bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Friction Welding Method with Translational Friction by Intermediate Material
Authors: Tsujino Ryoji  , Hashimoto Masaharu  , Matsuura Kiyoshi  , Roko Kiyokazu
Published: February 2025

For the purpose of improving the defects of conventional friction welding method, new friction welding technology has been examined. That is, conventional friction welding can make only joint with round and relatively small cross section, and further it cannot obtain the joint of many combinations of dissimilar materials. New method has intermediate material for translational friction between joint specimens. After the intermediate material generates the friction heat, it is removed instantaneously and upset process begins to weld the specimens for joint. In this study, the experimental results for principal certification for this technology are reported. Several materials were examined for intermediate specimen and joints, in addition factors on the friction heat such as friction pressure and motion of the intermediate material were investigated.
Deep Reasoning in Clarification Dialogues with Mobile Robots
Authors: Jian Cui  , Zhekova Desislava  , Shi Hui  , Bateman John
Published: February 2025

This paper reports our work on qualitative reasoning based clarification dialogues in human-robot interaction on spatial navigation. To interpret humans' route instructions, a qualitative spatial model is introduced which represents the robot's beliefs in the application domain. Based on the qualitative spatial model, three tool-supported reasoning strategies are discussed which enable the robot to generate dialogues with differing degrees of clarification if knowledge mismatches or under-specifications in route instructions are detected. The influence of the reasoning strategies on human-robot dialogues is evaluated with an empirical study.
Kernel-Based Hybrid Random Fields for Nonparametric Density Estimation
Authors: Freno Antonino  , Trentin Edmondo  , Gori Marco
Published: February 2025

Hybrid random fields are a recently proposed graphical model for pseudo-likelihood estimation in discrete domains. In this paper, we develop a continuous version of the model for nonparametric density estimation. To this aim, Nadaraya-Watson kernel estimators are used to model the local conditional densities within hybrid random fields. First, we introduce a heuristic algorithm for tuning the kernel bandwidhts in the conditional density estimators. Second, we propose a novel method for initializing the structure learning algorithm originally employed for hybrid random fields, which was meant instead for discrete variables. In order to test the accuracy of the proposed technique, we use a number of synthetic pattern classification benchmarks, generated from random distributions featuring nonlinear correlations between the variables. As compared to state-of-the-art nonparametric and semiparametric learning techniques for probabilistic graphical models, kernel-based hybrid random fields regularly outperform each considered alternative in terms of recognition accuracy, while preserving the scalability properties (with respect to the number of variables) that originally motivated their introduction.
Higher-Order Coalition Logic
Authors: Boella Guido  , Gabbay Dov M.  , Genovese Valerio  , van der Torre Leendert
Published: February 2025

We introduce and study higher-order coalition logic, a multi modal monadic second-order logic with operators [{x}ψ]φ expressing that the coalition of all agents satisfying ψ(x) can achieve a state in which φ holds. We use neighborhood semantics to model extensive games of perfect information with simultaneous actions and we provide a framework reasoning about agents in the same way as it is reasoning about their abilities. We illustrate higher-order coalition logic to represent and reason about coalition formation and cooperation, we show a more general and expressive way to quantify over coalitions than quantified coalition logic, we give an axiomatization and prove completeness.
Detecting Ironic Intent in Creative Comparisons
Authors: Veale Tony  , Hao Yanfen
Published: February 2025

Irony is an effective but challenging mode of communication that allows a speaker to express sentiment-rich viewpoints with concision, sharpness and humour. Irony is especially common in online documents that express subjective and deeply-felt opinions, and thus represents a significant obstacle to the accurate analysis of sentiment in web texts. In this paper we look at one commonly used framing device for linguistic irony – the simile – to show how irony is often marked in ways that make it computationally feasible to detect. We conduct a very large corpus analysis of web-harvested similes to identify the most interesting characteristics of ironic comparisons, and provide an empirical evaluation of a new algorithm for separating ironic from non-ironic similes.
Representing Spatial Knowledge in Mobile Cognitive Systems
Authors: Pronobis Andrzej  , Sjöö Kristoffer  , Aydemir Alper  , Bishop Adrian N.  , Jensfelt Patric
Published: February 2025

A cornerstone for cognitive mobile agents is to represent the vast body of knowledge about space in which they operate. In order to be robust and efficient, such representation must address requirements imposed on the integrated system as a whole, but also resulting from properties of its components. In this paper, we carefully analyze the problem and design a structure of a spatial knowledge representation for a cognitive mobile system. Our representation is layered and represents knowledge at different levels of abstraction. It deals with complex, cross-modal, spatial knowledge that is inherently uncertain and dynamic. Furthermore, it incorporates discrete symbols that facilitate communication with the user and components of a cognitive system. We present the structure of the representation and propose concrete instantiations.
The Mean Stress as the Governing Parameter in the Implicit GPM Stress Integration of Modified Cam-Clay Model
Authors: Vukicevic Mirjana  , Rakic Dragan
Published: February 2025

An implicit computational governing parameter method (GPM) for stress integration of the modified Cam-Clay model is presented in the paper. In the previous studies, the increment of the mean plastic strain dϵmpwas adopted as the governing parameter for the modified Cam-Clay model. While in this paper, the effective mean stress σm′ is used as the governing parameter, which is much more convenient than dϵmp
Computation with varied-strength attacks in abstract argumentation frameworks
Authors: Dunne Paul E.  , Martínez Diego C.  , García Alejandro J.  , Simari Guillermo R.
Published: February 2025

In abstract frameworks with varied strength attacks (AFV), arguments may attack each other with different strength. An admissible scenario is an admissible set of arguments fulfilling certain strength conditions about defences. In this work we analyze the computational complexity of some decision problems related to the quality of admissible scenarios: checking the property of being top-admissible and the property of being equilibrated. These problems are implying an exhaustive comparison between scenarios, and both of them are shown to be coNP-complete.
Network Security: Formal and Optimized Configuration
Authors: Fall Marfall N.  , Mejri Mohamed
Published: February 2025

Firewalls are crucial elements in enforcing network security policies. They have been widely deployed for securing private networks but, their configuration remains complex and error prone. During the last years, many techniques and tools have been proposed to correctly configure firewalls. However, most of existing works are informal and do not take into account the global performance of the network or other qualities of its services (QoS). In this paper we introduce a formal approach allowing to formally and optimally configure a network so that a given security policy is respected and by taking into account the QoS.
Modelling the Temporal Structure of Estonian Speech
Authors: Kalvik Mari-Liis  , Mihkla Meelis
Published: February 2025

The study is focused on Estonian rhythmic structure as revealed in fluent read speech. The core of the study involves determining the distinctive features of the three degrees of Estonian phonetic quantity and assessment of the significance of those features by statistical methods with an aim to enhance the naturalness of synthetic speech by using the features best identifying each quantity degree in fluent Estonian speech. The theory of adjacent phones is tested on a large data set and the role of intensity as a possible feature to identify quantity degrees is investigated. According to the results of phonetic and statistical analysis the main constitutive factors of quantity degrees and, thus, of speech rhythm are the classical duration ratio of stressed and unstressed syllables, whereas the rest of the duration ratios and tonal characteristics investigated turned out to be less significant for the data analysed.
A Flexible Agent-Oriented Solution to Model Organisational and Normative Requirements in Assistive Technologies
Authors: Gómez-Sebastià Ignasi  , Garcia-Gasulla Dario  , Barrué Cristian  , Vázquez-Salceda Javier  , Cortés Ulises
Published: February 2025

Assistive technologies represent a recent application area of a wide variety of Artificial Intelligence methods and tools to support people in their activities of daily living. But most approaches do only center in the direct interaction between the user and the assistive tool, without taking into consideration the important role that other actors (caregivers, relatives) may have in the user activities, nor they explicitly reflect the norms and regulations that apply in such scenarios. In this paper we present an approach to the development of assistive technologies which uses organisational and normative elements to ease the design of both the social network arround the user and their expected behavioural patterns.
Experimental Study on use of Mechanically Stabilized Residual Soils for Pavement Layers in Magoe Mozambique
Authors: Ndimbo Raphael
Published: February 2025

This study is an investigation of the effects of stabilizing 2 types of residual soils (sample A and B) with natural river sand (sample C) in Tete Province, Mozambique. Various combinations of soils and sand (sample A+C, B+C and A+B+C) are assessed for the purpose of improving their strength to conform as pavement materials. Laboratory classification tests (grading and Atterberg Limits) were conducted on each of the 3 natural materials and strength tests (CBR and compaction) were performed on each of the 2 soil samples (sample A and B) and on the mixtures of soils and sand (A+C, B+C and A+B+C) in different proportions of the blended materials. The results of strength tests indicated that the addition of sand to sample A reduced the maximum dry density (MDD) and the optimum moisture content (OMC) and the CBR values (for 1-day soaked) decreased. For sample B, addition of sand caused a decrease in OMC and an increase of the MDD and CBR (1-day soaked). The optimum proportions of the blended material were obtained with 20% sand (C), 20% of soil sample B and 60% of soil sample A which gave a CBR of 98% after 4 days of soaking. A trial section of base course with materials dumped in the ratio of 1 truck of soil sample B, 1 truck of sand sample C and 3 trucks of soil sample A gave a 4-day soaked CBR of 79%. The study indicates that sand may be mixed with several soils from different borrow pits to improve the properties for road construction materials. Laboratory and field tests are presented to compare the properties of the mechanically stabilized trial section and the optimum design parameters.
The Potential of Using Artificial Neural Networks for Prediction of Blue Nile Soil Profile in Khartoum State
Authors: Elarabi H.  , Mohamed M.
Published: February 2025

Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) are an Artificial Intelligence technique. In this study, ANNs are used for prediction of soil classification in specified locations within the flood plain of the Blue Nile in Khartoum at different depths. The study was based on the available site investigation data collected from specific areas in Sudan. About 38% of the total data collected has been used as input data. This data applied directly to neural network and the remaining percentage of the total data (about 62 % of total) has been used as tested data. Thirteen models of Neural Networks were constructed and developed to predict soil layers in specified locations in Khartoum Blue Nile area. The results were then compared with data brought from actual boreholes to check the ANN model's validity. The results indicated that Neural Networks is a useful technique for predicting the soil profile in the studied areas.
Soil Improvement through the Utilization of Agricultural Residues from Nigeria
Authors: Obasi N.L.  , Ojiogu E.B.
Published: February 2025

This work deals with soil stabilization using ash obtained from both open air and oven burning of the rice husk collected from Abakaliki Rice Mill in Ebonyi State of Nigeria. The soil samples were collected from the proposed borrow pit site at Onu-Ogba Nike near Enugu, Enugu State, Nigeria at depths of 0.5 – 1.5 m. The laboratory tests were conducted in accordance with [8, 9] at the Soil Mechanics Laboratory of Civil Engineering Department, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu, Nigeria. The soil samples were prepared for stabilization by weighing out ten equal samples from the natural soil and gradually adding to each sample progressively 0 %, 2.5 %, 5 %, 7.5 %, 10 %, 12.5 %, 15 %, and 17.5 % by weight of the rice husk ash. The results obtained indicate that 59 % of the natural soil samples passed the sieve No. 200 with average plasticity index and CBR values of 21 and 8 % respectively. Similarly, the result of the blended soil samples indicate that the plasticity index (PI) values decreased from 28 – 10.4 % while the corresponding California bearing ratio (CBR) values increased from 9.1 – 25 % after which it started decreasing to 22 %. The result of this study suggests that the stabilized soil sample with 15 % rice husk ash gave the highest CBR value of 25 % with a PI value of 10.4 % indicating its high potential for soil stabilization. The adoption of rice husk ash for soil stabilization would encourage the effective disposal and utilization of the abundant rice husk waste in most developing countries. It could also offer some employment opportunities to rural dwellers.
Barrage de Mahouane: Conditions geologiques et traitement de la fondation
Authors: D'Alessandro F.  , Bordas C.  , Hebbache R.
Published: February 2025

Le barrage de Mahouane forme le réservoir aval du Système Ouest des Transferts vers les Hautes Plaines Sétifiennes. Cet ouvrage est situé au sud de la Kabylie dans le Nord de l'Algérie. La fondation est composée principalement de calcaires et de termes marneux Mésozoïques et Cénozoïques, de faibles caractéristiques mécaniques, très tectonisées et organisés, à l'échelle régional, en nappes de charriage à vergence Sud. Des conglomérats hétérogènes continentaux Mio-Pliocèniques, à cimentation variable, constituent la partie supérieure de la rive gauche.
Landslide processes in structurally unstable loessial soils
Authors: Kushner S.G.
Published: February 2025

It is shown that on the one hand unsaturated loessial deposits are strong enough at exception of possibility of their wetting supposing pressure on the base to 0.3 MPa and more, but on the other hand these soils are structurally unstable having weak links between aggregates and structural elements which are sodden in the water that leads to loss of stability and displacement resistance under loading. The reasons and conditions causing landslides and conditions promoting this process are presented. The major factors which have caused a grandiose landslide in Yasinova ravine with a collapse of loessial slope and destruction with long failure of large industrial production are established. The decisions accepted at restoration of production are described. Identity of transformation loessial landslide mass in mud streams in Dneprodzerzhinsk, Dnepropetrovsk and Tajikistan is established. It is installed the incorrect concept of protective actions accepted at designing of residential area in Dneprodzerzhinsk on loessial slope adjoining to a deep ravine that has caused formation slow-motion landslide process with continuous failure of domestic buildings. The complex decision of antilandslide actions including simultaneous unloading of slope, liquidation of settlement with help of soil reduction and reinforcement of coastline by the same soil and also other actions accepted at designing of Odessa factory are described. It is presented the decision on protection of ammonia wire from landslide motions. The protective actions recommended at designing on landslide slopes, combined by structurally unstable soils and recommendations about specification of design standard are offered.
Stabilization of a creeping slope using deep drainage caissons
Authors: Škrabl S.  , Trauner L.
Published: February 2025

The highway section “Razdrto-Vipava” is located on an unstable slope that is built on Eocene flysch covered with several 10-m-thick layers of limestone rubble with lenses and with the remnants of clay and rubble weathered and disintegrated flysch rocks. This paper deals with the conditions of a deep excavation between profile P288 and P294 at a depth of 32 m in the fossil scree of limestone rubble with an average depth of 30 m. During the construction, a creep slope of the total region to a depth of 30 m at an average speed of 1cm/year was activated. The area of the ranged creep slopes extends approximately 650 m above the highway route all over to the Nanos mountains that are above it. To secure the remainder of the 10 m depth of the excavation in an unstable slope, in 2008 three reinforced-concrete (RC) drainage caissons, 8 m in diameter, were completed, and a deep-drainage system with drilled drainage at a depth of 20 to 30 m below the original surface slopes was introduced. With a stability analyses we demonstrated for the performed actions an improvement in the stability of the conditions by approximately 5%, with respect to the initial state (F = 1.05). The caissons were equipped for observation of the horizontal movement with vertical inclinometers and strain gauges in the concrete and the steel reinforcement, and the GPS stations for monitoring the movements in the global coordinate system. The measurement results after the implementation of the rehabilitation show that the remediation was carried out successfully.
Different solutions of retaining structures in stiff clay
Authors: Buselli F.  , Di Sotto A.  , Miliziano S.  , Zechini A.
Published: February 2025

The paper reports the main results obtained studying via numerical simulations two different solutions of cantilevered retaining structures in overconsolidated stiff clay. The behaviour of simply T shaped retaining structure is compared to the behaviour of a retaining structure made up of two diaphragm walls connected at the top by a rigid beam. This class of frameworks are used suitably for supporting deep excavations in order to minimize soil displacements in urban area, where the use of anchors is often not possible. Structural elements are assumed elastic and are simulated both by beam and continuum elements. A simple elastic perfect plastic constitutive model with Mohr-Coulomb strength criterion and zero dilatancy is adopted for describing the soil behaviour. The soil-structure interface is assumed purely frictional. The accuracy of the results presented is checked by a convergence study. The displacement and stress fields in structural elements under operating conditions for the two different solutions and for the different approaches adopted (beam or continuum) are reported and compared. Failure mechanisms are also investigated. The study provides a guidance to develop models to describe accurately the behaviour of this kind of structures.
Numerical analysis of retaining wall in overconsolidated clay
Authors: Mica L.  , Chalmovsky J.  , Racansky V.
Published: February 2025

The paper summarizes results of a numerical analysis of a retaining structure in overconsolidated clay. Analysed retaining structure is a part of tunnel ingress of Královopolský tunnels in Brno, Czech Republic, which are located in the Neogene clay. The aim of the analysis was to compare two groups of constitutive models and their displacement prediction during excavation. A linear elastic perfectly plastic model (MC model) and hypoplastic model for the clay are compared in the analysis. Input parameters for soil models are derived from the laboratory testing. The soil testing has been carried out at Faculty of Sciences of Charles University in Prague. Software package Plaxis 2D has been used throughout the analyses. Computed horizontal displacements of the retaining structure using above mentioned constitutive models have been compared with inclinometer measurements INK29, which was situated in this area. The analysis has proved that for modelling of the retaining structure it is better to choose advanced constitutive models and, if possible, models which take increased stiffness in small up to very small strain range into account.
Vibrational reliability of rigid structures on soil with random elastic parameters
Authors: Kholmyansky M.L.
Published: February 2025

A probabilistic problem of vibrational reliability of structures on the soil with significant uncertainty is stated. For the simplest dynamic models the dependence of the response on the level of the elastic stiffness is investigated. The problems of reliability determination for the deterministic and random loads are solved. The numerical results are obtained and analyzed.
Elasto-viscoplastic constitutive modeling of soft sedimentary rocks
Authors: Oka F.  , Kimoto S.  , Nguyen Q.H.
Published: February 2025

Behavior of bonded geomaterials such as soft rocks and sensitive clay is characterized by the yielding and structural degradation. Leroueil and Vaughan(1990) pointed out the congruent effects in two materials, soft rocks and sensitive structured clay based on the experimental laboratory test results. Kimoto and Oka(2005) developed an elasto-viscoplastic model for soft clay considering rate dependency and degradation due to straining. Then the model can describe the strain softening and rate dependency due to the structural change and degradation and it has been successfully applied to the analysis of soft clayey ground such as consolidation and excavation. In this paper considering the congruent behavior of soft rocks and structured clay, we have applied the elasto-viscoplastic constitutive model for clay to the triaxial compression behaviors of sedimentary soft rock called Ohya stone in Japan with different confining pressures, which exhibits both distinctive strain-softening under the low confining pressures (Adachi and Oka,1995). Simulation results are in good agreement with the experimental results. For example, Fig. 1 shows the simulated and experimental results for Ohya stone under the confining pressure of 5 kPa. We have found the model can applicable to both soft clay and soft rocks. The model is numerically stable, and is thus highly suitable for computational analysis and design tools.
Strip footing behavior on geotextile reinforced and soil nailing-stabilized sand slope
Authors: Belqasem Altalhe E.A.O.
Published: February 2025

This paper presents the results of laboratory model tests on the behaviour of a strip footing supported on a row of soil nail and single geotextile layer-stabilized sandy slope. A comparison between the bearing capacity improvements in the two cases was made to study the most efficient of them. The parameters varied in the study include depth of the reinforcing layer, the edge distance of the footing, location of soil nail row, and location of the footing relative to the slope crest. Initially the bearing capacity of non-stabilized cases were determined and then compared with those of stabilized slopes. The results were then analysed to study the effect of each parameter. The results indicate that stabilizing earth slope using a row of soil nail or single geotextile layer has a significant effect in improving the bearing capacity of the strip footing. This improvement in bearing capacity increases when soil nail spacing decreases. However, the overall improvement when using single geotextile layer to stabilize earth slope is much better than that when using a row of soil nail.
A parametric study on pile drivability for large diameter offshore monopiles
Authors: Doherty P.  , Gavin K.  , Casey B.
Published: February 2025

This paper presents a parametric study that investigates issues such as the pile diameter, wall thickness, pile-soil resistance model and hammer type on offshore pile driveability. The research indicates that the model used to calculate the static resistance to driving (SRD) has a dominant effect on the accuracy of pile driving predictions. The current industry standard API-07 method suggests that piles of up to 8 m diameter can be driven to a target penetration of 35 m even in very dense sand typically encountered in the North Sea. In contrast, recent Cone Penetration Test (CPT) design methods indicates much harder driving and suggests a new generation of much higher capacity hammers will be required to install these piles.
Aviation Community Noise: A Model of Cost Sharing
Authors: Zachary Daniel S.  , Gervais Jessica  , Leopold Ulrich  , Schutz Georges  , Huck Viola S.T.  , Braun Chrisitan
Published: February 2025

As is true with many of Europe's airports, Luxembourg's Findel International Airport is found in close proximity to the nation's city center (6km). In this paper we focus on the Cargolux Airlines' airfreight operations and report on a multi-cost problem that has been developed so that costs are shared between the company, the state and the private citizen. Here we search for a cost effective solution using the night noise metric LN. A best (lowest shared cost) solution among a set of predefined scenarios is found. The approach used is consistent with the legislative framework of the European Union Directive on Assessment and Management of Environmental Noise and the European Balanced Approach. We also discuss the potential affect of background noise and noise over threshold, previously omitted in the shared cost study. A web-based aviation scheduling tool is also presented. The tool allows an end-user, the company, the regulating authorities, or interested stakeholders, to adjust tunable parameters, including aircraft scheduling, route choice and arrival/takeoff parameterization.
Some Industrial Challenges for Implementing Value-Driven Design
Authors: Cheung Julie  , Scanlan Jim  , Wiseall Steve
Published: February 2025

This paper discusses some of the challenges and lessons learnt from a research project to develop a Value-Driven Design capability in Rolls-Royce plc. The project objectives were to: explore and understand the concept of Value-Driven Design, through the adoption of the Surplus Value methodology; develop an aerospace test case on Value-Driven Design; use a Rolls-Royce plc recognized toolset for implementing the Surplus Value; engage with Rolls-Royce plc stakeholders to develop Value-Driven Design implementation and integration ideas; and review lessons learnt to support future Value-Driven Design projects in Rolls-Royce plc. Primarily, the focus of this research has been on methodologies and model development, where the challenges that were encountered can be broken down into the following categories – Methods, Tools, Processes and People/Organization. According to socio-technical systems theory, each of these categories depends on each other to enable successful implementation. Therefore, to establish a capability it is appropriate to consider these categories, their interactions and expose the practical implications.
Forecasting maintenance by monitoring usage, loads or condition
Authors: Tinga Tiedo
Published: February 2025

Instead of performing maintenance at fixed intervals, the operational efficiency of assets can be improved significantly when the maintenance is performed in a more dynamic manner. This can be achieved by monitoring the systems condition and tailor the maintenance activities accordingly or by monitoring the usage of the system and calculate the remaining life and the associated maintenance. In this paper, it will be shown that both approaches require, or at least benefit from, knowledge of the underlying failure mechanisms and governing loads.
Monitoring of rainfall-induced slope failure test of unsaturated soils using the Amplitude Domain Reflectometry probes and Microtensiometers
Authors: Shimobe Satoru
Published: February 2025

This study mainly presents the practicability of ADR (Amplitude Domain Reflectometry) soil moisture meter and its engineering application to the monitoring system for model slope failure tests by rainfall. It was found that the ADR's calibrations in terms of volumetric water content had a high performance within ±3% accuracy, compared to the standard oven drying method, irrespective of soil types, compactive methods, instruments, and operators. Furthermore, as a powerful monitoring tool, the simultaneous monitoring system for soil water content-pressure head profiling using the Microtensiometers together was investigated with soil column and slope failure tests formed in sandy soil “Narita sand” and volcanic cohesive soil “Kanto loam,” based on the rainfall infiltration. As a result, the practicability of this monitoring system using the ADR-Microtensiometer simultaneous measurement method (ADR-MT method) was confirmed from these experimental data.
Laboratory determination of small strain shear modulus of Auckland residual soil
Authors: Ibrahim A.  , Orense R.P.  , Pender M.J.  , Tai A.  , Kikkawa N.
Published: February 2025

A small strain triaxial apparatus was developed which is capable of measuring accurately the small strain behaviour of soil. The system utilized three submersible miniature linear variable differential transducers (LVDTs), mounted on the periphery of the soil specimen. Furthermore, a bender element system was incorporated to provide an additional means of measuring the small shear modulus of the soil. The system was used to measure the small strain behaviour of undisturbed Auckland residual soil, which occupies much of the Auckland region and areas to the north. Auckland residual soil is characterized by the presence of macro-voids, as confirmed by the images from X-ray CT scanning. Based on the test results, Gmaxvalues obtained from LVDT measurement matched closely the results from bender element measurements, confirming the capability of the integrated small strain testing apparatus.
Tracking degradation of argillaceous rocks using bender elements
Authors: Pineda J.A.  , Romero E.  , Alonso E.E.
Published: February 2025

The results of a comprehensive experimental program focused on the study of progressive degradation processes on a low permeability argillaceous rock induced by hydraulic cycles is presented in the paper. Relative humidity cycles were applied with vapour transfer technique, and bender elements were used to evaluate the evolution of shear stiffness during the application of hydraulic paths. The characterisation of the material included the determination of the water retention properties (water retention curve), as well as the pore size distribution using mercury intrusion porosimetry, complemented with SEM micrographs and elemental analysis using X-ray spectroscopy to characterise micro-structural features and detect clayey and non-clayey constituents. Results showed cumulative and irreversible swelling of the samples with the application of relative humidity cycles. Regarding shear stiffness, an important reduction (around 80%) was observed at the end of the hydraulic paths applied. Evidence of rock degradation at macro-scale was linked to structural modifications at micro-level.
Observations of the soil particle movement during direct shear tests on soil-geosynthetic interfaces
Authors: Liu Chia-Nan  , Wu Po-Kai  , Ye Jhen-You  , Lin Bo-Hung
Published: February 2025

The shear strength between soil-geosynthetic interface has been well studied by conducting large scale direct shear tests. However, the documents of the development of shear band and the interaction of soil particles and geosynthetics under direct shear mode are still limited. Consequently, a series direct shear testing program is conducted aimed at providing detail image records of the soil particles against geosynthetics during direct shear tests. The direct shear tests involved several soils and several geosynthetics (geogrid, geotextile, and geomembrane). The movement of soil particles in the shear box is observed through the transparent glass on one side of the direct shear box. During shear test, high resolution photo images of soil particles are taken. The results show that the soil particles between geogrid apertures interlock quite well. Therefore the shear band can extend from the shear surface to adjacent soil particles. The upward movement of soil particles is also consistent with the dilatant behavior recorded during shear test. However, the shear band width for soil-geotextile interface and soil-geomembrane interface is much smaller than the width for pure soil under direct shear mode. The shear behavior is simply the soil particles slide on the geosynthetics. Therefore the shear band is limited to the soil particles lying on planar geosynthetics. The test results support the general finding from the direct shear test results that the shear strength between soil and geogrid interface is similar to the shear strength of pure soil while the shear strength between soil and geotextile and geomembrane interface is smaller than the shear strength of pure soil.
Effect of stress history on DMT results
Authors: Lee Moon-Joo  , Choi Sung-Kun  , Chae Young-Ho  , Lee Woojin
Published: February 2025

Stress history is one of the influential factors affecting in-situ penetration test results. In this study, a series of DMTs are performed on granular specimens artificially prepared in a calibration chamber to investigate the pre-stress effect on DMT indices and geotechnical properties. It is observed that that KDis more sensitive to the pre-stress than EDand the interpretation of KDis helpful for understanding the effect of stress history of soil. The KD-DRrelation appears to be considerably influenced by the pre-stress as the relative density is insignificantly affected by the stress level. However, the stress history doesn't affect the KD/K0-DRrelation of sand since the pre-stress effect on KDis counterbalanced by the at-rest coefficient of earth pressure (K0), which is a well known property evaluating the stress history. The ED/σm'-Ψ relation, which is linearly proportional to each other in the semi-logarithm scale, is insignificantly affected by the pre-stress because both EDand σm' are similarly influenced by the horizontal stress.
Diatomaceous soils: monotonic behavior
Authors: Diaz-Rodríguez J. Abraham
Published: February 2025

There are several sites in the world where diatom microfossils have been detected in soil deposits (e.g., Mexico City, Mexico, and Osaka Bay, Japan). These natural soil deposits have singular physical and mechanical properties that do not follow the well-established empirical relations. However, the specialized literature on the topic is scarce. The unicellular algae known as diatoms are outstanding examples of micro- and nanostructured material in nature that may control mechanical and hydraulic properties of soils. However, comprehensive studies on interaction between diatoms, clay particles and water are non-existent. While diatoms are used in many engineering and scientific applications, very few geotechnical applications utilize diatoms. Yet, given their unique characteristics, there is great potential for utilizing diatoms in the development of engineered particulate materials for geotechnical and geoenvironmental applications. Simple shear tests were performed in this study to investigate undrained shear strength of artificial mixtures of diatomite-kaolin. The tests results indicate that the stress-strain curves show different characteristics depending on diatom content. Taking into account the presence of diatoms microfossils in Mexico City sediments, some of their unique engineering properties can be well explained.
Change of Mechanical Properties during Dissolution Process in Soluble Granular Soils
Authors: Truong Q. Hung  , Byun Yong-Hoon  , Tran M. Khoa  , Lee Jong-Sub
Published: February 2025

Mechanical properties of engineering soils in earth structures or foundations may be influenced by the dissolution of soluble mineral. This paper addresses the evolution of the physical properties during dissolution of soluble particulate media. Two types of specimens including sand-salt mixtures and photoelastic-ice disk mixtures were used to investigate the changes of the granular soils from micro- to macro-scale. The dissolution was carried due to the saturation of the sand-salt mixtures or the melting of ice in photoelastic-ice disk mixtures. The measurements of shear wave velocities are implemented in sand-salt mixtures by using bender elements installed along the specimens. A system of strain gauges is installed on the side of the planar specimens to observe total response due to the melting of the ice disks. Particulate parameters consisting of force chain, local void and coordination numbers, and the horizontal force of the planar specimens of photoelastic disks and ice disks are monitored during ice dissolution. Experimental results show that the shear wave velocity decreases, then increases to a stable value, during salt dissolution. However, after dissolution the velocities are smaller than those before dissolution. The shear wave velocity in the upper non-wetted layer is slightly affected under the dissolution of the lower layer. Photographic images of photoelastic disk-ice mixtures show that the force chain, local void, and coordination number considerably change during dissolution. This Study demonstrates the correlation among the change of shear wave velocity, the total response and the particle parameters due to dissolution.
Collapse of Loose Sands with Additions of Fines
Authors: Yang J.  , Wei L.M.
Published: February 2025

Loose sand, when sheared under undrained conditions, tends to collapse rapidly with a very low residual strength. The consequences of this flow type response can be disastrous in geotechnical applications. Natural sands encountered in situ usually contain some amount of fines and the effect of fines on the undrained behavior of sand is of great concern. Several experimental studies have shown that the addition of fines increases the resistance of sand to collapse, whereas several others show the contrary. The lack of convergence and consistency results in difficulty in quantifying the effect of fines. This paper reports new data and interpretations from an experimental program aimed at a fundamental understanding of the undrained behavior of sands with additions of fines. Results are discussed with particular attention on the role of fines in modifying the position of critical state line and the potential for collapse.
The effect of hydrate dissociation on pore pressure generation
Authors: Sultaniya A.K.  , Priest J.A.  , Clayton C.R.I.
Published: February 2025

The move towards deep-ocean oil exploration, and the widespread occurrence of gas hydrates in these deep marine deposits, has led to concerns about the potential risks to oil production infrastructure during the possible dissociation of the hydrate, should thermobaric conditions in the sediment change. When oil is pumped from deeper (and hotter) oil bearing strata through riser pipes, the temperature of the ground can be significantly increased, perhaps leading to gas hydrate dissociation and instability of the ground. To that end, dissociation tests have been carried out at the University of Southampton in the Gas Hydrate Resonant Column apparatus, to determine sediment behaviour during hydrate dissociation. The results obtained from a well-controlled laboratory test on hydrate bearing sands, subjected to thermobaric paths likely to occur in the sediment around an oil riser pipe, show the complex response of the sediment stiffness during dissociation.
Inverse analysis based interpretation of undrained direct simple shear behavior
Authors: Moon Sung-woo  , Hashash Youssef M.A.
Published: February 2025

A constitutive model that represents soil behavior under wide ranging loading conditions is needed in the simulation of complex boundary value problems. However, most laboratory tests provide information on stresses and strains under very limited loading conditions which are interpreted assuming uniform stresses and strains within the tested soil specimen. Among these tests, the Direct Simple Shear (DSS) test experiences non-uniform stress-strain distribution within the test specimen during simple shear. Nevertheless, there have been few studies on the non-uniform states of stress and strain within the specimen, and a relatively simplified interpretation of stresses and strains is used. This paper utilizes an evolutionary inverse analysis approach, referred to as self-learning simulations (SelfSim), to extract and interpret the non-uniform stresses and strains within an undrained DSS test specimen. SelfSim uses boundary measurements of forces and displacements, dual numerical force and displacement controlled simulations and an evolutionary material model, a neural network based material model, to extract the non-uniform states of stresses and strains throughout the specimen. The proposed approach is first demonstrated using simulated DSS tests with a known material constitutive model, the Modified Cam-clay model. The result shows that SelfSim successfully extracts the non-linear stress-strain behavior experienced throughout the specimen. The approach is then applied to a DSS test on K0normally consolidated Boston Blue Clay (BBC) specimen. Preliminary results of extracted stress-strain soil behavior are presented and discussed. The paper demonstrates the potential of the proposed approach for developing a new way to interpret soil behavior under general loading conditions from laboratory tests, required to solve geotechnical boundary value problems.
Four Processing Modes of in situ Human Behavior
Authors: Kitajima Muneo  , Toyota Makoto
Published: February 2025

Human behavior is considered as a series of moment by moment decision-makings in the ever-changing environment. Each decision-making process is carried out by System 1 and System 2 of Two Minds [3] under real time constraints, which basically requires synchronization between the workings of System 1 and System 2 in the real world by taking into account each system's characteristic times defined by Newell's time scale of action [4]. The result of decision-making is an event, that includes the direct output of decision-making, or behavior, and the resultant state of the external world. This paper proposes Four Processing Modes of in situ human behavior, consisting of before-event and after-event System 1 activities, and before-event and after-event System 2 activities for each event. Moment-by-moment decision-making process is regarded as a series of mental and physical actions performed in one of Four Processing Modes. This paper also provides evidence of Four Processing Modes from our field study concerning guide-sign supported navigation behavior at railway stations [9].
Concluding Remarks
Authors: Escudeiro Nuno  , Escudeiro Paula  , Sahm Stephanie  , Roth Hubert
Published: February 2025

The original plan to setup a permanent MUTW course unit in partners' curricula was devised in two phases. The first phase, a pilot project running for two years, was funded by the EU under the frame of an Eramus Multilateral Curriculum Development project, with the goal of designing, testing and deploying the MUTW concept. In parallel the sustainability of MUTW beyond EU funds should also be assured. The outcomes achieved in this pilot phase laid the groundwork for the second phase that aims at offering a permanent MUTW course unit in partner institutions. In this chapter we review the main outcomes of the pilot phase that led the way to set this innovative paradigm in higher education.
Noncoding RNAs in molecular characterization of cancer preneoplasia
Authors: Wang Wendy  , Srivastava Sudhir
Published: February 2025

Molecular biomarkers are widely recognized as having tremendous utility in cancer early detection, prediction, and prevention. Huge efforts have been put into searching of various molecular biomarkers for these purposes, yet there are few molecular biomarkers that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for clinical use. Discovery of novel molecular biomarkers is still urgently needed to create biological insights into early events of carcinogenesis and to predict the aggressiveness of early cancer. Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are relatively unexplored molecules identified only one decade ago. With research on the basic biology and mechanisms of ncRNAs, they have rapidly been linked to etiology of diseases, particularly cancer. In this chapter, we will summarize ncRNAs, particularly microRNAs (miRNAs), a type of ncRNAs, as a new frontier for the discovery of cancer biomarkers in preneoplastic lesions and their usefulness as markers for the risk assessment, early detection, and diagnosis of cancer.
Molecular pathology of early pancreatic cancer
Authors: Remmers Neeley  , Bailey Jennifer M.  , Mohr Ashley M.  , Hollingsworth Michael A.
Published: February 2025

We describe the pathology of early pancreatic cancer and present an overview of known molecular alterations that occur in these lesions. There are three defined precursor lesions in current models of pancreatic cancer: pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN), mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCN), and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN). Molecular alterations detected in these lesions include: telomeres, K-ras and downstream targets, p16/CDKN2A, p53, SMAD4/DPC4, microRNAs, mucins and their post-translational processing, inflammatory cytokines, CEACAM, and epigenetic alterations. We summarize previous analyses of these markers as diagnostic markers of disease, and suggest areas of future study.
The Rights of Notification after Surveillance is over: Ready for Recognition?
Authors: de Hert Paul  , Boehm Franziska
Published: February 2025

The notification of individuals of surveillance measures is a crucial issue currently discussed in several EU Member States as well as at EU level. Provisions so far enacted in this area reflect a certain ambiguity in the regulation of this matter. The right to be informed of the fact that online malware installation have been set up on the computer, that the telephone has been tapped or that a person has been subject to secret visual and/or video surveillance measures are not harmonised in the EU. The article refers to the ongoing discussions and analyses in particular the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights in this area. Questions such as the acceptance of a right of notification after surveillance is terminated and the possible recognition of this right are being tackled.
Crosswind Reduced Separations for Departure Operations
Authors: Speijker Lennaert J.P.
Published: February 2025

The NLR Air Transport Safety Institute (ATSI) is involved in development and safety analysis of various concepts to reduce wake vortex separation minima. This paper presents Crosswind Reduced Separations for Departure operations (CREDOS), an EC DG-RTD 6th Framework Programme project, coordinated by EUROCONTROL.