Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Numerical simulation technique for gateroad stability analysis under fractured ground condition

The ground stability of gateroads is a major concern in underground coal mines, especially where the surrounding strata are weak and fractured. This paper presents a novel numerical modelling technique for gateroad stability analysis based on a case study conducted in Zhaogu No.2 mine, China. Considering the occurrence of fractures and its weakening effect on the stiffness of rock mass, a tension-weakening model is implemented into FLAC3D, whereby the stiffness of rock mass is progressively decreased according to failure state. A relationship between the intensity of fractures and the residual properties is built. A parametric study of the tension-weakening model with respect to weakening parameter is carried out, and the results are compared to perfect elasto-plastic model and strain-softening model. The comparison shows that the tension-weakening model exhibits a noticeable effect on ground deformation and rock support loading, and can simulate more realistic behavior of a gateroad, which agrees well with field measurements. The proposed model provides a rigorous approach for gateroad stability analysis and can be utilized for rock reinforcement design under similar geotechnical circumstances.
Traffic density estimation via KDE and nonlinear LS

With increasing population, the determination of traffic density becomes critical in managing urban city roads for safer driving and low carbon emissions. In this study, kernel density estimation is utilized in order to estimate traffic density more accurately when the speeds of vehicles are available for a given region. For the proposed approach, as a first step, the probability density function of the speed data is modeled by kernel density estimation. Then the speed centers from the density function are modeled as clusters. The cumulative distribution function of the speed data is then determined by Kolmogorov--Smirnov test, whose complexity is less when compared to the other techniques and whose robustness is high when outliers exist. Then the mean values of clusters are estimated from the smoothed density function of the distribution function, followed by a peak detection algorithm. The estimates of variance values and kernel weights, on the other hand, are found by a nonlinear least square approach. As the estimation problem has linear and nonlinear components, the nonlinear least square with separation of parameters approach is adopted, instead of dealing with a high complexity nonlinear equation. Simulations are carried out in order to assess the performance of the proposed approach. It is observed that the error between cumulative distribution functions is less than $1\% $, an indication that the traffic densities are estimated accurately. For an assumed traffic condition that bears five speed clusters, the minimum mean square error of kernel weights is found to be less than 0.00004. The proposed approach was also applied to real data from sample road traffic, and the speed center and the variance were accurately estimated. By using the proposed approach, accurate traffic density estimation is realized, providing extra information to the municipalities for better planning of their cities.
Study on Free Vibration and Wave Power Reflection in Functionally Graded Rectangular Plates using Wave Propagation Approach

In this paper, the wave propagation approach is presented to analyze the vibration and wave power reflection in FG rectangular plates based on the first order shear deformation plate theory. The wave propagation is one of the useful methods for analyzing the vibration of structures. This method gives the reflection and propagation matrices that are valuable for the analysis of mechanical energy transmission in devices. It is assumed that the plate has two opposite edges simply supported while the other two edges may be simply supported or clamped. It is the first time that the wave propagation method is used for functionally graded plates. In this study, firstly, the matrices of reflection and propagation are derived. Second, these matrices are combined to provide an exact method for obtaining the natural frequencies. It is observed that the obtained results of the wave propagation method are in a good agreement with the obtained values in literature. At the end, the behavior of reflection coefficients for FG plates are studied for the first time.
Spectral distortions in the cosmic microwave background polarization

We compute the spectral distortions of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) polarization induced by non-linear effects in the Compton interactions between CMB photons and the flow of intergalactic electrons. This signal is of the y-type and is dominated by contributions arising from the reionized era. We stress that it is not shadowed by the thermal SZ effect which has no equivalent for polarization. We decompose its angular dependence into E- and B-modes, and we calculate the corresponding power spectra, both exactly and using a suitable Limber approximation that allows a simpler numerical evaluation. We find that B-modes are of the same order of magnitude as E-modes. Both spectra are relatively flat, peaking around ℓ = 280, and their overall amplitude is directly related to the optical depth to reionization. Moreover, we find this effect to be one order of magnitude larger than the non-linear kinetic Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect in galaxy clusters. Finally, we discuss how to improve the detectability of our signal by cross-correlating it with other quantities sourced by the flow of intergalactic electrons.
PER CAPITA INCOME CONVERGENCE AMONG EUROPEAN UNION COUNTRIES: HALDANE – HALL APPROACH

Despite its strong growth potential, European Union (EU), one of the most important economic powers of the world, is not able to provide sufficient instruments for the member countries to accelerate economic growth performance. This insufficiency leads to inequality in euro zone with respect to per capita income. Therefore, reaching real convergence process in the medium and long-term appears to be a crucial goal for the region. In this context, this study uses Haldane- Hall analysis to test the convergence process among the 17 EU member countries in the euro zone within the period of 1992-2011. The results of the analysis indicate that the process of convergence has been rapid among Austria, Finland, Ireland, Malta, Portugal and the founder six countries; whereas, the process decoupled among Estonia, Cyprus, Spain, Slovakia, Slovenia, Greece and the founder six countries.
Ressonância magnética cardíaca na prática atual

Radiol Bras. 2014 Jan/Fev;47(1):V Because of increasing scientific and technological advances, the use of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) keeps exponentially increasing over at least 30 years, and for many years has been utilized as a routine in the clinical practice both on outpatient and emergency/inpatient bases, particularly in centers where the clinical staff could remain updated, following the advances in the technology applied to cardiac imaging. Even being the most recent diagnostic method in terms of cardiac imaging if compared with scintigraphy and echocardiography, cardiac MRI has its high value demonstrated as a one-stop-shop imaging method with innumerable advantages over other methods because of its high spatial resolution associated with capacity of tissue characterization by means of conventional and contrast-enhanced MRI sequences. With such characteristics, morphology, biventricular function, perfusion at rest or under pharmacological stress for investigation of ischemia, areas of injury and myocardial viability can be evaluated in a single procedure. Additionally, cardiac MRI is an increasingly promising method in the assessment of coronary arteries. New high-field 3T magnets have added even higher spatial resolution and tissue contrast, improving the imaging quality in procedures such as myocardial perfusion scan, so the definitive inclusion of this method in the algorithm of cardiac evaluation is inevitable. Cardiac MRI is currently considered a gold standard to quantify cardiac mass and volume, because of its low variability, high reproducibility and better accuracy when compared with other imaging methods utilized in cardiology. In Brazil, the first guideline on the utilization of such method was published in 2006 and the number of quali-
The possibility of using data mining in the research of agricultural holdings

Purpose. The aim of this study was to examine the usefulness and accuracy of Data Mining techniques on the example of testing the presence of impact evaluation of the quality of the land on the level of income of agricultural holdings on the basis of test samples. Methodology. The study was analysis conducted on a random sample for identifying key factors in the research of impact evaluation of the quality of the land on the level of income of agricultural holdings, on a data set of 179 examples, where the input consists of various variables: factor of erosivity, the power of the land, reducing the pH value, presence of organic matter, then target discrete variables with two descriptive values: at a expected yield and real yield. Results and Conclusions. The results obtained from the experiments agree confirmed a physical and chemical factors properties largely determines the classification results.
Review of Application of Internet of Things in Agriculture in India

The Internet of Things (IoT), the idea of getting real-world objects connected with each other, will change the way users organize, obtain and consume information radically. Internet of Things (IoT) enables various applications (crop growth monitoring and selection, irrigation decision support, etc.) in Digital Agriculture domain. The Wireless Sensors Network (WSN) is widely used to build decision support systems. These systems overcome many problems in the real-world. One of the most interesting fields having an increasing need of decision support systems is Precision Agriculture (PA). Through sensor networks, agriculture can be connected to the IoT, which allows us to create connections among agronomists, farmers and crops regardless of their geographical differences. With the help of this approach which provides real-time information about the lands and crops that will help farmers make right decisions. The major advantage is implementation of WSN in Precision Agriculture (PA) will optimize the usage of water fertilizers while maximizing the yield of the crops and also will help in analyzing the weather conditions of the field.
Examining the impacts of precipitation isotope input ( δ 18 O ppt ) on distributed, tracer-aided hydrological modelling

Abstract. Tracer-aided hydrological models are becoming increasingly popular tools as they assist with process understanding and source separation, which facilitates model calibration and diagnosis of model uncertainty (Tetzlaff et al., 2015; Klaus and McDonnell, 2013). Data availability in high-latitude regions, however, proves to be a major challenge associated with this type of application (Tetzlaff et al., 2015). Models require a time series of isotopes in precipitation (δ18Oppt) to drive simulations, and throughout much of the world – particularly in sparsely populated high-latitude regions – these data are not widely available. Here we investigate the impact that choice of precipitation isotope product (δ18Oppt) has on simulations of streamflow, δ18O in streamflow (δ18OSF), resulting hydrograph separations, and model parameters. In a high-latitude, data-sparse, seasonal basin (Fort Simpson, NWT, Canada), we assess three precipitation isotope products of different spatial and temporal resolutions (i.e. semi-annual static, seasonal KPN43, and daily bias-corrected REMOiso), and apply them to force the isoWATFLOOD tracer-aided hydrologic model. Total simulated streamflow is not significantly impacted by choice of δ18Oppt product; however, simulated isotopes in streamflow (δ18OSF) and the internal apportionment of water (driven by model parameterization) are impacted. The highest-resolution product (REMOiso) was distinct from the two lower-resolution products (KPN43 and static), but could not be verified as correct due to a lack of daily δ18Oppt observations. The resolution of δ18Oppt impacts model parameterization and seasonal hydrograph separations, producing notable differences among simulations following large snowmelt and rainfall events when event compositions differ significantly from δ18OSF. Capturing and preserving the spatial variability in δ18Oppt using distributed tracer-aided models is important because this variability impacts model parameterization. We achieve an understanding of tracer-aided modelling and its application in high-latitude regions with limited δ18Oppt observations, and the value such models have in defining modelling uncertainty. In this study, application of a tracer-aided model is able to identify simulations with improved internal process representation, reinforcing the fact that tracer-aided modelling approaches assist with resolving hydrograph component contributions and work towards diagnosing equifinality.
Financial Development, Economic Growth and Financial Crisis in Asian Emerging Economies

This article examines the causality between financial development, economic growth and financial crisis in India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia and Thailand; all these countries are known as emerging economies with well known financial crisis episodes. The summary indicators of financial development, financial crisis and financial repression are created through the principal component method . The cointegration and Granger causality are investigated by using two techniques of vector error correction model (VECM) and autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL). The main findings are: (1) the direction of the finance-growth nexus is a country-specific matter ; (2) deeper financial development c an lead to financial crisis; and (3) financial crisis has a negative impact on economic growth (except Korea for the last two).
Phase-resolved X-ray spectroscopy and spectral energy distribution of the X-ray soft polar RS Caeli

RS Cae is the third target in our series of XMM-Newton observations of soft X-ray-dominated polars. Our observational campaign aims to better understand and describe the multiwavelength data, the physical properties of the system components, and the short- and long-term behavior of the component fluxes in RS Cae. We employ stellar atmosphere, stratified accretion-column, and widely used X-ray spectral models. We fit the XMM-Newton spectra, model the multiband light curves, and opt for a mostly consistent description of the spectral energy distribution. Results. Our XMM-Newton data of RS Cae are clearly dominated by soft X-ray emission. The X-ray light curves are shaped by emission from the main accretion region, which is visible over the whole orbital cycle, interrupted only by a stream eclipse. The optical light curves are formed by cyclotron and stream emission. The XMM-Newton X-ray spectra comprise a black-body-like and a plasma component at mean temperatures of 36eV and 7keV. The spectral fits give evidence of a partially absorbing and a reflection component. Multitemperature models, covering a broader temperature range in the X-ray emitting accretion regions, reproduce the spectra appropriately well. Including archival data, we describe the spectral energy distribution with a combination of models based on a consistent set of parameters and derive a lower limit estimate of the distance d > 750pc. Conclusions. The high bolometric soft-to-hard flux ratios and short-term variability of the (X-ray) light curves are characteristic of inhomogeneous accretion. RS Cae clearly belongs in the group of polars that show a very strong soft X-ray flux compared to their hard X-ray flux. The different black-body fluxes and similar hard X-ray and optical fluxes during the XMM-Newton and ROSAT observations show that soft and hard X-ray emission are not directly correlated.
Title: The OuterNet: A novel satellite communication relay constellation

Need Satellites need to be controlled from earth to fully utilise their functionality. To do this optimally satellites need the longest and most frequent possible communication access times with their groundstations. Large satellites currently use services such as NASA’s Tracking and Data Relay(TDRS) [1], and distributed ground station networks such as SSC’s PrioraNet [2]. These services are however very expensive and not available for commercial use. The launch of micro-, nano-, and picosatellites are rapidly increasing among smaller companies and universities [3]. The use of above mentioned TT&C services are not economically feasible for these smaller satellite missions [4]. The only option left for these projects is to build and maintain a small ground station which can amount up to a third of the total mission budget.
Optimal Agreement in a Generalized Scale-Free Network

Generally, the task in a distributed system must achieve an agreement. It requires a set of processors to agree on a common value even if some components are corrupted. There are significant studies on this agreement problem in a regularized network environment, such as the fully connected, broadcast, and multicast networks. Recently, many large complex networks have emerged and displayed a scale-free feature, which influences the system to reach a common value differently. Such a unanimity problem is called the Byzantine Agreement (BA). The BA problem is one of the most important problems in designing a fault-tolerant distributed system. Unfortunately, existing BA protocols and results cannot cope with the new network environment and the BA problem thus needs to be revisited. In this paper, a new BA protocol is proposed to adapt to the scale-free network environment and derive its bound of allowable faulty components with the minimum number of message exchanges. We have proved the correctness of this protocol and analyzed its complexity. It is observed that the scale-free network with the proposed agreement protocol can tolerate the maximum number of faulty components.
The effect of fertility management on soil surface fluxes of greenhouse gases in an irrigated maize-based agroecosystem

An understanding of the effect of fertility management on soil surface fluxes of CO 2 , N 2 O, and CH 4 is essential in evaluating C sequestration measures that attempt to increase the amount of crop residue returned to the soil through increased fertilizer inputs. In this sludy, soil surface CO 2 flux was measured over a 27-mo sampling period in continuous maize (Zea mays L.) plots managed under either an intensive fertility regime (M2) or recommended best management (M1). Flux was significantly higher in the M2 treatment on only 2 d during the first growing season. Annual estimates of soil surface CO 2 flux, based on a modified exponential equation that incorporates leaf area index (LAI) to predict temporal changes in soil respiration, averaged 11550 kg C ha -1 yr -1 for both treatments (approximately 31.64 kg C ha -1 d -1 on average). Within row soil surface CO 2 flux was, on average, 64% higher than between row flux. Plant population did not significantly affect measured soil surface CO 2 flux. While fertility management had no significant effect on CH 4 flux, N 2 O flux as measured on 3 d during the 2000 growing season was significantly higher in the M2 treatment. In 2001, no significant differences in N 2 O flux were observed, possibly due to changes in N management and irrigation method. Electrical conductivity measured during the 2000 and 2001 growing seasons was significantly higher in the M2 treatment while pH measured during the 2001 season was significantly lower for M2.
A Giant Skull of the Temnospondyl Xenotosuchus africanus from the Middle Triassic of South Africa and Its Ontogenetic Implications

A previously unreported large skull of the mastodonsaurid temnospondyl Xenotosuchus africanus, from the Cynognathus Assemblage Zone (Early to Middle Triassic) of the Beaufort Group, Karoo Basin of South Africa, is described. The species is plesiomorphic in most aspects of its cranial anatomy, and only one autapomorphy is tentatively identified herein, namely contact between the left and right exoccipitals posterior to the parasphenoid. The new specimen permits recognition of a growth series for X. africanus from sub-adult (all previously known specimens) to fully adult (new specimen) stages. Ontogenetic changes associated with this include changes in skull proportions, and changes in the morphology of the lacrimal flexure, frontal, postfrontal, cultriform process and body of the parasphenoid, and the transvomerine tooth row.
1 ( 3 G , 2 e ) virtual model of final unification

In the early publications, with reference to final unification, the authors suggested that, 1) There exists a strong interaction elementary charge of magnitude, es~4.72058686E-19 C. 2) Like quarks, the strong interaction elementary charge is experimentally undetectable and can be called as ‘invisible elementary nuclear charge’. 3) There exists a gravitational constant associated with strong interaction, Gs~3.329560807E28 m3/kg/sec2. 4) There exists a gravitational constant associated with electromagnetic interaction, Ge~2.374335472E37 m3/kg/sec2. Based on these concepts, an attempt is made to understand the mystery of origin of ‘discrete’ angular momentum of electron in hydrogen atom. Proceeding further, estimated value of Newtonian gravitational constant is GN~6.67985603E-11 m3/kg/sec2.
AN IDEA WHOSE TIME HAD COME: AN EXPLORATORY ANALYSIS OF ETHANOL’S RISE TO AGENDA PROMINENCE IN THE UNITED STATES

vi CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION . 1 1.1 Ethanol and Agenda Setting . 1 1.2 Thesis Outline . 4 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK . 6 2.1 The Policy Process . 6 Agenda Setting . 8 2.2 Theoretical Framework . 12 Key Terms and Definitions . 13 The Multiple Streams Framework . 13 Strengths and Weaknesses of the Framework . 16 CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY . 18 3.1 Research Objective . 18 3.2 Research Scope . 19 3.3 The Case . 19 3.4 Data Collection . 21 3.5 Qualitative Research . 22 3.6 Method . 23 CHAPTER 4: THE PROBLEM STREAM . 25 4.1 Problems of the 1970s . 25 4.2 Problems of the 1980s . 30 4.3 The Re-Emergence of ‘Old’ Problems: 1990–2005 . 33 CHAPTER 5: THE POLICY STREAM . 40 5.1 Interest Groups . 40 5.2 Oppositional Interest Groups . 45 5.3 Government in the Policy Stream . 48 The United States Department of Agriculture . 48 The Environmental Protection Agency . 51 5.3 The Scientific Community . 54 CHAPTER 6: THE POLITICAL STREAM . 59 6.1 Political Conditions . 59 6.2 Policy Entreprenuers . 62 CHAPTER 7: ETHANOL AND THE AGENDA . 68 7.1 An Idea Whose Time Had Come . 69
Stack Contention-alleviated Precharge Keeper for Pseudo Domino Logic

The dynamic circuits are supposed to offer superior speed and low power dissipation over static CMOS circuits. The domino logic circuits are used for high system performance but suffer from the precharge pulse degradation. This article provides different design topologies on the domino circuits to overcome the charge sharing and charge leakage with reference to the power dissipation and delay. The precharge keeper circuit has been proposed such that the keeper transistors also work as the precharge transistors to realize multiple output function. The performance improvement of the circuit’s analysis have been done for adders and logic gates using HSPICE tool. The proposed keeper techniques reveal lower power dissipation and lesser delay over the standard keeper circuit with less transistor count for different process variation.