Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Detection Reliability for Small Cracks Beneath Rivet Heads Using Eddy-Current Nondestructive Inspection Techniques

Abstract : Advanced inspection technology that is emerging from the laboratory is generally far superior to the less capable systems around which aircraft inspections are designed. In light of the very conservative nature of these inspection designs, it is apparent that today's advanced technology is being employed at only a fraction of its full potential. In order to assess the full potential of advanced eddy-current inspection technology on representative aircraft applications, the FAA's Airworthiness Assurance Nondestructive Inspection Validation Center (AANC) was tasked to assess the full capability of several advanced systems. The task involved inspections of several rivet skin splices-representative of actual aircraft structure-containing cracks ranging from 0.040-, 0.060-, and 0.080-inch standards, and thresholds were set to the lowest reasonable level for the particular system. The results demonstrated that some of the systems were able to reliably detect cracks as small as 0.040 inch with false call rates remained less than 1%.
Prototyping smart assistance with Bayesian autonomous driver models

The Human or Cognitive Centered Design (HCD) of intelligent transport systems requires digital Models of Human Behavior and Cognition (MHBC) enabling Ambient Intelligence e.g. in a smart car. Currently MBHC are developed and used as driver models in traffic scenario simulations, in proving safety assertions and in supporting risk-based design. Furthermore, it is tempting to prototype assistance systems (AS) on the basis of a human driver model cloning an expert driver. To that end we propose the Bayesian estimation of MHBCs from human behavior traces generated in new kind of learning experiments: Bayesian model learning under driver control. The models learnt are called Bayesian Autonomous Driver (BAD) models. For the purpose of smart assistance in simulated or real world scenarios the obtained BAD models can be used as Bayesian Assistance Systems (BAS). The critical question is, whether the driving competence of the BAD model is the same as the driving competence of the human driver when generating the training data for the BAD model. We believe that our approach is superior to the proposal to model the strategic and tactical skills of an AS with a Markov Decision Process (MDP). The usage of the BAD model or BAS as a prototype for a smart Partial Autonomous Driving Assistant System (PADAS) is demonstrated within a racing game simulation.
Voice Transformations for Extreme Vocal Effects

Extreme Vocal Effects (EVE) in music are so recent that few studies have been carried out about how they are physiologically produced and whether they are harmful or not for the human voice.Voice Transformations in real-time are possible nowadays thanks to new technologies and voice processing algorithms. This Master's Thesis pretends to define and classify these new singing techniques and to create a mapping between the physiological aspect of each EVE to its relative spectrumvariations.Voice Transformation Models based on these mappings are proposed and discussed for each one of these EVEs. We also discuss different transformation methods and strategies in order to obtain better results.A subjective evaluation of the results of the transformations is also presented and discussed along with further work, improvements, and working lines on this field.
Forecasting Enlisted Supply: Projections for 1979-1990

Abstract : Reports on projections of the supply of high quality male enlistees to each of the four military services which were prepared for the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense -- Manpower, Reserve Affairs, and Logistics. Supply equations are estimated using monthly data from the 1970s. The projections derived from them -- broken down by service, mental category, and economic assumptions -- show steady and substantial declines through the end of the next decade. The methodology followed in the study is detailed, and complete listings of the data employed are included. (Author)
ADCIRC: An Advanced Three-Dimensional Circulation Model for Shelves, Coasts, and Estuaries. Report 2. User's Manual for ADCIRC-2DDI

Abstract : This report describes the use of model ADCIRC-2DDI, a two- dimensional, depth-integrated, finite-element-based hydrodynamic circulation code. ADCIRC-2DDI solves the shallow-water equations in their full nonlinear form and can be forced with elevation boundary conditions, zero normal boundary fluxes, variable spatial and temporal free surface stress and atmospheric pressure forcing functions in addition to Coriolis and tidal potential forcing terms. The algorithms that comprise ADCIRC-2DDI allow for extremely flexible spatial discretizations, which results in a highly effective minimization of the discrete size of any problem. Furthermore, these algorithms show good stability characteristics, generate no spurious artificial modes, have no inherent artificial damping, and are extremely efficient. The resulting model can be applied to computational domains ranging from the deep ocean to estuaries. Furthermore, the model is able to efficiently run months to years of simulation while providing detailed intra-tidal response characteristics. A compete description of all user aspects is given in this document, including code setup and a description of all input and output files. Both model-specific and general modeling practices are discussed. Finally, two examples are presented. Sample input and output files for these examples are included in Appendices A and B. Circulation model, Numerical model, Finite element method, Two-dimensional model, Hydrodynamic model, User's Manual.
Artificial Intelligence based Android App for Medical Consultation

This paper proposes an Artificial Intelligence (AI) based mobile health application model for E-consultation and disease diagnosis. An android application, named ‘consult-AI, predicting diseases based on symptoms and associated health issues is designed and developed in this work. The proposed system consists of the user interface and web services, symptoms-disease database, disease-drugs database, disease prediction engine, and prescription engine. The user interface is implemented using android/java programming, and the disease diagnosis part is designed with the help of symptoms-disease database, AI-assisted prediction engines, and web services. The prescription engine works with the disease-drugs database and outputs from the disease prediction engine to deliver the e-prescription recommendation to doctors according to the severity of the condition. The patients can quickly identify the disease by just inputting their issues, and the software generates awareness on the state through which he/she may be passing at that time. The system suggests some first aid activities to save their lives and facilitates a remote consultation with a specialist available in the session. The proposed system proves very helpful in urgent cases where the patient needs immediate attention before reaching the hospital or in instances where there are no doctors available in the area.
Fatigue life prediction of composite materials under realistic loading conditions (variable amplitude loading)

Two of the most widely used methods for the fatigue life prediction of composite materials under variable amplitude (VA) loading patterns are presented in this chapter. The first method is based on the theoretical formulation and use of a damage summation rule to predict life under VA loading without recourse to experimental observation of the damage accumulation process. An alternative to this classic fatigue life prediction methodology are the residual strength fatigue theories, where residual strength is used as the damage metric. Comparison of the remaining strength of the material to the static strength allows the estimation of the fatigue cycles until failure. The basic fatigue modeling introduced in previous chapters of this book for interpretation of the fatigue data ( Chapter 2), residual strength theories ( Chapter 3), and constant life diagrams ( Chapter 6) is combined here to establish fatigue life prediction methodologies.
Numerical and Experimental Investigations of Laminar/Turbulent Boundary Layer Transition

Accurate and reliable prediction of heat loads at control surfaces of re-entry vehicles in the hypersonic regime is still an important subject of CFD simulation. Surface overheating in transitional flow caused by instabilities and vortices especially in the separation region leads to significant uncertainties in thermal protection systems and wasting of material and weight. Recent investigations at the RWG facility (Rohrwindkanal Gottingen) of the DNW and corresponding CFD computations by the Institute of Design Aerodynamics deal essentially with the heat flux at the control surfaces of the NASA X-38 experimental vehicle. All computations and testing are carried out at M=6, 40° angle of attack and 20° flap deflection angle in a Reynolds number range from 2.1 Mio to Re=8.8 Mio, corresponding to the Reynolds number range under flight conditions. One aim of the CFD study was, apart from code validation in transitional and separated flow, an investigation of predicted three-dimensional instabilities in and after the separation region of the deflected flaps, which lead to the mentioned overshoot in heat fluxes. For resolution of instability effects, different local meshes in the region of control surfaces have been extracted from the original X-38 mesh and extensive studies of the influence of wake and further distant flow have shown sufficiency of grids in the flap environment. Satisfying mesh convergence was shown by local node doubling in all directions in laminar and turbulent cases, as well as for further refined meshes in the laminar range. WTT measurements in Gottingen have been carried out at the DLR Ludwieg tube facility, a low cost blowdown facility for high speed and high Reynolds number flow. For the present testing two X-38 models with a scaling of 3.33% have been manufactured at the DLR Gottingen. Pressure and thermocouple measurements are carried out on a brass model with different inserts for the respective instrumentation. A second model made by rapid prototyping technique was used for liquid crystal thermovisualisation related to the well known thermophosphor method. By this means cost reduction of 65% and time reduction of 75% compared with the customary manufacturing was possible. Comparison of CFD results and WTT data in the flap region and at the vehicle center line shows very good agreement of pressure distributions in the whole Re number regime. Measurements of heat flux distributions suggest the assumption of transition phenomena downstream separation since simulations with fixed transition lead to acceptable results for all cases without transition in front of the flaps. That approach is supported by the mentioned stability analysis of the concave boundary layer flow under the separation vortex.
Packages of management control systems, entrepreneurial orientation, and performance in Brazilian startups

Purpose This study aims to understand the relationship between the elements of a startup firms’ management control system (MCS) package, its entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and firm performance. Design/methodology/approach The authors collected survey data from a sample of 100 Brazilian startups who had exited technology-based parks and incubators. The authors used two data analysis techniques, namely, partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). Findings The findings show that cultural and planning controls were the only two MCS elements that were included in all high-performing startup firms’ MCS packages. The authors also found that EO has a positive influence on firm performance through the MCS package. Research limitations/implications The mixed-method approach allowed for a holistic view of the analyzed phenomenon. PLS-SEM analysis was applied to the symmetric relationships between the proposed relationships while fsQCA was used to analyze the asymmetric combinations between EO dimensions and MCS package elements, which promoted high firm performance. Practical implications The authors show how different combinations of MCS elements form a package, mediating EO, which can enable high performance. Originality/value Using fsQCA and PLS-SEM, the authors were able to better understand the important role that MCS package adoption has on a startups’ performance and provide new evidence regarding the interface between MCS and EO. This extends the understanding of the importance that cultural and planning controls have in an MCS package to support startup performance.
Counterflow cooling tower design with high energy evaluations

High operating power evaluations for cooling towers have led to new counterflow designs and changes in typical operating parameters. Experience has taught that such changes require detailed analysis. Extensive modelling and full-scale studies have defined limits for several parameters beyond which predictability of performance can suffer seriously. Precisely the economically optimum operating areas are affected. Evaluated price difference can be quite large between appropriately limited selections and optimum selections without regard to limits. Such differences have been demonstrated for both natural and mechanical draft. The largest potential impact occurs when difficult design conditions aggravate trends toward limits for natural draft.
Network based theories and internationalization of firms : applications toempirical studies

During the last decade, firm-level entrepreneurship as an important phenomenon that may influence the corporate performance, attracted the attention of many researchers and a number of measurements were developed to gauge the entrepreneurial intensity at the firm level such as entrepreneurial orientation, corporate entrepreneurship, and entrepreneurial management. EO and CE found more popularity and researchers employed them to investigate the phenomenon of firm-level entrepreneurship.Incrementally, a contradiction was emerged in the literature regarding the proper measurement of FLE. A number of studies recommended integrating EO and CE in a more comprehensive measurement to develop a deeper understanding of firms’ entrepreneurial intensity. In fact, EO and CE complement each other. While the former focuses on the proclivity of firms to have entrepreneurial behaviors and activities, the latter is the output- based construct and points out to the actual entrepreneurial actions such as innovation, venturing and strategic renewal.This study develops an integrative model of EO and CE to classify the companies in four different categories includes non-entrepreneurial, forced-entrepreneurial, latent-entrepreneurial, and actual entrepreneurial firms. The primary objective of the study is to investigate if the actual entrepreneurial firms show the higher degrees of internationalization or not.The research has performed in two different steps to confirm the integrative model and testify the research hypotheses. In the first step, the multi-case study approach is primarily applied to investigate if the model categorizes companies that are actually different or not. To conduct this step, four companies were selected that each one was the representative of a unique category of the model. Then deep interviews were performed to assess their behaviors on some especial characteristics, which were previously mentioned as the different characteristics of entrepreneurial versus non-entrepreneurial firms. To testify the research hypotheses, a questionnaire was designed that was included of questions, which were applied and validated by former studies.
A novel approach for high-performance heat index forecasting for the hottest region in Thailand

In Thailand, the hottest area is the northern inland plains located in the Northern Thailand. In summer, from the middle of February to the middle of May, the temperature may rises up to 40◦ or above due to the changing of northeast monsoon to southwest monsoon and the impact of relative humidity. Relative humidity is the major factor that makes people feel hotter than the actual temperature. If only the air temperature was noticed, it is possible to take risk of overheating and heat illness, especially heat stroke that can be deadly. The heat index has used as an effective warning measurement, this calculated by Steadman’s equation and yields the real feel of body. In order to prevent the heat illness, the predictive analytics such as time series forecasting should be applied. The regular series was constructed by several time points in consecutive daily heat index, the seasonal and cycle effects will be analyzed simultaneously. This scenario leads to the complicated time series model and may cause inaccuracy of forecasting. The proposed study modify the data structure as the series of specific date and time for thirty years, i.e., 1-April to 30-April at time 4.00 p.m. , this reveals distinguished increasing trend from year by year. Three trend-focused forecasting model be applied, the two benchmarking models are Holt’s linear trend model and time series regression model, being compared with the proposed model called autocorelated-based decomposition. The forecasting results of Uttaradit and Chiang Mai provinces heat index in recent thirty years show that the proposed approach yields more accuracy than the benchmarks. For Uttaradit, the MAPE of the proposed model less than the others from 26.8% to 36.9%, and less than the others from 48.9% to 55.9% in RMSE. For Chiang Mai, the MAPE of the proposed model less than the others from 16.9% to 36.9%, and less than the others from 27.5% to 61.6% in RMSE.
Computational analysis of catalase from different source organisms

The catalase enzyme is present widely in all living organisms. It is the key enzyme in terms of signaling and the metabolism of hydrogen peroxide and belongs to a large superfamily. The main reason to study evolution is the great role of catalase in the degradation of hydrogen peroxide as it is very necessary for all aerobic eukaryotes and prokaryotes. It has great importance due to its linkage with cancer and aging. The sequences of catalase enzymes are present in a wide range of public databases. For the assessment of phylogeny of catalase sequences, 45 full-length amino acid sequences of catalase were searched and collected for further study. The sequences were used for multiple sequence alignment, phylogenetic construction, motif discovery, domain identification, and discovering individual amino acid composition. MSA revealed amino acid glycine and aspartic acid play an important role in the evolution from prokaryotic to eukaryotic organisms with concern for catalase. Two main sequence clusters were obtained by phylogenetic analysis. One cluster comprised of 15 plant species, 8 bacterial species, and 3 fungal species. Cluster II contained 7 bacterial species and 12 fungal species. All the observed organisms showed similar domain structures but some fungal and bacterial sequences possessed the c-terminal domains. The average amino acid frequency was 7.35% that was very much high in contrast to other amino acids. This idea about amino acid frequencies demonstrated that alanine played a vital role in the composition of catalase.
Noise Modeling Using ISO 9613-2 for Designing Facilities to Meet a Not-to-Exceed Community Noise Limit

Noise modeling is a vital part of designing any facility with fixed noise sources in order to meet community noise limits, and ISO 9613-2 is the most commonly used methodology in models to predict outdoors propagation. Although many types of noise limits are encountered for facilities – industrial, commercial, or institutional, an A-weighted not-to-exceed limit is the most common. As atmospheric conditions substantially affect actual levels, the relationship between atmospheric conditions and predicted noise levels needs to be understood. ISO 9613-2 (hereafter 9613) predicts, at least it is intended to predict, a long-term average downwind level during conditions favorable to propagation, including mild inversions. The accuracy and adequacy of the methodology in 9613 have long been questioned. Recent measurements by Schomer2 suggest that 9613 predicts for average crosswind rather average downwind conditions. Because 9613 predicts a long-term downwind average, actual levels will – by the definition of average – sometimes, and possibly frequently, exceed the predicted average level. The percentage of the time the predicted level will be exceeded, and by how much, is not known. A not-to-exceed limit may need to be met under near-worst case atmospheric conditions that are more severe and occur less frequently than the average conditions of 9613. ISO 9613-2 is probably the most widely used international standard, and has been used successfully for designing a great many facilities to meet noise limits. There seems to be a dichotomy between successful results and known deficiencies in 9613. In general, 9613 works for many conditions, and does not work as well for others. This paper summarizes deficiencies in 9613 and then attempts to answer the following questions: (1) What is predicted by 9613? (2) When does 9613 give reasonably accurate results, and when are they less accurate? (3) Does 9613 predict what it claims to predict? (4) Is a 9613 average suitable for designing to meet a not-to-exceed limit? When and how 9613 can be used successfully? Another question is raised but cannot be answered, namely, how often can a not-to-exceed limit be exceeded and still be acceptable for design purposes. Design strategies are also suggested.
A Simple and Reliable Reporter Assay to Test siRNA - Mediated Silencing of HIV - 1 Gene Functions

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV - 1) infects and kills CD4 + T - lymphocytes causing a progressive loss of host immune competence, which ultimately leads to AIDS. RNA interference, as mediated by short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) designed to target viral mRNAs and expressed endogenously, offer a potential gene therapy approach to inhibit HIV replication. However, a simple and reliable method to screen the silencing activity of particular anti - HIV siRNAs is useful prior to conducting more extensive experimentation to determine the downstream effects on viral replication. Here, a short hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting HIV - 1 Rev (Revsh8526) was designed and cloned into an expression plasmid under the control of the RNA Polymerase III H1 promoter. To test the ability of Revsh8526 to silence Rev, a chimeric β - galactosidase reporter plasmid containing Rev exon 2 ( β - galactosidase - RevE2) was generated. The ability of Revsh8526 to target and inhibit reporter gene expression was shown by X - gal staining and ortho - nitrophenyl - β - galactoside (ONPG) assay. The results of these assays indicated Revsh8526 effectively targeted and significantly inhibited β - galactosidase expression as compared to a non - targeted shRNA. These results show the utility of the chimeric β - galactosidase reporter in initial screening of siRNA reagents.