Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In-Plane Behavior of the Dhajji-Dewari Structural System (Wooden Braced Frame with Masonry Infill)

This paper presents experimental and numerical investigations conducted on typical dhajji buildings found in the northern mountainous areas of Kashmir and surrounding regions to evaluate their in-plane lateral load response. The experimental work included an in-plane quasistatic cyclic test on three full-scale walls as well as monotonic tension and bend tests on main connections. The test results show that the dhajji-dewari system of buildings possesses tremendous resilience against lateral forces. The function of connections, especially the connections between the vertical posts and bottom plate, control the performance of the system. The test results also indicate that although masonry infill does not contribute to lateral load capacity, it significantly increases the energy dissipation capacity of system. The data accrued from the tests has been used in nonlinear static push-over analysis of the numerical models to develop simplified analytical tools for facilitating lateral load performance evaluation of dhajji structures.
Simulation of long-term spatiotemporal variations in regional-scale groundwater recharge: contributions of a water budget approach in cold and humid climates

Abstract. Groundwater recharge (GWR) is a strategic hydrologic variable, and its estimate is necessary to implement sustainable groundwater management. This is especially true in a global warming context that highly impacts key winter conditions in cold and humid climates. For this reason, long-term simulations are particularly useful for understanding past changes in GWR associated with changing climatic conditions. However, GWR simulation at the regional scale and for long-term conditions is challenging, especially due to the limited availability of spatially distributed calibration data and due to generally short observed time series. The objective of this study is to demonstrate the relevance of using a water budget model to understand long-term transient and regional-scale GWR in cold and humid climates where groundwater observations are scarce. The HydroBudget model was specifically developed for regional-scale simulations in cold and humid climate conditions. The model uses commonly available data such as runoff curve numbers to describe the study area, precipitation and temperature time series to run the model, and river flow rates and baseflow estimates for its automatic calibration. A typical case study is presented for the southern portion of the Province of Quebec (Canada, 36 000 km2). With the model simultaneously calibrated on 51 gauging stations, the first GWR estimate for the region was simulated between 1961 and 2017 with very little uncertainty (≤ 10 mm/yr). The simulated water budget was divided into 41 % runoff (444 mm/yr), 47 % evapotranspiration (501 mm/yr), and 12 % GWR (139 mm/yr), with preferential GWR periods during spring and winter (44 % and 32 % of the annual GWR, respectively), values that are typical of other cold and humid climates. Snowpack evolution and soil frost were shown to be a key feature for GWR simulation in these environments. One of the contributions of the study was to show that the model sensitivity to its parameters was correlated with the average air temperature, with colder watersheds more sensitive to snow-related parameters than warmer watersheds. Interestingly, the results showed that the significant increase in precipitation and temperature since the early 1960s did not lead to significant changes in the annual GWR but resulted in increased runoff and evapotranspiration. In contrast to previous studies of past GWR trends in cold and humid climates, this work has shown that changes in past climatic conditions have not yet produced significant changes in annual GWR. Because of their relative ease of use, water budget models are a useful approach for scientists, modelers, and stakeholders alike to understand regional-scale groundwater renewal rates in cold and humid climates, especially if they can be easily adapted to specific study needs and environments.
Salivary Ferritin Changes in Patients with COVID-19

High ferritin serum levels can be found in patients with macrophage activation syndrome, and increased serum ferritin due to cytokine storm have been reported in severe COVID-19 patients. Saliva is being increasingly used in COVID-19 tests as a diagnostic sample for virus detection and quantification. This study aimed to evaluate the possible changes in ferritin in saliva in COVID-19 patients. In addition, the effects of different inactivation SARS-CoV-2 treatments in ferritin measurements in saliva, the correlation between ferritin in saliva and serum, and the possible effects of correction of ferritin values by total protein were assessed. Ferritin was measured in saliva from healthy (n = 30) and COVID-19 (n = 65) patients with severe, (n = 18) or mild (n = 47) disease, depending on the need for nasal flow oxygen or assisted respiration. Ferritin was also measured in paired serum and saliva samples (n = 32) from healthy and COVID-19 patients. The evaluated inactivation protocols did not affect the assay’s results except the addition of 0.5% SDS. Significantly higher ferritin was found in the saliva of COVID-19 patients (median; 25–75th percentile) (27.75; 9.77–52.2 µg/L), compared with healthy controls (4.21; 2.6–8.08 µg/L). Individuals with severe COVID-19 showed higher ferritin values in saliva (48.7; 18.7–53.9) than mild ones (15.5; 5.28–41.3 µg/L). Significant correlation (r = 0.425; p < 0.001) was found between serum and saliva in ferritin. Ferritin levels were higher in COVID-19 patients in serum and saliva, and the highest values were found in those patients presenting severe symptomatology. In conclusion, ferritin in saliva has the potential to be a biomarker to evaluate severity in patients with COVID-19.
Seismic Simulation of an Integrated Ceiling-Partition Wall-Piping System at E-Defense. I: Three-Dimensional Structural Response and Base Isolation

AbstractThe seismic response of a full-scale, 5-story steel moment frame building in base-isolated and fixed-base configurations with an integrated suspended ceiling-partition wall-sprinkler piping system that was shaken at E-Defense is critically assessed. Horizontal floor accelerations were constrained by the isolation systems to relatively low levels, which allowed observation of damage to the integrated system that was directly related to the vertical component of input acceleration. The floor slabs exhibited single mode vibration at their natural periods with widely varying effective damping. Peak vertical accelerations were amplified by an average factor ranging from 3 to 6 from the table to the middle of the floor slabs, at which amplification factors increased as slab vibration periods lengthened. Damage to the ceiling-partion-piping components initiated at slab accelerations of approximately 2 g and became extensive for slab accelerations exceeding 5 g. These metrics establish target vertical acc.
The marine gastropod Conomurex luhuanus (Strombidae) has high-resolution spatial vision and eyes with complex retinas

All species within the conch snail family Strombidae possess large camera-type eyes that are surprisingly well-developed compared to those found in most other gastropods. Although these eyes are known to be structurally complex, very little research on their visual function has been conducted. Here, we use isoluminant expanding visual stimuli to measure the spatial resolution and contrast sensitivity of a strombid, Conomurex luhuanus. Using these stimuli, we show that this species responds to objects as small as 1.06° in its visual field. We also show that C. luhuanus responds to Michelson contrasts of 0.07, a low contrast sensitivity between object and background. The defensive withdrawal response elicited by visual stimuli of such small angular size and low contrast suggests that conch snails may use spatial vision for the early detection of potential predators. We support these findings with morphological estimations of spatial resolution of 1.04 ± 0.14°. These anatomical data therefore agree with the behavioural measures and highlight the benefits of integrating morphological and behavioural approaches in animal vision studies. Furthermore, using contemporary imaging techniques including serial block-face scanning electron microscopy (SBF-SEM), in conjunction with transmission electron microscopy (TEM), we found that C. luhuanus have more complex retinas, in terms of cell type diversity, than previous studies of the group have discovered using TEM alone. We found the C. luhuanus retina is comprised of six cell types, including a newly identified ganglion cell and accessory photoreceptor, rather than the previously described four cell types. Summary statement Behavioural trials indicate the eyes of conch snail species Conomurex luhuanus provide high-resolution spatial vision, and morphological examination reveals the retina contains more cell types than those of other gastropods.
First harmonic approximation including design constraints

Published papers offer a large number of load resonant converter topologies. The first harmonic approximation as a simple tool for predicting the converter behaviour helps designers of power supplies to find the best solution for their tasks. The design of resonant converters strongly depends on the specifications resulting from the application at hand. Thus the designer has to take into account the input voltage range as well as the output power range. Sometimes additional specifications are present in case of fault conditions, e.g. mains dips. These design constraints have to be introduced into the first harmonic approximation in order to obtain useful designs.
Cognitive decline, socioemotional change, or both? How the science of aging can inform future research on sacrificial moral dilemmas

ABSTRACT Older adults comprise the fastest-growing population in the United States. By exercising their right to vote, guiding the value systems of future generations, and holding political office, they shape the moral context of society. It is therefore imperative that we understand older adults’ capacity for moral decision-making. Although the vast majority of research on moral decision-making has either focused specifically on younger adults or has not considered age, recent work points to age-related differences in sacrificial moral decision-making, with cognitively healthy older adults making more deontological decisions relative to younger adults. Although only a small number of studies have to date examined age-related differences, there is a wealth of relevant literature on cognitive aging, as well as on sacrificial moral decision-making in younger adults, that point to possible mechanistic explanations for the observed age-related differences. The goal of this review is to situate these age-related differences in sacrificial moral decision-making in the context of these existing literatures in order to guide future, theory-informed, research in this area. We specifically highlight age-related decline in cognitive abilities purported to support utilitarian moral decision-making in younger adults, along with age-related changes to socioemotional information processing as potential mechanistic explanations for these age-related differences. The last section of this review discusses how age-related neural changes may contribute to both cognitive decline and motivational shifts, highlighting the importance for future research to understand brain-behavior relationships on the topic of sacrificial moral decision-making and aging.
Calibration of Resistance Factors Needed in the LRFD Design of Driven Piles

This research project presents the calibration of resistance factors for the Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) method of driven piles driven into Louisiana soils based on reliability theory. Fifty-three square Precast-Prestressed-Concrete (PPC) piles that were tested to failure were included in this investigation. The predictions of pile resistances were based on static analysis (Nordlund method for sand), three direct CPT methods [Schmertmann method, De Ruiter and Beringen method, and Bustamante and Gianeselli (LCPC) method], and the average of the three CPT methods. Also, dynamic measurements with signal matching analysis of pile resistances using the Case Pile Wave Analysis Program (CAPWAP), which is based on the measured force and velocity signals obtained near the pile top during driving, were calibrated. The Davisson and modified Davisson interpretation methods were used to determine measured ultimate load carrying resistances from pile load tests. The predicted ultimate pile resistances obtained using the different prediction methods were compared with measured resistances determined from pile load tests. Statistical analyses were carried out to evaluate the capability of the prediction design methods to estimate measured ultimate pile resistance of driven piles. The results showed that the static method over-predicts pile resistance, while the dynamic measurement with signal matching analysis [CAPWAP-EOD (end of drive) and 14 days BOR (beginning of restrike)] under-predicts pile resistance. Among the three direct CPT methods, the De Ruiter and Beringen method was the most consistent prediction method with the lowest COV. Reliability based analyses using the First Order Second Moment (FOSM) method, the First Order Reliability Method (FORM), and the Monte Carlo (MC) simulation method were also conducted to calibrate the resistance factors for the investigated pile design methods. The resistance factors with the target reliability of 2.33 for the different design methods were determined and compared with American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) recommendation values. In addition, the evaluation of different design methods was performed.
Influence of housing system on the physical, morphological, and mechanical properties of Japanese quail eggs

The objective of this study was to determine the influence of housing system on the physical, morphological, and mechanical properties of Japanese quail ( Coturnix coturnix japonica ) eggs. A total of 240 eggs were collected from Japanese quails kept in two different housing systems: cage housing and aviary housing system (120 eggs from each housing system). Eggs from cage housing system were significantly (P<0.05) heavier than eggs from aviary housing system (11.85 g vs. 10.93 g), and were also longer, wider and had significantly (P<0.05) larger geometric mean diameter, surface area and volume. No statistically significant difference in albumen and yolk content was observed between eggs from cage and aviary housing system. Eggs from aviary housing system had significantly higher shell content and shell strength and required greater force to eggshell breaking. The average force required to breaking the shell of Japanese quail eggs from cage and aviary housing system in all three axes was 14.36 N and 12.70 N, respectively.
Integrating neural and ocular attention reorienting signals in virtual reality

Objective. Reorienting is central to how humans direct attention to different stimuli in their environment. Previous studies typically employ well-controlled paradigms with limited eye and head movements to study the neural and physiological processes underlying attention reorienting. Here, we aim to better understand the relationship between gaze and attention reorienting using a naturalistic virtual reality (VR)-based target detection paradigm. Approach. Subjects were navigated through a city and instructed to count the number of targets that appeared on the street. Subjects performed the task in a fixed condition with no head movement and in a free condition where head movements were allowed. Electroencephalography (EEG), gaze and pupil data were collected. To investigate how neural and physiological reorienting signals are distributed across different gaze events, we used hierarchical discriminant component analysis (HDCA) to identify EEG and pupil-based discriminating components. Mixed-effects general linear models (GLM) were used to determine the correlation between these discriminating components and the different gaze events time. HDCA was also used to combine EEG, pupil and dwell time signals to classify reorienting events. Main results. In both EEG and pupil, dwell time contributes most significantly to the reorienting signals. However, when dwell times were orthogonalized against other gaze events, the distributions of the reorienting signals were different across the two modalities, with EEG reorienting signals leading that of the pupil reorienting signals. We also found that the hybrid classifier that integrates EEG, pupil and dwell time features detects the reorienting signals in both the fixed (AUC = 0.79) and the free (AUC = 0.77) condition. Significance. We show that the neural and ocular reorienting signals are distributed differently across gaze events when a subject is immersed in VR, but nevertheless can be captured and integrated to classify target vs. distractor objects to which the human subject orients.
HIGH POWER MPD THRUSTER DEVELOPMENT AT THE NASA GLENN RESEARCH CENTER

Propulsion requirements for large platform orbit raising, cargo and piloted planetary missions, and robotic deep space exploration have rekindled interest in the development and deployment of high power electromagnetic thrusters. Magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) thrusters can effectively process megawatts of power over a broad range of specific impulse values to meet these diverse in-space propulsion requirements. As NASA's lead center for electric propulsion, the Glenn Research Center has established an MW-class pulsed thruster test facility and is refurbishing a high-power steady-state facility to design, build, and test efficient gas-fed MPD thrusters. A complimentary numerical modeling effort based on the robust MACH2 code provides a well-balanced program of numerical analysis and experimental validation leading to improved high power MPD thruster performance. This paper reviews the current and planned experimental facilities and numerical modeling capabilities at the Glenn Research Center and outlines program plans for the development of new, efficient high power MPD thrusters.
Progesterone receptor isoform ratio dictates antiprogestin/progestin effects on breast cancer growth and metastases: A role for NDRG1

Progesterone receptors (PRs) ligands are being tested in luminal breast cancer. There are mainly two PR isoforms, PRA and PRB, and their ratio (PRA/PRB) may be predictive of antiprogestin response. Our aim was to investigate: the impact of the PR isoform ratio on metastatic behaviour, the PR isoform ratio in paired primary tumours and lymph node metastases (LNM) and, the effect of antiprogestin/progestins on metastatic growth. Using murine and human metastatic models, we demonstrated that tumours with PRB > PRA (PRB‐H) have a higher proliferation index but less metastatic ability than those with PRA > PRB (PRA‐H). Antiprogestins and progestins inhibited metastatic burden in PRA‐H and PRB‐H models, respectively. In breast cancer samples, LNM retained the same PRA/PRB ratio as their matched primary tumours. Moreover, PRA‐H LNM expressed higher total PR levels than the primary tumours. The expression of NDRG1, a metastasis suppressor protein, was higher in PRB‐H compared to PRA‐H tumours and was inversely regulated by antiprogestins/progestins. The binding of the corepressor SMRT at the progesterone responsive elements of the NDRG1 regulatory sequences, together with PRA, impeded its expression in PRA‐H cells. Antiprogestins modulate the interplay between SMRT and AIB1 recruitment in PRA‐H or PRB‐H contexts regulating NDRG1 expression and thus, metastasis. In conclusion, we provide a mechanistic interpretation to explain the differential role of PR isoforms in metastatic growth and highlight the therapeutic benefit of using antiprogestins in PRA‐H tumours. The therapeutic effect of progestins in PRB‐H tumours is suggested.
Confinement Effectiveness of Crossties in RC

An experimental study is made of confinement effectiveness of crossties in reinforced concrete columns subjected to monotonically increasing axial compression. Ten columns were constructed, of which eight were reinforced. The main variable was the type of transverse reinforcement. Comparison is made between strength and ductility obtained by the different types of transverse steel, and analytical moment‐curvature studies are used to estimate the influence of different confined concrete behaviors on flexural behavior of columns and structural walls. It is observed that crossties having 180° hooks are as effective in confining concrete as intermediate hoops. Crossties having 135° and 90° hooks are nearly as effective. It is concluded that both types of crossties are acceptable details for confinement of concrete where large inelastic strains will be applied monotonically.
Validating A Proposed CRM Implementation Framework For The Mauritian Hotel Industry

This article validates a proposed Customer Relationship Management conceptual framework for the Mauritian Hotel Industry based on identified critical success factors. The research provided insights on how different factors need to be considered to ensure a smooth implementation of a Customer Relationship Management strategy and to address the causes of Customer Relationship Management project failures. Extant reviews of the literature on Customer Relationship Management theoretical frameworks, Customer Relationship Management causes of failure, and critical success factors for Customer Relationship Management success were conducted and subsequently 33 items were identified. An exploratory factor analysis was done to validate the results of the survey followed by which a confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to confirm the appropriateness of the proposed theoretical model, followed by a Structural Equation Model analysis conducted to validate the adequacy of the proposed model. The Structural Equation Model analysis confirmed the appropriateness of the proposed framework and confirmed the exactitude of each Customer Relationship Management success factor included in the framework. The design of the new proposed conceptual framework intends to provide a novel approach of in-depth knowledge on how to implement Customer Relationship Management in the Mauritian Hotel Industry and acts as a guideline for hotel managers to implement CRM successfully and to increase profitability.