Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Guiding principles for infrastructure climate change risk and adaptation studies

As global climate mitigation actions increasingly appear to be unable to curb global emissions, there has been a corresponding increase in climate adaptation planning undertaken by governments and communities. Along with an increasing number of adaptation studies, there has been an increasing complexity of adaptation studies as practitioners attempt to plan the adaptation of whole communities, cities and in some cases nations. These studies are commonly underpinned by increasingly complex climate change vulnerability studies that also attempt to encompass concepts such as resilience and adaptive capacity. Owners and operators of infrastructure assets and networks also need to consider climate change. This need has been met by an increasing number of climate change risk and adaptation studies of major infrastructure. The approaches used for these assessments are commonly derived from assessments of whole communities and policy development studies, and apply terminology that is often inconsistent with established engineering asset management methods and approaches. As a result the uptake of these studies has been less than desirable in many cases. To this end, the work presented here proposes a set of principles for undertaking the assessment of climate changes impacts on assets and infrastructure.
Corporate governance as a critical element for driving excellence in corporate social responsibility

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to enhance understanding of corporate governance (CG) in delivering excellence in corporate social responsibility (CSR). Design/methodology/approach – The paper demonstrates models of CG and the associated elements affecting CSR. It addresses the integration of CSR into management systems through a framework as a process‐based management system and studies the role of leadership style for socially responsible organizations. The paper develops a comprehensive questionnaire that enables organizations to audit their commitment to environment and social responsibility.Findings – The paper reflects that CG encompasses different internal and external factors, by which management of organizations are influenced. This is also compatible with the new corporate community models, in which investors, the public, customers, employees and associated corporations have a mutual impact on management. The leadership style is also found to play an important role in socially responsible .
Research on IOT Based Special Supply Mode of Agricultural Products

IOT applications in the field of agriculture is an important part of modern agricultural development, it brings agriculture to digital and information era, and it is an important direction of agricultural development in the 21st century. With the advent of the cloud era, big data has attracted more and more attention and is being applied to various fields, while agricultural big data is the inevitable trend of future agricultural development. This article describes application of agricultural big data and establishment of IOT technology system in the field of agriculture, and special supply mode of agricultural products is also introduced. Incorporation of agricultural IOT with sensing technology ,agricultural big data and other technologies is emphasized, which can achieve growth environment management and the whole lifecycle management, all processes include growth, production, processing, distribution and sales process, all of above can provide a feasible way for solving food safety issues. With the global information network development, technology upgrading of agricultural logistics management is imperative. Keywords-IOT; RFID technology; agricultural big data; modernization, special supply
Observer-based FDI Schemes for Wind Turbine Benchmark

Abstract In this paper, observer-based FDI schemes for wind turbines are proposed. This study is based on the benchmark model presented in Odgaard et al. [2009a]. For residual generation, Kalman filter and diagnostic observer based approaches are employed, and for residual evaluation, generalized likelihood ratio test and cumulative variance index are chosen. The fault isolation issue is solved with the help of dual sensor redundancy. Finally, the performance of the proposed FDI schemes is systematically evaluated by Monte Carlo studies.
Mapping quality assurance systems: A methodology

This paper reports on a method (quality management activity planning—Q-MAP) for mapping quality assurance procedures, information flows and responsibilities. A comparison is made of the ICAM definition (IDEF) method and Q-MAP as to their suitability for mapping quality assurance systems and fostering the advancement of the quality improvement process. The achievements arising from the use of Q-MAP at Garrett Automotive Limited are examined. It is pointed out that the involvement of employees in the preparation of Q-MAP diagrams has led to improvements in processes and procedures by eliminating differences between actual and documented work practices and that a wider cross-section of employees are now familiar with the company's quality assurance system.
Species diversity patterns along the forest savanna boundary in Nigeria

Purpose – This study seeks to investigate the influence of human activities on the patterns of species diversities along the forest‐savanna boundary in Oyo state of Nigeria.Design/methodology/approach – A transect was placed along the study area from the rainforest belt, through the forest savanna ecotone to the southern fringe of the Guinea savanna vegetation belt. Each study site was identified as forest or savanna or ecotone using the species found within them. Samples from trees with diameter at breast height ≥ 6 cm were collected and the numbers from the different species counted. Species diversity patterns were analysed using the Shannon and Simpson's Index.Findings – Analysis of patterns of species diversity with the Shannon and Simpson's Index showed a decrease in the species diversity from sites with mature vegetation to the areas of vegetation succession irrespective of whether they contained forest or savanna vegetation. Also, species diversities was greater in the forest vegetation than in the.
Q factor, Q stability and gain in active filters

This letter sets out a simple theory relating the maximum Q factor of a second-order active-filter section to the stability of that Q factor and the available gain in the active elements used. The theory is shown to apply to both the `negative-feedback' or `Rauch'-type filters and `positive-feedback' or `Sallen-Key'-type filters and by implication to negative-impedance convertors (n.i.c.s) and the whole family of circuits based on minimum-phase feedback networks.
Reduction of carbon proximity effects by including AlGaN back barriers in HEMTs on free-standing GaN

High-electron-mobility transistor (HEMT) structures were regrown by molecular beam epitaxy on GaN-on-SiC templates and free-standing (FS) GaN substrates with very low threading dislocation density (TDD). To ensure a high buffer breakdown voltage, the thickness of the unintentionally doped (UID) GaN buffer layer, d UID, was reduced to 200 nm for the HEMTs regrown on FS GaN. A reduction in TDD entailed an increase in the three-terminal breakdown voltage for passivated HEMTs. With a low d UID, the proximity effects of the carbon-doped GaN buffer were evident. A power-added efficiency (PAE) of 37% and continuous-wave power output (P out) of 4.2 W/mm were measured at 4 GHz with a drain bias of 40 V for a HEMT on FS GaN without a back barrier. By including a 5 nm Al0.3Ga0. 7N back barrier, PAE and P out improved to 50% and 6.7 W/mm, respectively, at a drain bias of 40 V.
Dual‐mode and three‐transmission‐zeros bandstop filters with closed‐loop ring resonators

In this paper, ring‐resonator bandstop filters (BSFs) with three attenuation poles are designed and analyzed using a two‐port ABCD matrix of the transmission‐line model. The symmetrical geometry of the ring‐type BSFs allows us to explain the resonance operation via even and odd modes. Moreover, perturbation elements are employed to control the attenuation poles and obtain good performances. In order to validate the analytic method, three different BSFs are built using the microstrip‐ring resonator. The simulated and measured results are presented and compared with the theory over a wide frequency range. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 44: 114–118, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.20562
Lignin-based adhesive crosslinked by furfuryl alcohol–glyoxal and epoxy resins

Abstract In this work, a novel environmentally friendly lignin-based adhesive crosslinked with a furfuryl alcohol–glyoxal resin and epoxy resin (EPR) was used to bond particleboard. The results of 13C nuclear magnetic resonance and matrix-assisted laser desorption–ionization time-of-flight mass spectroscopy indicated that furfuryl alcohol and glyoxal reacted under acidic conditions and that–CH–(OH)–groups may be involved in the crosslinking of the lignin–furfuryl–glyoxal resin, which also easily crosslinked with EPR. The IB strength of the particleboard bonded with LFG + 9 % EPR adhesive was better than that of the particleboard bonded with lignin–furfuryl alcohol (LF) adhesive. Moreover, the modulus of elasticity of the LFG + 9 % EPR adhesive was higher than that of the LF and phenol-formaldehyde adhesives.
A systematic comparison and reliability analysis of formal measures of sentence acceptability

Understanding and measuring sentence acceptability is of fundamental importance for linguists, but although many measures for doing so have been developed, relatively little is known about some of their psychometric properties. In this paper we evaluate within- and between-participant test-retest reliability on a wide range of measures of sentence acceptability. Doing so allows us to estimate how much of the variability within each measure is due to factors including participant-level individual differences, sample size, response styles, and item effects. The measures examined include Likert scales, two versions of forced-choice judgments, magnitude estimation, and a novel measure based on Thurstonian approaches in psychophysics. We reproduce previous findings of high between-participant reliability within and across measures, and extend these results to a generally high reliability within individual items and individual people. Our results indicate that Likert scales and the Thurstonian approach produce the most stable and reliable acceptability measures and do so with smaller sample sizes than the other measures. Moreover, their agreement with each other suggests that the limitation of a discrete Likert scale does not impose a significant degree of structure on the resulting acceptability judgments.
Application of data envelopment analysis theorem in plug-in hybrid electric vehicle charging station planning

In the near future, millions of electric vehicles (EVs), especially plug-in hybrid EVs (PHEVs), will be integrated into the electrical system. Such an increase in the demand for energy will require optimised management of distribution networks. This study presents a new formulation to determine the optimal size and location of PHEV charging stations to maximise the distribution system manager (DSM) benefit. A two-stage procedure has been considered to optimise PHEV charging station planning. In the first stage, the candidate locations and their size are determined based on: (i) the sum of benefits from the appropriate use of charging station for charging and discharging of vehicles and (ii) the benefit of providing spinning reserve and supplying the network's load demand at peak times by DSM. In the next stage, an improved framework is proposed to classify charging stations into efficient and inefficient sets characterised by non-financial indices. The proposed method is data envelopment analysis efficiency and three indices, including active power loss, voltage profile improvement and CO2 emission. The suggested model is successfully applied to a test system with nine buses. Simulation results show that appropriate planning results in economic benefits as well as improvements in active power losses and the voltage profile.
Fabrication and packaging of optical components and microsystems

The paper reports on methods to fabricate novel materials and associated processing for optoelectronics and optical structures compatible with manufacturing of microsystems. Furthermore, the paper presents results on designing, fabrication and packaging of different modules and microsystems for sensor, instrumentation and optical communication applications. New materials are developed and liquid phase deposition methods are applied for the fabrication of lithography compatible glasses, conducive transparent glasses and protective materials. The developed lithographic glasses are used for example to fabricate micro-opto-mechanical structures. By using these materials and structures, a miniaturized micro-optical table is constructed. Furthermore, organic and hybrid semiconductors and light emitting materials are manufactured and their integration as micro-optical components and systems are described. From the view-point of module integration, a wavelength tunable laser diode, i.e., a MOEMS consisting of laser diode and a silicon micromachined Fabry-Perot interferometer, is demonstrated and modeled. A ~4nm wavelength tuning range with ~0.3nm FWHM spectral width is experimentally obtained at 980 nm. Moreover, the use of a passive alignment structure for the fiber pigtailing of a multimode laser diode is demonstrated. The ceramic alignment structure is hot embossed with a LIGA machined tool and results in a ~56% coupling efficiency, corresponding to the theoretical maximum.
Hierarchical-clustering-scheme-based analysis of electrostatic discharge current in terms of an electromagnetic interference assessment

A hierarchical-clustering-scheme-based analysis of the electromagnetic interference (EMI) effects due to an electrostatic discharge (ESD) which can sometimes cause serious damage to electrical systems is presented. A hierarchical clustering scheme is used to classify the EMI-related properties that result from ESD events. The scheme can classify target objects into several groups with a tree-like structure. Furthermore, to evaluate the effect of a high-speed moving discharge one-shot discharges were repeatedly generated and the resulting ESD current measured in the time domain. Based on the measured data for charging voltages of 2, 5, 10 and 15 kV several differential properties of ESD waveforms have been examined including the maximum absolute peak level and the energy level for the three frequency regions, and the data has also been analysed using the hierarchical clustering scheme. The results show that high-speed moving discharges can increase the maximum amplitude and relative energy of ESD events and that clusters of ESD events can be effectively divided according to similarities in EMI-related properties.
The principles and roles of hybrid optical/digital codecs in imaging

The design of modern imaging systems is intricately concerned with the control of optical aberrations. Traditionally this involves a multi-parameter optimisation of the lens optics to achieve acceptable image quality at the detector. There is increasing interest in a more generalised approach whereby digital image processing is incorporated into the design process and the performance metric to be optimised is quality of the image at the output of the image processor. We will discuss the trade offs involved in the application of this technique to low-cost imaging systems for use in the thermal infrared and visible imaging systems, showing how very useful performance enhancements can be achieved in practical systems.
Developing a Blueberry Firmness Standard

ABSTRACT THE rheology of fresh blueberries was studied in order to develop a quantitative measure of blueberry firmness that could be conducted in the field or packing shed. Various monotonically increasing compressive forcing functions were evaluated. Results show high correlations (r = 0.906 to 0.910) between traditional laboratory measures of blueberry firmness and those investigated.
Surveillance of the efficacy of artemisinin-piperaquine for the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum among children under five years in Est Mono district, Togo, 2017

Background Malaria is a major public health problem in Togo. Guangzhou University of Chinese medicine of China, and the Ministry of Health and Social Security of Togo launched a nationwide artemisinin compound Mass Drug Administration Project in East Mono with a population of 150,000. Before launching the project, the sensitivity test of artemisinin piperaquine tablet was conducted in Elawagnon general clinic. On this background, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of artemisinin piperaquine in the treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria in children under five years of age. Methods In this study, children aged 6-59 months without complications of falciparum malaria were observed, and the selected cases were treated with artemisinin piperaquine. The patients were followed up for 28 days to observe the fever clearance time, parasitemia, gametophyte, cure rate, haemoglobin and msp-2 gene polymorphism. The primary end point was the 28-day cure rate, and PCR corrected reinfection and recrudescence. This research was conducted according to standardized WHO protocol for the assessment of the efficacy of anti-malarial treatment. Results A total of 91 children participated in the study. The adequate clinical and parasitological response (ACPR) before PCR-corrected were 66 (72.52%) and 90 (98.90%) after PCR-corrected. The patient was well tolerated to artemisinin piperaquine and no serious adverse reactions were observed. The average hemoglobin level increased by 0.05g/dl per day (p< 0.0001). The gametophyte doesn’t declined at the beginning of treatment, however, 14 days later, it dropped(D21:p<0. 05; D28: p< 0. 01). In the msp-2 gene polymorphism study of 24 children with positive parasite after treatment, 1 case of msp-2 with 3D7 haplotype and FC27 haplotype was reported, indicating that it’s recrudescence, with a frequency of 4.2% (1/24); The others maybe reinfection, with a frequency of 95.8% (23/24). Conclusion Artemisinin piperaquine was effective in treating uncomplicated falciparum malaria in children under 5 years of age in Togo and well tolerated. Plasmodium falciparum in Togo remains sensitive to artemisinin piperaquine, which could be used as a trial drug in the region. Trial Registration Trial registration: ECGPHCM No. B2017-054-01; MHSST AVIS N° 0001/2016/CBRS du 07 janvier 2016. Registered 17 March 2014, http://www.chinadrugtrials. org.cn/eap/main
PROJETO DE HABITAÇÃO DE INTERESSE SOCIAL: SATISFAÇÃO DO USUÁRIO FINAL

In Brazil, the last decades have seen the introduction of the private sector in housing provision policies. In this new scenario, the government reduced its participation in the process, limiting its role to that of a facilitator, through credit extension for construction and acquisition of property; context in which the “My Life, My House” program (MLMHP) incorporates into. In parallel, post-occupancy evaluation research gained more prominence in the diagnosis of housing production in Brazil, contributing with both essential information and feedback to the process of design and construction. This kind of research also helped promote the improvement of the quality of the buildings, generating greater value to customers. Within this context, this work's research is aimed at assessing the quality of the MLMHP’s delivered products in the state of Ceara, Brazil, through satisfaction survey with its end users.
A 6-Bit 5GS/s Pseudo-Thermometer Segmented CMOS DAC

In order to keep pace with the development of gigabits per second (Gbps) wireless communication and make the promising 60GHz band millimeter wave communication a reality, design of a DAC available to operate in the GS/s becomes a bottleneck problem. A 6-bit 5GS/s, power-efficient DAC is presented. A novel pseudo-thermometer architecture is proposed to realize a good compromise between the fast conversion speed and the chip area. Symmetrical and compact floorplannings and layout techniques including tree-like routing, cross-quading and common-centroid method are adopted. Post simulation results shows DNL errors and INL errors of the DAC can be controlled within±0.23LSB and±0.26LSB, respectively. SFDR at 5GHz clock frequency for a 273MHz output signal is about 21dB and the power dissipation is less than 37mW.
Implementing Six Sigma

For the effective implementation of Six Sigma projects, organisations must understand the critical success factors that will make the application successful. Critical success factors represent the essential ingredients without which a project stands little chance of success. The authors present some essential ingredients for Six Sigma implementation, generated from a pilot survey conducted in UK manufacturing and service organisations.
Ship waste management along the Danube: the way towards an International Danube Ship Waste Convention

As the second longest river in Europe, the Danube connects 10 countries on its way to the Black Sea, being an international waterway used by vessels of different provenience. Thus, there are in fact 10 different social, economic and political systems at work when dealing with the waste generated by the vessels. This uncoordinated approach has affected the manner in which ship borne waste are dealt with. Policies and strategies on international and national level call for state of the art, economic and environmental viable solutions for managing waste. Taking into account this context, much effort has been made at EU level in order to find suitable solutions for the South-Eastern part of Europe. The studies and projects initiated in this respect have led to the conclusion that an International Danube Ship Waste Convention needs to be developed. Such a convention – which basis is elaborated in the frame of the EU funded project CO-WANDA – assumes the implementation of a uniform system for the collection and treatment of oily and greasy ship wastes along the River Danube. The establishment and maintenance of the necessary network of reception facilities (mobile bilge water collection vessels, shore-based reception stations and treatment facilities) is certainly cost-intensive. Therefore, a financing model is necessary, which should incorporate the polluter pays principle, encouraging waste prevention, as well as the principle of indirect payment, thus discouraging an evasion of the deposit of waste. To give an insight into the work, that has been done in CO-WANDA, this paper will address advantages and disadvantages of two different approaches to ship waste management, describe