Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Global Biogeochemical Cycles Marine N 2 O Emissions From Nitrification and Denitrification Constrained by Modern Observations and Projected in Multimillennial Global Warming Simulations

Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a potent greenhouse gas (GHG) and ozone destructing agent; yet global estimates of N2O emissions are uncertain. Marine N2O stems from nitrification and denitrification processes which depend on organic matter cycling and dissolved oxygen (O2). We introduce N2O as an obligate intermediate product of denitrification and as an O2-dependent by-product from nitrification in the Bern3D ocean model. A large model ensemble is used to probabilistically constrain modern and to project marine N2O production for a low (Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP)2.6) and high GHG (RCP8.5) scenario extended to A.D. 10,000. Water column N2O and surface ocean partial pressure N2O data serve as constraints in this Bayesian framework. The constrained median for modern N2O production is 4.5 (±1σ range: 3.0 to 6.1) Tg N yr−1, where 4.5% stems from denitrification. Modeled denitrification is 65.1 (40.9 to 91.6) Tg N yr−1, well within current estimates. For high GHG forcing, N2O production decreases by 7.7% over this century due to decreasing organic matter export and remineralization. Thereafter, production increases slowly by 21% due to widespread deoxygenation and high remineralization. Deoxygenation peaks in two millennia, and the global O2 inventory is reduced by a factor of 2 compared to today. Net denitrification is responsible for 7.8% of the long-term increase in N2O production. On millennial timescales, marine N2O emissions constitute a small, positive feedback to climate change. Our simulations reveal tight coupling between the marine carbon cycle, O2, N2O, and climate.
Treatment of Cheese Whey Wastewater Using an Expanded Granular Sludge Bed (EGSB) Bioreactor with Biomethane Production

Cheese whey wastewater (CWW) is the major by-product of the dairy industry. CWW is produced in large quantities, has varied characteristics and is usually disposed of. The disposal of CWW causes a negative impact on the environment of different agroindustrial areas due to the physic-chemical composition that significantly increases its high organic load and nutrients. For this reason, the aim of this work was to carry out an evaluation of the anaerobic treatability of an Expanded Granular Sludge Bed (EGSB) bioreactor as a new sustainable alternative for treatment of these effluents with bioenergy production. In this study, the bioreactor was operated under stable conditions (i.e., buffer index of 0.23 ± 0.1, pH 7.22 ± 0.4 and temperature 26.6 ± 1.4 °C) for 201 days. During evaluation the hydraulic retention time (HRT) was 6 and 8 days, and it was buffered with NaHCO3. At these conditions, the COD removal rate and biochemical methane potential (BMP) were 90, 92%; and 334, 328 mLCH4/gCOD, respectively. The evidence found in this study highlighted that the CWW is a viable substrate to be treated in the EGSB bioreactor as long as it keeps buffered. Furthermore, the process to treat the CWW in an EGSB bioreactor can be a sustainable alternative to simultaneously solve the environmental pollution that this agro-industry confronts and produce renewable and environmentally-friendly bioenergy.
Low‐Temperature Silicon‐Vacancy Luminescence of Individual Chemical Vapor Deposition Nanodiamonds Grown by Seeding and Spontaneous Nucleation

Diamond nanoparticles with optically active color centers can be used in nanoscale devices for quantum networking and sensing. A particular interest is focused on nanodiamonds (NDs) containing a small ensemble of negatively charged silicon‐vacancy (SiV) centers. Such NDs can be integrated with on‐chip optical structures. Here, chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is used to synthesize diamond particles of less than 100 nm in size containing 10–20 centers per ND. Two types of NDs grown on a Si substrate are studied, seeded with detonation NDs and without any seeding. The SiV luminescence under off‐resonant and resonant laser excitation at the temperature of 15 K is investigated. The emission lines of SiVs of individual NDs are well resolved and found to be spread in the range of 730–750 nm. The typical SiV linewidth is within 1–2 GHz for spontaneous NDs, which is only a factor of 2.5–5 broader than the lifetime limited linewidth of the SiV at 15 K. The emission of a single SiV is highly stable for both types of samples. This work is a critical step toward the synthesis of SiVs suitable for the realization of integrated quantum photonic devices.
Chapter 2 Preparation and characterization of nevirapine self-emulsifying formulation containing

Nevirapine (NVP) is a highly lipophilic and water insoluble non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) used for the treatment of HIV-1 infection. Lymphoid tissue constitutes the major reservoir of HIV virus and infected cells in HIV-infected patients. Self-emulsifying drug delivery system (SEDDS), using long chain triglycerides (LCT), is a popular carrier of drugs due to their ability to transport lipophilic drugs into the lymphatic circulation. However, HIV/AIDS patients experience a variety of functional and anatomical abnormalities in gastrointestinal tract that result in diarrhoea and nutrient malabsorption. Fat malabsorption leads to steatorrhea, weight loss, general debilitation and malnutrition. Medium chain triglycerides (MCT) are readily absorbed from the small bowel under conditions in which the absorption of LCT is impaired. Therefore, NVP SEDDS containing medium chain fatty acid, caprylic acid and a solubilizer, Soluphor P (2-pyrrolidone) was developed and found to be superior to the marketed conventional suspension with respect to in vitro diffusion and ex vivo intestinal permeability. This SEDDS was further investigated for in vivo absorption in an animal model. The contribution of caprylic acid and Soluphor P on in vivo absorption of NVP was also studied in the present study. The bioavailability of NVP from SEDDS, after oral administration, was 2.69 times higher than that of the marketed suspension. The present investigation indicates that, Soluphor P has the potential to enhance the in vivo absorption of poorly water soluble drug when used as a solubilizer in a self emulsifying drug delivery system. The improved bioavailability could be due to absorption of NVP via both portal and intestinal lymphatic routes. The study indicates that medium chain or structured triglycerides can be a better option to develop SEDDS for lipophilic and extensively metabolised drugs like nevirapine for patients with AIDS-associated malabsorption. Chapter 2 Nevirapine Page 57 2.
Reproduction and distribution of bald eagles in Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota, 1973-1993

Abstract : The bald eagle (Haliaeetus Leucocephalus) is classified as a threatened species in Minnesota. In 1973, the National Park Service began monitoring the distribution and reproduction of bald eagles in and immediately adjacent to Voyageurs National Park to obtain data that park management could use to protect bald eagles from the effects of use of the park by visitors and from the expansion of park facilities. Thirty-seven breeding areas were identified during 1973-93. Annual productivity ranged from 0.00 to 1.42 fledglings/occupied nest. We suspect that toxic substances, human disturbance, severe weather, and lack of food in early spring may have kept bald eagles in Voyageurs National Park from achieving a breeding success. The cumulative effect of these variables on reproduction and on habitat of bald eagles in Voyageurs National Park is unknown and should be determined.
Towards Functional Silicon Nitride Coatings for Joint Replacements

Silicon nitride (SiNx) coatings are currently under investigation as bearing surfaces for joint implants, due to their low wear rate and the good biocompatibility of both coatings and their potential wear debris. The aim of this study was to move further towards functional SiNx coatings by evaluating coatings deposited onto CoCrMo surfaces with a CrN interlayer, using different bias voltages and substrate rotations. Reactive direct current magnetron sputtering was used to coat CoCrMo discs with a CrN interlayer, followed by a SiNx top layer, which was deposited by reactive high-power impulse magnetron sputtering. The interlayer was deposited using negative bias voltages ranging between 100 and 900 V, and 1-fold or 3-fold substrate rotation. Scanning electron microscopy showed a dependence of coating morphology on substrate rotation. The N/Si ratio ranged from 1.10 to 1.25, as evaluated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Vertical scanning interferometry revealed that the coated, unpolished samples had a low average surface roughness between 16 and 33 nm. Rockwell indentations showed improved coating adhesion when a low bias voltage of 100 V was used to deposit the CrN interlayer. Wear tests performed in a reciprocating manner against Si3N4 balls showed specific wear rates lower than, or similar to that of CoCrMo. The study suggests that low negative bias voltages may contribute to a better performance of SiNx coatings in terms of adhesion. The low wear rates found in the current study support further development of silicon nitride-based coatings towards clinical application.
Rheology of Alkali-Activated Mortars: Influence of Particle Size and Nature of Aggregates

The effect of two precursors (slag and fly ash), different particle size distribution, and three types of aggregate (siliceous sand, limestone, and recycled concrete) on alkali-activated material (AAM) mortar rheology were studied and compared to their effect on an ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) mortar reference. Stress growth and flow curve tests were conducted to determine plastic viscosity and static and dynamic yield stress of the AAM and OPC mortars. In both OPC and AAM mortars, a reduction of the aggregate size induces a rise of the liquid demand to preserve the plastic consistency of the mortar. In general terms, an increase of the particle size of the siliceous aggregates leads to a decrease of the measured rheological parameters. The AAM mortars require higher liquid/solid ratios than OPC mortars to attain plastic consistency. AAM mortars proved to be more sensitive than OPC mortars to changes in aggregate nature. The partial replacement of the siliceous aggregates with up to 20% of recycled concrete aggregates induced no change in mixing liquid uptake, in either AAM or OPC mortars. All the AAM and OPC mortars studied fitted to the Bingham model.
Place plus Race Effects in Bureaucratic Discretionary Power: An Analysis of Residential Segregation and Police Stop Decisions

Abstract Discrepancies in bureaucrat behavior, residential segregation, and police stops that turn deadly have spurred critical analysis surrounding who gets stopped by the police and what happens once they get stopped. This study considers the effect of officers’ decision when performing vehicle stops and conducting vehicle or person searches, as measured at the block group level in Minneapolis neighborhoods. This research is one of the few empirical studies within public administration which examines police stop decisions during vehicle stops in segregated areas, and one of the few empirical studies that explores police actions toward immigrants. We find that majority African American areas of high segregation have 40% more vehicle or person searches than other parts of the city. Second, we find that in predominately African American areas with growing pockets of East African immigrant areas will be subject to 50% more vehicle and person searches. These results indicate that Black (whether native or foreign born) populations of people are more likely to have investigatory interactions with police officers.
Modeling of random bimodal structures of composites (application to solid propellants): I. Simulation of random packs

We consider a composite medium, which consists of a homogeneous matrix containing a statistically homogeneous set of multimodal spherical inclusions. This model is used to represent the morphology of heterogeneous solid propellants (HSP) that are widely used in the rocket industry. The Lubachevsky-Stillinger algorithm is used to generate morphological models of HSP with large polydisperse packs of spherical inclusions. We modify the algorithm by proposing a random shaking procedure that leads to the stabilization of a statistical distribution of the simulated structure that is homogeneous, highly mixed, and protocol independent (in sense that the statistical parameters estimated do not depend on the basic simulation algorithm). Increasing the number of shaking has a twofold effect. First, the system becomes more homogeneous and well-mixed. Second, the stochastic fluctuations of statistical parameters (such as e.g. radial distribution function, RDF), estimated by averaging of these structures, tend to diminish.
Chemical reaction on MHD flow and heat transfer of a nanofluid near the stagnation point over a permeable stretching surface with non-uniform heat source/sink

A numerical investigation has been conducted to study the laminar, boundary layer stagnation point flow of a nanofluid over a permeable, vertical stretching sheet. The model used incorporates the effects of Brownian motion with thermophoresis in the presence of uniform magnetic field and non-uniform source/sink under the influence of chemical reaction. Governing partial differential equations are transformed into a set of nonlinear ordinary differential equations using suitable similarity transformations. The transformed equations are then solved numerically using well known Runge-Kutta-Fehlberg method of fourth-fifth order with the help of symbolic software MAPLE. The influence of governing parameters on flow field, temperature and nanoparticle volume fraction profiles are provided both in graphical and tabular form. It is observed that heat source/sink with thermophoresis particle deposition in the presence of magnetic field have a substantial effect on the flow field and thus, on the heat and mass transfer rate from the sheet to the fluid. As the strength of the chemical reaction is higher than the thermophoresis particle deposition, nanoparticle volume fraction of the fluid gradually decreases. A comparative study has been conducted and is found to be in excellent agreement. Keywords : Stagnation point flow; Chemical reaction; Heat transfer; Stretching surface; Nanofluid; Numerical solution.
9 Size-Based Software Cost Modelling with Artificial Neural Networks and Genetic Algorithms

Accurate software cost estimation has always been a major concern especially for people involved in project management, resource control and schedule planning. A high-quality and reliable development effort estimate could provide more efficient planning and control over the whole software process and guide a project to success. As literature shows many researchers proposed a plethora of methods and techniques to model the relationship between software size and the actual development costs (Jørgensen & Shepperd, 2007). However, the track record of IT projects shows that often a large number fails. Most IT experts agree that such failures occur more regularly than they should (Charette, 2005). According to the 10th edition of the annual CHAOS report from the Standish Group that studied over 40,000 projects in 10 years, it seems that success rates increased to 34% and failures declined to 15% of the projects. Even though success rates increased, still, 51% of the projects overrun time/budget, lack critical features and requirements and/or important quality requirements are compromised. Furthermore, average software costs are apparently overrun by 43% (Software Magazine, 2004). One of the main reasons for these figures is failure to estimate the actual effort required to develop a software project. A reliable software cost estimation model has always been a major challenge and demand for project managers at the initiation phase of the project and also an important asset for the whole process of software development. In addition, there is a large discussion on the discovery of the relationship between cost drivers and effort, especially of one of the most critical cost factors, namely software size (Sommerville, 2007). The aforementioned modelling and estimation problem is further amplified due to the high level of complexity and uniqueness of each project. Estimating software costs, as well as deciding on assessing the appropriate cost drivers, remain difficult issues that need to be addressed. Such issues are constantly at the forefront of the project management’s interests from the initiation of the project until the system is delivered. Cost estimates, even for well-planned projects, are hard to make and will probably concern project managers long before the problem is adequately solved. Over the years software cost estimation has attracted considerable research attention and many techniques have been developed to effectively predict software costs (Briand &
Numerical Simulation of Viscous Flows Around a Surface Combatant Model at Different Drift Angles Using Overset Grids

Viscous flows around ship hull is of great complexity, and when the ship is advancing with drift angles, the flow field can be more complicated. In this paper, the viscous flow field around an obliquely towed surface combatant DTMB 5512 is computed using the unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (URANS) method. The numerical simulations are carried out by the in-house CFD solver naoe-FOAM-SJTU, which is developed on the open source platform OpenFOAM. To refine local grids and simulate dynamic ship motions, the overset grid approach is applied. Grid convergence study is first performed at straight-ahead towed condition with three sets of grid number and the results show monotonically convergence. Six different drift angles for the DTMB 5512 model at Froude number of 0.28 are simulated and the predicted hydrodynamic forces and flow field are presented. During the simulation, the ship hull is free to trim and sinkage at a free surface environment. As for straight-ahead towed condition, the total resistance coefficient and flow field, i.e., wave pattern and wake region, between this work and the experiment are compared. Both force coefficients and flow field show good agreement with the available experimental data. For oblique towed conditions, the lateral force, yaw moment and the derived hydrodynamic derivatives are also presented and compared with the experimental results. The variation of wave pattern and wake region at different drift angles are presented and analyzed. The results show that the current approach can be an effective tool to predict the viscous flows and hydrodynamic loads for oblique towed ships.
Comparing ERA-Interim clouds with satellite observations using a simplified satellite simulator

Abstract. An evaluation of the ERA-Interim clouds using satellite observations is presented. To facilitate such an evaluation in a proper way, a simplified satellite simulator has been developed and applied to 6-hourly ERA-Interim reanalysis data covering the period of 1982 to 2014. The simulator converts modelled cloud fields, for example those of the ERA-Interim reanalysis, to simulated cloud fields by accounting for specific characteristics of passive imaging satellite sensors such as the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR), which form the basis of many long-term observational datasets of cloud properties. It is attempted to keep the simulated cloud fields close to the original modelled cloud fields to allow a quality assessment of the latter based on comparisons of the simulated clouds fields with the observations. Applying the simulator to ERA-Interim data, this study firstly focuses on the spatial distribution and frequency of clouds (total cloud fraction) and on their vertical position, using cloud-top pressure to express the cloud fraction of high-level, mid-level and low-level clouds. Furthermore, the cloud-top thermodynamic phase is investigated. All comparisons incorporate knowledge of systematic uncertainties in the satellite observations and are further stratified by accounting for the limited sensitivity of the observations to clouds with very low cloud optical thickness (COT). The comparisons show that ERA-Interim cloud fraction is generally too low nearly everywhere on the globe except in the polar regions. This underestimation is caused by a lack of mid-level and/or low-level clouds, for which the comparisons only show a minor sensitivity to the cloud optical thickness thresholds applied. The amount of ERA-Interim high-level clouds, being higher than in the observations, agrees with the observations within their estimated uncertainties. Removing the optically very thin clouds (COT <0.15) from the model fields improves the agreement with the observations for high-level cloud fraction locally (e.g. in the tropics), while for the mid-latitude regions, the best agreement for high-level cloud fraction is found when removing all clouds with COT <1.0. Comparisons of the cloud thermodynamic phase at the cloud top reveal a too high relative ice cloud frequency in ERA-Interim, being most pronounced in the higher latitudes. Indications are found that this is due to the suppression of liquid cloud occurrence for temperatures below −23 ∘C in ERA-Interim. The application of this simulator facilitates a more effective use of passive satellite observations of clouds in the evaluation of modelled cloudiness, for example in reanalyses.
ϵ-subgradient algorithms for bilevel convex optimization

This paper introduces and studies the convergence properties of a new class of explicit ϵ-subgradient methods for the task of minimizing a convex function over a set of minimizers of another convex minimization problem. The general algorithm specializes to some important cases, such as first-order methods applied to a varying objective function, which have computationally cheap iterations. We present numerical experimentation concerning certain applications where the theoretical framework encompasses efficient algorithmic techniques, enabling the use of the resulting methods to solve very large practical problems arising in tomographic image reconstruction.
Oscillations of small bubbles and medium yielding in elastoviscoplastic fluids

We investigate the radial oscillations of small gas bubbles trapped in yield-stress fluid and driven by an acoustic pressure field. We model the rheological behavior of the yield-stress fluid using the recently developed elasto-visco-plastic (EVP) constitutive equation that takes into account the elastic and visco-plastic deformations of the material [P. Saramito, J. NonNewton. Fluid Mech. 158 (1-3) (2009) pp.154-161]. Assuming that the bubble remains spherical during the pressure driving, we reduce the problem to a set of ODEs and an integrodifferential equation, which we solve numerically for the case of two yield-stress fluids, a sot Carbopol gel and a stiffer Kaolin suspension. We find that, depending on the amplitude and frequency of the pressure field, the radial oscillations of the bubble produce elastic stresses that may or may not suffice to yield the surrounding material. We evaluate the critical amplitude of the acoustic pressure required to achieve yielding and we find a good agreement between numerical simulations and an analytical formula derived under the assumption of linear deformations. Finally, we examine the bubble oscillation amplitude for a very wide range of applied pressures both below and above the critical value to assess the impact of yielding on the bubble dynamics. This analysis could be used to identify a signature of yielding in experiments where the radial dynamics of a bubble is measured. More generally, these results can be used to rationalize the optimal conditions for pressure-induced bubble release from yield-stress fluids, which is relevant to various biomedical and industrial applications, including oil industry and food processing.