Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stability of Solids in Stepped Flume Nappe Flows: Subsidies for Human Stability in Flows

Knowing the details of the interaction between people and runoff flows caused by heavy rainfall or by floods due for example by the rupture of reservoirs or dams is essential to prevent accidents with humans. There are information in the literature on the equilibrium capacity of individuals partially immersed in flows occurring in flat-bottomed channels, but there are many gaps regarding the use of urban draining staircases during the occurrence of rainfalls that generate runoff over their steps, and their impact on people. This study considered the effect of the flow on the stability of five obstacles positioned on one of the steps of a reduced model of a draining staircase. The results were used to calculate dimensionless parameters which involve the mass and height of the obstacle, the water density, critical depth of the flow and step height. These parameters were justified by a fundamental toppling and drag formulation, and good correlations between the obtained dimensionless parameters were obtained following adequate power laws. Comparisons between the data obtained in the present reduced model of staircase and literature data of flat bottom channels showed similar behaviors. Finally, a scaling procedure to compare results of different scales and situations was also presented. Excellent correlations using different literature data and those of the present study were obtained.
Pre-crash sensing of occupant characteristics and position: enhancing secondary safety system performance

Current vehicle secondary safety systems are designed to maximise protection for a specific section of the population. Hence, certain car occupants, particularly those who sit in an unusual position or are not of 'average' size, may be more likely to be injured in a car accident. This paper reports the ongoing work of the project team working on Smart Seat design at Loughborough University, and how their system gathers live data about the physical characteristics and position of the vehicle occupant(s). Data is used by the secondary safety system to tailor its response to an individual, reducing levels of injury by making the best possible use of available technology. (A) For the covering abstract of the conference see IRRD 896323.
ICE AND MARINE STRUCTURES: PT. 1, THE MAGNITUDE OF ICE FORCES INVOLVED IN DESIGN

Outlines the problems connected with the effects of ice on marine structures as encountered in Cook Inlet, and cites four examples to demonstrate the solutions to some of the problems. Lateral forces on offshore oil drilling platforms may reach 15 million lb at elevations varying with the tide, ranging 35 feet or more. The structural simplicity of the monopod for use in depths of 100 feet or less is the best design to date. A shoreside dock located where ice moves generally parallel to the beach and in only one direction, uses "ice breakers", or tubes, at a 40 degrees angle to the horizontal, bracing out from the vertical tubes, to produce bending failure of the ice sheets. Close spacing of the structural elements is precluded in such cases, to prevent ice bridging from tube to tube. The dock at Anchorage is in a protected location and deep water, where predominant ice forces are vertical. Closely spaced piling provides for formation of a contiguous ice mass which may be thawed free due to heat condition along the length of the piling, and then float up and down with the tide. The only recent failure of a major structure due to ice loads was an extension to this dock: the piles were too widely spaced so that ice masses were separate about each and bent some single piles. When ice masses thawed free in the spring the entire weight of the mass at low tide was supported by the steel lateral bracing pile. Failures occurred when racking of the ice mass broke the concrete piling free of the relatively light cap, both elastic and permanent bending occurred in the bracing pile, and the cap was fractured due to joint rotation between the bracing pile and the cap.
The Coventry Motor Industry: Birth to Renaissance?

The Coventry motor car industry - parameters and significance origins - from cycles to cars organization and growth to 1914 the impact of war, 1914-18 between the wars - mergers and mass production the motor manufacturers and the second world war growth, stagnation and merger, 1945-68 the end of the boom renaissance or false dawn?
New Model to Estimate Speed Differential in Tangent-Curve Transition

An experimental study was conducted to define a new model for estimating the speed differential value between tangents and curves, based on the speed profile of each driver along the tangent-curve transitions. The CRISS (Inter-University Research Center for Road Safety) interactive fixed-base driving simulator was used. A predicting model of the speed differential was developed by regression analysis of data recorded in 16 tangent–curve configurations. It shows that the speed differential value depends on the operating speeds, on the approach tangents and on the curve radius. The model was subsequently verified with the data recorded in 5 configurations of a real two-lane rural road reconstructed in the driving simulator. The comparative analysis of the proposed model and the predicting models available in literature shows that the new model avoids some criticalities of the previous models and is fully consistent with the expected driver behavior in the tangent - curve transition. Keywords – design consistency, driver’s behavior, driving simulator, speed differential
Writing in academic Slovene: state and origins of students’ knowledge and skills

By using a survey and semi-structured interviewing our study showed that the majority of Slovene PhD students are satisfied with their Slovene academic writing skills, but admitted they could improve, for example, with regard to their use of typical academic vocabulary in its usual context; writing concisely and accurately; and producing characteristic sentences and phrases in accordance with specific sections of text. As for the origins of the skills in question, in students’ opinion the most important way of learning how to write academic Slovene is by reading academic text during the entire course of study, as well as by writing term papers and similar assignments. Here – in PhD students’ and supervisors’ opinion – the role of teachers is very important, i.e. all teachers, not just linguists, should contribute to the excellence of students’ knowledge of academic Slovene.
The Value Enterprise: Strategies for Building a Value-Based Organization

Managers and executives rely on Deloitte Touche, a leading Big 6 consultant, for advice on value-based management. Now, two of Deloitte's top experts show managers and employees how to use this strategy, which measures a company's value based on future expectations, instead of its past performance. Focusing on effective implementation instead of theory, this practical guide provides a blueprint for building a value-based organization. Filled with case studies and guidelines, it covers everything-from the basics of developing value-based management to establishing a value-culture to the essentials of activity-based costing-the realistic strategy will help companies transform their businesses and move forward into the future.
REVIEW OF THE PRACTICAL DRIVING TEST

There are several indications that there is potential for improving the current British practical driving test. The sharp decrease in accident liability, much of it associated with experience rather than age, during the first few years of driving (Maycock et al, 1991; Forsyth et al, 1995) invites us to search for ways of accelerating this process and preventing people from driving unsupervised until it has taken effect. Research (eg Hall and West, 1994; Parker et al, 1995) has shown the importance of driver attitudes and driving style as predictors of accident liability - predictors which are hardly covered in the current driving test. Detailed analyses of minor errors made during test show that changing the failure criterion might help to screen out drivers with high accident liability (Maycock and Forsyth, 1997). Indications of the importance of 'higher order' skills also encourage the belief that the test could be improved. This paper discusses some of the issues associated with assessing driving tests, and describes possible modifications to the test that the project is considering. For the covering abstract see IRRD 492593.
Competitive Advantage Through Diversity: Organizational Learning from Difference

PART ONE: DIVERSE PEOPLE Diversity as Strength The General Managers Flexible Frameworks The Professionals Opening Up the Club The Experienced Manager Information Workers The Organizational Hub So What About the Operatives? PART TWO: JOINT PRACTICE Teams Old Myths and a New Model Achieving Motivation and Momentum Setting Agendas, Getting Ideas Managing the Boundaries Evaluating Progress and Other Outcomes PART THREE: LEARNING PROCESS Frameworks, Roles and Organizing Innovating and Learning Information Technology and the Knowledge Process Developing People for Knowing Beyond Developing Practice and Process for Knowing Beyond
Development of a synthetic small calibre vascular bypass graft

Polyurethanes are an attractive class of material for bioprosthesis development due to the ability to manipulate their elasticity and strength. However, their use as long term biological implants is hampered by biodegradation. A novel polyurethane has been developed which incorporates nano-engineered polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane within poly(carbonate-urea) urethane to improve the biostability of the latter. Previous investigators have found this material to be cytocompatible and to have low thrombogenicity. The medium and long term clinical results of currently available prosthetic small calibre vascular bypass grafts are poor, due to neo-intimal hyperplasia associated with their non-compliant properties. The investigation reported here commences with the benchtop manufacture of compliant small calibre grafts using an original extrusion- phase inversion technique. The reproducibility of the technique as well as the effect on the pore structure of different coagulation conditions is demonstrated. Fundamental mechanical characterisation of the grafts produced is then presented, by way of tensillometry to demonstrate the viscous and elastic properties of the material. These are made more relevant to the clinical setting with functional mechanical characterisation of the grafts, showing graft compliance in a biomimetic flow circuit along with viscoelastic hysteresis, along with burst pressure testing. An examination of burst pressure testing methodology is also shown, in the light of the various non-standardised strategies reported in the graft-testing literature. Mechanical characterisation shows the short-term safety for use, but durability studies in the biological haemodynamic environment serve to assess longer term fatigability as well as confirming biostability. This has been reported using a stringent ovine carotid interposition model which remained patent over the full investigation period representing at least 45 million pulsatile cycles. Physico-chemical analysis; integrity of the structure, microstructure and ultrastructure; preservation of mechanical properties and immunohistological analysis were used to examine the grafts after implantation to show their healing properties and biostability.
Giants of Taiwan – comparative analysis of life history traits in four land snail species Changphaedusa horikawai, Formosana swinhoei, F. formosensis, and Formosana sp. (Stylommatophora: Clausiliidae: Phaedusinae)

ABSTRACT Family Clausiliidae (door-snails), which includes oviparous, embryo-retaining and viviparous species, can be a model group for studies on the evolution of reproductive modes in land snails. Yet, for understanding of evolutionary drivers leading to repeated changes of reproductive strategy, the identification of life history traits in phylogenetic lineages and geographical regions is fundamental. In this paper, we identified reproductive modes of clausiliid species endemic to Taiwan: Changphaedusa horikawai, Formosana formosensis, F. swinhoei, and an undescribed new species Formosana sp. Observations were conducted under laboratory conditions. Among Formosana species, oviparity predominated but embryo-retention was also recorded. The size of eggs and egg clutches differed between studied taxa. In contrast, C. horikawai was viviparous and delivered neonates. Anatomical examination of the fresh material allowed for unique observation of a large podocyst in embryos kept in the genital tract. This flattened structure may enable respiration or nutrient transfer between an embryo and a parent. In the regularly sampled wild population from Dawulun (N. Taiwan), gravid individuals were collected between April and November. The number of embryos reached three to nine per gravid individual. None of the species reproduced by self-fertilisation. Results of our study may support implementing conservation measures for malacofauna of Taiwan.
Traffic noise at rumble strips

Rumble strips may be established in the middle of roads in order to improve traffic safety by assisting in preventing vehicle drivers from crossing the centre line without noticing it. The noise/vibration created by such strips warns drivers. However, the noise level outside increases, potentially causing annoyance to road neighbours. A pilot study was conducted by the Danish Road Institute to test rumble strips generating low noise levels in the environment. Five types of rumble strips made by milling indentations in the pavement of a two-lane road were tested. Sinusoidal indentations led to only 0.5 - 1 decibels (dB) increase in noise level while cylinder-segment indentations gave an increase of 2 - 3 dB in relation to the noise level from pass-bys on the old stone mastic asphalt. Rectangular indentations gave rise to 3 - 7 dB higher noise levels than sinusoidal indentations and 2 - 5 dB higher levels than cylinder segment indentations. These results are valid at distances exceeding 25 metres from the road.
Quadriceps muscle atrophy and inflammatory markers in COPD patients

BackgroundCOPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is a systemic chronic inflammatory disease manifested by increased proinflammatory protein and cytokine levels. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether there is any correlation between systemic inflammatory mediators (CRP, ESR, PCT, IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α) and quadriceps muscle atrophy in patients with COPD.MethodsThe study group included forty patients with consecutive COPD followed at the Outpatient Pulmonology Unit of Imam Reza Hospital, Tabriz, Iran. Depth of quadriceps muscle was measured by B-mode ultrasonography using an 8 MHz 5.6 cm linear transducer array. Serum levels of CRP, PCT, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α and the ESR were also measured. All patients were evaluated in three stages; the first day of mechanical ventilator admission, 48 hours later and at the seventh day.ResultsThe results showed that the depth of quadriceps muscle on the seventh day after mechanical ventilator admission was significantly lower than of the first day (P = 0.0008). Statistical analysis showed a significant difference between the level of all systemic biomarkers on day 1 and day 7 (P < 0.05). The correlation study showed the significant negative associations between systemic inflammation markers and depth of quadriceps muscle. We found that the increased level of systemic inflammation biomarkers such as ESR, CRP and PCT were associated with reduced quadriceps depth in COPD patients. Moreover, evaluation of proinflammatory cytokines in COPD patients showed that the elevated IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α levels were associated with quadriceps atrophy. ConclusionThe main finding of this study is the positive correlation of systemic biomarkers of inflammation with quadriceps muscle atrophy in COPD patients over 7 days of mechanical ventilator admission.
CONSTITUTIVE ASPECTS OF AN EMBANKMENT WIDENING PROJECT

Two stress-strain models are used to backcalculate deformations for an embankment widening of a road on soft soil (a near-normally consolidated peat and clay layer) in Rotterdam, the Netherlands: the elastic-plastic Mohr-Coulomb model and a Cam-Clay type model. In order to demonstrate the need of plasticity models, the paper begins with some preliminaries on constitutive modelling and a review of non linear elasticity models. Subsequently, the Mohr-Coulomb model and the Cam-Clay model are considered. Attention is focussed on the stress-strain relationship for various types of loading. For the deformation calculations stiffness parameters based on compression and swelling index were chosen in such a way that both models predict about the same vertical displacements. However, the Cam-Clay model gives smaller horizontal displacements, which actually agree with the field measurements. This indicates that the choice of a constitutive model can be of major importance to predict correct deformations for near-normally consolidated soils. For the covering abstract of the conference see IRRD 863640.
An Exploration of Queer Spaces and Worldviews in the Accounting Profession.

This paper explores LGBTQI accountants’ worldviews to rethink the relationship between agency and structure for LGBTQI accountants. Drawing on queer theory and Lefebvre sociological approach to space, we dismantle the perceived apparent high level of normativity and the heteronormative dominating style in accounting firms by unravelling queer spaces. LGBTQI accountants’ life experiences shape the way they live, perceive and conceive the world. Their views contribute to questioning the current system of decisions, generating opportunities for counterhegemonic and innovative processes. Our findings, thus, suggest that gender appropriation of alternative views, such as queer ones, has contributed for a long time to the idea of a unique heteronormative space within accounting firms. Finally, we provide evidence that accounting can also paradoxically create comfort to LGBTQI accountants by generating an apparent sense of order, expanding the spaces of accounting as a lived experience.
The relationship  between self-esteem and self-forgiveness: Understanding the mediating role of  positive and negative self-compassion            

Self-forgiveness (letting go of the feelings of victimization, resentment, and vengeance) is possibly shaped in its nature and extent by self-esteem and self-compassion, through various mechanisms. The latter two represent well-known affirmative self-resources with significant implications for life outcomes in individualistic and collectivistic cultures. However, the literature linking self-forgiveness and self-esteem is limited, and whether self-compassion mediates this relationship is not known. The present study addressed this gap by examining the mediating role of Positive and Negative Self-compassion (PSC NSC, respectively) in the relationship between Self-esteem and Self-forgiveness. Employing convenience sampling, 144 males (Mean age = 22.10 years, SD = 1.66 years) and 124 females (Mean age = 21.98 years, SD = 1.90 years) participants were chosen. Correlation and regression analyses along with the path analytic method were used to analyze the data. Findings revealed that both Self-esteem and PSC significantly and positively correlated with the dimensions of self-forgiveness (except Guilt). NSC correlated positively with self-esteem but negatively with PSC. NSC significantly and negatively correlated with some self-forgiveness dimensions like Realization and Reparation, and Attribution but positively with the Guilt dimension. Both PSC and NSC significantly mediated the relationships among Self-esteem, Realization and Reparation, Guilt, and Attribution. Findings suggest the association between self-esteem and self-forgiveness could be explained by elevated PSC and reduced NSC, highlighting the coexistence and simultaneous functioning of both self-esteem and self-compassion in a collectivist culture like India, with more pronounced effects of the latter. Future studies should verify these preliminary correlational findings using diverse cross-cultural samples and methodology.
­­Awareness of the Fruits and Veggies (FNV) Campaign Among Target Audiences in California and Virginia: A Cross-sectional Study

Background The Partnership for a Healthier America launched the branded Fruits & Veggies (FNV) Campaign in 2015 to promote fruit and vegetable sales and intake to mothers and teens in two US pilot media market areas: Fresno, California and Hampton Roads, Virginia. Limited evidence is available on the effectiveness of marketing strategies to influence consumers’ fruit and vegetable demand. This cross-sectional study assessed associations between awareness of the FNV Campaign and attitudes, beliefs, intentions, and behaviors related to fruit and vegetable purchases and consumption among targeted audiences from the California and Virginia pilot markets. Methods Data were collected using an online survey between February and July 2017 using a purposive sample (n = 1604) of youth aged 14–20 years (n = 744) and mothers aged 21–36 years (n = 860). Results Approximately 20% (n = 315) of respondents reported awareness of the FNV Campaign. Youth aware of the FNV Campaign (n = 167) reported higher intentions to buy (p = 0.003) and eat (p = 0.009) fruits and vegetables than unaware youth respondents. Mothers aware of the FNV Campaign (n = 148) reported greater encouragement for friends and family to eat fruits and vegetables (p = 0.013) and had approximately 1.5 times higher odds of reporting trying a new fruit or vegetable (p = 0.04) than unaware mothers. Daily fruit and vegetable intake frequency did not differ by Campaign awareness. Conclusions Awareness of the FNV Campaign was associated with limited but positive cognitive and behavioral outcomes among target audience respondents. The present findings can inform future research to enhance understanding and improve effectiveness of FNV Campaign marketing practices as it expands throughout new markets nationwide.
Driver Attitudes and Behaviors at Intersections and Potential Effectiveness of Engineering Countermeasures

The objective of this focus group study was to identify driver attitudes and behaviors related to intersection safety and to assess the likely impacts of new or existing infrastructure-based technologies/countermeasures. Four focus groups were conducted at each of three test sites: Washington, DC; Chicago, IL; and Seattle, WA. At each site, the four groups corresponded to the age/gender characteristics identified as important to this project. The four groups were: 18- to 35-year-old female drivers only; 18- to 35-year-old male drivers only; 35- to 55-year-old drivers of both genders; and 65+-year-old drivers of both genders. At each site, the focus groups took place over two separate evenings, with two focus groups conducted per evening. A total of 119 individuals participated in the focus groups. The effort focused on identifying driver attitudes and behaviors with respect to four intersection scenarios: (1) red-light running, (2) left turns at busy intersections, (3) turning left onto a major road with moderate traffic, and (4) rear-end crashes. For each of these four scenarios, results and conclusions relevant to the following key questions are developed and presented: What are drivers most likely to do in this scenario? Why do drivers engage in these behaviors? What engineering countermeasures have the most promise for improving traffic safety?