Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analytical solutions to ground settlement induced by ground loss and construction loadings during curved shield tunneling

This paper focuses on the ground settlement induced by the construction of a curved shield tunnel. Ground loss and construction loadings are the two factors causing ground settlement, and two corresponding analytical models were developed. First, the ground settlement due to ground loss was analyzed based on 3D image theory. The “integrative gap at shield tail” (IGST) and overcutting gap of a curved tunnel were considered. Second, the ground settlement due to construction loadings was analyzed by modifying Mindlin’s solutions. The additional thrust, frictional force, and grouting pressure were considered. Subsequently, a case study and a parameter analysis were conducted. Finally, the obtained solutions were compared with a classical analytical solution, numerical simulations, and monitored results. The proposed model could effectively predict the ground settlement induced during curved shield tunneling.
Who will eat insects? How the intention to eat innovative insect food is not connected to sustainability knowledge and commitment of Swedish students

Using a quantitative survey based on the theory of planned behaviour, we assessed whether the commitment of students within the field of sustainability has any impact on their intention towards eating insect-based products as a more sustainable protein-source than meat. The results show no significant relationship between the students’ discipline and their willingness to consume insect-food. Food neophobia, vegetarianism or limited accessibility of the products are identified as possible reasons for this, which has various implications for further research and the marketing of insectproducts.
Construction and properties of a light-harvesting antenna system for phosphorescent materials based on oligofluorene-tethered Pt–porphyrins

Tetramerous molecular assemblies composed of four oligofluorenes as a light-harvesting antenna (LHA) and a Pt–porphyrin core as a phosphorescent chromophore were designed and synthesized for obtaining efficient phosphorescent materials. The resulting molecules showed good solubility in common organic solvents and high film-formability. From the series of optical measurements, it was shown that bright phosphorescence was observed from the LHA molecules. Efficient energy transfer through the cardo structure was confirmed from the oligofluorene units to the Pt–porphyrin core. Additionally, it was shown that aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ) and oxygen-deactivation of phosphorescence can be inhibited in the film state because of steric hinderance of bulky rings on the cardo structure. Finally, film materials with oxygen-resistant solid-state phosphorescence were obtained. Our material design is feasible not only for constructing highly-emissive solid-state phosphorescent materials but also for enhancing environment resistance to emissive materials by a unique structural unit.
Systematic Review of Life Cycle Assessment and Life Cycle Cost Analysis for Pavement and a Case Study

Development of the pavement network systems, which is inevitable due to the rapid economic growth, has increasingly become a topic of significant concern because of the severe environmental impacts of road expansion. For achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs), the policies and actions towards the pavements’ life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) must be carefully assessed. Consequently, the purpose of this review is to present an overview of LCA and LCCA used in pavement engineering and management. Through the quality control of PRISMA, fifty-five most relevant documents were extracted for a thorough investigation. The state of the art review reveals that a limited number of the papers considered environmental impacts of the pavements. Consequently, to assess the environmental impact cost, a conceptual framework was developed to better consider the LCA and LCCA on various aspects of the pavement projects including the sustainability aspects. Besides, a case study was given to validate the literature review towards proposing a novel framework for the incorporation of environmental impact cost.
Buried IED targets detection and identification using advanced HFEMI models

Buried improvised explosive devices (IEDs), due to their relative ease of construction, availability, and destructive capacity, remains the main and current (and likely future) asymmetric threat directed at US and coalition forces. The IEDs can be hidden anywhere: in vehicles, on animals, planted in roads or strapped to a person and can be deployed everywhere: in a combat environment or in the middle of a busy city. The adaptability of IEDs to almost any situation makes them difficult to detect, identify and neutralize using standard subsurface sensing technologies, such as low frequency electromagnetic induction (EMI, DC to 100kHz) and ground penetrating radar (GPR, operating above 50MHz). Much research over the past few years has been focused on exploring, developing, and building new systems for buried IED detection. One such technology is the high frequency EMI (HFEMI) sensor developed under an Office Naval Research project. As a part of the project, IEDs detection studies were conducted at a DoD test site using the HFEMI system. The objective of this paper is to illustrate subsurface IED targets detection and identification capabilities using the HFEMI data and models. Namely, first the paper demonstrates the HFEMI data sets collected over IED targets, including intermediate conducting, low-metal content targets, and explosive filled voids; Then, the advanced EMI models and signal processing approaches are adapted to the HFEMI data sets; and finally, applicability of the advanced models are illustrated by postprocessing and inverting HFEMI data sets.
Infrarot-Reflexion an Phyllokieselsäure und ihren Wassersorptionsformen

Durch die Anwendung der Spiegelreflexion lassen sich die Banden der Wasseradsorpte von denen des Phyllokieselsäureadsorbens im Infrarotspektrum verschieden stark hydratisierter Proben eindeutig voneinander trennen. Daraus können zwei verschiedene Wassersorptionsformen hergeleitet und ihre Konfiguration diskutiert werden: H-Brückenform und „Koordinativ"-Form. Die Oberflächenkonfiguration der Phyllokieselsäure wird von regelmäßig angeordneten Oberflächenhydroxylgruppen gebildet, die alle Wasserstoffbrücken ausbilden.
Similar Functional Gains Using Radial Versus Combined Shockwave Therapy in Management of Plantar Fasciitis.

Plantar fasciitis is a common condition that causes foot pain. While shockwave therapy has been shown to provide successful results, comparative outcomes from different forms of shockwave therapy have yet to be described for this condition. In this retrospective cohort study, we describe findings from a quality improvement initiative assessing safety and functional outcomes for patients with plantar fasciitis treated with radial shockwave therapy (n = 20) or radial and focused shockwave therapy (combined shockwave, n = 18). Most were runners (n = 31, 81.6%), mean age was 43.3 ± 12.9 years, and average symptom duration 12.1 ± 11.1 months. All patients were prescribed an exercise program focusing on foot intrinsic strengthening. We hypothesized both groups would have improvement in function using the foot and Ankle Ability Measure, with a similar safety profile. Both radial and combined groups received similar number of total treatments (4.9 ± 2.5 and 4.1 ± 2.4, respectively; p = .33). Within group score changes for the Activities of Daily Living and Sports subscales were observed for both the radial (16.5 ± 16.3, p < .001; 31.7 ± 23.1, p < .001) and combined groups (19.8 ± 10.8, p = .001; 26.0 ± 21.5, p = .003). There was no difference in proportion of patients meeting the minimal clinically important difference between radial and combined groups regarding the Activities of Daily Living (14 (70%) vs 14 (77.8%), p = . 58) and Sports subscales (17 (85%) vs 12 (75%), p = . 45). Collectively, these findings suggest that a majority of patients with chronic plantar fasciitis may achieve functional gains using either form of shockwave therapy.
Uso de Métricas de Codificação para Avaliar a Programação Paralela nas Aplicações de Stream em Sistemas Multi-core

O desenvolvimento de aplicações paralelas é mais difícil quando comparado com a programação sequencial. Os programadores devem se preocupar com vários aspectos de paralelismo ao longo de todo o processo de desenvolvimento de aplicações paralelas. Por exemplo, os programadores devem implementar a sincronização dos dados, dividir o problema de computação entre as threads, explorar a concorrência, e fornecer otimização de hardware de baixo nível [McCool et al. 2012]. Para tornar este desenvolvimento mais fácil, foram criadas novas interfaces de programação paralela (IPP). A maioria das IPPs propostas se concentra na avaliação do desempenho de uma aplicação sem considerar o esforço de desenvolvimento, tornando difícil determinar qual IPP permite melhor usabilidade. Outros trabalhos na área usaram algumas métricas de codificação para avaliar a usabilidade, como Halstead, complexidade ciclomática (CCN) e linhas de código (LOC) [Fernàndez et al. 2019]. Estas métricas são normalmente utilizadas na Engenharia de Software de sistemas tradicionais, embora sejam também usadas no contexto de programação paralela [Griebler et al. 2014]. Logo, o objetivo deste estudo é avaliar a aplicabilidade destas métricas na programação paralela.
RESEARCH OF THE INFLUENCE OF A NETWORK INTERFACE ON THE EFFICIENCY OF MODULAR MULTIPROCESSOR SYSTEMS

The paper is devoted to the approach development related to methodology definition for evaluation of the modular multiprocessor computing systems efficiency. At the same time, the main attention is focused on the impact peculiarities on this network interface value. The formation analysis of the multiprocessor system network interface architecture and the basic modes of its operation have been analyzed. To evaluate the processes occurring in the system during the information flows transmission, the network system bandwidth and the switch throughput were compared; which allowed determining the preconditions for optimal components selection of the multiprocessor computing system network interface. The performed researches also allowed deducing analytical relations for determining the optimal number of system nodes with different functioning modes. The selected processors coherency coefficient, network interface and value of the computing area are deduced. The derived analytical relationships also showed that the optimal number of blades in a multiprocessor computing system, that provide its highest speed, decreases with increasing computing power of the processors included. It is shown that the network data interchange among the multiprocessor computing system nodes the more likely to impede the overall computation process; the less time will be spent directly on solving a specific problem.
Effects of the Wrinkle Structure and Flat Structure Formed During Static Low-Temperature Annealing of ZnO on the Performance of Inverted Polymer Solar Cells

Low-temperature annealing of Zinc oxide (ZnO) films as electron transport layers for inverted polymer solar cells was investigated. A wrinkled morphology of the ZnO film has previously been mostly observed after dynamic annealing (DA). In this study, we investigated the effect of static annealing (SA) of ZnO layers deposited by the sol–gel method at 25 °C, 150 °C, and 200 °C for 10 min in air. We observed the formation of the wrinkle structures on the surface of the ZnO sample annealed at 150 °C, while flat structures were formed at 200 °C. Here, a variable ramping/heating rate provided by a static annealing process resulted in a variable solvent evaporation rate and transformation of the precursor. The tensile stresses induced by slower heating (∼40 °C/min in a 0.75 M ZnO solution) and residual solvent resulted in an amorphous layer with a wrinkled structure at a low temperature of 150 °C. A flat structure was obtained with slightly different dynamics at a faster heating rate (∼56 °C/min) at 200 °C. Cons.
Biodegradación de contaminantes orgánicos de la industria láctea

One of the environmental aspects of high impact in dairy industries is the discharge of wastewaters, because of contaminating organic matter as well as the substantial generation of effluents. In the present study, a biofiltration of effluents from a dairy industry in San Miguel de Nono (Ecuador) with a pollution load of 10.000 mg/L in terms of chemical oxygen demand and turbidity of 799 NTU was implemented. The system with a capacity of 55 L per batch consisted of three biofilters in series and activated zeolite assisted clarification. Organic degradation reached 98,9%; turbidity removal was 95,2%, 94,4% of nitrogen and 89,1% of phosphorus. The presence of milk fat did not decrease the efficiency of the biofiltration but increased the removal of suspended matter and pH neutralisation in the clarification. The optimal operating time was 6 hours under aerobic conditions.
Impact of Roadside Drying on Delivered Costs for Eucalyptus globulus Logging Residue and Whole Trees Supplying a Hypothetical Energy Plant in Western Australia Using a Linear-Programming Model

Australia’s large potential forest bioenergy resource is considerably underutilised, due largely to its high delivered costs. Drying forest biomass at the roadside can potentially reduce its delivered cost through weight reduction and increased net calorific value. There has been little research on the impact of roadside drying for Australian conditions and plantation species. This study compared delivered costs for three forest biomass types—Eucalyptus globulus plantation whole trees and logging residue (LR)-disaggregated (LR conventional) or aggregated (LR fuel-adapted)—and three roadside storage scenarios—no storage, ≤two-month storage and optimal storage—to supply a hypothetical thermal power plant in south-west Western Australia. The study was performed using a tactical linear programming tool (MCPlan). Roadside storage reduced delivered costs, with optimal storage (storage for up to 14 months) producing the lowest costs. Delivered costs were inversely related to forest biomass spatial density due to transport cost reductions. Whole trees, which had the highest spatial density, stored under the optimal storage scenario had the lowest delivered costs (AUD 7.89/MWh) while LR conventional, with the lowest spatial density, had the highest delivered costs when delivered without storage (AUD 15.51/MWh). For both LR types, two-month storage achieved ~60% of the savings from the optimal storage scenario but only 23% of the savings for whole trees. The findings suggested that roadside drying and high forest biomass spatial density are critical to reducing forest biomass delivered costs.
Complex dynamics behavior analysis of a new chaotic system based on fractional-order memristor

In this paper, we propose a fractional-order active memristor based on fractional-order calculus, and its characteristics are analyzed. Combined with the new memristor, a fractional-order chaotic system is constructed. We study the complex dynamic behavior of the chaotic system by phase diagram, bifurcation diagram and Lyapunov exponential spectrum. The results show that with the change of fractional order and system parameters, the system will exhibit complex dynamic behaviors such as period, double period and chaos. With the change of initial values, the fractional system also exhibits the multistable characteristics of coexistence of different attractors. The research results show the complex dynamic behavior of fractional-order chaotic system.
Power quality improvement using three‐phase transformerless grid interfaced SECS enabling leakage current suppression

This paper presents a harmonic compensation strategy for a 3- ϕ grid-tied solar energy conversion system with leakage current attenuation feature. As parasitic capacitance exists between the solar photovoltaic panels with the ground, the deviation in common-mode voltage compels the probable safety hazards such as electromagnetic interference and harmonics injection in the grid currents. Additionally, the power quality indices of the grid, are exacerbated with the coupling of the non-linear load. Owing to these issues, a generalized integrator based approach is introduced to ensure the harmonics suppression, power factor correction, leakage current alleviation. Additionally, the grid current distortion limits are ensured within limits in order to comply with the IEEE std. 519. The presented algorithm ensures a robust operation with respect to various anomalies in the grid voltages. Simulation results show the satisfactory response of the harmonics controller even under abnormal operating scenarios including the symmetrical/unsymmetrical faults in the grid side network. In comparison with the traditional algorithms, the harmonic controller suppresses the leakage current and harmonics within restricted limits despite the abnormal conditions. Real-time simulator results demonstrate the performance of the controller under distinct operating conditions such as load unbalancing, distorted grid voltages, etc.
Moving object detection based on improved ViBe algorithm

Moving object detection and recognition has been widely used in computer vision and remote sensing field. When the foreground object exists in the initial frame, the original ViBe algorithm has ghost phenomenon and the fixed threshold is not always appropriate for different background complexity. In the light of this, an improved ViBe algorithm is proposed in this paper. In order to reduce the repetition rate of the pixel value in background model, the proposed method changes the way of neighborhood selection so as to improve the accuracy of background model initialization. During the background model update process, different time subsampling factors are used to speed up the update. Based on the characteristic of less texture information in ghost regions, texture feature operators are used to further remove ghost. In addition, the adaptive threshold is used to replace the fixed threshold to improve the anti-noise performance of the algorithm. Shadow features, the unique brightness, hue and saturation, are used to solve the problem that the moving shadow causes the decrease of detection accuracy. Experiments have been conducted on the public ChangeDetection.net data set, indicating that the proposed method is superior to original ViBe algorithm, thus the higher detection accuracy can be achieved and ghost phenomenon and moving shadows can be alleviated at the similar detection efficiency.
Spin and quadrupolar effects in the secular evolution of precessing compact binaries with black hole, neutron star, gravastar, or boson star components

We discuss precessing compact binaries on eccentric orbit with gravastar, black hole, neutron star, or boson star components. We derive secular evolution equations to second post-Newtonian--order accuracy, with leading-order spin-orbit, spin-spin, and mass quadrupole-monopole contributions. The emerging closed system of first-order differential equations evolves the pairs of polar and azimuthal angles of the spin and orbital angular momentum vectors together with the periastron angle. The secular dynamics is autonomous. We confirm numerically, that secular evolutions look like smoothed-out instantaneous evolutions over timescales where radiation reaction is negligible. The secular evolution of the spin polar angles and the difference of their azimuthal angles generates a closed subsystem. We study analytically this system for the particular cases of one spin dominating over the other and for black hole - boson star binaries of equal masses. In the first case known large flip-flops of the smaller spin are reproduced, when the larger spin is almost coplanar with the orbit. We also find new, quadrupole-induced flip-flops occurring when the neutron star with dominant spin has a quadrupolar parameter $w_1\approx 3$. Finally we analyze the evolutions of the spin angles numerically by comparing the cases when the black hole companion is either a gravastar, another black hole or a boson star with identical mass. We find that both the amplitude and period of the flip-flop are the largest, when the companion is a black hole. In the case of a boson star companion the frequency of the flip-flop increases significantly. Further, while in the case of gravastars and black holes a swinging-type azimuthal evolution occurs, with the spins of the components periodically overpassing each other, their sequence is conserved when the companion is a boson star.
Comparative Phenolic Composition and Antioxidant Properties of Honey and Honeycomb Extracts

Although many studies have described the physiological effects of bee products, such as honey, propolis, pollen, and royal jelly, the health benefits of honeycomb remain incompletely characterized. We performed a comparative study of the antioxidant properties of honey and honeycomb extracts using two different solvents (water and 95% ethanol). The results showed that the total phenolic and flavonoid content of the honeycomb extract was higher than that of the honey extract. They also demonstrated that water was more effective than ethanol in extracting total phenols. The in vitro antioxidant properties of the water honeycomb extract were evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and nitric oxide (NO•) radical scavenging assays and ferrous ion chelating and reducing power assays. The antioxidant activity of the honeycomb extract exhibited was higher than that of the honey extract. The 50% effective concentrations (EC50) of the honeycomb extract were 7.3±0.26 mg/ml for scavenging DPPH radicals, 6.1±0.22 mg/ml for scavenging NO• radicals, 6.9±0.44 mg/ml for chelating ferrous ions, and 8.2±0.11 mg/ml for reducing power. A correlation analysis revealed that the total phenolics and flavonoids of the honeycomb extract were the major contributors to the radical scavenging activity, ferrous ion chelating, and reducing power. The honeycomb extract was effective in protecting biological systems against various oxidative stresses in vitro. This is the first report on the antioxidant properties of honeycomb.
Liquid Disinformation Tactics: Overcoming Social Media Countermeasures through Misleading Content

ABSTRACT Social media have led to profound transformations in the media ecosystem and new communication dynamics. Such platforms have become a competitive source of information and played a decisive role in facilitating the dissemination of false or misleading content, with a particular impact on recent elections. This study analyses the formats and the spread of disinformation during Brazil’s 2018 election on social media, considering the countermeasures adopted that year by the platforms to reduce its circulation. Disinformation occupies a central space in the public debate in Brazil, where there is massive use of social media. Based on a content analysis of the 153 false or misleading narratives most shared during the campaign period, the results show that contents changed formats to overcome platforms’ countermeasures. Results also highlight a majority of images and a blend of false and accurate information that reshape the phenomenon definition and suggests the inefficacy of current regulations.