Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The innovation competence of repeat public sector clients in the Australian construction industry

The role of client leadership in improving construction industry performance by increasing the rate and quality of innovation activity has been receiving increasing attention globally over the past decade. There has however been less attention given to the capability of clients to effectively perform this role. The literature suggests that the internal innovation competency of clients impacts on their potential to encourage innovation throughout the industry. Based on data collected via a large‐scale survey of the Australian construction industry, the innovation competence of repeat public sector clients is examined using descriptive statistics. The results show that the clients have a relatively high level of innovation competence, compared to contractors, consultants and suppliers. The role of innovation competence is important. If public sector client agencies wish to protect and promote the role they play in encouraging industry innovation, they need to nurture their internal innovation competence.
Stretched-Pulse Additive Pulse Mode-Locking in Fiber

additive pulse mode-locking uses segments of fiber of large positive and large negative group velocity dispersion (GVD) in the cavity. The changes in pulse width per pass due to the varying GVD can be an order of magnitude or more. A theory is developed based on the master equation that covers this case of large pulse changes in one transit. The general predictions of the theory are verified by experimental results.
Design and Testing of an Active Core for Sandwich Panels

Abstract : This report presents a study on analysis, design and testing of an active core of a sandwich panel for achieving maximum bending morphing. Firstly, a SIMP-PP algorithm is developed by combining the SIMP method and the physical programming for topology design of complaint mechanisms and then validated via a number of selected numerical examples. Secondly, a unit cell concept is established for the overall shape morphing of single unit cell for the purpose of conducting topology optimization of an active core, and then multiple unit cells connected in a series manner to form the core are assessed numerically to understand its capability of shape morphing. Thirdly, a prototype of three unit cell core was fabricated using rapid prototyping for experimental demonstrating the morphing capability. Preliminary testing results show that the cantilever core can achieve a maximum tip deflection angle of approximately 10 degrees.
Response Evaluation of Reinforced Concrete Block Structural Walls Subjected to Blast Loading

AbstractWith the introduction of the new American and Canadian standards for blast resistant design, there is a need to evaluate the response of different structural components under such extreme loads. This paper focuses on experimentally evaluating the damage levels and the out-of-plane response of fully grouted reinforced concrete block structural walls under blast loading—a load that they are typically not designed to resist. The scaled walls reported in this paper cover a range of design parameters and charge weights that reflect different vulnerabilities and threat levels. Three different reinforcement ratios and three different charge weights have been used, with scaled distances as low as 1.61 m/kg1/3 and two different boundary conditions, to evaluate the walls’ response. In general, the results show that the walls are capable of withstanding substantial blast load levels with different extents of damage depending on their vertical reinforcement ratio and scaled distance. However, brittle behavio.
A novel elliptic microstrip FED antenna with double band notched characteristic for UWB application

A compact ultrawideband microstrip‐fed monopole antenna with two band notch property is presented.The antenna consists of a truncated elliptic patch with half wave arc slot and two parasitic bent elements in both side of the radiating patch. It is designed with half elliptic ground plane in the back of the radiating patch. The antenna provides an enhanced impedance matching characteristic over the desired frequency band, with variable dimensions which are used to generate the frequency band stop performance in wireless local area network and the worldwide interoperability for microwave access frequency bands. The antenna is designed and measured successfully. The measured results show that this antenna operates over the frequency band between 2.2 and 11.5 GHz for S11 < 10 dB, while showing the band rejection performances in the frequencies band of 3.2–3.8 GHz and 5.2–5.8 GHz. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 54:2659–2662, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.27130
Business Models and Performance: Entrepreneurial aspects in the New York wine industry

This dissertation is about innovation - the setting is business models. I have defined innovativeness in business models as a novel departure from what others in the same industry are using for their business model design. Utilizing evolutionary theory, I focus upon organizational routines to identify innovation. I explored characteristics within the firm associated with innovativeness in the business model including customer information processes; willingness to pursue experimentation and complexity added to the business model from the addition of non-core products. Inertia in the firm was considered as a moderator between each of these variables and innovativeness. Performance was measured using criteria relevant to the industry - quality, awards won by the winery and revenue growth. Several implications follow from the results. First, An important implication of the research is that evolutionary theory is a useful lens to elaborate mechanisms associated with innovative business models and can serve for future research to theoretically ground investigations into innovation in business models. Second, my methodology served as a contribution by providing an ability to objectively identify innovative business models. Third, the importance of understanding your customers aids in developing innovative business models. Fourth, experimentation allows firms to develop and evaluate changes to the business model that can lead to innovation. Fifth, firms should recognize that as procedures and business models become ingrained it is more difficult to pursue an innovative business models. Finally, innovation is equally important for improving performance in both low- tech and high-tech environments.
Macroeconomic Forecast And Key Rate In Monetary Regulation Of The Russian Economy

The paper is devoted to the issues of monetary regulation of the Russian economy in the conditions of the aggravation of internal factors, causes and sources of destabilization of the reproductive process, as well as increased external shocks to the economy and social sphere of the Russian Federation. The basic foundations of inflation targeting in modern Russia were highlighted and considered, namely the setting of the inflation goal, the adoption of a decision on the basis of the macroeconomic forecast, the use of a key rate as a monetary policy tool, and the expansion of information openness of communication in the activities of the Bank of Russia. Particular attention is paid to the issues in the area of decision-making by the Bank of Russia, including at a key rate based on its medium-term forecast of the economic development of the Russian Federation. It is shown that the increase in the number of macroeconomic forecast scenarios does not eliminate the problem of the quality of the macroeconomic forecast – verification of forecasts themselves, and above all the base scenario. The paper considers the impact of the real neutral interest rate on the level of the key rate. Recommendations are made regarding the transformation vector of the Bank of Russia’s monetary policy in terms of the macroeconomic forecast toolkit and the application of the global accounting practice for the real neutral interest rate when the Bank of Russia forms a decision on
Chaos-based FM signals: application and implementation issues

Constant-envelope wideband signals are useful excitations in many engineering tasks. Here, we consider their hardware-based generation, reviewing recent results and adding new ones. We focus on a synthesis technique based on FM modulators and discrete-time chaotic sources. The degrees of freedom offered by this approach are discussed and managed to satisfy common requirements. We show that good rate-of-mixing chaotic sources are highly desirable; then, given that most current-generation chaotic sources do not provide adequate values, we illustrate how their designs can be improved. We conclude by suggesting possible developments regarding weakly mixing chaotic sources.
Analysis of a Low Cost High Performance Axial Flux Vernier Machine with SMC Cores and Ferrite Magnets

In This paper, a low cost high performance axial flux Vernier machine (AFVM) with soft magnetic composite (SMC) cores and ferrite magnet is proposed and analyzed. By cooperating with spoke magnet rotor structure and 3D magnetic flux stator structure, the proposed AFVM can output higher torque compared with the traditional permanent magnet machine though low cost low co-energy ferrite magnet and low permeability SMC material are adopted. First the main electromagnetic topology and operation principle of the proposed AFVM is introduced, second its main dimensions are investigated and optimized and then its electromagnetic parameter and performance are calculated based on the deduced analytical model and 3D finite element method (FEM), lastly its main performance will be compared with both the axial flux machine and traditional Vernier machine in regarding on the side of torque ability, power factor and efficiency.
Long Covid: Online patient narratives, public health communication and vaccine hesitancy

Introduction This study combines quantitative and qualitative analyses of social media data collected through three key stages of the pandemic, to highlight the following: ‘First wave’ (March to May, 2020): negative consequences arising from a disconnect between official health communications, and unofficial Long Covid sufferers’ narratives online. ‘Second wave’ (October 2020 to January 2021): closing the ‘gap’ between official health communications and unofficial patient narratives, leading to a better integration between patient voice, research and services. ‘Vaccination phase’ (January 2021, early stages of the vaccination programme in the UK): continuing and new emerging concerns. Methods We adopted a mixed methods approach involving quantitative and qualitative analyses of 1.38 million posts mentioning long-term symptoms of Covid-19, gathered across social media and news platforms between 1 January 2020 and 1 January 2021, on Twitter, Facebook, Blogs, and Forums. Our inductive thematic analysis was informed by our discourse analysis of words, and sentiment analysis of hashtags and emojis. Results Results indicate that the negative impacts arise mostly from conflicting definitions of Covid-19 and fears around the Covid-19 vaccine for Long Covid sufferers. Key areas of concern are: time/duration; symptoms/testing; emotional impact; lack of support and resources. Conclusions Whilst Covid-19 is a global issue, specific sociocultural, political and economic contexts mean patients experience Long Covid at a localised level, needing appropriate localised responses. This can only happen if we build a knowledge base that begins with the patient, ultimately informing treatment and rehabilitation strategies for Long Covid.
"Diabetes and its Association with Peripheral Arterial Disease"

Diabetes is one of the most common diseases that are more prevalent in Pakistan. One of the major vascular complications of diabetes is peripheral arterial disease (PAD), which is associated with peripheral vascular damage and cardiovascular diseases. This complication enhances the risk of disability due to amputation of lower extremity in the patients suffering from diabetes. The early diabetic diagnosis and with therapy of the peripheral arterial disease, patients can minimize the risks of microvascular and macrovascular damage and resulting peripheral arterial disease. Thus, this step can help to reduce the cardiovascular complications and risks of amputation of extremity in such patients. The early diagnosis includes the assessment of blood sugar level. HBA1c is one of the standard markers to check the diabetes status in patients. The clinical presentations including polydipsia, polyuria and increased thirst also indicate towards diabetes susceptibility. The development of diabetes complications including neuropathy, myopathy, retinopathy, nephropathy and peripheral arterial disease point towards the sustained increased level of blood sugar (glucose) and condition is known as uncontrolled diabetes. The development of PAD can be prevented by early recognition of disease onset and by controlling the blood sugar level.
A 0.9-20 GHz Image Rejection Receiver for Software-Defined Radios

This paper presents an image rejection based receiver design for software defined radios. It consists of a reconfigurable filter, a multistandard low-noise amplifier (LNA), I/Q down conversion mixers, and intermediate frequency amplifiers. The proposed receiver is targeted to 0.9-20GHz band. The receiver blocks are implemented in the 130nm process technology. The proposed design significantly improves the conversion gain (CG), noise figure (NF), and return loss (S11). In addition to this, the design operates at 1.2V supply voltage and consumes 320mW power. The proposed receiver covers 4mm2 area. The design is well suited for high performance, low cost, and power-efficient software defined radios.
Neural Networks in Civil Engineering. I: Principles and Understanding

This is the first of two papers providing a discourse on the understanding, usage, and potential for application of artificial neural networks within civil engineering. The present paper develops an understanding of how these devices operate and explains the main issues concerning their use. A simple structural‐analysis problem is solved using the most popular form of neural‐networking system—a feedforward network trained using a supervised scheme. A graphical interpretation of the way in which neural networks operate is first presented. This is followed by discussions of the primary concepts and issues concerning their use, including factors affecting their ability to learn and generalize, the selection of an appropriate set of training patterns, theoretical limitations of alternative network configurations, and network validation. The second paper demonstrates the ways in which different types of civil engineering problems can be tackled using neural networks. The objective of the two papers is to ensur.
The circulating current in paralleled three-phase boost PFC rectifiers

This paper presents modeling, simulation, and experimental results of paralleled three-phase boost PFC rectifiers. The first part of the paper describes the overall system set-up and control schemes of the PFCs. Although individual modules work as expected, a low frequency oscillation between the paralleled units was observed. Because the conventional model of the three-phase rectifier cannot predict this kind of interaction, an average model is developed for system simulation. From this model, it is shown that the interleaved discontinuous space vector modulation produces a periodic disturbance on the zero axis. Because the conventional control in a balanced three-phase system with only dq channels cannot reject this disturbance, a circulating current will flow between the paralleled modules. Based on this observation, a space vector modulation with control in the third axis is proposed for the parallel operation of the rectifiers. Simulations are done to show the feasibility of this scheme.
Quality Management Organizations and Techniques

To address quality problems and associated costs, the construction industry must pursue and implement innovative quality management organization and techniques. The need for quality management in the construction industry is discussed in the initial sections. Customer satisfaction and continuous improvement, which are the fundamental goals of total quality management (TQM) and thereby the principles on which it is based, are then discussed. Customers can be either external or internal. Internal customers must be satisfied if the final external customer is to be satisfied. Seven fundamental elements that form the framework that support TQM principles are presented. They include: management commitment and leadership, training, teamwork, statistical methods, cost of quality, supplier involvement, and customer service. Commitment and leadership from top management is essential to TQM implementation. The process for implementing TQM in an organization is discussed. Finally, some of the problems related to impl.
Dynamic Stall Control by Periodic Excitation, Part 2: Mechanisms

Dynamic e ow separation and its control over a stationary dee ected surface are used to demonstrate the timescale disparity between the process of dynamic stall, which is dominated by the dynamic stall vortex (DSV), and the excitation-induced large coherent structures that effect its control. Appreciation of this disparity provided a framework for analyzing dynamic stall control on a NACA 0015 airfoil, where leading-edge excitation had effectively eliminated the DSV and signie cantly attenuated trailing-edge separation. Within this framework, a comparisonofstaticandairfoilphase-lockeddynamicpressuredataacquiredin thevicinity ofmaximum incidence (® o 25 deg) revealed that chordwise pressure distributions were independent of the airfoil pitching frequency and that the generation and advection of LCSs were not signie cantly affected by the dynamic airfoil pitching motion.Furthermore,disparitiesbetweenstaticanddynamicdatadiminishedastheexcitationfrequencyincreased relative to the airfoil pitching frequency. Oscillations of the aerodynamic coefe cients induced by the excitations were negligibly small but served to regulateairfoil cycle-to-cycle disparities typical of the baselinepoststall regime.
Critical inductance in voltage regulator modules

Multi-channel interleaving makes it possible to use small inductances to improve voltage regulator module's (VRM's) transient responses. However, smaller inductances reduce efficiency. Analysis shows that the transient responses are not only determined by the inductances but also the control bandwidths. This paper presents the concept of critical inductance in VRM. Critical inductance is the largest inductance that gives the fastest transient responses. Critical inductance is a good reference for the VRM optimal design. Critical inductance is a function of the feedback control, step current magnitude, and steady-state operating point.
Pedestrian Detection Based on Active Basis

Pedestrian detection from a video sequence is a challenging problem. In this paper, we mainly use active basis model which consists of a small number of Gabor wavelet elements at selected locations and orientations to detect pedestrian. In order to enhance the detection rate, we propose an adaptive background modeling method for background subtraction method to detect objects in video sequence which emphasize background and remove foreground using mask technology. After acquiring many pedestrian templates of different poses and orientations, active basis method can be applied in pose estimation and human action analysis. The detection results indicate that our approach is capable of obtaining better detecting effects and pose estimation even under conditions of noise and illumination changes.
A Study on the Influence of Website Traits on Purchase Willingness in the Perspective of Innovation Diffusion Theory

Previous researches have indicated that the number of online shoppers in China has been experiencing a slow-down while the enthusiasm of e-commerce enterprises remains the same as before and online market competition has been fiercer. Therefore, to attract online shoppers and propel them to complete the transaction have become the key to success for e-commerce enterprises. Based on related literature research, this study explores deep into the relation between website traits and shoppers’ cognitive trust, enjoyment as well as their purchase willingness. Innovation Diffusion Theory, “S-O-R” Model and Structural Equation Model are also applied in this research. It is shown that website traits such as compatibility, complexity, observability and trialability, exert a positive effect on shoppers’ enjoyment and cognitive trust. What’s more, the influence enjoyment exerts on shoppers’ cognitive trust and purchase willingness as well as the effect cognitive trust has on purchase willingness turns out to be positive.
Efficacy of Allergen Specific Immunotherapy for Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background: Allergic rhinitis is a common disease that affect nose causing sneezing, watery nose, nasal itching and redness that affect quality of life, productivity at work or school and may underlies complications (e.g. Asthma) for patients and are often accompanied by itchy eye, redness and lacrimation. Aim of the Work: The objective of this study is to systematically assess the efficacy and safety of immunotherapy treatment for patients with Allergic Rhinitis. Method: Our initial search generated a total of 23330 possible relevant titles. Titles, abstracts were preliminary screening so that 22565 were excluded. 154 articles were retrieved in full text the number of studies excluded after assessment of the full text 145, 9 articles met the eligibility criteria and fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria for the review. Data Sources: Medline databases (PubMed, Medscape, ScienceDirect. EMF-Portal) and all materials available on the Internet upto 2018. Data Extraction: If the studies did not fulfill the inclusion criteria, they were excluded. Study quality assessment included whether ethical approval was gained, eligibility criteria specified, appropriate controls, and adequate information and defined assessment measures. Conclusion: Our systematic review provides evidence that Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT) tablets effectively relieve rhinitis symptoms in adults with allergic rhinitis, improve their quality of life and provide data about safety of Sublingual Immunotherapy as there were no serious side effects of using SLIT tablets. Nevertheless, the current evidence may be limited due to sample size and the heterogeneity between studies. Large sample size and multiple center RCTs on the efficacy of different formulations of SLIT drugs are still needed to provide further evidence and more precise recommendations.
Range correlation effects in radars

The problem of characterizing the effects of range correlation and local oscillator phase noise on the intermediate frequency spectrum in a coherent, continuous wave or pulsed Doppler radar is addressed. Since the phase noise is a stochastic process, the problem is defined in a stochastic processes context and a reasonable set of assumptions is imposed to produce a general, straightforward and easily understandable solution. The solution clearly indicates how the natural spectrum of the scatterer, the phase noise spectrum, and range correlation combine to produce the intermediate frequency spectrum. A specific example is provided for the case of a pulsed Doppler radar. The results are compared to the formulation based on the assumption that the phase noise is deterministic. <<ETX>>