Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Static racking behavior of plywood, OSB, gypsum, and FiberBond walls with metal framing

Recent results from full-scale static racking tests and small-scale lateral shear tests on plywood, oriented strand board (OSB), gypsum wallboard (GWB), and FiberBond wallboard (FB) attached to light gauge steel studs are presented and discussed in this paper. The objectives of the tests were to investigate the performance of sheathed light gauge steel framed shear walls and determine whether simple static lateral shear values for the panel connection can provide a useful correlation with full-scale test values. The full-scale tests were conducted in accordance with the basic test criteria defined in ASTM E 72-80. A procedure similar to that described in ASTM D 1761-88 was used for the small-scale tests. Panels used in the tests included 11.9 mm APA rated four-ply plywood sheathing, 11.1 mm APA rated OSB sheathing, 12.7 mm gypsum wallboard (ASTM C 36), and 12.7 mm FiberBond wallboard. Results obtained from tests showed that failure of the walls resulted from rotation (tilting) of the fasteners about the p.
Scour and flow around submerged structures

The results of an experimental investigation on scour of non-cohesive uniform and non-uniform sediment beds and flow around fully submerged structures over a fixed plane bed are discussed. In the study, the submergence factor, Froude number and cylinder Reynolds number for all the experiments were kept in the ranges of 0·25–0·75, 0·23–0·70 and 13 500–58 650 respectively. The free surface profile over the submerged structures consists of distinct upper and lower layers; the lower layer is characterised by continuous mixing with the generated downstream wake whereas the characteristics of the upper layer depend on the submergence factor and the Froude number. Using observed scour depths at different times, the time variation of scour depth is scaled by an exponential law. The non-dimensional time scale decreases following a power-law relationship with an increase in densimetric Froude number. It is evident that there is a considerable reduction in the non-dimensional scour depth with an increase in the subm.
ASYMMETRIC EFFECT OF OIL PRICE CHANGE ON INFLATION: EVIDENCE FROM SUB SAHARAN AFRICA COUNTRIES

This study is aimed at investigating the asymmetric effect of oil price change on inflation for Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) countries. Based on the findings from the dynamic heterogenous nonlinear panel ARDL estimation, a panel data representation of Shin et al. (2014), the long run asymmetric relationship exists between both oil price increase ( op + ) and decrease ( op − ) and inflation for these countries. Nevertheless, the oil price increase tends to exert more effect on inflation than the oil price decrease. Oil serves as a key input to the production process, therefore, changes in its price would have a great influence on the level of inflation which at last may hamper the process of economic progress. For policy implication, the monetary authorities shall pay more attention to the increase in oil price than the oil price decrease in designing appropriate policies of price stability as the former exerts greater impact on inflation than the latter. The price stability as one of the key macroeconomic goals could be attained if these countries understand the oil price-inflation relationship and then monetary measures can be adjusted to endure the effect of oil price changes especially increase in oil price on the price level so that stability in the prices of output can be maintained.
Discovering Better Model Architectures for Medical Query Understanding

In developing an online question-answering system for the medical domains, natural language inference (NLI) models play a central role in question matching and intention detection. However, which models are best for our datasets? Manually selecting or tuning a model is time-consuming. Thus we experiment with automatically optimizing the model architectures on the task at hand via neural architecture search (NAS). First, we formulate a novel architecture search space based on the previous NAS literature, supporting cross-sentence attention (cross-attn) modeling. Second, we propose to modify the ENAS method to accelerate and stabilize the search results. We conduct extensive experiments on our two medical NLI tasks. Results show that our system can easily outperform the classical baseline models. We compare different NAS methods and demonstrate our approach provides the best results.
Infrared stop-band filter based on a subwavelength structure

We propose a stop-band filter in infrared region using a periodically chirped subwavelength structure. The structure is made of a stack of metal and dielectric pattern made on a thick metal layer that is deposited a PMMA substrate. It is found that an appropriately designed microstructure of metal-insulator-metal patches can generate a wideband infrared absorption, resulting in an infrared stop-band filter. Different width of metal-insulator-metal resonator arranged in one unit cell generate trough in the reflection spectrum at different wavelengths. The full width at half magnitude (FWHM) of the stop-band filter can thus be adjusted by tuning the width of the resonators. The larger the range of the resonator width, the wider the bandwidth will be. Under the condition of subwavelength dimension of the structure compared with the working wavelength, it is found that a FWHM of 4μm at central wavelength of ~9μm and a high absorption efficiency of up to 80% can be achieved. The proposed structure provides a novel method in the design of wideband efficient plasmonic absorbers in infrared or THz spectral regions with simultaneously wide bandwidth and high efficiency of absorption.
Application of the electro-mechanical impedance method for the identification of in-situ stress in structures

In the beginning, the electro-mechanical (EM) impedance method for structural health monitoring was recognized as a means of structural in-situ stress monitoring and measurement. Consequently, theoretical analysis based on the EM impedance method as a tool for in-situ stress identification in structural members was presented. A dynamic impedance model derived from the Euler-Bernoulli beam theory was developed to investigate the influence of in-situ stress on the dynamic and electro-mechanical response of a smart beam interrogated by a pair of symmetrically bounded, surface-bonded piezoceramic (PZT) transducers. Numerical simulation was performed for a laboratory sized smart beam subjected to a multitude of axial loads at the ends. It was found that natural frequency shifts takes place in the presence of in-situ stress. Furthermore, these shifts, which are linearly related to the magnitude of applied load, is directly reflected in the point-wise dynamic stiffness response. However, in terms of the electro-mechanical response, which can be measured directly, the shift of peaks of the EM admittance signature is not directly indicative of the natural frequency shifts. This arises as an inverse problem in engineering, which cannot be deciphered using direct approach. Back calculation of the in-situ stress using genetic algorithm (GA) was proposed.
Evaluation of methods for the development of representative responses and corridors from biomechanical data using mechanical models

The development of representative responses and corridors from biomechanical data is essential for the validation of computational models and anthropometric test devices. While various empirical and statistical methods have been proposed for generating representative responses and corridors from data, it is often unclear on what basis the generated representative responses and corridors typify the biomechanical behaviour or its range of variations. The quality of the representative responses and corridors generated by various techniques from the literature was evaluated by comparing two linear mass-spring-damper models with the responses of average (or median) models and simulations using random resampling. One of these models was validated to lower limb axial impact experiments in order to provide a realistic evaluation of actual biomechanical data. This lower limb model has parameters dependent on the anthropometry and bone mineral density of the specimens and was significantly better in predicting the responses of a target specimen than the mass-scaling method. While more intricate scaling methods are possible, this result implies that model-based approaches may be a better tool for predicting the responses of a target population than the traditional mass-scaling method. The evaluation results showed that the consistency of any method's representativeness relative to the ‘true’ corridor was dependent on the type of data collected in the original experiments. Since there were inconsistencies in the quality of the generated corridors with these two models, a model-based evaluation should be considered as an additional step in choosing a corridor development method for a particular problem.
BioM-Transformers: Building Large Biomedical Language Models with BERT, ALBERT and ELECTRA

The impact of design choices on the performance of biomedical language models recently has been a subject for investigation. In this paper, we empirically study biomedical domain adaptation with large transformer models using different design choices. We evaluate the performance of our pretrained models against other existing biomedical language models in the literature. Our results show that we achieve state-of-the-art results on several biomedical domain tasks despite using similar or less computational cost compared to other models in the literature. Our findings highlight the significant effect of design choices on improving the performance of biomedical language models.
Industrial applications of fuzzy control

Preface. Automatic Train Operation System by Predictive Fuzzy Control (S. Yasunobu, S. Miyamoto). Application of Fuzzy Reasoning to the Water Purification Process (O. Yagashita, O. Itoh, M. Sugeno). The Application of a Fuzzy Controller to the Control of a Multi-Degree-of-Freedom Robot Arm (E.M. Scharf, N.J. Mandic). Optimizing Control of a Diesel Engine (Y. Murayama et al.). Development of Performance Adaptive Fuzzy Controllers with Application to Continuous Casting Plants (G. Bartolini et al.). A Fuzzy Logic Controller for Aircraft Flight Control (L.I. Larkin). Automobile Speed Control System Using a Fuzzy Logic Controller (S. Murakami, M. Maeda). An Experimental Study on Fuzzy Parking Control Using a Model Car (M. Sugeno, K. Murakami). A Fuzzy Controller in Turning Process Automation (Y. Sakai, K. Ohkusa). Design of Fuzzy Control Algorithms with the Aid of Fuzzy Models (W. Pedrycz). Human Operator's Fuzzy Model in Man-Machine System with a Nonlinear Controlled Object (K. Matsushima, H. Sugiyama). The Influence of Some Parameters on the Accuracy of a Fuzzy Model (J.B. Kiszka, M.E. Kochanska, D.S. Sliwinska). A Microprocessor Based Fuzzy Controller for Industrial Purposes (T. Yamazaki, M. Sugeno). The Application of Fuzzy and Artificial Intelligence Methods in the Building of a Blast Furnace Smelting Process Model (H. Zhao, M. Ma). An Annotated Bibliography of Fuzzy Control (R.M. Tong).
Performance of polymer-based actuators: the three-layer model

Conducting polymers show volume changes during electrochemical doping. Their high strength make them potential candidates for being used as artificial muscles. We consider actuators based on three-layer structures consisting of a passive polymer substrate sheet, a thin metal film electrode and a thin film of conducting polymer. In this paper we describe our Three- layer model to study the performance of an actuator based on the transduction of bending to linear movements. We show calculated results for an undulator and C-block characterized, respectively, by a flat and semi-circular shape in the relaxed state. Knowing the mechanical parameters of the considered materials, we evaluate the efficiency of the composite structure in terms of the performed stroke and work. The model shows that the undulator contracts in a nonlinear way with respect to the relative expansion of the materials, whereas the C-block is approximately linear. Contractions as large as 80% and 45% are obtained with the undulator and C-block, respectively. Although the C-block performs better than the undulator in terms of linearity, the undulator is easier to design and manufacture due to its flat shape in the relaxed state.
Effects of Group Logo therapy Training on Self-Esteem, Communication Skills, and impact of event scale-revised (IES-R) in Elderly

Background: To evaluate the effects of group logotherapy training on the Self-Esteem, communication skills, and dealing with event in elderly. Methods: The sample of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) includes 30 elderly individuals with unstable and weak self-esteem in an Daily Center for the elderly. The Samples are selected by convenience method and divided into two equal groups, i.e. the cases and controls. The Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory (CSEI), Weiss and Marmar’s Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), and Barton’s Communication Skills Questionnaire were instruments for data collection. After evaluating the baseline, the case group attended ten sessions of group logotherapy. During this period, the controls were only using the conventional programs of the center. At the end of the program, the baseline sessions were completed by all participants at 1 and 3-month follow-up. The collected data were analyzed using analysis of variance with repeated measures, independent t-test, and chi-square. Results: The results show that group logotherapy significantly is effect on the improvement of self-esteem, communication skills, and dealing with events in the elderly (P<0.001). However, a decrease in the effects of the trainings over time was observed in the follow-ups one and three months after the program. Conclusions: It can be concluded that group logotherapy training can be used for boosting the self-esteem, improving the communication skills, and improving proper responses to stressful events among the elderly. The durability of the benefits of these trainings requires reevaluation of this program in the long term.
Deflection of Prototype Geosynthetic-Reinforced Working Platforms over Soft Subgrade

Large-scale experiments were conducted on working platforms of crushed rock (breaker run stone or Grade 2 gravel) overlying a simulated soft subgrade to mimic conditions during highway construction where a working platform is used to limit total deflections because of construction traffic. Tests were conducted with and without geosynthetic reinforcement to evaluate how deflection of the working platform is affected by the presence of reinforcement, type of reinforcement, and thickness of the working platform. Four different geosynthetics were used: geogrid, woven geotextile, nonwoven geotextile, and drainage composite. Reinforced working platforms deformed at a slower rate, and, in most cases, deformation of geosynthetic-reinforced working platforms nearly ceased after approximately 200 loading cycles. Total deflections at 1,000 cycles were smaller by a factor of approximately two for reinforced working platforms relative to unreinforced working platforms, and smaller deflections were associated when less extensible geosynthetics were used for reinforcement. The thickness of a geosynthetic-reinforced working platform needed to meet a target deflection diminished approximately linearly with increasing logarithm of the interaction modulus, a measure of in situ extensibility measured in a pullout box. The reduction in working platform thickness attained with reinforcement was also larger when the target total deflection was smaller.
The neuroprotective mechanism of cinnamaldehyde against amyloid-β in neuronal SHSY5Y cell line: The role of N-methyl-D-aspartate, ryanodine, and adenosine receptors and glycogen synthase kinase-3β

Objective: Cinnamaldehyde may be responsible for some health benefits of cinnamon such as its neuroprotective effects. We aimed to investigate the cinnamaldehyde neuroprotective effects against amyloid beta (Aβ) in neuronal SHSY5Y cells and evaluate the contribution of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), ryanodine, and adenosine receptors and glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3β, to its neuroprotective effects. Materials and Methods: After seeding the cells in 96-well plates, adenosine (20, 40, 80, and 120 µM), NMDA (20, 40, 80, and 120 µM), and dantrolene (as a ryanodine receptor antagonist; 2, 4, 6, 8, and 16 µM) were added to the medium containing Aβ25-35 and/or cinnamaldehyde. The 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide method was used to assess neurotoxicity and western blot to measure the GSK-3β protein level. Results: Cinnamaldehyde (15, 20, 23, and 25 μM) significantly reversed Aβ-induced toxicity in SHSY5Y neuronal cells. Adenosine (20, 40, 80 and 120 μM) inhibited the neuroprotective effects of cinnamaldehyde (15 μM). NMDA (20, 40, 80, and 120 μM) reduced cinnamaldehyde (15 and 23 μM) neuroprotective effects against Aβ neurotoxicity. Dantrolene (2, 4, 8, and 16 μM) significantly reduced cinnamaldehyde (15 μM) neuroprotective effects. Cinnamaldehyde (15 and 23 μM) suppressed the Aβ-induced increment of GSK-3β protein level. Conclusion: NMDA and adenosine receptors suppression together with ryanodine receptors stimulation may be relevant to cinnamaldehyde neuroprotective effects against Aβ neurotoxicity. Moreover, the inhibition of GSK-3β may contribute to the cinnamaldehyde neuroprotection.
Recognition of VDU Presented Colors by Color Defective Observers

In order to determine the extent to which color defective observers are able to recognize colors presented on a VDU, a choice reaction time experiment was carried out. The experiment determined the effect of advance training, stimulus size and simultaneous color contrast on the performance of subjects, segregated into groups according to the nature of their color vision defect. Analysis of the data shows that type of color vision defect and the simultaneous color contrast influence the number of errors made by the subjects. Suggestions for future experiments and for the possible improvement of performance are given.
Total Productive Maintenance: Competing or Complementary to other Initiatives?

The objective of this short review paper is to examine the practical applications of Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) in the manufacturing industry. In this short review, an attempt was made to critically discuss the previous literatures related to TPM with the other established quality initiatives in the manufacturing, such as Total Quality Management (TQM) and Just-In-Time practice (JIT). This literature review-based research revealed an important research gaps related to TPM. The significance role of TPM as an important complementary to either TQM or JIT initiative is observed not been well addressed in the available literatures. Most of the researches available investigate these initiatives separately, focuses on the other element rather than addressing on the significant role of TPM as one of the main thrust. The separate implementation of such quality initiatives in the manufacturing organization means the requirement of large scale human, financial and technical resources as well the associated problems of running competing project in the company. The outcomes from this review justify the needs of further research in the area of TPM integration with other available initiatives, to further enhance its methodology aimed at solidifying its philosophy towards more realistic practical applications.
The Effect of Dynamic Assessment on Iranian IELTS Students' Metacognitive Awareness for Reading Strategy and Reading Development

This study investigated the effect of dynamic assessment (DA) on reading comprehension development and metacognitive awareness for reading strategies of Iranian IELTS students within the framework of Poehner (2008) who advocated the integration of assessment and instruction in promoting learners' abilities. It was a pretest-treatment-posttest quasi-experimental design in which 71 men and women advanced EFL learners participated. The experimental group (n=35) received DA interventions for the period of 10 weeks (40 hours in total) and the control group (n=36) went through regular teaching methods and static assessment. Two academic IELTS reading comprehension equivalent tests were employed as the pretest and posttest. Also, the metacognitive awareness for reading strategy questionnaire of Mokhtari and Richard (2002) was administered twice (once at the outset and once at the end of the study). The results of an ANCOVA analysis showed that the experimental group outperformed the control group in reading comprehension development. Moreover, a statistically significant difference was found between the metacognitive awareness for reading strategies of the experimental group and that of the control group through the repeated measure AVONA test. Regarding the results, this study recommends teachers and IELTS instructors to consider DA in their test preparation programs. preparing Israeli high school students for the matriculation Oral Language Proficiency (OLP) test. Similarly, DA was found to be significantly effective on speaking development of upper intermediate IELTS students who participated in a case study, conducted by Minakova (2020), during a three-week DA mediation program. Her results revealed an evident effect of DA on the learners' control over the use of verb tenses in the speaking tasks of the IELTS exam.
Endoscopic third ventriculostomy for hydrocephalus: a study of thirty cases

Background: Raised intracranial pressure because of abnormal accumulation of CSF with in the ventricles of brain is a potentially life-threatening condition. Ventriculoperitoneal shunt remains mainstay of treatment even today. However, shunt failure is not uncommon. Hence endoscopic procedures are now gaining popularity. The outcome of ETV with respect to age ,etiology and long-term outcome needs further elucidation.Methods: Thirty patients with hydrocephalus who underwent endoscopic treatment were analysed retrospectively with respect to age, diagnosis, surgical outcome, treatment failure and complications.Results: Total of 28 patients successfully underwent ETV and with an overall success rate of 78%. Moreover, the success rate of ETV was found to be 100% in the 0-1 and 80% in 1-2 years age groups. 2 patients required re operation in the form of VP shunt.Conclusions: ETV is a safe and effective surgical modality with comparable outcome in paediatric and adult populations.
An acute abdomen packed full of surprises: a case report

“Acute abdomen” is a clinical diagnosis which defines the emergent nature of the condition, rather than the condition itself, and the true diagnosis is often only made after laparotomy or laparoscopy. On occasion, the final diagnosis is drastically different from what was clinically suspected. Diseases such as diverticulosis can have multiple possible pathological outcomes as a consequence of their inflammatory nature, such as stricture formation, adhesions, acute diverticulitis, diverticular abscess, perforation and even malignant transformation. Usually one of these complications will be the presenting factor with rarely another complication discovered during management, which may or may not have been symptomatic. Extremely rarely, will multiple pathological outcomes of a condition be present together. Here we report the case of a male patient who underwent laparotomy for a suspected hollow viscus perforation, with the resulting findings a bewildering surprise.