Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Problem Confrontation of Vegetable Growers in Production and Marketing of Vegetables: Evidence from Northern Region of Bangladesh

The main purpose of the study was to explore the problem confrontation of vegetable growers in production and marketing of vegetables in the selected areas of Bogra district of Bangladesh. The study also aims to explore the relationships between the selected socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents and their problem confrontation in case of production and marketing of commonly cultivated vegetables. Data were gathered from 100 randomly sampled vegetable growers of Atmul and Mokamtola union under Shibganj upazila (Sub-district) during the period of 25 January to 20 February, 2020 by combining a mix of different methods such as survey, group discussion and Key Informant Interview (KII) method. Ten selected socio-demographic characteristics of vegetable growers namely age, education, household size, farm size, annual family income, farming experience, organizational participation, training experience, access to credit and extension media contact were considered t o i nvestigate the relationships with the problem confrontation of vegetable growers in case of production and marketing of most commonly cultivated vegetables. Most of the vegetable growers (77%) had faced medium level of problems compared to 19% of the respondents had faced high level of problems while only 4% of the respondents had faced low level of problems in case of production and marketing of vegetables. Correlation analyses indicated that socio-demographic attributes of the respondents namely household size, farm size,
Influence of Risk/Safety Information Framing on Android App-Installation Decisions

We conducted three experiments with participants recruited on Amazon’s Mechanical Turk to examine the influence on app-installation decisions of summary risk information derived from the app permissions. This information can be framed negatively as amount of risk or positively as amount of safety, which was varied in all the experiments. In Experiments 1 and 2, the participants performed tasks in which they selected two Android apps from a list of six; in Experiment 3, the tasks were to reject two apps from the list. This summary information influenced the participants to choose less risky alternatives, particularly when it was framed in terms of safety and the app had high user ratings. Participants in the safety condition reported that they attended more to the summary score than did those in the risk condition. They also showed better comprehension of what the score was conveying, regardless of whether the task was to select or reject. The results imply that development of a valid risk/safety index for apps has the potential to improve users’ app-installation decisions, especially if that information is framed as amount of safety.
Performance and emission characteristics of homogeneous charge compression ignition engine – a review

ABSTRACT Homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engine uses a relatively new mode of combustion technology. In principle, there is no spark plug or injector to assist the combustion process, and the combustion starts at multiple spots once the mixture has reached its auto-ignition temperature. The challenges over the operation of HCCI-mode engines are the difficulties of controlling the auto-ignition of the mixture, operating range, homogeneous charge preparation, cold start, controlling knock and emissions of unburned hydrocarbon (UHC) and carbon monoxide (CO), which needed to be overcome to achieve successful operation of HCCI-mode engine. This paper reviews the working principle of HCCI-mode engine and analyse the knocking in the HCCI combustion. And it also reviews the impact of homogeneous charge on HCCI combustion parameters, such as heat-release rate and maximum pressure. Furthermore, it reviews the performance and emission characteristics of HCCI engine. For each of these parameters, the theories are discussed about successful operation of HCCI engine with comparative evaluation of performance and emission reported in the literature.
Aero-engine high stability control scheme design based on angle of attack predictive model

A study of engine stability control for super-maneuvering flight was carried out.High level of engine-face distortion often occurs during super-maneuvering flight of the combat aircraft.In this case,engine stall will be caused if conventional controller is still used.For this issue,an advanced predictive control system,in which an angle of attack(AOA) predictive model was used,for aero-engine was designed.Firstly,an angle of attack predictive model was established to estimate the engine-face distortion in real time.Then,a high stability predictive controller was designed using augmented linear quadratic regulator(ALQR) method based on the former estimator.Finally,digital simulation was carried out on the engine/three-degree-of-freedom aircraft nonlinear integrated model.The results show that the stability control concept proposed in this paper is effective and feasible.
Gestational Diabetes as a Risk Factor for Cardiovascular Disorders

Background: Gestational diabetes (GD) is identified as a risk factor for increasing the onset of cardiovascular disorders (CVD). However, it is not clear whether this risk is linked with the intercurrent pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Thus, it is essential to identify markers and risk factors responsible for the pathogenesis of CVD and develop therapeutic strategies to decrease the cardiovascular health burden in affected women. Objective: The present study aims to evaluate the effect of GD on the future onset of CVD and assess the impact of type 2 diabetes mellitus in this context. Study Design: A cohort study was conducted in Karachi Institute of Heart Diseases Karachi Pakistan from June 2017 to June 2018. A total of 227 females who give birth to at least one kid were included in this study. Females with previous history of cardiovascular disorders and any other chronic disorders were excluded from this study. Using a biennial questionnaire behavioral, life style characters and health outcomes were evaluated. Multivariable Cox model was used to measure hazardous risk and ratio for cardiovascular disorders with 95 % confidence interval. Results: In this study, 11.8% of participants were diagnosed with gestational diabetes with a mean age of 31.6 ± 2.6 years. 28% of women with GD were developed hypertension later on compared to the non-GD participants (8%), indicating a positive association between GD and hypertension. A multivariate Cox analysis revealed that women with GD had a 28% increased risk of incidence of hypertension as compared to the non-GD group (HR. 1.24 [95% CI 1.13 – 1.65); P<0.01). Conclusion: Females with GD are at higher risk for developing CVD later in their life. This association might be due to obesity and sedentary lifestyle.
A Study of Shigellosis Bacteria disease Model with Awareness Effects

In this paper, a mathematical model is proposed and studied to describe the spread of shigellosis disease in the population community. We consider it divided into four classes namely: the 1st class consists of unaware susceptible individuals, 2nd class of infected individuals, 3rd class of aware susceptible individuals and 4th class are people carrying bacteria. The solution existence, uniqueness as well as bounded-ness are discussed for the shigellosis model proposed. Also, the stability analysis has been conducted for all possible equilibrium points. Finally the proposed model is studied numerically to prove the analytic results and discussing the effects of the external sources for disease and media coverage on the dynamical behaviors of shigellosis disease.
Non-destructive testing of anisotropic materials

In the thesis we consider the inverse problem of detecting the shape, size, position and some information about the material properties of a (possibly anisotropic) penetrable defective region in a known anisotropic material. We start by considering the transmission eigenvalue problem for an anisotropic magnetic materials (where the contrast is in both the electric permeability and magnetic permeability) with a void(s). The next problem we investigate is reconstructing the support of a defective region in a known anisotropic material from a knowledge of the far-field pattern. In Chapters 4 we investigate the inverse problem of finding small volume defects in an anisotropic material. Lastly in Chapter 5 we considered the scattering problem for a highly oscillating periodic media.
Assessment of traffic load events and structural effects on road bridges based on strain measurements

AbstractSeveral technical and scientific publications have been made available focussing on Bridge Weight-in-Motion (BWIM) concerning railway bridges. On the contrary, BWIM analysis on road bridges are more scarce and therefore, this work intends to provide a contribution by presenting the BWIM analysis performed on two major road bridges in Portugal – Leziria Bridge and Pinhao Bridge. These bridges are equipped with electric and optical strain gauges, acquisition systems with features that allow high sampling rates. Based on the collected data and focussing on the bridges’ lifetime, a probabilistic approach to quantify extreme traffic loads was implemented using extreme distribution functions. The bridges’ behaviour to these extreme traffic loads is numerically evaluated and a comparison with the alarm levels established by the bridge designers is performed. Although the bridge's safety is not compromised, it was concluded that the representativeness of the observation period is a critical issue and the .
Shoulder flexibility and strength in elite girl tennis players with and without history of shoulder pain

This study aimed at comparing the glenohumeral (GH) range of motion, and shoulder and scapular muscle strength in elite girl tennis players with (group HoSP; n=15) and without (group H; n=16) history of shoulder pain. The GH joint range of motion in internal (IROM) and external rotation (EROM), as well as the maximal isometric strength of eight shoulder and scapular muscles were bilaterally assessed in 31 girl players. The results showed an increased IROM in HoSP, suggesting a laxity, which may contribute to humeral translation motions in the glenoid cavity at critical tennis positions. The HoSP group also presented a weakness in serratus anterior muscle strength, which may create improper motions of the scapula during the tennis strokes. These findings suggested that stretching and strengthening rehabilitative programs may be specifically developed for the young girl athletes involved in an intensive overhead activity practice.
Evaluation of Several Different Types of Uniformity Metrics and Their Correlation with Subjective Perceptions

ABSTRACT This study aimed to identify how different types of uniformity indicators function to evaluate the uniformity of lighting, such as the minimum-to-average ratio (Min:Avg), the coefficient of variance (CV), entropy uniformity (EU, introduced in the article), and a pattern vision-based indicator (UHVS). Two experiments, a pair-wise comparison and a seven-point scale subjective evaluation, were performed to study the advantages and disadvantages of uniformity indicators. Thirty abstract patterns simulated from architectural illumination scenes were applied in the experiments. The results of the pair-wise comparison experiment reveal the following: the uniformity ranking and the sorting of uniformity indicator values obeyed a linear relationship; EU and UHVS exhibited superior performance, with an adjusted R2 of 0.96; the CV was satisfactory, with an adjusted R2 of 0.91; and the Min:Avg was somewhat acceptable, with an adjusted R2 of 0.70. The results of the seven-point scale subjective evaluation experiment demonstrated that ratings were linear with the Min:Avg, CV, and UHVS, of which UHVS was most consistent with human ratings of acceptability, with an adjusted R2 of 0.96; the CV was acceptable, with an adjusted R2 of 0.85; and the Min:Avg was the worst, with an adjusted R2 of 0.71. The subjective evaluation rating and the EU indicator exhibited an exponential relationship, with an adjusted R2 of 0.95, rather than a linear relationship. Different metrics have their own characteristics and may be suitable for different applications.
DSA via hole shrink for advanced node applications

Directed self-assembly (DSA) of block copolymers (BCPs) has become a promising patterning technique for 7nm node hole shrink process due to its material-controlled CD uniformity and process simplicity. [1] For such application, cylinder-forming BCP system has been extensively investigated compared to its counterpart, lamella-forming system, mainly because cylindrical BCPs will form multiple vias in non-circular guiding patterns (GPs), which is considered to be closer to technological needs. [2-5] This technological need to generate multiple DSA domains in a bar-shape GP originated from the resolution limit of lithography, i.e. those vias placed too close to each other will merge and short the circuit. In practice, multiple patterning and self-aligned via (SAV) processes have been implemented in semiconductor manufacturing to address this resolution issue. [6] The former approach separates one pattern layer with unresolvable dense features into several layers with resolvable features, while the latter approach simply utilizes the superposition of via bars and the pre-defined metal trench patterns in a thin hard mask layer to resolve individual vias, as illustrated in Fig 1 (upper). With proper design, using DSA to generate via bars with the SAV process could provide another approach to address the resolution issue.
Some Perspectives on Inference in High Dimensions

With very large amounts of data, important aspects of statistical analysis may appear largely descriptive in that the role of probability sometimes seems limited or totally absent. The main emphasis of the present paper lies on contexts where formulation in terms of a probabilistic model is feasible and fruitful but to be at all realistic large numbers of unknown parameters need consideration. Then many of the standard approaches to statistical analysis, for instance direct application of the method of maximum likelihood, or the use of flat priors, often encounter difficulties. After a brief discussion of broad conceptual issues, we provide some new perspectives on aspects of high-dimensional statistical theory, emphasizing a number of open problems.
Measuring the sedimentation rate in a magnetorheological fluid column via thermal conductivity monitoring

Measuring sedimentation rate of magnetorheological fluids (MRFs) is of great importance when designing and synthesizing MRFs for engineering applications. A method of characterizing sedimentation rate in an MRF column is proposed utilizing thermal conductivity correlated with particle concentration. A series of MRF samples composed of carbonyl iron particles suspended in silicone oil were prepared, and their concentrations (measured as volume fraction, ∅) and thermal conductivities, k, were tested. A calibration curve was developed to relate particle concentration, ∅, to thermal conductivity, k, using this set of MRF samples with known concentration. The particle concentration, ∅, in the MRF column was then monitored by measuring thermal conductivities (k) at a fixed location and using this calibration relationship. Finally, sedimentation rate in the MRF column was determined by examining how particle concentration varied with time. The sedimentation rate measured in the MRF column was validated using visual observation of mudline (boundary between the topmost clarified fluid zone and MRF below).
Parameter Optimization for Reducing Torque Ripple and Harmonic Losses of Multi-Layered Interior Permanent-Magnet Synchronous Motors

In this paper, parameter optimization of multi-layered interior permanent-magnet synchronous motors for electric vehicle propulsion is carried out to improve torque ripple and efficiency at low- and high-speed regions. First, we establish a torque ripple map based on d-q currents. The ripples of the d-q parameters and harmonics of the phase flux linkages are then analyzed to investigate the relationship between the torque ripple and the parameters. Second, we compose and analyze an iron loss map based on d-q currents, and then investigate the parameters that affect the harmonics of the flux density. In particular, because the high-speed region is highly vulnerable to iron loss, the parameters related to this tendency are also analyzed. Based on the analysis results, we develop a parameter optimization strategy that leads to an optimal design. To analyze the electro-magnetic performances of the motors, two- and three-dimensional finite elements analyses are carried out by employing sinusoidal and inverter-controlled currents, and the improvement achieved are demonstrated by the experimental validations on prototypes.
Barriers and Facilitators to HIV Testing Among Adolescents and Young Adults in Washington, District of Columbia: Formative Research to Inform the Development of an mHealth Intervention

Background Adolescents and young adults (AYA) in the United States, and in Washington, District of Columbia (DC), specifically, are disproportionately affected by HIV. Both the national Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative and DC-specific plans emphasize HIV testing, and innovative strategies to encourage testing among AYA are needed. Objective The purpose of this study is to identify sexual behaviors, HIV knowledge, HIV perceptions (eg, susceptibility and severity), and perceived barriers and facilitators to HIV testing among AYA at risk for HIV in DC. Methods This study was part of a larger study to determine the acceptability of using a life-and-dating simulation game to increase HIV testing among AYA. Focus groups and surveys stratified by self-reported sexual orientation were conducted among, and administered to, AYA aged 13-24 years in DC. HIV knowledge was explored during focus groups and measured using an adapted version of the Brief HIV Knowledge Questionnaire. Survey data were summarized using descriptive statistics and compared by self-reported sexual orientation. Transcripts were thematically analyzed. Results Of the 46 AYA who participated in the focus groups, 30 (65%) identified as heterosexual and 16 (35%) as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer. A higher proportion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer AYA reported sexual activity (12/16, 75%, vs 18/30, 60%), condomless sex (11/12, 92%, vs 15/18, 83%), and HIV testing (13/16, 81%, vs 17/29, 58%) than heterosexual AYA. HIV prevention (“condoms” and “.PrEP”) and transmission (“exchange of fluids”) knowledge was high, and most (34/44, 77%) of the AYA perceived HIV testing as beneficial. However, the AYA also demonstrated some misinformation concerning HIV: an average of 67% (31/46; SD 0.474) of the participants believed that an HIV test could deliver accurate results 1 week after a potential exposure and an average of 72% (33/46; SD 0.455) believed that an HIV vaccine exists. The AYA also identified individual (“.people.are scared”), interpersonal (“it’s an awkward conversation”), and structural (“.people don’t.know where they can go”) barriers to testing. Most of the AYA indicated that they were very likely to use the demonstrated game prototype to help with getting tested for HIV (median 3.0, IQR 2.0-3.0, using a scale ranging from 0 to 3, with 3 indicating high likelihood) and strongly agreed that the game was interesting (median 5.0, IQR 5.0-5.0), fun (median 5.0, IQR 4.0-5.0), and easy to learn (median 5.0, IQR 5.0-5.0, using a scale ranging from 1 to 5, with 5 indicating strong agreement). Conclusions These results suggest a need for multilevel HIV testing interventions and informed the development of a mobile health intervention aiming to increase HIV knowledge and risk perception among AYA, while reducing barriers to testing at the individual and structural levels, supporting efforts to end the domestic HIV epidemic.
Springback Force Considerations in Compliant Haptic Interfaces

Springback Force Considerations in Compliant Haptic Interfaces Dallin R. Swiss Department of Mechanical Engineering, BYU Master of Science This thesis investigates the potential benefits and challenges of using compliant mechanisms in the design of haptic interfaces. The benefits and challenges are presented with an emphasis on their inherent springback behavior and an active compensation approach. Design criteria for compliant mechanism joint candidates are reviewed and several joints are surveyed. Quantitative calculations of axial stiffness and maximum stress for five candidates are presented. Generalized analytical models of springback force and compensation torque are created to simulate the implementation of each joint candidate in a two degree-of-freedom planar pantograph. We use these models in the development and discussion of an analytical approach to predict the motor torques needed to actively compensate for the effects of springback. This approach relies on virtual work analyses of the haptic pantograph to determine the springback forces, compensation torques, haptic workspace, and available haptic force after compensation. A key to estimating the available haptic force is knowing that the force capability is different depending on the local springback force. If a component of the desired haptic force aligns with the springback force, then the two can work together, thus increasing the maximum magnitude of available haptic force beyond the nominal amount. Analytical and experimental results are presented. A detailed method of implementation is given along with a hardware demonstration of active compensation.
Special Bioactivities of Phenolics from Acacia dealbata L. with Potential for Dementia, Diabetes and Antimicrobial Treatments

Some diseases still need better therapeutic approaches, including the prevention of development. Natural resources are investigated with this purpose; among them, we decided to use an invasive plant as a main strategy. This will help in two ways: screening new compounds in flowers prevents the plant from causing widespread damage by controlling the dissemination and also obtains crude material for further applications. In the present study, flower extracts from Acacia dealbata Link harvested in Portugal were studied during three stages of flowering. Phenolic compounds were evaluated using HPLC/DAD and the total phenolics as the total flavonoids content was determined. The bioactivities screened were antioxidant potential, inhibitory activities of some enzymes (acetylcholinesterase, lipase and α-glucosidase) and, to complete the screening, the inhibition of microbial growth was determined against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, as well as for yeasts. The data obtained suggested that the hydroethanolic extracts gave good results for all these biological activities and varied according to the maturation status of the flowers, with the early stage being the most active, which can be related to the chalcones content. This new approach will lead to the possible control of the invasive plant and also future perspective research for therapeutic purposes.