Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparative advantages of the Indian and Chinese apparel industries: an analysis of the global value chain

The research investigated comparative advantages of the Indian and Chinese apparel industries by evaluating each industry's performance. The investigation employed the global value chain framework. A wide range of secondary data were used from the Indian, Chinese and international databases. The data were synthesised and analysed at the level of each component of the global value chain: textile materials supply, manufacturing, transportation and logistics services, and marketing. The study revealed that the Chinese apparel industry had comparative advantages in the following: material supply in the MMF sector; full-package production and lean/agile manufacturing; and efficient transportation and logistics services. The Indian apparel industry had comparative advantages in: lower labour costs, production differentiation and specialisation, flexible manufacturing, and marketing. Disadvantages in the Chinese and Indian apparel industries were also identified respectively. Industrial upgrading opportunities and recommendations for each industry's future development were formulated. Implications for potential trends of the global apparel industry were also explored.
How do Teaching Strategies that Teachers Employ in the Secondary Schools Raise Students’ Level of Motivation to Learn Effectively?

The researcher carried out the study to find out, “How teaching strategies that teachers employ in the secondary schools raise students’ level of motivation to learn effectively. ” The research explored the relationship between teaching strategies used and motivation affecting the effective teaching-learning process in our schools. Researcher was guided by epistemological assumption and anchored on a social constructivist worldview. Being a novice researcher I employed a qualitative approach with the use of phenomenology as research design. This choice has facilitated the researcher to gain hands-on experiences of the participants in the field. For data collection researchers employed interview (semi-structured) and observation as research tools involving two schools for the study. Researchers invited six teachers (all male) and eight students (4 boys and 4 girls) as the research samples. The data collected from the field was presented, thoroughly discussed and critically analyzed. The study revealed that our existing system of teaching lacks the blend of motivation in the teaching strategies utilized, resulting in minimal learning to our students due to lack of motivation. One of the main recommendations is there is a need for the ministry to look into the possibility of offering courses on motivation compulsorily to all the teacher trainees in the two Colleges of Education.
Cellular stress strategies and harvesting methods to improve the feasibility of microalgae biofuel

ABSTRACT Owing to the need to redesign the energy infrastructure due to reducing fossil fuel availability and effects of climate change, the focus has shifted to biofuels. However, microalgal biofuels are not yet viable because of low productivity of biomass and compounds such as lipids and carbohydrates and the technological limitations in harvesting and collecting microalgal bioproducts. In order to improve the potential of microalgal biofuels, stress strategies are being developed to optimize the cultivation processes. New methods of harvesting are being proposed considering the costs involved. This review discusses strategies for carbohydrate and lipid accumulation in microalgae biomass and harvesting, focusing on the use of coagulation and flocculation methods. We also present the evaluation of costs of different harvesting methods, future trends, and challenges.
Factors affecting public responses to health messages during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia: partisanship, values, and source credibility

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 crisis highlighted issues of trust in government and experts, as citizens were asked to accept restrictions on liberties in order to slow the spread of the virus. Based on a survey of 1992 Australians conducted in May 2020, this paper reports on the attitudes of Australians toward the responses of their State and Federal governments to the pandemic. Unsurprisingly, we found support for government responses differed with partisan alignment. However, when we controlled for values differences, we found that values predicted social distancing attitudes and behaviour. This oppugns the common conclusion in political psychology that party alignment is a proxy for values. Scientists were trusted more than political institutions or actors for accurate COVID-19 information, and likewise, traditional media were preferred to online sources. These findings have implications for policy communication when individual action is required to address collective goals.
Design of Torque-Compensated Mechanical Systems With Two Connected Identical Slider-Crank Mechanisms

Balancing the torque of mechanisms designed to minimize the fluctuation of input shaft torque is an effective means of improving their dynamic performance. There are several ways of solving the problem: optimizing the distribution of the moving mass of the original mechanism; cam sub-systems that displace the balancing mass; cam-spring mechanisms; flywheels driven by noncircular gears; adding articulated dyads, linkages or redundant drivers. This paper addresses the problem of input torque compensation with the optimal connection of two identical slider-crank mechanisms. The acceleration and deceleration phases of the links of the slide-crank mechanism obviously change periodically, causing torque to fluctuate at the input shaft. The problem is how to connect two mechanisms in order to reduce the input torque. This is done by minimizing the root-mean-square value of the input torque of the combined linkages. Two schemes are considered: slider-crank mechanisms with sliders moving on the same side, and on opposite sides. The prime value of this study is that it proposes an analytically tractable solution for identifying the general dynamic properties of mechanisms. Based on the ratio of link lengths, the precise relations for optimal connection of identical slider-crank mechanisms, i.e., a connection that produces the minimum root-mean-square values of the input torque, are developed. The numerical simulations illustrate the efficiency of the suggested approach. Observations show that the best solutions from the point of view of input torque minimization are obtained for the value of the coupling angle of two mechanisms around 90 deg.
A constraint approach (flexible CSP) for alternative cost estimation of a mechanical product

Most product cost estimation systems propose as output a single cost corresponding to a single process plan. In design activities, the lack of information about the cost structure (e.g. composition) and about the production processes (i.e. process plans) does not help the designer to make the targeted modifications for cost reduction. The need of having a representation that takes into account the multiplicity of the technical solutions, and a management of the alternative product realizations, led us to model the product cost estimation in the form of a flexible constraints satisfaction problem (flexible CSP). In this article, the principles used for the design of a decision support system based on the flexible CSP approach are presented and intended to manage the constraints related to the production cost estimation. For a given mechanical part or product, this model makes it possible to determine a set of process plan solutions with a cost for each one. The best solutions, ranked in decreasing order, are those which maximize a satisfaction degree. An application is presented using the Con’flex CSP environment.
Impact response of the fiber-matrix bond in concrete

Fiber reinforced concrete (FRC) is a heterogeneous material comprising of distinct components: fiber, matrix, and fiber-matrix interface. Many applications require an enhanced resistance to impact loading from FRC. While designing for impact, the fiber-matrix interaction is by far the most critical. In the study reported here, three polymeric fibers and one steel fiber were investigated to examine the influence of fiber material, geometry, orientation, and the matrix strength under static and impact loading. Results show bond stiffening under impact loading. This was evident through higher peak loads, lower corresponding values of crack opening and a transition in the failure mode of some polymeric fibers from pull-out to fracture. Higher matrix strength resulted in a stiffer bond for all fiber types. Inclined loading produced better results for steel fibers. Under high crack opening rates, the bond stiffening in deformed polymeric fibers brought it closer in performance to the steel fiber.Key words: bond.
Status of Beam-Based Feedback Research and Development for Continuous Wave SRF Linac ELBE

The superconducting electron linear accelerator ELBE at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf is a versatile light source operated in continuous wave mode. As the demand on the beam stability increases, the improvement of the beam control schemes currently installed at ELBE becomes highly relevant. This improvement can be achieved by an upgrade of the existing digital MicroTCA.4 based LLRF control scheme by a beam-based feedback. By presenting both the design and implementation details of the new control scheme this contribution reports the status of the work in progress.
Dual-band coplanar waveguide-fed smiling monopole antenna for Wifi and 4G long-term evolution applications

A novel `coplanar waveguide'-fed planar monopole antenna with dual-band operation for WiFi and `long-term evolution 4G (LTE)' applications is presented. The simple antenna's geometry is composed of a circular radiating patch with a smiling slot, and it occupies a small size of 41.6( L ) × 28.38( W ) × 1.52( h ) mm 3 . Two operating bands covering 2.3-3.0 and 4.7-5.9 GHz are achieved by carefully optimising the position and size of a smiling slot. An antenna prototype has been manufactured and it has been characterised in terms of return loss and radiation pattern measurements in anechoic chamber exhibiting almost omnidirectional patterns and appreciable gain across the operating bands, being suitable for WiFi and 4G LTE applications.
Development of a probabilistic admittance policy for the Flemish harbours

Deep-draughted ships approaching the harbour of Zeebrugge or the Western Scheldt, the river giving access to the harbours of Antwerp and Ghent, make use of the sea channels Scheur West/East and Pas van het Zand. Due to depth limitations, shipping traffic is subject to tidal windows for drafts exceeding 12.20 m. At present, these tidal windows are determined in such a way that a gross under keel clearance of 15% of the ship's draft is guaranteed. This access policy accounts for water level fluctuations due to tidal action and for the ship's draft, but does not make any distinction regarding other ship characteristics, weather conditions or wave climate. A potential optimisation of the access policy could consist of the introduction of tidal windows adapted to the actual hydrological and meteorological conditions. For this purpose, among others, a hydro-meteo system was installed by the Division Coastal Waterways of the Waterways and Maritime Affairs Administration in the 1990s, providing the nautical authorities with accurate data about the actual and expected water level and wave climate in the channels. An optimised access policy requires a reliable estimation of the ships' vertical motions due to their response to the waves and to squat effects, so that the probability of bottom touch during the passage can be assessed. In order to obtain such data, a very comprehensive model test program was carried out by Ghent University in the Towing Tank for Manoeuvres in Shallow Water at Flanders Hydraulics (Antwerp, Belgium). The test results were collected in a database that can be considered to be unique, not only from the point of view of response of ships in waves in (very) shallow water conditions, but also regarding squat. These data were used to evaluate the reliability and accuracy of two ship motion calculation programs, based on strip theory and on a 3D-panel method, so that missing conditions in the database could be extrapolated. Based on this database, a calculation procedure was developed, which can be considered as the main tool for establishing a probabilistic admittance policy for the Flemish harbours.
High power factor transformerless single-stage single-phase ac to high-voltage dc converter with voltage multiplier

This study proposes a transformerless single-stage single-phase ac to high-voltage dc converter based on Cockcroft–Walton (CW) voltage-multiplier circuit with only adding one bi-directional switch and one boost inductor. This study also derives a new method of circuit representation for CW voltage multiplier, which simplifies the equivalent circuit and is convenient for simulation. Compared with conventional CW voltage multiplier, the proposed converter provides half-wave symmetry and low-distorted line current, improved power factor at the ac source and a regulated dc output voltage for wide load range. In addition, a current-fed analysis approach is used to derive a general expression of the output voltage ripple as function of the load to facilitate the design of the system parameters. A commercial average-current-control continuous conduction mode power factor correction integrated circuit (IC) is used to implement the control strategy of the proposed converter that does not need the multiplier and sensing of the input ac voltage; this strategy simplifies the design and reduces the control circuit components. A 500 W prototype is built for testing. Both simulation and experimental results demonstrate the validity of the proposed converter.
Cooperation, collaboration and compromise: learning through difference and diversity

ABSTRACT Multi-institutional and multi-professional research projects are valued for the impact and learning they generate, but their successful completion is crucially dependent on the various actors recognising their differences and working through/with them as a team. This paper is a critical reflection on one such participatory action research project, which involved new migrants and asylum seekers, an NGO, university researchers, and independent trainers in offering intercultural sexual health and gender relations workshops. It charts the course of this project by introducing the key players and focusing on significant differences and opportunities, and the critical learnings that this generated. The paper uses the concept of the ‘paradox lens’ as a way of understanding emerging dilemmas and tensions, and the subsequent compromises, co-operations and collaborations that ensued. In closing, it offers a set of principles generated from reflections on learning that occurred during the project, and which may be amended and adapted for other contexts and action research encounters that hope to engender collaborative learning.
Synthesis of Scalable Single Length Cycle, Single Attractor Cellular Automata in Linear Time

This paper proposes the synthesis of single length cycle, single attractor cellular automata (SACAs) for arbitrary length. The n-cell single length cycle, single attractor cellular automaton (SACA), synthesized in linear time O(n), generates a pattern and finally settles to a point state called the single length cycle attractor state. An analytical framework is developed around the graph-based tool referred to as the next state transition diagram to explore the properties of SACA rules for three-neighborhood, one-dimensional cellular automata. This enables synthesis of an (n+1)-cell SACA from the available configuration of an n-cell SACA in constant time and an (n+m)-cell SACA from the available configuration of n-cell and m-cell SACAs also in constant time.
A New Meta-Heuristic Technique for Engineering Design Optimization: Seven-Spot Ladybird Algorithm

Increasing attention is being paid to solving engineering design optimization problems which are generally nonlinear and constrained. In this paper, the Seven-spot Ladybird Optimization (SLO) algorithm is developed to obtain the solution of such optimization problems. This paper presents the basic concepts and main steps of the SLO and demonstrates its efficiency. The performance of the SLO is compared with some popular meta-heuristic algorithms by using four different dimensional classical benchmark functions. The simulation results indicate that the proposed algorithm is able to escape from a local minimum and is efficient for multimodal function optimization. Moreover, three constrained engineering problems are solved by using SLO and numerical results show the efficiency of this proposed method in practical computations. Keywords-seven-spot ladybird optimization; meta-heuristic algorithm; benchmark function; constrained mechanical design optimization
Charge equalisation for series-connected LiFePO4 battery strings

LiFePO4 batteries are suitable for high power applications because of their advantages of large discharge current and high efficiency. Owing to the characteristics of LiFePO4 batteries, it may cause overcharge/over-discharge and reduce the cycle life of the battery when series-connected batteries are used. This study proposes a charge equaliser based on an interleaved active clamp flyback converter. The interleaved topology reduces the output ripple current. Therefore the rectifier diode conduction loss can be reduced. With a clamp capacitor and leakage inductance, the switches are turned on with zero-voltage switching while the voltage stress of switch is reduced. Furthermore, a constant switching frequency and duty ratio are designed to achieve a simple control for the proposed system. The simulations and experimental results are provided to verify the performance of the proposed charge equaliser.
Energy Conversion System based on Photovoltaic-Battery-Ultra Capacitor-Diesel Sources for a Mobile Hospital

This article deals with the energy management of a hybrid system composed of PV, Battery,ultracapacitor and diesel synchronous generators for a mobile hospital. The proposed power system can supply energy to Shelter Hospital for better treatment of patients in remote states, particularly in the event of a pandemic situation such as COVID-19. For this reason, a hybrid power system in which a diesel generator is used with a photovoltaic energy source for reliable availability of power supply. Moreover, batteries and ultra-capacitors are also integrated to obtain a hybrid power generation and storage system to ensure the smooth operation of mobile hospital weather conditions. Photovoltaic panels are connected to a boost converter to follow maximum power tracking (MPPT) and Power curtailment modes. The battery is connected to a bidirectional reversible DC-DC converter for DC bus voltage regulation and state of charge (SOC) control. The ultra-capacitor is associated with the battery to compensate for the peak power. The diesel generator is connected in parallel with the photovoltaic generator, battery, and ultra-capacitor to continuously provide the power required by the load. The integrated operation of all the generation and storage systems is complex for shelter hospital. Hence; an efficient energy management algorithm is developed to manage the continuous energy flow between the elements of the hybrid power system and mobile hospital load through the control of the power converters. Finally, validation results are presented to show the effectiveness of the proposed energy management of the hybrid power system.
Mise en place d’une unité pilote de traitement des sédiments issus de l’assainissement pluvial

Storm-water sediments are often polluted with trace elements and hydrocarbons. The objective of this study is the treatment of these sediments in order to allow their recycling. Characterization tests show that metallic and organic pollutants are in the fine fractions. Some of the fine particles are easily separable by physical sorting, whereas others are conglomerated requiring a further treatment (attrition) to be separated from the coarse fractions. The set up treatment consists in concentrating the pollutants in a reduced fraction of the sediment (the fine particles), which can be separated allowing the re-use of other fractions. To achieve this purpose, a pilot plant unit was set up for the treatment of various pond and street sweeping sediments. Chemical and geotechnical tests are carried out on the different fractions to determine their possibilities of re-use.
Safety Analyses at Signalized Intersections: Research Strategies, Modeling Techniques, and Significant Factors

Signalized intersections are among the most dangerous locations in a roadway network. The first step towards an effective solution to safety improvement is to identify the primary causes of crash occurrence. Negative Binomial regression provides a common tool for modeling cross-sectional count data like crash frequencies at signalized intersections, which assume the dependent variables are independent. Intersections could be considered as isolated when the distance between them is long. Signalized intersections, especially for those closer ones along a certain corridor, are spatially correlated and will influence each other in many aspects. Generalized Estimating Equations, which is an extension of generalized linear models to correlated data, is applied to account for spatial correlation for the safety analyses at the intersections. Rear-end crashes are the most frequently occurring collision type at signalized intersections. The paper presents a series models developed in the United States for total crashes and rear-end crashes at signalized intersections. Intersection geometric design features, traffic control and operational features, traffic characteristics, land use, and some corridor level factors are collected and their safety effects are tested. The significant factors at the different levels are identified which lead to a better understanding of crash occurrence and eventually to develop efficient safety countermeasures for signalized intersections.
Impact of Curbside Parking on Travel Time and Space Mean Speed of Nonmotorized Vehicles

Curbside parking is an important component of a parking system. This type of parking can significantly affect traffic performance because of both the required roadway resources and the operational characteristics of parking maneuvers. To analyze the traffic performance of nonmotorized vehicles influenced by curbside parking, this study gives a quantitative analysis of the influence of curbside parking on travel time and space mean speed. The travel time and travel speed data of nonmotorized vehicles moving in road sections with curbside parking and barriers between motorized and nonmotorized vehicles were gathered by observers. A proportional hazard-based duration model is proposed to analyze the influential factors related to curbside parking, including the effective width of a bicycle lane; inbound and outbound parking maneuvers, double parking, and load–unload activities; and the time influence rate. Results show that curbside parking has a significant impact on the travel speed of nonmotorized vehicles. Results also indicate that the effective lane width shows a positive effect on travel speed, while inbound and outbound parking maneuvers and the time influence rate show a negative effect on travel speed. In addition, various factors can modify travel speed; the model can be used to estimate travel speed under assumed conditions. It is hoped that this study will help to improve the planning and management of curbside parking.