Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dynamic interaction of vehicles and bridges

Many studies conducted worldwide over a period of more than a decade have confirmed that large dynamic effects can be induced in bridges by the combination of heavy vehicles and uneven road profiles. In Australia, approximately 75% of the bridges have spans between 5 and 15 m. Many of these short span bridges have shown dynamic effects due to vehicle-bridge interaction that far exceed the provisions of the current Australian Bridge Design Code, and in some cases dynamic increments in excess of 100% have been recorded, even for heavily loaded events. The introduction of the new Australian Bridge Design Standard will see the design load for bridges increase to allow for heavier and more innovative vehicles in the future, and it is important to investigate vehiclebridge interaction associated with these future vehicle types. This paper presents results from computer-based dynamic models that were developed to investigate the complex probLem of dynamic interaction between heavy vehicles and bridges in the presence of uneven road profiles. The models were used to investigate the influence of the main parameters governing dynamic responses of bridges to the crossing of heavy vehicles, such as bridge natural frequency and damping, vehicle mass and suspension characteristics, road profiles on the bridge approaches and deck, and vehicle speed. Results from parametric studies were found to be generally consistent with . field measurements and experience. The work described in this paper is part of an ongoing program of research in Australia that is aimed at delivering recommendations to AUSTROADS with respect to the dynamic load allowance both for the design of new bridges and the assessment of existing bridges.
NewMicroporous Polymer Electrolyte Based on Polysiloxane Grafted with Imidazolium IodideMoieties for DSSC

Two types of polysiloxane grafted with different ratio of imidazolium iodide moieties (IL-SiO2) have been synthesized to develop a micro-porous polymer electrolyte for quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells. The samples were characterized by 1HNMR, FT-IR spectrum, XRD, TEM and SEM, respectively. Moreover, the ionic conductivity of the electrolytes was measured by electrochemical workstation. Nanostructured polysiloxane containing imidazolium iodide showed excellent compatibility with organic solvent and polymer matrix for its ionic liquid characteristics. Increasing the proportion of imidazolium iodide moieties in polysiloxane improved the electrochemical behavior of the gel polymer electrolyte. A dye-sensitized solar cell with gel polymer electrolyte yielded an open-circuit voltage of 0.70 V, short-circuit current of 11.19 mA cm−2, and the conversion efficiency of 3.61% at 1 sun illumination.
New infrared star clusters and candidates in the Galaxy detected with 2MASS

A sample of 42 new infrared star clusters, stellar groups and candidates was found throughout the Galaxy in the 2MASS J, H and especially KS atlases. In the Cygnus X region 19 new clusters, stellar groups and candidates were found as compared to 6 such objects in the previous literature. Colour-Magnitude Diagrams using the 2MASS Point Source Catalogue provided preliminary distance estimates in the range 1:0 < d < 1:8 kpc for 7 Cygnus X clusters. Towards the central parts of the Galaxy 7 new IR clusters and candidates were found as compared to 61 previous objects. A search for prominent dark nebulae in KS was also carried out in the central bulge area. We report 5 dark nebulae, 2 of them are candidates for molecular clouds able to generate massive star clusters near the Nucleus, such as the Arches and Quintuplet clusters.
Infrared Dim Small Target Detection Technology Based on RPCA

In this paper, a novel small target detection algorithm based on robust master analysis (RPCA) is proposed to solve the problem of small target difficult to detection in single infrared image. Because of the background matrix is a low rank matrix and the target matrix is a sparse matrix, small target detection can be formulated as an optimization problem of recovering low-rank and sparse matrices. RPCA method is used to restore the background matrix and targets matrix, and then choose the inexact augmented Lagrange multipliers to solve RPCA model which is faster. At last, two simulation experiments result indicate that can adapt to a variety of single image and the timeliness is good for small matrix.
Leadership Skills of Students in Alternative Education and Mainstream Schools in India.

This study documents the student leadership skills in selected alternative education and mainstream schools in India and explores the implications for enhancing school curriculum in India to better address the changing needs of public education in the context of a global economy. This exploratory study o ers a comparative analysis of leadership skills in India in both mainstream and alternative education schools. The study was done using the Leadership Skills Inventory (LSI) developed by Karnes and Chauvin (1985). The alternative school students consistently scored higher in all dimensions. The di erences were statistically signi cant on combined leadership dimensions and two of the nine individual dimensions. note: This manuscript has been peer-reviewed, accepted, and endorsed by the National Council of Professors of Educational Administration (NCPEA) as a signi cant contribution to the scholarship and practice of education administration. In addition to publication in the Connexions Content Commons, this module is published in the International Journal of Educational Leadership Preparation, Volume 6, Number 3 (July September, 2011), ISSN 2155-9635. Formatted and edited in Connexions by Theodore Creighton and Brad Bizzell, Virginia Tech and Janet Tareilo, Stephen F. Austin State University. 1 Sumario en espanol Este estudio documenta las habilidades de liderazgo de estudiante en escuelas alternativas seleccionada de educacion y corriente principal en India y explora las implicaciones para aumentar programa de estudio en India para dirigir mejor las necesidades cambiantes de la educacion publica en el contexto de una economia ∗Version 1.5: Jul 6, 2011 3:40 pm GMT-5 †http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ http://www.ncpeapublications. org http://cnx.org/content/m38506/1.5/ Connexions module: m38506 2 global. Este estudio exploratorio ofrece un analisis relativo de habilidades de liderazgo en India en ambas escuelas convencionales y alternativas de la educacion. El estudio fue hecho utilizar que las Habilidades de Liderazgo Inventarian (LSI) desarrollado por Karnes y Chauvin (1985). Los estudiantes alternativos de la escuela rayaron coherentemente mas alto en todas las dimensiones. Las diferencias fueron estadisticamente signi cativas en dimensiones combinadas de liderazgo y dos de las nueve dimensiones individuales. note: Esta es una traduccion por computadora de la pagina web original. Se suministra como informacion general y no debe considerarse completa ni exacta.
Colorimetric determination of molecular weight of branched polyethylenimine using unmodified gold nanoparticles

Branched polyethylenimine (BPEI) is a cationic polymer that have been used to deliver genes and often served as a ―golden standard‖ of non-viral vectors. The transfection efficiency/cytotoxicity profile of BPEI depends on its molecular weight (MW). However, due to the strong positive charge of this polyelectrolyte, it is difficult to determine accurately the MW of BPEI, even if applying sophisticated instruments and complicated protocols. Here, we show a colorimetric assay for the measurement of BPEI MW, based on the aggregation of unmodified gold nanoparticles (Au NPs). We found that the different MW of BPEI (1.25 μg/ml) leads to the different aggregation degrees of Au NPs and the color changes of the solutions. Thus, the MW can be distinguished straightforwardly by visual inspection and determined by spectrophotometry. This novel approach is simple (mixing solutions at room temperature), rapid (within 15 min) and sensitive (only depending on the MW).
Antimicrobial sensitivity pattern of pathogenic bacteria isolated from older women with asymptomatic bacteriuria

Objectives: Asymptomatic bacteriuria is one of the most important silent diseases frequently infect women in worldwide. Aims: To determine the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of pathogenic bacteria isolated from older women with asymptomatic bacteriuria. Materials and Methods: A total of 263 culture positive bacterial isolates from 862 urine samples were collected from older women (60-70 years old) admitted to Al-Najaf hospital in Al-Najaf Governorate, Iraq during January 2016 to December 2017. All bacterial isolates were identified according to standard microbiological tests. Antimicrobial susceptibility test was done according to method by Kirby-Bauer. Results: Out of 263 culture positive urine samples, Escherichia coli was the most dominant bacterial isolates 109 (41.44%) followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae 85 (32.32%), Acinetobacter baumannii 32 (12.16%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa 18 (6.84%), Serratia marcescens 11 (4.18%) and Staphylococcus saprophyticus 8 (3.06%). Among all antimicrobials, Imipenem 10 μg showed the highest activity (100%) against E. coli, S. marcescens and S. saprophyticus isolates While, Amikacin 30 μg showed the highest activity (100%) against S. marcescens only. Most bacterial isolates 240 (91.3%) were multi-drug resistance (MDR), 16 isolates (6%) and 7 isolates (2.7%) were extensive drug-resistance (XDR) and pandrug- resistance (PDR), respectively. Conclusions: There were many older women infected with asymptomatic bacteriuria caused by bacteria with high resistant to different antimicrobials; therefore, the antimicrobial sensitivity test must be done periodically.
Application of Some Antifungal and Antioxidant Compounds Extracted from Some Herbs to Be Used in Cakes as Biopreservatives

It is highly desirable to employ biopreservatives of the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties to avoid the side effects associated with the use of synthetic preservatives. Cake batters containing essential oil extracts of some such Iranian native herbs as: Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis ), Camel thorn ( Alhagi maurorum ) and Ajwain ( Trachyspermum copticum ), were prepared. The chemical compositions of the essential oil were determined through GC–MS experiments. The shelf lives of the cakes were estimated by TBA (ThioBarbituric Acid) along with mould count measurements at room temperature during a 6 week storage period. The results revealed that these essential oils were fully effective in retarding mould growth and fat rancidity in the cakes. It was therefore concluded that these essential oils are of the potential to be used in the food industry as promising biopreservatives.
Assessment of Vascular Reactivity with Positron Emission Tomography

For more than 10 years, positron emission tomography (PET) has been the most sophisticated scintigraphic imaging technique targeting on in-vivo quantification of cardiac (patho)physiology and biochemistry. Since its introduction into clinical medicine the use of PET has been rather restricted due to its limited availability and high costs. The role of clinical PET is being redefined due to (1) the increasing amount of data from clinical trials on its relevance for patient management and (2) better availability of this technique. This overview will focus on the current role of clinical applications of PET imaging in coronary artery disease (CAD) with a perspective on future developments.
Thermodynamic Characteristics of 1 D Structures

In this paper 1D crystal lattice is analyzed within harmonic approximation, with one atom per elementary cell and nearest neighbor interaction included. For this type of crystal lattice dispersion relations are well known. Thermodynamic functions (specific heat and phonon thermal conductivity) are calculated via phonon density of states given in exact form. Thermodynamic variables are calculated for a whole temperature range. In limiting cases of low and high temperatures these thermodynamic variables can be found in analytic forms. For thermal conductivity the results of Callaway model for exact phonon density of states are compared with the results of Callaway model for Debye approximation of phonon density of states.
Comparing Muscle Function of Children and Adults: Effects of Scaling for Muscle Size

This study examined the force-velocity and power-velocity relationships of the quadriceps muscles of children and adults. Measurements of muscle function were collected using the Con-Trex isokinetic dynamometer. Twenty adults and twenty children performed maximal effort knee extensions at nine different velocities. The mean force-velocity curves of children and adults revealed obvious differences between the groups. The curves remained different following corrections of torque for CSA and velocity for length. ANOVA revealed significant differences in the uncorrected values of power between the two groups. When power values were corrected for lean thigh muscle volume, no significant differences were found between the groups. These findings suggest that differences in muscle strength between children and adults are a function of muscle size and imply that muscle function remains relatively unchanged from childhood to early adulthood.
Nearshore areas used by fry Chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, in the northwestern Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, California

We reported the geographic distribution and the densities and catch rates of fry Chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, found in different substrata and nearshore zones in the northwestern Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta of the San Francisco Estuary, California, USA. Nearshore zones in the fresh-water, tidally influenced northwest delta were dominated by riprap, and contained sparse sections of tule beds, beaches, and riparian zones. A total of six beach seine sites and eight electrofish sites were sampled during winter 2001 along the Sacramento River, Steamboat Slough, Miner Slough, Prospect Island Marsh, Prospect Slough, and Liberty Island Marsh. Overall, fry densities were higher on the Sacramento River and Steamboat Slough and lower in Liberty and Prospect Island marshes. Chinook salmon fry were significantly larger in the Sacramento River than in Steamboat Slough during March. Highest densities of Chinook salmon fry were observed in shallow beaches than in riprap nearshore zones. Fry densities also increased with Secchi depth and richness of non-native predators, suggesting increased predation risk by opportunistic predators. Shallow nearshore environments in conveyance channels, such as Steamboat Slough and the Sacramento River, seem important for Chinook salmon fry rearing. Conversely, riprap in these channels could reduce fry rearing habitat. Although fry catch rates by electrofishing did not differ greatly among riparian, riprap, beach and tule nearshore zones, they were on average about one-third higher in beaches. Evaluating potential impacts of habitat quality on growth and survival of fry seems key to further assess and monitor restoration efforts in the delta.
C riteria of Parents for Choosing Preschool Centers during the Period of Economic Crisis in Greece

Background: The provision of qualitative early childhood care and education are priorities for European Member States. High quality program have positive outcomes for all children and specially those of disadvantaged social groups. Aim: The aim of the present study was to detect the criteria by which Greek parents evaluate Preschool Centers for the care and education of their children in the preschool age. Methodology: 315 parents of low income with children aged 2.5 - 5 years old answered the research questionnaire . Results: Greek parents consider as the most important elements of early childhood care and education quality the good relationship between educators and children (100%), the pleasant learning environment (100%), the respect of children with special needs (97%), the program’s emphasis on the children’s social development (98%), on emotional development (94%) and on good nutrition (94%). Greek parents, despite the period of economic crisis that plagues society, focus on qualitative criteria such as the serv ices offered by preschool centers (93%), the natural environment of the setting (87%), and the program applied (82%). They put on a second role operational criteria for preschool centers, which would facilitate them on a personal level, such as location and cost.
Fine-Tuning Parameters of Deep Belief Networks Using Artificial Bee Colony Algorithm

The Deep Belief network has become a powerful tool in nowadays to large-scale-oriented application, however, there are several parameters need to assign in advances that is key factors of successive application. In this paper, we proposed to address the issue of properly fine-tuning parameters of Deep Belief Networks by means of Artificial Bee Colony (ABC) algorithm. Experimental results show that the proposed ABC algorithm can effectively reconstruct the original binary images.
Biological Activities of Water and Ethanol Extracts from Two Varieties of Rubus coreanus Miquel Fruits

The potential biological activities of water and ethanol extracts from two varieties of Rubus coreanus Miquel fruits produced in the Gochang-gun (GR) and Hoengseong-gun (HR) regions of Korea were examined. The hydroxyl radical ( OH) scavenging activity, reducing power, lipid peroxidation inhibitory activity, and antiproliferative activity on cancer cells by these extracts were examined, and α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition assays were also performed. The EtOH extract from GR showed high hydroxyl radical scavenging activity (EC 50 =119.47±5.13 ㎍/mL), lipid peroxidation inhibitory activity (EC 50 =213.45±3.14 ㎍/mL) and a concentration dependence, with OD values ranging from 0.15 to 0.56 (50 to 200 ㎍/mL), for reducing power. The EtOH extract from GR has the highest antiproliferative activities on MDA-MB-231 and HepG2 cancer cells among four extracts. Meanwhile, all extracts showed certain α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition activities. These results indicate that extracts from two varieties of R. coreanus fruits have significant antioxidant, anti-diabetic and anti-tumorigenic activities, which suggest these extracts could be a potential source for pharmaceutical.
Financial Valuation and Risk Management Working Paper No . 712 Variance Risk , Financial Intermediation , and the Cross-Section of Expected Option Returns

We explore the pricing of variance risk by decomposing stocks’ total variance into systematic and idiosyncratic return variances. While systematic variance risk exhibits a negative price of risk, common shocks to the variances of idiosyncratic returns carry a large positive risk premium. This implies investors pay for insurance against increases (declines) in systematic (idiosyncratic) variance, even though both variances comove countercyclically. Common idiosyncratic variance risk is an important determinant for the cross-section of expected option returns. These findings reconcile several phenomena, including the pricing differences between index and stock options, the cross-sectional variation in stock option expensiveness, the volatility mispricing puzzle, and the significant returns earned on various option portfolio strategies. Our results are consistent with theories of financial intermediation under capital constraints.
The role of the principal's instructional leadership at schools in Indonesia

Firmaningsih-Kolu, Yunita. 2015. The role of principal’s instructional leadership at schools in Indonesia. University of Jyväskylä. Educational Leadership. The education system in Indonesia, based on Ministry of National Education, has been performing instructional leadership as a major part of the effective school leaders’ behavior. One of the goals of instructional leadership implementation is to increase the learning outcomes of students. However, many of international student assessments have shown that Indonesia’s education system was among the incompetent countries. The purpose of the study is to analyze the implementation of instructional leadership phenomenon as the basic concept of effective leadership. This study was designed to investigate both principals and teachers about the role of principals’ instructional leadership. A qualitative method with inductive approach was used by the researcher to gather the data. The data was gathered by interviewing three principals and three teachers from three different schools in Indonesia. By conducting this study, the researcher has found the pros and the contras during the implementation of the principal’s instructional leadership. The findings of the study indicated that most principals and teachers supported the enforcement of instructional leadership in Indonesian education system intensively. In conclusion, the principal’s instructional leadership ran effectively, when, in practice, the leadership was followed and guided by a clear formulation instructional objective and good collaboration among principals, teachers, students and all stakeholders.
Influence of pH on Structural and OpticalProperties of Spin Coated ZnO Thin Films

Multi layer Zinc Oxide thin films with different pH were prepared by sol-gel spin coating technique. Zinc acetate dihydrate (Zn (CH3COO)2 . 2H2O), monoethanolamine (MEA,H2N(CH2CH2OH) and isopropanol (CH3C2H5OH, Merck) were used to prepare the coating solution and its pH was varied by adding ammonia and was spin coated on glass substrates at 2000 rpm for 30s. After each deposition the films were pre-heated at 200°C for 10 minutes. The coating was repeated for five times. Finally the films were post heated at 450oC in air atmosphere for 60 minutes. Thickness of the films was found by surface stylus profilometer. The structural properties were investigated by using X-ray diffraction technique and grain size was calculated. The optical properties were investigated using UV-Vis spectroscopy and PL studies and the optical band gap was calculated. The influence of pH on the structural and optical properties of ZnO thin films was reported.
Productivity, Capital Utilization, and Intra-rm Di¤usion: A Study of Steel Rening Furnaces

This paper examines the intra- rm di¤usion of new technology in the Japanese steel industry. The introduction of the basic oxygen furnace was the greatest breakthrough in steel re ning in the last century. Using unique panel data concerning capital utilization, the paper estimates total factor productivity by technology type, and associates the estimate with intra- rm di¤usion. Estimation results reveal that the productivity di¤erence between the old and new technologies plays an important role. The paper also nds that in operation, the old technology can better respond to changes in market demand, which brings about counter-cyclicality in the measured productivity. JEL: D24, L61, O14, O33. Keywords: intra- rm di¤usion; innovation; technological change; TFP