Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Suitability of HEC-RAS for Flood Forecasting

At present, most river flood forecasts are conducted using a two-step procedure. First, flood routing is conducted, normally using hydrological models. The resulting flood peaks are then converted to water level forecasts using a steady flow hydraulic model, such as HEC-RAS. Recently, the HEC-RAS model has been extended to facilitate unsteady flow analyses, and while the numerical scheme is not robust enough to handle dynamic events (such as ice jam release floods) or supercritical flows, it does have the capability to route simple open water floods and produce water level forecasts at the same time. Here, the viability of the HEC-RAS unsteady flow routine for flood forecasting is examined through an application to the Peace River in Alberta and it is shown that accuracy comparable to more sophisticated hydraulic models can be achieved. Since many agencies already have HEC-RAS models established for floodplain delineation purposes, it would be a simple matter to extend them to the flood forecasting application. An ancillary advantage would be that flood forecasting accuracy could potentially be improved and simplified into a one-step process, without necessitating a time-consuming transition to unfamiliar models.
Analysis of broad band U‐slot microstrip patch antenna

A broad band U‐slot microstrip patch antenna on a single layer foam substrate is investigated using equivalent circuit concept. A parametric study has been carried out to investigate the effects caused by arm length, base length, and slot width of the U‐slot. The effects of substrate height and feed position are also analyzed to obtain the optimum values for broadband operation. Broadband (bandwidth 33.52%) enhancement of the antenna is achieved by inserting U‐slot into the patch. A comparison between theoretical and simulated results is also presented. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 50: 1069–1073, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.23274
A new control strategy for voltage type PWM rectifiers to realise zero steady-state control error in input current

In this paper, a new simple control strategy for AC input current of voltage type PWM rectifiers which can eliminate the steady state control error completely is proposed. This control method requires neither the instantaneous value of the supply voltage nor any accurate circuit parameters on the AC side of the rectifier. Thus, a robust operation against the variation of the circuit parameters can be achieved. In the proposed control system, a digital resonant element implemented by a digital signal processor is introduced as a feedback controller. The digital resonant element exhibits a function similar to an integrator for the fundamental frequency components. Thus, it can eliminate the steady state control error of the input current completely. The principle of the proposed control method is discussed and its effectiveness is shown theoretically. The detailed method of the implementation of the loss-less digital resonant element is explained. The effects of the harmonics in the supply voltage on the AC input current waveform are clarified. To confirm the effectiveness of the proposed control method, some experimental results from two laboratory test systems are shown.
High contributions of fossil sources to more volatile organic carbon

Abstract. Sources of particulate organic carbon (OC) with different volatility have rarely been investigated despite the significant importance for better understanding of the atmospheric processes of organic aerosols. In this study we develop a radiocarbon (14C) based approach for source apportionment of more volatile OC (mvOC) and apply to ambient aerosol samples collected in winter in six Chinese megacities. mvOC is isolated by desorbing organic carbon from the filter samples in He at 200 °C in a custom-made aerosol combustion system for 14C analysis. Evaluation of this new isolation method shows that the isolated mvOC amount agrees very well with the OC1 fraction (also desorbed at 200 °C in He) measured by a thermal optical analyzer using the EUSAAR_2 protocol. The mvOC, OC and elemental carbon (EC) of thirteen combined PM2.5 samples in six Chinese cities are analyzed for 14C to investigate their sources and formation mechanisms. The relative contribution of fossil sources to mvOC is 59 ± 11 %, consistently larger than the contribution to OC (48 ± 16 %) and smaller than that to EC (73 ± 9 %), despite large differences in fossil contributions in different cities. The average difference in the fossil fractions between mvOC and OC is 13 % (7 %–25 %; range), similar to that between mvOC and EC (13 %; 4 %–25 %). SOC concentrations and sources are modelled based on the 14C-apportioned OC and EC, and compared with concentrations and sources of mvOC. SOC concentrations (15.4 ± 9.0 μg m-3) are consistently higher than those of mvOC (3.3 ± 2.2 μg m-3), indicating that only a fraction of SOC is accounted for by the more volatile carbon fraction desorbed at 200 °C. The fossil fraction in SOC is 43 % (10 %–70 %), lower than that in mvOC (59 %; 45 %–78 %). Correlation between mvOC and SOC from non-fossil sources (mvOCnf vs. SOCnf) and from fossil sources (mvOCfossil vs. SOCfossil) are examined to further explore sources and formation processes of mvOC and SOC.
Shear and Flexure Analysis of Prestressed Concrete T-Beams containing Steel Fibers over Partial or Full Depth

Twenty-three partially prestressed steel fiber reinforced concrete T-beams have been tested to investigate the shear and flexure capacity, and the resulting mode of failure. These beams have been cast using three grades of concrete (35 MPa, 65 MPa and 85 MPa) with fibers (Vf = 1,5 percent) in different locations in the cross section of the beam (web, flange or full depth). The beams designed for flexural failure were provided with a transverse steel reinforcement ratio of 0,66 percent while those designed to fail in shear had 0,33 percent of transverse steel. These beams have been tested varying the shear span to depth (a/d) ratio between 1,59 and 5,30. Based on the test results, prediction models were developed to compute flexural and shear capacities of the partially prestressed steel fiber reinforced beams. The proposed model accounts for the contribution of fiber pullout to sustain the opening up of cracks in beam. Addition of steel fibers in partial or full depth in partially prestressed concrete beams transforming its mode of failure from brittle shear to ductile flexure has been analytically investigated. The plots of the variation of the ultimate moment carrying capacity (Mu) against the shear span to depth (a/d) ratio indicate the transition of failure mode from arch to beam action or shear to flexure occurs at lower values of ‘a/d’ when fibers are introduced into the matrix with respect to the plain concrete beam. The transformation of failure mode takes place for lower value of ‘a/d’ ratio for high strength concrete beams than for normal strength concrete beams.
Analytical methods for assessing retinal cell coupling using cut-loading

Electrical coupling between retinal neurons contributes to the functional complexity of visual circuits. “Cut-loading” methods allow simultaneous assessment of cell-coupling between multiple retinal cell-types, but existing analysis methods impede direct comparison with gold standard direct dye injection techniques. In the current study, we both improved an existing method and developed two new approaches to address observed limitations. Each method of analysis was applied to cut-loaded dark-adapted Guinea pig retinae (n = 29) to assess coupling strength in the axonless horizontal cell type (‘a-type’, aHCs). Method 1 was an improved version of the standard protocol and described the distance of dye-diffusion (space constant). Method 2 adjusted for the geometric path of dye-transfer through cut-loaded cells and extracted the rate of dye-transfer across gap-junctions in terms of the coupling coefficient (kj). Method 3 measured the diffusion coefficient (De) perpendicular to the cut-axis. Dye transfer was measured after one of five diffusion times (1–20 mins), or with a coupling inhibitor, meclofenamic acid (MFA) (50–500μM after 20 mins diffusion). The standard protocol fits an exponential decay function to the fluorescence profile of a specified retina layer but includes non-specific background fluorescence. This was improved by measuring the fluorescence of individual cell soma and excluding from the fit non-horizontal cells located at the cut-edge (p<0.001) (Method 1). The space constant (Method 1) increased with diffusion time (p<0.01), whereas Methods 2 (p = 0.54) and 3 (p = 0.63) produced consistent results across all diffusion times. Adjusting distance by the mean cell-cell spacing within each tissue reduced the incidence of outliers across all three methods. Method 1 was less sensitive to detecting changes induced by MFA than Methods 2 (p<0.01) and 3 (p<0.01). Although the standard protocol was easily improved (Method 1), Methods 2 and 3 proved more sensitive and generalisable; allowing for detailed assessment of the tracer kinetics between different populations of gap-junction linked cell networks and direct comparison to dye-injection techniques.
Transformer inrush calculations using a coupled electromagnetic model

The paper describes a method, using time domain analysis, in which the equations of mixed electrical and magnetic systems are solved not as separate but as a single system. The advantages of this method, from the viewpoint of a power system designer, are discussed and the inrush current is calculated for typical 5 kVA and 180 MVA transformers. From a transformer designer's viewpoint the distribution of fluxes within the transformer becomes more apparent so that the analysis of inrush and its implications can be carried out at the design stage. It is also shown how different parts of the transformer can be saturated to differing levels and how this can be incorporated into the analysis.
The Process of Innovation

The paper argues that innovation processes can be cognitive, organisational and/or economic. They happen in conditions of uncertainty and (in the capitalist system) of competition. Three broad, overlapping sub-processes of innovation are identified: the production of knowledge; the transformation of knowledge into products, systems, processes and services; and the continuous matching of the latter to market needs and demands. The paper identifies key trends in each of these areas: (1) increasing specialisation in knowledge production; (2) increasing complexity in physical artefacts, and in the knowledge bases underpinning them; and (3) the difficulties of matching technological opportunities with market needs and organisational practices. Despite advances in scientific theory and information and communication technologies (ICTs), innovation processes remain unpredictable and difficult to manage. They also vary widely according to the firm's sector and size. Only two innovation processes remain generic: co-ordinating and integrating specialised knowledge, and learning in conditions of uncertainty. The paper also touches on the key challenges now facing 'innovation managers' within modern industrial corporations, bearing in mind the highly contingent nature of innovation.
Dynamic behaviour of radio channels due to trans-horizon propagation mechanisms

To study the propagation mechanisms of trans-horizon radio links, the Letter proposes an event-based approach. Data from one year captured on a trans-horizon link of 156 km are divided into different groups according to the signal amplitude signature of the chart recordings. The propagation mechanisms for each group are investigated using the cross-correlation between received signal amplitudes along the same path. These amplitudes are obtained using two different transmitter antenna heights.
D1 and D2 Dopamine Receptors in Human Substantia Nigra: Localization and the Effect of Aging

Abstract: D1 and D2 receptor densities in human substantia nigra were examined by use of the specific binding of, respectively, [3H]SCH 23390 [R(+)‐7‐chloro‐8‐hydroxy‐3‐[3H]methyl‐1‐phenyl‐2,3,4,5‐tetrahydro‐1H‐3‐benzazepine] and [3H]spiperone. A unilateral loss of striato‐ and pallidonigral pathways by an infarction (n = 4) had no effect on the ipsilateral nigral D2 receptors, but reduced the ipsilateral nigral D1 receptors by 48–60% compared with the intact side. These data suggest that a substantial fraction of D1 receptors in human substantia nigra is located on terminals of striato‐and/or pallidonigral neurons, whereas D2 receptors are confined to intrinsic nigral cells. We also examined the effect of aging on the D1 and D2 receptors in substantia nigra obtained from 25 postmortem human brains (age range 19–88 years). The densities of both receptor types were not affected by the aging process. Since nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons degenerate with aging, these results suggest either that the nigral D2 receptors are up‐regulated in response to a progressive depletion of dopamine in the substantia nigra or that, in contrast to the rat, they are not located on dopaminergic neurons.
Innovations-based Neural Network Seasonal Day-ahead Marginal Price Forecasting

Abstract Successful bidding and operational strategies of electric power generators (GENCO) depend highly on the availability of accurate and timely load and price forecasts. Several techniques have been proposed and applied over the past few years to predict the marginal price of electricity in deregulated markets. To improve accuracy, these techniques apply time-consuming, complex, and hybrid methods requiring multiple inputs and large databases. This article introduces the first application of the method of “innovations” and a single artificial neural network to provide accurate forecasting results with mean absolute percentage error comparable to more complex and hybrid artificial neural network forecasting methods. The proposed model is applied to data of two seasons of Spain's power market operator (OMEL) marginal price data. The technique provided average accuracy improvement of 26% with overall mean absolute percentage error of 6.5%, which is reasonable considering the number of inputs and the simplicity of this model compared to other proposed models.
Modular Learning: Struggles and Coping Mechanisms of Mothers Not Speaking Mother Tongue

Modular learning is the current learning modality of primary education in the Philippines where traditional teacher-student practice has now been shifted to mother-child since mothers are the immediate assistants of their child in modular learning. Therefore, they play essential parts in their children’s education. More so, this learning modality is applicable in all given subjects, including the Mother Tongue (MT). Whereas MT modules will be solely assisted by mothers regardless of the mothers’ MT. The objective of this study is to determine the struggles and coping mechanisms of mothers not speaking the MT in assisting their child in the MT subject. Moreover, this study utilized a qualitative-descriptive design which included semi-structured interview. More so, purposive sampling was utilized to determine the respondents of this study. The total number of respondents is 10 and are all mothers. The respondents’ age ranged between 24-35 years old. It was discovered from the interviews that difficulty in understanding Chavacanowords on the module, difficulty in comprehending instructions on the module, lack of educational pictures, difficulty in translating to the child’s Mother Tongue, difficulty in facilitating learning, difficulty managing child’s behavior and struggle in implementing time management became their primary struggles in assisting their child in the MT subject. It is also important to note that mothers were still able to assist their child despite of these challenges through seeking assistance from native Chavacanospeakers, from someone who has more knowledge in Chavacano, from the teacher, using the translation provided as reference, searching on the internet, repetitive teaching, practice through conversation, involvement during discussions, translating Chavacano to their mother tongue, materials from the teacher, recording of classes, use of infographics, providing positive reinforcement and letting family members to assist.
Hyperbolic control for vibration mitigation of a base‐isolated benchmark structure

Active, passive and semi‐active controls have been extensively considered to improve the protection of base‐isolated structures against earthquakes. This paper presents a strategy to apply control forces to the base of an isolated structure. The main feature is the simplicity in formulation, design and implementation. It is based on using a passive static hyperbolic function depending only on the base velocity. This function ensures energy dissipation capability with always bounded control force. The control is applied to a three‐dimensional benchmark problem, which is used by the structural control community as a state‐of‐the‐art model for numerical experiments of seismic control attenuation. The performance indices show that the proposed hyperbolic controller behaves satisfactorily and with a reasonable control effort. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Supplementary cementing materials for concrete

This ~ublication Dresents a state of the art review of knowledge on the properties, uses, benefits, and limitations of supplementary cementing materials. As such, it provides an UD-to-date and com~rehensive reference work for structural engineers, concrete technologists, specifiers, and those in the concrete manufacturing and supply industry. The book deals with natural pozzolans, fly ash, silica fume, granulated blast-furnace slag, and nonferrous slags. All but the last group of materials are covered in a 1986 Canadian Standards Association Standard CAN/CSA-A23.5-M86 Supplementary Cementing Materials. This book is, therefore, a timely synthesis of data for those who wish to specify or use such materials. Each of the seven chapters are written by recognized experts in the field and include American and Norwegian authors, as well as Canadian. Each chapter covers the characteristics of the material and its effects on the important properties of fresh and hardened concrete. Some of these materials, mainly fly-ash and slag, are in widespread use in many parts of Canada. Currently, the focus of all concrete technologists is with durability because so much of the concrete in the structures that comprise our infrastructure is exhibiting premature deterioration. This book gives guidance on how the use of these materials in concrete can improve the thermal and permeability characteristics, resistance to chemical attack, and the reduction of deleterious expansion due to alkali-aggregate reactivity. Guidance is given by reference to published, mostly recent, work. Each chapter makes frequent reference to published data and concludes with an extensive and useful list of references. Guidance is also given in the special uses of each material. The format of the book is attractive and clear and at the published price is very good value. This is a timely and valuable publication.
Validation of an extremely patient-friendly progestin-primed ovarian stimulation protocol in normal and high responders by comparing with conventional antagonist protocol: a retrospective study

Background. Our previous study has shown a satisfactory reproductive outcome resulting from the extremely patient-friendly ovarian stimulation protocol of long-acting follicle stimulation hormone (FSH) plus oral medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA). The present study was aimed to compare the efficacy of the extremely patient-friendly ovarian stimulation protocol with that of antagonist protocol.Methods. A retrospective study was conducted on normal and high responders aged from 24 to 39 years starting ovarian stimulation for IVF/ICSI with long-acting FSH at early follicular phase in a tertiary fertility center in Taiwan between December 2016 and August 2017. To prevent premature luteinizing hormone (LH) surge, oral MPA was applied in some cycles (group 1), whereas antagonist protocol was applied in other cycles (group 2). Freezing all embryos was applied to all patients in both groups. Duration of stimulation, number of shots and visits before trigger, incidence of premature LH surge, number of oocytes retrieved, fertilization rate, cleavage rate, rate of good embryos available, incidence of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, cumulative clinical pregnancy rate, and cumulative live birth rate per retrieval were compared between groups. Results. One hundred and ten cycles of IVF/ICSI were included, among which there were fifty-seven cycles in group 1 and fifty-three cycles in group 2. Starting with long-acting FSH, group 1 (MPA) required much fewer injections and visits but had comparable reproductive outcomes to those in group 2 (antagonist protocol). Conclusions. Long-acting FSH plus MPA use for ovarian stimulation is extremely friendly for the patients and demonstrates satisfactory stimulation and reproductive outcomes that are comparable to those of antagonist protocol.
Metakaolin: a versatile material to enhance the durability of concrete – an overview

The utilisation of calcined clay in the form of metakaolin as a pozzolan for concrete has received considerable interest in recent years. The use of metakaolin as a mineral admixture for concrete is a well-documented practice. Metakaolin is a quality enhancing pozzolan for concrete. In this review paper the work done by various researchers on the effect of the addition of metakaolin to modify the properties of concrete are documented; source and manufacture, fresh concrete properties, hardened concrete and durability. From the survey it is concluded that metakaolin enhances early strength in concrete through a filler effect. Metakaolin also enhances long-term strength and durability of concrete and corrosion resistance. Less work has been carried out in corrosion studies and some of these works are highlighted in this review paper.