Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Between Science and Aesthetics

Powered aviation and the aerial photographs it makes possible have revolutionized the vision and study of landscape in several professions, among them landscape architecture. Selected developments immediately preceding and following World War II show how landscape architects have profited from the scientific knowledge and the aerial view made possible by powered aviation. Aerial vision furthered the artistic and scientific development in the field of landscape architecture and planning through the 20th and into the 21st century. Although landscape architects in the 1930s were fascinated with the new opportunities aerial vision could provide, they were slower than other professionals before World War II to realize the benefit that aerial photographs had for them. Isolated attempts to beautify airports were based on the idea that these new transportation nodes should be visible and attractive from both land and air. Although landscape architectural aesthetics have been influenced by the aerial view, more important is the impact of aerial photography on the larger-scale design and planning endeavors that landscape architects embarked on after the war.
Analysis of RFI identification and mitigation in CAROLS radiometer data using a hardware spectral analyser

A method based on the use of a spectral analyzer has been developed in order to identify and mitigate radio frequency interference (RFI) in microwave radiometry. This method has been tested with L-band CAROLS airborne data highly corrupted by interferences. RFI is a major limiting factor in passive microwave remote sensing. Although the 1.4–1.427 GHz bandwidth is protected, RFI sources close to these frequencies may still corrupt radiometer measurements. In order to reduce RFI bad effects on the brightness temperature measurements, a new instrument called spectral analyzer has been added to the CAROLS radiometer system. A post processing algorithm based on a selective filtering with the division of bandwidth in subbands is proposed. Two discriminant analysis based on the computation of kurtosis and Mahalanobis distance have been compared, evaluated and validated in order to separate accurately the RF interference with natural signal.
Microstrip and suspended substrate GaAs bias-T

For photodiode bias-Ts in optoelectronic ICs > 20dB isolation is essential at 2.5-10 GHz for the photodiode to work at both 2.5 and 10 Gbit/s. Designed micro strip and suspended substrate GaAs bias-Ts show 30-140 dB isolation and measured values are approximately 30 dB in the 2.5-10 Ghz range.
Bio-Diesel from Almond Oil as an Alternative Fuel for Diesel Engines

Different fuel blends containing 10, 30 and 50% almond oil with diesel fuel were prepared and the influence of these blends on emissions and some performance parameters were inspected using a diesel engine. The blends and the diesel fuel were examined under various load conditions and the results showed that almond-blended fuels have slightly different properties than diesel fuel. Measured engine performance parameters have generally showed a slight increase in exhaust gas temperature and in brake specific fuel consumption, and a slight reduction in brake thermal efficiency. Blending of almond oil with diesel fuel reduced the engine CO and increased NOx percentages.
Anomaly Detection in Construction Sites

Anomaly detection has applications in a variety of domains: network intrusion detection [1], video surveillance [9] and medical diagnosis [16]. The main idea of anomaly detection is to model normal behavior and detect deviations from it, e.g. monitoring rarely occurring accidents on a video camera. This paper evaluates reconstruction-based methods [16] and an embedding similarity-based method [4] for anomaly detection on images from construction sites. We show that both types of methods can achieve good classiﬁcation performance on a clean dataset, but applying them on a noisy dataset results in poor performance. To try to alleviate this issue, two cleaning methods have been applied to the noisy dataset.
Reliability and validity of A Quick Test of Cognitive Speed (AQT) in Iranian older adults

Background: Cognitive disorders are one of the most important issues in old age. They may remain hidden in the early stages. There are many cognitive tests, but some variables affect their results (e.g., age and education.) This study aimed to evaluate the reliability and validity of A Quick Test of Cognitive Speed (AQT) in Iranian older adults.Methods: This study aimed to test the psychometric properties of AQT. 114 older adults participated in the study and were divided into three groups (46 with mild cognitive impairments (MCI), 24 with dementia, and 45 without MCI and dementia) based on the diagnosis of two geriatric psychiatrists. Participants were assessed by AQT and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation, independent t-test, and ROC curve by SPSS v.23. Results: There was no significant correlation between AQT subscales and age and no significant difference between the AQT subscales in male and female, educational levels, and marital status. The test-retest correlations (r) were significant for Color (C) 0.84, Form (F) 0.91 and Color-Form (CF) 0.94. Convergent validity was significant between MMSE and AQT. Its correlation was with Color -0.78, Form -0.71, and Color-Form -0.72. The cut-off point for Color was 43.50 s, Form 52 s, and Color-Form 89 s were based on sensitivity and specificity for differentiating older patients with MCI with controls. The cut-off point for Color was 62.50 s, for Form 111 s, and Color-Form 197.50 s based on sensitivity and specificity measures for differentiating older patients with dementia and MCI.Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that A Quick Test of Cognitive Speed (AQT) is a suitable tool for assessing cognitive function in older adults.
Detecting Hardware Trojan through heuristic partition and activity driven test pattern generation

Hardware Trojan has emerged as an impending security threat to many critical systems. However, detecting hardware Trojan is extremely difficult due to Trojans are always triggered by rare events. Side-channel signal analysis is effective in detecting Trojan but facing the challenge with process variation and environment noise in nanotechnology. Moreover, side-channel approaches that analyze global signals cannot scale well to large circuits. This paper presents a heuristic partition and test pattern generation based localized signal analysis method for hardware Trojan detection. First, we partition the design into regions controlled by scan chains. Then a test vector ordering algorithm is used to generate optimized vectors which can magnify the activity in the target region where Trojan may be located. At last, power ports are placed in each region to measure the localized transient current anomalies for Trojan detection, while a signal calibration technique is used to eliminate the negative effect of process variation and noise. We evaluate our approach on ISCAS89 benchmark circuits and the results show that the proposed scheme can magnify the detection sensitivity in multiples from the state-of-the-art. Two further benefits of this method are that it can scale well to large circuits and determine Trojan's location.
Precise compensation of fiber group delay in coherent optical fiber communications

A group delay in an optical fiber is one of the major factors limiting the transmission distance of a long-distance, high bit-rate optical fiber communication system using in-line erbium doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs). The group delay can be compensated by a delay equalizer (a stripline section, for instance) inserted in the intermediate frequency stage of a coherent receiver. The purpose of this paper is to propose a method for compensating the fiber group- delay precisely by adjusting the width distribution of a nonuniform, open-type stripline compensator and thus optimizing its group-delay characteristics. It is shown that, by using the optimized nonuniform stripline, the overall group-delay dispersion is reduced to approximately 1/20 of the value obtained with an ordinary, uniform stripline compensator. The effectiveness of the optimized stripline was confirmed by a computer simulation of the entire system.
Analysis of Planning & Implementation Evaluation in Preventive Resettlement

Preventive resettlement of populations located in high-risk areas is a corrective measure in which all or part of a community is relocated because of the high risk of disaster. Such a measure should be seen as a last resort, when it is impossible to mitigate risk factors associated, for example, with landslides, the likelihood of volcanic eruptions, or severe flooding that cannot be controlled. It constitutes aprogressive-corrective measure in which action is taken to address not only exposure to existing risk but also the factors underlying vulnerability. Multilevel multinomial qualitative indicators are involved in evaluation of the planning and implementation of preventive resettlement. In order to enhance the scientific level of planning and implementation, it forms the evaluation index system. AHP approach will be used to determine the index weight. Using fuzzy comprehensive evaluation, combined with the TG reservoir resettlement planning and implementation of disaster prevention program, are optimization analysis on obstacle planning scheme and implementation of preventive resettlement.
Effect of Varying Aspect Ratio on Relative Stability for Graphene Nanoribbon Interconnects

Achieving dense off-chip interconnection with satisfactory electrical performance is emerging as a major challenge in advanced system engineering. Graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) have been recently proposed as one of the potential candidate materials for both transistors and interconnect. In addition, development is still underway for alternative materials and processes for high aspect ratio (AR) contacts. Studding the effect of varying aspect ratio on relative stability of graphene nanoribbon interconnects is an important viewpoint in performance evaluation of system. In this paper, Nyquist stability analysis based on transmission line modeling (TLM) for GNR interconnects is investigated. In this analysis, the dependence of the degree of relative stability for multilayer GNR (MLGNR) interconnects on the aspect ratio has been acquired. It is shown that, with increasing the aspect ratio of each ribbon, MLGNR interconnects become more unstable.
Calculation of electrical field of spherical and cylindrical gas voids in dielectrics by taking surface conductivity into consideration

Purpose – To determine the electrical field E1(t) in spherical and cylindrical gas voids existing in an insulator by considering surface conductivity of gas voids having an electrical permittivity of e1 and conductivity of γ1 for DC and AC situations.Design/methodology/approach – Analytical expressions satisfying Laplace equation for inside and outside of the cylindrical and spherical gas voids in an insulator located in an external electrical field having a definite time dependent character, have been derived by considering the surface conductivity of the gas void. The coefficients included by these analytical expressions have been determined by utilizing the continuity equation of the current on the surface of the voids.Findings – It has been demonstrated that the electrical field remains uniform in spherical and cylindrical gas voids when the surface conductivity of gas void has been considered. It has been determined that the contact charging process of different shaped particles has an exponential ch.
A knowledge base system for power cable design

A summary is presented of the principal results and findings of a recently completed project on the use of expert systems in power cable design, and the main features of the developed expert system are described. The objective of the project is to investigate the use of expert systems technology in the power cable design applications and to demonstrate the associated knowledge base structure and other development aspects of such a cable-design expert system. In general, the project was aimed at enhancing the quality and efficiency of cable design assessment functions and the related decision-making processes. In addition, it was envisaged that the project, when successfully completed, would provide a valuable assessment of the potential applications of expert system technologies in the area of power cable design. >
Spaciousness Rating of 8-channel Stereophony-based Microphone Arrays

In previous studies, the localisation accuracy and the spatial impression of 3-2 stereo microphone arrays were discussed. These showed that 3-2 stereo cannot produce stable images to the side and to the rear of the listener. An octagon loudspeaker array was therefore proposed. Microphone array design for this loudspeaker configuration was studied in terms of localisation accuracy, locatedness and sound image width. This paper describes an experiment conducted to evaluate the spaciousness of 10 different microphone arrays used in different acoustical environments. Spaciousness was analyzed as a function of sound signal, acoustical environment and microphone array’s characteristics. It showed that the height of the microphone array and the original acoustical environment are the two variables that have the most influence on the perceived spaciousness, but that microphone directivity and the position of sound sources is also important.
Application of Self-Efficacy for the Regulation of Coping Styles and Mental Healt in Disaster Education

This study was to investigate the effect of self-efficacy on coping styles and the regulatory role of mental healt in the disaster nursing education of nursing undergraduates to strengthen the education of mental healt in them and improve their abilities to cope with disaster relief. 403 nursing undergraduates who had passed the assessment of knowledge and skills related to disaster relief were chosen to receive a questionnaire survey. GSES, CSQ and PHI were applied for the correlation analysis and multiple hierarchical regression analysis. The results showed that self-efficacy has a significantly positive prediction effect on the mature coping style. In the prediction of coping styles based on self-efficacy, SOM, ANX and HMA played a regulatory role. It is concluded that students with higher self-efficacy were inclined to adopt the mature coping style, and the somatotization symptom and emotional state of mental healt can play a significant regulation role in the influence of self-efficacy on coping styles.
The impact of a design management training initiative on project performance

Purpose – Over recent years there has been a significant drive away from traditional procurement routes where contractors find themselves with an increasing responsibility for the control of the design – a process they have had little experience in managing. Yet this is an area of significant opportunity for those contractors who can adapt quickly and effectively to the changing construction market. However, many current processes are insufficient to manage today's demanding and fast‐moving projects. This paper aims to address this issueDesign/methodology/approach – The paper reflects on the deployment of a design management training initiative to improve performance in a major UK civil and building design and construction company. It investigates the impact of the training initiative, critical practices and a suite of 25 tools on design management performance across the company. The methodology included a structured questionnaire, design management maturity assessment, semi‐structured interviews and a ca.
Process and Pedagogy in Undergraduate Graphic Design Education

ABSTRACT This paper is a case study that examines the process and pedagogy of an innovative project for undergraduate graphic design students. The innovative nature of this project relates to how it demonstrates to students the value of research as a means for informing the design process. The structure and activity of this project offers students learning experiences that correspond to the responsibilities of professional design practice. Specifically, the project includes strategies for students to improve research skills, practise client-relation skills, and gain experience working on design teams. This paper also describes a pedagogical framework for understanding the educational strategies and objectives of the project.
Autonomous Hovering and Landing of a Quad-rotor Micro Aerial Vehicle by Means of on Ground Stereo Vision System

On ground stereo vision system is used for autonomous hovering and landing of a quadrotor Micro Aerial Vehicle (MAV). This kind of system has an advantage to support embedded vision system for autonomous hovering and landing, since an embedded vision system occasionally gives inaccurate distance calculation due to either vibration problem or unknown geometry of the landing target. Color based object tracking by using Continuously Adaptive Mean Shift (CAMSHIFT) algorithm was examined. Nonlinear model of quad-rotor MAV and a PID controller were used for autonomous hovering and landing. The result shows that the Camshift based object tracking algorithm has good performance. Additionally, the comparison between the stereo vision system based and GPS based autonomous hovering of a quad-rotor MAV shows that stereo vision system has better performance. The accuracy of the stereo vision system is about 1 meter in the longitudinal and lateral direction when the quad-rotor flies in 6 meters of altitude. In the same experimental condition, the GPS based system accuracy is about 3 meters. Additionally, experiment on autonomous landing gives a reliable result.
New formulae for practical pager design

The antennas used in VHF and UHF pagers are electrically small loops, which are highly resonant devices that are resistant to detuning through user proximity. The antennas are often designed using a combination of computer simulation and experimental measurement techniques. However analytic formulae are also useful in suggesting prototype arrangements and in showing how the performance varies with geometry, matching and proximity induced losses. Philips have developed many world-leading techniques for designing VHF and UHF pager antennas. This paper summarises several previously unpublished results. The paper presents a simple formula for the efficiency of isolated air filled rectangular strip loops is presented. It discusses the effect of user proximity induced losses and mismatch. A simple method of mitigating the mismatch effects is outlined. Including PCB tracks in the loop can seriously degrade the antenna's performance. However for manufacturing reasons it is best for the trimmer capacitor to be mounted on the PCB. The paper discusses how this can be done and explains how, despite high loss tangents at UHF, ferrites can still enhance the loop's performance.
Amplitude and phase beam characterization using a two-dimensional wavefront sensor

We have developed a two-dimensional Shack-Hartman wavefront sensor that uses binary optic lenslet arrays to directly measure the wavefront slope (phase gradient) and amplitude of the laser beam. This sensor uses an array of lenslets that dissects the beam into a number of samples. The focal spot location of each of these lenslets (measured by a CCD camera) is related to the incoming wavefront slope over the lenslet. By integrating these measurements over the laser aperture, the wavefront or phase distribution can be determined. Since the power focused by each lenslet is also easily determined, this allows a complete measurement of the intensity and phase distribution of the laser beam. Furthermore, all the information is obtained in a single measurement. Knowing the complete scalar field of the beam allows the detailed prediction of the actual beam's characteristics along its propagation path. In particular, the space-beamwidth product, M2, can be obtained in a single measurement. The intensity and phase information can be used in concert with information about other elements in the optical train to predict the beam size, shape, phase and other characteristics anywhere in the optical train. We present preliminary measurements of an Ar+ laser beam and associated M2 calculations.
Comparative analysis of dust emission of digging and loading equipment in surface coal mining

This paper presents a comparative analysis of dust emission of digging and loading equipment in surface coal mining. Field measurements and laboratory studies were completed, and dust emission for front-end wheel loader and cable shovel was determined by three methods: (1) the EPA AP-42 emission factor estimation equations (AP-42 dust emission estimation), (2) the methodology used in the development of AP-42 equations (Type 2 dust emission estimation) and (3) the methodology used in the EPA AERMOD model (Type 3 dust emission estimation). Collection of data on dust emission was conducted at an operating surface coal mine in the eastern United States. Results of this study revealed that dust emission obtained by the AP-42 dust emission estimation method exceeded the field-based emission determined by both Type 2 and Type 3 dust emission estimation methods. It was also observed that the dust emission determined by the Type 2 method exceeded the emission obtained by the Type 3 method. This research may assist mining professionals in quantifying the dust emission of digging and loading equipment, and developing strategies for reducing its negative environmental impact.
Design and Evaluation of a Yield Monitoring System for Pistachios

Information on the yield of individual trees within an orchard can be used to improve management practices. To achieve this goal, an automated yield monitoring system has been developed that is capable of correctly identifying trees in a commercial orchard and measuring yields of pistachio trees with small errors. Two commercial pistachio catch-frame harvesters were retrofitted and operated at approximately 75% of commercial harvesting field capacity. The system consists of a weighing bucket that measures individual tree yields in the transition between harvested trees. When the subsequent tree is shaken, nuts are weighed, dumped into the harvester's internal conveyor, and an embedded computer automatically records tree identification and yield. A DGPS-based automated row identification system was developed and tested throughout the 2006-2008 seasons. Inside dense orchard canopies, where a DGPS signal cannot be received with reliable accuracy, an algorithm was developed using real-time sensed odometric information to localize trees. System performance was tested in a commercial orchard by measuring yield and location of more than 70,000 trees over a six-year period. Tree identification and yield data were collected and mapped. Calibrations and validations of the weighing system resulted in weighing prediction standard errors of approximately 0.9 kg, while DGPS row identification was 100% accurate in over 480 estimates, and individual tree identification was highly accurate over 70,000 observations. The ability to measure individual tree yield provides previously unattainable information on tree productivity, facilitates precision field management, and enables the investigation of the mechanisms underlying fruit production and alternate bearing. The data recorded by the use of this system have been used in experimental studies to improve the productivity and management of pistachio orchards, investigate alternate bearing behavior, and provide the basis for developing efficient nutrient management protocols.
Interaction of practice and fatigue effects in mental rotation

The study investigated interaction of practice and fatigue effects in a sustained mental rotation task. Dynamics of performance results, subjective ratings and cardiac measures were resgistered, while 49 subjects were performing a 1,5 h duration mental rotation task. Results helped to evaluate the complementary contribution of subjective and objective measures in differentiating subtle effects of practice and fatigue.