Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Comparison of Different Embedding Methods on Session Based Recommendation with Graph Neural Networks

Predicting users' next behavior based on their previous actions is one of the most valuable but also difficult task in the e-commerce and e-marketing fields. Recommendation systems that build upon session-based data try to bring a solution to that desire. The ultimate goal of this type of recommendation system is trying to make the best predictions about the succeeding item. Sequential order of the items within a session is also kept in mind in such systems. Recently proposed SR-GNN (Session Based Recommendation with Graph Neural Networks) has benefited from graph theory and proven its adequacy about being the state-of-art session-based recommendation model. Furthermore, there are some parts exist that can improve the overall performance. The current model uses primitive embedding type which is the simplest way of representing the items, attributes, and their relationships between each other. This study brings the SR-GNN recommendation model with di erent types of graph embedding techniques which are widely used in a variety of research areas. Aim of this research is investigating the the e ect of the embedding types to the SR-GNN. The proposed variety of embedding techniques that applied to SR-GNN show similar but slightly worse results compared to the original SR-GNN embedding. The experimental results obtained on two real datasets show that the performance of the SR-GNN model is not a ected by the embedding models and the power of the model comes from the gated graph neural network model.
A New Calibration Method for Dynamically Loaded Transducers and Its Application to Cavitation Impact Measurement

The erosion produced by cavitation is a serious problem in hydraulic machinery, During investigations of the dynamic loading generated by collapsing cavitation on a surface, a dynamic pressure transducer was developed. The piezoelectric polymer PVDF (Polyvinylidene fluoride) was used as the pressure sensitive material. A novel method of dynamic calibration has also been developed. The transducer is loaded through pencil lead by a beam supported at its other end on a knife edge and loaded at the center by weights. As the static load is increased, the pencil lead breaks and the load is released suddenly. The unloading time is faster than for any other conventional calibration method and is of the same order as cavitation loading. Descriptions of' the developments of both the calibration method and the transducer are given. The principal advantages of the new method are the short pulse duration and the simplicity of the test procedure, The paper is an extension of the previously reported work by Momma and Lichtarowicz (1994), giving further information on the operating characteristics of the transducer in comparison with the traditional ball-dropping method.
Impacts of teachers’ competency on job performance in research universities with industry characteristics: taking academic atmosphere as moderator

Purpose: Research universities with industry characteristics play an irreplaceable role in national economic development and social development. With the rapid development of research universities with industry characteristics in China, these universities face new challenges in managing teachers and promoting their quality. This paper aims to examine the impact of teachers’ competency on job performance in research university with industry characteristics Design/methodology/approach: Based on the behavioral event interview and questionnaire methods, a four-dimension (i.e. basic quality, teaching ability, industry awareness and research capacity) competency model was proposed, the influence mechanism of competency on job performance was examined using empirical research. Findings: We found that there is a significant positive correlation between the teachers’ competency level, four dimensions and job performance in research universities with industry characteristics, especially between research capacity, teaching ability, industry awareness and job performance. And academic atmosphere plays a regulatory role in the interaction between the competency and job performance. Practical implications: Our findings can help to improve the management level of teachers in research universities with industry characteristics. Originality/value: The paper introduces the competency theory to the teacher management in research universities with industry characteristics, and gives some interesting findings.
Experimental and Numerical Investigations of a Bypass Dual Throat Nozzle

The bypass dual throat nozzle (BDTN) is a new kind of fluidic vectoring nozzle. A bypass is set between the upstream convergent section and upstream minimum area based on the conventional dual throat nozzle (DTN). The BDTN shows a minimum or even no penalty on the nozzle's thrust performance, while it would be able to produce steady and efficient vectoring deflection similar to the conventional DTN. A BDTN model has been designed and subjected to experimental and computational study. The main results show that: (1) BDTN does not consume any secondary injection from the other part of the engine, while it can produce steady and efficient vectoring deflection. (2) Under the same condition, it can provide the maximum thrust vectoring efficiency of all the known fluidic thrust vectoring concepts reported in the literature. (3) The thrust vector angle is also greater than that of the conventional DTN that has been reported up to now. Especially, under NPR = 10, the thrust vector angle of BDTN can reach 21.3 deg. (4) For a wide NPR range from 2 to 10, the BDTN generates the best thrust vectoring performance under NPR = 4. Above all, the BDTN is well suited to produce vectored thrust for nozzles.
Window-opening behaviour in office buildings

In countries such as the United Kingdom that possess a temperate climate, the majority of buildings are not air-conditioned but depend upon natural ventilation and relatively simple heating systems. Openable windows are used to reduce the incidence of summertime overheating. Studies on housing have indicated, however, that window opening also occurs extensively through the heating season, resulting in substantial heat loss and consequent energy consumption. This paper describes the results of an initial investigation to determine whether the same phenomenon occurs in office buildings. Observations were made of the use of windows in five office buildings over a three-month period, covering a range of weather conditions. The proportion of windows open was found to be closely correlated with external air temperature and to be affected, also, by solar gain and wind speed. A more detailed analysis suggested two modes of window use, one related to the need to maintain adequate indoor air quality and the second to the need to control indoor air temperature. The results, although only for a limited range of office buildings, indicated that the heat loss resulting from the use of windows, rather than other forms of heating control, could make a significant contribution to thermal performance and energy consumption. It is concluded that further work is required to develop methods for taking window use into account in building design and performance calculations.
A preliminary field study of optimal trunk flexion by subjective discomfort in recreational cyclists

This study attempts to find the optimal trunk flexion (TF) of a recreational cyclist's subjective discomfort rating while cycling. Two hundred and fifty cyclists were sagittally filmed while cycling on a cycle-way, and their subjective body discomforts were rated. The cyclists also responded to a brief questionnaire. Results show that the TF is positively related to the discomfort on neck/shoulders and is contrary to that on the buttocks. The bike owner cyclists’ (n = 144) trunks were more flexed than the bike rental cyclists’ (n = 106), with a difference of about 11°. This study also found that the cyclists may subjectively perceive the minimum discomforts of both the buttocks and neck/shoulders regions when the trunk was nearly flexed to 38°. This finding serves as a reference for ergonomic consideration in bike design to avoid extreme discomfort while cycling.
Strategic Management of Information Technology (IT) in University Libraries in Ghana

The study assesses levels of automation of Ghana five public libraries in Ghana and five university libraries in the UK and relates the findings to two dominant theories on the strategic management of IT namely - Competitive advantage approach and the strategic necessity hypothesis. The primary findings are that low levels of IT application exists in all the Ghanaian University libraries. There was a positive correlation of IT sophistication and organisational performance as the UK university libraries appeared to out- perform their Ghanaian counterparts in terms of service development. The UK university libraries were also found to exhibit a better fit of IT and strategy integration than the Ghanaian university libraries. The study concludes with some ideas on how to address the situation. The Information Technologist Vol.1(1&2) 2004: 25-37
Operational level-based policies in production rate control of unreliable manufacturing systems with set-ups

This paper deals with the control of the production rates and set-up actions of an unreliable multiple-machine, multiple-product manufacturing system. Each part type can be processed for a specified period on one of the involved machines. When switching the production from one type to another, each machine requires both set-up time and set-up cost. Our objective is to determine the production rates and a sequence of set-ups in order to minimize the total set-up and surplus cost. As an analytical or even a numerical solution of the problem is very difficult to find, a combined approach is presented. The proposed approach is based on stochastic optimal control theory, discrete event simulation, experimental design and response surface methodology. It is proved experimentally that an extended version of the Hedging Corridor Policy is more realistic and guarantees better performance for two study cases. The first consists of the unreliable one-machine case facing exponential failure and repair time distribution. The second, which is more complex and where the optimal control theory may not be easily used to obtain the optimal control policy, consists of five machines facing non-exponential failure and repair time distributions. To illustrate the contribution of the paper and the robustness of the obtained control policy, numerical examples and sensitivity analysis are presented.
Evolution of the air temperature in Athens and evidence of climatic change: A review

This study explores research carried out on the effect of climate change on the air temperature of Athens. The main features of the Athens base-line climate and related synoptic systems are presented first. Studies based on the available historical air-temperature records for the city, extending back to the mid 19th century, as well as more recent studies concerning the detection and quantification of the urban heat island are reviewed. Air-temperature fluctuations and trends for different periods, as well as their relationship to changes in large-scale atmospheric circulation, are discussed and emphasis is given to studies examining the evolution of air-temperature extremes in Athens. Perhaps the dominating features of the recent climate of Athens are the pronounced increase in air temperature in the summer and the increase in frequency of exceptionally hot days and persistent large-scale systems, leading to more frequent heat waves in the area. The air-temperature regime in the city is determined by the parallel evolution and combined effect of both natural and anthropogenic driving forces. The study attempts to provide a more complete picture of the temporal temperature variability in Athens, in the context of global climate change and changes inherent to urbanization effects.
Decentralization, jurisdictional spaces and regional development in Nigeria

With the cliché of bringing development closer to the people, the Nigerian government, like many African countries, institutionalized the process of creating Local Government Areas (LGAs) and used it as a policy instrument for more than four decades. This study adopted a survey research design using data on 24 local development indicators, aimed at appraising the efficacy of this policy as a development tool. Quantitative analysis using Principal Component Analysis and its statistical outputs of initial eigenvalues and orthogonal scores shows that 36% of the LGAs ranked lowest on the dimensions of development before the creation of additional jurisdictions in 1996, while 20% and 44% ranked intermediate and highest respectively. Post-partitioning, the proportions were 24.4%, 39.4% and 36.4% respectively, thus providing evidence of the positive development impact of decentralization. The findings, however, throw up issues of distributional inequality in public investments which could be addressed by conscious planning efforts.
Temporal and spatial gait characteristics of transfemoral amputees fitted with osseointegrated fixation: preliminary data

Background The conventional method of attachment of prosthesis involves on a socket. A new method relying on osseointegrated fixation is emerging. It has significant prosthetic benefits. Only a few studies demonstrated the biomechanical benefits. Purpose The ultimate aim of this study was to characterise the functional outcome of transfemoral amputees fitted with osseointegrated fixation, which can be assess through temporal and spatial gait characteristics. The specific objective of this preliminary study was to present the key temporal and spatial gait characteristics. Methods Four male transfemoral amputees fitted with a fixation were asked to performe 3 trials of straight level walking. The speed of walking, cadence, duration of gait cycle, support and swing phases, length of stride and step, and walking base were extracted from displacements of foot markers using a 3D motion analysis system recording at 200 Hz. Results The speed of walking and the cadence were 0.81±0.16 m/s and 46.03±4.70 steps/min, respectively. The duration of the gait cycles, support and swing phases were 1.31±0.13 s, 0.76±0.07 s and 0.55±0.07 s, respectively. The stride and step length, and walking base were 1.29±0.09 m, 0.10 ± 0.65 m and -0.09 ± 0.138 m for the prosthetic leg, and 1.31±0.07 m, 1.00±0.64 m and 0.11 ± 0.12 m for the sound leg, respectively. Conclusion The results demonstrate that the amputees fitted with an osseointegrated fixation showed a highly functional walk compared to normative data presented in previous studies focusing on amputees fitted with a socket and able-bodied.
Online remote construction management trials in Queensland Department of Main Roads: a participant's perspective

This paper describes research into use of Online Remote Construction Management (ORCM) on road construction projects, from the perspective of an industry representative in the research project. The aim of ORCM is to use advanced electronic communication technologies to enhance online real‐time communication between the parties to a construction project, and thus improve the project delivery process. It aims to maximize the use of time of personnel and reduce paperwork. A typical trial construction project in the Queensland Department of Main Roads, with which the author was employed at the time of writing this paper, is described. This site used a Web‐based system to manage communications. Observed benefits from using ORCM and issues in implementation are discussed. While the process is promising, there needs to be additional review into the attendant risks and cultural issues, and the ways in which these matters are addressed.
Effective lengths of concrete-filled steel square hollow sections in fire

Current fire design to the Eurocodes allows the effective length of concrete-filled steel hollow-section columns, in braced multistorey buildings, to be taken as 0·7 or 0·5 times the system length of the column, depending on whether the column is continuous at one or both ends. In the case where the column is continuous at both ends, numerical analyses presented in this paper show that, provided local buckling does not occur, an effective length of 0·55 can be assumed. However, observations from tests on isolated members suggest that local buckling generally occurs at the top of heated concrete-filled columns. This is caused by differential thermal expansion, where the expansion of the steel shell is greater than that of the concrete core. This differential expansion causes the steel shell to support the applied load, which, due to loss of strength as its temperature rises, will buckle locally, with the load being redirected back to the concrete core. The analyses showed that if the effects of local buckl.
Optimization of Modified Hidden Markov Model for Vision-Based Indonesian Sign Languages Recognition

Sign language is one of the most popular language which is used as a communication bridge that depends on hand movement. As it is used worldwide, the variety of sign languages is very large and most of the people doesn’t understand it which makes the communication between deaf and normal people interrupted. This makes sign language recognition popular as it makes people doesn’t need to understand the sign but still understand the meaning of the sign. But sign language itself has many problems such as the possibility of different dataset has the same movement but different meaning, the method used of each dataset could be ineffective in other dataset, and many other else which makes it difficult to be implemented. Other than that, vision-based recognition is not as popular as sensor-based recognition because of the difference in feature accuracy even though it could give more area of improvement. That’s why the aim of this paper is to presents the combination of methods used to recognize vision-based Indonesian Sign Language and enhance the method using optimization technique. The methodology used in this study follows four steps framework of sign language recognition which is dataset collection, preprocessing, feature extraction, and recognition. Each method is improved in order to be compared and checked what is the method combination and optimization method is the best for sign language recognition. For dataset collection, the dataset that is used is formal Indonesian Sign Language which is called Sistem Isyarat Bahasa Indonesia (SIBI) with some constraint in order to make sure the quality of the dataset is good. The preprocessing methods are differentiated into two categories which is image enhancement and hand detection. Image enhancement methods include no image enhancement, Gaussian blur, Bilateral blur, and Contrast Limited Adaptive Histogram Equalization and hand detection methods include skin detection using YCbCr color space and edge detection using Canny algorithm. Feature that is used in this study is pair of left and right-side movement for each frame that is extracted by calculating the average value of each pixels from left and right-side image that could be a representative value of each frame. Lastly the recognition system that is used is Gaussian Hidden Markov Model and its’ state optimization which includes no optimization, Latin Hypercube optimization, Hill Climbing optimization, and Combination of Latin Hypercube and Hill Climbing optimization. The experiment result of the proposed method could recognize up to 82% accuracy rate. The improvement of this research could be implemented on
Anthropometric data before, during and after in-patient treatment of Anorexia Nervosa: Thigh circumference as reliable direct correlate to BMI and to prognosis.

Purpose The aim of the study was to determine the extent of changes in circumferential measurements taken at various localizations before, during and after in-patient treatment in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) and their relation to BMI. Furthermore, we analyzed a possible impact of these values on long-term prognosis. Methods We retrospectively analyzed data of 269 patients (258 females, 11 males) with anorexia nervosa treated between 1999 and 2013 at a single institution by a 6-weeks quick refeeding therapy cycle. A complete set of data was available from 230 patients. BMI and 13 circumferential measuring points at the trunk and the extremities were monitored every day and at follow-up. Results 229 out of the total collective (85.13 %) had a favourable outcome with restored, stable weight after a mean observation time of 138 +- 52 months. All measuring parameters showed a highly significant increase from admission to end of treatment cycle (p < 0.0001 for each parameter. The highest gain expressed as percent of the value at admission was achieved in BMI, followed by girth of thigh. Measurements at the end of term of thorax, waist, upper arm and thigh correlated with a favourable prognosis. A thigh circumference >50 cm was significantly connected to BMI>18 and a beneficial outcome. Conclusions The highest gain in circumference during refeeding was found at the thigh. A thigh circumference greater than 50 if achieved after the first refeeding cycle was significantly linked to BMI >=18 and was a predictor of a favourable long-term course. Level of evidence Level II, comparative study
The role of follow‐up in achieving results from self‐assessment processes

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to investigate follow‐up as a salient factor in achieving results from organizational self‐assessment.Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected from 14 organizations involved in self‐assessment. Qualitative methods were used to analyze the follow‐up patterns in high and low achievers to discern key factors of follow‐up and their relationship to self‐assessment outcomes.Findings – The paper finds that high achievers appeared to engage in a consistent set of follow‐up activities. These activities included top management team dialogue that set the tone for follow‐up, a planning process that generated a large, documented action plan, and incentive and monitoring‐based implementation controls using existing structure.Research limitations/implications – Small sample size limits the generalizability of the findings. Larger empirical studies could evaluate the strength of the relationships between the factors of follow‐up and outcomes. Future research should also investi.
The study of real time scheduling by an intelligent multi-controller approach

Earlier studies indicated that using multiple dispatching rules (MDRs) for the various zones in the system can enhance the production performance to a greater extent than using a single dispatching rule (SDR) over a given scheduling interval for all the machines in the system, since MDRs employ the multi-pass simulation approach for real-time scheduling (RTS). However, if a classical machine learning approach is used, an RTS knowledge base (KB) can be developed by using the appropriate MDRs strategy (this method is called an intelligent multi-controller in this paper) as obtained from training examples. The main disadvantage of using MDRs is that the classes (scheduling decision variables) to which training examples are assigned must be provided. Hence, developing an RTS KB using the intelligent multi-controller approach becomes an intolerably time-consuming task because MDRs for the next scheduling period must be determined. To address this issue, we proposed an intelligent multi-controller incorporating three main mechanisms: (1) simulation-based training example generation mechanism, (2) data pre-processing mechanism and (3) SOM-based real time MDRs selection mechanism. Under various performance criteria over a long period, the proposed approach yields better system performance than the machine learning-based RTS using the SDR approach and heuristic individual dispatching rules.