Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CyberEye: New Eye-Tracking Interfaces for Assessment and Modulation of Cognitive Functions beyond the Brain

The emergence of innovative neurotechnologies in global brain projects has accelerated research and clinical applications of BCIs beyond sensory and motor functions. Both invasive and noninvasive sensors are developed to interface with cognitive functions engaged in thinking, communication, or remembering. The detection of eye movements by a camera offers a particularly attractive external sensor for computer interfaces to monitor, assess, and control these higher brain functions without acquiring signals from the brain. Features of gaze position and pupil dilation can be effectively used to track our attention in healthy mental processes, to enable interaction in disorders of consciousness, or to even predict memory performance in various brain diseases. In this perspective article, we propose the term ‘CyberEye’ to encompass emerging cognitive applications of eye-tracking interfaces for neuroscience research, clinical practice, and the biomedical industry. As CyberEye technologies continue to develop, we expect BCIs to become less dependent on brain activities, to be less invasive, and to thus be more applicable.
Reliability Analysis of Mooring Dolphin Structures

A mooring dolphin structures (MDS), consisting of steel-pipe-piles and soil around them, are important elements of marine structures. The reliability analysis of such complicated systems is very challenging. The limit state functions for them are implicit in nature. Reliability evaluation using the classical Monte Carlo simulation technique may not be practical since each deterministic evaluation will require several hours of computer time. A new hybrid method is presented in this paper. The system is represented by finite elements and its reliability is estimated by intelligently integrating the stochastic finite element, response surface methods, and advanced factorial schemes. The procedure is verified with the help of an example.
Natural forests promote phosphorus retention in soil

Soil phosphorus (P) availability often limits plant productivity. Classical theories suggest that total P content declines at the temporal scale of pedogenesis, and ecosystems develop toward the efficient use of scarce P during succession. However, the trajectory of ecosystem P within shorter time scales of succession remains unclear. We analyzed changes to P pools at the early (I), middle (II), and late (III) stages of growth of plantation forests (PFs) and the successional stages of natural forests (NFs) at 1969 sites in China. We found significantly lower P contents at later growth stages compared to earlier ones in the PF (p < .05), but higher contents at late successional stages than in earlier stages in the NF (p < .05). Our results indicate that increasing P demand of natural vegetation during succession, may raise, retain, and accumulate P from deeper soil layers. In contrast, ecosystem P in PF was depleted by the more rapidly increasing demand outpacing the development of a P‐efficient system. We advocate for more studies to illuminate the mechanisms for determining the divergent changes, which would improve forest management and avoid the vast degradation of PF ecosystems suffering from the ongoing depletion of P.
Fire resistance of circular steel columns filled with fiber-reinforced concrete

A numerical model to calculate the temperatures, deformations, and fire resistance of loaded circular hollow steel columns filled with steel fiber-reinforced concrete is presented. For the purpose of use in the numerical model, the mechanical and thermal properties of steel fiber-reinforced concrete, expressed as a function of temperature, were determined. Predictions from the numerical model are compared with experimental data. The results indicate that the model is capable of predicting the fire resistance of circular hollow steel columns filled with fiber-reinforced concrete with an accuracy that is adequate for practical purposes. The model can be used to evaluate the fire resistance of circular steel columns filled with fiber-reinforced concrete for any value of the significant parameters—such as load, column section dimensions, column length, and concrete strength—without the necessity of testing.
Learners and their workplaces: towards a strategic model of flexible delivery of training in the workplace

Abstract Although the flexible delivery of training in the workplace has become a favoured policy position for training authorities in both Britain and Australia, this article reviews research that indicates neither learners nor their workplaces are well prepared. Drawing on the author's own research and that from the broader literature, the article develops a model for the preparation of learners and workplaces for flexible delivery of training. Deriving from the proposed model, the article suggests a wide range of strategies that may be used in preparing learners and workplaces for successful engagement with the flexible delivery of training.
Electrophotographic Layered Manufacturing

A layered manufacturing technique that uses electrophotography is described where powder is picked up and deposited using a charged photoconducting surface and deposited layer by layer on a build platform. A test bed was designed and constructed to study the application of electrophotography to layered manufacturing. The test bed can precisely deposit powder in the desired shape on each layer. The feasibility of printing powder layer by layer was demonstrated. The electric field required to transfer the powder on to the platform (or onto previously printed layers) was studied. It was found that corona charging the top layer of the part is necessary to continue printing powder as the part height increases.
Global Uniformity of Trickle Irrigation Systems

ABSTRACT Asimulation model for the study of trickle irrigation uniformity was developed which treats the various equipment, system and other factors known to influence emitter flow rate variation. The model provides a tool for the assessment of global trickle uniformity in the sense that the assessment need not be spatially or otherwise restricted. A number of simulations were made to determine the sensitivity of global trickle uniformity to each of the determining factors. Emitter plugging, the number of emitters per plant, and emitter manufacturing variation are the most significant factors influencing the uniformity of trickle irrigation systems.
Reliability aware circuit optimization

Due to current technology scaling trends such as shrinking feature sizes and decreasing supply voltages, nanoscale integrated circuits are becoming increasingly sensitive to radiation-induced transient faults (soft errors). Logical masking, electrical masking, and latching-window masking, which used to effectively prevent transient events in logic circuits from being latched into memory elements, are weakened with continuous scaling trends. Therefore, soft errors, which have been a great concern in memories, are now a main factor in reliability degradation of logic circuits. Unless explicitly dealt with, the soft error rate (SER) of logic is expected to be comparable to that of unprotected memories. Negative Bias Temperature Instability (NBTI), a PMOS aging phenomenon causing significant loss on circuit performance and lifetime, is becoming a critical challenge for temporal reliability concerns in nanoscale designs. In the literature, NBTI-induced PMOS aging has been demonstrated to be an exponential function of oxide thickness and operating temperature. With aggressive technology scaling trends such as thinner gate oxide without proportional downscaling of supply voltage, the need of an optimization flow considering NBTI effects during early design stages emerges. This dissertation research presents low-cost methodologies for reducing circuit SER and mitigating NBTI-induced performance degradation. For SER reduction, three approaches based on redundancy addition and removal (RAR), selective voltage scaling (SVS), and clock skew scheduling (CSS) are proposed to provide compounding improvements. For NBTI mitigation, joint logic restructuring (LR) and pin reordering (PR) are exploited to combat performance degradation, with path sensitization explicitly considered. Finally, the recovery mechanism of NBTI and the use of reverse body bias are explored to achieve lifetime exten- sion for power-gated circuits.
Using Comics as a Transfer Support Tool for Crew Resource Management Training

Transfer of Crew Resource Management (CRM) Training is an important issue when determining the effectiveness of CRM, but factors influencing transfer after training such as supervisor support cannot be easily controlled in the daily work of airline crews. In this study, a comic-based transfer support tool for flight attendants was designed and tested. Nineteen flight attendants received four comics depicting realistic CRM-related incidents following their initial CRM training in regular intervals. The impact of comics on attitudes, knowledge, behavior, self-efficacy (SE), and retrospective perceived usefulness of training was measured and compared against a control group (n = 22). The comic group showed higher values in SE and retrospective usefulness, but lower values in mean attitude toward CRM. Results for knowledge and behavior were not significant. Correlation analyses showed that number of comics read was associated with higher SE, higher values in retrospective usefulness and assertive behavior, better knowledge about the aim of CRM and lower values in attitude toward situation awareness. Comics thus had a positive impact on SE, but higher SE might have caused a shift towards riskier attitudes (Krueger Jr. & Dickson, 1994). Further research is needed to determine the effect of comics on transfer of knowledge and behavior.
Development of a Prototype Synthetic Diamond Detector for Radiotherapy Dosimetry

This thesis details an investigation of the suitability of commercially-available single crystal and polycrystalline diamond films made via chemical vapor deposition (CVD) that were not studied previously for use in radiotherapy dosimetry. Novel sandwich-type detectors were designed and constructed to investigate the dosimetric response of diamond films under clinical conditions. Relatively inexpensive diamond films were obtained from three manufacturers: Diamonex, Diamond Materials GmbH and Element Six. Spectrophotometry, Raman spectroscopy and bulk conductivity studies were used to characterize these films and correlate crystalline quality with detector performance. Novel detectors were designed and constructed to investigate detectors under clinical conditions, including Perspex encapsulations and PCBs to minimize fluence perturbations. The dosimetric response of these diamond detectors was examined using a 6 MV beam from a Varian Clinac 600C linear accelerator. Diamond detectors were evaluated by measuring a number of response characteristics. Polycrystalline CVD diamond films from Diamonex (100, 200, 400-μm thicknesses) were considered unsuitable for dosimetric applications due to their lack of stability, low sensitivity, high leakage currents, high priming dose and dependence on dose rate. High-quality polycrystalline diamond films from Diamond Materials (100, 200, 400-μm thicknesses) displayed characteristics that varied with film thickness. A 100-μm film featured slow response dynamics and high priming doses. Thicker films featured suitable dosimetric characteristics, e.g. negligible leakage currents, low priming doses, fast response dynamics and good sensitivity with small sensitive volumes. Element Six single crystal CVD diamond films (500-μm thicknesses) with small sensitive volumes (0.39 mm³) exhibited suitable characteristics for dosimetry. These films showed negligible leakage currents (< 1.25 pA), low priming doses (1–10 Gy), quick response dynamics, high sensitivity (47–230 nC Gy⁻¹) and were weakly dependent on dose rate and directional dependence (±1%). A relatively inexpensive single crystal CVD diamond film from Element Six that exhibited high sensitivity (230 nC Gy⁻¹ at 0.5 V μm⁻¹), amongst other favourable characteristics, was selected for further analyses. An appropriate operating voltage was determined before further clinically relevant measurements could be conducted. This included how changes in an applied electric field affected detector response, and determined whether an optimal operating voltage could be realized within the parameters of conventional instrumentation used in radiation therapy. The results of this study indicated a preference towards using 62.5 V (at ~0.13 V μm⁻¹) out of a range of 30.8–248.0 V for temporal response as required for modulated beams due to its minimal rise time (2 s) and fall time (2 s) yet sufficient sensitivity (37 nC Gy⁻¹) and weak dependence on polarity (±1.5%). Investigations were then performed on the same diamond detector to…
A method for predicting the static aerodynamic characteristics of typical missile configurations for angles of attack to 180 degrees

Abstract : A method for predicting the static, longitudinal aerodynamic characteristics of typical missile configurations at zero roll angle (i.e., in a plus configuration) has been developed and programmed for use on the IBM 7090 digital computer. It can be applied throughout the subsonic, transonic, and supersonic speed regimes to slender bodies of revolution or to nose-cylinder body combinations with low aspect-ratio lifting surfaces. The aerodynamic characteristics can be computed for missile configurations operating at angles of attack up to 180 degrees. The effect of control surface deflections for all modes of aerodynamic control are taken into account by this method. The method is based on well-known linear, nonlinear crossflow and slender body theories with empirical modifications to provide the high angle of attack capability. Comparisons of the theory with experimental data are presented to demonstrate the accuracy of the method.
Focus-of-attention for human activity recognition from UAVs

This paper presents a system to extract metadata about human activities from full-motion video recorded from a UAV. The pipeline consists of these components: tracking, motion features, representation of the tracks in terms of their motion features, and classification of each track as one of the human activities of interest. We consider these activities: walk, run, throw, dig, wave. Our contribution is that we show how a robust system can be constructed for human activity recognition from UAVs, and that focus-of-attention is needed. We find that tracking and human detection are essential for robust human activity recognition from UAVs. Without tracking, the human activity recognition deteriorates. The combination of tracking and human detection is needed to focus the attention on the relevant tracks. The best performing system includes tracking, human detection and a per-track analysis of the five human activities. This system achieves an average accuracy of 93%. A graphical user interface is proposed to aid the operator or analyst during the task of retrieving the relevant parts of video that contain particular human activities. Our demo is available on YouTube.
High-efficiency retron-mediated single-stranded DNA production in plants

Abstract Retrons are a class of retroelements that produce multicopy single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) and participate in anti-phage defenses in bacteria. Retrons have been harnessed for the overproduction of ssDNA, genome engineering and directed evolution in bacteria, yeast and mammalian cells. Retron-mediated ssDNA production in plants could unlock their potential applications in plant biotechnology. For example, ssDNA can be used as a template for homology-directed repair (HDR) in several organisms. However, current gene editing technologies rely on the physical delivery of synthetic ssDNA, which limits their applications. Here, we demonstrated retron-mediated overproduction of ssDNA in Nicotiana benthamiana. Additionally, we tested different retron architectures for improved ssDNA production and identified a new retron architecture that resulted in greater ssDNA abundance. Furthermore, co-expression of the gene encoding the ssDNA-protecting protein VirE2 from Agrobacterium tumefaciens with the retron systems resulted in a 10.7-fold increase in ssDNA production in vivo. We also demonstrated clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-retron-coupled ssDNA overproduction and targeted HDR in N. benthamiana. Overall, we present an efficient approach for in vivo ssDNA production in plants, which can be harnessed for biotechnological applications. Graphical Abstract
Éclairage structuré et vision active pour le contrôle qualité de surfaces métalliques réfléchissantes

Dans le domaine de la vision artificielle, l’inspection de surfaces parfaitement reflechissantes est une tâche particulierement delicate, car elle implique de maitriser completement l’eclairage de la scene. Nous proposons dans ce papier, deux methodes complementaires permettant le controle qualite de surfaces metalliques reflechissantes. La premiere methode est un systeme d’acquisition utilisant un eclairage dynamique a franges. Elle permet de reveler les defauts d’aspect sur les surfaces a faible courbure. Dans des zones locales a plus forte courbure, il devient necessaire d’avoir acces a des informations tridimensionnelles afin de pouvoir segmenter les defauts. Nous proposons ainsi une methode complementaire qui est basee sur la technique de “Shape From Polarization” etendue aux surfaces metalliques. Ces deux techniques sont particulierement bien adaptee pour le controle qualite d’objets metalliques tres reflechissants obtenus par estampage.
Analysing the role of decision-making economics for industry in the climate change era.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how project economics and decision making in industry can be affected by global climate change. When assessing the sustainability of any design or project, one of the key emerging considerations is the potential for the decision to contribute to greenhouse house gas (GHG) emissions. Changes in climate may also lead to new project risks with further economic implications.Design/methodology/approach – Examination of the wider social economic implications of climate change provides the basis for considering individual projects within the context of the social costs of carbon emissions, the prospect of the gradual internalisation of those costs, and the costs and benefits of adaptation to protect against the impacts of global change on the project.Findings – Emissions of greenhouse gases, still widely not priced in many parts of the world, drive the emerging observed and predicted effects of climate change on the planet. This damage has real value and can b.
Sensor Module for Hydraulic Boom State Feedback Control

Abstract Hydraulic systems are known to be characterized by poor damping that causes motion oscillations and this limits the obtained hydraulic actuator velocity. Well-known techniques for increasing hydraulic system damping include over-sizing hydraulic actuators, introduction of additional leakages and high-pass filtered pressure or acceleration feedback. The acceleration feedback is a very effective solution but usually the introduction of acceleration sensors increases the overall system cost or the sensors lack adequate robustness against required harsh environmental conditions. In this paper, an implementation of acceleration feedback based on Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) technology is presented. The proposed solution incorporates a MEMS accelerometer and gyroscope into a sensor module for closed-loop position control and active damping of a hydraulic boom. The performance of the sensor module prototype is experimentally demonstrated on a hydraulic test bench. The results show increased system damping that enables a 47% faster response in the closed-loop position control experiments presented. The achieved steady-state positioning repeatability was within ± 0.06 deg. These results show the feasibility of the proposed solution in such industrial applications, where the productivity of the work is hampered by motion oscillation of the hydraulic actuators.
Novel DYRK1A Inhibitor Rescues Learning and Memory Deficits in a Mouse Model of Down Syndrome

Down syndrome (DS) is a complex genetic disorder associated with substantial physical, cognitive, and behavioral challenges. Due to better treatment options for the physical co-morbidities of DS, the life expectancy of individuals with DS is beginning to approach that of the general population. However, the cognitive deficits seen in individuals with DS still cannot be addressed pharmacologically. In young individuals with DS, the level of intellectual disability varies from mild to severe, but cognitive ability generally decreases with increasing age, and all individuals with DS have early onset Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology by the age of 40. The present study introduces a novel inhibitor for the protein kinase DYRK1A, a key controlling kinase whose encoding gene is located on chromosome 21. The novel inhibitor is well characterized for use in mouse models and thus represents a valuable tool compound for further DYRK1A research.
Persepsi Penggunaan Aplikasi Internet untuk Pemasaran Produk Usaha Kecil Menengah

Kesempatan menerapkan aplikasi internet melalui fasilitas e-commerce dapat memberikan alternative media pemasaran produk bagi Usaha Kecil Menngah (UKM). Meskipun penggunaan teknologinya masih rendah, tetapi persepsi para pelaku bisnis UKM terhadap manfaat atas teknologi tersebut memberikan peluang akan implementasinya pada masa yang akan datang. Setidaknya hal tersebut terbukti dari hasil studi empiris terhadap 30 UKM yang ada di wilayah kabupaten Semarang. Kata kunci: e-commerce, UKM
Approaches to Modeling the Characteristics of Undeliverable-As-Addressed Addresses in the American Community Survey

Although ordinary logistic regression is a widely-used tool, such models are often inappropriate given complicated data structures. We discuss methods to assess the quality of logistic regression models and explore alternatives to traditional regression models. To illustrate our findings, we investigate if characteristics of an address in the American Community Survey (ACS) can predict if a mailing is undeliverable as addressed (UAA) by the United States Postal Service. In 2012, local post offices reported that over 10% of mailed questionnaires in the ACS were UAA. By identifying the address and geographic characteristics for those mailings which are returned as UAA, we hope to identify certain types of addresses that are especially problematic and to provide suggestions for their improvement. To obtain this information, we will compare a variety of logistic regression approaches including mixed effects, generalized estimating equations, and spatial models. We will also investigate the use of classification trees for variable selection. We will discuss how to select an appropriate model and if our results can inform approaches to decrease the ACS UAA rate.
Robust power system stabilizer

This paper presents the development of /spl mu/-power system stabilizer (PSS) based on the active power measurement to enhance damping characteristics of the single-machine infinite-bus system. The standard design procedure of the PSS requires the nominal structured model to be formulated. It is obvious that this linearized model loses some information and the designed PSS cannot ensure good damping of the electromechanical oscillations over a wide range of operating conditions. To avoid this the /spl mu/ synthesis in PSS design is proposed. The difference between the nominal model and real system are taken into account by the unstructured uncertainties. Simulation results have been obtained under various operating conditions to show that the proposed /spl mu/-PSS can provide a better damping of electromechanical oscillations over a wide range of operating conditions than the classical one.