Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis of the Complex Mechanisms of Defect Generation in Construction Projects

AbstractThere have been numerous research efforts to minimize construction defects and a variety of suggestions have been provided. However, while all of these suggestions are valuable and have the potential to prevent defects, a construction company may have difficulty adopting them due to financial and practical constraints. Thus, this calls for the identification and characterization of the most influential causes of defects, in order to prioritize defect prevention strategies. To address this necessity, this paper aims to identify the most important causes of defects in terms of frequency, magnitude, and pathogenicity. For this goal, a questionnaire survey of 106 industry professionals was conducted to examine 30 causes of defects, collected through an extensive literature review. High frequency and high magnitude causes were identified and traced back to their initiating causes. Accordingly, the five most pathogenic causes were found to be (1) organizational culture, (2) time pressure and constraints.
Intraoperative Guidance Using Hyperspectral Imaging: A Review for Surgeons

Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) is a novel optical imaging modality, which has recently found diverse applications in the medical field. HSI is a hybrid imaging modality, combining a digital photographic camera with a spectrographic unit, and it allows for a contactless and non-destructive biochemical analysis of living tissue. HSI provides quantitative and qualitative information of the tissue composition at molecular level in a contrast-free manner, hence making it possible to objectively discriminate between different tissue types and between healthy and pathological tissue. Over the last two decades, HSI has been increasingly used in the medical field, and only recently it has found an application in the operating room. In the last few years, several research groups have used this imaging modality as an intraoperative guidance tool within different surgical disciplines. Despite its great potential, HSI still remains far from being routinely used in the daily surgical practice, since it is still largely unknown to most of the surgical community. The aim of this study is to provide clinical surgeons with an overview of the capabilities, current limitations, and future directions of HSI for intraoperative guidance.
Origami-Based Self-Folding Structure Design and Fabrication Using Projection Based Stereolithography

Self-folding structures have unique capability such as reconfiguration during their usage. Such capability can be beneficial for a wide variety of applications including biomedical and electronics products. In this paper, a novel fabrication approach based on a threedimensional (3D) printing process is presented for fabricating self-folding structures that can be actuated in a heating environment. The thermo-actuating structures that are designed and fabricated by our method are two-dimensional (2D) origami sheets, which have multiple printed layers. The middle layer of an origami sheet is a prestrained polystyrene film with large shrinkage ratios when heated. Both its top and bottom surfaces are covered with cured resin that is printed in designed shapes. A foldable hinge is achieved by constraining the shrinkage of the film on one side while allowing the shrinkage of the film on another side when the origami sheet is exposed to a heating environment. Heuristic models of hinge’s folding angles are developed based on the related folding mechanism. A 2D origami sheet design and fabrication method is presented for a given 3D structure. Various experimental tests are performed to verify the self-folding performance of the designed and fabricated origami sheets. Techniques on improving folding angle control are also discussed with possible applications. [DOI: 10.1115/1.4029066]
Stylistic Fronting in Icelandic:A Base-Generated Construction

In this paper I present a base-generated analysis of Stylistic Fronting in Icelandic, assimilating the construction to a sub-type of V2. I argue that the base-generated approach provides an account of many of the properties of Stylistic Fronting that have been elusive under previous (transformational) accounts, and does so without the need for extra projections or extra mechanisms. The analysis is presented in the framework of Lexical-Functional Grammar, which allows flexibility of head-positioning without recourse to movement operations.
The Contribution of Bilingualism to Cognitive Functioning and Regional Brain Volume in Normal and Abnormal Aging

Abstract We examined the association between bilingualism, executive function (EF), and brain volume in older monolinguals and bilinguals who spoke English, Spanish, or both, and were cognitively normal (CN) or diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) or dementia. Gray matter volume (GMV) was higher in language and EF brain regions among bilinguals, but no differences were found in memory regions. Neuropsychological performance did not vary across language groups over time; however, bilinguals exhibited reduced Stroop interference and lower scores on Digit Span Backwards and category fluency. Higher scores on Digit Span Backwards were associated with a younger age of English acquisition, and a greater degree of balanced bilingualism was associated with lower scores in category fluency. The initial age of cognitive decline did not differ between language groups. The influence of bilingualism appears to be reflected in increased GMV in language and EF regions, and to a lesser degree, in EF.
Towards the validation of thermoacoustic modelling in aerospace structures

The research presented in this thesis has been performed over the course of three years under funding from the European Office of the United States Air Force (EAORD) as a part of a long-term project to collect high quality data for the validation of computational mechanics models of thermoacoustic loading. The focus is on the adaptation of stereoscopic (3D) Digital Image Correlation for use in a combined thermal and high temperature measurements. To that end, a background is provided which highlights the current state of the art in high temperature, vibration experiments and data acquisition. A system is described in which a pulsed laser of duration 4 nanoseconds is used to capture high-quality displacement and strain data from vibrating components (PL- DIC). Based on this a novel method of capturing data from a component subjected to random excitation was developed. A laser vibrometer was used along with a custom LabVIEW program to trigger the pulsed laser relative to points of maximum velocity in the components vibration cycle. A dynamic calibration procedure was performed of both a high speed DIC system and the Pulsed-Laser DIC system to assess and compare the measurement uncertainty from the respective systems. It is crucial to know the uncertainty in experimental data when using it for the validation of computational models. A new way to validate computational models of vibration behavior using full-field DIC data and image decomposition is described. This is a phasic approach in which data from the entire cycle of vibration is used. The validation assessment is performed using the expanded uncertainty calculated and a concordance correlation coefficient. An example is provided using an aerospace component to validate four different simulation conditions of a modal frequency response model. An apparatus was designed and built which uses a 10 kW array of quartz lamps to reproduce some aspects of the heating provided by the Air Force test chambers. Experiments were performed in collaboration with the University of Illinois using induction heating and a small Hastelloy plate. A thermal buckling phenomena was observed using the PL-DIC system, the first full-field results of such.
An Experimental Study Followed by a Development and a Comparison of Regression Models for Predicting TJ Electric Discharge in Insulators

: Analyzes of electric discharge are sometimes tedious and relatively expensive. To overcome this problem, some scientists are working on variance analysis projects. The article presents the results of an electric discharge experiment performed on silicone, porcelain and heat tempered glass insulators at Triple Junction (TJ). The objective of this study is to develop a polynomial and Gaussian simple regression model (Polynomial Simple Linear Regression (SLR) model and Gaussian simple nonlinear regression model) considering different parameters by analyzing the observed quantitative data. The dependent variable or variable to be explained (discharge current) is a function of four independent variables (explanatory variables): voltage application time ( t ), solid insulator surface condition: net surface ( t’ ), worn rubbed surface with sandpaper ( t’’ ) and active electrode diameter ( diam ). Indeed, this study sets up precise prediction models generating good estimates of the studied variables values. A polynomial SLR model is proposed capable of predicting electric discharge with an adjusted coefficient of determination ( R 2 adj ) of 0.9774 for t and t’ , 0.9773 for t" and 0.9945 for diam . While ( R 2 adj ) for the Gaussian model reaches 0.9989 for t and t’ , 0.9998 for t’’ . By considering this, these models are strongly recommended to better understand and characterize the discharge and contribute to the improvement of the insulation and its design for better optimization and high performance.
Enhancement of Document Legibility Using Spectroscopic Imaging

The article describes the application of spectroscopic imaging in the near infrared wavelength region to examine two historical parchments. This non-destructive optical method of analysis can distinguish subtle differences in the reflectance properties of the materials under study. Three areas on the parchments were selected for study, showing three types of features: faint writing, heavy lines interspersed with faint writing, and text obscured by corrections. The measurements consisted of sets of 41 narrow-band digital images taken at 10-nanometre wavelength intervals from 650 to 1050 nm. Each narrow-band image consisted in turn of 256 by 256 pixels representing reflectance intensity values at a particular wavelength. Several types of numerical manipulations were used to process the collected data. The legibility of the faint writing was increased through pixel-by-pixel subtraction of images taken at different wavelengths. The reflectance spectral response of the heavy lines was distinguished from that of the faint writing in the same way. The text obscured by the corrections was made readable using principal-components analysis of the entire set of 41 narrow-band images. Displaying all the images resulting from the processing using false colour made all the processed images easier to interpret by eye. Possible applications to the study of manuscripts in a poor state of conservation are described. RESUME Cet article decrit l’application de l’imagerie spectroscopique dans la region de longueur d’onde infrarouge proche afin d’examiner deux parchemins historiques. Cette methode d’analyse optique non destructive permet de distinguer des differences subtiles dans les proprietes du facteur de reflexion des materiaux etudies. Trois zones des parchemins ont ete selectionnees pour l’etude, montrant trois caracteristiques particulieres : de l’ecriture pâle, des lignes epaisses intercalees avec de l’ecriture pâle et du texte obscurci par des corrections. Les mesures consistaient en series de 41 images numeriques en bandes etroites prises a intervalles de longueur d’ondes de 10 nanometres entre 650 et 1050 nm. Chaque image en bande etroite etait constituee de 256 par 256 pixels et representait les valeurs de l’intensite du facteur de reflexion d’une longueur d’onde particuliere. Plusieurs types de manipulations numeriques ont ete utilisees afin de traiter les donnees. La lisibilite de l’ecriture pâle a ete amelioree grâce a la soustraction, pixel par pixel, d’images prises a differentes longueurs d’ondes. La meme methode a ete utilisee pour distinguer les reponses spectrales du facteur de reflexion des lignes epaisses et de l’ecriture pâle. Le texte obscurci par des corrections a ete rendu lisible en utilisant l’analyse en composantes principales pour la serie complete des 41 images en bandes etroites. L’affichage de toutes les images obtenues grâce au traitement utilisant les fausses couleurs a rendu toutes les images traitees plus faciles a interpreter visuellement. L’article decrit les applications possibles pour l’etude des manuscrits dans un mauvais etat de conservation.
WHAT MOTIVATES STAKEHOLDERS TO ENGAGE IN COLLABORATIVE INNOVATION IN THE INFRASTRUCTURE MEGAPROJECTS?

Collaborative innovation has become an innovation paradigm to improve innovation performance and firms’ economic output. However, there is relatively little research investigating stakeholders’ drivers for engaging in collaborative innovation and the relative importance of drivers in infrastructure megaprojects. This research aims to address this gap by identifying the drivers for collaborative innovation and their relative importance in the context of infrastructure megaprojects. We adopt the literature review and questionnaire survey methods to identify drivers, the Relative Importance Index to rank them, and exploratory factor analysis to group them. The results show that 18 drivers are grouped into 6 dimensions. Their rankings are as follows: responding to project and clients’ requirements, improving efficiency, gaining rewards, learning, responding to competition, responding to environmental changes. The research contributes to stakeholders’ drivers to engage in collaborative innovation and the relative importance of drivers in the context of infrastructure megaprojects. Identifying and prioritizing stakeholders’ drivers can provide practitioners with suggestions on managing the collaborative innovation process in infrastructure megaprojects.
Contribution of plant–bacteria interactions to horizontal gene transfer in plants

Abstract Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is recognized as a major driver of adaptive evolution in prokaryotes. However, HGT seems impossible in eukaryotes, particularly as recipients; therefore, debate rages regarding whether HGT takes place in eukaryotes, in addition to its potential mechanism or frequency. Bacterial symbionts, whether mutualistic, commensalistic or parasitic, have been considered potential donors for eukaryotes. In this study, we used a bacterial–plant interaction system to systematically investigate HGT in plants. In total, 373 HGT events were identified based on a pipeline procedure, and 90 HGTs were confirmed as true events, with 27.27%–86.5% sequence similarities. We propose that both ancient transfer and recent specific transfer (e.g. Agrobacteria) occurred in the course of plant evolution. The most enriched functional categories of the HGTs were metabolism processes of amino acids, cofactors and vitamins, and carbohydrates, and genetic information processing. Donor bacterial genera were significantly enriched in plant-associated bacterial groups, which indicated that plant–bacterial interaction facilitates HGT in plants. No clade- or species-specific HGTs were detected, and all occurred anciently during the origin of angiosperm plants. In addition, we identified 309 ‘one-species’ HGT events, and as expected, all the events could be accounted for as sequence errors or inaccurate annotations.
A Preliminary Study on the Relationship between Parasitaemia and Cytokine Expression of Peripheral Blood Cells in Trypanosoma vivax-Experimentally Infected Cattle

Simple Summary Infections by Trypanosoma vivax in livestock have been reported with increasing frequency worldwide. Nevertheless, information regarding the immune response during the infection is scarce. Regarding that, cytokines play an important role as inflammation modulators, influencing the outcome of trypanosomosis. This study aimed to evaluate host cytokine production during T. vivax infection, in order to assess the increase or decrease of selected cytokines with the cattle’s ability to control the infection. While animals that showed an increase in IL-6 and IFNγ managed T. vivax parasitaemia satisfactorily, cattle that showed reduction of IL-1β, IL-2 and TNFα did not control the parasite multiplication. The presented results are preliminary and shed some light on the role of cytokines during T. vivax-infection. Abstract Trypanosoma vivax outbreaks have been reported with increasing frequency worldwide, causing significant economic losses in livestock. Though several studies have suggested that cytokine responses may influence infection caused by Trypanosoma sp. , their exact role remains unclear and may vary according to the animal species and parasite strain. The present study aimed to evaluate cytokine expression of peripheral blood cells from three Girolando dairy cows experimentally infected with T. vivax. For this purpose, blood samples were collected prior to the inoculation on the day of inoculation (D0), the day after inoculation (D1), and then every seven days up to 119 days after infection (DAI). Each animal presented a unique pattern of cytokine expression. While a tendency of a Th1 cytokine response was observed during the patent phase (presence of circulating parasites), an increase of Th2 cytokine expression was found at the beginning of the sub-patent phase (low parasitaemia or aparasitaemic periods). In animals that presented a better control of parasitaemia, IL-6 and IFNγ increased during most of the trial period. On the other hand, the cow that presented reduction of IL-1β, IL-2, and TNFα during the entire period did not control parasitaemia properly. A balance between the Th1 and Th2 profile is beneficial for parasite control and animal health. The results found in the present study are a first step towards elucidating the dynamics of cattle’s inflammatory response against T. vivax, requiring future studies focusing on the role of key cytokines on the controlling of parasitaemia in different stages of bovine trypanosomosis.
A study of rotor broadband noise mechanisms and helicopter tail rotor noise

The rotor broadband noise mechanisms considered are the following: (1) lift fluctuation due to turbulence ingestion; (2) boundary layer/trailing edge interaction; (3) tip vortex formation; and (4) turbulent vortex shedding from blunt trailing edge. Predictions show good agreement with available experimental data. The study shows that inflow turbulence is the most important broadband noise source for typical helicopters' main rotors at low- and mid-frequencies. Due to the size difference, isolated helicopter tail rotor broadband noise is not important compared to the much louder main rotor broadband noise. However, the inflow turbulence noise from a tail rotor can be very significant because it is operating in a highly turbulent environment, ingesting wakes from upstream components of the helicopter. The study indicates that the main rotor turbulent wake is the most important source of tail rotor broadband noise. The harmonic noise due to ingestion of main rotor tip vortices is studied.
Effects of dietary corn distiller's dried grains with solubles on ammonia emission, production performance, manure characteristics, and economic efficiency for laying hens

A series of experiments was designed to evaluate the mechanisms and effects of dietary corn distiller’s grains with solubles on NH3 emission from laying hens. A diet containing 15% DDGS was fed to laying hens in high-rise houses on a farm in central Iowa. Hens in three houses were fed the DDGS treatment diet while hens in the other three houses were fed a 0% control diet. Emission, egg production, and economic parameters as well as manure characteristics were measured over the course of a one-year period (between fall manure clean-out). The manure pH was lower for the DDGS than the control regimen (7.10 vs. 7.42 ± 0.08, respectively; P = 0.01). Contrary to the hypothesis, the lower manure pH did not lead to a decrease in NH3 emission (1.24 vs 1.32 ± 0.08 g/hen-d for the DDGS and control, respectively; P = 0.54). However, higher N consumption by the DDGS hens did not lead to increased NH3 emission. The DDGS diet did not cause any adverse effects on production performance. Economic analyses revealed lower diet cost for the DDGS regimen than the control (10.8 vs. 11.2 ± 0.1 ¢/hen-wk, respectively; P = 0.10 and 34.2 vs. 31.3 ± 0.5 ¢/kg egg, respectively; P = 0.06). In a separate study, no change in pH or short-chain fatty acid contents of the laying-hen ceca could be detected between a 15% DDGS and control regimen. Because the DDGS treatment was expected to impact manure nutrient values, a study was conducted to determine which sampling strategies yielded the most precise nutrient values. The variation in dry-matter content was greater than the variation in nitrogen or phosphorus. Sampling strategies that accurately measure dry-matter content must be used, including collection of samples near the sidewall and in the center manure rows under high-rise houses. Diets containing 15% DDGS yielded lower feed cost while supporting egg production. However, no decrease in NH3 emission was detected.
Effects of Overconfident Managers on the Capital Using Generalized Method of Moments

The purpose of this research study is to investigate the effect of overconfident managers on capital structure. For this study, data from 221 companies listed on Tehran Stock Exchange during the years 2013 to 2017. And using GMM models, the data were analyzed. Also, we tested including influencing variables of tangible assets, profitability, return on assets and firm size as control variables. The results showed that over confidence managers and other control variables have a significant and positive impact on the capital structure of compagnies. These results indicate that as managers’ confidence increased coupled with an increase in assets, profitability and firm size, ratio of corporate debt also increased implying that companies borrowed through issuing bonds to finance more of their equity in the capital structure. This paper is one of few studies on the field of behavioral finance on Effects of overconfident managers on the capital structure using generalized method of moments.
The next generation automotive electrical power system architecture: issues and challenges

The electrical and electronic content of contemporary passenger cars and light trucks now exceeds 20% of the vehicle cost. Semiconductor content alone is growing at 16%/yr, primarily in embedded microcontrollers, safety and security systems and entertainment systems. As the automobile develops, the demand for installed capacity to support future electronic and anciliary functions is expected to exceed the historical 4%/yr. Today, the automobile electrical system consumes approximately 1.2 kW to support essential loads. With electrical ancillaries, like power assisted steering, the demand will grow to 3 kW and higher in the near term (10 to 15 years). Meeting this predicted demand in a low voltage system is one issue facing automotive electrical system design today. The challenge lies in how to meet such future demand at affordable cost and uncompromised quality. This paper summarizes candidate electrical architectures that are considered viable alternatives to today's system.