Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
SOIL FAILURE MODELS FOR VERTICALLY OPERATING AND HORIZONTALLY OPERATING STRENGTH SENSORS

Soil strength, or mechanical resistance of a soil to failure, has been widely used to estimate the degree of soil compaction. Conventional measurements with cone penetrometers are laborious; therefore, an on-the-go soil strength profile sensor that collects data dense enough to show the spatial within-field variability in soil strength would be a desirable alternative. Because soil failure involves complex interactions among many variables, determining design parameters of a soil strength sensor and interpreting test results could be improved with a theoretical understanding of the soil failure process. Mathematical models to estimate the force required to penetrate (cut and displace) soil with a prismatic cutter traveling horizontally and with a cone penetrometer traveling vertically were developed based on the passive earth pressure theory and the concept of a variable failure boundary. Both models were expressed as additive forms of density, cohesion, and adhesion components of the soil, with each effect multiplied by a corresponding dimensionless number. Charts of dimensionless numbers were developed to investigate the behavior of each strength component at various values of soil internal friction angle, soil-metal friction angle, and tool cutting angle. The models were used in simulation to optimize design parameters of the sensor, including component dimensions and the location and spacing of sensing elements. Based on this optimization, a prismatic sensing tip with a 3.61 cm2 base area and a 60° cutting angle was selected, and the corresponding simulated maximum force and strength measurements were 2.2 kN and 6.0 MPa when operating at speeds up to 5 m s-1. Model validation showed that the extension of the failure boundary was significantly correlated with soil properties such as bulk density, water content, and internal friction angle. The variable failure boundary model developed in this study more consistently and accurately represented field data than did three previously developed modeling approaches.
Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Tuberculosis Infection in Adult Patients with MDS

Background and aim Despite the high incidence of tuberculosis infection (TBI) in patients with hematological diseases, there were few researches on TBI in MDS patients. We retrospectively analyzed the characteristics of MDS patients with TBI in our center to improve the clinical diagnosis and treatment of these patients.Methods Primary MDS patients diagnosed between 2014 and 2019 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University were retrospectively reviewed, TBI was diagnosed by positive culture(s) or acid fast bacilli on modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining on clinical samples as well as compatible symptoms and signs.Results Thirty-four of 1347 MDS patients were diagnosed with TBI, nine patients had blast＜5%, twelve patients were MDS with excess blast-1(MDS-EB1), and the rest 13 patients were MDS with excess blast-2 (MDS-EB2). Ten patients had lower risk (low and intermediate) and 24 patients had higher risk (high and very high) according to revised international scoring system (IPSS-R). Moreover, fifteen patients were classified into synchronous group (defined as TBI occurring within 3 months of MDS diagnosis), and the rest 19 patients were non-synchronous group (defined as TBI developed after MDS more than 3 months). Patients in synchronous group have higher rate of persistent fever (11/15 vs. 7/19, p=0.03), higher risk classification ( 14/15 vs. 8/19, P=0.002 ), and higher tendency to transform to acute myeloid leukemia (AML) (8/15 vs. 4/19, P=0.04 ) than those in non-synchronous group. The median time to AML was significantly shorter in synchronous group (7.68 months vs. 23.83 months, P<0.01). Most patients received regular anti-tuberculosis treatment (ATT)(33/34) and support care(22/34) for MDS, patients received support care were more prone to proceed to AML than those received active therapy such as decitabine (12/22 vs. 2/12, P=0.03). The median OS of all patients in synchronous group was just 14.17 months, while in non-synchronous group, it was 34.07 moths ( P = 0.01). However, treatments for MDS had no effect on OS(P=0.67). Conclusion TBI is not uncommon among patients with MDS, patients with synchronous TBI and MDS progress faster and have shorter OS, which may be associated with genetic susceptibility and lack of active therapy.
Hydrodynamic Modeling for Discharge Analysis in a Dielectric Medium with the Finite Element Method under Lightning Impulse

The response of lightning impulse voltage was explored in dielectric liquids employing hydrodynamic modeling with three charge carriers using the finite element method. To understand the physical behavior of discharge phenomena in dielectric liquids, the response of step voltage has been extensively studied recently using numerical techniques. That of lightning impulse voltage, however, has rarely been investigated in technical literature. Therefore, in this paper, we tested impulse response with a tip-sphere electrode which is explained in IEC standard #60897 in detail. Electric fielddependent molecular ionization is a common term for the breakdown process, so two ionization factors were tested and compared for selecting a suitable coefficient with the lightning impulse voltage. To stabilize our numerical setup, the artificial diffusion technique was adopted, and finer mesh segmentation was generated along with the axial axis. We found that the velocity from the numerical result agrees with that from the experimental result on lightning impulse breakdown testing in the literature.
Assessing the Damage Potential in Pretensioned Bridges Caused by Increased Truck Loads Due to Freight Movements (Phase II)

With aging and deterioration of bridges, evaluation of existing conditions of their structural elements becomes vital to engineers and public officials when deciding how to repair or replace the structures. The ability to obtain necessary information on these conditions is often expensive and time consuming, especially for concrete bridges where the reinforcement is not available for inspection. Employing the surface-strain relief method could allow for accurate evaluation of aged or damaged prestressed members. The surface-strain relief method was developed to measure initial or pre-existing strains in a concrete member. It involves relieving the strain in the member and measuring the change in strain. Two methods were tested in this study—one used a linear electrical-resistance strain gage and a three-inch-diameter diamond concrete core bit to cut around the gage, and the second method used a laser-speckle imaging device and a diamond cutting wheel to create notches perpendicular to the axis of maximum strain. Both methods measured the change in strain and related it to within 10% of the actual fse. The method of cutting notches and the laser-speckle imaging device provided a simpler method to be implemented in the field, while the coring method achieved a higher level of accuracy and precision.
Salmon Farming in Context: Response to Blacket al.

We are pleased that Black et al. (1996) have found our article The cost of eutrophication from salmon farming: implications for policy (Folke et al., 1994) interesting enough to write a commentary. We understand that the article may be provocative to the aquaculture sector and for scientists involved in its development. We apologise if our following the instructions to authors for the Journal of Environmental Management in writing also for people outside the academic ivory tower, has amazed Black et al. Even so, the true motivation behind the aggressive tone of Black et al. remains hidden to us. Needless to say we do not agree with their criticisms, for reasons detailed below. We note that Black et al. admit that waste from intensive fish farming represents a potential risk for eutrophication. However, throughout their critique they argue that this is not a problem, mainly because nutrients from fish farms are different from those in sewage, and that the farms are located in areas of sufficient water exchange that will flush out the nutrients before algal blooms are formed. We will show that this is not valid from the ecosystem perspective. We will also argue that since it is widely accepted that the waters surrounding Sweden are eutrophicated, and an already existing major problem in our coastal ecosystems, any activity (e.g. agriculture, transportation, or aquaculture) that adds further nutrients to this environment should bear its share of the cost of nutrient abatement. Our reply is divided into two parts. In the first part we respond to the critique of Black et al. and show it to be invalid from the ecosystem and ecological economics perspectives, which we represent. In the second part we elaborate on the invitation of Black et al. to place aquaculture in an integrated coastal zone management framework.
Improved design of linear electromagnetic transducers for large-scale vibration energy harvesting

This paper presents the design and optimization of tubular Linear Electromagnetic Transducers (LETs) with applications to large-scale vibration energy harvesting, such as from vehicle suspensions, tall buildings or long bridges. Four types of LETs are considered and compared, namely, single-layer configuration using axial magnets, double-layer configuration using axial magnets, single-layer configuration using both axial and radial magnets, double-layer configuration using both axial and radial magnets. In order to optimize the LETs, the parameters investigated in this paper include the thickness of the magnets in axial direction and the thickness of the coils in the radial direction. Finite element method is used to analyze the axisymmetric two-dimensional magnetic fields. Both magnetic flux densities Br [T] in the radial direction and power density [W/m3] are calculated. It is found that the parameter optimization can increase the power density of LETs to 2.7 times compared with the initial design [Zuo et al, Smart Materials and Structures, v19 n4, 2010], and the double-layer configuration with both radial and axial magnets can improve the power density to 4.7 times, approaching to the energy dissipation rate of traditional oil dampers. As a case study, we investigate its application to energy-harvesting shock absorbers. For a reasonable retrofit size, the LETs with double-layer configuration and both axial and radial NdFeB magnets can provide a damping coefficient of 1138 N·s/m while harvesting 35.5 W power on the external electric load at 0.25 m/s suspension velocity. If the LET is shorten circuit, it can dissipate energy at the rate of 142.0 W, providing of a damping coefficient of 2276 N·s/m. Practical consideration of number of coil phases is also discussed.
Impacts of Ventilation: Studies on “Before and After” a Smoking Ban is Implemented

Abstract A number of legislative bodies in Europe have already made or are currently considering making policy decisions on the issue of smoking in public places. Policy alternatives have been discussed in Town and Country Planning (2002). In the last decade, the scientific evidence relating to this debate has been reported in a diverse range of publications such as the British Medical Journal, Indoor Air and The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers journal. On inspection much of this reporting concludes negatively on the performance of ventilation systems. In this paper, a critical review is undertaken of the “before and after smoking ban” study papers. This paper aims to critically review the findings of these studies in relation to ventilation and draw some working conclusions from these studies.
City Growth and Urban Drainage Alternatives: Sustainability Challenge

Since the 1970s, growing concerns about urban development’s effects on the natural environment have been prompting efforts to find more sustainable solutions for the problems arising from the built environment. In this context, this work discusses the need to integrate innovative stormwater drainage practices with the urban planning process, especially regarding the limitation associated with the increase of impervious surfaces, while trying to handle the runoff generated by the urban sprawl. The interaction between urban growth and stormwater management is investigated, using a case study in the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro to illustrate the main findings. To fulfill this objective, the present flooding scenario for this area is modified under two premises: considering a traditional drainage system approach, focusing on channelization measures, and a distributed stormwater management approach, based on the sustainable urban drainage system (SUDS) concepts. Then, these two solutions are tested for their effectiveness under three different scenarios of future urban growth and land-use changes, ranging from uncontrolled urbanization to planned urban growth with land-use control. The capacity of these two approaches to maintain their design functions is verified for the proposed future urban patterns. The quantitative evaluation of urban flooding prospective scenarios is supported by mathematical modeling. From the results of the conducted simulations, one can confirm the crucial importance of land-use planning in the urban flood control process. Decentralized stormwater controls, although more resilient than traditional channelization measures, tend to fail in the long term if land-use planning is not properly addressed. A key element for flood control is the integration of drainage solutions with urban development, in a systemic way and considering the basin scale as the planning and design reference.
Numerical simulations of wind drags on straight and twisted polygonal buildings

This paper presents a systematic study of wind drags on high‐rise buildings of various shapes using computational fluid dynamics. By increasing the side number of a polygon, the drag coefficient of the extruded tower decreases and eventually converges to that of a circular tower. The results also show consistent reduction of wind drag when round corners are applied to the polygonal cross section and when the radius of the round corner is gradually increased. This paper also investigates the effect of twisting the building on reducing the wind drag. Design of Experiments shows that the wind drag can be reduced if the building is twisted appropriately. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Employee Satisfaction: Does Kano's Model Apply?

Employee satisfaction has become one of the critical issues in total quality management. Numerous studies investigate the antecedences and consequences of the construct. It has been found that employee satisfaction drives productivity and customer satisfaction. In order to better understand the drivers of employee satisfaction, the authors investigate whether Kano's model of customer satisfaction also applies to employee satisfaction. Kano's model distinguishes three categories of factors that have a different impact on the formation of customer satisfaction: basic factors (dissatisfiers), excitement factors (satisfiers) and performance factors (hybrid factors). In the first part of the paper, the authors review the literature on Kano's model of customer satisfaction. Next, they discuss whether and how it applies to employee satisfaction. The authors then report the findings of an empirical study in a pharmaceutical company. Using a regression analysis with dummy variables, the authors find an asymmetric relationship between the satisfaction with different factors and overall employee satisfaction, thereby confirming Kano's model in the context of employee satisfaction. In the final section of the paper, the theoretical and managerial implications of these findings are discussed.
Robotics of Fruit Harvesting: A State-of-the-art Review

Abstract Mechanization of the harvesting of fruits, and primarily of those that are destined for the fresh market, is highly desirable in many countries due to the decrease in seasonal labour availability. Some of the technology exists for harvesting fruit intended for processing, but its utilization for soft, fresh fruit is limited, because of the excessive mechanical damage to the fruit during mechanical harvesting. An alternative to the current mechanical harvesting systems, superior from the point of view of fruit quality, but far more ambitious, is automated fruit picking with a robotic system which emulates the human picker. The challenge of developing a cost-effective robotic system for fruit picking has been taken up by researchers at several places in the world. The major problems that have to be solved with a robotic picking system are recognizing and locating the fruit and detaching it according to prescribed criteria, without damaging either the fruit or the tree. In addition, the robotic system needs to be economically sound to warrant its use as an alternative method to hand picking. This paper reviews the work carried out during the past 10 years in several countries, in developing a robot for picking fruit. Its major objective is to focus on the technological progress made so far, point out the problems still to be solved, and outline the conditions, technological and socio-economic, under which the robotic method will be accepted.
A Comprehensive Study on Lexicon Based Approaches for Sentiment Analysis

In recent years, it is seen that the opinion-based postings in social media are helping to reshape business and public sentiments, and emotions have an impact on our social and political systems. Opinions are central to mostly all human activities as they are the key influencers of our behaviour. Whenever we need to make a decision, we generally want to know others opinion. Every organization and business always wants to find customer or public opinion about their products and services. Thus, it is necessary to grab and study the opinions on the Web. However, finding and monitoring sites on the web and distilling the reviews remains a big task because each site typically contains a huge volume of opinion text and the average human reader will have difficulty in identifying the polarity of each review and summarizing the opinions in them. Hence, it needs the automated sentiment analysis to find the polarity score and classify the reviews as positive or negative. This article uses NLTK, Text blob and VADER Sentiment analysis tool to classify the movie reviews which are downloaded from the website www.rottentomatoes. com that is provided by the Cornell University, and makes a comparison on these tools to find the efficient one for sentiment classification. The experimental results of this work confirm that VADER outperforms the Text blob.
Probabilistic approach for fault-section estimation in power systems based on a refined genetic algorithm

A systematic and mathematically sound model and a refined genetic algorithm (RGA) based method for fault-section estimation in power systems is proposed. First, the probabilistic causality relationship among section fault, protective relay action and circuit breaker trip is formulated as a probabilistic causality matrix. Secondly, the well-developed parsimonious set covering theory is applied to the fault-section estimation problem, and a 0-1 integer programming model is then obtained. Thirdly, a RGA-based method for fault-section estimation is developed by using information on operations of protective relays and circuit breakers. The proposed method is versatile and can deal with uncertainties in fault-section estimation, such as protective relay failures and/or malfunction and circuit breaker failures and/or malfunction. Test results for a sample power system have shown that the probabilistic approach developed for fault-section estimation is feasible and efficient.
Direct modulation of widely tunable sampled-grating DBR lasers

The linewidth, chirp and mode-suppression-ratio (MSR) of directly modulated sampled grating DBR (SGDBR) lasers has been measured. Although the tuning range can be up to an order of magnitude larger than in simple DBR lasers (i.e. 60 nm vs 6 nm), we find that the linewidth, chirp and MSR are about the same or better (i.e. (Delta) (nu) < 5 MHz, (alpha) equals 3-8, and MSR > 40 dB) over a wide range of operating parameters. The modulation bandwidth was in excess of 4 GHz, and the dynamic MSR remained > 40 dB as long as the current did not swing below threshold.
Exploring The Application of KWL Strategy Towards Students’ Reading Comprehension: Teachers’ Perceptions

This research aims to explore the benefits of Know, Want and Learn (KWL) strategy towards students’ reading comprehension, particularly in English Language Teaching (ELT). The chosen topic is selected due to the students’ difficulties in comprehending English texts, showing that learners’ lack of motivation and reading interests and the ineffective teaching method offered. Additionally, this paper applies semi-structured interview to collect data, interviewing 3 English teachers in regard to the implementation of KWL strategy in the teaching and learning of reading comprehension. The research’s result shows that KWL strategy boosts students’ engagement and understanding. It also enhances students’ concentration and grades in reading comprehension. It would be a sensible idea for teachers to apply an interactive learning process and deeper exploration concerning this topic is required as well in upcoming investigations
Analysts' EPS Forecasts: The Effects of Forecast Uncertainty and Forecast Precision on Investors' Judgments of Forecast Reliability.

In this study, I use an experiment to investigate the joint effects of forecast precision and forecast uncertainty on investors’ judgments of the reliability of analysts’ EPS forecasts. Results indicate that participants’ judgments of forecast reliability are not influenced by forecast uncertainty when precise analyst EPS forecasts are presented. In contrast, participants’ judgments of forecast reliability are higher when forecast uncertainty is low than when it is high when round forecasts are presented. Further, I find that investors’ judgments of the overall conditions under which the forecasts are made are influenced (not influenced) by forecast uncertainty, and that the relationship between forecast uncertainty and forecast reliability is mediated (not mediated) by investors’ judgments of the overall conditions under which the forecasts are made when round (precise) forecasts are presented. My findings are informative to analysts and investors because it provides insights into how investors perceive and react to rounding in analysts’ EPS forecasts under differing levels of earnings uncertainty.
Mean Injury Costs of Run-Off-Road Collisions with Fixed Objects: Passenger Vehicles and Motorcycles

Cost–benefit analyses are an important analytical tool for road authorities to assess and prioritize road safety countermeasures, and commit funds that maximize road safety benefits. The aim of this study is to establish field-observed crash, injury, and cost data for run-off-road collisions with various fixed hazards and roadside infrastructure, and to derive accurate and reliable cost values for such objects for use in run-off-road cost–benefit analyses. Values are derived for passenger vehicle occupants and motorcyclists. Accurate cost data is vital to ensure cost–benefit analyses are rigorous and reliable. Data linkage between police-reported road crash, hospitalization, and personal injury insurance claim data collections is used to identify fixed-object collisions, the injuries sustained, and to establish the associated costs of treatment. A total of 5,004 passenger vehicle and 1,364 motorcycle casualties resulting from fixed-object collisions are identified, and mean injury costs per collision are established for various types of objects. The new cost values may be used in conjunction with existing cost–benefit procedures, to accurately cost fixed-object collisions and assist road authorities with decisions relating to roadside design and the commitment of funds for road safety countermeasures.