Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identifying parameters for wood protection against water absorption

An issue related to using wood and timber for building structures is to ensure the stability and durability during operation within wide limits. Therefore, the object of research was the inhibition of the process of water absorption of pine and hornbeam wood during a thermal change in its structure. It is proved that in the process of thermal modification of wood, its structure changes, and, accordingly, water absorption. Namely, the maximum increase in mass under the action of water on an untreated sample of wood was more than 40 %, after thermal modification – less than 35 %. The increase in the mass of wood samples thermally modified and treated with a hydrophobic agent was less than 25 %. On the basis of the obtained results of physicochemical studies, discrepancies were found in the IR spectra of wood, both during thermal modification and with additional treatment with a hydrophobic agent, indicating structural changes in the components. In particular, the decrease or absence of the intensities of the absorption bands of some functional groups and the appearance or intensification of others. On the original hornbeam and pine thermogram, thermally modified, and thermally modified with the addition of a hydrophobic coating, thermogravimetric curves are similar to each other and are characterized by a loss of sample mass. This is possible with increasing temperature due to the processes of dehydration, destruction of hemicellulose, lignin, and cellulose with the formation of a non-combustible residue. During heat treatment of cellulose in the region of temperatures of 150÷450 °C, two processes take place in parallel. This is dehydration, accompanied by the destruction of the pyranose cycle and carbonization to form a carbon residue. Also, the process of destruction of glycosidic bonds while maintaining hydroxyl groups, accompanied by regrouping of pyranose cycles.
Area-Efficient Parallel Multiplication Units for CNN Accelerators With Output Channel Parallelization

Many existing studies on accelerating convolutional neural networks (CNNs) use parallel data operation schemes to increase the throughput. This study proposes area-efficient parallel multiplication unit (PMU) designs for a CNN accelerator that uses parallelization on the output channels of a CNN layer, which parallel multiplies a common feature map pixel with multiple CNN kernel weights. First, tailored PMU designs are proposed for CNNs with specific low-precision 3-to-8-bit weights. Second, the proposed 5-to-8-bit PMU designs are extended with two-clock-cycle operations to develop PMUs for weight precision scalable to 10/12/14/16 bits. Compared to 16-path PMUs directly using carry-save-adder array multipliers, our PMU designs can achieve the area reductions of 28.19%−56.09% and 22.10%−30.71% for 3–8 bit and 10-/12-/14-/ 16-bit weights, respectively. Moreover, a resultant 16-path 16-bit weight PMU is verified through the system-on-chip (SoC) field-programmable gate array (FPGA) implementation to demonstrate the CNN inference.
Atomic cesium 6h states observed by time-resolved FTIR spectroscopy

The infrared emission spectra of Cs resulting from the laser ablation of CsI tablets in a vacuum were recorded using time-resolved Fourier-transform spectroscopy in the 1200–1600 cm−1 range with a resolution of 0.017 cm−1. The 6h level of Cs was observed. The probabilities of transitions between the observed levels are calculated.
Comparing Statistics and Machine Learning to Detect Insincere Grip Force Testing Using Manugraphy

Background Currently, there are no tests that have been proven to be capable of rating an individual’s grip force measurement as sincere or insincere. However, different parameters have been found to vary in grip force testing for maximal versus submaximal effort. A novel data analysis and processing approach might be key to improving these measurements. This study explores the use of a machine learning (ML) algorithm as a means to more accurately determine the sincerity or insincerity of grip force testing. The ML algorithm compares the hand’s load distribution pattern with the information generated using conventional statistical methods. Methodology This study uses manugraphy data collected as part of a previous investigation that analyzed load distribution patterns of the right and left hands of 54 healthy subjects. The subjects underwent grip force testing using maximal or submaximal effort, and the percentage contributions of each of the seven defined anatomical areas of the hand were calculated with respect to the total load applied. The predictions based on the load distribution and its use for rating individual grip force measurements as sincere or insincere were compared with the results of conventional statistical methods (thresholds for a bi-manual area-to-area comparison) and an ML algorithm. Results Based on an area-to-area comparison, our method achieved a sensitivity of 54% and a specificity of 78% to detect insincere effort. A predictive ML model developed using these data was capable of recognizing submaximal effort based on the hand’s load distribution pattern, determining a sensitivity of 94% and a specificity of 99%. Conclusions Compared to conventional methods, the use of an ML algorithm considerably improved the validity of manugraphy results in discerning the sincerity or insincerity of grip effort.
Bio-coloration and ultraviolet protection finishing of tussah silk using chestnut leaf extract and its thermodynamic study

This study investigates the dyeing effects of chestnut leaf extract on tussah silk and aspires to create bio-colored and ultraviolet-resistant textiles. The results proved that post-mordanting with aluminum potassium sulfate and ferrous sulfate yielded better results than direct dyeing, the color strength value with ferrous sulfate mordant reached 10.9, and the color fastness of tussah silk with post-mordanting was rated above 4. Furthermore, the ultraviolet protection factor values reached 17, 39, 45, and 53 with control, direct dyeing, and post-mordanting with aluminum potassium sulfate and ferrous sulfate, respectively, revealing that the chestnut leaf extract could be a potential ultraviolet protection agent to increase the ultraviolet protection performance on tussah silk. In addition, the adsorption process and thermodynamic characteristics of chestnut leaf extract on tussah silk were examined. The results suggested that the Langmuir isotherm model adequately described the thermodynamic behavior of chestnut leaf extract on tussah silk. The positive enthalpy change indicated that the adsorption process was an endothermic process.
Lower Bounds on Bayes Factors for Interval Null Hypotheses

Abstract Expressions are derived for lower bounds on Bayes factors for interval null hypotheses. These are then studied for varying interval lengths and are related to two interesting results—one for point null hypotheses and another for one-sided hypotheses. These results are illustrated with two of the most frequently used hypothesis tests—the normal test and Student's t test.
Perspectives of Malaysian academics on the preparation of fourth industrial revolution for Construction Technology Program

The purpose of this study is to examine the perspective of Construction Technology academics from Malaysia vocational colleges on implementing the aspects of the industrial revolution 4.0 (IR 4.0). It was achieved by determining the degree of leadership support for vocational colleges, implementation of IR 4.0 components by academics, readiness for both generic and IR 4.0-related technical skills. This study was conducted using a survey method (cross-sectional study) where data collection and research findings were done only once during this study was conducted by applying the questionnaire method. The sample was chosen from among 408 academics from 42 vocational schools in Malaysia using Fisher's Formula. By choosing to work with a 95% confidence level, a standard deviation of 0.5, and a confidence interval (margin of error) of ± 5%, this study requires 198 samples for a better data findings and analysis. From 198 instruments distributed, only 45 instruments managed to be collected and analyzed due to limitation during global pandemic. The findings of this study were analyzed using Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) software, version 20 by taking the mean value of each variable studied. The results of the study showed that the average mean score for each of the overall objectives of the study was at a high level which is between the mean ranges of 3.98 - 4.38. This shows that the level of implementation and readiness from the perspectives of vocational college academics in Malaysia in the field of Construction Technology is at a high level.
Identifying features in the structural and phase composition of the products of recycling of the scale of high-speed cutting steel by carbon thermal reduction

This paper reports a study into the features of the structural-phase composition of products from the carbon-thermal reduction of scale of high-speed steels that yields an alloying additive. This is necessary to determine the technological parameters that reduce the loss of target elements in the process of obtaining and using resource-saving alloying material. The study indicates that when the degree of scale reduction changed from 28 % to 67 % and 81 %, an increase in the manifestation of a solid solution of carbon and alloying elements in the α-Fe lattice was observed. At the same time, the intensity of the diffraction maxima of FeO and Fe3O4 decreased. In the reduced products, the presence of Fe3C, FeW3C, Fe3W3C, and WC was traced. With an increase in the degree of scale reduction from 28 % to 67 %, the disordered (of "loose" appearance) microstructure was replaced with the formed particles of round and multifaceted shape with different content of alloying elements. At the reduction stage of 81 %, the microstructure had a finely fibrous structure. Based on the suite of studies, the most acceptable degree of reduction of scale of high-speed steel, followed by the use of the obtained material as an alloying additive, is 81 %. At the same time, ensuring the degree of recovery at the level of 67 % would also suffice. This is due to the fact that residual carbon in the form of carbides provides an increased reducing ability and degree of assimilation of alloying elements with the restoration of the residual oxide component in the liquid metal during doping. Spongy microstructure contributes to faster dissolution, in relation to the corresponding standard ferroalloys. This ensures a reduction in the total smelting time and, as a result, a decrease in the energy consumed
Small strain oscillatory squeeze film flow of simple fluids

Abstract The oscillatory squeeze film problem is solved for the simple fluid in the sense of Noll. It is shown that dynamic properties of polymeric liquids can be measured on the plastometer in the oscillatory mode. This should be useful to food and other technologists who have to deal with awkward, highly viscous materials.
Influence of the Type of Cement on the Durability of Concrete Structures Exposed to Various Carbonation Environments in Greece: A Contribution to the Sustainability of Structures

The research objective of this paper is to investigate the effect of different types of cement and different climatic conditions on the durability of reinforced concrete structures to understand and address issues of durability and erosion. The types of cement used were CEM I 42.5N, CEM II/A-M (P-LL) 42.5N and CEM II/B-M (W-P-LL) 32.5N. Mixtures of three different cement mortars and six different concretes were prepared with these three types of cement. Cement mortars were produced according to the European standard EN 196-1. Concrete mixtures were of the strength classes C25/30 and C30/37. Concrete mixtures produced according to the specifications of the European standard EN 206 may have a shorter service life due to carbonation-induced corrosion if the choice of the cement type is not made carefully. The results indicate that the carbonation rate of concrete mixtures is significantly influenced by the type and strength class of the cement used. Using meteorological data from six regions of Greece, an empirical carbonation prediction model for these regions was obtained.
Comment Lucas and Szatrowski in Critical Perspective

The stated goal of Lucas and Szatrowski (this volume, pp. 1–79; hereafter L&S) is to provide a critical evaluation of qualitative comparative analysis (QCA), with the objective of discouraging researchers from using the method. However, they fail to provide a meaningful critique. Close inspection reveals not only that they address a shallow caricature of QCA but also that their analysis has fatal flaws. This response to L&S opens with a discussion of QCA’s essential features as an approach to social research, which L&S largely ignore. I next turn to the challenge of identifying patterns in empirical evidence and explicate the distinctiveness of QCA’s approach, especially its attention to cases as configurations, its use of the method of elimination, and its allowance for causal asymmetry, aspects L&S fail to properly grasp. I then pinpoint fatal errors in their analysis of the space shuttle data, their single attempt to analyze empirical evidence. I also identify a basic flaw in their application of QCA to “deterministic” data.
How Do Outdoor Recreationists Perceive the State of the Environment and Do Interpretive Programs Make a Difference?

Environmental interpretation provides visitors with positive experiences in nature while managing their impacts. Existing research has concentrated on the influence of interpretive programs on visitor knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours. Little empirical research exists on how visitors perceive their environment. In this research we examine the effect of environmental interpretation on visitors’ perceptions of the environment. The study took place in the Niagara Glen Nature Reserve, Canada. A survey is administered to visitors on self-guided experiences and visitors receiving two different interpretive programs. Perceptions are compared to ecological data. Visitors rated conditions higher than ecological data, regardless of participation in an interpretive program. There was no significant influence of an interpretive program on perceptions. Findings from this pilot study highlight the need for interpretive programs to examine their effectiveness of achieving its outcomes as well as the benefits of using a reference such as ecological data.
The infrared luminosity/H I velocity-width relation and its application to the distance scale.

The Tully-Fisher relation between the luminosity of late-type galaxies and their global 21 cm velocity widths has been investigated with infrared photometry. Multiaperature magnitudes at H (1.6.mu.m) have been obtained for 11 spiral galaxies in Virgo and 18 in the Ursa Major cluster. A tighter empirical correlation between luminosity and 21 cm line width has been found for H magnitudes uncorrected for inclination than for photographic magnitudes with their individually uncertain, prescribed corrections for internal absorption. The similarity of the infrared magnitude/velocity-width correlation for Virgo, for Ursa Major, and for six nearby galaxies also measured suggests that the slope of the relationship is universal in nature.An important uncertainty in previous applications of the Tully-Fisher method was an incomplete understanding of its physical basis. In the infrared the slope of the magnitude/velocity-width relation is found to be considerably steeper than that obtained optically. From this result, we demonstrate that the dynamical origin of the relationship is similar to the well-known LproportionalV/sup 4/ power law for elliptical galaxies. We further suggest that this has not been seen in the blue, because the mass-to-luminosity ratio M/L/sub B/ varies markedly in spirals of differing mass, whereas M/L/sub H/ is more nearly constant.By using amore » provisional calibration based on the distances of Sandage and Tammann for local galaxies, we derive distance moduli to Virgo and Ursa Major of 31.07 +- 0.20 and 31.08 +- 0.16. A mean value for the Hubble constant of H/sub 0/=61 +- 4 km s/sup -1/ Mpc/sup -1/ follows from these preliminary results.We believe that the infrared magnitude/velocity-width relation is now the most powerful tool available for determining redshift-independent distances to the adjacent greater clusters. « less
Statistical location and timing of the convective Lines off the mountainous coast of southeastern Taiwan from long-term radar observations

In this study, observations from the C-band Doppler radar on Green Island, which is located off the southeastern coast of Taiwan, during 1998–2004 were analyzed to investigate the statistical characteristics of the convective lines occurring off the mountainous coast of southeastern Taiwan, with emphasis on their formative location and timing. A total of 211 cases of the lines were identified during the study period. It is shown that the lines were clearly a year-round phenomenon and five cases occurred per month on average. Statistical analyses for all identified cases reveal that the formative area of the lines was extended substantially from nearshore regions to at least 100 km offshore, with the region of the most frequent formation primarily confined to an elongated zone located 30 km off the coast. Along-coast variations of line formation were also evident and were shown to be closely related to the nearshore terrain features. The lines tended to form more frequently during the nighttime hours than the daytime hours, with a formative peak between 2000 and 2200 LST. Minimum formation was found near noon between 1200 and 1400 LST; however, considerable cases still could be found during the late morning and late afternoon hours. More than 70% of the lines (150 cases) had a duration of less than 4 h, and the mean duration for all lines was calculated to be 3.5 h. In addition, this study also documented statistical differences in the formative and flow characteristics between the nearshore and offshore lines, which are distinguished by offshore distances of formative location that are less or greater than 40 km, respectively. Of particular note, the analyses presented strongly suggest that the physical mechanisms contributing to the initiation of the nearshore and offshore lines are fundamentally different.
Toward GaSb-Based Monolithically Integrated Widely-Tunable Lasers for Extended Short- and Mid-Wave Infrared Wavelengths

A fully-functional photonic integrated circuit (PIC) platform with supporting active and passive components in the extended short- and mid-wave infrared spectral regime is of significant research interest for next-generation optical systems. Here we design offset quantum well-based photonic integrated circuits which primarily consist of four section-based widely tunable single-mode lasers emitting at 2560 nm. The platform requires the selective removal of InGaAsSb multi-quantum wells located above a GaSb-based optical waveguide layer and then subsequent single blanket GaSb regrowth. Encouraging preliminary experimental results on regrowth are also reported to confirm the feasibility of the proposed PICs. The simulation result for the tunable laser design shows that a tuning range as wide as ~120 nm is possible. The quasi-theoretical work performed here is an initial step towards demonstrating complex non-telecommunication PICs which could offer a comprehensive range of photonic functionalities.
Dynamic calibration of pressure transducers with an improved shock tube system

The need for reliable dynamic calibration of pressure transducers is becoming increasingly more important, especially with growing demands for improved performance, increased reliability and efficient energy generation from the aerospace, defense and energy sectors – all while being mindful of low lifecycle cost, minimizing maintenance downtime and reducing any negative impact to the environment. State of the art piezoelectric (PE) and piezoresistive (PR) silicon MEMS pressure transducers specifically designed for harsh environments are answering the call to provide the necessary measurements for applications such as high temperature gas turbine engine health monitoring (both in-flight and land/marine based aero-derivative), high pressure blast studies/ordnance explosion optimization, low profile wind tunnel testing/flight testing, etc. However, these pressure transducers are only as valuable as the dynamic calibration they possess so that more understanding of the physical measurement can be ascertained by the end-user. The shock tube is an established laboratory tool capable of imparting near instantaneous pressure stimulus for the purpose of providing quantifiable dynamic calibration of pressure transducers. From a performance perspective, a vast amount of empirical data has been collected over fifteen years and used to model more accurately the one-dimensional gas dynamics occurring within a shock tube so that the time interval of the reflected shock – the most critical parameter in determining the transfer function for the pressure transducer under test – can be optimized for the largest frequency bandwidth over varying shock amplitudes. Accordingly, an introduction of an improved shock tube system offering both increased performance and ease of user operation is presented.
Characterization of an elastic cylinder and an elastic sphere with the time-reversal operator: application to the sub-resolution limit

The Décomposition de l'Opérateur de Retournement Temporel method applies to scattering analysis with arrays of transducers. It comprises the study of the time-reversal invariants which correspond to the eigenvectors of the time-reversal operator or to the singular vectors of the array response matrix K. In this paper, the decomposition of the scattered pressure into normal modes of vibrations is used to determine the theoretical time-reversal invariants for a large elastic object such as a cylinder or sphere. For an N transducers one-dimensional array, the time-reversal operator is dimension N. It is shown that the dimension is reduced to 2k0a for a cylinder or a sphere, where a is the scatterer radius and k0 is the wave number in the surrounding fluid. Furthermore, this approach provides analytical expressions of symmetric and anti-symmetric singular values and vectors in the sub-resolution limit, i.e. when the scatterer diameter is smaller than the array resolution cell. These results are verified experimentally and in good agreement with the original point of view: for a small scatterer, one singular value dominates and the associated singular vector focuses isotropically on the scatterer.
A Note on a Generalized Inverse of a Matrix with Applications to Problems in Mathematical Statistics

Some years ago the author defined a pseudo inverse of a singular matrix and used it in representing a solution of normal equations and for obtaining variances and covariances of estimates in the theory of least squares (Rao, 1955). This provided a unified approach to least squares theory, including the case when the normal equations become singular. This note attempts to collect a few mathematical results, some of which are known in literature, associated with the inversion of singular and rectangular matrices, and to indicate briefly their use in problems of mathematical statistics.