Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Experimental testing of a rocking timber shear wall with slip‐friction connectors

Allowing a structure to uplift and rock during an earthquake is one way in which activated forces can be capped and damage to the structure avoided or minimised. Slip‐friction connectors (also known as slotted‐bolt connectors) were originally developed for use in steel construction, but for this research have been adapted for use as hold‐downs in an experimental 2.4 m × 2.4 m rigid timber shear wall. A novel approach is used to achieve the desired sliding threshold in the connectors, and the wall uplifts when this threshold is reached. From a series of quasi‐static cyclic tests, it is shown that slip‐friction connectors can impart ductile and elasto‐plastic characteristics to what would otherwise be essentially brittle structures. Because forces on the wall were capped by the slip‐friction connectors to levels well below the design level, no damage to the wall was observed. Self‐centring potential was also found to be excellent. The slip‐friction connectors themselves are of a unique design and have proven to be robust and durable, adequately performing their duty even after almost 14 m of cumulative travel under high contact pressures. To resist base shear without unduly affecting rocking behaviour, a new type of shear‐key is proposed and implemented, and a procedure developed to quantify its influence on overall wall behaviour. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modeling the Effect of Low Pt loading Cathode Catalyst Layer in Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells: Part I. Model Formulation and Validation

A model for the cathode catalyst layer (CL) is presented, which is validated with previous experimental data in terms of both performance and oxygen transport resistance. The model includes a 1D macroscopic description of proton, electron and oxygen transport across the thickness, which is locally coupled to a 1D microscopic model that describes oxygen transport toward Pt sites. Oxygen transport from the channel to the CL and ionic transport across the membrane are incorporated through integral boundary conditions. The model is complemented with data of effective transport and electrochemical properties extracted from multiple experimental works. The results show that the contribution of the thin ionomer film and Pt/ionomer interface increases with the inverse of the roughness factor. Whereas the contribution of the water film and the water/ionomer interface increases with the ratio between the geometric area and the surface area of active ionomer. Moreover, it is found that CLs diluted with bare carbon provide lower performance than non-diluted samples due to their lower electrochemical surface area and larger local oxygen transport resistance. Optimized design of non-diluted samples, with a good distribution of the overall oxygen flux among Pt sites, is critical to reduce mass transport losses at low Pt loading.
Effects of flicker characteristics from solid-state lighting on detection, acceptability and comfort

A study to assess the detection and acceptability of flicker and stroboscopic effects under different lighting conditions was conducted. Frequencies from 50 Hz to 300 Hz were assessed, as well as different modulation amounts, duty cycles, waveform shapes and correlated colour temperatures. For the range of conditions evaluated, direct perception of flicker was negligible at 100 Hz or higher, but stroboscopic effects could be perceived at 300 Hz. Reducing flicker modulation from 100% to 33% decreased perception of stroboscopic effects. A higher duty cycle was associated with slightly lower discomfort. The implications for solid-state lighting systems producing high-modulation flicker are discussed.
Development and Evaluation of a Web-Based System to Learn Skills for Removing Personal Protective Equipment for Highly Infectious Diseases

We developed a web-based learning system for healthcare workers to learn the skills for removing personal protective equipment for highly infectious diseases. The system was implemented on a trial basis and healthcare workers evaluated its usability and their motivation to learn. Usability was similar to that of typical systems. Motivation scores were high, indicating confidence and satisfaction with the system.
The roles of executive functioning, simple attention, and medial temporal lobes in early learning, late learning, and delayed recall

MRI values of the hippocampus, parahippocampus, and entorhinal and perirhinal cortex. The present study operationalized the phases of learning and memory through fractionation of the RAVLT and the Logical Memory subtest from the Wechsler Memory Scales within a cognitively heterogeneous sample of older adults. In line with previous work with AD (Wolk & Dickerson, 2011) and MCI (Putcha et al., 2019), we expected the contribution of EF to verbal episodic memory to differ across phases of learning and recall, with stronger relationships occurring between EF and early learning relative to relationships with late learning and delayed recall. We expected to see a similar pattern between simple attention and learning and memory phases, but also hypothesized that simple attention abilities may underlie all other cognitive performance, resulting in weaker, but consistent associations across the phases of learning and memory. We expected the opposite pattern between MTL volumes and learning phases, with weaker relationships occurring between MTL and early learning and stronger relationships occurring between MTL and late learning and delayed recall, as has been found in prior research.
High-affinity nanobodies as tools for structural and functional studies on mammalian Arc

Activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (Arc) is a multidomain protein of retroviral origin with a vital role in the regulation of synaptic plasticity and memory formation in mammals. However, the mechanistic and structural basis of Arc function is little understood. Arc has an NTD involved in membrane binding and a CTD which binds postsynaptic protein ligands. In addition, the NTD and CTD both function in Arc oligomerization, including assembly of retrovirus-like capsid involved in intercellular signaling. We produced and characterised six ultra-high-affinity anti-Arc nanobodies (Nb). The CTD of both rat and human Arc could be crystallised in ternary complexes with two Nbs simultaneously bound (H11 and C11). H11 binding deep into the stargazing-binding pocket of Arc CTD suggested competitive binding with Arc ligand peptides, which was confirmed in vitro. This indicates that the H11 Nb could serve as a genetically-encoded tool for inhibition of endogenous Arc N-lobe interactions in study of neuronal function and plasticity. The crystallisation of the human Arc CTD in two different conformations, accompanied by SAXS data and molecular dynamics simulations, paints a dynamic picture of the mammalian Arc CTD. Dynamics were affected by mutations known to inhibit capsid formation, implying a role for Arc CTD dynamics in oligomerisation. Dimerisation of the NTD, together with structural dynamics of the CTD, suggest a mechanism, by which structural dynamics of the CTD may promote capsomer formation, and dimerisation of the NTD links capsomers, facilitating the formation of capsids. The described recombinant ultrahigh-affinity anti-Arc Nbs are versatile tools that can be further developed for studying mammalian Arc structure and function in vitro and in vivo.
Tests Research on Grouting Materials of Waste-Concrete-Powder Cement for Goaf Ground Improvement

Waste concrete powder (WCP) is proposed to replace part of the cement to seek environmentally friendly grouting materials for ground improvement in mine goaf. The optimal mixing proportion was selected based on the performance indexes of the water-separation ratio, stone rate, viscosity, setting time, and compressive strength. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) tests were also conducted to analyze mineralogical phases and investigate the microscopic mechanism. Test results show that the slurry prepared by the substitution rate of 70% and adding 0.05% water-reducing agent meets well the requirements of ground grouting in mine goaf. The WCP produced by grinding mainly exerts microaggregate effect in the slurry due to low activity. A lot of pores on the surface of WCP were shown by SEM which can absorb the water in the slurry and increase the stone rate. The WCP application for ground grouting in mine goaf can not only recycle WC but also provide new grouting materials for goaf ground.
Mobile Phone Culture and its Psychological Impacts on Students' Learning at the University Level

Mobile Phone Culture is the most widely used term in the present era. Mobile phone has affected almost every field of life but its effects on students" learning especially at university level are deep and in multidimensional and multifarious. Our youngsters have been completely mesmerized and hypnotized by this magical device. Now it has become an essential part of modern life and is playing a vital role in decreasing distance and increasing communication among people. This small device has done that work which was not even accomplished by great leaders and even wonderful inventions. It has made the people closer and closer day by day. The study was conducted in order to determine the effects of mobile phone on the performance of students at university level. A small sample consisting 390 students of The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar Campus, Pakistan was taken by giving representation to all the students of all the programs offered in the campus. A 25 item questionnaire on five stages scale was administered to the students. Data was analyzed by using SPSS XIV. Most of the students claimed that they can contact with their teachers and class mates to discuss the educational matters. They also utilize the mobile phone to share the useful information with their class fellows, to consult dictionary and thesaurus for educational purposes. On contrary to this they are agreed that the mobile phone is wasting the students" precious time and money. Moreover it
Design and implementation of ultra-high resolution, large bandwidth, and compact diffuse light spectrometers

To my mother, my wife, and in the loving memory of my father v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS At the onset, I wish to thank Prof. Ali Adibi not only for being my advisor but also for being my best friend during my Ph.D. He trained me to be an independent researcher and imbibed me with the sense of confidence to search for solutions with hope and patience. I am thankful to him for all of his encouragement, advice, and support. He is a smart researcher, skillful teacher, honest consultant and an overall supportive person. One can rarely satisfy him as he usually expects more and better. I am happy to have known and worked with him; it was one of the golden opportunities of my life. I would like to also sincerely thank his wife, Mrs. Samineh Salimi, for all her hospitality and kindness over the years. I am also grateful for collaboration with several elite professors during my Ph.D. research. I appreciate helpful discussions I have had with Prof. for their friendship and support. I will never forget the fun times we had together. I am also thankful to my vi colleague and roommate Saeed Mohammadi who is a polite, kind, and honest person. In addition, I would like to acknowledge some of my other friends at Georgia Tech with whom I spent valuable time: Dr. I believe that I have had outstanding teachers who always motivated me to be better. Among them, two have deeply influenced my personality: Mr. Seyyed Jafar Tahavvori, my teacher in middle school, and Mr. Naser Kazemi, my teacher in Alavi High School. I will always be indebted to them. I am also thankful to all of my friends and teachers at Alavi High School with whom I share many good memories. I never been happier than at Alavi in my life, and I am really fond of Alavi's staff and environment. Moreover, I would like to thank my Quantum Optics teacher, Prof. Brian Kennedy of the School of Physics at Georgia Tech whose teaching style impressed me the most. I have taken more courses with him than with any other professor. I am also thankful to Prof. and Computer Engineering at Georgia Tech who are both skillful and professional instructors, and my undergraduate teacher Prof. Jawad Salehi of the School of Electrical Engineering at Sharif University of Technology who gave me the vision and inspiration …
A Systematic Review of the Research on Gifted Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder

This article includes a current research synthesis on a subpopulation of twice exceptional individuals, those who are academically talented with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This population is emerging as an increasing focus of research, as the numbers of individuals identified are increasing. A total of 32 articles were included using the study’s inclusion criteria, and of these 32 articles, 62.5% presented data, whereas the remaining 37.5% were review or conceptual articles. This review of articles published between 1996 and 2019 suggests little research is being conducted on this population. Some of the research conducted recently involve case studies, others are correlational in nature, and most are descriptive, focusing on participants’ characteristics and how they were identified. A wide range of definitions were utilized in the literature, and to date, no empirical research has been published about this population. Implications from the current research base and suggestions for future research are included.
Reliability of SSPA's and TWTA's

Two extensive communication satellite reliability studies were conducted in 1991 and 1993. These studies permitted a direct 'in-orbit' comparison at C-band between a thermionic electron device /spl lsqb/TWT/TWTA/spl rsqb/ and a solid state device /spl lsqb/GaAs MESFET/SSPA/spl rsqb/. Excellent performance, lifetimes and reliabilities for both types of microwave power amplifiers were obtained. However, surprisingly, both studies registered higher failure rates for SSPA's than TWTA's. >
A Mixed-Methods Study of the Impact of Mild Cognitive Impairment Diagnosis on Patient and Care Partner Perception of Health Risks.

BACKGROUND Older patients (≥65 years) with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are undertreated for cardiovascular disease (CVD). One reason for this disparity could be that patients with MCI might underestimate the chances of CVD and overestimate dementia. OBJECTIVE To compare conceptions of health risk between older patients with MCI and normal cognition (NC) and their care partners. METHODS We conducted a multi-center mixed-methods study of patient-care partner dyads completing written quantitative surveys (73% response rate; 127 dyads: 66 MCI and 61 NC) or semi-structured interviews (20 dyads: 11 MCI, and 9 NC). Surveys assessed two-year patient risks of dementia, heart attack, stroke, and fall. Interviews assessed similar health risks and reasons for risk perceptions. RESULTS On surveys, a similarly low proportion of MCI and NC patients felt they were at risk of stroke (5% versus 2% ; p = 0.62) and heart attack (2% versus 0% ; p = 0.99). More MCI than NC patients perceived dementia risk (26% versus 2% ; p < 0.001). Care partners' survey findings were similar. Interviews generally confirmed these patterns and also identified reasons for future health concerns. For both MCI and NC dyads, personal experience with cognitive decline or CVD (personal or family history) increased concerns about each disease. Additionally, perceptions of irreversibility and lack of treatment for cognitive decline increased concern about dementia. CONCLUSION Less use of CVD treatments in MCI seems unlikely to be driven by differential perceptions of CVD risk. Future work to improve awareness of CVD risks in older patients and dementia risk in patients with MCI are warranted.
Beam buildup in a DEMATRON amplifier

The operation of an RF triggered cold-cathode crossed-field amplifier is briefly described, and the problem is posed of how the beam builds up, since it is necessary for it to remain in an inherently debunching phase region for more than 20 successive impacts on the cathode. A partial answer is provided by numerical calculations showing that the velocity of a repeatedly impacting beam differs from E/B in a way which introduces a new phase-focusing mechanism. It is found that buildup can also occur without exact synchronism over a range of calculated voltages which agree closely with measurement. The principles of two computer programs are described, one covering the buildup region of negligible space charge, and the other the transition and power-generating regions where space charge becomes important. Quantitative conclusions are drawn concerning the velocity and direction of impacts on the cathode, which vary markedly as the space charge density changes.
Effect of Protection of Soybean Meal Using Mahogany Leaf Extract in Ruminant Diet on Rumen Fermentation Products

<p class="abstrak3"><span lang="IN">The study </span><span>was </span><span lang="IN">aimed to examine effect of protecting soybean meal using mahogany leaf extract on rumen fermentation products in vitro. The material used was cow rumen fluid, basal ration consisting of concentrate and elephant grass with a ratio of 60:40%, and mahogany leaves. The research was carried out in three stages: mahogany extraction, protein protection using mahogany extract, and in vitro stages. The test was conducted in vitro </span><span>based on</span><span lang="IN"> a completely randomized design (CRD). The treatments consisted of 4 kinds of soybean meal protection with 0% tannin concentration (</span><span>T</span><span lang="IN">0); 1.5% (</span><span>T</span><span lang="IN">1); 3% (</span><span>T</span><span lang="IN">2); and 4.5% (</span><span>T</span><span lang="IN">3). </span><span>D</span><span lang="IN">ata obtained were analyzed by analysis of variance and tested using orthogonal polynomials. </span><span>R</span><span lang="IN">esults showed that addition of protected soybean meal with mahogany leaf extract had a cubic</span><span>al</span><span lang="IN"> effect on partial VFA, methane gas and post-rumen dissolved protein, a quadratic effect on protozoa, and a linear effect</span><span>on </span><span lang="IN">N-NH<sub>3</sub>, SPM, and RUDP. Giving extra mahogany leaves at a level of 1.5% produced a fermented product that was not different from the control while giving a level of 3% got the highest fermentation product. Giving mahogany leaf extract at a level of 4.5% resulted in the highest SPM, and RUDP but there was a decrease in soluble protein, which indicated the occurrence of overprotection. The addition of 3% mahogany leaf extract effectively increased rumen fermentation products, RUDP, and soluble protein without disturbing the activity of rumen bacteria. </span></p>
II-3 the effects of bulk traps on the performance of bulk channel charge-coupled devices

The effects of bulk traps on the transfer effciency and transfer noise in bulk channel charge-coupled devices (BCCD's) are calculated for different charge packet sizes and operating frequencies. These predictions are compared with experimental results and the distribution and density of bulk states in actual devices are thereby measured. The measured low transfer inefficiency of 10-4per transfer with no intentionally introduced background charge and low transfer noise are shown to be due to a low bulk state density of 2 × 1011/cm3. A detailed comparison of estimated noise in both surface and bulk channel versions of an image sensor and an analog delay line show that BCCD's are very attractive for low-light level imaging but not as attractive for analog signal processing.
Psilocybin microdosing does not affect emotion-related symptoms and processing: A preregistered field and lab-based study

Background: Microdoses of psychedelics (i.e. a sub-hallucinogenic dose taken every third day) can reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress according to anecdotal reports and observational studies. Research with medium to high doses of psilocybin points towards potential underlying mechanisms, including the modulation of emotion and interoceptive processing. Aims: In this preregistered study, we investigated whether psilocybin microdoses alter self-reported interoceptive awareness and whether repeated microdosing over 3 weeks modulates emotion processing and reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression. Methods: We used a double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subject crossover design. Participants completed the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness Questionnaire 1½ h after self-administering their second dose (or placebo), and the emotional go/no-go task and the shortened Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 1½ h after self-administering their seventh dose. Results: Our confirmatory analyses revealed that psilocybin microdosing did not affect emotion processing or symptoms of anxiety and depression compared with placebo. Our exploratory analyses revealed that psilocybin microdosing did not affect self-reported interoceptive awareness, that symptoms of depression and stress were significantly reduced in the first block compared with baseline, that participants broke blind in the second block and that there was no effect of expectations. Further research in a substance-naïve population with clinical range anxiety and depressive symptoms is needed to substantiate the potential beneficial effects of microdosing.
A new method to characterize border traps in submicron transistors using hysteresis in the drain current

In this paper, a new method for measuring border trap density (n/sub BT/) in submicron transistors using hysteresis in the drain current is proposed. This method is used to measure energy and spatial distribution of border traps in jet vapor deposited (JVD) metal-silicon nitride-semiconductor field effect transistors (MNSFETs). The drain current transient varies linearly with logarithmic time suggesting that tunneling to and from the spatially uniform border traps is the dominant charge exchange mechanism. Using a feedback mechanism gate voltage transients are obtained from which n/sub BT/ is calculated. The prestress energy distribution in JVD MNSFETs is found to be uniform whereas the post-stress energy distribution shows a peak near the midgap.
Communication Performance vs. Implementation Trade-offs of Interpolation Techniques for FFT-Based Carrier Synchronization exemplified on DVB-RCS2

Abstract. Carrier synchronization is a crucial part of any wireless receiver, which is required due to frequency and phase offset. In case of transmission in a Time Division Multiple Access system the carrier synchronization has to be carried out for every burst separately. The DVB-RCS2 standard specifies a large variety of reference burst types with very limited known symbols. For each of these types a thorough exploration of different synchronization algorithms is required to find a trade-off between a good communication performance at very low Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) and an efficient hardware implementation. A state-of-the-art algorithm for carrier synchronization is based on the so called Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT). An inherit limitation for the precision of frequency estimation is given by the FFT point size. To counteract this limitation, the FFT point size must be increased. In this paper we extensively compare two possible interpolation techniques for FFT results in three FFT-based carrier synchronization methods. These are applied to various reference burst types specified in the DVB-RCS2 standard. The trade-offs of these combinations are identified with a special focus on hardware implementation efficiency. Furthermore, we present a flexible IP core which can process the three synchronization methods in an efficient way and analyze its implementation complexity and throughput on a Xilinx Kintex FPGA.