Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Wall and ground movements in a braced excavation in clays and serviceability reliability of adjacent buildings

The goal of this dissertation research is to establish an improved procedure for evaluating the excavation-induced ground settlement and building serviceability. This research covers several closely related topics. Firstly, a simplified small strain soil model developed by Hsieh et al. (2003), called the Modified Pseudo Plasticity (MPP) model, is evaluated for its capability and performance in the prediction of the excavation-induced ground deformation behavior using Finite Element Method (FEM). Secondly, for the development of the envisioned empirical models for estimating the excavation-induced wall and ground responses, a database of excavation case histories are compiled. To complement the database of excavation case histories, artificial data is also generated using FEM solutions, in which the well-calibrated MPP soil model was implemented. Thirdly, based on the established database a simplified semiempirical model is developed for predicting the maximum wall deflection, the maximum surface settlement and the surface settlement profile caused by excavations in soft to medium clays. Further, a reliability-based approach is presented to assess the serviceability reliability of adjacent buildings based on the developed semi-empirical model. Finally, a procedure is proposed to make use of the filed observation data to update the settlement prediction at subsequent stages of excavation, and the serviceability reliability of the adjacent building is then updated accordingly.
YouTubeTM as a source of information for Candida auris infection: A systematic review

Background : Candida auris is a novel Candida species, and has emerged globally as a multidrug-resistant health care-associated fungal pathogen. YouTube TM (http://www.youtube.com) as the largest free video-sharing website is increasingly used to search health information. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the content, reliability and quality of YouTube™ videos regarding Candida auris infection, and to identify whether it is a useful resource for people. Methods : The YouTube™ was used to search systematically for videos using the keywords: “ Candida auris infection” and “ Candida auris ”. Strict inclusion and exclusion criteria were used to select the videos. The videos were reviewed and scored by two independent reviewers and recorded the “title”, “length”, “views”, “comments”, “dislike”, “like”, “posted days” and “category of videos”. The videos were categorized as “poor”, “good” and “excellent” by the score. The DISCERN tool was used to assess the reliability of the YouTube TM videos. Results : Seventy-six videos were included in final analysis in our study. Most videos (59.2%, 55/76) had better quality. There were no statistically significant differences between groups in respect of the number of likes, dislikes, views, comments, percentage positivity, likebility, view rate and viewers' interaction. Length and posted days were significantly associated with the classification. The videos were categorized as “educational video”, “new report”, “personal experience and blog entertainment” and “interview”. Significant differences were found in the source of videos and the characteristics of the individuals appearing in a video between the groups. Conclusion : YouTube TM has striking potential to be an effective user-friendly learning interface for people to obtain information of Candida auris infection.
Epiphytic Cryptogams as Bioindicators of Air Quality in a Tropical Andean City

Air pollution is one of the main environmental problems in developed and developing countries. Epiphytic cryptogams (bryophytes and lichens) are proposed as a reliable indicator to detect environmental changes, given to their sensitivity to pollutants. In this study we evaluated air quality in the city of Ambato using bryophytes and epiphytic lichens on three land uses (urban, peri-urban and control). In each zone we selected ten trees (a total of 90 trees) for each station (a total of nine stations), where we recorded the frequency and cover of epiphytic cryptogams in a quadrat of 10 × 50 cm that was divided into 5 × 5 cm squares. Differences in richness, index of atmospheric purity (IAP) and diversity were analyzed using a generalized linear model (GLM) and changes in species composition using multivariate analysis. We recorded 39 species of cryptogams (25 lichens and 14 bryophytes). Richness, diversity and index of atmospheric purity were higher in the control zone compared to the urbanized zones. Community composition changed between the different zones, with increasing differences between the control and urban zones. The urban areas of the city of Ambato were identified with high levels of air pollution due to their lower diversity related to higher vehicular traffic and industrial activities (e.g., footwear and textile factories, tanneries). Thus, epiphytic cryptogams are a fast and low-cost method for air quality assessment in tropical areas.
Analytical modeling requirements for tilting proprotor aircraft dynamics

Proprotor and cantilever wing aeroelastic behavior is applied to a gimballed rotor and a hingeless rotor to develop an analytical model for prediction of tilting proprotor aircraft dynamics. Particular attention is given to: the influence of coupled flap/lag bending modes; the influence of rotor blade torsion degrees of freedom on proprotor dynamics; and, to a constant coefficient approximation representing the dynamics in nonaxial flow through the rotor. The following are also examined: the number of blade bending and torsion modes required; the influence of the rotor aerodynamic model; the influence of the blade trim bending deflection; the importance of the rotor rotational speed degree of freedom; and the effect of the wing aerodynamic forces. The origin of the significant influence of the blade pitch motion on the proprotor dynamics is discussed.
Fear of COVID-19, Risk Perception and Stress Level in Polish Nurses During COVID-19 Outbreak

Introduction. The outbreak of COVID-19 disease causes severe stress in health care workers, especially nurses. Nurses are at high risk of contracting the disease, as well as an increased risk of developing mental health symptoms such as fear, anxiety and work-related stress. Aim. The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between fear of COVID-19, risk perception, perceived threat and stress in Polish nurses during COVID-19 outbreak. Material and Methods. 106 nurses participated in the study. Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FOC-6), Risk of Contracting COVID-19 Scale and Perceived Threat of COVID-19 Scale were used in the study. Results. It has been shown that perceived stress, fear of COVID-19, perceived risk and threat are at high level. All the variables related to the perception of COVID-19 threat were significantly correlated with the perceived stress. The strongest relationship was between the risk of infection and perceived stress. Risk perception was statistically significant predictor of perceived stress. Conclusions. Polish nurses experience severe stress and perceive COVID-19 as a significant threat for their health and safety. In addition to protecting medical personnel from infection, nurses experiencing the highest levels of stress should be given psychological care and support, which could prevent the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their mental health. (JNNN 2021;10(1):3–9)
Physiological evaluation of Brassica Species differing in drought tolerance

An investigation was conducted to assess drought-tolerance in two Brassica species namely Brassica napus with varieties Sheetal and Neelam and Brassica carinata with varieties Jayanti and Kiran on the basis of inherent stress tolerance characters viz. plant dry weight (g/plant), root length (cm), leaf area (cm2/plant), relative water content (%),harvest index(%) and drought susceptibility index (DSI). The experiment was designed by imposing water stress at branch initiation stage (45 DAS), floral bud initiation (60 DAS) and pod formation stage (100 DAS). All the treatments affected the performance of the varieties of Brassica napus and Brassica carinata. Variety Jayanti of Brassica carinata and variety Sheetal of Brassica napus exhibited significantly long root length compared to unstressed plants and less reduction in dry weight, leaf area, relative water content and harvest index. However, root length of variety Jayanti of Brassica carinata and Sheetal of Brassica napus exceeds that of unstressed plants in all the treatments of stress. It was observed that relatively higher amount of reduction in harvest index in Kiran (50 %) and Neelam (75 %) was observed however Jayanti and Sheetal are with minimum DSI.
Rodent growth, behavior, and physiology resulting from flight on the Space Life Sciences-1 mission

A rodent-based spaceflight study is conducted to investigate physiological changes in rats vs humans and the effects of changes in the design of the Research Animal Holding Facility (RAHF) and the Animal Enclosure Module (AEM). Rats were housed in the AEM and the RAHF, and controls were kept in identical flight hardware on earth subjected to the same flight-environmental profile. Biosamples and organ weights are taken to compare the rats before and after flight, and food/water intake are also compared. Weight gain, body weight, and food consumptions in the flight rats are significantly lower than corresponding values for the control subjects. Flight rats tend to have smaller postexperiment spleens and hearts, and flight rats consumed more water in the AEM than in the RAHF. The rodents' behavior is analogous to humans with respect to physiological and reconditioning effects, showing that the rat is a good model for basic research into the effects of spaceflight on humans.
Comparative analysis of automotive powertrain choices for the near to mid-term future

This thesis attempts a technological assessment of automotive powertrain technologies for the near to mid term future. The powertrain types to be assessed include naturally aspirated gasoline engines, turbocharged gasoline engines, diesel engines, electric hybrids using gasoline engines and advanced transmissions. Advancements in aerodynamics, weight reduction and tire rolling friction are also taken into account. The basis for the comparison is the potential of these powertrain technologies for reduction of oil consumption and green house gas emissions at the same level of performance as current vehicles. The fuel consumption and performance of future vehicles was estimated using simple scaling laws and vehicle simulations. The results indicate that the potential for reduction of fuel consumption is significant for all the powertrains examined. More specifically, it seems that the current relative advantage of diesel over gasoline engines in terms of fuel consumption is reduced. Future turbocharged gasoline engines especially, seem to become almost equivalent with diesel engines. Hybrids electric vehicles do maintain a competitive advantage over other powertrains in terms of reduction of fuel consumption. This advantage is however much more pronounced for urban than for highway driving. Thesis Supervisor: John B. Heywood Title: Sun Jae Professor of Mechanical Engineering
The first floristic study of freshwater dinoflagellates (Dinophyceae) in Colombia

The first comprehensive study of dinoflagellate flora and their related environmental variables in reservoirs, swamps, and an insular lake of Colombia is presented. Fourteen Colombian water bodies were assessed. In each, water temperature, electric conductivity, oxygen saturation, turbidity, and apparent color were the physical and chemical variables measured. Twelve dinoflagellate taxa were recorded, indicating a considerable richness compared to similar surveys. Ensembles recovered showed a spatial structuration mediated by the type of the water bodies (reservoirs and swamps); environmental variables and species richness explained equally the differences among the water bodies. The dinoflagellate flora showed altitudinal segregation, with intermediate altitude systems displaying the highest richness values. A brief discussion about the geographical distribution of the species collected is offered. The study contributes to the knowledge of the ecological aspects of dinoflagellate flora and outlines preliminary biodiversity tendencies of ensembles in tropical water systems.
Intelligent cyclic ADC principles of functioning, optimisation and analysis

The aim of the paper is a presentation of conceptual backgrounds of a new approach to design and analysis of high-efficient intelligent analog-to-digital converters (ADC). Particularities of intelligent conversion, methods of its practical implementation and advantages over conventional methods of conversion are discussed. The analysis is carried out on the example of “intelligent” cyclic ADC (IC ADC), which employ, as the prototype, the architecture of known cyclic ADC developed by Analog Devices Inc. [1, 2]. There is shown the method of extension of the proposed approach for development of more advanced versions of IC ADC with extended range of application and processing possibilities. The paper generalizes the results of previous investigations.
Field and Laboratory Investigation of Foamed Asphalt (Warm-Mix Asphalt) with High Recycled Asphalt Pavement Content for Sustainment and Rehabilitation of Asphalt Pavement

The U.S. Army Engineering Research and Development Center is currently tasked with evaluating foamed asphalt (WMA) technology with high RAP content. The proposed approach was to conduct a in-depth literature reviews, have discussions with pavement engineers field evaluation of existing and newly constructed recycled foamed asphalt pavements, and laboratory testing Results will then be used to determine if the foamed asphalt technology is suitable for the sustainment and rehabilitation of military asphalt pavements. One site was visited during initial construction and revisited one year later to evaluate the short term performance. While at the site, foam asphalt samples were collected and transported to the laboratory for testing. Asphalt content, sieve analysis, void analysis, rutting, and moisture susceptibility laboratory testing were conducted to evaluate the potential performance of the mixture. Results of this study indicate this technique of foamed asphalt looks promising. However, additional test section should be constructed to further evaluate the RAP performance under aircraft loading conditions.
Analyses of experiments and a functional model for ship rolling

Simulation techniques and a Volterra functional polynomial are applied as two alternative methods of calculating ship roll response to irregular waves. The roll motion is modeled by a single degree of freedom differential equation, with two alternative nonlinear damping functions. Estimation techniques are developed to obtain the coefficients of the damping functions from decay tests and from forced rolling tests. A linear plus quadratic form of damping function is found to be slightly preferable to a linear plus cubic form. The roll response process is found to be non-Gaussian, and characterised by negative values of the coefficient of kurtosis. Simulation results agree well with results obtained from the functional polynomial for low response levels, but show increasing disagreement as the response level increases, due to divergence of the functional polynomial representation. Analyses of results from model tests in irregular waves and from sea trials confirm the non-Gaussian nature of the roll response. A "constrained" form of the generalised gamma distribution function is found to provide an improved fit to the roll maxima and to the roll minima, as compared to the Rayleigh distri~ution. The model tests also show some asymmetry in the roll response, which is not predicted by the theoretical model. It is suggested that this asymmetry may primarily be due to the combined effect of horizontal drift forces and the restraining system used to keep the model on station.
Bandwidth improvement of rat‐race couplers having left‐handed transmission‐line sections

A novel broadband rat‐race coupler has been investigated. The coupler utilizes an artificial left‐handed transmission line section for broadband phase response realization. Moreover, a narrowband model of left‐handed section has been shown to prove the couplers equivalent circuit at the center frequency. To broaden the operational bandwidth multisection quarter‐wave transformers have been proposed. The exemplary rat‐race coupler with two‐section impedance transformers has been designed and manufactured. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE 24:341–347, 2014.
Network Anomaly Detection: A Machine Learning Perspective

With the rapid rise in the ubiquity and sophistication of Internet technology and the accompanying growth in the number of network attacks, network intrusion detection has become increasingly important. Anomaly-based network intrusion detection refers to finding exceptional or nonconforming patterns in network traffic data compared to normal behavior. Finding these anomalies has extensive applications in areas such as cyber security, credit card and insurance fraud detection, and military surveillance for enemy activities. Network Anomaly Detection: A Machine Learning Perspective presents machine learning techniques in depth to help you more effectively detect and counter network intrusion. In this book, youll learn about: Network anomalies and vulnerabilities at various layers The pros and cons of various machine learning techniques and algorithms A taxonomy of attacks based on their characteristics and behavior Feature selection algorithms How to assess the accuracy, performance, completeness, timeliness, stability, interoperability, reliability, and other dynamic aspects of a network anomaly detection system Practical tools for launching attacks, capturing packet or flow traffic, extracting features, detecting attacks, and evaluating detection performance Important unresolved issues and research challenges that need to be overcome to provide better protection for networks Examining numerous attacks in detail, the authors look at the tools that intruders use and show how to use this knowledge to protect networks. The book also provides material for hands-on development, so that you can code on a testbed to implement detection methods toward the development of your own intrusion detection system. It offers a thorough introduction to the state of the art in network anomaly detection using machine learning approaches and systems.
Prediction of the physical motion on human body based on muscle activities during pre-impact braking

The physical motion of the human body under pre-crash conditions was investigated. Low speed front impact tests on human volunteers were conducted using a linear-motor sled with the rigid seat, steering wheel and seat-belt. During the experiments, the subject's physical motion, acceleration, and EMG signals were recorded. When the subject's muscles were initially relaxed, muscle responses were observed to start activation at around 130ms after the onset of acceleration. Furthermore, the head-neck-torso accelerations were strongly influenced by the muscle activity after the impact. The major body region such as head, neck and pelvis were constrained by the related muscle. For the covering abstract see ITRD E144229.
The Space Environment

Through offering insight into the nature of the space environment and how spacecraft interact with it, this book presents a singular account of the environmental effects that can damage or cause poor performance of orbiting spacecraft. The discussion covers design modifications aimed at eliminating effects as solar absorptance increases caused by self-contamination, materials erosion by atomic oxygen, electrical discharges due to spacecraft charging, degradation of electrical circuits by radiation, and bombardment by micrometeorites. The book thus bridges the gap between studies of the space environment, as performed by space physicists, and spacecraft design engineering, as practised by aerospace engineers.
Efficiency of damage control orthopaedics strategy in the management of military ballistic limb trauma

Background: In conflict areas, orthopaedic surgeon adopted this concept of damage control orthopaedic (DCO) to face limb fracture due to ballistic trauma because of the gravity of the hurts, the limitation of equipment, and precarious conditions of asepsis. They use external fixation as an initial treatment at the nearest health centre. And they delay the definitive treatment to be realized in better conditions. Our study aims to assess the outcome of damage control orthopaedic (DCO) strategy in military ballistic limb trauma according to the experience of the Military Hospital of Tunisia. Materials and methods: This study is a retrospective study on patients who were hospitalized for a limb ballistic fracture. It includes military patients treated urgently with primary external fixation at the nearest health centre. We adapted Gustilo classification to describe the wound opening, Winquist and Hansen classification to define the fracture comminution and Grading system for bone loss to evaluate the bone loss. Then all victims were evacuated secondary, to the Military hospital to receive the definitive treatments. The conversion to internal osteosynthesis had taken place according to some criteria. They were the absence of local sepsis, a haemoglobin level (> 10 g/dl), a serum protein level (> 50 g/l) and a negative or falling CRP kinetics. We studied the delay of conversion from external fixation to an internal osteosynthesis, bone healing time and complications. Result: Our study included 32 patients, all men, mean age was 31 years. The average follows up was 33,2 months. 88% of trauma concerned lower limb. The average delay for conversion from external fixation to internal osteosynthesis was 7,8 days. The bone union was achieved in 26 cases, with an average delay of 4.23 months. Observed general complications were anaemia, pulmonary embolism and rhabdomyolysis. Local complications were essentially sepsis on osteosynthesis material and pseudarthrosis. These complications were significantly associated with a type III of Gustilo skin opening, a type III and IV of the Winquist fracture comminutions, a type II and III of the Grading system for bone loss, and the delay for conversion from external fixation to internal osteosynthesis. Conclusion: DCO is a global strategy which involves all measures participating in the acceleration of the wound healing and fighting against the infection. These measures shorten the delay of conversion from external fixation into an internal osteosynthesis, which constitutes a key parameter in the management of limb fracture due to ballistic trauma.
THE MAX-MIN GROUP CONTEST

We investigate a group all-pay auction with weakest-link impact function and group-specific public good prize. Since only the minimum effort exerted among all group members represents the group effort and the group with the maximum group effort wins the contest, this is termed as the `Max-Min group contest'. Examples of such structure include various sporting events, territorial conicts, negative product or political campaigns etc. We fully characterize equilibria for the case of two groups and show that a continuum of pure strategy equilibria exist, in which all (active) players exert the same effort. A semi-pure strategy equilibrium may also exist in which all the members of one group play the same pure strategy whereas all the members of the other group play the same mixed strategy. There are two types of non-degenerate mixed strategy equilibria - with and without continuous supports. When either type of such equilibrium exists, it exhibits the same support and effort distribution of group members. We also fully characterize pure strategy equilibria for a general case of n groups and specify candidates for mixed strategy equilibria.