Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Avoiding Sulfate Heave in Subgrades with a Little Help from Precision Agriculture

In recent years, the Texas Department of Transportation has observed the heaving of gypsum- or sulfate-bearing subgrade soil when it has been chemically stabilized with calcium-based additives. The occurrence of sulfate or gypsum deposits in these soils is unpredictable and often localized in small areas. Current testing procedures, in which samples are collected at specified intervals for sulfate measurements, often miss these localized concentrations. A method that provides rapid and continuous mapping of sulfate content in subgrades to a depth of at least 1 m is needed. Researchers in precision agriculture have used several devices that rapidly and continuously measure the bulk electrical conductivity of the soil at high spatial resolutions (<10 ft) and depths (≥2 ft). For the research described in this paper, the Veris 3150 was used to measure spatial variability in bulk electrical conductivity across three sulfate-bearing subgrades in Texas. The data were used to construct high-resolution maps of the subgrade conductivity and were compared with soil properties to identify potentially high-risk areas for sulfate heaving. The bulk electrical conductivity, the sulfate content, and the soil plasticity varied in tandem throughout the subgrades. This research identified areas with an electrical conductivity of >100 mS/m as having the greatest potential for sulfate problems of the subgrades tested. It also identified a technique that could be used to rapidly and effectively screen large projects for potential sulfate problems and to map the distribution of high- and low-clay subgrade soils.
Analytical investigation of vehicle fires in precast concrete parking structures

In this paper, the authors examine the effect of vehicle fire loads (temperature and heat flux histories) in precast concrete parking structures. Using a computational fluid dynamics program, analyses were conducted, using such variables as structure geometry and fire characteristics. Heat flux histories were used as input to finite element analyses to determine temperature rise in the prestressing strand of double-tee floor members. Estimates of reduction of steel strength were derived using the increased prestressing steel temperatures. Nine fire scenarios were considered; within them, vehicle fires were found to cause only minor reductions (maximum of 15%) in the strength of the prestressing steel of double-tee floor members. The authors concluded that the geometry of a precast concrete parking structure can have a significant effect on the movement of combustion gasses in the structure. They also concluded that multivehicle fires cause greater increases in prestressing steel temperatures (and thus greater reductions in steel strength) than do single-vehicle fires, and that large multivehicle fires lead only to minor reductions in prestressing steel strength.
Understanding and Testing for Drop Impact Failure

This paper presents the results of experiments aimed at studying the effects of drop impact on portable electronics and reproducing these effects in controllable tests. Firstly, a series of drop tests were performed on consumer products (mobile phones and PDAs) to understand how the printed circuit board (PCB) within a product behaves in actual drop conditions. These product-level drop tests show that in drop impact, there are three possible types of mechanical response which can stress the 2nd level interconnections of CSP and BGA packages, namely: 1) flexing of the PCB on its supports, dominated by the 1st (fundamental) natural frequency; 2) flexing of the PCB resulting from direct impact or knocking against the PCB, typically dominated by higher natural frequencies; and 3) inertia loading on the solder joints due to high accelerations. Next, a series of board-level experiments were designed to separately study each of the three types of mechanical response. Board flexing due to direct impacts is the most severe response due to the strong strain amplitudes generated. Given the same input shock, the conventional board-level test — where the PCB flexes on its supports — produces much lower strain amplitudes. Inertia loading on the solder joints is practically negligible. Since PCB flexing is the main failure driver, a simple vibration test, which reproduces the strains observed in drop impact, is suggested as an alternative to time-consuming drop impact tests.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Monitoring and assessment of voltage stability margins using artificial neural networks with a reduced input set

A new methodology is proposed for the online monitoring and assessment of voltage stability margins, using artificial neural networks with a reduced input data set from the power system. Within the framework of this methodology, first the system model is reduced using self-organised artificial neural networks and an extended AESOPS algorithm. Then supervised learning of multilayered artificial neural networks is carried out on the basis of this reduced model. Finally, based on the trained network and the reduced set of system variables, monitoring is carried out along with the assessment of voltage stability margins. This methodology is tested comparatively with a methodology for monitoring and assessing voltage stability using a complete input data set. The tests were carried out on a real power system with 92 buses. The results obtained indicate the justifiability of using a reduced system because of the increased efficiency and accuracy of calculation, both in the learning stage and in the recall stage of the artificial neural network.
Neck Biomechanics and Multiple Wide Computer Displays

Computer workstations are increasingly being fitted with multiple large displays. Display placement influences head posture and neck symptoms but the effects of multiple displays are not well known. This study evaluated the placement of two wide displays over a large range of heights and distances. Twenty participants performed internet search tasks with the search window at thirty-six positions, defined by three distances from the eyes (50 to 86 cm), three gaze angles (0 to 28° below the eye horizon), and four lateral distances from the mid-sagittal plane (13 and 32 cm to the left and to the right). Motion capture equipment tracked head and neck postures and simulation software calculated muscular capacities. Regression analyses demonstrated significant (p < 0.001) effects of gaze angle on neck flexion, lateral angle on neck rotation, and the interaction of gaze angle and lateral angle on neck lateral flexion. The moment generating capacities of the trapezius and splenius muscles, and the self-selected display positions, suggest that increases in wide display's field-of-view should be biased vertically (upward).
Adaptive load shedding scheme to preserve the power system stability following large disturbances

Following large disturbances, the conventional under frequency load shedding (UFLS) relays may not operate properly, as they are designed to merely preserve the frequency stability of the system, independent of its voltage stability. In this study, an adaptive load shedding scheme is proposed to maintain the power system stability when the conventional scheme fails. In doing so, the frequency and its falling rate along with a properly defined voltage falling rate are exploited to determine closeness to the disturbance area and its severity. Accordingly, a proper amount of load is shed from the locations with the highest influence on the system stability. The proposed scheme exclusively utilises locally measured quantities and does not require a communication link. The associated logic is practical and can be easily appended to the existing UFLS relays to enhance their performance. To demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed UFLS scheme, it is applied to two large-scale power systems where the exact load model is taken into account. The obtained results verify that a large number of blackouts because of inappropriate operation of conventional UFLS relays can be prevented using the proposed scheme.
Optimized Design and Fabrication of Mach–Zehnder Interferometer Sensor in Polymer Technology

Abstract Without any external modulating facilities, through a precisely controlled sensing length of 11,515 μm, the integrated Mach–Zehnder interferometer sensor obtains a quadrature point and linear response in refractive index measuring range of 1.31–1.42 at the wavelength of 1,550 nm. Combined with structure optimization and surface treatment of sensing arm, the sensitivity is measured as 225.4 dB/RIU, and the sensing response time is less than 20 s to analyte solutions. Cost-efficient polymers are used as waveguide materials, and a microfluidic system is achieved.
Fatigue Assessment and Service Life Prediction of Existing Steel Bridges by Integrating SHM into a Probabilistic Bilinear S-N Approach

AbstractFatigue assessment of several steel bridge details, having equivalent stress range below the constant amplitude fatigue threshold (CAFT), showed that many of these details are free of cracks, although the remaining life calculations predicted that they should have already been suffering from cracks. This shows that the current methods for predicting the fatigue remaining life of steel bridges can be conservative and may lead to unnecessary retrofit and rehabilitation actions. For a better fatigue life prediction, a bilinear S-N approach has been proposed. In this approach, the bilinear S-N lines have different slopes above and below the CAFT. This paper addresses fatigue assessment and service life prediction of existing fatigue-prone steel bridges by integrating structural health monitoring (SHM) data into a probabilistic bilinear S-N approach. The effect of changing the value of the slope of the AASHTO S-N lines below the CAFT on the fatigue life is investigated through a parametric study. In ad.
Development of Foot Modules of an Exoskeleton Equipped with Multiple Sensors for Detecting Walking Phase and Intent

This paper presents design and application of foot modules in exoskeleton. Detecting the walking phase and intent is most important data for controlling the wearable exoskeleton. The zero moment point (ZMP) trajectory in the robot foot support area is significant criterion for a stability of the walk. The ZMP is calculated by measured force / torque data and Force / Torque sensor (F/T sensor) can measure that. But, the thick foot module is inconvenient to walking. For such a reason, most foot modules are developed using the film type sensors such as force sensing resistor (FSR), ground contact sensor such as tape switch and so on. In this paper, the foot modules equipped optimal design of 3-axis F/T sensor and ground contact sensor are presented and experimental application of detecting the walking phase using both sensors is introduced.
The technological acquisitions paradox in the beauty industry

PurposeWe address the following research questions: (1) Is the innovation trajectory of the acquirer affected by previous acquisitions? (2) In which direction knowledge recombination from the acquisition is pushed further? (3) Is the technological acquisition more a means for knowledge exploration and radical innovation or, on the contrary, a way for consolidating previous technological specialization? Design/methodology/approachThe nature of this study is exploratory; therefore, we opted for an inductive approach based on the L'Oréal case study analysis. Data were triangulated from different sources: (a) the L'Oréal website and press releases collected in the 2009–2015 period; (b) journal articles and books on the global cosmetics industry and the insightful work of Jones (2010); (c) the Questel Orbit database containing data on patents; and (d) the Zephyr – Bureau van Dijk database containing information on the acquisitions of firms.FindingsEmpirical evidence from a patent data analysis reveals a paradoxical path. On the one hand, acquisitions enable the company to explore new technological spaces; on the other hand, they allow it to reinforce a preexisting technological trajectory, even when the knowledge base of the target is distant from that of the acquirer. Thus, in our case study, the absorption and recombination of knowledge from a variety of domains support specialization more than diversification technology strategies.Originality/valueWe add to innovation management literature a new perspective, by offering a detailed analysis, through patent data, of the knowledge recombination process, led by technological acquisitions.
MALE UAV design of an increased reliability level

Purpose – This study seeks to present the initial requirements for medium altitude long endurance (MALE) UAV design of an increased reliability.Design/methodology/approach – Shows and describes the successive design phases of PW‐103 MALE UAV.Findings – The analysis of the performances of the PW‐103 UAV, powered by either a main or an auxiliary engine, demonstrated that auxiliary power unit improved flight safety significantly.Originality/value – Successive MALE UAV configurations developed in the design process were aerodynamically more efficient than their predecessors.
A study of customer satisfaction in the context of a public private partnership

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present the results of an original satisfaction survey in the context of a new public private partnership (PPP) in the Lebanese postal sector, highlighting traditionally overlooked linkages between PPPs, quality management and customer satisfaction. The ascendancy of PPPs in recent years has been attributed to key drivers including greater value for money, and enhanced service quality. However, very few studies to date have investigated the success of service performance improvement in the PPP context, by gauging customer satisfaction.Design/methodology/approach – The paper is a literature review and customer satisfaction survey.Findings – The findings in this paper suggest a good level of satisfaction with the quality of services received through the PPP in question but mixed results concerning the impact of consumer characteristics on satisfaction ratings.Originality/value – In the paper the relationship between customer satisfaction and quality is reviewed. Cus.
The Scoping Review Approach to Synthesize Nursing Research Evidence

주요어: 주제범위 문헌고찰, 방법론, 근거기반간호 Corresponding author: Seo, Hyun-Ju https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9019-1135 College of Nursing, Chungnam National University, 266 Munhwa-ro, Jung-gu, Daejeon 35015, Korea. Tel: +82-42-580-8320, Fax: +82-42-580-8309, E-mail: hjseo20@cnu.ac. kr Received: Sep 30, 2020 / Revised: Oct 6, 2020 / Accepted: Oct 6, 2020 This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by-nc/3.0), which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. INVITED ARTICLE Open Access
Multi-objective shape optimization of runner blade for Kaplan turbine

Automatic runner shape optimization based on extensive CFD analysis proved to be a useful design tool in hydraulic turbomachinery. Previously the authors developed an efficient method for Francis runner optimization. It was successfully applied to the design of several runners with different specific speeds. In present work this method is extended to the task of a Kaplan runner optimization. Despite of relatively simpler blade shape, Kaplan turbines have several features, complicating the optimization problem. First, Kaplan turbines normally operate in a wide range of discharges, thus CFD analysis of each variant of the runner should be carried out for several operation points. Next, due to a high specific speed, draft tube losses have a great impact on the overall turbine efficiency, and thus should be accurately evaluated. Then, the flow in blade tip and hub clearances significantly affects the velocity profile behind the runner and draft tube behavior. All these features are accounted in the present optimization technique. Parameterization of runner blade surface using 24 geometrical parameters is described in details. For each variant of runner geometry steady state three-dimensional turbulent flow computations are carried out in the domain, including wicket gate, runner, draft tube, blade tip and hub clearances. The objectives are maximization of efficiency in best efficiency and high discharge operation points, with simultaneous minimization of cavitation area on the suction side of the blade. Multiobjective genetic algorithm is used for the solution of optimization problem, requiring the analysis of several thousands of runner variants. The method is applied to optimization of runner shape for several Kaplan turbines with different heads.
Thermoelectric Micro-Cooler for Hot-Spot Thermal Management

Driven by shrinking feature sizes, microprocessor “hot-spots” — with their associated high heat flux and sharp temperature gradients — have emerged as the primary “driver” for on-chip thermal management of today’s IC technology. Solid state thermoelectric micro-coolers offer great promise for reducing the severity of on-chip “hot-spots”, but the theoretical cooling potential of these devices, fabricated on the back of the silicon die in an IC package, has yet to be determined. The results of a three-dimensional electro-thermal finite-element modeling study of such a micro-cooler are presented. Attention is focused on the hot-spot temperature reductions associated with variations in micro-cooler geometry, chip thickness, and chip doping concentration, along with the parasitic Joule heating effects from the electrical contact resistance and current flow through the silicon. The modeling results help to define the optimum solid-state cooling configuration and reveal that, for the conditions examined, nearly 80% of the hot-spot temperature rise of 2.5°C can be removed from a 70μm × 70μm, 680W/cm2 hot-spot on a 50μm thick silicon die with a single micro-cooler.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Research on Mobile Robot SLAM in Dynamic Environment

A SLAMiDE（SLAM in Dynamic Environments) system is designed and realized in the paper, which supplies a holistic framework and a series of implementation methods for mobile robot SLAM in dynamic environments. A uniform target model is proposed in SLAMiDE system. The dynamic targets and static targets and the mobile robot pose are estimated simultaneously, by synthesized the research of the data association and dynamic targets detection and static SLAM based on local maps. Finally, the results of the experimental test prove that the SLAMiDE system can realize dynamic objects detection and mapping and location correctly.
Investigation into the Potentialities of Quasi-Rectangular Optical Filters in HDWDM Systems

Investigation into the Potentialities of Quasi-Rectangular Optical Filters in HDWDM Systems Currently, many research topics in the field of optical transmission systems (mostly grounded on novel modulation techniques) are focused on increasing the total data transmission speed of an individual optical fiber. An alternative - but equally valid - approach to increasing the data transmission is to decrease the WDM channel spacing to high-dense dimensions while keeping the existing data transmission speed for an exact channel. We have developed an experimental HDWDM transmission system based on the quasi-rectangular optical filter technique. The results indicate that for 2.5 Gbit/s HDWDM transmission the suitable channel interval should be greater than 25 GHz, and for the 10 Gbit/s HDWDM solution - not less than 37.5 GHz between adjacent channels. Kvazi-Taisnstūra Optiskā Filtra Iespēju Izpēte Hdwdm Sistēmās Liela daļa no pētījumiem optiskajās pārraides sistēmās koncentrējas uz individuālas optiskās šķiedras pārraides ātruma palielināšanu. Vairākums no šiem pētījumiem ir balstīti uz inovatīvām modulācijas metodēm. Alternatīva, bet ekvivalenta pieeja ir WDM sakaru sistēmas kanālu intervāla samazināšana līdz minimāli atļautajam, saglabājot nemainīgu datu pārraides ātrumu konkrētam kanālam. Publikācijā ir parādīts eksperimentāls HDWDM pārraides sistēmas makets ar kvazi-taisnstūra filtrēšanas tehniku. Mērījumu rezultāti liecina, ka 2,5 Gbit/s HDWDM pārraides sistēmu ir iespējams realizēt ar 25 GHz kanālu intervālu, savukārt, 10 Gbit/s HDWDM pārraides sistēmā kanālu intervāls starp blakus esošajiem kanāliem jāizvēlas ne mazāks kā 37,5 GHz.
Treatment of pediatric obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials

儿童期肥胖已很普遍,与心血管病危险因子、成人肥胖及肥胖相关疾病的发生率增高相关. 美国儿科学会和疾病控制中心用超重表示体重超过标准,用肥胖表示体内脂肪过多. 1998年专家委员会根据体重指数(BMI)制定了儿科治疗指南. 该指南提出对于2～7岁的儿童,如BMI超过第95百分位数并出现轻度高血压,血脂异常及胰岛素抵抗等并发症,临床医师应建议他们减轻体重;而没有并发症的儿童则应维持其体重不变. 指南还提出7岁或7岁以上儿童,如BMI超过第95百分位数,或BMI在第85～94百分位数但有并发症,也应建议他们减轻体重. 最近发表的一份专家共识提出了类似的建议,提出应向BMI≥第85百分位数的儿童提供关于健康生活方式的咨询,而对BMI≥第95百分位数的儿童应南专科医生照料. 然而,临床研究结果 表明,这些指南的价值相当有限. ……
FusE

Many current web pages include structured data which can directly be processed and used. Search engines, in particular, gather that structured data and provide question answering capabilities over the integrated data with an entity-centric presentation of the results. Due to the decentralized nature of the web, multiple structured data sources can provide similar information about an entity. But data from different sources may involve different vocabularies and modeling granularities, which makes integration difficult. We present FusE, an approach that identifies similar entity-specific data across sources, independent of the vocabulary and data modeling choices. We apply our method along the scenario of a trustable knowledge panel, conduct experiments in which we identify and process entity data from web sources, and compare the output to a competing system. The results underline the advantages of the presented entity-centric data fusion approach.
Thermohydrodynamic analysis of thrust-bearing with circular pads running on bubbly oil (BTHD-theory)

This paper considers the steady-state bubble-thermohydrodynamic behavior of rigid circular pad thrust bearing and presents an iterative numerical scheme to solve the governing equations. The Reynolds equation, the energy equation of the oil film, and the heat conduction equation of the pad are converted by means of finite difference method and solved numerically. The air/gas bubbles included in the lubricant are assumed to be evenly dispersed. The variation in the oil density and viscosity due to bubble presence as well according to pressure differentials and temperature rise is considered. The surface tension of the bubbles is taken into account in the analysis. Typical graphs showing the influence of the bubble content on the most important design criteria of the bearing: load W, friction loss F, pressure center location Xp and temperature rise within the oil film are presented. The load carrying capacity, outlet temperature or friction loss does not change much with increasing bubble content. The pressure distributions predicted in earlier work by Tonder [1–4] etc. is confirmed. The pressure center location, however, shifts more downstream, making the bearing more unstable for smaller loads.
IMPACTS OF PUSHING AND PULL FACTORS ON TOURIST SATISFACTION AND RETURN INTENTION TOWARDS RIVER TOURISM IN CAN THO CITY, VIETNAM

This study was conducted to demonstrate the impacts of push and pull factors on tourist satisfaction and behavioural intention of visitors towards Can Tho City river tourism. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to analyse the data. Research data were collected by direct interviews with 235 visitors who have experienced the river tour in Can Tho City. The research has shown that push and pulls factors positively affect destination satisfaction. Besides, destination satisfaction promotes the return intention, willingness to pay, and positive word of mouth of visitors towards river tourism. The study proposes important implications to effectively use river tourism image of Can Tho City, thereby attracting both domestic and foreign tourists. These solutions may help improve the tourism industry of the city.