Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Empirical validation of vehicle type-dependent car-following heterogeneity from micro- and macro-viewpoints

ABSTRACT This paper validates the vehicle type-dependent car-following heterogeneity from micro- and macro-aspects by using Next Generation Simulation (NGSIM) trajectory data. Regarding the micro-viewpoint, traffic conflict analysis techniques and three surrogate safety indexes (i.e., time headway (TH), time to collision (TTC) and safety margin (SM)) are introduced to evaluate the safety performance during ‘steady’ car following. When driving or following a larger vehicle, Z-test results show that TH, TTC and SM all become higher significantly, that is, the driver’s accepted risk tends to be lower. From the macro-viewpoint, with the aggregated traffic data, a flexible Lagrangian fundamental diagram is calibrated by a bi-level optimization procedure. These calibrated curves illustrate that during close car following process with the same speed, the driver generally keeps a higher gap distance with the leader when following or driving a larger vehicle. Therefore, the consistent findings contribute to the conclusive results about the vehicle type-dependent car-following heterogeneity.
Using the phased array antenna to increase geometric size of the interrogation zone in a UHF RFID system

: An attempt to increase the geometric size of the interrogation zone in UHF RFID systems with a phased array antenna is presented in this paper. The interrogation zone should be as large as possible. However, energy can be transferred to transponders only to a limited distance. The greatest flexibility in developing RFID applications and shaping the interrogation zone can be achieved using a phased array antenna. The perceived issues have been effectively dealt with and the solution has been proposed on the basis of an elaborated model. Conducted studies have been used to develop a software tool in the Mathcad environment. The research results are analyzed in detail for different system configurations and can be implemented in practical projects to be developed in cooperation with the industry.
The ultraconvergence of eigenvalues for bi-quadratic finite elements

The classical eigenvalue problem of the second-order elliptic operator is approximated with bi-quadratic nite element in this paper. We construct a new superconvergent function recovery operator, from which the O(h 8 j lnhj 2 ) ultraconvergence of eigenvalue approximation is obtained. Numerical experiments verify the theoretical results. Mathematics subject classication: 65N30, 65N15, 65D10,74S05, 41A10, 41A25.
Phytoconstituent analysis of Alpinia galanga and Zingiber officinale plant lipids – A comparative approach

: Phytoconstituents of natural products having a broad spectrum of activity across multiple signaling pathways serve as alternative sources of medicine. Lipids, an essential component of plants, play a crucial role in biological systems for energy storage, as structural components, signaling molecules, modulators of cellular functions and diseases. Total plant lipids extracted with a biphasic system chloroform - methanol mixed with water facilitated investigation of many compounds including presence of sugars, amino acids, organic acids, waxes, proteins and RNA using TLC. The phytoconstituent properties of the lipids from the medicinal plant Alpinia galanga , Zingiber officinale and Vigna radiata as comparative standard was further analyzed by FTIR and HPTLC. The total lipid isolated by Bligh and Dyer method were quantified to be 3.722 g, 7.745 g, 3.429. The percentage yield 14.89%, 30.98%, and 13.716% in Alpinia galanga, Zingiber officinale and Vigna radiata respectively. Further studies on sphingolipidomic will define diagnostic or prognostic role of sphingolipids as epigenetic regulators of various human cancers. The lipid fractions of the plant samples isolated and characterized had promising cytoprotective activity on normal cells without causing any side effects and had selective action on cancer cells.
Simulating wildﬁre emissions and plume rise using geostationary satellite ﬁre radiative power measurements: a case study of the 2019 Williams Flats ﬁre

We use the Weather Research and Forecasting with Chemistry (WRF-Chem) model with new im-plementations of GOES-16 wildﬁre emissions and plume rise based on ﬁre radiative power (FRP) to interpret aerosol observations during the 2019 NASA-NOAA FIREX-AQ ﬁeld campaign and perform model evaluations. We compare simulated aerosol concentrations and optical properties against observations of black carbon aerosol from the NOAA Single Particle Soot Photometer (NOAA-SP2), organic aerosol from the CU High-Resolution Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (HR-AMS), and aerosol backscatter coefﬁcients from the high-spectral-resolution lidar (HSRL) system. This study focuses on the Williams Flats ﬁre in Washington, which was repeatedly sampled during four science ﬂights by the NASA DC-8 (3–8 August 2019). The emissions and plume-rise methodologies are implemented following NOAA’s operational High-Resolution Rapid Refresh coupled with Smoke (HRRR-Smoke) forecasting model. In addition, new GOES-16 FRP-based diurnal cycle functions are developed and incorporated into WRF-Chem. The FIREX-AQ observations represented a diverse set of sampled environments ranging from fresh/aged smoke from the Williams Flats ﬁre to remnants of plumes transported over long dis-tances. The Williams Flats ﬁre resulted in signiﬁcant aerosol enhancements during 3–8 August 2019, which were substantially underestimated by the standard version of WRF-Chem. The simulated black carbon (BC) and organic carbon (OC) concentrations increased between a factor of 92–125 (BC) and a factor of 28–78 (OC) with the new implementation compared to the standard WRF-Chem version. These increases resulted in better agreement with the FIREX-AQ airborne observations for BC and OC concentrations (particularly for fresh smoke sampling phases) and aerosol backscatter coefﬁcients. The model still showed a low bias in simulating the aerosol loadings observed in aged plumes from Williams Flats. WRF-Chem with the FRP-based plume rise simulated similar plume heights to the standard plume-rise model in WRF-Chem. The simulated plume heights both compared with using the better agreement with observations was mainly driven by the higher emissions in the FRP-based version. The model evaluations also highlighted the importance of accurately accounting for the wildﬁre diurnal cycle and including adequate representation of the underlying chemical mechanisms, both of which could signiﬁcantly impact model forecasting performance.
Homology and phylogenetic implications of some enigmatic cranial features in galliform and anseriform birds

Two landmarks of the temporal region of the skull in most birds are the zygomatic process (pro-cessus zygomaticus) and the postorbital process (processus postorbitalis). The morphology and homology of these processes in gallinaceous birds (Galliformes) and waterfowl (Anseriformes), however, are not clear. Anseriformes usually are said to lack a processus zygomaticus. By contrast, the processus zygomaticus of many Galliformes often is described as connected to the tip of the processus postorbitalis, forming a temporal arch. Olson and Feduccia (1980a) cited these cranial differences as evidence opposing a hypothesis of sister relationship between the two orders, an hypothesis having a substantial history of advocacy (Seebohm, 1889; Shufeldt, 1901; Delacour, 1954; Johnsgard, 1965; Cracraft, 1981a, 1986; Schulin, 1987). Dzerzhinsky (1982, 1995) contradicted the proposal by Olson and Feduccia (1980a), interpreting the two processes as completely fused in Anseriformes, forming a unique “sphenotemporal process,” which he averred to have been derived evolutionarily from the condition found in the Galliformes. In the present study, we examined skulls and jaw muscles of juvenile and adult specimens of selected taxa from both orders to test these opposing hypotheses, and found that: (a) the processus zygomaticus is small or lacking in adult Galliformes, and absent in all Anseriformes; (b) the processus zygomaticus is connected to the tip of the processus postorbitalis by an ossified aponeurosis of m. adductor mandibulae externus (aponeurosis zygomatica) in adults of most galliforms, whereas the aponeurosis zygomatica of anseriforms has a linear origin along the os squamosum as far as the processus postorbitalis; the aponeurosis zygomatica is ossified in Anhimidae and unossified in Anatidae; (c) a laterally exposed fossa of the temporal region (fossa musculorum temporalium) is reduced in Galliformes and absent in Anseriformes; (d) pars superficialis and pars zygomatica of m. adductor mandibulae externus are shifted rostrad in Galliformes and Anseriformes, and (e) pars articularis of m. adductor mandibulae externus is much enlarged in both orders. Based on these observations, we conclude that the parts of musculus adductor mandibulae externus of Anseriformes have been misinterpreted in a number of previous studies, perhaps reflecting confusion about associated processes and fossae. These findings are interpreted with respect to the homology of the osteological features and their associated muscles. The distribution of the included states supports the growing consensus for a sister relationship between the Galliformes and Anseriformes.
Modification of Deoxynivalenol by a Fungal Laccase Paired with Redox Mediator TEMPO

Mycotoxins such as deoxynivalenol introduce a health risk to the food supply and are costly to manage or avoid. Technologies for reducing or eliminating the toxicity of deoxynivalenol could be useful in a variety of processes, such as in preserving the value as animal feed of byproducts of ethanol production. We characterized transformation products of deoxynivalenol that were formed by the combination of a fungal laccase paired with the chemical mediator 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl (TEMPO), using chromatography, mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Alcohol groups at the C3 and C15 positions of deoxynivalenol were oxidized to ketones, and the chemical mediator became covalently linked to the C4 position. Conditions experienced during gas chromatography led to the dissociation of TEMPO, forming 3,15-diketodeoxynivalenol. Understanding the range of possible modifications to deoxynivalenol and other trichothecenes is a necessary step toward effective remediation of contaminated grain.
Structure, configuration, and sizing of Ni nanoparticles generated by ultrafast laser ablation in different media

In recent years, nickel nanoparticles (NPs) have increased scientific interest because of their extensive prospects in catalysts, information storage, large-scale batteries and biomedicine. Several works on Ni NPs generation by laser ablation have appeared in the literature in the last years, using different pulsed laser regimes and different media have been published recently. In this work we analyze the characteristics of species, structure (bare core or core-shell), configuration and size distribution of NPs generated by fs pulse laser ablation over a Ni solid target in n-heptane and water. We explore the presence of NiO-Ni core-shell and hollow Ni (or air-Ni) NPs in the colloids obtained. These were experimentally characterized using AFM and TEM microscopy, as well as Optical Extinction Spectroscopy (OES). Extinction spectra were modeled using Mie theory through an appropriate modification of the complex experimental dielectric function, taking into account a size-dependent corrective term for each free and bound electron contribution. Experimental UVvisible- NIR spectra were reproduced considering a size distribution of bare core, hollow and core-shell structures NPs. In both media, Ni NPs shape and size distribution agrees with that derived from TEM and AFM analysis.
Validation of Sputum Biomarker Immunoassays and Cytokine Expression Profiles in COPD

Immunoassays are commonly used to assess airway inflammation in sputum samples from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. However, assay performance and validation in this complex matrix is inconsistently reported. The aim of this study was to assess the suitability of various immunoassays for use with sputum samples, followed by use of validated immunoassays to evaluate biomarker levels in COPD patients. Assays were assessed for recombinant reference standard suitability, optimal sample dilution, standard recovery in the biological matrix and reproducibility. Validated assays were used to assess sputum supernatants in Cohort A (n = 30 COPD, n = 10 smokers, n = 10 healthy) and Cohort B (n = 81 COPD, n = 15 smokers, n = 26 healthy). Paired baseline and exacerbation samples from 14 COPD patients were assessed in cohort A, and associations with sputum cell counts and bacterial colonisation investigated in cohort B. 25/32 assays passed validation; the primary reason for validation failure was recombinant reference standard suitability and sample dilution effects. Interleukin (IL-)6 and IL-8 were significantly increased in COPD patients compared to healthy subjects and smokers for both cohorts. Tumour necrosis factor (TNF)α and IL-1β were higher in COPD compared to smokers using one immunoassay but not another, partly explained by different absolute recovery rates. IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-8, IL-17A, Granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), Interferon (IFN-)γ, Interferon gamma induced protein (IP-)10, Macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1α, MIP-1β and TNF-α levels correlated with sputum neutrophil percentage in COPD patients. IL-1β, IL-4, IL-8, G-CSF and IFN-γ levels were associated with Haemophilus influenzae colonisation in COPD patients. Current smokers had lower levels of IL-1β, IL-4, IL-8, G-CSF, IFN-γ, IP-10, Monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, MIP-1α, MIP-1β and TNF-α. Validated immunoassays applied to sputum supernatants demonstrated differences between COPD patients and controls, the effects of current smoking and associations between Haemophilus influenzae colonisation and higher levels of selected cytokines. Immunoassay validation enabled inflammatory mediators associated with different COPD characteristics to be determined.
Recalibration of low seismic excitations in Brazil through probabilistic and deterministic analyses: Application for shear buildings structures

Brazil has a low level of seismicity compared to several other regions in the world; however, some significant earthquakes occurred. In this article, four techniques have been used to define new seismic inputs: probabilistic seismic hazard, elastic spectra, synthetic spectra, and artificial accelerograms. To carry out the probabilistic analysis, new seismogenic zones for southeast Brazil established in 2018 have been implemented. Elastic response spectra follow the Brazilian code, whereas the synthetic response spectra have been defined by using attenuation equations. Finally, the artificial accelerograms have been developed using analytical models. Modified Brazilian elastic response spectra by considering the results of the probabilistic seismic hazard analyses are proposed. Artificial accelerations, consistent to the non‐modified and modified elastic response spectra, show that for non‐modified spectra the structural response increases of ~2.50 times. Data for seismogenic zones and specific analytical equations to obtain the probability of non‐exceedance of the spectral accelerations have been adapted for this study. An application for shear buildings was analyzed.
Computational Analysis of Radiative Heat Transfer in Czochralski Furnace and 3D Anisotropic Thermal Stress in Li2MoO4 Bulk Crystal

Here, the radiative heat transfer inside a Czochralski furnace and the 3D thermal stress generated in a semitransparent Li2MoO4 crystal are deeply analyzed using anisotropic and temperature‐dependent elasticity and thermal expansion coefficients. The developed global numerical model takes into account induction heating, thermal conduction in all parts of the furnace, convection in the melt and the growth atmosphere, Marangoni convection at the free surface, radiation heat exchange between the furnace elements, internal radiation inside the semitransparent crystal and melt, and phase change at the growth interface. The contribution of each radiation mode is studied separately, then coupled together to clearly explain their roles in heat transfer, stress generation in the as‐grown crystal and in power consumption, and heat loss inside the furnace. Flow and temperature fields in the molten oxide and in the growth atmosphere as well as the thermal stress are presented and discussed for each case. Unrealistic cases are first considered where radiation exchange between the furnace elements and internal radiation in the assumed opaque crystal are neglected. For each case, the relation between temperature gradient and thermal stress is clearly demonstrated. Finally, the effect of the melt opacity on thermal stress is studied and related to temperature gradients in the crystal and at the free surface. The experimental observations are in good agreement.
A Transient Enhancement DC–DC Buck Converter With Dual Operating Modes Control Technique

Dual operating modes (DOMs) control technique is presented to achieve fast-transient response for dc–dc buck converter in this brief. The proposed operational transconductance amplifier with DOM control circuit which is used as an error amplifier in the pulse-width modulation (PWM) control circuit. This approach conduces to transient response by accelerating the output level shifting of the error amplifier. Thus, PWM control circuit generates the proper signal to drive the power transistors. Finally, the output voltage of the dc–dc buck converter is rapidly recovered when the load transient occurs. The proposed dc–dc buck converter is fabricated using TSMC 0.35 <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${\mu }\text{m}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> 2P4M CMOS technology. The chip area is <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$1.38\,\,\times1.45$ </tex-math></inline-formula> mm<sup>2</sup>. The operating frequency is set at 1 MHz. The load current range is from 100 to 500 mA. Measurement results demonstrate that the transient recovery time of the proposed dc–dc buck converter with DOM control technique both are 2 <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${\mu }\text{s}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> for step-up and step-down load transient. Comparing with conventional dc–dc buck converter, we find that transient recovery time of proposed dc–dc buck converter with DOM control circuit is improved by over 4.6 and 4.4 times for step-up and step-down load, respectively.
Reliable multimedia broadcast and multicast content delivery via 3G mobile satellite networks.

The past decade has witnessed rapid penetration of multimedia broadcast and multicast services over wire line networks (i.e. fixed networks) and this has largely been due to user demands and the technological advances in IP multicast. However, 2nd Generation mobile networks have not been able to meet user demands for these services due to their inability to support high data rate services, or to provide efficient multicast techniques over mobile cellular networks. The 3rd generation mobile terrestrial networks (T-UMTS) overcame one of the issues by allowing point-to-point high data rate services, but initial standardisation did not support an efficient way to deliver multimedia services, on a point-to-multipoint basis and this is only recently being addressed via the Multimedia Broadcast and Multicast Services (MBMS) bearer model. With their inherent broadcast capabilities and larger geographical coverage, satellite networks form an attractive platform as a compliment to the terrestrial networks for delivery of such services. However, the standardisation process is still in early stages (compared to T-UMTS) of introducing similar MBMS bearer models to the 3rd generation mobile satellite network (S-UMTS). To this end, this research investigates the possible improvements required to exiting S-UMTS specifications to facilitate MBM content over the satellite radio interface whilst addressing the reliability of the content delivery. The thesis presents; A comprehensive study of applicable reliability mechanisms to improve delivering of MBM content over the S-UMTS network. Development and performance demonstration of a novel Dynamic Rate Matching (DRM) procedure to improve the S-UMTS downlink power utilisation (proposed modification to the exiting specification). Proposal for S-UMTS RLC layer based PLFEC mechanism and performance evaluation. Proposal for and the performance demonstration of a power aware Adaptive PLFEC method to improve the reliability of the MBM content via S-UMTS network 9whilst improving the radio resource utilisation. Finally, presented results have shown that when the proposed DRM procedure associates with the power aware APLFEC will; more efficiently utilise the scarce radio resources whilst providing better error protection levels (i.e. higher user satisfaction level) compared to the exiting MBM content delivery mechanisms used via Satellite UMTS radio access network.
Application of multilinear regression analysis in modeling of soil properties for geotechnical civil engineering works in Calabar South

The application of Multi-Linear Regression Analysis (MLRA) model for predicting soil properties in Calabar South offers a technical guide and solution in foundation designs problems in the area. Forty-five soil samples were collected from fifteen different boreholes at a different depth and 270 tests were carried out for CBR, MC, SG, LL, PL test and GS with mechanical sieve analysis of sizes, 2.36 mm, 1.18 mm, 600 μ, 425 μ, 300μ, 212μ, 150μ, and 75μ. This study uses Multi Linear Regression Analysis to formulate a model that relates CBR to other soil parameters. The Multi Linear Regression Analysis was done using the Data Analysis tool of Microsoft Excel, which gave a good coefficient of correlation R 2 , 0.9454 implying that the model can be used to predict CBR at 50.9 % and with ±3.4% error. This conclusion is drawn since the value of R 2 increases with increase in numbers of variables. Keywords: Calabar, CBR, Model, Regression, Soil properties, Soil Samples
How the United States measures well-being in household surveys

Personal well-being is affected by many factors – one’s health and education, the social and cultural milieu in which one lives, leisure time, sufficient income to afford needed and desired consumption items and for savings to purchase housing or other stocks of wealth for the future, and more. The longest time series for United States well-being information from sample surveys (dating back to the 1940s) is for income – characterized by income levels, income inequality, and income-based poverty – and the means to earn an income – employment. Other, more recent surveys look at other aspects of well-being – expenditures, wealth, housing, and health. Since 1983, a longitudinal survey has allowed policy analysts to examine material (“extended”) measures of well-being and their relationship to other economic measures. Yet another new survey, begun in 2003, examines time use. The purpose of this article is solely to describe, at a very basic level, the well-being measures the federal government collects on U.S. household surveys, and to describe, also at a basic level, the surveys that collect that information. With only a few exceptions, levels for those indicators are not included herein, as providing the context for those measures would make the article too long. Internet references for all surveys are included should the reader desire more information.