Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Seismic Hazard Assessment of Shigo Kas Hydro-Power Project (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan)

In this paper, a seismic hazard assessment (SHA) of the Shigo Kas hydropower project has been performed by deterministic and probabilistic approaches. The previously developed MATLAB-based code has been used for deterministic SHA, incorporating local site effects through deep soil analysis. On the other hand, for probabilistic SHA, CRISIS 2007 has been used through diffuse areal source zones. The latest updated earthquake instrumental and historical catalogs have been developed. Based on the recommendations of the International Commission on Large Dams, peak ground acceleration (PGA) values for the maximum credible earthquake (MCE), safety evaluation earthquake (SEE), design basis earthquake (DBE) and operating basis earthquake (OBE) have been assessed, which are 0.50 g, 0.68 g, 0.35 g and 0.24 g, respectively, at the intake location, and 0.50 g, 0.61 g, 0.30 g and 0.22 g, respectively, at the powerhouse location. Hazard maps have been developed for scenario-based earthquakes (MCE) and for the peak ground acceleration of 145-, 475- and 2500-year return periods. The de-aggregation process has evaluated the combined effects of magnitude and distance. At a distance of 30 to 70 km from the earthquake source, earthquakes of magnitude 5 Mw to 5.6 Mw and 5.9 Mw to 6.5 Mw are more hazardous for the current project.
A new composite abundance metric detects stream fish declines and community homogenization during six decades of invasions

We developed a new technique, utilizing species‐specific counts of individuals from historical fish community samples, to examine landscape‐level, spatio‐temporal trends in relative abundance distributions. Abundance‐based historical distribution analyses are often plagued by data comparability issues, but provide critical information about community composition trends inaccessible to those using analyses based only on species presence–absence. We established trends in native and non‐native fish abundance and community homogenization, uniqueness and diversity to help local conservation managers prioritize targets and motivate similar studies globally to support fish conservation.
Intraday multiband optical variability of BL Lacertae object S5 0716+714

We monitored the BL Lac object S5 0716+714 in four optical wavebands with four telescopes on 11 nights from 2012 to 2017. The object was active during most of those nights. It was brightest on 2012 November 7 with 11.720 mag in the I band and reached the faintest state on 2016 January 22 with 15.770 mag in the R band corresponding to ∼15.230 mag in the I band. Intraday variations in all bands were found on 6 d, while in partial bands on 3 d. Strong bluer-when-brighter chromatism was observed on 8 nights. Correlation analyses revealed interband time delays from 4 to 40 min in the intraday variability on 5 nights. Both hard and soft lags were observed in this object, indicating complicated emission process in the jet. The analysis on the interband time delays indicated that the radiative cooling may dominate the optical time lags in S5 0716+714 occasionally, but cannot be invoked as the sole explanation.
A model-based and experimental approach for the determination of suitable variable valve timings for cold start in partial load operation of a passenger car single-cylinder diesel engine

A manipulation of the charge exchange allows controlling the amount of residual gas during engine warm-up. The residual gas during the warm-up phase leads to an increase of the exhaust gas temperature and supports to reach the exhaust after-treatment system operating temperature faster. In addition, the warm residual gas increases the combustion chamber temperature, which reduces the HC and CO emissions. However, fuel consumption increases. For that reason, such heating measures should be the best compromise of both, exhaust gas temperature increase and engine efficiency, in order to provide efficient heating strategies for passenger car diesel engines. Therefore, simulative and experimental investigations are carried out at the Institute of Internal Combustion Engines of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology to establish a reliable cam design methodology. For the experimental investigations, a modern research single-cylinder diesel engine was set up on a test bench. In addition, a one-dimensional simulation model of the experimental setup was created in order to simulate characteristics of valve lift curves and to investigate their effects on the exhaust gas temperature and the exhaust gas enthalpy flow. These simulations were based on design of experiments (DoE), so that all characteristics can be used sustainably for modeling and explaining their influences on the engine operation. This methodology allows numerically investigating promising configurations and deriving cam contours which are manufactured for testing. To assess the potential of these individual configurations, the results obtained were compared with each other as well as with the series configuration. Results show that the combination of DoE and one-dimensional simulation for the design of camshaft contours is well suited which was also validated with experimental results. Furthermore, the potential of residual gas retention by favorable configurations with a second event already revealed in various publications could be confirmed with respect to exhaust gas temperature increase and engine efficiency.
The Evolutions in Time of Probability Density Functions of Polydispersed Fuel Spray-The Continuous Mathematical

The dynamics of the particle-size distribution of the polydispersed fuel spray are important for the evaluation of the combustion process. In this paper, we presented the particle-size distribution change in time which gives a new insight into the behavior of the droplets during the self-ignition process. Semenov was the first to shows that self-ignition in the homogeneous case can be qualitatively and even quantitatively described by simplified models \cite{first_Math_Semenov_1928}. A simplified model of the polydisperse spray is used for a study of combustion processes near the initial region. This model involves a time-dependent function of the particle-size distribution. Such simplified models are particularly helpful in understanding qualitatively the effect of various sub-processes. Our main results show that during the self-ignition process, the droplets' radii decrease as expected, and the number of smaller droplets increases in inverse proportion to the radius. An important novel result (visualized by graphs) demonstrates that the mean radius of the droplets, at first increases for a relatively short period of time, and that is then followed by the expected decrease. It means that the maximum of the mean radius is not located at the beginning of the process as expected. We only have a heuristic explanation of this phenomenon, but an analytic study is planned for the future. Our modified algorithm is superior to the well known `parcel' approach because it is much more compact, it permits an analytical study since the right-hand sides are smooth, and thus eliminates the need for a numerical algorithm transitioning from one parcel to another, The method explain herein can be applied to any approximation of the particle-size distribution, and it involves comparatively negligible computation time.
Coalitional Lobbying and Intersectional Representation in American Rulemaking

Interest groups representing the marginalized regularly neglect advocacy on behalf of their most vulnerable constituents—those with intersectional disadvantage. Yet, they claim that such advocacy is central to their missions. I argue that interest groups representing women, people of color, Native nations, and the poor strategically conduct intersectional advocacy through coalitional lobbying. I test this claim using a new dataset of cosignature patterns within public comments on proposed federal agency rules submitted by a set of such groups between 2004 and 2014. I find that these groups are significantly more likely to pursue intersectional advocacy in coalitions but that coalition work, alone, does not relate to influential intersectional advocacy. Rather, it is particular coalition characteristics, including organizational diversity and financial capacity, that predict such influence. I conclude that collaborative lobbying is an effective tactic for mediating representational bias in interest group advocacy and promoting more pluralistic administrative policy making.
NEPHROPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF ASPARAGUS RACEMOSUS AGAINST CISPLATIN-INDUCED NEPHROTOXICITY AND RENAL DYSFUNCTION IN EXPERIMENTAL RATS

Objective: The current study was designed to evaluate the protective effect of standardized hydroalcoholic extract of Asparagus racemosus (AR) against cisplatin (CP)-induced nephrotoxicity in Wistar rats.Methods: AR extract was administered orally at three dose levels (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg). Vitamin E (250 mg/kg) was used as a standard nephroprotective agent. The kidney function test (estimation of serum creatinine, albumin, and blood urea nitrogen [BUN]), oxidative stress study (estimation of superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde [MDA] activity), and histological examination of kidneys were conducted.Results: The efficacy of AR was compared with CP-treated group. Serum creatinine and BUN were significantly (p<0.001) elevated in CP-treated group compared to control group. Hydroalcoholic extract of AR (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) and Vitamin E (250 mg/kg) significantly (p<0.001) decreased the serum creatinine and BUN levels. CP exhibited significant (p<0.001) decrease in albumin when compared to control. Significant (p<0.001) increase in the serum albumin level was found in extract-treated group compared to CP group. Significant (p<0.001) decrease in activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) was observed in the CP group as compared to control. AR (100 and 200 mg/kg) significantly (p<0.01) increased SOD levels. AR (400 mg/kg) significantly (p<0.001) increased SOD levels. AR (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) significantly (p<0.001) decreased MDA levels as compared to CP group. Histopathological examination of the kidneys showed that AR markedly ameliorated CP-induced renal tubular necrosis. Extract was found effective at all doses, although high dose (400 mg/kg) was found to be more effective and comparable with standard group (Vitamin E 250 mg/kg). Conclusion: The present investigation revealed that AR resulted in dose-dependent attenuation of CP-induced renal damage in rats.
Ultra-wide bandgap amorphous oxide semiconductors for NBIS-free thin-film transistors

The transparency of oxide semiconductors is a significant feature that enables the fabrication of fully transparent electronics. Unfortunately, practical transparent electronics using amorphous oxide semiconductors (AOSs) have not yet been realized, owing to significant photo-instabilities of these materials. Previous studies have revealed that the photo-instability can be attributed to sub-gap states (SGSs) near the valence-band maximum (VBM). Thus, it is inferred that the energy difference between the SGSs and the conduction-band minimum must be widened sufficiently in order to make it fully transparent over the entire visible-light region. In this work, we examined the electronic structures of a variety of AOSs and found that their ionization potentials vary greatly, depending upon the specific metal cations. This finding enabled us to increase the optical bandgap by modifying the VBM levels, resulting in a high mobility of 9 cm2/Vs and an ultra-wide bandgap of 3.8 eV for amorphous Zn–Ga–O (a-ZGO). We show that a-ZGO thin-film transistors exhibit no negative-bias illumination-stress instability with no passivation and no light-shielding layer.The transparency of oxide semiconductors is a significant feature that enables the fabrication of fully transparent electronics. Unfortunately, practical transparent electronics using amorphous oxide semiconductors (AOSs) have not yet been realized, owing to significant photo-instabilities of these materials. Previous studies have revealed that the photo-instability can be attributed to sub-gap states (SGSs) near the valence-band maximum (VBM). Thus, it is inferred that the energy difference between the SGSs and the conduction-band minimum must be widened sufficiently in order to make it fully transparent over the entire visible-light region. In this work, we examined the electronic structures of a variety of AOSs and found that their ionization potentials vary greatly, depending upon the specific metal cations. This finding enabled us to increase the optical bandgap by modifying the VBM levels, resulting in a high mobility of 9 cm2/Vs and an ultra-wide bandgap of 3.8 eV for amorphous Zn–Ga–O (a-ZGO). We .
Support Vector Machines in Big Data Classification: A Systematic Literature Review

Classification is one of the most important and widely used issues in machine learning, the purpose of which is to create a rule for grouping data to sets of pre-existing categories is based on a set of training sets. Employed successfully in many scientific and engineering areas, the Support Vector Machine (SVM) is among the most promising methods of classification in machine learning. With the advent of big data, many of the machine learning methods have been challenged by big data characteristics. The standard SVM has been proposed for batch learning in which all data are available at the same time. The SVM has a high time complexity, i.e., increasing the number of training samples will intensify the need for computational resources and memory. Hence, many attempts have been made at SVM compatibility with online learning conditions and use of large-scale data. This paper focuses on the analysis, identification, and classification of existing methods for SVM compatibility with online conditions and large-scale data. These methods might be employed to classify big data and propose research areas for future studies. Considering its advantages, the SVM can be among the first options for compatibility with big data and classification of big data. For this purpose, appropriate techniques should be developed for data preprocessing in order to covert data into an appropriate form for learning. The existing frameworks should also be employed for parallel and distributed processes so that SVMs can be made scalable and properly online to be able to handle big data.
Clinical application of fully digital self-glazed ultra-thin zirconia veneers

Monolithic self-glazed zirconia is a new type of biomimetic zirconia that has been successfully used as crown and bridge restorations in the anterior and posterior regions. It exhibits excellent biomechanics and aesthetic properties through completely digital processing technology. This case presents a young patient's aesthetic rehabilitation with self-glazed ultra-thin zirconia veneers by closing the scattered diastema in the aesthetic zone of the anterior teeth with a fully digital workflow. The restorations exhibited excellent aesthetic outcomes with a minimally invasive concept and superior mechanical properties over glass-based ceramic veneers. The application of full-contour monolithic ultra-thin self-glazed zirconia restorations in the anterior aesthetic zone constitutes a reliable, fully digital clinical workflow.
Development of a reinforced styrene-free unsaturated polyester composite based on bamboo fibers

Abstract Bamboo fibers (BFs) are abundant but underutilized as reinforcing fibers in wood plastic composites (WPCs). BFs were investigated as reinforcing fibers for unsaturated polyester (UPE) composites (BF-UPE). The UPE was prepared from condensation polymerization of propylene glycol (PG), isophthalic acid (IPA) and maleic anhydride (MA). Acrylated epoxidized soybean oil (AESO) was used instead of styrene which is usually applied as a diluent in most of the commercial UPE resins. The properties of BF-UPE were compared with those of kenaf fibers-UPE (KF-UPE). BF-AESO-UPE composites had tensile strengths (TSs), which were comparable to those of BF-styrene-UPE composites, while their flexural strength (FS) and impact strength (IS) were higher than those of BF-styrene-UPE composites. The glass transition temperature (Tg) of BF-AESO-UPE composites was lower than that of BF-styrene-UPE composites. BF-AESO-UPE composites had lower TS than KF-AESO-UPE composites, while their FS was comparable to that of KF-AESO-UPE composites.
An Efficient Surrogate-Based Optimization Method for BWBUG Based on Multifidelity Model and Geometric Constraint Gradients

Performing shape optimization of blended-wing-body underwater glider (BWBUG) can significantly improve its gliding performance. However, high-fidelity CFD analysis and geometric constraint calculation in traditional surrogate-based optimization methods are expensive. An efficient surrogate-based optimization method based on the multifidelity model and geometric constraint gradient information is proposed. By establishing a shape parameterized model, deriving analytical expression of geometric constraint gradient, constructing multifidelity surrogate model, the calculation times of high-fidelity CFD model and geometric constraints are reduced during the shape optimization process of BWBUG, which greatly improve the optimization efficiency. Finally, the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed method are verified by performing the shape optimization of a BWBUG and comparing with traditional surrogate-based optimization methods.
Symmetric and Asymmetric Configuration of Parallel-Switched d-Type Multilevel Inverter

Total harmonic distortion (THD) and voltage stress across the switches are critical issues in power electronic systems. Although multilevel inverters (MLIs) were initially used to minimize these issues, doing so is challenging when simultaneously attempting to minimize the number of components such as switches, dc sources, and gate drivers. To address this problem, a new pd-type MLI is presented with two back-to-back connected d-type modules with an H-bridge that generates the negative voltage levels. The proposed topology with ten unidirectional switches and four dc sources operates in symmetric and asymmetric configuration to generate 9, 13, and 17 voltage levels. The presented inverter is extended using cascaded connections to attain more output voltage levels, making it usable for the applications with diverse number of dc links for medium- and high-voltage applications. The proposed topology also exhibits small THD, low number of power electronic components, and low total voltage stress across the switches in each cycle. Furthermore, a widely used nearest level control (NLC) modulation technique is used to generate output voltage levels with a minimum amount of THD at the output. Finally, simulations were performed using MATLAB/Simulink and experiments were conducted to validate the performance of the proposed topology.
A Thorough Review of Cooling Concepts and Thermal Management Techniques for Automotive WBG Inverters: Topology, Technology and Integration Level

The development of electric vehicles (EVs) is an important step towards clean and green cities. An electric powertrain provides power to the vehicle and consists of a charger, a battery, an inverter, and a motor as the main components. Supplied by a battery pack, the automotive inverter manages the power of the motor. EVs require a highly efficient inverter, which satisfies low cost, size, and weight requirements. One approach to meeting these requirements is to use the new wide-bandgap (WBG) semiconductors, which are being widely investigated in the industry as an alternative to silicon switches. WBG devices have superior intrinsic properties, such as high thermal flux, of up to 120 W/cm2 (on average); junction temperature of 175–200 °C; blocking voltage limit of about 6.5 kV; switching frequency about 20-fold higher than that of Si; and up to 73% lower switching losses with a lower conduction voltage drop. This study presents a review of WBG-based inverter cooling systems to investigate trends in cooling techniques and changes associated with the use of WBG devices. The aim is to consider suitable cooling techniques for WBG inverters at different power levels.
Green Synthesis of copper Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Characterization and their application: About Future

In the present study copper oxide nanoparticles (CuNPs) were synthesized via simple and eco-friendly green route using black tea extract . Characterization of synthesized nanoparticles (NPs) was undertaken. The characteristic absorption peak of CuNPs was in range (352-355) nm in UV–Vis spectrum. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies revealed the morphological and structural character of green NPs. The particle size was 25-50 nm. Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDX) showed high intense metallic peak of copper (Cu), oxygen (O), carbon (C) and low intense peaks of phosphorus (P) , calcium (Ca) , sulfur (S), potassium (K) elements due to the capping action of biomolecules of plant extract in CuNPs formation. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern showed distinctive peaks corresponding to (200), (220) and (311) planes revealing the high crystalline nature of synthesized CuNPs . The dyeing behavior of green CuNPs treated fabric with Acid Black 172 (AB 172) has been studied and the build up of dye, measured as exhaustion percentage (E%). Dye adsorption rate constants according to pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order, and intra-particle diffusion kinetic models were calculated. Moreover, the dye adsorption equilibrium data were fitted well to the Freundlich isotherm rather than Langmuir isotherm. The overall adsorption process follow pseudo-second order kinetics, Intraparticle diffusion and Elovich model. The CuNPs treatment produces a nylon fabric with advanced color fastness and antibacterial properties enabling them to improve human health care and reducing temperature, the environmental impacts, fabric damage, amount of dyestuff used and saving energy of conventional dyeing of nylon fabrics. This review focuses on green synthesis of CuNPs using environmentally benign reagents in minimal time paves the way for future studies on CuNPs toxicity without risking interference from potentially toxic reagents and capping agents. The use of this technique to treat nylon fabric may lead to new coloration technique and other functional improvement.
Constructing an Adoption Model of Proactive Environmental Strategy: A Novel Quantitative Method of the Multi-Level Growth Curve Model

To fill in the literature flaws that have not been detected in previous studies, this research, therefore, examines the driving factors of proactive environmental strategy (PES). First, this research proposes how corporate social responsibility (CSR) predicts the agricultural company’s PES through the intermediary mechanism of green organization identification (GOI) of the top management team (TMT) according to symbolic context and theory of high-level echelon, to solve the first gap in exploring what factors can drive the PES. Second, this research proposes a multi-level growth curve model (MGCM) to solve how individuals adjust their behavioral intentions over time according to their translation and understanding of their use environment, because past studies consist of almost cross-sectional properties. Third, past research has also neglected the multi-level framework, leading to hierarchical reasoning bias. Therefore, this research believes that the MGCM can fill in the multi-level gap. Finally, this research collected 400 TMT employees from 100 different agricultural companies in Taiwan in three-stage time for six months. The results show that CSR will significantly lead to more growth in GOI, and more growth in GOI will lead to more growth in PES adoption. The research results can not only advance the agricultural sustainability literature but also serve as a guide for agricultural companies to implement PES.