Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Deformations in Soft Clay Due to Unloading

In infrastructure projects such as road and railway construction it is necessary to perform a number of earth excavations wherever required. These excavations cause difficulties regarding deformations and slope stability on the soil mass. The deformation of soil is highly dependent on the stiffness of the soil. Therefore, it is of particular interest to determine the appropriate stiffness modulus of soil in order to study the deformation properties of soil. The objective of this thesis is to study in depth the deformation of soft clay due to unloading or excavation. In this project the excavation was carried out on section E13 at Lärjeholm which is part of the undergoing new railway project between Gothenburg and Trollhättan. It was carried out on soil layer that consisted of silty sand for the first few meters and soft clay for deep layers below. Due to the construction conditions of the area, the excavation was taking place under the newly constructed bridge and the existing highway E45 near this section had to be diverted and placed under this bridge. This thesis focuses on the deformation analysis of soft clay due to this excavation. The deformation analysis mainly deals with the unloading modulus based on field deformation measurements, field and laboratory tests and previously conducted research on the unloading modulus of soft clay. The field deformation measurements were taken from an inclinometer device, surface point measurements and bridge point measurements installed at different location where the excavation is taking place. The laboratory tests mainly include the oedometer, CRS test where the two different soil stiffness moduli, M0 and ML are obtained. However, in this case, due to unloading and the clay being slightly over consolidated, the modulus M0 was only considered. In this thesis, the main deformation analysis was performed through the help of the finite element based geotechnical computer software called Plaxis. For the simulation, two soil models, namely; Mohr coulomb and Hardening soil, were used in order to catch the real deformation behaviour of soft clay. The results of the analysis from these soil models are cross checked with the field deformation measurements and the unloading modulus is estimated through back calculation. Based on this, a conclusion is made to verify which approach gives a reasonable and realistic unloading modulus.
Subradiant hybrid states in the open 3D Anderson-Dicke model

Anderson localization is a paradigmatic coherence effect in disordered systems, often analyzed in the absence of dissipation. Here we consider the case of coherent dissipation, occurring for open system with coupling to a common decay channel. This dissipation induces cooperative Dicke super- and subradiance and an effective long-range hopping, expected to destroy Anderson localization. We are thus in the presence of two competing effects, i.e. localization driven by disorder and delocalization driven by dissipative opening. Here we demonstrate the existence of a subradiant hybrid regime, emerging from the interplay of opening and disorder, in which subradiant states are hybrid with both features of localized and extended states, while superradiant states are extended. We also provide analytical predictions for this regime, confirmed by numerical simulations.
ASPERA-3: Analyser of space plasmas and energetic ions for mars express

The ASPERA-3 (Analyser of Space Plasma and Energetic Atoms) instrument of Mars Express is designed to study the solar wind-Mars atmosphere interaction and to characterise the plasma and neutral gas environment in near-Mars space through energetic neutral atom (ENA) imaging and local charged-particle measurements. The studies address the fundamental question: how strongly do the interplanetary plasma and electromagnetic fields affect the martian atmosphere? This question is directly related to the problem of martian dehydration. The instrument comprises four sensors; two ENA sensors, and electron and ion spectrometers. The Neutral Particle Imager (NPI) measures the integral ENA flux (0.1-60 keV) with no mass and energy resolution but with high angular resolution. The Neutral Particle Detector (NPD) measures the ENA flux, resolving energy (0.1-10 keV) and mass (H and O) with a coarse angular resolution. The electron spectrometer (ELS) is a standard top-hat electrostatic analyser of a very compact design. These three sensors are mounted on a scanning platform providing 4π coverage. The instrument includes an ion mass composition sensor, IMA (Ion Mass Analyser). Mechanically, IMA is a separate unit connected by a cable to the ASPERA-3 main unit. IMA provides ion measurements in the energy range 0.01-40 keV/q for the main ion components H+, He 2+, He+O+ with 20-80 amu/g.
Ultraviolet and optical observations of tidal disruption events

Tidal disruption events are expected to produce a luminous flare of radiation from fallback accretion of tidally disrupted stellar debris onto the central supermassive black hole. The first convincing candidates for tidal disruption events were discovered in the soft X-rays: large-amplitude, luminous, extremely-soft X-ray flares from inactive galaxies in the ROSAT All-Sky survey. However, the sparsely sampled light curves and lack of multiwavelength observations for these candidates make it difficult to directly constrain the parameters of their events (e.g., Eddington ratio, mass of the black hole, type of star disrupted). Here I present a review of the recent progress made in studying tidal disruption events in detail from taking advantage of wide-field, multi-epoch observations of UV and optical surveys (GALEX, SDSS, PTF, Pan-STARRS1) to measure well-sampled light curves, trigger prompt multiwavelength follow-up observations, and measure rates. I conclude with the promising potential of the next generation of optical synoptic surveys, such as LSST, to probe black hole demographics with samples of thousands of tidal disruption events.
Estimation of Crop Coefficient and Water Requirement of Dutch Roses(Rosa hybrida) under Greenhouse and Open Field Conditions

Precise estimation of reference evapotranspiration (ETo) and crop evapotranspiration (ETc) on a daily basis is important to apply water through drip system for crops grown in the greenhouse. Crop coefficients and crop water requirement were determined for the Dutch roses cultivated in the greenhouse and open field for the sub-humid climatic conditions of Kharagpur, India. Reference evapotranspiration (ETo) was estimated using the method suggested by FAO-56. The crop ET was determined using soil water balance approach. The soil moisture data was collected using TDR moisture meter at three depths. The maximum daily values of Crop ET were 4.99 and 5.28 mm day-1 for greenhouse and open field conditions respectively. Maximum values of crop coefficient were found during conjunction period of mid-season and late season stage of the crop growth period. During different growth stages of rose, crop coefficient values were found in the range from 0.48 to 0.96 and 0.59 to 1.01 for greenhouse and open field conditions. The Dutch rose planted in 200 μ diffused poly film cladded greenhouse and given 100% water requirement through drip irrigation resulted in maximum number of flowers/m2 (212.3) annually. Total annual water requirement of rose plant was 999.51 mm and 1210.94 mm for greenhouse and open field condition respectively.
Abundance of post-larval Callinectes sapidus, Penaeus spp., Uca spp., and Libinia spp. collected at an outer coastal site and their cross-shelf transport

The abundance of the megalopae of Callinectes sapidus, Uca spp. , and Libinia spp. and the post-larvae of Penaeus spp. settling on collectors hung from the end of the Army Corps of Engineers' Field Research Facility (FRF) pier in Duck, North Carolina. USA, was measured daily during the period 2 August through 3 November 1994. During this period the coastal oceanography was dominated by the effects of the winds; winds from the NE tended to generate surface onshore flow and downwelling while those from the SW tended to generate surface offshore flow and upwelling. If the post-larvae were transported shoreward by coastal currents then variations in their abundance should relate to the physical parameters which generate the transporting currents. Using time-series analysis the daily abundance of post-larvae was statistically analyzed and compared to alongand cross-shore wind stress, alongand cross-shore current speed near thv bottom (23 m) and near the surface (4 m), and temperature, salinity, and current speed measured at the end of the FRF pier. Fourier analysis suggested that the abundance of post-larval C. sapidus and Penaeusspp. varied on a semi-lunar cycle, e.g. 15 d. No cycles were apparent in the Fourier analysis of the abundance of Ltca spp. megalopae and the megalopae of Libjnia spp. varied on an 18 d cycle. Significant cross-correlations were found between the log-transformctd daily abundance of post-larval C. sapidus and Penaeus spp. and the maximum daily tidal range, which, coupled with the Fourier analysis, suggests that peak catches of these postlarvae tended to occur at and just after the spring tides. The cross-correlation analysis suggests that abundance of Uca spp. megalopae was weakly related to the tides, with peak catches tending to occur around the spring tides. No significant cross-correlations were found between the abundance of Libinia spp. megalopae and the maximum daily tidal range. To test for the effects of the other physical variables on post-larval abundance Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) models were fitled to the biological and physical data, and cross-correlations were run between the residuals from these models. The analysis suggests that the abundance of C. sapidus megalopae did not vary with any of the measured physical variables, Penaeus spp. and lica spp. tended to be more abundant during penods of onshore surface flow and down~velling. whilc Libin~a spp. megalopae tended to be more abundant during periods of offshore surface flow and upwelling. The results of this study suggest that post-larval C. sapidus and Penaeus spp. were transported shoreward by tidally drlven processes, both Penarus spp. and Uca spp. were transported shoreward by wind-driven surface currents, and Libinia spp megalopae were transported shoreward in near-bottom waters during upwelllng events.
South Asian Summer Monsoon and the Eastern Mediterranean Climate: The Monsoon–Desert Mechanism in CMIP5 Simulations

AbstractDry summers over the eastern Mediterranean are characterized by strong descent anchored by long Rossby waves, which are forced by diabatic heating associated with summer monsoon rainfall over South Asia. The large-scale teleconnection between rising and subsiding air masses is referred to as the “monsoon–desert mechanism. ” This study evaluates the ability of the phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) models in representing the physical processes involved in this mechanism.An evaluation of statistics between summer climatologies of monsoon diabatic heating and that of vertical velocity over the eastern Mediterranean suggests a linear relationship. Despite large spatial diversity in monsoon heating, descent over the Mediterranean is coherently located and realistic in intensity. To measure the sensitivity of descent to the diversity in the horizontal and vertical distribution of monsoon heating, a series of linear atmosphere model experiments are performed. It is shown that col.
NOMINAL VALUES FOR SELECTED SOLAR AND PLANETARY QUANTITIES: IAU 2015 RESOLUTION B3

In this brief communication we provide the rationale for and the outcome of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) resolution vote at the XXIXth General Assembly in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 2015, on recommended nominal conversion constants for selected solar and planetary properties. The problem addressed by the resolution is a lack of established conversion constants between solar and planetary values and SI units: a missing standard has caused a proliferation of solar values (e.g., solar radius, solar irradiance, solar luminosity, solar effective temperature, and solar mass parameter) in the literature, with cited solar values typically based on best estimates at the time of paper writing. As precision of observations increases, a set of consistent values becomes increasingly important. To address this, an IAU Working Group on Nominal Units for Stellar and Planetary Astronomy formed in 2011, uniting experts from the solar, stellar, planetary, exoplanetary, and fundamental astronomy, as well as from general standards fields to converge on optimal values for nominal conversion constants. The effort resulted in the IAU 2015 Resolution B3, passed at the IAU General Assembly by a large majority. The resolution recommends the use of nominal solar and planetary values, which are by definition exact and are expressed in SI units. These nominal values should be understood as conversion factors only, not as the true solar/planetary properties or current best estimates. Authors and journal editors are urged to join in using the standard values set forth by this resolution in future work and publications to help minimize further confusion.
An appraisal of the indigenous chicken market in Tanzania and Zambia. Are the markets ready for improved outputs from village production systems

© 2016, Fundacion CIPAV. All rights reserved. Traditional or village poultry, consisting primarily of indigenous chickens, make up over 80% of poultry in Africa. Most are kept as small flocks in free-ranging, scavenging, low input production systems. They provide vital nutritional and financial needs especially for children, women of reproductive age, people with HIV/AIDS and the poor. Poultry meat and eggs provide animal source protein and essential micronutrients which improves growth and cognitive development in children. While productivity of indigenous chickens is low due to uncontrolled disease and an unreliable scavenging resource base, the minimal inputs result in a high benefit-cost ratio. By increasing supplementary feeding through improved crop yields and improving disease control through vaccination, a higher number of chickens of greater bodyweight will be available to market. An appraisal of the indigenous chicken market in Tanzania and Zambia was conducted to identify the key individuals (including gender imbalances), market channels, commercialisation margins, market trends and competition from exotic, commercial chickens (broilers and spent layers). Consumers preferred indigenous chickens and urban consumers paid their significantly higher price, which resulted from the accumulative costs of intermediary traders’ fees, transport costs and market fees. Commercial chickens in urban markets sold at a lower price but were vulnerable to fluctuating costs of high inputs. Indigenous chicken producers’ margins were favourable enough to suggest that some additional costs were sustainable, provided the off take channels and consumer confidence is sustained. Markets for indigenous chickens were informal and consequently, their response to increased production may be unpredictable.
Teachers’ Knowledge and Competence in the Digital Age: Descriptive Research within the TPACK Framework

The present study applied the technological, pedagogical, and content knowledge (TPACK) research model to examine proposed factors that may influence an individual teacher’s knowledge on technology, pedagogy, and content at this digital age. These factors refer to background information including age, gender, seniority in teaching career, and qualifications they have as a teacher. Based on quota sampling technique, a total of 333 teachers at vocational high schools in Taiwan took part in this research. The revised TPACK scale was used in this study. Statistical analysis showed that the age and seniority factors produced a significant difference in pedagogical knowledge, while the rest of the factors did not produce a significant difference in the participants’ technological, pedagogical, and content knowledge. The possible reasons for this and suggestions for future studies were discussed.
Displacement of Pile-Reinforced Slopes with a Weak Layer Subjected to Seismic Loads

The presence of a weak layer in a slope requires special attention because it has a negative impact on slope stability. However, limited insight into the seismic stability of slopes with a weak layer exists. In this study, the seismic stability of a pile-reinforced slope with a weak thin layer is investigated. Based on the limit analysis theory, a translational failure mechanism for an earth slope is developed. The rotational rigid blocks in the previous rotational-translational failure mechanism are replaced by continuous deformation regions, which consist of a sequence of rigid triangles. The predicted static factor of safety and collapse mechanism in two typical examples of slopes with a weak layer compare well with the results obtained from the available literature and by using the Discontinuity Layout Optimization (DLO) technique. The lateral forces provided by the stabilizing piles are evaluated using the theory of plastic deformation. An analytical solution for estimating the critical yield acceleration coefficient for the pile-reinforced slopes is derived. Based on the proposed translational failure mechanism and the corresponding critical yield acceleration coefficient, Newmark’s analytical procedure is employed to evaluate the cumulative displacement. Considering different real earthquake acceleration records as input motion, the effect of stabilizing piles and varying the spacing of piles on the cumulative displacement of slopes with a weak layer is investigated.
Investigating Decision-Making Criteria of Private Equity Investors in Family Firms

This paper examines decision-making models used by private equity investors in their selection of family firms. Building on literature on investment criteria at start-up stage, a series of hypotheses is put forward, based on decision-making, strategic management and buyout theories. The theoretical model is tested through an experimental design for which data have been collected among 41 respondents based in Italy. Findings are analysed using hierarchical linear models, in order to investigate which criteria are used, assess their relative importance and test whether decision-making models are individual-specific or influenced by the firm individuals work for.
Structure of water adsorbed on a single graphene sheet

We present the result of molecular-dynamics simulations of water adsorbed on top of a single graphene layer at temperatures between 25 and 50 °C. The analysis of the energy per particle and the density profiles indicate that the behavior of the adsorbed liquid is similar to the case of multiple graphene layers graphite with the only difference being the values of configurational energy. Other structural properties, such as stability ranges, hydrogen bond distributions, and molecular orientations are also presented.
LARGE PENSION FUNDS AND THE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRACTICES OF BRAZILIAN COMPANIES

Nao encontramos nenhuma comprovacao consistente de que a presenca dos maiores fundos de pensao brasileiros como acionistas importantes esta associada a escores de maior governanca corporativa por parte de empresas brasileiras publicas. Apesar das empresas que tem investidores institucionais como acionistas importantes terem apresentado um escore de governanca corporativa mais elevado do que o de outras empresas, elas tambem sao maiores e, no passado, tiveram lucro mais expressivo do que outras empresas, o que sao atributos comuns de empresas com melhor governanca corporativa, segundo a literatura. O impacto dos investidores institucionais brasileiros na qualidade da governanca corporativa de suas participadas e desprezivel ou nao pode ser captado pelos parâmetros que utilizamos. Por fim, observamos que estes dois fundos de pensao podem representar a politica e as visoes politicas do governo brasileiro candidato a reeleicao e que as acoes dos indicados pela junta talvez nao reflitam o que e entendido como boas praticas de governanca.
Modeling the Length Effect: Specifying the Relation With Visual and Phonological Correlates of Reading

Beginning readers' reading latencies increase as words become longer. This length effect is believed to be a marker of a serial reading process. We examined the effects of visual and phonological skills on the length effect. Participants were 184 second-grade children who read 3- to 5-letter words and nonwords. Results indicated that reading latencies could be decomposed into a length effect and an overall reading speed. Individual differences in the length effect were predicted by phonological awareness and visual attention span. Rapid naming accounted only for differences in overall reading speed.
Perceived Causes of Childhood Illnesses and Herbal Medicine Utilization among Mothers of Child-Patients in Lokoja, Kogi State, North-Central, Nigeria

The joy of ownership of children in Africa either as an “Agro-based” labour pool, social symbol or for physical and security purposes cannot be over-emphasized. As important as children are in Nigeria, their lives are almost always threatened by several problems such as nutritional deficiencies and illnesses, especially malaria, diarrhoea diseases, Acute Respiratory Infections (ARIs), Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPDs) and absolute poverty, which accounted significantly for the severe morbidity and mortality rates among children less than age five years. The study, therefore, investigated utilization of herbal medicine among mothers of under-five children in Lokoja, Kogi state, North-central Nigeria. The descriptive cross-sectional research design was used to study 300 mothers of paediatric patients. The questionnaire was designed to elicit the data from the respondents through the systematic and purposive sampling techniques. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 18.0. was used to analyse the data collected while the hypotheses were tested using the spearman rank correlation. The study findings revealed among others that, the respondents considered herbal remedies safe for the treatment of their sick children and so expressed satisfaction with the products used. Similarly, the perception of disease aetiology among the respondents had a significant positive correlation with the utilization of herbal medicine, while religious affiliations and orientations positively influenced the use of the medicine in the study area. The study, therefore, concluded that herbal medicine is an integral aspect of the overall healthcare delivery system and should be promoted for remedial intervention at the outset of diseases. Perception of disease aetiology and religious affiliations are predictors of the respondents’ health seeking behaviour. “Cross-system” referral is recommended for herbal as well as orthodox medical practitioners if the jeopardizing health of the under-five children is to be addressed holistically. Keywords: Disease Aetiology, child-Patients, Herbal Medicine, and Utilization