Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reliability-based calibration for punching shear reduction factor for FRP reinforced slabs

Punching shear capacity of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) reinforced slabs (RC)is usually predicted using theoretical models obtained from design codes and standards. In the load and resistance factored design (LRFD) approach, a reduction factor is applied to the member capacity as an implicit safety measure. The same reduction factors calibrated for conventional steel reinforced slabs are used for FRP reinforced slabs in design equations of existing codes. To accommodate for the specific properties and modes of failure of FRP slabs, a reliability analysis using Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) with a specific target reliability index (βT) was conducted to calibrate the LRFD design approach reduction factors for punching shear resistance formulas available in ACI 440.1R-15, JSCE.b-1997 and CAN-CSA-S806-12 codes.The conducted analysis has shown that ACI 440.1R-15 provided a conservative estimate for FRP slabs capacity in punching shear. It was concluded that using any reduction factor up to a 3.5 reliability index (5x10-6, probability of failure) is unnecessary. On the other hand, estimation using JSCE.b-1997 and CAN-CSA-S806-12 was more accurate. The calibrated reduction factors for these codes were close to the ones provided. For the CAN-CSA-S806-12 code, the calculated reduction factor was 0.75 with βT=3 and 0.6 for βT=3.5. These values are close to the estimated by CAN/CSA-12, which was 0.65 with βT=3.1. The calculated reduction factor for the JSCE code equation was 0.8 with βT=3 and 0.7 with βT=3.5. A unified reduction factor of 0.7 is proposed to be used for CAN/CSA-12 and JSCE codes equations that satisfy a reliability index of more than 3 for both codes within the practical range of the applied loads.
Zen3: The AMD 2nd-Generation 7nm x86-64 Microprocessor Core

“Zen 3” is the first major microarchitectural redesign in the AMD Zen family of microprocessors. Given the same 7nm process technology as the prior-generation “Zen 2” core [1], as well as the same platform infrastructure, the primary “Zen 3” design goals were to provide: 1) a significant instruction-per-cycle (IPC) uplift, 2) a substantial frequency uplift, and 3) continued improvement in power efficiency. The core complex unit (CCX) consists of 8 “Zen 3” cores, each with a 0.5MB private L2 cache, and a 32MB shared L3 cache. Increasing this from 4 cores and 16MB L3 in the prior generation provides additional performance uplift, in addition to the IPC and frequency improvements. The “Zen 3” CCX shown in Fig. 2.7. 1 contains 4.08B transistors in 68mm2, and is used across a broad array of client, server, and embedded market segments.
Rising residential energy consumption and GHG emissions in Malaysia: A case study of public low-cost housing projects in Kuala Lumpur

Malaysia’s electricity consumption is increasing exponentially as it gears towards becoming a developed nation by year 2020. This paper is aimed at policy development in terms of energy efficiency and building design as Malaysia has yet to establish any mandatory energy efficiency or energy performance building code. The focus on public low-cost housing projects is important as it is administered by government agencies and provides possible streamlining of proposed energy policies for the housing sector. Presented in this paper are findings from fieldwork conducted to investigate the energy performance and green house gas (GHG) emissions from the building operation of two public low-cost housing projects in Kuala Lumpur. The baseline calculations use UNEP–SBCI’s Common Carbon Metric tool to provide project-specific calculations of energy and emissions intensity with its bottom-up approach, while presenting a national-scale projection using its top-down approach. Findings from bottom-up analysis suggest that Malaysian public low-cost housing households consume more than benchmarks set by the World Energy Council and the International Energy Agency, in terms of Building Energy Index (BEI) of kwh/m2/year. This is a reflection of the absence of building energy efficiency legislation in Malaysia, both for residential and non-residential buildings. The importance of this research lies in its focus on a developing country experiencing rapid urbanisation and climate change effects.
A Review on Defects in Carbon Nanotubes

Various defects on the CNT wall have been reported, which are formed during the synthesizing process. CNTs have superior properties compared to the traditional engineering materials. However, these properties hold only for the ideal case of carbon nanotubes, where these are made of perfect hexagonal graphite honeycomb lattice of mono-atomic layer thickness. The advantages or disadvantages of the presence of defects in carbon nanotubes depend on their applications. Structural defects may increase the adhesion of other atoms and molecules to carbon nanotubes. It has also been found that the defects in CNT do cause a change in its resonant frequency as compared to that of a non-defective CNT. The defects that have been considered for the purpose of analysis in this research includes defects in the carbon nanotubes likewise Waviness, Vacancy Defect, Pinhole Defect, Fracture and Stone Wales Defect. It has been observed that with the increase in the number of defects in CNT, a reduction in the fundamental frequency is observed.
Instructional Use of a Single-Zone, Premixed Charge, Spark-Ignition Engine Heat Release Simulation

Modeling and computer simulation of an internal combustion engine's operating processes offers a valuable tool for enhancing our understanding of real physical phenomena and contributes significantly to optimizing and controlling the engine's operation to meet different objectives. This paper illustrates the use of engine modeling in the educational setting through the development and use of a single-zone, premixed charge, spark-ignition engine heat release simulation. The paper begins by describing the operation of an engine. A heat release simulation is then discussed in depth, and a description is given of how it can be used to offer an understanding of thermodynamic fundamentals in an internal combustion engine. In particular, a comprehensive examination of the thermodynamic properties of the engine working fluid and in-cylinder gas-to-wall heat transfer demonstrates the need for accurate physical—chemical sub-models when performing a high-fidelity heat release analysis. Overall, this study demonstrates the power of such an engine simulation tool in an educational setting.
Role of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Evaluation of Perianal Fistula: An Institutional Based Retrospective Study

Introduction: MRI evaluation of perianal fistula plays a crucial role in the diagnosis, classification and surgical management of the fistulous disease. Perianal fistulisation is an unusual condition but significantly contribute to gastrointestinal morbidity. Proper technique and dedicate protocol of MRI helps in identification of detail anatomy, primary and secondary tracks, classification, complications like abscesses and hence guides the surgeons to plan an appropriate treatment strategy. Our study aims to evaluate the role of MRI in preoperative classification and its management of perianal fistula. Materials and Methods: A total of 124 patients who were diagnosed to have perianal fistula clinically and referred for MRI Imaging during the study period Jan 2019 to June 2020 included. MRI findings were reviewed, tabulated and analysed. Results: MRI fistulography prove to have a 100% detection rate of the fistulous tract, its extension and relation to internal and external sphincter. MRI Imaging has exactly type and reveals the extent of perianal fistula. Conclusion: MRI Imaging prove to be highly sensitive and investigation of choice for perianal fistula evaluation. In our study, there was a significant correlation between the fistulous tracts identified on MRI and the surgical findings.
The Transfer of Heat in Kilns

Rotary kilns are used extensively for the energy intensive promising of solids. A mathematical model is described which includes a full solution of the radiation equations covering transfer between solids, wall, gas and flow together with the convective heat transfer within the kiln. The model uses a novel approach to solids transport and mixing within the kiln. Simulation results presented show the importance of operating waters, particularly kiln geometry and rotational speed.
Virtual modeling of concept generation process for understanding and enhancing the nature of design creativity

In this study, we attempt to capture the nature of the concept generation process by finding an effective thinking pattern for creativity. We consider a space composed of chain processes of concepts that are both explicitly evoked in the concept generation process and inexplicitly imaged as a thinking space, and we focus on two viewpoints - structure and latent sensitivities. The former refers to the structure of the thinking space; the latter, the latent concepts that are inexplicitly imaged in the thinking space. From these viewpoints, we propose a method for modeling a virtual thinking space using a semantic network, and we quantitatively analyze its pattern. As results, we found that there is a significant correlation between the structure and the creativity and that the model could clarify the nature of design creativity in the concept generation process. These findings suggest that factors that affect the evaluated creativity score for design idea are closely related to the structure of the thinking space. This indicates that there might exist an effective thinking pattern for creativity; thus, this model could be used for enhancing design creativity.
Learning Morphological Feature Perturbations for Calibrated Semi-Supervised Segmentation

We propose MisMatch, a novel consistency-driven semi-supervised segmentation framework which produces predictions that are invariant to learnt feature perturbations. MisMatch consists of an encoder and a two-head decoders. One decoder learns positive attention to the foreground regions of interest (RoI) on unlabelled images thereby generating dilated features. The other decoder learns negative attention to the foreground on the same unlabelled images thereby generating eroded features. We then apply a consistency regularisation on the paired predictions. MisMatch outperforms state-of-the-art semi-supervised methods on a CT-based pulmonary vessel segmentation task and a MRI-based brain tumour segmentation task. In addition, we show that the effectiveness of MisMatch comes from better model calibration than its supervised learning counterpart.
Unlocking the Relationships between Emotional Intelligence and Group Cohesion in South Asia

Emotional intelligence may be a powerful motivator of group cohesion in an organization as emotional intelligence could foster group performance through extending group cohesion. Present examination strives to recognize the associations among the dimensions of emotional intelligence and group cohesion. The convenience sampling technique was embraced to obtain data from respondents performing in different organizations like merchandising, manufacturing, financial, services, and others in Bangladesh through survey questionnaires. We employed an Emotional Quotient Index and a Group Cohesiveness Scale for assessing representatives' emotional intelligence and group cohesion respectively. Finally, 412 usable reactions were recognized which were subsequently investigated through descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and regression analysis. The outcomes uncovered that each dimension of emotional intelligence was positively link to group cohesion (self-awareness (r=.57, p<.001) (moderate correlation), self-regulation (r=.70, p<.001) (strong correlation), motivation (r =.67, p<.001) (strong correlation), empathy (r =.68, p< .001) (strong correlation), and social skills (r =.64, p<.001) (strong correlation). Regression analysis additionally unveiled that all parts of emotional intelligence explained 52% of variances in group cohesiveness. These exclusive findings will stimulate researchers, business experts, and employees of different organizations to install emotional impotence to encourage group cohesion among group members, thereby, contributing to superior group performance in the work environment. The constraint of our investigation was the usage of the purposive sampling technique rather than random sampling. Besides, future research directions are talked about in this exploration.
Phytosociology, ecology and plant species diversity of grasslands within nature protection sites near Zurich (Switzerland)

The study covers dry to mesic grasslands and litter meadows which have shown drastic declines in Switzerland, including in the canton of Zurich. The aim is to provide an overview of the hitherto floristically unexplored protected areas of the local nature conservation society Verein Naturnetz Unteramt. The areas of Erliweid and Hofstetterweid were more humid and less alkaline. This contrasts with the drier and more basic areas of Rohmatt, Schleetal, Stückliberg, and Tägerst, with Stückliberg being the least fertile and Rohmatt the most fertile area. A total of 30 vegetation plots (10 m2), i.e. five plots in each of the six different areas, were surveyed. For vegetation classification, I compared several methods used in Switzerland to assign phytosociological syntaxa. Depending on the method used assignments to different phytosociological alliances resulted. In particular, the classification of Arrhenatherion instead of Mesobromion or Molinion leads to different assessment of the importance for protection according to the Federal Ordinance. I also applied a modified TWINSPAN analysis and identified three clearly separated clusters. To compare the areas in terms of diversity and site conditions I used Analysis of Variance. The areas Erliweid and Hofstetterweid, mainly assigned to the alliance of Molinion caeruleae, were significantly richer in species. A linear mixed model with random effects showed a negative effect of Brachypodium pinnatum cover on species richness. On this basis, an additional second cut at an early or late time, depending on the area and species composition, can be recommended for management at least as an experiment.
Lives Versus Livelihoods in the Middle Ages: The Impact of the Plague on Markets over 400 Years

To what extent did outbreaks of bubonic plague disrupt daily economic activity? We estimate the impact of epidemics on regional markets over four centuries – from the Black Death in the 14th century, until the medieval form of the plague became extinct in the 17th century. Despite the extreme mortality risk of bubonic plague, we find that outbreaks only had a modest impact on trade costs and market integration, as measured by local variations in wheat prices. The results provide quantitative evidence on how the lives versus livelihoods tradeoff was managed through history and the extent to which people learned to live with plague. They suggest that economic activity in low income societies is very resilient to epidemics.
Exogenous melatonin alleviated growth inhibition and oxidative stress induced by drought stress in apple rootstock

Drought stress is one of the major environmental obstacles that limit the production and development of apples (Malus domestica Borkh.). The role of melatonin is well known in the protection of plants under environmental stresses. In this study, we investigated the effect of melatonin on apple rootstock M. hupehensis Rehd under drought stress. The results showed that drought inhibited the growth of M. hupehensis and dramatically reduced root surface area, root volume, the number of tips and forks, and root diameter. Drought-induced growth inhibition was significantly decreased by adding melatonin. Net photosynthetic rate (Pn), intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci), stomatal conductance (Gs), transpiration rate (Tr), were markedly reduced under drought stress. However, the application of melatonin could mitigate the damage to the photosynthetic apparatus and increase the quantum yield of PSII photochemistry. Additionally, generation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and superoxide radicals (O2 ) sharply increased in apple leaves after 4 days under drought stress, and the accumulation of electrolyte leakage (EL) represented oxidative stress, while by applying melatonin under drought stress, the generation of O2 •– and H2O2 were significantly reduced and protected the membrane from drought damages. These results suggest that the adverse effects of drought can be minimized by applying melatonin to apples.
Ceftaroline Fosamil for the Empiric Treatment of Hospitalized Adults with cSSTI: An Economic Analysis from the Perspective of the Spanish National Health System

Purpose Complicated skin and soft tissue infections (cSSTI) are associated with high healthcare resource use and costs. The emergency nature of cSSTI hospitalizations requires starting immediate empiric intravenous (IV) antibiotic treatment, making the appropriate choice of initial antibiotic therapy crucial. Patients and Methods The use of ceftaroline fosamil (CFT) as an alternative to other IV antibiotic therapies for the empiric treatment of hospitalized adults with cSSTI (vancomycin, linezolid, daptomycin, cloxacillin, tedizolid) was evaluated through cost consequences analysis. The model structure was a decision tree accounting for four different pathways: patients demonstrating early response (ER) either discharged early (with oral antibiotic) or remaining in hospital to continue the initial therapy; non-responders either remaining on the initial IV therapy or switching to a second-line antibiotic. The model perspective was the Spanish National Health System. Results CFT resulted in average percentage of patients discharged early (PDE) of 24.6% (CI 19.49–30.2%) with average total cost per patient of €6763 (€6268–€7219). Vancomycin, linezolid, daptomycin and tedizolid resulted in average PDE of 22% (17.34–27.09%), 26.4% (20.5–32.32%), 28.6% (22.08–35.79%) and 26.5% (20.39–33.25%), respectively, for a total cost per patient of €6,619 (€5,902–€6,929), €6,394 (€5,881–€6,904), €6,855 (€5,800–€7,410) and €7,173 (€6,608–€7,763), respectively. Key model drivers were ER and antibiotic treatment duration, with hospital costs accounting for over 83% of the total expenditures. Conclusion Given its clinical and safety profile, CFT is an acceptable choice for cSSTI empiric therapy providing comparable ER and costs to other relevant antibiotic options.
Preservation of Autologous Brachiocephalic Vessels with Assistance of Three-Dimensional Printing Based on Convolutional Neural Networks

Background Preservation of autologous brachiocephalic vessels in Stanford type A aortic dissection has good short-time outcomes. However, getting access to the details is not easy by conventional examination methods. This study is aimed at reconstructing the aortic arch model by three-dimensional (3D) printing based on convolutional neural networks (CNN) to understand the details for performing surgery. Methods Three patients with type A aortic dissection from October 2017 to June 2018 were indicated for simplified Sun's procedure. Convolutional neural network (CNN) is used as a deep learning model, and the model was preset by transfer learning. The genetic algorithm (GA) was used to optimize the parameters. The aortic arch models were reconstructed using the segmented image. Results The predicted damage area (mean 0.021 mm2) of the model optimized by deep learning was consistent with the experimental results (mean 0.023 mm2). Among the three patients, one patient died due to multiple organ failure and septic shock on the 11th day after surgery. The other two patients were cured, no reoperation was reported, and their cardiac functions were defined as class I during the 13 and 20 months of follow-up. Conclusion It is feasible to use CNN to optimize the manufacturing of the aortic arch models.
Reactive Extrusion Grafting of Glycidyl Methacrylate onto Low-Density and Recycled Polyethylene Using Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

Glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) was grafted onto (recycled) polyethylene (PE) to design a new adhesive with better mechanical properties compared to non-grafted PE. The effects of the amount of GMA, the amount of dicumyl peroxide (DCP) and the use of supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) in a reactive extrusion (REX) were evaluated based on the grafting degree and efficiency of the grafted samples. Generally speaking, higher amounts of GMA led to higher functionalization degrees (FD), whereas higher amounts of DCP resulted in a lower FD due to the occurrence of more unfavorable side reactions. The influence of scCO2 showed different outcomes for the two substrates used. Higher FDs were obtained for the low-density polyethylene (LDPE) samples while, by contrast, lower FDs were obtained for the recycled polyethylene (RPE) samples when using scCO2. Additionally, adjusting the screw speed and the temperature profile of the extruder to the half-life time of the radical initiator appeared to have the highest positive impact on the FD. According to the tensile tests, all the grafted samples can withstand higher stress levels, especially the grafted RPE, compared to the non-grafted samples.
Interaction between endocannabinoids and the adrenergic system before and after stress-exposure

Cold stress-induced analgesia (c-SIA) has been evaluated in male Wistar rats injected with cannabinoid receptors type 1 and a2-adrenergic receptor agonists and antagonists in different combinations before or after stress exposure. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether the endogenous cannabinoid and the adrenergic systems influenced c-SIA, and the patterns of their potential interaction. Exogenous administration of anandamide and Clonidine together, before or after stress exposure, increased c-SIA even with differences in the time of manifestation of the effect, its duration and the degree. The two systems differently contribute to c-SIA pathogenesis and mediation. Administered before stress exposure cannabinoids and the adrenergic system seem to oppose each other: the latter rather potentiates, while cannabinoids suppress c-SIA. Administered after stress exposure, instead, the two systems appear to exert a synergistic effect, and antagonization of each one of them abolishes the analgesic effect.
A New Approach for Evaluation of Cardiovascular Fitness and Cardiac Responses to Maximal Exercise Test in Master Runners: A Cross-Sectional Study

The aim of this study was to analyze the cardiac autonomic function at rest, at maximum exercise, and in recovery after exercise and to determine sex-specific and age-specific values for resting heart rate (RHR), hear rate (HR)-peak, HR recovery (HRR), and HR variability at rest in master runners. Fifty endurance runners (21 women) participated in this study (43.28 ± 5.25 years). The subjects came from different athletic clubs in Andalusia (Spain), and the testing protocol was performed in-season. A 3-km running test was performed and the cardiovascular response was monitored. Regarding sex, no significant differences were found regarding cardiovascular autonomic function at rest, during exercise, and following maximal exercise, only at rest, the standard deviation of all R-R intervals and low frequency values displayed significantly (p < 0.05) lower scores in women. 46% of athletes showed an RHR < 60 bpm. Additionally, HR-peak showed a significant correlation with age (r = −0.369; p = 0.009) and HRR5min (r = 0.476, p = 0.001). Also, endurance performance was inversely associated with obesity traits and cardiometabolic risk factors. In summary, age, sex, fitness, or anthropometrics characteristics did not show a relevant influence on cardiovascular autonomic modulation in master runners. However, the 3-km performance displayed a significant negative association with several factors of cardiometabolic risk.