Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A computational study of the fracture behaviour of concrete in a modified Split Hopkinson Bar test

For a numerical prediction of the response of concrete structures under extreme dynamic loading, reliable material data and material models are crucial. A modified Split Hopkinson Bar, SHB, test methodology is used to determine the material properties in tension at high loading rates which are used in numerical models simulating progressive fracturing. The main focus of this paper is to examine the predictive capability of existing classical and regularised continuum models in reproducing the SHB experiments. These models are based on continuum damage theories in which the net effect of fracture is idealised as a degradation of elasticity of the material. Strain-rate dependency of materials subjected to an impulsive loading is taken into account by including viscous terms in the continuum description. The examples here give an indication of the sensitivity of the model parameters in the computational models and the coupled viscoplastic damage model shows the promising capability of simulating the fracture process of the SHB test. The effect and physical interpretation of the parameters and their mutual dependency in dynamics are not sufficiently understood, and more work is needed to present a physically realistic model for concrete under high loading rates based on micro-mechanics to account for the true mechanisms that cause the strength increase.
Removing Shadows from Urban Aerial Images Based on Fuzzy Retinex

In urban aerial images,the poor visibility of features in shadowed regions creat ed by buildings prevents recognition of objects.It is necessary to compensate an d remove the shadowed region.In this paper,a fuzzy retinex is proposed to overco me the limitation of the well known image enhancement technique—retinex.The fuz zy retinex restricts the center/surround spatially contrast operation in region with homogeneous illumination so that the robustness of retinex is reinforced in scene with strongly variational illumination.Based on the fuzzy segmentation of an image into shadowed and unshadowed regions,shadows are compensated and remov ed using the fuzzy retinex while the natural tint of original image is retained. The proposed method enriches the research and application domain of the retinex. Experimental results are given to show its effectiveness.
Are the wing's cells alive? Study case in Vriesea trichomes

The presence of peltate foliar trichomes is one of the main anatomical characteristic of Bromeliaceae. These complex structures are adapted to compensate water and nutrient absorption in species that have reduced or substrate and light-reflection independent roots. They have enabled species' survival in diverse and extreme environments contributing to the wide distribution of this family. In the present work, we analyzed the peltate trichomes' characteristics in three taxa of Vriesea (Tillandsioideae): Vriesea platynema var. platynema, V. platynema var. variegata and V. tijucana. Leaves in different developmental stages were analyzed with histochemical tests and Transmission Electron Microscopy. Main results include the presence of cytoplasmic content in the wing peripheral cells, as well as in mature leaves. This is the first register of the presence of such feature in this family, which brings the possibility of discussing how water can be absorbed by these cells.
5.16 Use of Inverse Reinforcement Learning for Identity Prediction Use of Inverse Reinforcement Learning for Identity Prediction

We adopt Markov Decision Processes (MOP) to model sequential decision problems, which have the characteristic that the current decision made by a human decision maker has an uncertain impact on future opportunity. We hypothesize that the individuality of decision makers can be modeled as differences in the reward function under a common MOP model. A machine learning technique, Inverse Reinforcement Learning (I RL), was used to learn an individual's reward function based on limited observation 01 his or her decision choices. This work serves as an initial investigation for using IRL to analyze decision making , conducted through a human eKperiment in a cyber shopping environment Specifically, the ability to determine the demographic identity of users is conducted through prediction analysis and supervised learning. The resuHs show thaI IRL can t>e used 10 correctly identify participants, at a rate of 68% for gender and 66% for one of three college major categories.
Bayesian Learning in Share Selection

The return and various attributes from the McGreggor database were used to estimate the return that will be achieved by different companies in the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). None of the attributes were significantly correlated to the return.The Pearl algorithm in Bayesian belief networks induces a belief network from data. With a solid grounding in probability theory, the Pearl algorithm allows belief updating by propagating likelihoods of leaf nodes (variables) and the prior probabilities. The Pearl algorithm was originally developed for binary nodes, but this is generalized to more states.The results of this model were then compared to a Linear Regression model. The Bayesian belief network outperformed stepwise linear regression.
Robust superhydrophobic TiO2@fabrics for UV shielding, self-cleaning and oil–water separation

Inspired by the surface geometry and composition of the lotus leaf with its self-cleaning behavior, in this work, a TiO2@fabric composite was prepared via a facile strategy for preparing marigold flower-like hierarchical TiO2 particles through a one-pot hydrothermal reaction on a cotton fabric surface. In addition, a robust superhydrophobic TiO2@fabric was further constructed by fluoroalkylsilane modification as a versatile platform for UV shielding, self-cleaning and oil–water separation. The results showed TiO2 particles were uniformly distributed on the fibre surface with a high coating density. In comparison with hydrophobic cotton fabric, the TiO2@fabric exhibited a high superhydrophobic activity with a contact angle of ∼160° and a sliding angle lower than 10°. The robust superhydrophobic fabric had high stability against repeated abrasion without an apparent reduction in contact angle. The as-prepared composite TiO2@fabric demonstrated good anti-UV ability. Moreover, the composite fabric demonstrated highly efficient oil–water separation due to its extreme wettability contrast (superhydrophobicity/superoleophilicity). We expect that this facile process can be readily and widely adopted for the design of multifunctional fabrics for excellent anti-UV, effective self-cleaning, efficient oil–water separation, and microfluidic management applications.
Hybrid Local Search for The Multi-Mode Resource-Constrained Multi-Project Scheduling Problem

In this work we present a multi-neighborhood, parallel local search approach for the Multi-Mode Resource-Constrained Multi-Project Scheduling Problem (MMRCMPSP). The search in multiple neighborhoods is conducted in parallel with dynamic load balancing among processors. Our solver works with an indirect solution representation and navigates through space of the feasible solutions by combining heuristics and mathematical programming. A perturbation procedure which alters a subset of job modes and still keeps the solution feasible is introduced. Very encouraging results were obtained, improving several best known solutions published at the MISTA Challenge.
Oxygen-dependent regulation of the activating transcription factor-4 (ATF-4)

The prolyl-4 hydroxylase domain enzymes 1-3 (PHD1-3) are involved in regulating the protein stability of the alpha subunit of the hypoxia inducible factor (HIF), which is the master regulator of oxygen-dependent gene expression. Increasing evidence has been found that the PHDs are involved in regulating additional, HIF-independent, oxygen-dependent signal transduction pathways. Additionally, several hints for isoform-specific functions of the PHDs were observed. Therefore, members of the Department of Cardiovascular Physiology performed a yeast two-hybrid screen in which the activating transcription factor-4 (ATF-4) was identified as a novel interaction partner of the oxygen sensor PHD3. ATF-4 is involved in the cellular stress response and its expression is shown to be induced by different stress signals. ATF-4 is also regulated by phosphorylation and at the level of protein stability. In this thesis the oxygen-dependent regulation of the ATF-4 stability was characterized. Yeast two-hybrid assays revealed the isoform specificity of this interaction. The interaction of ATF 4 is restricted to PHD3 whereas no interaction was observed with PHD1, PHD2 or factor inhibiting HIF-1 (FIH). Furthermore, exposure to hypoxia or silencing PHD3 mRNA expression, but not PHD2 expression, resulted in increased ATF-4 proteins levels compared to normoxia in a HIF-independent manner. Reoxygenation experiments revealed a slower degradation of the ATF-4 protein after inhibiting PHD activity by DMOG treatment or silencing PHD3 expression, indicating the involvement of PHD3 in regulating ATF-4 protein stability. A newly identified oxygen dependent degradation (ODD) domain in the ATF-4 protein sequence is responsible for the oxygen-dependent ATF-4 protein stability. A degradation of ATF-4 by the ubiquitin-proteasome system mediated by the ubiquitin E3 ligase SCF beta-transducin repeat containing protein (s-TRCP) has been described earlier, but its function for the normoxic degradation of ATF-4, was not known. This thesis shows that the normoxic destabilisation of ATF-4 is mediated via PHD3-dependent degradation by the ubiquitin-proteasome system. However, pull-down assays and silencing s-TRCP expression by siRNAs showed that the normoxic degradation of ATF-4 is not mediated by the E3 ligases s-TRCP or von-Hippel Lindau tumor suppressor (pVHL). Therefore further studies will be needed to identify the E3 ligase responsible for the normoxic degradation of ATF-4. Studies of ATF-4 target gene expression under hypoxia revealed an involvement of oxygen-dependent ATF-4 regulation in cell fate decision. This knowledge of PHD regulated pathways can be helpful for the development of clinically applicable small molecule PHD inhibitors that can be used for the treatment of anemia or that may be applied because of their cytoprotective effects in damaged tissues.
Life cycle assessment of solid waste management options: A Review

Evaluating the environmental performance of municipal solid waste management options is a complex job. LCA is an analytical tool (software) for assessing the environmental acceptability of municipal solid waste management (MSWM) options. LCA is currently being used in several countries to evaluate different strategies for integrated solid waste management and to evaluate treatment options for waste fractions. According to the characteristics of solid wastes, and availability of disposal options, LCA helps in supporting the identification of opportunities for pollution prevention and reductions in resource consumption while taking the entire solid waste life cycle. The primary elements of solid waste management are generation, collection, transportation, treatment, and disposal. Different scenarios were developed and reported as alternatives to the current waste management systems. The most prominent is material recovery facility (MRF) and other methods involve source reduction, reuse, recycling, composting, incineration, energy recovery, on-site burial, open burning and bioremediation. The goal of this review is to determine the most environmentally friendly option of MSWM system with the help of LCA.
Distribution of megabenthic gastropods along environmental gradients: the mid-domain effect and beyond

We analysed the distribution patterns of megabenthic species of marine molluscs from the Uruguayan shelf in relation to 3 interacting gradients, namely depth, salinity and temperature of sea bottom waters. Our results were generated from a data set comprising the complete list of megabenthic gastropods (adult shell length >50 mm; 22 species) from a study area that encompassed latitudes from 34 to 39° south, between 4 and 800 m depth. Multiple regressions were used to evalu- ate the contribution of 3 classes of explanatory variables to gastropod richness at sampling points along the gradients: (1) geometric constraints on the distribution of species' tolerance ranges for envi- ronmental variables (the mid-domain effect, MDE), (2) the species-area effect driven by the spatial extent of scaled environmental variables, and (3) the environmental variables themselves. In addi- tion, we explored multivariate explanations for the bathymetric pattern of gastropod species richness, incorporating depth-based area, temperature, salinity and geometric constraints as predictor vari- ables. Examination of Moran's I for regression residuals confirmed that results were not biased by spatial autocorrelation. Overall, the environmental variables per se were the most important contrib- utors to the observed patterns. However, a significant signature of the MDE was revealed, by the entry of geometric constraints into nearly all models. In contrast, the species-area effect was less important. These results suggest that: (1) MDE may operate in any kind of bounded gradient, (2) both stochastic and deterministic processes are responsible for the pattern observed, and (3) the relative contribution of the MDE to the patterns is dependent on the gradient considered and the way in which species richness is measured.
Exploiting Occluding Contours for Real-time 3d Tracking: a Unified Approach

Model-based 3D object tracking is fast and robust using 3D edges. However, traditional edge-based approaches have difficulty handling occluding contours of curved surfaces , since they are not static model edges but change with the viewpoint. In this paper we propose a unified approach to edge-based tracking where 3D edges including occluding contours are utilized. This is achieved through an analysis of local surface differential geometry, which provides the foundation for incorporating occluding contours of curved surfaces into edge-based tracking. This approach uses a simple parametrization of both types of model edges within the same framework. The proposed method has been tested within the context of an existing edge-based tracking system. The system can track both types of model edges in a very fast and robust manner. Experimental results on both synthetic and real scenes are provided, which confirm that occluding contours improve real-time 3D tracking performance .
Changes in Understory Production Follow- ing a Wildfire in Southwestern Ponderosa Pine

An area burned by a May, 1972, wildfire and which had been previously sampled in 1972 and 1974 was remeasured in 1980 to determine changes in under-story production. The area was stratified into moderately and severely burned areas. By 1974 both herbage and forage production on the moderately burned area were approximately 3 times higher than unburned control sites and did not decline significantly by 1980. While increased herbage production on the severely burned site was similar to that of the moderately burned site in 1974, it declined to only half as much production by 1980. Furthermore, while over 95% of the total herbage production was in forage species for all 3 sampling years on the moderately burned study area, only 30 percent was forage on the severely burned study area by 1980. The decline in total production and shift to non-forage species on the severely burned study area is probably a consequence of heavy grazing which followed the bum. Since settlement in the late 1800’s forage production in southwestern ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosul) has steadily declined.
Empirical survey of the application of commercial-graded Lithium Polymer batteries in military systems in conjunction with solar panels and fuel cells

This paper presents the results of an empirical survey into th e comparative characteristics of commercial NiCd, Lithium-ion and Lithium Polymer batteries when applied in a range of man portable military radios. The focus is on when the expected load currents varies significantly across the batte ry’s cycle. The study also considers the use of solar panels and fuel cells for in-field battery replenishment. Limited environmental (temperature) stress screening was pe rformed. Several pros and cons will be discussed, but in general the commercial pr oduct stood up well in the warmer climates and (being commercial products) with a goo d c st to performance ratio.
A Conceptual Framework for Assessment of Governance Performance of Lake Basins: Towards Transformation to Adaptive and Integrative Governance

Governance is essential to lake basin management, but it is the most challenged and needs increased attention. Lake Basin Governance performance assessment is designed to measure the progress and impacts of policies, institutions and the roles of various actors in ensuring sustainability. It measures the performance of technical/operational, social/networks, and institutional arrangement that make up the socio-ecological system. Governance performance assessment becomes very necessary with over-emphasis of institutions on resources utilization and exploitation. The purpose of this paper is to present a governance performance assessment framework specifically for lake basins. The Adaptive Integrated Lake Basin Management (AILBM) framework is a diagnostic and prescriptive performance assessment tool with an outcome to produce an adaptive and integrative system with equity, inclusiveness, transparency, accountability and flexibility to problem-solving and resilience. A case study on water governance performance assessment of the Songkhla Lake Basin (SLB) in Thailand is provided for illustration and application and indicated a poor performance rating on governance in the Basin, revealing gaps, defects, strengths and weaknesses in the current system, necessary to recommend future improvements.
Coal microscopy as a tool to understand the beneficiation problems of Indian Gondwana coals

The present paper intends to demonstrate the occurrence of mineral matter as a deterrent in coal beneficiation as evidenced through coal microscopy. The Indian Gondwana coals are known for their high ash content due to the presence of inorganic mineral matter occurring in high concentration. These minerals have been found to occur as ‘deep intergrowth’, ‘massive impregnation’, ‘superficial mounting’, ‘filling and depletion of micropores’’, ‘mechanical cavity filling’, and ‘fusinitic cavity filling’. It is difficult to liberate these mineral matter from coal, creating problems during their beneficiation. The conventional techniques which are being followed for the beneficiation of coal in India include hand picking, sizing, blending, pulverizing, washing, dry cleaning, dedusting, dewatering, drying and briquetting and they are not instrumental so far. Therefore, some non-conventional means of coal beneficiation involving microbial treatment or protein enzyme technology may be tried for Indian coals.
Security, Privacy, Trust, and Resource Management in Mobile and Wireless Communications

Vehicular Ad-Hoc Networks (VANETs) are a critical component of the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), which involve the applications of advanced information processing, communications, sensing, and controlling technologies in an integrated manner to improve the functionality and the safety of transportation systems, providing drivers with timely information on road and traffic conditions, and achieving smooth traffic flow on the roads. Recently, the security of VANETs has attracted major attention for the possible presence of malicious elements, and the presence of altered messages due to channel errors in transmissions. In order to provide reliable and secure communications, Intrusion Detection Systems (IDSs) can serve as a second defense wall after prevention-based approaches, such as encryption. This chapter first presents the state-of-the-art literature on intrusion detection in VANETs. Next, the detection of illicit wireless transmissions from the physical layer perspective is investigated, assuming the presence of regular ongoing legitimate transmissions. Finally, a novel cooperative intrusion detection scheme from the MAC sub-layer perspective is discussed. Chong Han University of Surrey, UK Sami Muhaidat Khalifa University, UAE Ibrahim Abualhaol Khalifa University, UAE Mehrdad Dianati University of Surrey, UK Rahim Tafazolli University of Surrey, UK DOI: 10.4018/978-1-4666-4691-9.ch008
Ultralow-Power Alcohol Vapor Sensors Using Chemically Functionalized Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes

Alcohol sensors, batch fabricated by forming bundles of chemically functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (f-CNTs) across Au electrodes on SiO2/Si substrates using an AC electrophoretic technique, were developed for alcohol vapor detection using an ultralow input power of ~ 0.01 - 1 muW, which is lower than the power required for most commercially available alcohol sensors by more than four orders of magnitude. The multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) have been chemically functionalized with the COOH groups by oxidation. We found that the sensors are selective with respect to flow from air, water vapor, and alcohol vapor. The sensor response is linear for alcohol vapor concentrations from 1 to 21 ppm with a detection limit of 0.9 ppm. The transient response of these sensors is experimentally shown to be ~1 s and the variation of the responses at each concentration is within 10% for all of the tested sensors. The sensors could also easily be reset to their initial states by annealing the f-CNTs sensing elements at a current of 100-200 muA within ~ 100-200 s. We demonstrated that the response of the sensors can be increased by one order of magnitude after adding the functional group COOH onto the nanotubes, i.e., from ~0.9% of a bare MWCNTs sensor to ~9.6% of an f-CNTs sensor with a dose of 21 ppm alcohol vapor.
Analysis of Recent Manifests for Goods Imported through US Ports

Several active interrogation techniques are being developed to detect shielded special nuclear materials (SNM) hidden in cargo containers loaded on container ships arriving at US ports. It raises the questions of the types of cargos in which SNM could be hidden, and their impact on detected signatures. Since the definition of a set of ''typical'' or standard cargos has proven to be difficult, we analyzed shipping manifests for US imports shipped through North American ports collected on 14 days distributed over 12 months. From these data, we generated several distribution functions such as commodity categories, average densities, and packaging types that could be of interest to the cargo scanning community. One of the cargo scanning techniques currently under development at LLNL is based on neutron active interrogation, and relies on the unique signature of beta-delayed gammas emitted by fission products in the 3 to 7 MeV energy range. {sup 19}F(n,a){sup 16}N, has been identified as the main potential interference for 7 and 9 MeV neutron beams. Estimates of cargo compositions based on manifests identified as containing fluorine are presented.