Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Development of a GPS multi-antenna system for attitude determination

A GPS multi-antenna system consisting of multiple off-the-shelf GPS sensors has been successfully developed and extensively tested in operational marine environments. The advantages to use such a system are the flexibility in the selection of GPS sensors, the cost-effectiveness of the system with the emerging low-cost high performance GPS products and the increased productivity of equipment which can be assembled into a multi-antenna system or dissembled for other positioning purposes. The underlying methodologies to integrate multiple GPS sensors into an attitude determination system are presented. Specifically, the observation model and its error sources are analyzed. A direct computation method and a least squares procedure for attitude estimation are given. On-the-fly carrier phase ambiguity resolution methods are investigated with emphasis on the use of baseline constraints, a priori attitude information from other low-cost attitude sensors, and special antenna configurations. A specialized post-processing software package for attitude estimation using raw GPS multi-antenna measurements has been developed. A marine test has shown that the proposed multi-antenna system and processing software give consistent results with those from a commercial dedicated attitude system. When a wide antenna spacing was used on a 52metre long surveying vessel with a four GPS sensor attitude system, an accuracy better than 0.06 degrees at an output rate of 10 Hz for the estimated ship attitude parameters has been achieved, when the ship attitude reference was provided by a high accuracy INS. Such a performance of multiple GPS sensor attitude systems demonstrates an alternative means to provide accurate, cost-effective and reliable attitude information for hydrographic surveys and other applications.
Collaborative Search: Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How

Today, Web search is treated as a solitary experience. Web browsers and search engines are typically designed to support a single user, working alone. However, collaboration on information-seeking tasks is actually commonplace. Students work together to complete homework assignments, friends seek information about joint entertainment opportunities, family members jointly plan vacation travel, and colleagues jointly conduct research for their projects. As improved networking technologies and the rise of social media simplify the process of remote collaboration, and large, novel display form-factors simplify the process of co-located group work, researchers have begun to explore ways to facilitate collaboration on search tasks. This lecture investigates the who, what, where, when and why of collaborative search, and gives insight in how emerging solutions can address collaborators' needs. Table of Contents: Introduction / Who? / What? / Where? / When? / Why? / Conclusion: How?
Executive Succession, Strategic Reorientation and Performance Growth: A Longitudinal Study in the U.S. Cement Industry in Stable Environments

This research explores the performance consequences of CEO succession, executive team change, and strategic reorientation in different contexts. Based on team demography and organization learning ideas, we argue that CEO succession or executive team change enhances incremental organization change, while either strategic reorientation or the combination of CEO succession with executive team change triggers discontinuous organization change. We hypothesize that these contrasting intervention modes are appropriate in different contexts. A longitudinal study of the U.S. cement industry from 1918-1986 demonstrates that simple CEO succession is positively associated with subsequent performance when context is stable, but significantly more negatively associated with subsequent performance in turbulent contexts. Executive team change has significant effects on organization adaptation in both stable and turbulent contexts. Strategic reorientations are negatively associated with subsequent performance in stable contexts, but significantly more positively associated with subsequent performance in turbulent contexts. As a set, these results reinforce a demographic approach to succession research and indicate that CEO succession, executive team change, and reorientation are each distinct and important levers shaping organization adaptation. The impacts of these levers are contingent on organization context.
System dynamics model of the knowledge management process

To effectively manage the challenges being faced by construction organisations in a fast changing business environment, many organisations are attempting to integrate knowledge management (KM) into their business operations. KM activities interact with each other and form a process which receives input from its internal business environment and produces outputs that should be justified by its business performance. This paper aims to provide further understanding on the dynamic nature of the KM process. Through a combination of path analysis and system dynamic simulation, this study found that: 1) an improved business performance enables active KM activities and provide feedback and guidance for formulating learning-based policies; and 2) effective human resource recruitment policies can enlarge the pool of individual knowledge, which lead to a more conducive internal business environment, as well as a higher KM activity level. Consequently, the desired business performance level can be reached within a shorter time frame.
The impaction of time from injury to surgery in functional recovery of traumatic acute subdural hematoma

Background: The time from injury to surgery (TIS) is critical in the functional recovery of individuals with traumatic acute subdural hematoma (TASDH). However, only few studies have confirmed such notion. Methods: The data of TASDH patients who were surgically treated in Chia-Yi Christian Hospital between January 2008 and December 2015 were collected. The significance of variables, including age, sex, traumatic mechanism, coma scale, midline shift on brain computed tomography (CT) scan, and TIS, in functional recovery was assessed using the student’s t-test, chi-square test, univariate and multivariate models, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results: A total of 37 patients achieved functional recovery (outcome scale score of 4 or 5) and 33 patients had poor recovery (outcome scale score of 1–3) after at least 1 year of follow-up. No significant difference was observed in terms of age, sex, coma scale score, traumatic mechanism, or midline shift on brain CT scan between the functional and poor recovery groups. TIS was found to be significantly shorter in the functional recovery group than in the poor recovery group (145.5±27.0 vs. 181.9±54.5 minutes, P-value=0.001). TIS was a significant factor for functional outcomes in the univariate and multivariate regression models. The analysis of TIS with the ROC curve between these two groups showed that the threshold time for functional recovery in comatose patients and those with TASDH who were surgically treated was 2 hours and 57.5 minutes. Conclusions: TIS is an important factor l for the functional recovery of comatose TASDH patients who underwent surgery.
A wideband automated measurement system for on-wafer noise parameter measurements at 50-75 GHZ

A wideband automated on-wafer noise parameter measurement system has been built. Using measurement system developed here, noise parameters of a chip device can be determined over entire 50-75 GHz range in an automated manner. As an example, measured noise parameters of an InP HEMT are shown over 50-75 GHz.
Evaluation of the use of tissue expander in a university service

Introduction: Tissue expansion is an important reconstruction method to solve defects such as burns and giant nevi or breast reconstruction. This article aims to report the experience of the Plastic Surgery Service of the Hospital de Clínicas of the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR) with the use of expanders. Methods: This is a retrospective, descriptive, and analytical study of patients who underwent tissue expansion for reconstructive surgery at the Hospital de Clínicas da UFPR, from January 2010 to December 2016. Results: 61 patients and 80 surgeries were analyzed, including re-expansion procedures. Age ranged from 2 to 73 years (mean 31). The majority of patients were female (83.6%), aged over 40 years, undergoing breast reconstruction treatment after radical mastectomy (36%). The complications observed in these patients were: signs of infection (14.7%), suture dehiscence (3.2%), seroma (3.2%), defect in the expander (3.2%), exposure of the expander (3, 2%), necrosis (1.6%) and signs of hypoperfusion (1.6%). Patients undergoing breast reconstruction had the highest number of complications (40.1%). Reexpansion was necessary for 37.7% of patients. Conclusion: The skin expansion technique is indicated for several pathologies’ treatment. The tissue expansion procedure has high complication rates. Knowing the patient’s profile, the main types of complications, and the factors associated with these complications can help prevent them. ■ ABSTRACT
CORPS OF ENGINEERS DESIGN PROCEDURES FOR RIGID AIRFIELD PAVEMENTS

The Corps of Engineers has prepared new design procedures for rigid airfield pavement design. Plain, reinforced, fiber-reinforced, prestressed, and continuously reinforced concrete pavements may be designed with these procedures. This paper describes the development of the Corps of Engineers rigid pavement design procedures, the assumptions and modifications required for each type of concrete pavement, and an example design of a medium-load airfield pavement. (Author)
BIO-EFFICACY OF NANO NUTRIENTS ( N , ZN AND CU ) ON GROWTH OF CAPSICUM ( CAPSICUM ANNUUM L . VAR . GROSSUM )

Vegetables are the prime source of vitamins and minerals. As the population increases there is also increase in demand for nutritional vegetables, but in the conventional method of horticulture the production and productivity is considerably less. Thus to increase the productivity and to feed the over burgeoning population there is a need for novel fertilizers such as Nano fertilizers. An experiment was hence conducted in Chinapettai village, Panruti to investigate the Bio-efficacy of Nano nutrients (Nano Nitrogen, Zinc and Copper) on growth and yield of Capsicum. The experiment was carried out in RBD design (Randomized block design) with three replications and ten treatments. Results showed that the treatment with 100% RD-N+100% RD-P + 100 % RD-K + Nano N + Nano Cu + Nano Zn followed by 100% RD-N +100% RD-P + 100 % RD-K + Nano N and 75% RD-N+100% RD-P + 100 % RD-K + Nano N + Nano Cu + Nano Zn recorded maximum growth parameters. In contrast 50% RD-N + 100% RD-P + 100 % RD-K + Nano N showed increase in growth than the control (100% RDF (-N: -P: -K) (250:150:150kg/ha)) to conclude that Nano nitrogen could have compensated the 50% urea recommendation in conventional fertilizer and also had enhanced effect than control.
Physiological characteristics, activity patterns and physiological responses of elite women field hockey players during competition

Despite the popularity of field hockey very little research has investigated the physical requirements of, and the responses to, a game of field hockey. This study investigated the physiological characteristics of six elite women hockey players, their movement patterns during a game and the accompanying acute physiological responses. Players were chosen from the Victorian State Women's Field Hockey team on the basis of playing positions characterised by a high work-rate.
WEATHER AND AVIATION: HOW DOES WEATHER AFFECT THE SAFETY AND OPERATIONS OF AIRPORTS AND AVIATION, AND HOW DOES FAA WORK TO MANAGE WEATHER-RELATED EFFECTS?

According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) statistics, weather is the cause of approximately 70% of the delays in the National Airspace System (NAS). While weather delays declined with overall NAS delays after September 11, 2001, delays have since returned to near-record levels. In addition, weather continues to play a significant role in a number of aviation accidents and incidents. While National Transportation Safety Board reports most commonly find human error to be the direct accident cause, weather is a primary contributing factor in 23% of all aviation accidents. The total weather impact is an estimated national cost of $3 billion for accident damage and injuries, delays, and unexpected operating costs. The FAA Aviation Weather Research Program (AWRP) has as a goal to relieve weather impacts on NAS safety, capacity, and efficiency. To work towards this goal, the program conducts applied research organized around ten meteorological product development teams (PDTs). This paper discusses some of the activities of the these PDTs.
Determinants among the Internet Startup Life Cycle

Determinants among the Internet Startup Life Cycle Internet startups are oftentimes seen as the solution to the much needed job growth in Western societies. More importantly, it is successful startups that matter most. But, how do internet entrepreneurs value the most important factors for success? This study determines what factors are important in each stage in the internet startup life cycle. First, success and failure factors are identified through a literature review. Second, a conceptual internet startup framework is constructed in which the factors are divided in the founding team, the startup capability, and the external environment. Third, interviews are held to validate the framework from which propositions are derived. And last, an online survey is conducted with 48 entrepreneurs in order to test the propositions and determine what factors are most important in each stage of the internet startup life cycle. The results showed us that a) the factors commitment, pivot / adaptability, and learning are significantly important in the discovery stage; b) no significant factors were found in the validation stage; c) the factors customers, commitment, and learning are significantly more important than other factors in the efficiency stage; and d) the factors pivot / adaptability and incubator / advisors showed significantly less important than the other ten factors. Besides this, the factor staffing becomes significantly more important over time and the factor pivot / adaptability significantly less important over time. But, overall we conclude that commitment is most important for entrepreneurs. Furthermore, we present the epic startup for today’s internet entrepreneurs which stands for engage, practice, interact and change. keywords: internet startups, internet startup life cycle, factors, success/failure, entrepreneurs
Safety Assessment for Design and Redesign of Horizontal Curves

The Portuguese Road Administration adopted recently a new system for the detection of inconsistent horizontal curves in single carriageway rural roads of the National Road Network, and for the improvement of their safety records. This system resulted from research carried out within the research program of the National Laboratory for Civil Engineering (LNEC) and the European Research Program TRANSPORT of the European Union's Fourth Framework Program (SAFESTAR project). These investigations were followed by a specific study at LNEC, aiming at the development of application procedures as regards the Portuguese road network conditions. Models for calculation of unimpeded speed profiles are used to estimate conformance of horizontal curves with driver expectancy and to assess the increase in their accident risk, as compared with the accident risk on tangents. Predictions of accident rates on curves and on tangents are made using log-linear accident frequency models, with speed estimates and selected measured road characteristics as explanatory variables. Energy considerations and the change in the expected injury accident rates are used to classify horizontal curves in four consistency classes. A computer program was developed for practical application of this process. In addition, for each consistency class, a systematic curve treatment was defined and is currently being carried out in several roads. Generally, this treatment involves such low cost engineering measures as marking, signing and shoulder improvement. The safety record of the consistency classes is discussed, based on five years of accident data on the Portuguese main road network.
Modeling the nonlinear active cochlea: Mathematics and analog VLSI

MODELING THE NONLINEAR ACTIVE COCHLEA: MATHEMATICS AND ANALOG VLSI Bo Wen Supervisor: Kwabena A. Boahen The human auditory system vastly outperforms any machine in efficiency and robustness in perceiving sound. Complex and delicate, its front end, namely the cochlea, senses and processes sound in a nonlinear active fashion, exhibiting remarkable sensitivity and extraordinary frequency discrimination. The mechanism through which the mammalian cochlea achieves its incredible capability is postulated as the cochlear amplifier, which is generally believed to originate from outer hair cells electromotility. However, the detail of the cochlear amplifier remains unclear. Using both analytic and synthetic approaches, the present work provided a plausible basis for realization of the cochlear amplifier, thus advancing our understanding of cochlear mechanics. We proposed a novel cochlear amplifier mechanism based on the cochlea’s microanatomy, as well as outer hair cell (OHC) motility, to account for the cochlea’s characteristic behavior. This mechanism, active bidirectional coupling (ABC), considers both the basal tilt of OHCs and the apical tilt of phalangeal processes as critical for feeding OHC motile forces (with saturating property) forward and backward onto the basilar membrane, thereby enhancing the cochlea’s functioning. The ABC-based mathematical cochlear model produces responses that are comparable to physiological measurements. Theoretical model analysis reveals that ABC leads to negative damping basal to the response peak over a small longitudinal cochlear region. The tilted structure works as a v spatial filter, amplifying the cochlear traveling wave only when its wavelength becomes comparable to the tilt distance. Inspired by the biology, we proceeded to build a nonlinear active silicon cochlea—a very large scale integration (VLSI) physical cochlear model—for achieving real-time lowpower cochlear processing. Designed in current mode and operating in Class AB, this microchip implements the ABC mechanism, together with a silicon auditory nerve, in 0.25 μm complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technology. The resultant new architecture addresses the shortcomings of existing silicon cochleae, filter banks in cascade and in parallel. Analog current representing the basilar membrane’s velocity drives the silicon auditory nerve, which encodes sound in digital pulses, mimicking neuronal spikes, as the final output of the cochlea.
Empirical Analysis of the Impacts of Safety Motivation and Safety Climate on Safety Behaviour

Safety is a major concern for construction companies, as it is a source of substantial direct and indirect costs. In some countries, the rate of total workplace injuries from construction activities can be as high as at least 50%. This is undoubtedly a serious matter warranting urgent attention. In the past decade, interest in the nature of 'safety climate' and its role in predicting occupational accidents and injuries has increased. However, research findings regarding the relationships between safety climate and other key outcomes constructs such as safety behaviours and safety outcomes are to some extent inconsistent. Recent safety climate literature suggests that examining the role of safety motivation may help provide a better explanation on such relationships. In view of this, the authors of this paper have developed a conceptual model depicting the relationships between three main constructs: Safety Motivation, Safety Climate, and Safety Behaviour. In particular, the model hypothesises that Safety Climate has a mediating role on the relationship between Safety Motivation and Safety Behaviour. The aim of the research study presented in this paper was to empirically assess the proposed conceptual model within the context of Saudi Construction Industry. To achieve this, a questionnaire was developed through a critical review of literature and was pilot tested with a number of safety management experts. A survey was then administered in Saudi Arabia targeting project managers, site managers, site engineers and supervisors at construction workplaces. In total, 430 sets of questionnaire were distributed and 265 valid responses returned. Based on this dataset, a series of statistical analyses were performed including basic descriptive analysis, Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analyses as well as Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). The results from the analysis support that Safety Climate fully mediated the relationship between Safety Motivation and Safety Behaviour, within the context of Saudi Construction Industry.
Pharmacokinetic Analysis of Dynamic [18F]FAZA PET Imaging in Pancreatic Cancer Patient

Purpose This study assessed the pharmacokinetics of the hypoxia PET tracer, [18F]fluoroazomycin arabinoside ([18F]FAZA), in pancreatic cancer (PCa) patients and determined the optimal kinetic parameters to distinguish cancerous from normal pancreatic tissue. Method Twenty patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma underwent dynamic [ 18 F]FAZA scans. The tissue time activity curve (TAC) was analyzed using graphical methods to determine reversibility of tracer binding and with standard compartment (S2TC) model and flow modified two tissue compartment (F2TC) model, developed to incorporate transit time of tracer through the blood vessel, to estimate the kinetic parameters. The optimal parameter set to distinguish hypoxic tumors from normal tissues was determined using logistic regression. Results Both graphical and kinetic model analysis indicated that tracer was reversibly bound. According to the Akaike Information Criteria, the F2TC model fitted the tumor TAC better than the S2TC model. Total distribution volume, V T , estimated by the F2TC model for both tumor and normal pancreatic tissue was not significant but that estimated by the S2TC model was significantly different from Logan graphical analysis. The extravascular distribution volume ( DV ) and tracer dissociation rate constant ( k 4 ) can classify hypoxic PCa from normal tissue with sensitivity of 95% and negative predictive value of 89% (P<0.01). Conclusions Kinetic analysis of dynamic [ 18 F]FAZA PET can distinguish PCa from normal tissue with high sensitivity. The reversibility of [ 18 F]FAZA binding in hypoxic cells could be due to glutathionylation of the nitroreductase reduced products and their subsequent efflux from same cells via the ATP mediated multidrug resistant protein (MRP-1) efflux pump.