Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Robotic Manipulators in Horticulture: A Review

Abstract This paper covers the use of jointed manipulators in handling biological materials within the horticultural industry. Potential applications are reviewed by looking at previous research work and the scope for future development based on economic as well as technical considerations. It is concluded that applications with long seasons are the most viable, with flexibility of use between tasks an important consideration for applications with short seasons. A general specification highlighting the differences between horticultural and manufacturing industry requirements has been derived and some engineering proposals put forward to meet it. The use of computer vision is thought to be the best choice of primary sensor system. A geometrical layout which allows the manipulator to approach the target along a "line of sight" is favoured, as it simplifies collision avoidance in an unstructured environment and might allow recalibration of manipulator position during extension. Pneumatic actuators are thought to offer many advantages over electric or hydraulic drives provided that adequate dynamic control can be achieved. It is concluded that the generic differences in specification between industrial and horticultural manipulators provide an opportunity to take a new approach in manipulator design. In order to provide the analytical tools necessary for this new approach further research is needed in the interrelated areas of actuator choice, geometrical configuration and control strategy.
For Inspiration Only; Designer interaction with informal collections of visual material

Designers surround themselves with visual material as a source of inspiration. The images are used in collages and moodboards to define and communicate the direction of a design project at an early stage of the design process. This thesis describes how designers interact with their collections of visual material and how new tools can support this interaction. During the research two field studies were conducted and several working prototypes were built. During the field studies and from theory it was found that the activity of collecting and organizing is in itself a creative act. Furthermore, in practice the designers were found to keep two separate collections. A physicial collection of snippets, photos and advertisements that are gathered, shared and organized as a collection and another goal-oriented collection of digital images on computers, cd-roms and internet, which are used to find images to be used in collages or moodboards. The final prototype in the research, called Cabinet, is a tool that brings these two collections together, allowing the designers to interact with physical and digital visual material equally and simultaneously. Cabinet does this by providing a physical interaction with digital images using direct manipulation on a large table surface using expressive gestures. Furthermore with Cabinet designers can easily and fluently add physical material to their collections, using a camera that records visual material placed on the table. The working prototype of Cabinet was used as an apparatus in the final field study, in which three designers at three design agencies used Cabinet for a period of four weeks in their regular work practice. During this experiment Cabinet was both evaluated and used as a means to get insights into how designers interact with visual material.
Assessment of Image Quality of Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography in Obese Patients by Comparing Deep Learning Image Reconstruction With Adaptive Statistical Iterative Reconstruction Veo

Objective The aim of the study was to evaluate the image quality of coronary computed tomography (CT) angiography (CCTA) in obese patients by using deep learning image reconstruction (DLIR) in comparison with adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction Veo (ASiR-V). Methods We prospectively evaluated 60 obese patients (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 30 kg/m2) who underwent coronary CT angiography in a single center. All CT scans were performed with GE Revolution 256-row CT at 120 kV (group A; 20 men, 10 women; mean age = 54.3 years; mean BMI = 33.4 kg/m2) or 100 kV (group B; 18 men; 12 women; mean age = 56.8 years; mean BMI = 32.9 kg/m2). Images in group A were reconstructed using ASiR-V, whereas images in group B were reconstructed using ASiR-V, DLIR-medium (DLIR-M), and DLIR-high (DLIR-H). Three blinded independent readers assessed the subjective image quality and measured the objective image quality. Radiation dose estimates were calculated and compared between patients by using 0.014 and 0.026 mSv·mGy−1 cm−1 corresponding to chest and heart conversion coefficients, respectively. Results The subjective score was significantly higher for images reconstructed using 120-kV ASiR-V (3.8), DLIR-M (3.9), and DLIR-H (4.0) compared with those reconstructed using 100-kV ASiR-V (3.5). Image noise was significantly lower in images reconstructed using DLIR-H compared with those reconstructed using other reconstruction algorithm (P < 0.001, respectively). The contrast-to-noise ratio was significantly higher in the DLIR-H group than in the groups using other reconstruction algorithm (P < 0.001). The effective radiation dose was significantly lower in group B than in group A (P < 0.001). Conclusions Compared with ASiR-V, DLIR improved image quality in obese individuals without comprising image quality or increasing the radiation dose.
Martian meteorites

Lentz R. C. F. McSween H. Y. Jr. Nazarov M. A. Taylor L. A. A Textural Consideration of Dhofar 019 with Comparisons to Other Basaltic Shergottites [#1742] Qualitative and quantitative textural analyses of Dhofar 019 suggest a closer resemblance to Zagami than to EET 79001A or DaG 476, implying similar crystallization conditions dominated the formations of the pyroxene populations of Dhofar and Zagami.
Role of loco-regional anesthesia for non-intubated video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery: A tertiary care hospital in northern Thailand

Background: A few studies have focused on the role of regional anesthesia for non-intubated thoracoscopic surgery (NIVATS) in Thailand. The purpose of the present study was to review the feasibility and safety of loco-regional anesthesia for NIVATS in a tertiary care hospital. Methods: All patients undergoing scheduled NIVATS under loco-regional anesthesia including thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA), intercostal nerve block (ICNB), thoracic paravertebral block, and local wound infiltration from 2018 to 2021 were assessed by a retrospective chart review. Sedation was performed with propofol infusion and bispectral index monitoring. Primary outcomes were the feasibility of surgery and safety related to loco-regional anesthesia techniques. Results: Twenty-three patients were included. The average age was 43 (26-59) years. The two most common regional anesthesia techniques in this study were TEA and ICNB. The most common surgical procedure was wedge resection (13 patients, 56.5%) followed by pleurectomy (5 patients, 21.7%). The overall median technical feasible scores were 3 (2-3). Intraoperative hypotension (62.5% for TEA vs 20% for ICNB) and urinary retention (25% for TEA vs 0 for ICNB) were found. Among four patients with severe cough, three patients received intrathoracic vagal block and one patient required general anesthesia due to severe hypoxemia. Patients with ICNB had a higher degree of incisional pain and a higher amount of postoperative morphine consumption. Conclusion: NIVATS under loco-regional anesthesia could be a feasible and safe technique. A further study is recommended to compare the efficacy and safety of TEA and ICNB for NIVATS.
On identification of elementary motion detectors

The classical mathematical elementary motion detector (EMD) model stimulated with sinusoidal and pulsatile input signals is treated analytically. Drifting sinusoidal gratings are often used in insect vision research, enabling direct comparison with biological data. When displayed on a cathode ray tube monitor, the sinusoidal grating is modulated by the refresh rate of the monitor. Due to the resulting pulsatile nature of the visual stimuli and the corresponding biological response, a Laguerre domain identification method for estimating the dynamics of a single EMD appears to be suitable. A pool of spatially distributed EMDs is considered as the model for the measured neural output. The weights of the contributing EMDs are evaluated by a sparse optimization method to fit the experimental data.
Optimal control of variable reluctance motor by neural network

This paper describes the problem of designing the real time optimal efficiency control of a variable reluctance motor (VRM) operating at the desired torque speed. An application of a neural network is proposed to perform optimization of the motor excitation such that the drive efficiency is maximized subject to the torque speed requirements. The most interesting feature of the proposed neuromorphic controller is the possibility of adapting computation of the optimal control in real-time for the drive system. <<ETX>>
Parameter Estimation in a Hydrostatic System Using Extended Kalman Filter

In this paper, the Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) estimation technique is applied to a novel hydrostatic actuation system referred to as the Electrohydraulic Actuator (EHA). A state space model of the EHA is developed and the effective bulk modulus is estimated in simulation. The EHA is a high performance actuation system capable of moving large loads with very high accuracy and precision. In a practical situation, this parameter is very difficult to measure directly as it depends on entrained air which cannot be known at a particular point of time. The bulk modulus is critical for system response and a low bulk modulus as a result of air in the system can seriously hinder the performance of EHA and cause safety problems.
A Resilient Fire Protection System for Software-Defined Factories

A Smart Factory exploits information and communication technologies (ICT) to improve the production process and the working environment, usually addressing safety concerns. To this concern, factory-grade fire protection systems are governed by several procedures and standards whose application often becomes definitely challenging when the factory premises are dispersed across multiple administrative domains. In such contexts, the Smart Factory approach can prove very effective in the management and coordination of the factory-level fire protection system. However, a catastrophic event may compromise the ICT infrastructure, affecting communication among factory domains and therefore its smart services. A strategy to cope with the latter may be the introduction of mechanisms to handle data analysis on-site for a prompt response while enabling seamless data distribution and processing among neighboring (federated) ICT infrastructures and emergency operators. In this work, a novel software-defined approach for the adaptive management of a Smart Factory infrastructure is proposed, centered around business logic rewiring and reconfiguration at runtime across different factory domains. Thereby, even in the case of catastrophic (e.g., potentially disruptive) events, working devices of the emergency system can go on with their operations, including transferring data to rescuers and others emergency control systems. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed software-defined factory approach, a federated fire protection system operating in an industrial setting is implemented as a case study, able to promptly react and adapt to infrastructure-critical fires and their consequences by leveraging all information and computing facilities pooled over cloud/fog/edge devices spanning the premises.
Sizing a flexible spinning reserve level with artificial neural networks

The paper presents a neural network based method to formulate an economic flexible spinning reserve strategy, so that more reserve is withheld when contingencies are likely to occur, and less reserve is kept otherwise. The method firstly employs a Kohonen neuron network (KNN) to analyse historical data, such as the hourly spinning reserve, hourly utilised spinning reserve, and the hourly demand data. This data is clustered into different groups, where they could be reserve over-held, under-held or satisfactory to different degrees. This is followed by suggestions of appropriate reserve level for each of the groups. Based on the analysis results and the suggested reserve level, the paper then trains a fuzzy neuron network to determine future spinning reserve so as to both minimise operating costs and enhance system reliability.
Numerical Analysis of Energy-Efficient Walking Gait with Flexed Knee for a Four-DOF Planar Biped Model

In this paper we solve the energy-efficient periodic gaits for a biped mechanism walking in the sagittal plane. The biped locomotion mechanism that has thighs, shanks and small feet is modeled as a four-degree-of-freedom (DOF) link system composed of a two-DOF stance leg and a two-DOF swing leg that are connected directly at the hip joint. Using the optimal trajectory planning method based on function approximation, we obtained minimum square input torque trajectories of cyclic walking gaits with flexed knee stance leg for both full-actuated and under-actuated models that are similar to those of the human walking. Also, the validity of this gait generating method is confirmed by forward dynamic simulation.
Numerical simulation of embankment—structure transition design:

The experience of several European railway systems has shown that problems occur frequently in zones with embankment–structure transitions, and these areas therefore require repeated maintenance. To date, no adequate solution for these zones has been demonstrated, and different European railway systems have adopted different design approaches. In this work, a finite-element model is developed to simulate the behavior of embankment–structure transitions to improve the methods available for modeling railway track designs. The most distinctive characteristic of the model proposed here is its attempt to simulate the real behavior of the diverse materials that make up the structure of the track in a transition. To achieve this, a 3-D model with boundary conditions that more closely resemble real conditions was used; the model assumes that the surface defining the embankment slope is free and it takes into account the elastoplastic behavior of the soil. This model was tested by numerical calculations of several case studies created from different values of geotechnical and geometrical parameters of transition zones. The results from this analysis will help to define new criteria for improving the design of embankment–structure transitions.
LASERS AND AMPLIFIERS: Efficient emission at 1908 nm in a diode-pumped Tm:YLF laser

Emission parameters at 1908 nm in a longitudinally-diode-pumped Tm:YLF laser are studied. The laser parameters are optimised to obtain the maximal power of high-quality cw radiation. The output power of ~27 W is obtained at the slope efficiency of ~50% and total optical pump conversion efficiency of ~41%.
Calcium current modulation by the γ1 subunit depends on alternative splicing of CaV1.1

The skeletal muscle voltage-gated calcium channel (CaV1.1) primarily functions as voltage sensor for excitation-contraction coupling. Conversely, its ion-conducting function is modulated by multiple mechanisms within the pore-forming α1S subunit and the auxiliary α2δ-1 and γ1 subunits. Particularly, developmentally regulated alternative splicing of exon 29, which inserts 19 amino acids in the extracellular IVS3-S4 loop of CaV1.1a, greatly reduces the current density and shifts the voltage-dependence of activation to positive potentials outside the physiological range. We generated a new HEK293-cell line stably expressing α2δ-1, β3, and STAC3. When the adult (CaV1.1a) and the embryonic (CaV1.1e) splice variants were expressed in these cells, the difference in the voltage-dependence of activation observed in muscle cells was reproduced, but not the reduced current density of CaV1.1a. Only when we further co-expressed the γ1 subunit, the current density of CaV1.1a, but not of CaV1.1e, was reduced by >50 %. In addition, γ1 caused a shift of the voltage-dependence of inactivation to negative voltages in both variants. Thus, the current-reducing effect of γ1, but not its effect on inactivation, is specifically dependent on the inclusion of exon 29 in CaV1.1a. Molecular structure modeling revealed several direct ionic interactions between oppositely charged residues in the IVS3-S4 loop and the γ1 subunit. However, substitution of these residues by alanine, individually or in combination, did not abolish the γ1-dependent reduction of current density, suggesting that structural rearrangements of CaV1.1a induced by inclusion of exon 29 allosterically empower the γ1 subunit to exert its inhibitory action on CaV1.1 calcium currents. Summary El Ghaleb et al. analyzed the effects of the γ1 subunit on current properties and expression of the adult (CaV1.1a) and embryonic (CaV1.1e) calcium channel splice variants, demonstrating that γ1 reduces the current amplitude in a splicing-dependent manner.
AN ASSESSMENT ON BUCCAL MUCOADHESIVE DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM

Buccal drug delivery system (BDDS) has won a variety of exposure and traction as it possesses plenty of advantages and benefits as evaluate to different mucosal drug delivery systems. Buccal path for systemic drug delivery, the use of mucoadhesive polymers twill significantly increase the efficacy of many tablets, has been of outstanding interest over the previous couple of decades. This article affords a precise of BDDS mechanisms, consisting of a composition of the oral mucosa, delivery mechanism, numerous forms of BDDS, formulation, assessment and application of BDDS. Additionally, this text affords a precis over the patents, advertised products and destiny factors of BDDS. In this evaluation article, we've got tried to assemble the maximum significant reports (1988 to 2021) of formulation, assessment, application, patents of BDDS. This review will help pharmaceutical researchers to clarify the potential of BDDS to overcome the various existing drug delivery dispute like the efficiency of absorption, permeability and bioavailability of drugs.
Move over? Feminist reading of academic writing on Kurdish women

ABSTRACT Research on Kurdish women has burgeoned during the last decade, which is a positive sign of the growing interest regarding a highly marginalized population and region. However, most of these works contain theoretical and methodological inadequacies, fallacies and contradictory messages regarding the agency, or lack of it, of Kurdish women, along with an orientalist approach. Using feminist rhetorical criticism and discourse approaches, together with a focus on intersectionality, orientalism and postcolonial feminism, I examine some existing studies on Kurdish women and attempt to uncover the construction of and implications about Kurdish women. I also examine the degrees to which these studies promote narratives that uphold assumptions on gender and implicitly contribute to traditional ideologies of patriarchy and the stigma of being westernized. By demonstrating the significance of a plural model, which examines the lived realities of women, their negotiations and struggles, I urge a fresh approach to the discursive and contextual practice of scholarship on Kurdish women.
Teachers’ Self-efficacy and Implementation of the Ghanaian Language and Culture Curriculum

This study aimed at exploring the perceived efficacy beliefs of teachers in implementing the Ghanaian Language and Culture curriculum in the North and South Danyi District of the Volta region. To achieve this, the descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. Data was collected through a questionnaire and analysed with descriptive (Means and Standard Deviation) and inferential statistics (Independent Samples t-test, ANOVA, and Regression). The study revealed that Ghanaian Language teachers exhibited a high sense of efficacy in implementing the Ghanaian language and Culture curriculum. It was further established in this study that the self-efficacy beliefs of the Ghanaian Language teachers predicted their fidelity in implementing the Ghanaian language and Culture curriculum. Finally, the study found no statistically significant difference in the self-efficacy beliefs among Ghanaian Language teachers based on gender, age, and teaching experience.
A Visual Enhancement Quality of Digital Medical Image Based on Bat Optimization

to enhance the quality of the medical images and also compare it with other methods such as Gaussian filter, median filter, and bilateral and Wiener filter. Obtained image quality was evaluated using range of reference metrics, like, peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR), mean square error (MSE), structural similarity index measure (SSIM), and signal to noise ratio (SNR). Bat algorithm achieved the best PSNR, SNR, MSE, SSIM values compared to other filters. Findings presented in this research showed that the PSNR performance of the proposed method is (60.6, 55.6, 64.9, 63.6), MSE is (1.125, 1.43, 2.95, 1.15), Gaussian noise, salt-and-pepper noise, speckle noise, Poisson noise on order.
Novel voltage-controlled grounded resistor

A new voltage-controlled grounded resistor in which a MOS transistor, operating in the triode region, is linearised by connecting a second MOS transistor, which is operated in the saturation region, in parallel is presented. The simulation results show a linearity of as low as 0.6% for an input voltage up to 4 V. The implementation of nth order highpass ladder filters using the proposed resistor is presented.
Design and Analysis of a Controllable Miniaturized Tri-Band Frequency Selective Surface

A novel miniaturized combined-element frequency selective surface (CEFSS) with simple design process is proposed for multiband applications. In this article, complementary meandered structures and complementary grid structures are combined to realize controllable tri-band characteristics, which allow the designed FSS to transmit different frequency signals at 3.3, 4.5 and 5.4 GHz while reflecting signals at 4.0 and 4.9 GHz. The miniaturized combined-element FSS in this paper has the advantage of smaller size comparing to traditional tri-band FSSs due to the use of meandered structures, which contributes to its independence of both angle and polarization. The associated equivalent circuit is provided to analyze its transmission characteristics. Furthermore, the performances of the proposed structure are evaluated by simulation and measurement, and they agree well.