Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Review of CIGRE Report Cloud-to-Ground Lightning Parameters Derived from Lightning Location Systems – The Effects of System Performance

Abstract: CIGRE TF C4.404 has recently submitted a comprehensive report for publication, dealing with the effects of performance characteristics of lightning location systems (LLS) on lightning parameters based on data from such systems. This paper will provide an overview and summary of this extensive report. Lightning parameters are essential input variables to procedures for estimating the lightning performance of transmission lines. Parameters that are typically derived from LLS observations are the ground flash density (GFD), ground stroke density (GSD), peak current distribution, flash multiplicity, and polarity. LLS upgrades and/or LLS expansions are causing changes in the network performance that result in changes in LLS-inferred lightning parameters. The CIGRE report discusses the effect of using different location methods in terms of required number of sensors to obtain a location. For example, median peak current (absolute value) increased by 47%, from -9.8 kA to -14.4 kA, when data from combined direction-finding and time-of-arrival sensors were reprocessed using only the time information and requiring 4 sensors to compute a location. This effect is reduced with shorter sensor baseline distances, or (equivalently) with greater sensor sensitivity. Direct measurements of currents in lightning striking instrumented towers or in triggered lightning allow estimation of all three major performance characteristics of LLS’s - detection efficiency (DE), for strokes and flashes, location accuracy, and peak current estimation errors. By deploying most recent technology of sensors a flash DE of 95% or higher is achievable. In a network with small sensor baselines and low sensor threshold a flash DE close to 100% is possible. Corresponding stroke DE is generally lower, but can reach values in the range of 80-90%. Peak current estimates given by LLS in the United States (NLDN) and Austria (ALDIS) are on average in reasonable agreement with the directly measured peak currents in triggered lightning and at electrically short towers, respectively, although significant differences (up to 50%) are observed for individual strokes, likely caused by the natural variation in return stroke speed.
Response Modification Factor of Coupled Steel Shear Walls

The present research is concerned with the determination of ductility, over- strength and response modification factors of coupled steel shear wall frames. Three structural models with various numbers of stories, bay width and coupling beam height were analyzed using static pushover and incremental nonlinear dynamic analyses. The ductility, over-strength and response modification factors for the three models are determined. Tentative values of 11.1, 11.6 and 10.6 are suggested for the response modification factor of coupled steel shear wall frames with deep and medium depth coupling beams, and uncoupled steel shear wall frames, respectively in the allowable stress design method.
Shortfall online: The development of an educational computer game for teaching sustainable engineering to Millennial Generation students

Millennial Generation students bring significant learning and teaching challenges to the classroom, because of their unique learning styles, breadth of interests related to social and environmental issues, and intimate experiences with technology. As a result, there has been an increased willingness at many universities to experiment with pedagogical strategies that depart from a traditional ―learning by listening‖ model, and move toward more innovative methods involving active learning through computer games. In particular, current students typically express a strong interest in sustainability in which economic concerns must be weighed relative to environmental and social responsibilities. A game-based setting could prove very effective for fostering an operational understanding of these tradeoffs, and especially the social dimension which remains largely underdeveloped relative to the economic and environmental aspects. Through an examination of the educational potential of computer games, this study hypothesizes that to acquire the skills necessary to manage and understand the complexities of sustainability, Millennial Generation students must be engaged in active learning exercises that present dynamic problems and foster a high level of social interaction. This has led to the development of an educational computer game, entitled Shortfall, which simulates a business milieu for testing alternative paths regarding the principles of sustainability. This study examines the evolution of Shortfall from an educational board game that teaches the principles of environmentally benign manufacturing, to a completely networked computer game, entitled Shortfall Online that teaches the principles of sustainability. A capitalbased theory of sustainability is adopted to more accurately convey the tradeoffs and opportunity costs among economic prosperity, environmental preservation, and societal responsibilities. While the economic and environmental aspects of sustainability have received considerable attention in traditional pedagogical approaches, specific focus is provided for the social dimension of sustainability, as it had remained largely underdeveloped. To measure social sustainability and provide students with an understanding of its significance, a prospective metric utilizing a social capital peer-evaluation survey, unique to Shortfall, is developed.
Regional Differences in Semen Quality Between Guangzhou and Hong Kong in South China: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: The geographic variation in semen quality has been reported in many countries. However, the situation in China is still unknown. To answer this question, we examined the variation in semen parameters between two cities in south China: Guangzhou (GZ) and Hong Kong (HK). Methods: Semen analysis data of 13507 subjects from GZ and 1106 subjects from HK were retrospectively analysed. In order to control for referral bias, we selected two well-defined subpopulations, namely, subpopulation Ⅰ: male partners of women with an underlying cause of subfertility, which is assumed to be similar to the general male population; subpopulation Ⅱ: normozoospermic men, which is assumed to represent men with normal spermatogenesis, sperm maturation and sperm transportation. In addition, we have also chosen to control for two well-recognized confounding variables, namely, age and abstinence time by using a case matching design and generalised additive models (GAM). Results: In using the case matching design, subjects from different cities with similar age and abstinence time were matched. The results of the paired T test showed that sperm concentration and motility of subjects in HK were significantly lower than that of subjects in GZ in both subpopulation Ⅰ and Ⅱ (P < 0.05); on the other hand, the sperm morphology of subjects in HK was significantly lower than that of subjects in GZ in subpopulation Ⅰ (P < 0.05) but not in subpopulation Ⅱ (P > 0.05). The results of GAM model showed that the sperm parameters were variated by age and/or abstinence time, however, the sperm concentration, motility and morphology of subjects in HK were significantly lower than that of subjects in GZ in both subpopulation Ⅰ and Ⅱ (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The semen quality of subjects in HK was significantly worse than that of subjects in GZ, which may be caused by environmental and lifestyle factors, given that the study subjects in both cities of the present study are of the same ethnic origin.Trial registration: Not applicable.
Flapping Wing Micro Air Vehicles: An Analysis of the Importance of the Mass of the Wings to Flight Dynamics, Stability, and Control

Flapping Wing Micro Air Vehicles: An Analysis of the Importance of the Mass of the Wings to Flight Dynamics, Stability, and Control by Christopher T. Orlowski Chair: Anouck R. Girard The flight dynamics, stability, and control of a model flapping wing micro air vehicle are analyzed with a focus on the inertial and mass effects of the wings on the position and orientation of the body. A multi-body, flight dynamics model is derived from first principles. The multi-body model predicts significant differences in the position and orientation of the flapping wing micro air vehicle, when compared to a flight dynamics model based on the standard aircraft, or six degree of freedom, equations of motion. The strongly coupled, multi-body equations of motion are transformed into first order form using an approximate inverse and appropriate assumptions. Local (näıve) averaging of the first order system does not produce an accurate result and a new approximation technique named ‘quarter-cycle’ averaging is proposed. The technique is effective in reducing the error by at least an order of magnitude for three reference flight conditions. A stability analysis of the local averaged equations of motions, in the vicinity of a hover condition, produces a modal structure consist with the most common vertical takeoff or landing structure and independent stability analyses of the linearized flight dynamics of insect models. The inclusion of the wing
Multidimensional item response theory to assess psychometric properties of GHQ-12 in parents of school children

Background: Multidimensional item response theory (MIRT) model provides an ideal foundation to assess psychological properties of a questionnaire designed with multidimensional structure. This study aimed to present the first use of MIRT models to investigate psychometric properties of general health questionnaire (GHQ-12) in parents of school children. Methods: A total of 1104 parents of school children completed the Persian version of GHQ-12 questionnaire. Unidimensional IRT model and MIRT models with two and three factors were applied to model the observed scores for each GHQ-12 item as a function of the subject’s latent traits while taking the correlation between dimensions of the questionnaire into account. The goodness of fit indices were reported for the three models, and items fit were assessed for the best model. Individual items were described in detail through item characteristic curves, and the amount of information carried by different items was presented using information curves. Results: The MIRT analysis with two factors corresponding to psychological distress and social dysfunction provided the best account of the GHQ-12 data. The model showed that all items were fitted adequately. Items varied in their discrimination ranged from 0.86 to 2.35 and 1.18 to 2.41 for psychological distress and social dysfunction, respectively. Moreover, items 8 and 2 provided the least information in psychological distress and social dysfunction dimensions, respectively. Conclusions: The developed framework to evaluate psychometric properties of GHQ-12 can be a suitable alternative to traditional approaches and also unidimensional IRT models, the use of which has been restricted due to multidimensional structure of the questionnaire.
Syntactic and Network Pattern Structures of City-Comparison of Grid and Meandering Street Patterns in Kyojima and Honjo-:- Comparison of Grid and Meandering Street Patterns in Kyojima and Honjo -

This paper analyzes the relationship between livability and structure of two towns in Sumida city, Tokyo. Being historically and spatially contrasted despite located nearby, Kyojima and Honjo are comparatively analyzed under two different methods. According to a well-established topological analysis of city by Hillier (1998), Space Syntax’s Axial Map is applied to evaluate ‘syntactic intelligibility’ and the degree of ‘natural movement’ at both towns. Based upon ‘Graph Geometry’ proposed by Nophaket (2004 a), the towns’ minimum-path structures are also detected. The network analysis applies Dijkstra algorithm to visualize the ‘Network Pattern’ of street structure via C-language computer simulation (Nophaket, 2004 b). Comparison between topologicalsyntactic structure and geometrical-network pattern testifies not only significant contrasts in street patterns of Kyojima and Honjo, but also the different logic between two analytical models. Whilst Axial Map specifically shows the quantitative correlation between ‘integration value’ and pedestrian or vehicle flow rate on each straight line, the new Path Map of Network Pattern detects an overall ‘qualitative pattern’, the organic grid of winding streets in particular. Importantly, it shows the vital linkage of city. This study can conclude that Space Syntax model based on depth analysis implies a macro structure of city. Network Pattern, by contrast, represents the metrical significance of street at a more detailed level. The research findings, therefore, challenge an accepted generalization of applying Space Syntax across different cultures, archetypes and scales of street patterns. Moreover, it includes the geometrical analysis into basic graph-network study of urban form. As we believe, it is this metrical importance of street pattern that has been lost, perhaps not fully justifiably, within traditional Space Syntax analysis of the city.
An interpretation of ground support capacity submitted to dynamic loading

Rockburst risk is an increasing problem in underground mining worldwide, as the general trend is for mines to operate in deeper environments. In most mines affected by seismicity, the first line of defence to mitigate the potential consequences of rockburst is to install dynamic resistant ground support systems. The assessment of ground support capacity when submitted to dynamic loading has been the subject of intensive research over the last two decades. In particular, drop tests were developed to investigate the capacity of support elements while the performance of various support systems was examined by simulating rockbursts with carefully designed blasts. The above research has yet to yield an accepted method to determine the dynamic capacity of ground support. In this paper, the published results from many of the above tests are compiled and practical observations are made regarding the dynamic capacity of ground support systems.
Influence of FPS bearing properties on the seismic performance of base‐isolated structures

The paper analyzes the influence of friction pendulum system (FPS) isolator properties on the seismic performance of base‐isolated building frames. The behavior of these systems is analyzed by employing a two‐degree‐of‐freedom model accounting for the superstructure flexibility, whereas the FPS isolator behavior is described by adopting a widespread model that considers the variation of the friction coefficient with the velocity. The uncertainty in the seismic input is taken into account by considering a set of natural records with different characteristics scaled to increasing intensity levels. The variation of the statistics of the response parameters relevant to the seismic performance is investigated through the nondimensionalization of the motion equation and an extensive parametric study carried out for different isolator and system properties. The proposed approach allows to explore a wide range of situations while limiting the required nonlinear response history analyses.
Public Service Quality and Citizen-Client’s Satisfaction in Local Municipalities

The purpose of this study is to identify, describe and evaluate the link between public service quality and citizen-client’s satisfaction in local municipalities. The work is based on the revisited SERVQUAL model. A quantitative research is carried out through a questionnaire administered to 1,427 users of local public services in 21 councils. Two layers of analysis are carried out. First, an exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Second an analysis through structural equations. Results show that all aspects of service quality do not contribute identically to users ‘satisfaction.
The Speciation and Coordination of a Deep Earth Carbonate‐Silicate‐Metal Melt

Ab initio molecular dynamics calculations on a carbonate‐silicate‐metal melt were performed to study speciation and coordination changes as a function of pressure and temperature. We examine in detail the bond abundances of specific element pairs and the distribution of coordination environments over conditions spanning Earth’s present‐day mantle. Average coordination numbers increase continuously from 4 to 8 for Fe and Mg, from 4 to 6 for Si, and from 2 to 4 for C from 1 to 148 GPa (4,000 K). Speciation across all pressure and temperature conditions is complex due to the unusual bonding of carbon. With the increasing pressure, C‐C and C‐Fe bonding increase significantly, resulting in the formation of carbon polymers, C‐Fe clusters, and the loss of carbonate groups. The increased bonding of carbon with elements other than oxygen indicates that carbon begins to replace oxygen as an anion in the melt network. We evaluate our results in the context of diamond formation and of metal‐silicate partitioning behavior of carbon. Our work has implications for properties of carbon and metal‐bearing silicate melts, such as viscosity, electrical conductivity, and reactivity with surrounding phases.
The edgeless university: why higher education must embrace technology

they are vital to our social and economic future. But they are in a tight spot. The huge public investment that sustained much of the sector is in jeopardy and the current way of working is not sustainable. Some are predicting the end of the university as we have known it. The Edgeless University argues that this can be a moment of rebirth for universities. Technology is changing universities as they become just one source among many for ideas, knowledge and innovation. But online tools and open access also offer the means for their survival. Their expertise and value is needed more than ever to validate and support learning and research. Through their institutional capital, universities can use technology to offer more flexible provision and open more equal routes to higher education and learning. We need the learning and research that higher education provides. But this will take strategic leadership from within, new connections with a growing world of informal learning and a commitment to openness and collaboration. By exploiting this role, universities can harness technology as a solution and an indispensable tool for shaping their vital role in the future.
Pin-bearing strengths for bolted connections in fibre-reinforced polymer structures

Presented in this paper are pin-bearing strengths for pultruded fibre-reinforced polymer materials that are required in order to check the bearing resistance when designing bolted connections. For steel pin diameters up to 16 mm, equivalent test results, at room temperature, using the European standard test method BS EN 13706-2 and another test method (such as ASTM D 5764) are shown not to be significantly different. As the latter method uses much smaller specimen blanks, new pin-bearing strengths can be determined for the web material in a 203 x 203 x 9.5 mm wide flange shape, with the connection force at 0 degrees, 45 degrees or 90 degrees to the direction of pultrusion. An evaluation is made of the test results and recommendations are given on how pin-bearing strengths are to be determined so that they will match the geometries of bolted connections and connection forces found in practice.
Biodeterioration of Construction Materials: State of the Art and Future Challenges

Deterioration plays an important part in the life cycle of infrastructure systems. Among all causes of deterioration (aging, chloride ingress, etc.) the action of live organisms has shown to be critical in, for example, underground structures, sewage systems, and at-sea structures. This phenomenon is usually overlooked, in part, because in most cases live organisms accelerate other processes that may eventually lead to unacceptable structural performance or cause failure (e.g., corrosion, cracking). By the direct or indirect action, it has been estimated that biodeterioration-related structural problems cost billions of dollars a year in infrastructure maintenance and repair. The paper shows that for all major civil engineering materials, in the long term and under the appropriate environmental conditions, biodeterioration may severely affect infrastructure components and their ability to perform as designed. This is particularly relevant given the large amount of existing infrastructure that has been exposed to aggressive environments for long periods of time. This paper presents an overview of the activity of live organisms on three widely used construction materials: wood, concrete, and metals. A description of the main organisms that affect each material and the associated biodeterioration mechanisms are described. In addition, this paper discusses the uncertainties associated with modeling biodeterioration and outlines the main areas for further research.
RELATIVE COMPETITIVENESS BETWEEN MAIZE HYBRIDS AND WILD POINSETTIA

ABSTRACT Maize is one of the main cereals cultivated worldwide and wild poinsettia is among the weeds that cause damage in grain production. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relative competitive ability of maize hybrids in the presence of a wild poinsettia biotype through experiments in replacement series. In preliminary experiments, it was determined the plant population in which the dry mass becomes constant. For the maize hybrids ‘Agroeste’, ‘Morgan’, ‘Nidera’, and ‘Velox’, as well as the wild poinsettia, the population was 20 individuals vase-1. Subsequently, experiments were carried out in replacement series in different combinations of species that varied the relative proportions (100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, and 0:100%). The analysis of the species' competitiveness was carried out using diagrams applied to the replacement experiments and by the relative competitiveness indexes. The height (PH), chlorophyll index (CI), leaf area (LA), and the shoot dry mass (DM) of the plants were evaluated 50 days after emergence. There was competition between the maize hybrids and the wild poinsettia; both were negatively affected, regardless of the proportion of plants, causing reductions in the species' PH, CI, LA, and DM. The competition between maize and wild poinsettia occurs for the same resources in the environment, and interspecific competition caused greater damage to maize and wild poinsettia than intraspecific competition. In general, it was observed that only the hybrids ‘Nidera’ and ‘Velox’ were more competitive than the wild poinsettia.
Device parameters extraction in separate absorption, grading, charge, and multiplication InP/InGaAs avalanche photodiodes

In this paper, we report a simple, innovative, fast, accurate, and nondestructive technique for extracting two critical device parameters-multiplication layer thickness x/sub d/ and integrated areal charge density /spl sigma//sub active/ in separate absorption, grading, charge, and multiplication (SAGCM) InP/InGaAs avalanche photodiodes (APDs), using punchthrough and breakdown voltages obtained from dc photocurrent measurements, We consider in detail the systematic uncertainties due both to the neglect of ionization in the absorption and charge layers, and to different ionization rates in InP reported in the literature. We also consider random errors caused by uncertainties from experiments and other device parameters, The combined error for x/sub d/ is <0.05 /spl mu/m, and for /spl sigma//sub active/ is <3%, and these errors are smaller than errors associated with x/sub d/ and /spl sigma//sub active/ determined using current techniques of secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS) and Hall analysis, which are destructive and/or require separate calibration wafers.