Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Non‐ergodicity and PEER's framework formula

A framework formula for performance‐based earthquake engineering, advocated and used by researchers at the Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research (PEER) Center, is closely examined. The formula was originally intended for computing the mean annual rate of a performance measure exceeding a specified threshold. However, it has also been used for computing the probability that a performance measure will exceed a specified threshold during a given period of time. It is shown that the use of the formula to compute such probabilities could lead to errors when non‐ergodic variables (aleatory or epistemic) are present. Assuming a Poisson model for the occurrence of earthquakes in time, an exact expression is derived for the probability distribution of the maximum of a performance measure over a given period of time, properly accounting for non‐ergodic uncertainties. This result is used to assess the approximation involved in the PEER formula for computing probabilities. It is found that the PEER approximation of the probability has a negligible error for probabilities less than about 0.01. For larger probabilities, the error depends on the magnitude of non‐ergodic uncertainties and the duration of time considered and can be as much as 20% for probabilities around 0.05 and 30% for probabilities around 0.10. The error is always on the conservative side. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Warehouse manpower planning strategies in times of financial crisis: evidence from logistics service providers and retailers in the Netherlands

The economic crisis that is experienced in Europe has a large influence on transport and logistics companies. Since turnover typically drops strongly during a crisis, companies try to reduce costs in order to survive. The study reported in this paper has investigated how manpower planning in warehouses has been used to counter effects of the crisis and what the results are of the measures taken. A survey was carried out among warehouses run by retailers and logistics service providers. The results of the survey show that there is a significant relation between a decrease in turnover and the four investigated manpower planning strategies. Furthermore, the study shows that the most effective manpower planning strategies are flexible planning of employees and balancing the workload. Hence, the study concludes that in particular better operational planning is a key strategy to counter the effects of the financial crisis, which is an important insight for the management of warehouses.
The output of interneurons in the primary visual cortex is best reflected by pre-synaptic activity, not somatic activity

Recent advances in 2-photon calcium-imaging in awake mice have made it possible to study the effect of different behavioural states on cortical circuitry. Many studies assume that somatic activity can be used as a measure for neuronal output. We set out to test the validity of this assumption by comparing somatic activity with the pre-synaptic activity of VIP (Vasoactive intestinal peptide)- and SST (Somatostatin)-positive interneurons in layer 2/3 of the primary visual cortex (V1). We used mice expressing genetically encoded calcium indicators in VIP/SST-interneurons across the whole cell (VIP/SST:GCaMP6f) or confined to pre-synapses (VIP/SST:SyGCaMP5). Mice were exposed to a full-field visual stimulation protocol consisting of 60-second-long presentations of moving Gabor gratings (0.04 cpd, 2 Hz) alternated by 30 seconds of grey screen. During imaging, mice were placed on an air-suspended Styrofoam ball, allowing them to run voluntarily. We compared neural activity during three 4-second time-windows: Before visual stimulation (−4 to 0 sec), during the initial onset (1 to 5 sec) and at the end of the stimulation (56 to 60 sec.). These were further compared while the mice were stationary and while they were voluntarily locomoting. Unlike VIP-somas, VIP-pre-synapses showed strong suppressive responses to the visual stimulus. Furthermore, VIP-somas were positively correlated with locomotion, whereas in VIP-synapses we observed a split between positive and negative correlations. In addition, a similar but weaker distinction was found between SST-somas and pre-synapses. The excitatory effect of locomotion in VIP-somas increased over the course of the visual stimulus but this property was only shared with the positively correlated VIP-pre-synapses. The remaining negatively correlated pre-synapses showed no relation to the overall activity of the Soma. Our results suggest that when making statements about the involvement of interneurons in V1 layer 2/3 circuitry it is crucial to measure from synaptic terminals as well as from somas.
Living Abroad During COVID-19

The purpose of this study was to better understand the uncertainties that international students faced and managed throughout COVID-19 and the impact these uncertainties had on their personal relationships. We conducted interviews with 14 international students and found that they were particularly uncertain about the health of their family members (RQ1a), their health (RQ1b), and where to wait out COVID-19 (RQ1c). Those uncertainties that could be navigated were managed via participants giving informational directives, providing instrumental support, making emotional appeals (RQ2a), engaging in new behaviors and self-care (RQ2b), and increasing communication with and withholding information from family members (RQ2c). Last, we found that COVID-19 impacted international students’ personal relationships in two distinct, positive, ways: they became closer with friends and connected more with family members (RQ3). Overall, the findings from our study have implications for future research and offer suggestions for supporting international students during times of future uncertainty.
Development and Psychometric Testing of the Mental Health Scale for Childrearing Fathers

The mental health of fathers influences the development of children and the functioning of families significantly. However, there is no useful scale for the mental health screening of childrearing fathers. This study developed a Mental Health Scale for Childrearing Fathers (MSCF) and determined its reliability and validity. Childrearing fathers are working fathers who co-parent with their spouses. This survey was conducted in two stages: a pilot study and a main survey. Data were obtained from 98 fathers raising preschoolers in the pilot study and 306 fathers in the main survey. The collected data were used to confirm the construct validity, criterion-related validity, convergent validity, and internal consistency reliability. The final MSCF consisted of 25 items comprising four factors: peaceful familial connection, healthy mind and body, satisfying paternal alliances, and leading a meaningful life as a parent. The internal consistency reliability estimated using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for the total scale was 0.918. The validity of the MSCF was logically secured using a confirmatory factor analysis. The MSCF can be an effective tool for mental health screening among fathers in relation to the burden of childrearing during regular infant health checks.
Coffee disease detection using a robust HSV color‐based segmentation and transfer learning for use on smartphones

Ethiopia's coffee export accounts for about 34% of all exports for the budget year 2019/2020. Making it the 10th‐largest coffee exporter in the world. Coffee diseases cause around 30% loss in production annually. In this paper, we propose an approach for the detection of four classes of coffee leaf diseases, Rust, Miner, Cercospora, and Phoma by using a fast Hue, Saturation, and Value (HSV) color space segmentation and a MobileNetV2 architecture trained by transfer learning. The proposed HSV color segmentation algorithm constitutes of separating the leaf from the background and separating infected spots on the leaf by automatically finding the best threshold value for the Saturation (S) channel of the HSV color space. The algorithm was compared to the YCgCr and k‐means algorithms, in terms of Mean Intersection Over Union and F1‐Score. The proposed HSV segmentation algorithm outperformed these methods and achieved an MIoU score of 72.13% and an F1 score of 82.54%. The proposed algorithm also outperforms these methods in terms of execution time, taking on average 0.02 s per image for the segmentation of diseased spots from healthy leaf spots. Our MobileNetV2 classifier achieved a 96% average classification accuracy and 96% average precision. The segmentation accuracy and faster execution make the proposed algorithm suitable for deployment on mobile devices and as such has been successfully implemented on smartphones running the Android operating system.
The trend towards a warmer and wetter climate observed in arid and semi-arid areas of northwest China from 1959 to 2019

The observed trend towards a warmer and wetter climate in northwest China is a controversial issue lacking sufficient scientific research. Based on monthly meteorological data from 201 weather stations in northwest China and surrounding regions from 1959 to 2019, we calculated potential evapotranspiration using Penman-Monteith (PM) equation. By analyzing the spatial–temporal variations in temperature and precipitation and by studying changing drought trends, we systematically explored the climate trends in northwest China over the past 60 years. Our findings include: (1) From 1959 to 2019, during the growing season, there was a significant upward trend in temperature across northwest China. The most obvious trend, ranged between 0.4 °C–0.6 °C per decade, was observed in northern Qinghai and northeastern Xinjiang. On a per-month basis, the average temperature increased in all months, with April showing a maximum rate of 0.41 °C per decade. (2) The amount of precipitation in the growing season increased in most regions, especially in western Xinjiang and Qinghai. The areas of reduced precipitation were mainly concentrated in the south of Gansu and Ningxia, the west of Shaanxi and the northeast of Xinjiang. The average precipitation also increased in all months, with June showing a maximum change rate of 1.8 mm per decade. (3) There were obvious spatial differences in the climate trends in northwest China with the warming shifting from areas of bare land to grassland and the trend towards increased rainfall shifting from grassland to bare land. These effects were most obvious in Xinjiang’s Tarim Basin. (4) From 1959 to 2019, the degree of drought in northwest China significantly decreased in most areas. The areas where drought decreased and precipitation increased were fairly consistent, which produced a strong spatial correlation between them.
Patch antenna with linear polarisation tilt control

The design of a linearly-polarised agile antenna is presented. The antenna is fed by a quasi-lumped coupler which has the ability to tune the magnitude ratio between its two outputs from −30 dB to 15 dB by modifying the bias of two varactor diodes. In this way the relative power fed to each orthogonal port of a patch antenna can be varied. Consequently, tilt control of the radiated linearly-polarised waves is achieved over a range of 90°.
Short-Term and Long-Term Aging Behavior of Rubber Modified Asphalt Paving Mixture

Aging of asphalt has been an important subject area that has received extensive studies in recent years. Test results of short-term and long-term aging behavior of crumb rubber modifier (CRM) modified asphalt paving materials are presented. Eighteen combinations of CRM modified binders in terms of CRM size, CRM content, and base asphalt cement grade were studied by Brookfield viscometer test and dynamic shear rheometer test. The short-term aged binders were prepared using thin film oven test. Viscosity was measured at 350°F in the Brookfield thermosel after mixing at 375°F for 2 hr. The test results showed that the size and percentage of CRM affected the viscosity development in the modified binders: the smaller the CRM size and the higher the CRM content, the higher the viscosity measured after 2-hr reaction at 375°F. Short-term aging exerted more viscosity increase in the CRM modified binders than in the unmodified binders. Modified binders showed less weight loss than unmodified binders. The modified binders showed higher complex modulus G* than unmodified. Short-term aging increased G*, with modified binders exhibiting higher increase. The Marshall mix design yielded various CRM modified mixes. The result of indirect tensile strength tests showed that short-term and long-term aging increased the measured tensile strengths. The resilient modulus test results, in general, supported the general understanding that aging tended to increase resilient modulus.
An approach to identify issues affecting ERP implementation in Indian SMEs

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to present the findings of a study which is based on the results of a comprehensive compilation of literature and subsequent analysis of ERP implementation success issues in context to Indian Small and Medium scale Enterprises (SME’s). This paper attempts to explore the existing literature and highlight those issues on ERP implementation and further to this the researchers applied TOPSIS (Technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution) method to prioritize issues affecting successful implementation of ERP. Design/methodology/approach: Based on the literature review certain issues leading to successful ERP implementation have been identified and to identify key issues Pareto Analysis (80-20 Rule) have been applied. Further to extraction of key issues a survey based on TOPSIS was carried out in Indian small and medium scale enterprises. Findings: Based on review of literature 25 issues have been identified and further Pareto analysis has been done to extract key issues which is further prioritized by applying Topsis method. Research limitations/implications: Beside those identified issues there may be other issues that need to be explored. There is scope to enhance this study by taking into consideration different type of industries and by extending number of respondents. Practical implications: By identifying key issues for SMEs, managers can better prioritize issues to make implementation process smooth without disruption. ERP vendors can take inputs from this study to change their implementation approach while targeting small scale enterprises. Originality/value: There is no published literature available which followed a similar approach in identification of the critical issues affecting ERP in small and mid-sized companies in India or in any developing economy.
Twenty-four-hour analysis of elevated energy expenditure after physical activity in a metabolic chamber: models of daily total

Background: The Institute of Medicine proposed that 15% of energy expenditure (EE) as excess post-exercise oxygen consumption should be added to additional physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE) to estimate total EE. However, the magnitude of elevated post–physical activity energy expenditure (EPEE) under normal daily living conditions has not been examined. Objective: We examined the effects of EPEE on 24-h EE by modeling standard living conditions in a metabolic chamber. Design: Eleven Japanese men completed three 24-h metabolic chamber measurements: a control day (C-day), a day with highfrequency moderate-intensity physical activity (M-day), and a day with high-frequency vigorous-intensity physical activity (V-day). Results: Mean ( SD) 24-h EE for the C-day, the M-day, and the V-daywas2228143kcal,2816197kcal,and2813163kcal, respectively. No significant difference was observed in 24-h EE between an M-day and a V-day. Mean EPEEs on the M-day and the V-day did not significantly contribute to increasing 24-h EE. Relative EPEEs to PAEEs were 6.2 13.9% (M-day) and 5.1 9.2% (V-day). However, EPEE/24-h EE was negatively correlated with maximal oxygen uptake on the V-day (r 0.68, P 0.02), although no significant correlation between these variables was observed on the M-day (r 0.41, P 0.21). Conclusions: These results suggest that EPEE has a small effect on 24-h EE in the course of normal daily activities, findings that do not support the proposition by the Institute of Medicine for estimating TEE. However, persons with low physical fitness levels could enhance EE as EPEE by increasing vigorous-intensity daily physical activity. Am J Clin Nutr 2008;87:1268–76.
Design and development of an advanced two-stage centrifugal compressor

Small turboshaft engines require high-pressure-ratio, high-efficiency compressors to provide low engine fuel consumption. This paper describes the aeromechanical design and development of a 3.3 kg/s (7.3 lb/sec), 14:1 pressure ratio two-stage centrifugal compressor, which is used in the T800-LHT-800 helicopter engine. The design employs highly nonradial, splitter bladed impellers with swept leading edges and compact vaned diffusers to achieve high performance in a small and robust configuration. The development effort quantified the effects of impeller diffusion and passive inducer shroud bleed on surge margin as well as the effects of impeller loading on tip clearance sensitivity and the impact of sand erosion and shroud roughness on performance. The developed compressor exceeded its performance objectives with a minimum of 23% surge margin without variable geometry. The compressor provides a high-performance, rugged, low-cost configuration ideally suited for helicopter applications.
On ping-pong effects in linear interference cancellation for CDMA

In this paper we formulate a general iterative form to described hybrid interference cancellation, a concept which includes both successive interference cancellation (SIC) and parallel interference cancellation (PIC) as its two extreme cases. Furthermore, the ping-pong effect commonly observed in linear PIC is studied in detail and is shown to be a direct consequence of the extreme eigenvalues of the iteration matrix. Intervals for the dominating eigenvalues within which ping-pong is likely to occur are specified. These intervals are then used to determine weighting factors for partial cancellation such that ping-pong effects are avoided.
Si-based receivers for optical data links

We present results for Ge/sub x/Si/sub 1-x/ waveguide pin detectors grown by rapid thermal chemical vapor deposition (RTCVD). Detectors with multiple Ge/sub 0.29/Si/sub 0.71/ absorption layers show an internal quantum efficiency of 33% at /spl lambda/=1.3 /spl mu/m with a dark current of 27 pAspl mu/m/sup 2/. The external quantum efficiency is limited to 7% by the fiber-to-waveguide coupling efficiency. The output eye diagram for a hybrid /spl lambda/=1.3 /spl mu/m silicon receiver at 500 Mb/s is demonstrated. Prospects of a silicon-based optoelectronic receiver array technology are discussed. >
Flexible Stretch Forming Technology for Sheet Metal Based on Discrete-Gripper and Multi-Point Die

To solve the problem of low material utilization in traditional stretch forming process, a flexible stretch forming method was proposed, which can be realized by interaction of the multi-point stretch forming die with discrete-gripper stretch forming machine. The principle and characteristics of sheet metal flexible stretch forming technology was introduced, structural composition and working principle of the multi-point stretch forming die and discrete-gripper stretch forming machine were expounded, and the technology experiments was carried out with a self-designed flexible stretch forming technology equipment for sheet metal. The experimental results indicate that structure of multi-point stretch forming die and discrete-gripper stretch forming machine are reasonable, and flexible stretch forming technology can be realized by above-mentioned die and machine, stretch forming parts has a good quality and its shape error can satisfy requirements of production.
EARTH BUILDING. MODELS, TECHNICAL ASPECTS, TESTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL EVALUATION

Earth building is an ancient construction method, rarely in use in contemporary architecture. In skyscrapers, apartment blocks and other typical high constructions, reinforced concrete, metal and many other conventional materials are used in order for them to be build. But the same methods and the same materials are in use for small-scale buildings, while it is not necessary to built with concrete or metal. In order to evaluate earth building, a comparison between a prototype model and a typical construction is presented in this paper, in terms of technical aspects and environmental evaluation. Models of suggested constructions in scale 1:20 are presented.
6 GHz transimpedance amplifier for optical sensing system in low-cost 0.35 /spl mu/m CMOS

A high-speed transimpedance amplifier (TIA) has been designed and implemented in a low cost 0.35 µm CMOS technology. Combining the techniques of regulated cascode input stage, current shunt feedback and inductive-series peaking, the TIA achieves a transimpedance gain of 51 dBΩ and 3 dB bandwidth of 6 GHz, in the presence of a photodiode capacitance of 0.6 pF. This is believed to be the fastest TIA ever reported in 0.35 µm CMOS technology.
Nonlinear control technique to enhance dynamic performance of a shunt active power filter

The modelling of, and a nonlinear control strategy for, a three-phase voltage source shunt active power filter is presented. The dynamic model is at first elaborated in the system 'abc' and then transformed into the synchronous orthogonal 'dq' frame. The 'dq' frame model is divided into two separate loops, namely the two current dynamics inner loop and the DC voltage dynamics outer loop. The exact feedback linearisation theory is applied in the design of the controller. Then, the pole placement strategy is used to synthesise the closed loop error dynamics of current tracking and DC bus voltage regulation. The adopted control strategy allows the decoupling of the currents and improves their tracking behaviour and enhances DC voltage regulation. Simulation results validate the expected active filter performance in both steady state and transient operation, and also show that the controller is capable of compensation under severe load current imbalances.
Inventory routing problems in a context of vendor-managed inventory system with consignment stock and transshipment

The inventory routing problem involves the integration and the coordination of two components of the logistics value chain: the inventory management and the vehicle routing decisions. In fact, the aim is to jointly decide on the distribution tour, from a distribution centre to a set of locations, and on the inventory policy for each location. Although many research investigations show great interest in policies such as transshipment or dynamic routings on the distribution system performances, these approaches are often criticised in practice as being too restrictive. In this article, we consider the inventory routing framework in a supplier integration context, i.e. a vendor-managed inventory with a consignment stock policy. Under such framework, we show that the transshipment brings more benefits than the classical context. In particular, we consider the case of static routings and we numerically show that transshipment permits to better optimise the distribution tours and to improve the global performance of the supply network.
A comparison of neural network models for wheeze detection

An analysis of the use of neural networks to process lung sounds and identify wheezes is presented. Both raw signal data and Fourier transform data were used to train and test a series of neural networks. The purpose of this study was to compare the performance of the neural networks and their ability to detect wheezes in isolated lung sound segments.