Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Supervisory Control of Remote Manipulators, Vehicles and Dynamic Processes: Experiments in Command and Display Aiding

Abstract : This report is about supervisory control, an increasingly prevalent form of man-machine system wherein a human operator controls a process as the supervisor of a computer. The computer, in turn, may perform limited automatic control or it may process and display information from sensors. The particular context of interest here is supervisory control of manipulators and vehicles for remote inspection and work in the deep ocean. After giving a more detailed definition of supervisory control and providing examples, the report reviews a number of experimental studies conducted recently at the MIT Man-Machine System Laboratory. These are divided into two groups. The first group of studies is concerned with computer mediation in command and control of manipulation. The next group of experimental studies examines computer mediation in processing sensed information and displaying it to the human supervisor. A brief conclusion reviews how these experiments fit together and speculates on problems and prospects for supervisory control in manipulation, vehicle and process control, and other areas.
Designing technology for young children: guidelines grounded in a literature investigation on child development and children's technology

This thesis is about the design of technology for children from five to eight years of age. The majority of available guidelines and principles for design or evaluation of technology support the design of products aimed at adults. The limited guidelines available for design of young children's technology do not focus sufficiently on age-related requirements or they offer high-level advice that is only useful in the planning stages of design. Working from the assumption that knowledge available in the literature provides sufficient information to support this process, my aim with this study was to demonstrate how a dependable and useful set of guidelines for the design of technology for children aged five to eight years could be derived from an existing body of knowledge. Development of the guidelines firstly involved research into the psychological theories of children's development to identify those elements of development and the characteristics of children that may have bearing on children's use of technology. Secondly, the literature on children's development of specific skills such as literacy and mathematics was investigated. The available literature on young children's use of technology was studied next and, finally, the applicability of existing design guidelines and principles for children's products evaluated. Throughout this literature investigation the researcher gathered design-relevant factors that could potentially become design guidelines. Using qualitative data analysis techniques, more than five hundred such data elements were systematically coded, processed, analysed and categorised. The result is three hundred and fifty guidelines organised into a framework of six categories and twenty-six subcategories that integrates the relevant theoretical fields and provides practical support for designers. To demonstrate the credibility and usefulness of the emerging guidelines they were used to do an evaluation and re-design of an existing product aimed at the target group. The thesis reports in detail on the different stages of the research, and systematically takes the reader through the process of deriving guidelines from existing theory and research findings, and integrating them into a useful framework.
A Joint Subsumption Architecture as a Framework to Address Dynamic Human-Machine Function Allocation

The various models and simulations of automobile driving that have been suggested over time have differential explanatory and predictive power. Some address the processes within the driver, others have the joint system of driver and car as a unit of analysis. One of the particular limitations that is not well-addressed in these models is the prospect of semi-autonomy that currently emerges when technology enables the car to take over parts of the driving task. The utility of combined human-machine subsumption architectures in semi-autonomous wheelchair control suggests that the joint subsumption architecture has the potential to address the issue of semi-autonomy in motor vehicles generally. In order to address semi-autonomy in simulated driving, we have explored a joint subsumption model in a 2D top-down view driving simulation in which the human controller is a layer in a subsumption control architecture, extended with a behaviour coordination mechanism that combines simple command fusion with priority-based arbitration. Joint human-machine subsumption seems to be a useful architecture to conduct research concerning semi-autonomy. Several possibilities for future research are sketched.
Visualizing Cetacean Auditory Responses to Underwater Noise

Abstract : To estimate the impact of anthropogenic noise sources on marine mammals, we must develop the ability to predict both physiological and behavioral responses of cetaceans to diverse acoustic sources. Behavioral experimentation is constrained by both technical and ethical considerations, but the detailed simulation of auditory processing provides a necessary alternative. The objective of this task is to create three-dimensional interactive simulations of sound propagation and impacts from both impulse and continuous sound sources. The visualizations will be driven by anatomical and simulation data provided by the Woods Hole Institute (WHOI) and BU (Boston University). This effort will extend prior research by using new visualization tools to model both the auditory system and the salient aspects of the skull and jaw involved in focusing incoming sound. The frames for rendered movies will be generated using finite element models. The Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) team will assemble the frames and create a three-dimensional movie linked to predictive models for the behavior of the auditory system. The movie can be displayed using an interactive three-dimensional display as well as a desktop workstation. During the second year of research, NRL will attempt to prototype a web-based implementation of the volume rendering techniques developed in year 1.
Modeling and Simulation of Non-idealities in a Z-axis CMOS-MEMS Gyroscope

Abstract : MEMS gyroscopes are extremely difficult to manufacture reliably. The MEMS gyroscope is sensitive to spurious vibrations and other coupling mechanisms. This thesis aims to quantitatively capture the sensitivity of a MEMS gyroscope to manufacturing variations in the widths of suspension beams and gaps between fingers in electrostatic actuation and capacitive sensing combs. The gyroscope considered is manufactured in a CMOS-MEMS process. The suspended MEMS structures are composed of the multi-layer stack of interconnect metals and dielectrics in a CMOS process. The effect of misalignment is also modeled in the gyroscope. Fundamental issues related to the modeling and simulation of MEMS gyroscopes are addressed. Behavioral simulation is used to analyze the gyroscope and system-level design issues. The elastic modeling effort is primarily aimed at a thorough understanding of cross-axis coupling in micromechanical springs and at multi-dimensional curvature in the multilayer suspended structures in the CMOS-MEMS process. Cross-axis stiffness constants are derived for basic spring topologies. Techniques to reduce, and even completely eliminate, elastic cross-axis coupling are discussed. In the electrostatic domain, a methodology which combines analytical equations with numerically obtained data is developed to model CMOS-MEMS combs. Particular attention is paid in this methodology to make the resultant behavioral model energy conserving. Convergence problems found in behavioral simulations of gyroscopes lead to a detailed comparison of different Analog Hardware Description Language (AHDL) model implementation of mechanical second-order systems. Analytic equations relating gyroscope non-idealities: the Zero Rate Output, acceleration and acceleration-squared sensitivity and cross-axis sensitivity to manufacturing effects are derived. The analysis and simulations result in several insights into gyroscope non-idealities and design pointers to reduce them.
Performance characterization and development of quantitative procedures for PET-CT scanners

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging is a functional exploration technique for humans and animals invented in the early 70s, based on the administration of a specific radioactive labeled molecule. The first large part of this work reports theoretical aspects of the technique, including the problem of image reconstruction and corrections based on physical models necessary for the realization of 3D PET imaging. PET has gained large adoption in the clinics today, especially in the field of oncology. Considering this new availability, the question of standardization arises. As a consequence we explore and compare absolute performances of a unique panel of >30 PET-CT cameras based on a recognized standard. We write some proposals for further standardization, and for extension to evaluation of a novel commercial feature: time-of-flight imaging. We further develop image processing techniques for spatial resolution recovery based on a general analytic model, adapted to small lesions (MBPVEC). Another related development concerns larger lung lesions when respiratory motion is present. Quantitative corrections based on CT are evaluated, and a proposal is made for a novel technique alternative gating technique. The adaptive amplitude gating (AAG) methodology both improves detection and quantitative results for this lesion type. This work characterizes further the PET modality from instrumentation, physics and image processing perspectives. It was driven by a medical and clinical question and multiple collaborations with clinical institutions, what justifies its classification as multidisciplinary.
Price transmission in European fish markets

ABSTRACT We investigate price transmission in European fisheries markets. To start, we identify clusters of fish species both cross-regionally and within countries. A major issue in the clustering exercise is missing data due to reporting issues and seasonality in landed fish catches. To handle this we implement k-POD clustering which unlike traditional k-means clustering is able to account for missing data in clustering. Next, we move on to our primary goal of investigating price transmission through modelling price volatility spillovers. A missing value VAR framework is applied to identify directional spillovers among fish prices within clusters. We show that the directional volatility spillover effect is more prominent within each country for different species clusters than that for species cross-regionally. This suggests price transmission within localized markets for fish, rather than cross-regional markets for individual species. Although there are some neighbour country effects and some species that appear to be priced cross-regionally. Our study is the first to explore these multiple fish pricing dynamics, particularly taking account of the important issue of missing data which is a notable feature of fish pricing data.
Oil-Price Shocks: Beyond Standard Aggregate Demand/Aggregate Supply Analysis

Abstract The author explores the problems of portraying oil-price shocks using the aggregate demand/aggregate supply model. Although oil-price shocks are the most commonly cited examples of aggregate supply shocks, they violate the model's assumption of constant relative prices (as acknowledged by the label, “oil-price shocks”). The resulting problems are effectively masked in textbook presentations by implicitly assuming that the supply shocks occur in a closed economy. However, the typical discussion is glaringly inaccurate when discussing the effects of oil-price shocks on oil-rich countries. Thus, the cogency of the standard model's representation of oil-price shocks on open economies is compromised. A simple modification of the model that differentiates between production and absorption goods enables it to better reflect the effects of oil-price shocks on open economies.
All Learning Is Self-Directed: How Organizations Can Support and Encourage Independent Learning

Build on the idea that organizations and their employees are increasingly comfortable with the idea that learning and skills development are the responsibility of the individual worker. This volume is designed to help organizations and their HR and training groups take maximum advantage of the trend toward an independent, self-directed learner workforce. You'll learn how to develop new organizational and individual employee development strategies to meet workplace challenges.
Adsorption of Sulfur Dioxide on Clinoptilolite/Nano Iron Oxide and Natural Clinoptilolite

Background: Sulfur dioxide gas is known to include pollutants that are harmful to human health and the environment. Therefore, due to the increase of industrial activities, SO2 gas pollution control is very important. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficiency of sulfur dioxide removal by iron oxide nanoparticles deposited on clinoptilolite zeolite. Methods: Two materials, natural clinoptilolite and clinoptilolite containing iron oxide nanoparticles, were used as adsorbents of SO2. Both materials were characterized via scanning electron microscopy imaging, infrared spectroscopy, and N2 porosimetry, along with the determination of the thermodynamic properties and kinetics of SO2 adsorption. Therefore, breakthrough experiments were carried out at different temperatures and with different contact times. Sulfur dioxide adsorption of a real sample was considered for both adsorbents. Results: The adsorption efficiency of SO2 in the synthetic and actual sample was obtained at 80.3% and 66.7%, respectively, under optimum conditions (temperature of 25°C and duration of 28.5 minutes) by modified zeolite with iron oxide nanoparticles. The removal percentage average of SO2 was also obtained in the synthetic and actual sample at 43.8% and 31.3%, respectively, by zeolite in optimum conditions (temperature of 25°C and contact time of 20.5 minutes). The adsorption of SO2 with both adsorbents followed the pseudo-second-order equation and the adsorption process was an exothermic and spontaneous process. Conclusions: The addition of these iron oxide nanoparticles had a positive impact on the surface area and on SO2 capacity.
Design of a Film Cooling Experiment for Rocket Engines

Abstract : The Film Cooling Rig (FCR) is a new test rig at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) to study film cooling for rocket engine applications. The original researcher designed, built, and then utilized the FCR to study radial curvature effects on film cooling for a non-combustion environment. This effort modified the FCR by adding propane-air combustion. Modular stainless steel test sections were produced to allow study of various curvatures and coolant injection angles. A pre-mixed burner was designed and built to deliver main flow mass flow rates necessary to produce blowing ratios as low as 0.5. A water cooling system was designed for the entire FCR, but only implemented for the curved test sections. Instrumentation in this system allows calculation of the average heat flux to the test section. Once the necessary FCR and lab modifications were accomplished, the operating range of the FCR was developed and tested using infrared thermography. Surface temperature measurements near the cooling hole showed no cooling effect for 13 major test configurations, and many more minor variations. The lack of cooling was caused by inadequate spreading of the burner flow to the test section wall. Without the necessary main flow momentum across the test section wall, the coolant flow did not turn and adhere to the wall. Instead, it jetted into the main flow without cooling the wall as expected. Recommendations included modifications to the existing rig to correct the main flow issue, along with a completely new FCR design incorporating the lessons learned from this research to produce a simpler, more effective rig. The new design allows the laser and infrared diagnostics of the first rig without the manufacturing complications that hindered testing in the first FCR.
Factors Influencing Organizational Acceptance of Technological Change in Training

Abstract : Research was conducted to develop a model of factors influencing user acceptance. The model reflected reviews of the literature on innovation acceptance, technology transfer, and organizational development; review of official directives and instructions bearing on training device development, acquisition, and use; and interviews with personnel representing most of the organizational 'players' in the Navy's trainer development, acquisition, and use process. In the interviews, very different points of view were expressed by members of the researcher, funder, developer, and user communities. Each community appeared governed by its own perspective, while holding attitudes toward the other communities ranging from sympathetic to antagonistic. It was hypothesized that many problems of innovation acceptance are caused by the present limited interactions and feedback loops among these communities. The model which was developed has been found useful in structuring thinking about problems of innovation acceptance. It was hypothesized that it will be useful in identifying organizational processes that might benefit from change, and identifying areas where future research on the acceptance process may have the greatest impact.
An Assessment of the Acceptability of COVID-19 Vaccine in Uganda: An Online-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Globally, health systems are optimistic about Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine introduction as one of the solutions for containment and elimination of the COVID-19 virus. However, the success of the vaccination efforts depends on the number of people who get vaccinated to reach herd immunity. Our study assessed the acceptability of the COVID-19 vaccine among Ugandans and the determinants for acceptability when the vaccine is made available. Methods: Between October 6, 2020, and November 6, 2020, an anonymous web-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among Ugandans who could access an online semi-structured questionnaire designed using Google forms. The Google form was shared on email and social network platforms including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Participants that completed the survey received information encouraging them to spread the survey link to all their contacts. Results: Overall acceptability of the COVID-19 vaccine was 396 of 604 (66%). Acceptability of COVID-19 vaccine was associated with having a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.): APR: 2.90; 95% CI [1.33-6.45]. On the other hand, acceptability of COVID-19 vaccine was negatively associated with female sex: APR: 0.75; 95% CI [0.66-0.85], history of Adverse Events Following Immunization: APR: 0.63; 95% CI [0.42-0.96], not believing that COVID-19 is real: APR: 0.63; 95% CI [0.47-0.84] and not believing that COVID-19 has a vaccine; APR: 0.86; 95% CI [0.76-0.98]. Conclusions: Most participants indicated an intention to accept to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. However, addressing social demographic differences and health education is needed to increase the intention to receive the COVID-19 vaccine when available.
Improving Health Literacy Responsiveness: A Randomized Study on the Uptake of Brochures on Doctor-Patient Communication in Primary Health Care Waiting Rooms

Presenting attractive and useful health education materials in waiting rooms can help improve an organization’s health literacy responsiveness. However, it is unclear to what extent patients may be interested in health education materials, such as brochures. We conducted a three-week field study in waiting rooms of three primary care centers in Groningen. Three versions of a brochure on doctor-patient communication were randomly distributed, 2250 in total. One version contained six short photo stories, another version was non-narrative but contained comparable photos, and the third version was a traditional brochure. Each day we counted how many brochures were taken. We also asked patients (N = 471) to participate in a brief interview. Patients who consented (N = 390) were asked if they had noticed the brochure. If yes (N = 135), they were asked why they had or had not browsed the brochure, and why they had or had not taken it. Interview responses were categorized by two authors. Only 2.9% of the brochures were taken; no significant association with brochure version was found. Analysis of the interview data showed that the version with the photo narrative was noticed significantly more often than the non-narrative version or the traditional version. These results suggest that designing attractive and comprehensible health materials is not enough. Healthcare organizations should also create effective strategies to reach their target population.
Text mining: A survey of Arabic root extraction algorithms

In all Arab countries, the Arabic language is the official language spoken and written and is one of the oldest known languages. This paper aims to explain and discuss the work done on extracting the root of the Arabic word and Stemming algorithms. Text mining has become of interest to scientists, researchers, and users because of the existence of big data and deep learning algorithms that can analyze giant sets of unstructured data. The basic algorithms are used to extract and classify texts, information retrieval systems, and indexes. Algorithms are used to extract the root of a word from different natural languages. This paper will present a brief background and comprehensive presentation of a number of algorithms that handle the Arabic text to extract the word root in its light, heavy, hybrid, leading, and Markovian form. There are a number of papers, articles, and research papers that deal with extracting the Arabic root from the word. This paper will present a brief background for a number of stemming algorithms on how to extracting the root and stem of the Arabic word, then make a comparison and discussion of a number of selected algorithms in terms of accuracy, data set, method of stemming regarding of strengths and weakness.
Spectroscopic (FT-IR and UV-Vis), electronic and docking studies on the red clover isoflavone irilone as a progesterone receptor (PR) effect supporter in endometrial and ovarian cancer cell lines

The main aim of the present work is theoretical studies and docking analysis on the novel small molecule irilone as a progesterone receptor (PR) effect supporter in endometrial and ovarian cancer cell lines. The quantum mechanical computations are done using B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) level of theory on the molecule under study at room temperature. The theoretical calculations showed that irilone is a stable small molecule with high electrophilicity property. The density of states (DOS) graph indicated that the virtual orbitals of the said compound have more density than the occupied orbitals. These studied indicated that the title compound can make a complex with progesterone receptor (PR) using steric and hydrogen bond (HB) interactions. The docking analysis showed that the receptor (PR-B isoform) residues Pro-696, Gln-725, Met-759, Arg-766, Glu-695, Asp-697, Leu-758, Lys-822, Ile-699, Val-698 and Trp-755 play main role in receptor-ligand complex formation.