Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Proven researchers’ perceptions of influences on academics’ research output: a case study

This article reports on the perceptions of a group of proven researchers at a higher education institution on various aspects of research. The aim was to make recommendations on how the research output of academics may be improved. Wenger's theory of learning in communities of practice was used as the theoretical framework. The approach was qualitative, by means of a case study design. Data was gathered mainly by means of interviews and document analysis. The findings indicate that individual motivation plays a significant role. However, communities of practice also play a role in stimulating the research development of novices and experienced researchers. Institutional support for learning systems can foster optimal participation in research communities. Bewese navorsers se persepsies van invloede op akademici se navorsingsuitsette : 'n gevallestudie Die artikel beskryf die persepsies van 'n groep bewese navorsers by 'n hoeronderriginstansie oor verskeie aspekte van navorsing. Die doel was om aanbevelings te maak oor hoe akademici se navorsingsuitsette verbeter kan word. Wenger se teorie oor leer binne praktykgerigte gemeenskappe is gebruik as teoretiese raamwerk. Die benadering was kwalitatief deur middel van 'n gevallestudie-ontwerp. Data is hoofsaaklik ingesamel by wyse van onderhoude en dokumentanalise. Dit is bevind dat individuele motivering 'n belangrike rol speel. Aan die ander kant speel navorsingsgemeenskappe ook 'n rol om navorsingsontwikkeling by nuwelinge en ervare navorsers te stimuleer. Instellings se ondersteuning van leersisteme kan optimale navorsingsdeelname aan navorsingsgemeenskappe bewerkstellig.
Wake dynamics of flow past tapered bluff bodies

The present doctoral thesis concerns the wake dynamics from uniform and tapered bluff bodies. Bluff body configurations characterized by both arbitrary separation points and fixed separation points were considered, i.e. both the circular cylinder configuration and the normal flat plate configuration were used. Different flow regimes, from steady laminar wakes to transitional and turbulent wakes were explored. In all the cases, Direct Numerical Simulations were performed to solve the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations for an isothermal and Newtonian flow. Some results from the in-house PIV measurements were also presented. The characteristic features of the flow were investigated by means of frequency (both Fourier and Wavelet) analysis, three-dimensional flow visualizations and two-point correlations. Variations of the velocity and the pressure fields were also explored. The impact of the base pressure on the vortex formation process was elaborated. Reynolds-averaged statistical quantities were presented and the underlying flow physics were discussed.
Method for Estimating Probable Maximum Rainfall

L rainfalls may be considered the kingpins that determine the size of hydraulic structures regulating the flow to and in watersheds, culverts, sewers, dams, and spillways. In situations in which the risk of the structure's failure must be minimized, the probable maximum rainfall (or precipitation) is considered in determining the size of the structure. The term probable maximum rainfall is meant to indicate that estimates of the amount of rainfall for a particular location have been adjusted upward to their climatologic potential. There is no absolute criterion, however, for distinguishing between the quality of estimates at a particular location that are in excess of the maximum observed rainfall at the location. then calls attention to the ascending value of 30.50 in. as the traditional approach estimate. Several studies using this approach have terminated with very divergent results for the same area. The fact that several wellconducted studies disagree in their results points up the deficiencies still existing in this method of study.
Aerodynamics, stability and shape optimisation of unmanned combat air vehicles

Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles have been proposed for future military roles. The shape of these vehicles is driven by stealth requirements and is often aerodynamically compromised. This results in designs which struggle to meet their take-off lift requirements without experiencing flow separations and unacceptable instabilities in the pitch or yaw axis. This work aims to better understand the aerodynamics of these vehicles as well as develop methods to generate improved designs. An in depth RANS analysis has been completed for the Boeing 1303 UCAV concept with validation from QinetiQ 5m and ARA transonic wind tunnels. Two flow solvers and various turbulence models have been used. Longitudinal and directional stability have been investigated, looking at total and spanwise forces, pressure distributions and flow visualisation. The effects of modelling assumptions has also been studied. This has helped to better understand the underlying flowfield and has given some indication as to how the design may be improved. A novel design methodology has been developed and applied to the 1303 UCAV aiming to minimise drag at cruise while ensuring the leading edge flow remains attached at take-off. This is based on an a sequential quadratic programming (SQP) optimiser where objective function (CD) is calculated with an in house solver MERLIN and the gradients are calculated in an efficient manner using a discrete adjoint solver adjoint-MERLIN. High lift constraints were applied based on Lan’s Quasi-Vortex-Lattice Method with an experimentally derived limit on attainable leading edge thrust. The geometry was parametrised with Bézier-Bernstein polynomials combined with the Class Shape Transformation method for improved geometrical control near the leading edge. Various designs were produced giving some indication of the trade-off between cruise and high lift performance as well as limitations to the method. The method has proved to be good for generating balanced designs however higher lift designs suffer from lower surface separation at cruise.
Forecasting economic activity for Estonia: The application of dynamic principal component analyses

In this paper, the dynamic common factors method of Forni et al. (2000) is applied to a large panel of economic time series on the Estonian economy. In order to improve forecasting of economic activity in Estonia, we derive a leading indicator composed of the common components of twelve series, which were identified as leading. The resulting indicator performs better than two other indicators, which are based on a small-scale state-space model used by Stock and Watson (1991) and a large-scale static principal components model used by Stock and Watson (2002), respectively. It also clearly outperforms the naive benchmark in both in-sample and out-of-sample forecast comparisons
RFID-enabled process capabilities and its impacts on healthcare process performance: A multi-level analysis

Managers spend much of their time communicating and use an ever-larger range of communication tools for the purpose. Empirical studies have shown that while ICT tools extend communication opportunities, they do not replace other means of communication. Instead, managers use a set of communication tools in which traditional media coexist alongside ICT tools. In addition, studying the use of just one medium fails to give us a full picture of managerial communication. To gain a better understanding, we need to examine how a range of different means of communication are used. To this end, we conducted a case study in a car manufacturing company with data mainly collected through interviews with 36 managers. Our analysis of the data showed that managers use a set of communication tools that form superposed layers, each new ICT being layered over the existing media. Far from being the result of individual-level rational use, this layering process is socially constructed by the different users depending on their context. Our study identified three forms of layering, namely “subject to constraint”, “planned and emergent”, or “chosen”. We argue that these differences in the layering process can help explain disparities in the outcomes of ICT adoption between organisations.
The Evolution of the Three Point Seat Belt from Yesterday to Tomorrow

The three point seat belt (the safety belt) has been in use in cars for almost fifty years. In 1959 Volvo, as the first car producer in the world, started to install three point safety belts (of the static type) for front seat occupants as standard equipment. A few years later it was obvious from car accident studies that safety belts were of considerable benefit. No other safety product has saved so many lives of car occupants as the seat belt. Other products such as frontal and side airbags have been successfully implemented to further enhance car occupant protection. However, these new restraint systems complement the three point seat belt rather than replacing it. Several improvements to the seat belt have taken place over the years. The first was the inertia reel (the belt retractor) during the 1960s, followed by the retractor pretensioner and the buckle pretensioner during 1980s. The largest improvement made so far was probably the shoulder belt force limiter introduced in 1995. The first, and an important, step into active and integrated safety was taken by Mercedes-Benz in 2002 with the belt pre-pretensioner (PRE-SAFE). Possible future improvements such as various ways to prevent car occupants' upper torso from sliding out of the shoulder belt in rollovers and in far-side impacts are discussed, as well as steps to take elderly even more into account by a further reduction of the risk of sustaining serious chest injuries in frontal crashes. More also needs to be done to prevent violent head-to-upper torso motions to reduce the risk of sustaining disabling neck injuries with long term consequences. The three point seat belt will probably remain the primary car occupant restraint system for many more years. Its protection capabilities combined with other restraint systems can be developed further, as well as improvements to its ease of use. For the covering abstract see ITRD E141569.
The Soul of the Enterprise: Creating a Dynamic Vision for American Manufacturing

This work offers American businesspeople practical guidance on how best to implement the new ideals of manufacturing - from just-in-time inventory to total quality. At present, most companies are coming to terms with the fact that they must "leandown", and the technology exists to make the transition viable. The much bigger challenge, Hall demonstrates, is creating a different "soul of the enterprise" that moves beyond a belief in growth as the ultimate objective, and focuses on speed, efficiency, respect for the environment and the needs of the customer. Filled with examples from such companies as Next, HP, Florida Power and Light, Toyota and Cummins Engine, this book uses the lessons of the past, and looks to the future, outlining in clear steps a new direction for American manufacturing. Other books by Robert Hall include "Attaining Manufacturing Excellence", "Measuring Up: Charting Pathways to Manufacturing Excellence" and "Zero Inventories".
Charge motion in technical insulators: facts, fancies and simulations

Technical insulators are largely characterised by unipolar ionic flow. The carriers are supplied by injection, or by bulk ionisation, and the charge transport is space charge perturbed. Continuum equations have provided the basis for models of charge flow. First I show the validity of the Deutsch assumption in gases, and extend the calculation to describe the situation far downwind. The equations also account for many effects in solids such as electrode blocking capacitance, injection transients, open circuit decay, and short circuit discharge currents. Next, we consider the problem of reconstructing distributions from acoustic pulse and similar measurements that contain instrumental broadening of the signals. It is then necessary to explain the observed evolution of the charge density. We discuss problems associated with simulation algorithms, and with modelling the microscopic details of the carrier motion. We mention some direct measurements of deposited charge, and consider the problem of accounting for low frequency oscillations in cables. Finally, we outline the materials problems (identity of carriers and traps), the numerical problems (reconstruction, discrimination between the effects of various carrier types and dipoles, and deduction of parameters), and the logical problems (distinction between simulation and accurate modelling) which need our future attention.
Evolving Self-Organized Behavior for Homogeneous and Heterogeneous UAV or UCAV Swarms

Abstract : This investigation uses a self-organization (SO) approach to enable cooperative search and destruction of retaliating targets with swarms of homogeneous and heterogeneous unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). To facilitate specific system design, a facilitating SO algebraic framework is created that emphasizes scalability, robustness, and exibility. This framework is then used to implement a UAV behavior architecture relying upon rules governing formation and target interaction. Sets of applicable behaviors are created by weighted summation of the rules where different weights act as distinct behavior archetypes. Appropriate behavior archetypes are based upon sense information distilled from the environment and a simple perceptron mapping. Successful behaviors are evolved within this architecture using a genetic algorithm. This approach tests a swarm of UAVs, when sensor and attack abilities are both homogeneous and heterogeneous, against targets with superior engagement range. Resulting behaviors are highly cooperative, generally scaleable, and robust.
Discrete-Time Inverse Optimal Control for Nonlinear Systems

Discrete-Time Inverse Optimal Control for Nonlinear Systems proposes a novel inverse optimal control scheme for stabilization and trajectory tracking of discrete-time nonlinear systems. This avoids the need to solve the associated Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equation and minimizes a cost functional, resulting in a more efficient controller. Design More Efficient Controllers for Stabilization and Trajectory Tracking of Discrete-Time Nonlinear Systems The book presents two approaches for controller synthesis: the first based on passivity theory and the second on a control Lyapunov function (CLF). The synthesized discrete-time optimal controller can be directly implemented in real-time systems. The book also proposes the use of recurrent neural networks to model discrete-time nonlinear systems. Combined with the inverse optimal control approach, such models constitute a powerful tool to deal with uncertainties such as unmodeled dynamics and disturbances. Learn from Simulations and an In-Depth Case Study The authors include a variety of simulations to illustrate the effectiveness of the synthesized controllers for stabilization and trajectory tracking of discrete-time nonlinear systems. An in-depth case study applies the control schemes to glycemic control in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus, to calculate the adequate insulin delivery rate required to prevent hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia levels. The discrete-time optimal and robust control techniques proposed can be used in a range of industrial applications, from aerospace and energy to biomedical and electromechanical systems. Highlighting optimal and efficient control algorithms, this is a valuable resource for researchers, engineers, and students working in nonlinear system control.
An Evolutionary Agent-based simulation model for the industry life cycle

In contrast to the usual approach taken in the literature, in which an Industry Life Cycle (ILC) is reproduced by aggregate functions, the model of this paper generates a self-organizing ILC. A general evolutionary agent-based simulation model is developed that can be adapted for specific branches of industry. The results enable conclusions to be drawn for competition policy with regard to the workability of competition in the various phases of the ILC.
Commercio e Produzione Internazionale: unanalisi sul caso italiano

Il presente lavoro vuole essere un momento di sintesi dei fattori che stanno caratterizzando il processo di internazionalizzazione delleconomia italiana, alla luce delle recenti vicende economiche che hanno sollecitato una rivisitazione delle pi moderne teorie del commercio internazionale. Nello specifico, attraverso unanalisi puramente descrittiva, si e' provveduto a misurare il livello di commercio intra-industriale dellItalia nei confronti dei paesi OCSE relativamente al periodo 1996-2001. Inoltre, in un quadro unitario, e' stata analizzata la rilevanza della produzione internazionale nella spiegazione dei flussi di commercio intra-industriale. I risultati ottenuti mostrano come, nellinterpretazione dei flussi bilaterali di commercio intraindustriale nellattuale scenario delleconomia mondiale, non si possa ignorare il ruolo assunto dalla produzione internazionale effettuata dalle imprese multinazionali.
School-based vocational or workplace-based apprenticeship training ? evidence on the school-to- work transition of Hungarian apprentices

Workplace-based training has been praised for its effectiveness in smoothing the school to work transition. Apprentices have been shown to have lower initial unemployment probabilities as compared to other secondary-school graduates. There are but a handful of studies that can convincingly show that the effect of apprenticeship training on labor market outcomes is causal. This study provides additional support for the argument that workplace-based practical training increases initial employment probabilities. Using a unique individual panel database which includes, among others, extensive controls for individual skills, school attainment and parental background, it is shown that Hungarian students in the lowest, non-college bound vocational training track have about a 1015% higher probability of employment after leaving school, as opposed to graduates of the same track, who carried out their practical training within the school. This effect seems to be stable across industries. The data also shows that apprentices, when employed, earn the same amount of money, but are more likely to receive long-term contracts compared to non-apprentices. Moreover, apprentices who move to another industry, are less likely to receive long-term contracts compared to “stayers”, but are more likely to receive long term contracts compared to non-apprentices. These results suggests that it is not the increased specific skills of apprentices, but rather the increased screening and maybe the signaling effect of apprenticeship training that smoothes the school to work transition.
Electromechanical systems to enhance the usability and diagnostic capabilities of ultrasound imaging

Ultrasound is used extensively in medicine to non-invasively examine soft tissues. Compared to computed-tomography (CT) scanning or X-ray imaging, ultrasound is lower-cost, more portable, real time, and subjects neither the caregiver nor the patient to potentially harmful ionizing radiation, which makes it the imaging modality of choice for many medical applications. Common uses include fetal, vascular, and musculoskeletal imaging, as well as biopsy needle insertion guidance. With 165 million ultrasound exams conducted in the United States annually, and an annual US market of $1.3 billion, improvements to the usability and diagnostic capabilities of ultrasound imaging could lead to significant improvements in medical care. Ultrasound is unique because it generally requires significant contact force with the patient. This has a number of important consequences. The contact forces exerted by the ultrasound probe are generally not known, resulting in images that are acquired at non-repeatable levels of compression, which makes sequentially-acquired ultrasound images difficult to compare and reproduce. Contact force has also been implicated as a major risk factor in work-related musculoskeletal disease (WRMSD) amongst ultrasonographers; currently, clinical reports indicate that nearly 90% of sonographers scan in pain. This thesis explores the mechanical design and experimental evaluation of three novel electro-mechanical systems that could be used to enhance the usability and diagnostic capabilities of ultrasound by measuring and/or controlling probe acquisition state (i.e., contact forces, torques, and angles of orientation). The first system, a hand-held servo-driven ball screw stage, improves image repeatability by applying a constant, programmable contact force between the probe and the patient, and attenuates hand tremors by a factor of 10. The second system, a force/torque-measuring ultrasound probe, was used in the first rigorous clinical study to characterize contact forces and torques applied during abdominal scanning. The third device, driven by a voice coil motor, enables high-bandwidth constant force scanning, and was used to measure the elastic modulus of tissue-an indicator of tissue health-at repeatable pre-load forces.
Pengembangan Kapasitas Aparatur Pemerintah Desa Dalam Upaya Mewujudkan Good Governance (Studi pada Balai Besar Pemberdayaan Masyarakat dan Desa di Malang)

Abstract: Capacity Building village government apparatus in the effort Provide Good Governance (Study in Balai Besar Pemberdayaan Masyarakat dan Desa Malang). Government Policy to determine the direction governance toward good governance and reforming the bureaucracy governance, is rational choice (rational choice). Balai Besar Pemberdayaan Masyarakat dan Desa Malang (BBPMD) that is under the auspices of the Ministry of the land have a duty and responsibility in capacity building apparatus village government through training. This was as Permendagri No. 21 of 2006. in accordance the principles of Good Governance,BBPMD Malang do various training which was supported by improving and theincrease modult training and material through study public square. With the growing quality the participants in the training after taking part in the training in BBPMD Malang, village government apparatus is expected to be able to provide Good Governance in their respective regions . Keywords : Good Governance, capacity building apparatus, BBPMD Malang. Abstrak: Pengembangan Kapasitas Aparatur Pemerintah Desa dalam Upaya Mewujudkan Good Governance (Studi pada Balai Besar Pemberdayaan Masyarakat dan Desa di Malang). Kebijakan pemerintah menetapkan arah pengelolaan pemerintahan menuju tata kelola pemerintahan yang baik ( good governance ) dan reformasi birokrasi,merupakan pilihan yang rasional ( rational choice ). Balai Besar Pemberdayaan Masyarakat dan Desa (BBPMD) Malang yang berada di bawah Kementerian Dalam Negeri memiliki tugas dan tanggungjawab dalam pengembangan kapasitas aparatur pemerintah desa melalui pelatihan. Hal tersebut sebagaimana Permendagri No.21 Tahun 2006 tentang Organisasi dan Tata Kerja Balai Besar Pemberdayaan Masyaraka dan Desa di Malang. Dalam upaya mewujudkan aparatur desa yang mampu melaksanakan pemerintahan yang baik sesuai prinsip-prinsip good governance , BBPMD Malang melakukan berbagai pelatihan yang didukung dengan perbaikan dan peningkatan modul pelatihan serta pemantapan materi melalui studi lapang. Dengan semakin meningkatnya kualitas peserta pelatihan setelah mengikuti pelatihan di BBPMD Malang diharapkan aparatur pemerintah desa mampu untuk mewujudkan good governance di daerahnya masing-masing. Kata kunci: Good Governance, peningkatan kapasitas aparatur, BBPMD Malang.