Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Numerical investigation of seismic behaviour of railway embankments in cold regions

To investigate more fully seismic behaviour of the Qinghai-Tibet railway embankment, a comprehensive discussion and a781nalysis is conducted in this paper by applying a numerical technique. Specifically, the one dimensional equivalent linear ground response analysis was conducted in permafrost regions. On this basis, the seismic response of a typical railway embankment was further studied by applying the nonlinear dynamic finite element analysis method. As a result, nonlinear behaviour of permafrost sites was determined, and the dynamic acceleration, velocity and displacement of the embankment was discussed and the quantitative assessment was approximately estimated. The results indicate that the dynamic response of the embankment has distinct nonlinear characteristics. The peak ground acceleration coefficient at the embankment shoulder is larger than the natural ground surface, marking a 73% increase compared to the coefficient on the natural ground surface. When the seismic intensity reaches a certain value, a plastic zone gradually appears in the embankment, and a continuous extension of the plastic zone can be noted with an increase in peak acceleration of the input seismic wave. The findings of this research may provide an additional insight and have significant implications for further research of cold regions.
Quantifying Empirical QQ Plots: Stock Markets, Executive Pay, and Weather

This article introduces two new ideas in the use of QQ plots as visual aids to explore the comparative shapes of distributions. First, we investigate the situation where both x and y distributions are empirical. We derived a procedure for the QQ plot that is based on geometric mean regression, and is simple enough to be calculated in a spreadsheet. We also indicate how this procedure may be robustified, and how it maps onto the one-empirical/one-theoretical QQ plot normally encountered. The second innovation is to use bootstrap sampling to guard against over-interpreting what is seen in the QQ plot. This may also be implemented on a spreadsheet. We illustrate the method with three worked examples that compare the distributions of: (i) UK versus Chinese executive pay, (ii) daily returns for the Shanghai versus the Shenzhen stock markets, and (iii) annual temperatures in the USA, 1895-1951 versus 1952-2007.
Examining Work Re-Entry Decisions for Single Mothers through Bourdieu’s Capital Theory

This paper presents the qualitative results of a larger mixed-methods study on how barriers to, and determinants of, the labour market shape re-entry decisions and the role of economic/cultural/social determinants in influencing employment re-entry decisions for single mothers residing in urban Sarawak. Through the lens of Bourdieu’s capital theory, the study examined the decision-making process of single mothers and provided nuanced insights into the factors that enable or impede access to necessary resources for re-entry to work. Data were collected from in-depth semistructured interviews with 26 single mothers in urban Sarawak. The findings revealed that cultural (education), economic (finance), and social (family)capitals were both enabling and impeding factors and were inextricably linked in shaping employment re-entry decisions. Low volumes of these capitals perpetuated the poverty cycle for a majority of these single mothers. The findings reinforced the complexity of integrating single mothers, who have low incomes and low education levels, into employment. Nevertheless, poverty among single mothers and their children can be substantially limited through the right mix of social, education and labour market policies. The study highlights the challenges facing single mothers in urban areas in developing countries, which are quite different from rural areas or developed countries.
Unsupervised Building Damage Identification Using Post-Event Optical Imagery and Variational Autoencoder

SUMMARY Rapid building damage identiﬁcation plays a vital role in rescue operations when disasters strike, especially when rescue resources are limited. In the past years, supervised machine learning has made considerable progress in building damage identiﬁcation. However, the usage of supervised machine learning remains challenging due to the following facts: 1) the massive samples from the current damage imagery are di ﬃ - cult to be labeled and thus cannot satisfy the training requirement of deep learning, and 2) the similarity between partially damaged and undamaged buildings is high, hindering accurate classiﬁcation. Leveraging the abundant samples of auxiliary domains, domain adaptation aims to transfer a classiﬁer trained by historical damage imagery to the current task. However, traditional domain adaptation approaches do not fully consider the category-speciﬁc information during feature adaptation, which might cause negative transfer. To address this issue, we propose a novel domain adaptation framework that individually aligns each category of the target domain to that of the source domain. Our method combines the variational autoen-coder (VAE) and the Gaussian mixture model (GMM). First, the GMM is established to characterize the distribution of the source domain. Then, the VAE is constructed to extract the feature of the target domain. Finally, the Kullback–Leibler (KL) divergence is minimized to force the feature of the target domain to observe the GMM of the source domain. Two damage detection tasks using post-earthquake and post-hurricane imageries are utilized to verify the e ﬀ ectiveness of our method. Experiments show that the proposed method obtains improvements of 4.4% and 9.5%, respectively, compared with the conventional method.
Thermal Alteration History of the Fenghuoshan Group, Hoh Xil Basin, Northern Tibetan Plateau: Insights From Clumped Isotope Thermometry

The carbonate clumped isotope (Δ47) thermometer has been widely used for paleoclimatic and paleo‐elevation reconstructions in sedimentary basins. Its reliable use requires that carbonates are free from later diagenetic alteration and retain their depositional Δ47 compositions, which is not always the case during the burial history of a basin. Therefore, identifying the alteration mechanisms that occurred during burial is essential for the correct interpretation of Δ47 signatures. In this study, we used the Δ47 thermometer to investigate possible carbonate alteration during burial of the Fenghuoshan Group (FHSG) in the Hoh Xil Basin, northern Tibetan Plateau, China. The Δ47 temperatures [T(Δ47)] of 30 carbonate samples through the ∼4.5 km thickness of the FHSG range from 51 to 132°C and exceed the surface temperature, implying the effects of thermal alteration on FHSG carbonates. The T(Δ47) values combined with the water‐rock exchange model, indicating that the alteration occurred under closed burial conditions at low water:rock ratios. The solid‐state reordering model fails to predict the Δ47 values, even with a modified time‐temperature history. In contrast, most measured Δ47 values are in agreement with predictions from recrystallization models. Therefore, the proposed alteration scenario is that FHSG carbonates underwent progressive microscale recrystallization during deep burial and subsequent exhumation, during which process recrystallized carbonate equilibrated with ambient burial temperature and therefore modified Δ47 values. This study highlights the potential of Δ47 thermometry and related models for evaluating the burial history and diagenesis of carbonates in sedimentary basins.
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex With Men in Ottawa: A Real World View With Benefits Beyond HIV Risk Reduction

Abstract The number of gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men taking pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has grown since its approval in Canada. While there are sound clinical data on PrEP efficacy, there is less research describing outcomes in routine clinical practice. We conducted a cross-sectional study with 113 men attending our PrEP clinic. Participants completed a one-time survey and chart reviews were conducted. We found that men in our clinic were educated and affluent. While PrEP did not lead to more reported sexual partners, condom use declined, as did sexual anxiety. These results reinforce that PrEP benefits extend beyond HIV prevention.
A new approach to extended‐range multimodel forecasting: Sequential learning algorithms

Multimodel combinations are a well‐established methodology in weather and climate prediction and their benefits have been widely discussed in the literature. Typical approaches involve combining the output of different numerical weather prediction (NWP) models using constant weighting factors, either uniformly distributed or determined through a prior skill assessment. This strategy, however, can lead to suboptimal levels of skill, as the performance of NWP models can vary with time (e.g., seasonally varying skill, changes in the forecasting system). Moreover, standard combination methods are not designed to incorporate predictions derived from sources other than NWP systems (e.g., climatological or time‐series forecasts). New algorithms developed within the machine learning community provide the opportunity for “online prediction” (also referred to as “sequential learning”). These methods consider a set of weighted predictors or “experts” to produce subsequent predictions in which the combination or “mixture” is updated at each step to optimize a loss or skill function. The predictors are highly flexible and can combine both NWP and statistically derived forecasts transparently. A set of these online prediction methods is tested and compared with standard multimodel combination techniques to assess their usefulness. The methods are general and can be applied to any model‐derived predictand. A set of weather‐sensitive European country‐aggregate energy variables (electricity demand and wind power) is selected for demonstration purposes. Results show that these innovative methods exhibit significant skill improvements (i.e., between 5 and 15% improvement in the probabilistic skill) with respect to standard multimodel combination techniques for lead weeks up to 5. The incorporation of statistically derived predictors (based on historical climate data) alongside NWP forecasts is also shown to contribute significant skill improvements in many cases.
Research on micromanipulator’s clamping force sensing based on static wirerope tension of a surgical robot

The micromanipulator’s force feedback is one of the key research contents of minimally invasive surgical robotic system. Because the micromanipulator is a kind of compact construction which is suitable for valve installation with small space in surgery, especially for the influence of disinfection method, there are major difficulties and limitations to integrate compact sensors in the end of micromanipulator. This article focuses on the 3-degree-of-freedom micromanipulator’s clamping force sensing, and these three joints are actuated by wirerope driving. A clamping force sensing method is proposed based on static tension of wirerope driving, and a static model between the clamping force and wirerope’s static tension is established considering the influence of real friction resistance in the mechanical system. Finally, an equivalent experimental test platform for 3-degree-of-freedom micromanipulator’s clamping force sensing is set up, and then a series of experiments of the clamping force are studied. The frictional resistances of wirerope between the guide plate and guide pulley mechanism are tested, and a calibration and correction method of the experimental clamping force is proposed. The final experiment results show that the total average accuracy of experimental clamping force is about 78.3%, and it can be the basic measurement force to realize micromanipulator’s clamping force feedback of a minimally invasive surgical robot.
A Study of the Water Requirement of the Eggplant Crop (Solanum melongena) Using the Techniques of Localized Drip Irrigation and its Comparison with the Traditional Surface Irrigation

The results showed that the total water consumptive use of the drip irrigation technique (irrigation line to planting line) was 5967 m3 ha-1, while the production approached 121.06 tons ha- \ The total water use efficiency was 20.3 kg m-3 ha-1, and the percentage of irrigation water savings compared to the control was 42.6%. The increase in production over the control was 20%, and the yield per square meter was 12.1 kg, while the total water consumption of the drip irrigation technology (irrigation line for two cultivation lines) was 6679 m3 ha-1 with a yield of 110.78 tons ha-1. The total water use efficiency was 16.6 kg m-3 ha-1 and the percentage of irrigation water savings compared to the control was 35.4%, the increase in production compared to the control was 9%, and the yield per square meter was 11.1 kg, while the total water consumption of the (traditional surface irrigation) technology reached 10,965 m3 ha-1 with a yield of 101.22 tons ha-1. The total water use efficiency was 9.2 kg m-3 ha-1 and the yield per square meter was 10.1 kg. It was found that the drip irrigation technique (an irrigation line for a planting line) gave the highest production with the least amount of irrigation water compared to other methods, taking into account that the drip irrigation technique (a hazardous for two planting lines) was better in terms of saving in the cost of the lines.
Knowledge and acceptability of prenatal diagnosis among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in a tertiary health institution in Sokoto, Nigeria

Background: Technology and advances in research have made it possible for the fetus to become a patient whose illness can be investigated, diagnosed and treated in utero. The study was aimed at assessing the knowledge and acceptability of prenatal diagnosis among pregnant women.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out between December 2016 and March, 2017. Pregnant women attending antennal care clinic at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto (UDUTH) were recruited via convenient sampling method using semi-structured interviewer questionnaire.Results: A total of 417 pregnant women were interviewed. The mean maternal age was 28.35±5 years with a range between 17 to 45 years. Up to 188 (69.10%) had at least secondary school level of education. There was an overall poor knowledge of prenatal diagnosis, as 406 (97.36%) had little to no idea. There was statistically significant association between knowledge and educational status at p value- 0.0001. Majority, 353 (87.8%) will accept prenatal diagnosis if offered. There was also statistically significant association between educational status and acceptability as well as knowledge of prenatal diagnosis at p value- 0.001 and 0.001 respectively. The noninvasive method, ultrasound was the most preferred by the majority, 332 (84.3%). Termination of pregnancy as an option of management in fetal abnormality was acceptable by up to 2/3 (63.1%) of the respondents.Conclusions: The knowledge of prenatal diagnosis among the respondents was generally poor. The identifiable factor that determined knowledge and acceptability of prenatal diagnosis was level of education.
Cellphone Based Device Control With Voice Acknowledgement

In this paper we have presented a circuit that lets one to operate home appliances like light and water pump from office or any other remote place. So if one forgets to switch off light or other appliances while going out, it helps to turn off them with your cell phone.The cell phone works as the remote control for home appliances.One can control the desired appliance by pressing the corresponding key. The system also gives you voice acknowledgement of the appliance status.
Electric Power System Design and Analysis for Drilling Rigs

As electricity has been used in ship’s propulsion, it is necessary to increase the system voltage and current for the electrical distribution system. So it is required to improve the system safety and efficiency, the power stability, the efficiency of the generation through various analysis of ship’s electric power system. In this paper, the electrical service reliability of the power distribution system of semi submersible drilling rigs has been analysed and discussed using ETAP.
PIN-photodiode based pixel architecture for high-speed optical distance measurement systems

Contact-less optical distance measurement systems are necessary to obtain 3D-information of an entire scene. To be able to determine depth information of the scene by a sensor without moving parts like e.g. scanner, it is necessary to measure the distance from the camera to an object in every single pixel. A new pixel for such a 3D-camera is presented. The operating principle is based on the time-of-flight (TOF) of laser light from a modulated light source to a diffuse reflecting object and back to the receiver IC. The receiver is implemented as an opto-electronic integrated circuit (OEIC). It consists of a fast, efficient PIN-photodiode having a 3dB bandwidth of about 1.35 GHz, a single-stage transimpedance amplifier and an electronic mixer on a single silicon chip. By correlating the received optical signal and the original electronic modulation signal, the phase-shift between sent and received signal can be determined. By performing correlation with a delayed modulation signal it is possible to eliminate the influence of object reflectivity and background illumination. The measurement time for a single distance measurement is 500μs for a range up to 3.7m. The standard deviation at 2.5m is better than 3cm for a transmitted optical power of 1.44mW at a wavelength of 650nm. The OEIC was fabricated in a slightly modified BiCMOS 0. 6μm process. The diameter of the photosensitive area of the integrated PIN-photodiode is 100μm. The effective pixel size is about 220x400μm2. Therefore a fill factor of ~9% is reached.
Bow-tie slot antenna fed by CPW

A bow-tie slot antenna fed by CPW is introduced. It is designed to work in the Ku- band around 15.5 GHz. The proposed antenna is analysed both theoretically and experimentally. The presented results include the return loss and the radiation patterns. Two different geometries of the bow-tie antenna are presented and compared. The proposed antenna has several advantages such as a very large bandwidth, good control of its input impedance, and ease of fabrication. The proposed antenna has a dipole like radiation pattern which makes it suitable for mobile communication systems designed to work in the Ku- band.
Concept of an Accelerator-Driven Neutron Source for the Production of Atmospheric Radiations

At the Korea Multi-purpose Accelerator Complex (KOMAC) of Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI), we are studying an accelerator-driven neutron source for the production of white neutron beams that resemble the atmospheric radiations on the earth. In the concept of the neutron source, high-energy neutrons are generated by using a 200-MeV proton beam on a heavy-metal target in a target station, which is consisted of a target, moderator, reflector, and biological shields, and a part of the high-energy neutrons are guided in a forward direction to make neutron beams with the atmospheric-like energy spectrum. The conceptual design has 6 more thermal-neutron beamlines at the separation of 30 degrees for the fundamental research on neutron science. Here, we present the concepts of the target station and basic parameters regarding the neutron source. INTRODUCTION The source of neutrons was mostly research reactors in the 20th century, part of them still play a key role as neutron science facilities. However a large fraction of the research reactors have been or will eventually be shut down, as a result, many capabilities are being lost as the number of neutron sources in the world decreases [1]. In the late 20th century, some national laboratories started the study of accelerator-driven neutron sources (ADNS) in order to substitute for reactor-driven neutron sources, and finally, the accelerator-driven system becomes the mainstream of neutron science facilities over the world (Fig. 1). Figure 1: World-wide facilities that can produce neutrons and provide external users with irradiation or analysis services. There are more accelerator-driven neutron sources although only major facilities are shown in the picture. At the Korea Multi-purpose Accelerator Complex (KOMAC) of Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI), ∗ pilsoolee@kaeri.re. kr we are studying neutron sources based on the 100-MeV proton linear accelerator [2] and we have started planning for the construction of a new ADNS for neutron science. The potential users of the KOMAC neutron source include physicists, chemists and material scientists as well as semiconductordevice manufacturers, who belong to the major industry fields in Korea, therefore, it features an atmospheric-like neutron beam like in the ChipIR at ISIS of RAL and the ICE house at WNR of LANSCE besides thermal neutron beams. Here, we present the conceptual design of a target station for neutron production and its performance estimated in Monte Carlo simulations.
Causal Relationship between Autonomous Motivation and Leisure Time Physical Activity in Primary School Students: Applying the Theory of Planned Behavior

Background: One of the most important issues in students’ health is examining ways to motivate them to participate in physical activity and sports. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to examine a hybrid model of motivational and social beliefs’ processes based on the self-determination theory and the theory of planned behavior on the participation of children students in physical activity. Methods: In the present study, a descriptive-correlation approach was used. The participants were 516 primary school students from Gonbad Kavoos, Iran, 2019. Data were collected via Sport Motivation Scale, Components of the Theory of Planned Behavior, and Leisure-Time Physical Activity Behavior Scale. Structural equation method was employed to analyze the data. Results: Findings revealed that autonomous motivation significantly affected attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control (all T>1.96). In addition, these components had significant impacts on intention to physical activity (all T>1.96). Moreover, the intention to physical activity significantly affected leisure-time physical activity (T>1.96). Additionally, autonomous motivation significantly affected the intention to physical activity through mediation with attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control (all p <0.001). Finally, these components had significant effects on the actual physical activity behavior through mediation with intention to physical activity (all p <0.001). Conclusions: Based on our findings, it could be stated that the motivational factors proposed in the theory of self- determination affect the willingness of primary school students to participate in physical activity through mediation by attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control.