Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Local engineering demand parameters for seismic risk evaluation of low ductility reinforced concrete buildings

Probabilistic methods to evaluate the seismic vulnerability of reinforced concrete (RC) frames are largely used in the context of performance based design and assessment, often describing the structural response using global engineering demand parameters (EDPs) such as the interstory drift. While such EDPs are able to synthetically describe the structural behavior, the use of intermediate or local parameters of RC frames without seismic detailing can enable a more realistic and thorough description of failure mechanisms for structural vulnerability. This study proposes an optimized methodology for the probabilistic evaluation of seismic demand of low ductility RC frames by exploring a range of intermediate, local and global EDPs, identifying appropriate regression models and comparing performances of different ground motion intensity measures used in the probabilistic analysis. Moreover, a probabilistic methodology for assessing the vulnerability of buildings retrofitted by means of dissipative braces is proposed. The methodology use local EDP in order to develop single component and system fragility curves before and after the retrofit. The proposed approach allows to highlight the possible changes in the most significant collapse modalities before and after the retrofit and to evaluate the effectiveness of the retrofit by taking into account the probabilistic properties of the seismic behavior of the considered systems. A benchmark 2-dimensional reinforced concrete frame with low ductility capacity is considered as case study. The frame is designed for gravity-loads only and does not comply with Doctoral School on Engineering Sciences Universita Politecnica delle Marche modern anti-seismic code requirements. It is retrofitted by introducing elasto-plastic dissipative braces designed for different levels of their target base-shear capacity, following a design method involving the pushover analysis of the bare frame. The obtained results show the effectiveness of the use of component level vulnerability evaluation of low ductility frames, and the effectiveness of the methodology in describing the changes in the performance due to retrofit. The proposed methodology also allows testing the effectiveness of this simplified criterion employed for the design of braces.
Proceedings of the 4th international workshop on Predictor models in software engineering

It is our great pleasure to welcome you to PROMISE 2008 - the 4th International Workshop on Predictor Models in Software Engineering. This year's workshop continues its tradition of being the premier forum for presentation of research results and experience reports in the area of predictor models applied to software engineering. The theme for this year's workshop is Bridging Research and Industry. Key questions for the workshop are -- How might PROMISE and other researchers better align with the realities of industry? -- How can industry make effective use of research ideas? In keeping with this theme, we have two keynote speakers from industry. Dr. Murray Cantor is an IBM Distinguished Engineer and the governance solutions lead on the IBM Rational Software CTO team. Mr. Chris Beal is a Sun Microsystems Senior Staff Engineer working with Solaris Revenue Product Engineering. We are pleased that PROMISE has become an international event. Our call for papers attracted submissions from Asia, Canada, Europe, and the United States. The program committee accepted over a dozen papers covering a variety of topics, including models related to fault prediction, effort estimation, and requirements engineering. One feature that sets this workshop apart from others is the PROMISE repository of software data sets that are publicly available for research purposes. The repository currently has 57 data sets and has grown at an average rate of 44% annually over the last 3.5 years.
Development of Optimum Theoretical Warhead Design Criteria

Abstract : A study was conducted to develop optimum theoretical warhead design criteria. Weight, diameter and length constraints were considered based on a solid cylinder with no end confinement. End effects were also considered and treated using correction factors in the form of exponential functions of length- to-diameter ratios. Using these parameters, three general qualitative conclusions were drawn: (1) the greater the warhead length, the greater its initial fragment kinetic energy, (2) the mathematical models developed indicate that the optimum charge-to-metal mass ratio (C/M) is greater than 1.4 and that a decreased length-to-diameter ratio results in higher optimum C/Ms; and (3) optimum warhead case material, from the standpoint of initial fragment kinetic energy, is a function of warhead weight, length and diameter. (Author)
Sound source separation in real environments using two sensors

The present invention relates to a threshold circuit for connection between the terminals of a power-supply and a load - particularly a tone-ringer for use in a station-set of a telephone or like data-transmission system. The circuit is used to switch between a dummy load and a main load - such as a tone-ringer - wherein the dummy load normally takes lesser current draw than the main load. Therefore, for a given power-supply impedance, the voltage drop across the power-supply lines will increase and in conventional circuits this reduces the voltage level below the threshold, causing parasitic oscillation. The present invention eliminates this problem by providing hysteresis in the threshold voltage by use of a positive feedback network, so that the dummy load will not be switched in again until the power-supply voltage is considerably less than the original threshold voltage level.
Multicast transmission Performance improvement through adaptive antenna arrays

This paper evaluates and compares different adaptive antenna techniques applied in the context of multicast services. Traditional unicast algorithms, such as the matched filter, zero-forcing, Tomlinson-Harashima precoding, and switched fixed beams are formulated for the multicast case. Algorithms which try to improve the performance of the worst user within the multicast group are also analyzed and a new algorithm called USMF is proposed. It is seen that the techniques which treat all the users alike do not perform well when compared to those which focus on the worst user. The spatial correlation of the channel is shown to have a significant impact on the results. The presence of line-of-sight is verified to be beneficial to the performance of the proposed algorithm and the switched fixed beams. Other aspects, such as the transmitter/receiver design and the impact of the multicast group size, are investigated as well.
BIOFIDELITY EVALUATION OF THE THOR ADVANCED FRONTAL CRASH TEST DUMMY

Ten 48 km/h frontal sled tests were conducted to evaluate the biofidelity of the THOR dummy. Three replicate tests were conducted with THOR, three with a 50th percentile male Hybrid III dummy, and four with Post Mortem Human Surrogates (PMHS). The tests, conducted in a buck representing a mid-size US sedan, included a force-limited three-point belt system with buckle-side pretensioner and a driver side airbag. Following the tests, selected parameters were used to compare THOR's responses with those of the Hybrid III dummy and the PMHS. The results were mass scaled in order to account for size differences between the subjects. Based on cadaveric response corridors, the sled test results provided evidence that THOR is more biofidelic than the Hybrid III dummy. THOR lap belt loads, upper spine (T1) movement, head acceleration, and movement of the anterior chest wall were more similar to those of the PMHS than were those of the Hybrid III. However, THOR recorded less head forward movement and pelvic acceleration than did the PMHS. (A) For the covering abstract of the conference see ITRD E206422.
Cacti 3. 0: an integrated cache timing, power, and area model

tion in 1982. We focus on information technology that is relevant to the technical strategy of the Corporation, and that has the potential to open new business opportunities. Research at WRL includes Internet protocol design and implementation, tools to optimize compiled binary code files, hardware and software mechanisms to support scalable shared memory, graphics VLSI ICs, handheld computing, and more. As part of WRL tradition, we test our ideas by extensive software or hardware prototyping. We publish the results of our work in a variety of journals, conferences, research reports, and technical notes. This document is a research report. Research reports are normally accounts of completed research and may include material from earlier technical notes, conference papers, or magazine articles. We use technical notes for rapid distribution of technical material; usually this represents research in progress. You can request printed copies of research reports and technical notes, when available, by mailing your order to us at: Abstract CACTI 3.0 is an integrated cache access time, cycle time, area, aspect ratio, and power model. By integrating all these models together users can have confidence that tradeoffs between time, power, and area are all based on the same assumptions and hence are mutually consistent. CACTI is intended for use by computer architects so they can better understand the performance tradeoffs inherent in different cache sizes and organizations.
A Review of the Current Laboratory Practice in Malaysian University: A Preliminary Study

The rapid increase in technological developments worldwide has provided the impetus for change in engineering training and education. To meet these transformations, it is crucial that engineering education programs generate graduates with technical and professional skills to become easily accustomed to working environment. Educational institutions contribute to this agenda by outlining the attributes that are central in producing graduates with satisfactory levels of knowledge, skills and attitudes. This paper investigates how these knowledge and skills could be acquired through laboratory works and laboratory reports. Laboratory experiments are practical activities used to integrate theory with practice, and are significant in enabling the students to make the connections between theory and practice. Which types of laboratory skills are commonly practised during laboratory sessions in an engineering course? Is the current laboratory assessment valid? This paper will examine these issues further and recommend several measures to enhance the practice of laboratory experiments in Malaysian universities.
Discrete Wavelet Transform Analysis of Surface Electromyography for the Objective Assessment of Neck and Shoulder Muscle Fatigue

Discrete Wavelet Transform Analysis of Surface Electromyography for the Objective Assessment of Neck and Shoulder Muscle Fatigue Suman Kanti Chowdhury Objective assessment of neuromuscular fatigue caused by sub-maximal repetitive exertions is essential for the early detection and prevention of risks of neck and shoulder musculoskeletal disorders. In recent years, discrete wavelet transforms (DWT) of surface electromyography (SEMG) has been used to evaluate muscle fatigue, especially during dynamic contractions when the SEMG signal is non-stationary. However, its application to neck muscle fatigue assessment is not well established. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to establish DWT analysis as a suitable method to conduct quantitative assessment of neck muscle fatigue caused by dynamic exertions. Ten human participants performed 40 minutes of fatiguing repetitive arm and neck exertions. SEMG data from the upper trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscles were recorded. Ten most commonly used orthogonal wavelet functions were used to conduct DWT analysis. A significant increase in the power was observed at lower frequency bands of 6-12Hz, 12-23 Hz, and 23-46 Hz with the onset and development of fatigue for most of the wavelet functions. Among ten wavelet function, a relatively higher power estimation, consistent statistical trend and better power contrast with the onset and development of fatigue was observed for the Rbio3.1 wavelet function. The results of this study will assist Professional Ergonomists to automate the process of localized muscle fatigue estimation, which could have applications related to improving working environment.
Meta-Study

ABSTRACT Meta-study is a method for analysing the content and the process of knowledge production in a body of qualitative research. Conducting a meta-study involves four steps: (1) meta-data-analysis which involves the study of empirical findings; (2) meta-method which examines the epistemological soundness and rigour of methods; (3) meta-theory which examines the structures, assumptions, and principles underpinning the primary research studies; and (4) meta-synthesis which brings the three steps together and considers the plausibility of existing accounts, what has been neglected, and what new avenues have been opened for advancing knowledge. Qualitative researchers in sport and exercise psychology (SEP) have recently started using meta-study to examine bodies of qualitative research in various areas including positive youth development, junior-to-senior transition, athletic identity and mental toughness development. Our review shows that meta-study has been a useful method for demonstrating how methodological developments have influenced how qualitative researchers apply methods and conceptualise the phenomena of interest. However, there have been diverse applications of meta-study and, in the absence of recent updates on the method, meta-study is in danger of remaining underdeveloped or becoming outdated. Based on the review, we outline guidelines for SEP scholars to employ meta-study rigorously.
A Facility Layout Design Methodology for Retail Environments

Based on an overall consideration of the principles and characteristics in designing a retail area layout, this research is the first work to integrate aisle structure design, block layout, which is specific department placement, and intra-block departmental layout, which is detailed fixture layout design, as a whole process. The main difference between previous research and this proposed research is the formulation of mathematical models that can be specified applied in the retail sector. Unlike manufacturing, in retail environments, the design objective is profit maximization. This is accomplished by maximizing the area exposure, optimizing the adjacency preference of all departments, and adjusting the intra-block layout and evaluating the effectiveness of layout design.
Analysis and synthesis of collective motion: from geometry to dynamics

Title of dissertation: ANALYSIS AND SYNTHESIS OF COLLECTIVE MOTION: FROM GEOMETRY TO DYNAMICS Matteo Mischiati, Doctor of Philosophy, 2011 Dissertation directed by: Professor P. S. Krishnaprasad Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering The subject of this dissertation is collective motion, the coordinated motion of two or more individuals, in three-dimensional space. Inspired by the problems of understanding collective motion in nature and designing artificial collectives that can produce complex behaviors, we introduce mathematical methods for the analysis of collective motion data, and biologically-inspired algorithms for generating collective motion in engineered systems. We explore two complementary approaches to the analysis and synthesis of collective motion. The first “top-down” approach consists in exploiting the geometry of n-body systems to identify certain elementary components of collective motion. A main contribution of this thesis is to reveal a new geometrical structure (fiber bundle) of the translation-reduced configuration space and a corresponding classification of collective motions alternative to the classical one based on reduction to shape space. We derive a mathematical framework for decomposing arbitrary collective motions into elementary components, which can help identify the main modes of an observed collective phenomenon. We synthesize vector fields that implement some of the most interesting elementary collective motions, and suggest, whenever feasible, decentralized implementations. The second “bottom-up” approach consists in starting from known biologically-plausible individual control laws and exploring how they can be used to generate collective behaviors. This approach is illustrated using the motion camouflage proportional guidance law as a building block. We show that rich and coordinated motion patterns can be obtained when two individuals are engaged in mutual pursuit with this control law. An extension of these dynamics yields coordinated motion for a collective of n individuals. ANALYSIS AND SYNTHESIS OF COLLECTIVE MOTION: FROM GEOMETRY TO DYNAMICS
Longwall dust control: An overview of progress in recent years

This paper indicates that dust exposures on longwall mining operations are, in general, significantly higher than in other mining environments. A variety of dusts sources exist on longwall faces, and their contributions to the overall airborne dust level can vary from one face to another. Although in most instances the shearer is the primary dust source, secondary dust sources, in particular coal-transport systems, should not be overlooked. If the shearer is not the major dust source, additional controls on the shearer may not have much effect on dust levels at the operator's position. Although the amount of dust generated is directly related to the amount of coal extraction, no correlation has been found between respirable dust exposure and production.
Obesity, lifestyle behaviors and dyslipidemia among Chinese adults aged 45 and older

Background This study investigated the importance of obesity and lifestyle behaviors in affecting dyslipidemia among adults aged 45 and older in China. The strength of our study is in using the decision tree model to clearly rank the importance of those key factors affecting dyslipidemia.Methods Data were taken from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. A total of 9,038 adults were included in the study. Logistic regression was used to examine the associations between obesity, lifestyle behaviors and dyslipidemia. Decision tree was built to select the best scheme on prevention of dyslipidemia.Results Based on body mass index (BMI), 33.98% of Chinese age ≥ 45 years old were overweight and a further 12.73% were obese. Logistic regression analysis showed that participants who were obese (AOR 6.82, 95% CI 3.67–12.37, P<0.0001), with hypertension stage 2 (1.53, 1.23–1.90, P=0.0001) and lived in main city zone (2.68, 2.22–3.22, P<0.0001) were more likely to have dyslipidemia; Participants who usually took part in vigorous activity (0.66, 0.54–0.80, P<0.0001) or did moderate/light activity more than 2 hours one day (moderate: 0.66, 0.53–0.84, P=0.0005; light: 0.79, 0.65–0.97, P=0.0231) were less likely to have dyslipidemia. Decision tree analysis showed that enhancing physical activity could effectively reduce the rate of dyslipidemia among people with overweight or obesity.Conclusions Overweight and obesity are rapidly growing threats in China. Regular physical activity could positively affect dyslipidemia and produce desirable health status. This will be beneficial evidence for educating those who do not or cannot perform regular and substantial physical activities.
A multiple objective magnet sorting algorithm for the ALS insertion devices

Insertion devices for the Advanced Light Source (ALS) incorporate large numbers of permanent magnets which have a variety of magnetization orientation errors. These orientation errors can produce field errors which affect both the spectral brightness of the insertion devices and the storage ring electron beam dynamics. A perturbation study was carried out to quantify the effects of orientation errors acting in a hybrid magnetic structure. The results of this study were used to develop a multiple stage sorting algorithm which minimizes undesirable integrated field errors and essentially eliminates pole excitation errors. When applied to a measured magnet population for an existing insertion device, an order of magnitude reduction in integrated field errors was achieved while maintaining near zero pole excitation errors.
Active Safety Systems Change Accident Environment of Vehicles Significantly - A Challenge for Vehicle Design

ESP, the Electronic Stabilization Program, was offered by Volkswagen and AUDI, because predictions showed a high potential for injury mitigation through accident avoidance. This encouraged both companies to offer ESP for most of their vehicles, beginning with the Audi A2/A3 and VW Golf. Adding ESP would make the vehicles more expensive. The decision to offer ESP was a courageous one, especially in the A2/A3 and Golf segments where price was and is a major consideration for customers. So it was clear that the accident performance of vehicles equipped with ESP had to be very carefully and thoroughly studied by Volkswagen and AUDI accident research teams. The result of this research exceeded expectations. The accident research teams had to increase their projections with every new study. Today, it can be stated that ESP is the most effective safety measure after the safety belt, even more effective than the airbags. The main figures are: ESP, provided by Volkswagen and AUDI, can prevent 80% of all skidding accidents. This means that ESP has a high potential to prevent rollover accidents. There is an additional potential of ESP, because it will change pole-side-impact into pole-frontal-accidents. This is still a dangerous accident, but much less dangerous than pole-side-impacts. If only the avoidance effect of ESP is taken into account, it can be stated from accident experience (not projections) that more than 80% of all skidding accidents can be prevented by ESP. This is a new dimension, if compared with passive safety. While a passive safety measure can prevent injuries, ESP prevents the accident from occurring. The driver does not realize that he just avoided a situation that might have been fatal without ESP. In Germany, this finding would mean that 35% of all vehicle occupant fatalities could be prevented: Not just reduced to minor injuries, but actually prevented. Secondary effects of injury mitigation, as mentioned before, are not taken into account. So 35% is a lower limit of the expected effect. These findings show that the future development of vehicle safety will be driven by accident avoidance much more than by injury mitigation. Rating systems of passenger vehicles should take this into account. Regulation, compliance testing, and rating systems like the different international NCAP organizations should also take this into account. Accident avoidance is always the better solution. Future development should reflect this widely accepted philosophy. NCAP-ratings should make sure that a "best pick" is really a best pick based primarily on accident avoidance and not just with respect to injury mitigation.
Practical Aspect Of Power Budget and QoS Analysis of WDM Network

Abstract - Optical fibre communication systems are composed of optical source, the optical fibre as transmission medium with associated connectors, and the photo detector with its associated receiver. The system designer must select from a set of device components to meet a given set of system requirements. We need to analyse, simulate and finally validate that the designed system satisfies those requirements. An important problem in WDM network design is to construct an algorithm to determine the optimal light-path from a set of all possible paths in a network topology. To establish an optical path, it is necessary to determine the route by which the call will traffic on and the wavelength that will be used on all links along the route. Based on the power budget and quality of service (QoS) analysis, we proposed a method of optimal light-path selection mechanism. The selected light path shows it’s QoS in terms of Quality Factor (Q-factor).