Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ACCIDENT RATES AS RELATED TO DESIGN ELEMENTS OF RURAL HIGHWAYS

MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS WERE ANALYZED AS RELATED TO HIGHWAY CLASSES AND DESIGN ELEMENTS TO DETERMINE ACCIDENT RATES FOR THESE CLASSES AND ELEMENTS. A ONE-YEAR STUDY WAS CONDUCTED TO DETERMINE THE ACCIDENT AND SEVERITY RATES FOR VARIOUS HIGHWAY TYPES AND ADT'S. A TWO-YEAR STUDY WAS UNDERTAKEN AFTER THE COMPLETION OF THE FIRST PHASE TO EXTEND THE ACCIDENT AND SEVERITY RATES TO SPECIFIC GEOMETRIC ROADWAY FEATURES. DATA WERE COLLECTED IN THE FIRST PHASE IN CALIFORNIA, LOUISIANA, AND OHIO. DATA, PROCESSED TO BE ANALYZED, WERE COMPOSED OF THE FOLLOWING SEGMENTS OF HIGHWAYS: (1) KNOWN SEGMENT LENGTHS, (2) KNOWN ADT, (3) EACH HOMOGENEOUS WITH RESPECT TO NUMBER OF LANES, MEDIAN, AND ACCESS CONTROL, AND (4) TO EACH WAS AFFIXED THE RECORD OF THE ACCIDENTS WHICH HAD OCCURRED UPON IT DURING THE PERIOD OF YEARS UNDER STUDY. TRADITIONAL ACCIDENT AND SEVERITY RATES WERE CALCULATED FOR: ACCIDENTS PER MILLION VEHICLE- MILES, ONE VEHICLE ACCIDENTS PER MILLION VEHICLE-MILES, INJURY ACCIDENTS PER MILE OF HIGHWAY, ETC. REGRESSION ANALYSIS TECHNIQUES WERE APPLIED TO THE DATA BY THE USE OF A MODEL. DATA ON SPECIFIC GEOMETRIC ELEMENTS OF THE ROADWAY WERE OBTAINED FROM OHIO, CONNECTICUT AND FLORIDA. THESE DATA WERE USED TO EXTEND ACCIDENT AND SEVERITY RATES TO GEOMETRIC ELEMENTS. THESE DATA, AS PROCESSED FOR ANALYSIS, CONSISTED OF THE FOLLOWING: (1) 0.3-MILE HIGHWAY SEGMENTS, EACH WITH KNOWN ADT, (2) EACH HOMOGENEOUS WITH RESPECT TO NUMBER OF LANES, ACCESS CONTROL, AND MEDIAN, (3) EACH CONTAINING KNOWN GEOMETRIC ELEMENTS (CURVATURE, GRADIENT, INTERSECTIONS, AND STRUCTURES), AND (4) TO EACH WAS AFFIXED THE RECORD OF THE ACCIDENTS WHICH HAD OCCURRED UPON IT. STATISTICAL ANALYSES WERE APPLIED TO EACH OF THE SEVERAL HIGHWAY TYPES SUBDIVIDED BY THE GEOMETRIC ELEMENTS FOR EACH ACCIDENT TYPE. RESULTS ARE PRESENTED AS ACCIDENT RATES -- EXPECTED NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS PER 0.3-MILE SEGMENT -- ON PURE SEGMENTS (NO CURVE, NO GRADE, NO INTERSECTIONS, AND NO STRUCTURES) OF A GIVEN HIGHWAY TYPE WITH MULTIPLICATION COEFFICIENTS FOR SEGMENTS CONTAINING GEOMETRIC ELEMENTS OR COMBINATIONS OF ELEMENTS. RESULTS FROM THE FIRST STUDY SHOW THAT 4-LANE HIGHWAYS HAD HIGHER ACCIDENT RATES THAN 2-LANE HIGHWAYS WHEN THERE WAS NO MEDIAN AND NO ACCESS CONTROL. ACCESS CONTROL HAD THE MOST POWERFUL ACCIDENT REDUCING EFFECT, AND PARTIAL CONTROL OF ACCESS WAS PARTIALLY EFFECTIVE. MEDIANS SEEM TO TEND TO DECREASE THE NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS. THE NUMBER OF ONE- VEHICLE ACCIDENTS PER MILLION VEHICLE-MILES (MVM RATES) DECREASED WITH INCREASING ADT AND THE MVM RATE FOR MULTI- VEHICLE ACCIDENTS INCREASED WITH INCREASING ADT.
ACCELERATED PERFORMANCE-RELATED TESTS FOR ASPHALT-AGGREGATE MIXES AND THEIR USE IN MIX DESIGN AND ANALYSIS SYSTEMS

This report provides a brief summary of the processes that led to the selection of performance-related tests to define asphalt-aggregate interactions that result in fatigue, permanent deformation, thermal cracking, aging, and water sensitivity. Inherent in this test selection process was the emphasis on the ability of the tests to measure fundamental material properties that, when incorporated into prediction models, will depend less on empirical correlations than has been traditionally the case. Also included are the results of validation studies for each of the tests and frameworks for the use of the tests in mix design and analysis. Several levels of design are provided for each distress, some of which incorporate reliability concepts.
Materialfasader och förpackningar vid manuell montering i japansk och svensk fordonsindustri

Utformningen av materialexponeringen i manuella monteringssystem med valet av forpackningar och materialfasader ar viktigt for resursforbrukningen. Denna fallstudie visar pa en jamforelse mellan svensk och japansk praxis nar det galler materialhantering pa arbetsstationer. Den japanska praxisen innebar generellt mindre forpackningar som ar komponent- och montorsanpassade, vilka ar placerade i materialfasader som ar annorlunda utformade jamfort med svensk industri idag. Fokus har varit att studera effekterna pa resursforbrukningen genom en forandring av forpackningarnas utformning och materialexponering. De studerade faktorerna har enbart varit materialhanteringsrelaterade inom arbetsstationen; materialfasadernas langd- och ytbehov, montorers gangavstand, tidsforbrukning for materialhantering och fysisk belastning i anslutning till plock ur materialforpackningar. Vi kan konstatera att var studie visar pa stora effektiviseringspotentialer for den svenska industrin genom en annorlunda och japaninspirerad utformning av materialhanteringen inom manuella produktions-system.
Household Food Waste: Exploring the Modern Throw-away Culture in Raub, Pahang, Malaysia

Food waste has formidable harmful consequences for food security, the environment, the economy, and biodiversity loss, making it a worldwide issue that demands immediate action. Reducing the amount of food waste has been deemed critical in Malaysia, thus, this study investigates the factors related to household food wastage with the aims of identifying the level of awareness as well as the causes and effects of food waste among residents of Raub, Pahang. It presents a qualitative research approach to allow the researcher to explore deeper into the area of minimizing household food waste. The findings suggest that the level of awareness and understanding of the impact of food waste on the environment among the households in Raub, Pahang, Malaysia is still low. As the food waste issue is positioned as an “end of pipe”, further initiatives involving more people in the whole food system should be considered as well as awareness since everyone holds the responsibility to reduce waste.
Establishment of subgrade undercut criteria and performance of alternative stabilization measures.

The main objectives of the research work were to develop a systematic approach for determining whether or not undercut is necessary, and to investigate the adequacy of stabilization measures as implemented in conjunction with the undercut approach. The research work encompassed small and large scale laboratory testing, limited field testing using DCP, and numerical analyses and modeling. The following milestones were achieved based on the work performed in this project: i. Establishment of undercut design criteria based on the magnitude of strength and modulus of the subgrade soils. The undercut criteria were based on meeting a deformation limit state of 1 inch for both pumping and rutting, but with the additional requirement that bearing resistance of subgrade is at least twice the applied tire pressure to minimize the potential for rutting. ii. Development of a procedure for the use of DCP to provide input data for undercut criteria on the basis of modulus and strength. The proposed procedures are based on the analysis of the DCP data using wave mechanics and offer the advantage of using the DCP data to discern the need for undercut with depth (by applying the proposed undercut criteria incrementally) at the various phases of design and construction. iii. Development of guidelines for specifying a stabilization measure to achieve adequate subgrade support. Five stabilization measures were investigated through the performance of 22 large scale laboratory tests. These included the use of select fill, aggregate base course (ABC), geogrids with ABC, geotextiles with ABC, and lime stabilization. The performance of each stabilization measure was investigated in the laboratory and through numerical analyses. iv. Demonstrating the applicability of the proposed measures in several field configurations. Four field cases were idealized from actual project sections. The field cases were numerically modeled with the stabilization measures, and observations were made regarding subgrade response under static, proof roll, and cyclic loading. v. Performance of a comparative cost analysis to illustrate the relative cost of each stabilization measure in relation to measured performance (surface deformation). The cost analyses were performed with results presented in a normalized form in an attempt to account for variables such as strength of the stabilization measure and subgrade deformation.
Tracking Public and Private Responses to the COVID-19 Epidemic

This paper examines the determinants of social distancing during the shutdown phase of the COVID-19 epidemic. We classify state and local government actions, and we study multiple proxies for social distancing based on data from smart devices. Mobility fell substantially in all states, even ones that did not adopt major distancing mandates. Most of the fall in mobility occurred prior to the most stringent sanctions against movement, such as stay-at-home laws. However, we find evidence suggesting that state and local policies did have an independent effect on mobility even after the large initial reductions occurred. Event studies show that early and information-focused actions such as first case announcements, emergency declarations, and school closures reduced mobility by 1–5 percent after five days. Between March 1 and April 14, average time spent at home grew from 9.1 hours to 13.9 hours. We find, for example, that without state emergency declarations, hours at home would have been 11.3 hours in April, suggesting that 55 percent of the growth is associated with policy and 45 percent is associated with (non-policy) trends. State and local government actions induced changes in mobility on top of a large and private response across all states to the prevailing knowledge of public health risks.
Numerical modelling of wave penetration in ports

Wave climates in ports can determine the efficiency of port operations to a large extent, so good predictions of them are important. This thesis therefore focusses on the modelling of wave penetration in ports, using several numerical models as well as a physical model. The goal is to compare numerical wave models for the use of wave penetration in ports and to determine application boundaries. An overview of existing classes of numerical wave models and their potential for modelling wave penetration in ports is made first. This leads to the conclusion that mild-slope models, Boussinesq-type models and non-hydrostatic models are probably the most appropriate. From each of these model classes an operational model is chosen (i.e. PHAROS, TRITON and SWASH) for further study. It is demonstrated that these models are all capable of accurately reproducing analytical solutions for linear shoaling and diffraction. These two wave processes are, together with reflection, identified as crucial for wave propagation in harbours. Differences between these models are pointed out as well. Most notable are the differences in underlying equations, schematisations of boundaries and computational efficiency. To be able to study the performance of operational numerical models for wave penetration in ports, in scenarios that are more realistic than analytical benchmark test cases, measurements from a physical model are used. The physical model represents a typical seaport, is schematised to facilitate numerical modelling, uses three layouts with increasing complexity, and is subjected to a large variety of wave conditions. The physical modelling is carried out at Deltares in the framework of one of their projects and the produced dataset will become freely available. A selection of the 57 scale model tests are analysed in detail and numerically simulated using PHAROS, TRITON and SWASH. A comparison between the simulation results and the corresponding physical model measurements shows that TRITON and SWASH are capable of modelling the penetration of primary waves in ports. PHAROS simulations are less accurate and appear to overestimate wave heights in areas sheltered from direct wave attack, which is ascribed to its specific use of reflection boundaries. Wave conditions with very large wave height over depth ratios (up to 0.5), where wave breaking is significant, can still be simulated accurately with both PHAROS and SWASH. TRITON could not be used to simulate these wave conditions due to numerical instabilities. The total amount of low frequency wave energy modelled by TRITON and SWASH corresponds well with measurements from the physical model (for PHAROS this comparison is not made). Specific harbour oscillations are however only reproduced qualitatively by all three numerical models.
Performance Evaluation of a Weighted Clustering Algorithm in NSPS Scenarios

In national security and public safety (NSPS) scenarios, the concept of device-to-device (D2D) clustering allows user equipment (UEs) to dynamically form clusters and thereby allows for local communication with partial or no cellular network assistance. We propose and evaluate a clustering approach to solve this problem in this thesis report. One of the key components of clustering is the selection of so called cluster head (CH) nodes that are responsible for the formation of clusters and act as a synchronization and radio resource management information source. In this thesis work we propose a weighted CH selection algorithm that takes into account UE capability, mobility and other information and aims at balancing between energy efficiency, discovery rate and cluster formation time. Numerical results show that the clustering approach consumes more energy but it can achieve a much higher discovery rate and communication rate for the system. Simulation results indicate that the weighted clustering approach is a viable alternative in NSPS situations.
The Association between Environmental Performance and Financial Performance: An Empirical Examination of Energy Industry in Australia and New Zealand

Purpose: This paper outlines the impact that energy companies exert on the environment and the subsequent effect on financial performance of the energy companies. A major plank of this paper is whether the Kyoto protocol of which New Zealand is a signatory and Australia who is not a signatory have an impact on the environmental performance and outcomes of the energy companies. Design/Methodology/Approach: This paper adopts a content analysis of financial statements of selected energy company annual reports. The analysis examines financial and sustainability reports where available from a period of 1996–2006. This paper follows a quantitative paradigm. Findings: The analysis indicates that there is a distinct correlation between the environmental performance of the energy company and subsequent financial performance, pursuant to H1. It was found that the descriptive, multivariate and clustering statistics show that good economic performance does not drive the environmental performance of a company, but certainly has an effect on it, pursuant to H2. It was found that the descriptive, multivariate and clustering statistics show that the ratification of international regulations (such as Kyoto Protocol) does not make any difference in environmental performance between regulation ratified and non-ratified countries, pursuant to H3. Originality/Value: This paper it is anticipated will be a valuable tool to researchers, students and practitioners’ who are seeking insight and verification that there is direct benefit to those energy companies that are socially responsible and are committed to environment improvements and change.
Multiple Symmetric Lipomatosis: A Cross-Sectional Study to Investigate Clinical Features and Patients' Quality of Life

Within the subcutaneous adipose tissue diseases, multiple symmetric lipomatosis (MSL) (syn.: Launois Bensaude Syndrome, Morbus Madelung, benign symmetric lipomatosis) is rare. The pathogenesis of MSL remains unclear. We investigated the largest German cohort of MSL patients to obtain anamnestic data and quality of life with a standard questionnaire. Twenty-nine patients with confirmed MSL were included and filled in a questionnaire designed for this study. The questionnaire assessed common anamnestic factors, such as quality of life (EQ-5D-3L) and subjective treatment goals and success (“Patient-Benefit-Index-Lymphedema”, PBI-L). The gender distribution of the patients involved in the study was m/f: 1/4 (male: n = 6 (21%); female n = 23 (79%)). While the exact pathophysiology of MSL remains unclear, a subset of patients’ positive family history suggests a strong genetic factor, sometimes compatible with autosomal dominant inheritance. Patients with MSL showed lower health states (EQ VAS Score: m = 51, sd = 24, range = 0–90) than the German norm population (m = 77). Around two thirds (68%) of patients reported relevant benefits of therapy (liposuction/lipectomy). In our cohort about one third of the patients reported a positive family history for MSL-like features. Additionally, at least in some patients, a strong genetic factor, compatible with autosomal dominant inheritance, seems a possible major driver of MSL development. Alcohol consumption and MSL development has to be regarded as a controversial issue. Patients suffering from MSL have a clear decrease in quality of life and a marked wish for treatment.
Leading Learning and Teaching

In what case do you like reading so much? What about the type of the leading learning and teaching book? The needs to read? Well, everybody has their own reason why should read some books. Mostly, it will relate to their necessity to get knowledge from the book and want to read just to get entertainment. Novels, story book, and other entertaining books become so popular this day. Besides, the scientific books will also be the best reason to choose, especially for the students, teachers, doctors, businessman, and other professions who are fond of reading.
INDUCED PORE PRESSURES DURING PILE-DRIVING OPERATIONS

A THEORY FOR ESTIMATING THE MAXIMUM PORE PRESSURES INDUCED BY PILE DRIVING IS PRESENTED. THEORETICAL RESULTS ARE COMPARED WITH MEASUREMENTS CARRIED OUT AT THREE SITES, AND SOME PUBLISHED DATA. THE MAXIMUM PORE PRESSURES MAY BE ESTIMATED WITH REASONABLE ACCURACY BY THE METHOD PROPOSED. ITS MAGNITUDE DEPENDS ON STRESS HISTORY AND PORE-PRESSURE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CLAY, BUT IS INDEPENDENT OF PILE DIMENSIONS. WITHIN A RADIAL FAILURE ZONE OF THE SOIL SURROUNDING THE PILE, THE PORE PRESSURES ARE CONSTANT; OUTSIDE THIS ZONE THEY DECREASE RAPIDLY WITH DISTANCE FROM THE PILE. THE PORE PRESSURE GENERALLY INCREASES WITH DEPTH RESULTING FROM INCREASE IN EFFECTIVE OVERBURDEN STRESS. THERE IS NO DIRECT SUMMATION OF PORE PRESSURES WITHIN THE FAILURE ZONE OF A PILE OWING TO THE DRIVING OF ADJACENT PILES. /A/LCPC/RRL/
Solid waste management behavior among the student community: integrating environmental knowledge and situational factors into the theories of planned behavior and value belief norm

This research goes beyond the attitude-intention link to investigate the determinants of solid waste management behavior among the student community. The study proposes an extended model comprised of constructs from psychological frameworks, the theory of planned behavior and value-belief-norm theory by integrating environmental knowledge and situational factors as the intrinsic and extrinsic variables. A self-administered questionnaire method with a sample of 1,105 and structural equation modeling to test the statistical significance of the model revealed that our novel model includes a satisfactory level of prediction power, which is superior to existing theories. Findings show that intention, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control and attitude had a significant positive influence on behavior. While biospheric and altruistic values showed positive relationships with belief, moral norms and environmental knowledge was found to be crucial in forming attitude. The results of this work could be used by governments, policymakers and researchers to design and implement effective waste management systems.
Situation Awareness-Based Agent Transparency

Abstract : Autonomous agents have been increasingly used for military operations (e.g., casualty extraction, explosive detection and disposals, reconnaissance and surveillance, supply transportation, building clearing, and firefighting), search and rescue, transportation safety, space exploration, farming, and many other purposes yet to emerge (Barnes and Evans, 2010; Greenemeier, 2010; Jones and Schmidlin, 2011; Morals and the Machine, 2012; Murphy and Burke, 2010; Osborn, 2011; Purdy, 2008; Singer, 2010). As these agents become more sophisticated and independent, it is critical for their human counterparts to understand their behaviors, the reasoning process behind those behaviors, and the expected outcomes to properly calibrate their trust in the systems and make appropriate decisions (de Visser et al., 2014; Lee and See, 2004). Indeed, past studies have shown that human operators sometimes question the accuracy and effectiveness of agents actions due to the operators difficulties understanding the state/status of the agent (Bitan and Meyer, 2007; Seppelt and Lee, 2007; Stanton et al., 2007) and the rationales behind the behaviors (Linegang et al., 2006). These limitations can be substantial impediments to overall system and task performance.
The Process Edge: Creating Value Where It Counts

The process paradox the salience/worth matrix out of the process swamp - determining salience process worth and EVA process value builders - abandon or adjust process value builders - enhance process value builders - basic change building an enterprize strategy - leadership and change building an enterprize strategy - organizing for change the process investment process.
Legislative direction of regulatory bureaucracies: evidence from a semi-presidential system

ABSTRACT Independent regulatory agency has become the standard institutional choice in Western Europe. Little is known, however, about the involvement of legislators in their design and in their monitoring. In this paper, we analyse ex-ante and ex-post legislative involvement for 48 regulatory agencies enacted in France. We show that legislators debate and design more substantially agencies for which the government bill has already granted them more powers to appoint members to their board, or to be appointed as board members themselves. Once enacted, agencies that allow greater participation by legislators in their decision-making are subject to greater scrutiny, and this even after controlling for routine oversight activities. Regulatory domains matter, though only for ex-post legislative oversight. These results suggest that legislative involvement is selective and driven by strategic considerations. More fundamentally, they imply that legislative involvement could be more important in regulatory agency activities than usually assumed.
Application of Synergistic Neural Networks in Data Classification

Classification is one of many tasks in Artificial Intelligence. Synergistic approach toclassification by neural networks is a recent method which can be used to improve the accuracy inclassification. This research work implemented Synergistic Neural Networks to classify Heart DiseaseData from Cleveland Data Base. It adopted two known approaches to synergistic neural networks,namely summation and selection approaches. Five different types of neural networks had beenselected in the synergy namely Multilayer Perceptron, Generallized Feedforward Networks, ModularNetworks, Radial Basis Function Networks, and Jordan networks. Comparison was made amongthe best results from individual neural networks, from summation-typed synergistic neural networksand from selection-typed synergistic neural networks. The result from the comparison revealed that the selection-typed synergistic neural networks(maximum method) yielded the best accuracy. This work demonstrated the ability of synergisticneural networks in improving accuracy and reduces ambiguity in classification, especially whennumber of samples in training data set is limited. Keywords : Classification / Jordan Network / Generallized Feedforward Network /Synergistic Neural Networks / Neural Networks / Modular Network /Multilayer Perceptron / Radial Basis Function Network /Cleveland Data Base / Heart Disease Data