Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Objectives and performance in construction projects

This paper considers the problems associated with the identification and use of project-related objectives held by a project-owning, client organization. It is argued that the evaluation of projects, contractors, professionals or procurement methods solely on the extent to which client objectives are achieved is problematic. Difficulties include setting objectives at an appropriate level, allowing for uncertainty and inter dependencies between objectives, and measuring the achievement of objectives. Proper evaluation and improvements in performance require an examination not just of project objectives but also of the processes involved in pursuing them.
European Carbon Uptake has Not Benefited From Vegetation Greening

Substantial evidences indicate a widespread increase in European vegetation greenness since the 1980s due to CO2 fertilization effects (eCO2) and climate warming, but the impact of this process on the regional terrestrial carbon cycle has not been systematically evaluated. Using empirical models based on eddy covariance and process‐based models, we found that the widespread greening did not contribute to an increase in European carbon uptake (decrease in net ecosystem exchange) with a non‐significant trend from 2000 to 2018. The greening‐associated increase in gross primary productivity (GPP) is offset by the simultaneous increase in ecosystem respiration (TER). Moreover, frequent heatwaves cause stronger reductions in GPP than TER, preventing the increase of carbon uptake. These results reveal the double‐edged sword effect of warming on European ecosystems and will help constrain regional models.
Implementation of a three-level rectifier for power factor correction

In this paper, a new single-phase switching mode rectifier (SMR) for three-level pulse width modulation (PWM) is proposed to achieve high input power factor, low current harmonics, low total harmonic distortion (THD) and simple control scheme. The mains circuit of the proposed SMR consists of six power switches, one boost inductor, and two DC capacitors. The control algorithm is based on a look-up table. There are five control signals in the input of the look-up table. These control signals are used to control the power flow of the adopted rectifier, compensate the capacitor voltages for the balance problem, draw a sinusoidal line current with nearly unity power factor, and generate a three-level PWM pattern on the AC side of adopted rectifier. The advantages of using three-level PWM scheme compared with two-level PWM scheme are using low voltage stress of power switches, decreasing input current harmonics, and reducing the conduction losses. The performances of the proposed multilevel SMR are measured and shown in this paper. The high power factor and low harmonic currents at the input of the rectifier are verified by software simulations and experimental results from a laboratory prototype.
Understanding knowledge and perceptions of genome editing technologies: a textual analysis of major agricultural stakeholder groups

The promise of CRISPR-Cas9 (CRISPR) genomic editing applied to agriculture is promoted widely by scientists. We utilized textual analysis methods to compare perceptions of this innovation held by various stakeholder groups — scientists, policymakers, farmers, and the general public. Results reveal distinctions in the semantic structure and concepts emphasized across groups. Scientists and policymakers exhibited a high level of technical sophistication while emphasizing the potential societal benefits, while farmers and the general public focused on perceived personal benefits and familiarity with the issue. These results will aid development of message strategies bridging the gap between the scientific community and key publics.
An evaluation of the impact of commercial whale watching on humpback whales, Megaptera novaeangliae, in Newfoundland and Labrador, and of the effectiveness of a voluntary code of conduct as a management strategy

Despite its reputation as an eco-tourist activity, there are concerns that the growing, often unregulated whale-watching industry may be impacting cetaceans. In 2001, a voluntary Code of Conduct for tour boat operators was introduced in Newfoundland and Labrador to minimize any such impacts. -- The objectives of the present study were to test the feasibility of this new code as a management strategy, to explore the educational value of whale watching for passengers, to evaluate the effects of tour boat activity on whales, and to assess the effectiveness of code guidelines. The study was carried out in Witless Bay, the island's most popular whale-watching locale. Data were collected through operator surveys, passenger questionnaires, and observations of whale behaviour (and tour boat activities) from land, tour boats, independent research vessel, and via VHF-TDR tags. -- Operator compliance with the code was found to be low (about 25% of trips), as operators tended to control the interaction with animals and frequently entered the 100 m exclusion zone. Passengers did not seem capable of enforcing the code, as they did not know the specific rules and were inclined to interpret operator behaviour benignly. -- The educational value of whale watching was low. Formal educational deliveries developed by the investigators proved to be more effective in delivering knowledge about whale biology and the Code of Conduct. No post-trip increase in environmental awareness was detected. -- Behavioural responses of humpbacks to tour boats included the adoption of a short-range horizontal avoidance strategy and higher frequencies of some surface activities. Compliance with the code was found to have little effect, possibly reducing responses such as trumpet blowing and tail slashes, but it did not have an influence on the horizontal response. -- When boat disturbance increased (i.e. more boats and/or more code infractions), whales' blow intervals changed, indicating possible shifts of behavioural patterns (from foraging to travelling). This suggests that tour boat operators, by respecting the code or by maintaining a low number of infractions, may limit disturbance to the whales and the probability of animals swimming away from the food source. -- Recommendations for increasing the effectiveness of whale watching management in Newfoundland and Labrador are provided.
Is the gluten-free and casein-free diet efficacious in the treatment of childhood autism spectrum disorder?

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a set of heterogeneous neurodevelopmental conditions, characterized by early-onset difficulties in social communication as well as repetitive and unusually restricted behaviors and interests. The treatment of ASD is based primarily on psychoeducational and behavioral interventions. Since the effectiveness of available treatments for ASD is limited, many families search for alternative therapies, such as the gluten-free and casein-free (GFCF) diet. Despite the popularity of the GFCF diet as a supplementary treatment in children with ASD, several rigorous evaluations have failed to confirm its effectiveness. The majority of the available studies examining the efficacy of the GFCF diet are seriously flawed and allow no firm conclusions. The available evidence regarding the effectiveness of the GFCF diet in the treatment of childhood ASD is very weak and cannot be considered promising. The GFCF diet should be used only if an allergy or intolerance to nutritional gluten or casein has been established. The identification of a hypothetical diet-related ASD phenotype may help in selecting children who could benefit from a GFCF dietary intervention. An important consideration is that potentially ineffective therapies may imply considerable opportunity costs, with other possibly more effective treatment approaches remaining unutilized.
A unified lithic taxonomy based on patterns of core reduction

The authors and three students met for workshops on several occasions in Cape Town and Stellenbosch with the goal of defining a taxonomic system for chipped stone artefacts that can be applied to materials from the Early, Middle and Later Stone Age. The motivation for defining a ‘unified taxonomy’ stems from the need to develop a system for classifying multicomponent surface assemblages. The proposed taxonomy revises southern African systems by applying ideas and methods from European approaches to lithic technology. Given that much confusion exists on the classification of cores and core reduction, the lithic workshops focused on this class of artefact. Most of the variation encountered when examining material from Anyskop, Blombos, Geelbek, Hollow Rock Shelter and Klasies River Mouth could be placed within the taxa of Inclined, Parallel and Platform cores. These categories form the basis of the proposed taxonomy with the additional taxa of Initial, Multidirectional, Indeterminate Broken, Bipolar and Other being necessary for a small proportion of the cores that fall outside the range of the three main taxa. Blind tests using assemblages of cores from Blombos, Geelbek and Anyskop yielded a satisfactory degree of reproducibility and lend credibility to the proposed taxonomy. This paper also considers other key variables of cores including: the morphology of end products, degree of reduction, numbers of striking and removal surfaces, and degree of platform preparation.
Analisi della realizzazione della politica infrastrutturale degli enti locali

Analisi della realizzazione della politica infrastrutturale degli enti locali (di Alessandro Fontana e Francesca Petrina) - ABSTRACT: In this paper local governments’ investments in infrastructure financed by the Cassa Depositi e Prestiti are analysed. More specifically we construct a few indicators dealing with various delays in the implementation of projects. Linear regression is used to analyse the importance of various factors, from which the delays originate. Finally, the prevailing zero cost of the financing seems to be the main cause of the inefficiencies in the implementation of projects. JEL R53
Mechanics of Impact of a Falling Fruit on a Cushioned Surface

ABSTRACT THIS paper presents the theoretical aspects of the mechanics of impact of a falling fruit on soft cushioned surfaces. A simple graphical procedure follows the proposed solution for selecting an appropriate cushioning material for a fruit catching platform. Experimental results are provided to verify the theo-retical solution for the case of some selected fruits such as apples. For this verification, the mechanical proper-ties of the fruit and the cushioning materials were needed to be determined under both static and impact conditions.
Potential mechanisms for construction innovation

Construction presents important opportunities for innovation. Current competitive conditions and owner demands for cost effectiveness provide strong incentives. Examining mechanisms for innovation rather than barriers to technical progress is one means to stimulate advance. This paper describes several advantages and disadvantages which the construction industry presents for innovation. The advantages include project organization, necessity and challenge, engineering and construction integration, low capital investment, capability and experience of key personnel, process emphasis, and variation in methods. Major disadvantages for construction include investment reluctance, competitive conditions, institutional framework, seasonal and economic cyclicity, and the role of suppliers. Based on these conditions, a set of hypotheses is developed (project demands, individual initiative, construction input to design, and transfer from other industries) concerning possible mechanisms for innovation in construction.
Noise Output and Noise Figure of Biased Millimeter-Wave Detector Diodes

The behavior of a dc biased millimeter-wave detector diode was investigated by theoretical analysis and experimental measurement. The results indicate that because of the nonlinearity of the diode, shot noise appearing across the diode increases with dc biasing. For the same reason conversion gain of the detector increases with bias. The increase in gain is faster than the increase in noise for a certain range of bias current. Thus the noise figure of the diode detector and its minimum detectable signal are decreased.
Reduced-periodicity subspace-based blind adaptive decorrelating and MMSE detectors for multirate CDMA

We present reduced-periodicity subspace-based blind adaptive decorrelating and MMSE detectors for synchronous variable spreading length (VSL) multirate DS-CDMA systems. These detectors trade off the maximum attainable SIR (signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio) and the convergence speed of the detector and are low-complexity alternatives to the blind decorrelating and MMSE detectors that process the multirate signal at the rate of the lowest-data-rate user. In addition, we present very simple subspace-based proofs of some key results obtained for dual-rate multiuser detectors.
COSMIC FP method in software development estimation using artificial neural networks based on orthogonal arrays

This paper proposes a new, improved COmmon Software Measurement International Consortium function point (COSMIC FP) method that uses Artificial Neural Network (ANN) architectures based on Taguchi’s Orthogonal Array to estimate software development effort. The minimum magnitude relative error (MRE) to evaluate these architectures considering the cost effect function, the type of data used in the training, testing, and validation of the proposed models, was used. Applying the fuzzification and clustering method to obtain seven different datasets, we would like to achieve excellent reliability and accuracy of the obtained results. Besides examining the influence of four input values, we aim to reduce the risks of potential errors, increase the coverage of a wide range of different projects and increase the efficiency and success of completing many various software projects. The main contributions of our work are as follows: the influence of four input values of the COSMIC FP method on the change of mean (MRE), development of two simple ANN architectures, the attainment of a small number of performed iterations in software effort estimation (less than 7), reduced software effort estimation time, the use of different values of the International Software Benchmarking Standards Group and other datasets used in the experiment.
Alteration of the Pharmacokinetics of Theophylline by Paullinia cupana Kunth in Rats

Aims: Paullinia cupana Kunth has been popularly used to prepare different beverages by the µg. h/mL). On the other hand, drug clearance was higher in treated subjects (2.44 ± 0.4 and 7.27 ± 0.7 L/h/kg for 82.1 and 821 mg/Kg, respectively) than controls (0.71 ± 0.0 L/h/kg). Conclusion: Therefore, the multiple oral administration of an aqueous extract of P. cupana caused a significant effect on the pharmacokinetics of TPH in rats.
The role of trunk mains in discolouration

Understanding and managing the causes of drinking water discolouration are key challenges for the worldwide water industry. Discolouration is a major cause of customer contacts, undermining consumer confidence. Despite significant investment in the UK in the last 15 years in replacing/lining cast iron pipes and improving water treatment processes, discolouration continues to be an issue. Evidence is presented suggesting that trunk mains, which have largely been ignored in terms of rehabilitation and maintenance strategies for controlling discolouration, play an important role in discolouration. Three main datasets are presented to evidence this: discolouration-related customer contact data, analysed utilising a novel cluster procedure; results from distribution network flushing studies pre- and post-cleaning of the supplying trunk main; and associated long-term trunk main turbidity and flow data. It is shown that a significant proportion of discolouration events affect multiple areas simultaneously, that .
Proposed UK guidance for lighting in residential roads

This paper reports a proposed new system for specifying illuminances and lamp types for equal visual effects at mesopic illuminances, developed within the mesopic lighting panel of the Institution of Lighting Professionals in the UK. This study is applied in residential streets and thus the visual tasks considered are those relevant for pedestrians. It is proposed that the benchmark lamp for residential streets in the UK is the low-pressure sodium lamp; if other types of lamps are used, and these have a CIE General Colour Rendering Index of Ra ≥ 60, then the average illuminance can be reduced by an amount that is determined using the new CIE system for mesopic photometry and is dependent on the scotopic/photopic ratio of the lamp.
Shot at close range: demeaning, pleasure, and desire in cases of police violence against travestis

In this paper, I seek to analyze how notions of humiliation, disgust and contempt inform "images of brutality" regarding LGBT deaths claimed to have been the result of hate crimes or LGBTphobia. Based on data collected during the monitoring of the LGBTI+ movement’s activities in Paraiba between 2012 and 2016, in-depth interviews with its activists, and access to judicial proceedings related to those deaths, I focus especially on the narratives around: a) a scene of attempted murder provoked by a military police officer who, in a street downtown Joao Pessoa, shot a travesti at close range, one who worked as a prostitute and refused his flirt; and b) the case of the "serial killer of travestis", a military police officer accused of five murders in a town in the countryside of Paraiba. Thereby, my main purpose is to discuss the relevance of demeaning practices for the configuration of what is taken as brutal, including police violence. Above all, I seek to understand the narrative sexualization of the one who demeans, humiliates, feels disgusted and despises others, and whose act of raping or killing is identified as a gesture of pleasure or raises questions about desire.
Determinants of anaemia among women of reproductive age in South Africa: A Healthy Life Trajectories Initiative (HeLTI)

Anaemia continues to be a persistent concern among South African women of reproductive age (WRA), yet population specific information on its determinants remains sparse. We used baseline data from the Healthy Lives Trajectory Initiative a randomised trial (n = 480) to quantify factors associated with anaemia in Soweto, South Africa aged 18–25 years. We used multivariable logistic regression to describe associations with anaemia and used structural equation modelling to assess a theoretical model, which tested three categories socioeconomic status (household asset score, education level), nutritional factors (food security, leafy green vegetable and chicken and beef consumption, iron status and vitamin A status) and biodemographic factors (parity, age at start of menarche, HIV status, contraception use, anthropometry, and inflammation status). The multiple logistic regression showed that ID (OR: 2.62, 95% CI: 1.72, 3.98), iron deficiency erythropoiesis (IDE) (OR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.07, 2.46), and elevated CRP (OR: 1.69, 95% CI: 1.04, 2.76), increased the odds of being anaemic. SEM analysis revealed Hb was directly and positively associated with adjusted ferritin (0.0031 per mg/dL; p≤0.001), and CRP (0.015 per mg/dL; p≤0.05), and directly and negatively associated with soluble transferrin receptor sTfR (-0.042 per mg/dL; p≤0.001). While contraception use had both a direct (0.34; p≤0.05) and indirect (0.11; p≤0.01) positive association with Hb. Additionally, chicken and beef consumption had a positive indirect association with Hb concentrations (0.15; p≤0.05) through adjusted ferritin. Iron deficiency was the main anaemia risk factor in this low resource setting. However, anaemia of inflammation is present. Therefore, we suggest that in our setting, WRA anaemia control programs that include interventions to reduce ID and inflammation should be tested.
Analysis of Stated Preferences for Intermodal Bicycle-Transit Interfaces

One proposed means of increasing use of both transit and bicycles is to replace long automobile trips with “bike and ride” trips. In this study, a stated-preference survey was conducted using hypothetical scenarios within which respondents ranked their preferences for making a work trip by automobile only, park and ride, or bike and ride. The survey addressed numerous potential factors that might influence this choice, including three policy variables that were systematically varied in the scenarios: on-street bicycle facility type, bicycle parking facility type, and bicycle access distance to transit. The survey data are summarized and used to estimate discrete choice models. A nested logit choice model was developed as the preferred model. From this model, inferences are drawn about many factors. Conclusions are drawn about the three main policy variables. In short, the results support the notion that bicycle lockers are the preferred parking facility to increase bike and ride use. The results also indicate that bike lanes are superior to wide curb lanes as an incentive for casual and inexperienced cyclists, but that bike lanes and wide curb lanes are an identical incentive for experienced cyclists.
Control simplification and stress reduction in a modified PWM zero voltage switching pole inverter

This paper discusses a modified PWM zero voltage switching pole inverter which allows for zero voltage switching of the main switch and zero current switching of the auxiliary switch. The proposal features simplified control and reduced auxiliary circuit stress in comparison with the auxiliary-resonant-commutated-pole-inverter (ARCPI). Operation and design aspects of the proposal are detailed in the paper. The proposal is verified by a 4.5 kW IGBT half bridge prototype.
Settlement of ballasted track under traffic loading: Application to transition zones

Transition zones corresponding to the passage from railway tracks on embankment to natural ground or settlement free structures are frequently problematic for maintenance. Changing stiffness of the track and differential settlements are the main causes for the degradation of tracks and foundations at transitions. This paper presents a methodology to predict the settlement of the track due to train loading, applicable to transition zones. The methodology is based on dynamic calculations using a (non-linear) train–track interaction model and an incremental settlement model. Important non-linear aspects in dynamic models for railway transitions are the loss of contact between the sleepers and the ballast and the non-linear constitutive behaviour of the ballast. The settlements are calculated paying attention to the factors that most influence the long-term behaviour of ballast, such as the amplitude of the applied dynamic force and the number of loading cycles. The importance of the dynamic loading from the trains and of the constitutive models used for the trackbed layers is analysed.