Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sketch-based Computer-Aided Design Tool for Configuration Design of Automobile Instrument Panel

AbstractThis paper presents two geometric operations--constrained curve beautification and polygonal mesh scissoring--for a sketch-based Computer-Aided Design (CAD) tool for the configuration design of automobile instrument panels. Using the proposed sketchbased CAD, industrial designers and mechanical engineers can work together closely to perform the early-stage configuration design efficiently by drawing candidate subpanel boundaries on the laser-digitized data of a clay model or a rough CAD model from design sketches. The proposed system supports two geometric operations essential to the collaborative work between industrial designers and mechanical engineers: (1) the beautification of hand-drawn curves, and (2) the scissoring of the instrumental panel to partition it into a set of sub-panels. Although similar geometric operations are available in current commercial CAD packages, they are not targeted toward early-stage collaborative work and are cumbersome and time-consuming to use. The proposed cons.
Compensation Method for Fluctuation Power of Wind Power Generation Using Biomass Gas Turbine Generator and Flywheel Energy Storage Equipment

Masahiko Hara Student Member (Mie Univercity, hara@cs.elec.mie-u.ac.jp) Naoki Yamamura Member (Mie Univercity, yamamura@elec.mie-u.ac.jp) Muneaki Ishida Member (Mie Univercity, ishida@elec.mie-u.ac.jp) Masaaki Wakita Non-Member (Mie Univercity, wakita@bio.mie-u.ac.jp) Yasunari Kamada Non-Member (Mie Univercity, kamada@mach.mie-u.ac.jp) Takao Maeda Non-Member (Mie Univercity, maeda@mach.mie-u.ac.jp)
Microstrip resonator sensors for determination of complex permittivity of materials in sheet, liquid and paste forms

The microstrip patch resonator in several configurations can be used for determination of the dielectric constant and the loss tangent of materials available in sheet, paste and liquid forms. A suspended patch resonator was developed to determine the dielectric constant and loss tangent of wax, kerosene, petrol and vaseline. The measured dielectric constant of the sample is within /spl plusmn/ 2% and the loss tangent has a variation /spl plusmn/0.001 for the sample with moderate loss.
Relationship of EMG and Subjective Discomfort Ratings for Repetitive Handling of Lightweight Loads

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of weight of load and time on the physical workload of repetitive upper-limb tasks with handling light weight loads using EMG and perceived discomfort, and to investigate the relationship between EMG and perceived discomfort for those repetitive tasks of moving light weight loads. Background: Repetitive upper-limb motion is known as one of the main risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders, and a lot of repetitive tasks are carried out while handling light weight loads in the industry. In evaluating the workload of repetitive tasks handling light weight loads, EMG and perceived discomfort can be used, though their relationship in those work conditions are not much investigated. Method: A laboratory experiment with 18 healthy males were conducted to record EMG signals from 5 muscle sites of the right arm and shoulder and rate perceived discomforts for the body parts and the whole body while carrying out repetitive materials-handling tasks for 52min. The subjects were divided into 3 groups which handled the loads of 1kg, 2kg and 3kg, respectively. ANOVAs were conducted to analyze the effects of the weight and time on RMS of EMG amplitude (normalized RMS: NRMS), median frequency of power spectrum of EMG (normalized MDF: NMDF) and perceived discomfort. The correlations between NRMS and NMDF and perceived discomfort were also analyzed. Results: Statistically significant muscular fatigue effects were not found from NRMS and NMDF in most muscles, while there were significant increases of discomfort as the task time elapsed. It was shown that there were an increasing trend of the muscular activity as the weight of load increased and a decreasing trend of median frequency of EMG of upper and lower arms as time elapsed. It was found that there were significant negative correlations between NMDFs from the lower arm and discomfort ratings, though the relationships were weak. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the working conditions adopted in this study were not enough to induce muscular fatigue, while there was significant increase in perceived discomfort. A further study is necessary to integrate the objective and subjective measures for more reliable and sensitive evaluation of workload of repetitive tasks of handling light weight loads. Application: This study can be used as a basic study for the evaluation of workload of repetitive tasks handling light weight loads.
11.1.3 ‘Tour d'horizon’ in Requirements Engineering ‐ Areas left for exploration

The present paper aims to give an overview of the state‐of‐the‐art in Requirements Engineering (RE) based on a wide collection of publications from recent years, and focuses specifically on some advanced areas that need to be further explored in the future. Those areas addressed here are the use of ontologies and UML in RE, the coverage of non‐functional requirements, interfaces to other engineering disciplines and other functions, as well as RE in the context of corporate wide improvement initiatives such as CMMI and Lean Enterprise Value.
Impact of chronic kidney disease on outcomes after total joint arthroplasty: A meta-analysis & systematic review.

Background Comorbidities in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) may compromise outcomes with increased hospital stays, readmission and mortality rates. We aimed to determine whether chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects postoperative outcomes of patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty (TJA). Methods To identify studies for this review and meta-analysis, two independent reviewers searched PubMed, Cochrane, EMBASE and Google Scholar until April 1, 2019, and identified additional studies by manual search of reference lists. Prospective or retrospective studies with quantitative outcomes for patients undergoing TJA were selected. Outcomes were compared between patients with underlying CKD stage >=3 or eGFR< 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 versus mild/non-CKD as controls. Main endpoints were mortality, re-operation and re-admission rates. Results Among 59 studies reviewed, 19 meeting the eligibility criteria were included, providing data of 2,141,393 patients. After THA or TKA, CKD was associated with higher mortality risk than non-CKD (pooled OR 2.20, 95%CI = 1.90 to 2.54; P < 0.001); no significant differences were seen in reoperation between CKD and non-CKD patients (pooled OR 1.26, 95%CI = 0.84 to 1.88; P=0.266); and CKD patients had higher any-cause re-admission rates (pooled OR= 1.57, 95%CI = 1.27 to 1.94, P<0.001). Conclusion Underlying CKD predicts adverse outcomes after elective TJA with increased risk of mortality, re-admission, surgical site infection, and perioperative transfusion. Findings of this review and meta-analysis highlight CKD as a critical contributor to complications after TJA and may be helpful to surgeons when advising patients about associated risks of TJA. keywords were used to maximize the search results: (arthroplasty) AND ((chronic disease) OR renal).
Demand Forecasting of Online Car-Hailing with Combining LSTM + Attention Approaches

The accurate prediction of online car-hailing demand plays an increasingly important role in real-time scheduling and dynamic pricing. Most studies have found that the demand of online car-hailing is highly correlated with both temporal and spatial distributions of journeys. However, the importance of temporal and spatial sequences is not distinguished in the context of seeking to improve prediction, when in actual fact different time series and space sequences have different impacts on the distribution of demand and supply for online car-hailing. In order to accurately predict the short-term demand of online car-hailing in different regions of a city, a combined attention-based LSTM (LSTM + Attention) model for forecasting was constructed by extracting temporal features, spatial features, and weather features. Significantly, an attention mechanism is used to distinguish the time series and space sequences of order data. The order data in Haikou city was collected as the training and testing datasets. Compared with other forecasting models (GBDT, BPNN, RNN, and single LSTM), the results show that the short-term demand forecasting model LSTM + Attention outperforms other models. The results verify that the proposed model can support advanced scheduling and dynamic pricing for online car-hailing.
Fracture Characteristics of Asphalt Mixtures Containing Incinerator Bottom Ash Aggregate

The documented results form part of a larger research program to study the mechanical and environmental properties of asphaltic mixtures containing incinerator bottom ash aggregate (IBAA). The fracture characteristics of four mixtures containing 0%, 30%, 60%, and 80% IBAA by weight were investigated under monotonic and cyclic semi-circular bending conditions. The linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) approach was used to evaluate crack resistance of the tested mixtures with the aim of investigating the effect of IBAA content on these properties. LEFM led to the determination of the stress intensity factor, the J-integral, fracture energy, and Paris law parameters. Crack propagation was monitored with a digital camera, and a program developed in-house was adopted in interpreting crack growth. In addition, a new approach was presented to obtain asphalt fatigue damage parameters from fracture tests. Results showed a benefit to be gained in adding IBAA up to a certain amount, beyond which cracking properties become close to those of the control mix.
Missile base mounted microstrip antennas

Proof of the feasibility of aft mounting low-profile antennas on reentry vehicles is presented. This is an application of state of the art antenna hardware. Aft mounting presents the best reentry environment to antenna hardware, and its practicality has been demonstrated. Microstrip antenna principles can be used to produce very rugged antennas. Their low profile reduces many interface, mechanical, and survival problems. The pattern coverage for these vehicles must be toward the fore direction. This type of pattern requires an interaction between the vehicle and the antenna when the antenna is effectively shadowed from that direction. This paper describes the results obtained by actual experimental hardware. Contoured elements were used, as were foreshortened elements. These elements demonstrated ability to be fit around other aft equipment. The versatility of these elements were further demonstrated by tailoring them for two different types of coverage to accommodate different vehicle operational requirements.
Reorganizing the Use of Theory in Health Promotion: Lessons from Ecology

The discipline of health promotion is currently struggling to attain networks of strong and exclusively accepted theories. Other scientific disciplines, such as ecology, have also experienced challenges in developing genuine scientific theory that organizes the field and facilitates powerful engineering tools for interventions. Ecology is similar to health promotion in that the units of study are not exchangeable and include processes with large numbers of interacting determinants. Additionally, both ecology and health promotion have limited access to system-wide experimentation. The early dialogue within ecology regarding the benefits of theory parallels discourse found in the health promotion literature. However, ecology has taken a different route in its approach to theory. Ecology's progress provides justification for expanding health promotion's vocabulary to improve the delineation and characterization of its conceptual devices. It is posited that an expanded lexicon will facilitate improved understanding of related methodological recommendations and underscore that suggested benefits of theory are achieved when using well-formed, severely tested theories. Ecology's history suggests paratheoretical approaches can be successful in realms of inquiry that are resistant to theory formation, such as health promotion. Ultimately, health promotion, and public health more broadly, can enhance its theory-aligned strengths by focusing its effort on modeling and developing general bounding principles.
Energy-Balanced Distance-Based Routing Algorithm in Wireless Sensor Networks

In routing process, individual distance is regarded as the primary parameter in order to adjust the energy consumption. In this paper, we build a time and distance-based system model, and effectively design route setup and route maintenance phase. An Energy-balanced Distance-based Routing Algorithm (EDRA) is put forward to maximize network lifetime. Simulation results demonstrate that the EDRA effectively prolongs the network lifetime and reduces the energy consumption than other routing algorithms.
Analysis of a sustainable system for energy recovery from municipal waste in Croatia

Purpose – This paper seeks to focus on energy recovery from municipal solid waste (MSW) in Croatia. The state strategy is based on the mechanical and biological treatment of waste in the future waste management centers (WMC). Left over after the treatment is waste that can be used as fuel (e.g. RDF). Design/methodology/approach – Starting from the geographical distribution of waste generation (quantities and transport distances), taking into account the costs of collection, transfer and thermal treatment, recommendations on optimal number and size of the dedicated waste‐to‐energy (WtE) plants in Croatia as well as their potential locations are given. The opportunity of the cement industry to utilize ash from thermal treatment of waste in the process of the cement production and the RDF as a substitute fuel is also examined.Findings – By varying the number of WMCs, the minimal specific cost of waste collection of €33 is obtained, for maximal number of WMCs, which is 21. The optimal capacity of WtE facility .
Invasive neural prosthesis for neural signal detection and nerve stimulation

This paper specifically examines the implantation of a microelectrode array into the median nerve of the left arm of a healthy male volunteer. The objective was to establish a bi‐directional link between the human nervous system and a computer, via a unique interface module. This is the first time that such a device has been used with a healthy human. The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy, compatibility, and long term operability of the neural implant in allowing the subject to perceive feedback stimulation and for neural activity to be detected and processed such that the subject could interact with remote technologies. A case study demonstrating real‐time control of an instrumented prosthetic hand by means of the bi‐directional link is given.
Turbulent statistics of laser beam intensity on ground-to-satellite optical link

Numerical simulation of laser beam propagation on space-to- ground and ground-to-space paths is carried out. The simulation is performed for different Cn2 height profile models in dependence on atmospheric turbulence strength. Atmospheric turbulence severely degrades the performance of ground-to-satellite optical links. Using the wave to be passed from satellite to the optical ground station as the reference wave, it is studied the effectiveness of adaptive correction of laser beam propagating from the ground to satellite. Different schemes of adaptive correction are considered, namely, ideal phase conjugation, correction based on information about reference wave phase restored by mean least square procedure. The effectiveness of the correction by adaptive optics to correct wave front distortions caused by atmospheric turbulence, and possibly improving the link budgets from ground to space and vice versa is discussed. We also analyze and discuss the effect of optical scintillation on signal fade and surge.
Highway Slope Monitoring System Based Multi-Antenna GPS Network

Highway slope deformation monitoring is an important guarantee for the safety of road transport means, the conventional GPS monitoring system has many advantages, but the monitoring of high cost lead to difficult application. Through the use of GPS multi-antenna network technology, use of automatic control technology, low-noise signal amplification technology, the wireless GPRS data transmission technology, remote automated highway slope monitoring, GPS network monitoring system can greatly reduce the cost to obtain reliable slope deformation information.
71-86 GHz antenna-MMIC interface using stacked patch configuration

A stacked patch configuration is used to electromagnetically couple a GaAs MMIC chip to a patch antenna integrated in the lid of the MMIC package. The lid is formed using a liquid crystal polymer substrate. Presented is the first implementation that covers the E-band frequency range from 71-86 GHz for long-range wireless communications. Antenna gain is greater than 8 dBi using a short horn with straight sidewalls.
Simple pictograph for displaying complex field data in TEM cell tissue sample

A simple diagram is described for displaying complex field data calculated using an original finite-difference time-domain algorithm. This polar plot is used to display field properties within a culture medium placed in a transverse electro-magnetic (TEM) cell, and shows the presence of an elliptically polarised exposure field with reactive phasing, arising from a plane wave incident field. The pictograph aids in comprehending this field behaviour, which may be relevant to any biological effects.
Distribution of moments in reinforced concrete slabs with continuous drop panels

Slabs with continuous drop panels between column lines facilitate formwork, make long spans possible in addition to increase punching shear resistance around supports and provide unobstructed spans with minimum structural floor depth resulting in lower floor-to-floor heights. The moment distribution in such slabs is different from that in conventional flat plates or slabs with drop panels systems. Dimensioning according to the current provisions in CSA A23.3-94 is problematic because the continuous drop panels are subject to moments exceeding the minimum values allowed by the Code for conventional slab systems. This analytical study presents the moment distribution in slabs with continuous drop panels in an attempt to provide more realistic transverse moment distribution factors.Key words: reinforced concrete, slab systems, slab design, drop panel, moment distribution.
Skew and End-Teeth Optimization in Reduce Permanent-Magnet Linear Synchronous Motor Normal Force Fluctuation

Permanent-magnet linear synchronous motor (PMLS-M) exist the problem of normal force fluctuation, especially in the servo feeding system of high-precision CNC machine tools, the normal force fluctuation can cause the feeding table in vibration and produce resonance with other moving components of the servo feeding system . Analysis shows that detent force fluctuation is the predominant factor. Adopt the methods of end-teeth optimization combine with skew or V-skew can effectively reduce the detent force fluctuation. By using the Fourier regression analysis and limited enumeration method to calculate the optimal parameters, and applying the layered finite element analysis for simulation. The results of simulation prove that with the precondition of the thrust force loss slightly, adopt those optimization methods can reduce the normal force fluctuation significantly.
Algorithms improving flying qualities of general aviation aircraft

Abstract The dynamic growth of general aviation as a mean of transport over medium distances means that people having no extraordinary qualifications or extraordinary physical or mental abilities more often pilot such types of airplanes. This phenomenon creates the necessity of giving planes flying qualities that allow them to be safely piloted by ordinary people. One way of solving this problem is equipping airplanes with fly‐by‐wire control systems that modify their handling qualities. Then the computer included into such control systems modifies the actions taken by the pilot, making the airplane both easier and more comfortable to control. This paper presents sample software tools – control algorithms that allowing an airplane's handling qualities to be improved. They are prepared by the authors and tested on board an experimental plane. That plane was equipped with a prototypical fly‐by‐wire control system, which can modify a plane's responses to a pilot's actions.
TQM as a Focus for Improving Overall Service Performance and Customer Satisfaction: an Empirical Study on a Public Service Sector in Malaysia

This paper is based on the result of a TQM study aimed at identifying the relationship between TQM and overall performance as well as the strength of their manifest indicators. Several studies have proven that TQM practices have a significantly positive impact on organizational performances. This study sought to enhance the understandings of relationships between TQM practices and the overall performance of a public service sector in Malaysia. Statistical methods include reliability analysis, correlation analysis, and a structural equation modelling. The results of this study highlight strong and positive association between TQM, overall service performance and customer satisfaction and suggest that an emphasis on quality would result in organizational gains. The findings suggest that employee focus is a very important factor in TQM implementations followed by training, customer focus, benchmarking and top management commitment. The results also exhibit the unique contribution of TQM towards service performance and customer satisfaction.
Effect of Context on Scientists’ Normative Beliefs

Past research on the relationship between scientists’ normative beliefs about public engagement in the context of willingness to engage could prove misleading if respondents do not consider the impacts of engagement activities when responding to survey questions. This study asks scientists to report normative beliefs in the context of engagement impacts and explores correlations between these responses and engagement willingness. Results suggest mentioning positive societal impact positively affects normative beliefs, while mentioning lost research time negatively affects normative beliefs. However, changing the measurement context does not affect the non-relationship between normative beliefs and engagement willingness.
Integration of Environmental Restoration and Waste Management Activities for a More Cost-Effective Tank Remediation Program Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee

This paper presents plans and strategies for remediation of the liquid low-level radioactive waste (LLLW) tanks that have been removed from service (also known as inactive tanks) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Much of the LLLW system at ORNL was installed more than 50 years ago. The overall objective of the Inactive Tank Program is to remediate all LLLW tanks that have been removed from service to the extent practicable in accordance with the regulatory requirements.