Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A COMPARISON OF THE PERFORMANCE OF DEDICATED CHILD RESTRAINT ATTACHMENT SYSTEMS (ISOFIX)

Problems with the current methods of attaching child restraints to the vehicle structure have led to the development of new attachment systems. These proposals have been coordinated by the International Standards Organisation (ISO) with the intention of generating an international standard system for the attachment of child restraints - ISOFIX. This research programme was designed to compare the dynamic performance of a range of systems and how they would be used by parents. Prototype child restraints designed to four different schemes being proposed for ISOFIX were produced based on a single design of child seat shell. These were subject to frontal, side and rear impacts. Various degrees of slack were introduced into the systems to determine the sensitivity to misuse. In addition, a small user trial was undertaken to determine the user reaction to the different systems and likely misuse modes. Both the dynamic tests and the user trials included a conventional child restraint using the same child seat shell for comparison. The results demonstrated that all systems could perform well, particularly in the frontal impact tests, provided that any adjustment in the attachment system was pulled tight. However, some systems were particularly sensitive to slack. Overall, those systems with rigid attachments performed best, particularly in side impacts. These were favoured also by the user group. (A) For the covering abstract of the conference see IRRD 899572.
Synchronous Buck-Boost Converter for Energy Harvesting Application

In this paper, the synchronous buck-boost converters are developed. Unlike the traditional buck-boost converters, the synchronous converter has fast transient response, similar to the behaviour of the buck converter with synchronous rectification. In addition, it has a non-pulsating output current. The synchronous buck-boost converter operates in the Continuous Current Mode (CCM) which, not only reduces the stress on the output capacitor, but also reduces the ripple of the output voltage. Simulation results are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control system. Keywords—Synchronous buck-boost, CCM, Stress, Ripple voltage
Impedance model of the CERN SPS and aspects of LHC single-bunch stability

Upgrades of the CERN particle accelerators complex are planned to increase the potential of physics discovery in the LHC. In this respect, the beam coupling impedances of the SPS and LHC are expected to be among the limitations to the intensity upgrade scheme. In this thesis work, we present a general framework to better understand the impedance of a particle accelerator. In a first step, the impedance of single components are gathered into an impedance model accounting for the whole machine. In order to assess the relevance of this impedance model, its impact on beam dynamics is simulated and can be compared to impedance observables measured with beam. This general framework was applied to compute a more accurate transverse impedance model of the SPS from theoretical models for the 20 kickers and the 6.9 km long beam pipe, as well as time domain electromagnetic simulations of the 106 horizontal and 96 vertical SPS beam position monitors. Comparing HEADTAIL macroparticle simulations to beam-based measurements in the SPS, this transverse impedance model turned out to account for 65% of the vertical impedance measured in the machine and showed in addition that the large negative quadrupolar horizontal impedance of the kickers can be held responsible for the measured positive coherent horizontal tune shift with increasing beam intensity. In the course of implementing this framework, new contributions were brought to the understanding of impedances and wake fields. A more general formula was derived for the longitudinal impedance of a multilayer cylindrical beam pipe. New formulae for the transverse quadrupolar impedances of simple models of kickers were also derived and successfully benchmarked to electromagnetic simulations. In addition, MOSES mode coupling analytical calculations were successfully benchmarked against HEADTAIL macroparticle simulations in predicting a Transverse Mode Coupling Instability at injection in the SPS between azimuthal modes -2 and -3. Finally, new RF bench measurements validated the theory proposed by B. Zotter and E. Metral, thereby confirming that the low frequency transverse impedance of the LHC collimators –, which largely dominates the LHC transverse impedance – is less critical than initially expected.
Locus Coeruleus Integrity in Older Adults with and without Chronic Pain

The locus coeruleus (LC) is a brainstem region involved in regulating pain. Chronic pain is common in older adulthood, but no studies have examined its association with the LC in humans. We used neuromelanin-sensitive imaging to study differences in LC integrity in older adults with and without chronic pain. Chronic pain was assessed in community-dwelling men from the Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging (VETSA) in 3 study waves covering an average of 12 years. Pain was self-reported on the SF-36 Bodily Pain Scale. Chronic pain was defined as moderate to severe pain severity at the current and at least one prior wave; 17% had chronic pain (n=80). At the third wave, 481 participants (mean age=67.57) underwent neuromelanin-sensitive MRI scans from which we calculated an LC contrast-to-noise ratio (LCCNR) - an index of LC integrity. We examined associations between chronic pain and LCCNR (in the rostral LC and caudal regions) with generalized estimating equations after adjusting for age, race, education, depressive symptoms, medical comorbidities, and opioid medication use. Individuals with chronic pain had . 35 standard deviation lower rostral LCCNR (95% CI: -.62 to -.05) compared to those without chronic pain. No differences in the caudal LCCNR were detected. Chronic pain was associated with decreased rostral LC integrity in older adults. Differences in the rostral LC, rather than caudal LC, suggest the association between lower LC integrity and chronic pain may be related to pain processing in cortical regions where rostral LC projections typically connect.
A framework based on Gaussian mixture models and Kalman filters for the segmentation and tracking of anomalous events in shipboard video

Ben Wenger A FRAMEWORK BASED ON GAUSSIAN MIXTURE MODELS AND KALMAN FILTERS FOR THE SEGMENTATION AND TRACKING OF ANOMALOUS EVENTS IN SHIPBOARD VIDEO 2009/10 Shreekanth Mandayam, Ph.D. Electrical and Computer Engineering Anomalous indications in monitoring equipment onboard U.S. Navy vessels must be handled in a timely manner to prevent catastrophic system failure. The development of sensor data analysis techniques to assist a ship's crew in monitoring machinery and summon required ship-to-shore assistance is of considerable benefit to the Navy. In addition, the Navy has a large interest in the development of distance support technology in its ongoing efforts to reduce manning on ships. In this thesis, algorithms have been developed for the detection of anomalous events that can be identified from the analysis of monochromatic stationary ship surveillance video streams. The specific anomalies that we have focused on are the presence and growth of smoke and fire events inside the frames of the video stream. The algorithm consists of the following steps. First, a foreground segmentation algorithm based on adaptive Gaussian mixture models is employed to detect the presence of motion in a scene. The algorithm is adapted to emphasize gray-level characteristics related to smoke and fire events in the frame. Next, shape discriminant features in the foreground are enhanced using morphological operations. Following this step, the anomalous indication is tracked between frames using Kalman filtering. Finally, gray level shape and motion features corresponding to the anomaly are subjected to principal component analysis and classified using a multilayer perceptron neural network. The algorithm is exercised on 68 video streams that include the presence of anomalous events (such as fire and smoke) and benign/nuisance events (such as humans walking the field of view). Initial results show that the algorithm is successful in detecting anomalies in video streams, and is suitable for application in shipboard environments.
On the economic viability of network systems and architectures

Understanding the relationship between technology and economics is fundamental to making judicious policy and design decisions. Many technologies that are successful in meeting their technical goals often fail to get adopted due to economic factors. This holds true even for networked systems, e.g., the Internet, which witnessed failures in the adoption of QoS solutions, IPv6 migration etc., due to factors such as high costs, lack of demand, and weight of incumbency. To gain better insights into these issues, researchers need access to analytical frameworks that account for both technological and economic factors and provide useful design guidelines. This dissertation was motivated primarily by the need to undertake such a holistic, multidisciplinary approach towards creating such analytical frameworks. We focus on three important aspect related to deployment, adoption, and design of network systems and architectures. The Internet has been one of the most successful network technologies, serving both as a shared platform for easy deployment of new services and a driver for their adoption. But recent trends in convergence of voice, video, and data services, along with advances in virtualization technologies, raise questions as to whether deploying heterogeneous services on a shared network is right or not, especially given the operational complexity and costs involved. We develop a model to investigate the trade-offs between shared and dedicated infrastructures and identify the operational metrics that influence which infrastructure choice benefits more from resource reprovisioning. Closely related to the issue of network service deployment is that of its successful adoption, which serves as the second topic of this dissertation. An entrant’s success hinges not only on technical superiority but also on other factors, including its ability to win over an incumbent’s installed base by using gateways. Our model for adoption of competing technologies reveals several interesting behaviors, including the possibility for converters to reduce overall market penetration across both technologies and to prevent the convergence of the adoption process to a stable state. Lastly, we consider the issue of network platform design. The emergence and adoption of new technologies depend on the functional capabilities provided by the underlying network platform. Answering whether the minimalist design of Internet is still relevant as it evolves into an ecosystem of software services, require a cost-benefit analysis of choosing between a functionality-rich and a minimalist design. We develop a two-sided market model to show how this design choice crucially depends on the relationship between the cost of adding features to the platform and the benefits that application developers derive from them. The frameworks developed in this dissertation have the potential for application in many different network settings, and can spur further research on various topics in network economics.
The Impact of Innovation on Entrepreneurial Orientation: A Case Study of SMEs in Osun State

The study aim is to examine the impact of process innovation, product innovation and market innovation on entrepreneurial orientation using Osun state as a case study. The study based on the CDM theoretical framework. Questionnaires were distributed to SMEs in Osun state. The 350 questionnaires were distributed to the respondents; however, only 201 were filled properly and returned. The multiple regression was deployed to investigate this relationship. The study findings shows; (i) there are positive relationship between product innovation and entrepreneurial orientation; (ii) there is positive relationship between process innovation and entrepreneurial orientation; and (iii) there is positive relationship between market innovation and entrepreneurial orientation. conceptualizes a theoretical framework for GEO, green incremental innovation and green disruptive innovation, and is using empirical data from 416 Chinese companies for research. The findings show a strong influence on environmental incremental innovation and disruptive innovation for corporate GEOs. Supply chain technology impacts green gradual and revolutionary innovation significantly. Additionally, learning the corporate supply chain plays a moderating role in the interaction between GEO and green radical innovation, and also plays a mediating role in the relationship between GEO and green radical innovations. Zhao, Li, Tan, and Liu (2008) examined the moderating effects of EO on the connection of MO and performance in small Chinese firms. To evaluate this dynamics, simulation of the structural equation was deployed. Finding from the research suggests that MO is directly associated with firm efficiency, alone or in combination with other components of the EO. More precisely, creativity and Proactiveness have positively moderated the MO-performance interaction. Arzubiaga, Kotlar, De Massis, Maseda, and Iturralde (2018) examined entrepreneurial mindset and creativity in family SMEs. The use of 230 Spanish family SMEs revealed that family participation in the BoD has a detrimental impact on their ability to turn EO into creativity. In addition, we show that the strategic involvement of the BoD in service, control tasks, provision of knowledge and skills have beneficial benefits while BoD activity intensity has a strikingly detrimental impact. To investigate the impact of MO as a mediating variable in the interaction between EO and performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), Amin, Thurasamy, Aldakhil, and Kaswuri (2016) deployed A total of 500 SMEs in the manufacturing industry of food and beverages were involved in this study with a response rate of 117. The findings show that EO has a significant relationship with MO, and MO has a significant relationship with SME performance. MO will mediate the relationship between EO and SMEs’ performance. Dost, Arshad, and Afsar (2018) examined the impact of EO on process innovation capability types and the position of social capital as moderator. Authors gathered data from Pakistan's chemical manufacturing companies, and
How to calculate effects of tactical low-yield enhanced-radiation and fission warheads

In the last five years, a flood of literature, both in the US and abroad, has pointed out the pros and cons of effects from enhanced-radiation (ER) and fission warheads. While these publications otlen focus on numerical differences that can be quite large, they seldom tell the reader how the numerical values were obtained. In this report, we assume pure-fusion, 50/50 fusion/fission, and pure-fission tactical weapons in yields from 0.5 to 10 kt. These assumptions make verification possible for all numerical values for the source as well as effects versus ground range. The effects considered are radiation, blast, and thermal. Several illustrations are presented in which we used various units to make the data more useful to the nontechnical reader. In the literature, the main emphasis for ER tactical weapons has been the disabling effects on tank crews. The initial radiation dose rate inside the tank as well as that received by the crew from induced neutron activation inside the tank is numerically evaluated. Soil-activation differences between fusion and fission weapons are mentioned.
Tackling uncertainty in airport design : a real options approach

The airport industry is changing. Once understood as stand-alone public infrastructures, many modern airports now operate within privatized multi-airport systems and contend with previously unknown competitive pressures. As a result, many of the same airports which once enjoyed natural monopolies and government protections must now compete with secondary facilities both for airline patronage and for passenger traffic. Further, changes in the airline industry such as the success of the low-cost carrier, ongoing consolidation, and possible changes to the hub structure now threaten to impose new demands on airport services. In this environment, airport owners are being made to tackle not only significant uncertainty in traffic levels and passenger demand but also the sometimes conflicting needs of varying airline customers. By referencing the experiences of airports across Europe and the US, this paper seeks to highlight strategies for confronting these uncertainties. In particular, research conclusions focus on providing flexible responses that may prove useful given the continued growth of multi-airport systems, expansion of low-cost carriers, and associated industry restructuring. To this end, this thesis presents methodologies for evaluating the financial benefits which may be accrued through applying real options principles at new and developing airports. Two evaluative models, one focused on the construction of airport runway systems and the other on airport terminal design, are presented. Each model as developed by the author is designed to permit the simple application of economic and decision analyses in order to gauge the possibility of success in terms of airport cost, accessibility, and patronage. The models are therefore particularly useful for the preliminary evaluation of various airport development strategies, especially within educational contexts. The development of a second major airport outside of Lisbon provides the central case study. Thesis Supervisor: Richard de Neufville Title: Professor of Engineering Systems and of Civil and Environmental Engineering (This page intentionally left blank.)
Introduction to environmental impact assessment : principles and procedures, process, practice and prospects

Part 1 Principles and procedures: introduction and principles origins and development UK agency and legislation context. Part 2 Process: starting up/early stages impact prediction, evaluation and mitigation participation, presentation and review monitoring and auditing - after the decision. Part 3 Practice overview of UK practice to date environmental impact assessment and new settlements environmental impact assessment of projects not subject to planning control comparative practice. Part 4 Prospects: improving effectiveness of project assessment widening the scope.
Conceptual aspects of equivalent circuit for an induction machine

Engineers have developed several types of models to visualize, understand and predict the behaviour of rotating electric machinery. Among these models, the stationary electric network (equivalent circuit) and vector and locus diagrams are extensively used mainly in induction machine studies. The physical picture offered by an equivalent circuit helps the understanding of the machine operation and enables the solution of the machine performance by numerical methods. Nevertheless, the development of these circuits sometimes has been presented in a superficial manner, eventually provoking uncertainties in the student's mind. In the present paper, an attempt is made to permit full understanding of the meaning of the electrical equivalent circuit for an induction machine.
Intestinal Absorption of Geniposide and Inhibition of Transporter-P-GP Across the Caco-2 Monolayer

Background: Geniposide (GE) is the main bioactive component of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis, which has many pharmacological effects, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidation, and anti-angiogenesis. GE has low absolute bioavailability after oral administration, and speculated that GE might have an effect on P-glycoprotein (P-gp) described in our previous study. However, intestinal absorption characteristics involved in the Caco-2 cells of GE are still unknown. Therefore, we aimed to investigate absorption mechanisms of GE and the effects on P-gp. Methods: By establishing the Caco-2 cells model and HPLC method, bidirectional transport of GE in the different conditions and the presence of P-gp inhibitors－verapamil were conducted to observe its absorption mechanisms. Transport assays of digoxin, a P-gp substrate, were also performed in the presence of GE or verapamil. The effects of GE on the function and expression of P-gp were analyzed by flow cytometry and Western blot using rhodamine-123 (rho-123) and the antibody, respectively. Results: Both absorption and secretion of GE were positively correlated with concentration and time at Caco-2 cell monolayer. The Papp of bidirectional transport was decreased in low temperature and the Papp(BL-AP) of GE decreased significantly in the presence of verapamil. Meanwhile, the ER value was higher than 1.5. In addition, in the bidirectional transport of digoxin, the values of Papp(BL-AP) and ER decreased significantly in the presence of GE, just like verapamil. GE increased the intracellular accumulation of rho-123 and also have a significant decrease on P-gp expression. Conclusion: Transepithelial transport mechanism of GE in Caco-2 cell monolayer is mainly passive diffusion and P-gp mediated active transportation. GE was a potential inhibitor of P-gp, can inhibit transport of digoxin and the function and expression of P-gp.
Employing deceptive dynamic network topology through software-defined networking

Abstract : Computer networks are constantly being actively probed in attempts to build topological maps of intermediate nodes and discover endpoints, either for academic research or nefarious schemes. While some networks employ recommended conventional countermeasures to simply block such probing at the boundary or shunt such traffic to honey pot systems, other networks remain completely open either by design or neglect. Our research builds on previous work on the concept of presenting a deceptive network topology, which goes beyond conventional network security countermeasures of detecting and blocking network probe traffic. By employing the technologies from the emerging field of Software-Defined Networking and the OpenFlow protocol, we constructed a custom-built SDN controller to listen for network probes and craft customized deceptive replies to those probes. Through employment of various network probing utilities against our custom-built SDN controller in a test network environment, we are able to present a believable deceptive representation of the network topology to an adversary. Therefore, this work demonstrates that the primitives of the expanding OpenFlow protocol show strong potential for constructing an enterprise-grade dynamic deceptive network topology solution to protect computer networks.