Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Real-Time Path Planning for Multi-copters flying in UTM -TCL4

NASA’s UAS Traffic management (UTM) -TCL-4 focuses on safely enabling large scale small UAS operations in low altitude airspace in dense urban environment. This paper presents an operational architecture of an autonomous unmanned aerial vehicle operating in TCL4 . An on-line path planning scheme is proposed which can effectively plan for feasible paths in real time with TCL-4 constraints. The real time path planner avoids other obstacles and other UAVs flying in the shared airspace. An end-to-end system is designed and tested in high fidelity Reflection simulation architecture which demonstrates the feasibility of the approach.
Structure-property relationships in waterborne colloidal elastomers

In this thesis the competition between crystallisation and coalescence during the film formation of semi-crystalline polymers has been investigated. Two scenarios of film formation for semi-crystalline polymers have been proposed depending on the relative rates of crystallinity and coalescence. Experimental results have shown evidence for both scenarios depending on the film formation conditions. Additionally, it has been shown that it is possible to transition between scenarios after film formation using a heat treatment process. Blending of semi-crystalline and amorphous polymers has been shown to provide intermediate mechanical properties than the two constituent materials. This has held true for blends of the same species of polymer and blends of different polymer species. It has been shown that blending colloidal polymers can be used to tune the properties of the resulting film in order to achieve intermediate mechanical properties when compared to the constituent materials. The leaching behaviour of coagulant dipped films has been investigated. In addition to the expected surfactant leaching, a variety of other molecules have been identified using SIMS. All of the constituent monomers have been identified leading to the conclusion that it is likely that oligomer chains are leached from the film in addition to surfactant.
Oxidation behaviour of borided Incoloy 909

The oxidation behaviour of Incoloy 909 superalloy subjected to diffusion boronizing treatments was studied at 750 and 850°C in atmospheres of dry air and a mixture of dry air + water vapour for times up to 10 h. The oxidation behaviour of the coated samples was described by the parabolic rate law with activation energies of 26 and 21 kJ mol−1 when oxidation was conducted in dry air or in the mixture dry air + water vapour respectively. Oxidation kinetics of the boronized coatings were sensitive to temperature and the oxidation environment promoting the development of a thick SiO2 layer on top of the coatings which also included minor additions of other oxides that acted as a barrier that reduced oxidation. However, in the conditions that included water vapour boron-rich oxides were also formed and a different oxidation behaviour was experienced.
Radiation therapy treatment plan optimization accounting for random and systematic patient setup uncertainties

RADIATION THERAPY TREATMENT PLAN OPTIMIZATION ACCOUNTING FOR RANDOM AND SYSTEMATIC PATIENT SETUP UNCERTAINTIES Joseph A. Moore, Ph.D. A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Physics at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2011. Major Director: Jeffrey V. Siebers, Ph.D. Professor and Director, Medical Physics Graduate Program Department of Radiation Oncology External-beam radiotherapy is one of the primary methods for treating cancer. Typically a radiotherapy treatment course consists of radiation delivered to the patient in multiple daily treatment fractions over 6-8 weeks. Each fraction requires the patient to be aligned with the image acquired before the treatment course used in treatment planning. Unfortunately, patient alignment is not perfect and results in residual errors in patient setup. The standard technique for dealing with errors in patient setup is to expand the volume of the target by some margin to ensure the target receives the planned dose in the presence of setup errors. This work develops an alternative to margins for accommodating setup errors in the treatment planning process by directly including patient setup uncertainty in IMRT plan optimization. This probabilistic treatment planning (PTP) operates directly on the planning structure and develops a dose distribution robust to variations in the patient position. Two methods are presented. The first method includes only random setup uncertainty in the planning process by convolving the fluence of each beam with a Gaussian model of the distribution of random setup errors. The second method builds upon this by adding systematic uncertainty to optimization by way of a joint optimization over multiple probable patient positions. To assess the benefit of PTP methods, a PTP plan and a margin-based plan are developed for each of the 28 patients used in this study. Comparisons of plans show that PTP plans generally reduce the dose to normal tissues while maintaining a similar dose to the target structure when compared to margin-based plans. Physician assessment indicates that PTP plans are generally preferred over margin-based plans. PTP methods shows potential for improving patient outcome due to reduced complications associated with treatment. Reference Moore J A, Gordon J J, Anscher M S and Siebers J V 2009 Comparisons of treatment optimization directly incorporating random patient setup uncertainty with a margin-based approach Med Phys 36 3880-90
Doherty Power Amplifier for LTE-Advanced Systems

The design and implementation of an asymmetrical Doherty power amplifier are discussed, where two Cree GaN High Electron Mobility Transistors (HEMTs) devices are used for designing an asymmetrical Doherty power amplifier to achieve saturated power of 48 dBm and optimal back-off efficiency of 8 dB in the frequency band of 3.3–3.5 GHz. Rogers RO4350B material is used as a substrate material, a back-off of 8 dB was achieved with an average gain of 10 dB. Load-pull data are an important tool for determining the optimum load impedance that the transistor needs to see. Additionally, the measured efficiency was 50% when the designed amplifier was tested by a modulated signal of 8 dB peak-to-average-power ratio when the average output power was 40 dBm. At the same time, the linearity of the designed amplifier was measured and found 31.8 dB which can be improved using a digital pre-distorter. The gain phase measurement can be used as an indicator for compensating the phase difference between the two cells.
Coordinated Turn Trajectory Generation and Tracking Control for Multirotors Operating in Urban Environment

The paper presents an e(cid:30)cient trajectory generation and tracking approach for multi-rotor air vehicles operating in urban environment, which takes into account uncertainties in the urban wind (cid:28)eld and in the vehicle’s parameters. Generated trajectories are su(cid:30)ciently smooth, based on the di(cid:27)erential (cid:29)atness of the vehicle’s dynamics and optimal in the sense of minimum agility and time. They pass through given set of way points, guarantee (cid:29)ight without a side-slip, and satisfy vehicle’s dynamics and actuator constraints. In addition, an algorithm is presented to compute the required power to traverse the generated trajectory. Presented algorithms are implementable in real time using on-board computers. They do not take into account the vehicle’s existing (cid:29)ight controller, hence there is no guarantee that the controller will be able to provide acceptable tracking of the generated trajectory, especially in the presence of atmospheric disturbances. To this end, we propose an adaptive augmentation algorithm to improve vehicle’s performance by taking into account the e(cid:27)ects of disturbances and on-line estimates of vehicle’s existing (cid:29)ight controller’s gains. The algorithms
Effect of graphene oxide and friction stir processing on microstructure and mechanical properties of Al5083 matrix composite

In this study, the surface nanocomposite containing graphene oxide was produced on the Al5083 alloy surface, using Friction Stir Processing (FSP) in liquid cooled condition, in order to improve the microstructure and mechanical properties. For this purpose, FSP was carried out up to 3 passes on a base alloy with and without reinforcing particles. Microstructural features and mechanical properties of the obtained surface nanocomposite, FSPed Al 5083 and base alloy were investigated. In order to study the microstructure, Electron Back Scatter Diffraction (EBSD) was used. It was revealed that the grain size nanocomposite was about 1 μm after the process. This was while the grain size of the specimen with no reinforcement, after the process was 6 ± 1.1 μm and the size of the base alloy was 23 ± 2.3 μm. The substantial effect of the reinforcing particles in preventing the grains growth in the nanocomposite specimen was the main reason for this difference. Study of mechanical properties of base alloy, FSPed specimen, and the nanocomposite revealed that the simultaneous use of cooling environment and performing the process, increased the hardness of stir zone compared to the base alloy. This increase was raised in the presence of graphene oxide particles and reached to 123 ± 1.7 HV. It was also observed that the nanocomposite had a better tensile behavior than the base alloy and the FSPed specimen. SEM images of the fracture surfaces indicated the existence of dimples and voids at the surface of the base alloy specimens and the FSPed specimen which showed their ductile fracture, but at the nanocomposite surface, in addition to the ductile fracture, a brittle fracture was occurred.
Radial Artery Cannulation: Influence of Catheter Size and Material on Arterial Occlusion

A randomized, prospective trial of four different cannulae used for percutaneous radial artery cannulation was carried out in one hundred and forty-eight patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. Arterial occlusion was assessed using a modified Allen's test and an ultrasonic flow monitor. The incidence of complete occlusion eight days after decannulation was 34% for 18-gauge polypropylene and 0% for 20-gauge Teflon cannulae. Both the size and material of the cannula are important factors in the occurrence of arterial occlusion. This complication can largely be eliminated by the use of small Teflon cannulae.
Ultrasensitive Force Sensing with Nanospheres in an Optical Standing Wave Trap

This thesis details the experimental progress developing a state-of-the-art neutral force sensor using an optically levitated nano-sphere. Trapping 300 nm diameter fused silica spheres using a dual beam optical standing wave trap, we have experimentally reported a force sensitivity of 1.63±0.37aN/Hz. Also we have measured the heating rate of the nano-spheres at high vacuum, and we have experimentally explored the nano-sphere dynamics to optimize the trap stability at pressures on the order of 10−6 mbar. At this pressure, with averaging times on the order of 10 s, we have demonstrated force sensing at 5.8 ± 1.3 zN. The experimental merit of this ultra-sensitive neutral force sensor is to test for non-Newtonian gravity-like forces on the micron scale. In order to push our sensitivities even further toward this goal, we have developed a second optical standing wave trap system. Using two laser frequencies, 1596 nm and 1064 nm, incident on a single hemispherical optical cavity, we have successfully trapped nano-spheres inside the optical standing wave trap. In this thesis we outline the frequency stabilization system, the optical cavity, and experimental progress in overlapping both optical standing wave traps. We will outline further improvements that can and are being made to improve the system. Also included is an outline of our data analysis using Matlab to show nano-sphere displacement and force measurement.
An Electrode Setup for Non-contact Dielectric Response Measurement

The dielectric response measurement is a widely used technique for characterizing dielectric materials. However, the contact problems between samples and electrodes existing in the use of conventional electrode setup limit the accuracy of the measurement. This paper studies an electrode arrangement that avoids direct contacts of the sample with the electrodes on both sides. The edge effect of this arrangement is calculated by the FEM model. The equations to derive the complex permittivity are presented. The measurement instrument is described and the influence of the small voltage between its measure and guard terminals is analyzed. The error sensitivities of the non-contact and contact methods are compared. The results show that this electrode arrangement can be used to perform non-contact measurements, the edge effect of it is not significant, and the guard voltage is not an obstacle to obtain results with high accuracy. Overall, the non-contact electrode arrangement combined with the IDAX 300 can potentially improve the accuracy of dielectric response measurements although the non-contact methods can increase the sensitivities to errors.
Pembuatan Biofuel dari Limbah Cair PMKS dengan Katalis MoCo-HZ

This research aims to convert vegetable oils contained in Palm Oil Mill waste (PMKS) into biofuels through the cracking process with MoCo-HZ catalyst . PMKS Liquid waste will be prepared with a process of a filtering, degumming, bleaching, warming, and free Fatty Acids determination. The results obtained are then converted into biofuel with catalytic cracking with use of MoCo-HZ catalyst . Then the cracking products will to test for specified physical characteristics of biofuel eq : acid number , density, viscosity, pour point and cloud point. The research results showed that the MoCo-HZ catalyst is able to convert vegetable oils contained in the PMKS liquid waste will be cracked into biofuel. Conversion yield obtained is amounting to 48.19%. The physical characteristics of the test results against biofuels produced from the cracking process has not met the standard of comparison from gasoline and kerosene. This is shown by the still high number of biofuel produced acids amounting to 1.72 mg KOH/gr. higher than the numbers of sour gasoline (0.748 mg KOH/gr) and Kerosene (0.935 mg KOH/gr). The result of the test of density, viscosity, pour point and cloud point against biofuels produced from the cracking process have meet standard compared to gasoline and kerosene respectively 0.807 gr/cm for density, 1.056 cSt viscosity for viscosity , and 0 o C and 1.33 each o C to the freezing point and the cloud point.
Numerical modelling of liquid metal magnetohydrodynamic flow in an electrically and thermally coupled annulus under reduced gravity

For a high-precision spaceborne magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) sensor, temperature drift is troublesome for engineers. The thermal properties of liquid metal MHD (LMMHD) flow in the sensor should be considered. The thermo-fluid behaviour of LMMHD flows and its effect on the output characteristic of the sensor were numerically investigated to explore the underlying mechanism. Based on the Boussinesq approximation, a three-dimensional model of the MHD effect in an electrically and thermally coupled annulus was simplified and implemented in a finite-element framework. The visual patterns of the velocity and electric potential depended on the type of temperature boundary, the magnitude and direction of the applied force, and the angular rate of the inlet and outlet. When the magnitude of the applied force increased from microgravity to gravity, the fluid gradually transformed from a viscous flow to a convective flow. The competitive action between the magneto- and natural convection had a substantial influence on the distribution of the electric potential, as the applied force was perpendicular to the magnetic field. The result will provide a reference for space applications and ground tests of MHD sensors.
Cell-derived Microparticles as Part of Multimarker Strategies to Improve Vascular Risk Prediction

Candidate biomarkers should possess some of the following characteristics: identify individuals with disease, distinguish disease stage and monitor changes in health with treatment. There is increasing interest in the potential of cell-derived microparticles to act as sensitive biomarkers of vascular health status. Cell-derived microparticles (MP) are small (0.1-1.0 μm) plasma membrane derived vesicles shed into circulating blood by most cells, including platelets and endothelial cells. They may act not only as biomarkers but also mediators of vascular disease transferring biological agents that mediate inflammation, coagulation and vascular remodelling. In a series of studies, we have demonstrated that; 1. A number of small methodological studies undertaken suggest that flow cytometry can enumerate MP reproducibly but that variability can occur during sample processing through the double centrifugation protocol. Day to day biological variation also exists. 2. Annexin V+ MP (mainly of platelet origin) were higher in carotid artery disease cases compared to age-matched controls and added to predictive ability in a multivariable model. 3. CD31+CD41- endothelial MP (EMP) were higher in carotid artery patients with unstable plaques, classified post-surgery by immunohistochemistry. CD31+CD41- EMP, but not any subset of platelet MP, added to predictive ability in multivariable models to predict unstable plaques. 3. CD31+CD41- EMP in addition to other soluble markers were lower following a low carbohydrate diet that involved moderate reductions in body weight and waist circumference, with the effect size (Cohen’s d) greatest for CD31+CD41- EMP. 4. Other cellular vascular biomarkers were investigated, specifically endothelial progenitor cells and platelet monocyte aggregates but were not useful as biomarkers. A number of protein vascular biomarkers showed potential both in predicting disease and monitoring changes in health status, specifically the acute phase protein serum amyloid A. Despite the methodological difficulties that exist when enumerating MP, various subsets have shown potential as stand-alone biomarkers and in multivariable models. Future studies are justified including studies to examine the ability of MP to predict asymptomatic carotid artery disease and prospective studies to determine the prognostic ability.
Electrostatic force microscopy analysis of Bi0.7Dy0.3FeO3 thin films prepared by pulsed laser deposition integrated with ZnO films for microelectromechanical systems and memory applications

In this paper, we report the charge trapping phenomena in zinc oxide (n-ZnO) and Bi0.7Dy0. 3FeO3 (BDFO)/ZnO thin films deposited on p-type <100> conducting Si substrate. The significant change in contrast above the protrusions of ZnO verifies the possibility of heavy accumulation of injected holes in there. The ZnO and BDFO/ZnO films were characterized by the electrostatic force microscopy (EFM) to understand the phase dependence phenomenon on the bias supporting electron tunnelling. The EFM has an important role in the analysis of electrical transport mechanism characterization and electric charge distribution of local surface in nanoscale devices. It was observed that in BDFO/ZnO, the contrast of EFM images remains constant with the bias switching and that primarily indicates availability of trap sites to host electrons. The change in contrast over the protrusions of ZnO suggests that mobility of the electrical charge carriers may be through the grain boundary. The formation of these hole-trapped sites may be assumed by bond breaking phenomenon.
Visualization of point defects in ultrathin layered 1T-PtSe2

Among two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), platinum diselenide (PtSe2) stands at a unique place in the sense that it undergoes a phase transition from type-II Dirac semimetal to indirect-gap semiconductor as thickness decreases. Defects in 2D TMDs are ubiquitous and play crucial roles in understanding and tuning electronic, optical, and magnetic properties. Here we investigate intrinsic point defects in ultrathin 1T-PtSe2 layers grown on mica through the chemical vapor transport (CVT) method, using scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy (STM/STS) and first-principles calculations. We observed five types of distinct defects from STM topography images and obtained the local density of states (LDOS) of the defects. By combining the STM results with the first-principles calculations, we identified the types and characteristics of these defects, which are Pt vacancies at the topmost and next monolayers, Se vacancies in the topmost monolayer, and Se antisites at Pt sites within the topmost monolayer. Our study shows that the Se antisite defects are the most abundant with the lowest formation energy in a Se-rich growth condition, in contrast to cases of 2D molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) family. Our findings would provide critical insight into tuning of carrier mobility, charge carrier relaxation, and electron-hole recombination rates by defect engineering or varying growth condition in few-layer 1T-PtSe2 and other related 2D materials.
New public management: its impact on public servant's identity

Purpose – This paper introduces the symposium on public management reform and its impact on public servant's identity. It provides both a descriptive and theoretical context within which the other contributions to the symposium can be located.Design/methodology/approach – It is based on a literature review and a summary of the articles in the symposiumFindings – The paper describes the changes associated with new public management (NPM) and its variants and their impact on systems of public administration and public officials. It also highlights the contribution that cultural and social theories, drawn from anthropology and organisational psychology, make to an understanding of the processes by which public servants’ identity are formed and changed. It complements this with an examination of different models of bureaucracy, which reflect the transition from classical public administration to NPM. These concepts and ideas are developed further in other articles in the journal.Originality/value – It provide.
Characteristics of Abalone Mussel Shells (Halioitis asinina) with Calcination Temperature Variations as a Basic Material for Synthesis of Carbonated Hydroxyapatite

Carbonated Hydroxyapatite (CHAp) is hydroxyapatite (HAp) substituted with carbonate ions that are similar to natural bone inorganic constituents. CHAp based on abalone mussel shells (Halioitis asinina) with calcination temperature variations were successfully synthesized using the precipitation method. Abalone mussel shells powder was calcined at 650, 800 and 1000°C for 4 hours, that aimed to obtain calcium oxide (CaO) which has the best characteristics as a source of calcium (Ca) in the CHAp synthesis process. The effect of calcination temperature variations on the characteristics of abalone mussel shells powder was investigated and characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDX). In this study, calcination temperature variations affected the crystalline phase and the percentage of calcium (Ca) and carbonate (CO32-) ions. The results of the characterization show that the calcination temperature at 1000°C is the optimum temperature to obtain CaO powder as a source of calcium (Ca) in CHAp synthesis.
Additive Manufacturing of Functional (Photoluminescent) Optical Components

Additive Manufacturing could be a reliable process for mass production of optical components, due to its versatility in printing structures of varying complexities. In this paper, we would like to present our prototype results obtained from multiple material printing of quantum dot nanocomposites in two fashions: using different materials in subsequent layers, and using different material within a layer