Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pile and Pile Group Capacity: Some Findings from Centrifuge Tests

The London Geotechnical Centrifuge Centre at City University London is a major experimental research facility for the Geotechnical Engineering Research Group. Some findings from two recent doctoral research projects are presented. The projects were aimed at improving our understanding of piled foundations. Pile group behaviour was studied with particular emphasis in determining the efficiency and load capacity of non standard group arrangements. The project was related directly to a development in London UK in which high capacity foundations were constructed using a Perimeter group arrangement of minipiles since that was all that could be constructed given onerous site constraints. The centrifuge research gave new insights into how pile groups carry large loads and demonstrated that Perimeter group arrangements make much more efficient use of piles than Grid groups. The second project was again industry driven and demonstrated that modifying the profile of a pile shaft can give significant increase in capacity with relatively little additional pile material.
Time-Resolved Terahertz (THz) Spectroscopy

The goal of the project is to develop a method to perform time-resolved terahertz (THz) spectroscopy on materials in both optically excited and ground states using low amounts of laser power. We use a low-temperature grown GaAs semiconductor antenna that is illuminated by ultrashort laser pulses from a Ti:sapphire oscillator to produce THz pulses. Optically excited samples are pumped with the laser light and then probed with the THz pulse. The signal is detected using an electro-optic double lock-in method in order to separate small signals from the noise. This system will be useful in the study of crystalline structure and charge carrier mobility, particularly in materials used in photovoltaic cells. After completing the system, preliminary measurements were taken using copper sulfide (CuS) nanoparticles. We found that using a single lock-in detection system, we are able to observe changes in the THz pulse that can be used to characterize the CuS nanoparticles.
Field Quality Measurements in a Single-Aperture 11 T Nb 3 Sn Demonstrator Dipole for LHC Upgrades

The upgrade of the LHC collimation system foresees additional collimators in the LHC dispersion suppressor areas. The longitudinal space for the collimators could be provided by replacing some NbTi LHC main dipoles with shorter 11 T Nb3Sn dipoles. To demonstrate this possibility Fermilab and CERN have started a joint program to develop a Nb3Sn dipole prototype suitable for installation in the LHC. The first step of this program is the development of a 2 m long, 60 mm bore, singleaperture demonstrator dipole with the nominal field of 11 T at the LHC operational current of 11.85 kA. This paper presents the results of magnetic measurements of the single-aperture Nb3Sn demonstrator dipole including geometrical harmonics, coil magnetization and iron saturation effects. The experimental data are compared with the magnetic calculations.
Cost-effective improvement of river morphology

The EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) calls for cost-effective measures to achieve a good status in all European ground, surface and coastal waters. Besides eutrophication, the degradation of hydro-morphology is the main reason for failing the WFD's objectives in Germany. In this paper , we conceptualize the interactive decision support process BASINFORM-M for finding proper locations for river restora tion. The method combines the recently proposed stepping stone concept from aquatic ecology with elements from cost-effectiveness analysis, multi-criteria analysis and participatory approaches. BASINFORM-M exemplifies a shift away from the isolated resto ration of single river reaches to wards a consideration of functional relationships within the whole river network. In doing so, it satisfies the WFD's requirement of considering cost-effectiveness without neglecting other important evaluation criteria.
KIC 8302197: a non-rotating or low-inclination pulsating subdwarf B star observed with the Kepler spacecraft

We present our analysis of Kepler data of a pulsating subdwarf B star, KIC 8302197. We used Q5-17 data and applied a Fourier technique to extract 30 significant pulsation modes. We searched for multiplets and period-spacing sequences to perform a mode identification and to derive a rotation period. To our surprise, KIC 8302197 does not show any multiplets. We explain the lack of multiplets by either a very slow rotation (longer than ∼1000 days) or a unique (pole-on) orientation of the pulsation axis. Our mode identification relied solely on period spacing. We were successful in identifying modal degrees of most of the detected modes. An analysis of the period stability did not show any evidence of a companion to the host star. In addition to photometric data, several spectroscopic observations were collected. Our twelve radial-velocity measurements constrain a possible orbital radial-velocity amplitude to be smaller than about 10 km s −1 . Furthermore, based on color indices we constrained a possible companion to be an M or later type main sequence, a compact or a substellar object. We found that the atmospheric parameters (Teff = 27 450 ± 200 K, log g = 5.438 ± 0.033 dex, and log(nHe/nH) = −2.56 ± 0.07 dex) of KIC 8302197 are consistent with other slow pulsating subdwarf B stars. From the optical spectra we derived C, N, O, Si and Fe abundances, and set an upper limit for the S abundance.
MicroRNA Dysregulation Associated with Red Blood Cell Storage

Introduction: Stored red blood cells (RBCs) undergo storage lesions involving morphological, physiological and biochemical changes. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have important functions in cell apoptosis and life processes. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore potential roles of miRNAs in the damage of stored RBCs. Methods: Blood samples were collected from 13 healthy male O-type donors, and leuko-reduced RBCs were divided into fresh RBC group and 20-day storage RBC group. Results: Eight predicted miRNAs with modified expressions with an intersection ≥ 3 were found dysregulated in the 20-day storage RBC group and involved in apoptosis and senescence signaling pathway: miR-31-5p, miR-196a-5p, miR-203a, miR-654-3p and miR-769-3p were increased, while miR-96-5P, miR-150-5P and miR-197-3p were decreased. Evidence associating miR-31-5p, miR-203a, miR-654 and miR-769 to RBCs or blood in general are not available. Conclusions: Dysregulated miRNAs might represent potential biomarkers to identify storage lesions, and their detection might help to evaluate the quality of stored RBCs.
2 . 2 Basics for Tableaux Algorithms

When using tableaux algorithms to reason about Description Logics (DLs), new information is inferred from the models considered while trying to achieve knowledge satisfiability. By focusing the ontology change problem, we consider an environment where DLs are the logical formalization to express knowledge bases in the web, and the integration of distributed ontologies is developed under new extensions of the belief revision theories originally exposed in [1]. Hence, a reinforced theory arises in order to properly apply change operations over models, considering new inferred information and assumed beliefs in each possible world. As a result, a new type of contraction operator is proposed and its success postulate analyzed.
Measuring Trade and Trade Potential: A Survey

This paper provides a survey and a brief critical review of the literature on the widely used gravity models of trade, as a prelude to the justification of its use with the stochastic frontier methodology. The important papers on the theoretical foundations of the gravity model are reviewed and related to papers applied to explain determinants of trade flows. Then some shortcomings of the gravity model are discussed. The paper introduces the stochastic frontier gravity model as a way of estimating trade resistances and overcoming some of the shortcomings of conventional gravity models in their use for that purpose.
DBpedia As a Formal Knowledge Base - An Evaluation

DBpedia is widely used by researchers as a mean of accessing Wikipedia in a standardized way. In this paper it is characterized from the point of view of questions answering system. Simple implementation of such system is also presented. The paper also characterizes alternatives to DBpedia in form of OpenCyc and YAGO knowledge bases. A comparison between DBpedia and those knowledge bases is presented.
Bayesian Modelling of Integer Data Using the Generalised Poisson Difference Distribution

Integer-valued random variables arising from the difference of two discrete variables can be seen frequently in various applications. In this paper, we obtain the distribution and derive the properties of the difference of two generalised Poisson variables with unequal parameters. This distribution is adopted to model a set of ultra high frequency (UHF) data relating to FTSE100 index futures using covariates. The unique characteristics of UHF data have introduced new theoretical and computational challenges to both statistical and financial studies. Such data consist of discrete-valued observations and unequally spaced time intervals. We also extend the model to its zero inflated version in order to capture the excess of zeros in the given data set. The analysis is carried out in a Bayesian framework using Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods. Various model diagnostics and model comparisons were undertaken which showed that index changes were explained well by the fitted model.
Malayalam Character Recognition using Wavelet Transform and Support vector Machine Classifier

This paper presents the application of wavelet processing in the domain of handwritten character recognition. To attain high recognition rate, robust feature extractors and powerful classifiers that are invariant to degree of variability of human writing are needed. The proposed scheme consists of two stages: a feature extraction stage, which is based on Haar wavelet transform and a classification stage that uses support vector machine classifier. Experimental results show that the proposed method is effective. © 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of ICCTSD 2011
Ultra-Wideband Bandpass Filter with Sharp Tuned Notched Band Rejection Based on CRLH Transmission-Line Unit Cell

The proposed filter satisfies the Federal Communications Commission ultra-wideband (FCC-UWB) specifications and also creates and controls sharp rejection notch-bands within the filter’s passband in order to provide interference immunity from unwanted radio signals, such as wireless local area networks (WLAN) and worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WIMAX) that cohabit within the UWB spectrum. This filter is based on CRLH concept consisting of an asymmetric transmission line unit cell with a short circuited inductive stub to realize high performance in an operation band from 3.1 to 10.6 GHz with a very compact size of 16.4mm × 5.0 mm. The main advantage of the proposed filter is that four notch frequencies are tuned in the UWB frequency band. The notch frequencies of the filter can be changed by increasing the length of the coupling stub which is controlled by using switching matrix equipment (Mini Circuit) instead of PIN diodes. To validate the design theory, a microstrip UWB BPF with four notch bands centered at frequencies 6.18, 5.9, 5.7, and 5.5 GHz is designed and fabricated.
Detection of Methylobacterium radiotolerans IMBG290 in potato plants by in situ hybridization

A new bacterial strain of pink-pigmented facultative methylotroph (M. radiotolerans IMBG290) which was previously isolated from in vitro grown potato plantlets after their inoculation with Pseudomonas fluorescens IMBG163 was detected in tissues by in situ hybridization method (ISH/FISH). The presence of Methylobacterium rRNA was observed in leaves and stems of potato plantlets, whereas no signal was detected in potato roots. The signal was less abundant in the untreated plants than in the plantlets infected with M. radiotolerans IMBG290.
The design and implementation of a garbage truck fleet management system

In recent years, the improvement of cloud computing and mobile computing techniques has led to the availability of a variety of mobile applications (‘apps’) in the app store. For instance, a garbage truck app that can provide the immediate location of a garbage truck, the location of collection points, and forecasted arrival times of garbage trucks would be useful for mobile users. Since the power consumption of apps on mobile devices if of concern to mobile users, an optimised power-saving mechanism for updating messages, which is based on location information, for a proposed garbage truck fleet management system (GTFMS) is proposed and implemented in this paper. The GTFMS is a three- component system that includes the on-board units on garbage trucks, a fleet management system, and a garbage truck app. In this study, an arrival time forecasting method is designed and implemented in the fleet management system, so that the garbage truck app can retrieve the forecasted arrival time via web services. A message updating event is then triggered that reports the location of garbage truck and the forecasted arrival time. In experiments conducted on case studies, the results showed that the mean accuracy of predicted arrival time by the proposed method is about 81.45 per cent. As for power consumption, the cost of traditional mobile apps is 2,880 times that of the mechanism proposed in this study. Consequently, the GTFMS can provide the precise forecasted arrival time of garbage trucks to mobile users, while consuming less power.
Effects of Nicotine Withdrawal on Motivation, Reward Sensitivity and Reward-Learning

Research on addictive behavior has traditionally emphasized the role that primary reinforcing effects of drugs of abuse plays in the development and maintenance of dependence. However, contemporary behavioral economic theory and animal models of nicotine dependence suggest the need for greater attention to the impact that response to alternative rewards may have on smoking behavior. The present study sought to investigate the impact of nicotine withdrawal on self-report, behavioral and neural indices of motivation, immediate response to rewards and the capacity to learn and modify behavior in response to positive and negative feedback. Heavy smokers (n = 48) completed two laboratory sessions following overnight deprivation, during which they smoked either nicotinized or denicotinized cigarettes. At each session, they completed a reward prediction and feedback learning task while electro-encephalographic recordings were obtained, as well as resting state recordings which were used to extract global indices of motivational state. Results confirmed that nicotine withdrawal produced an avoidant motivational state. This effect was strongly related to numerous indices of smoking motivation. Exploratory analyses also revealed numerous moderators of these effects. Behavioral data from tasks provided some support for the impact of nicotine withdrawal on reward and feedback processing, though minimal impact was observed for neural indices. Together, results confirm the manifestation of a broad-spanning impact of nicotine withdrawal on motivational state, but effects on specific reward systems remains unknown. Future research should examine the impact of nicotine withdrawal on other reward-related constructs to better delineate these effects.
Autocratic Transitions and Growth

In this paper we use a transparent statistical methodology – synthetic control methods – to implement data-driven comparative studies about the impact of autocratic transition on real per capita GDP. The applied methodology compares the growth of countries that experienced a transition to autocracy with the growth of a convex combination of similar countries that remained democratic, and it accommodates for the time-varying impact of unobservable heterogeneity. To implement this statistical framework, in a panel of 160 countries, we focus on 14 episodes of transition from democracy to autocracy. We find that the effects of autocratic transitions come in all shapes and sizes, since our data are split in almost equal parts between insignificant, negative, and positive effects. We also find that negative effects tend to get worse over time, and that African countries are badly affected by the autocratic transition possibly because of a resource curse.
Demographic Change, the IMPACT Model, and Food Security in Sub-Saharan Africa

Sub-Saharan African populations face a number of challenges that increase their vulnerability to the causes and consequences of food insecurity. In this paper, the implications of demographic processes for future changes in the demand and access to food are evaluated. Given the fact that population growth is a major influence on the consumption and availability of food, particular attention is given to the ways in which sub-Saharan Africa’s exceptionally high growth rates are likely to affect prospects for achieving food security.
Prevalence of Professional Misconduct in Nzega District, Tanzania Public Secondary Schools

The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of professional misconduct among public secondary school teachers in Nzega District, Tanzania public secondary schools. This study employed descriptive survey research design. The sample consisted of 403 respondents in which teachers and students were randomly selected, while heads of schools and Teachers Services Department (TSD) officials were purposively selected based on their administrative roles. Data for this study were collected through questionnaire and semi-structured interview guide. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics using SPSS version 20. Findings revealed that teachers’ professional misconduct was low. However, financial mismanagement, negligence of duty, and absenteeism were among the common professional misconduct acts in secondary schools in Nzega District. Findings also revealed that, poor remuneration, failure to fulfill teachers’ needs, and lack of motivation were among the sources of teacher’s explanations for misconduct. Based on the findings, the government through the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training (MoEVC) should respond to teachers’ needs in a timely manner, and conduct regular seminars on teacher professionalism. Moreover, a similar study should be conducted to assess teachers’ misconduct at primary school and higher institution levels.
Financialization of Turkey Industry Sector

Financial markets in the world, especially for the last three decades, have been evolving significantly in terms of market volumes, operational intensity, institutional and regulations as well as the authorities governing them. The increase in operational volumes and the changing nature of financial markets, creations of new financial products; led to the increase of the importance of financial capital and how it affected day to day life directly became one of the most important theoretical problems. Thus, the transformation witnessed in the financial markets led to a new era, dubbed as i°financializationi±. In this article, the financialization of companies listed in the Istanbul Stock Exchangei¯s Industrial Index is analyzed using an econometric technique known as Generalized Method of Moments. The quantitative analysis has used two distinct methods to measure the relationship between firmsi¯ investments and their debts, financial profits, sales and financial payments, variables that constitute variables for measuring financialization. Both models revealed a negative relationship between higher financial benefits and amount of investments.
Growth performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality of Hanwoo steers fed fermented liquid whey inoculated with lactic acid bacteria

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of liquid whey fermented with lactic acid bacteria on the growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat composition, fatty acid profile and meat oxidative stability of Korean Hanwoo steers. Twenty-four homogenous Hanwoo steers (22-months-old) were randomly distributed into two dietary treatments with four replications of three steers per treatments. Basal diet was supplemented with 0.2% fermented liquid whey (FLW) and its effects were compared with those of a control. At the end of feeding trial, steers were slaughtered and graded for quality and yield factors by a trained carcass evaluator. Overall, dietary supplementation with 0.2% FLW increased the body weight, average daily gain and gain to feed ratio (P<0.05) of Hanwoo steers. None of the carcass characteristics were affected by dietary FLW. The ether extract and ash contents of loin eye meat were reduced, whereas the calcium and iron contents were increased in response to dietary FLW supplementation (P<0.05). At fresh state, the malondialdihyde (MDA) value of meat was reduced in response to FLW supplementation (P=0.003), whereas no difference was observed at week 1. During weeks 2 and 3, dietary FLW tended to reduce the MDA value of loin eye meat (P<0.10). Dietary supplementation with FLW increased the concentration of linoleic acid, sum of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and n-6 PUFAs (P<0.05). Overall, supplementation of diet with 0.2% FLW exerted beneficial effects on growth performance, meat composition and meat oxidative stability without affecting carcass characteristics, indicating that it can be used as a feed additive in finishing beef cattle. Key words: Liquid whey, lactic acid bacteria, growth performance, meat composition, oxidative stability, Hanwoo steers.
Animating Coupling between Inviscid Free-Surface Liquids and Elastic Deformable Bodies

Driven by demand for high-fidelity computer-generated imagery, physics-based animation has become an exciting frontier of research in computer science. Simulations of fluids and their interactions with other objects in the environment have particularly enjoyed much attention and investigation. Consequently, effective techniques have been developed to efficiently simulate two-way coupling between fluids and rigid bodies, allowing for convincing animation of, for instance, ships on the ocean. On the other hand, accurately capturing interactions between fluids and deformable solids has proven to be much more elusive. In particular, satisfaction of boundary conditions poses a significant difficulty, as the straightforward voxelized treatment suffers from visible grid artefacts, whereas use of a conforming mesh greatly increases the computational overhead of a simulation. This thesis investigates the problem of animating two-way coupling effects between free-surface liquids and linearly elastic solids. Aside from presenting simulation techniques for such liquids and solids separately, we introduce a new approach to simulating their interactions that exhibits several notable advantages over previous techniques. By fully incorporating the dynamics of the solid into pressure projection, we simultaneously handle fluid incompressibility and solid elasticity and damping. Thanks to this strong coupling, our method does not suffer from instability, even in very taxing scenarios. Furthermore, use of a cut-cell discretization methodology allows us to accurately apply proper freeslip boundary conditions at the exact solid-fluid interface. Consequently, our method is capable of correctly simulating inviscid tangential flow, devoid of grid artefacts or artificial sticking. Lastly, we present an efficient algebraic transformation to convert the indefinite coupled pressure projection system into positive-definite form. The thesis also contains an evaluation of our proposed method, including several animation scenarios, as well as comparisons to previous techniques.