Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sensitive skin for robotics

This thesis explores two novel ways of reducing the data complexity of tactile sensing. The thesis begins by examining the state-of-the art in tactile sensing, not only examining the sensor construction and interpretation of data but also the motivation for these designs. The thesis then proposes two methods for reducing the complexity of data in tactile sensing. The first is a low-power tactile sensing array exploiting a novel application of a pressure-sensitive material called quantum tunnelling composite. The properties of this material in this array form are shown to be beneficial in robotics. The electrical characteristics of the material are also explored. A bit-based structure for representing tactile data called Bitworld is then defined and its computational performance is characterised. It is shown that this bit-based structure outperforms floating-point arrays by orders of magnitude. This structure is then shown to allow high-resolution images to be produced by combining low resolution sensor arrays with equivalent functional performance to a floating-point array, but with the advantages of computational efficiency. Finally, an investigation into making Bitworld robust in the presence of positional noise is described with simulations to verify that such robustness can be achieved. Overall, the sensor and data structure described in this thesis allow simple, but effective tactile systems to be deployed in robotics without requiring a significant commitment of computational or power resources on the part of a robot designer.
Fleet selection for earthmoving operations using queueing method

This research concentrates on presenting a methodology for equipment fleet selection for earthmoving operations. The methodology is incorporated in a developed computer module " FLSELECTOR ", Fleet SELECTOR, capable of assisting the users in making management decisions required for earthmoving operations, such as determining the size and number of trucks and excavators, haul road lengths and surface conditions, etc. These decisions are based on the calculated output for all feasible fleets. Mathematical solutions of queuing models that apply to excavation work were derived and coded using commercially available tools, Microsoft Excel 2000 and Visual Basic for Application (VBA), a subset of the popular application development language, Visual Basic. Two case studies, an actual project and a hypothetical case, are presented in order to illustrate the effectiveness and performance of the proposed model with a comparison of the results with deterministic and simulation methods.
On the Higher-Order Static Polarizabilities and Dispersion Coefficients of the Fullerenes: An Ab Initio Study

In this work, we used finite-field derivative techniques and density functional theory (DFT) to compute the static isotropic polarizability series (i.e., dipole, quadrupole, and octupole ) for the C60-C84 fullerenes and quantitatively assess the intrinsic non-additivity in these fundamental response properties. Critical analysis of the derived effective scaling laws provides new insight into how the electronic structure of finite-sized fullerenes---a unique dichotomy of electron confinement and delocalization effects due to their quasi-spherical cage-like structures and encapsulated void spaces---simultaneously limits and enhances their quantum mechanical response to electric field perturbations. Corresponding molecular dispersion coefficients needed to describe the non-trivial van der Waals (vdW) interactions in fullerene-based systems were obtained by inputting the polarizabilities into the hollow sphere model within the modified single-frequency approximation. Using first-order perturbation theory in conjunction with >140,000 DFT calculations, we also computed the non-negligible zero-point vibrational contributions (zpvc) to the dipole polarizability in C60 and C70, thereby enabling direct comparison between theory and experiment for these quintessential nanostructures.
The social context of crack using careers : an ethnographic study in London

Despite over two decades of crack use in the UK, there is little UK-focused research and little understanding of crack careers, the social context of crack use and health-related risks. This is of concern because research in the UK suggests that service provision for crack users is inadequate. Research also suggests that there are high attrition rates of crack users in drug support services. Based on ethnographic data collected in 2004/2005, this thesis examine how crack cocaine users start using crack, what happens over time, and where they end up as a consequence - the crack scene. Many become mistrustful because of the manipulative and violent interactions that take place in these spaces. This is not helped when crack users reflect on past mistakes, which only results in increased crack use. As practical and health issues become too problematic, ways out, too, become more difficult. In addition, many find it difficult to place trust in drug support services because of negative past experiences, and feel ashamed about past failures in treatment. Taken together, the thesis shows how this is not helped by aggressive social policies, law enforcement and the configuration of drug support services.
Behaviour of Solani sand under monotonic and cyclic loading: experiments and finite element simulations

ABSTRACT This study presents the comparison of soil behaviour under undrained monotonic and cyclic loading for both dry and saturated conditions. An experimental study has been carried out on cyclic triaxial for medium dense Solani sand. These experimental evaluations are numerically simulated using finite element software PLAXIS-3D for similar properties of Solani sand. Before this, some of the results presented are verified by comparing with those published in literature. The validations have been done both for laboratory tests and numerical simulations for monotonic and cyclic loadings. Since, tests were carried out under undrained condition, major focus of study are on pore pressure generation for saturated samples and on particle re-arrangement for dry samples. The novelty of the paper lies in the finding that the behaviour of sandy soil in saturated state is different under monotonic and cyclic loadings.
Factors influencing Adolescent Attitudes towards HIV/AIDS Prevention In Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

Background and objective: In 2015, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) was the eighth leading cause of death among adolescents worldwide. A third of them were infected during the adolescence period. Without investing in adolescent health and well-being, the current global target of ending HIV as a public health threat by 2030 may not be realized. HIV prevention in adolescents is particularly important as it not only benefits then now, but also as future adults as well as future generations. Attitude is one indicator of a person's behavior or action. However, little is known about the factors that influence adolescent’s attitudes towards prevention of HIV/AIDS. The aim of this study was to establish the determinants of adolescents’ attitude towards prevention of HIV AIDS among adolescents. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among 370 high school students in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS and involved univariate and multivariate analysis. Results: The internet and television were the major sources of information on reproductive health and HIV among the adolescents (98.9%) and (98.4%) respectively. The significant determinants of adolescents attitude towards HIV/AIDS prevention were the level of knowledge (p = 0.028) and self-efficacy (p = 0.034). Multivariate analysis showed that those respondents with positive self-efficacy were 1.6 times more likely to have a positive attitude towards HIV/AIDS prevention than those who had a negative self-efficacy. Programs which target mass media strategy for prevention can leverage the television and internet. Stakeholders can target on interventions that can improve adolescent’s self-efficacy so as to achieve HIV prevention goals. Keywords: Self-efficacy, Prevention of HIV/AIDS, Adolescents, Attitudes, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
Implementing Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning (SEAL) in Secondary Schools in England: Issues and Implications

Implementing Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning (SEAL) in Secondary Schools in England: Issues and Implications The Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning (SEAL) initiative for secondary schools was launched in England in 2007 as part of the Secondary National Strategy for School Improvement. Designed as a universal, whole-school approach for the development of key social and emotional skills, SEAL was expected to improve behaviour, attendance, attainment and the emotional health and well-being of all members of the school community (DfES, 2007a). Research studies examining the implementation of school-based interventions have revealed, however, that they are rarely implemented as intended by the programme developers (Berman and McLaughlin, 1976) and that this is likely to negatively impact upon the achievement of the expected outcomes (Durlak and DuPre, 2008). Implementation is typically variable between settings due to local adaptations or modifications (Blakely et al, 1987) and challenges to implementation at a range of levels, including programme, classroom and school (Greenberg et al, 2005). This longitudinal study examined the processes of implementation of SEAL in five case study schools in the north-west of England. The primary aims were to: (i) identify both positive and negative factors affecting implementation so that any necessary improvements to SEAL may be made prior to its broader dissemination; (ii) support future practitioners in the implementation of SEAL by highlighting effective strategies and potential challenges; (iii) expand understanding of the processes of implementation of school-based interventions in English educational contexts.Schools were visited five times during the first two years of the implementation of SEAL; lessons were observed, relevant documents reviewed and interviews conducted with a range of staff, pupils and Local Education Authority representatives. Data was analysed thematically using a combination of a priori and emergent themes. As anticipated, implementation was variable between schools; this was in the detail of implementation, however, and broader convergences were seen in the barriers presented and the non-implementation of key processes and elements. None of the schools were able to fully implement SEAL. Challenges to implementation were identified at all levels examined (programme, classroom and school) and included programme characteristics, staff resistance, insufficient training, lack of time and competing initiatives. The interaction of negative and positive factors both within and between levels suggested, however, that no one factor may be considered dominant.This study concluded that until programme level issues and shared contextual factors such as initiative overload are addressed, then the full implementation of SEAL in secondary schools is unlikely to be achieved. The University of Manchester 2010 Ann Lendrum PhD Education
Exergy analysis of offshore oil and gas processing

Abstract Exergy-based efficiencies are measures of the thermodynamic perfection of systems and processes. A meaningful formulation of these performance criteria for petroleum systems is difficult because of (i) the high chemical exergy of hydrocarbons, (ii) the large variety of chemical components, and (iii) the differences in operating conditions between facilities. This work focuses on offshore processing plants, considering four oil platforms that differ by their working conditions and designs. Several approaches from the scientific literature for similar processes are presented and applied to the four cases. They showed a low sensitivity to performance improvements, gave inconsistent results, or favoured facilities operating under certain conditions. We suggest an alternative formulation, called the component-by-component exergy efficiency, which builds on the decomposition of the exergy flows at the level of the chemical compounds. It allows therefore for sound comparisons of separation systems, while it successfully evaluates their theoretical improvement potentials. The platform displaying the lowest efficiency (1.7%) is characterised by little pumping and compression works, at the opposite of the one displaying the highest performance (29.6%). A more realistic measure of the technical potential for improving these systems can be carried out by splitting further the exergy destruction into its avoidable and unavoidable parts.
Model Predictive Control System Design and Implementation Using MATLAB

Model Predictive Control (MPC) is unusual in receiving on-going interest in both industrial and academic circles. Issues such as plant optimization and constrained control which are critical to industrial engineers are naturally embedded in its designs. Model Predictive Control System Design and Implementation Using MATLAB proposes methods for design and implementation of MPC systems using basis functions that confer the following advantages: continuous- and discrete-time MPC problems solved in similar design frameworks; a parsimonious parametric representation of the control trajectory gives rise to computationally efficient algorithms and better on-line performance; and a more general discrete-time representation of MPC design that becomes identical to the traditional approach for an appropriate choice of parameters. After the theoretical presentation, detailed coverage is given to three industrial applications: a food extruder, a motor and a magnetic bearing system. The subject of quadratic programming, often associated with the core optimization algorithms of MPC is also introduced and explained. The technical contents of this book, mainly based on advances in MPC using state-space models and basis functions to which the author is a major contributor, will be of interest to control researchers and practitioners, especially of process control. From a pedagogical standpoint, this volume includes numerous simple analytical examples and every chapter contains problems and MATLAB programs and exercises to assist the student.
A Method for Improving Tasks on Performance Assessments through Field Testing.

One aspect of the development of a performance assessment is addressed--the field testing of the tasks. In a performance-based assessment, the tasks must a:flow each examinee a fair and equal opportunity to give the best possible demonstration of his or her ability, and must elicit a performance sample that enables scorers to evaluate each examinee adequately. A method of field testing is proposed that collects information via two supplemental instruments administered during the field test: (1) on t-ompleted by examinees; and (2) one completed by the field test raters. Each instrument produces quantitative data via machine-readable response forms and qualitative data via written comments. The method is illustrated by field testing four parallel forms in French and Spanish of the Texas Oral Proficiency Test, a performance-based assessment for certification of Spanish, French, and bilingual education teachers in Texas. The field test involved 1C0 examinees and eight raters. The use of the two instruments during field testing allows both examineer and raters to identify poorly functioning items on a performance-based assessment. This method, which encourages examinees and raters to provioe focused written feedback, enables both to be involved in test development and improvement. Three tables present data, and an appendix provides the supplemental data collection forms. (SLD) *************r**************************************************** ***** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. * A Method for Improving Tasks on Performance Assessments through Field Testing U Et DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ONIc ot Educatronet Research end Improvement EDUCAnONAL RESOURCES thFORMATION CENTER tERIC) (91'his document has been reproduced as tecerved from the penal cyr erg/maroon oripnatino r who, Changes have Men made to enemy, reProduetreer gusto, Pants ot rata or (morons stereo 40 this decumere do net necessanty represent Ohne! OERI poart.on O polity "PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY kietitiA.D KR TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC). "
WHY USE A COMPLICATED ACCIDENT PREDICTION MODEL WHEN A SIMPLE ONE IS JUST AS GOOD

This paper discusses accident prediction models, which express the expected number of injury accidents, on a road section or at a junction, as a function of the traffic and road characteristics there. The authors developed such models for two main reasons: (1) estimating the expected number of accidents more accurately than by counting only accidents reported by the police; and (2) gaining more insight into the relationships between traffic and road conditions and the number of accidents. The models were applied to Finnish data, and can be set up quite easily for rural roads, using data on accidents, roads and traffic. These data were not sufficient to allow accident models to be developed for urban streets. All the models were developed for homogeneous road sections, using generalised linear modelling techniques and the GLIM software. Some comparisons were made between different models, to test their strengths and weaknesses, and testing how well they fitted with accident data in the same year or in different years. Data are presented from the comparison of four different accident models. It was found that quite simple models adequately estimated expected numbers of accidents on a specific road section. For the covering abstract see IRRD 870107.
Platform planning and design for rail rolling stock: An exploratory study of platform development within Bombardier Transportation

As an answer to the challenge for managing the complexity whilst offering greater product variety to customers, companies in different industrial environments are considering platform-based development of new products. Platform-based development relies on the sharing of modules, interfaces and product architectures across a family of products. Platform potentials can be identified for different industries and businesses. However the most existing research is not targeted at the operational management level of product executor and mainly addresses the problem from the perspective of consumer goods. Prior literature does investigate platform potentials for complex product and systems but usually does not provide a holistic approach that can be operationally applied to develop platforms in complex environments such as the railway industry. Hence, the literature that applies platform concepts and development methods to capital-intensive products and complex systems is still scarce and fragmented. This research focuses on rail rolling stock. Thanks to a multiple case study within different platform-based projects developed at Bombardier Transportation, the research seeks to define platform planning and design characteristics and provide a systematic methodology tailored to rolling stock.
Influence of Cr2O3 on Catalytic Performance of MXOY(M=Cu, Ni, Ce)/Al2O3-ZrO2 for Methane Combustion

High activity at low temperature and good stability at high temperature, the main characteristics of excellent catalysts, are incompatible for general methane combustion catalyst. This study investigated the effect of Cr2O3 on catalytic performance of MXOY(M=Cu, Ni, Ce)/Al2O3-ZrO2 catalysts for methane combustion and evaluated the catalytic activity to obtain methane combustion catalysts with high activity at low temperature and good stability at high temperature. Finally, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used. Results demonstrate that CuO/Cr2O3-ZrO2-Al2O3 catalyst has the highest activity. However, compared with CuO/ZrO2Al2O3, the modification effect of Cr2O3 is not evident. When M = Ni, the effect of Cr2O3 is the most evident; its T10% is 357 °C and △T50% is 41 °C. This finding indicates that NiO/Cr2O3-ZrO2-Al2O3 catalyst has high catalytic activity and good thermal stability. After aging at 1000 °C, the specific surface area of NiO/Cr2O3-ZrO2-Al2O3 catalyst is up to 62.33m2. g-1. SEM results showed no evident agglomeration phenomenon. After multiple activity evaluations, the catalyst has good catalytic activity and thermal stability; its T10% is approximately 400 °C and △T50% is approximately 10 °C. This study provides a reference for finding methane combustion catalysts with high activity at low temperature and excellent thermal stability at high temperature.
Anthropometric Survey of U.S. Army Personnel: Summary Statistics, Interim Report for 1988

Abstract : Results of the 1987-1988 anthropometric survey of Army personnel are presented in this reported in the form of summary statistics and percentile data. These anthropometric data are presented for a subset of personnel (1774 men and 2208 women) sampled to match the proportions of age categories and racial/ethnic groups found in the active duty Army of June, 1988. Dimensions included in this report include 132 standard measurements made in the course of the survey, 60 derived dimensions calculated largely by adding and subtracting standard measurement data, and 48 head and face dimensions reported in traditional linear terms but collected by means of an automated headboard designed to obtain three-dimensional data. Measurement descriptions, visual indices, and a glossary of terms are included to help identify and locate dimensions. Keywords: Anthropometry, Anthropometric survey, Anthropometric data, Human body size, Measurements, Dimensions, Men, Women, Army(Personnel).