Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spout fluidized bed : hydrodynamic studies with multiscale modelling approach

Nowadays spout fluidized bed reactors are gaining immense attention of scientific community, due to the unified characteristics both from the spouted and the fluidized bed reactors. In the present work, we study the hydrodynamic behaviour (flow regime map) of a spout fluidized bed reactor with draft plates. Furthermore, the effect of variation of the physical properties of the particles, entrainment height and the bed aspect ratio on the overall flow development has been investigated by experimental and numerical means. The experimental investigations were performed through particle image velocimetry and digital image analysis, and the obtained results were compared with a discrete particle model.
Feasibility of a data-constrained prediction of shale microstructures

The microstructures of hydrocarbon reservoir shales and sandstones are critical in determining their permeability, mechanical, electrical and other physical properties. However, the available experimental techniques in characterising shale 3D microstructures are time consuming and sample destructive. This paper outlines our effort investigating the feasibility of determining shale microstructures using multiple computed- tomography (CT) data sets with different X-ray beam energies, together with a data-constrained microstructure (DCM) modelling approach. A sample composition data set was generated using an experimental tomography data set as a template for a shale rock sample with quartz, kaolinite and mica (illite). X-ray transmission through the sample was numerically simulated to produce X-ray projection images from the sample at multiple incident angles. This was repeated with several beam energies. The simulated projection images were used to reconstruct the 3D distribution of X-ray attenuation coefficient inside the sample for each energy. The compositional microstructures were predicted with our DCM software using the above 3D X-ray attenuation maps as constraints. Our preliminary comparisons indicate that the DCM-predicted compositional microstructure is qualitatively consistent with the known original microstructure. The accuracy of the prediction would depend on the CT reconstruction accuracy and the level of noise. Further work is in progress in quantitative evaluation of the predictions under various experimental conditions and rock microstructures.
Causes and Effects of Cost Overrun on Construction Project in Bahrain: Part 2 (PLS-SEM Path Modelling)

In part 1 of the paper, cost overrun factors associated with the construction industry in Bahrain were identified, and risk maps were developed based on a survey and actual construction projects records. This part of the paper adopted structural equation modelling (SEM) approach to assess the effects of cost overrun factors on project cost in Bahrain. SEM is the graphical equivalent of a mathematical representation to study relationship between dependent variable to explanatory variable. SEM is regarded as extension of standardized regression modelling and is important tool to estimate the causal relationship between factors. The collected data from the questionnaire and actual projects of part 1 were modelled and analyzed using SmartPLS v3.0 software. Results showed that approximately 60% of cost overrun was influenced with the factors identified in part 1. The Global fit index (GoF) value of the developed model was 0.591, indicating that the model has enough power in explaining the relationship between identified factors and cost overrun.
Growth and Reproductive Behaviour of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) as Influenced by Supplemental Application of Nitrogen, Irrigation and Hormone

The experiment was conducted during the period from 11 December, 2012 to 30 March 2013 to study the effect of supplementary nitrogen, irrigation and hormones on flower droppings, growth and reproductive behaviour of chickpea. Statistically significant variation was recorded for different growth and reproductive parameters. Results showed that BARI chola 9 gave the highest plant height, number of branches plant -1 , dry matter content plant -1 , pod remaining, pod length, seed yield and the lowest flower dropping, pod dropping, total dropping. Among the supplemental treatments, the highest plant height, number of branches plant -1 , dry matter content plant -1 , pod remaining, pod length, seed yield and the lowest flower dropping, pod dropping, total dropping were found from supplemental irrigation + aqueous N before flowering. In case of treatment combination, the highest plant height (39.31 cm), number of branches plant -1 (6.53), dry matter content plant -1 (7.02 g), pod remaining (39.67 %), pod length (1.96 cm), seed yield (1.94 t ha -1 ) and the lowest flower dropping (57.27 %), pod dropping (3.07 %), total dropping (60.33 %) was recorded from BARI chola 9 with supplemental irrigation + aqueous N before flowering.
The AOTF-based NO 2 camera

Abstract. The abundance of NO2 in the boundary layer relates to air quality and pollution source monitoring. Observing the spatiotemporal distribution of NO2 above well-delimited (flue gas stacks, volcanoes, ships) or more extended sources (cities) allows for applications such as monitoring emission fluxes or studying the plume dynamic chemistry and its transport. So far, most attempts to map the NO2 field from the ground have been made with visible-light scanning grating spectrometers. Benefiting from a high retrieval accuracy, they only achieve a relatively low spatiotemporal resolution that hampers the detection of dynamic features. We present a new type of passive remote sensing instrument aiming at the measurement of the 2-D distributions of NO2 slant column densities (SCDs) with a high spatiotemporal resolution. The measurement principle has strong similarities with the popular filter-based SO2 camera as it relies on spectral images taken at wavelengths where the molecule absorption cross section is different. Contrary to the SO2 camera, the spectral selection is performed by an acousto-optical tunable filter (AOTF) capable of resolving the target molecule's spectral features. The NO2 camera capabilities are demonstrated by imaging the NO2 abundance in the plume of a coal-fired power plant. During this experiment, the 2-D distribution of the NO2 SCD was retrieved with a temporal resolution of 3 min and a spatial sampling of 50 cm (over a 250 × 250 m2 area). The detection limit was close to 5 × 1016 molecules cm−2, with a maximum detected SCD of 4 × 1017 molecules cm−2. Illustrating the added value of the NO2 camera measurements, the data reveal the dynamics of the NO to NO2 conversion in the early plume with an unprecedent resolution: from its release in the air, and for 100 m upwards, the observed NO2 plume concentration increased at a rate of 0.75–1.25 g s−1. In joint campaigns with SO2 cameras, the NO2 camera could also help in removing the bias introduced by the NO2 interference with the SO2 spectrum.
An analysis of technical efficiency of ginger crop production in Jaba local government area, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Using a cross sectional data obtained through a multistage sampling technique, this study estimated the technical efficiency of Ginger crop production in Jaba Local Government Area, Kaduna State, Nigeria and further examined the factors that determined the differential in efficiency index. A total of 78 Ginger crop farmers in the study area were randomly selected for the study. The stochastic frontier production model was used in the analysis to determine the relationship between output and the level of input used in the study area. The empirical results revealed that farm size,. Planting materials, fertilizers and hired labour were statistically significant at 5% level while chemicals and family babour were not statistically significant. The estimated gamma parameters (γ) of 0.37 indicated that 37% of the total variation in total output was due to technical inefficiencies of the respondents. The mean technical efficiencies (χ) level was 0.68. It was therefore concluded that there is scope for increasing the technical efficiency of ginger crops production by 0.68% with the present technology. Therefore the study confirmed that increased land, planting material, fertilizer and hired labour can be used in the area by the farmers in ginger production.
Nitrogen fixation rates and controls at Stn ALOHA

Rates of dinitrogen (N 2 ) fixation were measured at Stn ALOHA in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre (NPSG) on 9 cruises during the period April 2004 to March 2005. On each cruise, a near-surface (5 m) seawater sample was incubated with 15 N-labeled N 2 under simulated in situ conditions for 24 h prior to filtration of either whole water or <10 μm filtrate on microfine (0.7 μm nominal porosity) glass fiber filters; on 3 cruises, surface to 125 m depth profiles of size-fractionated N 2 fixation rates were also obtained. Nearly all (on average 95 %) of the net N 2 fixation in the euphotic zone occurred in the upper 75 m, and was mostly (64 ± 5 [SE]%) contained in the <10 μm size fraction following a 24 h incubation period. Highest surface diazotroph activity at this site was observed in July to August (1.63 to 1.68 μmol N m -3 d -1 ) and lowest N 2 fixation rates occurred in September to November (0.38 to 0.68 μmol N m -3 d -1 ). Vertically integrated rates of whole community N 2 fixation (measured in November, February and March) varied 5-fold (20.2 to 109 μmol N m -2 d -1 ). The short-term response of the microbial community to the addition of iron (Fe) and/or phosphorus (P) was variable, suggesting that contemporaneous N 2 fixation at Stn ALOHA may be controlled by the population dynamics of the various diazotroph species rather than by instantaneous resource limitation.
University of Groningen Sexual selection and the function of a melanin-based plumage ornament in polygamous

Melanin-based ornaments are often involved in signaling aggression and dominance, and their role in sexual selection is increasingly recognized. We investigated the functions of a melanin-based plumage ornament (facial ‘mask’) in male Eurasian penduline tits Remiz pendulinus in the contexts of male–male aggression, mating success, and parental care. The penduline tit is a passerine bird with a unique mating system in which both sexes may mate with several mates in a breeding season, and one (or both) parent deserts the clutch. Our study revealed that mask size of males is more likely an honest signal used by females in their mate choice decisions than a trait involved in male– male competition. First, mask size increased with both age and body condition, indicating that the mask may signal male quality. Second, males with larger masks paired more quickly and had more mates over the breeding season than males with smaller masks. Third, we found no evidence that male mask size signals male–male aggression or dominance during competitive encounters. The increased mating success of large-masked males, however, did not translate into higher reproductive success, as nestling survival decreased with mask size. Therefore, we conclude that there is either no directional selection on male mask size or males with larger masks receive indirect, long-term benefits.
THE DISCOVERY AND ANALYSIS OF VERY METAL-POOR STARS IN THE GALAXY

▪ Abstract We discuss the importance of very metal-poor stars to develop an understanding of the nature of the first stars that formed in the Universe and the nucleosynthesis events associated with them, as well as to refine models of galaxy formation, in particular for large spiral galaxies such as the Milky Way. After briefly reviewing the history of the search for very metal-deficient stars in the Galaxy, we summarize ongoing efforts, concentrating on the two large objective-prism surveys that have led to the discovery of the majority of stars with [Fe/H] < −2.0 known at present: the HK survey of Beers and collaborators and the Hamburg/ESO survey of Christlieb and collaborators. We then consider the wealth of information that can be gleaned from high-resolution spectroscopic study of very metal-poor stars. We close with a list of open questions and a discussion of new survey techniques that will expand the sample of recognized very metal-deficient stars in the Galaxy by several orders of magnitude.
Microarray Gene Expression: The Effects of Varying Certain Measurement Conditions

Abstract This chapter explores measurements from an experiment with a batch effect inducedby switching the mass of RNA analyzed from 400ng to 200ng. The experiment hasas additional factors the RNA material (liver, kidney, and two mixtures) and the RNAsource (six different animals). We show that normalization can partially correct the batcheffect. On the basis of the normalized intensities, we compare, gene by gene, the sizeof the batch effect with the animal-to-animal variation. These comparisons show that theanimal variation is larger or smaller depending on which gene is considered. We presentgene-by-gene tests of the linearity of the microarray response. In addition, we presentdata analysis results that suggest other batch effects. 9.1 Introduction In metrological terminology, conditions of measurement can be held constant, or certainconditions can be allowed to vary (ISO, 2007). Measurements made under constant condi-tions (also referredto as repeatability conditions) constitute a batch. A set of measurementsmay include several batches that are delineated by changes in certain conditions. Vari-ations observed among the batches beyond what is observed under constant conditionsare batch effects. In this paper, we illustrate batch effects in microarray measurementsby examining variations related to two measurement conditions. The measurements were
Hawking radiation from AdS black holes

We study Hartle–Hawking-like states of quantum field theories on asymptotically AdS black hole backgrounds, with particular regard to the phase structure of interacting theories. By a suitable analytic continuation we show that the equilibrium dynamics of field theories on large asymptotically AdS black holes can be related to the low-temperature states of the same field theory on the AdS soliton (or pure AdS) background. This allows us to gain insight into Hartle–Hawking-like states on large-radius Schwarzschild- or rotating-AdS black holes. Furthermore, we exploit the AdS/CFT correspondence to explore the physics of strongly coupled large N theories on asymptotically AdS black holes. In particular, we exhibit a plausibly complete set of phases for the M2-brane world-volume superconformal field theory on a BTZ black hole background. Our analysis partially resolves puzzles previously raised in connection with Hawking radiation on large AdS black holes.
Spectral Element Simulation of Reaction-Diffusion System in the Neuromuscular Junction

Studying the synaptic signal transmission in the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is central to the understanding of neuromuscular disorders such as myasthenia gravis disease. Investigating the dynamics of acetylcholine and acetylcholine receptors in an NMJ under the conditions of activated enzyme is an important step towards this mission. In this article, we developed a numerical model of high order accuracy for complex geometry to simulate the complex processes in an NMJ cleft. This model has a full description of three-dimensional reaction and diffusion processes with nonlinear reaction source terms and is capable of predicting the concentration rates of acetylcholine with receptors and enzymes. Simulation results agree with experimental measurement of the reported maximum number of open receptors during the course of a normal action potential. The time variation of populations of open receptor as well as concentration rates are investigated and discussed. This model has the potential to further the in depth investigation of dynamics within an NMJ.
On Late Holocene Variability in Bison Populations in the Northeastern Great Basin

Bison (Bison bison) are believed to have constituted a primary prey of prehistoric populations occupying portions of the northeastern Great Basin. This article presents evidence from archaeological sites along the northeastern shores of the Great Salt Lake that suggests bison populations may have fluctuated through time and become less abundant after A.D. 1300, possibly in response to paleoenvironmental conditions. The localized unpredictability and irregularity of this resource may have resulted in the adoption of flexible hunting strategies involving expansion of diet breadth, logistical trips to areas where bison persisted, and/or trade with neighboring peoples for bison products. These latter strategies were documented among historic populations occupying these areas, and evidence presented herein suggests that these strategies may have been in place by the fourteenth century or possibly earlier.
A multilevel approach

This paper develops a theoretical framework for understanding the relationship between violent contexts of territorial control and vote choice by drawing on insights from literature on the contextual determinants of political behavior and civil wars. It tests the hypothesis that individuals living in a violent context tend to behave in line with the strategic objectives and ideological orientations proclaimed by the armed actor dominating the area. Using a national survey conducted in Colombia in 2005, and contextual level data, this paper employs hierarchical regression models to test this hypothesis. Results suggest that on moving from areas dominated by the colombian state to regions controlled by right-wing paramilitary groups, individuals were more likely to support a presidential candidate on the right of the ideological spectrum. However, this relationship appears to be conditioned by partisanship, as minority party sympathizers’ vote choices are the most affected by changes in violent contexts.
Genetic population structure of brazilian bovinebreeds inferred by rapd markers

Conservation and improvement strategies should be based on the association between genetic and phenotypic characteristics. In this study 10 different populations of five native Brazilian cattle breeds (Caracu, Mocho Nacional, Crioulo Lageano, Curraleira and Pantaneira) were characterized using RAPD techniques to estimate their genetic relationships and verify the existence of possible regional differences within each breed. Two commercial breeds were used as control and outgroup respectively (Holstein and Nellore). 120 arbitrarily primers were screened, of which 22 were selected, and generated 122 polymorphic bands. When all groups were analysed in pairs, non-significant genetic variability (p>0.05) observed only between two populations of Curraleiro breed located in States of Piaui (CUPI) and Minas Gerais (CUMG). Using Popgene program Nei"s 1978 genetic distance was estimated. The smallest divergences were observed between groups of the same breed and the least distance between the two groups of Caracu breed (0.0159). In the four populations of Curraleiro the groups CUPI and CUMG presented the smallest difference (0.0285). These results could indicate that these two populations have high genetic similarity. In the dendrogram generated by UPGMA method all groups clustered in their respective breed. In this study we could demonstrate the existence of regional genetic differences between the populations of native breeds. These estimates could be useful in crossbreeding and genetic sample exchange between different nuclei.
Circum‐Antarctic Shoreward Heat Transport Derived From an Eddy‐ and Tide‐Resolving Simulation

Almost all heat reaching the bases of Antarctica's ice shelves originates from warm Circumpolar Deep Water in the open Southern Ocean. This study quantifies the roles of mean and transient flows in transporting heat across almost the entire Antarctic continental slope and shelf using an ocean/sea ice model run at eddy‐ and tide‐resolving (1/48°) horizontal resolution. Heat transfer by transient flows is approximately attributed to eddies and tides via a decomposition into time scales shorter than and longer than 1 day, respectively. It is shown that eddies transfer heat across the continental slope (ocean depths greater than 1,500 m), but tides produce a stronger shoreward heat flux across the shelf break (ocean depths between 500 m and 1,000 m). However, the tidal heat fluxes are approximately compensated by mean flows, leaving the eddy heat flux to balance the net shoreward heat transport. The eddy‐driven cross‐slope overturning circulation is too weak to account for the eddy heat flux. This suggests that isopycnal eddy stirring is the principal mechanism of shoreward heat transport around Antarctica, though likely modulated by tides and surface forcing.
Church and welfare state in Norway: Diaconia in the context of welfare pluralism

1. How does the Church at the parish level conceive of “diaconia” and the associated tasks and challenges? 2. How does the concept of “diaconia” relate to the concept of “welfare”? 3. To shat extent does the Church at the parish level interact and co-operate with the local public sector (the municipality) in matters of welfare? 4. How does the public sector perceive the Church as a provider of welfare at the local level?
Implementation of a GMSK CommunicationSystem on FPGA Using Distributed Algorithm

One of the advance modulation method is the Minimum Shift Keying (MSK), but it potentially creates sidebands, that extending out a long way from the carrier, causes interference to adjacent channels and any radio communications links that may be using them. To avoid interference Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying (GMSK) modulation scheme is used in this project, input is filtered using Gaussian filter before modulation, which takes large resources to implement on FPGA. By taking advantage of the Xilinx FPGA look-up table architecture, the Distributed Algorithm (DA) is used to implement the Gaussian filter, algorithm performs multiplication with look-up table method. So that low power, high spectrum efficient communication system is developed. Modulation is carried out using Discrete Frequency Synthesizer (DFS), which has multiplier less structure, utilizes less resource on FPGA.
Maltodextrin's Effect on the Performance of Elite Mountain Biking Athletes During Simulated Competition and on Power Output at the Ventilatory Threshold

Purpose. To aim of this study was to analyze the effects of maltodextrin supplementation on cardiovascular and performance parameters during simulated Mountain Biking (MTB) competition as well as the cardiorespiratory and blood glucose (BG) response to a maximal test performed in a laboratory on elite MTB athletes. Methods. A total of eight male bikers [age: 28.4 ± 10.6 years; body fat: 9.46 ± 3.76 %; VO2max: 55.31 ± 4.7 mL/kg/min], participated in a double-blind study. The athletes received maltodextrin supplementation (1g/kg) or a placebo (light tangerine juice) 20 min before competition (seven 2 km laps) or before a laboratory maximal test. An incremental exercise test on a cycloergometer was performed to find any alterations in maximal HR, Watts max, VO2max, VEmax, and VO2 at the ventilatory threshold (VT), using a gas exchange analyzer. Comparisons between the simulated competition and laboratory variables (maltodextrin vs. placebo) were made using ANOVA and a two-tailed paired Student’s t-test, where p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results. Maltodextrin supplementation reduced 26 s in the mean time spent on completing all laps (Maltodextrin: 9 min and 16 s vs. placebo: 9 min and 35 s; p < 0.05). In laboratory testing, maltodextrin raised BG during exercise (Maltodextrin: 104.1 ± 20.9 mg/dL vs. placebo: 88.2 ± 5.3 mg/dL; p < 0.05), power output at the ventilatory threshold (Maltodextrin: 260.8 ± 12.9 vs. placebo: 150.5 ± 8.7; p < 0.05) but had no effect on cardiorespiratory variables. Conclusion. Maltodextrin was found to enhance athletic performance during MTB competition, showing that it can play an important role in supplementation strategies for these competitors.