Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Systematic Approach for Remote Sensing of Historical Conflict Landscapes with UAV-Based Laserscanning

In order to locate historical traces, drone-based Laserscanning has become increasingly popular in archaeological prospection and historical conflict landscapes research. The low resolution of aircraft-based Laserscanning is not suitable for small-scale detailed analysis so that high-resolution UAV-based LiDAR data are required. However, many of the existing studies lack a systematic approach to UAV-LiDAR data acquisition and point cloud filtering. We use this methodology to detect anthropogenic terrain anomalies. In this study, we systematically investigated different influencing factors on UAV-LiDAR data acquisition. The flight parameters speed and altitude above ground were systematically varied. In addition, different vegetation cover and seasonal acquisition times were compared, and we evaluated three different types of filter algorithms to separate ground from non-ground. It could be seen from our experiments that for the detection of subsurface anomalies in treeless open terrain, higher flight speeds like 6 m/s were feasible. Regarding the flight altitude, we recommend an altitude of 50–75 m above ground. At higher flight altitudes of 100–120 m above ground, there is the risk that terrain characteristics smaller than 50 cm will be missed. Areas covered with deciduous forest should only be surveyed during leaf-off season. In the presence of low-level vegetation (small bushes and shrubs with a height of up to 2 m), it turned out that the morphological filter was the most suitable. In tree-covered areas with total absence of near ground vegetation, however, the choice of filter algorithm plays only a subordinate role, especially during winter where the resulting ground point densities have a percentage deviation of less than 6% from each other.
Influence of aeration rate and method of process activation on the degree of purification of zinc-containing waste water by ferritization

The aeration rate for the degree of purification of highly concentrated galvanic wastewater from zinc and ferrum ions was investigated using various activation methods. It is shown that the intensity of aeration has a significant effect on the quality of wastewater treatment and the characteristics of water treatment sludge. The efficiency of the use of an energy-saving method for activating the ferritization process with the use of electromagnetic pulses for the extraction of zinc ions from wastewater has been confirmed. It was determined that with an increase in the aeration rate to 3.5 dm3/min per 1 dm3 of the reaction mixture and the use of thermal activation of the process, the residual concentration of zinc ions remains within the range of 0.12÷0.2 mg/dm3. In this case, the concentration of ferrum ions decreases to values of 0.08÷0.14 mg/dm3. It was found that at an aeration rate of 2.5 dm3/min and the use of pulsed electromagnetic (EMP) activation, the residual concentrations of heavy metal ions decrease to values of 0.08÷0.16 mg/dm3. Comparison of the results indicates the advisability of using low rates of aeration of the reaction mixture. This, together with the use of resource-saving EMR process activation, allows to achieve a significant reduction in energy costs. The quantitative phase composition of ferritization precipitates was determined, in which the crystalline phases of zinc ferrite Zn2Fe2O4 and magnetite Fe3O4, as well as ferrum oxyhydroxide FeO (OH) and sodium sulfate Na2SO4, prevail. It is found that with an increase in the volumetric aeration rate, the proportion of the ferrite phase increases. At an aeration rate of 2.0 dm3/min, more than 85 % of the zinc ferrite phase was found in the sediments. Taking into account the qualitative and quantitative composition of precipitates, it is recommended to use them in the production of building materials. The experimental results obtained make it possible to provide a comprehensive processing of liquid galvanic waste.
Stability of Railroad Tracks under the Effects of Temperature Change and Earthquake

One of the major causes of train accidents is derailment due to axial or lateral buckling of the track. This problem is more prominent in continuously welded rails (CWR), which are now very common because of their advantages of reduced noise and damage and more comfortable rides. As for the effect of earthquakes on track buckling, the axial force they induce seems to be much less than that of temperature change as well as those caused by tractive action and braking of locomotives. This does not mean that earthquakes cannot have a detrimental effect on railroad tracks. Their main cause of damage is the large reduction they may produce in the lateral resistance of ballast due to shaking of the ballast bed. This paper deals with the problem of axial and lateral buckling of CWR and the effects of earthquakes and temperature change on the stability of the track. A three-dimensional macro-element is used to model the track. A program, developed in Mathcad environment, is used to conduct a series of parametric studies. The results show that the simple sinusoidal form often used for determining buckling loads of tracks is only valid for totally homogeneous tracks, a rather rare situation. It was ascertained that the buckled shapes observed in practice are due to local inhomogeneities of the track.
Bicycle rider control : a balancing act

Cycling is increasing in popularity which is accompanied with a higher rate of injuries sustained due to collisions, crashes or falls. A high proportion of these events happen when the bicycle rider loses control of the bicycle. In order to improve bicycle rider control, the skill of riding a bicycle needs to be understood. Therefore, the overall aim of this PhD work was to explore bicycle rider control skills and to examine the effects of different constraints on the control of a bicycle. The first part of this thesis focuses on developing a valid and reliable methodology that can be further used for studying bicycle rider control skill. Firstly, a protocol to determine knee angle during cycling is being developed. Secondly, some technical approaches when studying muscle activity during cycling are being questioned. Lastly, a portable device based on a single angular rate sensor to record steering rate and bicycle roll rate was tested for reliability in an outdoor setup. Second part of the thesis examines the effects on bicycle rider control of three different constraints: 1) expertise, 2) body position and 3) cycle lane design. Results overall showed that all three constraints significantly affect steering and bicycle roll rate.
Adaptive disturbance rejection and stabilization for rotor systems with internal damping

Advanced rotor systems today consist of a lightweight rotor supported by radial active magnetic bearings. It has been shown in previous works that composite materials have high energy dissipation characteristics, mainly due to internal damping. In applications where the rotor speed is subcritical, this property is of low concern, whereas at supercritical speeds the effect of internal damping should not be ignored due to instability effects described in detail later. Therefore, it is essential that one must have a detailed understanding of the sources and effects of internal damping in these structures. This work addresses the application of Adaptive Disturbance Rejection control method to deal with the rotordynamic instability caused by internal damping and synchronous vibrations caused by mass imbalance in a rotor system operating at supercritical speed. The simulated system is a slim, flexible shaft represented by a 73-node finite element model. A detailed description of the problems and the strategies for addressing them are discussed.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
A new method for determining wheel–rail multi-point contact

A new method for wheel–rail multi-point contact is presented in this paper. In this method, the first- and the second-order derivatives of the wheel–rail interpolation distance function and the elastic wheel–rail virtual penetration are used to determine multiple contact points. The method takes account of the yaw angle of the wheelset and allows the identification of all possible points of contact between wheel and rail surfaces with an arbitrary geometry. Static contact geometry calculations are first carried out using the developed method for both new and worn wheel profiles and with a new rail profile. The validity of the method is then verified by simulations of a coupled vehicle and track system dynamics over a small radius curve. The simulation results show that the developed method for multi-point contact is efficient and reliable enough to be implemented online for simulations of vehicle–track system dynamics.
Pricing Capability and Its Strategic Dimensions

The notion of pricing as being of vital importance to firms is supported by a long line of publications that outline recommendations on how price should be managed in order to maximize long-term profits. This implies that pricing, or firm level pricing capability, should constitute an important area of research in the field of strategic management, a field which has as its prime objective to develop explanations of firm performance. Yet, research on pricing capability in strategic management has remained sparse. Rather than addressing this area directly, firm pricing capability has been treated as a non-strategic issue. This is done either by assuming that prices are automatically set at levels reflecting competitive market prices and the product’s value to customers, or by viewing price as an easily manageable part of the firm’s overall competitive strategy. This empirical study of pricing capability in five cases in the corrugated packaging industry illustrates the problems firms face when pricing their products. The study showed, not only that pricing was difficult to manage, but also that in order to handle the information and control-related uncertainties inherent in pricing decisions, the studied business units committed themselves to complex configurations of assets, routines, activities, and pricing policies. This thesis sets out to uncover the structure and strategic relevance of these configurations, and by doing so, to point out some fundamental problems in mainstream strategic management theory. As it turns out, the failure in addressing the strategic dimensions of pricing capability is not arbitrary, but reflects a theoretical gap that leaves established explanations of firm performance unable to account for important phenomena, such as pricing capability.
The Chernobyl disaster

This book examines the causes and consequences of the explosion at the nuclear power plant at Chernobyl in April 1986, when vast areas of Europe were contaminated by radioactive fallout. The book looks at the events which led up to the accident, its long-term effects and the lessons for the future of the nuclear power industry. Featuring first-hand accounts by survivors, rescue workers and eye witnesses, the book gives a terrifying account of what it is like to live through a nuclear disaster. Mark Bocjun has written for the "Financial Times", "European Energy Report", "Labour Briefing" and others. Viktor Haynes is co-author of "Workers Against the Gulag".
Vermicompost and Vermiwash on Growth, Yield and Yield Components of Beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.)

Vermicompost is usually a finely divided peat-like material with excellent structure, porosity, aeration, drainage and moisture holding capacity. Vermiwash is a watery extract of vermicompost and the wash of earthworms present in the medium. Randomized complete block design field experiments with three replications were carried out in research field of Dilla University, College of Agriculture and Natural Resource, Dilla during 2013 to evaluate the effect of vermicompost and vermiwash on growth, yield and yield related parameters of beetroot. The result of vermicompost experiment indicated that application of vermicompost has positive effects on beetroot and showed that the highest growth, yield and yield components trait were obtained at highest level (7.5 t/ha) of vermicompost. However, vermiwash experiment showed non-significant difference in all traits of the crop.
Effect of a Support on the Properties of Zinc Oxide Based Sorbents

We present the comparative analysis of three Zn-based sorbents for the process of sulphur removal from hot coal gas. The sorbents were prepared by a slurry impregnation of TiO2, SiO2 and Al2O3, resulting in complex, multiphase materials, with the dominant phases of Zn2TiO4, Zn2SiO4 and ZnAl2O4, respectively. We have analyzed the effect of supports on the phase composition, texture, reducibility and H2S sorption. We have found that the phase composition significantly influences the susceptibility of the investigated materials to reduction by hydrogen. Zn2TiO4 have been found to be the easiest to reduce which correlates with its ability to adsorb the largest amount of hydrogen sulphide—up to 4.2 gS/100 g—compared to the other sorbents, which absorb up to 2.2 gS/100 g. In the case of Zn2SiO4 and ZnAl2O4, this effect also correlates with reducibility—these sorbents have been found to be highly resistant to reduction by hydrogen and to absorb much less hydrogen sulphide. In addition, the capacity of ZnAl2O4 for H2S adsorption decreases in the subsequent work cycles—from 2.2 gS/100 g in the first cycle to 0.8 gS/100 g in the third one. Computational analysis on the DFT level has shown that these materials show different thermodynamic stability of sulphur sites within the unit cells of the sorbents. For Zn2TiO4 and Zn2SiO4, the adsorption is favorable in both the first and second layers of the former and only the top layer of the latter, while for zinc aluminate it is not favorable, which is consistent with the experimental findings.
Dry eye disease in students with myopia during COVID-19 pandemic

Background. Today, the urgent problem is coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in the whole world. Safety measures such as the use of masks, distance learning have been implemented. However, ophthalmologists, as well as the general population, should know that a face mask together with prolonged use of digital devices leads to an increase in the number of dry eye cases in many patients. The purpose was to study the frequency of dry eye disease in students with myopia. Materials and methods. The study involved 96 medical students diagnosed with myopia taken by random sampling, who were examined by an ophthalmologist. Apart from the standard ophthalmologic examination, all patients underwent the evaluation of the stability of the precorneal tear film by means of corneal topography, and Norn test (tear break-up time (TBUT)). There was also used a standard questionnaire designed to assess the severity of dry eye disease symptoms (Ocular Surface Disease Index). Results. The corneal topography of the 47 patients did not demonstrate any reduction in TBUT. The average time of the concentric ring remained stable for 20.2 ± 3.0 seconds. But 49 individuals exhibited signs of tear film instability over time compared to 47 patients without TBUT impairment. In 47 people without impairments, corneal topography demonstrated that this indicator in Norn test varied from 25 to 18 seconds, i.e. was within the age norm (21.5 ± 3.5 seconds on average). In 3 patients with a minimum TBUT on keratotopography, its value during the Norn test was 9 seconds. In 36 patients with reduced TBUT according to both methods, there was a weak degree of dry eyes, in 10 — moderate, in 3 — severe. The most common complaints were a sandy, gritty sensation in the eyes, visual discomfort when working at a computer and in windy weather, and with prolonged use of a protective mask. Conclusions. Among students who were on distance learning, 51.04 % of individuals have objectively confirmed dry eye disease. People wearing contact lenses have a more pronounced degree of dry eye, so it is mandatory for ophthalmologists to prescribe lubricating eye drops.
EFFECT OF RISK MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES ON PROJECT PERFORMANCE OF SMALL AND MEDIUM INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY ENTERPRISES IN NAIROBI, KENYA

The main objective of this study is to establish the effects of risk management strategies on the project performance of small and medium information communication technology (ICT) enterprises in Nairobi, Kenya. The study was governed by four theories including Logical Framework Approach, Project Risk Analysis and Management model, Network Theory and Portfolio theory. The independent variables were the risk management strategies while dependent variable was the project performance of the SME ICT project. A descriptive research design was adopted. Target population was 48 ICT SMEs in Nairobi, Kenya. The study adopted random sampling technique to select sample size of the project staff in the target population. Primary data was collected using a questionnaire which was self-administered through drop and pick questionnaires to sampled members of the employees working in the ICT SMEs. The data was then summarized, coded and tabulated. A multiple regression model was applied to determine effects of risk management strategies on project performance of ICT SMEs in
Structural Evolution of the Ancient Enzyme, Dissimilatory Sulfite Reductase

Dissimilatory sulfite reductase is an ancient enzyme that has linked the global sulfur and carbon biogeochemical cycles since at least 3.47 Gya. While much has been learned about the phylogenetic distribution and diversity of DsrAB across environmental gradients, far less is known about the structural changes that occurred to maintain DsrAB function as the enzyme accompanied diversification of sulfate/sulfite reducing organisms (SRO) into new environments. Analyses of available crystal structures of DsrAB from Archaeoglobus fulgidus and Desulfovibrio vulgaris, representing early and late evolving lineages, respectively, show that certain features of DsrAB are structurally conserved, including active siro-heme binding motifs. Whether such structural features are conserved among DsrAB recovered from varied environments, including hot spring environments that host representatives of the earliest evolving SRO lineage (e.g., MV2-Eury), is not known. To begin to overcome these gaps in our understanding of the evolution of DsrAB, structural models from MV2.Eury were generated and evolutionary sequence co-variance analyses were conducted on a curated DsrAB database. Phylogenetically diverse DsrAB harbor many conserved functional residues including those that ligate active siro-heme(s). However, evolutionary co-variance analysis of monomeric DsrAB subunits revealed several False Positive Evolutionary Couplings (FPEC) that correspond to residues that have co-evolved despite being too spatially distant in the monomeric structure to allow for direct contact. One set of FPECs corresponds to residues that form a structural path between the two active siro-heme moieties across the interface between heterodimers, suggesting the potential for allostery or electron transfer within the enzyme complex. Other FPECs correspond to structural loops and gaps that may have been selected to stabilize enzyme function in different environments. These structural bioinformatics results suggest that DsrAB has maintained allosteric communication pathways between subunits as SRO diversified into new environments. The observations outlined here provide a framework for future biochemical and structural analyses of DsrAB to examine potential allosteric control of this enzyme.
Digital Longitudinal Monitoring of Optical Fiber Communication Link

Optical transmission links are generally composed of optical fibers, optical amplifiers, and optical filters. In this paper, we present a channel reconstruction method (CRM) that extracts physical characteristics of multiple link components such as longitudinal fiber losses, chromatic dispersion (CD), multiple amplifiers’ gain spectra, and multiple filters’ responses, only from receiver-side (Rx) digital signal processing (DSP) of data-carrying signals. The concept is to reconstruct a virtual copy of an actual transmission channel in the digital domain, where optical fibers and amplifiers are modeled as the split-step Fourier method for the Manakov equation while optical filters are emulated as complex-valued finite impulse response filters. We estimate the model parameters such as losses, CD, gains, and filter responses from boundary conditions, i.e., transmitted and received signals. Experimental results show that, unlike traditional analog testing devices such as optical time-domain reflectometers and optical spectrum analyzers, CRM visualizes multi-span characteristics of fibers, amplifiers, and filters in Rx DSP, and thus localizes anomaly components among multiple ones without direct measurement.
HOSPITAL SITE SELECTION USING TWO-STAGE FUZZY MULTI-CRITERIA DECISION MAKING PROCESS

Site selection for sitting of urban activities/facilities is one of the crucial policy-related decisions taken by urban planners and policy makers. The process of site selection is inherently complicated. A careless site imposes exorbitant costs on city budget and damages the environment inevitably. Nowadays, multi-attributes decision making approaches are suggested to use to improve precision of decision making and reduce surplus side effects. Two well-known techniques, analytical hierarchal process and analytical network process are among multi-criteria decision making systems which can easily be consistent with both quantitative and qualitative criteria. These are also developed to be fuzzy analytical hierarchal process and fuzzy analytical network process systems which are capable of accommodating inherent uncertainty and vagueness in multi-criteria decision-making. This paper reports the process and results of a hospital site selection within the Region 5 of Shiraz metropolitan area, Iran using integrated fuzzy analytical network process systems with Geographic Information System (GIS). The weights of the alternatives were calculated using fuzzy analytical network process. Then a sensitivity analysis was conducted to measure the elasticity of a decision in regards to different criteria. This study contributes to planning practice by suggesting a more comprehensive decision making tool for site selection.
Identification of sources of pollution and contamination in water distribution networks based on pattern recognition

An intrusion of contaminants into the water distribution network (WDN) can occur through storage tanks (via animals, dust-carrying bacteria, and infiltration) and pipes. A sensor network could yield useful observations that help identify the location of the source, the strength, the time of occurrence, and the duration of contamination. This paper proposes a methodology for identifying the contamination sources in a water distribution system, which identifies the key characteristics of contamination, such as location, starting time, and injection rates at different time intervals. Based on simplified hypotheses and associated with a high computational efficiency, the methodology is designed to be a simple and easy-to-use tool for water companies to ensure rapid identification of the contamination sources, The proposed methodology identifies the characteristics of pollution sources by matching the dynamic patterns of the simulated and measured concentrations. The application of this methodology to a literature network and a real WDN are illustrated with the aid of an example. The results showed that if contaminants are transported from the sources to the sensors at intervals, then this method can identify the most possible ones from candidate pollution sources. However, if the contamination data is minimal, a greater number of redundant contamination source nodes will be present. Consequently, more data from different sensors obtained through network monitoring are required to effectively use this method for locating multi-sources of contamination in the WDN.