Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Physical properties and brittle strength of thermally cracked granite under confinement

Effects of thermal crack damage on the rupture processes of a fine‐grained granite were investigated under triaxial stress, under water (wet) and argon gas (dry) saturated conditions, and at room temperature. Thermal cracking was introduced by slowly heating and cooling two samples of La Peyratte granite up to 700°C, which were compared to two intact specimens. For each rock sample, a hydrostatic test was first carried up to 90 MPa effective pressure (5 MPa constant pore pressure). The samples were then deformed to failure at a constant strain rate of 2.10−6s−1, at 30 MPa effective pressure. Our results show that (1) permeability of heat‐treated specimens was 4–5 orders of magnitude larger than that of intact specimens at low effective mean pressure; (2) nevertheless, at our experimental conditions (2.10−6 s−1), thermal cracking had no significant influence on the brittle strength; (3) similarly, no obvious water weakening effect was observed; (4) however, with increasing stress, elastic anisotropy appeared at lower differential stress in heat‐treated specimens than in intact ones, but close to failure, the magnitude of P wave anisotropy was approximately the same for both types of specimens; (5) acoustic emission hypocenter locations and P wave velocity anisotropy in the basal plane demonstrate that strain localization started right at the onset of dilatancy for heat‐treated specimens, later in the intact specimens; and (6) inverting wave velocities for crack density, we show that failure was reached for vertical crack densities of 0.35 for dry specimens and possibly 0.5 for water‐saturated specimens.
Morphometric analyses of Mithraculus forceps (Brachyura: Mithracidae): linear and geometric approaches in a no-take marine reserve population

ABSTRACT Mithraculus forceps is a common species on islands in Brazil, and investigations of their sexual and population structures provide insights into their life cycle. Our aim was to analyze relative growth, estimate morphological sexual maturity, and investigate sexual dimorphism in a population inhabiting the Alcatrazes Archipelago. Sampling was conducted using artificial refuge and active capture methods. Five body structures were analyzed for relative growth and morphological sexual maturity estimation: carapace and abdomen width, propodus length and height, and gonopod length in males. Sexual dimorphism was observed in carapace and propodus shape. Morphological sexual maturity was estimated at 10.12 mm carapace width for males and 10.66 mm carapace width for females. Some variations in morphometric aspects were observed in the analyzed population when compared to other populations of M. forceps inhabiting unprotected areas. Crabs from Alcatrazes may reach larger sizes due to their protected habitat. This underscores the crucial role of a marine conservation unit in preserving significant ecological processes and highlights the importance of management plans for other locations and environments facing anthropogenic pressures.
Laboratory chemical remanent magnetization in a natural claystone: a record of two magnetic polarities

SUMMARY A record of two magnetic polarities during the acquisition by heating of a laboratory chemical remanent magnetization (CRM) in a natural pyrite-rich claystone was investigated. The samples were heated for 22 hr at 250 ◦ Ci na controlled magnetic field (1.0 mT) under an argon atmosphere. We interpret the origin of CRM as the surface oxidation of pyrite to magnetite, which in turn is progressively oxidized into haematite. We carried out experiments under a constant-polarity magnetic field and under two opposite polarities. The resulting CRM was measured after cooling in zero field: it is parallel to the applied field and has the direction of the last polarity. Thermal demagnetization under an argon atmosphere isolates an unexpected lowunblocking-temperature component (T UB < 220 ◦ C). This component probably results from thermal alteration of magnetic carriers during subsequent thermal demagnetization. In the onepolarity experiments, thermal demagnetization of CRM above 220 ◦ C isolates a well-defined component parallel to the imparted field direction. In the experiments with two magnetic polarities thermal demagnetization of CRM reveals two components of opposite polarity. The component which is parallel to the direction of the last applied field is well defined, while the other component, which has the polarity of the first applied field, is ill defined. Oppositely directed components are also detected by using alternating field demagnetization.
Expertise and the fractal model : communication and collaboration between climate-change scientists

This thesis examines how scientific communities which are heterogeneous among themselves communicate and collaborate to produce knowledge on climate change. Climate-change science is a relatively new field of investigation and it includes experts from virtually all areas of scientific enquiry. This field is not, however, a homogeneous transdisciplinary area of research so that the different scientific communities that compose it have to bridge the gaps among themselves to be able effectively to communicate and collaborate. I use Collins and Evans’ (2007) realist theory of expertise combined with other relevant Science and Technology Studies concepts, particularly the notions of trading zones (Galison 1997; Collins et al. 2007) and trust (Giddens 1990, Shackley and Wynne 1995b; Reyes-Galindo 2011) to explain how different groups of experts build bridges between their heterogeneous forms of life. As climate-change science is too broad to be covered in one PhD project, I focus on paleoceanography, a subfield of geology that reconstructs past oceans and their interactions with the climate system. I use the fractal model (Collins 2011) to move through different levels of analysis and examine the different bridge-building mechanisms between expert communities at work at each of them. The main contribution of the present work is to identify and explain how the various mechanisms that mediate communication between expert communities come into play at different levels of analysis.
Ethnic Politics in Europe: The Power of Norms and Incentives

List of Figures and Tables ix Preface xi CHAPTER 1 Introduction 1 Part I. Theory and Data CHAPTER 2 Theoretical Framework 31 CHAPTER 3 Quantifying and Exploring the Data 54 Part II.Case Studies CHAPTER 4 Latvia: Overcoming Opposition 73 CHAPTER 5 Estonia: Reluctant Cooperation 94 CHAPTER 6 Slovakia: The Meciar Hurdle and Beyond 116 CHAPTER 7 Romania: The Long Road 140 Part III. Evaluation CHAPTER 8 Alternative Explanations: Russia, Hungary, and Democratic Development 163 CHAPTER 9 Conclusion 174 APPENDIX I Methods 197 APPENDIX II Outcome Classification Scheme 198 APPENDIX III Predicated Probabilities 199 APPENDIX IV Interviews 200 Notes 203 References 243 Index 259
Technical and tactical evolution of the offensive team sequences in LaLiga between 2008 and 2021. Is Spanish football now a more associative game?

The aim of this investigation was to study the technical and tactical evolution of the offensive team sequences in the Spanish football teams from 2008/09 to 2020/21. A comparative analysis including twelve variables related to the development of offensive sequences in 4940 matches was performed from 2008/09 to 2020/21 seasons of the Spanish professional football league (LaLiga). All match observations were recorded using a validated video tracking system. Multilevel linear mixed models were used to examine the differences across seasons, considering the effects of contextual variables. The number of passes per sequence (2.4 [CI: 2.2–2.5] vs 3.2 [CI: 3.0–3.4]; +33.3%), the passing accuracy (72.1 [CI: 70.6–73.5] vs 76.9 [CI: 75.4–78.3]%; +6.8%) and the average duration of the team sequences (6.4 [CI: 5.9–6.8] vs 8.3 [CI: 7.8–8.7] seconds; +25.76%) showed a small increasing trend over the seasons (P < 0.05). In contrast, variables such as the direct speed of progression (2.2 [CI: 2.1–2.3] vs 1.6 [CI: 1.5–1.7] metres/second; -24.5%), key passes (8.1 [CI: 7.6–8.5] vs 6.8 [CI: 6.3–7.2]; -15.8%), and the sequences that ended in the attacking third (64.8 [CI: 62,7–66.8] vs 57.1 [CI: 55.1–59.2]; -11.7%) or in a shot (13.0 [CI: 12.4–13.6] vs 10.2 [CI: 9.6–10.8]; -21.6%) showed a small decreasing trend from 2008/09 to 2020/21 (P < 0.05). Spanish professional football teams slightly evolved technically and tactically towards a more associative style of play that includes longer passing sequences. This evolution also involved a decreasing speed of progression and fewer technical actions such as through balls, key passes and shots.
The Composite Improved Generalized Steinmetz Equation (ciGSE): An Accurate Model Combining the Composite Waveform Hypothesis With Classical Approaches

Predicting core losses is a difficult task for designing magnetic components. Under triangular current waveforms the classical approaches work with duty cycles close to 0.5 but are inaccurate for high and low duty cycles. In this work, the composite waveform hypothesis is tested, using data from the MagNet database for N87 material at 25 °C (3312 data points). Limitations of the composite waveform hypothesis are discussed and a technique to expand the loss space is presented. The new approach based in an extended loss space is validated against the classical improved Generalized Steinmetz Equation, reducing the root mean square and 95 percentile errors by 5.85 and 6.96 times, allowing to predict core losses accurately even at high and low duty cycles. A direct correlation between the expanded loss space and the Steinmetz parameters from the improved Generalized Steinmetz Equation is proven, allowing to represent the core losses as functions of these parameters and generating the composite improved Generalized Steinmetz Equation. The proposed methodology for core loss prediction is validated making use of all data available from the MagNet database (10 materials, 4 temperatures, 59 423 data points), achieving better results than the commonly used improved Generalized Steinmetz Equation.
A Preliminary Study on Dragon Fruit Foliage as Natural Coagulant for Water Treatment

In this study, the performance of using dragon fruit foliage as coagulant was investigated. Parameters affecting the coagulant performance such as drying temperature, pH, dosage, initial turbidity, and sedimentation time were studied using standard jar test method. From the study, the optimum drying temperature found for dragon fruit foliage was 50 ̊C, the optimum pH was 7 and the final pH was relatively unaffected by the coagulant added. The optimum dosage for 100 NTU, 200 NTU and 400 NTU found were 5 mg/L, 10 mg/L and 20 mg/L respectively. The sedimentation time found was very fast where 10 min was considered to be enough. The performance of dragon fruit foliage in turbidity removal was comparable to commercial alum and the optimum dosage for dragon fruit foliage was 1.5 times lower than alum. Combining dragon fruit foliage and alum showed better performance in turbidity removal. Hence, it can be concluded that dragon fruit foliage has a high potential as a natural coagulant for application in water treatment.
Movement and diving behavior of male California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) during anomalous oceanographic conditions of 2005 compared to those of 2004

During the highly anomalous conditions in early 2005, characterized by increased water temperatures and decreased productivity, male California sea lions adopted previously undocumented foraging behaviors. We investigated the movement and spatially explicit foraging behavior of males using satellite‐linked data loggers and compared foraging behavior and effort between 2003–2004 and 2004–2005. Males foraged almost exclusively over the continental shelf during short trips in 2003–2004, while during anomalous conditions in 2004–2005 they altered their foraging effort by spending more time at sea and venturing up to 450 km offshore. Foraging trips in 2004–2005 were more than twice the distance and three times the duration of trips during 2003–2004. Our data indicated that the effects of climatic shifts during 2005 extended beyond the physical oceanography and lower trophic levels, to an apex predator; providing insight into the plasticity of foraging behavior and movement patterns of sea lions as they respond to environmental perturbations.
KNOWLEDGE LEVELS OF ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF PESTICIDES USAGE AMONG SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN ETSAKO WEST LG.A, EDO STATE, NIGERIA

The study evaluated the level of awareness of the risk of pesticide use on the environment in Edo North. The study was conducted among 400 farmers from twenty (20) villages in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Most frequently used pesticides were within the WHO class II pesticides (moderately toxic), which are considered as moderately hazardous. A few cases of highly toxic (DDVP 1000G/L EC) were reported. There was no report of DDT and Endosulfan which have been banned globally or have restricted use under the Stockholm Convention. Major drivers of pesticides purchase was affordability (50.8%). Irrespective of age, majority of the sampled farmers do not read pesticides labels before use, while farmers with no formal education (67.1%), reported they don’t read pesticides labels. More, so farmers with less than 5years farming experience (76.3%) also do not read labels before use. Reliance on the success stories of co-farmers and lack of clarity of information on pesticides labels were major reasons for not reading pesticides labels. Generally, farmers’ level of awareness of environmental effects of pesticides uses does not significantly depend on the age, educational background and years of farming experience at ρ > 0.05, d = 0.24), (ρ > 0.05, d = 0.29) (ρ > 0.05, d = 0.28) respectively, an indication that farmers don’t just like to read labels as long as the pesticides is effective. Detailed information on the knowledge and awareness of environmental risks associated with pesticide use among farmers is essential towards policy making for reducing the risk to the environment.
Intravenous human dental pulp-derived mesenchymal stem cell therapy for ischemic stroke in rats: an analysis of functional and ischemic brain areas outcomes

Cellular therapies have been implicated in treating and rehabilitating ischemic stroke (IS), involving the basic experimental and preclinical areas. Using mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) derived from human dental pulp has shown promising results in animal models, but still with mechanisms and consequences that are not entirely clear. The study aims to evaluate the effects of intravenous MSC on rats with IS regarding neurological function and histological areas of ischemia. Thirty-two male Wistar rats underwent temporary occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (TOMCA) for 60 minutes and were divided into two groups of 16 animals each. One group received dental pulp MSC intravenously, and another received saline 2 hours after TOMCA. The animals were then evaluated using the neurological functionality scales for 15 days, and at the end of the experiment period, the histological areas of cerebral ischemia were analysed. All animals presented ischemic areas and neurological deficits compatible with IS. There was partial recovery of the functionality scores over the evaluation period, and all animals presented focal cerebral ischemia measured by histological analysis; however, there was no statistical difference between the groups. The TOMCA model was effective in reproducing IS. Although we found no difference between treatment groups, our results were useful in showing the pattern of neurological recovery presented by animals treated with dental pulp MSC and the need to extend the evaluation time for a longer period and use more sensitive functional tests. The results add valuable data for improving research with dental pulp MSC in the murine model of IS.
Projected Increases in North Atlantic Tropical Cyclone Intensity from CMIP5 Models

AbstractTropical cyclones—particularly intense ones—are a hazard to life and property, so an assessment of the changes in North Atlantic tropical cyclone intensity has important socioeconomic implications. In this study, the authors focus on the seasonally integrated power dissipation index (PDI) as a metric to project changes in tropical cyclone intensity. Based on a recently developed statistical model, this study examines projections in North Atlantic PDI using output from 17 state-of-the-art global climate models and three radiative forcing scenarios. Overall, the authors find that North Atlantic PDI is projected to increase with respect to the 1986–2005 period across all scenarios. The difference between the PDI projections and those of the number of North Atlantic tropical cyclones, which are not projected to increase significantly, indicates an intensification of North Atlantic tropical cyclones in response to both greenhouse gas (GHG) increases and aerosol changes over the current century. At the .
Dynamical seasonal predictability of the Arctic Oscillation using a CGCM

The potential dynamical predictability of the winter Arctic Oscillation (AO) is investigated using the ensemble hindcast from the Pusan National University coupled general circulation model (PNU‐CGCM) over the 30‐year period of 1981–2010. The analysis indicates that PNU‐CGCM can not only reproduce the spatial distribution of the AO but also significantly simulate the AO's temporal variability. In addition, the coupled model performs well in terms of predicting the AO's impact on the Northern Hemisphere winter climate. These results reveal the coupled model's potential for dynamical forecasting of the climate over the mid‐latitude to high latitude.
Improved first-order second moment method for uncertainty estimation in flood forecasting

Abstract The first-order second moment (FOSM) method is widely used in uncertainty analysis. This method uses a linearization of the function that relates the input variables and parameters to the output variables. This simplification occasionally leads to problems when the mean value of the input variable is close to a local or global maximum or minimum value of the function. In this case, the FOSM computes artificially a zero uncertainty because the first derivative of the function is equal to zero. An improvement to the FOSM is proposed, whereby a parabolic reconstruction is used instead of a linear one. The improved FOSM method is applied to a flood forecasting model on the Loire River (France). Verification of the method using the Monte Carlo technique shows that the improved FOSM allows the accuracy of the uncertainty assessment to be increased substantially, without adding a significant burden in computation. The sensitivity of the results to the size of the perturbation is also analysed.
Knowledge-Oriented Leadership in Powering Team Performance and Sustainable Competitive Advantages through Innovation: Evidence from Higher Education Institutions

The literature on sustainable competitive advantages and performance has grown extensively in organizations over the last three decades. However, sustainable competitive advantages have received limited attention from scholars in academic institutions. To contribute to the literature, this research examines how knowledge-oriented leadership stimulates team performance through innovation, eventually directing towards a sustainable competitive advantage in higher education institutions (HEIs). The data was gathered from 64 team leaders and 303 team members from Pakistan’s HEIs to assess the model. The results indicate that knowledge-oriented leadership significantly enhances team performance, with this association partially mediated by the speed of innovation. At the same time, no mediating role is observed for the quality of innovation. In addition, team performance and its relationship with a sustainable competitive advantage originated positively. As a result, HEIS should promote knowledge-oriented leadership as a crucial strategy for managing the complex dynamics of innovation, team performance, and sustainable competitive advantages. These institutions should prioritize appointing knowledge-oriented leaders to enhance innovation, team performance, and sustainable competitive advantages. Further implications are conferred.
HIV test-and-treat policy improves clinical outcomes in Zambian adults from Southern Province: a multicenter retrospective cohort study

Background Globally, most countries have implemented a test-and-treat policy to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with HIV infection. However, the impact of this strategy has not been critically appraised in many settings, including Zambia. We evaluated the retention and clinical outcomes of adults enrolled in antiretroviral therapy (ART) and assessed the impact of the test-and-treat policy. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study among 6,640 individuals who initiated ART between January 1, 2014 and July 31, 2016 [before test-and-treat cohort (BTT), n = 2,991] and between August 1, 2016 and October 1, 2020 [after test-and-treat cohort (ATT), n = 3,649] in 12 districts of the Southern province. To assess factors associated with retention, we used logistic regression (xtlogit model). Results The median age [interquartile range (IQR)] was 34.8 years (28.0, 42.1), and 60.2% (n = 3,995) were women. The overall retention was 83.4% [95% confidence interval (CI) 82.6, 84.4], and it was significantly higher among the ATT cohort, 90.6 vs. 74.8%, p < 0.001. The reasons for attrition were higher in the BTT compared to the ATT cohorts: stopped treatment (0.3 vs. 0.1%), transferred out (9.3 vs. 3.2%), lost to follow-up (13.5 vs. 5.9%), and death (1.4 vs. 0.2%). Retention in care was significantly associated with the ATT cohort, increasing age and baseline body mass index (BMI), rural residence, and WHO stage 2, while non-retention was associated with never being married, divorced, and being in WHO stage 3. Conclusion The retention rate and attrition factors improved in the ATT compared to the BTT cohorts. Drivers of retention were test-and-treat policy, older age, high BMI, rural residence, marital status, and WHO stage 1. Therefore, there is need for interventions targeting young people, urban residents, non-married people, and those in the symptomatic WHO stages and with low BMI. Our findings highlight improved ART retention after the implementation of the test-and-treat policy.