Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Coupling Mineralogy and Oxygen Isotopes to Seasonal Environmental Shifts Recorded in Modern Freshwater Pearl Nacre From Kentucky Lake

Biominerals that accrete shell or skeleton are commonly used as windows to past geochemical environments. Using biominerals as paleoproxies depends on the assumption that biominerals faithfully and predictably record environmental parameters, yet little has been done from a mineralogical perspective to understand how various environmental shifts impact shell and skeleton mineralogy and how mineralogy influences proxy calibrations. In this study, we correlate a suite of environmental data from the Kentucky Lake Long‐Term Monitoring Program with mineralogical and chemical signatures of modern cultured pearl nacre. Six transects were measured across three pearls from nucleus to edge for oxygen isotope ratio (δ18O) using SIMS (10‐μm spots) and for mineralogy via nacre tablet thickness using SEM and via carbonate bonding environments using Raman spectroscopy. After confirming a strong seasonal correlation between δ18O and temperature, we extend δ18O correlations to relative nacre OH/O ratios, lake dissolved oxygen, and lake light levels at 1 m depth. Although nacre tablet thicknesses are not clearly correlated with temperature, we observe correlative trends with lake conductivity and relative nacre OH/O ratios. For the Raman spectroscopy measurements, there was a modest inverse correlation between increasing carbonate ν1 and ν4 vibrational mode peak heights with δ18O and lake dissolved oxygen levels. Standard deviations in Raman T:L peak area ratios, as an estimation of angle spread of tablet crystallographic orientation, correlate with lake reduction potential. This approach of combining geochemical, isotopic, mineralogical, and environmental data lends a more holistic view to biomineralization in natural systems and to the decoding of environmental mineral signatures.
Seismic Assessment of the Bell Tower of Santa Maria Del Carmine: Problems and Solutions

A complete structural analysis of the bell tower of Santa Maria del Carmine in Naples (Italy) has been developed by using a 3D FE model based on the results of detailed experimental investigations in situ. Linear analysis for gravity loads, linear modal analysis, and nonlinear static analysis (Push Over) were carried out in order to assess the seismic capacity of the structure. A check of local out-of-plane failure mechanisms was also performed to verify if the structure is able to attain a global behavior. Problems and solutions related to the different methods are presented and discussed.
Modulation of proprioceptive inXow when initiating a step inXuences postural adjustments

A synergistic inclination of the whole body towards the supporting leg is required when producing a stepping movement. It serves to shift the centre of mass towards the stance foot. While the importance of sensory information in the setting of this postural adjustment is undisputed, it is currently unknown the extent to which pro- prioceptive aVerences (Ia) give rise to postural regulation during stepping movement when the availability of other sensory information relying on static linear acceleration (gravity) is no longer sensed in microgravity. We tested this possibility asking subjects to step forward with their eyes closed in normo- and microgravity environments. At the onset of the stepping movement, we vibrated the ankle muscles acting in the lateral direction to induce modiWca- tion of the aVerent inXow (Ia Wbres). Vibration-evoked movement (perceived movement) was in the same direction as the forthcoming body shift towards the supporting side (current movement). A control condition was performed without vibration. In both environments, when vibration was applied, the hip shift towards the supporting side decreased. These postural modiWcations occurred, however, earlier in normogravity before initiating the stepping move- ment than in microgravity (i.e. during the completion of the stepping movement). Our results suggest that propriocep- tive information induced by vibration and aVerent inXow related to body movement exaggerated sense of movement. This biased perception led to the postural adjustment decrease. We propose that in both environments, proprio- ceptive inXow enables the subject to scale the postural adjustments, provided that body motion-induced aVerences are present to activate this postural control.
Live-Load Analysis of a Curved I-Girder Bridge

Horizontally curved, steel girder bridges are often used in our modern infrastructural system. The curve in the bridge allows for a smother transition for traffic, which creates better road travel. However, some of the disadvantages of horizontally curved bridges are that they are more difficult to analyze, design, and sometimes construct in comparison to conventional straight bridges. This study focuses on a three-span, curved steel I-girder bridge which was tested under three boundary condition states to determine it's response to live load. The measured live-load strains were used to calibrate a finite-element model. The finite-element design moments and distribution factors for the three condition states were then compared with the results based on the V-load method. These different boundary conditions provided the researchers a unique opportunity to evaluate the impact that these changes had on the bridges behavior. It was found that while the V-load method produced positive bending moments that were close to the finite-element moments for some of the girders, this was a result of the V-load moment being unconservative and the distribution factor being conservative.
Curricular Innovation and Digitsation at a Mega University in the Developing World – The UNISA “Signature Course” Project

As part of the endeavor to reposition itself in the open distance and e-learning arena, the University of South Africa has designed and developed six modular courses (one module per College) referred to as ‘Signature Courses’. The focus of these modules is on a student-centred online teaching and learning approach; extensive student online mentoring and support; and alternative online assessment practices, while also developing prototypes for fully online courses as the University advances in its digitisation objectives. This paper presents a case study of the achievements of the project thus far. It reports challenges the project has been facing and anticipates the trajectory the University will be following in the future as it moves decisively towards online teaching and learning.
The Precautionary Principle and Traditional Risk Assessment

The article begins by problematizing the risk assessment and precautionary principle frameworks. From here, attention turns toward the development of an alternative, more holistic, scheme for assessing and mitigating environmental threats. Recognizing that the assessment and mitigation of environmental threats is a multilayered process, discussion centers on the question of who is involved in the production process—from research to development to threat assessment. Including a variety of stakeholders in both the “front” and “back” ends of production thus also places focus on the material side of this process, particularly in terms of what is being produced and released into the environment. Traditional risk assessment and the precautionary principle are therefore presented as shortsighted strategies for threat assessment. Instead, a more open approach is discussed, which involves greater public involvement through the entire life cycle of a product, from “cradle to cradle”.
The Moderating Role of CSR On the Antecedents And Out Come of Earnings Management in The Iraqi Firm

The increase in the number of firms manipulating financial reports has misled shareholders' investment decisions and resulted in an indelible blot on foreign investors’ trust. Due to earnings management (EM) practice, managers' inefficiency, and lack of transparency in Iraq companies. This study tested the influence of the corporate governance mechanisms (CG), (board independence, audit committee, meeting frequency) on EM based on agency theory, as well, to link between EM and firm's performance (FP) in Iraqi listed companies and the impact of moderating role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) based on the Stakeholder Theory. The study's sample consists of 65 companies for the 2013-2018 financial years. Data were collected mainly from the annual reports (secondary data) of the Iraqi listed firms. This study uses the M-score model to detect EM practices as practical techniques in detecting earnings manipulation practices. The panel static model estimators. Hence, this paper adds to the CG literature from the perspective of stakeholder theory using Iraq's unique industrial environment. Based on the research results, policy-makers might use the study‘s findings to recognize the essential roles of several CG mechanisms in alleviating the opportunistic practices in Iraq. Further, companies should also be encouraged to enhance the CSR disclosure quality.
Fibre-reinforced polymers in reinforced and prestressed concrete applications: moving forward

Summary The paper focuses on recent developments in the use of fibre reinforced polymers (FRPs) in reinforced and prestressed concrete applications. The influence of the FRP material properties on the design of concrete structures is considered and applications are discussed in conjunction with the structural function of the FRP reinforcement. The review includes examples of the practical implementation of the technology and addresses important durability issues. A number of future considerations/research needs are identified and the requirement for the provision of standard, sustainable and cost-effective FRP solutions is highlighted. It is concluded that although there have been significant advances in our knowledge of the behaviour of FRP-concrete structures, the timeframe in which FRPs will no longer be considered as new materials remains ambiguous.
Design for environment from the designers perspective

In order to make environmentally friendly products, everyone involved in the product developing process has to take the environmental aspects into consideration. Along with other aspects such as function, economics, quality etc. the environmental issue has to be implemented throughout the entire process. It is important to help the designers to make decisions that eventually lead to environmentally sound products. Many companies in Sweden have formulated their environmental policies, and try to integrate this issue in the daily work of the product developers. In order to find out how the environmental policy of a company actually affects the designers, a series of interviews with product developers has been made. The main object of these interviews is to answer the following questions: In what way do environmental aspects affect product developers in different stages of the product development process today? Is there a need for further information, guidelines, time etc. to make a more environmentally adapted design possible? What attitude do the designers have concerning the environmental issues? Environmental aspects have now been generally incorporated in the product development process. However designers often have to give priority to economy, function and quality, limiting severely the possibility to integrate the environmental aspects. The goal of the present series of interviews is therefore to study the situation of the designer in industrial product development.
THE EMERGENCE OF ARCHITECTURE IN MODULAR SYSTEMS: COORDINATION ACROSS BOUNDARIES AT ATLAS, CERN

The development of complex technological systems can be coordinated by pre-specifying system architecture. However, what are the origins of architecture? To address this question, we explore the development of ATLAS, a complex technological system that is being developed at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research. Our study suggests that the emergence of technological architecture is characterized by an ongoing process of negotiations across actors with different perspectives who have to justify and explain their design rationales to one another. Such a process results in what we call as interlaced knowledge partial overlapping of knowledge across actors in an overall knowledge network. Such interlaced knowledge generates a deeper systemic understanding of the requirements of the various components, making it possible for multiple groups to anticipate latent interdependencies and coordinate interdependent contributions even as the design emerges.
Analysis of inventory-production systems with Weibull distributed deterioration

We studied the inventory-production system with two-parameter Weibull distributed deterioration items. The solution of optimal inventory production control problem with Weibull distribution deteriorating item was revisited based on Baten and Kamil (2009) and carried out using Pontryagin maximum principle. It was also illustrated with an example. The overall inventory and production control were tested for different demand patterns. The inventory production controlled systems of non-linear differential equations were solved numerically.
Influence of Ground Motion Duration on Damping Reduction Factor

This article investigates the influences of the effective ground motion duration (GMD) on damping reduction factor. The GMD are associated with 25 Chi-chi earthquake ground motion records and harmonic sine wave. The study shows that damping reduction factor decreases with the increasing of the damping ratio, and decreases with the increasing of the effective duration of the ground motion and the number of cycles of harmonic excitation. A nonlinear multiple regression analysis based on the statistical mean values of the present study is employed, and a modified damping reduction factor considering the effects of GMD is suggested.
Mixture Analyses on Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons: An Example Using Semen Quality Biomarkers and Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression

Abstract This study aimed to assess mixture effects of 16 targeted PAHs on male reproductive health by applying a novel grouping approach to the Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) model. Bay region and molecular weight served as two variables to group the PAH mixture for hierarchical variable selection of BKMR. Personal breathing zone air samples were collected to quantify levels of the PAH compounds. Sperm quality was assessed using motility, viability, morphology, while DNA fragmentation served as the biomarker for assessing sperm DNA integrity. BKMR revealed joint effects of the PAH mixture on sperm quality. The bay region grouping was the important component for estimating associations between exposure to the PAH mixture and sperm DNA fragmentation. The low molecular weight grouping played a less important role for assessing the effects of the PAH mixture on sperm motility and viability. An individual PAH compound, benzo(ghi)perylene, was negatively associated with sperm morphology while benzo(b)fluoranthene and benzo(a)anthracene were positively associated with sperm DNA fragmentation. In conclusion, the BKMR model, along with the grouping approach, was suitable to determine the effects of PAH mixtures on sperm quality and DNA integrity.
The Impact of Red Light Cameras (Photo-Red Enforcement) on Crashes in Virginia

Red light running is a significant public health concern, killing more than 800 people and injuring 200,000 in the United States per year (Retting et al., 1999a; Retting and Kyrychenko, 2002). To reduce red light running in Virginia, six jurisdictions (Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax City, Fairfax County, Falls Church, Vienna) deployed red light cameras at some point during the 10-year period when they were permitted under Virginia law. This report documents the safety impacts of those cameras based on 7 years of crash data for the period January 1, 1998, through December 31, 2004. Consistent with the findings of a previous Virginia study (Garber et al., 2005), this study finds that cameras are associated with an increase in rear-end crashes (about 27% or 42% depending on the statistical method used) and a decrease in red light running crashes (about 8% or 42% depending on the statistical method used). This report also shows that there is significant variation by intersection and by jurisdiction: one jurisdiction (Arlington) suggests that cameras are associated with an increase in all six crash types that were explicitly studied (rear-end, angle, red light running, injury red light running, total injury, and total) whereas two other jurisdictions saw decreases in most of these crash types. It is therefore not surprising that when the comprehensive crash costs for rear-end and angle crashes are monetized, the cameras are associated with an increase in crash costs in some jurisdictions (e.g., an annual increase of $140,883 in Arlington) and a net reduction in comprehensive crash costs in other jurisdictions (e.g., an annual reduction of $92,367 in Vienna). When these results are aggregated across all six jurisdictions, the cameras are associated with a net increase in comprehensive crash costs. However, when considering only injury crashes, if the three fatal angle crashes that occurred during the after period are removed from the analysis (the only fatalities that occurred during the study out of 1,168 injury crashes), then the cameras were associated with a modest reduction in the comprehensive crash cost for injury crashes only. These results cannot be used to justify the widespread installation of cameras because they are not universally effective. These results also cannot be used to justify the abolition of cameras, as they have had a positive impact at some intersections and in some jurisdictions. The report recommends, therefore, that the decision to install a red light camera be made on an intersection-by-intersection basis. In addition, it is recommended that a carefully controlled experiment be conducted to examine further the impact of red light programs on safety and to determine how an increase in rear-end crashes can be avoided at specific intersections.
Efficacy of herbicides on wheat and their terminal residues in soil, grain and straw

A field experiment was conducted during Rabi season of 2006-07 and 2007-08 at Gwalior (M.P.) to evaluate the effect of herbicides on weed control and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivatum L.) and residues of herbicides in post harvest soil, grain and straw of wheat. Ten treatments consisting of post emergence application of two doses of isoproturon (1.0 and 2.0 kg/ha), clodinafop- propargyl (60 and 120 g/ha), fenoxaprop -p-ethyl (60 and 120 g/ha) and sulfosulfuron (25 and 50 g/ha) along with two hand weeding and weedy control were evaluated in randomized block design with four replications. Samples of post harvest soil, grain and straw of wheat with higher dose of herbicides were analysed for herbicide residues by HPLC using PDA detector. Lowest weed population and weed dry weight at 60 days after sowing was recorded in isoproturon at both concentrations while lowest weed biomass at harvest and weed control efficiency was recorded in sulfosulfuron 25 g/ha followed by two hand weeding. Highest wheat yield (5.4 t/ha) was recorded in two hand weeding which was at par with sulfosulfuron 50 g/ha. clodinafop 60 g/ha, sulfosulfuron 25 g/ha and isoproturon 2.0 kg/ha. A reduction of 55.4% in wheat yield in weedy check was observed as compared to two hand weeding. A residue of 0.006, 0.041 and 0.022 µg/g isoproturon was in post harvest soil, wheat grain and straw while residues of 0.021 and 0.096 (µg g/g) clodinafop was present in soil and grain at higher level of application.
Distribution of Wave Height Maxima in Storm Sea States

The effect of the coefficient of kurtosis, as a measure of third order nonlinearity, on the distribution of wave height maxima has been investigated. Measurements of the surface elevation during a storm at the North Alwyn platform in the North Sea have been used. The mean number of waves in the series is around 100. The maximum wave statistics have been compared with nonlinear theoretical distributions. It was found that the empirical probability densities of the maximum wave heights describe qualitatively the shift of the distribution modes toward higher values. The tendency for the peak of distribution to diminish with an increase in the coefficient of kurtosis up to 0.6 is also clearly seen. However, the empirical peak remains higher than the theoretically predicted one. The exceedance probability of the maximum wave heights was also estimated from the data and was compared with the theory. For the highest coefficients of kurtosis, estimated at nearly 0.6, the theoretical distribution approximates very well the empirical data. For lower coefficients of kurtosis, the theory tends to overestimate the exceedance probability of the maximum wave heights.
PREDICTING SETTLEMENT OF SHALLOW FOUNDATIONS USING NEURAL NETWORKS

Over the years, many methods have been developed to predict the settlement of shallow foundations on cohesionless soils. However, methods for making such predictions with the required degree of accuracy and consistency have not yet been developed. Accurate prediction of settlement is essential since settlement, rather than bearing capacity, generally controls foundation design. In this paper, artificial neural networks (ANNs) are used in an attempt to obtain more accurate settlement prediction. A large database of actual measured settlements is used to develop and verify the ANN model. The predicted settlements found by utilizing ANNs are compared with the values predicted by three of the most commonly used traditional methods. The results indicate that ANNs are a useful technique for predicting the settlement of shallow foundations on cohesionless soils, as they outperform the traditional methods.
All-fiber acoustooptic phase modulators using chemical vapor deposition zinc oxide films

For the first time we report an all-fiber acoustooptic phase modulator using a zinc oxide (ZnO) film deposited by modified single source chemical vapor deposition. This technique allows deposition over the full 360/spl deg/ fiber surface without the need for sample rotation, greatly simplifying the manufacturing process. The maximum phase shift measured for our 6 mm long devices was 3.5 rads for a drive power of 580 mW. Unlike devices fabricated using sputtered ZnO films the maximum attainable phase shift is not significantly limited by thermal and mechanical loss effects at higher driving powers which we attribute to the excellent chemical composition of our chemical vapor deposition (CVD) grown films. A maximum efficiency of 0.28 rad//spl radic/(mW)/cm of device length was measured which may be attributed to the relatively thin films used in this experiment (0.4-0.9 /spl mu/m).
Evaluation of different artificial light technologies for indoor aquaponic production of Bibb lettuce,
 Lactuca sativa
 var.
 capitata
 , and compact basil,
 Ocimum basilicum
 var.
 Genovese

Aquaponic production in temperate climates is often conducted in insulated buildings to reduce heating costs and therefore must rely on artificial lighting to replace natural sunlight. However, there are several different light technologies available to producers. We conducted two aquaponic growth trials to compare four lighting technologies for the indoor production of Bibb lettuce, Lactuca sativa var. capitata (Trial 1), and basil, Ocimum basilicum var. Genovese (Trial 2). Light types evaluated included metal halide (MH), fluorescent (FLO), light-emitting diode (LED), and induction (IND). Using a complete block design, each of the four identical aquaponic systems included all four light types. Juvenile Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus , (Trial 1:145 g; Trial 2:169 g) were stocked into each replicate system and fed at a rate of 60 g feed m ! 2 of plant grow-space per day. In Trial 1, Bibb lettuce