Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Theoretic Research on SMA External Pre-stress Concrete Structure

The effect of the external pre-stress on the mechanical properties of concrete structure was analyzed, on the basis of the shape memory effect, a new-style pre-stress structure on SMA external pre-stress concrete structure was put forward, the mechanical properties of ordinary reinforced concrete structure and SMA external pre-stress concrete structure have been analyzed comparatively, it is also pointed out in the paper that some problems should be solved before the structure are popularized and applied, and proposed the theoretical bases for engineering application of the external pre-stress structure of SMA for the future, the theoretical analysis show that the actuating effects of the shape memory alloy wires on the deformation of concrete structure can be obtained during phase transformation, the shape memory alloy actuator is successfully utilized as a way to control the crack width of concrete structure, the pre-stress structure can increase the crack resistance and the application of it is feasible.
Psychosocial Maturity: A Preliminary Examination of Validation Techniques. Report No. 157.

The present investigation employed a small sample of fifth graders to examine techniques for assessing the validity of psychosocial maturity (PSM) and the scales used to measure it. Three validation techniques were examined4 (1) Data obtained from selfreport scales, teacher eatingstand peer ratings were used to generate three multitrait-multimethod matrices (total sample, boys, and girls), and the criteria outlined by Campbell and Fiske (1959) were applied to examine these matrices; (2) a technique was devised to assess the degree to which independent raters could predict the pattern of relationships among PSM and other scale scores; and (3) PSM subscales were used to generate regression coefficients predicting rated traits. Validity studies in general and some implications for the validation of a new PSM scale are discussed. A major implication for future studies is that validation of component subscales of PSM, rather than of the multidimensional construct as a whole, should be attempted.
Risk Assessment of Co-treatment with Rifampicin and Tenofovir on Renal Function Indices of Albino Rats

Materials and Methods: Healthy adult male albino rats used for this study were divided into five (5) groups of sixteen animals (16) each. Animals in group A (placebo control) and group B (solvent control) were treated orally with water and arachis oil respectively. Animals in groups C-E were treated orally with 80mg/kg of rifampicin, 32 mg/kg of tenofovir and tenofovir-rifampicin combination for 1-8 weeks respectively. Animals were weighed and sacrificed at the end of drug treatment, blood samples were collected, centrifuged and serum extracted for creatinine, urea, uric acid, albumin, total protein and glucose evaluation. Animals were dissected kidneys were collected and weights determined.
DOM and bacterial growth efficiency in oligotrophic groundwater: absence of priming and co-limitation by organic carbon and phosphorus

Groundwater ecosystems are low productivity environments due to the small amount and poor quality of organic carbon, and nutrient limitation (N, P). However, field data show the overall presence of degradable DOC. Studies exploring the relationship between carbon properties, nutrient availability and microbial production, as well as possible priming in groundwater are missing. In multi-factorial groundwater batch experiments, we investigated the effect of various organic carbon sources (acetate, organic fertilizer, fulvic acids, humic acids) and nutrients (N, P) to DOC degradation, bacterial production and growth efficiency. Focusing on DOC concentrations, total cell counts, ATP, and bacterial carbon production, our study revealed several important findings. The type of organic carbon offered influenced bacterial growth pattern with lower assimilation efficiencies for the labile but energetically least favorable compound (acetate). Growth on acetate was soon P-limited, while more complex DOM (humic acids) sustained slow but long-term growth. Active but non-growing cells maintained continuous DOC turnover at nutrient limitation. The overall bacterial carbon production and growth efficiency ranged from <1 ng to >1 μg C l−1 h−1 and <0.1 to 28%, respectively. None of the experiments revealed evidence for priming in ground water. This study is a first attempt to unravel the multiple limitations and energetic constraints facing microbial communities in oligotrophic groundwater. Future studies should evaluate these findings by including the sediment matrix which carries the major fraction of microbial biomass and by looking in more detail at the structural characteristics and availability of DOM and P species.
A novel and efficient protocol for the isolation of genomic DNA from mulberry (Morus L.).

The purity of DNA is one of the major factors affecting the success of Genomic studies. Nucleic acid isolation from polyphenol rich plants fail to produce good quality DNA or RNA as polyphenols adhere and interfere with DNA during isolation. An improvised, simple and inexpensive protocol has been developed for extracting genomic DNA from Mulberry (Morus spp.). The purity of the DNA as revealed by the ratios of absorbance at 260/280 nm (A 260/280) and 260/230 nm (A 260/230) was closer to 2.0. Genomic DNA analyzed for analytical applications like restriction digestion and PCR amplification with molecular markers viz., Inter Simple Sequence Repeats (ISSR), Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) primers further confirmed the purity of the DNA. A modified method of silver staining was employed for the resolution of SSR amplified products. Physiologically mature leaf was found more suitable for getting quality DNA in mulberry.
An Accurate Self-Commissioning Technique for Matrix Converters Applied to Sensorless Control of Synchronous Reluctance Motor Drives

The compensation of converters’ nonlinear voltage error is crucial in the encoder-less control of ac motor drives. In this paper, a new self-commissioning and compensation method is proposed for matrix converters (MCs). Similar to what done in the past for voltage source inverters, the MC voltage error is identified before the drive start and stored in a lookup table, later used for error compensation and accurate voltage estimate. Different from what observed in the past, the effect of parasitic capacitors on nonlinear voltage error of MCs in four-step current-based commutation is observed and studied. Eventually, this method is applied to the sensorless control of a synchronous reluctance motor drive, using the direct flux vector control concept. Experimental results are presented to validate the effectiveness of the proposed self-commissioning in improving the performance of sensorless control at standstill and low speed.
A Numerical Model to Predict Matric Suction Inside Unsaturated Soils

The objective of this research is to introduce a numerical simulation model to predict approximate values of the matric suction inside unsaturated soils that have low water contents. The proposed model can be used to predict the relationship between the water content and the matric suction of a studied soil to construct the soil-water characteristic curve. In addition, the model can be utilized to combine the predicted matric suction with the soil parameters obtained experimentally, which enables us to explain how matric suction can affect the behaviour of unsaturated soils, without the need to utilize advanced measuring devices or special testing techniques. The model has given good results, especially when studying coarse-grained soils.
Contextualized Programs for Ontology-Mediated Probabilistic System Analysis

Modeling context-dependent systems for their analysis is challenging as verification tools usually rely on an input language close to imperative programming languages which need not support description of contexts well. We introduce the concept of contextualized programs where operational behaviors and context knowledge are modeled separately using domain-specific formalisms. For behaviors specified in stochastic guarded-command language and contextual knowledge given by OWL description logic ontologies, we develop a technique to efficiently incorporate contextual information into behavioral descriptions by reasoning about the ontology. We show how our presented concepts support and facilitate the quantitative analysis of context-dependent systems using probabilistic model checking. For this, we evaluate our implementation on a case study issuing a multi-server system.
Variations in Amylase and Invertase activities in Solanum species (Eggplants) during ripening

: Solanum species (eggplants) are edible, highly valued constituents of the Nigerian food and indigenous medicines. In this study, the activities of enzymes involved in carbohydrate degradation such as amylase and invertase were evaluated in two Solanum species viz Solanum melongena (round and oval varieties) and Solanum aethiopicum during different ripening stages. The activity of amylase was found to reduce significantly in both varieties of Solanum melongena (p < 0.01) while there was a non - significant reduction in amylase activity of Solanum aethiopicum (p > 0.01) from the unripe to the overripe stage. Also, invertase activity in both varieties of Solanum melongena was observed in this study to be significantly reduced (p<0.01) from the unripe to the overripe stage, with a non significant reduction in invertase activity occurring in Solanium aethiopicum (p > 0.01). The variations observed in the activities of these carbohydrate degrading enzymes correlate with the decrease in glucose level that has been reported during ripening in Solanum species; thereby confirming the ripe and overripe eggplants as nutritionally good diet
Employee engagement in discussion: Goals, perspectives and recommendations

This paper represents a summary of a debate on employee engagement that was conducted in a Business School setting. In this debate, representatives from key stakeholders group participated in this debate. The debate highlighted several critical concerns. These centered on the contextualization and employee-centered nature as well as the importance of clear goals and ‘framing’ of these activities. The consideration of multiple perspectives in combination with research and practice reports provides those interested in engagement with an overview of the matters that may emerge and need to be addressed prior to and following the implementation of any engagement initiatives.
Learning with dinosaurs: a study on motivation, cognitive reasoning, and making observations

ABSTRACT Dinosaurs have been a very popular science topic since signs of their presence on earth were first discovered. They have represented so-called ‘edutainment’ for some people. Learning from informal sources and in- an out-of-school environment can be effective and motivating. In this study, 12-year-old pupils (N = 366) visited a dinosaur science centre exhibition in Finland. Pupils were tested with standardised tests of motivation as defined by self-determination theory, cognitive skills, and interest via pre-, post-, and delayed post-tests during a six-month period. Findings show that pupils learned from the science centre visit and enjoyed the experience. The factors explaining their post-test knowledge in addition to their previous knowledge were (1) general cognitive competence, (2) liking studying biology at the science centre, (3) participation in a dinosaur demonstration, and (4) gender. As there was no difference between boys and girls in general cognitive competences, the knowledge results of boys and girls equally related to their cognitive competence. Autonomy also influenced situational motivation both directly and indirectly, which in turn had a strong effect on liking studying in the exhibition. It also influenced the post-test knowledge indirectly. In the lowest school achievement group, participation in the dinosaur demonstration increased knowledge in the post-test.
Within‐island microgeographic variation in the colour pattern of the skink, Chalcides sexlineatus: Pattern and cause

The colour pattern of the Gran Canarian skink is described with eight independent colour pattern characters. Significant geographic variation occurs in each character. There are generally high levels of congruence between the patterns of geographic variation in each character although some differences exist. In canonical variate analyses, the first canonical variate expresses most of the among‐locality variation in colour pattern, indicating a largely unidimensional pattern. Patterns of geographic variation in the colour pattern are portrayed by contouring. This reveals north‐east/south‐west clines for seven of the individual characters and the generalized pattern (CV1). Four causal hypotheses were erected which predicted four different unidimensional patterns of geographic variation. Mantel tests and partial correlation analyses were used to compare the observed patterns of microgeographic variation with the four hypothesized patterns. This method suggests differential selection occurring between ecotones as the cause of the microgeographic variation. Microgeographic variation in some aspects of the colour pattern can be explained by selection for different anti‐predator strategies in the hot, arid southern areas vs the cooler, lusher northern areas.
Limits of Simulating Gas Giant Entry at True Gas Composition and True Flight Velocities in an Expansion Tube

Atmospheric entry to the Gas Giants involves velocities of the order of 20 - 50 km/s, which is mostly beyond the capabilities of current ground testing facilities. This paper details an investigation exploring the operating limits of the X2 superorbital expansion tube at the University of Queensland (UQ), for the simulation of radiating gas giant entry flow conditions. Theoretical calculations show that the X2 expansion tube can simulate a proposed Uranus entry at 22.3 km/s but falls below the necessary 26.9 km/s velocity to simulate a proposed Saturn probe mission. Due to the current interest in sending atmospheric entry probes to Uranus and Saturn, this is a useful conclusion, demonstrating that there are experimental facilities capable of producing aerodynamic test flows for simulating gas giant entry conditions.
Assessing Sales Loss from Automobile Recalls through Event Study: A Toyota Case Study

A major recall is defined as the recall in which the affected number of cars is more than certain threshold level per recall. It has a negative impact on sales, since there are fewer customers inclined to purchase an automobile from a manufacturer that is producing a defective product. This paper introduces the application of event study, used extensively in the area of financial research, to the automobile industry in order to evaluate the sales loss from a major recall. A case study of Toyota Motor Corporation is presented to demonstrate the use of the model. The model suggests that the sales may decline for the subsequent five months from the time a major recall is announced. In future, the assumption of statistical independence between recalls will be removed, and further research will be conducted to determine if this will affect the outcome of the analysis.
Hunting novel human disease genes in the next generation sequencing era: lessons from Osteogenesis Imperfecta

Different combined strategies have been employed: the candidate gene approach was applied whenever knowledge of the physiological/ biochemical bases of the disease was available. Linkage studies with polymorphic markers within families allowed positional mapping, i.e., the identification of candidate regions, which often contained many genes. Thus chances for a successful hunt depended mostly on spotting a most likely candidate gene within the identified region; characterized animal models (e.g., knockout mice) have often provided excellent hints for this. Studies on large pedigrees with high rates of consanguinity have been crucial in the case of recessive diseases, as well as studies of multiple generations’ pedigrees with dominantly transmitted phenotypes [2]. Nevertheless the above mentioned approaches could not be applied across the board to all Mendelian genes; at the beginning of the twenty-first century it was clear that additional high-throughput strategies were badly needed in order to fill the gap. The Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology was introduced in 2005 and has, since then, revolutionized and suddenly accelerated the discovery of novel Mendelian disease loci. NGS allows sequencing of millions of fragments in a massively parallel fashion at affordable costs; an entire human genome can be sequenced within twenty-four hours. The agnostic approach of Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS), unlike the candidate gene approach, can be applied to any phenotype. A major problem consists in interpreting the overwhelming number of variants revealed by WGS. A widely used approach exploits Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS). Genotypes can be generated using SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms) arrays in order to localize the disease locus within one (or more than one) region of the genome, which will then be sounded out by targeted sequencing of candidate genes. The GWAS approach, compared to traditional linkage studies, allows localization of the sought-after causal mutation in a much smaller region (few kilobases, instead of megabases).
Measuring Agglomeration Economies: The Case of the Ethiopian Cut Flower Industry

Industrial clusters are ubiquitous, and the associated low transaction costs allow producers to benefit from information spillovers, interfirm division and specialization of labor, and the development of skilled-labor markets. Previous studies, however, have seldom quantified the benefits on business performance. Ethiopia’s cut flower industry provides a rare opportunity to compare agglomerated with dispersed producers. Agglomerated farms frequently share technological knowledge and market information to decide when and even whether products are worth harvesting and shipping and to select product varieties. Econometric results indicate that agglomerated farms export higher valued flowers and achieve higher productivity and profitability. These findings imply that promotion of industrial clusters would further develop the industry.
Service Composition and Deployment on Edge Devices

Data analytics on edge devices has gained rapid growth in research, industry, and different aspects of our daily life. This topic still faces many challenges such as limited computation resource on edge devices. In this paper, we further identify two main challenges: the composition and deployment of data analytics services on edge devices. We present the Zoo system to address these two challenge: on one hand, it provides simple and concise domain-specific language to enable easy and and type-safe composition of different data analytics services; on the other, it utilises multiple deployment backends, including Docker container, JavaScript, and MirageOS, to accommodate the heterogeneous edge deployment environment. We show the expressiveness of Zoo with a use case, and thoroughly compare the performance of different deployment backends in evaluation.
Object-based reverberation encoding from first-order Ambisonic RIRs

Recent work on a reverberant spatial audio object (RSAO) encoded spatial room impulse responses (RIRs) as object-based metadata which can be synthesized in an object-based renderer. Encoding reverberation into metadata presents new opportunities for end users to interact with and personalize reverberant content. The RSAO models an RIR as a set of early re ections together with a late reverberation filter. Previous work to encode the RSAO parameters was based on recordings made with a dense array of omnidirectional microphones. This paper describes RSAO parameterization from first-order Ambisonic (B-Format) RIRs, making the RSAO compatible with existing spatial reverb libraries. The object-based implementation achieves reverberation time, early decay time, clarity and interaural cross-correlation similar to direct Ambisonic rendering of 13 test RIRs.
Data Partitioning Technique to Improve Cloud Data Storage Security.

—Use of cloud computing is increasing rapidly but the security is main issue inside the cloud computing. Lot of research have been done on the cloud. Data can be efficiently store, share and download on the cloud storage. This improves user’s interaction with resources without any trouble. There are number of techniques to achieve the security in the cloud security inside the cloud computing. Many of them uses operations on dynamic data along with computation. This will force user to make copy of the user data on the cloud which will prevent the data loss and updation of the data. The efficient distributed storage auditing mechanism is prepare to overcome the data loss inside the cloud computing. But copies of duplicate data will lead to the memory overload of the cloud. So this paper presents the method for data partitioning. Data partitioning methods is also used to avoid the duplication of user data. Cloud data integrity get enhanced due to non-redundancy. It helps in enhancement of localization of the errors. It need to cooperate with server to detect the misbehaving user. This paper uses the DES algorithm for encryption of the data. To enhance the performance of the cloud storage remote data integrity checking concept is used. The cloud contains dynamic data and to reduce the time and computational cost data partitioning plays an important role.
Distinct and Combined Effects of Disciplinary Composition and Methodological Support on Problem Solving in Groups

Several reasons for the use of multidisciplinary teams composed of individuals with natural science and engineering background in problem&#8208;solving processes exist. The most important are the integration of science&#8208;based technologies into products and processes, and benefits for the problem&#8208;solving process thanks to new knowledge and new perspectives on problems. In this study we analyse the implications of interdisciplinary (science &#8211; engineering) group problem solving from a managerial as well as from a cognitive perspective. We then report on an experiment investigating the impact of problem&#8208;relevant disciplinary group composition and methodological support on the problem&#8208;solving process and its outcome. The findings of the experiment have managerial, theoretical, and pedagogical implications related to early phases of New Product/Process Design processes in high&#8208;technology and scientific knowledge&#8208;related domains.
Design of quadrature rules for Müntz and Müntz‐logarithmic polynomials using monomial transformation

A method for constructing the exact quadratures for Müntz and Müntz‐logarithmic polynomials is presented. The algorithm does permit to anticipate the precision (machine precision) of the numerical integration of Müntz‐logarithmic polynomials in terms of the number of Gauss–Legendre (GL) quadrature samples and monomial transformation order. To investigate in depth the properties of classical GL quadrature, we present new optimal asymptotic estimates for the remainder. In boundary element integrals this quadrature rule can be applied to evaluate singular functions with end‐point singularity, singular kernel as well as smooth functions. The method is numerically stable, efficient, easy to be implemented. The rule has been fully tested and several numerical examples are included. The proposed quadrature method is more efficient in run‐time evaluation than the existing methods for Müntz polynomials. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.