Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Self‐Noise Model for the German DEPAS OBS Pool

The DEPAS (DEutscher Pool fur Amphibische Seismologie) is the largest pool of wideband ocean-bottom seismometers in Europe. It consists of LOBSTER OBS, manufactured by KUM, which are equipped with Guralp CMG-40T-OBS and Trillium compact sensors. Multiple operators reported a relatively high long-period noise level of the original CMG-40T-equipped design. It has been discussed whether the source of this noise is the integration of the seismometer into the frame or the instrument itself. Using vault installations of the seismometer and test deployments of different LOBSTER next to a current sensor, we can show that the long-period noise is caused by the CMG-40T-OBS sensor itself. Equipped with a Trillium compact seismometer, the LOBSTER has a median vertical noise level of -155 dB at 120s period for current velocities below 10cm/s, which is essentially the self-noise of the seismometer. Even at relatively high bottom currents above 20 cm/s, the noise level does not exceed the Peterson New High Noise Model at these periods. We present a quantitative noise model for the LOBSTER and conclude that its rugged design is suited for seismology on periods below 300 seconds, if it is equipped with a good seismometer.
Fluid or Fixed? Processes that Facilitate or Constrain a Sense of Inclusion in Participatory Schoolyard and Park Design

To better understand children’s needs and desires, many landscape architecture and urban planning professionals are engaging children in participatory design processes. These projects often involve children in early conceptual design phases but not in later planning and construction, when technical expertise dominates the process. This article focuses on a participatory process with schoolchildren to redesign a schoolyard and park for nature play and learning. Interviews with key adult facilitators and a focus group with participant children help trace the process from conceptualization through construction. The results document design and construction processes that at times facilitated and at other times hindered the realization of children’s aspirations for nature play and learning. These outcomes relate to children’s and adults’ reactions to changing opportunities and constraints that each group faced in successive project phases. The conclusion points to the advantages of sustained community participation and suggests how different design and construction phases can be aligned to better achieve the dynamic qualities that children value when engaging with nature.
Neuroeconomics

Neuroeconomics is a young, interdisciplinary field dealing with the neurobiology of decision making and how it affects cognitive social interactions between humans and societies/economies. It studies how economic behavior can shape our understanding of the brain, and how neuroscientific discoveries can constrain and guide models of economics. Neuroeconomics studies decision making by using a combination of tools from neuroscience, economics and psychology to avoid the shortcoming that arise from a single perspective approach. Offering the necessary interdisciplinary approach, "Neuroeconomics "2nd edition presents research from neuroscience, psychology, and behavioral economics. Edited by two of the founders of the field, this edition once again offers a current and comprehensive review of the field. With chapters authored by all the major figures, this new edition will serve to advance understanding of the following as related to the human brain through neoclassical economic approaches, behavioral economics, social decision making, valuation, and neural mechanism for choice. Editors and contributing authors are among the acknowledged experts and founders in the field, making this the authoritative reference for neuroeconomicsSuitable as an advanced undergraduate or graduate textbook as well as a thorough reference for active researchersIntroductory chapters on economics, psychology, neuroscience, and anthropology provide students and scholars from any discipline with the keys to understanding this interdisciplinary fieldDetailed chapters on subjects that include reinforcement learning, risk, inter-temporal choice, drift-diffusion models, game theory, and prospect theory make this an invaluable reference Published in association with the Society for Neuroeconomicswww.neuroeconomics. orgFull-color presentation throughout with numerous carefully selected illustrations to highlight key concepts
Artificial Intelligence in Diagnosing Tuberculosis: A Review

Tuberculosis (TB) is among top ten causes of deaths worldwide. It is the single most cause of deaths by an infectious disease and is ranked 2nd only after the HIV/AIDS. In third world countries, the diagnosis of TB is done through conventional methods. To diagnostic results are obtain from conventional methods such as blood, culture, sputum and biopsies. They are tedious as well as take long time like 1-2 weeks or maybe evenmore. Therefore, to lower the detection time and raise the accuracy of diagnosis several researches have been carried out. In the past fifty years, due to the advanced and sophisticated technologies, in medical as well as computer science fields, have paved a way to utilize the essence of both the areas. In Artificial Intelligence (AI) various Machine Learning (ML) algorithms have furthered the interests in Computer-aided Detection (CADe) and Diagnosis (CADx) methods. These methodologies assist in medical field for diagnosing the diseases through clinical signs and symptoms as well as radiological images of the patient. They have been implemented for the diagnosis of TB. Advances in AI algorithms, has unveiled great promises in identifying the presence and absence of TB. As of late, many attempts have been made to formulate the strategies to increase the classification accuracy of TB diagnosis using the AI and machine learning approach. This review paper, aims to describes the diverse AI approaches employed in the diagnosis of TB.
Development and testing of an advanced photovoltaic receiver

Development and Testing of an Advanced Photovoltaic Receiver by Marc A. Newmarker Dr. Robert F. Boehm, Examination Committee Chair Professor of Mechanical Engineering University of Nevada, Las Vegas In August of 2004, the SAIC solar coneentrator located at UNLV was retrofitted with a 24 module photovoltaic aperture in hopes of producing a new type of solar electrie concentrator. After the initial solar testing began, it became very apparent that the receiver design did not supply adequate cooling of the silicone cells, leading to module deformation and eventual failure. Through investigative studies of the failure and the possible solutions to the problem put forth at NREL and UNLV, a second phase array of mechanically sealed photovoltaic modules was constructed and tested. With a new methodology implemented in phase two, the module design was validated. Highly instrumented on-sun evaluation ultimately followed. The instrumentation included flow meters, thermocouples and a pressure transducer. A period of performance was carried out in the field. This paper summarizes this work and the performance of the system. Included is the diagnostic work related to the initial failures and how the pereeived problems were corrected. Some qualitative evaluations of this approach for solar power generation are made.
Investigation of Traffic Signs Understanding - Eye Tracking Case Study

Traffic signs as part of traffic control plan inform traffic participants about road conditions, dangers, limitations and other information needed for their safety on the road. The meaning of traffic signs is defined by their shape, colour and symbol. The quality of the symbol design, manifested in its simplicity and clarity, can influence the understanding of the traffic signs thus affecting the perception. The aim of the study is to investigate, using eye tracking system, the understanding of warning and mandatory signs based on relevant and measurable eye movements: total visit duration, visit count, average fixation duration and fixation count. It was found that the participants, in order to understand signs, tend to detain longer, more often look back and have more fixations on signs whose meaning is not understood. The results also show that more experienced drivers usually base their understanding on experience thus understanding faster and with less number of fixations as opposed to younger drivers.
Prediction of the hydrodynamic performance and cavitation volume of the marine propeller using gene expression programming

ABSTRACT In the present study, hydrodynamic performance and cavitation volume of the marine propeller under different geometrical and physical conditions are evaluated by using three models which are proposed through gene expression programming (GEP). To this accomplishment, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) data of propeller thrust, torque and cavitation volume under different pitch ratio (Pr), rake angle (RA) and skew angle (SA), advance velocity ratio (J) and cavitation number (s) are considered as inputs–outputs of GEP models. Then, mathematical equations are obtained for the thrust, torque and cavitation volume in terms of the geometrical and physical prescribed parameters. In order to evaluate the performance and accuracy of the GEP models, four statistical measures including root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), scatter index (SI) and coefficient of determination (R2) are used. The final models are found to be of reasonable accuracy between observed and GEP-predicted values.
Analyzing the Impact of Energy, Export Variety, and FDI on Environmental Degradation in the Context of Environmental Kuznets Curve Hypothesis: A Case Study of India

The economic size of the Indian economy and its status as one of the major global emitters of carbon emissions makes the country a good place to study the determinants of environmental degradation in India. The study aims at analyzing the impact of energy, export variety, and foreign direct investment (FDI) on environmental degradation in India in the context of environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis. The long run relationship was found between variables of the study through a cointegration test, whereas long run estimates were obtained through cointegration and dynamic ordinary least squares (DOLS). Results of the study reveal that energy consumption, export variety, FDI, and income positively contributed to environmental degradation in India. Results also unveil that the EKC hypothesis does not exist in India. Causality analyses document unidirectional causality from income and FDI to environmental degradation, and bidirectional causality was witnessed between energy consumption and environmental degradation and between export variety and environmental degradation in the long run. The long run and the short run causality highlight that India has to forego the short run economic growth in order to improve its environmental quality and reduce global carbon emissions; however, it will not affect its long term economic development process.
Student-supervisor-university expectation alignment in the undergraduate engineering thesis

Given the lack of student research experience, the undergraduate thesis is necessarily focussed primarily on development of research skills (i.e. it is process oriented). Since postgraduate supervision is research output focussed, the lessons learnt from this field are not always directly transferable. In contrast to the vast body of work in the field of doctoral research supervision, there exists a dearth of literature on undergraduate dissertation supervision. To address this shortcoming, the present study examined the alignment of university, supervisor and student expectations regarding responsibilities in the undergraduate engineering thesis. University expectations, having undergone rigorous review, outline the sound pedagogical practice that should be applied to undergraduate supervision. Expectations of academic staff supervisors and thesis students were obtained through the use of survey tools and post-survey discussions. The surveys used in the present study were adapted from the Role Perceptions Rating Scale (RPRS). Alignment between student and university expectations regarding undergraduate thesis responsibilities in the present study was generally poor. The discrepancy between supervisor and university expectations was even greater, with academic staff generally assuming the bulk of the responsibility for many core thesis tasks. Post-survey discussion indicated that the driver for this behaviour were supervisor expectations that that undergraduate thesis research would contribute to publications. Taking primary responsibility for core thesis tasks away from the student, although improving the likelihood of successful research output, diminishes the ability for an accurate assessment of adequate academic performance. The learning that is intended to result from the undergraduate thesis is devalued when research outcomes are prioritised over research process.
The Comprehensive Textbook of Clinical Biomechanics [2nd Edition]

ALL-ENCOMPASSING and EXPANDED, now covering the WHOLE BODY (lower quadrant PLUS upper quadrant and spine)–The Comprehensive Textbook of Clinical Biomechanics (formerly Biomechanics in Clinic and Research) presents the latest research in a form which is accessible, practical, thorough and up-to-the minute. • Access to a 15-hours elearning course which includes:• over 100 high-quality animations, bringing abstract concepts to life• Self-assessed questions and interactive tests to check learning• Starts from basic principles and builds up to complex concepts• Highly practical with a constant clinical emphasis• Written for all health care professionals including physiotherapists and podiatrists• Addition of upper quadrant and spine• Title has changed to truly reflect the resource's expanded and comprehensive approach• Case studies and additional clinical examples• New methods …
Using Shock Control Bumps to Improve Transonic Fan/Compressor Blade Performance

Shock control bumps can help to delay and weaken shocks, reducing loss generation and shock-induced separation and delaying stall inception for transonic turbomachinery components. The use of shock control bumps on turbomachinery blades is investigated here for the first time using 3D analysis. The aerodynamic optimization of a modern research fan blade and a highly loaded compressor blade is carried out using shock control bumps to improve their performance. Both the efficiency and stall margin of transonic fan and compressor blades may be increased through the addition of shock control bumps to the geometry. It is shown how shock-induced separation can be delayed and reduced for both cases. A significant efficiency improvement is shown for the compressor blade across its characteristic, and the stall margin of the fan blade is increased by designing bumps that reduce shock-induced separation near to stall. Adjoint surface sensitivities are used to highlight the critical regions of the blade geometries, and it is shown how adding bumps in these regions improves blade performance. Finally, the performance of the optimized geometries at conditions away from where they are designed is analyzed in detail.
Optimal joint selective imperfect maintenance and multiple repairpersons assignment strategy for complex multicomponent systems

This paper addresses the joint selective maintenance and repairperson assignment problem (JSM–RAP) for complex multicomponent systems. The systems perform consecutive missions separated by scheduled finite duration breaks and are imperfectly maintained during the breaks. Current selective maintenance (SM) models usually assume that only one repair channel is available or that the repairperson assignment optimisation can be done at a subsequent stage. Using a generalised reliability function for k-out-of-n systems, we formulate the JSM–RAP for multicomponent systems more complex than the series-parallel systems commonly used in previous SM models. Two nonlinear formulations and their corresponding binary integer programming models are then proposed and optimally solved. Numerical experiments show the added value of the proposed approach and highlight the benefit of jointly carrying out the selection of the components to be maintained, the maintenance level to be performed and the assignment of the maintenance tasks to repairpersons. It is also shown that the flexibility provided by mixed skill cohorts of repairpersons over uniform cohorts can yield higher performance levels when the skillsets are significantly different.
Dynamic responses of axially moving telescopic mechanism for truss structure bridge inspection vehicle under moving mass

Dynamic responses of a telescopic mechanism for truss structure bridge inspection vehicle under moving mass are investigated under the assumption of Euler-Bernoulli beam theory. Equations of motion for the telescopic mechanism are derived using the Hamilton’s principle. The equations are transformed into discretized equations by employing the Galerkin’s method. The eigenfunctions of the beams are derived based on the kinetic and dynamic boundary conditions. The time-dependent features of the eigenfunctions are taken into account. The discretized equations are solved utilizing the Newmark-β method. Numerical results are presented to explore the influence of the moving mass on the dynamic responses of the telescopic mechanism and find appropriate mass-moving strategy to avoid large vibration. The results show that the vibrations when the mass doesn’t move synchronously with the telescopic beam are not always the minimum; on the other hand, the mass moving in the same direction of the telescopic beam will bring in stronger vibration.
Local Likelihood Based on Kernel Censoring

By drawing an analogy with likelihood for censored data, a local likelihood function is proposed which gives more weight to observations near a region of interest in the sample space. Resulting methods can be used for assessing local departures from a parametric model, and for semiparametric density estimation. Some theory, and three examples, is given
How Demographic Factors Affect Job Satisfaction in Shipping Agencies?: A Research Through İzmir-Based Liner Shipping Agencies

In the globalization and severe competitive environment, especially service organizations in maritime industry can survive only if they offer better services via their employees. High-performance of employees can lead them to organizational success and improve their competitiveness. So as service providers, the employees’ satisfaction and motivations become more important in service organizations. This paper aims to measure the job satisfaction level of employees in liner ship agencies operating in İzmir. In addition, whether the job satisfaction levels differ according to demographic characteristics is investigated. In order to reach the aim of the research, as a quantitative research method, the survey method has been used. Collected data have been analyzed by SPSS 20.0 and Amos software programs. The research findings have revealed that the less satisfied items are compensation and advancement, and the more satisfied items are job security and co-worker items. And also, some differences have been observed between demographic characteristics of respondents and their job satisfaction. This research is thought to have a contribution to liner shipping sector and the literature related to the subject.
Eco-driving: the role of feedback in reducing emissions from everyday driving behaviours

Abstract Eco-driving has been proposed as an approach to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions arising from personal automobile use. Eco-driving is the adoption of a measured driving style, minimising unnecessary breaking and aggressive acceleration. Eco-driving can be seen as a low cost and immediate approach to emission reduction as it involves the modification of drivers’ behaviours as opposed to the development and implementation of newer, more efficient technology. Despite the proposed benefits of eco-driving, numerous challenges are faced in order to encourage the adoption of these behaviours and maintain them long term. This narrative review presents the concept of eco-driving, with a focus on the long-term maintenance of these behaviours, including training programmes and feedback devices. It is clear within current literature that, despite the economic and environmental benefits of adopting eco-driving, drivers require feedback on their actions in order to promote long-term, behavioural, change.
Forecasting Short-Term Passenger Flow: An Empirical Study on Shenzhen Metro

Forecasting short-term traffic flow has been a critical topic in transportation research for decades, which aims to facilitate dynamic traffic control proactively by monitoring the present traffic and foreseeing its immediate future. In this paper, we focus on forecasting short-term passenger flow at subway stations by utilizing the data collected through an automatic fare collection (AFC) system along with various external factors, where passenger flow refers to the volume of arrivals at stations during a given period of time. Along this line, we propose a data-driven three-stage framework for short-term passenger flow forecasting, consisting of traffic data profiling, feature extraction, and predictive modeling. We investigate the effect of temporal and spatial features as well as external weather influence on passenger flow forecasting. Various forecasting models, including the time series model auto-regressive integrated moving average, linear regression, and support vector regression, are employed for evaluating the performance of the proposed framework. Moreover, using a real data set collected from the Shenzhen AFC system, we conduct extensive experiments for methods validation, feature evaluation, and data resolution demonstration.
Effect of spironolactone on vascular stiffness in hemodialysis patients: a randomized crossover trial

Background The role of spironolactone treatment in hemodialysis patients is debated, but a survival benefit is suggested. Mineralocorticoids and chronic kidney disease have been linked to cardiovascular fibrosis. Therefore, we hypothesized that spironolactone would affect vascular stiffness, cardiac systolic, and diastolic function in hemodialysis patients. Methods This was a randomized crossover study in hemodialysis patients supplemented with an echocardiographic case series. All outcomes reported here were secondary in the trial and were assessed without blinding. Block randomization and allocation determined treatment order. Participants received 50 mg spironolactone daily for 12 weeks and untreated observation for another 12 weeks. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) was measured before and after treatment and observation. Doppler-echocardiography was conducted before and after treatment. Systemic arterial compliance indexed to body surface area (SACi), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), the peak early diastolic mitral inflow velocity (E), the peak late diastolic mitral inflow velocity (A), and the peak early diastolic myocardial lengthening velocity (E’) were measured. E/A and E/E’ were then calculated. Statistical analyses were conducted per protocol. A generalized linear mixed model with random participant effects was used for PWV. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for echocardiographic variables. Results Thirty participants were recruited, 18 completed follow-up, and 17 were included in PWV-analyses. Spironolactone treatment showed a tendency toward an increase in PWV of 1.34 (95% confidence interval: −0.11 to 2.78) m/s, which was not statistically significant (P = 0.07). There were no significant changes in any of the other variables (LVEF, E/A, E/Eʹ, or SACi). Conclusions We found no evidence supporting an effect of 12-week administration of spironolactone 50 mg daily on vascular stiffness, cardiac systolic, or diastolic function in hemodialysis patients.