Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Thermoelectric properties in Ca3Co4−xMnxOy ceramics

Ca3Co4−xMnxOy polycrystalline thermoelectric ceramics with small amounts of Mn have been prepared by the classical solid state method. X-ray diffraction data have shown that Ca3Co4O9 is the major phase, with small amounts of the Ca3Co2O6 one. Moreover, they show that the Mn has been incorporated into these two phases. Electrical resistivity decreases, compared with the values for undoped samples, with Mn content until a minimum for the 0·03 doped ones, increasing for higher Mn substitution. Seebeck coefficient does not change in all the measured temperature range, independently of Mn content. The improvement in electrical resistivity leads ∼30% higher power factor values for the 0·03 Mn doped samples than that obtained in the undoped ones. The maximum power factor at 800°C, ∼0·28 mW K−2 m−1, is close to that obtained in much higher density samples, clearly indicating the good thermoelectric properties of these samples.
A study into how the occupants of naturally ventilated buildings use environmental control strategies to modify their internal environment

Nowadays, issues regarding building stock are highly important in the quest to reduce overall UK energy consumption and finding prime targets for cuts in carbon emissions. Of all the main consumers of energy, the fact how occupants use and operate the building plays a crucial role. Therefore, it is necessary to have a thorough understanding of the occupant response to environmental controlling systems in buildings because the building should be designed not only to satisfy comfort requirements but also to be used with a low input of energy. This research can be seen as an attempt to explore such issues. It examines various environmental issues such as motivating forces and influential effects related to the occupant control behaviour with special attention to the usage of those simple, easy-to-use and robust means that the occupant is able to see and almost immediately experience the results of the actions. Two naturally ventilated buildings in Sheffield were selected as the study cases. Their architectural features were examined, including environmental situation, occupant identification and architectural speciality. Both buildings' blinds (shading rolls) and windows were recorded by photograph twice a day for 16 months continuously. At the same time, the outside hourly weather parameters and inside physical parameters were collected. A questionnaire survey and a face-to-face interview were also carried out in order to investigate the thermal, visual and acoustic comfort sensation and an indication of the motivating forces for manual control obtained. From a sustainability perspective, the study has provided knowledge that enables designers to anticipate how a design encourages that the sustainable interaction between the occupant operation behaviour, building components and/or systems, and conversely, avoid built conditions where occupant interaction may cause sustainable penalties. This understanding may well lead to the building using less energy to maintain comfort. The study could also provide opportunities for decision makers to understand the current situations of the buildings that were selected as case studies. The result of this research may be used as a work-base for successful improvement and give confidence to embark on the design of naturally ventilated buildings.
Governance Quality and Tax Compliance Behaviour in East Malaysia

In this paper, we examine the relationship and links between the governance quality and tax compliance behaviour across taxpayers in East Malaysia otherwise known as Borneo. The hypotheses were tested using structural equation modelling of partial least squares. Four proxies of governance quality were examined in the study, namely, Voice and Accountability (VA), Political Stability (PS), Government Effectiveness (GE), and Rule of Law (RL). Results indicate that only political stability and rule of law are found to significantly influence tax compliance behaviour positively, while the other two proxies of voice and accountability and government effectiveness showed otherwise with insignificant findings. The current finding suggests that the government should maintain stability in the political system and promote a stringent with the effective rule of law to encourage substantial participation in tax compliance behaviour.
Networks on Chips: Technology and Tools

The design of today's semiconductor chips for various applications, such as telecommunications, poses various challenges due to the complexity of these systems. These highly complex systems-on-chips demand new approaches to connect and manage the communication between on-chip processing and storage components and networks on chips (NoCs) provide a powerful solution. This book is the first to provide a unified overview of NoC technology. It includes in-depth analysis of all the on-chip communication challenges, from physical wiring implementation up to software architecture, and a complete classification of their various Network-on-Chip approaches and solutions.
Sliding mode control in electromechanical systems

Sliding Mode Control (SMC) is gaining increasing importance as a universal design tool for the robust control of linear and nonlinear systems. The strengths of sliding mode controllers result from the ease and flexibility of the methodology for their design and implementation. They provide inherent order reduction, direct incorporation of robustness against system uncertainties and disturbances, and an implicit stability proof. They also allow for the design of high performance control systems at low costs. SMC is particularly useful for electro-mechanical systems because of its discontinuous structure. In fact, since the hardware of many electro-mechanical systems (such as electric motors) prescribes discontinuous inputs, SMC has become the natural choice for direct implementation. The book is intended primarily for engineers and establishes an interdisciplinary bridge between control science, electrical and mechanical engineering.
Selective Civilian Targeting: The Unintended Consequences of Partial Peace

Peace agreements may inadvertently increase selective violence against civilians when they are incomplete in two key dimensions. First, only a fraction of the existing armed groups participates of the agreement. Second, the legitimate government fails to establish institutional presence in the areas previously controlled by those who do participate. Under these two conditions, the resulting vacuum of power may attract active armed groups who engage in selective civilian victimization to obtain control. Studying the recent Colombian experience, we find that the permanent ceasefire declared by the FARC insurgency in 2014 led to a surge in the targeting of community leaders in former FARC strongholds, perpetrated by armed groups excluded from the peace process, with the goal of consolidating their dominance in those areas. Critically, selective victimization is attenuated by some dimensions of state capacity and exacerbated in places which are more valuable as proxied by the existence of recent land conflicts.
PENGRAJIN NOKEN PADA SUKU BANGSA AMUNGME DI DESA LIMAU ASRI KECAMATAN IWAKA KABUPATEN MIMIKA PROVINSI PAPUA

Noken craftsmen Amungme Tribe is one of the odd jobs done by a woman, and has been entrenched in their minds. Activity Amungme women are weaving Noken. Noken weaving tradition is knowledge Amungme women followed for generations. Since the Amungme women born until she was grown up, they are nurtured by his mother constantly until the age of 6-7 years can weave Nokens her own. Noken is bags Papuans. Made of twisted roots shaped nets, Noken is a multi-functional tool that fit to carry vegetables and fruits, as well as holding the baby even pigs. In the life of Amungme village craftsmen Nokens Lemons Asri, many natural potential to enrich the lives of Craftsmen Noken, one of the only activities carried Craftsmen Nokens namely, collecting materials Nokens makers of natural products, the activity of preparing the tools or materials maker noken is an activity that entrenched in the minds of Craftsmen noken. Noken weave can not determine the time when, and the place where, because almost all the time and wherever they are, Amungme women weave Noken, plain weave Amungme Women Noken in the market, where sorrow, in kendarahan. Noken synonymous with women, and Noken symbolizes the presence of women. Keywords: Noken, craftsmen, Amungme
Stationary frame generalized integrators for current control of active power filters with zero steady state error for current harmonics of concern under unbalanced and distorted operation conditions

The paper proposes several concepts of integrators for sinusoidal signals. Parallel and series associations of the basic PI units using the stationary frame generalized integrators are used for current control of active power filters. Zero steady state error for the concerned current harmonics are realized, with reduced computation, under unbalanced utility or load conditions. Designing of the PI constants, digital realization of the generalized integrators, as well as compensation of the computation delay etc. are studied. Extensive test results from a 10 kW active power filter prototype are demonstrated.
Food Safety for the 21st Century: Managing HACCP and Food Safety throughout the Global Supply Chain

The HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) system is still recognised internationally as the most effective way to produce safe food throughout the supply chain, but a HACCP system cannot operate in a vacuum. It requires prerequisite programmes to be in place and it can be highly affected by, or dependent upon, other major considerations such as animal, plant, human and environmental health, food security and food defence. This book: * Provides a practical and up-to-date text covering the essentials of food safety management in the global supply chain, giving the reader the knowledge and skills that they need to design, implement and maintain a world-class food safety programme. * Builds on existing texts on HACCP and food safety, taking the next step forward in the evolution of HACCP and providing a text that is relevant to all sectors and sizes of food businesses throughout the world. * Shares practical food safety experience, allowing development of best-practice approaches. This will allow existing businesses to improve their systems and enable businesses that are new to HACCP and food safety management requirements in both developed and developing countries to build on existing knowledge for more rapid application of world-class food safety systems. * Educates practitioners such that they will be able to use their judgement in decision-making and to influence those who make food policy and manage food operations. This book is an essential resource for all scientists and managers in the food industry (manufacturing and foodservice); regulators and educators in the field of food safety; and students of food science and technology.
Penghambatan Peningkatan Kadar Kolesterol Pada Diet Tinggi Lemak Oleh Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG) Teh Hijau Klon Gmb4

Abstrak Penelitian ini bertujuanÂ untuk mengetahui pengaruh epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) teh hijau klon GMB4 dalam menghambat peningkatan kadar kolesterol Â pada tikus galur wistarÂ jantanÂ yang diberi diet tinggi lemak. Penelitian dilakukan secara invivo dengan pemeliharaan hewan coba selama 8 minggu yang dibagi dalam lima kelompok perlakuan dengan diet tinggi lemak dan pemberian EGCG per sonde. Metode yang digunakan adalah spektrophometri. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa EGCG menurunkan kadar kolesterol (p<0,05). Kadar kolesterol menurun signifikan sebesar 55% (p=0,00) pada dosis Â Â 8 mg/kg BB jika dibandingkan dengan kelompok kontrol (+). Disimpulkan bahwa EGCG yang merupakan kompunen terbesar dari katekins teh hijau mampu menghambat peningkatan kadar kolesterol yang merupakan faktor resikoÂ kardiovaskular. SimaBaca secara fonetik Kata Kunci : EGCG GMB4 ; kolesterol; tikusÂ diet tinggi lemak. Â Abstract This study investigated the effect of EGCG from GMB4 green tea clones inhibit increasing c holesterol levels in m ale r ats with h igh f at d iet. Wistar male rats were fed a diet high inÂ fat for 2 months from 8 weeks of age and determination of the object of research with completely randomized designÂ five treatments and EGCG was given by sonde. Blood cholesterol levels by spektrophometry. EGCG treatment decreasedÂ cholesterol levels (p<0.05). C holesterol levels decreased 55%(p=0.00) at doses of 8 mg / BW. The Results suggested that EGCG one of the most abundant catechins contained in green tea effectively inhibits increased cholesterol levels, that risk factor for cardio vascular disease. Keywords : c holesterol; EGCG GMB4; m ale r ats with h igh f at d iet.
A Reaction Time Study of Four Control-Display Linkages1

Fifteen subjects were tested on each of four different wooden models of stoves containing various control-burner arrangements. The experiment measured reaction times and errors made by subjects who matched a control to a given burner as quickly as possible. Subjects were tested for 80 consecutive trials. The data show significant improvement in performance throughout the 80 trials. No significant improvement is evident in the second half of the trials, i.e., for trials 41 through 80. Analysis of the data for trials 41 through 80 shows one control-burner arrangement to be superior to all the others. Another arrangement is significantly worse than the best, but better than the remaining two.
Out‐of‐plane strength reduction of unreinforced masonry walls because of in‐plane damages

There are numerous studies on the behavior of Unreinforced Masonry (URM) walls in both in‐plane (IP) and out‐of‐plane (OP) directions; however, few aimed at understanding the simultaneous contribution of these intrinsic responses during earthquakes. Undoubtedly, even a strong URM wall shows weakened capacity in the OP direction because of minor cracks and other damages in the IP direction, and this capacity reduction has not yet been accounted for in seismic codes. In this study, performance of three URM walls is evaluated by several numerical analyses in terms of the OP capacity reduction because of IP displacements and failure modes. Several parameters influencing the OP capacity have been studied including aspect ratio, roof boundary condition, IP displacement and IP loading patterns. The results indicate that reduction in the OP capacity of URM walls varies from negligible to very high depending on boundary conditions, IP failure mode and IP damage severity. Moreover, IP loading pattern is more important in walls with higher aspect ratios because of their IP failure modes. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
DRIVER DISTRACTION AND CRASHES: AN ASSESSMENT OF CRASH DATABASES AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

A distracted driver has delayed recognition of information necessary for safe driving because an event in the vehicle or outside of the vehicle has attracted the driver's attention. A distracted driver may be less able to respond appropriately to changing road and traffic conditions leading to an increased likelihood of crash. Development of technology to reduce distraction-related crashes is proceeding, including the development of a workload/distraction management system in the SAfety VEhicle(s) using adaptive Interface Technology (SAVE-IT) program. In order to determine the potential benefits of systems such as SAVE-IT, it is necessary to understand the crash scenarios in which driver distraction is a likely contributor. This report has two purposes. The first is to review and assess available crash databases to determine which variables are available, feasible, and appropriate for determining distraction-related crash scenarios. The second purpose is to investigate a variety of other distraction-related scenarios in crash databases and those that may not appear in crash records directly, but, nonetheless, are likely to be related to distraction-related crashes. The crash databases reviewed are: the National Automotive Sampling System General Estimates System; The National Automotive Sampling System Crashworthiness Data System; the Fatality Analysis Reporting System; the Highway Safety Information System; and regional geographic information system databases. The report examines five crash scenarios to determine the relative frequency of distraction-related crashes by crash scenario: single vehicle run off the road; rear-end; intersection/crossing path; lane-change/merge; and head-on. This review also covers a number of distracted-driving scenarios both outside and inside the vehicle including: exterior incidents; looking at scenery; passenger interactions; adjusting entertainment systems; listening to music; cellular phone use; use of route-guidance systems; eating/drinking; adjusting vehicle controls; objects moving in the vehicle; and smoking. Also presented is a framework for rank-ordering the relative contribution of these scenarios to distraction-related crash risk.
Utilisation of Single Tooth Procedures to Establish the Cutting Mechanics of Woodworking Hand-saw Teeth

The work reported in this thesis details the original research undertaken by the author into the cutting mechanics of wood-working handsaw tooth geometries. The research can be separated into three distinctive sections. The first section is a review of both fundamental and recent literature regarding wood characteristics and machining processes. The second section documents the findings of a cutting process in which a variety of work-piece parameters were evaluated whilst limiting the parameters associated with tooth geometry. The third and final section documents the findings of a cutting process in which a variety of tooth geometry parameters were evaluated whilst limiting work-piece variation. Two separate experimental procedures were developed to carry out the work for sections two and three respectively: The first of these procedures utilised a CNC router machine to perform the controlled cutting action. A single “rip” tooth was attached to the tool holder. The workpiece was constrained to a tri-axis dynamometer which was used to measure the resultant tool forces in the relative X, Y and Z axes. At the same time a universal testing machine was employed to perform mechanical test procedures on a variety of wood species. A predictive cutting force model was developed using the obtained mechanical properties as categorical predictors. The second procedure utilised a shaper machine to perform the controlled cutting action. Three different saw tooth geometries were evaluated for only one variety of wood species. A tri-axis dynamometer was again used to measure the resultant tool forces. The geometric parameters of each tooth were carefully evaluated at using SEM micrographs. A predictive cutting force model using the geometric parameters as categorical predictors was developed. Chip and surface formation was carefully evaluated. For procedure one this involved observation of the chip/surfaces under an optical microscope. For procedure two this involved capturing footage of the cutting process using a high speed camera. The findings of the research show that un-bevelled teeth with orthogonal edges generally yield high cutting forces. However, these teeth are very effective at removing material along the wood grain in a “chisel like” cutting action. Bevelled teeth with sharp lateral edges generally yield low cutting forces. These teeth are well suited to severing the wood fibres perpendicular to the grain in a “knife like” cutting action.
Analysis of Road Traffic Fatality Data for Asia

The WHO released a Global Status Report On Road Safety: Time For Action in July 2009. Here we analyse the data reported by Asian countries. The report demonstrates that a few high income countries have unreliable statistics, and on the other hand a few low-income countries are able set up good data collection systems. Therefore, all countries should be able to set up reasonable data reporting systems given the right policies. Overall and road user specific fatality rates do not have a high correlation with country income levels. The reasons for this are not known. In the absence of more reliable data and identification of risk factors for each country, it is not possible to give very specific country based countermeasures for road safety. It would be adequate at present to focus on measures that have international validity and are known not to have negative side-effects.
Amylose Content and Grain Length of New Rice Transgressive Variants Derived from a Cross Between O. rufipogon and Malaysian Rice Cultivar MR219

Amylose content is one of the important grain quality properties of rice. A total of 10 new rice genotypes (BC2F7 generation) derived from a cross between O. rufipogon Griff. accession IRGC105491 and O. sativa subspecies indica cv. MR219 with high yield were evaluated for amylose content in three environments in Peninsular Malaysia. One of the parents, a popular high yielding Malaysian rice cultivar MR219 was used as a check. Based on the average amylose content across the environments, the genotype G13 showed significantly (p < 0.05) different amylose content (23.88 %) in comparison to other genotypes. Two genotypes G13 (25.7%) and G15 (25.6%) were higher than MR219 (25.1%) in terms of amylose content in Sungai Besar environment. There was a positive (r2=0.018) but no significant correlation between amylose content and grain length.
Patients’ Perceptions Of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis And Experiences After Surgical Treatment

PURPOSE: Research has shown that surgery gives patients with lumbar spinal stenosis health advantages compared to conservative treatment. This qualitative study aimed to investigate the perception of symptoms from lumbar spinal stenosis by patients, and their experiences after surgery. The purpose was to create a comprehensive understanding of patients’ experiences before and after treatment. METHOD: We chose purposive sampling and conducted ten semi-structured interviews in early 2018. Thematic analysis was adopted. RESULTS: The patients stated that a strong and constant pain characterized their life situation before the operation. After surgery, the patients experienced rapid recovery from pain. The patients stated that the pain had led to considerable functional limitations. After surgery, they experienced remarkable improvement on a functional level. The patients shared their experience about how pain had prevented them from participating in meaningful activities and tasks. Some of the patients said that they had experienced depression due to the difficult situation before surgery. The patients found that treatment led to an improvement in their quality of life. CONCLUSION: The study showed that the patients who lived with severe symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis experienced a decline in their quality in life. The condition prevented them from participating in daily activities. After surgery, they were able to participate in meaningful activities and tasks. They felt an increased participation in society. Social support and information from health care providers enables patients to make knowlege-based choises.