Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Factors influencing construction productivity in the Indonsesian context

Many construction industry sectors have been experiencing chronic problems such as poor safety, inferior working conditions and insufficient quality. These problems have been identified as factors that affect construction’s productivity and will affect company’s performance. This paper investigates factors influencing construction productivity in Indonesia. Data was collected through questionnaires and personal interviews targeting non-residential building and infrastructure projects. Key factors influencing construction productivity and their causes were obtained through a series of statistical analyses based on the contracting companies’ approach. The findings suggest that the key factors and their causes were influenced by three issues: (1) characteristics of contractors; (2) inadequate management strategy; and (3) organisation’s focus. A conceptual model of factors influencing construction productivity was developed to provide the contractors with information on which factors they need to focus. In addition, five alternative solutions are recommended to be applied on-site to achieve the best outcome of contractors’ performance.
Enhancing the performance of mobile communications systems

This paper describes and quantitatively evaluates a new cell design method and new radio link control procedures that increase the capacity of micro-macrocell systems. The cell design method is based on a technique of predicting the location of mobile subscribers in the base station area. The first part of this paper outlines prediction strategies and their precision. The second part describes a new cell selection method intended for use with a micro-macrocell overlay cell layout and shows that this method reduces the base station processing load. This paper also considers channel assignment algorithms and handover algorithms for microcell systems. Specific examples of these approaches are shown for the second-generation Japanese personal digital cellular system.
A cellular system for wireless structural integrity monitoring

Installation and maintenance costs, and improved reliability of structural integrity monitoring in industrial applications demanding a large number of sensors applied to the structure can be achieved using wireless links between the sensors. This paper describes a wireless network system designed to interconnect a variety of ultrasonic transducers. Miniaturized wireless‐coupled sensors which incorporate the sensor drive electronics, a DSP and Bluetooth communication module have been developed, initially for thickness measurement but capable of being reconfigured for time‐of‐flight crack monitoring, large area mapping using Lamb wave arrays and passive acoustic emission sensing. A networked system capable of inter‐sensor and base station communications in an industrial environment is in progress and preliminary results obtained are presented.
The Distributed Mind: Achieving High Performance Through the Collective Intelligence of Knowledge Work Teams

Knowledge work - understanding mental labour brawn and brains - knowledge work in factories knowledge work teams - organizing for empowerment Jack of all trades, master of one - vertical multiskilling and other unique characteristics of knowledge teams the learning lattice - evolving organizational forms for knowledge work creating a sentient organization - new metaphors for knowledge work virtual knowledge teams - working on geographically dispersed teams the creative spark - harnessing learning, creativity, and innovation knowledge transfer - sharing mind work and mastering information overload distributed leadership - leading others and leading self self-healing systems - the wellness practices of smart teams the cyborganization - matching technology to knowledge teams trends in knowledge work - the issues and opportunities of the future.
Cooperative networked control of unmanned air vehicles

In recent years the interest and development of smart buildings have increased. One area that is still yet relatively unexplored is how unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) can be used in smart buildings. This report has approached the question of whether UAVs can have a use in smart buildings or not. In order to fully answer this question studies of the UAV best suited for smart buildings, quad-rotors, have been done. Even though the choice of UAV is task dependent, we found that quad-rotors are versatile and thus best suited for most applications. Furthermore to understand its benefits and limitations, modelling of quadrotors will be presented. In experiments, successful autonomous flights with a quad-rotor have been realized using the theoretical model mentioned above. If the development of new technology, such as sensors and materials, continue at its current pace it is expected to see widespread applications with UAVs in smart buildings within a few years.
Aerodynamic performance of wind turbines. Final report

The state-of-the-art of performance prediction methods for both horizontal and vertical axis wind turbines is presented. Strip theory methods for horizontal axis wind turbines are evaluated for various tip loss models. A comparison of these tip models is developed for the ERDA-NASA MOD-O rotor. The occurrence of multiple solutions in strip theory analysis is discussed and illustrated. The performance of high-solidity turbines such as the Chalk design is also presented. Corrections to the strip analysis techniques are developed and incorporated into the analysis used for conventional horizontal axis wind turbines. The predicted performance of the Chalk Turbines is presented. The configuration and performance of optimum horizontal axis wind turbines are discussed. Optimization schemes are developed and discussed and comparisons with the MOD-O rotor are made. Performance at off-design conditions is also examined. The performance model for the Darrieus Rotor is developed. Both linear and non-linear theories are developed. Multiple solutions are found to occur for Darrieus Rotors in the same manner as occurs for horizontal axis rotors. This flow model is compared to existing experimental data and shown to yield excellent agreement. An analytical model of the flow in a Savonius Rotor is presented.
Helicopter performance, stability, and control

This text provides, for both students and practicing helicopter aerodynamicists, the information necessary to analyze the performance of an existing helicopter or to participate in the design of a new helicopter. The information includes the derivation of the theory behind the various methods of analysis, appropriate experimental data to correlate and supplement the theory, and charts that permit rapid analysis. A special attempt is made to relate helicopter aerodynamics to airplane aerodynamics for those making the transition. The first six chapters give various aspects of helicopter performance. Chapters 7, 8 and 9 cover stability and control. The last chapter presents the tradeoff considerations that the engineer must face during the preliminary design phase to ensure both good performance and good flying qualities.
Seguimiento a patógenos presentes en biosólido empleado como enmienda para revegetalizar un talud

Con el fin de evaluar la factibilidad del uso del biosolido como enmienda organica para el establecimiento de vegetacion y el control de procesos erosivos superficiales activos, se selecciono un corte de carretera ubicado sobrela Variante a Caldas (Antioquia). Para darle amarre y cobertura al suelo, se sembraron dos especies vegetales tipo pasto Brachiaria Decumbens y Kikuyo (Pennisetum clandestinum), utilizando biosolido proveniente de la PTAR San Fernando, mezclado con suelo de la zona. Se evaluo el comportamiento de bioindicadores de riesgo ambiental: coliformes totales, coliformes fecales, Salmonella-Shiguella, en las aguas de escorrentia y en el suelo del talud en el tiempo. Ambas especies se adaptaron bien amarrando el suelo; la cobertura fue total y permanente. Los resultados muestran la factibilidad del uso del biosolido como enmienda. Sin embargo, la permanencia de los parametros microbiologicos medidos durante el tiempo de evaluacion evidencia la necesidad de sanitizar el biosolido antes de usarlo, ya que estos patogenos constituyen un riesgo ambiental.
Leaky Wave Antennas

The basic radiative features, operation, design, and realization procedures of leaky-wave antennas for microwave applications are described. The relations between the propagation properties of open waveguides, on which these antennas are based, and the relevant radiation patterns are discussed, exploiting the leaky-wave concept. The main radiative characteristics (scanning behavior, beamshaping, etc.) are presented, and the procedures for analysis and synthesis are outlined. Examples of proposed structures are reported, and accounts for practical operation and measurements are given. Keywords: leaky waves; microwave antennas; scanning arrays
The influence of crystal quality on the piezoresistive effect of /spl beta/-SiC between RT and 450/spl deg/C measured by using microstructures

The gauge factor of /spl beta/-SiC was measured for dependence on the crystal quality, the doping type and the doping level between room temperature and 400/spl deg/C. A new measurement method using micromachined SiC bridge structures together with a piezoelectric micromanipulator set-up was applied to make non-isolated SiC films on silicon accessable to measurements. The most intriguing result is that the gauge factor of n-doped mono-crystalline /spl beta/-SiC is negative, whereas that of poly-crystalline material is positive. Considering the dependence of the gauge factor on the temperature, the crystal orientation and the doping type this could be explained by the greater influence of grain boundaries in the case of polycrystalline wide bandgap materials compared to silicon.
Design Operation and Economy of Anaerobic Treatment

This paper aims to contribute to the assesment of a (more) optimal design and operation of a high rate anaerobic waste water treatment process. The discussion will be made on basis of available information of modern anaerobic waste water treatment processes, such as the Anaerobic Filter Process and the Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket process and of recently introduced Attached Film processes.
IRONICALLY, SERUM AND SYNOVIAL INTERLEUKIN-17 LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS ARE NOT RELATED TO PAIN AND DISEASE SEVERITY

Introduction: Biomarkers measured in blood may provide information on disease inflammatory burden. Although osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disorder, inflammatory episodes may occur on top causing effusion and pain increasing the burden of the disease. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate serum and synovial interleukin-17 (IL-17) levels in OA patients and their relation to pain and disease severity. Methods: This is a case control study that was carried out in Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University Hospitals on thirty osteoarthritic patients. Patients were subjected to full history taking, thorough clinical examination, laboratory investigations and radiological examination. Pain was assessed using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS “0-10cm”) and Western Ontario & McMasters Universities (WOMAC) index. Disease severity was evaluated by Kellgren and Lawerence grading scale. Laboratory parameters included erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) and IL-17. Serum IL-17 level using ELISA was measured for all patients and controls and synovial IL-17 was measured in patients. Results: The study showed no statistically significant difference between serum and synovial IL-17 level among osteoarthritis patients compared to controls. There was no correlation between serum or synovial IL17 level and different clinical manifestations of osteoarthritis, patients’ age, disease severity, disease duration, laboratory findings of osteoarthritis patients and different treatment modalities (P>0.05). Conclusion: Ironically, serum and synovial IL-17 levels were not correlated with pain nor disease severity in Knee OA patients.
Ducted Fan Flying Object with normal and reverse ducted fan units

Recently, UAV such as single / multi rotor helicopter is used in fields of aerial photography and aerial investigation. But rotor blades of UAV thrust device are not covered, and the thrust is generated by high rotational speed. Thus UAV has a high risk of damage. In previous study, we presented inverted pendulum type flying object (DFO1 and DFO2) using ducted fans instead of rotor blades. P I- D control was employed for roll, pitch and yaw attitude control. We succeeded to achieve stable hovering by 3-axes (roll, pitch and yaw axis) attitude control. However, small oscillation and small steady state error appears. These oscillation and steady state error can be attributed to Gyro moment of ducted fan tilting motion. In this study, we report a newly developed DFO3 equipped with normal and reverse rotation ducted fan to cancel Gyro moment effect. We succeeded to achieve stable take off / landing and hovering.
NEW TYPES OF HEAVY MANIPULATORS

Four types of manipulator arms of 100, 300, and 1000 kg capacity were deveioped with different carrier designs for use in general or special purpose hot cells and on a cable controlled vehicie for applications extending over a iarge area. The manlpulators have a low probability of failure, with a capability of being easily repaired remotely. The arm is immersible and easily decontaminated. Emergency drives, accessible from the outside of a cell, are provided to override the drive motors in the event of a failure. The drive motor assemblies are grouped in a remotely initerchangeable block and the arm can be disconnected remotely. (auth)
At the nexus between theatre and education : a study of theatre artists' teaching practices

In Singapore, there is an increasing presence of theatre artists as educators across varied sectors of the educational institutions. However despite their active engagement with education, research on what and how they do their teaching is limited. This thesis sets out to investigate the theatre artists’ teaching practices in education settings. The literature reviewed as part of this inquiry point to an identifiable system of pedagogy in the theatre artists’ teaching practices. As such, one of the key strands of this research is to identify and name what is distinctive about theatre artists’ teaching practices. But more than just identifying characteristics, I am interested in understanding if there is an overarching philosophy that guides these practices. To that end, I conceptualised a framework, which examines the theatre artists’ teaching practices as inhabiting a nested nexus of two distinguishably separate fields: Theatre and Education. Each with its own variegated influences and systems of knowledge and values that govern practices. Working with an overarching Bourdieusean theoretical framework, in particular habitus and field, as well as invoking Lyotard’s notion of differend, the study relies on interdisciplinary theories to aid explication of key concepts related to the study. The study also employs a melding of ethnographic case study and reflective practitioner as its methodology. Additionally, it works with “critiquing across difference” (Lather 2008) as a means to challenge and destabilise the reflective practitioner lens. This is achieved by structuring the research into two phases. Phase I involves researching in England. Working with four theatre artists, I examine how each assumes their position as educators in various education settings both within and beyond the school environment. The opportunity gained from this experience informed Phase II research in Singapore, the main focus of this inquiry. The findings suggest that to understand theatre artists’ teaching practices require an examination of contexts influencing their teaching acts. This includes their layered histories of both artistic and teaching experiences as well as the relationship they have with the school culture and the objectives and needs of their teaching projects. Additionally, in examining their teaching moments, the study discovers a pattern of doing the same approaches or strategies, differently. Working from the data, an overarching world view guiding the construction of their teaching practices is eventually proposed.
Fungal Diseases of Gynecological aspect: A Review

Fungal infections have become more frequent, due to its extension population are at higher risk of utilization and treatment mode that permits long lasting survival of the patients. The histopathological detection of tissues shows fungal invasion of tissues and vessels along with host reaction with fungi and it could be a crucial tool for defining detection significance of positive culture isolates. However, there is very little illustration about morphological features of fungi, which are specific. The histopathologic detection should illustrate fungi and must include presence or absence of tissue invasiveness and host reaction with infection. Although, fungal species associated to genus Candida could result in acute vulvovaginal infection, Candida albicans are significantly more prevalent etiological agent mainly for severe chronic condition named recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC). The recent advancement in pathogenic process and host immune system response to C. albicans had also been seen. Vaginal Candidiasis is known to be one of the common gynecological problems found in females. As it had been seen that half of the women in their lifetime experience suffer from vulvovaginal candidiasis and few with recurrent candidiasis. Cervical and vaginal secretion is the defending tool from ascendant infection pathway spreading. The component that could disturb vaginal environment is endogenous, infectious and iatrogenic factors and is most common factor susceptible for vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC).
A Gestão de Talentos no campo da Gestão de Pessoas: tema emergente?

The competitive strategy of organizations and the knowledge era, demand higher innovation capacity, agility and flexibility. This demands have make the work more complex, and in need of qualified workers. In this scene, the human capital of organizations is presented by the quality of its talents. The objective in this study was to analyze the production on Talent Management and to verify the attributes applied to identify the talents at the field of Human Resource Management. It was possible to conclude for the rise of academic production on Talent Management and for the description of competence, performance, and potential as the main attributes on Talent characteristics description.
Switched Reluctance Motor Drives

The modern switched reluctance (SR) motor drive is becoming attractive for electric vehicle (EV) propulsion because of its low system cost, robust machine structure, reliable converter topology, control simplicity, and high efficiency. This chapter discusses the SR motor drives, including their system configurations, SR machines, SR converters, and control strategies. It provides the corresponding design criteria, design examples, and application examples for EV propulsion. In general, the SR motor drive consists of four main components: the SR machine, SR converter, sensor, and controller. Differing from other AC machines, the SR machine produces torque, which is independent of the current polarity. As the principle of operation of the SR motor is fundamentally different from that of the conventional AC motors, the chapter describes the corresponding speed control schemes. Then, in order to alleviate the major drawback of the SR motor, relatively large torque ripples; the torque-ripple minimization (TRM) control is discussed.
Examination of factors affecting the frequency, response time, and clearance time of incidents on freeways

EXAMINATION OF FACTORS AFFECTING THE FREQUENCY, RESPONSE TIME, AND CLEARANCE TIME OF INCIDENTS ON FREEWAYS by INDRAJIT GHOSH December 2010 Advisor: Dr. Peter Tarmo Savolainen Major: Civil Engineering (Transportation) Degree: Doctor of Philosophy Traffic incidents are the primary cause of non-recurrent congestion in urban areas, resulting in reductions in roadway capacity and significant safety hazards to other motorists, as well as first responders. Many communities have initiated incident management programs that detect and respond to incidents and restore freeways to full capacity by clearing the incident scene as soon as possible. In the Detroit metro area, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) operates a Freeway Courtesy Patrol (FCP) program as part of its larger freeway incident management program from the Michigan Intelligent Transportation Systems (MITS) Center in downtown Detroit. The MITS Center maintains a series of databases that detail freeway operations, as well as the activities of the FCP. However, these databases are independent of one another and no research has concurrently examined the interrelationships between freeway operations and the services provided by the MITS Center. This study aims at analyzing operations on the Detroit freeway network.
Six Sigma, quality management systems and the development of organisational learning capability: Evidence from four business process outsourcing organisations in India

Purpose – This paper analyses the impact of Lean Six Sigma and a firm's quality management capabilities in developing its organisational learning capability (OLC), especially in the business process outsourcing (BPO) environment of a developing country.Design/methodology/approach – Using a multiple case study incorporating embedded design, findings from four Indian BPO firms are analysed.Findings – Findings confirm the critical and relatively unexplored role that firms' Lean Six Sigma and quality management capabilities play in developing OLCs.Research limitations/implications – Owing to its qualitative case study design, findings from this study are not able to be generalised to the wider population, instead, the findings are generalised to relevant theory for future development.Originality/value – The above relationship is examined in a novel research setting and the study also looks at which elements of Six Sigma and TQM content, if not well developed, hinder the development of OLCs.
Battery charger with high quality input waveforms

A 3 kW monophase battery charger with high quality input waveforms and galvanic insulation is presented. This device associates two different power converters, using the qualities of each commutation mode (PWM and resonance) at their best. Thanks to multilevel techniques, the current absorbed by the first power converter contains less harmonics than usual. Moreover, the very simple mode of association of the two power converters allows for simplified control of the device. This paper presents the definition of the constraints, the separate studies of the different elements of the charger, and then a modelling of the whole device. Finally, experimental results validate the model.