Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stress Monitoring of Concrete Using Embedded Optical Fiber Sensors

Fiber-optic sensors have been deployed successfully in the monitoring of composite structures such as aircraft. At present there is considerable interest in using these sensors to measure the curing, strain, and long-term integrity of civil structures. This study presents the use of an embedded multimode optical fiber to monitor load-to-failure testing of a reinforced concrete beam. The procedure for embedding fiber-optics sensors into a reinforced concrete beam is described as are the various and sundry details, e.g., connections and instrumentation. A key issue relating to this study is the survivability of fiber-optic sensors, embedded in concrete structures, particularly during the curing process. This has been evaluated by monitoring the intensity transmissibility during a 28-day cure cycle. Intensity transmission measurements and optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR) analysis of the embedded fiber-optic sensors were conducted during a load-to-failure test. High correlation of the embedded fiber fault locations and stress-induced failure points in the beam was observed.
Research on Location-Based Personalized Recommendation System

With the mobile Internet developing in China, the problem of information overload has been brought to us. The traditional personalized recommendation cannot meet the needs of the mobile Internet. In this paper, the recommendation algorithm is mainly based on the collaborative filtering, but the new factors are introduced into the recommendation system. The new system takes the user's location and friends recommendation into the personalized recommendation system so that the recommendation system can meet the mobile Internet requirements. Besides, this paper also puts forward the concept of moving business circle for information filtering, which realizes the precise and real-time personalized recommendations. This paper also proves the recommendation effects through collecting and analyzing the data, which comes from the website of dianping.com.
Interface based on electrooculography for velocity control of a robot arm

This paper describes a technique based on electrooculography to control a robot arm. This technique detects the movement of the eyes, measuring the difference of potential between the cornea and the retina by placing electrodes around the ocular area. The processing algorithm developed to obtain the position of the eye at the blink of the user is explained. The output of the processing algorithm offers, apart from the direction, four different values zero to three to control the velocity of the robot arm according to how much the user is looking in one direction. This allows controlling two degrees of freedom of a robot arm with the eyes movement. The blink has been used to mark some targets in tests. In this paper, the experimental results obtained with a real robot arm are shown.
Vibration and acoustic emission-based condition monitoring and prognostic methods for very low speed slew bearing

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Investigation of the visual appearance of different skirt styles and materials during the fitting simulation with Lectra Modaris

This paper examines the influence of different fabric types and material properties on the visual appearance of three types of skirt styles using numerical simulation. The purpose of the simulation is to present and analyze the appearance of virtual garments, create the best-fitting pattern pieces, and choose the appropriate fabric type based on the multiple clothing styles to achieve the intended design. The results show that when the type of fabric changes without changing the clothing style and on the other hand the style changes without changing the type of material, the appearance of the garment changes and the effect can be clearly seen with the 3d comparison result. These changes should be taken into account when choosing the right fabric for different styles.
Design consideration on a DBR-laser transmitter for fast frequency-switching in an optical FDM cross-connect system

The design of a laser transmitter for fast frequency switching in an optical frequency-division-multiplexing (FDM) cross-connect system that uses tunable laser diodes and passive frequency-channel selection filters is considered. Small-signal analysis of the laser rate equation is used to estimate laser switching time. The results show that the frequency switching time depends on the allowable frequency detuning as well as the frequency spacing and the carrier lifetime. Frequency switching time is obtained from the calculation of power penalty due to the frequency detuning at the receiver section with ASK and FSK direct detection schemes. To achieve frequency switching without bit loss in the cross-connect module, switching times of 4-200 ns are required to change frequencies of 500 GHz. This suggests that a duplex transmitter configuration using two laser diodes must be employed to perform fast frequency switching and bit-error-free operation in a cross-connect system. The thermally induced frequency drift is experimentally evaluated. The feasibility of the duplex transmitter configuration is experimentally verified with a 156 Mb/s cross-connect unit. >
Orbiting Light Around the Outer Surface of Dielectric Microspheres

Circulating light in the total internal reflection within dielectric spheres or disks is called the whispering gallery mode (WGM), which by itself is highly sensitive to its surface and capable of detecting viruses and single atomic ions. The detection site of the sensors using WGM is created by the evanescent light from the circulating light inside spheres. On the other hand, there have been no reports of observation or discussion of the light orbiting outside the surface of dielectric microspheres. Here we report light orbiting the outer surface of a dielectric microspheres different from the WGM. We observed anomalously enhanced Raman spectrum at the periphery of 3 μm diameter polystyrene (PS) microspheres on a silicon nitride (SiN) film using Raman microscopy. The wavelength intensity of this enhanced Raman spectrum was accompanied by periodic changes due to interference. These features may lead to the development of high-sensitive sensors and optical devices.
Prediction Markets: Connections with Proper Scoring Rules

Prediction Markets are markets created for aggregating and eliciting information from diverse and frequently selfinterested sources and making prediction about future events. We investigate a particular class of scoring rule called pseudo spherical scoring rule and study various issues regarding its implementation. We use the Market Maker Equivalence theorem proposed in Chen and Pennock([1]) to reduce the spherical scoring rule to its corresponding cost function and analyze different aspects of the process. We use an open source framework called Zocalo to experiment a prediction market. We also make the Zocalo framework more exible to incorporate other cost functions easily. We develop a realworld prediction market predicting the outcome of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2012 cricket tournament and study the market trading activities of the students of IISc over a two week period. We use the real-data obtained from the test bed prediction market to study various theoretical and experimental properties of proper scoring rules like logarithmic, quadratic and spherical scoring rules.
Analysis and design of a series-parallel resonant converter

A high-frequency link series-parallel resonant power converter is analyzed using the state-space approach. Analysis is presented for both the continuous capacitor voltage mode and the discontinuous capacitor voltage mode. Steady-state solutions are derived. Design curves for the converter gain and other component stresses are obtained. A method of optimizing the converter under certain constraints is presented and a simple design procedure is illustrated by a design example. Experimental results are presented to verify the theory. >
Bluster or Lustre: Can AI Improve Crops and Plant Health?

In a changing climate where future food security is a growing concern, researchers are exploring new methods and technologies in the effort to meet ambitious crop yield targets. The application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) including Machine Learning (ML) methods in this area has been proposed as a potential mechanism to support this. This review explores current research in the area to convey the state-of-the-art as to how AI/ML have been used to advance research, gain insights, and generally enable progress in this area. We address the question—Can AI improve crops and plant health? We further discriminate the bluster from the lustre by identifying the key challenges that AI has been shown to address, balanced with the potential issues with its usage, and the key requisites for its success. Overall, we hope to raise awareness and, as a result, promote usage, of AI related approaches where they can have appropriate impact to improve practices in agricultural and plant sciences.
Stress–strain model to predict the full-range moment curvature behaviour of high-strength concrete sections

The use of high-strength concrete (HSC) with compressive strengths exceeding 50 MPa is becoming very popular around the world. However, HSC is a more brittle material than normal-strength concrete, showing a steeper softening slope beyond the peak of the stress–strain curve. Therefore the stress–strain models developed for normal-strength concrete are not suitable to determine the full-range moment–curvature behaviour including the softening portion of a high-strength concrete section. A new stress–strain model to predict the full-range behaviour of HSC is presented in this paper. This model, termed the ‘modified Scott model’, is based on modifying the important parameters of the widely used Scott model, which is applicable only for normal strength concrete.
Robust Controller Design by Multi-Objective Optimization With H 2 /H ∞ /µ Combination

In a physical system several targets are normally being considered in which each one of nominal and robust performance has their own strengths and weaknesses. In nominal performance case, system operation without uncertainty has decisive effect on the operation of system, whereas in robust performance one, operation with uncertainty will be considered. Every target may cause intensive limitation on the rank of the controller matrix and even on its response. The purpose of this paper is to present a balance approach between nominal and robust performance of the state feedback. This new approach uses the combination of two controllers of μ and H2/H∞. At first, a controller of H2/H∞ will be designed for nominal performance target, robust stability and noise reduction and then µ controller will guarantee the robust performance. Combination of these two controllers in an appropriate weighting will be the final step of the design. Simulation and comparison studies are used to show the effectiveness and benefits of this method.
Critical Factors and their Correlation Affecting Green Industry Performance: Evidences from Small and Medium Enterprises

Large companies have achieved excellent progress toward green production while small and medium enterprises (SMEs) showed limited progress. This research aims to investigate key factors affect different stages of enhancing green industry implementation particularly in SMEs. This study conducted a systematic analysis to offer recommendations to unlock the inhibitors of the green industry. The electronic products and electrical equipment manufacturing industry in Thailand was chosen as a case study. Questionnaires is the main approaches to collect primary data from SMEs. The structural equation model is developed to examine correlation and the degree of influencing factors. The model indicated that the latent factors’ influence on the decision-making of SMEs in applying the green industry reflected by the influence of eighteen observable variables and it suggests that the external contexts from stakeholder have a greater influence on the decision-making than the internal context as organizational resources and capabilities. Whereas the level of certification conform with green industry criteria has minor correlation with the decision-making of SMEs. Innovative policy strategy is recommended to create synergy between incentive-based instruments in term of product charges or product tax, subsidies and voluntary measure as product certification are recommended tools to enhance green industry adoption by SMEs.
Shocks, Resilience and Structural Transformation in Sub-Saharan Africa

Evidence of how resilience factors mitigate the adverse effects of shocks on individuals, households and communities is clearly established. However, such evidence at the macro level is limited, especially on the pace of structural transformation. This paper explores whether the growing incidence of terrorism, armed conflicts and natural disasters in SSA impeded the pace of structural transformation. We conceptualize the notion of macro-resilience and test whether resilience factors mitigate the adverse effects of shocks on two measures of structural transformation: agriculture’s share of GDP and of national employment. We find that structural transformation is impeded by armed conflict and terrorism-related shocks but not natural disasters and that resilience factors enhance the pace of agricultural transformation. This implies that, while agriculture is often destroyed in conflict-affected areas, the broader impacts are even more negative for other sectors of the economy. However, surprisingly, we find negative or insignificant interaction terms between the shock and resilience variables, implying no mitigative role of resilience capacities. This may suggest, in the case of conflicts and terrorism, the presence of major, debilitating effects which limit the mitigative capacity of resilience factors. We further explore the implications for future research and possible strategies to address the growing threats from shocks.
Air Leakage of Furnaces and Air Handlers

In recent years, great strides have been made in reducing air leakage in residential and to a lesser extent small commercial forced air duct systems. Several authorities have introduced low leakage limits for thermal distribution systems; for example, the State of California Energy Code for Buildings gives credit for systems that leak less than 6% of the total air flow at 25 Pa. Practitioners have found that a significant barrier to meeting specifications like this is the air leakage of the furnace or air handler itself. Anecdotal evidence exists for the magnitude of the air leakage of furnaces and air handlers. The states of California and Florida include air leakage limits for the furnaces in their State Building Energy Codes. However, there is currently no standard test method for measuring this air leakage that could be used for uniform and reliable ratings. This paper presents the results of laboratory measurements air leakage testing of furnaces and air handlers. The results indicate that average air leakage is significant - confirming existing anecdotal evidence. Also, the air leakage has a wide range from furnace to furnace indicating that low levels of air leakage are already attainable with existing equipment and the rating for air leakage will be able to distinguish between good and poorly performing equipment. This paper will also discuss the development of a standard test procedure (ASHRAE Standard 193 "Method of Test for Determining the Airtightness of HVAC Equipment") that will be used by Federal, State and Local code authorities and efficiency programs as well as appliance standards, utility programs and a range of other applications.
Conceptual Framework for Computer‐Based, Construction Safety Control

The construction industry’s endemically poor accident record and accelerating rate increases in workers’ compensation insurance are warnings that the industry needs stronger safety control measures. Safety checklists, training methods, safety awards, and other motivational approaches are insufficient. The writers propose developing a computerized safety management information system (MIS) based on the same universal management control principles used to achieve schedule, cost, production, and quality objectives. The safety MIS would furnish project managers and supervisors with the timely and complete information they need to respond to safety and health problems and hazards as they occur. This paper is concerned with the first step in the development of such a control system—the establishment of a conceptual framework consisting of fundamental safety and health, management controlling, and management-information-system concepts. The framework serves as the analytical basis for determining what to measure in the safety control system and how to adapt the control system to the computer.
Preparation of tin coating on the surface of copper-coated carbon fiber and its effect on the microstructures and properties of the composite coating

In order to prevent the copper coating on the carbon fiber surface from oxidizing and falling off, the tin coating is plated on the surface of copper-coated carbon fiber. In this paper, the copper-tin composite coating with different thicknesses of tin coatings were successfully prepared by electroless plating. The results show that with the increasing of electroless tin plating time, the thickness of the copper-tin composite coating increases. The test results of the bonding force between the composite coating and the carbon fiber show that the coating bonding force is the best when the thickness of composite coating is between 1.31 μm and 1.55 μm. This is due to the formation of copper-tin intermetallic compounds preventes direct contact between the copper coating and oxygen, which can effectively inhibit the oxidation of the copper plating layer, thereby making the plating layer less likely to fall off. However, the excessively thick tin coating would increase the internal stress of the coating, and promote the generation of cracks on the surface of the composite coating, which would cause the composite coating to fall off. This research will provide new ideas for the preparation of high-performance copper plating on the surface of carbon fiber, and provide an important theoretical and practical basis for the application of copper coatings.
Simple Map-Matching Algorithm Applied to Intelligent Winter Maintenance Vehicle Data

Intelligent winter maintenance vehicles are equipped with automatic vehicle location (AVL) technology, including differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) receivers and various additional sensors that collect equipment status and material use data. DGPS data points are associated with the nearest roadway centerline by calculating minimum perpendicular distances between each roadway centerline representation and the DGPS data points. Highly accurate roadway centerline maps and DGPS measurements are not always available. Thus, spatial mismatches may occur at converging and diverging roadways, divided highways, and intersections. Decision makers use winter maintenance performance measures to evaluate achievement of goals and objectives and to improve winter maintenance operations in public agencies. These performance measures are sensitive to spatial mismatches, which need to be resolved before calculations are done. This paper presents a simple map-matching algorithm that resolves spatial ambiguities by determining the correct roadway centerline on which the vehicle is traveling. The algorithm computes shortest paths between snapped DGPS data points using network topology and turn restrictions. A path is considered viable, and locations for the snapped DGPS data points correct, if similarity exists between values of calculated and recorded vehicle speeds. If a path is not feasible, DGPS points are snapped to alternative roadway centerlines contained within their buffers, shortest paths are recalculated, and speeds are again compared. Examples are presented to illustrate the implementation and effectiveness of the algorithm.
Pop-out search instigates beta-gated feature selectivity enhancement across V4 layers

Significance Cerebral cortex is organized in topographical maps of cortical columns. These columns consist of mesoscopic neural circuits that preferentially respond to certain stimulus features like color. We show that attending a visual stimulus results in rhythmic gating of feature preferences along cortical columns. The strength of that rhythm directly impacts the behavioral outcome. These findings demonstrate that the dynamics of feature preferences in cortical columns underlie at least some of the rhythmicity that is associated with attention. Visual search is a workhorse for investigating how attention interacts with processing of sensory information. Attentional selection has been linked to altered cortical sensory responses and feature preferences (i.e., tuning). However, attentional modulation of feature selectivity during search is largely unexplored. Here we map the spatiotemporal profile of feature selectivity during singleton search. Monkeys performed a search where a pop-out feature determined the target of attention. We recorded laminar neural responses from visual area V4. We first identified “feature columns” which showed preference for individual colors. In the unattended condition, feature columns were significantly more selective in superficial relative to middle and deep layers. Attending a stimulus increased selectivity in all layers but not equally. Feature selectivity increased most in the deep layers, leading to higher selectivity in extragranular layers as compared to the middle layer. This attention-induced enhancement was rhythmically gated in phase with the beta-band local field potential. Beta power dominated both extragranular laminar compartments, but current source density analysis pointed to an origin in superficial layers, specifically. While beta-band power was present regardless of attentional state, feature selectivity was only gated by beta in the attended condition. Neither the beta oscillation nor its gating of feature selectivity varied with microsaccade production. Importantly, beta modulation of neural activity predicted response times, suggesting a direct link between attentional gating and behavioral output. Together, these findings suggest beta-range synaptic activation in V4’s superficial layers rhythmically gates attentional enhancement of feature tuning in a way that affects the speed of attentional selection.