was used to ascertain the associations between the sales integration and the dimensions of business performance in the telecommunication firms in Nigeria. The results of the study reported herein, shows that sales integration associates with business performance in the Nigeria Telecommunication firms. It is the recommendation of this paper that managers of Nigerian Telecommunication firms should strengthen their practice of Sales Integration strategy as a paradigm shift from the isolated functional dependence. The study reported in this paper can be carried out in other industry; and also, in other culture to ascertain whether the same, similar or different outcomes can be achieved.