Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
System reliability of slopes using multimodal optimisation

Many engineered and natural slopes have complex geometries and are multi-layered. For these slopes traditional stability analyses will tend to predict critical failure surfaces in layers with the lowest mean strength. A move toward probabilistic analyses allows a designer to account for uncertainties with respect to input parameters that allow for a more complete understanding of risk. Railway slopes, which in some cases were built more than 150 years ago, form important assets on the European rail network. Many of these structures were built at slope angles significantly higher than those allowed in modern design codes. Depending on the local geotechnical conditions these slopes may be susceptible to deepseated failure; however, a significant number of failures each year occur as shallow translational slips that develop during periods of high rainfall. Thus, for a given slope, two potential failure mechanisms might exist with very similar probabilities of failure. In this paper a novel multimodal optimisation algorithm (‘Slips’) that is capable of detecting all feasible probabilistic slip surfaces simultaneously is presented. The system reliability analysis is applied using polar co-ordinates, as this approach has been shown to be less sensitive to local numerical instabilities, which can develop due to discontinuities on the limit state surface. The approach is applied to two example slopes where the complexity in terms of stratification and slope geometry is varied. In addition the methodology is validated using a real-life case study involving failure of a complex slope.
ebnm: An R Package for Solving the Empirical Bayes Normal Means Problem

The empirical Bayes normal means (EBNM) model plays an important role in both theoretical and applied statistics. Applications include meta-analysis and shrinkage estimation; wavelet denoising; multiple testing and false discovery rate estimation; and empirical Bayes matrix factorization. As such, several software packages have been developed that fit this model under different prior assumptions. Each package naturally has a different interface and outputs, which complicates comparison of results for different prior families. Further, there are some notable gaps in the software — for example, implementations for simple normal and point-normal priors are absent. Motivated by these issues, we developed the R package ebnm, which provides a unified interface for efficiently solving the EBNM problem using a wide variety of prior families, both parametric and non-parametric. Where practical we leverage core fitting procedures from existing packages, writing wrappers to create a unified interface; in other cases, we implement new core fitting procedures ourselves, with a careful focus on both speed and robustness. The result is a convenient and comprehensive package for solving the EBNM problem under a wide range of prior assumptions.
Learning from Past Coevolutionary Processes to Envision Sustainable Futures: Extending an Action Situations Approach on Water-Energy-Food Nexus

Despite near-global consensus on the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Climate Agreement, unresolved and politically contentious trade-offs have undermined implementation. One exemplary case facing difficult trade-offs are Water-Energy-Food (WEF) nexus cases. Here, we extend the nascent ‘Social-Ecological Action Situations ’ framework to analyse past coevolution of WEF nexus cases (or other social-ecological systems) to envision possible futures where trade-offs are equally considered and minimized. We illustrate the value of the approach for a WEF nexus case in Switzerland with upstream hydropower reservoirs, water-bound biodiversity, and emerging downstream agricultural irrigation needs. The proposed solution-oriented, transformative approach goes beyond existing frameworks by analysing past coevolution of the intertwined system to build system understanding and to envision a future with concrete policies that would result in a higher adaptive capacity of the system and a compromise within the WEF nexus. We argue that this perspective helps to devise policies to address trade-offs in WEF nexus cases and thereby to tackle global crises.
MEDEA : a DSGE model for the Spanish economy SERIEs-Journal of the Spanish Economic Association Provided in Cooperation with : Spanish Economic Association

In this paper, we provide a brief introduction to a new macroeconometric model of the Spanish economy named MEDEA (Modelo de Equilibrio Dinámico de la Economía EspañolA). MEDEA is a dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) model that aims to describe the main features of the Spanish economy for policy analysis, counterfactual exercises, and forecasting. MEDEA is built in the tradition of New Keynesian models with real and nominal rigidities, but it also incorporates aspects such as a small open economy framework, an outside monetary authority such as the ECB, and population growth, factors that are important in accounting for aggregate fluctuations in Spain. The model is estimated with Bayesian techniques and data from the last two decades. Beyond describing the properties of the model, we perform different exercises to illustrate the potential of MEDEA, including historical decompositions, long-run and short-run simulations, and counterfactual experiments.
Innovation and Productivity in SMEs - Empirical Evidence for Italy

Innovation in SMEs exhibits some peculiar features that most traditional indicators of innovation activity do not capture. Therefore, in this paper, we develop a structural model of innovation which incorporates information on innovation success from firm surveys along with the usual R&D expenditures and productivity measures. We then apply the model to data on Italian SMEs from the "Survey on Manufacturing Firms" conducted by Mediocredito-Capitalia covering the period 1995-2003. The model is estimated in steps, following the logic of firms' decisions and outcomes: in the first, R&D intensity is linked to a set of firm and market characteristics. We find that international competition fosters R&D intensity, especially for high-tech firms. Firm size, R&D intensity, along with investment in equipment enhances the likelihood of having both process and product innovation. Both these kinds of innovation have a positive impact on firm's productivity, especially process innovation. Among SMEs, larger and older firms seem to be less productive.
P 7 . 10 VERTICAL PROFILE OF RAINDROP SIZE DISTRIBUTION BY USING 400 MHz WIND PROFILER IN STRATIFORM RAINFALL

The vertical profile of raindrop size distribution (DSD) is important for understanding rain formation processes. To improve the accuracy of rainfall intensity observed by precipitation radar and microwave radiometers carried on satellites, the information on the vertical profile of DSD is also important. Although there are some methods for measuring DSD on the ground, such as a disdorometer, a 2D-Video-Distrometer (2DVD), and so on, there is a few methods for measuring the vertical profile of DSD. A UHF/VHF wind profiler (WPR) is one of the most effective observation methods to provide the DSD profile. In principle, if two peaks by air motion and by precipitation are appeared in the Doppler spectrum observed by WPR, a raindrop size can be derived from the fall velocity of precipitation using a relationship between raindrop size and terminal velocity. Several methods have been proposed to estimate DSD from WPR below the melting layer (e.g. Wakasugi et al., 1986; Sato et al., 1990; Kobayashi and Adachi, 2005). The purpose of this study is to develop a database of DSD form rainfall (below the melting layer) to snowfall (above the melting layer) for the satellites precipitation retrieval by using a 400 MHz wind profiler (Adachi et al., 2001). The DSD is basically retrieved by the algorithm of Kobayashi and Adachi (2005) (hereafter Kobayashi algorithm). A new algorithm is proposed above the melting layer. To improve the accuracy of the DSD estimation, simultaneous observation data of the CRL Okinawa Bistatic Polarimetric Radar (COBRA) (Nakagawa et al., 2003) is used to calibrate the reflectivity of the 400 MHz WPR.
Propensity Scores

<abh>Abstract <abtx>Propensity scores represent the probability that an individual is assigned to a treatment group given the individual’s scores on a set of covariates. Propensity scores are used in nonrandomized studies to equate treatment and control groups on a large number of covariates measured at baseline. Assumptions necessary for propensity score analysis to yield a valid estimate of the causal effect are presented. The five steps involved in a propensity score analysis are reviewed: (a) selecting the covariates, (b) estimating the propensity scores, (c) conditioning on propensity scores, (d) checking covariates for balance, and (e) estimating the causal effect. Complexities including designs with more than two groups, covariates with missing values, multilevel designs, and sensitivity analysis to check for the potential effects of unmeasured covariates are briefly considered. Finally, a short evaluation of the performance of the propensity score approach is presented.
Yet Another Hardware Implementation of Modular Multiplication

Modular multiplication is fundamental to several publickey cryptography systems such as the RSA encryption system. lt is also the most dominant part of the computation performed in such systems. The operation is time consuming for large operands. This paper examines the characteristics of yet another architecture to implement modular multiplication. An experimental modular multiplier prototype is described and some simulation results are presented.
University of Birmingham Three-dimensional architecture of the human BRCA1-A histone deubiquitinase core complex

K63-linked di-ubiquitin binding to BRCC45/Merit40 was measured using an Octet RED biolayer interferometer (Pall ForteBio). His-tagged BRCC45/ Merit40was immobilized onanti-pentaHisbiosensors(Pall ForteBio)atacon- centration of approximately 25 m g/mL. The binding of K63-linked di-ubiquitin (at 5–100 m M) to immobilized BRCC45/MERIT40 was measured at 25 (cid:3) C with a 120 s association step, followed by a 200 s dissociation step in a buffer containing40mMTrispH8.0,100mMNaCl,and1mMTCEP.Theassociation phase was analyzed as a single exponential function using in-house software, and a plot of the observed rate (k obs ) versus ligand concentration gave the association and dissociation rate constants (k on and k off ) as the slope and intercept, respectively. The equilibrium dissociation constant was determined as k off /k on .
Locality-constrained anomaly detection for hyperspectral imagery

Detecting a target with low-occurrence-probability from unknown background in a hyperspectral image, namely anomaly detection, is of practical significance. Reed-Xiaoli (RX) algorithm is considered as a classic anomaly detector, which calculates the Mahalanobis distance between local background and the pixel under test. Local RX, as an adaptive RX detector, employs a dual-window strategy to consider pixels within the frame between inner and outer windows as local background. However, the detector is sensitive if such a local region contains anomalous pixels (i.e., outliers). In this paper, a locality-constrained anomaly detector is proposed to remove outliers in the local background region before employing the RX algorithm. Specifically, a local linear representation is designed to exploit the internal relationship between linearly correlated pixels in the local background region and the pixel under test and its neighbors. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed detector improves the original local RX algorithm.
Application of electronic-nose for identification of ripeness stage of durian.

The objective of this studied was to identify the ripeness stage of durian fruit based on changes in the volatile profile. An electronic-nose (E-nose) comprised of metal oxide gas sensors were used to determine volatile profiles at the unripe, ripe and overripe stage. The response signals of the E-nose were analyzed by principle component analysis (PCA). The PCA result showed that durian volatile profile at unripe, ripe and overripe stages were discriminated from each and were significantly different. It is possible that E-nose might be used to identify the ripeness stage of durian fruit based on change of volatile profile. Durian flavor profile at difference ripeness stages were also confirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and sensory evaluation.
EVAPOTRANSPIRATION AND CROP COEFFICIENT FOR POTATO IN ORGANIC FARMING 1

The aim of this study was to quantify the water consumption and the crop coefficients (Kc) for the potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), in Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Brazil, under organic management, and to simulate the crop evapotranspiration (ETc) using the Kc obtained in the field and the ones recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The water consumption was obtained through soil water balance, using TDR probes installed at 0.15m and 0.30m deep. At the different stages of development, the Kc was determined by the ratio of ETc and reference evapotranspiration, obtained by Penman-Monteith FAO 56. The crop coefficients obtained were 0.35, 0.45, 1.29 and 0.63. The accumulated ETc obtained in the field was 109.6 mm, while the ETc accumulated from FAO's Kc were 142.2 and 138mm, respectively, considering the classical values and the values adjusted to the local climatic conditions. The simulation of water consumption based on meteorological data of historical series from 1961 to 2007 provided higher value of ETc when compared with the one obtained in the field. From the meteorological data of historical series, it was observed that the use of Kc recommended by FAO may overestimate the amount of irrigation water by 9%, over the same growing season.
A complex intervention to improve intercultural communication and Aboriginal patient outcomes: which components worked?

Anna P Ralph (  anna.ralph@menzies.edu.au ) https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2253-5749 Vicki Kerrigan Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University Craig Castillon Top End Health Service Vincent Mithen Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0634-6913 Elise O'Connor Top End Health Service Martin Hansen Top End Health Service Natasha Keilor Top End Health Service Robyn Aitken Flinders University Gail Madrill Top End Health Service Curtis Roman NT Aboriginal Interpreter Service Alan Cass Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University
Land-use change dynamics at cadastral parcel level in Albania: an object- oriented geo-database approach

A case study in Albania is presented based on the EU Phare Land Use Policy II 1 project results where GIS-oriented instruments and innovative methodologies were implemented to support decision-making for land-use policy and planning. With the aim of improved land-use planning, the change dynamics over the period 1991-2003 were analysed at multiple levels: from cadastral parcel to cadastral zone to commune level. CASE Visio and ArcInfo UML diagrams were used to organise the objects and feature classes of the Information System according to the European Environmental Agency’s INSPIRE initiative. The developed Land-Use Information System for Albania allows the logical and functional hierarchical arrangement of land uses and data harmonisation with other land-use description systems. The LandUse Change Analyses methodology groups changes into conversions and modifications to underline the change processes. An object-oriented approach has been followed in the change dynamics application and the Knowledge Discovery in Databases process was used to detect a priori unknown relationships. The preferred land-use change pattern indicates that land users take rational decisions when changing land-use because of low suitability soils or unsuitable soils for that particular use in areas with steep slopes causing erosion and subsequently abandonment. Areas most apt to agriculture, well served with infrastructure and close to urban centres, have overall maintained their production characteristics though at lower levels. In the case of urbanisation in rural areas, green areas around the buildings were maintained for agricultural production for self-sufficiency purposes. These developments are the more surprising in the absence of any regulating plan.
EVS 28 KINTEX , Korea , May 3-6 , 2015 Dynamitic Analysis of Skid Steering for Articulated Motor-driven Vehicle

The hydraulic steering mechanism can lead the vehicle’s hydraulic system more complex and the tire wear heavier in the process of steering, which is detrimental to the steering control of the articulated motordriven vehicle. Thus the skid steering mode is implemented in the articulated motor-driven vehicle in this paper. This mode can simplify the vehicle without steering cylinder and it is more flexible by controlling the velocity of each wheel when steering. According to the theory of traditional wheeled vehicle’s skid steering and based on the analysis of skid steering of articulated vehicle, a dynamic model is established to describe the mathematic relationships among the steering radius, body structure, velocity of front and rear wheels, longitudinal forces and lateral forces between each tire and the ground. With these analyses, the kinematic and dynamic simulations based on the model are applied according to the parameters of an underground mine articulated vehicle. And the results of the simulation can verify the model, which can provide references for designing and studying skid steering of articulated motor-driven vehicle.
American College of Radiology White Paper on MR Safety.

he following is a report of the American College of Radiology Blue Ribbon Panel on MR Safety, chaired by Emanuel Kanal, MD, FACR, to the Task Force on Patient Safety, chaired by James P. Borgstede, MD, FACR. Under the auspices of the Task Force, the panel met in November 2001 consisting of the following members: A. James Barkovich, MD; Charlotte Bell, MD, (Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation); James P. Borgstede, MD, FACR; William G. Bradley, MD, PhD, FACR; Joel Felmlee, PhD; Jerry W. Froelich, MD; Ellisa M. Kaminski, RTR, MR; Emanuel Kanal, MD, FACR; Elaine K. Keeler, PhD, (NEMA); James W. Lester, MD; Elizabeth Scoumis, RN, BSN; Loren A. Zaremba, PhD (FDA); and Marie D. Zinninger (American College of Radiology Staff). The following document is intended to be used as a template for MR facilities to follow in the development of an MR safety program. Recent articles in the medical literature and electronic/print media [1, 2] detailing Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) adverse incidents involving patients, equipment, and personnel spotlighted the need for review. The Panel was charged with reviewing MR safety practices and guidelines and issuing new ones as appropriate for MR examinations and practices today [3–7]. The document restates existing practices and articulates new ones. This document will continue to evolve, as does the MRI field. There are potential risks in the MR environment, not only for the patient but also for the accompanying family members, attending health care professionals, and others who find themselves only occasionally or rarely in the magnetic fields of MR scanners, such as security or housekeeping personnel, firefighters, police, etc. These MR Safe Practices Guidelines have been developed to help guide MR practitioners regarding these issues and provide a basis for them to develop and implement their own MR policies and practices. It is intended that these MR Safe Practice Guidelines (and the policies and procedures to which they give rise) be reviewed and updated on a regular basis. It is the intent of the American College of Radiology (ACR) that these MR Safe Practice Guidelines will be helpful as the field of MR evolves and matures, providing patient MR services that are among the most powerful, yet safest, of all diagnostic procedures to be developed in the history of modern medicine.
A Sequential-Linking Method for Analysis of Within-Host Viral Evolution

Since Kimura’s neutral theory has been accepted by biologists for the mechanism of evolution at the molecular level, most methods for analyzing molecular evolution are developed based on this theory. These studies, however, aim to detect positive selection, and do not study how neutral evolution and positive selection behave as time goes on. In this study, we develop a new method to detect when the neutral and adaptive evolution occur in the process of within-host viral evolution, and to reconstruct a longitudinal phylogenetic tree using sequential molecular sequences. We applied the method to a data set of the V3 region of HIV-1 envelope gene and carried out a detailed analysis of viral evolution.
Tarja Heponiemi Physiological and Emotional Stress Reactions : The Effects of Temperament and Exhaustion

The aim of the present study was to examine whether innate temperament and an individual’s sense of vital exhaustion were associated with emotional and physiological reactions during laboratory induced stress among 95 healthy men (n = 49) and women (n = 46) aged 22-37 years. Gray`s temperament theory was used to define behavioral inhibition system (BIS) sensitivity and behavioral approach system (BAS) sensitivity. We measured heart rate, respiratory sinus arrhythmia, and pre-ejection period during an aversive startle probe, an appetitive mental arithmetic task, an aversive reaction time task, and a speech task. Larsen and Diener’s circumplex model of affect was used to structure the self-reported affects. Results revealed that BAS sensitivity was related to heart rate reactivity and parasympathetic withdrawal during the tasks, but was unrelated to baseline levels. In addition, BAS sensitivity was generally associated with pleasant affects, with an especially large increase of Activated pleasant affect during the appetitive mental arithmetic task. On the other hand, BIS sensitivity was associated with unpleasant affects, with a especially great increase of Activated unpleasant affect during aversive tasks. BIS sensitivity was unrelated to both reactivity and baseline levels of cardiac measures. The results for feelings of exhaustion showed that the level of vital exhaustion among healthy persons is related to unpleasant state affects (other than Unactivated unpleasant affect) and to parasympathetic withdrawal. Temperament also modified the association of vital exhaustion with affects and physiological reactions. In addition, vital exhaustion was related to a tendency to behavioral inhibition (harm avoidance). Overall, our results suggest that temperament and sense of exhaustion are associated with physiological and emotional reactions during acute stress and should thus be taken into account in stress management.