Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
'The Micro-Doppler Effect in Radar' by V.C. Chen

This is a book review of 'The Micro-Doppler Effect in Radar' by V. C. Chen. Artech House, 16 Sussex Street, London, SW1V 4RW, UK. 2011. 290pp + diskette. Illustrated. £90. ISBN 978-1-60807-057-2.
Curves - what a drag!

It is well known that tight curves add significantly to the effort required to haul a train up a grade. Simple formulas for calculating the additional resistance for vehicles on a curve such as in AAR RP-548 assume resistance is a function of radius only. However, train performance simulations using this formula may badly underestimate the resistance on grades with tight curve radii, to the point where a train may stall while the simulation predicts it will easily climb the grade. This is of particular relevance in Australia where long, heavy trains operate on tightly curved track. A program has been developed which includes other variables in calculating curve resistance, i.e. the effect of travelling at less than the balance speed on canted track, and tension in couplers. Both these effects pull the wheels against the inside rail. Comparisons are made between predicted performance and measured tractive effort and speed measured on grades such as Cowan Bank and the Adelaide Hills.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (―BCBSA‖) – representing the 39 independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield ―Plans‖ that collectively provide health coverage for more than 99 million members, or one in three Americans – appreciates the opportunity to submit comments on the Amended Interim Final Rules (the ―Rule‖) for Group Health Plans and Health Insurance Issuers Relating to Internal Claims and Appeals and External Review Processes Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) as issued in the Federal Register on June 24, 2011 (76 Fed. Reg. 37208), and on the contemporaneous Technical Release 2011-02.
Severity indices for motorcyclist collisions with roadside hazards and barriers

Roadside barriers are often deployed between road users and fixed hazards to protect users from injury. However, the Australian Roadside Design Guide (ARDG) does not consider motorcyclists in the risk-based decision process for the deployment of a barrier, since the severity indices for barriers and fixed hazards were developed for passenger vehicles. The provision of a safe road environment for all road users, including motorcyclists, is an objective of all road authorities, and is the basis of the Safe Systems approach. Therefore, there is a need to determine the risk of injury to motorcyclists from fixed objects and barriers, and to provide guidance to roadside designers. The aim of the present study is to develop severity indices for motorcyclists applicable to the ARDG. The study used a retrospective case series methodology, using linked police-reported road crash and hospital admission data in New South Wales, from 2001 to 2009. A total of 1,364 motorcyclists injured as a result of single-vehicle collisions with roadside barriers, trees, utility poles and other fixed roadside infrastructure were identified. Serious injury rates and logistic regression were used to develop severity indices and calculate relative risks of trees, posts, utility poles and roadside barriers to motorcyclists. It is shown that roadside barriers are generally safer for motorcyclists than the hazards that they shield. The methodology used for developing the severity indices was aligned with that used for passenger vehicles recently developed by other authors, such that a consistent approach may be proposed for the ARDG.
Role of Modeling When Designing for Absolute Energy Use Intensity Requirements in a Design-Build Framework: Preprint

The Research Support Facility was designed to use half the energy of an equivalent minimally code-compliant building, and to produce as much renewable energy as it consumes on an annual basis. These energy goals and their substantiation through simulation were explicitly included in the project's fixed firm price design-build contract. The energy model had to be continuously updated during the design process and to match the final building as-built to the greatest degree possible. Computer modeling played a key role throughout the design process and in verifying that the contractual energy goals would be met within the specified budget. The main tool was a whole building energy simulation program. Other models were used to provide more detail or to complement the whole building simulation tool. Results from these specialized models were fed back into the main whole building simulation tool to provide the most accurate possible inputs for annual simulations. This paper will detail the models used in the design process and how they informed important program and design decisions on the path from preliminary design to the completed building.
Board Independence and Long-Term Firm Performance: The Initial Quest of Effective Board Paradigm - A Survey Based on Nonlinear Regression Equation Modeling

We investigate the relationship between board independence and firm’s long-term performance, as measured by Tobin’s q. In a longitudinal sample of 1,143 firms in the S&P 1500 list from 1997 through 2006, we find some evidence of a significant nonlinear relationship. Two of three nonlinear models we hypothesized have been supported, one is inverted U-shaped, and other is steeple-shaped, that means q first increases, then declines as board independence rises. Thus, the controversy between conventional wisdom and Bhagat and Black (2001) is merged into a complementary model by this work. Unfortunately, the three-stage model cannot be conducted as a similar relation.
Supporting Decisions on Regression test Scoping in a Software Product Line Context - from Evidence to Practice

Large software organizations with a product line development approach face many challenges regarding testing. Test managers need to make tradeoffs along three dimensions of repeated testing (abstraction level, time and product space) and consider a range of goals and constraints. In order to keep pace with the decreased development time for new products, which is enabled by the systematic reuse, selective testing of product variants is necessary. A common industrial practice is to base test scoping decisions on practitioners’ expertise and experience. However, as software systems grow in size and complexity, the combinatorial explosion of test possibilities makes it infeasible to assess the reasonableness of the decisions without tool support. Research on regression test selection propose several systematic strategies for setting a proper test scope when verifying changes of previously tested code. The goal of our research is to improve test management and reduce the amount of redundant testing in the product line context by applying regression test selection strategies. However, despite extensive research on regression testing, gained knowledge has not impacted on industry practices. Thus a secondary goal of our research is to bridge the gap between research and practice in the field of regression testing. Test planning support, like any decision support system, must operate in a complex context and need to be pragmatic, adapted to the context and evolve incrementally within the context. This thesis explores state of art and state of practice of regression testing and software product line testing, and proposes and evaluates a visualization strategy to support regression test scoping in the product line context. Two extensive systematic literature reviews are conducted as well as four empirical studies in close cooperation with industry. Through visualization of relevant information at a proper level of detail, test management in general may be supported. A visual analytics tool for test management would also provide a framework which enables research based and context specific regression testing improvements. (Less)
Wild Animals Used as Food Source in the Region of the Serra do Conduru State Park – PESC, Bahia, Brazil

Background: The consumption of wild animals through hunting performs an essential role in human eating habits in different tropical areas. However, the frequent and consistent use of hunting is indicated as one of the main causes of extinction and/or population decline in various species. Thus, the present study aimed to identify the wild animals used as food source in five locations in the region of the Serra do Conduru State Park, Bahia, Brazil.Methods: The field survey was carried out from June 2016 to July 2017 by conducting semi-structured interviews, complemented by informal conversations with 45 hunters (44 men and one women), who provided information on hunted species, the purpose of hunting, capture techniques, and other aspects of hunting. We characterized the composition of the species used for feeding in the five locations through permutation multivariate analyses of variance. Generalized linear models were built to assess whether the socio-demographic variables of the hunters affect the number of captured species.Results: A total of 67 species (34 families and 22 orders) of hunting importance were registered in the region, 41 of which are captured for eating. The taxa most represented were: mammals (32), birds (21), reptiles (13) and amphibia (1). Pecari tajacu, Dasypus novemcinctus, and Cuniculus paca are the most hunted species for food. Hunters who still reside within the conservation unit capture a greater number of wild animals. Older hunters and hunters with a smaller family size hunt more species. The rifle and domestic dogs are the most used techniques in the region.Conclusion: The results demonstrate that illegal hunting is a practice that still occurs in the region of the Serra do Conduru State Park. This reinforces the need for measures aimed at the conservation of hunted species, especially those found to be under some degree of threat in nature. Future research is necessary to estimate the pressure hunting exerts on the region and to assess its impact on local fauna.
A RE-AIM Evaluation of a multi-modal real-world intervention for dementia risk reduction

Background This implementation study evaluated a novel community-based Memory Wellness Program targeting dementia risk reduction through increasing health knowledge and health promoting behaviours in older adults. The nurse-led eight-week program involved the following behaviour change strategies: goal-setting, education, group activity, and introduction to the use of iPads and Misfit activity trackers. The multi-model program was delivered in a realworld setting using pop-up clinics run by a Registered Nurse, across 18 different sites. Methods Using a quasi-experimental mixed methods design, and a RE-AIM framework, the study evaluated the reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation and maintenance of the MWP. A total of 179 older adults aged 65 years and over participated in the evaluation across eighteen locations in three states and a territory of Australia. Paired t-tests were carried out on all pretest-posttest clinical data. In-depth interviews were conducted with seventeen participants and staff. Results Engagement in the program was associated with improved cognition, lowered BP and stress and increased engagement with technology. There was a trend towards reduced feelings of loneliness. Participants’ main motivations for undertaking the program were to improve memory, meet new people and improve technology use and computer literacy, with most participants reporting that these goals had been met through the program. The program was effective across multiple sites demonstrating it can successfully be implemented in different contexts and that the range of behaviour change techniques suit a useful multi-modal program. Conclusions This evaluation of a community-based Memory Wellness Program demonstrated increased cognitive function in older adults presenting with concerns about their cognition and memory. The statistically significant results and medium to large effect sizes suggest that further research is warranted to assess the efficacy of multi-modal community-based programs for improving memory and mental health with a focus on dementia risk reduction in older adults.
Advanced CIDI Emission Control System Development

Ford Motor Company, with ExxonMobil and FEV, participated in the Department of Energy's (DOE) Ultra-Clean Transportation Fuels Program with the goal to develop an innovative emission control system for light-duty diesel vehicles. The focus on diesel engine emissions was a direct result of the improved volumetric fuel economy (up to 50%) and lower CO2 emissions (up to 25%) over comparable gasoline engines shown in Europe. Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) with aqueous urea as the NOx reductant and a Catalyzed Diesel Particulate Filter (CDPF) were chosen as the primary emission control system components. The program expected to demonstrate more than 90% durable reduction in particulate matter (PM) and NOx emissions on a light-duty truck application, based on the FTP-75 drive cycle. Very low sulfur diesel fuel (<15 ppm-wt) enabled lower PM emissions, reduced fuel economy penalty due to the emission control system and improved long-term system durability. Significant progress was made toward a durable system to meet Tier 2 Bin 5 emission standards on a 6000 lbs light-duty truck. A 40% reduction in engine-out NOx emissions was achieved with a mid-size prototype diesel engine through engine recalibration and increased exhaust gas recirculation. Use of a rapid warm-up strategy and urea SCR provided over 90% further NOx reduction while the CDPF reduced tailpipe PM to gasoline vehicle levels. Development work was conducted to separately improve urea SCR and CDPF system durability, as well as improved oxidation catalyst function. Exhaust gas NOx and ammonia sensors were also developed further. While the final emission control system did not meet Tier 2 Bin 5 NOx after 120k mi of aging on the dynamometer, it did meet the standards for HC, NMOG, and PM, and an improved SCR catalyst was shown to have potential to meet the NOx standard, assuming the DOC durability could be improved further. Models of DOC and SCR function were developed to guide the study of several key design factors for SCR systems and aid in the development of urea control strategy for maximum NOx reduction with minimum NH3 slip. A durable co-fueling system was successfully built and tested, with the help of service station nozzle and dispenser manufacturers, for simultaneous delivery of diesel fuel and aqueous urea to the vehicle. The business case for an aqueous urea infrastructure in the US for light-duty vehicles was explored.
Speaking spontaneously : an examination of the University of Cumbria approach to the teaching of modern foreign languages

Communicative Language Teaching in the modem foreign languages (MFL) curriculum in English schools has become the norm and yet is relatively under-theorised. This thesis sets out to explore through an in-depth case study of one school, the theory and practice of a model of CLT developed by the University of Cumbria. Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) in English secondary schools typically involves pupils learning to communicate around set topics, for example 'holidays. ' Activities such as role plays and listening exercises focus on this topic language. However, despite this communicative focus, studies have shown pupils lack confidence, creativity and spontaneity in speaking and interacting in the target language. Modem foreign languages lessons which employ the University of Cumbria Approach (UCA) immediately strike the observer as being different. The teacher and pupils speak the target language almost exclusively, with constant interaction in the target language. Lessons feature songs, mimes, a team competition, and competitive activities and are well-paced and dynamic. More traditional lessons may feature these, but rarely together. This study set out to identify if the UCA had a unique combination of features, through transcription and analysis of lesson observations and interviews with pupils and teachers. The most striking feature of the lessons was pupils' use of the target language: spontaneous, fluent, playful, argumentative, often not about the lesson's focus but about apparently trivial matters. Pupils clearly had things they wanted to communicate in the here and now. The first central conclusion of this study is that pupils were beginning to engage in spontaneous, unpredictable, real-time conversation in the classroom. The second main conclusion is that the teacher is key in creating the conditions for this to happen. She promotes and facilitates this conversation through management of both the target language and the creation of a communicative classroom context. Finally, it is argued that the DCA is unique in that it is a form of CLT which combines product (pupils learn the target language) with process (pupils engage in spontaneous, interactive communication). The two combine to create a rich and dynamic learning experience.
Ensoulment and Sustainable Interaction Design

This paper considers the concept of ensoulment in relation to the design principle of promoting quality & equality within Sustainable Interaction Design (SID). The design-theoretic origins and implications are discussed and the background needed to understand this concept and principle are stated. Appropriate design research methods are discussed. Parts of a completed survey are described and initial findings from an ongoing elicitation study for collecting personal inventories is also presented. The implications of the survey and elicitation study for larger scale design research are described, with an eye towards future research.
Effectiveness of a Seat Pad in Reducing Back Pain in Long-Distance Drivers Deployed to Kuwait, October 2008-May 2009

Abstract : The Skydex(R) seat pad was tested to see if it could reduce low back pain (LBP) among drivers performing long-distance driving missions from Kuwait into Iraq. One group of military drivers received the seat pads (SP group), while another did not (NSP group). Questionnaires were administered before the seat pads were issued and about 6 months after the seat pads were issued. Soldiers also completed a survey after each driving mission that asked them to rate their back pain (1O-point scale, 1= low pain, 10=extreme pain) before and after their driving missions. The study initially included 53 NSP Soldiers and 45 SP Soldiers, but loss to follow-up resulted in 13 NSP Soldiers and 43 SP Soldiers available for analysis. Questionnaire responses before and after issuing the seat pads indicated that more NSP Soldiers reported LBP in the 6-month period after the seat pads were issued (intervention period) compared with the 6-month period before the seat pads were issued (preintervention period). In contrast, more Soldiers in the SP group reported LBP during the pre-intervention period (compared with the NSP group), but during the intervention period, that number declined or remained the same. On the mission surveys, the NSP group doubled their subjective rating of back pain after the missions (2.4? 1.7 to 4.9? 2.2), while the SP group had identical before and after mission ratings (3.0? 2.7 versus 3.0? 2.8) (interaction p<0.01).
Constructional design, manufacturing and evaluation of high power density medium frequency transformer prototypes

The aim of this project is to manufacture and test two 60 kW, 1.2/3.6 kV, 6 kHz 46/28 μH prototype transformers. • Based on the prepared high power medium frequency transformers’ design data, the constructional design of two prototype transformers is performed. During the constructional design, determination of the type, shape and volume of the suitable magnetic, thermally conductive and dielectric materials available in the market was done. The materials were bought and processed, and two prototype transformers were manufactured. The important technical data regarding the insulation characteristics of insulation materials was examined at nominal wave shape and frequency considered for the transformer application and the insulation coordination of the transformers was updated accordingly. At the same time, to prepare for the design validation tests, evaluation of the available high voltage, high current and medium frequency square wave shape supplies and the voltage and current measuring equipment was performed. The transformers were subjected to a set of design validation tests and the results were recorded, analysed and compared with the calculated values. • Key Words: Solid state transformer, Medium frequency Power transformer, DC-DC converter, DC grid collection, Transformer testing and design validation
Probabilistic Design of Midship Panel based on Model scale compressive Ice Test

This thesis is investigating compressive ice loads acting on the mid- ship using a model experiment performed in Aalto ice tank where a tactile sensor was mounted on the side. In order to get insight in the very complex behavior of ice; the sea ice growth, mechanical prop- erties and failure mechanisms are presented. Further some previous work on the topic is presented, with discussion, in addition to regula- tions on local ice loads and structure requirements. The execution of the experiment is described, and the method for processing the data and based on this data using probabilistic design to design a midship panel. For datasets where the interaction area is semi-continuous a new event denition is proposed, based on temporal events consisting of spatial events. The maximum event method developed by [Jordaan et al., 1993] is applied in sampling data from the new temporal events. Data is sampled for increasing area sizes corresponding to number of connected triggered censor cells. The data is adjusted for exposure in order to have a standardized curve corresponding to the area in ques- tion. An exponential distribution is tted to the tail of the data, and presented in a Weibull probability plot. The parameters of the distri- butions, x0 and are functions of area. Assuming the area is acting in a line corresponding to the span of a longitudinally framed panel, and given a return period and a scenario, a design load is predicted. Based on this load, scantlings of a panel is recommended which also complies with Finnish-Swedish ice class rules. The integrity of the structure is checked using Monte Carlo analysis. To get more insight into the data set, a local pressure area curve, and an average pressure over total measured contact area relationship is presented for the entire data set, as well as spatial and process pressure area curves and pressure history for the biggest load event and the biggest pressure event.
Improving UAV Handling Qualities Using Time Delay Compensation

Abstract : This research investigated control loop time delay and its effect on UAV handling qualities. Compensation techniques to improve handling qualities in the presence of varying amounts of time delay were developed and analyzed. One technique was selected and successfully flight-tested on a UAV. Flight-testing occurred at a constant flight condition with varying levels of additional time delay introduced into the control loop. Research pilots performed a pitch tracking task and gave Cooper-Harper ratings and comments. Tracking errors were used as a quantitative measure of Pilot/Display/UAV system performance. Predictive pitch compensation was found to significantly reduce pilot workload and improve Cooper-Harper ratings. Using the predictive display doubled the amount of system time delay that research pilots could tolerate while tracking the task bars. Overall system tracking performance, however, was not improved. Parameter variations of +/- 20% in the aerodynamic model used to generate the predictive display produced statistically significant, although not operationally significant, changes in both pilot opinion and performance. Analysis of flight test data and follow-on simulations resulted in predictor improvements that increased predictor accuracy to the point of restoring system tracking performance to equal that of the system with no additional time delay.