Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Investigation of Methacrylate Rehabilitation Strategy to Extend the Service Life of Concrete Bridge Decks

This study investigated the effectiveness of high molecular weight methacrylate (HMWM) treatments applied at various stages of bridge deck deterioration in order to determine their effectiveness in extending the life of concrete bridge decks. Eight full-size deck panels were cast and fixed to a support structure to simulate a box girder design configuration. A fully-automated, 20-kip, rolling wheel load simulator was used to traffic the test panels. Six of the eight test panels subsequently were treated with HMWM at various traffic levels, with two panels being treated at each level, resulting in four treatment/traffic combinations including untreated (control) samples. Evaluation of performance was based on cracking behavior and flexural stiffness of the test panels over time. Based solely on traffic-induced stresses and not environmental-induced deterioration, performance comparisons generally indicated that later applications of HMWM will likely result in greater structural benefit. This result was most evident in the two sets of deck panels that were treated at 1,000,000 load cycles and then trafficked for an additional million load cycles. Test panels treated at earlier times also showed a benefit, but to a much lesser extent. In the case of these earlier treated panels, however, the test program was terminated before they could be trafficked at levels comparable to the later treated panels (due to resource and time constraints), making it impossible to comment with full certainty on the relative benefit of early versus later HMWM treatment.
Territories and Border Crossings: Information Search and Location in the Online Environment

The established literature on user website behavior leaves gaps by generally making one of two important assumptions. First, users have often been treated as having homogeneous intent. Second, research has focused either on a single site in isolation or on broader user experiences. To address these gaps, this dissertation invokes the metaphor of location and travel to describe users’ actions on the Web. We approach these topics over the course of three discrete studies. In the first study, we use a laboratory-based experiment to look at users’ movements within individual websites to identify the significant properties and qualities of their within-site travel behavior that should be preferred by website owners. In the second study, we use archival data to infer user intent when transiting into a new website location. In the third and final study, we introduce the idea of online borders and, through an online experiment, use them to explain variance in users' recognition of and willingness to attribute credit to websites.
PROBLEMS IN CRASH AVOIDANCE AND IN CRASH AVOIDANCE RESEARCH

This paper presents the methodology and results of an analysis of the available information on motor vehicle accident occurrence which could be used to provide a basis for establishing priorities for future Government and private sector work directed at enhanced crash avoidance or mitigation. The work was stimulated by several factors: (1) the absence of a recent and updated framework for problem evaluation; (2) motor vehicles have changed substantially in the past several years; (3) the quantity and quality of accident data and vehicle accident avoidance performance information have increased very substantially over the past 5 years; and (4) Government policies and the amount of Government and private sector resources available for future work have changed. This study takes the Agency's automated files on accident experience as the baseline information on motor vehicle involvement in accidents of all types. This information, in conjunction with exposure data, yields relative rates of accident involvement as a function of vehicle type, vehicle size, and accident category. Primary parameters used in the analysis include the identity and frequency of precrash conditions and the incidence of driver, vehicle, and environment related contributing factors. Two factors with major influences on the accident picture--car size and alcohol--are treated extensively. The paper concludes with an agenda for further attention which addresses the relative adequacy of data and methods available for sharper problem definition and exploration of solutions.
Solar forecasting for operational support of SEGS plants

This paper describes the first successful demonstration of quantitative direct normal irradiance (DNI) solar forecasting, for operational support of the SEGS (Solar Electric Generating Systems) plants near Kramer Junction, CA. As such, this effort likely represents the first demonstration of its kind for any solar thermal power plant. Real time, multi-spectral GOES-9 satellite imagery and related meteorological data were utilized for generating one and two day quantitative DNI solar forecasts. In the absence of professional forecasts, SEGS plant operators often resort to the use of climatology and persistence for generating DNI solar forecasts. Analysis of 6 months of Kramer Junction solar data demonstrates that climatology and persistence produce unreliable solar forecasts, because they are fundamentally incapable of predicting large day-to-day variations. Accurate, reliable, DNI solar forecasts can increase the annual energy production of SEGS plants, through more prudent use of the limited natural gas allotment and through improved maintenance planning.
GOODNESS OF FIT OF PROBABILISTIC MODELS FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING BEHAVIOUR

Electric vehicles (EVs) have a number of environmental benefits in an era where fossil fuels have dominated. As such, the upgrade of electricity distribution grids to suit the needs of the modern world where the use of EVs can be accommodated is essential. Management of EV penetration is necessary, since uncoordinated charging can produce load imbalances and sharp variations in current, voltages and power. In order to assess the needs of such a system, estimates of random variables reflecting charging behaviour are necessary, particularly in cases where real data is insufficient. An attempt is made to assess some probabilistic models based on weekday load curves derived from the charging process. Level 1 EV charging profiles for uncoordinated charging schemes over one year for a data set consisting of 348 vehicles corresponding to 200 households are analysed and compared. Charging characteristics are reviewed and probability models are validated by goodness of fit statistics. Probability distribution functions (PDFs) which provide the best fit for these weekday load profiles are identified among the Johnson SB, Generalised Gamma and Dagum functions. This can provide an insight into estimation of PDFs based on EV charging behaviours, in order to build and assess models associated with transportation mobility data in other regions.
Jun‐mediated lncRNA‐IMS promotes the meiosis of chicken spermatogonial stem cells via gga‐miR‐31‐5p/stra8

Meiosis, a key step in spermatogenesis, is affected by many factors. Current studies have shown that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are potential factors regulating meiosis, and their regulatory mechanisms have received much attention. However, little research has been done on its regulatory mechanism in the spermatogenesis of roosters. Here, we found that lncRNA involved in meiosis and spermatogenesis (lncRNA‐IMS) was involved in the regulation of Stra8 by gga‐miR‐31‐5p and hindered the inhibition of Stra8 by gga‐miR‐31‐5p. The acquisition and loss of function experiments demonstrated that lncRNA‐IMS was involved in meiosis and spermatogenesis. In addition, we predicted and determined the core promoter region of lncRNA‐IMS. Prediction of transcription factors, deletion/overexpression of binding sites, knockdown/overexpression of Jun, and dual‐luciferase reporter analysis confirmed that Jun positively activated transcription of lncRNA‐IMS. Our findings further enrich the TF‐lncRNA‐miRNA‐mRNA regulatory network during male meiosis and provide new ideas for studying the molecular mechanism of meiosis and spermatogenesis in chicken spermatogonial stem cells.
Measurement of Piston Friction Force on Firing Conditions

The furuhama's movable liner method for measuring piston friction force under firing conditions has been improved. The new device avoids the influence of gas pressure on the movable liner and also the lateral deformation from the piston slap impulse force. The modified measurement device is illustrated, and its use for measuring piston friction force under varying test conditions - cylinder wall temperature, engine speed and load - is evaluated with results similar to those obtained by furuhama et al. Variation in the number of piston rings and specifications for both top and oil rings are discussed in terms of decreasing friction force. For the top ring, the narrower the ring width, the lower the friction force. For surface treatment, the gas nitriding method was most favorable. For the oil ring, tension has more effect on friction force than does its sliding width (a).
Validación al castellano de la Body Responsiveness Connection Scale (Escala de Respuesta Corporal (ERC) en médicos internos del hospital San Rafael de Tunja in Colombia

La conexión entre mente y cuerpo hace referencia al proceso de terapias de autorregulación diseñadas para aumentar tanto el bienestar físico como el mental. Objetivo: Determinar las propiedades psicométricas de la Escala de Respuesta Corporal (ERC) en una población de médicos internos y residentes del hospital San Rafael, en la ciudad de Tunja (Colombia). Material y métodos: Se realizó una traducción y retro-traducción de la Body Responseveness Connection Scale. El instrumento fue aplicado a 112 médicos internos del Hospital San Rafael de Tunja, entre18 y 35 años. Se analizó la consistencia interna del instrumento mediante el test α Cronbach, y la fiabilidad test- retest con el coeficiente de correlación intraclase. Resultados: La edad promedio de los participantes fue de 23,5 años (DE ± 2,06 años), la mayoría fueron mujeres. El 38.4% provenían de universidades públicas y el 62,4% no realizaban actividades adicionales en su tiempo libre. La consistencia interna de la escala fue de 0,87. El coeficiente de correlación fue mayor de 0,6 en la mayoría de los ítems. Conclusiones: La Escala de Respuesta Corporal en personal de la salud presenta propiedades psicométricas similares a la versión original, con adecuada confiabilidad y validez, factores que permiten evaluar aspectos relevantes de conciencia y disociación corporal
Applications of 4D GIS Model in Construction Management

Construction project involves participation of various stakeholders, contractors, and agencies for timely and effective completion. Each activity and resources of contractors are preplanned to avoid delay of project. Planning, designing and scheduling of structure are done with the help of available software’s. But this software’s still lack feature of providing related construction information in 3D model and also there isn’t any system available which can handle all project related information and documents on single platform. 4D Geographic information system (GIS) model is created by inter-linking schedule of activities and computer aided designs (CAD) drawings on GIS platform for G+4 building located in Navi Mumbai, India. The developed model can handle all project related database on single platform. Proposed methodology helps in determining incompleteness and logical errors in scheduling or designing and helps us to determine feasible route for manpower and material movement from different locations to construction site. 4D GIS model maintains spatial data such as different 3D components of structure in separate layers which is geo-referenced spatially and necessary nonspatial information such as dimensions, materials required, schedule, related documents, persons responsible, safety and quality control recommendations, site expenditure and material inventory are stored in attribute tables. This research concludes that GIS model can create real time building construction information database
THE ROLE OF OWNERSHIP AND SOCIAL IDENTITY IN PREDICTING DEVELOPER TURNOVER IN OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE PROJECTS

Open source software (OSS) development methodology that promises to produce reliable, flexible, and high quality software code, at minimal cost, by harnessing the power of distributed peer review and transparency of process and has become increasingly popular in the past few years. For-profit companies have increasingly adopted the OSS paradigm to produce quality software at low cost. A vast majority of OSS projects depend on voluntary contributions by developers to sustain their development. In this context, turnover of developers has been considered a critical issue hindering the success of projects. This dissertation develops two studies addressing the issue. The first study is a methodological pilot and lays the foundation of this research by focusing on modeling turnover behavior of core open source contributors using a logistic hierarchical linear modeling approach. It argues that argue that taking both the developer and the project level factors into account will lead to a richer understanding of the issue of turnover in open source projects. The second study provides a conceptual integration of developer and project level factors using the Ownership, Role theory and Social Identity literatures, and proposes testable hypotheses, methods and findings. The implications of this research are likely to benefit OSS managers in understanding the developer and project level factors associated with developer turnover and the contexts in which they interact.
Antenna design with fiber optics

Introduction: Background and History of Optical Fiber Technology. General Performance Considerations. Comparison of Losses. Applications and Reasons. Conclusions. Optical Fiber Types, Fabrication, Radiation, and Reliability: Introduction. Fiber Types. Advantages of Single-Mode Fiber Over Multi-Mode Fiber. Materials in the Fabrication. Fabrication Techniques. Nuclear Radiation Hardened Fibers. Mechanical Reliability and Fatigue for Silica Glass Fiber. Radio Frequency Beamforming/Scanning Techniques: Introduction. Lens-Based Beamforming/Scanning Techniques. Circuit Beamformers. Imaging Reflector Antennas. RF Electronic Beam Steering Techniques for Optical Fibers. References. Acousto-Optics Time-Delays for Phased Array Antennas: Introduction. Background of the Acousto-Optics. Delay Line Concept. Theory of the Delay Line. Time Delays arrangement for Phase Array Antennas. Experimental Results on Delay Lines and Phased Array Antennas. Two-Dimensional Array Antenna Beam Steering. Discussions and Conclusions. References. Optically Controlled Beam Scanning of Active Phased Array Antennas: Introduction. Application of Phase Shifters. Methods of Injection Locking. References. Hardware-Compressive Fiber Optical Delay Line for Steering of Phased Array Antennas: Introduction. Development of Binary Optical Delay Lines. Delay-Compressive Fiber Optical Delay Lines. Binary Fiber Optical Delay Line (BIFODEL) Architecture. Design of a Single BIFODEL Segment. Delay-Compressive Fiber Optic Delay Line. Conclusions. References. Optical Beam Steering of Antenna Array Using Two Lasers: Introduction. Concept of Optically Controlled Array. Pinhole Image Mask. Design of a Fiber-Optic Shutter Switch. Signal-to-Noise Ratio and Laser Output. Radiation Patterns and Reduction in Sidelobe Level. References.
Pattern of Development Spending and Its Impact on Human Development Index and Gross State Domestic Product in Low-income States in India

The paper empirically examines the pattern and impact of development spending (DS) on human development index (HDI) and gross state domestic product (GSDP) in the low-income states (LIS), for the period of 1993–94 to 2014–15 for seven LIS states. Further analysing the sectoral impact of DS, panel unit root test and co-integration test were performed to analyse stationarity and panel long-run association among DS, GSDP and HDI. The paper finds that the share of DS in recent years for LIS is higher than the major states (MS), implying emphasis on social sector development. It also highlights the lagging behind a few LIS such as Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Rajasthan. The paper sheds light on the long-run co-integrating relationship among DS, HDI and GSDP. It finds that the DS has a significant and positive influence on GSDP but not on HDI in the long run. Sector-specific analysis suggests a long-run equilibrium relationship between DS and all three sectors of economy. Though the coefficient of DS did not emerge to be significant for the HDI indicator, sector-specific analysis suggests that increased health spending is associated with better health outcomes. Prioritising on education, health and skill development, and other DS will help in economic advancement. Proper implementation of schemes may bring change in HDI outcomes.
Total Quality Management Practices and Corporate Green Performance: Does Organizational Culture Matter?

Bearing in mind the environmental corrosion primarily triggered by the service sector, as well as the lack of studies detecting the factors that enable an organization to deal with this concern, the aim of this study is to analyze the impact of total quality management (TQM) practices on corporate green performance (CGP) and to investigate the causal relationship between total quality management practices and corporate green performance. This research also explores the mediating role of organizational culture (OC) within the relationship between TQM practices and CGP. In particular, this study is based on the MBNQA model, institutional theory, and green theory. The researchers collected data from 369 participants across 123 large and medium-sized private firms in the health sector in Pakistan. The structural analyses revealed the significant and positive impact of TQM practices on CGP. This demonstrates that TQM practices substantially augment organizational competencies to achieve green performance objectives. TQM practices have also had a positive and significant impression on organizational culture; furthermore, a parallel impact is seen between OC and CGP. Finally, OC is shown to have positively and significantly mediated the relationship between TQM and CGP. This study’s contextual analysis suggests that TQM is an equally important factor in accomplishing CGP objectives for both large and medium-sized firms.
Prefetching of Web Objects For Effective Retrieval Process Through Data Mining Techniques

With the exponential increase of the internet’s user base, performance enhancing network architectures and algorithms has manifested themselves as a requisite. Algorithms for Prefetching and Caching of Web Objects have been observed to effectively minimize user perceived latency. These algorithms are made use of in architectures limited to a particular user. We can further improve the performance of these algorithms by making use of techniques like data mining. We propose an innovative idea of implementing Prefetching and Caching algorithms in a Clustered Network. This will enable all users in a particular cluster to make use of pre-fetched and cached web objects from all other users. The result of simulations indicates a reduction in web latency, internet traffic, and bandwidth consumed.
Improving Work Zone Safety for Freight Vehicles: Effective Design Patterns for Vehicle Mounted Attenuators

This report presents a study of driver perceptions using a driving simulator carried out on the effectiveness of four markings which vary in striping patterns and color combinations used at the rear of vehicle mounted attenuators (VMAs) in work zones during daytime, dusk and nighttime. One hundred and twenty participants from different age groups took part in the evaluation of VMA markings by driving through virtual highway work zones. During this experiment, driver reaction to VMA markings was determined based on their lane change distance (LCD). Additionally, the drivers were surveyed using a detailed subjective survey. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to determine the significant variables affecting the LCD. For each time of day, a pair wise least-square means test was conducted to calculate the difference in LCD between the markings. A Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was carried out to evaluate the significance of differences between the LCD frequency distributions of the markings. For the subjective evaluation, the markings were ranked by participants indicating their preferences using four different criteria for each time of day. The participants were also surveyed on the features of the individual markings and for the most preferred marking. The results of the objective and subjective evaluations indicated that, overall, the red and white checkerboard pattern was most effective.
Architecture and Design Considerations of Active Antennas on Space Based Platforms

The design of antennas for space-based applications requires that particular attention be paid to various requirements imposed on the design by the space environment. Additional requirements are driven by the platform on which the antenna will be hosted as well as by the intended use of the antenna, i.e., mission requirements. This thesis provides in depth discussion on the various drivers discussed above and their impact on the design. The thesis provides an antenna design example in order to illustrate how the various requirements drive the final design. The proposed antenna design is intended to provide a certain degree of flexibility such that it can be used on various platforms. Although one of our design goals is flexibility of use, we do need to impose some pseudo-requirements on the antenna in order to provide operational boundaries. As such, our design requirements call for a compact, receive-only antenna design operating in the 20 to 200 MHz frequency range. The optimal solution to meet these requirements is an active antenna.
Kinematics and Optimal Control of a Mobile Parallel Robot for Inspection of Pipe-like Environments

The objective of this thesis is to analyze the kinematics of a mobile parallel robot with contribution that pertain to the singularity analysis, the optimization of geometric parameters and the optimal control to avoid singularities when navigating across singular geometric configurations. The analysis of the workspace and singularities is performed in a prescribed reference workspace regions using discretization method. Serial and parallel singularities are analytically analyzed and all possible singular configurations are presented. Kinematic conditioning index is used to determine the robot’s proximity to a singular configuration. A method for the determination of a continuous and singularityfree workspace is detailed. The geometric parameters of the system are optimized in various types of pipe-like structures with respect to a suitable singularity index, in order to avoid singularities during the navigation across elbows. The optimization problem is formulated with an objective to maximize the reachable workspace and minimize the singularities. The objective function is also subjected to constraints such as collision avoidance, singularity avoidance, workspace continuity and contact constraints imposed between the boundaries and the wheels of the robot. A parametric variation method is used as a technique to optimize the design parameters. The optimal design parameters found are normalized with respect to the width of the pipe-like structures and therefore the results are generalized to be used in the development phase of the robot. An optimal control to generate singularity-free trajectories when the robotic device has to cross a geometric singularity in a sharp 90◦ elbow is proposed. Such geometric singularity inherently leads to singularities in the Jacobian of the system, and therefore a modified device with augmented number of degrees of freedom is introduced to be able to generate nonsingular trajectories.