Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Situation Awareness in a Virtual Environment: Description of a Subjective Assessment Scale

Abstract : The Mission Awareness Rating Scale (MARS), a subjective situation awareness (SA) rating scale designed to assess SA content and SA workload, was tested in a series of virtual environment exercises. Sixteen enlisted soldiers, working in teams of four soldiers each, completed four urban combat missions in a virtual night environment designed to simulate the experience of working with night vision goggles - NVG (PVS-7Bs) and aiming lights. In each scenario, a different approach for simulating this NVG environment was used. After each scenario was completed, each soldier completed the MARS instrument. This yielded estimates of the SA level and workload involved in four dimensions of SA - perception, understanding, projection, and knowing what decision to make. The results indicated that MARS significantly and rebustly discriminated among the different approaches, and these SA estimates were congruent with general estimates of SA content and workload while operating at night in the real world, and with the soldier's subjective rankings of the four simulated NVG environments. While promising, MARS must be validated against objective SA measures, both in the virtual environment and in the field environment. However, MARS seems to hold premise as a relatively unobtrusive and effective SA measure.
Discovering Ferro- and Piezoelectricity in Lead-Free Oxyhydrides Ln2H4O (Ln = Y, La)

One of the most significant aspects of crystal chemistry of multianionic oxyhydrides is the possibility of flexible regulation of the composition-structure-function relationships. In the context of competitive coordinations of different anions in the crystal lattice, this may afford formation of a number of stable stoichiometric phases without inversion symmetry. In the present work, we demonstrated that semiconducting yttrium and lantanium oxyhydrides with the composition Ln2H4O (Ln=Y, La) have an attractive potential for the design of novel lead-free ferro- and piezoelectric systems. By means of advanced DFT-based computational simulations we predicted that several polar monoclinic and orthorhombic phases of Ln2H4O may exhibit exceptional ferro- and piezoelectric properties as well as electromechanical coupling characteristics that are especially suitable for the piezoelectric devices working in a shear mode. Structure-dependent theoretical evaluations of the relevant physical responses demonstrated estimates of ferro- and piezoelectric characteristics that are comparable with the specifications of advanced ferroelectric solid solutions. Thus, our prediction of lead-free piezoelectric systems forms a solid and technologically reliable basis for the future development of effective and non-hazardous materials.
Biological Network Approach for the Identification of Regulatory Long Non-Coding RNAs Associated With Metabolic Efficiency in Cattle

Background: Genomic regions associated with divergent livestock feed efficiency have been found predominantly outside protein coding sequences. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) can modulate chromatin accessibility, gene expression and act as important metabolic regulators in mammals. By integrating phenotypic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic data with quantitative trait locus data in prioritizing co-expression network analyses, we aimed to identify and functionally characterize lncRNAs with a potential key regulatory role in metabolic efficiency in cattle. Materials and Methods: Crossbred animals (n = 48) of a Charolais x Holstein F2-population were allocated to groups of high or low metabolic efficiency based on residual feed intake in bulls, energy corrected milk in cows and intramuscular fat content in both genders. Tissue samples from jejunum, liver, skeletal muscle and rumen were subjected to global transcriptomic analysis via stranded total RNA sequencing (RNAseq) and blood plasma samples were used for profiling of 640 metabolites. To identify lncRNAs within the indicated tissues, a project-specific transcriptome annotation was established. Subsequently, novel transcripts were categorized for potential lncRNA status, yielding a total of 7,646 predicted lncRNA transcripts belonging to 3,287 loci. A regulatory impact factor approach highlighted 92, 55, 35, and 73 lncRNAs in jejunum, liver, muscle, and rumen, respectively. Their ensuing high regulatory impact factor scores indicated a potential regulatory key function in a gene set comprising loci displaying differential expression, tissue specificity and loci overlapping with quantitative trait locus regions for residual feed intake or milk production. These were subjected to a partial correlation and information theory analysis with the prioritized gene set. Results and Conclusions: Independent, significant and group-specific correlations (|r| > 0.8) were used to build a network for the high and the low metabolic efficiency group resulting in 1,522 and 1,732 nodes, respectively. Eight lncRNAs displayed a particularly high connectivity (>100 nodes). Metabolites and genes from the partial correlation and information theory networks, which each correlated significantly with the respective lncRNA, were included in an enrichment analysis indicating distinct affected pathways for the eight lncRNAs. LncRNAs associated with metabolic efficiency were classified to be functionally involved in hepatic amino acid metabolism and protein synthesis and in calcium signaling and neuronal nitric oxide synthase signaling in skeletal muscle cells.
A study on the application of contemporary visual art into flagship stores of luxury fashion brands

Luxury fashion brands face a new challenge as to how to sustain brand growth while maintaining the exclusivity of brands due to the democratisation of the luxury phenomenon which is mainly driven by the emergence of ‘new luxury’ and changes of consumption style ‘trading up’. Luxury consumers are becoming disillusioned with the vulgarisation of luxury goods and prefer exclusive luxurious experiences. In order to keep pace with the changes in luxury consumer needs and promote an image with creative and luxurious connotations, luxury brands increasingly associate with contemporary visual art through diverse kinds of channels. Among the channels, great attention has been given to contemporary visual art exhibitions within a flagship store due to its benefits: geographical location, cutting investment cost and offering direct art experience to consumers. However, there is no theoretical research investigating the main points to be considered in applying contemporary visual art exhibitions to flagship stores of luxury fashion brands. Moreover, there is a need for a systematic approach in applying contemporary visual art exhibitions to flagship stores of luxury fashion brands as relying mainly on a designer’s intuition might pose a problem: delivering different messages from those intended. Through the research, four main propositions were identified which need to be considered when luxury fashion brands apply contemporary visual art exhibitions to their flagship stores: 1) brand communication with consumers, 2) the fit between brand identity and that of an artist, 3) consumers’ value/benefits in the way that enhance consumers’ aesthetic experience of art and 4) artists’ value/benefits. Models including a conceptual model and a design tool kit were developed and tested with experts in this field. The proposed models are decision supporting tools which provide a comprehensive overview regarding the main points to be considered as well as support finding a high fit artist to brand identity. They offer advantages as follows: 1) the conceptual framework improves understanding of the needs/values of the three main stake holders such as luxury fashion brands, consumers and artists for this practice and provides an insight into how to address them in applying contemporary visual art exhibitions to flagship stores of luxury fashion brands 2) the tool kit assists in making a decision when selecting artists or artworks and offers benefits to all the stake holders: 1) luxury brand value by managing their touch points effectively that ultimately lead to enhancing brand communication, 2) consumer value by preventing confusion caused by disharmonious messages from all the touch points within flagship stores, and 3) artist value by finding a matched brand for synergy between brands and artists.
Efficacy of different brands of penicillin-streptomycin against Staphylococcus aureus: the clinicians’ myths and the realities

Background Antibiotics must be safe, effective and have acceptable quality to use in both human and veterinary medicine. A cross-sectional study was conducted with the aim of evaluating in vitro efficacy of three brands of penicillin-streptomycin (penstrep) against Staphylococcus aureus isolated from dairy cow milk in Sebeta and Bishoftu, Ethiopia. A standardized questionnaire was also used to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of veterinarians about brand antibiotics prescribing in dairy farms in the study area. Results A total of 43 S. aureus were isolated from 23 dairy farms. Thirty-three (81.4%) and 10 (23.3%) isolates were susceptible to brand A and intermediate susceptible to brand B, respectively, whereas only one isolate (2.3%) was intermediate susceptible to brand C. The isolates were also tested against the standard discs of penicillin and streptomycin, and the results showed that 42 (97.7%) and 27 (62.8%) of S. aureus were resistant, respectively. The KAP assessment showed penstrep was the most prescribed antibiotic in the dairy farms in the study area, followed by oxytetracycline and sulfa drugs. All veterinarians (100%, 30) agreed that antibiotics imported from Western countries perceived as having higher efficacy than those imported from eastern countries. Similarly, they preferred to use brand A, claiming better clinical improvements compared to the other two brands. The majority (86.7%) and more than half (53.3%) of the respondents agreed on the perception of overuse of antibiotics in veterinary clinics and dairy farms, respectively. Conclusions Penstrep Brand A has had better in vitro efficacy, while brands B and C have not been effective against S. aureus isolates. Moreover, this study revealed that a fixed combination dosage form of penicillin and streptomycin in brand A showed better efficacy towards S. aureus isolates compared to penicillin or streptomycin alone. The perception of the veterinarian about these brands agrees with the in-vitro antibacterial efficacy evaluation. The findings suggest that ineffective brands of penstrep are circulating in the local market, which constitute a potential danger to both human and animal health. Our findings warrant the need for stringent regulation and quality assessment criteria for imported veterinary antimicrobials.
Detection of Toxoplasma gondii among Healthy Populations by Different Techniques in Erbil Province

Toxoplasma gondii causes the foremost widespread protozoan infection with a broad variety of host range. Toxoplasmosis in Immunocompetent person is usually asymptomatic but severe complications might occur in immunocompromised persons and life threatening congenital infections can develop during pregnancy. This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of T. gondii among healthy populations in Erbil City. A total of 167 healthy participants were examined for the detection of T. gondii in Erbil City from November 2017 to January 2018 by using Latex agglutination test and ELFA-IgM and IgG. For collecting full information about the participants, a special questionnaire sheet was prepared and data were analyzed using SPSS software version 21. Out of 167 samples examined 41(24.6%) were positive by LAT, 14(8.4%) were positive for IgG by MiniVidas and 26(15.6%) were positive for IgM by Mini-Vidas. The prevalence rate of toxoplasmosis among females was (25.6%) which was higher than that seen among males (23.5%) but statistically insignificant. High seropositivity (28.2%) was observed in age group 11-20. Those who had contact with cats showed high percentage (25.7%) of infection, also in rural residents seropositivity was higher (30.8%) than urban residents (22.7%). No significant differences were observed between those who consumed and non-consumed fast food. Our study concluded that to reduce risk of toxoplasma infection in our community, it should avoidance direct contact with cat and soil, or consumes fast food, poultry or ordinary farm meat without sufficient cooking.
Little Bets: How Breakthrough Ideas Emerge from Small Discoveries

How can errors produce perfection? How can failure fuel ambition? How can confusion enhance creativity? The answer: little bets. The little bets approach is about using negativity to positive effect. If your plans fall apart, refine them; if you don't know where best to begin, just begin somewhere. Every decision is a risk: take a chance and see what happens. In "Little Bets", bestselling author Peter Sims turns problems on their heads and outlines a counter-intuitive path to perfection. Using real-life case studies from the worlds of business, design, warfare and even comedy, he shows that it can be more rational to act first and think later, more efficient to fail and find out what doesn't work. It's a flexible philosophy that has both saved corporate giants such as Apple and Pixar and inspired the third-world microfinancing industry. When success is the only acceptable outcome, "Little Bets" advocates a bold and radical approach in which failure is good, questions are solutions, and excellence is not a means but an end.
CAD OF MICROWAVE OPTICAL SYSTEMS FOR TIME&FREQUENCY APPLICATIONS

Optical devices are more and more involved in time and frequency applications. They may be used for frequency reference signal distribution in a system, taking benefit of the low losses of the optical fibers, and of their small size and their immunity to electrical parasitic signals. They may also be used to realize high quality resonators and delay lines, leading to equivalent Q factors which are difficult to reach with classical RF or microwave techniques. It is important to be able to compute microwave-optical links and systems. Specially, phase noise system. This paper gives an overview of various approaches which can be used to describe an optical device with an equivalent electrical circuit, or simply with a mathematical model, and to include this model in the chosen CAD tool. We have worked with Agilent ADS microwave simulation software.
Not Rocket Science: Problem-solving and Crime Reduction

The Policing and Reducing Crime Unit (PRCU) is based in the Research, Development and Statistics (RDS) Directorate of the Home Office. The Unit carries out and commissions social and management science research on policing and crime reduction, to support Home Office aims and develop evidence-based policy and practice. The Crime Reduction Research Series presents research findings and guidance material relevant to practitioners involved in crime reduction at the local level, and particularly the local crime and disorder partnerships. The series will include work funded under the Government's Crime Reduction Programme as well as other relevant RDS work. Details of how to obtain further copies of this report can be found on the back cover. " The views expressed in this report are those of the author, not necessarily those of the Home Office (nor do they reflect Government policy). " Copies of this publication can be made available in formats accessible to the visually impaired on request. This report describes the findings from research on problem-solving undertaken by staff from the Home Office Policing and Reducing Crime Unit. The work was undertaken in parallel with Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary's thematic inspection into crime and disorder and crime reduction ('Calling Time on Crime'). The report indicates that, despite widespread support from the police for the concept, high quality problem-solving is still rare in police forces today. Based on an analysis of questionnaires about problem-solving initiatives received from all forces in England and Wales and visits to eight forces, the report identifies the factors that militate for and against the successful adoption of problem-solving. It also provides forces with a useful 'checklist' against which to measure their problem-solving performance. Foreword This work was undertaken at the invitation of Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary. We are grateful for the opportunity provided to take part in the inspection and to look specifically at problem-solving. There were three inspection teams working in parallel, led by Steve Brookes, Charles Nelson and Stuart Kirby. We thank them for their efforts to negotiate our access to a wide range of personnel in the forces visited. We appreciate also the efforts of liaison officers in forces to meet our initial requests for meetings and for their help in making additional arrangements whilst we were with them. We are indebted to the many respondents who talked to us in the course of the inspection on which this report is …
MODELING OF A COMBINED HEAT AND POWER UNIT AND EVALUATION OF SYSTEM PERFORMANCE IN BUILDING APPLICATIONS

Title of Document: MODELING OF A COMBINED HEAT AND POWER UNIT AND EVALUATION OF SYSTEM PERFORMANCE IN BUILDING APPLICATIONS John Bush, Masters of Science, 2010 Directed By: Dr. Reinhard Radermacher, Mechanical Engineering This thesis presents a validated model of a 4 kilowatt combined heat and power (CHP) system derived from laboratory experiments. The model is tuned to match steady state experimental tests, and validated with transient experimental results. Further simulations are performed using a modeled thermal storage system, and implementing the CHP system into a building model to evaluate the feasibility of CHP in the mid-Atlantic region, as well as the Great Lakes region. The transient simulation outputs are within 4.8% of experimental results for identical load profiles for a simulated summer week, and within 2.2% for a spring or autumn week. When integrated with a building model, the results show 23.5% cost savings on energy in the mid-Atlantic region, and 29.7% savings in the Great Lakes region. MODELING OF COMBINED HEAT AND POWER UNIT AND EVALUATION OF SYSTEM PERFORMANCE IN BUILDING APPLICATIONS
Quality of Information Assurance - Assessment, Management and Use (QIAAMU)

Abstract : This project aims to demonstrate the feasibility of run-time mission-oriented assessment of assurance and tradeoff in a distributed system. Distributed mission support systems today incorporate various QoS and security mechanisms, but there is no clear way to judge whether the system is delivering QoS and security assurance at the level needed for mission success. Security is treated as an all or nothing quality--which leads to missed opportunities as well as undue risk taking. Measuring security is difficult. QIAAMU took an approach similar to QoS management where assurance is measured against requirements specified by mission stakeholders. This approach enables us to treat QoS and security in a uniform way as well as consider QoS-Security tradeoffs when the system fails to deliver QoS and Security at the required level. Starting with the metrics to observe and measure, this project developed a foundation for run time assessment and tradeoff including an assessment scheme, an innovative distributed tradeoff algorithm and usability support, and instantiated the assessment and tradeoff framework within a security architecture, which underwent a final demonstration and evaluation phase in December 2012. This report is the final technical report for the QIAAMU project and describes the research, development, and evaluation results from the project.
Modeling, analysis and control of voltage-source converter in microgrids and hvdc

The objective of this dissertation is to carry out dynamic modeling, analysis and control for Voltage-Source Converters (VSC). Two major applications of VSC will be investigated in this dissertation: microgrid application and High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) application. In microgrid applications, VSC is used to integrate distributed energy sources such as battery and provide system functions: such as real and reactive power regulation, voltage and frequency support during islanding condition, and abnormal system condition mitigation. In HVDC applications, VSC is used to interconnect dc systems with ac systems. The functions supplied by VSC are similar to that in microgrids. However, the transfer capability and stability in such kind of system are of major interests. Therefore, Part I of this dissertation focuses on VSC’s applications in microgrids. A battery’s inverter can be operated in both grid-connected PQ regulation mode and voltage and frequency support mode during islanding condition. Transition scheme between these two control modes is firstly investigated to guarantee a smooth dynamic performance. Secondly, a coordinated control strategy between battery’s and PV station’s VSCs is developed to improve microgrid’s power flow. Thirdly, power quality improvement through the battery’s inverter is investigated. VSC’s control and capability for microgrid operation at normal, transient, and abnormal conditions will be modeled and analyzed. Part II of this dissertation focuses on VSC’s applications in HVDC. The following topics are investigated in this dissertation: (i) how to design VSC-HVDC’s controller using system identification method? (ii) How to coordinate VSCs in multi-terminal HVDC scenarios? And (iii) how to determine VSC-HVDC system’s transfer capability based on stability limits? High-fidelity simulation technology is employed to tackle control validation while frequency domain impedance modeling technique is employed to develop analytical models for the systems. With linear system analysis