Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Estimating the Impacts of Police Enforcement Stops on Freeway Operations and Capacity

Over the years, some police agencies have sought to be good stewards of urban traffic flow by reducing their emergency lights while on roadside enforcement stops, particularly during peak hours. Over the past decade, however, move-over laws that require motorists to slow down or vacate the lane adjacent to the stopped emergency vehicle have been implemented in every state. As a consequence, the traffic impacts of police enforcement stops have shifted from a distraction that might slow traffic to a mandate for drivers to change lanes or slow down. From a highway capacity standpoint, the enforcement stop can be modeled as a theoretical lane-blocking event adjusted for motorists' compliance with move-over laws. This research examined 13,416 enforcement stops conducted near roadway traffic detectors on Florida freeways and shows that police enforcement stops reduced the available capacity by between 54% and 58% on two-lane freeways, 35% and 41% on three-lane facilities, 23% and 30% on four-lane facilities, and 14% and 22% when five lanes were present. Regression analysis examined factors to explain the speed of vehicles passing stops and showed that the number of lanes, posted speed limits, and ambient lighting conditions were statistically significant factors. Police agencies should therefore consider implementing policies in which they use their emergency lighting equipment throughout the duration of enforcement stops since they improve compliance with move-over laws and, ostensibly, safety. Breakdowns were not explicitly modeled and are likely not a deterministic measure, so police activity during periods of high traffic flow and congestion should be reserved for compelling traffic safety needs.
Information Literacy in Higher Education: Overview of Initiatives at Two Ghanaian Universities

The paper examines information literacy (IL) initiatives in two universities in Ghana, namely: the University of Ghana and the University of Cape Coast. IL initiatives such as library literacy, computer and media literacy and communication skills literacy carried out at the two universities for their students are described. Information on the IL activities was obtained from various interviews held with directors, heads of departments or officers in charge of the different programmes. Some challenges in the programmes include the lack of collaboration between departments running IL programmes, the large number of students undertaking the courses, inadequate staff and the cumbersome mode of access to and delivery of the IL programmes. Among the recommendations for improved information literacy programmes include commitment by the university management, improvements in information technology infrastructure, fostering of effective partnerships between the library and the teaching faculty, as well as a review of the curriculum of the library schools to include a new core course in information literacy.
EVALUATION OF STRENGTH FORMULATIONS FOR HORIZONTALLY CURVED FLEXURAL MEMBERS

In 1992, the U.S. Federal Highway Administration, along with 13 states, began a project to study the behavior of horizontally curved steel bridges. The project is referred to as the Curved Steel Bridge Research Project and involves studying the behavior of curved members through theoretical, analytical, and experimental research. In this paper, detailed finite-element models representing a curved 3-girder test frame, are used to evaluate the effects of curvature on the bending strength of curved I-girders, linear-elastic static, and buckling. Combined material and geometric nonlinear analysis are conducted using models that represent the test frame and component test specimens that will be inserted into it. Results are compared to various predictor equations developed from analytical work by the authors and to work by other researchers. It is demonstrated that the predictor equations of the authors are accurate in representing the behavior of the system. Limitations and needed improvements are described as well.
Antenna theory and design

Provides a solid understanding of the underlying theories and principles as well as the information necessary for designing and building many classes of antennas. Covers the topic from three angles; antenna fundamentals, antenna techniques, and the design of various antenna types. Discusses such specialized, modern techniques as moment methods, hi-frequency techniques, and antenna synthesis. Includes several computer program source listings in FORTRAN.
An Identification Procedure for Woolly Soft-flesh Peaches by Instrumental Assessment

Abstract Woolliness in peaches, a negative attribute of sensory texture characterized by the lack of crispness and juiciness, also known as mealiness in other fruits, has been identified fruit-by fruit by instrumental means. The use of a non-supervised clustering data analysis procedure, studying crispness and juiciness, enables four instrumental degrees of texture degradation to be defined, of which woolliness appears to be the last stage. This procedure also provides some knowledge on several experimental factors (ripeness stages, storage time and storage temperature) with regard to the onset of woolliness. It is confirmed through this study that, in cv. Maycrest peaches, woolliness starts to appear after 2 weeks of storage at 5°C. Fruits classified at harvest in ‘first’ and ‘second’ ripeness stages are more susceptible to woolliness than those in the third ripeness stage. This clustering procedure may also be effective for the study of other species, varieties and quality attributes of fruits.
A comparative study of physical and subcircuit models for MOS-gated power devices

We have developed a new extensive model library for MOS-gated power devices aimed for CAD and the simulation of power integrated circuits and power electronics. Comparisons between the compact physical models implemented in an open circuit simulator, Aplac, and semiempirical SPICE compatible subcircuit models show that the accuracy of the subcircuit models approaches that of the physical models, if the components of the subcircuit are modelled properly.
Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Analysis

Abstract : The NRC Committee on Seismology established the Panel on Seismic Hazard Analysis to assess methodologies. The panel concentrated on the probabilistic method but also examined alternatives. The panel's discussions included a review of the extensive hazard analyses for the eastern United States by the Electric Power Research Institute and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. A questionnaire about the attributes of seismic hazard analysis methods was sent to members of the scientific and technical community and decision makers. The report is addressed to decision makers with a modest scientific and technical background and to the scientific and technical community.
Artificial Neural Network Maximum Power Point Tracker for Solar Electric Vehicle

This paper proposes an artificial neural network maximum power point tracker (MPPT) for solar electric vehicles. The MPPT is based on a highly efficient boost converter with insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) power switch. The reference voltage for MPPT is obtained by artificial neural network (ANN) with gradient descent momentum algorithm. The tracking algorithm changes the duty-cycle of the converter so that the PV-module voltage equals the voltage corresponding to the MPPT at any given insolation, temperature, and load conditions. For fast response, the system is implemented using digital signal processor (DSP). The overall system stability is improved by including a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller, which is also used to match the reference and battery voltage levels. The controller, based on the information supplied by the ANN, generates the boost converter duty-cycle. The energy obtained is used to charge the lithium ion battery stack for the solar vehicle. The experimental and simulation results show that the proposed scheme is highly efficient.
EFPI signal processing method providing picometer-level resolution in cavity length measurement

In the current article an advanced method of EFPI baseline measurement by use of spectral function approximation is proposed. The method provides an increase in EFPI baseline measurement precision and computational acceleration. The method bases on two foundations provided by analysis of low-finesse Fabry-Perot interferometer model: reduction of search domain and taking into account the most informative spectral intervals, providing a greater impact on the residual of measured and theoretical EFPI spectral functions. Proposed signal processing method resulted in the EFPI baseline measurement resolution less than 50 pm for the cavity length values between 20 and 700 μm.
An evaluation of clients' needs and responsibilities in the construction process

The importance of clients' responsibilities in the construction process, as perceived by both clients and consultants, was assessed through a structured questionnaire survey. Using the relative index ranking technique, clients' fundamental needs and responsibilities in the construction process were analysed and ranked. Results indicate that the four most important needs are: functionality of the building, safety of the building, quality of the building, and completion time. The four most important clients' responsibilities identified by clients themselves are: planning/design, project finance, project implementation/management, and project definition/formulation. The four most important clients' responsibilities to project consultants are: project finance, project definition/formulation, planning/design, and project implementation/management. If both consultants and clients understand the fundamental needs of construction clients and if clients themselves are prepared to take an active role in the construction process, the chances of producing more successful projects will improve.
Additional Results of Ice-Accretion Scaling at SLD Conditions

To determine scale velocity an additional similarity parameter is needed to supplement the Ruff scaling method. A Weber number based on water droplet MVD has been included in several studies because the effect of droplet splashing on ice accretion was believed to be important, particularly for SLD conditions. In the present study, ice shapes recorded at Appendix-C conditions and recent results at SLD conditions are reviewed to show that droplet diameter cannot be important to main ice shape, and for low airspeeds splashing does not appear to affect SLD ice shapes. Evidence is presented to show that while a supplementary similarity parameter probably has the form of a Weber number, it must be based on a length proportional to model size rather than MVD. Scaling comparisons were made between SLD reference conditions and Appendix-C scale conditions using this Weber number. Scale-to-reference model size ratios were 1:1.7 and 1:3.4. The reference tests used a 91-cm-chord NACA 0012 model with a velocity of approximately 50 m/s and an MVD of 160 m. Freezing fractions of 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5 were included in the study.
Seroepidemiological study of feline coronavirus (FCoV) infection in domiciled cats from Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil

ABSTRACT: Feline coronavirus (FCoV) is responsible for causing one of the most important infectious diseases of domestic and wild felids, the feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), which is an immune-mediated, systemic, progressive and fatal disease. FCoV is highly contagious, and infection is common in domestic feline populations worldwide. The present study aimed to determine the seropositivity of FCoV infection and its associated epidemiological variables (risk factors) in domiciled cats in Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil. Whole blood samples (0.5-1mL) were collected from 151 cats, and sera were extracted by centrifugation. These sera were tested by an commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of IgG anti-FCoV antibodies. The assessed risk factors were age range, breed, gender, reproductive status, outdoor access and rearing mode (living alone or in a group). The seropositivity was 64.2% (97/151). There was no statistical significance for risk factors related to breed, gender or rearing mode. There were significant differences in seropositivity (p-values ≤0.05) for age range (p=0.0157), reproductive status (p=0.0074) and outdoor access (p=0.0001). This study verified a wide dissemination of FCoV in the studied population, with a higher than expected seropositivity for indoor cats. Among the risk factors, age range, reproductive status and outdoor access presented statistically significant differences, thus helping to establish an epidemiological profile of this population.
Part-Load Performance of Gas Turbines: Part I — A Novel Compressor Map Generation Approach Suitable for Adaptive Simulation

Part-load performance prediction of gas turbines is strongly dependent on detailed understanding of engine component behavior and mainly that of compressors. The accuracy of gas turbine engine models relies on the compressor performance maps, which are obtained in costly rig tests and remain manufacturer's proprietary information. The gas turbine research community has addressed this limitation by scaling default generic compressor maps in order to match the targeted off-design measurements. This approach is efficient in small range of operating conditions but becomes less accurate for wide range of operating conditions. In this part of the paper a novel method of compressor map generation which has a primary objective to improve the accuracy of engine models performance at part load conditions is presented. This is to generate a generic form of equations to represent the lines of constant speed and constant efficiency of the compressor map for a generic compressor. The parameters that control the shape of the compressor map have been expressed in their simplest form in order to aid the adaptation p rocess. The proposed compressor map generation method has the capacity to refine current gas turbine performance adaptation techniques, and it has been integrated into Cranfield's PYTHIA gas turbine performance simulation and diagnostics software tool. Copyright Â© 2012 by ASME.
VOTE TRAFFICKING IN LEBANON

Abstract Vote buying and vote selling are prominent features of electoral politics in Lebanon. This article investigates how vote trafficking works in Lebanese elections and examines how electoral rules and practices contribute to wide and lively vote markets. Using original survey data from the 2009 parliamentary elections, it studies vote selling with a list experiment, a question technique designed to elicit truthful answers to sensitive questions. The data show that over half of the Lebanese sold their votes in 2009. Moreover, once we come to grips with the sensitivity of the topic, the data show that members of all sectarian communities and political alliances sold their votes at similar rates.
Pornography Literacy

Media literacy is the ability to think critically about how media messages shape culture, society, and behavior. Pornography literacy, then, involves teaching people to think critically about the messages about behavior that they receive from pornography and building their capacity to choose whether to internalize what is being imparted. Increasingly, there are calls to incorporate porn literacy into sex education curricula. This chapter explains the theory behind media literacy interventions, summarizes their success, defines porn literacy, and provides an in-depth introduction to one porn literacy intervention designed to reduce dating and sexual violence. The chapter describes parents’ reactions to the porn literacy intervention and outlines ongoing questions about porn literacy.
Characterization and comparison of strains of Pasteurella multocida associated with cases of progressive atrophic rhinitis and porcine pneumonia in Argentina

Background: Pasteurella multocida (Pm) is the causative agent of progressive atrophic rhinitis (PAR) and pneumonic pasteurellosis (PN) in pigs. Pm is a member of the porcine respiratory complex responsible for important economic loss in the pig industry. Aim: This study aimed to characterize the Pm strains recovered from clinical cases of PN and PAR and to elucidate the antibiotic susceptibility profiles of the strains. Materials and Methods: Sixty strains were characterized molecularly by polymerase chain reaction to determine species-specific gene, capsular type (A or D), and toxin A production. The agar diffusion method was employed to evaluate antibiotic resistance profiles. Results: We found that 65% of strains belonged to capsular type A or D, and 15% of those were positive to toxA gene. The antibiotic susceptibility profiles found were sensitive in decreasing order to: Enrofloxacin, ceftiofur (CTF), ampicillin, tilmicosin (TIL), florfenicol (FFN), spectinomycin (SPC), gentamicin, oxytetracycline (OTC), and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMS). Strains were resistant in decreasing order to: Lincomycin (LIN), tylosin (TYL), erythromycin (ERY), TMS, SPC, OTC, FFN, TIL, and CTF. Conclusion: The toxA gene was detected in many Pm isolates from pneumonic lungs. Capsule type A or D was the most frequently found among the collected isolates. LIN, TYL, and ERY are the drugs which showed higher percentages of resistant isolates.
High-performance micromachined gyroscope with a slanted suspension cantilever

This paper presents a novel structure for improving the stability and the mechanical noise of micromachined gyroscopes. Only one slanted cantilever is used for suspension in this gyroscope, so the asymmetry spring and the thermal stress, which most micromachined gyroscopes suffer from, are reduced. In order to reduce the mechanical noise, the proof masses are designed to be much larger than in most micromachined gyroscopes. The gyroscope chip is sealed at 0.001 Pa vacuum. A gyroscope sample and its read-out circuit are fabricated. The scale factor of this gyroscope is measured as 57.6 mV/(deg/sec) with a nonlinearity better than 0.12% in a measurement range of ±100 deg/sec. The short-term bias stability in 20 min is 60 deg/h.
Fabrication of Composite Combustion Chamber/Nozzle for Fastrac Engine

The Fastrac Engine developed by the Marshall Space Flight Center for the X-34 vehicle began as a low cost engine development program for a small booster system. One of the key components to reducing the engine cost was the development of an inexpensive combustion chamber/nozzle. Fabrication of a regeneratively cooled thrust chamber and nozzle was considered too expensive and time consuming. In looking for an alternate design concept, the Space Shuttle's Reusable Solid Rocket Motor Project provided an extensive background with ablative composite materials in a combustion environment. An integral combustion chamber/nozzle was designed and fabricated with a silica/phenolic ablative liner and a carbon/epoxy structural overwrap. This paper describes the fabrication process and developmental hurdles overcome for the Fastrac engine one-piece composite combustion chamber/nozzle.
Seismic Fault Displacement of Buried Pipelines Using Continuum Finite Element Methods

In deep waters, pipelines are usually installed exposed on the seabed, as burial is generally not required to ensure on-bottom stability. These exposed pipelines are nevertheless susceptible to seismic geohazards like slope instability at scarp crossings, soil liquefaction and fault movements which may result in failure events, although larger diameter pipelines are generally known to have good tolerances to ground deformation phenomena, provided the seismic magnitudes are not too onerous. Regardless of the pipeline size, these seismic geohazard issues are usually addressed during the design stage by routing the pipeline to avoid such hazardous conditions, where possible. However, extreme environmental conditions like hurricanes or tropical cyclones, which are typically experienced in the Gulf of Mexico and Asia-Pacific regions, are also factors which can cause exposed pipelines to be susceptible to large pipeline displacements and damage. Secondary stabilisation in the form of rock dump is sometimes employed to reduce the hydrodynamic loads from high turbidity currents acting on the pipeline. However, rock dumping (or burying the displaced pipeline) on a fault line could again pose a threat to its integrity following a seismic faulting event. The traditional method of assessment of a buried pipeline subjected to seismic faulting is initially carried out using analytical methods. Due to the limitations of these techniques for large deformation soil movement associated with fault displacement, non-linear finite element (FE) methods are widely used to assess the pipeline integrity. The FE analysis typically idealises the pipeline using discrete structural beam-type elements and the pipeline-soil interaction as discrete non-linear springs, based on the concept of subgrade reactions proposed by Winkler. Recent research from offshore pipeline design activities in the arctic environment for ice gouge events have however suggested that the use of the discrete Winkler element model leads to over-conservative results in comparison to the coupled continuum model. The principal reason for the conservatism is related to the poor modeling of realistic surrounding soil behaviour for large deformation events. This paper discusses the application of continuum FE methods to model the fully coupled seabed-buried pipeline interaction events subject to ground movements at active seismic faults. Using the continuum approach, a more realistic mechanical response of the pipeline is established and can be further utilised to confirm that calculated strains are within allowable limits.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Anchorage zone stresses in axially post-tensioned members of uniform rectangular section

Synopsis Anchorage zone stresses in axially loaded post-tensioned members of uniform rectangular cross-section are determined by using a finite element procedure for the elastic analysis of three-dimensional solids. Particular attention is paid to the distributions of bursting stresses for a wide range of concentration ratios between the dimensions of the anchor plate and the cross-section of the member. The results are compared with those predicted by conventional methods.
Robust Flutter Margin Analysis that Incorporates Flight Data

An approach for computing worst-case flutter margins has been formulated in a robust stability framework. Uncertainty operators are included with a linear model to describe modeling errors and flight variations. The structured singular value, mu, computes a stability margin that directly accounts for these uncertainties. This approach introduces a new method of computing flutter margins and an associated new parameter for describing these margins. The mu margins are robust margins that indicate worst-case stability estimates with respect to the defined uncertainty. Worst-case flutter margins are computed for the F/A-18 Systems Research Aircraft using uncertainty sets generated by flight data analysis. The robust margins demonstrate flight conditions for flutter may lie closer to the flight envelope than previously estimated by p-k analysis.