Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Design of triple‐mode bandpass filter using novel resonant structure

A novel triple‐mode hexagonal bandpass filter with capacitive loading is introduced in this article.The technique, adding an open stub with capacitive loading, is applied to enlarge the equivalent self‐capacitance of the resonator, which declines its resonant frequencies. A circular patch on the bottom layer is used to implement this technique. One‐mode resonant frequency is varied with the radius of the circular patch, whereas the other two modes are nearly not affected. This filter has a pair of transmission zeros, which are close to the passband, thus behaving a high selectivity. For method validation, a bandpass filter operating at 2.45 GHz is fabricated and measured. The experimental results are demonstrated and discussed. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52:849–852, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.25035
Efficacy of biopesticides against thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood) infesting chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)

The present investigation entitled “Efficacy of biopesticides against thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood) infesting chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)” was carried out on field during rabi season of 2018-2019 at Central Experiment Station, Wakawali. During this experiment total six biopesticides tested viz., Metarrhizium anisopliae 2×10 cfu/ml @ 2.5ml/lit, Beauveria bassiana 2×10 cfu/ml @ 5ml/lit, Lecanicillium lecanii 2×10 cfu/ml @ 4ml/lit, Nomuraea rileyi 2×10 cfu/g @ 1g/lit, Bacillus thuringiensis 3.5% ES @ 2ml/lit, Pongamia oil 2% EC @ 10ml/lit, respectively. The results regarding overall mean of three sprays against thrips revealed that the mean thrips population was reduced in the treatment Beauveria bassiana 2×10 cfu/ml @ 5ml/lit (1.87) and was significantly superior over rest of the treatments. The next effective treatment was Lecanicillium lecanii 2×10 cfu/ml @ 4ml/lit (2.14).
Safer Truck Front Design for Pedestrian Impacts*

Truck and bus frontal impacts account for a major proportion of pedestrian fatalities in many less motorized countries. To understand this phenomenon, we have collected injury data on pedestrian impacts with buses and trucks and performed computer simulations to identify critical design parameters at 15–45 km/h impact velocities for further investigation. A male dummy which was scaled to fifty percentile Indian dimensions has been used for simulations using MADYMO. Bumper height, bumper offset and grille inclination affect the pelvis and thorax forces and Head Injury Criterion values critically. Bumper width has less effect. Simulations were performed to optimize for the above–mentioned three parameters. Changes in front geometric parameters reduce injury to the upper body and head below safety limits for the existing force–displacement properties but do not affect leg injuries significantly. Hence bumpers need to be made less stiff. Injury data shows that pedestrians also sustain tibia fractures in bus/truck impacts in apparent low velocity impacts. The computer modeling does not offer adequate explanation for this phenomenon. These simulations confirm that it is theoretically possible to make truck/bus fronts safer for pedestrians in impacts up to 35 km/h.
Flow Visualisation of a Converging Slot-Hole Film-Cooling Geometry

This paper presents the first flow visualisation for the previously published novel film cooling hole, the converging slot-hole or console. Published experimental results [4,5] have demonstrated that the console improved both the heat transfer and aerodynamic performance of turbine vane and rotor blade cooling systems. Flow visualisation data for a row of consoles was compared with that of cylindrical and fan-shaped holes and a slot at the same inclination angle of 35° to the surface, on a large-scale, flat-plate model at engine representative Reynolds numbers in a low speed tunnel with ambient temperature mainstream flow. The data were collected using a fine nylon mesh covered with thermochromic liquid crystals, which allowed measurement of gas temperature in planes perpendicular to the flow. The data demonstrated that the console film was similar to a slot film, and remained thin and attached to the surface for coolant to mainstream momentum flux ratios of 1.1 to 40 and for a case with no crossflow (infinite momentum flux ratio). Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Supplementation of Postbiotic RI11 Improves Antioxidant Enzymes Activity, Upregulated Gut Barrier Genes and Reduced Cytokines, Acute Phase Proteins and HSP70 Gene Expression Levels in Heat-Stressed Broilers

Background To alleviate the adverse impacts of stressful environmental conditions on poultry and promoting the animal's health and growth performance, antibiotics have been added to poultry diets as growth promoters. Nevertheless, improper and overuse of antibiotics as feed additives have resulted the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and increased the levels of antibiotic residues in animal products, which have disastrous effects on the health of both animals and humans. Postbiotics produced from probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum have been the recent research of interest as dietary additives for livestock and potential alternatives to antibiotics. However, there is very scarce of study has considered the effect of postbiotics on broilers under heat stress. The aim of this work was to evaluate the impacts of feeding different levels of postbiotic RI11 on antioxidant enzyme activity, physiological stress indicators, cytokines and gut barrier genes expression in broilers under heat stress. Materials and Methods A total of 252 male Cobb 500 were fed with 1 of 7 diets: NC (negative control, 0.0% RI11) basal diet; OTC (positive control) NC + 0.02% (w/w) oxytetracycline; AA (antioxidant control) NC + 0.02% (w/w) ascorbic acid. Four further groups were NC + 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8% postbiotic RI11 (v/w) of the respective levels. Results Supplementation of different levels of postbiotic RI11 increased plasma glutathione peroxidase, catalase and glutathione enzymes activity. Postbiotic RI11 groups upregulated the mRNA expression of interleukin 10 and downregulated of interleukin 8, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, heat shock protein 70 and alpha 1- acid glycoprotein levels compared to the NC and OTC groups. Feeding various doges of postbiotic RI11 improved the integrity of the intestinal barrier by the upregulation of zonula occludens-1 and mucin2 mRNA expressions. However, no difference was observed in claudin1, ceruloplasmin, interleukin 6, interleukin 2 and interferon expression, but downregulation for occludin expression as compared with the NC group. Supplementation of postbiotic RI11 in different levels quadratically increased the plasma glutathione peroxidase, catalase and glutathione, interleukin 10, mucin2 and zonula occludens-1 mRNA expression, and reduced plasma interleukin 8, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, alpha 1- acid glycoprotein and heat shock protein 70 mRNA expression. Supplementation of postbiotic RI11 at level 0.6% was sufficient to achieve the improvement in health of broiler chickens under heat stress as compared to other levels. Conclusions The results suggested that postbiotic produced from L. plantarum RI11 particularly at level 0.6% (v/w) could be used as an alternative to antibiotics and natural sources of antioxidants in the poultry industry.
Application of Neural Networks To Scour Depth Prediction at The Bridge Abutments

Abstract An estimation of scour depth is a prerequisite for the efficient foundation design of the abutment of a bridge. Many equations and models are available in literature for predicting abutment scour depth based on experimental and theoretical approaches. It is still difficult to obtain a general model to provide accurate estimation of scour depth due to the presence of complex flow structure at the base of the abutment. The artificial neural network (ANN) is generally considered as an alternative approach to the experimental and theoretical methods. It acts as a universal function approximator and consequently it is very useful in modelling problems wherein the relationship between dependent and independent variables is poorly understood. In the present study, ANN models with commonly used algorithm of training have, therefore, been developed for the equilibrium scour depth prediction at bridge abutments using a sizable amount of laboratory data from various sources. The ANN models of various training schemes have been found to be better than the conventional regression model based on the performance parameters for both calibration as well as validation set of data. The present study also indicates that the prediction based on the raw data (dimensional) is better than those based on non-dimensional parameters.
Cost management for underground infrastructure projects: a case study on cost increase and its causes

Extensive investments in infrastructure for transportation are currently being carried out in Sweden. A substantial part consists of underground road- and railway projects. The aim of this thesis is to create a foundation upon which improvement can take place, with respect to cost management in the process for underground road- and railway projects. All projects are, to some extent, associated with uncertainties that fall into three groups: Risk, Inherent- and Inflicted uncertainties. The projects also are associated with two groups of unique features, namely geology and closed room. These features are associated with greater uncertainties, which justify that it is more difficult to estimate the cost in underground road- and railway projects than in those aboveground. The cost development has been studied for a number of Swedish road- and railway projects. All projects are associated with cost increase, and the largest occurs during planning. These results are in agreement with those from other international studies. Additional results from the Swedish projects are: (1) The unit price for tunnels and contracted prices for different tunneling works are associated with large variations; and (2) The overall process is stable, and that the outcome is predictable within wide statistically limits. These results provide a basis for improved cost estimates in the future. Currently, there is no systematic follow-up of the accuracy in early estimates, although, early cost estimates are based on cost from previous projects. Consequently, the quality and the uncertainties in the cost-estimates are unknown. A detailed case study reveals that the vast majority of cost increases occur elsewhere than within the unique feature for underground projects, namely as indirect and financial cost. The unique features have contributed to a minor, but yet substantial increase in the cost, of which the greatest increase originates from water treatment, reinforcement and tunnel safety. The mechanisms for the two former groups are evaluated, and mitigations are suggested. It is concluded that large cost increases are generated from optimistic prognoses, due to cognitive bias, and cautious choices in the mapping. The mechanisms behind water treatment cannot be investigated at this stage. Several of the causes for cost increase that have been identified in this thesis may be regarded as example of inflicted uncertainties. From the perspective of the client on road- and railway projects, activities within one project is very similar to those in others projects. Because a project organisation is temporary and unique, its abilities to improve are generally restricted to the individual project. To achieve a lasting improvement, experience from individual projects must be transferred to a more stable organisation, such as the parental organisations of the involved actors. There is also a need to improve cost management of indirect- and financial costs.
An integrated view of project and quality management for project‐based organizations

Quality management (QM) has been the purview of operations management for repetitive processes, where project management (PM) is applied to temporary endeavors to create unique products or services. Any convergence of thought between PM and QM has been focused on using PM to implement a total quality management culture or on assuring the quality of the project outcomes and deliverables. However, for project‐based organizations, where the project is the basic form of organization for its operation, PM is of itself an ongoing, repetitive operation to which at least some of the QM practices could apply. By considering both disciplines in terms of the fundamental principles of customer focus, teamwork and continuous improvement, it can be shown that by instituting a formal project management methodology and instituting basic PM techniques, project‐based organizations are fulfilling the principles of quality.
Load transfer for piles in sand and the critical depth

The authors analyzed the results from a static loading test on a 11.0-m, intrumented, precast concrete pile and presented the findings in two earlier papers. The findings are here extrapolated to verify the dependability of applying the results and analysis methods to predict the detailed behavior of a similar test pile driven 5 m away from the first pile and to a 4.0 m deeper embedment. This paper offers conclusions drawn from the analyses of both piles with regard to residual load and resistance distribution. A primary result of the analyses is the indication that the critical-depth concept is not valid. For full-length piles, the critical-depth concept originates because of neglects in analysis of test data, such as omission of the residual load and testing-sequence history. For tests on short piles and laboratory studies of model piles, a critical depth appears as a result of neglect of the influence of shallow-depth variation of the earth pressure coefficient. Key words : instrumented piles, sand, lo.
EUT directivity and other uncertainty considerations for GHz-range use of TEM waveguides

Over the past several years, there has been an increasing trend to identify and minimize measurement uncertainties in most types of EMC testing. This paper describes various uncertainty influence quantities that may affect direct voltage-based or correlated E-field radiated emissions tests in most TEM waveguides, and specifically in the GTEM cell. Most TEM-waveguide emissions testing is based on the measurement of EUT total radiated power. To clarify directivity and EUT loading influences, total radiated power and field strengths measured from canonical loop antenna and slotted and raised-lid box EUTs in GTEM cells in the 30-2000 MHz frequency range is presented. Measured results from various GTEM multi-position conversion-to-free-space or -OATS schemes are compared. The intent is to describe an analysis framework and raise awareness so that operators can begin to recognize and minimize uncertainty sources, and to contribute to better understanding of correlation effects in GTEM.
Urban water‐cycle energy use and greenhouse gas emissions

The water–energy nexus has motivated water industry professionals to maintain water performance goals with less energy input and fewer greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This article investigates protocols, methodologies, and tools for energy and GHG emissions control and tracking that are adaptable to or specifically developed for use within the urban water cycle. Although many operational energy‐minimization strategies are available, real‐time or near real‐time tools for monitoring and reporting of energy use and GHG emissions are not yet widely developed for the water sector. Additional study is warranted to obtain a better understanding of process‐specific emission factors and real‐time measurement and control of activity levels associated with emissions. It may also be beneficial for the water industry to consider a continually updated compendium of GHG emission‐estimation methodologies.
CONTAMINANT AND HEAT REMOVAL EFFECTIVENESS OF THREE VENTILATION SYSTEMS IN NURSERY ROOMS FOR PIGS

In this research, three ventilation systems (ground channel, porous ceiling, and door ventilation) were tested on their performance in supplying fresh air to the animal occupied zone (AOZ), each in a room for 70 weaned piglets. Measurements of the CO2 concentration and temperature of the inlet air, at one point in the AOZ, and in the outlet air were recorded every 36 minutes for three successive batches. Less frequent measurements were done on the CO2 concentration in two other points in the AOZ. System effectiveness was expressed as the contaminant removal effectiveness (CRE) for CO2 and the heat removal effectiveness (HRE): CRE or HRE equals 1 when the CO2 concentration or temperature in the AOZ equals that of the outlet air. Values lower than 1 reflect higher CO2 concentrations or temperatures within the AOZ; values higher than 1 the reverse. In all rooms, the value of CRE or HRE varied in time by varying the ventilation rate. CRE was highest in the room with ground channel ventilation, varying with measurement location. CRE was 1.39 on average and HRE was 1.13 on average in the middle of the pen. CRE was higher closer to the air inlet and lower further to the back of the pen, closer to the outlet, because air renewal was based on displacement of old air by fresh air. In the room with door ventilation, CRE was 1.20 and HRE was 0.95 at a point in the second half of the room in the back of a pen. Air passed over the operator walkway to the back of the room, and back over the pens, resulting in a decreased CRE in the pens closer to the door that acted as an air inlet. In the room with a porous ceiling, CRE values were lower. At one sampling point, CRE was 1.01 and HRE was 0.94. In the lying area of the animals in the back of the room, CRE values were lower than at a sampling point in the front of the room. In the lying area, the heat production of the animals resulted in an upward airflow, which lowered the CRE.
The Tip Displacement of Drilled Shafts in Sands

The design load of large diameter drilled shafts is determined so that the settlements do not exceed the values associated with the ultimate and serviceability limit states. Based on the results of deep plate loading tests, performed in a calibration chamber on two different sands, a procedure is proposed for the evaluation of the relationship between the mobilized base capacity and the corresponding settlement of the pile tip of the drilled shaft. The procedure requires the knowledge of either the static cone penetration resistance or of the seismic shear wave velocity.
Capabilities development in the public sector : the role of excellence models

The European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) excellence model is used increasingly in the public sector in the Middle East. This thesis addresses a shortage of empirical research in this field and extends the, so called, dynamic capabilities perspective by investigating how the EFQM model can contribute to developing organisational capabilities. A research model was developed based on the theory of structuration and the dynamic capabilities perspective. A multiple case study design was used in three public sector organisations in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The unit of analysis was the activity configuration involved in the deployment of the EFQM model. This research investigates how activity configurations changed over time, their effect on the organisational social structure and their outcomes in developing new capabilities. In-depth data were collected using interviews and archival sources. The thesis suggests that motives for using the EFQM model represent an important factor in defining the type of activities in its deployment and for its success. It was found that external and internal motives can both have positive impact. The findings showed that organisations experienced with the EFQM model tend to follow similar paths of deployment and achieve comparable results. An indicative model is proposed describing the three stages the organisation can go through in the deployment of the EFQM model. Firstly, the organisation develops the capability to understand the benefits of the model and to plan for its successful deployment. Secondly, the organisation focuses on developing operational capabilities, using the EFQM model. Thirdly, the organisation improves existing capabilities and develops new ones in a recurring cycle, referred to as the cycle of dynamic capabilities. This research contributes to the perspective of dynamic capabilities by investigating the sources of capabilities and how they are shaped through the deployment of the EFQM excellence model. The theoretical background and the research methodology used in this research extend the research application of the structuration theory by linking it with the dynamic capabilities perspective. Suggestions for further research include investigation of the learning cycle of dynamic capabilities through the lens of organisational learning. The research methodology can also be extended to consider strategy formation. An investigation of the EFQM model, which is the basis for assessment in the government award scheme, carries inevitable sources of limitations and bias. A significant proportion of the data collected and analysed was confidential in nature and presented challenges in relation to dissemination of the results.
Reliability Analysis of Water‐Distribution Systems

Traditional network analysis (Hardy Cross, Newton‐Raphson, or linear theory methods) presumes that the nodal demands are always satisfied in a water‐distribution system (WDS) and determines the available heads. However, when a pump fails or a pipe breaks, the WDS may be unable to supply all nodal demands at required heads. Thus, the traditional network analysis does not correctly describe the partially failed WDS. In reliability analysis of WDSs, however, the nodal flows that would be available under deficient conditions should be evaluated and used. Therefore, an approach termed node flow analysis that determines the available nodal flows under deficient conditions by considering the nodal demands and heads, simultaneously, is presented for determining WDS reliability. The reliability is based on a node‐reliability factor, volume‐reliability factor, and network‐reliability factor. Even though WDS reliability depends on several parameters, only the pipe break and pump failure conditions are considered. Ho.
Nonlocal Smeared Cracking Model for Concrete Fracture

The classical smeared cracking model widely used in finite‐element analysis of concrete and rock cannot describe the size effect experimentally observed in brittle failures and exhibits spurious mesh sensitivity with incorrect convergence to zero energy dissipation at failure. The crack band model circumvents these deficiencies but has limitations with respect to mesh refinement, shear locking on zig‐zag crack bands, and directional bias of the mesh. It is shown that all of these problems can be avoided by a nonlocal generalization, in which the damage that characterizes strain softening is considered to be a function of the spatial average of the positive part of the maximum principal strain. Two alternatives are presented: (1) Smeared cracking whose direction is fixed when cracks start to form; and (2) smeared cracking whose orientation rotates with the maximum principal strain. Furthermore, fracture tests on specimens of various sizes are analyzed by finite elements. It is shown that the model correctl.