Preconstruction services play a vital role in ensuring timely approval of infrastructure funds and successful execution of construction projects. Most state DOTs use simple methods such as a percentage of estimated construction costs that has proven to be unreliable. Several studies have developed statistical models using historical data to improve current practices. However, such models have performed poorly, and practitioners have not utilized these models. This study develops and evaluates data mining models such as multiple regression and artificial neural networks and concludes that such models do not provide sufficiently accurate estimates of preconstruction service fees and hours. Subsequently, it proposes an alternative approach using a case-based reasoning (CBR) technique that uses similarity scoring to retrieve the most similar projects. The historical preconstruction service fees and hours of similar projects can be used to estimate preconstruction service fees and hours for a new project and make any adjustment necessary. A spreadsheet tool is developed to implement this CBR technique. The tool provides a simple and flexible platform that enables engineers to extract necessary data and help them in making data-driven estimates. Thus, the tool is expected to aid state DOT engineers in negotiating with consultants with higher confidence.

In recent years, questions have risen regarding the language used to describe those who are supervised by the criminal justice system, participating in mental health services, and examined in research. This has resulted in recommendations to reduce labelling bias, as is evident from the recent editions of the APA Publication Manual (2009, 2019), editorials (Willis & Letourneau, 2018), and ethics discussions (Willis, 2018). In 2016, the United States Department of Justice adopted a policy of referring to their detainees and supervisees using person-first language, such as “individual who has offended,” rather than referring to individuals based on the nature of their offenses. With these developments, recent research has increased our focus on the way professionals identify those involved in the criminal justice system, how our labels impact these individuals, and the sociocultural implications of our language use (e.g., Denver, Pickett, & Bushway, 2017). The poster presents preliminary results of the sexual abuse terminology project, which examines professionals’ use of language to identify and describe individuals who have engaged in sexually abusive behaviors, the sexually abusive behaviors themselves, and sexual interests associated with abusive behavior, between 1981 and 2020. This poster will specifically highlight person identifiers across five-year intervals from 1981 through 2015 (as data collection from publications in 2020 will still be ongoing at the time of presentation), demonstrating trends is language use over time. For this analysis, 1,223 peer-reviewed studies were evaluated for language use. Eighty-three label categories (e.g., abusers, individuals, offenders, etc.) were identified, with 410 specific labels (e.g. intrafamilial child sexual abusers, men with sexual behavior problems, deviant patients, etc.) identified in total. While “offender” labels are the most consistently used terms across all years, trends in term use over time will be presented across five-year intervals. Trends in terminology usage will be graphically depicted, and hypotheses for changes in terminology used will be discussed.

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No description available.

A practical way to estimate the ship response in early design stage is investigated in this thesis. Focus has been put on the ship vertical bending moment and shear force in operation area. ISSC spectrum is used to indicate the sea state. Napa strip method is employed to derive the transfer function. The ship response is thus generated in frequency domain. The vertical bending moment and shear force along the ship are then calculated according to the critical wave case indicated from the response function. Based on the results, the validation of DNV-GL rule and IACS rule is discussed. In this case, the overestimation is discovered for the still water vertical bending moment and shear force. On the other hand, there is underestimation in wave vertical bending moment and shear force. The total vertical bending moment and shear force is reasonable. Since only static loads and total loads are required in the rules, the rules are judged as valid in the early design stage. The feasibility of Napa strip method has been commented and the Napa strip method is judged practical according to its accuracy and time consumption. For ship design, the wavelength and the wave steepness are the main parameters affecting the loads on hull. The block coefficient is crucial for the nonlinearity in hogging and sagging condition. More models, especially other types of ships are expected to be analysed for this topic in future study. Other methods, such as panel method could take into use in the future work. The probability of operation can be further developed based on this study.

Vestibular-related problems (dizziness, vertigo, and imbalance) are common sequelae following concussion and blast exposures that result in mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). However, the anatomical substrate connected to these dysfunctions is not well understood. To provide a better understanding of this area, we used voxel-based morphometry (VBM) as a platform for studying vestibular-related mTBI in the human brain. Briefly, VBM is a group comparison study which evaluates structural differences in magnetic resonance (MR) images between agematched groups of individuals (11 vestibular TBI patients and 10 controls). Using the VBM-8 Toolbox and statistical probability mapping (SPM), MRI images were segmented into gray matter, white matter, and cerebrospinal fluid, normalized into a standardized anatomical space, and then analyzed statistically for significant anatomical differences between groups. Based on the VBM analysis, most notable differences in brain anatomy were characterized by reductions in gray matter volume observed in the middle frontal gyrus, mesial frontal lobe, and in the insular area in the left mesial temporal lobe. These findings provide a preliminary analysis of distributed gray matter changes in key frontal and temporal areas of the brain associated with mTBI related vestibular dysfunction.

Esta dissertação tem por objetivo analisar o contrato preliminar, a partir das diversas funções que ele cumpre no processo de formação do negócio jurídico. Em especial, examina-se a figura do contrato preliminar que é menos completo do que o contrato definitivo, estabelecendo apenas os aspectos essenciais do negócio prometido e deixando em aberto outros pontos que devem ser preenchidos no intervalo entre os dois negócios. O contrato preliminar incompleto, como se lhe designa aqui, constitui uma etapa no processo de formação progressiva do contrato, atendendo a interesses dignos de tutela conforme o ordenamento jurídico. Para tanto, o trabalho está dividido em quatro capítulos, além da introdução e da conclusão. Na primeira parte, apresentam-se os principais interesses práticos que estão por trás da cisão do negócio em duas etapas (no contrato preliminar e no contrato definitivo). Vê-se que o contrato preliminar não é uma figura inútil, um desdobramento desnecessário do processo de formação do negócio. Na segunda parte, são delineados os contornos do contrato preliminar, mediante o exame de sua causa e de seu objeto, além das figuras que se lhe assemelham. Demonstra-se que, embora não se confunda com o negócio definitivo, o contrato preliminar já deve definir a causa do negócio prometido, que serve para identificá-lo. Na terceira parte, atenta-se para o chamado princípio da equiparação, que determina que, em regra, o contrato preliminar siga a mesma disciplina prevista para o negócio definitivo. Tal princípio deve ser, todavia, excepcionado, quando a própria cisão do processo de formação do negócio no preliminar e no definitivo serve para afastar alguma regra que valerá apenas para o segundo negócio. Nesse ponto, demonstra-se que o princípio da equiparação não se aplica integralmente no que se refere ao objeto do contrato definitivo, que não precisa estar previsto, exaustivamente, no contrato preliminar. Revela-se, aí, a admissibilidade da figura do contrato preliminar incompleto. Por fim, na última parte, examina-se a execução específica do preliminar, destacando-se, em particular, o cabimento desse remédio também para o chamado contrato preliminar incompleto, quando, então, caberá ao juiz integrá-lo mediante as regras de integração previstas no ordenamento jurídico. / The objective of this dissertation is to analyze preliminary contracts in the light of the various functions they perform in the formation of a legal transaction. In particular, the paper examines preliminary contracts which are less complete than the definitive contracts they precede and which set out merely the essential aspects of the promised transaction, leaving other points to be decided upon in the interval between the two contracts. Such contracts, referred to in this paper as incomplete preliminary contracts, constitute a distinct stage in the process of progressive formation of the legal transaction and address interests which are capable, in our legal system, of giving rise to a claim for judicial relief. This study is divided into four chapters (in addition to the introduction and conclusion). The first part sets out the principal practical interests behind the splitting of a legal transaction into two distinct parts (the preliminary contract and the definitive contract) and demonstrates that the preliminary contract is by no means an unnecessary and useless offshoot of the formation of a legal transaction. The second part sets out an overview of preliminary contracts in terms of their raison dêtre and their objects and draws a parallel with other similar legal instruments. This part seeks to show that despite being distinct from the definitive contract, the preliminary contract defines the raison dêtre of the promised transaction (i.e. the reason for contracting) and thus serves to define (classify) the contract. In the third part, attention is drawn to the so-called principle of equivalence (principio de equiparação) according to which a preliminary contract must, as a general rule, comply with the same legal rules applicable to the definitive agreement. An exception needs to be made, however, when the actual separation of the process of formation of the legal transaction into preliminary and definitive stages leads to a given rule being applicable solely to the definitive contract. The author demonstrates that, in such cases, the principle of equivalence does not apply in full to the objects of the definitive contract and said objects do not therefore need to be the subject of exhaustive provision in the preliminary contract. This therefore reveals that an incomplete preliminary contract is legally permissible. Finally, in the closing part of the paper, the issue of specific performance of the preliminary contract is examined. Particular emphasis is given to the applicability of this legal remedy to incomplete preliminary agreements and to the powers vested in the judge to complete (i.e. fill in the gaps) in the preliminary contract, in accordance with the applicable rules as to integration of contracts

Esta dissertação tem por objetivo analisar o contrato preliminar, a partir das diversas funções que ele cumpre no processo de formação do negócio jurídico. Em especial, examina-se a figura do contrato preliminar que é menos completo do que o contrato definitivo, estabelecendo apenas os aspectos essenciais do negócio prometido e deixando em aberto outros pontos que devem ser preenchidos no intervalo entre os dois negócios. O contrato preliminar incompleto, como se lhe designa aqui, constitui uma etapa no processo de formação progressiva do contrato, atendendo a interesses dignos de tutela conforme o ordenamento jurídico. Para tanto, o trabalho está dividido em quatro capítulos, além da introdução e da conclusão. Na primeira parte, apresentam-se os principais interesses práticos que estão por trás da cisão do negócio em duas etapas (no contrato preliminar e no contrato definitivo). Vê-se que o contrato preliminar não é uma figura inútil, um desdobramento desnecessário do processo de formação do negócio. Na segunda parte, são delineados os contornos do contrato preliminar, mediante o exame de sua causa e de seu objeto, além das figuras que se lhe assemelham. Demonstra-se que, embora não se confunda com o negócio definitivo, o contrato preliminar já deve definir a causa do negócio prometido, que serve para identificá-lo. Na terceira parte, atenta-se para o chamado princípio da equiparação, que determina que, em regra, o contrato preliminar siga a mesma disciplina prevista para o negócio definitivo. Tal princípio deve ser, todavia, excepcionado, quando a própria cisão do processo de formação do negócio no preliminar e no definitivo serve para afastar alguma regra que valerá apenas para o segundo negócio. Nesse ponto, demonstra-se que o princípio da equiparação não se aplica integralmente no que se refere ao objeto do contrato definitivo, que não precisa estar previsto, exaustivamente, no contrato preliminar. Revela-se, aí, a admissibilidade da figura do contrato preliminar incompleto. Por fim, na última parte, examina-se a execução específica do preliminar, destacando-se, em particular, o cabimento desse remédio também para o chamado contrato preliminar incompleto, quando, então, caberá ao juiz integrá-lo mediante as regras de integração previstas no ordenamento jurídico. / The objective of this dissertation is to analyze preliminary contracts in the light of the various functions they perform in the formation of a legal transaction. In particular, the paper examines preliminary contracts which are less complete than the definitive contracts they precede and which set out merely the essential aspects of the promised transaction, leaving other points to be decided upon in the interval between the two contracts. Such contracts, referred to in this paper as incomplete preliminary contracts, constitute a distinct stage in the process of progressive formation of the legal transaction and address interests which are capable, in our legal system, of giving rise to a claim for judicial relief. This study is divided into four chapters (in addition to the introduction and conclusion). The first part sets out the principal practical interests behind the splitting of a legal transaction into two distinct parts (the preliminary contract and the definitive contract) and demonstrates that the preliminary contract is by no means an unnecessary and useless offshoot of the formation of a legal transaction. The second part sets out an overview of preliminary contracts in terms of their raison dêtre and their objects and draws a parallel with other similar legal instruments. This part seeks to show that despite being distinct from the definitive contract, the preliminary contract defines the raison dêtre of the promised transaction (i.e. the reason for contracting) and thus serves to define (classify) the contract. In the third part, attention is drawn to the so-called principle of equivalence (principio de equiparação) according to which a preliminary contract must, as a general rule, comply with the same legal rules applicable to the definitive agreement. An exception needs to be made, however, when the actual separation of the process of formation of the legal transaction into preliminary and definitive stages leads to a given rule being applicable solely to the definitive contract. The author demonstrates that, in such cases, the principle of equivalence does not apply in full to the objects of the definitive contract and said objects do not therefore need to be the subject of exhaustive provision in the preliminary contract. This therefore reveals that an incomplete preliminary contract is legally permissible. Finally, in the closing part of the paper, the issue of specific performance of the preliminary contract is examined. Particular emphasis is given to the applicability of this legal remedy to incomplete preliminary agreements and to the powers vested in the judge to complete (i.e. fill in the gaps) in the preliminary contract, in accordance with the applicable rules as to integration of contracts

The thesis deals with the preliminary reference procedure. There is outlined not only the characteristic of this procedure or its evolution, but also the interpretation of the term "court or tribunal of a Member State" or the Exceptions to the Duty to Refer. The following chapters are concerned with the statistical curiosities of the preliminary reference procedure or the ways of how to make this procedure more efficient. The last chapter is analysing the preliminary reference procedure from the Czech law's point of view. It deals with some Czech institutions as courts of the Member State, procedural aspects of this procedure or study of the Czech preliminary references. It also contains some cases of The Constitutional Court of the Czech Republic regarding with this procedure.

This thesis portrays new information concerning the cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning flashes or ground flashes produced by thunderclouds. It emphasizes the importance of characterizing lightning studies as the relationship between lightning mechanisms, and of incorporating the influence of geographical location, latitude and storm type. Sweden, Malaysia and USA were chosen as the main locations for field experiments in 2009 to 2011 to gather a significant number of negative and positive CG flashes. This work provided data on a total of 1792 CG lightning flashes (1685 negative and 107 positive ones) from a total of 53 thunderstorms by monitoring both the slow and the fast electric field and the narrowband radiation field at 3 and 30 MHz signals simultaneously. This thesis is comprised of: (i) the relationship of the Low Positive Charge Region (LPCR) and Preliminary Breakdown Pulse (PBP) trains to the occurrence of negative CG, (ii) slow field changes generated by preliminary breakdown processes in positive and negative ground flashes, and (iii) the occurrence of positive and negative ground flashes. It was revealed that the PBP train appeared have a higher strength in the in Sweden. The strength of the PBP train was caused by the LPCR; in contrast,  weak PBP trains were characteristic in tropical countries constituting insignificant LPCR and needing little energy to break the “blocking” agent to allow the flash to propagate downward to the ground. The second contribution concerns the characteristics of the PBP train mentioned; this includes novel information for Malaysia. Further, it is stated that there are some different characteristics in the PBP trains in Johor, Malaysia and Florida, USA. The studies of slow field changes generated by preliminary breakdown processes clarifies unclear features concerning the starting position of slow field changes generated by preliminary breakdown processes in positive and negative ground flashes. It was found that the slow field changes did not occur before the initial process of the commencement of preliminary breakdown. Single-station electric field measurements incorporating narrowband radiation field measurement and high resolution transient recording (12 bits) with an accuracy of several nanoseconds, allows one to distinguish between the intracloud activities and the preceding processes of ground flashes. The results for the interstroke intervals, amplitude distribution of subsequent return-stroke (SRS) and the number of strokes per flash in the tropics, subtropics and northern regions were similar. Finally, a significant number of positive return-stroke (RS) electric fields provided statistically significant information on the characteristics of these strokes.