Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Contribution to the probabilistic analysis of reinforced concrete bridge performance

Some agents that are ever present in atmospheric conditions can penetrate concrete structures, which are porous in nature. Among these agents atmospheric carbon dioxide and chlorides that constitute de-icing salts are the usual suspects. These agents result in the corrosion of reinforcing bars, which is the principal reason behind the deterioration of concrete structures. Once initiated, the rate of corrosion increases with time and increasingly dictates the behaviour of these structures throughout their service life. A great deal of uncertainty still remains in this subject as a result of the random nature of the infiltration of these aggressive agents as well as the material and structural properties of reinforced concrete. Consequently, in order to determine the degradation of these structures with time, it is necessary to approach the subject from a probabilistic point of view. Reliability Theory is one of the best available tools due to the fact that it considers the uncertainties involved with the geometrical dimensions of these structures, with the material characteristics and with the environment and the subsequent deterioration that it provokes. As a result, the objective of this PhD thesis involves the development of a probabilistic method that determines the evolution of the loss of structural strength of reinforced concrete road bridges, which are exposed to a wide variety of aggressive environments. By means of studying this degradation, it is possible to estimate the principal stages or phases, which determine structural performance (ie loss of material durability, loss of serviceability and loss of structural safety). This thesis also aims to provide maintenance engineers, after having carried out visual inspections, with the necessary means of assessing and predicting these principal performance phases. Equally, it equips consulting engineers with the essential methods that are required to determine partial safety factors which are best suited to the re-estimation of these deteriorated structures. This thesis consists of five axes. A first axis studies the modelling the performance of reinforced concrete beams under bending effects, the phenomenon of penetration of aggressive agents and the stages of performance. A second axis deals with the uncertainties involved with different variables: sensitivity analyses identify the influence on the reliability index of a wide variety of these variables. A third axis proposes quantitative methods that provide maintenance engineers with the necessary means of predicting the performance phase of a structure following visual inspections. The fourth axis develops a calibration method for the partial safety factors of reinforced concrete structures suffering corrosion. Finally, the fifth axis is dedicated to the re-qualification of the reliability of a structure by means of a conditional probabilistic calculation, which is based on the results of detailed inspections.
￼Modeling and simulation of the IR-Drop phenomenon in integrated circuits

Scaling technology in deep-submicron technology has reduced the voltage supply level and increased the number of transistors in the chip, increasing the power supply noise sensitivity of the ICs. Excessive power supply noise affects the timing performance, increasing the gate delay, and may cause timing faults. Specifically, power supply noise induced by the currents that flow through the resistive parasitic elements of the Power Distribution Network (PDN) is called IR-Drop. This thesis deals with the modelling and simulation of logic circuits in the context of IR-drop. An original algorithm is proposed that allows performing an event-driven delay simulation of the logic Block Under Test (BUT) while taking into account the whole chip IR-drop impact on the simulated block. To do so, we develop accurate and efficient electrical models for the currents generated by the switching gates, the propagation of the current draw through the PDN and the gate delays. First, the pre-characterization process for the dynamic currents, static currents and gate delays is described to generate a gate library. Then, another pre-characterization procedure is suggested to estimate the current distribution through the resistive PDN model. Our models are implemented in a first version of the simulator developed by the University of Passau in the context of a collaboration. In addition, the impact of the parasitic capacitive elements of the PDN is analyzed and a procedure to derive the current distribution in a resistive-capacitive PDN model is proposed.
Transformation of Chinese OEM-----Case study

Due to the globalization trend, the transformation of Chinese OEM has become a hot topic in the last decades. Although the previous literature suggested that there were many different determinants influencing firms to be successful companies, there is a lack of combination in the context of Chinese OEM. Thus, the purpose of this research study is to find out the approach of Chinese OEMs to successfully launch their own products based on three perspectives - organizational structure, processes and culture.Applying a qualitative approach, the data was gathered through semi-structured telephone interviews with the senior personnel of one Chinese OEM company (Damekiss), complemented with secondary data collected from the company’s and public websites.The results of analysis showed different views of how organizational structure, process and culture influencing on the transformation of Chinese OEM. We found that four functions (i.e. manufacturing, distribution, new product development and human resource management) influenced the transformation of Chinese OEM in organizational structure perspective. Among these functions, human resource management and distribution are extremely weak in the organizational structure of Chinese OEM. Regarding to the process of formulating these functions, the deep understanding of the customers’ preferences and collaboration partners that influenced building distribution were figured out. In the case company, it showed a relative poor ability on distribution which would be the barriers for further developing. Building HRM process was raised as another issue of the transformation of Chinese OEMs. According to the case company, HRM was poorly organized. The recruitment did not get enough attention; the training programs stayed at a lower level. The last not least, the corporate culture was also proven to be playing an important role in the transformation of Chinese OEMs. Awareness of corporate culture as one of significant aspects influencing the entire company was found in the case company. Slogan, company heroes and rituals as an internal culture were properly used to motivate employees.
SYNTHESIS OF PAST ACTIVITY ANALYSIS APPLICATIONS

This review describes the emergence of the central ideas within the activity analysis paradigm and their application to travel forecasting. We posit that three interconnected processes of "ideas applications" form the basis of scientific development. The first is conceptualization and theory building. The second is empirical tests and applications: here, we make a distinction between those in which activity patterns are considered as segmentation variables in travel models, and those in which travel is incorporated into activity patterns. The third process is the self-conscious evaluation of the interplay between theory and application: we call this last the "reflexive nexus". We provide examples of studies which demonstrate these processes; most studies emphasize one over the others. This framework places the pathways toward implementing activity-based travel demand forecasting into more of a cyclical, and less of a linear, historical context. One example is given of how all three processes have contributed to a particular model of activity scheduling. We conclude that activity analysis continues to develop within waxing and waning periods of inductive theory construction and deductive theory testing. Extending activity analysis to the realm of travel forecasting should provide intellectually more satisfying forecasting tools and lead to improved theory.
Foliar-applied 24-epibrassinolide systemically triggers tolerance to magnesium stress in soybean plants: plausible responses focused on root and leaf structures

ABSTRACT The adverse effects caused by inadequate magnesium (Mg) supplies (deficiency or toxicity) cause disorders in root and leaf structures, compromising the uptake and transport of nutrients and gas exchange. However, 24-epibrassinolide (EBR) is a biodegradable and ecologically viable steroid that exhibits benefits on cell division and vascular differentiation. This study aimed to evaluate whether exogenous EBR application can attenuate the deleterious effects linked to inadequate Mg supplies on the anatomical structures of roots and leaves in soybean plants. The experiment followed a completely randomized factorial design with two concentrations of 24-Epibrassinolide (0 and 100 nM EBR, described as - EBR and + EBR, respectively) and three Mg supplies (0.0225, 2.25 and 225 mM Mg, described as low, control and high supplies of Mg). In general, low and high Mg supplies promoted negative changes in the anatomical variables evaluated. In root tissue, pretreatment with 100 nM EBR stimulated the root structures, confirming the systemic action of EBR and benefits related to the differentiation of these structures. Treatment with low Mg + EBR promoted increases in epidermis thickness from the abaxial leaf side (ETAb) and spongy parenchyma thickness (SPT) in 20% and 13%, respectively. High Mg and EBR were increased in ETAb (31%) and SPT (15%) compared with equal treatment without steroids, improving protection and CO2 fixation. Our results indicate that the foliar application of EBR mitigated the deleterious effects linked to inadequate Mg supply in the anatomical structures of the root and leaf, confirming the systemic action of this steroid.
Effect of Sand Types on the Early Swimming Performance of Green Turtle Hatchlings

The selection of the nest site is a critical factor whereby female turtles may choose to nest at the site that minimizes energy expenditure of hatchlings and time spent to construct the nest. Nest substrate such as grain size is hypothesized to influence hatchling fitness by affecting the amount of energy reserves used by the hatchlings during emergence. Throughout Malaysia more than half a million green turtle hatchlings are released from hatcheries annually, however the question of whether this practice is producing high-quality hatchlings remains unanswered. It is crucial to hatchery management to identify which types of sand are most suitable for egg incubation and beneficial for hatchlings during nest emergence. We measured the influence of sand types on hatchlings fitness in terms of self-righting ability and swimming performance which emerged from the coarse and fine grained sand. Ten nests which had reach 45 days of incubation duration were selected as the developing embryos would be robust enough to be transported from the nesting to the laboratory for further incubation. Eggs from each clutch were split and allowed to continuing incubating in two different experimental conditions, fine and coarse grain. After hatched, the morphological characteristics and self-righting ability of hatchlings were measured then placed inside the glass aquarium to test the swimming performance for 18 hours. Results revealed that sand types only influenced the straight carapace width (SCW) of hatchlings but had no effect on their swimming. Cooler nest temperatures and longer incubation periods in nests constructed in fine sand caused the hatchlings to have larger straight carapace width than hatchlings from coarse sand. We suggest that the relocation of eggs in the late incubation period within Chagar Hutang beach is fine. Hence, we concluded that green turtle hatchlings emerging from nests in either fine or coarse grain sands of Chagar Hutang beach did not have a significant impact on their swimming performance.
Capability and quality in higher education

Embedding capability in the curriculum building a learning community - developing an integrated strategy for the 21st century capabilities across the curriculum the TEC experience learner managed learning work-based learning and learning organisations development of skills and the career management initiative an institutional strategy for transferable skills and employability linking capability to levels and assessment an assessment topic capability through HE profiling, learning outcomes and learning contracts building a learning organisation through institutional capability the capability experience at Bournemouth University the partnership framework and personal and professional development independent study programmes and autonomous learning.
Evaluation of the F/A-18 Head-Up-Display for Recovery from Unusual Attitudes

Abstract : Maintaining situational awareness is a critical task in piloting an aircraft. Focusing on spatial orientation, the attitude displays provide information necessary for the pilot to control the aircraft's position in space. In the F/A-18 aircraft the Head-Up-Display (HUD) is the primary attitude indicator. This study compared electrically drawn attitude direction indicator (ADI), the current F/A-18 HUD, and the concurrent use of the ADI and HUD for recovery from unusual attitudes. Results indicated significantly faster recovery times for the ADI. Reasons may be attributed to the superiority of the color coding of the ADI for sky and ground over the dashed and solid pitch lines used for ground/sky coding on the HUD format. Pilot preferences were split between using the ADI as a convenient crosscheck and reduction of visual workload when using the HUD and ADI concurrently compared to using the HUD alone. The results from this study, which employed an electrically drawn ADI, parallel those found in earlier experiments comparing an electromechanical ADI to the F/A-18 HUD. They suggest that a centrally located ADI in the F/A cockpit would aid pilots during unusual attitude recovery.
Biomechanics modeling of human musculoskeletal system using Adams multibody dynamics package

The aim of our study was to estimate the muscle skeletal load of human activities in the car industry, for that purpose MSC Adams Lifemodeler was used to build a mechanical model for a work place simulation were an electric screw driving was used. The data for model assembly was provided by video captured recordings, electromyography measurements and anthropometric data of workers.The task chosen for simulation was one of the more demanding, presenting a high-risk level for musculoskeletal disorders, considering the plant ergonomic department classification. The model allows the calculation of bone forces and joint moments of force. This will allow, in the future, to obtain the values of muscle skeletal action forces in wrist forearm and shoulder, caused by the action of the electric screwdriving tool. Results presented are from an ongoing study.
Capturing Dynamic Performance in a Cognitive Model: Estimating ACT‐R Memory Parameters With the Linear Ballistic Accumulator

Abstract The parameters governing our behavior are in constant flux. Accurately capturing these dynamics in cognitive models poses a challenge to modelers. Here, we demonstrate a mapping of ACT‐R's declarative memory onto the linear ballistic accumulator (LBA), a mathematical model describing a competition between evidence accumulation processes. We show that this mapping provides a method for inferring individual ACT‐R parameters without requiring the modeler to build and fit an entire ACT‐R model. Existing parameter estimation methods for the LBA can be used, instead of the computationally expensive parameter sweeps that are traditionally done. We conduct a parameter recovery study to confirm that the LBA can recover ACT‐R parameters from simulated data. Then, as a proof of concept, we use the LBA to estimate ACT‐R parameters from an empirical dataset. The resulting parameter estimates provide a cognitively meaningful explanation for observed differences in behavior over time and between individuals. In addition, we find that the mapping between ACT‐R and LBA lends a more concrete interpretation to ACT‐R's latency factor parameter, namely as a measure of response caution. This work contributes to a growing movement towards integrating formal modeling approaches in cognitive science.
Experimental techniques for determining rotordynamic coefficients of gas seals: results for short staggered labyrinth seals and comparison with CFD

This work deals with the rotordynamic characterization of gas labyrinth seals. The experimental determination of stiffness and damping coefficients at two different test rigs is described including undertaken modernization of the experimental environment. Test results on leakage and rotordynamic coefficients are shown for the three-teeth-on-stator staggered labyrinth seal with the tooth radial clearance of 0.5 mm. The results are compared to previous tests with a 0.27 mm clearance seal of the same design and CFD predictions.
A Study on Reducing Traffic Congestion at Intersections using Inter-Vehicle and Road-Vehicle Communications

This paper discusses a traffic congestion reducing method by using an IVC (Inter-Vehicle Communication) and RVC (Road-Vehicle Communication) at a T-intersection. The authors focused on an intersection because there is often traffic congestion there. Traffic simulations in T-intersections where prospects are not good and buildings exist at the corner are performed. Traffic congestion often happens since the vehicles are slowed down or stopped temporarily when they are turning right or left. In the proposed scheme, location, velocity and direction information of vehicles are transmitted by the IVC and the RVC around the intersection in order to assist the decision for drivers when the vehicles are turning right or left. The IVC and RVC are integrated because it is difficult to communicate around the intersection only by using the IVC. Results show that waste of time, acceleration and deceleration can be reduced and traffic flow becomes smoother. From the simulation, the density of the vehicles, the number of the vehicles that completed right or left turns and average waiting time characteristics are improved compared with ordinary traffic systems at the intersection.
ISR Evolution in the Iraqi Theater

Abstract : If the reader thinks this was a special operations forces (SOF) maneuver, he would be wrong. Such operations are happening daily with armor, artillery, and infantry units executing the mission. What enables this SOF-like capability with conventional units is the sudden increase in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), analysis, and exploitation assets delegated down to the brigade combat teams (BCTs). We have seen a significant metamorphosis of intelligence operations in Iraq. Indeed, we still have much to learn, but we are on the right track. The capacity and capability of our intelligence systems have improved greatly in just 3 years. The successes enjoyed by Multi-National brigade level provides commanders with an unprecedented level of situational awareness. commanders now have the flexibility to push ISR assets to the lowest tactical echelon, which is one of the most powerful enablers on the battlefield today.
Evolutionary Algorithms for Large Scale Optimization In Construction Management

Managing construction projects to success requires speedy and efficient utilization of the multiple resources involved in day-to-day operations. It is necessary, therefore, to incorporate some optimization features into construction management, to minimize the cost of planning and executing large projects. With the complexity and large problem size of moderate-size projects, mathematical optimization techniques (e.g., linear and integer programming) become difficult to use and fail to provide solutions. Researchers, therefore, have been seeking alternative techniques that are more robust, faster, and easier to use. Recently, a new breed of algorithms based on Artificial Intelligence has evolved to mimic the efficient behavior of natural biological systems of various species. Examples include genetic algorithms, ant colony systems, particle swarm, and frog leaping systems. Such evolutionary algorithms have the potential to reach near-optimum solutions to large problems. In this paper, three recent evolutionary-based algorithms are introduced as promising management tools that can help practitioners optimize decisions and enhance automation in construction: particle swarm, ant colony, and modified shuffled frog leaping. A brief description and basic formulation of each algorithm is presented. The three algorithms are then applied to optimize the construction projects' time-cost trade-off decisions. The results of applying the three algorithms are compared to the well-known evolutionary algorithm namely genetic algorithms. Based on these applications, comments on the applicability of evolutionary algorithms in construction management are presented.
Specific energy consumption of vacuum filtration: Experimental evaluation using a pilot-scale horizontal belt filter

Abstract Horizontal vacuum belt filters are used for continuous solid–liquid separation in a wide variety of industrial processes. Despite the low pressure difference (usually Δp < 0.8 bar), the high air pumping requirement to maintain the pressure difference results in considerable energy consumption. In this article, the specific energy consumption of vacuum filtration and air flow rates of a pilot-scale horizontal vacuum belt filter unit are investigated. The results show that a claw-type vacuum pump consumes only half the energy compared to a conventional liquid ring vacuum pump at corresponding operating points. A comparison between the specific energy consumption of vacuum filtration and thermal drying of the filter cake to zero moisture revealed that vacuum filtration accounted for less than half of the total energy consumption in the applied experimental conditions at Δp = 0.2–0.5 bar. The majority of the total pumping requirement of the pilot-scale filter resulted from leaks, and only 2–25% of the air flow found its way through the cake and the filter medium. The results suggest that there is a combination of the pressure difference level and the mass of solids deposited per filtration area that together with thermal drying consumes the least amount of energy per solids mass.
Verification of Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide for the State of New Jersey

The objective of the paper is to present the results of the verification of the predicted rutting, alligator cracking, longitudinal cracking, thermal cracking, and roughness (IRI) using the Mechanistic-Empirical pavement design guide. In this study, nine Long Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) and sixteen non-LTPP sections in the state of New Jersey were evaluated. The level 3 material input and level 2 traffic input were used during analysis. The input data and measured field performance data were collected from multiple sources. The analysis showed that the average difference between measured rutting and the average predicted asphalt concrete layer rutting was statistically insignificant at 95% confidence level. The measured longitudinal cracking, thermal cracking and roughness (IRI) were statistically similar to the predicted values. In addition the difference between measured and predicted alligator cracking was reasonable considering the error of field measured data, and prediction error due to level 3 material input.