Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Applications of Artificial Neural Networks in Structural Engineering with Emphasis on Continuum Models

The use of continuum models for the analysis of discrete built-up complex aerospace structures is an attractive idea especially at the conceptual and preliminary design stages. But the diversity of available continuum models and hard-to-use qualities of these models have prevented them from finding wide applications. In this regard, Artificial Neural Networks (ANN or NN) may have a great potential as these networks are universal approximators that can realize any continuous mapping, and can provide general mechanisms for building models from data whose input-output relationship can be highly nonlinear. The ultimate aim of the present work is to be able to build high fidelity continuum models for complex aerospace structures using the ANN. As a first step, the concepts and features of ANN are familiarized through the MATLAB NN Toolbox by simulating some representative mapping examples, including some problems in structural engineering. Then some further aspects and lessons learned about the NN training are discussed, including the performances of Feed-Forward and Radial Basis Function NN when dealing with noise-polluted data and the technique of cross-validation. Finally, as an example of using NN in continuum models, a lattice structure with repeating cells is represented by a continuum beam whose properties are provided by neural networks.
Going remote: Implementing digital research methods at an academic medical center during COVID-19

Abstract COVID-19 has forced medical research institutions to conduct clinical research remotely. Here, we describe how a university’s mHealth Research Core helped facilitate the shift to remote research during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019 (pre-pandemic), we conducted stakeholder interviews and leadership group sessions to identify, create, and implement resources and core functions to support investigator-initiated mHealth research. Between April 2019 and February 2020, we identified four investigator needs: 1) a seminar series on trends in mHealth research, 2) mHealth case consultation services, 3) liaison services with institutional regulatory compliance groups, and 4) online navigation tools for implementation of mHealth methods (e.g., eConsent) and for building partnerships with technology vendors. To date, the mHealth Research Core has held seven seminars, completed 71 case consultations, assisted four COVID-related clinical studies, advised the IRB on shifting to remote research, and widely disseminated eConsent navigation tools. Although pre-pandemic stakeholder and investigator needs led to the creation of the mHealth Research Core, this institutional resource played a critical role in continuing clinical research during the pandemic by assisting investigators in rapidly shifting to remote study methodology.
Multi-Body Dynamics Modeling and Control for Strapdown Inertially Stabilized Platforms Considering Light Base Support Characteristics

The dynamics model used for inertially or strapdown inertially stabilized platforms is based on the rotor and motor load, and it either does not consider the stator or it implicitly assumes a fixed stator. It has been determined that vibrations occur in the system when a controller is used in strapdown inertially stabilized platforms with a light base support. As the system is also affected by multi-source disturbances, which are the main factors that affect the control accuracy. For the above two problems, this paper originally establishes a multi-body dynamics model including the controller. The composite controller not only suppresses the vibration successfully, but also greatly improves the disturbance compensation and tracking performance of the strapdown inertially stabilized platforms. Specifically, a modified feedback controller is used to suppress the vibrations analyzed according to the dynamics model. The friction feedforward and residual disturbance observer facilitates the design of compound disturbance compensation on the basis of composite hierarchical anti-disturbance control. To emphasize the advantages of strapdown inertially stabilized platforms, the feedforward controller employs feedforward angular velocity and acceleration. The results of the numerical analysis and experiments indicate that vibrations are successfully suppressed and tracking accuracy and disturbance isolation ability are improved.
Design of a High Performance Silicon Carbide CMOS Operational Amplifier

This thesis presents the design, simulation, layout and test results of a silicon carbide (SiC) CMOS two-stage operational amplifier (op amp) with NMOS input stage. The circuit has been designed to provide a stable open-loop voltage gain (60 dB), unity-gain bandwidth (around 5 MHz) and maintain a high CMRR and PSRR within a useful input common mode range over process corners and a wide temperature range (25 °C – 300 °C). Between the two stages a Miller compensation topology is placed to improve the phase margin (around 45 0 ). Due to the comparatively high threshold voltage values of transistors in SiC, the power supply is maintained at 15 V. There is a maximum of 21% variation in DC gain from 25 0 C to 275 0 C and the unitygain bandwidth and slew rate improves with higher temperature. The major application area of this op amp is in high temperature environments where silicon (Si) integrated circuits (IC) fail to perform. In addition, the design of a second version of the operational amplifier is covered, which aims to provide more functionality and improved performance.
Detecting and forecasting business cycle turning points

The R word has begun to appear in the media again bringing with it three technical questions viz, How will we know we are in recession? How will we know when it has ended? And How can we forecast its onset and ending? This paper does not provide answers to these questions rather it focuses on the technical issues that we need to resolve in order to provide good answers to these questions. The paper has three significant findings. First, the business cycle states obtained by the BBQ algorithm are complex statistical processes and it is not possible to write down an exact likelihood function for them. Second, for the classical and acceleration cycles it is possible to obtain a reasonably simple approximation to the BBQ algorithm that may permit one to write down a likelihood function. Third, when evaluating these algorithms there is a large di¤erence between the results using US GDP as compared to UK GDP or simulated data from models fit to US GDP. Specifically, turning points are much easier to detect in US GDP than in other series. One needs to take this into account when using US based research on detecting and forecasting business cycle turning points.
Assessing the utility of wearable cameras in the measurement of walking and cycling

Walking and cycling are considered very important behaviours in public health. This thesis is a study of the measurement of walking, cycling and overall travel behaviour. In the first part I present a systematic review of studies comparing Global Positioning System (GPS) measured travel to self-report. I found 12 results from eight eligible studies. All studies showed self-reported journey times were greater than GPS measured times. The differences ranged from over-reporting of +2.2 to +13.5 minutes per journey. In the second part of this thesis, I describe the development of a feasible, valid and reliable method for measuring travel with automated wearable cameras (SenseCam) through field testing and two pilot studies. I compared my new method to direct observation (considered a criterion measure) and found very good agreement and reliability (inter-rater, intra-rater and inter-measure). I also present an ethical framework for the measurement of health-related behaviours using automated wearable cameras. In the third part of the thesis, I report findings from an experiment designed to assess a well known UK travel diary (The National Travel Survey). Across four locations (Oxford, UK; Romford, UK; San Diego, USA; and Auckland, New Zealand) I collected 3-4 days of SenseCam and travel diary data from n=84 participants (convenience sample). Compliance with the collection protocol was high and inspection of the crude results suggests relative agreement between measures. Analysis of matched pairs of measurements (n=1,127 journeys) suggests a significant positive bias on self-reported durations (2:08 minutes; 95% CI = 1:48 to 2:28; 95% limits-of-agreement = -9:10 to 13:26). These results suggest self-reported journey exposure is valid at a population level, though corrections according to my reported bias could be considered. The large limits of agreement on duration estimates suggest self-report may be unsuitable for assessment of individual travel behaviour.
Cocoon 2 Programming: Web Publishing with XML and Java

From the Publisher: Thanks to the tireless efforts of open-source developers, Cocoon has quickly gained visibility as the preeminent XML-based Web publishing framework. Unfortunately, its documentation remains a significant shortcoming. If you're new to Cocoon, gaining a sense of exactly what you can do with it can be difficult, and actually getting started can be even harder. Cocoon 2 Programming: Web Publishing with XML and Java clearly explains the value of Cocoon and helps you build on your familiarity with XML and Java Servlets as you design, build, and implement a range of Cocoon applications. You'll begin by learning to control presentation for various platforms, both wired and wireless. Then you'll move on to Cocoon's capabilities for logic control and content management, using both sitemaps and XSP to create a site dynamically generated from a variety of data sources and types. As you'll see, Cocoon also supports powerful organizing techniques known as design patterns, and you'll master their use in both presentation and content generation. These are essential tools for the planning of your site; for after it's implemented, you'll command powerful techniques for site management and optimization. The Web's dependence on XML is growing rapidly-and with it the list of companies that have adopted Cocoon. Is Cocoon for you? Cocoon 2 Programming will guide you through your decision and far beyond, providing all the assistance you need to build a dynamic, XML-based site-and keep moving into the future. About the Authors Bill Brogden has been working with Java and writing books about Java since version 1.0. His most recent book is SOAP Programming with Java, also from Sybex. He lives with his wife and dogs in the woods outside Austin, Texas. Conrad D'Cruz has 14 years of Information Technology experience, including designing applications with Java and XML, and works as a senior applications engineer and web technologies instructor. When not in front of a computer, he is often behind the controls of an airplane, participating in search and rescue exercises with the Civil Air Patrol. Mark Gaither is a ten-year computer industry veteran who has built sophisticated web systems for the Texas Department of Commerce, TManage, Activerse, High End Systems, Instant Sports, and HTMLScript.
Construction Contractors' Survival Guide

Managing with Confidence. Elements of Contractor Failure. Increase in Project Size. Change in Geographic Location. Change in Type of Construction. Replacing Key Personnel. Managerial Maturity. Accounting Systems. Evaluating Contract Profitability. Equipment Cost Control. Billing Procedures. The Use and Misuse of Computers. Other Industry Concerns. Glossary. About the Author. Index.
THE DRUG RECOGNITION EXPERT POLICE OFFICER: A RESPONSE TO DRUG-IMPAIRED DRIVING

Law enforcement agencies in thirty-four United States and British Columbia, Canada rely on Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) officers to apprehend the drug-impaired driver. DREs utilize a systematic and standardized twelve-step procedure to reach three determinations: (1) that the driver is impaired; (2) that the driver is impaired by drugs, rather than suffering from a medical condition that requires intervention; and (3) the category of drug(s) that is causing the impairment. The admissibility of DRE opinion testimony, usually in conjunction with corroborative toxicological analysis, has been upheld in many courts throughout the U.S. The seven DRE drug categories are not based on shared chemical structures, legality, or use if any in treatment of illness or disease. Rather, the categories are based on shared patterns of signs and symptoms. The categories used by DREs are Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants, Inhalants, Phencyclidine, Cannabis, CNS Stimulants, Hallucinogens, and Narcotic Analgesics. The prevalence of poly-drug use complicates the DRE determinations. This paper provides an overview of the DRE procedures, DRE drug categories, and the DRE training program. For the covering abstract see ITRD E106992.
Micro connector fabricated by micro process technology

A fork-type micro connector with high aspect ratio and high package density was fabricated using UV thick photoresist and Ni electroforming. A negative photoresist (THB-138N) was used as a mold of Ni electroforming. The tips of plug terminal of the micro connector were formed as movable portions using Cu sacrificial layer etching. In order to make firm contact and precise connection of the micro connector, two-step guidance was adopted. The size of the terminal of fabricated micro connector was 50 /spl mu/m-thickness and 15 /spl mu/m-width (minimum). The maximum aspect ratio of the fabricated micro connector is 3.3 and the terminal pitch is 80 /spl mu/m. A contact resistance of approximately 50 m/spl Omega/ was obtained by using four-point probe method.
THE REVISED GERMAN REGULATIONS FOR THE USE OF GEOSYNTHETICS IN ROAD CONSTRUCTION

In road construction in Germany, geosynthetics are used in all types of earth works. For these applications we have regulations. Their aim is, to find for the user, the product which fits best for his application and to give the producer or deliverer a chance to go into the market in a fair contest. To define the properties necessary for a given purpose, we calculate where possible and we classify where a calculation method is not available or not practical. For the covering abstract see ITRD E117244.
Continuous monitoring of surface water vapour isotopic compositions at Neumayer Station III, East Antarctica

Abstract. In this study, the first fully continuous monitoring of water vapour isotopic composition at Neumayer Station III, Antarctica, during the 2-year period from February 2017 to January 2019 is presented. Seasonal and synoptic-scale variations in both stable water isotopes H218O and HDO are reported, and their links to variations in key meteorological variables are analysed. In addition, the diurnal cycle of isotope variations during the summer months (December and January 2017/18 and 2018/19) has been examined. Changes in local temperature and specific humidity are the main drivers for the variability in δ18O and δD in vapour at Neumayer Station III, on both seasonal and shorter timescales. In contrast to the measured δ18O and δD variations, no seasonal cycle in the Deuterium excess signal (d) in vapour is detected. However, a rather high uncertainty in measured d values especially in austral winter limits the confidence of this finding. Overall, the d signal shows a stronger inverse correlation with specific humidity than with temperature, and this inverse correlation between d and specific humidity is stronger for the cloudy-sky conditions than for clear-sky conditions during summertime. Back-trajectory simulations performed with the FLEXPART model show that seasonal and synoptic variations in δ18O and δD in vapour coincide with changes in the main sources of water vapour transported to Neumayer Station III. In general, moisture transport pathways from the east lead to higher temperatures and more enriched δ18O values in vapour, while weather situations with southerly winds lead to lower temperatures and more depleted δ18O values. However, on several occasions, δ18O variations linked to wind direction changes were observed, which were not accompanied by a corresponding temperature change. Comparing isotopic compositions of water vapour at Neumayer Station III and snow samples taken in the vicinity of the station reveals almost identical slopes, both for the δ18O–δD relation and for the temperature–δ18O relation.
Reinventing The Design Process: Teams and Models

The future of space mission designing will be dramatically different from the past. Formerly, performance-driven paradigms emphasized data return with cost and schedule being secondary issues. Now and in the future, costs are capped and schedules fixed-these two variables must be treated as independent in the design process. Accordingly, JPL has redesigned its design process. At the conceptual level, design times have been reduced by properly defining the required design depth, improving the linkages between tools, and managing team dynamics. In implementation-phase design, system requirements will be held in crosscutting models, linked to subsystem design tools through a central database that captures the design and supplies needed configuration management and control. Mission goals will then be captured in timelining software that drives the models, testing their capability to execute the goals. Metrics are used to measure and control both processes and to ensure that design parameters converge through the design process within schedule constraints. This methodology manages margins controlled by acceptable risk levels. Thus, teams can evolve risk tolerance (and cost) as they would any engineering parameter. This new approach allows more design freedom for a longer time, which tends to encourage revolutionary and unexpected improvements in design.
PENGARUH MODEL PEMBELAJARAN AKHLAK BERBASIS KOGNITIF TERHADAP MORAL REASONING SISWA

sebab ia menjadi faktor yang menentukan kelangsungan hidup suatu bangsa. Suatu bangsa akan mengalami kehancuran jika masyarakatnya mengalami penyakit moral yang akut. Oleh sebab itu, pendidikan moral atau akhlak kepada peserta didik menjadi suatu keharusan dan saat ini telah menjadi program inti pendidikan di hampir semua negara. Tetapi efektivitas pembelajaran moral sering dipertanyakan disebabkan banyaknya penyimpangan moral peserta didik, seperti perilaku curang, mabuk-mabukan, tawuran, pergaulan bebas dan sebagainya. Penelitian ini bermaksud mengujicobakan model pembelajaran akhlak berbasis teori kognitif dalam meningkatkan penalaran moral peserta didik. Sengaja dipilih domain penalaran sebab ia memiliki kontribusi terhadap tindakan moral seseorang, atau dengan kata lain penalaran moral seseorang mempengaruhi tindakan moralnya. Semakin tinggi penalaran moral seseorang, semakin tinggi pula tindakan moralnya. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan secara kuantitatif dengan metode eksperimen dan menggunakan rancangan one group pre-post test design. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan adanya perbedaan yang signifikan penalaran moral siswa sebelum dan sesudah eksperimen yang dibuktikan dengan nilai p < 0,05. Dengan demikian dapat disimpulkan bahwa model pembelajaran akhlak berbasis kognitif memiliki pengaruh nyata terhadap peningkatan penalaran moral peserta didik.
Training and Predictability of University Teachers’ Job Performance: Empirical Evidence from Ghana

This study sought to determine whether training significantly influence the job performance of university teachers. The researcher utilized descriptive survey design and collected primary data from lecturers of five universities in Ghana. Findings indicate significant positive relationship between training and job performance. Furthermore, training was found to be predictors of the teachers’ task and organisational citizenship performance. This study recommends that management of universities should provide healthy environment for learning and growing for teachers and offer more opportunities for training of teachers who exhibit high proclivity for organisational citizenship behaviour.
Experimental Studies Of Pilot Performance At Collision Avoidance During Closely Spaced Parallel Approaches

Efforts to increase airport capacity include studies of aircraft systems that would enable simultaneous approaches to closely spaced parallel runway in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC). The time-critical nature of a parallel approach results in key design issues for current and future collision avoidance systems. Two part-task flight simulator studies have examined the procedural and display issues inherent in such a time-critical task, the interaction of the pilot with a collision avoidance system, and the alerting criteria and avoidance maneuvers preferred by subjects.
Evaluation of Load Deflection, Surface Roughness and Frictional Forces of Aesthetic Niti Arch Wires

Objective: The purpose of this in vitro study is that NiTi esthetic arch wires are preferred to match esthetic braces; but the presence of coating layer is greatly affect friction during sliding mechanics. The aims of this study were to evaluate the load deflection and the influence of surface roughness with the coating material types on the frictional force of coated nickel titanium wires. Method: The sample of this study consisted of 90 segments of uncoated and coated Nickle titanium arch wires for three tests (friction test, roughness test and loading force test) 45 segment for each test involving two wire dimensions (0.016 × 0.022 and 0.019 × 0.025 inches). The static frictional force was measured through pulling the wires through a set of ceramic brackets by the universal testing machine while, the surface topography of wires were assessed by using Atomic force microscope (AFM) and load deflection test also measured. The data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s post hoc significance difference tests. Differences were considered significant at P<0.05. Results: The frictional forces of gold wires is lesser than both control(uncoated) niti wire and epoxy coated wire for both wire dimention (0.016×0.022 and 0.019×0.025) inch. Surface roughness of coated arch wires is higher than control wires for both wire dimentions. Load deflection force of control wire is a higher than coated wires for (0.016×0.022) inches wire dimension. Conclusion: The gold plated wires had lower frictional force than both (control and epoxy coated wires). Surface roughness of coated arch wires was higher than control(uncoated)arch wire. Load deflection force of coated wires was lesser than control wires.