Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On the Influence of Neighboring Conducting Objects on the Induced Currents in Simple Down Conductors Due to Nearby Lightning Strike

Abstract A lightning strike in the neighborhood can induce significant currents in tall down conductors. Though the magnitude of induced current in this case is much smaller than that encountered during a direct strike, the probability of occurrence and the frequency content is higher. In view of this, appropriate knowledge on the characteristics of such induced currents is relevant for the scrutiny of the recorded currents and in the evaluation of interference to the electrical and electronic system in the vicinity. Previously, a study was carried out on characteristics of induced currents assuming ideal conditions, that there were no influencing objects in the vicinity of the down conductor and channel. However, some influencing conducting bodies will always be present, such as trees, electricity and communication towers, buildings, and other elevated objects that can affect the induced currents in a down conductor. The present work is carried out to understand the influence of nearby conducting objects on the characteristics of induced currents due to a strike to ground in the vicinity of a tall down conductor. For the study, an electromagnetic model is employed to model the down conductor, channel, and neighboring conducting objects, and Numerical Electromagnetic Code-2 is used for numerical field computations. Neighboring objects of different heights, of different shapes, and at different locations are considered. It is found that the neighboring objects have significant influence on the magnitude and nature of induced currents in a down conductor when the height of the nearby conducting object is comparable to that of the down conductor.
A two-dimensional methodology to predict vertical axis wind turbine performance

An accurate two-dimensional methodology, the COIN Lambda Fast Solver, for the computation of the flow field about a vertical axis wind turbine is presented. Such a technique determines the smooth flow field by integrating the compatibility conditions along the bicharacteristic lines. The time-averaged wind turbine effects are introduced by means of an actuator porous cylinder having the same radius of the wind turbine. A time-averaged flow field is determined. The computed vertical axis wind turbine performances are compared with other numerical results. A qualitative comparison with experimental data is also shown. Such comparisons prove the merits of the proposed methodology.
THE WORK CAPACITY OF A SYNERGIC MUSCULAR GROUP

A new conception of dynamic or static muscular work tests is presented. The authors define the critical power of a muscular work from the notions of maximum work and maximum time of work. The work capacity is then considered in the case of dynamic work, and of continuous or intermittent static work. From the data presented it is possible to define the maximum amount of work that can be performed in a given time as well as the conditions of work performed without fatigue
The Use of Disperse Dyes for Dyeing of Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate Fibres

Recycled polyethylene terephthalate (r-PET) is a widely recycled plastic employed for new textile production in the world. It reduces environmental impact and lowers cost of the production. For the traditional dyeing of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), commercial disperse dyes are generally used. In presented research the recycled r-PET fibres 6 den dyeing with disperse dyes Itosperse: Red, Blue and Yellow (concentration 3 Wt. %) were examined and the influence of the intensifier of a salicylic acid (with concentration of 4 - 10 g/L) in dye bath was investigated. The colour properties of dyed samples and colour fastness to washing were tested. It is concluded that the presence of the intensifier of salicylic acid improves dyeing results, but the optimal concentration differs for each dye. Colour fastness test to washing of the blue dyed samples showed the insignificant changes of colour parameters. In some cases the change of shade in presence of salicylic acid was observed.
An Overview on STATCOM

At present, the power system plays a vital role in China's national economy, therefore, power indicator problem of the system attracting much attention, reactive power and voltage as one of the light elements give enough weight, the stability of the system is not to be neglected, static synchronous compensator (STATCOM) is a member that has high precision control, fast response time, dynamic reactive compensation ability in flexible exchange transmission system devices. At the same time, it has become a hot topic in the study of reactive power compensation devices and a growing number of widely applied to power system.
Professional learning networks: a conceptual model and research opportunities

ABSTRACT Background Professional Learning Networks (PLNs) of educators represent a promising approach to achieving continuous school improvement. At the same time, a range of studies in this area, including several systematic reviews and meta-analyses, report multiple conceptual and methodological challenges, or, at best, mixed results. Purpose and sources The aim of this theoretical discussion paper, therefore, is to seek, first, to synthesise and connect to previous studies focused on professional learning communities and networks by combining and reflecting on their findings and recommendations. Second, we aim to contribute to the methodological development of the field in order to propose research that can link what happens in PLNs to changes in outcomes for students. For the latter, we will also make use of new insights from the field with regard to the use of big data in education. Main argument We propose a conceptual model of what defines PLNs, enactment process variables, and influencing factors, presenting our theory-of-action for how PLNs can be effective. Second, we discuss challenges and recommendations in studying PLN impact regarding research approach, research design and measurement. This discussion includes consideration of the use of big data to help to make the analysis of patterns in, and relations between, different types of PLN research data more efficient and reliable. Conclusion We need to define and study the processes and effects of PLNs more efficiently and effectively, to support PLNs in fulfilling the promise of increased teacher learning, improved outcomes for students, and, ultimately, sustainable school improvement at scale.
Study of a non-isolated bidirectional DC-DC converter

The study presents a non-isolated bidirectional DC-DC converter, which has simple circuit structure. The control strategy is easily implemented. Also, the synchronous rectifier technique is used to reduce the losses. The voltage gain of the proposed converter is the half and the double of the conventional bidirectional DC-DC buck/boost converter in the step-down and step-up modes, respectively. Therefore the proposed converter can be operated in wide-voltage-conversion range than the conventional bidirectional converter. The voltage stresses on the switches of the proposed converter are a half of the high-voltage side. In addition, the operating principle and steady-state analyses are discussed. Finally, a prototype circuit is implemented to verify the performance of the proposed converter.
Phasor analysis of some stereophonic phenomena

An improved understanding of some stereophonic phenomena may be obtained by use of acoustical pressure phasors to portray sound pressure at the ears of the observer. With the help of phasors, it is possible to expand and modify certain conclusions of previous observers and to validate some previously unpublished observations: a stereophonic "law of sines" is derived. The existence and location of the "out-of-bounds" stereophonic image is analyzed and verified. The "allowed maximum out-of-phase ratio" is derived, together with the observation that this maximum is exceeded by certain microphone arrays. The motion and elevation of the center image in stereophonic reproduction is observed and explained.
Effects of a Controlled Auditory–Verbal Distraction Task on Older Driver Vehicle Control

Engaging in conversation diverts attention from cognitive processes associated with driving. Drivers tend to commit errors that may lead to crashes when their attention is focused away from the driving task. The interference occurs at the level of central attentional processes that are especially susceptible to aging. The current study assessed the effects of a controlled auditory—verbal processing load induced by the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task (PASAT) on vehicle control by 160 legally licensed older drivers. Of these drivers, 78 were neurologically normal (mean age of 71 years) and 82 (mean age of 75 years) had impairments of selective attention but no diagnosable neurological disease. Measurements aboard the instrumented vehicle Automobile for Research in Ergonomics and Safety showed that performing the PASAT reduced speed and steering control of the older drivers relative to baseline (no-task) driving conditions and was associated with greater counts of at-fault safety errors. Yet, driving performance did not differ significantly between neurologically normal and attention-impaired older drivers between PASAT and no-PASAT (baseline) conditions. It may be that the PASAT, which involves auditory-verbal and working-memory, sustained-attention, and executive-function components, commands different resources than driving on uneventful highways, which might rely on overlearned, automatic cognitive processes. Interference produced by PASAT, like that of cell phone operation, might become more evident during demanding driving conditions, as exist at busy traffic intersections. Relevant studies in these potentially unsafe circumstances can be conducted in a driving simulator, as in our ongoing research on older drivers.
Performance analysis of spatial multiplexing MIMO system with time reversal technology

This paper deals with the performance analysis of Spatial Multiplexing(SM) multiple input multiple output (MIMO) system with time reversal (TR) technology. Focus is given on the spatial multiplexing gain of MIMO than the diversity gain aspect with the notion that the idea of diversity is inseparably associated with the uncertainty of the channel. If transmitter knows Channel State Information (CSI) before transmission, potential benefits can be harvested. TR is used here, to provide Channel State Information (CSI) at the transmitter before transmission. With the features of temporal and spatial focusing, TR not only can provide immunity against fading for spatially multiplexed data stream but also help boost its Multi Stream Interference (MSI) limited performance by mitigating it. The performance analysis of SM-MIMOTR is carried out with the aim of average minimum error probability for quantity of interest data rate. The interest date rate is 19.07 Mbps, where as the average minimum error probably is set to be that of Single Input Multi Output (SIMO) maximum ratio combining system (MRC). BER of Single Input Single Output (SISO) system is also simulated for making comparison tangible. Simulation study shows that Bit Error Rate (BER) performance of the system with the data rate of interest nearly coincides with that of SIMO system at the range of 10-15db and is better than SISO in all simulated Eb/No points. Additionally, from the standpoint of tread off curve, between diversity gain and spatial multiplexing gain, the non linearity nature still holds.
3D-Bildverarbeitung und Computer Graphik in der Medizin

Dio Motivation, sich bildverarbeitender Methoden in der Medizin zu bedienen, ist vielfältig. Ursprünglich hatte man sich wohl den größten Nutzen von der Automatisierung von Interpretationsvorgängen versprochen, z. B. bei der automatischen Erkennung von Krebsherden in der Lunge. Man zielte zunächst durchaus auf den Ersatz des Arztes auch bei der Interpretation von Bildern ab. Man hat jedoch sehr bald erkannt, daß dies zumindest bei makroskopischen Bildern (CT, MRI, Ultraschall) aufgrund der komplexen Struktur und der hohen Variabilität der menschlichen Organe bisher kaum zu praktikablen Verfahren führte.
Integration and interconnect techniques of planar and non-planar structures for microwave and millimeter-wave circuits - current status and future trend

Hybrid integration techniques (HITs) of planar and non-planar structures are discussed for low-cost and high-performance millimeter-wave integrated circuits (ICs) and systems. Current status of this research topic is reviewed with emphasis on various integration/interconnect schemes of planar circuits and non-radiative dielectric (NRD) guides. Co-layered and aperture-coupling arrangements of planar circuits and NRD-guide are presented. Future trend is forecasted with emphasis on single substrate integration of planar and non-planar geometries. Substrate integrated circuits (SICs) are highlighted that can render the non-planar structures in planar form.
Reduction of Structural Acoustic Radiation Via Left and Right Eigenvector Assignment Approach

The objective of this research is to investigate the feasibility of utilizing a new left—right eigenvector tailoring method in reducing the acoustical radiations of flexible structures. The structural sound pressure radiation can be expressed in terms of a combination of vibration modes, where its magnitude is also a function of the external disturbance distribution. In other words, the radiated sound pressure level depends on both the right eigenvectors (related to the structural mode shapes) and left eigenvectors (related to the system disturbance rejection ability) of the vibrating structure. The basic idea of the proposed approach is to simultaneously modify the structural modal velocity distribution and the system capability of disturbance rejection through active left—right eigenvector assignment control actions, so that the sound pressure radiated from the vibrating structure can be reduced. Numerical simulations are performed to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed method on structural noise reduction. Frequency responses of sound pressure at a receiver in the selected frequency range are illustrated. It is shown that with the proposed active control method, one can re-shape the modal velocity distribution and enhance disturbance rejection, and hence can effectively minimize the structural sound pressure radiation.
Optical sensors for strain measurement on moving V-belts

Measuring the strain of an object provides information about axial loads which it is exposed to. In many cases, this information is wanted not from still-standing but from linearly moving objects. For the special application of combustion engine V-belts e.g. strain measurement permits to investigate their operational behavior. For this purpose, new noncontact measuring methods using optical sensors are being developed. The sensors detect periodic patterns on the moving V-belt surface. Provided that the V-belt speed is measured, the belt strain can be determined from a frequency analysis of the sensor signal.
Industry development through creative project packaging and integrated management

The findings from a set of related investigations into construction megaproject management were integrated into models, frameworks and basic guidelines that would help to improve and integrate (1) work packaging, (2) project participant selection and (3) operational management subsystems. More creative approaches to work packaging and participant selection were seen to significantly support construction industry development and the consequent longer‐term benefits in developing countries. A paradigm of ‘technology exchange’ is proposed as the basis of more viable and mutually beneficial joint ventures which would also facilitate the innovative packaging and integrated management of megaprojects in developing countries. Additionally, it is recommended that hitherto isolated initiatives related to quality, safety or dispute resolution/avoidance should be integrated into synergistic management systems which also incorporate built‐in monitoring and evaluation sub‐systems. In turn, the latter would trigger both short‐ and long‐term remedial measures related to improved project packaging, for example, as well as to personnel training and organizational development programmes.
Soil Microbial and Nematode Community Response to the Field Application of Recycled Bio-Based Fertilisers in Irish Grassland

Phosphorus (P) is an essential plant nutrient routinely applied to soils as an agricultural fertiliser, frequently in non-renewable, inorganic forms. Finite reserves and growing demand for agricultural phosphorus mean alternative P resources need to be explored. Recycling-derived fertilisers (RDF) recovered from specific waste streams, using nutrient recovery technologies, have the potential to replace conventional phosphorus fertilisers used in agriculture. Healthy functioning soil microbial and nematode communities are essential players in maintaining soil health and nutrient status. Thus, it is important to assess the responses of these communities to RDF application. We compared soil microbial and nematode communities of conventional fertiliser and RDF treated soil, in the form of struvite and ash, using next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies in a phosphate-fertiliser replacement value (P-FRV) field trial. Bacterial and nematode communities displayed significant changes under the different P fertilisation treatments, while fungal communities were relatively unaffected. Bacterial diversity was higher among RDF treatments than conventional treatments, while nematode diversity was reduced by one ash treatment. Available potassium and phosphate were the main drivers of bacterial community changes when analysed by canonical correspondence analysis (CCA), while available phosphate alone was the driver of nematode community shifts. Of the RDF, struvite products yielded the highest crop biomass, maintained microbial diversity and were associated with the least disturbed nematode communities.
Privacy – aware average speed monitoring system for vehicular ad-hoc networks

In this study, the authors introduce a highly dynamic and manageable average speed monitoring system. They define a privacy preserving security protocol in which vehicles hold a pseudonymous non-traceable private digital identity. Vehicle's identity is kept undisclosed for as long as the average speed over a designated road section does not exceed the specified limit. During the protocol execution, non-refutable evidences are built for vehicles and authorities, for future disputes. Finally, the security properties of the protocol are formally proven using BAN logic and, a metric is defined to measure the reliability and feasibility of the author's proposal.
hybpiper-rbgv and yang-and-smith-rbgv: Containerization and additional options for assembly and paralog detection in target enrichment data

PREMISE The HybPiper pipeline has become one of the most widely used tools for the assembly of target enrichment (sequence capture) data for phylogenomic analysis. Between the production of locus sequences and phylogenetic analysis, the identification of paralogs is a critical step ensuring accurate inference of evolutionary relationships. Algorithmic approaches using gene tree topologies for the inference of ortholog groups are computationally efficient and broadly applicable to non-model organisms, especially in the absence of a known species tree. Unfortunately, software compatibility issues, unfamiliarity with relevant programming languages, and the complexity involved in running numerous subsequent analysis steps continue to limit the broad uptake of these approaches and constrain their application in practice. METHODS AND RESULTS We updated the scripts constituting HybPiper and a pipeline for the inference of ortholog groups (“Yang and Smith”) to provide novel options for the treatment of supercontigs, remove bugs, and seamlessly use the outputs of the former as inputs for the latter. The pipelines were containerised using Singularity and implemented via two Nextflow pipelines for easier deployment and to vastly reduce the number of commands required for their use. We tested the pipelines with several datasets, one of which is presented for demonstration. CONCLUSIONS hybpiper-rbgv and yang-and-smith-rbgv provide easy installation, user-friendly experience, and robust results to the phylogenetic community. They are presently used as the analysis pipeline of the Australian Angiosperm Tree of Life project. The pipelines are available at https://github.com/chrisjackson-pellicle.
Optimal sensor positioning for impact localization in smart composite panels

Impacts can inflict critical consequences on composite structures; therefore, smart impact monitoring systems can be very helpful. A global optimisation of the piezoelectric sensors position for impact location identification is investigated in this article. The artificial neural networks and probabilistic analysis approach are used to define the objective function. Genetic algorithms are adopted to search for the optimal location of the sensors. The improved crossover and mutation functions are designed. The procedure is applied to a full-scale stiffened composite aircraft panel.
Substitution impacts of wood use at the market level: a systematic review

There is strong evidence that wood-based products are typically associated with lower fossil-based emissions over their lifecycle than functionally equivalent products made from other materials. However, the potential impact of large-scale material substitution at the market level remains challenging to quantify and is subject to assumptions and system boundary considerations. This paper presents a systematic review covering 44 peer-reviewed studies that quantify the substitution impacts of wood use at the level of a region or sector, to assess the commonalities and differences in scopes, system boundaries and key assumptions. We estimated the average and range of market-level substitution impacts and identify the caveats and knowledge gaps for such assessments. The results indicate an average substitution factor of 0.55 tonnes of fossil C avoided per tonne of C contained in wood harvested, with a range of 0.27–1.16 tC/tC for baseline scenarios covering all wood flows. This value depicts the average efficiency of avoided fossil emissions per unit of wood used for a certain wood use structure based on published studies but is of limited practical use as it is strictly context specific. A direct comparison between studies is complicated because a notable proportion of the studies provided insufficient information to estimate substitution factors or were not transparent in their assumptions, such as specifying which wood product is assumed to substitute for which non-wood product. A growing number of studies focus on policy-relevant analyses of the climate change mitigation potential associated with marginal changes in wood use, but market dynamics are generally considered to a limited extent. To further support decision-making, future studies could focus on changes in those end uses where increased substitution impacts could realistically be expected, while considering the various market dynamics and uncertainties.