Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ab-initio study of structural and electronic properties of Ga1-xScxN

In this work, we have calculated the structural and electronic properties of Sc doped GaN in different configurations. This study has been done using first principles full potential linearized argumented plane wave (FP-LAPW) method within the framework of Density Functional Theory. Here we used the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) of Perdew, Burke and Ernzerhof for exchange and correlation effects. Our results obtained for structural parameters and band structures are in good agreement with experimental results as well as other theoretical work.
Archean zircons in Cretaceous strata of the western Canadian Cordillera

The magnitude of late Mesozoic terrane translation along the western North American continental margin is controversial. Paleomagnetic data suggest more than 3000 km of dextral displacement of the Insular superterrane and associated assemblages between ca. 74 and 50 Ma. Conversely, geologic evidence is more compatible with less than 500 km of offset during this time. Precambrian cratonic rocks older than 2.5 Ga are restricted to northern latitudes (above 40°N) in North America, and the presence or absence of Archean zircons within easterly derived Cretaceous strata has been proposed as a “crucial test” of the major translation hypothesis. There is no plausible source of Archean and Early Proterozoic zircons found in the Queen Charlotte, Nanaimo, and Methow basins other than the Canadian Shield or closely associated Proterozoic strata. The coexistence of Archean–Early Proterozoic, Middle Proterozoic (1.5–1.6 Ga) and Mississippian detrital zircon in these basins indicates deposition in northern latitudes, incompatible with the Baja B.C. hypothesis.
Living in a Dynamic Tropical Forest Landscape

[Extract] This book brings together a wealth of scientific findings and ecological knowledge to survey what we have learned about the "Wet Tropics" rainforests of North Queensland, Australia. This interdisciplinary text is the first book to provide such a holistic view of any tropical forest environment, including the social and economic dimensions.
The Influence of Principal Leadership on School Innovativeness

The purpose of this study was to show how principal leadership style affects school innovativeness. We intended to evaluate: 1) As department heads are the direct instructional leaders in schools, innovativeness is more probable with their indirect contribution. 2) Direct instructional leadership can improve with indirect approaches. This study is based on the principal questionnaires from The Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS 2018). Dataset: TCGINTT3 is used to answer the research question. The dataset is further trimmed to have the only data from Norway and only the variables needed for this study. A scheme via SEM (Structural Equations Modelling) is elaborated to examine the leadership process that is hypothesized to be related to a school's innovation. Structural equation modelling is a detailed statistical approach to test hypotheses about the relationship between latent and observed variables. The correlation among the latent variables is also measured to detect any dependency and to avoid autocorrelation errors. In addition to the variables, school weightage (SCHWGT) is used for the analysis to eliminate biased estimates for the population. Finally, to measure the model's fitness as a validation step, some empirical tests have been performed. The model was built using the software M-Plus (version 7.3). Findings of the relationship between school leadership and organization innovativeness outcomes provide a confused and inconsistent picture. However, this study's findings highlight that the ability to "quickly do things in a new way" was strongly associated with schools' innovativeness. Thus, the link between indirect instructional leadership and innovation becomes necessarily more evident.
Corte Madera Creek, Marin County, California, Modified Unit 4 Sedimentation Study

Abstract : Sediment deposition occurs in the lower reaches of the concrete-lined Corte Madera Creek flood control channel because the elevation of the channel bottom is below sea level. These sediment deposits, combined with the presence of tube worms and barnacles on the channel walls, reduce the flood-carrying capacity of the channel. The upstream portion of the original flood control project was not completed and flood flows above 3,000 cfs are not contained in the natural channel upstream. Thus, there is reduced flow competency to carry the coarse sediment load delivered by flood flows. With annual maintenance and upstream containment of breakout flows, most of the sediment deposited in the concrete channel from seasonal antecedent flow can be washed out by the time the flood peak occurs. An HEC-6 numerical sedimentation model study was conducted to evaluate several alternative plans to provide flood containment and sediment storage while also maintaining the natural characteristics of the upstream channel.
Three-Dimensional Optimization of Blade Lean and Sweep for an Axial Compressor to Improve the Engine Performance

Nowadays, optimization methods have been considered as a practical tool to improve the performance of turbo-machines. For this purpose, the numerical study of the aerodynamic flow of the NASA Rotor-67 axial compressor has been investigated, and the results of this three-dimensional simulation show good agreement with experimental data. Then, the blade stacking line is changed using lean and sweep for Rotor-67 to improve the compressor performance. The third-order polynomial is selected to generate the lean and sweep changes from the hub to the shroud. The compressor flow field is solved by a Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes solver. The genetic algorithm, coupled with the artificial neural networks, is implemented to find the optimum values for blade lean and sweep. Considering the three objective functions of pressure ratio, mass flow rate, and isentropic efficiency, the optimized rotor is obtained using the optimization algorithm. Two geometries are obtained using the optimization algorithm. The results of the optimized compressor include improving the isentropic efficiency, pressure ratio, and mass flow equal to 0.57%, 0.93%, and 1.8%, respectively. After compressor optimization, the effect of the changes in the compressor performance parameters is studied on a single spool turbojet engine. The engine is modeled by analyzing the Brayton thermodynamic cycle of the assumed turbojet engine under design point operating conditions. Results show that for the best test case, the engine with the optimized rotor, the thrust, and SFC are improved by 1.86% and 0.21%, respectively.
Laboratory studies of till deformation with implications for the motion and sediment transport of the Lake Michigan Lobe

Glacier motion and sediment transport are attributed commonly to pervasive shearing of subglacial till to high strains (the bed-deformation hypothesis). However, the processes that control bed deformation are difficult to observe beneath modern glaciers, and observations of the geologic record have not been sufficient to determine whether tills have been sheared to the high strains required by this hypothesis. The shear strength of the ice-till interface controls whether a glacier slips over its bed or shears it pervasively over much of its thickness, with major ramifications for the flux of sediment transported subglacially. When clasts gripped by basal ice plow through the bed, the ice-till interface is weakened. A ring-shear device was used to study resistive forces on plowing clasts as a function of plowing speed. Results of experiments in which hemispheres were pushed through water-saturated till indicate a progressive decrease in resistive force on hemispheres with increasing plowing speed. This effect is due to the generation of high pore-water pressures in front of the hemispheres at fast plowing speeds (e.g. 380 m y"1), which weakens till and reduces resistive forces. These results indicate that increases in glacier sliding speed will reduce resistive forces exerted by till on plowing clasts, which will promote decoupling of the ice from the bed and inhibit pervasive bed deformation. In addition, this positive pore-pressure feedback may constitute a flow instability that promotes fast glacier flow. The ring-shear device was also used to develop criteria at microscopic scales for identifying highly sheared tills. Results of experiments indicate that the alignment (fabric) of elongate, sand-sized particles becomes strong at high strains. Furthermore, microshears
Simultaneous Genetically Detection of Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae in Patients with Treatment-Resistant Respiratory Infection

Background & Objective: Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pyogenes are among the most important causes of infection in human. Inventing rapid methods to identify these species can help in providing appropriate and effective treatment options. Therefore, the current study aimed to develop a multiplex touch-down PCR method to identify rapidly the aforementioned species patients' sputum samples, simultaneously. Methods: A total of 50 sputum samples of patients with respiratory infections resistant to treatment were collected. After DNA extraction and primer design, the complete capsule (CAP) region II, capsular polysaccharide biosynthesis (cpsA) and the structural regulator of transcription (spy) genes were amplified for detecting H. influenzae, S. pneumoniae and S. pyogenes by multiplex touch-down PCR. Results: Among 50 samples prepared from patients with different diseases, 27 samples were positive for amplified genes. The frequency of presence of pathogens in the collected samples included 14% H. influenzae, 20% S. pneumoniae and 20% S. pyogenes. Also, in some patients, the simultaneous presence of two or three pathogens were observed. Conclusion: In general, it can be concluded that the PCR touchdown method developed in the present study is an effective and fast method for the simultaneous identification of H. influenzae, S. pneumoniae and S. pyogenes pathogens in clinical samples of patients.
Long Term Neuroprotective Effects of Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells in Neonatal Rats Post Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy

Background: Hypoxemic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the neonatal population. Recent research has shown human adipose stem cells (hASCs) to have neuroprotective effects in animal models of HIE. This study tested the hypothesis that neurodevelopmental outcomes would be improved using hASC therapy in term neonatal HIE rat model. Methods: Seven day old rats underwent left carotid artery ligation followed by 8% oxygen for 120 minutes, or carotid isolation in shams. Forty-eight hours after surgery half of the rats received hASCs and half normal saline (NS) intravenously. Rota-rod and cylinder tests were used to assess skill learning, balance, coordination, and symmetry of limb use at 2, 4 and 6 weeks of life. Results: HIE rats treated with hASCs traveled further on Rota-rod (p=0.03) when compared to HIE with NS groups. Those in the HIE-hASC group had significant improvement in the usage of the affected limb at week 6 (p=0.03) compared to those with HIE and NS. Rats receiving hASCs post HIE had less cortical atrophy compared to those with HIE and NS. Conclusions: Rats with HIE treated with hASCs showed improvement in long-term neurodevelopmental aspects and decreased cortical atrophy compared to HIE control group.
Preliminary Feeding Assessments for Asiatic Garden Beetle, Maladera formosae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), Grubs and Adults

The Asiatic garden beetle, Maladera formosae (Brenske) (syn. M. castanea [Arrow]) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), is an annual white grub species that was unintentionally introduced from east Asia to North America in 1921 in New Jersey, and has since spread to at least 25 states and two Canadian provinces. Grub populations in the Great Lakes region have recently emerged as significant early-season pests of field crops, particularly field corn, grown in sandy soils. Asiatic garden beetle has also recently become established in other regions including Alabama. Prior research on this species was conducted mainly in the 1930s in horticultural and turfgrass systems of New York and New Jersey. In this study, we document Asiatic garden beetle preference and performance on previously un-investigated food resources, in populations from Ohio and Alabama. The objectives of these experiments were to a) understand if grubs show preference to potential diet choices present in a typical Ohio corn-soybean rotation, and gained mass when provided a single diet, and b) to conduct a preliminary assessment on the development, survival, and fecundity of field-collected beetles on different diets present in suburban Alabama. In general, grubs were more likely to be found at corn and marestail and they significantly increased in body mass when subjected to those diets. However, they were also able to survive and gain mass when provided soybean, crop residues or bare soil. Adults consumed more rose flower petals than floral tissue of white clover and Queen Anne’s lace. In no-choice trials, only females that were fed a diet of rose petals laid eggs, and diet consumption rates were similar among males and females. These findings provide insight into the feeding behaviors of Asiatic garden beetle grubs and adults collected from novel environments
As far as my eyes can see: Generation Y consumers’ use of virtual reality glasses to determine tourist destinations

Abstract The study focused on the intention to adopt and actual use of virtual reality (VR) glasses to determine tourist destinations amongst Generation Y in South Africa. This study considers the direct influence of perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and perceived credibility on attitudes towards use of virtual reality glasses, intention towards use of virtual reality glasses and actual use of virtual reality glasses. In addition, the possible moderating effect of perceived performance and perceived enjoyment on the nexus between the intention and actual use of virtual reality glasses is also examined. The study used a quantitative methodology and cross-sectional research methods to collect data from 550 Generation Y consumers. Data were then analyzed using the Smart PLS 4 computer software. The results indicate that perceived usefulness and ease of use had a positive and significant impact on the attitude towards using virtual reality glasses. Perceived credibility had an insignificant impact on attitude towards use of virtual reality glasses. In addition, attitude towards use of virtual reality glasses had a positive and a significant impact on intention towards the use of virtual reality glasses. There was also a positive association between intention towards use of virtual reality glasses and the actual use of virtual reality glasses. Moreover, perceived performance and perceived enjoyment proved to be the key moderators on the connection between the intention and actual use of virtual reality glasses.Although there are many studies on the use of virtual reality in tourism, studies that have examined the factors that influence how Gen Y consumers use virtual reality glasses to choose travel destinations have several shortcomings. As a result, this study seeks to complement existing tourism-related literature, particularly in the African context. Tourism organisation marketers could spend some time exploring the potential of using virtual reality glasses to increase awareness of destinations.
Movement analysis of the golf swing

Golf is popular world ‐ wide. The complex and asymmetrical motion of golf swings, involving substantial forces and ranges of rotational movement, demands good technique if the player is to perform well while avoiding injury. Biomechanical analyses can help in maximising distance and accuracy of golf shots, and reducing injury risk, by providing qualitative and quantitative evidence of body angles, joint forces and muscle activity patterns. We highlight how lab based biomechanical studies of the golf swing using 3D videography, force, electromyography, modelling, and robots, have provided key information regarding the golf swing. With recent advances in technology such as isoinertial devices and wearable sensors, much of this knowledge can now be applied on the golf course. Sports biomechanists are now able to assess and provide relatively real ‐ time feedback on golf swing performance. Golf performance outcome measures from a biomechanics perspective may be categorised as direct (ball displacement, shot accuracy) or indirect (clubhead velocity, clubface angle). The magnitude and direction of the linear clubhead velocity at impact is determined by the angular velocity of the clubhead during the swing and the length of the arm–club system. Golfers must develop a consistent fundamental swing pattern to secure these qualities. Proper proximal to distal sequencing of body rotations is important in the production of high clubhead velocities in the golf swing. The biomechanist must be able to measure golf performance technique and outcome variables reliably and with accuracy/sensitivity so feedback can be given to golfers and coaches on technique improvement.
A DATA MINING APPROACH TO WINE QUALITY PREDICTION

Many people choose the wine based on its rating. The quality of the wine is set by organoleptic (tasting-sensory) and chemical analysis. Organoleptic characteristics are of primary importance for wine quality, while chemical analysis is performed for market control of the wine. The basic idea presented in this paper is to categorize wine only on the basis of its physicochemical properties. The research is performed using the vinho verde wine database from the northwest of Portugal, taken from the Center for Machine Learning and Intelligent Systems (UCI Machine Learning) website. The following classification algorithms were used to estimate the quality of the wine: Decision Tree, Random Forest, Algorithm k star, Support Vector Machine, Multilayer perceptron, and Naïve Bayes Classifier. Comparing the results of these algorithms, it can be seen that the Random Forest algorithm provides promising results that could potentially lead to conclusions that would be useful for future application in wine quality evaluation.
Using Stochastic Information to Predict Application Behavior on Contended Resources

Prediction is a critical component in the achievement of application execution performance. The development of adequate and accurate prediction models is especially difficult in local-area clustered environments where resources are distributed and performance varies due to the presence of other users in the system. This paper discusses the use of stochastic values to parameterize cluster application performance models. Stochastic values represent a range of likely behavior and can be used effectively as model parameters. We describe two representations for stochastic model parameters and demonstrate their effectiveness in predicting the behavior of several applications under different workloads on a contended network of workstations.
Decadal‐scale changes of the ödenwinkelkees, central austria, suggest increasing control of topography and evolution towards steady state

Abstract Small mountain glaciers have short mass balance response times to climate change and are consequently very important for short‐term contributions to sea level. However, a distinct research and knowledge gap exists between (1) wider regional studies that produce overview patterns and trends in glacier changes, and (2) in situ local scale studies that emphasise spatial heterogeneity and complexity in glacier responses to climate. This study of a small glacier in central Austria presents a spatiotemporally detailed analysis of changes in glacier geometry and changes in glaciological behaviour. It integrates geomorphological surveys, historical maps, aerial photographs, airborne LiDAR data, ground‐based differential global positioning surveys and Ground Penetrating Radar surveys to produce three‐dimensional glacier geometry at 13 time increments spanning from 1850 to 2013. Glacier length, area and volume parameters all generally showed reductions with time. The glacier equilibrium line altitude increased by 90 m between 1850 and 2008. Calculations of the mean bed shear stress rapidly approaching less than 100 kPA, of the volume–area ratio fast approaching 1.458, and comparison of the geometric reconstructions with a 1D theoretical model could together be interpreted to suggest evolution of the glacier geometry towards steady state. If the present linear trend in declining ice volume continues, then the Ödenwinkelkees will disappear by the year 2040, but we conceptualise that non‐linear effects of bed overdeepenings on ice dynamics, of supraglacial debris cover on the surface energy balance, and of local topographically driven controls, namely wind‐redistributed snow deposition, avalanching and solar shading, will become proportionally more important factors in the glacier net balance.
Development of a Radial-Flux Slotted Limited-Angle Torque Motor With Asymmetrical Teeth for Torque Performance Improvement

Although conventional slotted limited-angle torque motors (LATMs) have a high torque density, its fatal shortcoming of non-uniform torque profile makes it difficult to apply for precise positioning systems. This paper presents a novel radial-flux slotted LATM with asymmetrical teeth for the torque performance improvement including average output torque and angular operation range. A magnetic equivalent circuit (MEC) for radial-flux slotted LATMs is first derived and implemented in the design process. Then, the finite-element analysis is utilized to validate the related analytical equations and to make the comparison of the torque performance between the radial-flux conventional and proposed LATMs. Finally, a prototype machine of the proposed LATM is accomplished, and its torque characteristic experiment is carried out to confirm the torque performance improvement. The related experimental results are presented and discussed.