Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Link Quality in Wireless Sensor Networks

The goal of the thesis is to investigate the issues related to the temporal link quality variation in large scale WSN environments, to design energy efficient link quality estimators able to distinguish among links with different quality on a short and a long term. First, we investigate the characteristics of two physical layer metrics: RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indication) and LQI (Link Quality Indication) on SensLAB, an indoor large scale wireless sensor network testbed. We observe that RSSI and LQI have distinct values that can discriminate the quality of links. Second, to obtain an estimator of PRR, we have fitted a Fermi-Dirac function to the scatter diagram of the average and standard variation of LQI and RSSI. The function enables us to find PRR for a given level of LQI. We evaluate the estimator by computing PRR over a varying size window of transmissions and comparing with the estimator. Furthermore, we show using the Gilbert-Elliot two-state Markov model that the correlation of packet losses and successful receptions depend on the link category. The model allows to accurately distinguish among strongly varying intermediate links based on transition probabilities derived from the average and the standard variation of LQI. Finally, we propose a link quality routing model driven from the F-D fitting functions and the Markov model able to discriminate accurately link categories as well as high variable links.
Time-Dependent Travel Time Estimation Model for Signalized Arterial Network

Travel time estimation on arterials is a challenging task for traffic engineers due to the interrupted nature of urban traffic flows. Many research efforts have been devoted on this topic, but their successes are limited and most of them can only be used for offline purposes. One of the drawbacks common to the previous studies is the under-utilization of traffic data from existing infrastructures. With the advancement of intelligent transportation systems, high-resolution detector and signal status data are available but not fully explored. In this paper, we propose and design a data-intensive time-dependent arterial travel time estimation model by exploiting the available detectors and signal status data from the existing infrastructures. Available high-resolution data are collected and analyzed to estimate the intersection delays and the arterial travel times are generated by aggregating the intersection delays based on the time of arrival. Performance of the proposed method is tested using a microscopic traffic simulation model, which simulates a hypothetical arterial network. Preliminary results have demonstrated that the proposed model can generate accurate time-dependent travel time under various traffic conditions.
Behavior and Design of High-Strength RC Walls

Use of high-strength reinforced concrete walls in regions of high seismic risk is evaluated using current U.S. code provisions, an example building parametric studies, and experimental results. The format of current U.S. code provisions for structural walls promotes the use of high-strength concrete; however, the use of these provisions has not been evaluated for high-strength concrete. Analytical studies of building systems utilizing slender walls indicate that there is not a significant advantage associated with the use of high-strength concrete walls and that this advantage tends to diminish with increasing concrete strength. Evaluation of test results conducted in Japan for low-aspect ratio walls indicates that ACI 318-95 requirements do no represent the observed shear strength well.
Autocollimating systems for roll angle measurement of large-scale object deformation

Autocollimating systems for roll angle measurement with tetrahedral reflector, which has the small deviation from 90° in two dihedral angles between reflecting sides is considered. Established that autocollimator scheme with symmetrical track of the beam relative to roll axis with addition re-reflection allow implement precision measurement roll angle.
Prognostic factors for pulmonary large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma: a competing-risks analysis

Background Pulmonary large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) is a rare and highly invasive subtype of lung cancer that accounts for fewer than 3% of cases. The prognostic factors for pulmonary LCNEC are unclear in the literature. Methods Patients diagnosed with pulmonary LCNEC between 2004 and 2015 were identified in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. The CumIncidence function was used for the univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis was performed using Cox regression analysis, subdistribution hazard function analysis, and cause-specific hazard function analysis. Results We finally screened 1246 patients diagnosed with pulmonary LCNEC, among whom 796 died of LCNEC and 141 died from other causes. The univariate analysis showed that sex, primary site, laterality, American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage, T stage, N stage, M stage, lymph-node status, surgery, and chemotherapy were significant prognostic factors for pulmonary LCNEC (P<0.05). The multivariate analysis demonstrated that sex, AJCC stage, TNM stage T4, TNM stage N3, lymph-node status, surgery, and chemotherapy were independent risk factors for the prognosis (P<0.05). Conclusion We have conducted a competing-risks analysis of patients with pulmonary LCNEC in the SEER database. The results showed that sex, AJCC stage, TNM stage T4, TNM stage N3, lymph-node status, surgery, and chemotherapy are independent prognostic factors for pulmonary LCNEC patients. The reported data represent reference information that can be used for accurate assessments of the prognosis of pulmonary LCNEC patients.
Disturbance of rotating magnetic field by magnetic impurities

The six pole inductor with magnetic impurities in active zone is investigated. The finite element method is used to solve magnetostatic 2-D problem. The symmetrical three-phase alternating current system is simulated to create rotational magnetic field. The influence of group magnetic impurities to the magnetic flux density mean value and magnetic energy is investigated in the inductor active zone. The active zone mean magnetic flux density value and magnetic energy are calculated for each time moment. Streszczenie. Wplyw zanieczyszczen magnetycznych w strefie aktywnej na wirujące pole magnetyczne w sześciobiegunowym ukladzie wzbudzenia zostal poddany analizie w tym artykule. Zastosowano metode elementow skonczonych do rozwiązania magnetostatycznego dwuwymiarowego ukladu rownan, ktory pozwolil na określenie gestości strumienia magnetycznego i energii magnetycznej. (Zaklocenia wirującego pola magnetycznego spowodowane zanieczyszczeniami magnetycznymi)
DESIGN OF HIGHWAY BRIDGES FOR EXTREME EVENTS

This report contains the findings of a study to develop a design procedure for application of extreme event (e.g., vessel collisions, scour caused by flooding, winds, earthquakes) loads and extreme event loading combinations to highway bridges. The report describes the research effort leading to the recommended procedure and discusses the application of reliability analysis to bridge design. The material in this report will be of immediate interest to bridge engineers and bridge-design specification writers.
‘Children at Risk’ in Public Health Policy

This chapter investigates how the concept of ‘children at risk’ is produced as a problem within public health policy. Globally and nationally, political authorities are concerned with what they consider risk factors, connected to the population’s health and well-being. One of the most common long-term health concerns is non-communicable diseases, related to sedentary behaviour and a reduced level of physical activity. Such diseases are considered by international organisations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), to be the most challenging public health concerns of our time. This chapter examines how children’s future health risk is produced and transformed in the Nordic context and investigate how the concept of ‘children at risk’ is produced as a problem in two health policy documents. The results indicate that the focus of children at risk changed in four years from kindergarten children to youth. These findings suggest various interpretations of the term ‘in the best interest of the child’, article 3, and challenge the understanding of children as active agents, article 12, in the UNs convention on the Right of the Child (United Nations, 1989). We discuss how ‘risk reduction’ tends to become ‘risk production’ through the creation of new problems, such as standardisation, variation and exclusion.
Tests and analysis of a novel segmentation method using measurement data

Fault detection in power systems and its diagnosis are highly relevant issues within a power quality scope. Detailed analysis of disturbance recordings, like voltage dips, requires accurate segmentation methods. A joint causal and anti-causal (CaC) segmentation method has been introduced but only been tested with synthetic signals. In this paper, its performance has been analysed with a set of real measurement signals.
Managing to have fun

Have fun? at work? why bother? "Because the health and wealth of your company depend on it. " Based on techniques that have proven successful with some of corporate America's best-known and most profitable companies, "Managing to Have Fun" is the first book to demonstrate the positive effects of "FUN" in the workplace. In it, management consultant and psychologist Matt Weinstein, whose PBS television special "Fun Works! " brought him national acclaim as the country's leading expert on fun at work, proves that not only is it possible to inject a bit of joy into the workplace, it is absolutely essential to motivate employees, combat low morale, increase productivity, and boost the bottom line. Countless books have been written about how to build an enthusiastic, high-performance team, yet nearly all discount or ignore fun, one of the most powerful tools for nurturing successful, productive employees. Now, after a decade of industry-wide downsizing, managers in companies both large and small are finding poor morale to be a serious problem, particularly where cutbacks were deep. Employees who are expected to do more work for the same pay often feel exploited, used, or unappreciated. And the repercussions run deep -- poor morale equals greater absenteeism, higher turnover, quicker burnout, and lost sales in any field. "Managing to Have Fun" offers hope for managers and employees alike, with a simple, straightforward, step-by-step program guaranteed to enrich and enliven any organization. Combining an inspirational tone with sound business know-how, this book explains: How fun bolsters employee morale, reduces stress, and instills a greater sense of pride in both theindividual and the team How to identify typical problems and situations for which fun can provide a solution How to think creatively to incorporate fun into your business life, both in good times and in difficult times Featuring fifty-two entertaining real-life case studies, "Managing to Have Fun" provides tried-and-true examples of how anyone -- manager and employee alike -- can incorporate a year's worth of joy and celebration into any organization.
THE EFFECT OF PEDAL CRANKARM LENGTH ON POWER PRODUCTION IN RECUMBENT CYCLE ERGOMETRY

In human powered vehicles, adjustments in seat-to-pedal distance, seat tube angle, and body orientation (trunk angle with respect to the ground) will result in changes in hip, knee, and ankle angles. Changes in these joint angles often affect cycling performance by altering muscle length, moment arm length, angle of pull, joint range of motion, and/or the force/torque/power generated by different muscle groups. How changes in crankarm length affect joint kinematics and cycling performance has not been examined. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was to determine the effect of changes in pedal crankarm length on joint kinematics and power production in recumbent cycle ergometry. Twenty healthy volunteer male subjects (mean age = 24.8 yrs, SD = 4.4 yrs) were tested in five pedal crankarm length (1 10, 145,180,230, and 265 mm) according to a randomized sequence (with a minimum of 24 hours rest between test sessions), using a free weight Monark bicycle ergometer (Model 814E). A variable seating apparatus was constructed and used, with the seat-to-pedal distance adjusted to 100% of each subject's leg length (as measured from the greater trochanter of the right leg to the ground). Pedal toe-clips were worn, and each subject's upper body was kept perpendicular to the ground. In each condition, the minimum and maximum hip, knee, and ankle angles were measured for one complete pedal revolution. A computerized 30 second Wingate anaerobic cycling test was used, with a resistance of 85 gm/kg of each subject's body mass (5.0 joules/pedal rev/kg BM). Peak power (5 sec) and mean power (30 sec) were determined by a SMI Power Program (Sports Medicine Industries). DM MANOVAs and post-hoc tests revealed that (1) hip, knee and ankle angles changed significantly with changes in crankarm length (p < .01); (2) peak power in the 110 and 145 mm crankarm lengths were significantly greater than that in the other lengths (p < .05); and (3) mean power in the 180 mm crankarrn length was significantly greater than that in the 1 10, 230 and 265 mm condition (p < .05). With increasing crankarm lengths, there is decrement in mean joint angles (hip, knee, and ankle), an increment in joint range of motion, a decrement in peak power, and a curvilinear end in mean power. Changes in pedal crankarm length by 35 mm will significantly alter joint kinematics to affect cycling performance, as evidenced by changes in peak and mean power. The shortest crankarrn length (1 10 mm) resulted in the largest peak power production (and fatigue index), whereas the middle crankarm length (180 mm) resulted in the largest mean power production. It was concluded that the optimal crankarm length to maximize performance in recumbent cycle ergometry will be dependent on the goal of the activity. - This research was supported by a grant from the UNLV Research Grants and Fellowship Committee.
Spatial Variation in the Relationship between Leptospirosis Incidence and Climate Determinants in Sarawak (Malaysia)

Background Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by spirochete bacteria in the genus Leptospira, and it has become a significant public health challenge in Malaysia. Environmental survival and persistence of this pathogen are highly dependent on environmental conditions such as moisture content, pH and temperature. These conditions are further adapted by the natural climate system including precipitation and humidity which is highly heterogeneous at a geographical scale. This paper described the spatial and temporal distribution of leptospirosis incidence with climate factors using Geographical Information System and stratified the climate factors based on their association with the disease incidence rate. Methods Leptospirosis surveillance data from 2012-2016 were integrated into this study along with seven geo-spatial climate variables for the state of Sarawak, Malaysia. High and low clustering of incidence rate was explored by Getis Ord Gi* statistics. Geographical Weighted Regression model was utilized to study the relationship between the incidence rate and selected climate variables. Results Spatial analysis revealed seven districts in the state of Sarawak as hot spot areas, and six cold spot areas with GiZ score varies between (-3.092 to 3.203). The cumulative incidence rate demonstrated an increasing trend towards the South-East region of Sarawak with an average of 162 cases per 100,000 population. The univariate analysis reported a significant relationship (p<0.05) between leptospirosis incidence rate and temperature seasonality with the lowest AIC value of 31741.4. The results showed that temperature seasonality explained 99% (R2: 0.99) of the spatial variances in incidence rate with 42.31% of the localities showing a significant positive relationship. Conclusion The present study highlighted the importance of temperature seasonality as a potential determinant for the spatial distribution of leptospirosis cases with different strength and direction of the association. In conclusion, this suggests that specific interventions at a locality with strong climate determinants should be implemented to combat the burden of leptospirosis.
Isoniazid preventive therapy utilization rate and associated factors in adult HIV/AIDS patients in Jimma University Specialized Hospital ART clinic: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is the most frequent life-threatening infection and a common cause of death for people living with HIV (PLHIV). The influence of TB and HIV infection has enhanced the magnitude of both epidemics. IPT is one of the several key interventions recommended by the world health organization (WHO) for the prevention of TB in patients infected with HIV. Hence, the present study aimed to determine the IPT utilization rate and to explore the determinant factors among PLHIV under follow-up, Health care providers (HCP’s) and TB/HIV coordinators working in Jimma University Specialized Hospital (JUSH) ART clinic, Ethiopia. Methods: An Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted in JUSH ART clinic, Oromia region, Ethiopia. The target groups were enrolled by a systematic sampling technique from the registered medical records of JUSH HIV care. Semi-structured questioners and in-depth interviews were designed for quantitative analysis from PLHIV, HCP’s and TB/HIV coordinators working in JUSH, ART clinic. All statistical analysis was compiled by Epi data 3.1 and SPSS 20. Results: The overall estimated IPT utilization rate in JUSH ART clinic was 59.2%. Demographic and clinical factors are not significant, but ethnicity was highly significant with IPT use in PLHIV. All respondents, HCP’s and TB/HIV coordinators were interviewed on identifying the factors and barriers that increase the utilization of IPT. The results of in-depth interviews are grouped into three core categories as patient perceptions, HCP’s and TB/HIV coordinator perspectives. Discussion and conclusion:PLHIV, HCP’s and TB/HIV coordinators suggested their overall response as periodic counseling for target groups, educating the benefits of IPT and increasing public awareness on TB prophylaxis in PLHIV. Higher attention should be provided in linking all HIV patients to the nearest health facilities for receiving free service packages and medical care. Administrative managers could improve the capacity building by increasingthe number of health care professionals, maintaining data base on patient records and continuous supply of pyridoxine and IPT for all PLHIV. HCP’s and TB/HIV coordinators responded that disclosure to the patient families and occupational independence will increase the acceptance and implementation of IPT in large scale.
2019 Index IEEE Journal on Emerging and Selected Topics in Circuits and Systems Vol. 9

This index covers all technical items—papers, correspondence, reviews, etc.—that appeared in this periodical during 2019, and items from previous years that were commented upon or corrected in 2019. Departments and other items may also be covered if they have been judged to have archival value. The Author Index contains the primary entry for each item, listed under the first author’s name. The primary entry includes the coauthors’ names, the title of the paper or other item, and its location, specified by the publication abbreviation, year, month, and inclusive pagination. The Subject Index contains entries describing the item under all appropriate subject headings, plus the first author’s name, the publication abbreviation, month, and year, and inclusive pages. Note that the item title is found only under the primary entry in the Author Index.
PASSING EXPERIMENT ON TWO-LANE RURAL HIGHWAYS

The major purpose of this study was twofold: (a) investigate the physical components of the overtaking maneuver on two-lane rural highways and the relationship between these components, and (b) evaluate whether current practices in highway design are adequate. Data for the study were collected by two instrumented vehicles driven simultaneously along two rural-road sections: the first car, the impeder, was overtaken by the second, faster car. Findings regarding the initial maneuver distance and time, space and time gap at encroachment onto opposing lane, distance traveled and time in opposing lane, space and time gap on completion of maneuver, speed differences, and acceleration characteristics are evaluated and discussed. Comparison of the findings with AASHTO values is presented, and it is concluded that the values given by AASHTO may be somewhat conservative. It is concluded that the passing maneuver should be studied more extensively, with the intention of re-reviewing current road-design guidelines.
Przegląd i perspektywy zastosowań sztucznej inteligencji w nieinwazyjnej identyfikacji odbiorników energii elektrycznej

The paper presents the analysis of the artificial intelligence applications for the non-invasive identification of electrical energy appliances in the residential premises. The data acquisition techniques are discussed, being the source of the training data and knowledge for the intelligent algorithms. Taxonomy of the currently used approaches is also introduced. The new methods, not used so far for the task are also proposed. (State of the art and perspectives of the artificial intelligence usability in the non-invasive identification of electrical energy appliances).
Professional life phases: Identifying professional development needs for Florida agriscience teachers

For learners to be better prepared to solve current and future complex problems, teachers must continue to strengthen and refine their teaching and learning practices throughout their career. One known modality to assist teachers in refining their pedagogical skills is teacher participation in professional development opportunities. The purpose of this study was to identify the self-perceived professional development needs of agriscience teachers in Florida based on their professional life phase. All three career phases shared modifying instruction for students with special needs as one of their top identified instructional practice needs. It is recommended that agricultural education professional development organizers consider years of experience when planning workshops and opportunities. The “cookie cutter” method or “one size fits all” themes for professional development may not be the most effective way to continue offering these workshops since the findings of this study and others indicate differing needs of agriscience teachers based on professional life phase and years of experience.
Self-Regulation, Normative Beliefs, Alcohol Use and Consequences among University Students from Eastern Europe

This study aims to explore the associations between descriptive normative beliefs (DNB), alcohol use and negative consequences and test whether self-regulation (SR) moderates this relationship. The data was collected online from 1621 first-year university students in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Lithuania and Slovakia. The AUDIT, self-regulation questionnaire and questions regarding DNB were used. DNB were found to be positively associated with drinking across all the samples. The associations between DNB and alcohol use as well as between alcohol use and negative consequences were stronger among students with lower SR. The protective effect of SR on alcohol use and consequences combined with the theory of social influence may improve intervention accuracy and make it a promising target for intervention among young adults.