Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
PERCUSSION AND CONE METHODS OF DETERMINING THE LIQUID LIMIT OF SOILS: CONTROLLING MECHANISMS. DISCUSSION AND CLOSURE

A discussion of a paper with the aforementioned title by A. Sridharan and K. Prakash, published in this journal, (Volume 23, Number 2, 2002), is presented. The discusser commends the authors for bringing up the subject of the fall cone test, which is becoming the standard test in many countries for determining the liquid limit of cohesive soils for engineering purposed. With this in mind, the discusser shares some views with respect to the fundamental differences between the percussion method and the cone method, and also touches on practical aspects of the test results. Closure by the original authors is also provided.
Implementation of motion capture support in smartphones

This thesis investigates the feasibility of developing cross-platform smart phone applications that utilize the Qualisys motion capture system. An Application Programming Interface that implements an in-house communication protocol is created for use on smart phones and other portable devices. Furthermore, two iPhone applications that utilizes the API are implemented - a viewfinder and a goniometer. Denna rapport utreder mojligheterna att utveckla plattformsoberoende applikationer for smarta telefoner som utnyttjar Qualisys system for motion capture. Fokus ar dock inriktat pa utveckling for iPhone. Ett bibliotek for realtidskommunikation med Qualisys Track Manager beskrivs aven. Slutligen presenteras tva iPhone-applikationer som anvander biblioteket - en sokare och en goniometer.
Decentralized or centralized production: Impacts to the environment, industry, and the economy

Since product take-back is mandated in Europe, and has effects for producers worldwide including the U.S., designing efficient forward and reverse supply chain networks is becoming essential for business viability. Centralizing production facilities may reduce costs but perhaps not environmental impacts. Decentralizing a supply chain may reduce transportation environmental impacts but increase capital costs. Facility location strategies of centralization or decentralization are tested for companies with supply chains that both take back and manufacture products. Decentralized and centralized production systems have different effects on the environment, industry and the economy. Decentralized production systems cluster suppliers within the geographical market region that the system serves. Centralized production systems have many suppliers spread out that meet all market demand. The point of this research is to help further the understanding of company decision-makers
The influence of noncircular chainrings on maximal and submaximal cycling performance

Most cycling power is produced during leg extension with minimal power production occuring during the transition between the extension-flexion phases. A prolonged leg extension phase and reduced transition phase could increase cycling power by allowing muscles to generate power for a greater portion of the cycle. Noncircular chainrings have been designed to prolong the time spent in the powerful leg extension phase by varying crank angular velocity within the pedal cycle. The purposes of this dissertation were to evaluate the extent to which noncircular chainrings influence power, biomechanics, and metabolic cost during maximal and submaximal cycling. In the first study, I investigated the effects of chainring eccentricity (C = 1.0, R = 1.13, O = 1.24) on maximum cycling power (Pmax) and optimal pedaling rate (RPMopt). Chainring eccentricity did not influence Pmax and RPMopt. Despite reasonable theory regarding a prolonged leg extension phase and reduced transition phase, chainring eccentricity did not influence Pmax and RPMopt during maximal cycling. In the second study, I evaluated the influence of noncircular chainrings on joint-specific kinematics and power production during maximal cycling. Ankle angular velocity was significantly reduced (-13±12% and -37±13% at 90 and 120 rpm, respectively) with the O chainring, whereas knee and hip angular velocities were unaffected during the leg extension phase. Further, joint-specific power production was unaffected by chainring eccentricity. These results demonstrate that redundant degrees of freedom (DOF) in the cycling action (i.e., ankle angle) allowed
Factors Affecting the Implementation of Career Path and Mentor Method Among Hospital Based Clinical Nurses: A Study in Indonesia

Objective . To determine the factors affecting the implementation of career path and mentor method for clinical nurses in generalhospital, Banda Aceh-Indonesia. Method . This study used descriptive correlation with cross-sectional design,which was performed from April to July, 2019, on a population of 226 with 126 clinical nurses,selected using cluster sampling technique. Furthermore, the data obtained were analyzed using chi-square statistical tests and logistic regression. Result. The results identified a significant relationship between education (p = 0.017; OR = 5.489 95% Cl: 1,357-22.204) and competence (p = 0.020; OR = 0.349 95% Cl: 0.144-0.846) on the implementation of career path and mentor method. This research suggests the need for nurses to improve on the career paths chosen, by continuing education. Also, it is important for hospitals to facilitate scholarship budget, and organize mentor training, in order to create qualitative human resources (HR), which is followed by the achievement of professional services. Conclusion . The nurse’s education and competence is the path to improve the nurse’s career system. Therefore, continuing education is a breakthrough that has a positive impact and a great support for the nursing profession in developing its professionalism.
Assessing Lifelong Learning Technology (ALL-TECH): A Guide for Choosing and Using Technology for Adult Learning. Practice Guide.

This guide builds on the framework for evaluating technology effectiveness in K-12 schools as described in the Council for Educational Development and Research's publication, "Plugging In: Choosing and Using Educational Technology. " The revised framework is designed to provide encouragement and some rudimentary guidelines for critical thinking about applications of technology for lifelong learning. Section 1 describes the link to "Plugging In. " Section 2 discusses the nature of adult (as opposed to childhood) learning and the potential roles that technology can play in helping to create learning environments ideally suited to adult learners' needs and interests. Section 3 explains the revisions of the "Plugging In" indicators of engaged learning and high performance technology. A table categorizes indicators (with their definitions) of engaged adult learning into eight variables: vision of learning, tasks, assessment, instructional model, learning context, grouping, instructor roles, and learner roles. A second table categorizes indicators of high technology performance for adult learning (with their definitions) into six variables: access, operability, organization, engagability, ease of use, and functionality. Section 4 provides forms and instructions for using the indicators to evaluate adult education practices and policies. The last two sections highlight some factors that may facilitate or obstruct the effective application of technology to adult learning. The document contains 15 references and additional resources. (YLB) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. ********************************************************************************
Bloodstream infections caused by ST2 Acinetobacter baumannii over 6 years in China: risk factors, antibiotic regimens and virulence

Background Acinetobacter baumannii (Ab) is an important pathogen of medical-related infections, A.baumannii sequence type 2 (ST2) has spread all over the world. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to analyze the clinical and microbiological characteristics of patients with bloodstream infection (BSI) due to ST2 A.baumannii. Methods A retrospective study was conducted in a large tertiary hospital in China. From January 2013 to December 2018, the clinical and microbiological data of all consecutive hospitalized patients with bacteremia due to multidrug-resistant A.baumannii (MDR-AB) were included and analyzed comprehensively. Results A total of 108 episodes of BSI due to MDR-AB cases were enrolled during the study period. Overall, 30-day mortality was 69.4% (75/108). The use of mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit (ICU) stay and thrombocytopenia may cause higher mortality (P = 0.048, P < 0.001, and P < 0.001, respectively). Change antimicrobial within 48 h after isolating from blood, use of antibacterial combination and more inpatient days were significantly associated with survival (P < 0.001, P = 0.037, and P = 0.007, respectively). All MDR isolates belong to ST2, and have strong biofilm formation ability and high pathogenicity. Conclusions BSI caused by ST2 A.baumannii represents a difficult challenge for physicians, considering the high mortality associated with this infection. The combination of cefoperazone/sulbactam and tigecycline may be a meaningful treatment option.
Challenges and Countermeasures of Data Technology from the Perspective of Protection of Personal Data

: The innovative development of data technology makes the social operation more efficient. At the same time, we should also realize that there are some hidden dangers in the collection, storage, analysis and research of data information. Therefore, we need to fully protect the autonomy of citizens’ personal data from the dual aspects of law and business management to make a win-win situation.
Impact of Business Simulation Games in Enterprise Education

This paper evaluates the impact of usage in teaching and learning of a business simulation game, SimVenture, on developing enterprise skills and attributes among undergraduate management students. The entrepreneurial learning outcomes set by National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship are taken as a benchmark to assess the effect of SimVenture. The findings represent the preliminary results from the last two years. The paper examines student responses to the use of the game for learning. The paper provides an insight into how the use of SimVenture impacts on the students’ perception of entrepreneurship alongside the development of their business skills. Overall, SimVenture is found to be a stimulating and engaging vehicle of teaching and learning. It allows students to play a role, not just read books, listen to lectures and analyse case-studies. A simulation forces students to synthesise and integrate what they read and make actual decisions based on facts or data presented in the case.
Establishing normative performance values of modified Star Excursion Balance Test (mSEBT) and Limb Symmetry Index (LSI) scores and their relationship to age in female adolescent footballers

Objectives: to establish normative performance values for the modified Star Excursion Balance Test and derived Limb Symmetry Index scores in non-injured female adolescent footballers, and identity if there is a relationship between the aforementioned metrics and ageDesign: single measure study design Setting: A single football club’s female regional talent and development teams Participants: Thirty-four uninjured female footballers, aged between 13 to 18 years.Main Outcome Measures: Modified Star Excursion Balance Test and derived Limb Symmetry Index scores.Results: There were no statistically significant differences between dominant and non-dominant leg distance scores in any of the modified Star Excursion Balance Test specific reach direction or composite scores. Across all age groups, mean dominant leg total distance scores ranged from 231.5 cm to 250.4 cm whilst non-dominant total distance scores ranged from 234.3 cm to 253.3 cm. Mean Limb Symmetry Index values ranged from 97.8% to 100.5%. Age accounted for approximately 8% of the variance within dominant, non-dominant total distance and Limb Symmetry Index scores.Conclusions: Our study has established normative performance values for the mSEBT and derived LSI scores in non-injured female adolescent footballers. Age had a very limited ability in accounting for the variance observed for composite scores in dominant, non-dominant and LSI based scores.
Multi-Scale Modeling and Large-Scale Transient Simulation of Ballistic Fabric

Abstract : Ballistic fabrics such as Kevlar and Zylon are finding new uses not only as shielding for personnel but also in commercial and military aircraft protecting flight-critical components in the event of a high-speed ballistic impact. Since experimental tests on these materials are often expensive and time consuming, a computational model amenable to largescale numerical simulations on massively parallel processors would provide an ideal alternative. To this effect, a novel multi-scale approach has been developed for modeling ballistic fabric that extracts information from the micro-scale fibril material properties to build the macro-scale sheet. This approach incorporates the stochastic nature of the material due to the random variations in the yarn caused by the weaving process. Representing these variations is critical to capturing the heterogeneous damage and failure of the material as confirmed by experimental tests. A parallel implementation of the proposed multi-scale method has been developed with particular attention to the contact problem. The paper will focus on all of these issues and report on massively parallel large-scale computations for large sheet applications with both performance and validation results.
SEGMENTATION ALGORITHM USING ITERATIVE CLIPPING FOR PROCESSING NOISY PAVEMENT IMAGES

This paper describes work performed for the Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) to automate the evaluation of pavement distress images. A new image processing algorithm using iterative clipping combined with logistic regression modeling is proposed. In 1983, the ConnDOT began developing a comprehensive pavement management system for state-maintained highways. The basis for the pavement rating system is ConnDOT's photologging system in which a series of photographs of the pavement surface is stored on laser videodiscs and later used to assign pavement condition scores for maintenance. Many researchers have proposed image processing algorithms to process images of pavement surfaces. The two most commonly used methods are regression based statistical techniques and gradient based techniques. However, these methods are generally not viable for the ConnDOT images due to excessive noise caused by features such as shadows and lane markings. In this paper, we present an image processing algorithm for isolating distress features in the presence of excessive background noise. In our approach, an iterative clipping algorithm is used to obtain an accurate and consistently reliable map of the distress features. This algorithm also incorporates a logistic regression model to minimize problems with images that contain extreme and abrupt changes in contrast level.
The hERG Cardiac Potassium Channel: Structure, Function and Long QT Syndrome

Chair's introduction (Michael Sanguinetti). Gating and assembly of heteromeric hERG1a/1b channels underlying IKr in the heart (Gail A. Robertson, Eugenia M. C. Jones and Jinling Wang). Structure-function studies of outer mouth and voltage sensor domain of hERG (Gea-Ny Tseng and H. Robert Guy). General Discussion I. Voltage sensor movement in the hERG K+ channel (David R. Piper,Michael C. Sanguinetti and Martin Tristani-Firouzi). hERG channel trafficking (Eckhard Ficker, Adrienne Dennis,Yuri Kuryshev, Barbara A.Wible and Arthur M. Brown). Dynamic control of hERG/IKrr by PKA-mediated interactions with 14-3-3 (Anna Kagan and Thomas V. McDonald). General Discussion II. Does hERG coassemble with a s subunit? Evidence for roles of MinK and MiRP1 (Arun Anantharam and Geoffrey W. Abbott). hERG block, QT liability and sudden cardiac death (Arthur M. Brown). Structural determinants for high affinity block of hERG potassium channels ( John Mitcheson, Matthew Perry, Phillip Stansfeld,Mike Sanguinetti,Harry Witchel and Jules Hancox). General Discussion III. Physicochemical basis for binding and voltage-dependent block of hERG channels by structurally diverse drugs (Michael C. Sanguinetti, Jun Chen, David Fernandez, Kaichiro Kamiya,John Mitcheson and Jose A. Sanchez-Chapula). In silico - modelling pharmacophores and hERG channel models (Maurizio Recanatini, Andrea Cavalli and MatteoMasetti). The long QT syndrome: a clinical counterpart of HERG mutations (Peter J. Schwartz). Cellular mechanisms of Torsade de Pointes (Steven Poelzing and David S. Rosenbaum). Expression and role of HERG channels in cancer cells (Annarosa Arcangeli). TRIad: foundation for proarrhythmia (triangulation, reverse use dependence and instability) (Luc M. Hondeghem). Drug-induced QT interval prolongation: regulatory guidance and perspectives on hERG channel studies (Rashmi R. Shah). Closing remarks (Michael Sanguinetti). Index of contributors. Subject index.
On the genealogy of machine learning datasets: A critical history of ImageNet

In response to growing concerns of bias, discrimination, and unfairness perpetuated by algorithmic systems, the datasets used to train and evaluate machine learning models have come under increased scrutiny. Many of these examinations have focused on the contents of machine learning datasets, finding glaring underrepresentation of minoritized groups. In contrast, relatively little work has been done to examine the norms, values, and assumptions embedded in these datasets. In this work, we conceptualize machine learning datasets as a type of informational infrastructure, and motivate a genealogy as method in examining the histories and modes of constitution at play in their creation. We present a critical history of ImageNet as an exemplar, utilizing critical discourse analysis of major texts around ImageNet’s creation and impact. We find that assumptions around ImageNet and other large computer vision datasets more generally rely on three themes: the aggregation and accumulation of more data, the computational construction of meaning, and making certain types of data labor invisible. By tracing the discourses that surround this influential benchmark, we contribute to the ongoing development of the standards and norms around data development in machine learning and artificial intelligence research.
Designing a Processor in Bluespec

In this thesis, we designed a 2-way out-of-order processor in Bluespec implementing the MIPS I integer ISA. A number of scheduling optimizations were then used to bring the initial design up to the same level of cycle-level concurrency as found in standard RTL-level designs. From this, a general design methodology is proposed to effectively express, debug, and optimize large Bluespec designs. Thesis Supervisor: Arvind Title: Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Face Processing and TMS

Faces are rich sources of social information that simultaneously convey someone’s identity, attentional focus, and emotional state. Humans process this wealth of socially relevant information in a network of face-selective regions distributed across the brain. In this chapter I review studies that have used transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to study the cognitive operations and functional connections of this network. TMS has disrupted brain areas contributing to the processing of facial identity, facial expression, eye-gaze direction, head direction, trustworthiness and the auditory-visual integration of speech. TMS can also be combined with neuroimaging techniques to study how transient focal disruption of a targeted face area impacts connections across the extended face network. I also review chronometric TMS studies that have established when faces are processed across different brain areas down to a millisecond resolution.
INTRODUCING THE LOW COST-LOW FARE CONCEPT IN BRAZIL: GOL AIRLINES

This paper presents the introduction of a low-cost/low-fare (LC/LF) concept in Brazil by Gol Airlines, beginning from January 2001. We show that some of the core LC/LF strategies of operations and management decisions put into action by North American and European carriers like Southwest and Jetblue, and Ryanair and easyjet, respectively, could be implemented by Gol in the beginning of its operations, while several others still cannot be implemented at all. Moreover, the paper analyzes the impacts and contributions that have resulted from the introduction of Gol Airlines and its Brazilian LC/LLF concept, while presenting and discussing the main issues within the crisis involving the major airlines of Brazil. The recently announced possible future merger between the two largest Brazilian carriers, VARIG and TAM, is addressed as a major adversary to the growth of Gol's operations and its desired expansion in the Brazilian air transport market. While discussing some of the possible outcomes of this merger to the Brazilian domestic market, we present some of the strategies already being implemented by the LC/LF carrier to counter this threat, plus another major step towards Gol's future growth: the go-ahead of the Brazilian government on the injection of capital from AIG, to buy 20% of the airline's shares in the first quarter of 2003.
Impact of perturbation estimator on EKF-SLAM results

Abstract This paper deals with the Simultaneous Localization and Map building (SLAM) problem using an Extended Kalman Filter with Perturbation Estimator (EKFPE). The perturbation estimator is used to take systematic errors into account. These disturbance estimates are added to vehicle states in a feedback loop to improve location and map estimates. Simulations and experimental results show that the proposed EKFPE implementation is more effective compared with the standard EKF algorithm when a biased control input appears in vehicle model. For the experiments, an automated individual public vehicle has been used.
Shortleaf pine natural community restoration on Peck Ranch Conservation Area in the Missouri Ozarks

Oak decline has become a significantly increasing problem on Peck Ranch Conservation Area over the last several years. Most of the oak decline problems exist on past shortleaf pine sites. To address this issue, the area managers wrote a natural community restoration plan for 2,233 acres located on the Current-Eleven Point Oak-Pine Woodland Dissected Plain land type association. The goal of this plan is to restore the shortleaf pineoak/vaccinium natural community on appropriate sites. Timber harvesting activities occurred between 1999 and 2003 on most of the restoration area. The silvicutural prescriptions used were a combination of pine seed tree and irregular shelterwood seed cuts. Three different treatments are being used to achieve the desired results. These treatments will be replicated on three different areas. A combination of artificial and natural tree regeneration along with mechanical thinning, herbicide release, and prescribed fire is being used to achieve the desired natural community. One additional area is a control that received the same type of harvests but will not be planted or receive any post harvest pine seedling releases. Most of the artificial tree regeneration occurred on the pine sites between 2004 and 2006. The entire project area is being monitored by the Resource Science Division to see which technique works best for restoring the appropriate natural community.