Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Micromachine-based humidity sensors with integrated temperature sensors for signal drift compensation

This paper presents a novel technique for the fabrication of a micro humidity sensor with suspending structures. A MEMS device is developed which uses thin-film platinum resistors as temperature sensing elements and a nitride/silicon microstructure suspended at a small distance above the surface of a glass substrate as the movable electrode of a capacitor. A mechanism is proposed for the measurement of the capacitance between the suspended wafer structure and the glass substrate for different values of relative humidity. The fundamental component of the micromachine-based humidity sensor is a nitride/silicon cantilever coated with a vapor-absorbent polymer film (polyimide). A variation in humidity causes moisture-dependent bending of the microcantilever, which changes the measured capacitance between the microcantilever and the substrate. The current experimental data show that the low stiffness of the microcantilever and the large electrode area on the microcantilever tip yield a high degree of sensitivity, i.e. 2.0 nF/% RH. To compensate for the temperature drift of the capacitance signals, the proposed humidity sensor is integrated with a micro resistance-type temperature detector comprised of platinum resistors. The experimental data indicate a low hysteresis value at high relative humidity (>65% RH). The relationship between the measured resistance/capacitance and relative humidity is fully explored and documented. The numerical and experimental samples all indicate a high degree of linearity (R2 = 0.9989), a high stability (±0.76%) and a reasonable response time (1.10 s).
Internal shorted monopole antenna for the watch‐type wireless communication device for Bluetooth operation

An internal shorted monopole antenna suitable to be embedded within the watch‐type wireless communication device is presented. The antenna generally has a planar configuration and is mounted conformal along the side surfaces of the wireless device to operate as an internal or concealed antenna. The antenna also shows a low profile of 4 mm only, yet providing a wide bandwidth for Bluetooth operation in the 2.4 GHz band (2400–2484 MHz). In addition, the antenna is designed to be short‐circuited to an upper ground plane mounted above the main system ground plane of the wireless device. With the proposed arrangement, reduced coupling between the antenna and the nearby lossy medium can be achieved. Hence, when the wireless device with the proposed antenna is worn around the user's wrist or forearm, which functions as a lossy medium, the antenna's radiation efficiency can still reach about 50% over the operating band. Details of the proposed antenna and the promising watch‐type wireless communication device are presented. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 49: 942–946, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.22322
Factors Affecting Apparent Position of Steady-State Line

Due to its simplicity, the steady-state approach is an attractive method of characterizing the strengths of loose, saturated sands for stability analyses in these materials. Use of the approach depends on steady-state strengths that are both reliable and measurable. While there has been a wide variety of research in recent years exploring the constitutive behavior of these materials, contradictory conclusions have been reached regarding the uniqueness of the steady-state line and the factors that may or may not affect it: among these, the level of consolidation stress, the drainage conditions, and the effective stress path have figured prominently. The current study was undertaken to investigate the effects of these factors on the position of the steady-state line through a comprehensive laboratory program involving careful triaxial and simple shear testing. The results provide a consistent framework within which some of the existing contradictions are resolved, and they highlight the importance of the mode of deformation on the strength of these materials at large strains.
Validation of 3D crack propagation in plain concrete. Part II: Computational modeling and predictions of the PCT3D test

The discrete crack-concept is applied to study the 3D propagation of tensile-dominated failure in plain concrete. To this end the Partition of Unity Finite Element Method (PUFEM) is utilized and the strong discontinuity approach is followed. A consistent linearized implementation of the PUFEM is combined with a predictor-corrector algorithm to track the crack path, which leads to a robust numerical description of concrete cracking. The proposed concept is applied to study concrete failure during the PCT3D test and the predicted numerical results are compared to experimental data. The proposed numerical concept provides a clear interface for constitutive models and allows an investigation of their impact on concrete cracking under 3D conditions, which is of significant scientific interests to interpret results from 3D experiments.
Task learning based on the imitation of object's goal

Learning by imitation represents a useful and promising alternative to program robots. The approach presented here is based on two functional elements used by humans to understand and perform actions. These elements are: the body schema and the body percept. The first one is a representation of the body that contains information of the body's capabilities. The body percept is a snapshot of the body and its relation with the environment at a given instant. These elements are believed to interact within humans to generate several abilities, among them the ability to imitate. This paper presents an approach to robot imitation based on these two functional elements, which approaches imitation by identifying the goals from the perceived actions.
Survey of North American Bicycle Commuters: Design and Aggregate Results

Although interest exists in promoting bicycle commuting to help meet air quality and commuter-trip reduction goals, there are virtually no data on bicycle commuters. A comprehensive survey, distributed over the Internet and by mail, of such commuters has been conducted, with 2,374 responses received from all regions of the United States and Canada. Information was gathered in seven categories: about your commuting; about the facilities you use; about your bike; about your motivation; about safety/accidents; about your health; and about you and your household. Comments were also collected. Although the average bicycle commuter is a 39-year-old male professional with a household income in excess of $45,000 per year who rides 10.6 months per year, nearly one in five respondents was female. Average annual bicycle-commuting distance was 3100 km, although these same cyclists rode an average of 5500 km for all trip purposes. Just under 10 percent reported having an accident in the previous 12 months. A relative danger index (RDI) for various bicycle facilities that relates accident frequency to distance traveled on each facility type is presented. A higher number indicates greater danger. Based on the data in this sample, major streets without bicycle facilities have an RDI of 1.26; minor streets, an RDI of 1.04; streets with bike lanes or bike routes, an RDI of 0.50; bike paths, an RDI of 0.67 and sidewalks, an RDI of 5.30. With the 7.3 million km of bicycle commuting reported, an annual accident rate of 37.1 per million km was calculated. The results of this survey should be of interest to policy makers, businesses, and advocates interested in promoting the use of the bicycle for transportation purposes.
Nephrology In-Reach Services Lead to Improvement in Mortality in Acute Kidney Injury – 3 (AKI-3)

Background: Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is a sudden decline in kidney function. Early detection and prompt treatment of AKI is vital in improving the outcome of patients. We introduced in-reach nephrology services at South Tyneside District Hospital (STDH) as part of a reconfiguration of local NHS services. Aims: The principal aim of this study is to analyse patient outcomes relating to service developments and to explore prognostic characteristics among a cohort of AKI-3 patients Design: This was a single centre retrospective impact evaluation study.Methods: We studied all patients (n=246) who either presented with or developed AKI-3 during their admission at South Tyneside District Hospital from 2016 to 2018. The inclusion criteria included age 18-95 years and a diagnosis of AKI-3 as per KDIGO classification. Exclusion include those on established dialysis regime or on palliative care. Results: A total of 246 patients were admitted with AKI-3. There were 64 deaths from AKI-3 over the three-year period. Mortality decreased from 29.5% to 20.7% from 2016 to 2018. In patients with Community Acquired (CA-AKI3) the overall mortality rate was 24.2% (n=182), whereas the overall mortality rate of those with Hospital Acquired (HA-AKI3) was 31.3% (n=64). The pre-AKI use of ACEi, A2RB or diuretics increased from 39.7% in 2016 (n=78), to 59.3% in 2017 (n=86) and 64.6% in 2018 (n=82). Conversely, mortality associated with the use of these medications reduced each consecutive year (32.3%, 25.5%, 18.9%). Conclusion: Development of nephrology in-reach services, staff education measures and a primary care pathway could reduce AKI-3 mortality among patients in inpatient and community settings.
Effects of Educational Interventions on Oral Hygiene: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of school based oral health interventions programs on students’ oral hygiene, in developing countries through systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: Our investigation was conducted in electronic databases including MEDLINE Ovid), Embase Ovid, Scopus), Web of Science from 2000 to march 2018.The data were extracted based on a standard data collection form specific to observational studies, and entered into RevMan 2014. Inclusion criteria included individually randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or cluster-RCTs including quasi- experimental studies that were related to oral health interventions. Software RevMan 2014was used for meta-analysis. A meta-analysis was carried out using random-effects models. Results: Twelve studies of students in this review finally entered the study including five individual RCTs, four cluster-RCTs, and three quasi-experimental studies. The intervention study period ranged from 1 month to 9 month. Interventions described in the studies briefly included oral health education with activities such as lectures, albums, slides, pamphlets, posters, and role playing. Meta-analyses showed a significant difference in knowledge (SMD 3.31, 95% CI 2.52 to 4.11; I 2 = 98; P < 0.001), attitude (SMD 1.99, 95% CI 0. 43 to 3.54; I 2 = 99; P < 0.001), behavior (SMD 4.74, 95% CI 3.70 to 5.77; I 2 = 99; P < 0.001), plaque index (SMD -1.01, 95% CI -1.50 to -0. 51; I 2 = 97; P < 0.001) and Gingival index (SMD 0. 33, 95% CI -0. 36 to 1. 02; I 2 = 98; P = 0.34) for students receiving educational interventions compared to those receiving usual care . Discussion: The systematic review concludes that educational interventions are effective for improving oral health knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, etc., which could potentially lead to improved oral health, reduced oral diseases, and reduced costs from treating oral diseases.
Wettability of Carbon Nanotubes with Molten Sn-Ag-Cu Solder Alloy

The purpose of this work was to study the wettability of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNTs) and molten 96.5Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu (SAC305) lead-free solder alloy. The SWCNTs was coated with silver (Ag) by using an electroless plating method in order to enhance its wettability. The wetting behavior of molten SAC305 alloy on three different substrates, alumina, un-coated SWCNTs and Ag-coated SWCNTs was investigated by employing a modified sessile drop technique. The wetting angle between the molten SAC305 and the three substrates was measured at temperature range of 250-550 °C. The average wetting angles between the molten SAC305 and the alumina, the un-coated SWCNTs and the Ag-coated SWCNTs substrates were 130.7±1.3°, 128.4±4.2° and 120.1±3.5°, respectively. The wettabilty of the SWCNTs was improved by coating it with silver. The wetting angle of the Ag-coated SWCNTs was decreased approx. 9° compared to that of the un-coated. Increasing temperature has slightly affected on the wettability of SWCNTs and the molten SAC305.
Determinants of adoption of computer‐assisted audit tools and techniques among internal audit units in Ghana

This study investigates the determinants of adoption of computer‐assisted audit tools and techniques (CAATTs) among internal audit units in Ghana. Data for the study was drawn from a sample of 75 private and state‐owned enterprises through questionnaires while the partial least squares structural equation modeling was employed to analyze and test the hypotheses. The findings indicate that albeit CAATT adoption within internal audit units is fairly high, the actual usage in the areas of risk assessment, fraud detection, substantive testing, and analytical procedures are still low. Using the extended technology‐organization‐environment (TOE) framework, results show that CAATT behavioral intention is driven by technological readiness, organizational readiness, and environmental readiness but not personal innovativeness. In addition, CAATT behavioral intention influences CAATT adoption among the internal audit units. The findings provide valuable insights to management, heads of audit units, policymakers, and regulators on ways to improve the adoption and use of CAATT. Firms should invest more in training workshops on big data analytics, hiring more data scientists or data engineers, and equipping internal audit units with the information technology infrastructure. The paper complements prior research by applying a hierarchical component modeling technique to the extended TOE framework to investigate CAATT adoption in internal audits.
Research in Modeling and Simulation for Improving Construction Engineering Operations

Construction simulation, a fast-growing field, is the science of developing and experimenting with computer-based representations of construction systems to understand their underlying behavior. This paper provides a history of construction simulation theory, explores the CYCLONE modeling methodology and its major subsequent developments, examines the development of the Simphony.NET and COSYE modeling environments and their functionality as more generic simulation platforms, and reviews effective strategies for applying simulation in construction. A construction simulation case study is presented that illustrates one successful approach for adopting simulation technology in the industry and outlines the benefits to industry of integrating these technologies. The paper provides an overview of long-term simulation initiatives leading to the next generation of computer modeling systems for construction, where simulation plays an integral role in a futuristic vision of automated project planning and control.
Perforation owing to impacts on reinforced concrete slabs

The development and testing of a finite-element model to investigate the impact resistance of reinforced concrete slabs, with and without metal decking, is described. The model is validated against empirical design formulae for cylindrical projectiles. A series of experimental tests involving I-sections impacting reinforced concrete slabs is described and the results are used to validate the model further. Having validated the model, it is then used to provide data for impacts of the slab by typical column sections used in multi-storey buildings. The results could be used to assess the potential effects of dropping components during construction.
Developing Planning Skills of Engineers in Management Training

Enrollments in MBA programs have mushroomed in recent years, and they often attract students whose undergraduate majors were in other fields. Engineers represent a large proportion of these students attracted to MBA programs. Due to engineers' highly technical education, the general nature of the MBA curriculum may not afford them sufficient training in managerial planning. This paper attempts to put forth the evidence for this, and supply recommendations for further developing students' planning skills.
Ten-year PVC geomembrane durability

The 10-year results of an ongoing study on the long-term performance of a PVC geomembrane in northern Minnesota are presented. Samples of PVC geomembrane and seams are exhumed periodically over a 30-year period and tested to measure the certified, index, and seam properties of the exhumed geomembrane and seams. Results are compared with the material specification existing at the time of installation as well as with the current PVC geomembrane specification prepared by the PVC Geomembrane Institute. All material properties except for thickness meet both specifications. Material properties measured at the laboratory and field moisture conditions are compared, and indicate that testing at the field moisture condition is more representative of the field performance than after laboratory desiccation. Data measured over a ten-year period suggest that the in situ moisture condition may counteract some, if not all, of the plasticizer migration that occurs in this application, and plasticizer migration slows as th.
New physically-based PiN diode compact model for circuit modelling applications

A new physically-based compact device model of the PiN diode is presented. A one-dimensional model for the drift zone (low doped n-base region) is presented which accurately describes conductivity modulation and non-quasistatic charge storage effects within the structure. To validate the power diode compact model, simulation results are compared with those from a detailed drift-diffusion finite-element model, as well as with experimental results (for two different devices), showing an excellent agreement in all cases. The model is found to be efficient and robust in all cases examined.
Synthesis of n-Port Networks on Two-Tree Port-Structures

This paper presents some of the salient features of an n + 2 terminal, n-port, network synthesis procedure which is capable of producing various equivalent realizations having different element branch topologies on appropriate port-tree structures. The method is based on n + 1 terminal synthesis techniques and on the concept of paralleling three networks. One network provides the necessary intersubtree transmission properties but contains both positive and negative elements, the second network provides no intersubtree transmission but introduces parasitics among the ports of a given subtree, and the third network completes the requirements of the subtree. The method is basic, simple to apply, and is in the state of development which urges its generalization.
Dynamic response of a thermopiezoelectric rod due to a moving heat source

In the present paper, the dynamic response of a thermopiezoelectric rod to a moving heat source is obtained on the basis of the Lord and Shulman theory of generalized thermoelasticity. Three fully coupled, dynamic, governing differential equations for the problem in terms of displacement, temperature, and electric potential are derived and analytically solved in the Laplace domain by successive decoupling of the equations. The time-dependent dynamic response of the rod is obtained through numerical inversion of the results in the Laplace domain. Numerical examples are compared with available results in the literature to validate the current work. Moreover, the significant effect of pyroelectricity that has been overlooked in the literature is revealed in the current work.
Event‐triggered fault detection for discrete‐time Markovian jump systems in finite frequency domain

This paper is concerned with the design of the finite frequency fault detection (FD) filter based on the event‐triggered scheme (ETS) for discrete‐time Markovian jump (DMJ) systems with Lipschitz functions, time‐varying delays, and packet dropouts. A novel FD filter subject to ETS and data missing is developed, and the augmented filter system is rewritten as a DMJ‐linear parameter varying (DMJ‐LPV) system through a reformulated Lipschitz property. Then, two novel lemmas are proposed to guarantee the DMJ‐LPV system robust to unknown disturbances and sensitive to finite frequency faults. Next, the proposed lemmas are deduced into linear matrix inequalities by using Finsler's lemma and S‐procedure. Finally, the application of Chua's circuit system is employed to illustrate the validity and superiority of the proposed theory.
Dispersion penalty for 1.3 mu m lightwave systems with multimode semiconductor lasers

The effect of fiber dispersion on the performance of lightwave systems is analyzed for the case where multimode semiconductor lasers operating near the zero-dispersion wavelength of the single-mode fiber are used as sources. Both the intersymbol interference and the mode-partition noise are considered in the discussion of dispersion-induced power penalties. The theory is in agreement with an experiment in which the bit error rate is measured for lasers at various bit rates. The tolerable limits on the deviation of the laser wavelength from the zero-dispersion wavelength are obtained for a 1.3- mu m system operating at 1.7 Gb/s. Monte Carlo simulations are used to predict the effect of mode-partition noise on the performance of such high-speed lightwave communication systems. >
Perceived Importance of the Quality of the Indoor Environment in Commercial Buildings

Recognition of the importance of the quality of the indoor environment (IEQ) to health, comfort and productivity of building end users has produced increasing numbers of voluntary schemes whose assessment embraces a wide spectrum of environmental attributes. Studies which aim to derive appropriate weighting factors for these attributes through soliciting the perceived importance from experts are abundant. This article reports the findings of a study which, based on face-to-face interviews with 548 end users and 66 building professionals, processed their perceived importance of IEQ using the analytical hierarchy process (AHP). Attributes included were thermal comfort, air cleanliness, odor and noise associated with the air conditioning system of typical commercial buildings. Correlation analysis of the ranking results of the AHP weights revealed the difference in perceived importance of the attributes according to gender of the respondents. Other factors also found to have influence on the perceived importance of the IEQ were whether the respondents were professionals or other end users and the reason for them working or visiting the buildings and the duration of their stay. These all varied with psychophysical factors such as personal experiences, needs and expectations. Further work is needed to study whether the weighting factors should be derived from the perceptions of experts, end users, or a balance between the two.
Development of large-area THGEM detectors for investigation of thermal-hydraulic phenomena using neutron imaging

We report recent progress on development of high-resolution instrumentation and measurement techniques for investigation of various thermal-hydraulic processes, such as dynamic gas-liquid two-phase flow. Included in these activities, two projects are currently under development: a novel high-efficiency, one-dimensional fast-neutron imaging detector intended for fan-beam tomography applications, and a cold-neutron large-area imaging detector prototype. Both instruments are based on neutron-to-charge particle conversion coupled to THick Gaseous Electron Multipliers (THGEM) for position-sensitive charge readout. We review the operational principle and properties of the two detector concepts.