Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mechanical behavior of electronic waste concrete columns reinforced with structural fibers and glass fiber reinforced polymer bars: Experimental and analytical investigation

Nowadays, the improper disposal of electronic waste (E-waste) is creating environmental pollution and health problems in developing countries. Moreover, the corrosion of steel bars reduces the serviceability of reinforced concrete columns. Although many researchers studied the behavior of glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars in concrete columns, none of the studies investigated the structural performance of structural fiber-reinforced E-waste concrete (SFEC) columns having GFRP reinforcement. The present study aims to examine the structural performance of GFRP reinforced concrete circular columns consisting of polypropylene structural fibers (GSFEC columns) under concentric and eccentric loading. Identical steel bars reinforced concrete columns (SSFEC columns) were also manufactured and tested to failure under the same loading conditions. The experimental program consisted of 18 circular columns (1200 mm × 300 mm) to measure the axial capacity (AC), axial deflections, failure modes, and cracking patterns under different eccentric loadings. The AC of SSFEC columns was larger while the ductility was lower than GSFEC columns. Both GSFEC and SSFEC columns illustrated similar damaging behavior. The eccentric loading led to similar decreases in AC for both GSFEC and SSFEC columns.
Ultra-small and ultra-dense InGaN-based RGB monochromatic micro-light-emitting diode arrays by pixelation of conductive p-GaN

We describe 5 μm squircle InGaN-based red, green, and blue (RGB) monochromatic micro-light-emitting diodes (μLEDs) with an interpitch of 4 μm by pixilation of conductive p-GaN using aH2-plasma treatment. The p-GaN was passivated by H2 plasma and prevented the current’s injection into the InGaN quantum wells below. We observed that InGaN-based red μLEDs exhibited a broader full width at half-maximum and larger peak wavelength blueshift at 11.5–115 A∕cm2 than the green/blue μLEDs. The on-wafer light output power density of the red μLEDs at a wavelength of 632 nm at 115 A∕cm2 was approximately 936 mW=cm2, the highest value reported thus far for InGaN-based red μLEDs. This value was comparable with that of the green/blue μLEDs at 11.5 A∕cm2, indicating that the red μLEDs can satisfy the requirement of high brightness levels for specific displays. The color gamut based on InGaN RGB μLEDs covered 83.7% to 75.9% of the Rec. 2020 color space in the CIE 1931 diagram at 11.5 to 115 A∕cm2. © 2021 Chinese Laser Press
Numerical simulation of the nonlinear response of a p-i-n photodiode under high illumination

A theoretical study and a model for the numerical simulation of the nonlinear electrical response, including the harmonic-generation rate calculation, of a p-i-n InGaAs photodiode under high-illumination conditions are discussed. The device structure is described. An algorithm, which is based on a finite-difference calculation, is used to calculate the temporal electrical response of the device to a microwave optical input signal. The different harmonics in the power spectrum are obtained using the fast Fourier transform (FFT) calculation. This model is a tool for designing the p-i-n photodiode and determining the conditions for its utilization in order to avoid the electrical response nonlinearity. >
Beekeeping in the Desert: Foraging Activities of Honey Bee during Major Honeyflow in a Hot-Arid Ecosystem

This study investigated the outgoing and pollen-gathering foraging activities of Apis mellifera jemenitica (AMJ) and Apis mellifera carnica (AMC) under a hot-arid environment in the presence of nectar-rich melliferous Ziziphus nummularia flora. The data revealed the differential effects of weather conditions and Z. nummularia flora on the foraging activities of the studied honey bee subspecies in the Rawdat-Khuraim oasis in central Saudi Arabia. Z. nummularia exhibited two flowering seasons, from June–July (season I) and August–October (season II), with a significantly higher mean flowering density observed during season II (404 flowers/m2) than during season I (235 flowers/m2). AMJ showed significantly higher foraging activities (outgoing and pollen-gathering) than AMC (exotic bees) during all months in each flowering season. The mean outgoing and pollen-gathering foraging rates of AMJ (32.40 ± 0.67 and 4.88 ± 0.40 workers/colony/min, respectively) were significantly higher than those of AMC (15.93 ± 1.20 and 2.39 ± 0.23 workers/colony/min, respectively). The outgoing and pollen-gathering foraging activities of the two subspecies fluctuated throughout the different times of day. Foraging activities were considerably high at sunrise (SR) and low at noon (N) during both flowering seasons. We also observed seasonal variations in the foraging activities of both bee subspecies. The mean foraging activities (outgoing and pollen-gathering) were slightly higher in season I (27.43 ± 1.21 and 4.46 ± 0.45 workers/colony/min, respectively) than in season II (21.71 ± 0.86 and 3.02 ± 0.22 workers/colony/min, respectively). The thermal window analysis revealed a significant difference between the flight activities (bees exiting and returning to the nest throughout the day) of AMJ and AMC; AMJ had a higher temperature threshold than AMC. The outgoing and pollen-gathering foraging activities within each bee subspecies were positively correlated. The present study can help researchers understand the performances of honeybees and the association of their performances with weather and nectar-rich flora conditions.
Managing the Gender Wage Gap—How Female Managers Influence the Gender Wage Gap among Workers

Previous research shows that female managers narrow the gender wage gap (GWG) among workers but does not disentangle two general underlying mechanisms. First, female managers might use their organizational power to change organizational practices and make organizations more gender-equal. Second, female workers might beneﬁt from interacting with a female manager, e.g. through homophily and mentoring. To disentangle these two mechanisms, I distinguish between female managers at the ﬁrst management level, which is responsible mainly for organizational practices, and at the second management level, which mainly interacts with workers. Additionally, I consider practices enhancing gender equality, such as work-life balance practices. Using German linked employer– employee panel data and a ﬁrm ﬁxed-effects regression, I ﬁnd that female ﬁrst-level managers slightly narrow the GWG. This inﬂuence is not affected by the consideration of organizational practices. Hence, female ﬁrst-level managers do not affect workers’ by changing organizational practices. In contrast, female second-level managers considerably narrow the GWG among workers. In summary, female managers substantially reduce the GWG among workers, and this effect works via the manager–worker interaction mechanism. Hence, increasing the share of female second-level managers might close the GWG.
Top Executive Mobility and Firm Speci…c Skills

This paper studies the impact of …rm speci…c skills on the mobility and com- pensation of top executives. With the help of a simple model, I develop a set of empirical predictions on the cross-industry dierences in the probability of internal promotions, the level of executive compensation and the pay dif- ferential between externally hired and internally promoted managers. These predictions are then tested on …rm level data from the US by using the tenure of non-managerial workers as a proxy for the importance of …rm speci…c skills. As predicted by my model, an increase in the importance of …rm speci…c skills both raises the probability of internal promotion and decreases their total compen- sation. Moreover, the compensation dierential between externally appointed and internally promoted managers increases with the importance of …rm spe- ci…c skills. Finally, I …nd evidence consistent with the view that …rm speci…c skills are more important during expansion (growth) periods than during re- cession (downsizing) periods.
A probe into the facilities maintenance data of a hotel

The performance of facilities in buildings has profound influence on end-user satisfaction. This, in turn, would affect the buildings’ income and hence the level of resources available for maintaining their facilities. Probing into the computerised maintenance management data of a quality hotel, the study reported here identified a strongly positive correlation between the facilities’ downtime and the quantity of maintenance work orders. Work efficiency, which measures the effectiveness of the hotel’s maintenance workforce, was found to decline with increasing utilisation levels of the workers. Scrutinising the utilisation and efficiency levels of the workers enabled a review of their workloads and performances. The benchmarking curves developed based on the downtimes of the hotel’s facilities can help measure the quality of maintenance works. Further research works are needed to study the effects of low and moderate occupancy rates on maintenance demand, the utilisation and efficiency levels of workers in performing preventive maintenance works, and the availabilities of unreliable facilities and those which are hard to maintain. Practical applications : It has been shown how the data stored in a computerised maintenance management system can be analysed to examine the demand for facilities maintenance, the effectiveness of a maintenance workforce and the performance of facilities. The study findings are useful for facilities management (FM) practitioners. Pursuing more studies of this kind would make further contributions to performance evaluation and benchmarking in the FM field.
Research to Consider While Effectively Re-Designing Child Welfare Services

An intense appetite for reforming and transforming child welfare services in the United States is yielding many new initiatives. Vulnerable children and families who become involved with child welfare clearly deserve higher quality and more effective services. New policies, programs, and practices should be built on sound evidence. Reforms based on misunderstandings about what the current data show may ultimately harm families. This review highlights 10 commonly held misconceptions which we assert are inconsistent with the best available contemporary evidence. Implications for better alignment of evidence and reform are discussed.
Quantifying Key Internal and External Yield-limiting Factors for Chinese Pear in Smallholder Dominant Areas

Pear (Pyrus spp.) is the third-largest economic crop in China after apples (Malus pumila Mill.) and citrus (Citrus reticulata Blanco), and it is mainly cultivated by smallholders. Currently, the yield of Chinese pear ranks midlevel globally, with only 17.9 t⋅ha−1⋅year−1, which is lower than that of the United States (36.0 t⋅ha−1⋅year−1). However, the factors limiting pear production dominated by smallholders are unclear. We interviewed 75 smallholders about 18 yield-related indicators for pear-typical planting areas. The boundary line model was used to analyze the contribution of internal factors and dominant external factors affecting yield and to simulate strategies for increasing yield through the scenario analysis. The results showed that the average gap between the average and highest attainable yields for smallholders was 10.5 t⋅ha−1⋅year−1 in Luniao County. Among individual yield-limiting factors, chemical fertilizer nitrogen (N) input (13.3%) was the most significant, followed by the soil-available N content (12.0%) and leaf magnesium content (12.0%). Overall, the contribution of all soil factors (42.7%) was the largest compared with the other factor categories. However, the contribution of internal factors could not be ignored and accounted for 25.3% of the total. A scenario analysis showed that comprehensive strategies considering soil, management, and internal factors achieved the largest yield improvement (14%), as did reducing the fertilizer application rate (66%) compared with only using soil or leaf diagnosis methods. Therefore, integrated methods should be considered when developing pear orchard management measures and include soil, management, and internal factors.
The Role of Functional Arterial Properties in Prediction of Clinical Outcomes of Septic Patients. Summary of the Doctoral Thesis

The Doctoral thesis was carried out at Rīga Stradiņs University. Defence: at the public session of the Doctoral Council of Clinical Medicine on 30 June 2020 at 15.00 in Hippocrates Lecture Theatre, 16 Dzirciema Street, Rīga Stradiņs University.
Technical efficiency and farmland expansion: Evidence from oil palm smallholders in
 Indonesia

Funding information Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation), Grant/Award Number: 192626868; German-Indonesian research project, Grant/Award Number: CRC990 Abstract This study asks whether innovation in smallholder production reduces or accelerates land expansion. Even though innovation in agriculture has reduced land expansion globally, rebound effects can occur locally and often at the expense of vital ecosystem functions. In contrast to other studies that investigate rebound effects in response to technological innovation, our study focuses on technical efficiency, the remaining component of total factor productivity. We use a short panel dataset from smallholder oil palm farmers in Sumatra, Indonesia, and develop a two-stage approach in which we estimate technical efficiency and determine its land expansion effect. Our findings suggest that technical efficiency and in particular land efficiency are low, indicating that 50% of the currently cultivated land could be spared. However, the land-sparing effect of increasing technical efficiency is at risk of being offset by about half due to a rebound effect. To maximize the conservation potential from increasing smallholder efficiency, policies need to simultaneously incentivize well-functioning land markets and stricter protection measures for land with high ecological value to mitigate local rebound effects.
Significance ranking of parameters impacting construction labour productivity

Purpose – Construction labour productivity is often influenced by variations in work conditions and management effectiveness. It is substantially important to understand the nature and extent to which individual parameters affect productivity. The purpose of this paper is to focus on providing insight on parameters that affect daily job‐site labour productivity by investigating their relative significance and influence on work output.Design/methodology/approach – The methodology is based on the illustration and use of three different data analysis techniques to rank parameters that affect a certain process. These techniques include Fuzzy Subtractive Clustering, Neural Network Modelling and Stepwise Variable Selection Procedure. The first one belongs to inferential statistics, while the other two are artificial intelligence based techniques. The collection of field information, spanning over a time period of ten months, comprised of daily real time observations of job‐site operations, work progress informa.
Life expectancy in nursing homes

ABSTRACT It is well known that life expectancy in nursing homes (NHs) is lower for older adults than those residing elsewhere. In this paper, we attempt to discover the exact extent of this loss of life expectancy, and whether it can be explained by pre-existing health state conditions, especially the seriousness of dementia. We use a parametric survival model, on a large data set spanning up to 13 years, which covers health states and types of residence for all time periods until a person dies. In the absence of health state controls, the loss of life expectancy is 47 months. Accounting for health states still leads to a 41-month loss of life. Even those with serious dementia would live longer lives if not residing in a NH. We then value the estimated loss of life years. The losses are large, equal to $1.7 million per NH resident, and $1.87 trillion for the US NH population.
A statistical evaluation of ballistic backmapping for the slow solar wind: The interplay of solar wind acceleration and corotation

Mapping solar wind plasma back to its source is often achieved using the ‘two-step ballistic backmapping’ method. Solar wind observations are mapped through the heliosphere to the edge of a PFSS model, by assuming a constant speed, radial, plasma ﬂow. Tracing ﬁeld lines through the model gives the source location at 1 R (cid:2) The heliospheric mapping component hinges upon the argument that two known sources of error, stemming from solar wind acceleration and non-radial ﬂow, effectively cancel. This assumption has not been tested statistically. In this study, we evaluate the heliospheric portion of two-step backmapping, in addition to mapping using models with explicit radial acceleration, and azimuthal velocity, v φ , derived from angular momentum conservation. We estimate longitudinal mapping offsets, (cid:3)φ , between 326 Earth-observed crossings of the heliospheric current sheet (HCS), and corresponding crossings at 2 . 5 R (cid:2) from PFSS models. While the detailed solar wind models can be optimized to produce (cid:3)φ in good average agreement with HCS crossing data, the ballistic mapping performs almost as well, although all residuals have a sizeable standard deviation σ ∼ 16 ◦ . We conclude that the proposed error cancellation likely contributes to the good performance of ballistic mapping. However, interplanetary acceleration and the height of effective solar wind corotation are both smaller than previously assumed. Our results further suggest that early Parker Solar Probe observations of large v φ around 36 R (cid:2) do not represent the overall solar wind, due to the requirement for it to be balanced by increased acceleration.
Impact Factors for Horizontally Curved Composite Box Girder Bridges

This paper presents a method for determining the dynamic impact factors for horizontally curved composite single- or multicell box girder bridges under AASHTO truck loading. The bridges are modeled as three-dimensional structures using commercially available software. The vehicle is idealized as a pair of concentrated forces, with no mass, traveling in two circumferential paths parallel to the curved centerline of bridges. An extensive parametric study is conducted, in which over 215 curved composite box girder bridge prototypes are analyzed. The key parameters considered in this study are: Number of cells, number of lanes, degree of curvature, arc span length, slope of the outer steel webs, number and area of bracing and top chord systems, and truck(s) speed and truck(s) positioning. Based on the data generated from the parametric study, expressions for dynamic impact factors for longitudinal moment, reaction, and deflection are proposed as function of the ratio of the arc span length to the radius of curvature. The results from this study would enable bridge engineers to design horizontally curved composite box girder bridges more reliably and economically. Furthermore, the results can be used to potentially increase the live-load capacity of existing bridges to prevent posting or closing of the bridge.
Nutritional Status of Patients on Maintenance Hemodialysis as Assessed by Mini Nutritional Assessment Survey- Short Form and Anthropometric Measurements.

Protein calorie malnutrition is common in chronic kidney disease patients especially on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). Multiple factors including mainly frequency and adequacy of dialysis and dietary habits may result in malnutrition besides other comorbidities. Different tools have been designed to analyze the nutritional status of dialysis patients including subjective global assessment, malnutrition inflammation score, Mini Nutritional Assessment– Short Form (MNA-SF) and several others. We assessed the nutritional status of our MHD patients using Mini Nutritional Assessment–Short Form (MNASF) Methods Total of 44 patients aged between 13 to 64 years, undergoing MHD for at least 6 months were included in the study. Results Out of 44 patients 63% patients were malnourished, 34% were at risk of malnutrition and 3% were having normal nutritional status according to MNA-SF. The mean of mid-arm circumference was low even in the presence of mean albumin and BMI within the normal range. Conclusion Nutrition is a neglected aspect of the dialysis patients. Multiple factors including poor socioeconomic status, lack of knowledge and poor dietary compliance lead to significant malnutrition among MHD patients.
QoS Violation Probability Minimization in Federating Vehicular-Fogs with Cloud and Edge Systems

Due to the fact that most user equipments (UEs) do not have enough computation power, time-sensitive tasks should be offloaded to other computation resources. In such cases, a cloud is an ideal destination to which computation tasks can be offloaded because of its huge data processing power. However, the distance between a UE and the cloud may increase the latency of data transmission. At the same time, edges and vehicular- fogs (consisting of electric vehicles with computing resources) are closer to UEs and mostly remain under-utilized. To address this issue, a federated architecture with UEs, vehicular-fogs (parking lot fog and traffic intersection fog), edges, and cloud is proposed along with a probabilistic offloading strategy. The quality of service (QoS) violation probability can be minimized by finding the optimal offloading probabilities while satisfying the delay constraint through an optimal offloading probability estimation algorithm based on the subgradient method proposed in this pa- per. Our results show that the QoS violation probability and the average waiting time can be decreased by 10%12% and 45%, respectively, for a federated architecture with two vehicular-fogs as compared to an architecture without any fogs. As offloading to edges and cloud has longer communication delays than offloading to vehicular-fogs, the offloading probabilities to the edges in the architecture with two vehicular-fogs in the case of heavy traffic are reduced by nearly 35% as compared to the architecture without any fogs.
Development and use of GREET 1.6 fuel-cycle model for transportation fuels and vehicle technologies.

Since 1995, with funds from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) Office of Transportation Technologies (OTT), Argonne National Laboratory has been developing the Greenhouse gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy use in Transportation (GREET) model. The model is intended to serve as an analytical tool for use by researchers and practitioners in estimating fuel-cycle energy use and emissions associated with alternative transportation fuels and advanced vehicle technologies. Argonne released the first version of the GREET mode--GREET 1.0--in June 1996. Since then, it has released a series of GREET versions with revisions, updates, and upgrades. In February 2000, the latest public version of the model--GREET 1.5a--was posted on Argonne's Transportation Technology Research and Development Center (TTRDC) Web site (www.transportation.anl.gov/ttrdc/greet).