Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Comparison between SISO and MIMO Modal Analysis Techniques on a Membrane Mirror Satellite

The future of space satellite technology lies in the development of ultra-large, ultra-lightweight space structures, orders of magnitude greater in size than the current satellites. Such large crafts will increase communication and imaging capabilities from orbits. Many such proposed ultra-flexible satellites are inflated structures. To get these ultra-large structures in space, they will have to be stored within the Space Shuttle cargo bay and then inflated on-orbit. However, the highly flexible and pressurized nature of these ultra-large spacecraft poses several daunting vibration and control problems. Disturbances (i.e., on-orbit maneuvering, guidance and attitude control, and the harsh environment of space) wreck havoc with the on-orbit stability, pointing accuracy, and surface resolution capability of the inflated satellite. Fortunately, recent advances in integrated smart material systems promise to provide solutions to these problems. Recent research into the use of Macro-Fiber Composite (MFC®) devices integrated into the dynamic measurement and vibration control of inflated structures has had promising results (Wilkie et al., 2000). These piezoelectric-based devices possess a superior electro-mechanical coupling coefficient making them superb actuators and decent sensors in dynamic analysis applications. Initially, research was performed on an inflated torus using single-input, single-output (SISO) testing techniques. Since then, steps have been taken to outline a new, multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) testing technique for these ultra-large structures. This study applies these results to an inflated torus with bonded membrane mirror to extract modal parameters, such as the damped natural frequencies, associated damping, and mode shapes within the frequency bandwidth of interest for these structures (5–200 Hz). Further, the nonlinear dynamic behavior of the inflated torus and membrane mirror is accentuated through a comparison of SISO and MIMO modal analysis techniques, and a discussion of the nonlinear results follows. The purpose of this work is to apply the results from prior works to an inflated torus with bonded membrane mirror to accomplish the following three goals: (1) to establish a baseline dynamic characterization of the test structure using SISO modal analysis techniques;(2) to perform a MIMO modal analysis of the test structure to identify natural frequencies, mode shapes, and damping ratios, and compare these MIMO results to the SISO analysis; and(3) to use the discrepancies between the two testing technique results as a platform for discussing the nonlinear nature of the test structure. In the future, the results of this work may form the premise for an autonomous, self-contained system that can both identify the vibratory characteristics of an ultra-large, inflated space craft and apply an appropriate control algorithm to suppress any unwanted vibration – all while on-orbit.
MOEMS variable optical attenuator with improved dynamic characteristics based on robust design

The design and preliminary data of a novel microoptoelectromechanical systems variable optical attenuator (VOA) driven by a pair of V-beam electrothermal actuators is described. This VOA deploys a face-to-face arranged pair of 45/spl deg/ tilted mirrors in front of two coaxially aligned lensed fibers to form retro-reflection planar light path for attenuation. The initial insertion loss is 0.7 dB at 1550 nm and the maximum dynamic range of attenuation is 50 dB, respectively. The polarization-dependent loss is measured as 0.15 dB at 20-dB attenuation. The dynamic attenuation deviation is less than /spl plusmn/0.36 dB at 20-dB attenuation with respect to 20-G shock of periodical mechanical vibration at 1 K Hz, in which it complies with requirements of the Telcordia GR1221 regulations.
Design strategies to increase building flexibility

As the needs of owners and occupants change, buildings must be frequently renovated, resulting in significant cost and lost use of the buildings during the construction. This research develops a systematic approach to examine the nature of changes that can be expected to occur in built facilities, and analyses specific design strategies that can significantly increase the building flexibility, or ability to accommodate change. The three types of changes in a building are in its functions, the capacity of its systems, and the flow of the environment and people within and around the facility. Analysis of renovation projects reveals that buildings require more changes to all systems (i.e. structure, enclosure, services and interior finish) than is commonly assumed, and that the difficulty of these renovations is determined by the inter-relationships among the systems. The design strategies can provide a specific means to modify these interactions among the systems, and to more easily and efficiently accommodate changes during subsequent renovations. These design strategies increase the initial construction cost by less than 2% on average and usually decrease the original construction duration, and the majority of the strategies provide cost savings of 2% of the initial construction cost within the first renovation. Avec l'évolution des besoins des propriétaires et des occupants, les bâtiments doivent être rénovés fréquemment, ce qui est à la fois une source de dépenses importantes et une perte d'usage pendant les travaux. La présente étude propose une approche systématique visant à examiner la nature des changements dont on peut s'attendre à ce qu'ils se produisent dans les parties déjà construites et à analyser des stratégies de conception propres à augmenter sensiblement la souplesse d'exploitation des bâtiments ou leur aptitude à s'adapter à des changements. Les trois types de changements pouvant affecter un bâtiment sont ses fonctions propres, la capacité de ses systèmes et l'environnement ainsi que le flux des personnes à l'intérieur et autour du bâtiment. L'analyse de projets de rénovation fait apparaître que les bâtiments nécessitent davantage de changements de tous les systèmes (c'est à dire, structures, enceintes, services et finition intérieure) qu'on ne l'imagine généralement et que la difficulté de ces rénovations est liée aux interconnexions entre les systèmes. Les stratégies de conception peuvent constituer un instrument spécifique à utiliser pour modifier ces interconnexions entre systèmes et pour faire acceptor plus facilement et avec davantage d'efficacité les changements pendant les travaux de rénovation ultérieurs. Avec de telles stratégies, l'augmentation du coût initial de la construction ne dépasse pas 2% en moyenne et la durée des travaux se trouve réduite; dans l'ensemble, ces solutions permettent de réaliser des économies de 2% sur le coût initial de la construction lors de la première rénovation.
Mechanical and Structural Characteristics of PET Fiber Reinforced Concrete Plates

ABSTRACT The growth of plastic generation has increased exponentially with time, in particular the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) that is widely used in the human consumer industry. The objective of this study is focused on sustainability principles by minimizing the environmental pollution through reusing the plastic bottles by cutting them into small fibers to reinforce the concrete matrix to boost the performance of reinforced concrete plates. To investigate the effect of the PET fiber content on the behavior of the two-way reinforced concrete plates, four two-way reinforced concrete plates. PET fiber percentages were (0.5, 1, 1.5, 2) %, with one reference plate without fiber tested up to failure under monotonic load. All concrete plates are simply supported and tested at age 28 days and with dimensions of (800 × 800 × 50) mm. The ultimate load, load-deflection relationships, and cracking patterns of all plates are reported. The findings reveal that employing PET fibers for strengthening could boost the ultimate strength and flexural stiffness of the plates considerably. Besides, the mechanical test results reveal a decrease in compression strength with increasing PET fiber content. On the contrary, the splitting tensile strength exhibited a clear improvement with the increase in PET. Graphical abstract
Challenges and Opportunities in Applying Genomic Selection to Ruminants Owned by Smallholder Farmers

Genomic selection has transformed animal and plant breeding in advanced economies globally, resulting in economic, social and environmental benefits worth billions of dollars annually. Although genomic selection offers great potential in low- to middle-income countries because detailed pedigrees are not required to estimate breeding values with useful accuracy, the difficulty of effective phenotype recording, complex funding arrangements for a limited number of essential reference populations in only a handful of countries, questions around the sustainability of those livestock-resource populations, lack of on-farm, laboratory and computing infrastructure and lack of human capacity remain barriers to implementation. This paper examines those challenges and explores opportunities to mitigate or reduce the problems, with the aim of enabling smallholder livestock-keepers and their associated value chains in low- to middle-income countries to also benefit directly from genomic selection.
Combined Open Prostatectomy and Kidney Surgery: Feasibility and 12-Month Outcome

Purpose There are only a few case reports and case series that investigated combined laparoscopic or robotic surgery for simultaneous prostate and kidney cancer. In this study, we want to close a gap in existing research to assess the feasibility and oncological outcome of combined open prostatectomy and kidney surgery. Methods We retrospectively analyzed patients who underwent a combined open prostatectomy and either a partial or complete nephrectomy from 2013 to 2020. Descriptive statistics were used to assess perioperative parameters and the 12-month functional and oncological outcomes after combined surgery. Results We identified 10 patients undergoing combined open surgery. Partial nephrectomy was performed in 4, radical nephrectomy in 6 patients. For prostate cancer, histopathological analysis showed a tumor stage ≥ pT2c in all 10 patients. For renal tumors, histopathological analysis showed clear cell renal cell carcinoma in 8 patients and oncocytoma in 2 patients. Operating time was 177 ± 36 minutes. Two perioperative complications (Clavien 2a and 3) were observed. Three months postoperatively, the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) score was 5.6 ± 5.9, the ICIQ-SF score was 7.3 ± 5.6 and were using 1.9 ± 2.2 pads per day. This improved after 12 months postoperatively, as patients had an IIEF-5 score of 6.33 ± 6.5, an ICIQ-SF score of 4.4 ± 5.7 and were using pads 0.9 ± 1.7 per day. Conclusion In this study, we showed that open surgery is a safe and valid approach for combined prostatectomy and renal surgery with acceptable complications and oncological outcomes. The combined open approach could be a good alternative to combined laparoscopic/robotic surgery in this field, especially to treat patients with advanced renal tumors or previous abdominal surgery or radiation.
Effect of the piezoelectric hysteretic behavior on the vibration-based energy harvesting

Vibration-based energy harvesting has received great attention over the last years. The evaluation of the power output of the energy harvesters for different excitation frequencies and amplitudes of vibration has an important role in the design of the devices. In this regard, a wide range of nonlinear effects is observed having considerable influence on the generated power. The main goal of this contribution is to investigate the effect of the piezoelectric hysteretic behavior on the vibration-based energy harvesters. An archetypal model is employed to this aim by considering a one-degree-of-freedom mechanical system coupled to an electrical circuit by a piezoelectric element. Different hysteretic behaviors are investigated by considering the Bouc–Wen model. Numerical simulations are carried out establishing a comparison among hysteretic, nonlinear, and linear piezoelectric behaviors showing their influence on system dynamics.
A novel method oriented to evaluate the real characteristics of practical buck zero-voltage switching quasi-resonant converters

The output characteristics of buck zero-voltage switching quasi-resonant converters (ZVS-QRCs), presented in previously published works, are calculated considering equal input and output energies. Nevertheless, measurements that were taken with breadboarded buck ZVS-QRCs demonstrate an important deviation between the results of the theoretical analysis and the experimental data. This deviation becomes greater when the load current increases. This paper deals with a novel simulation method to approximate the real behavioral characteristics of Buck ZVS-QRCs. Analytical expressions are derived to calculate the power losses in each power converter component as well as the DC-voltage conversion ratio. Computer simulation results are confronted to experimental ones proving the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Verification and validation of a CFD model of a fixed regenerator for heat recovery from air

The article presents verification and validation of a numerical model of conjugated heat and mass transfer processes and aerodynamics in a fixed "honeycomb" type regenerator with square channels for heat recovery from the exhaust air of a local ventilation system. The processes in the regenerator are simulated by the CFD method. The influence of the processes of condensation and evaporation of moisture in the humid air on the efficiency of the regenerator has been investigated through these simulations and is shown in the article. The calculations of the fixed regenerator's thermal efficiency and pressure losses are made by known analytical models and the results are compared with those of the numerical model. The article compares the model simulation results with experimental data and data from reference sources.
Quasi-elliptic compact high-power notch filters using a mixed lumped and distributed circuit

A quasi-elliptic notch filter response is defined as one in which the ultimate stopband depth is sacrificed in favor of a faster transition from the passband to a specified minimum equiripple stopband attenuation level (i.e., steeper attenuation slope) with no increase in filter order (as compared to a Chebyshev or similar transfer function design). Such notch-filter responses can be achieved if the topology synthesized includes arbitrary frequency invariant impedances and line lengths in the main series line of filters. Using lumped approximations to the series coaxial sections but with the series sections not at 50 /spl Omega/ (for a 50-/spl Omega/ filter), it is possible to improve upon the Chebyshev-based results. The resulting network provides lower passband insertion loss, with no reduction in minimum notch depth or power handling, improved temperature performance and additional harmonic reduction. The improvements are due to the implementation of the quasi-elliptic response defined above, and are made possible by the larger range of main line impedances and line lengths available using inductors and capacitors rather than lengths of transmission line. In principle, the technique can be extended to achieve full-elliptic responses.
Closed Loop Step Servo Systems

Stepping motors are motors which receive input in the form of pulses and which move through discrete angular steps in response to them. They also develop a detenting torque which holds the rotor in position after cessation of pulses. On account of these characteristics, stepping motors are found suitable for use as digital actuators in numerical machine tool controls, analog-to-digital converters, etc.Stepping motors can be used in either open loop or closed loop servo systems which are known as step servo systems. The paper describes the design, construction and testing of a closed loop step servo system consisting of the following elements: (i) a bifilar wound permanent magnet stepping motor, (ii) a step discriminator, (iii) memory logic and translator, and (iv) power drivers. The step discriminator is an aluminium disc mounted on the motor shaft and contains 50 holes drilled 7·2° and ¼ in. apart. Four photosensors, spaced 23·4° apart, sense the rotor position and set the levels of four flip-flops accor.
Lipid-Binding Aegerolysin from Biocontrol Fungus Beauveria bassiana

Fungi are the most common pathogens of insects and thus important regulators of their populations. Lipid-binding aegerolysin proteins, which are commonly found in the fungal kingdom, may be involved in several biologically relevant processes including attack and defense against other organisms. Aegerolysins act alone or together with membrane-attack-complex/perforin (MACPF)-like proteins to form transmembrane pores that lead to cell lysis. We performed an in-depth bioinformatics analysis of aegerolysins in entomopathogenic fungi and selected a candidate aegerolysin, beauveriolysin A (BlyA) from Beauveria bassiana. BlyA was expressed as a recombinant protein in Escherichia coli, and purified to further determine its functional and structural properties, including lipid-binding ability. Aegerolysins were found to be encoded in genomes of entomopathogenic fungi, such as Beauveria, Cordyceps, Metarhizium and Ophiocordyceps. Detailed bioinformatics analysis revealed that they are linked to MACPF-like genes in most genomes. We also show that BlyA interacts with an insect-specific membrane lipid. These results were placed in the context of other fungal and bacterial aegerolysins and their partner proteins. We believe that aegerolysins play a role in promoting the entomopathogenic and antagonistic activity of B. bassiana, which is an active ingredient of bioinsecticides.
Early Adopters of Apple Health Records at a Large Academic Medical Center: Cross-sectional Survey of Users

Background Mobile applications offer a new approach to personal health records, which are internet-based tools for patients to consolidate and manage their health information. The University of Pennsylvania Health System (UPHS) was one of the first health systems to participate in Apple Health Records (AHR), a prominent example of this new generation of personal health records. Objective This study aimed to characterize early adoption of AHR among UPHS patients and understand user perspectives. Methods An email-based survey with fixed answer, Likert scale, and open-ended questions was administered to all UPHS patients using AHR in the first 10 months of enrollment. Survey data linked to the UPHS electronic health record system were used to analyze responses. Multivariable logistic regression modeled the association of patient characteristics with user ratings. Content analysis was used to analyze open-ended questions. Results At the time of the survey, a total of 1458 patients had used AHR at least once. Mean age of AHR users was 47.5 years, 66.3% (967/1458) were male, 70.9% (1033/1458) were white, and 80.8% (1178/1458) had private insurance. Response rate was 26.8% (391/1458); 46.3% (180/389) were very satisfied with AHR, and 67.7% (264/390) described it as very easy to use. The most commonly utilized features were lab results (324/391, 82.9%), clinical vitals (264/391, 67.5%), and medications (253/391, 64.7%). No patient characteristics were associated with reporting high satisfaction or ease of use. The most common reason for using AHR was convenience/ease of use, and 58.2% (160/275) of users reported allowing no other apps to access their health information, citing privacy as one consideration. Conclusions Early adopters of AHR were demographically white, male, and privately insured. Convenience was an important facilitator, and users were selective in which apps they allowed to access their health information.
Active-passive and passive-passive configurations of combined tillage implements for improved tillage and tractive performance: A review

Proper selection of energy-efficient agricultural machinery helps to reduce drudgery, increase cropping intensity and reduce time required for field preparation. With conventional tillage implements, multiple passes are required to obtain desired seedbed which increase soil compaction due to repeated movement of tractor in field. With combined tillage implements two or more tillage implements are combined to reduce time and fuel energy required for seedbed preparation. In this paper, various researches on active-passive and passive-passive configurations of combined tillage implements have been discussed along with their working principles. It was found that these were associated with less draft, specific energy, and tire slippage compared to conventional implements which provides a sound basis for using them with suitable engine power to improve the power utilization of tractors. Hence, use of these implements could help to reduce soil compaction, labour, fuel cost as well as save time in preparing seedbed. More analytical studies and classical approaches are needed to predict energy requirements of these implements from the knowledge of individual energy requirements of conventional implements to help in proper matching of tractor-implement and also to develop decision support systems. Considering their promising outcomes, they will emerge as effective tools to improve agricultural mechanization.
Young cosmopolitans and environmental politics: how postmaterialist values inform and shape youth engagement in environmental politics

ABSTRACT Many of today’s young people are politically engaged and increasingly supportive of progressive political causes. This is most evident in the youth leadership of the Green wave of environmental activism that gathered momentum in 2019. However, we know surprisingly little about the values that drive this mobilisation. In this article, we investigate the link between environmental activism and the emergence of ‘young cosmopolitans’ as a political force. Using data from the 2017 European Values Study, we analyse the views of 1,546 18-25-year-olds across ten established European democracies. We find that postmaterialist values, cosmopolitan attitudes and engagement in environmental politics are closely connected; young cosmopolitans are very civically and politically active; and, young environmental activists are particularly likely to be female with high educational attainment levels. Conversely, a significant minority of European youth (disproportionately male with lower educational attainment) are more materialist and nationalist. In the discussion, we explore the role of education and the need to re-think the climate emergency locally – connecting threats to the environment to challenges young people face in their everyday lives. We also explain how the persistence of postmaterialist values amongst younger generations through the Great Recession, suggests that the Green wave will continue post COVID-19.
Assessing track geometry quality based on wavelength spectra and track–vehicle dynamic interaction

This paper presents a study of assessing track geometry quality (longitudinal level and alignment) by the use of dynamic track–vehicle simulations and wavelength spectra analysis. Two simulation models are developed: one is based on the software package GENSYS, which provides realistic simulations of the nonlinear dynamic behaviour of a vehicle running on real track, and the other one is based on a newly developed linear track–vehicle model, which is suitable for effectively calculating wheel–rail forces for very long track sections. The linear model, first proposed in 1 2 to assess vertical track geometry quality (longitudinal level), is extended in the present paper to simulate lateral track–vehicle dynamic interaction and, thus, to assess lateral track geometry quality (alignment) as well. Numerical results are presented to compare the simulation results with online measurement and to demonstrate the possibilities of enhancing track quality assessment and maintenance by simulations of track–vehicle interaction.