Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessing the Relationship between Hotel Restaurant Brands Attributes and Customer Satisfaction: The Mediating Role of Customer Dining Experience

Experience in the context of business has become a part of important attributes especially in the service marketing segment. According to experts, shaping and designing customer experience is part of the experience economy. In a similar vein, experience is built once the customers get to know a product or service through the brand, use its facilities, and experience it. The importance of brand is without exception and it is also associated with the restaurant industry. That is the reason why creating a strong brand is one of the strategies used by many independent and hotel restaurant marketers in attracting and retaining customers for its performance and operational survival. The concepts of brand loyalty, awareness, brand image and brand competitiveness have gained many interests among researchers in general restaurant setting and operational aspects. However, research that specifically looks at the relationship between customer restaurant experience, particularly dining experience in the hotel restaurant setting, is still sparse and overlooked. A quantitative method was used in this study with hotel restaurant customers who dined at the restaurant as samples of investigation. In this study, dining experience is positioned as a mediating variable to see its effect between hotel restaurant brand attributes and customer satisfaction. The results revealed no significant mediating effect of dining experience towards hotel restaurant brand attributes and customer satisfaction.
Recent progress in large dynamic resistor arrays

An addressable mosaic array of resistively heated microbridges offers the potential to project accurate dynamic infrared (IR) imagery. The main purpose of this imagery is to be used in the evaluation of IR instruments from seekers to FLIRs. With the growing development of lower cost uncooled IR imagers, scene projectors also offer the potential for dynamic testing of these new instruments. In past years we have described developments in a variety of IR projectors systems designed for different purposes. In this paper we will describe recent developments in these technologies aimed at improving or understanding temporal and radiative performance.
Validation of DVB-S2 system performances with ACM

This paper presents the results of in-depth validation of a DVB-S2 system with ACM, using a laboratory demonstrator developed under a European Space Agency Artes 5 contract "ACM Modem". The reference scenario used to define the test cases consists of a multi-beam Ka-band satellite system, representative of future systems to provide broadband access by satellite at a low cost and with high service availability, made possible with the DVB-S2 standard. The demonstration platform is based on a commercial gateway and terminal, which modulator and demodulator have been adapted to include DVB-S2 and ACM functionalities and detailed test points, a two-way satellite channel emulator, IP traffic generators and analysers and a control & monitoring station for test automation. (7 pages)
ALGORITHM OF SIGNAL PROCESSING IN THE RADAR SYSTEM WITH CONTINUOUS FREQUENCY MODULATED RADIATION FOR DETECTION OF SMALL-SIZED AERIAL OBJECTS, ESTIMATION OF THEIR RANGE AND VELOCITY

Nowadays the interest in search of ways of improving the efficiency of small radar cross-section aerial objects detection and localization rises against the background of widespread use of light and unmanned aerial vehi-cles. As a result, researchers pay attention to radar systems (RS) with continuous linear frequency modulation (linear FM) signal. The use of such signals gives the measurable opportunity to reduce radar system peak-speech power and to cut the cost and weightsize parameters of the RS. The paper observes low-power ground based radar implementation prospects for purposes of detection and estimation of motion rates of small-sized aerial objects. The proposed algorithm of radar signals processing enables to simplify the detection of such tar-gets. The paper reveals the structure and defines the steps of the algorithm. The fundamental for the algorithm under consideration is the method of the range-Doppler image composition of the scanned area using digital signal processing. The paper presents the results of the algorithm operation in the low-power RS of C-band radar, obtained by processing of quadrotor echo-signals during the real experiment. The results show successful solvation of the applied problem of detection and tracking on the small-sized aerial object with the radar cross-section equal to less than 0.5 m2 and the spectrum of secondary radiation characterized by the expressed multimodality. The results of the experiment validate the application of the algorithm and demonstrate the possibility of the algorithm implementation in design of portable RS and automated target acquisition centers for detecting and tracking of the small-sized aerial targets (both, single as multi agent) with the information display on operator control panel.
Augmenting the Traditional Approach to Usability: Three Tools to Bring the User Back Into the Process

A primary goal of the usability evaluation process is to create interfaces that can be seamlessly integrated into current processes and create an enjoyable experience for the user. Given this, it is critical to capture user input to effectively drive product development and redesign. While many methods are available to usability practitioners, this paper highlights three techniques that can be used to substantially enhance usability evaluation output. Specifically this paper presents a method to utilize focus groups, emotional profiling and Kano analysis methods in combination to define user needs, expectations, and desires, provide an explanation of why features of a product are liked or disliked, as well as add additional structure to the prioritization of usability shortcomings and related redesign recommendations. A background on each method, the process for implementing them into usability analyses, and guidelines for successful use are provided for usability practitioners.
Numerical Aero-Thermal Analysis of a Rib-Roughened Trailing Edge Cooling Channel at Different Rotation Numbers and Channel Orientations

The present work considers the aero-thermal characterization of a rib-roughened cooling channel for the trailing edge of gas turbine blades, and is based on previous findings from a smooth channel configuration. The passage is characterized by a trapezoidal cross section with high aspect-ratio, radial inlet flow, and coolant discharge at both model tip and trailing side, where seven elongated pedestals are installed. In this study, heat transfer augmentation is achieved by placing inclined squared ribs on the channel central portion.RANS simulations with a SST turbulence model were performed using the commercial solver ANSYS CFX®v14. The numerical tool was first validated on the available experimental data and, subsequently, its capabilities were exploited in a wider range of working conditions, namely at higher rotation speed and different channel orientation. In this way it was possible to highlight the effects that ribs and working conditions have on the development of both flow and thermal fields.The results show that rotation and channel orientation produce contrasting effects. On the rib-roughened wall, rotation/orientation generates an increase/decrease of the heat transfer; conversely, on the trailing side region rotation/orientation has a negative/positive effect on the thermal field.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Static Deformations of Bridges From Quick‐Release Dynamic Experiments

This paper illustrates the application of a new method for performing baseline corrections on accelerograms generated by the quick-release method. These accelerograms are produced when highway bridges are subjected to dynamic excitations by initially deforming the structure and subsequently quick-releasing the loads causing the deformations. In the past, the displacements caused by the quick-release loads have not been recovered because an adequate correction procedure was not available. A baseline-correction method was developed such that the step-function character of the quick-release baseline is preserved. This feature allows the complete static deformation state to be recovered by integrating the accelerograms. The power of the method is demonstrated by applying it to a suite of quick-release data obtained during full-scale field tests of the Meloland Road Overcrossing located near El Centro, California. As a result, complete static deformations of this bridge are obtained as a by-product of the dynamic experiments.
A Piezoelectric Bidirectional Micropump for a Medical Application

In this work, we present recent developments of our novel artificial sphincter system. The highly integrated system consists of several inflatable balloons and a micropump. We will analyse the apparatus concerning the volumes that have to be moved and make a specification for a suitable pump. A bidirectional silicon micropump with active valves is used to meet the worked out requirements of the sphincter prosthesis. The fabrication of the pump is described and the working principle will be explained. A summary of an analytical lumped parameter approach to model the pump’s performance is given. Optimization measures derived from this model are pointed out. The driver electronics is described and energy consumption issues are discussed. Two different pump designs were realized. The measured pump performance concerning the flowrate and the achievable pressure were compared to the theoretical model. A good agreement between model and measured data was found. A maximum flowrate of 1.3 ml/min and a maximum backpressure of 40000 Pa was achieved. The realized pump performance is sufficient for first experimental studies with the artificial sphincter system.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Methodologically materialising hate: Incorporating participatory design methods within qualitative research on crime and victimisation

The use of ‘design’ within qualitative research on crime and victimisation, and within the social disciplines more generally, has seen very little commentary or discussion. ‘Design’ is referred to throughout as the professional and scholarly practice rather than the ‘research design’, that is, the practical plan for the methods used to generate data. Design in this former sense has historically drawn on both arts and engineering to give form to garments, products and visual communication. This article presents a case study, followed by a reflective discussion, of a research project in which research through design methods were used to construct two focus groups involving lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender young people and police liaison officers as part of a hate crime project. Participants were asked to design reporting devices that would respond to hateful behaviour. Through the design process, participants materialised their own experiences of hate and embodied emotional responses to those experiences. The authors argue that there are methodological, ideological and practical benefits for incorporating research through design methods within qualitative research on crime and victimisation. Design offers a way of critically and creatively reimagining how research methods are understood and utilised, challenging how criminological methodologies traditionally operate.
Low operation voltage of inkjet-printed plastic sheet-type micromechanical switches

We have fabricated plastic micromechanical switches using inkjet printing technologies. By reducing the device dimensions, particularly the spacing between the electrodes for electrostatic attraction, the operation voltage is reduced to 6.6V. The frequency response exceeds 1kHz when the operation voltage is above 20V. When the number of periodic cycles of the rectangular voltage waveforms that are applied to the control electrodes in air exceeds 2×106, the on resistance changes slightly from 25to30Ω, thereby demonstrating the reliability and stability of the present plastic switches.
Acoustic emission testing of aboveground petroleum storage tanks: Risk assessment and lessons learned

This article discusses the in‐service inspection experience of aboveground storage tanks (AST) with the acoustic emission method (AE). The risk assessment is made according to the American Petroleum Institute (API) Publication 353. Weighting factors were developed to modify the risk of each AST after the AE floor inspection and conventional inspection for the shell and roof.
Cavitation Effect to the Hydraulic Piston Pump Flow Pulsation

The flow pulsation is one of the main factors, which affect the performance of water hydraulic piston pump, and cavitation also has importance effect on flow pulsation. In this paper, CFD technology is used to simulate visually the porting process，which causes the flow pulsation in water hydraulic axial piston pump. As a result, the flow pulsation rates and other parameters on fluid-field corresponding to different rotary speed and different loading are obtained respectively when cavitation is considered and not, which can present theoretic references for the development of water hydraulic pump.
Non-contact liquid level measurement with electromagnetic–acoustic resonator sensors

Electromagnetic–acoustic transduction represents an alternative to piezoelectric transduction with unique properties and advantages for resonator sensors. We have shown that such devices are suitable as mass microbalances similar to quartz crystal resonators, and as liquid density and viscosity sensors by exciting a suitable in-plane mode featuring dominant shear vibration. Generating out-of-plane vibrations we have applied these devices also as liquid level sensors. In contrast to classic time-of-flight ultrasonic liquid level sensors, the resolution is not limited by the wavelength, since small frequency changes due to interference effects with a standing acoustic wave are evaluated. For this contribution we have extensively evaluated this liquid level sensing and will present and compare new measurement and modeling results. The model comprises electromagnetic–acoustic interaction with a lossy transmission line representing the acoustic wave in the liquid. In impedance measurements with standard lab equipment a resolution as low as 3 µm at a liquid level of 10 mm and an operating frequency of 275 kHz has been achieved.
Using Spatial Intercoms to Improve Speech Intelligibility for International Teams

One of the most critical aspects of international teamwork activity is communications, most of which are in English, despite the fact that most of the team members in the world are non-native English speakers. Previous research has demonstrated that apparent spatial separation of communications can lead to substantial improvements in speech intelligibility and reductions in communications workload (Bolia & Nelson, 2003). This study investigated the benefits of sound spatialization on non-native English speakers, showing a significant improvement in recognition of the correct responses when speech was provided spatially. This result confirms and extends previous research on the usefulness of spatial audio technology in order to enhance speech intelligibility in multitalker communications environments.
Correlation Between Tumor-Specific Mutated and Methylated DNA in Colorectal Cancer.

PURPOSE Analysis of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is a potential improvement in precision medicine. In colorectal cancer (CRC), somatic mutations such as RAS and RAF in the blood (mut-ctDNA) are investigated for prognostic and predictive purposes. However, they are only present in approximately 60% of patients. Recently, ctDNA has been detected in patients with RAS/RAF wild type (WT) by methylated ctDNA (meth-ctDNA). The aim of this study was to compare mutated DNA with methylated DNA in malignant and nonmalignant tissue and plasma from CRC cohorts to establish a universal biomarker for ctDNA in all patients with CRC. MATERIALS AND METHODS Tissue (n = 170) and plasma (n = 147) samples were analyzed for RAS/RAF mutations and neuropeptide Y methylation by droplet digital polymerase chain reaction. Tissue originated from nonmalignant WT and RAS/RAF-mutated adenomas, tumor-adjacent colorectal tissue, and WT and RAS/RAF-mutated tumor tissue. Plasma samples represented healthy donors and localized and metastatic CRCs. RESULTS The level of neuropeptide Y-methylated DNA in the tissue cohorts differed between nonmalignant and malignant/premalignant tissues with minimal overlap. Furthermore, meth-ctDNA was detected in plasma from 100% of patients with metastatic disease, compared with 67% of those with localized disease and 8% of healthy donors. Median fraction of meth-ctDNA in metastatic and localized cancers was 13.25% and 0.04%, respectively. Correlation between mut-ctDNA and meth-ctDNA was high (r = 0.77 and 0.80 in localized and metastatic settings, respectively). CONCLUSION Mut-ctDNA is interchangeable with meth-ctDNA in patients with CRC. On the basis of our results, meth-ctDNA should be considered a universal biomarker in metastatic CRC, but additional investigations of clinical utility are warranted.
Review of pedestrian detection techniques in automotive far-infrared video

The use of advanced driver assistance systems is becoming increasingly common in road-going vehicles. One application of these driver assistance systems is in the automated detection of vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians, using automotive far-infrared imagery. Detection of pedestrians in infrared imagery can be quite difficult because of a number of factors such as the environment, pedestrian behaviour and also the physical limitations of currently available infrared sensors. This study presents a comprehensive review of the literature currently available in the area of pedestrian detection techniques in automotive infrared imagery. The challenges associated with automated detection of pedestrians in the automotive domain are first discussed. An overview of the general structure of pedestrian detection algorithms is then presented, followed by an in-depth analysis of existing literature in the area. Some proposals for future research in the area based on the methods described in this study are then offered.
Voltage control in radial systems with dispersed generation

After the introduction of the competitive electricity market in many countries, the number of small-size generators connected to the distribution systems is rapidly increasing. This paper analyses the interactions among the voltage control operated in the HV/MV substation and the possible voltage control operated by the dispersed generators connected to the MV nodes of the distribution system. A novel controller of voltage and reactive power of the dispersed generator is proposed. With this controller, when the voltage at the network side remains in an acceptable range, the reactive power generation of the dispersed generator is null with minimum losses for the generator and its transformer; otherwise, the dispersed generator gives an additional contribution to control the voltage of the system. Results showing the effectiveness of the proposed controller are presented for an actual distribution system.
Broadband CPW-fed Circularly Polarized Falcate-shaped Monopole Antenna for UWB Applications

Abstract In this paper, a novel broadband CPW-fed circularly polarized (CP) monopole antenna is presented. The antenna is composed of a falcate-shaped patch and an improved ground plane. By adding an I-shaped stub in the ground plane, the impedance and axial-ratio (AR) bandwidths can be greatly enhanced. The antenna has been fabricated and measured. Good agreement is achieved between the simulation and measurement, which shows that the proposed antenna covers a 10-dB impedance bandwidth of 122% from 2.78 to 11.46 GHz, and a 3-dB AR bandwidth of 53.3% from 4.4 to 7.6 GHz.
Reduction of NOx in the exhaust gas of DI- diesel engine fueled with mahua methyl ester along with exhaust gas recirculation

Biodiesels are alternative fuels for petroleum-based diesel without major modifications of engine. In the environmental aspect, also biodiesel gives fewer pollutants than petroleum diesel. However, the NOx level is slightly higher. To reduce NOx, some of the methods are being used, which include direct injection, turbocharging, air-to-air intercooling, combustion optimization with and without swirl support, multivalve cylinder head, advanced high pressure injection system, i.e., split injection or rate shaping, and electronic management system. However, technologies such as exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), soot traps, and exhaust gas after treatment are gaining emphasis to cater to the challenges posed by increasingly stringent environmental emission legislations. In this work, experimentation was conducted on a single cylinder diesel engine with mahua methyl ester (MME) in the neat form along with the cooled EGR and performance, combustion pressure, and emission parameters are collected by using suitable.
An inertial subgradient extragradient method of variational inequality problems involving quasi‐nonexpansive operators with applications

In this work, a new algorithm is suggested to solve the variational inequality problems for Lipschitz continuous and monotone operators and the fixed point problems for quasi‐nonexpansive operators. This algorithm is constructed based on the inertial subgradient extragradient method. In addition, a strong convergence theorem for this algorithm is obtained under some extra conditions. Furthermore, an application to a signal recovery in compressed sensing problem is shown as a numerical example of the algorithm.
Loading And Capacity Effects On Platform Performance In Extreme Condition Storm Waves And Earthquakes

Dynamic - transient loading effects from extreme storm waves and earthquakes can have important influences on the nonlinear ultimate limit state performance of fixed offshore platforms. Recorded and synthetic storm wave and earthquake time histories have been used to develop loading time histories acting on template-type platforms having natural periods in the range of 1 to 5 sec. The interactions of these loading histories with the dynamic, nonlinear, hysteretic performance characteristics of idealised systems have been analysed. A static push-over capacity modification factor has been developed to recognise transient loading - structure performance characteristics. The results from the idealised systems have been correlated with results from time domain nonlinear analyses of platform structure systems subjected to intense wave and earthquake loadings. For the global behaviour of the platforms studied, the results based on the simplified systems are in good agreement with those from the complex analyses.