Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Feedlot Runoff Control, The Minnesota Approach

This paper explains the rationale and methodology used to develop the “Wastewater and Feedlot Runoff Control” interim standard developed in Minnesota. Minnesota feedlot regulations allow for a limited discharge from some feedlots while requiring total control for others. This standard spells out the criteria that must be met for 5 different levels of control ranging from total runoff control to the use of natural buffers. The standard also lists allowable uses for each level of control, which are consistent with state feedlot regulations. This standard has established common definitions for use by regulatory and technical assistance personnel. Although this standard will not eliminate the need for professional judgement, it will greatly improve communication on this issue and should enhance the ability of many small operators to obtain the feedlot permits in a timely manner.
Probability Boxes and DS Structures’ Research Prospects in the Mechanical Fault Signals Data Fusion

In the traditional machinery fault diagnosis, the feature extraction leads information loss and the different information sources’ space-time registration is a difficult problem. The Probability boxes and Dempster-Shafer Structure Theory can provide a new way to solve above difficulties. This theory has a large advantage in solving uncertainties. It can be adapted for the inconstant machinery environment. In this paper, firstly the concepts of this theory are summarized and some methods of getting probability boxes are given. Secondly the method’s feasibility is discussed. Finally some promising research directions of this theory’s applications in the machinery fault diagnosis are advanced.
SPAD imagers for remote sensing at the single-photon level

Combined 2D imaging and 3D ranging sensors provide useful information for both long (some kms) and short (few tens of m) distance, in security applications. To this aim, we designed two different monolithic imagers in a 0.35 μm costeffective CMOS technology, based on Single Photon Avalanche Diodes (SPADs), for long-range time-of-flight (TOF) and short-range phase-resolved depth ranging. The single pixel consists of a SPAD (30 μm diameter), a quenching circuit, and a Time-to-Digital Converter (TDC) for TOF measurements or three up/down synched counters for phaseresolved depth assessments. Such smart pixels operate in two different modalities: single photon-counting for 2D “intensity” images; while either photon-timing or phase-resolved photon-counting for 3D “depth” images. In 2D imaging, each pixel has a counter that accumulates the number of photons detected by the SPAD in the pixel, thus providing single-photon level sensitivity and high (100 kframe/s) frame-rate. In the TOF 3D imager, each pixel measures the photon arrival time with a 312 ps resolution, thanks to a two-stage TDC (with 6 bit coarse counter plus a 4 bit fine interpolator), with a 320 ns full-scale range. The resulting spatial resolution is 9 cm within a 50 m range, centered at any user-selectable distance (e.g. 100 m – 5 km), with linearity of DNLrms=4.9% LSB and INLrms=11.7% LSB, and 175 ps precision. In the phase-resolved 3D imager, the in-pixel electronics measures the phase difference between the modulated light emitted by a laser and the back-reflected light, with both continuous-wave and pulsed-light modulation techniques.
Development of Non-Pneumatic Tire Technology

The concept and connotation of the non-pneumatic tires were defined based on safety problems caused by punched and bursted tire. The types of the non-pneumatic tires were classified and the representative products were introduced and the developing trends were predicted. The necessity and feasibility of developing non-pneumatic tires with safety, versatility and efficiency were put forward and discussed.
Company Self-Assessment of Lean Enterprise Maturity in the Aerospace Industry

This study investigates the use of Lean Enterprise self-assessment in the aerospace industry. Senior enterprise leaders from 31 enterprises in the U.S. and U.K. aerospace industries utilized the MIT Lean Enterprise Self-Assessment Tool (LESAT) as a means for measuring their current state of leanness in leadership/transformation processes, life-cycle processes, and enabling infrastructure as defined by the LESAT. The empirical results suggest that the companies sampled from the aerospace industry in this study exhibit the lowest maturity in practices related to establishing and deploying a lean enterprise vision, even in the presence of high maturity in lean production within the organizations. Based on the self-assessment, a clear opportunity related to lean enterprise transformation exists in raising the maturity of these enterprises in understanding their current value streams and defining their future value streams. A framework for incorporating LESAT results into formal information feedback mechanisms for enterprise management is proposed for follow-on research as a means to build on capabilities while prioritizing lean improvement activities within the context of enterprise strategic needs.
Balancing academic and athletic time management : A qualitative exploration of first year student athletes’ university football experiences

Abstract Participation in a varsity athletic program requires a great amount of time and effort to meet the demands of practices, meetings, training, film sessions and games, thus adding extra stressors to first-year students trying to integrate into university life in general. These time commitments may reduce a student athlete’s academic engagement and, therefore, negatively affect one’s academic success. The purpose of this study is to identify the challenges of time management identified by first-year varsity athletes. The phenomenological qualitative approach was used to analyze the data collected from in-depth interviews conducted with 12 first-year football players at a Canadian university. The results indicated that : (1) time spent participating in football-related activities influenced the amount of time which could be spent engaging in academics; (2) the management of one’s time emerged as the most difficult aspect of being a member in the university’s football program; (3) football commitments occupied so much time during the season making it difficult to find time for other activities such as studying, working on assignments, eating properly, or getting enough sleep; and, (4). the university’s looser academic structure and the free time between courses (compared secondary schools) poses a considerable time management challenge, one that may be mitigated by the highly-structured football program.
Expansion of a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) and its Influence on Modal Split: The Case of Edinburgh

Abstract This article considers the inter-relationship between on-street parking and choice of mode for journeys to work in the Scottish city of Edinburgh. This city is typical of many in that its centre has significant on-street parking controls but, beyond a radius of 1 to 1 1/2 miles (1.5 to 2.5 km) from the centre, there are no controls and commuter parking on-street is commonplace. The article reviews the relevant literature, and then considers the results of a survey undertaken of Edinburgh city centre employees in order to ascertain their parking habits and likely response to the extension of existing on-street parking controls. The article concludes that the results are transferable to other cities but that the scale of the impacts in each will be related to site specific factors, particularly the demand for residential parking space on-street in areas close to the city centre.
Hydrodynamics Analysis of Air Flow over Pitted Surface

The pits is a typical biomimetic surface morphology, typically it is beneficial to reduce the flow drag on the wall surface. In this paper, a method combining theoretical analysis and numerical simulation is adopted, it carries out a flow and stress analysis on the wall surface distributed by 3mm-diameter pits with typical bionic surface morphology, reveals the forms down stream flow field and the pit internal as well as the distribution of stress, it also analyzes the relationship between the viscous drag of the pit wall surface, the pressure drag and the flow drag, comparing the size of the downstream shear stress of the smooth wall and wall surface distributed with pits, investigates the mechanism of the downstream shear stress decreases on the biomimetic pit wall surface.
Digital control of isolated Cuk power factor correction converter under wide range of load variation

This study presents a novel digital double-loop control method, that is, inner current loop and outer voltage loop, for a single-stage isolated Cuk power factor correction (PFC) converter in continuous conduction mode (CCM). First, control law of current loop, consisting of a current term and a voltage term, is derived. Considering that inductance value of inductors varies with load change, an adaptive gain scheduling method is applied to change the current term. Second, control law of voltage loop is derived based on proportional-integral control with introducing linearisation and feedforward compensation. Meanwhile, a moving average filter is utilised to decrease ripple effect of output voltage, and thus smoother input signal for current loop and fast dynamic response for voltage loop are guaranteed. A 1600 W one-phase isolated Cuk PFC converter controlled by a digital signal processor is developed and achieves power factor higher than 0.99, total harmonic distortion of input current lower than 8.5% with load varying from 25 to 100% and fast dynamic response performance. Finally, a 4800 W three-phase AC–DC converter based on the above PFC converter is implemented and its performance additionally indicate that current sharing issue can be easy to deal with by using the proposed control method.
Efficient post-OPC lithography hotspot detection using a novel OPC correction and verification flow

An accurate process model has always been the key for successful implementation of model-based Optical Proximity Correction (OPC). As CD control requirements become severe at the 45nm and 32nm device generations, process model accuracy requirements become more stringent. In previous generations, certain systematic process and tool fingerprints could be safely ignored. For example, lens apodization and mask pellicle film induced transmission loss, lens vectorial fingerprint(i.e. Jones pupil), illuminator polarization profile, and etc were ignored in conventional OPC modeling approaches. These effects are now playing a more important role in OPC modeling as technology scales down. Using conventional OPC model may lead to under-correction of the design layout during OPC, and this will result in large number of post-OPC layout hot spots which have patterning issues when the OPCed layout is exposed on the scanner. We designed an OPC correction and verification flow which can efficiently capture the post-OPC layout hot spots due to under-correction using traditional OPC model, and this flow further fixes these detected hot spots. Our simulations demonstrated that this proposed flow is able to achieve an OPC performance of 2.25nm CD error range and 0.26nm CD error standard deviation on poly gate layer for 45nm SRAM design. And this validated the efficiency of the proposed flow.
Long-term effects of group exercise intervention on maximal step-up height in female primary care patients with cardio-metabolic risk factors

Background: Low physical performance is a predictor of morbidity and mortality. This study looks at long-term effects of an exercise intervention on maximal step-up height (MSH) in individuals with low physical function. Furthermore, we studied correlates to changes in MSH. Methods: Female patients (n = 101), mean (SD) age of 52 (11) years, were recruited for a 3-month group exercise intervention including 2-3 sessions/week of mixed aerobic fitness and strength training. MSH, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, maximal oxygen consumption (VO 2 -max), self-reported health (SF-36) and physical activity (PA) were measured at baseline (T0), after 3 months (T1) and after 14-30 (mean 22) months (T2). Relationships between changes in MSH (cm) and age, baseline MSH, time to follow-up, changes in anthropometric measurements, VO 2 -max, SF-36 and PA were studied with regression analyses. Results: MSH, significantly, increased from T0 to T1, 27.2 (5.7) to 29.0 (5.5) cm and decreased to 25.2 (5.5) cm at T2. Time to follow-up (B = -0.42, p < 0.001) and change in BMI (B = -0.29, p = 0.012) correlated significantly to changes in MSH. Waist circumference, VO 2 -max, PF and exercise/physical activity levels were significantly improved at T2, while BMI did not change. In a univariate logistic regression model, maintenance of MSH correlated to the extent of mixed training (OR 3.33, 95% CI 1.25-8.89). In a multivariate logistic regression model adjusted for important factors the correlation was not significant. However, MSH was significantly higher in individuals participating in 2-3 session per week compared to one session. Conclusions: A 3-month group exercise intervention increased MSH, improved fitness, decreased risk in female patients with elevated cardio-metabolic risk. After an average of 22 months MSH was reduced while positive effects remained for waist circumference, VO 2 -max, physical function and physical activity. However, regular group exercise 2-3 times per week with mixed aerobic fitness and strength training was associated with maintenance of MSH in a subgroup of patients. We suggest that such an intervention including regular support from healthcare professionals is a successful approach for maintaining improved leg-muscle strength among primary care patients.
CMRR Analysis of the 3 Op-Amp Instrumentation Amplifier with Noise

This paper researches the common mode rejection ratio (CMRR) of 3 op-amp instrumentation amplifier of amplifying weak signal and presents a new calculation modal considering noise, non-ideal amplifiers, matched resistor and application restricted by the factors of affecting CMRR. At last, a instrumentation amplifier was designed and built and its measured and computed results of modal are compared. The results show that this modal presented enhances calculating precision and extends application range of instrumentation amplifier. It is valid and reasonable.
Hierarchical stochastic production planning with delay interaction and demand constraints

Abstract This paper explores the hierarchical stochastic production planning (HSPP) problem of flexible automated workshops, each with a number of flexible manufacturing systems (FMSs), the part transfer between which is delayed by a time period (i.e. delay interaction). The problem not only includes uncertainties in the demand, capacities, material supply, processing times, necessity for rework and scrap but also considers multiple products and multiple time periods. The objective is to devise a production plan which tells each FMS how many parts to produce and when to produce them so as to obtain the lowest cost under the condition of demands being just met. Herein, the HSPP problem is formulated by a stochastic non-linear programming model whose constraints (including demand constraints) are linear but whose objective function is piecewise linear. For the convenience of solving the stochastic non-linear programming model above, it is approximately transformed into a deterministic non-linear programming model and further into a linear programming model. Then, Karmarkar's algorithm and an interaction/prediction algorithm are used to solve the model, the former for the medium- or small-scale problems and the latter for the large-scale problems. With the help of the implementations of the above-mentioned algorithms and through many HSPP examples, Karmarkar's algorithm, the interaction/prediction algorithm and the linear programming method in Matlab 5.0 are compared, the result of which shows that the proposed approaches are very effective and suitable for not only ‘push’ production but also ‘pull’ production.
Proposal of a concept of future oriented machine tools for advanced manufacturing systems

In order to satisfy the recent various consumers’ needs, an advanced manufacturing system will be required. So, the innovative concept of Future Oriented Machine Tools (FOMT), which consists of four function blocks to realize the advanced manufacturing system, is proposed. The four function blocks are Management, Prediction, Observation and Strategy, and intelligent manufacturing processes are realized by utilizing these function blocks. FOMT can make a significant contribution in four stages: design stage, production scheduling stage, machining stage and post-machining stage. In the design stage, the product information such as accuracy can be evaluated in CAD, considering the manufacturing ability concurrently. In the production scheduling stage, the product schedules can be generated automatically and flexibly for the various products. In the machining stage, cutting conditions adjusted autonomously according to the machining status and machining problems. In the post-machining stage, the machining know-how data are accumulated and stored for future production and human engineers. The feasibility of it, especially the machining stage, is discussed using the developed cutting process simulator called VMSim (virtual machining simulator) from the view points of cutting force, machining error and environmental burden (CO2 emission).
An agility analysis from a production system perspective

The competition is becoming truly global, with fragmented markets and customers expecting to get the best product at the best price with immediate availability. In this business environment we need to be agile to handle changes within the production system as well as changing the system to new circumstances. This paper is investigating the concept of agility and how it can be applied within industry. A proposal on how to make an “agility” analysis from a production system perspective is presented and a case study has been performed to test this analysis in practice.
Measured and simulated air pressure conditions in Finnish residential buildings

Air pressure conditions in typical Finnish residences are analysed using data from field measurements and computer simulations. Field measurements were conducted in three two-storey detached houses and in two five-storey apartment buildings. The effects of air tightness, ventilation performance, air leakage distributions, and outdoor environmental conditions on air pressure conditions in a detached house were simulated with a multi-zone simulation model using the IDA ICE simulation program. Despite of common design assumption, negative air pressure difference indoors, the results show that there is almost always a positive and negative air pressure difference across the building envelope in detached houses and apartment buildings. For detached houses, the design value of the air pressure difference across the building envelope for moisture convection analysis should be at least ±10 Pa. In the most critical cases (airtight building envelope with unbalanced ventilation), the air pressure difference across the building envelope may rise up to ±30 Pa. To control extremely high air pressure differences in airtight houses, balancing ventilation systems are very important. As in new low-energy houses the airtight building envelope and mechanical supply and exhaust ventilation become the standard solution; the interaction between HVAC systems and building envelope should be carefully designed. Practical application: Based on field measurements and computer simulations the design value of air pressure difference across the building envelope is determined for Finnish dwellings. Results underline the importance of balancing of ventilation in airtight house otherwise is not possible to control extremely high air pressure differences. If ventilation system should control the air pressure difference, building envelope should be airtight, because in normal and leaky houses (n50>41/h) the differences in ventilation airflows are too small and they have only a minor influence on the air pressure difference.
Decision letter for "The psychology behind video games during COVID ‐19 pandemic: A case study of Animal Crossing: New Horizons "

With the emerging outbreak of a novel coronavirus, millions of people have been followed social distancing rules to self-quarantine at home. Given the continuation of this pandemic trend, people who have suffered from the anxiety of coronavirus and experienced social isolation their psychological well-being started to be concerned. During this time, one popular video game called “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” successfully get everyone's attention and led us to explore the psychology behind video games. On the one hand, New Horizons provides a dreamland for the players to temporally escape from the cruel reality with a risk of losing in escapism. On the other hand, the New Horizons world becomes a perfect social platform to keep social interaction with others to get rid of the loneliness.
Indoor localization based Wi-Fi signal strength using support vector machine

Ubiquitous computing to estimate the location of objects in a building raises a fundamental challenge and there has been a lot of research on localization in buildings based on signal strength by utilizing devices inside such as Wi-Fi signals. Positioning objects using algorithms of received signal strength in this paper using Linear Support Vector Machine which will be compared with Naïve Bayes. Experiments carried out using 14480 datasets and 302 classes were collected from the real world environment and the results showed that the system reached the correct classification level of around 88% and a minimum distance of error of 4.61 meters compared to Naïve Bayes for the correct classification level of around 67 % and average error distance of 6.21 meters.
Unveiling functional motions based on point mutations in biased signaling systems: A normal mode study on nerve growth factor bound to TrkA

Many receptors elicit signal transduction by activating multiple intracellular pathways. This transduction can be triggered by a non-specific ligand, which simultaneously activates all the signaling pathways of the receptors. However, the binding of one biased ligand preferentially trigger one pathway over another, in a process called biased signaling. The identification the functional motions related to each of these distinct pathways has a direct impact on the development of new effective and specific drugs. We show here how to detect specific functional motions by considering the case of the NGF/TrkA-Ig2 complex. NGF-mediated TrkA receptor activation is dependent on specific structural motions that trigger the neuronal growth, development, and survival of neurons in nervous system. The R221W mutation in the ngf gene impairs nociceptive signaling. We discuss how the large-scale structural effects of this mutation lead to the suppression of collective motions necessary to induce TrkA activation of nociceptive signaling. Our results suggest that subtle changes in the NGF interaction network due to the point mutation are sufficient to inhibit the motions of TrkA receptors putatively linked to nociception. The methodological approach presented in this article, based jointly on the normal mode analysis and the experimentally observed functional alterations due to point mutations provides an essential tool to reveal the structural changes and motions linked to the disease, which in turn could be necessary for a drug design study.