Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
U-Midas: Midas Regressions with Unrestricted Lag Polynomials

Mixed-data sampling (MIDAS) regressions allow to estimate dynamic equations that explain a low-frequency variable by high-frequency variables and their lags. When the difference in sampling frequencies between the regressand and the regressors is large, distributed lag functions are typically employed to model dynamics avoiding parameter proliferation. In macroeconomic applications, however, differences in sampling frequencies are often small. In such a case, it might not be necessary to employ distributed lag functions. In this paper, we discuss the pros and cons of unrestricted lag polynomials in MIDAS regressions. We derive unrestricted MIDAS regressions (U-MIDAS) from linear high-frequency models, discuss identification issues, and show that their parameters can be estimated by OLS. In Monte Carlo experiments, we compare U-MIDAS to MIDAS with functional distributed lags estimated by NLS. We show that U-MIDAS performs better than MIDAS for small differences in sampling frequencies. On the other hand, with large differing sampling frequencies, distributed lag-functions outperform unrestricted polynomials. The good performance of U-MIDAS for small differences in frequency is confirmed in an empirical application on nowcasting Euro area and US GDP using monthly indicators.
Fiber Bragg grating sensor package for submicron level displacement measurements

In this article, the design and development of a Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) based displacement sensor package for submicron level displacement measurements are presented. A linear shift of 12.12 nm in Bragg wavelength of the FBG sensor is obtained for a displacement of 6 mm with a calibration factor of 0.495 μm/pm. Field trials have also been conducted by comparing the FBG displacement sensor package against a conventional dial gauge, on a five block masonry prism specimen loaded using three-point bending technique. The responses from both the sensors are in good agreement, up to the failure of the masonry prism. Furthermore, from the real-time displacement data recorded using FBG, it is possible to detect the time at which early creaks generated inside the body of the specimen which then prorogate to the surface to develop visible surface cracks; the respective load from the load cell can be obtained from the inflection (stress release point) in the displacement curve. Thus the developed FBG displacement sensor package can be used to detect failures in structures much earlier and to provide an adequate time to exercise necessary action, thereby avoiding the possible disaster.
Integrated waveguide bandpass filters using thick-film technology

By integrating planar circuits, such as a microstrip line, and the rectangular waveguide with inductive posts onto the same substrate, the low-loss bandpass filter can be realized without resort to tuning or mechanical mounting. However, the design and performances of the filter are limited by the conventional PCB process restrictions, such as constant via-holes diameter and material characteristics. In this paper, a singlesubstrate integrated waveguide bandpass filter operating in UNII band is realized using thick-film technology.
Equivalent Circuits for Resonators and Transducers Driven Piezoelectrically

Abstract : A powerful motivation for using equivalent circuits to characterize piezoelectric devices is that the using equipment is often itself completely electrical in nature. The whole ensemble thus becomes subject to analysis or synthesis from a single perspective, i.e., network theory. In this report are described a brief history of circuit equivalents through the Mason circuit, followed by a presentation of newer descriptions of piezoelectrically vibrating structures, specifically, analog networks and KLM circuits.
What determines measured overeducation

We analyse the determinants of overeducation among school leavers within a search theoretical framework. Overeducation is measured on the basis of job analysis (JA), the required level to get the job (RL) and realised matches (RM). It is shown that the choice of the measure is crucial for the outcome of the analysis. Job levels measured by RL and RM are clearly biased. Hence, only a few results are robust: higher qualified individuals occupy higher complexity jobs and overeducation is less prevalent among school leavers with better study results and in small organizations. Conversely, JA generally delivers results that are consistent with theoretical considerations. Based on JA, overeducation is also lower among men, whites, school leavers with higher educated parents, search intensive individuals and school leavers from higher quality institutions. Furthermore, overeducated workers are more often hired in occupations without structural bottleneck vacancies and in the financial and professional services sector. Additionally, irrespective of the used measure, heterogeneous requirements within complexity levels explain a significant but small part of the extent of overeducation.
Binaural Reproduction of Stereo Signals Using Upmixing and Diffuse Rendering

In this paper, benefits and challenges related to binaural rendering for conventional stereo content are explained in terms of width of the sound stage, timbral changes, perceived distance and naturalness of phantom sources. To resolve some of the identified issues, a two-stage process consisting of a spatial decomposition followed by dedicated post processing methods is proposed. In the first stage, several direct sound source signals and additional ambience components are extracted from the stereo content. These signals are subsequently processed with dedicated algorithms to render virtual sound sources by means of HRTF or BRIR convolution, and to render an additional diffuse sound field with the correct inter-aural coherence properties based on the extracted ambience signals. It is argued that this approach results in a wider sound stage, more natural and accurate spatial imaging of sound sources, and resolves the “here and now” versus the “there and then” duality for room acoustic simulation in binaural rendering methods.
Study of the application of hydrogen fuel to long-range subsonic transport aircraft. Volume 2. Final report, Feb--Oct 1974

The feasibility, practicability, and potential advantages and disadvantages of using liquid hydrogen as fuel in long range, subsonic transport aircraft of advanced design were studied. Both passenger and cargo-type aircraft were investigated. To provide a valid basis for comparison, conventional hydrocarbon (Jet A) fueled aircraft were designed to perform identical missions using the same advanced technology and meeting the same operational constraints. The liquid hydrogen and Jet A fueled aircraft were compared on the basis of weight, size, energy utilization, cost, noise, emissions, safety, and operational characteristics. A program of technology development was formulated.
A reactive/deliberative planner using genetic algorithms on tactical primitives

Unmanned aerial systems are increasingly assisting and replacing humans on so-called dull, dirty, and dangerous missions. In the future such systems will require higher levels of autonomy to effectively use their agile maneuvering capabilities and highperformance weapons and sensors in rapidly evolving, limited-communication combat situations. Most existing vehicle planning methods perform poorly on such realistic scenarios because they do not consider both continuous nonlinear system dynamics and discrete actions and choices. This thesis proposes a flexible framework for forming dynamically realistic, hybrid system plans composed of parametrized tactical primitives using genetic algorithms, which implicitly accommodate hybrid dynamics through a nonlinear fitness function. The framework combines deliberative planning with specially chosen tactical primitives to react to fast changes in the environment, such as pop-up threats. Tactical primitives encapsulate continuous and discrete elements together, using discrete switchings to define the primitive type and both discrete and continuous parameters to capture stylistic variations. This thesis demonstrates the combined reactive/deliberative framework on a problem involving two-dimensional navigation through a field of threats while firing weapons and deploying countermeasures. It also explores the planner’s performance with respect to computational resources, problem dimensionality, primitive design, and planner initialization. These explorations can guide further algorithm design and future autonomous tactics research. Thesis Supervisor: Christopher Dever Title: Senior Member, Technical Staff, C.S. Draper Laboratory Thesis Supervisor: John Deyst Title: Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics
A feasibility study of a WhatsApp-delivered transtheoretical model-based intervention to promote healthy eating knowledge and habits for firefighters in Hong Kong: A cluster randomized controlled trial

Background: Firefighters’ health is often affected by a high prevalence of obesity and cardiovascular diseases, which are common risk factors for sudden cardiac death. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of enhancing healthy eating habits and knowledge in firefighters through an education programme. Method: This will be a cluster randomized control trial study. The participants will be assigned randomly into either control (health promotion pamphlet) or intervention (health promotion pamphlet and education materials through WhatsApp) groups. Changes in healthy eating habits and knowledge will be assessed by a self-administrative questionnaire (Appendix III) and anthropometric measurements at three different time points. Discussion: More education is required in order to improve firefighters’ eating habits and knowledge
The Development of the MSL Guidance, Navigation, and Control System for Entry, Descent, and Landing

On August 5, 2012, the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission successfully delivered the Curiosity rover to its intended target. It was the most complex and ambitious landing in the history of the red planet. A key component of the landing system, the requirements for which were driven by the mission ambitious science goals, was the Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GN&C) system. This paper will describe the technical challenges of the MSL GN&C system, the resulting architecture and design needed to meet those challenges, and the development process used for its implementation and testing.
The Quaternion-Based Attitude Error for the Nonlinear Error Model of the INS

In this paper, the quaternion of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${b}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-frame based nonlinear error model is proposed for the INS. According to the definition of the attitude error, the quaternion of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${b}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-frame based nonlinear error model has been derived by additive and multiplicative relationship. Then, a discussion and analysis is made to compare the proposed model in additive and multiplicative relationship with the quaternion of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${n}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-frame based nonlinear error model. In addition, an analysis and comparsion of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${b}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-frame and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${n}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-frame based nonlinear error model is made to have a theoretical justification to describe why <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${b}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-frame is superior to <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${n}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-frame based nonlinear error model. Finally, field tests are carried out to access the performance of the quaternion of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${b}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-frame and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${n}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-frame based nonlinear error model in the additive and multiplicative relationship for the INS.
Correlation of Operative Mortality and Morbidity With Preoperative C-Reactive Protein/Albumin Ratio, Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio, and Prognostic Nutritional Index in Patients Undergoing Emergent Operations Due to Strangulation Ileus

Emergent surgery is necessary in patients with strangulation ileus. However, such procedures are associated with high morbidity and mortality. A retrospective analysis was performed to determine whether the preoperative C-reactive protein/albumin ratio (CAR); neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR); and prognostic nutritional index (PNI) are good indicators of mortality or morbidity in patients undergoing emergent operations for treatment of strangulation ileus. Emergent surgery was performed for 1698 patients at Tottori Prefectural Central Hospital from 2012 and 2015. Among them, 45 patients (2.7%) were preoperatively diagnosed with strangulation ileus. We evaluated the clinical importance of the preoperative CAR, NLR, and PNI in these patients. We excluded pediatric patients from this study. Postoperative complications developed in 14 of 45 (31.1%) patients. The mean postoperative hospital stay among the 14 patients with postoperative complications was significantly longer than that of the 31 patients without postoperative complications (44.0 versus 11.3 days, respectively; P = 0.006). Three patients died of postoperative complications. The overall operative mortality and morbidity rates were 6.7% and 31.1%, respectively. We found strong correlations of postoperative complications with older age, a longer operation time, and an abnormal preoperative CAR, NLR, and PNI. Not only inflammation, but also a patients' nutritional and immune status appear to be strongly correlated with mortality or morbidity after emergent operations for strangulation ileus. Patients with a high CAR and NLR and low PNI preoperatively must be closely monitored for the occurrence of postoperative complications such as surgical site infections or pulmonary complications.
EFFECTS OF AUGMENTED REALITY PRESENTATIONS ON CONSUMER'S VISUAL PERCEPTION OF FLOOR PLANS

Lutheran, April L. M.S., Purdue University, May 2012. Effects of Augmented Reality presentations on consumer’s visual perception of floor plans. Major Professor: Patrick Connolly. Home architects and designers use many types of presentation drawings to convey design ideas. Augmented reality is a relatively new technology that can be used to aid in design and marketing for residential builders. An augmented reality presentation provides a more complete idea of a design than other presentations such as 3D model renderings and hand drawn artist sketches. While designers are accustomed to visualizing 2D plans, this task is difficult for home buyers. This difficulty has been associated with lower spatial ability in people who are not accustomed to reviewing plans. Augmented reality can be used to make visualization easier and help developers save on marketing expenses. The use of augmented reality could lower sales and marketing expense by reducing the number of model homes built to help potential buyers visualize new concepts. While this technology has been studied by many industries, very little research has been done on how it could benefit residential builders. The research conducted in this study sets a baseline of consumers opinions on viewing and augmented reality presentation.
Is cross-domain fault localization feasible?

Abstract : Troubleshooting network faults is challenging. It is even more difficult to diagnose cross-domain issues without complete knowledge of observations and topology from neighboring network domains. For both competitive and security reasons, domain managers hesitate to share observations even when doing so may significantly ease fault localization. In this paper, we present the first comprehensive evaluation of the feasibility of cross-domain fault localization. Leveraging a recent graph-digest based formulation of the problem, we have developed a set of practical metrics and performed extensive experiments to evaluate two key questions: Does cross-domain fault localization offer the kinds of benefits warranting further research? Can it provide deployable and acceptable privacy protection with manageable complexity? We evaluate both provider-customer and peering relationship scenarios between small, medium, and large domains. Our results show that cross-domain fault localization is effective using the graph-digest approach and that sensitive network connectivity properties can be concealed from other domains.
Electric and Gasoline Vehicle Lifecycle Cost and Energy-Use Model

The design and lifecycle cost model designs a motor vehicle to meet range and performance requirements specified by the modeler, and then calculates the initial retail cost and total lifecycle cost of the designed vehicle. The model can be used to investigate the relationship between the lifecycle cost -- the total cost of vehicle ownership and operation over the life of the vehicle -- and important parameters in the design and use of the vehicle.
Development of a checklist for evaluating maintenance, test and calibration procedures used in nuclear power plants. Formal technical report 14 February 1979-14 March 1980

The report describes the process for developing a checklist to be used by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Office of Inspection and Enforcement (I and E) inspectors during their evaluation of maintenance, test and calibration procedures. The objective of the checklist is to aid inspectors in identifying procedural characteristics that can lead to human performance deficiencies. Five nuclear power plants were surveyed to obtain a sample of procedures and related information for human factors evaluation. Procedural deficiencies were identified. In addition, a human factors analysis of 988 LERs submitted during the period 1975 through 1978 was performed to identify the major categories of procedures-related personnel error. Checklist items aimed at correcting these errors were developed. The checklist and suggested methods of application are presented.
Molecular detection of Staphylococcal enterotoxins and mecA genes products in food samples collected from different areas in Khartoum state.

Background: Staphylococcal Food Poisoning is an intoxication that results from the consumption of improperly prepared or stored foods containing sufficient amounts of one or more preformed S. aureus enterotoxins. Now days many researchers worldwide noted an emerging of resistant strains Staphylococci especially for the antibiotic Methicillin. Therefore, this study was aimed to determine the existence of Staphylococcus aureus and its enterotoxins, mecA genes in food samples.Results: A total of 400 samples were collected from different areas in Khartoum state. The type of foods included Cheese, Meat products, Fish and Raw milk, 100 samples for each. out of 400 samples cultivated 137 (34.25 %) isolates were identified as S. aureus, 126 (31.5%) were identified as bacteria other than S. aureus and 137 (34.25%) were yield no growth. Of 137 S. aureus isolates, 84 were randomly selected and examined for the presence mecA and enterotoxin genes products. Oxacillin sensitivity test showed that 15(11%) of 137 S.aureus isolates were Oxacillin resistant. The PCR assay showed that mecA gene was detected in 15 of 84 (17%) S. aureus isolates. While only 2 (2.385%) out of 84 S. aureus isolates were show an enterotoxin B gene product. Conclusion: There was a relatively moderate prevalence of Methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus with very low frequency of enterotoxin B gene in different kinds of food samples which collected from Khartoum state. These findings highlight the high potential risk for consumers of meat and dairy products especially in the absence of strict hygienic and preventive measures to avoid Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxins production in foods.
Comparative study on impacts of wind profiles on thermal units scheduling costs

Although wind power is a sustainable, environmentally friendly and a viable option for renewable energy in many places, the effects of its intermittent nature on power systems need to be carefully examined. This study investigates the effects of different wind profiles on the scheduling costs of thermal generation units. Two profiles are considered: synoptic-dominated and diurnal-dominated variations of aggregated wind power. To simulate the wind profile impacts, a linear mixed integer unit commitment problem is formulated in a general algebraic modelling system (GAMS) environment. The uncertainty associated with wind power is represented using a chance constrained formulation. The simulation results illustrate the significant impacts of different wind profiles on fuel saving benefits, startup costs and wind power curtailments. In addition, the results demonstrate the importance of the wide geographical dispersion of wind power production facilities to minimise the impacts of network constraints on the value of the harvested wind energy and the amount of curtailed energy.
On-the-Job Learning in the Software Industry: Corporate Culture and the Acquisition of Knowledge

From the Publisher: This book explores the daily work lives and learning experiences of programmers and other professionals in the computer-software industry. The book focuses on the staff of one small software firm, allowing workers to tell their own stories, describing their work and their use of all the resources available to them in learning the complex systems they are required to develop and maintain. Based in qualitative sociological method, it is an ethnography of a business setting as well as a study of learning.
A Multi-hop Topology Control Based on Inter-node Range Measurement for Wireless Sensor Networks Node Localization

In centralized range-based localization techniques, sufficiency of inter-node range information received by the base station strongly affects node position estimation results. Successful data aggregation is influenced by link stability of each connection of routes, especially in a multi-hop topology model. In general, measuring the inter-node range is only performed for position determination purposes. This research introduces the use of inter-node range measurement information for link selection in a multi-hop route composition in order to increase the rate of data aggregation. Due to irregularity problems of wireless media, two areas of node communication have been considered. The regular communication area is the area in which other nodes are able to perform symmetrical communication to the node without failure. The irregular area is the area in which other nodes are seldom able to communicate. Due to its instability, some existing methods tried to avoid the irregular area completely. The proposed method, named Virtual Boundaries (VBs) prioritizes these areas. The regular communication area’s nodes have high priority to be selected as link vertices; however, when there is no link candidate inside this area, nodes within the irregular area will be selected with respect to their range to the parent node. This technique resulted in a more robust multi-hop topology that can reduce isolated node numbers and increase the percentage of data collected by the base station accordingly.