Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Building Green in Jordan? Performance Evaluation of the aqaba Residential Energy Efficiency Pilot Project (AREE)

The AREE house was built in 2007/2008 to provide a showcase of a high performance building in Aqaba city in the southern part of Jordan. The total energy performance of the building was achieved through three types of measures grouped into passive design elements, material choices and renewable energy installations. The energy performance and associated costs and benefits for each type were modelled to highlight opportunities for low and high income segments of the residential building market in Jordan. This paper provides a post construction evaluation of the actual energy performance of the building and the real costs and benefits. The sustainability concept of the building is reviewed, as well as the construction process and the life cycle costing of the energy enhancing measures. The findings show that passive design elements and material choices do improve the energy performance. This is derived from the actual indoor comfort monitoring in comparison with base case simulations. The payback time on the incremental investments needed is less than 3.5 years. At the same time, the monitoring also showed that not all passive design measures for energy performance were effective. This paper reflects on the experience and lessons learned from AREE for potential wider integration of sustainability elements into building projects in Jordan. (Less)
Machinability of Hastelloy C-276 using Hot-pressed sintered Ti(C7N3)-based cermet cutting tools

C-276 nickel-based alloy is a difficult-to-cut material. In high-speed machining of Hastelloy C-276, notching is a prominent failure mode due to high mechanical properties of work piece, which results in the short tool life and low productivity. In this paper, a newly developed Ti(C7N3)-based cermet insert manufactured by a hot-pressing method is used to machine the C-276 nickel-based alloy, and its cutting performances are studied. Based on orthogonal experiment method, the influence of cutting parameters on tool life, material removal rates and surface roughness are investigated. Experimental research results indicate that the optimal cutting condition is a cutting speed of 50 m/min, depth of cut of 0.4 mm and feed rate of 0.15 mm/r if the tool life and material removal rates are considered comprehensively. In this case, the tool life is 32 min and material removal rates are 3000 mm3/min, which is appropriate to the rough machining. If the tool life and surface roughness are considered, the better cutting condition is a cutting speed of 75 m/min, depth of cut of 0.6 mm and feed rate of 0.1 mm/r. In this case, the surface roughness is 0. 59μm. Notch wear, flank wear, chipping at the tool nose, built-up edge(BUE) and micro-cracks are found when Ti(C7N3)-based cermet insert turned Hastelloy C-276. Oxidation, adhesive, abrasive and diffusion are the wear mechanisms, which can be investigated by the observations of scanning electron microscope and energy-dispersive spectroscopy. This research will help to guide studies on the evaluation of machining parameters to further advance the productivity of nickel based alloy Hastelloy C-276 machining.
Friction Coefficient as a Macroscopic View of Local Dissipation

This paper presents an overview of a discrete element method approach to dry friction in the presence of a third body. Three dimensional computer simulations have been carried out to show the influence of the third body properties (and more specifically their adhesion) on friction coefficient and profiles of dissipated power. Simple interaction laws and a cohesive contact are set up to uncouple the key parameters governing the contact rheology. The model is validated through a global energy balance. As it is shown that dynamic friction coefficient can be explained only in terms of local energy dissipation, this work also emphasizes the fact that mechanism effects and third body rheology have important consequences on the energy generation and dissipation field. Therefore, asymmetries can arise and the surface temperature of first bodies can be significantly different even for the same global friction coefficient value. Such investigations highlight the fact that friction coefficient cannot be considered in the same way at the mechanism scale as at the contact scale where the third body plays a non-negligible role, although it has been neglected for years in thermal approaches to study of surfaces in contact.
The creation of a method to measure and compare product appearance

Product appearance plays a significant role in generating appeal for consumers and subsequent commercial success for mass-market products. Associated with the design and manufacture of many mass-market products is significant financial investment and thus also significant risk. This risk is particularly severe for established or mature markets such as consumer electronics and vehicles where designs must retain a brand identity and differentiate from other products while still being easily identifiable, and avoid potential design right or trade dress infringement. Within the design process there is ‘styling’, the activity primarily concerned with the creation of products’ form and appearance. While appearance is the primary concern in styling there is a wide range of factors that must be considered alongside appearance when designers evaluate potential design concepts. While there exists many tools and methods to objectively evaluate and communicate factors such as cost, performance, manufacture or ergonomics, there are few strategies to assist designers in objectively evaluating and reasoning on appearance, despite its relative importance to the market success of products. The aim of this thesis is to improve the styling process by researching and creating a method to more objectively measure and compare product appearance. In proposing a method and achieving the aim three major areas of research are addressed. The first is to create an approach to visually decompose products into constituent features to explore their influence on overall appearance. The second is to create a method of measurement to analyse the geometry of features and enable comparison across product ranges. The third is to investigate how the measures can be applied to assist designers during the styling process and provide insights into the strategic use of visual branding. The progression through these research areas and the subsequent proposed method form the key contribution to knowledge of this thesis. Through the application of the method to various case studies and a comprehensive study in its complete form, the method is validated and its potential use to designers demonstrated.
Evidence of Cascading Subglacial Water Flow at Jutulstraumen Glacier (Antarctica) Derived From Sentinel‐1 and ICESat‐2 Measurements

Migration of subglacial water underneath thick Antarctic ice is difficult to observe directly but is known to influence ice flow dynamics. Here, we analyze a 6‐year time series of displacement maps from differential Sentinel‐1 SAR interferometry (DInSAR) in the upstream region of Jutulstraumen Glacier. Our results reveal short‐term (between 12 days and 1 year) interconnected subsidence‐ and uplift events of the ice surface, which we interpret as a pressure response to the drainage and filling of subglacial lakes. This indicates an episodic cascade‐like water transport with longer quiescent phases in a dynamically stable glacial setting. Abrupt events appear in the DInSAR time series and are confirmed by ICESat‐2 altimetry. The events can be traced for a 1‐year period along a ∼ 175 km flow path. We are able to observe the migration of subglacial water with unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution, providing a new observational baseline to further develop subglacial hydrological models.
Fatigue life analysis of the autobody in a sports utility vehicle and its improvement using the homogenization method

Abstract Fatigue life analysis and improvement of the autobody in a sports utility vehicle (SUV) were performed. The stress distribution under unit displacement excitation was obtained by the finite element (FE) method. A bilateral track model was adopted to obtain load spectra in accordance with the vehicle reliability test. The total life of the autobody was evaluated by the nominal stress method with the assumption of a uniaxial stress state, and thus the critical regions were determined. The life of components with critical regions was further investigated on the basis of multiaxial fatigue theory. The results show that some components near to the suspension are easy to damage because they are directly subjected to impact loading from the road. It is also indicated that the result from multiaxial fatigue analysis is more reasonable than that from the nominal stress method, which was verified by experimental results. Finally, topological optimization of the spot weld location in the critical region was carried out by the homogenization method to improve its fatigue life.
Experimental validation of an active eddy current vibration control scheme

When a conductive material is subjected to a time changing magnetic field, eddy currents are formed in the conductor. These currents circulate inside the conductor such that a magnetic field is formed. This eddy current field then interacts with the applied field resulting in a dynamic force between the conductor and the magnetic source. The force can be considered dynamic because as the eddy currents circulate inside the conductor they are dissipated by the internal resistance of the conductor. Therefore, if a continuously changing field is not applied to the conductor the force will disappear. However, the eddy current forces can be utilized to form an actuator by applying a time changing current to an electromagnet that is in close proximity to a conductive material. This actuation method is easy to incorporate into the system and allows significant forces to be applied without every coming into contact with the structure. Therefore vibration control can be applied without inducing mass loading or added stiffness, which are downfalls of other methods. This manuscript will develop the concept and show that it can be accurately modeled and effectively used to control the vibration of a structure. This vibration control system will use a velocity feedback filter to actively modify the current applied to the coil. Using this system, experiments are performed on a cantilever beam showing the system can effectively suppress the each of the first five modes of vibration by upwards of 20dB.
Widening Women's Work in Information and Communication Technology

Why are there so few women among the professionals of information and communication technology (ICT)? What are the barriers to women choosing and developing careers in ICT professions, and what changes are likely to improve their access and position in this labour market? This European project (Information Society Technologies, 5th Framework Programme) hinges on the development of an integrated approach to the different aspects of gender disparity in the ICT professions. It combines explanatory factors linked to education and training, with the conditions of work and employment, and with the technical and professional culture of ICT. Research teams in seven countries (Austria, Belgium, France, Italy, Ireland, Portugal and United Kingdom) have carried out in-depth empirical studies. They suggest targeted recommendations for agents of change in this area.
Design of Disturbed Regions in Reactive Powder Concrete Bridge Girders

This paper details the benefits of using reactive powder concrete (RPC) to carry bursting forces in prestressed bridge girders. Tests were conducted on 3 RPC, 150 MPa, deep beams with results reported herein. A finite element analysis of a 35-m prestressed RPC bridge girder is also provided. The most important potential advantages of using RPC in bridge engineering are described.
Lower limb kinematics, kinetics and coordination during a land and cut task; the role of gender and previous ACL injury

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury continues to be a constant adversary to field sports athletes. Females are widely acknowledged as being at an increased risk of ACL injury, in comparison to males. Athletes who are successful in rehabilitation after surgery and return to their sport are reported to have an increased risk of repeated ACL injury and the development of osteoarthritis. The current thesis utilised a novel, maximal drop-jump land and unanticipated cutting task to assess the lower limb biomechanics of uninjured male and females, and previously ACL injured subjects (ACLr). Discrete measures of lower limb kinematics and kinetics were firstly compared between uninjured males and females, and secondly between the previously injured (PI) leg of ACLr subjects and both the contralateral non-injured (NI) leg and an uninjured subject’s control leg. The results show that females had increased hip internal rotation, the PI leg was not significantly different to the NI leg but was different to the control subject’s leg with increased hip flexion, internal knee abduction moment and transverse plane knee ROM. Lower limb coordination was assessed in the ACLr subjects and both legs of the ACLr subjects had similar coordination patterns. The PI leg however showed different coordination patterns than the control subject’s leg for a number of couplings. Movement and coordination variability were also utilised for a gender and ACLr – control comparison. The female subjects and the PI leg had lower levels of movement and coordination variability than males and the contralateral non-injured leg respectively. The PI leg however, had higher levels of movement and coordination variability than the control subject’s leg. In conclusion, females and previously ACL injured subjects may be at an increased risk of initial ACL injury and the development of osteoarthritis on the PI leg respectively, due to lower levels of movement and coordination variability. Altered biomechanics at the hip were also highlighted as a potential mechanism increasing injury risk in females and ACLr subjects.
In Vitro Antioxidant Activity of Sesame Milk Fermentation in Human Low Density
Lipoprotein (LDL)

Lignan sesaminol triglucoside is a bioactive compound in sesame milk that showed higher antioxidant activity after it is hydrolyzed by β-glucosidase. The objectives of this study were to determine in vitro antioxidant activity of fermented sesame milk (FSM) extract and sesame milk (SM) extract against DPPH and LDL oxidation and to examine phenolic, sesaminol triglucoside content and β-glucosidase activity. Antioxidant activity was examined using DPPH and TBARS assay with LDL as the oxidation substrate. Sesaminol triglucoside was identified with HPLC diode array detector and β-glucosidase activity was determined by measuring hydrolysis rate of ρ-nitrophenyl-β-D-glucopyranoside (ρNPG). After fermentation of sesame milk with L. plantarum Dad 13, the β-glucosidase activity was 70.3±0.023 mU/mL fermented sesame milk, the sesaminol triglucoside content of SM and FSM were 5.65 to 2.56 mg/100 mL of sesame milk, respectively, the phenolic content of SM and FSM were 3.81±0.10 and 7.9±0.08 mg GAE/g dry sesame seed, respectively, radical scavenging activity of SM and FSM 18±0.64, and 45.5±0.37% respectively. Fermented sesame milk inhibited human plasma LDL oxidation by 1.82 compared to unfermented sesame milk. This result related to hydrolysis of sesaminol triglucoside by β-glucosidase which was produced by L. plantarum Dad 13 that resulted in sesaminol. This results suggest that fermented sesame milk extract has in vitro antioxidant activity in human LDL better than sesame milk extract
THE IMPACT OF THE SERVICES OF AN INCUBATOR ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE TENANTS

This study focused on the impact of the provided services of a business incubator on the development of its tenants. The shared space and resources, the business support services and the access to the networks were identified as the main shared provided services of business incubators, while activity-based models containing gestation activities were used to capture the development of the tenants during their incubation period. The tenants of an incubator and certain selected individuals closely related to the operations of the incubator formed the research sample, where the latter were used to validate the data obtained by the entrepreneurs about whether and how the incubator contributed to the completion of the gestation activities. The two data sets were analyzed in two different ways, providing a more holistic answer to the main research question. The first analysis aimed at pointing out which provided service contributed the most, while the second one was used to identify which gestation activities were mainly completed with the direct or indirect support of the services provided by the incubator. The first way of analyzing the data resulted in the business support services as being the most important service for the development of the entrepreneurs, being responsible for half the activities completed by the entrepreneurs, followed by the access to the networks and the shared space and resources. From the 35 selected gestation activities, the second way of analyzing the data yielded 11 as being completed with the significant support of the incubator, since they were completed by at least half the entrepreneurs and were seen as important by almost all the individuals interviewed.
Behaviour of gusset plate connections to ends of round and elliptical hollow structural section members

Gusset plate connections to the ends of hollow structural section (HSS) members are regularly used in steel-framed buildings and roof trusses. Recent research on this connection type has indicated that current design recommendations for preventing tensile failure induced by shear lag may be overly conservative. This paper presents an experimental study on 13 gusset plate end connections to circular and elliptical HSS members under quasi-static tension and compression loadings. Current design proposals found in research studies and in design guides and specifications are compared with the experimental work. Various fabrication details for this connection type have been considered, and the influence of connection length, gusset plate orientation (in the tube long side versus short side), and distance between welds has been studied. In the experimental study, failure of all specimens under tensile loading was caused by circumferential fracture of the HSS or by tear-out of the HSS base material along the weld.
Assessing The Biological Weapons And Bioterrorism Threat

Abstract : This monograph is comprised of six substantive sections. An opening introductory section sets the global context in which the threat of "bioterrorism" should be placed. It briefly surveys other nonmilitary challenges to national and global security that the United States and other nations currently face, and will face in the coming decades. It does so, where possible, by including the mortality levels currently resulting from these factors, particularly natural disease agents, and the levels that can be projected for them. This provides a comparative framework within which bioterrorism can more properly be assessed. The second section, using U.S. Government sources, surveys the evolution of offensive state biological weapons programs. This demonstrates that official estimates of the number of such programs have diminished by between one-fourth and one-third, from a peak of some 13 nations in mid-2001. What is known regarding any proliferation from these programs is also surveyed, as well as state assistance to nonstate actors. The third section surveys the evolution of the efforts by nonstate actors-terrorist groups-to obtain, develop, and use biological agents. The survey covers the entire 20th century, and up to the present day, focusing on the last 25 years. The efforts by the two groups which involved the most serious attempts to produce biological agents, the Japanese Aum Shinrikyo group between 1990-94 and the al-Qaida organization in Afghanistan between 1997-98 and December 2001, are reviewed in detail. Using information provided by declassified documents, as well as information from other sources, this section provides as detailed an examination as is available of the BW efforts of the al-Qaida organization. The Japanese Aum group did not succeed in obtaining virulent strains of pathogens, nor was it apparently capable of working successfully with the strains that it did have.
A piezomagnetoelastic structure for broadband vibration energy harvesting

This letter introduces a piezomagnetoelastic device for substantial enhancement of piezoelectric power generation in vibration energy harvesting. Electromechanical equations describing the nonlinear system are given along with theoretical simulations. Experimental performance of the piezomagnetoelastic generator exhibits qualitative agreement with the theory, yielding large-amplitude periodic oscillations for excitations over a frequency range. Comparisons are presented against the conventional case without magnetic buckling and superiority of the piezomagnetoelastic structure as a broadband electric generator is proven. The piezomagnetoelastic generator results in a 200% increase in the open-circuit voltage amplitude (hence promising an 800% increase in the power amplitude).
Condition monitoring of pantograph contact strip

A common issue in electric railway operation is the wear of the pantograph contact strip. This is especially pronounced with ice or rime frost on the overhead line that causes arcing between the contact strip and the contact wire. To monitor the contact strip it is possible to utilise the fact that arcing between the contact strip and the overhead line generates a DC component in the AC locomotive current. The paper presents a method for condition based maintenance of the contact strip. The wear of the contact strip is predicted by monitoring the running distance of the pantograph as well as the DC component of the locomotive current. To evaluate the method, measurements have been carried out on a Swedish Re locomotive during winter conditions.