Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Water drop corona effects on full-scale 500 kV non-ceramic insulators

It is shown that certain regions of commercially available 500 kV non-ceramic insulators have surface electric fields that are above the threshold for water drop corona. Observations made in a full scale accelerated aging chamber, and in service, demonstrate that water drop corona occurs on such insulators. A correlation between the magnitude of the surface electric fields and the condition of the silicone rubber non-ceramic insulator surfaces due to water drop corona is illustrated for two different insulator types in an accelerated aging chamber. Other examples of degradation of nonceramic insulators due to water drop corona are illustrated.
Viscoelastic Genetic Algorithm for Inverse Analysis of Asphalt Layer Properties from Falling Weight Deflections

The falling weight deflectometer (FWD) is a nondestructive test whose results are typically used for backcalculating in situ layer properties of pavements. Most backcalculation methods assume the pavement to be a layered elastic half-space. However, asphalt pavements behave more like multilayered viscoelastic systems, especially in response to small or short-duration load applications. Hence, although elastic analysis is computationally efficient and well accepted in the engineering community, the theory cannot produce the viscoelastic properties of the asphalt concrete (AC) layer. In this study, a new inverse analysis method is proposed to backcalculate both linear elastic and viscoelastic properties of pavement layers as well as the AC time–temperature shift factor. In this method, the FWD load–response history of a single FWD drop and variation in temperature along the depth of the AC layer during the drop are used for performing the computations. The underlying (viscoelastic) forward solver is approximate and disregards dynamic effects; these factors, in return, make it computationally efficient. A genetic algorithm–based optimization scheme is offered to search for the pavement properties. As an example, two sections from the long-term pavement performance study were selected for investigation. The back-calculation results were positive, which indicates that unless a stiff layer exists close to the surface, it should be possible to infer linear viscoelastic properties from a single FWD drop.
Accurate charge‐control model for analysis of noise properties for AlGaAs/GaAs hemt and AlGaAs/InGaAs phemt at microwave frequencies

An accurate charge‐control approach to analytical noise modeling of a high electron mobility transistor, which provides excellent results in agreement with the experimental data, is presented. The small‐signal parameters, and the drain and gate‐noise sources are calculated to determine the noise coefficients, minimum noise figure Fmin and minimum noise temperature Tmin. The influence of drain current, frequency, and device parameters upon Fmin and Tmin for AlGaAs/GaAs HEMT and AlGaAs/InGaAs/GaAs PHEMT is presented. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 42: 489–494, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.20346
Assessment of Dermatoglyphic Patterns and Sex Distribution in Esan Ethnic Group of Edo State, Nigeria

This study was carried out to find out the possibility of a unique pattern of palm and finger prints (Dermatoglyphics) among 192 adults (96 males and 96 females) of Esan origin who, at the time of this study, were residing in Esan-land - the central senatorial district of Edo state, Nigeria. The subjects were selected via multi-stage sampling technique and fingerprint determination was performed using the Indian ink methods. Palm and fingerprints were observed for the angles connecting the triradii at the roots of the fingers (a-index finger, b-middle finger, c-ring finger d-small finger and t-the most proximal triradii in the palm) taken as atd , tad and tda angles. The data collected were statistically analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) using the student t-test, chi square test and ANOVA as statistical tools. Results showed that the loop pattern had the highest frequency (61.7%) followed by whorl (24.9%), arch (12.8%) and double whorl (0.6%). The mean atd angles were 43.49 for males and 44.02 for females; tad angles were 75.11 for males and 74.71 % for females; and tda were 61.22% for males and 61.35% females. These reveals that the pattern of finger prints distribution were similar for both sexes except that the males had more arches on the right hand (53%) than the females with more arches on the left hand (57.1%). Keywords: Esan people, Dematoglyphic Patterns, Finger Prints, Palm
Topology of thin film RC circuits

Integrated RC circuits can be made by depositing exceedingly thin metallic and dielectric films in suitable patterns on an insulating substrate. Resistors are strips of conductor; capacitors are patches on which conducting, dielectric, and conducting layers are superimposed. Since conductors can cross at capacitor patches, RC networks need not be strictly planar to be realizable in thin film. Determining which RC circuits are realizable poses new problems in topology which are remarkably simple to state but are as yet unsolved. The results reported here are fragmentary, but they do cover some cases of small order that may be of practical interest.
The global information technology report 2003–2004

This Report is divided into three main sections: essays, country profiles, and data tables. The essay section draws upon the expertise of scholars, practitioners, policymakers, and business leaders. The country profiles section provides a detailed, relative snapshot of each economy's networked readiness. Data tables that contain rankings of economies for every variable discussed are presented at the final section of the Report. The first chapter The Networked Readiness Index 2003-2004, presents the overall results of the research including the relative levels of networked readiness of different economies. The final chapter Little Finland's Transformation to a Wireless Giant traces Finland's transformation from being one of the least ICT-specialized countries to being one of the most specialized ones. The second section of the Report contains the country profiles for each of the 102 economies assessed. This is followed by the third and final section, a presentation of the data tables and statistical methodology used to compute the Networked Readiness Index.
Doubly Fed Induction Generator Maximum Wind Power Extraction Study Through Integrated Steady-state and Close-loop Control Evaluation

Abstract A doubly fed induction generator wind turbine is a variable-speed wind turbine widely used in the modern wind power industry. Unlike a fixed-speed wind turbine, the maximum power extraction of the turbine is affected by (1) electrical characteristics of the generator, (2) aerodynamic characteristics of the turbine blades, and (3) maximum power extraction control strategies. This article presents a doubly fed induction generator maximum power extraction study through the integrated steady-state and transient close-loop control evaluation approach so as to benefit the development of enhanced peak power tracking control techniques for variable-speed wind turbines. The generator characteristics are examined for different d-q control conditions; the peak power tracking and extracted wind power characteristics of the turbine blades versus generator slip are presented. Then, all three characteristics are analyzed in a joint environment to investigate doubly fed induction generator maximum power extraction principles. A nested current- and speed-loop control structure is developed using the stator-flux-oriented frame, which is then used to evaluate factors that may affect doubly fed induction generator peak power tracking control performance. Simulation studies are conducted to investigate how doubly fed induction generator maximum power extraction is influenced by wind turbine electrical and aerodynamic characteristics, different peak power tracking control designs, and variable and gusting winds.
An optimum calibration procedure for radiometers

Abstract The zero calibration of total power radiometers is examined as a filter design problem. A calibration filter is proposed which incorporates information from cold target calibration samples in such a way as to minimize the variance of the corrected signal in the presence of 1/ƒnoise. The analysis I§ applicable also to modulated (Dicke switch) radiometers, but 1/ƒnoise is usually less important in such cases.
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Colonization Increased Above-Belowground Feedback of Maize In a Degraded Coal Mining Area Soil By Increasing The Photosynthetic Carbon Assimilation And Allocation of Mazie

A three-compartment culture system was used to study the mechanism by which the AM fungus Funneliformis mosseae influences host plant growth and soil organic carbon (SOC) content in a coal mining area. A 13CO2 pulse tracing technique traced the allocation of maize photosynthetic C in shoots, roots, AM fungus and soil to detect C accumulation and allocation in mycorrhizal (inoculated with Funneliformis mosseae) and non-mycorrhizal treatments.AM fungal inoculation significantly increased the 13C concentration and content in both above- and below-ground plant parts. Mycorrhizal inoculation significantly enhanced the anti-aging ability by increasing soluble sugars and catalase activity (CAT) in maize leaves while reducing foliar malondialdehyde content (MDA) and leaf temperature to promote plant growth. AM fungi also increased P uptake to promote maize growth. Soil organic carbon (SOC), glomalin, microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and nitrogen (MBN) contents increased significantly after inoculation. A mutually beneficial system was established involving maize, the AM fungus and the microbiome, and the AM fungus became an important regulator of C flux between the above- and below-ground parts of the system. Inoculation with the AM fungus promoted plant growth, C fixation and allocation belowground to enhance soil quality. The positive above-belowground feedback appeared to be established.
Improved Control of Pressure Reducing Valves in Water Distribution Networks

The behavior of transients in water pipe networks is well understood but the influence of modulating control valves on this behavior is less well known. Experimental work on networks supplied through pressure reducing valves (PRVs) has demonstrated that, in certain conditions, undesirable phenomena such as sustained or slowly decaying oscillation and large pressure overshoot can occur. This paper presents results from modeling studies to investigate interaction between PRVs and water network transients. Transient pipe network models incorporating random demand are combined with a behavioral PRV model to demonstrate how the response of the system to changes in demand can produce large or persistent pressure variations, similar to those seen in practical experiments. A proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control mechanism, to replace the existing PRV hydraulic controller, is proposed and this alternative controller is shown to significantly improve the network response. PID controllers are commonly used in industrial settings and the methods described are easy to implement in practice.
Review of shear design methods for reinforced concrete beams strengthened with fibre reinforced polymer sheets

This paper reviews the different shear design methods found in the literature for reinforced concrete beams strengthened externally with fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) sheets and compares the adequacy of each method by using the test results from the University of Alberta. The FRP shear design methods presented include the effective FRP strain and the bond mechanism criteria, the strut-and-tie model, the modified compression field theory, and a mechanical model based on the strip method with shear friction approach. Sixteen full-scale T-beam test results were used in the evaluation. Two web heights of 250 and 450 mm and two ready mix concrete batches of 29 and 44 MPa were used in the test specimens. Closed stirrups were used with three spacings: 200 mm, 400 mm, and no stirrups. Three types of FRP were used to strengthen externally the web of the T-beams: (i) uniaxial glass fibre, (ii) triaxial (0/60/60) glass fibre, and (iii) uniaxial carbon fibre. The results showed that the mechanical model using the s.
The role of training in improving employability, job satisfaction and the career success of public sector employees

The importance of knowledge for the success of modern organizations results in growing interest in the issue of the professional development and the employability of public sector employees. Constant development and professional training are necessary. This situation poses a serious challenge for many employees, affecting their job satisfaction and opportunities for career success. The paper attempted to answer the question of what are the relations between training and professional development, and employability, job satisfaction and the subjective career success of public sector employees? This goal was achieved by examining the results of surveys conducted in public sector organizations. The results indicate that employee training and development positively influence employability, as well as employee career success and job satisfaction. Moreover, the positive impact of job satisfaction on subjective career success was identified.
Timing and kinematics of the Variscan orogenic cycle at the Moldanubian periphery of the central Bohemian Massif

The high-grade metamorphic complexes along the northern Moldanubian periphery of the central Bohemian Massif provide an outstanding structural record of all episodes of the collisional evolution of the Variscan Orogeny. The kinematics and timing of the orogenic processes were examined by structural and microstructural studies of middle and lower crustal rocks combined with xenotime and monazite geochronology. Four distinct tectonic events were identified. A first relict sub-horizontal fabric S1 associated with high-pressure–high-temperature metamorphism was only developed in the lower crustal rocks and was related to back-arc extension or lower crustal flow in a supra-subduction domain. This fabric was completely reworked to the subvertical foliation S2 at c. 340 Ma by major collisional thickening, leading to juxtaposition of the lower and middle crust. Thereafter, extensional collapse of the thickened orogenic system caused strong refolding to the high-temperature sub-horizontal fabric at c. 325 Ma. The region was subsequently affected by NNE–SSW-oriented horizontal shortening related to dextral shearing and the clockwise rotation of crustal blocks adjacent to the large-scale dextral shear zone (the Elbe Zone). This led to fragmentation and reorientation of the Moldanubian margin to its current position. Supplementary material: A summary of the main microstructural features related to the defined deformation phases, the results of the U–Pb laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analyses of xenotime and monazite, back-scattered electron images and rare earth element compositional maps are available at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare. c.5708800. v1
Scottish and Chinese teacher educators’ understandings of, and practices in the internationalisation of teacher education

ABSTRACT This article reports on a case study that collected qualitative data from seven teacher educators in two universities, respectively, from China and Scotland. Drawing on the rationales for, and ideologies about internationalisation from postcolonial perspectives, our data analysis highlights the participants’ divergent views about the rationale for internationalising teacher education: for quality assurance, for intercultural dialogues, or for developing ‘great teachers anywhere’. Such divergent views reflect the teacher educators’ different socio-cultural contexts, and the different agendas of teacher education and higher education in the two research sites. To internationalise teacher education for a global and multicultural context, we suggest teacher educators in both Scottish and Chinese contexts deconstruct their views and assumptions about Western education and promote intercultural dialogues. This also requires institutional support and thoughtful alliances among different stakeholders to ensure well-informed policies and strategies.
An Empirical Study on the Influence of the Mobile Information System on Sports and Fitness on the Choice of Tourist Destinations

Based on the popularity of mobile information and the important role of mobile information in marketing, the use of mobile information to publish travel information and travel advertisements has become a new choice for operators, which can also attract sports and fitness people. This article studies the influence of official microblog of tourist destination on tourists’ choice of tourist destination. In this study, five factors, such as the usefulness of official microblog, are taken as independent variables, tourist destination selection as dependent variables, and the mediating role of use attitude is taken into account. A research model is established to explore the impact of these variables on tourist destination selection. The results show that usefulness, ease of use, interactivity, and entertainment have direct effects on tourists’ willingness to choose tourist destinations; ease of use and interactivity can indirectly affect tourists’ choice of tourist destinations using attitudes; perceived trust needs to have a positive effect on tourists’ willingness to choose tourist destinations using attitudes.
A compact modified triangular CPW‐fed antenna with multioctave bandwidth

This article presents the results of a compact modified triangular CPW‐fed antenna that exhibits multioctave performance. This modification significantly improves the antenna's impedance bandwidth by 198% over an ultra‐wideband (UWB) frequency range from 3.06 to 35 GHz. The return‐loss (S11) performance over this frequency range is designed to be better than −10 dB. These characteristics make the proposed antenna an excellent candidate for numerous UWB applications and next generation communication systems. The key physical parameters affecting the antenna's frequency characteristics have also been investigated to determine optimum antenna performance. The antenna's measured return loss and E‐plane and H‐plane radiation patterns show a very good correlation with the requirements of UWB applications. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 57:69–72, 2015
Internalized weight stigma and intuitive eating among stressed adults during a mindful yoga intervention: associations with changes in mindfulness and self-compassion

ABSTRACT Purpose Internalized weight stigma (IWS) is common in the United States of America across body weight categories, and is implicated in the development of distress and unhealthy eating behaviors (e.g. overeating, disordered eating) that can foster poor cardiometabolic health. While emerging intervention research shows early promise in reducing IWS, long-term efficacy is unclear and novel strategies remain needed. This analysis examined whether participation in a mindful yoga intervention was associated with reduced IWS and increased intuitive eating, an adaptive eating behavior, and whether these changes correlated with each other or with changes in mindfulness and self-compassion. Methods Participants were stressed adults with low fruit and vegetable intake (N = 78, 64.1% White, M. Body Mass Index 25.59 ± 4.45) enrolled in a parent clinical trial of a 12-week mindful yoga intervention. Validated self-report measures of IWS, intuitive eating, mindfulness, and self-compassion were administered at pre-treatment, mid-treatment (8 weeks), post-treatment (12 weeks), and 4-month follow-up (24 weeks). Results Linear mixed modeling revealed significant improvements in IWS and intuitive eating across the four timepoints (p < .001). Reduced IWS correlated with increased intuitive eating pre- to post-treatment (p = .01). Improved self-compassion and mindfulness correlated with intuitive eating (both p = . 04), but not IWS (p = .74 and p = .56, respectively). Conclusion This study offers preliminary support for the hypothesis that mindful yoga may promote intuitive eating and reduce IWS among stressed adults with poor diet, and suggests that changes in these factors may co-occur over time. Further investigation with controlled designs is necessary to better understand the temporality and causality of these relationships. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02098018.
Senior management perspectives and ISO 9000 effectiveness: An empirical research

While ISO 9000 certification is increasingly becoming 'a passport for business' in the marketplace, its effectiveness in enhancing an organization's performance is highly controversial. In recent years, some researchers have argued that the effectiveness of ISO 9000 is highly dependent on management's attitudes to and understanding of the standard. Specifically, we conducted empirical research in the electronics industry to study how the 'objectives of gaining ISO certification', the 'attitudes to implementation' and 'confidence of understanding the standard' among senior management affect the development of a quality management system (QMS) and subsequently organizational performance. We found that although senior management's confidence in their understanding of the standard and quality management is the most influential factor for the development of their QMS and to the induction of changes in systems, it does not improve organizational performance. On the other hand, organizations that believe the ISO 9000 should be adopted for operational objectives and serve as a system foundation for operations achieve the best organizational performance. Our research suggests that ineffectiveness of the ISO 9000 is largely due to incorrect management objectives and expectations from the standard.
Economy in water and fertilizer use in trickle fertigated potato 1

Fertilizer and water use in trickle fertigated potato using different fertilizer application rates, frequencies of application and wetted soil volumes were compared with a furrow irrigated and conventionally fertilized crop. Results indicate that water and fertilizer savings to the extent of 30 and 70% respectively with comparable yield levels were possible under the trickle fertigated crop as compared to the furrow irrigated crop of potatoes. Highest yield of 36.29 t ha−1 of fresh tubers was obtained under trickle irrigation as compared to 21.5 t ha−1 for the furrow irrigated crop. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Jet noise from instability mode interactions

A nonlinear interaction model is used to study sources of sound in jets. The model uses quadratic interactions of instability modes, which are obtained by solving the linear parabolized stability equations. Source terms involving nonlinear interactions are evaluated and a linear wave equation is solved with direct injection of the source terms. Thus the complete method solves only linear partial differential equations, coupled by nonlinear source terms. It allows the contribution of each modal interaction to be studied separately, giving a breakdown of the radiation pattern of each interaction. The method is demonstrated using a fixed base flow matched to the experiment of Stromberg et al. (J. Fluid Mech. 72(2), 1980). The squared streamwise velocity quadrupole is the largest source term for axisymmetric mode interactions, while for helical-helical mode interactions both the squared radial and squared azimuthal velocities are the main contributing sources, despite a strong cancelation effect between them. Results are also presented for an alternative implementation, in which the base flow is allowed to vary according to the Reynolds stresses of the developing instability modes. This model demonstrates sound production during mode growth and subsequent saturation.