Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Factors Affecting the Performance of Contractors on Building Construction Projects: Central Region, Ghana

The performance of a contractor is very critical to the success of any building construction project. The paper aims at identifying and ranking the factors affecting the performance of contractors on building construction projects. A comprehensive literature review was carried out to identify performance related problems within the industry. The paper employed census technique in selecting the contractors. A field survey of 97 Ghanaian contractors was undertaken using structured questionnaires. The extraction of the most critical factors that affect the performance of contractors was undertaken using Relative Importance Index (RII). The results of the study revealed that: cash flow of project, material and equipment cost, quality of equipment and raw materials, quality training and meeting, and quality assessment system in organizations, are the major factors that affect contractors’ performance on building projects. The paper in addition identified; quality factors and innovation and learning factors as the two key group factors that affect local building contractors’ performance.
Effectiveness of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy in the management of complex regional pain syndrome type 1: A randomized-controlled trial

Objectives This study aims to investigate whether pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy in addition to a conventional rehabilitation program is effective on pain and functioning in patients with type 1 complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS-1) of the hand. Patients and methods Between March 2013 and January 2015, a total of 32 patients (16 males, 16 females; mean age: 50.1±13.1 years; range, 25 to 75 years) were included. The patients were randomly allocated into two groups. The control group (n=16) received a conventional rehabilitation program consisting of physical modalities, exercises, and occupational therapy, whereas the PEMF group (n=16) received additional PEMF (8 Hz, 3.2 mT) to the affected hand. The primary outcome measure was pain intensity using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Secondary outcome measures were grip and pinch strength, hand edema, hand dexterity, and hand activities. All patients received 20 therapy sessions (five sessions/week, four weeks in total) and were evaluated before and after the therapy and at the first-month follow-up. Results Both groups showed significant improvements in primary and secondary outcomes (p<0.05) after the therapy and at follow-up. When the groups were compared in terms of improvements in assessment parameters, no statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in any of the outcomes (p>0.05). Conclusion The PEMF in addition to conventional rehabilitation program did not provide additional benefit for pain and hand functions in CRPS-1. Future studies using different application parameters such as frequency, intensity, duration, and route may provide a better understanding of the role of PEMF in CRPS-1 treatment.
Tailoring Mesopores and Nitrogen Groups of Carbon Nanofibers for Polysulfide Entrapment in Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

In the current work, we combined different physical and chemical modifications of carbon nanofibers through the creation of micro-, meso-, and macro-pores as well as the incorporation of nitrogen groups in cyclic polyacrylonitrile (CPAN) using gas-assisted electrospinning and air-controlled electrospray processes. We incorporated them into electrode and interlayer in Li–Sulfur batteries. First, we controlled pore size and distributions in mesoporous carbon fibers (mpCNF) via adding polymethyl methacrylate as a sacrificial polymer to the polyacrylonitrile carbon precursor, followed by varying activation conditions. Secondly, nitrogen groups were introduced via cyclization of PAN on mesoporous carbon nanofibers (mpCPAN). We compared the synergistic effects of all these features in cathode substrate and interlayer on the performance Li–Sulfur batteries and used various characterization tools to understand them. Our results revealed that coating CPAN on both mesoporous carbon cathode and interlayer greatly enhanced the rate capability and capacity retention, leading to the capacity of 1000 mAh/g at 2 C and 1200 mAh/g at 0.5 C with the capability retention of 88% after 100 cycles. The presence of nitrogen groups and mesopores in both cathodes and interlayers resulted in more effective polysulfide confinement and also show more promise for higher loading systems.
Hybrid Modeling with Genetic Search

In this paper we extended a previous hybrid localized modeling framework developed by the authors (Lima and Saraiva, 2001) by introducing an evolutionary algorithm to perform global optimization in the hybrid structures searching space. Using a lubricant viscosity case study, we compare the benefits of the evolutionary search procedure adopted here with the previously used greedy search algorithm.
Effect of Recycled Aggregate on the Compressive Behaviour of ShortConcrete Columns

In this study, 12 specimens with three different lateral reinforcement ratios (ρ=0.022, 0.012 and 0.007) and four RG replacement ratios (0%, 30%, 50% and 100%) were prepared and tested under pure axial load in order to investigate the influence of recycled coarse aggregate (RG) and lateral tie reinforcement ratio (ρ) on the compressive behavior of a confined recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) column. The experimental data obtained from the tests are reported and compared with the predicted values obtained from the widely accepted Mander’s confined concrete model developed for conventional confined concrete to assess applicability of the model to recycled aggregate concrete. The results showed that the effect of RG on the compressive behavior of the RAC was negligible at low stress level, and it began to appear as the load increased at load levels above about 35% of Peak, regardless of ρ. The slope of the normalized compressive strength (f’cc/f’co) and normalized corresponding strain (ecc/eco) against ρ showed that the lateral reinforcement exerted the greatest effect on the stress and strain enhancement in the RG-30 series, and the smallest effect in the RG-50 series. The ratios of experimental values to those predicted from Mander’s model, ’cc_exp/f’cc_model and ecc_exp/ecc_model, showed that the model tended to give unconservative strength (f’cc) and strain (ecc) values for the RAC columns.
Incorporating Atmospheric Stability Effects into the FLORIS Engineering Model of Wakes in Wind Farms

Atmospheric stability conditions have an effect on wind turbine wakes. This is an important factor in wind farms in which the wake properties affect the performance of downstream turbines. In the stable atmosphere, wind direction shear has a lateral skewing effect on the wakes. In this paper, we describe changes to the FLOw Redirection and Induction in Steady-state (FLORIS) wake engineering model to incorporate and parameterize this effect.
Vision-based Guidance for Loitering over a Target

This paper presents a vision-based guidance method that allows a fixed-wing aircraft to orbit around a target at a given radius. The guidance method uses a simple formula that regulates a relative side-bearing angle estimated by a vision system. The global asymptotic stability of the associated guidance law is demonstrated, and a linear analysis is performed to facilitate the proper selection of the relevant control parameters. A flight experiment is presented to demonstrate the feasibility and performance of the proposed guidance method.
Induced drag of wings in ground effect

ABSTRACT This paper provides a set of closed form solutions for the lift and drag of wings flying in ground effect both with and without end plates. The developed theories are based on observations of several independent sources of controlled model tests over ground planes and over water and on previous theories prepared by researchers from the original work by Prandtl and Wieselsberger to the present day. The theories developed cover wings of varying aspect ratio, thickness to chord ratios and angle of attack. The results for wings with end plates include the effect of ground (or surface) clearance height, end plate depth and air gap depths beneath the wings or end plates. Good agreement is found between the developed theory and test.
ProNGF/NGF Modulates Autophagy and Apoptosis through PI3K/Akt/mTOR and ERK Signaling Pathways following Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion in Rats

NGF is involved in the process of autophagy; however, the underlying mechanisms of proNGF/NGF on autophagy in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (CIR) remain unclear. This study explored the potential pathway of proNGF/NGF in mediating autophagy and apoptosis and thereby contributed to poststroke neurological rehabilitation. In this study, PC12 cell lines and male SD rats were used to simulate CIR; it was found that within 24 h reperfusion, proNGF was the predominant form of Ngf while after 24 h NGF was produced by proNGF transformation. The mature NGF was found to protect neurons against autophagic and apoptotic damage caused by CIR, but proNGF can cause both autophagic and apoptotic neuronal damage. The protective effect of NGF is associated with the activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR and ERK pathway and, as well as the change of autophagy-related proteins. On the other hand, proNGF promoted the ERK pathway increasing autophagy and affected the apoptosis-related proteins in vivo and in vitro. These results were also verified in male SD rats with CIR that neurological deficit caused by CIR can be rescued by recombinant and wild-type NGF, and vice-versa by proNGF.
Ab initio Investigation of the Structural and Electronic Properties of Alkaline Earth Metal - TiO2 Natural Polymorphs

Titanium (IV) oxide (TiO2) has gained much attention due to its application in technologies such as optoelectronics, electronics, sensors, photocatalysts, and sustainable energy generation. However, its optical absorption falls in the ultraviolet part of the electromagnetic spectrum, resulting in a low absorption ratio of solar light. In addition, rapid electron-hole recombination limits its photocatalytic activity. To extend the application range of TiO2, the structural and chemical properties can be modified by adding various dopants to tune its electronic structure for applications within a wider range of the solar energy spectrum and ideally extend towards the visible region, which forms the dominant part of the solar energy spectrum. In this study, the structural and electronic properties of three polymorphs of TiO2 have been studied using density functional theory (DFT) as implemented in the Quantum ESPRESSO simulation package. The exchange-correlation potential has been treated with the generalised gradient approximation (GGA). Cationic substitution with non-toxic alkaline earth metal dopants Mg and Ca has been carried out with the aim of modifying the electronic structure of the polymorphs of TiO2. On 1–4% Mg and Ca cationic substitution, there is a slight expansion of the optimal unit cell volume and modulation of the band gap energy by raising the valence band maximum to higher energies. In addition, dopant inter and intra-band states are observed.
Designing an OPC UA Based Ecosystem for Smarter Homes

The system architecture for self-organizing smart home ecosystems must fulfill the standard requirements of measuring home conditions, processing instrumented data, and monitoring home appliances as well as providing self-configurations mechanisms for the sensors and actors forming the ecosystem. The communication framework should allow devices to discover counterpart devices, discover the services they offers, invoke these services when needed and get notifications about the state changes of their cooperation partners. Our approach takes advantages of the communication framework OPC UA, since it provided a set of prebuild services, which can be adapted to our needs. The following lines describe the OPC UA communication framework first and describe the architecture of our communication model secondly.
Exploring African American Male Youth’s Perceptions of Community Involvement Through 4-H Programs

Civic engagement research suggests that youths’ involvement in their communities results in a number of positive personal and social attributes. However, among urban populations, there is still a dearth of research on their involvement and the impact of civic participation on their development. More importantly within these populations, there is limited understanding of how Black male youth engage within civic participatory spaces. Increasing but limited research on young Black male youth usually focuses on identity, participation in programs, and socioeconomic levels. Further understanding is needed as to the factors which influence and impact Black male youths’ interests and actual participation in community and extracurricular activities. This paper explores data from urban African American high school male youth that include their perceptions and knowledge and attitudes toward being involved in their community through 4-H youth programs. The authors find that opportunities to learn a new skill and building professional portfolios assist these young Black males in their perception of being effective in their communities and making a difference for themselves.
The Impact of the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic on Reproduction, Sexual Function and Behaviors: A Review of the Main Trends and Findings

Abstract Objective: This review sought to describe the main trends and findings on the SARS-CoV-2 and the pandemic’s effect on reproduction (i.e., effects on fertility, reproductive tissue, pregnancy, vertical and sexual transmission) and sexual function and behaviors. Methods: A review was conducted on studies assessing these variables through the Scopus and PubMed databases between the years 2019–2021. Results: Results showed SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and social distancing measures have affected—and in some cases not—different aspects of people’s reproductive function, sexual function and behaviors. Conclusions: Suggestions are offered for researchers and professionals focused on future research and clinical practice.
Aerodynamic performance benefits of utilising camber morphing wings for unmanned air vehicles

Abstract This work considers the effects of camber morphing, both in magnitude and chord position, on the performance of a generic unmanned air vehicle (UAV). The focus is to maximise appropriate aerodynamic factors across the mission by optimising the wing camber. Specifically, the enhancement of range, endurance, and stall speed is sought by means of maximising their aerodynamic performance parameters, CL /CD , CL 3/2/CD , and CLmax respectively. An analysis of the effects of camber morphing is carried out using the vortex panel code, XFOIL, utilising aerofoils from the NACA four-digit family. The results are then adjusted to account for 3D flow factors such as induced drag, offering a more realistic appraisal of their effectiveness. Flight testing is then performed on four wings of fixed aerofoil sections, optimised for each performance characteristic, to validate the trends observed in the XFOIL data onboard a 1·64m span aircraft.
Identification for a class of soft pneumatic actuators.

There is an increasing interest to advance the state-of-the-art of soft robots due to its capability to extend the limits of traditional rigid robot manipulators. Many novel soft robots have been designed and proposed in the recent years of which, inflatable soft robots attract considerable research efforts, as the actuation mechanism is read- ily compatible with bio-inspired designs. However, the research on inflatable soft robots is currently at an early stage. Most prototypes lack a proper mathematical model and control design for real-time application. This study proposes a unified model identification framework for the pneumatic bending soft actuator and similar flexible systems. This method is one of the first attempts to deal with the complex nonlinear dynamics of soft robots that is challenging to model. The outcomes of this research could improve the current modelling and control design of inflatable soft robots for more advanced medical applications. Firstly, a statistics-based model identification approach is investigated. It introduces a newly developed model identification model structure, namely the Difference In- put Outputs PieceWise Linear Orthonormal Basis Function (DIO-PWL-OBF). This method collects local dynamic responses and linearises local subsystems that are approximated by a set of optimally selected OBFs. With the DIO setting, the switching between different subsystems is smooth especially in the input direction-dependent situations. The advantage is that this method can capture the local dynamics accurately and the local models can be used to construct global dynamics without adding offset terms or nonlinear weighting terms. The identification approach by the DIO-PWL-OBF model structure has been experimentally validated for common bending profiles using a three-chambered soft pneumatic actuator made of silicone. Regarding an identified DIO-PWL-OBF model structure, a solution that further improves its local partition and local linear approximations is presented. The anal- ysis shows that, under the DIO setting, the switching between two subsystems is coupling invariant whether in the same input direction or not. Utilising this unique feature, an iterative refinement algorithm is developed. The algorithm consists of two main steps, adjusting the offsets on individuals DIO sequences and redoing the linear approximate under eigenvalue constraints. The refinement algorithm has been experimentally validated by the soft actuator in a typical bending case.
Mesoscale Convective Systems Simulated by a High‐Resolution Global Nonhydrostatic Model Over the United States and China

Mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) contribute a large fraction of warm‐season precipitation and generate hazardous weather with substantial socioeconomic impacts. Uncertainties in convection parameterizations in climate models limit our understanding of MCS characteristics and reliability of future projection. We examine MCSs simulated by the global 14 km Nonhydrostatic ICosahedral Atmospheric Model (NICAM) without cumulus parameterization against satellite observation from Global Precipitation Measurement during 2001–2008. We focus on MCSs over the central United States and eastern China where MCSs are prevalent from March to August. A process‐oriented tracking method incorporating both cloud and precipitation criteria is used to identify and track MCSs. About 140/100 MCSs initiate in the central United States/eastern China per warm season and most of them initiate in the east of high mountains and in coastal regions. The frequency distribution of MCS lifetime is well captured by NICAM. However, the simulated MCSs have stronger precipitation, smaller precipitation area, and larger cold cloud system than that observed in both regions, which may be caused by weak entrainment as it is not well resolved at 14 km resolution. The simulated MCS number is also underestimated in summer. By examining the climatological and MCS large‐scale environments, the significant underestimation of MCS number in summer over the central United States may be attributed to the large climatological dry bias in the atmosphere. For China, mean moisture in summer is well simulated but deficiency in capturing the dynamic condition related to the coastal topography for triggering convection may have contributed to underestimation of MCS even in a sufficiently moist environment.
Numerical analysis on the closed tank of energy storage system during discharge using CFD

Renewable energy sources which are gaining popularity over conventional resources mostly produce intermittent power as they fall under the influence of natural phenomena as daily cycle or weather conditions. However, worldwide remarkable growth of electricity generation from renewable resources in the recent years has resulted in the decentralized production posing network load stability problems, which requires proper energy storage. Therefore, energy storage system can make more efficient utilization of renewable energies available and hence it will be more practical in application. This research work discusses about the energy storage system which comprises the concepts of combined pumped-storage hydro electricity and compressed air energy storage. The system consists of two tanks, one open tank to the air and one closed tank which stores water and compressed air using multistage pump. The energy of compressed air will be released to drive water which passes through the hydro turbine resulting in the generation of electricity when the grid power is insufficient. This study focuses on the CFD analysis on the closed tank of energy storage system during discharge.
Flow visualisation for gas solid measurement using optical tomography fan beam projection

In granules manufacturing industry, a real time monitoring is vital to observe the distribution of solid and gas mixture in pipelines. For solid and gas mixture such as pharmaceutical and grain production, the tiny pills and grains are poured through industrial chutes and silos in mass quantities. Nevertheless, the uncontrolled large scale flow can cause blockage in the pipeline and consequently can cause severe limited production efficiency. To determine the blockage area as well as its size, various flow meters are available in the market. However, most of the flow meters are intrusive and invasive; therefore can disrupt material flow. The optical tomography system technique is one of the methods to be adopted because of the ability of the system to observe material flow non-intrusively, hence determine the affected blockage area. In this research, alternate arrangements of 16 pairs of optical sensors which consist of transmitters and receivers have been mounted on a 10cm acrylic pipeline. Since the fan beam projection technique has been used, infrared Light Emitting Diode (LED) and photodiode with greater angle of projection and response were chosen. A specially designed jig has been developed for sensor positioning to ensure they are exactly on the periphery of the pipeline. Most previous researchers utilised digital timing and Data Acquisition System (DAS) units to control the projection and receiving unit of the optical tomography system. In this research, a circuit integrated with a dsPIC30F6014A microcontroller has been designed for controlling the projection of light by transmitters and the receiving signal of receivers. To operate the dsPIC30F6014A microcontroller together with the designed circuit, C programming language via MicroC compiler is applied. For image reconstruction, Linear Back Projection (LBP) has been applied via Visual Basic 6. Different flow regimes have been tested and analysed thoroughly to observe the overall performance of the system. The results obtained show that the optical tomography system developed is capable of observing multiple flows with different flow regimes; hence successfully determine blockage area of the solid gas flow. Apparently, the proposed single dsPIC30F6014A microcontroller usage indicates its ability to control acquisition process effectively with 480 µs sampling time rate.