Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Spatial and Temporal Influence of Vegetation on Surface Soil Factors in Semiarid Rangelands

Technology for modeling runoff and erosion on rangelands has improved, but improvements in simulation accuracy are often lost in techniques used to estimate model parameters. This is particularly true on semiarid rangelands which have significant spatial and temporal variations in runoff and erosion processes. The spatial distribution of the amount and kind of vegetation is an important factor controlling infiltration and erosion rates on rangelands. Improvements in model parameter estimation techniques and in our understanding of vegetation and soil induced variability are needed to increase our hydrologic and erosion predictive capabilities for rangelands. The role vegetation performs in controlling the spatial and temporal variability of surface soil properties that influence infiltration and erosion on semiarid rangelands was investigated using data representing a northwest sagebrush plant community and a southern great plains bunchgrass/sodgrass plant community. Vegetation was found to be the primary factor influencing the spatial and temporal variability of surface soil processes controlling infiltration and interrill erosion rates on semiarid rangeland. On sagebrush dominated landscapes, vegetation growth form (e.g., bunchgrass, sodgrass, shrub) is the primary factor influencing surface soil factors that control infiltration and erosion rates. On grass dominated landscapes the temporal response of surface soil factors induced by normal variations in climate, plant cover and biomass is greater than the spatial variability induced by grass growth form. To improve the utility of models for use on rangeland we must fully recognize that the rangeland system is spatially and temporally influenced by the amount and growth form of native vegetation.
LOOKING FOR “NEW” EARTHQUAKE DATA IN THE 17th-18th CENTURY EUROPEAN “NEWSSELLERS” NETWORK

This study was started in the frame of an assessment of the completeness of parametric earthquake catalogues. Its primary aim was to check whether early journalistic sources can yield “new” earthquake data, i.e. data on previously unknown damaging earthquakes and previously unknown data on such already known events. Another aim was to assess the quality of the resulting information, an important matter given the widespread opinion that early journalistic sources are highly unreliable. A large sample of monographical (pamphlets) and serial (gazettes) early journalistic sources was systematically searched for “new” earthquake data. The results show them to have a high informative content, while being no more unreliable than most historical sources. It is safe to assume that a large-scale combined effort to put this informative potential within general reach would give a great impetus towards increasing the completeness of the parametric earthquake catalogues of most European (and also non-European) countries.
1‐D Forward Modeling of the CSAMT Signal Incorporation IP Effect

The response of geoelectric objects to frequency domain electromagnetic wave excitation source is the comprehensive response to both electromagnetic induction and induced polarization.Traditionally,the resistivity is considered as a real number parameter unrelated to the frequency when we do the data inversion of CSAMT signal.In fact,the resistivity of polarized layer is a plural number related to the frequency because of the IP effect.In order to promote the research on this comprehensive response,we add the complex-resistivity-models into the CSAMT signal,which will expand the application range of IP method;meanwhile,will improve the accuracy of CSAMT exploration also.Base on Dias-model,this paper studies the forward modeling of IP response with CSAMT 1D layered model of the earth,to provide the theoretical basis for extracting the IP information from CSAMT signal.The study results show that:the amplitude of apparent resistivity and phase curve show obvious anomalies after IP parameters is considered, this can be observed in far field, near field and transient field; meanwhile,there is a clear relationship between the peak value of the amplitude anomaly ratio and phase anomaly difference before and after IP parameters is considered for the corresponding frequencies,as well as between the peak values and the resistivity,depth,and thickness of the layer which have IP response also;therefore,the IP information extracted from frequency domain electromagnetic sounding:has a good outlook.
Numerical Simulations of Pressurized Elbow under Reversed In-Plane Bending

The paper compares numerical simulation with experimental results of pressurized elbow piping subjected to reversed in-plane bending in elastoplastic domain. The modified AbdelKarim-Ohno model is implemented into finite element program ANSYS by writing own user subroutine in FORTRAN language. The modified AbdelKarim-Ohno model may improve the prediction accuracy of ratcheting behavior of pressurized elbow under cyclic loading.
Impact of Cutting Speed, Blade Type, and Blade Angle on Miscanthus Harvesting Energy Requirement

Previous studies have shown that cutting speed and blade configurations play a critical role in crop harvesting. Laboratory cutting studies showed that optimization of cutting speed and blade oblique angle resulted in considerable savings in cutting energy. This study investigated the effect of cutting speed, blade oblique angle, and blade fixture in a field setting. To investigate their effect on miscanthus harvesting power consumption a single disk cutter head platform was developed. It has the provisions to adjust cutting parameters and was instrumented to measure force on push bar, torque, cutting speed, and GPS data. The cutting energy was determined at three cutting speeds (31.5 m s-1, 47.3 m s-1, 63.0 m s-1), three oblique angles (0°, 30°, 40°), and two blade fixtures (fixed, flexible). The differences between the blade fixtures were found to be negligible. A 40° oblique angle operating at 31.5 m s-1 had the lowest energy consumption, averaging 9.1 MJ ha-1. Similarly, a 30° oblique angle consumed 16.9 MJ ha-1 and a straight blade (0°) consumed 23.1 MJ ha-1. The results indicate that the cutting speed and blade oblique angle are directly related to the power requirements and efficiency of miscanthus harvesting machinery. It is expected that the results of this study would help in modifying existing miscanthus harvesters.
TO STUDY PREVALENCE OF EXTENDED SPECTRUM BETA LACTAMASE PRODUCTION IN ISOLATES OF E.COLI IN URINARY TRACT INFECTION.

AIM To study prevalance of ESBL production in isolates of E. coli in urinary tract infection. MATERIAL AND METHODS : This prospective study was carried out between January 2016 and September 2017. Follow-ups varied in patients according to their disease presentation and clinical outcomes. All strains from urine were cultured and identified by the Laboratory . In vitro presence of ESBL was confirmed by double disc method. RESULTS: . The most common isolated organism is E.coli. 55 patients were studied out of which 26% are ESBL producer 76% are non ESBL.ESBLconfer multidrug resistance making UTI difficult to treat. CONCLUSION ESBL prevalence is steadily increasing &confer multidrug resistant strains difficult to treat.
New phasing scheme of N-multiple carriers for reducing peak-to-average power ratio

The authors propose a new phasing scheme to reduce the peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) for N-multiple carriers. Numerical results indicate that the proposed scheme yields a PAPR within 3.01 dB for up to 300 carriers and that the PAPR approaches 2.65 dB as the carrier number increases. Experiments using CW and DSB-AM signals confirm the validity of the proposed scheme.
Measuring organisational learning through project reviews

Purpose – Some of the vital lessons that could have been learned from project reviews are lost by contractors because of lack of a structured framework for undertaking them. Even though the construction business environment has moved toward modernising some of its business processes, unnecessary loss of lessons still characterise the industry. This paper aims to report a study that explores the development of a structured tool for measuring the constructs of the project review process in order to ensure organisational learning.Design/methodology/approach – To ascertain the significance of the project review process, a study was undertaken in Malawi. A questionnaire survey was employed to elicit data on the constructs of the project review process that was distributed to Malawian registered construction contractors. Of the 84 sampled construction contractors, 60 completed questionnaires were received.Findings – The results suggest that size and experience play a significant role in the way that constructio.
Occurrence and Removal of PPCPs and EDCs in the Detroit River Watershed

The occurrence of 51 pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) and endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) in the Detroit River Watershed (DRW) was investigated. Also, the efficiency of local water treatment plants (WTPs) in removing these pollutants was evaluated. Samples were collected from various locations in the DRW, including the discharge of a sewage treatment plant (STP), downstream of the STP on the Detroit River, the intakes of the WTPs, and treated drinking water. Of the 51 target substances analyzed, 12 were not detected in any of the samples, while 14 were detected consistently in all samples from the STP effluent. The concentration of target chemicals was two to four orders of magnitude higher in the STP effluents than at the intakes of the WTPs. In total, 10 substances were detected in at least 10% of the drinking water samples. Two compounds, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctyl solfonate (PFOS), were found in 90+% of the drinking water samples.
Thermal warpage analysis of PBGA mounted on PCB during reflow process by FEM and experimental measurement

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study the thermal warpage of a plastic ball grid array (PBGA) mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) during the reflow process. Design/methodology/approach – A thermal-mechanical coupling method that used finite-element method software (ANSYS 13.1) was performed. Meanwhile, a shadow moire apparatus (TherMoire PS200) combined with a heating platform was used for the experimental measurement of the warpage of PBGA according to the JEDEC Standard. Findings – The authors found that the temperature profiles taken from the simulated results and experimental measurement are consistent with each other, only with a little and acceptable difference in the maximum temperatures. Furthermore, the maximum warpage measurements during the reflow process are 0.157 mm and 0.149 mm for simulation and experimental measurements, respectively, with a small 5.37 per cent difference. The experimental measurement and simulated results are well correlated. Based on the validated finite element model, two factors, namely, the thickness and dimension of PCB, are explored about their effect on the thermal warpage of PBGA mounted on PCB during the reflow process. Practical implications – The paper provides a thorough parametrical study of the thermal warpage of PBGA mounted on PCB during the reflow process. Originality/value – The findings in this paper illustrate methods of warpage study by combination of thermal-mechanical finite element simulation and experimental measurement, which can provide good guidelines of the PCB design in the perspective of thermal warpage during the reflow process.
Modeling probability distribution of delay at signalized intersections

Accurate estimation of vehicle delay is difficult because of the randomness of traffic flow and large number of factors affecting intersection capacity. Existing delay models simplify the real traffic conditions and provide only approximate point estimates of average delay, whereas its variability should also be of interest. A stochastic model was used to study the changing probability distribution delay. The model is based on sequential calculation of queue length probabilities with any type of arrival process. Delay probability distribution was investigated for different degrees of saturation, arrival types and control conditions. The variance of delay increases rapidly with degree of saturation and is inversely proportional to the approach capacity. Other parameters such as cycle time and saturation flow do not have a significant effect on delay distribution. Both the mean and variance of delay are sensitive to arrival process characteristics and increase with the variance of arrivals.
Feature Presence/Absence Modifies the Event Rate Effect and Cerebral Hemovelocity in Vigilance Performance

Observers monitored displays of five circles for the presence or absence of a line in one of the circles during a 40-min vigil. Displays were updated 6, 12, or 24 times/min (event rate). Signal detections varied inversely with event rate when observers monitored for the absence of the distinguishing feature but not when monitoring for the presence of that feature and judged the workload of their assignment to be greater when monitoring for feature absence than presence. In addition, the availability of information processing resources, as indexed by transcranial Doppler sonography measurements of cerebral blood flow, was exhausted more rapidly when observers monitored for feature absence than for feature presence. This effect was limited to the right hemisphere. The results are consistent with the view that detecting feature absence is more capacity demanding than detecting feature presence and with previous brain imaging findings indicating right hemispheric control of vigilance.
Persistent sodium currents in SCN1A developmental and degenerative epileptic dyskinetic encephalopathy

Abstract Pathogenic variants in the voltage-gated sodium channel gene (SCN1A) are amongst the most common genetic causes of childhood epilepsies. There is considerable heterogeneity in both the types of causative variants and associated phenotypes; a recent expansion of the phenotypic spectrum of SCN1A associated epilepsies now includes an early onset severe developmental and epileptic encephalopathy with regression and a hyperkinetic movement disorder. Herein, we report a female with a developmental and degenerative epileptic-dyskinetic encephalopathy, distinct and more severe than classic Dravet syndrome. Clinical diagnostics indicated a paternally inherited c.5053G>T; p. A1685S variant of uncertain significance in SCN1A. Whole-exome sequencing detected a second de novo mosaic (18%) c.2345G>A; p. T782I likely pathogenic variant in SCN1A (maternal allele). Biophysical characterization of both mutant channels in a heterologous expression system identified gain-of-function effects in both, with a milder shift in fast inactivation of the p. A1685S channels; and a more severe persistent sodium current in the p. T782I. Using computational models, we show that large persistent sodium currents induce hyper-excitability in individual cortical neurons, thus relating the severe phenotype to the empirically quantified sodium channel dysfunction. These findings further broaden the phenotypic spectrum of SCN1A associated epilepsies and highlight the importance of testing for mosaicism in epileptic encephalopathies. Detailed biophysical evaluation and computational modelling further highlight the role of gain-of-function variants in the pathophysiology of the most severe phenotypes associated with SCN1A.
Mixed Finite-Element Analysis of Thick Doubly Curved Laminated Shells

A mixed finite-element scheme based on a discrete layer, high-order deformation theory is proposed, in this paper, for the analysis of thick, doubly curved laminated shells. The three-dimensional (3D) elasticity solutions of cross-ply cylindrical/spherical shells with shear diaphragm supports, subjected to a sinusoidally distributed normal load, are used for assessing the present finite-element scheme. Both the results obtained by full or reduced integration techniques and the convergence of the element are presented. The bending analyses of a variety of thick shells are discussed in the numerical examples. The finite-element solutions are compared with 3D elasticity solutions, and to other finite-element solutions related to global higher-order shell theories. The results indicate a close agreement with 3D elasticity solutions.
DEVELOPING FREEWAY LANE-CHANGING SUPPORT SYSTEMS USING ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORKS

Lane-changing involves many concerns about safety and efficiency which makes it one of the most difficult tasks of driving. It is indeed quite personal since drivers operate vehicles according to their integrated perception of comprehensive circumstances rather than individual rules. A lane-changing decision support model is developed in this study using artificial neural networks (ANN). The advantages of the ANN approach lie in the learning capability. Due to its nature, an ANN model can consolidate various kinds of information surrounding the vehicle for the drivers and generate reliable results to help control vehicles. It then becomes a useful mechanism to assist drivers in judging current situations and making the right decisions. Several preliminary validations and comparisons are conducted with the field survey data. It is confirmed that the ANN model mimics traffic characteristics more accurately than conventional methods. This product would expedite the implementation of relevant applications in the intelligent transportation systems context. In particular, the ANN model can be adapted to individual driver characteristics. This reveals practical feasibility and significant market potential for customized in-vehicle equipment.
Analysis of the Working Process and Mechanical Losses in a Stirling Engine for a Solar Power Unit

In this paper a second level mathematical model for the computational simulation of the working process of a 1-kW Stirling engine has been used and the results obtained are presented. The internal circuit of the engine in the calculation scheme was divided into five chambers, namely, the expansion space, heater, regenerator, cooler and the compression space, and the governing system of ordinary differential equations for the energy and mass conservation were solved in each chamber by Euler`s method. In addition, mechanical losses in the construction of the engine have been determined and the computational results show that the mechanical losses for this particular design of the Stirling engine may be up to 50% of the indicated power of the engine.
Nonlinear Roll Damping of Ship Motions in Waves

Nonlinear roll damping has a profound influence on ship motions and stability in ocean waves. In this study, an experimental investigation is conducted on the nonlinear roll damping of a ship in regular and irregular waves. The random decrement method, previously used in linear roll damping prediction, is Extended to nonlinear roll damping estimation in the data process. The accuracy of the nonlinear roll damping obtained by using the random decrement method is found to be dependent on the values of the threshold and segment number.
Film-Cooling Effectiveness From Shaped Film Cooling Holes for a Gas Turbine Blade

The effect of film cooling holes placed along the span of a fully-cooled high pressure turbine blade in a stationary, linear cascade on film cooling effectiveness is studied using the Pressure Sensitive Paint (PSP) technique. Six rows of compound angled shaped film cooling holes are provided on the pressure side while four such rows are provided on the suction side of the blade. The holes have a laidback and fan-shaped diffusing cross-section. Another three rows of holes are drilled on the leading edge to capture the effect of showerhead film coolant injection. The film cooling hole arrangement simulates a typical film cooled blade design used in stage 1 rotor blades for gas turbines used for power generation. A minimum blowing ratio is defined for each film hole row and tests are performed for 1.0x, 1.33x, 1.67x, 2.0x and 2.67x of this minimum value. Tests are performed for an inlet Mach number of 0.36 with a corresponding exit Mach number of 0.51. The flow remains subsonic in the throat region. The corresponding free stream Reynolds number, based on the axial chord length and the exit velocity, is 1.3 million. Turbulence intensity level at the cascade inlet is 5% with an integral length scale of around 5cm. Results show that varying blowing ratios can have a significant impact on film-cooling effectiveness distribution. Large spanwise variations in effectiveness distributions are also observed. Results also show that the effectiveness magnitudes from superposition of effectiveness data from individual rows are comparable with that from full coverage film cooling.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Plant friendly input design for system identification in closed loop

Abstract Optimal experiment or input design is the scientific exercise of designing informative excitation signals for the identification of a real-life dynamic system. In the least costly input design framework, the input is designed such that the identification cost is minimized while meeting desired specifications on the quality of the identified model. Identification of real-life processes require that the identification be “plant-friendly”. These are typically imposed as constraints on experiment time, input and output amplitudes or input move sizes. This work focusses on an LMI based plant friendly input design in the least costly framework.
Effect of Mineral Fillers on Fatigue Resistance and Fundamental Material Characteristics: Mechanistic Evaluation

Complex characteristics of fatigue behavior were evaluated on the basis of test results and their mechanical analyses. The dynamic shear rheometer was used to characterize fundamental linear viscoelastic properties of asphalt binders and mastics. Various dynamic mechanical tests using cylindrical sand–asphalt samples mixed with pure binders, mastics, or both were also performed to estimate viscoelastic characteristics and fatigue behavior. To assess the filler effect, two distinctly compositionally different asphalt binders, AAD-1 and AAM-1, and two fillers, limestone and hydrated lime, were selected. Test results were analyzed using viscoelastic theory, a fatigue prediction model based on continuum damage mechanics, and a rheological composite model. The role of fillers in fatigue resistance was quantified, and induced mechanisms due to filler addition were investigated. The effect of hydrated lime, which is highly binder specific, as a filler was further discussed by comparing test results from hydrated lime filler and test results from limestone filler.
Laboratory characterisation of optimised geocomposites for asphalt pavement reinforcement

ABSTRACT: In order to improve road pavement performance, reinforcement systems can be employed in asphalt layers. In this regard, composite materials obtained by combining bituminous membranes with fibreglass grids represent a promising option because they are able to allow both waterproofing and improved mechanical properties of asphalt pavements. At the same time, the presence of reinforcement at the interface inevitably causes a reduction of interlayer bonding that may negatively influence overall pavement strength. The present research had the twofold objective of evaluating the effectiveness of pavement rehabilitation by using geocomposites and identifying an optimised product. Particularly, the present experimental study intended to characterise three reinforcing materials produced by combining an elastomeric membrane with different reinforcement types and positions. Moreover, the prospective use of a tack coat at the interface was also evaluated. To achieve these aims, interface shear tests and bot.