Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
LEAD DISTRIBUTION BY URBAN SEDIMENTS ON IMPERMEABLE AREAS OF PORTO ALEGRE - RS, BRAZIL

Heavy metals, like lead (Pb), are subproducts of industrial activities; however, in recent years, studies have shown that even in non-industrial areas, elevated concentrations of this element have been found. In this study, Pb concentrations were measured in 20 composite samples of urban sediments collected in an urban watershed of 4.85 km² with three types of soil use (commercial/residential, commercial and industrial) in the city of Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. Concentrations were determined by acid digestion (EPA 3050) of the 209 µm, 150 µm, 90 µm, 63 µm and 45 µm fractions followed by atomic emission spectrophotometry with inductively coupled plasma. Average values of 178.1 µg. g -1 (± 332); 226.5 µg. g -1 (± 500); 245.2 µg. g -1 (± 454.1); 272.4 µg. g -1 (± 497.3) and 251.5 µg. g -1 (± 322.6) were obtained in the 209, 150, 90, 63 and 45 µm fractions, respectively. Concentrations of the metals studied were interpolated and represented geographically using Idrisi © Andes. Results show that the greatest concentrations are located in the commercial part of the study area, characterized as presenting high vehicle flow most of the day, with this being considered a potential source of lead. All concentrations were above that of the local background. Studies of this type are important because they make the establishment of control targets possible within sustainable management of water resources, allowing inferences regarding future pollution scenarios of local water resources.
Recent incidental catch of sharks in gillnet fisheries of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

Waters of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, are home to a variety of shark species, many of which have been previously reported as incidental catch in several gillnet fisheries. How- ever, defensible estimates of incidental catch rates are unavailable. This mortality is of concern, given reports of considerable declines in abundance of several large shark species in this area. On the basis of several data sources (incidental catch rates derived using different methods of reporting; fish land- ings and net days as measures of effort, with fishing trips as sampling units), the total numbers of inci- dentally caught sharks were estimated in 8 gillnet fisheries for 2001, 2002, and 2003. Confidence intervals were estimated using resampling techniques. Most fisheries reported incidental catch of some sharks, although there were distinct differences between different fisheries in diversity and abundance of species encountered. Spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias was the most commonly cap- tured species, occurring in various fisheries along the south coast of the island of Newfoundland. Large sharks, including basking shark Cetorhinus maximus, shortfin mako Isurus oxyrinchus, por- beagle Lamna nasus, and blue shark Prionace glauca, were reported in small numbers in all fisheries. Deepwater fisheries targeting e.g. Greenland halibut Reinhardtius hippoglossoides caught mainly sharks of the continental slope, such as Greenland shark Somniosus microcephalus, black dogfish Centroscyllium fabricii, and several other deepwater species. Catch rates of several species appear high and may warrant conservation action. For the majority, however, there is insufficient infor- mation on abundance, and sometimes even basic biology, to accurately assess the impact of this in- cidental mortality.
Modelling Ethylene-Hydrogen Jet Flames in the MILD Combustion Regime

Moderate or Intense Low oxygen Dilution (MILD) combustion is a particular combustion regime which offers improved thermal efficiency and a reduction of nitrogen oxide (NOx) pollutants and soot. In this paper computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is employed to model turbulent jet flames issuing into a hot and di- luted coflow stream, with a view to develop fundamental level understanding of the MILD combustion regime. Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) simulations are coupled with the Eddy Dissipation Concept (EDC) turbulence-chemistry model and the computational results are compared with experimental measurements. For the turbulent ethylene-hydrogen (C2H4/H2) fuel jet, a modified k-" turbulence model, the standard Reynolds Stress Model (RSM), Shear Stress Transport (SST) model, k-! models, and a modified RSM are considered. Results show that a mesh, constructed with 53610, primarily rectangular, elements with a characteristic length of 0.950mm, is sufficient to model the combustion processes in the MILD configuration of the JHC burner. The most accurate reacting flow field is predicted using the modified RSM, by adjustment of the factor C1" to 1.6 from the default 1.44. The RSM is the most computationally expensive model, being an anisotropic exten- sion of the standard k-" model, however the increased computational cost is small in comparison to the cost of solving the detailed, finite-rate chemistry required for modelling MILD combustion. The modified RSM is therefore deemed to be superior in this application in comparison to the other turbulence models investigated.
Development And Implantation Of Simulation Modelling In Road Construction Planning: The Case Of RoadSim

Road construction is very expensive, unpredictable and highly influenced by uncountable factors, like weather, type of soil, environmental issues, etc. This has led to difficulties in developing accurate construction plans and modelling construction operation using traditional simulation system. In this context, the paper introduces a road construction-oriented simulation system which was designed and developed to automate road construction planning process. The system is a decision support tool, conceived to provide results referring to the productivity of the resources involved in a road construction operation. The system has specific-domain characteristics and was developed using a knowledge-based methodology to allow the incorporation of road construction rules. The system is designated RoadSim and was designed to model the road construction operations that usually are included in road construction projects and, therefore, automate the respective planning process. The construction operations have been identified through a comprehensive analysis of a large number of road projects. For every road construction operation a template model was defined with the consideration of the factors influencing the productivity of the resources involved in this type of construction. Using the productivity results obtained by the system, RoadSim automates also the scheduling of the works and provides elements to study the resource allocation. This paper refers the principles followed for the development of RoadSim and explains its main features through the use of the system in real-world road construction projects. The results obtained using RoadSim are compared with the elements collected in a control process, demonstrating the accuracy and usefulness of the system. Keyword: Road Construction, Simulation, Knowledge base, Planning
Quantitative evaluation of the piezoelectric response of unpoled ferroelectric ceramics from elastic and dielectric measurements: Tetragonal BaTiO3

A method is proposed for evaluating the potential piezoelectric response, that a ferroelectric material would exhibit after full poling, from elastic and dielectric measurements of the unpoled ceramic material. The method is based on the observation that the softening in a ferroelectric phase with respect to the paraelectric phase is of piezoelectric origin, and is tested on BaTiO3. The angular averages of the piezoelectric softening in unpoled ceramics are calculated for ferroelectric phases of different symmetries. The expression of the orientational average with the piezoelectric and dielectric constants of single crystal tetragonal BaTiO3 from the literature reproduces well the softening of the Young's modulus of unpoled ceramic BaTiO3, after a correction for the porosity. The agreement is good in the temperature region sufficiently far from the Curie temperature and from the transition to the orthorhombic phase, where the effect of fluctuations should be negligible, but deviations are found outside t.
Diazotrophic Bacterial Community of Degraded Pastures

Pasture degradation can cause changes in diazotrophic bacterial communities. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the culturable and total diazotrophic bacterial community, associated with regions of the rhizosphere and roots of Brachiaria decumbens Stapf. pastures in different stages of degradation. Samples of roots and rhizospheric soil were collected from slightly, partially, and highly degraded pastures. McCrady’s table was used to obtain the Most Probable Number (MPN) of bacteria per gram of sample, in order to determine population density and calculate the Shannon-Weaver diversity index. The diversity of total diazotrophic bacterial community was determined by the technique of Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE) of the nifH gene, while the diversity of the culturable diazotrophic bacteria was determined by the Polymerase Chain Reaction (BOX-PCR) technique. The increase in the degradation stage of the B. decumbens Stapf. pasture did not reduce the population density of the cultivated diazotrophic bacterial community, suggesting that the degradation at any degree of severity was highly harmful to the bacteria. The structure of the total diazotrophic bacterial community associated with B. decumbens Stapf. was altered by the pasture degradation stage, suggesting a high adaptive capacity of the bacteria to altered environments.
Community Perceptions on Marriage and Family Counselling: A Survey on Married Couples in Hintonville Community of Chegutu in Mashonaland West Province of Zimbabwe

The study investigated the perceptions of the Chegutu Town community on marriage counselling, using different modes of counselling, namely, traditional counselling, pastoral counselling, counselling by police officers from the Victim Friendly Unit and professional counselling. The researchers targeted the population of married couples in Hintonville Low Density Suburbs, a location that is situated in Chegutu Town in Zimbabwe. A sample of 30 married respondents comprising 17 married men and 13 married women of various ages ranging from 21 years upwards who had plus/minus eleven years of experience in marriage, were conveniently selected. The descriptive survey and structured questionnaires with closed and open ended questions were used to collect data. A pilot study was carried out to ensure validity and reliability of the research instrument. The study findings revealed that married couples generally have a positive perception on all the four modes of counselling. However, of the above mentioned modes of counselling, the community in question prefers pastoral counselling most because of the spiritual guidance associated with it. The community also supports traditional counselling though some married couples are of the view that elders are too harsh, unlike pastoral counselling and professional counselling. The results also suggest that the community is not fully conversant with professional counselling as evidenced by the low rate of respondents who prefer professional counselling as compared to pastoral counselling and traditional counselling.
Polychaete Assemblages of Intertidal Mixohaline Flats of Bahía Samborombón (La Plata River Estuary-Argentina)

During November 1998- December 1999 period, a monthly benthic sample program was carried out along the intertidal flats of the southernmost part of Bahia Samborombon (external zone of La Plata River estuary). The main objectives of this study were to define the spatial and temporal distribution patterns of polychaete species in this mixohaline environment and to determinate the main environmental factors related with the distribution of these invertebrates. Two low diversity faunistic assemblages were identified in the studied area. One of them was related to muddy intertidal flats of San Clemente creek, characterized by its high clay and organic matter contents. The other assemblage was related to the sandy bottoms of Punta Rasa, an area with a higher marine influence, lower organic matter content and fine sand as the sediment dominant fraction. The first of these assemblages was dominated by Laeonereis culveri and presented as secondary species Heteromastus similis, Neanthes succinea, Nephtys fluviatilis and Scolecolepides sp. The other assemblage had Laeonereis culveri as dominant species and Capitella capitata as subdominant member, being secondary species Heteromastus similis, Neanthes succinea, Polydora cornuta and Scolecolepides sp. The polychaete assemblages of the studied area showed great affinities with other mixohalines coastal areas of Northern Buenos Aires Province and Southern Brazil
Inversion of Potential Vorticity Density

AbstractInversion of potential vorticity density with absolute vorticity and function η is explored in η coordinates. This density is shown to be the component of absolute vorticity associated with the vertical vector of the covariant basis of η coordinates. This implies that inversion of in η coordinates is a two-dimensional problem in hydrostatic flow.Examples of inversions are presented for (θ is potential temperature) and (p is pressure) with satisfactory results for domains covering the North Pole. The role of the boundary conditions is investigated and piecewise inversions are performed as well. The results shed new light on the interpretation of potential vorticity inversions.
ONLINE SYSTEM IDENTIFICATION METHOD USING MODIFIED REGULARIZED EXPONENTIAL FORGETTING PRIEBEŽNÁ IDENTIFIKÁCIA SYTÉMOV S VYUŽITÍM MODIFIKOVANÉHO REGULARIZOVANÉHO EXPONENCIÁLNEHO ZABÚDANIA

The paper deals with the use of regularized exponential forgetting (REF) in the process of online system identification. The deployment of this type of forgetting strategy is advantageous for very long runs with small changes in the identified input parameters (in the range of 100 000 steps). In these cases, the classical methods of forgetting, such as an exponential (EF) or directional forgetting (DF) lack the required quality and reach the limit of numerical stability of the calculations of system parameters, which may lead to the early termination of system identification procedure. To avoid this undesirable effect and maintain sufficient primary information about the identified system, a modified REF method is used that employs alternative covariance matrix (ACM) formulation to store the primary information of the identified system (REFACM) and prevents the numerical destabilization of the identification process. The quality of the modified REFACM forgetting method —along with its validation and comparison with REZ to verify its properties—is performed using standard tests.
Determination of best rotor length in solid-rotor induction motor with axial slitting

The efficiency of the solid-rotor induction machines depends on axial length of rotor (including the end-regions). Determination of the best axial length is problematic because of current density distribution in the end-regions and also because of absence of dedicated methods and models. This work proposes a method that circumvents this difficulty. It is based on the numerical determination of a dimensionless rotor-end factor using a combination of three- and two-dimensional finite element models restricted to the motor rotor. Such the end factor can be used in both analytical and numerical model of the machine in order to determine the typical performance characteristics. In this work, using this method, we determined an optimal length of the slitted solid rotor of a motor operating at 12 000 rpm, that maximizes the motor efficiency. The results of com- putations and measurements, carried out on the laboratory test-stand, are presented.
Critical factors of quality management used in research questionnaires : a review of literature

This paper examines the emergence of critical factors of quality management in the development of quality management research questionnaires. A review of literature shows that 27 different critical factors or constructs were developed and used by established researchers in the field. Out of these, 8 most popular critical factors have been identified ? top management support, quality information availability, quality information usage, employee training, employee involvement, product? process design, supplier quality and customer orientation. This paper suggests that the critical factors of quality management be standardized so that a sound comparison can be made between research findings of studies conducted in various countries of the world.
he role of house prices in the monetary policy transmission mechanism in mall open economies

We analyse the role of house prices in the monetary policy transmission mechanism in Norway, Sweden and the UK, using structural VARs. A solution is proposed to the endogeneity problem of identifying shocks to interest rates and house prices by using a combination of short-run and long-run (neutrality) vailable online 16 February 2010
Threat, efficacy and message framing in consumer healthcare

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the interactive effects of message framing, perceived threat and efficacy appeals on attitudes/intentions toward consumer healthcare communications, particularly, cataract surgery. Design/methodology/approach This paper develops two conceptual models dealing with threat, efficacy and framing and tests them with data collected from two field experiments. Findings The results reveal that high efficacy messages in combination with high threat or loss-framed messages have a significant positive influence on consumer attitudes and intentions in the consumer healthcare arena. Practical implications The findings have managerial value and public policy implications for healthcare officials in developing effective communications material. Specifically, this paper recommends that high threat, high efficacy and loss-framed efficacy messages be used. Originality/value This research extends previous work by demonstrating the effectiveness of threat appeals and framing on consumer attitudes and intentions to undergo cataract surgery. It also demonstrates the use of communication models in the healthcare domain.
Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Effect of the Essential Oil of Pelargonium graveolens (Geranium Rosat) Grown in Butare (Rwanda) Towards Formulation of Plant-based Antibiotics

The essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation of the leaves of Pelargonium graveolens was analysed by GC/ FID and GC/MS methods. Individual co mponents of the oil were identified by their mass spectra which were co mpared with prev iously published works. About sixty one co mpounds were identified, among wh ich the major co mponents were geraniol (36. 6 %), citronello l (15.9%), linalool (11.0%), isom enthone (6.1%) and 10-epi-gamma eudesmol (4.6%). The essential oils of P. graveolens revealed to exh ibit a significant antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Salmonella serotypes B and D, Shigella flexnerie and Shigella sonnei even at small concentrations (1µl/ ml). Qu ite the reverse, this investigation showed that the essential oil of P. graveolens has no effect on the fungus Candida albicans, and the bacteria such us Staphylococcus aureus, Serratia marcescens and Pseudomanas aeroginosa. They remain resistant at even high concentrations of its essential oil (20 µl/ ml). The results obtained in the present study indicate the possibility of exp loiting the essential o il of P. graveolens to fight against so many infectious human diseases in Rwanda. At this level of knowledge, the formulat ion of synthetic drugs against some hu man in fectious diseases is believable. Ho wever, further investigations are required to make the med ical explo itation of this plant successful
DO MICROHABITATS IN FOREST GAPS INFLUENCE TREE REGENERATION? A STUDY IN THE MONTANE FORESTS OF VENEZUELAN GUAYANA

One theory used to explain the high tree species richness in tropical forests involves niche partitioning, whereby species specialize according to the availability of environmental resources in microhabitats. We examined whether there were differences in microhabitats that could account for the composition and diversity of tree regeneration in natural small-scale montane forest canopy gaps found in the Sierra de Lema, VFive microhabitats (fallen crown, fallen large branches, large lying trunk, undisturbed ground, and the gap border) were identified and sampled for species richness in 20-m² plots within gaps. Additionally, the cover of trees, large palm seedlings, shrubs, tree ferns, and small palms was estimated and gap age, size, and disturbance category were assessed. T o test what was influencing tree species richness we developed four alternative models and used various combinations of explanatory variables: microhabitats, abiotic gap characteristics, and competition with other life forms. The importance of each variable was evaluated based on the model averages. The differences in composition were analyzed with permanova and mrpp, and an indicator species analysis was done. A total of 111 morphospecies was recorded. Species richness differed between microhabitats. Branch and crown areas had a negative impact, as did the most severe disturbance category. Gap size, however, did not have any impact on species richness at either plot or gap level. Species composition differed between crown, undisturbed, and trunk micro - habitats and the most severe disturbance category also had a differentiating impact.
Biomimetic and Evolutionary Design Driven Innovation in Sustainable Products Development

An innovative, design-driven, sustainable approach in conceiving, developing, producing, using new materials can be effective in strengthening the competiveness and success of creative industries linked to manufacturing (e.g., biomedical, architecture, automotive, art, crafts, supports for cultural items, decoration, fashion, furniture, lighting, interior design materials and products, jewels, luxury, media supports, publishing, sport and toys), adding value to products and processes also by 'immaterial' factors (e.g., trend translation, enhanced sensations, values). The vision that the research and the advancement of scientific and technological knowledge can be driven by the needs of sustainable development of products and goods has been revived as a strategy for sustainable development. In the evolutionary Design process, creativity determines the mutation of an object shape (material or structure morphology) and this triggers an evolutionary design that repeatedly involves technological development of material, shape and structure. A Biomedical product evolutionary design case study based on these principles has been specifically addressed to the dissemination and spreading of innovative material and technology greener solutions. The use of the evolutionary design in the creative medical industry sectors, while adopting sustainable and socially responsible approach to reduce energy consumption and environmental impact conveys a holistic view of the industrial design process in the field of biomedical application.