Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CORRELATION BETWEEN SETTLEMENT OF EMBANKMENT DAMS AND GROUND MOTION INTENSITY INDICES OF PULSE-LIKE RECORDS

Abstract– Near-fault seismic records strongly influenced by forward directivity are characterized by one or more large pulses in velocity time histories. The characteristics of these records are significantly different from ordinary records. This study evaluated the correlation between the intensity indices of pulse-like ground motion and crest settlement of embankment dams and their ranking according to quality was evaluated. The seismic behavior of five embankment dams with different heights was investigated under 105 pulse-like and 20 ordinary ground motions with over 680 nonlinear time history analyses. The results showed that inelastic structural ground motion intensity indices are more applicable than elastic indices to predict the settlement of embankment dams. The proposed inelastic structural ground motion intensity (IMPD) calculates the mean permanent displacement of a single degree of freedom (SDOF) system over a period of 0.2T1 to 1.5T1 (where T1 is the natural period of the dam) based on Newmark’s method using a decoupled approximation and deformable SDOF instead of a rigid block system. The non-structure ground motion intensity index IVA (where IVA is the square root of the product of peak ground velocity and plain integral of the squared acceleration) is proposed as a good predictor for the nonlinear response of embankment dams.
Green's function implementation of common-offset, wave-equation migration

Common‐offset migration is extremely important in the context of migration velocity analysis (MVA) since it generates geologically interpretable migrated images. However, only a wave‐equation‐based migration handles multipathing of energy in contrast to the popular Kirchhoff migration with first‐arrival traveltimes. We have combined the superior treatment of multipathing of energy by wave‐equation‐based migration with the advantages of the common‐offset domain for MVA by implementing wave‐equation migration algorithms via the use of finite‐difference Green’s functions. With this technique, we are able to apply wave‐equation migration in measurement configurations that are usually considered to be of the realm of Kirchhoff migration. In particular, wave‐equation migration of common offset sections becomes feasible. The application of our wave‐equation, common‐offset migration algorithm to the Marmousi data set confirms the large increase in interpretability of individual migrated sections, for about twice .
Determination of the Transfer Efficiency of d-Nicotine to Mainstream Smoke

Abstract Experiments were conducted to independently determine the mainstream smoke transfer efficiency of d-nicotine and l-nicotine. Two types of cigarettes (University of Kentucky 2R1 reference cigarette and a cigarette prepared from reconstituted sheet material, TS1) were employed in the study. A chiral-gas chromatography-selected ion monitoring-mass selective detection analysis was used to separate and determine d- and l-nicotine. The two types of cigarettes were injected with varying levels of d- or l-nicotine (0-20 mg). The tobacco was removed from the nicotine-injected cigarettes and analyzed for total nicotine and d- and l-nicotine. The cigarettes were smoked under FTC (Federal Trade Commission) conditions, and the Cambridge pad extracts were analyzed for total nicotine and d- and l-nicotine. The total nicotine transfer efficiency and the transfer efficiencies of d- and l-nicotine were determined. Nicotine transfer efficiency is dependent on the type of tobacco employed in a blend and the configuration of the cigarette. As a result, the total nicotine transfer efficiency for the 2R1 cigarettes was different than for the TS1 cigarettes. Likewise, the independently measured transfer efficiencies for d- and l-nicotine were different between the two cigarettes. The transfer efficiencies of d- and l-nicotine were not found to be different within a cigarette type. The average transfer efficiency for d-nicotine in a 2R1 cigarette was determined to be 19.25%. The average transfer efficiency for l-nicotine in a 2R1 cigarette was 16.05%. The average transfer efficiency for d-nicotine in a TS1 cigarette was 10.15% and 10.65% for l-nicotine. These differences between d- and l-nicotine were determined not to be statistically significant and are of no practical consequence.
Behaviour of Earth Dam under Seismic Load Considering Nonlinearity of the Soil

The stability and safety are very important issues for the dam structure which are built in seismic regions. The dam body consists of soil materials that behave nonlinearly modelled with finite elements. The numerical investigation employs a fully nonlinear finite element analysis considering linear and elastic-plastic constitutive model to describe the material properties of the soil. In this paper, seismic analysis of an earthen dam is carried out using Geo-Studio software based on finite element method. Initially, the in-situ stress state analysis has been done before the earthquake established, and then its results are used in the seismic analysis as a parent analysis. A complete parametric study is carried out to identify the effects of input motion characteristics, soil behaviour and strength of the shell and core materials on the dynamic response of earthen dams. The real earthquake record is used as input motions. The analysis gives the overall pattern of the dam behaviour in terms of contours of displacements and stresses.
Equal opportunities practices and enterprise performance

Based on the Australian Workplace Industrial Relations Survey 1995 and the British Workplace Employee Relations Survey 1998. Explores the incidence and nature of equal opportunities practices and investigates their effect on on firm performance, using productivity as a measure of performance. Focuses on small and medium-size enterprises and compares their case with larger firms.
L’évaluation de l’enseignement par les étudiants

L’Evaluation de l’Enseignement par les Etudiants (EEE) a progressivement acquis droit de cite dans les universites, malgre les nombreuses resistances qui se sont manifestees a son egard. La situation actuelle de ce type d’evaluation est cependant paradoxale a plus d’un titre. En effet, on dispose desormais d’etudes nombreuses qui, tout a la fois, confirment la validite et la pertinence de cette forme d’evaluation, mais en pointent aussi les limites, ces dernieres rendant notamment necessaire le recours a d’autres sources complementaires d’evaluation de l’enseignement. Ces memes etudes identifient les balises a apporter a l’EEE pour la rendre efficace, mais aussi conforme aux valeurs universitaires : respect des specificites disciplinaires et des contextes, necessite de suivi ulterieur, … Or, un inventaire succinct des pratiques les plus courantes d’evaluation de l’enseignement par les etudiants montre que ces precautions et balises, pourtant largement documentees et admises, sont en definitive peu mises en œuvre au sein des dispositifs reels. Ceux-ci ont meme tendance a se rabattre sur des formes stereotypees d’EEE, voire a se limiter a des passations purement administratives de questionnaires standardises sans que personne ne se soucie ni de leurs effets ni de leurs suivis. C’est autour de cette contradiction apparente et de cet etrange ecart entre la richesse des reflexions et la stereotypie des pratiques que s’est construit un seminaire de travail qui a rassemble quatorze specialistes de l’evaluation de l’enseignement par les etudiants. Le present ouvrage est le fruit a la fois des presentations qui ont ete faites par chaque participant a ce seminaire et des discussions collectives qu’elles n’ont pas manque de provoquer.
Establishing global error bounds for model reduction in combustion

In addition to theory and experiment, simulation of reacting flows has become important in policymaking, industry, and combustion science. However, simulations of reacting flows can be extremely computationally demanding due to the wide range of length scales involved in turbulence, the wide range of time scales involved in chemical reactions, and the large number of species in detailed chemical reaction mechanisms in combustion. To compensate for limited available computational resources, reduced chemistry is used. However, the accuracy of these reduced chemistry models is usually unknown, which is of great concern in applications; if the accuracy of a simplified model is unknown, it is risky to rely on the results of that model for critical decision-making. To address this issue, this thesis derives bounds on the global error in reduced chemistry models. First, it is shown that many model reduction methods in combustion are based on projection; all of these methods can be described using the same equation. After that, methods from the numerical solution of ODEs are used to derive separate a priori bounds on the global error in the solutions of reduced chemistry models for both projection-based reduced chemistry models and nonprojection-based reduced chemistry models. The distinguishing feature between the two sets of bounds is that bounds on projection-based reduced chemistry models are stronger than those on non-projection-based reduced chemistry models. In both cases, the bounds are tight, but tend to drastically overestimate the error in the reduced chemistry. The a priori bounds on the global error in the solutions of reduced chemistry models demonstrate that if the error in the time derivatives of the state variables in the reduced model is controlled, then the error in the reduced model solution is also controlled; this thesis proves that result for the first time. Source code is included for all results presented. After presenting these results, the development of more accurate global error information is discussed. Using the error bounds above, in concert with more accurate global error information, it should be possible to assess better the accuracy
Correcting for underestimation of microzooplankton grazing in bottle incubation experiments with mesozooplankton

Bottle incubation experiments are widely used in mesozooplankton grazing studies. However, we have shown here that traditional particle removal experiments with Calanus fin- marchicus and C. helgolandicus as grazers on natural plankton may yield low or even statistically sig- nificant (p < 0.05) negative grazing estimates, even though negative grazing rates are impossible. Low grazing rates are often reported, especially on smaller prey types, despite abundant food and significant egg production. Microzooplankton, such as ciliates, show higher biomass-specific grazing rates on algae than do copepods and other mesozooplankton. Instead, copepods often selectively feed on the microzooplankton. Thus, apparent negative rates would be expected when the release of microzooplankton grazing pressure outweighs the copepod grazing rates on the same food items in the incubation bottle. We show that this potentially large bias increases with microzooplankton community grazing pressure in the control. A simplified general method to correct for this bias is presented and compared with the original method (Nejstgaard et al. 1997, Mar Ecol Prog Ser 147:197-217). Although complexity and the need for taxonomic accuracy are reduced in the general method, the results are not significantly different between the 2 methods. Both methods also show a good fit with ingestion rates estimated from faecal pellet production. We suggest that the general method be combined with automated sample treatment in future studies. In addition, we argue that carefully estimated faecal volume production provides a simple and quick overall feeding estimate with important advantages over the common gut pigment technique, and it may be used as an inde- pendent method in bottle incubation experiments.
Experimental Setup for a Large-Scale Bridge Superstructure Model Subjected to Waves

To gain a better understanding of the wave forces that led to the failure of numerous causeway-type coastal highway bridges along the U.S. Gulf coast, a series of experiments was conducted on a realistic, 1:5 scale reinforced concrete bridge superstructure. The experimental setup is unique compared to other wave-in-deck studies in that the stiffness of the horizontal support system can be varied to represent different dynamic properties of the bridge system. The bridge specimen is subjected to a wide range of regular and random wave conditions at multiple water levels. In addition to measuring pressures and forces, the experiments measure the dynamic response of the bridge specimen using strain gauges, displacement sensors, and accelerometers. This paper presents the innovative experimental setup, and a preliminary analysis of the data showing the effect of wave height, wave period, and water level, on the forces experienced by the bridge superstructure.
Recent advances in clean-up strategies of waters polluted with sulfonamide antibiotics: a review of sorbents and related properties

Abstract Several strategies are available to reduce or eliminate recalcitrant sulfonamide antibiotics (sulfa drugs) from aqueous media. These contaminants are bioactive and ubiquitous pollutants of soils and watercourses and are known to induce bacterial resistance. Here the biological, chemical and physical methods developed over the last 5 years to decontaminate waters polluted with sulfa drugs are reviewed with special attention to procedures that make use of porous adsorbent materials and their applicability to real waters.
Altitude consensus based 3D flocking control for fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle swarm trajectory tracking

This paper studies the 3D flocking control problem for unmanned aerial vehicle swarm when tracking a desired trajectory. In order to allow the unmanned aerial vehicle swarm to form the stable flocking geometry on a same horizontal plane, the altitude consensus algorithm is applied to the unmanned aerial vehicle altitude control channel, using the trajectory altitude as the external input signals. The flocking control algorithm is only performed in the horizontal channel to control the horizontal position of unmanned aerial vehicles. The distributed tracking algorithm, which controls the local averages of position and velocity of each unmanned aerial vehicle, is implemented to achieve the better tracking performance. The improved artificial potential field method is introduced to achieve the smooth trajectory when avoiding obstacles. The practical dynamic and constraints of unmanned aerial vehicles are also taken into account. Numerical simulations are performed to test the performance of the proposed control algorithm.
Deposition and Erosion in a Holocene Salt Marsh, Sapelo Island, Georgia

ABSTRACT Aspects of surficial, lateral, and apical sedimentation and erosion were evaluated in a two-year study of a coastal marsh. Net surficial deposition varied by habitat, season, and year. The marsh as a whole gained an estimated 0.65 cm of sediment the first year and 0.20 cm the next. Maximum deposition occurred in low-marsh habitats. Seasonal deposition increased from a minimum in autumn to a maximum in summer. Seasonal erosion was affected primarily by storm frequency; intensity of rainfall had little apparent influence. Map analyses, in the context of a salt marsh model, suggest that (1) marsh perimeters and total volumes of water accommodated by drainage systems in this area have not changed appreciably in more than 200 years, (2) lateral erosion at one site is offset by deposition a another; the principal net effect is channel meandering and stream piracy, (3) apical deposition and erosion are minimal, hence (4) the marsh, in spite of a submature stage of development, is nearly in equilibrium with the present coastal regime. Basic tenets of this model probably have application among numerous other southern marshes.
Micronutrient Sprinkles to Control Childhood Anemia

Ltd. is supporting the technical development of the sprinkles on a cost-recovery basis. Any profit from royalty fees on the technology transfer of sprinkles is currently donated to the Hospital for Sick Children Foundation, Toronto. terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. » 2 Recent WHO/UNICEF estimates suggest that the number of children with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is greater than 750 million [1]. Iron deficiency is the most common preventable nutritional problem despite continued global goals for its control. Historically, the problem of IDA in children largely disappeared in North America when foods fortified with iron and other micronutrients became available for children. In this group, the prevalence of IDA has fallen from 21% in 1974 to 13% in 1994 [2]. Although pockets of infants and children remain at risk, generally the eradication of iron deficiency in the West is recognized as a successful public health accomplishment. This solution has not worked in developing countries where commercially purchased fortified foods are not available or are not used. In the developing world, there are three major approaches available to address iron deficiency: dietary diversification to include foods rich in absorbable iron; fortification of staple food items (like wheat); and the provision of iron supplements. When dietary or fortification strategies are not logistically or economically feasible, supplementation of individuals and groups at risk is an alternative strategy. For the past 150 years or more, oral ferrous sulphate syrups have been the primary strategy to control IDA in infants and young children [3]. However, adherence to them is often limited due to a combination of their unpleasant metallic after-taste, dark staining of the child's teeth and abdominal discomfort [4]. Thus, despite the ongoing work of the UN Standing SubCommittee on Nutrition and others to solve the problem of poor adherence in infants and young children, all interventions to date have been universally unsuccessful [1,5]. In this article, 3 we describe our efforts, stage by stage, towards achieving the goal of controlling iron deficiency anemia. Our research group at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto conceived of the strategy of 'home-fortification' with 'Sprinkles'— single-dose sachets containing micronutrients in a powder form, which are easily sprinkled onto any foods prepared in the household. We hypothesized that this would be a successful method to deliver iron and …
On Foreground-Background Separation in Low Quality Document Images

This paper deals with effective separation of foreground and background in low quality document images suffering from various types of degradations including scanning noise, aging effects, uneven background or foreground, etc. The proposed algorithm shows an excellent adaptability to tackle with these problems of uneven illumination and local changes or non-uniformity in background and foreground colors. The approach is primarily designed for (not restricted to) processing of color documents but it works well in the gray scale domain too. Test document set considers samples (in color as well as in gray scale) of old historical documents including manuscripts of high importance. The data set used in this study consists of hundred images. These images are selected from different sources including image databases that had been scanned from working notebooks of famous writers who used to write with quill or pencil generating very low contrast between foreground and background. Evaluation of foreground extraction method has been judged by computing the accuracy of extracting handwritten lines and words from the test images. This evaluation shows that the proposed method can extract lines and words with accuracies of about 84% and 93%, respectively. Apart from this quantitative method, a qualitative evaluation is also presented to compare the proposed method with one popular technique for foreground/background separation in document images. U. Garain Computer Vision & Pattern Recognition Unit, Indian Statistical Institute, 203, B. T. Road, Kolkata 700108, INDIA Tel. : +91-33-25752860 Fax: +91-33-25773035 E-mail: utpal@isical.ac. in T. Paquet and L. Heutte Laboratoire PSI FRE CNRS 2645, UFR des Sciences, University of Rouen, 76821 Mont Saint Aignan cedex, FRANCE Tel. : Fax: E-mail: {Thierry.Paquet,Laurent.Heutte}@univ-rouen.fr
Thoron and radon fluxes from the island of Hawaii

The accumulator method has been used to determine the flux of thoron and radon from 42 varied sites in Hawaii. This is the first part, aimed at measuring source terms, of a two-part study of the use of the decay product of thoron, Pb-212, as an atmospheric tracer. It was of particular interest to scientists at the baseline atmospheric sampling laboratory on Mauna Loa to know the origin of Pb-212 in their air samples. The observed average flux from lowland soils was 173 mBq m−2s−1 (4.7 pCi m−2s−1) on the wet eastern side of the island and 854 mBq m−2s−1 (23 pCi m−2s−1) on the west. Barren lava yielded 20 mBq m−2s−1, which is thought sufficient to contribute a significant amount of Pb-212 to the air stream after a path of a few miles over lava. A comparison of the radon flux measurements with a previous survey indicated that there are seasonal variations of radon and thoron fluxes.
Molecular spin relaxation in cold atom-molecule scattering

Elastic and spin-changing inelastic collision cross sections between oxygen molecules and helium atoms are computed in the energy range 0.1–10 K. This study explores the recently demonstrated buffer-gas cooling process that produces magnetically trapped, translationally cold molecules. Conclusions are drawn about the favorable prospects of cooling oxygen molecules, and about the general feasibility of this cooling technique.
Notice of RetractionThe effects of high performance work system on job embeddedness

This study examines the relationship between high performance work system and a new concept called “job embeddedness”, which includes individuals' (1) links to other people, teams, and groups, (2) perceptions of their fit with job, organization, and community, and (3) their community-related sacrifice and organization-related sacrifice if they left their jobs. It was also disaggregated into two major subdimensions, on-the-job and off-the-job embeddedness. The results indicate that high performance work system effectively enhance employee's job embeddedness, and also help to reduce turnover rate.
Airborne particles and microclimate distribution in a livestock building.

Airborne particles caused by sheeps and goats manure inside a nature ventilated livestock building and microclimate distribution were analyzed experimentally and numerically. Air temperature and humidity were measured in five different positions inside the building. At the same time airborne particles of different sizes (PM10 – PM2,5 – PM1) inside the building were also recorded. For the numerical model In the present study the full 3D geometry of a livestock building with openings along the whole sides is simulated. In general a good agreement was found between measured and simulated results. Concerning the concentration of airborne particles mean values, based on experimental data, were 15 μg/m3 for PM1, 32 for PM2,5 and 120 for PM10. Concerning microclimate distribution, numerical results showed high heterogeneity. The higher concentration of NH3 is presented at the corners shaped by the floor and the side walls with inlet-outlet openings, trapped by the quasi-stationary air flow.