Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The influence of internal tyre pressure on road friction

Road safety is a very important topic for research and development divisions in the automotive industry. As the tyre is the only link between road surface and vehicle, it plays a very significant role in accident mitigation and prevention. This thesis investigates the influence of internal tyre pressure on the brake distance both experimentally and theoretically. Brake tests were performed using a robotic system and a winch was used to pull a car with locked wheels. For both experiments, the tyre pressures were changed. A rubber friction law is presented which can be used for tyre and vehicle dynamics calculations. The friction law was tested by comparing numerical results to the full rubber friction theory of Persson and to experimental data. A two-dimensional (2D) tyre model is introduced that combines the rubber friction law with a simple mass-spring description of the tyre body. The tyre model is very flexible and can be applied to different manoeuvres. It can be used to calculate μ-slip curves, self aligning-torque, braking, and cornering, or combined motion (e.g. braking during cornering). The theoretical predictions have been compared to measured data from indoor tyre testing on sandpaper substrate. Additionally simulations of anti-lock braking system (ABS) using two different control algorithms are presented. In addition a method for rapidly changing the tyre inflation pressure while a vehicle is in motion is presented. This method can be used for novel safety system approaches.
Estimating the Impact of Food and Drug Administration Regulation of Cigarette Package Warning Labels and the Potential Added Impact of Plain Packaging: Evidence From Experimental Auctions Among Adult Smokers

Objective-To estimate differences in demand for cigarette packages with different packaging and health warning label formats. Methods: Adult smokers (n=404) in four states participated in experimental auctions. Participants bid on two of four experimental conditions, each involving a different health warning label format but with the same warning message: 1. text on 50% of pack side; 2. text on 50% of the pack front and back; 3. text with a graphic picture on 50% of the pack front and back; and 4. same as previous format, but without brand imagery. Results: Mean bids decreased across conditions (1. $3.52; 2. $3.43; 3. $3.11; 4. $2.93). Bivariate and multivariate random effects models indicated that there was no statistically significant difference in demand for packs with either of the two text only warnings; however, demand was significantly lower for both packs with prominent pictorial warnings, with the lowest demand associated with the plain, unbranded pack. Conclusions: Results suggest that prominent health warnings with graphic pictures will reduce demand for cigarettes. Regulators should not only consider this type of warning label, but also plain packaging policies for tobacco products.
High-speed, high-power density PMSM drive for fuel cell powered HEV application

This paper presents a design of a high efficiency, high power density motor drive system for air compressor applications in a hybrid electric vehicle. A permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) is utilized. The system specifications require maximum system efficiency for wide speed range of 1,000 to 12,000 RPM at wide (180 to 400 VDC) variations of DC bus voltage. Moreover, compactness and high reliability constraints of the automotive drive applications make the design task nontrivial. Inherent characteristics of the PMSM further increase the complexity of the design. The authors implemented effective and innovative design techniques that led to a highly efficient, super compact PMSM drive. The motor drive's magnetic, mechanical and power electronics design, along with a top-level discussion of the controls strategy, are discussed. The theoretical analysis is presented along with the drive testing results for its steady-state operation.
Open Cholecystectomy in Respiratory and Cardiovascular disease patients under Lumbar combined Spinal-Epidural Anesthesia

Background and Aims: Regional anesthesia gained popularity over the last three decades due to the technical advances across subdisciplines, better understanding of the physiology, the advances in the field of anesthetic drugs, and the better approach in training for such techniques. The technique is currently used in many anatomical levels and most surgical procedures can be performed using the combined spinal epidural type. The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of the combined spinal-epidural anesthesia in patients with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases who underwent open cholecystectomy. Patients and methods: This prospective cross sectional study which was done on patients undergoing elective open cholecystectomy (n=119) for whom the general anesthesia was contraindicated due to major cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases, under lumber combined spinal-epidural anesthesia. Results: The mean age of our patients was 64.33(SD: 12.085) years; females constituted 73 of them (61.3%) and males 46 (38.7%). Most patients (73) were complaining from the cardiovascular diseases (61.34%). In most patients the onset of the action of the anesthesia was between 10-12 minutes. In 55 patients (46.2%) no extra-drugs were required, and in the rest of patients intravenous mediations were given to relieve anxiety, pain, or both. In 81 patients (68.1%) no intraoperative complications were reported, the most common intraoperative complication was hypotension in 31 patients (26.1%), post-operatively no complications were reported in 86 patients (72%), and hypotension was reported in 12 patients (10.1%), nausea & vomiting in 11 patients (9.2%). The surgeon’s satisfaction was excellent in 73.11% of the surgeries, as was good in 23.53%. Most patients gained the lower limb movement within 2 hours. There was a significant correlation between the need for extra drugs and both comorbid diseases and the development of intraoperative complications (P values 0.022 & 0.000) respectively and no significant correlations with other parameters such as the gender, postoperative complications and the surgeon’s satisfaction (P values 0.707, 0.522, and 0.056) respectively.
Equidae from the Baynunah Formation

We report 87 specimens of hipparionine horse from the Baynunah Formation, United Arab Emirates. The dominate species is referred to “Hipparion” abudhabiense. “Hipparion” abudhabiense is represented by mandibles, mandibular and maxillary cheek teeth and a variety of postcranial bones, some of which are complete. Baynunah Formation early wear cheek teeth suggest that “Hipparion” abudhabiense was higher crowned than Central European Hippotherium primigenium with a maximum crown height of 60-65 mm. AUH 270, the type mandible is characterized as having a short, broad symphysis with horizontally aligned incisors. While the previous view was that this mandible suggested an evolutionary relationship with Greek Hipparion dietrichi, a fragmentary but otherwise elongate metacarpal III (AUH 1499) exhibits a close similarity to Akkasdagi (7.1 Ma) and Calta (4.0 Ma) “Plesiohipparion” cf. longipes. There is a rare, smaller species of hipparion that compares favorably in its size and morphology to Greek and Iranian members of the Cremohipparion matthewi-nikosi lineage. The Baynunah hipparion fauna supports a correlation of ca. 7 Ma, and a potential biogeographic affinity with Greece, Turkey, Iran and possibly Northern Kazakhstan.
The ‘Russian doll’ approach: developing nested case-studies to support international comparative research in education

International comparison is complicated by the use of different terms, classification methods, policy frameworks and system structures, not to mention different languages and terminology. Multi-case studies can assist in the understanding of the influence wielded by cultural, social, economic, historical and political forces upon educational decisions, policy construction and changes over time. But case studies alone are not enough. In this paper, we argue for an ecological or scaled approach that travels through macro, meso and micro levels to build nested case-studies to allow for more comprehensive analysis of the external and internal factors that shape policy-making and education systems. Such an approach allows for deeper understanding of the relationship between globalizing trends and policy developments.
Dairy Nutrition and Air Quality

farmers and their nutritionists will be more obligated than in the past to manage and even reduce gaseous air pollutants and odors in their farms. Some emissions are considered harmful to the environment or to human health. Air quality standards as a result of the Air Quality Consent Agreement will come from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in accordance with the federal Clean Air Act (CAA) enacted in 1990. Additional new rules may be set by state or local governments. In the long run, as environmental certification becomes a more and more important (if not mandatory) global trading factor, compliance with worldwide air quality standards will be crucial for the U.S. dairy industry to be competitive. Investing today in the search for solutions to reduce air emissions will have environmental and potential economic benefits tomorrow. Doubtless, proper nutrition will play a significant role in minimizing emissions to the furthest extent biologically possible, now and into the future.
Some analytical problems of high performance flexure hinge and micro-motion stage design

Flexure hinge is a simple and ingenious mechanical structure. Being made of a monolithic material, cut so that there is a thin flexible part, it possesses many outstanding properties which ordinary hinge does not have, and can satisfy the demands for high accuracy and stability measurement and movement. So it is very important to study deeply some problems of flexure hinge and micro-motion stage design. In the article, the basic functions and structure properties of flexure hinge are introduced first. Due to the difficulty of theoretical calculation, the main design parameters of flexure hinge are provided by using SAP, a FEA program. On the basis of above research, the static and dynamic performances of micro-motion stage of flexure hinge are analyzed separately, and the relationship curves between the stiffness and structure parameters are provided for designer. Finally, the effect of machining error is discussed, and the relationship between the machining errors and movement accuracy is given.
Long-term sonographic evaluation of the peritoneum in peritoneal dialysis patients: A retrospective cohort study

Abstract Background Long-term peritoneal dialysis (PD) causes morphological changes to the peritoneum. However, the sequential morphological changes of the peritoneum remain unclear due to the invasiveness and ethical dilemmas surrounding peritoneal biopsies. We aimed to evaluate these long-term morphological peritoneal changes using sonography, which was recently reported to be useful for morphological peritoneal evaluation. Methods We retrospectively identified 115 PD patients who underwent sonographic peritoneal membrane thickness (PMT) measurement. Univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses identified factors related to PMT at baseline (bPMT), at last measurement (lPMT), and the PMT change rate. Of the 115 patients, 42 patients had at least two PMT measurements, including a bPMT measurement. We evaluated the PMT change between bPMT and lPMT. We also evaluated the annual PMT change for 3 years before PD withdrawal in patients who discontinued PD due to peritoneal dysfunction. Clinical characteristics and parameters were analyzed according to PMT change rates (≤ 0 [n = 28] or > 0 [n = 20]). Results The mean age at PD introduction and mean PD duration were 63.7 ± 12.7 years and 40.5 ± 30.1 months, respectively. There was a significant positive correlation between the dialysate to plasma ratio of creatinine (D/P Cr) and lPMT (r = 0.386, p = 0.004), but not bPMT (r=-0.114, p = 0.326). In the multivariate analyses, D/P Cr remained an independent predictor of lPMT (r = 0.478, p = 0.001) after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, PD duration, diabetes, and peritonitis rate. The mean bPMT and lPMT were 0.67 ± 0.15 mm and 0.69 ± 0.10 mm, respectively, without statistical difference (p = 0.49). Annual PMTs for 3 years before PD withdrawal were 0.67 ± 0.13 mm, 0.66 ± 0.11 mm, and 0.67 ± 0.08 mm, respectively, with no significant differences among measurements (p = 0.967). There were no differences in PD duration, the use of a dialysate containing over 2.5% glucose or icodextrin, and the peritonitis rate between groups divided by the PMT change rate. Conclusions PMT, measured by sonography, was positively correlated with peritoneal permeability. Repeated evaluation of the peritoneum by sonography will enable the recognition of transition in peritoneal function in real time and allow for more appropriate PD management. Furthermore, the peritoneum was not necessarily thickened regardless of PD duration or cause of withdrawal.
WebKure: A Web Vulnerability Auditor

We live in a period of time where Information Security has gained much attenti on. The core purpose of the paper is to critically study and analyze the trends in information security as far as the Internet is concerned. To counter the ever rising rates of cyber - crimes, the researcher has come up with a system that scans any target website for the most highly exploited security loophole. The system is a web application that is mainly targeted towards web develop er s so as to reduce the burden of security mechanism enforcement on them, while developing web content . This, in turn, makes the web a much safer and secure place to exist.
A microrobot for colonoscopy

Describes the development of a new microrobotic system for colonoscopy. The aim of the project is to design and fabricate a miniature device for colonoscopy which should provide the same (or better) functions as a conventional system, but much less pain and discomfort for patient. The microrobot the authors have fabricated and tested is able to propel itself in the colon in a semi-autonomous manner by inchworm locomotion obtained by means of pneumatic actuators controlled by shape memory alloy (SMA) microvalves. The microrobot, its propelling principle and the design and fabrication of the SMA microvalves are illustrated.
Author response to reviewer comments

FLUXNET assembles comprises globally-distributed eddy covariance-based estimates of carbon fluxes between the biosphere and the atmosphere. Since eddy covariance flux towers have a relatively small footprint and are distributed unevenly across the world, upscaling the observations is necessary in order to obtain global-scale estimates of biosphere-atmosphere exchange from the flux tower network. Based on cross-consistency checks with atmospheric inversions, sun-induced fluorescence (SIF) and dynamic global vegetation models (DGVM), we provide here a systematic assessment of the latest upscaling efforts for gross primary production (GPP) and net ecosystem exchange (NEE) of the FLUXCOM initiative, where different machine learning methods, forcing datasets, and sets of predictor variables were employed. Spatial patterns of mean GPP are consistent among across FLUXCOM and DGVM ensembles (R>0.94 at 1° spatial resolution) while the majority of DGVMs show, for 70% of the land surface, values are outside the FLUXCOM range for 70% of the land surface. Global mean GPP magnitudes for 2008-2010 from FLUXCOM members vary within 106 and 130 PgC yr with the largest uncertainty in the tropics. Seasonal variations of independent SIF estimates agree better with FLUXCOM GPP (mean global pixel-wise R ~ 0.75) than with GPP from DGVMs (mean global pixelwise R ~ 0.6). Seasonal variations of FLUXCOM NEE show good consistency with atmospheric inversion-based net land carbon fluxes, particularly for temperate and boreal regions (R>0.92). Interannual variability of global NEE in FLUXCOM is underestimated compared to inversions and DGVMs. The FLUXCOM version which uses also meteorological inputs shows a strong co-variation of interannual patterns with inversions (R=0.88 87 for 2001-2010). Mean regional NEE from FLUXCOM shows larger uptake than inversion and DGVM-based estimates, particularly in the tropics with discrepancies of up to several hundred gC m yr. These discrepancies can only partly be reconciled by carbon loss pathways that are implicit in inversions but not captured by the flux tower measurements such as carbon emissions from fires and water bodies. We hypothesize that a combination of systematic biases in the underlying eddy covariance data, in particular in tall tropical forests, and a lack of sitehistory effects on NEE in FLUXCOM are likely responsible for the too strong tropical carbon sink estimated by FLUXCOM. Furthermore, as FLUXCOM does not account for CO2 fertilization effects carbon flux trends are not realistic. Overall, current FLUXCOM estimates of mean annual and seasonal cycles of GPP as well as seasonal NEE variations provide useful constraints of global carbon cycling, while interannual variability patterns from FLUXCOM are valuable but require cautious interpretation. Exploring the diversity of Earth Observation data and of machine learning concepts along with improved quality and quantity of flux tower measurements will facilitate further improvements of the FLUXCOM approach overall.
0.9 V 58 μW 92 dB SNDR audio ΔΣ modulator with high efficiency low noise switched-opamp and novel DWA technique

A 0.9 V 58 μW 92 dB SNDR audio ΔΣ modulator is presented. Through combining the featured architecture with elaborately designed circuits, ultra-low-power operation is achieved. A power-efficient switched opamp (SO) with a new chopper stabilisation circuit for SO application is exploited to reduce power and minimise flicker noise. A novel data-weighted-averaging (DWA) technique is applied to sup press the harmonic distortion effectively.
Online Journalism: A Critical Primer

From the Publisher: Online journalism is revolutionizing the way news is reported and read. The rise of the Internet has forever changed the way audiences interact with the newsstories are posted the moment they break and readers routinely expect to be able to access both the news sources and local perspectives. Online news and the media juggernauts who own it raise a number of urgent questions about accuracy, press autonomy, freedom of speech, and economic exclusion. Jim Hall provides a comprehensive guide to the emerging field of cyberjournalism and examines the issues it raises. Looking at how interactive texts are both written and read, the book surveys the new technologies and conventions that online journalism has ushered in. The author uses case studies such as Monicagate and the war in Kosovo to illustrate both the opportunities and the limitations of cyberjournalism. It is designed as a text to introduce how cyberjournalism works and how it can be used in innovative ways. For scholars and students of the media and cultural studies, "Online Journalism" is indispensable. "
Pre-treatment De Ritis ratio serves as a potential prognostic biomarker in renal cell carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Previous studies have evaluated the associations of aspartate transaminase to alanine transaminase (De Ritis) ratio with clinical outcome of renal cell carcinoma (RCC), but the findings are inconsistent. We therefore performed this meta-analysis to explore the prognostic value of the pre-treatment De Ritis ratio in patients with RCC.Methods PubMed, EMBASE, Science and Cochrane Library were searched systematically to identify all eligible studies as of February 2020. The hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were extracted to evaluate their correlation.Results A total of 5,025 patients from 8 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Patients with an increased pre-treatment De Ritis ratio had worse overall survival (HR = 1.52, 95% CI 1.27 to 1.82, P < 0.001), cancer-specific survival (HR = 1.81, 95% CI 1.47 to 2.23, P < 0.001), progression-free survival (HR = 1.24, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.47, P = 0.011), and metastasis-free survival (HR = 1.61, 95% CI 1.25 to 2.07, P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis according to disease stage and cut-of value revealed that De Ritis ratio had a significant prognostic value for OS and PFS in all subgroups.Conclusion The available evidence suggests that an increased De Ritis ratio was significantly correlated with worse survival in patients with RCC. Pre-treatment De Ritis ratio may serve as a potential prognostic biomarker in patients with RCC, but further studies are warranted to support these results.
Alterseffekte auf die Fahrsicherheit bei Schweizer Kraftfahrern im Jahr 2010

Junge Kraftfahrer sind als Risikogruppe anerkannt. Bei Kraftfahrern ueber 70 Jahre wird dies kontrovers diskutiert. Hingegen gilt es als gesichert, dass aeltere Personen insgesamt ueberproportional haeufig bei schweren Unfaellen involviert sind oder sterben. Mit einem Schweizer Unfalldatensatz (2010) wurde untersucht, inwiefern die Art der Unfallbeteiligung die Unfallrate in einer Altersgruppe beeinflusst und welche Altersgruppe eine erhoehte Unfallrate aufweist. Die Unfallrate wurde unter Beruecksichtigung demografischer Einflussvariablen berechnet. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die Unfallbeteiligung die Unfallrate ueber die Altersgruppen hinweg nicht beeinflusst. Junge (18-24) und aeltere Kraftfahrer (75 plus) wiesen eine signifikant erhoehte Unfallrate auf, wobei diese bei den ueber 75-Jaehrigen am hoechsten war. Die Verkehrssicherheitsmassnahme bei jungen Kraftfahrern (Fuehrerschein auf Probe) scheint wirksamer zu sein als die bei den ueber 70-Jaehrigen (vertrauensaerztliche Kontrolluntersuchung). (A) ABSTRACT IN ENGLISH: There is evidence for young drivers to be a high-risk crash group. However, it is unclear if there is a higher driving crash risk also for older drivers (70 plus). Existing data support the disproportionate risk of older people to be involved in severe and fatal crashes. In a Swiss crash dataset from 2010 the effects of different crash involvement on crash rate in age groups and the differences on crash rate between age groups were investigated while controlling frailty. The crash rate was controlled by demographic variables. The results show no significant influence of crash involvement on the age group based on the crash rate. A significantly higher crash rate was found for young (18-24) and older (75 plus) drivers, with highest crash rate for drivers older than 75 years. These results suggest that the mandatory instrument for younger drivers (driver licence on probation) seems to be more efficient than that for older drivers (medical assessment). (A)
Microfluidics assisted platforms for biotechnological applications

The aim of this PhD work is to exploit microfluidics features to improve the performances of some lab-on-a-chip designed for biotechnological applications: microfabrication techniques developed in the frame of telecommunication systems have by far found many other fields of applications, in particular optical sensing of chemical substances. The experience developed in design, fabricate, and test optical components or MEMS systems, can be successfully applied to the realization of lab-on-a-chip for specific scopes: two kind of microfluidics circuits for biotechnology have been considered, one integrated with the microarray technology, and the other devoted to cell manipulation.