Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Downscaling of Precipitation Forecasts Based on Single Image Super-Resolution

<p>High spatial resolution weather forecasts that capture regional-scale dynamics are important for natural hazards prevention, especially for the regions featured with large topographical variety and local climate. While deep convolutional neural networks have made great progress in single image super-resolution (SR) which learns mapping relationship between low- and high- resolution images, limited efforts have been made to explore the potential of downscaling in this way. In the study, three advanced SR deep learning frameworks including Super-Resolution Convolutional Neural Network (SRCNN), Super-Resolution Generative Adversarial Networks (SRGAN) and Enhanced Deep residual networks for Super-Resolution (EDSR) are proposed for downscaling forecasts of daily precipitation in southeast China (100&#176;E -130&#176;E, 15&#176;N -35&#176;N). The SR frameworks are designed to improve the horizontal resolution of daily precipitation forecasts from raw 1/2 degrees (~50km) to 1/4 degrees (~25km) and 1/8 degrees (~12.5km), respectively. For comparison, Bias Correction Spatial Disaggregation (BCSD) as a traditional SD method is also performed under the same framework. The precipitation forecasts used in our work are obtained from different Ensemble Prediction Systems (EPSs) including ECMWF, NCEP and JMA which are provided by TIGGE datasets. A group of metrics have been applied to assess the performance of the three SR models, including Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Anomaly Correlation Coefficient (ACC) and Equitable Threat Score (ETS). Results show that three SR models can effectively capture the detailed spatial information of local precipitation that is ignored in global NWPs. Among the three SR models, EDSR obtains the optimum results with lower RMSE and higher ACC which shows better downscaling skills. Furthermore, the SR downscaling methods can be extended to the statistical downscaling for other predictors as well. </p>
Proceedings of the 40th Conference on Winter Simulation

The Winter Simulation Conference (WSC) is recognized as the premiere international conference for simulation professionals in discrete and combined discrete-continuous simulation. WSC is always located in stimulating locations, and in 2008 we are delighted to hold the conference in Miami, Florida. WSC 2008 marks the first time since 1978 that the conference has been held in Miami. The conference theme this year is Global Gateway to Discovery, a reference to the unlimited discoveries that are possible through the application of simulation, the international appeal of the conference, and the historical role that the host location has played for generations of explorers. WSC 2008 features a comprehensive program ranging from introductory tutorials to state-of-the-art research and practice. WSC 2008 will also incorporate, for the first time, the MASM (Modeling and Analysis for Semiconductor Manufacturing) Conference, the leading modeling and analysis conference for global semiconductor manufacturing and supply chain operations. MASM will feature an international panel discussion titled "Modeling and Analysis of Semiconductor Manufacturing in a Shrinking World: Challenges and Successes". As part of the conference theme of 'Global Gateway to Discovery', WSC 2008 will feature a track titled 'Simulation Around the World', highlighting the uses of simulation in different global regions. WSC 2008 will also offer a pre-conference workshop on simulation, Simulation 101, where participants learn about discrete-event simulation in a day-long setting that includes lecture and hands-on laboratory exercises.
Mastering the Semi-Structured Interview and Beyond: From Research Design to Analysis and Publication

ContentsForeword by William E. Cross, Jr. ixAcknowledgments xi Introduction 1Section I: Setting the Stage 1 Craft ing a Design to Yield a Complete Story 9 2 Th e Semi-Structured Interview as a Repertoire of Possibilities 45Section II: The Semi-Structured Interview: Collecting and Analyzing Qualitative Data 3 Conducting the Interview: Th e Role of Reciprocity and Refl exivity 75 4 Ongoing and Iterative Data Analysis 119Section III: Synthesizing and Interpreting Research Findings 5 Building Th eory 149 6 Writing Up and Speaking Back to the Literature 173 Aft erword: Loose Th reads 191Appendix A: Sample Protocol for Student Participants 195Appendix B: Past as Present, Present as Past: Historicizing Black Education and Interrogating "Integration" 203Notes 231References 235Index 241About the Author 245
Enhancing Children's Learning in Museums: A Design-based Research Approach

This paper reports research, conducted in collaboration with the Hunt Museum, Limerick, Ireland, which explored the design and deployment of novel ubiquitous computing to augment children's learning in museums. The paper summarises a Design-Based Research process. The poster will display the final results of the research. The authors have presented the initial and interim findings at the previous two ICLS conferences (e.g. Hall et al, 2004).
DESIGNING SOLIDS HANDLING PIPELINES

This second article of a three part series gives hydraulic data, from lab studies, on the design of homogeneous and heterogeneous systems. This part deals with the transport of clays, fine ashes, coal and finely ground minerals that, in sufficiently high concentrations, produce plastic slurries, the raw cement slurries encountered in the wet production process, drilling mud and the like.
Statics and Strength of Materials for Architecture and Building Construction

1. Introduction. 2. Statics. 3. Analysis of Selected Determinate Structural Systems. 4. Load Tracing. 5. Strength of Materials. 6. Cross-Sectional Properties of Structural Members. 7. Bending and Shear in Simple Beams. 8. Bending and Shear Stresses in Beams. 9. Column Analysis and Design. 10. Structural Connections. 11. Structure, Construction, and Architecture. Appendix: Tables for Structural Design. Answers to Selected Problems. Index.
Free and forced vibrations of tapered composite beams including the effects of axial force and damping

Tapered composite beams formed by terminating or dropping-off some of the plies from primary structure are being used in various engineering applications since the mid-1980s. Because of their structural tailoring capabilities, damage tolerance and potential for creating significant weight savings in engineering applications such as helicopter yoke, robot arms and turbine blades, tapered composite beams have received much attention from engineers and researchers. Design of mechanical components using tapered composite beams requires a better understanding of their behavior on free and forced vibrations. In the present thesis, free and forced vibration analysis including the effects of axial force and damping of tapered composite beams is conducted using conventional, and higher-order finite elements and the Rayleigh-Ritz method. Composite beam samples are manufactured and tested for the determination of mechanical properties and damping loss factor. Conventional and higher- order finite element formulations are established based on classical laminate theory. Since conventional finite element has limitation in obtaining accurate results with fewer elements, higher-order finite element formulation is developed considering four degrees of freedom per node (deflection, rotation, curvature and gradient of curvature) to overcome that problem. Rayleigh-Ritz method is used to obtain solutions for different boundary conditions to validate the results obtained by finite element methods. A detailed parametric study is conducted to investigate the effects of boundary conditions, laminate configurations, taper configurations, taper angle, the ratio of the length of the thick section to the length of thin section, axial force, and damping. The NCT-301 graphite-epoxy composite material is used in the experimental work, analysis, and in the parametric study.
To Wrap Or to Not Wrap Cucumbers?

In light of increasing public pressure, retailers strive to remove plastic packaging as much as possible from fresh fruits and vegetables to reduce the environmental impacts along their supply chains. Plastic packaging, however, also has an important protective function, similar to the fruit's peel. For cucumbers transported from Spain and sold in Switzerland, our investigations in the form of a life cycle assessment study showed that the plastic wrapping has a rather low environmental impact (only about 1%) in comparison to the total environmental impacts of the fruit from grower to grocer. Hence, each cucumber that has to be thrown away has the equivalent environmental impact of 93 plastic cucumber wraps. We found that plastic wrapping protects the environment more by saving more cucumbers from spoilage than it harms the environment by the additional use of plastic. If, by using the plastic wrap, we reduce cucumber losses at retail only by 1.1%, its use already has a net environmental benefit. Currently, in the cucumber import supply chain from Spain to Switzerland, the use of plastic wrapping lowers the cucumber losses at retail by an estimated 4.8%; therefore, it makes sense to use it from an environmental perspective. The environmental benefit of food waste reduction due to plastic wrapping the cucumbers was found to be 4.9 times higher than the negative environmental impact due to the packaging itself. Alternative strategies to preserve fresh cucumbers without using plastic wrapping will have to compete with this challenging limit.
The biomass bandwagon: three ideas for engineering and technology programs to get onboard

As society demands more energy and material goods, engineers and technologists will be relied upon to design and implement systems to produce and deliver these. There is growing interest in using renewable resources to produce fuels, chemicals, and finished products to meet these increasing needs. Additionally, popularity is gaining, both in research as well as industry, in developing and commercializing biobased products. Within this arena, there are tremendous opportunities for teaching innovations as well. To date, very limited discussions at ASEE regarding these potentials have occurred. The goal of this paper is to discuss possibilities for augmenting engineering and technology curricula by incorporating various concepts from biomass processing and utilization. We will discuss three specific topics that are germane to the fields of engineering and technology, and could easily be infused into existing coursework. These include quality control, engineering economics, and biocomposite manufacturing. Because the role of the instructor is to utilize advances in research to bolster the classroom, and because the interest and actual utilization of biomass is currently burgeoning, incorporating these topics could provide a tremendous boost in student interest in coursework, as well as bolster the workforce who will be working in the emerging bioeconomy.
Kinetic analysis of forwards, step-by-step and backwards stair descent

The purpose of this research was to evaluate biomechanical differences in alternate stair descent strategies to determine the mechanisms by which these strategies modulate task mechanics Seventeen healthy subjects (9 males, 8 females) performed ten trials in four experimental conditions; forwards (FD), backwards (BD), step-by-step lead (SBSL) and trail (SBST) limbs. Results showed that peak ankle plantiflexor powers and work in BD and SBSL were similar in magnitude (p>0.05) and reduced relative to FD at initial contact (p 0.05). Lastly, peak moments, powers and work at push-off were greater in FD compared to all other conditions (p 0.05). Peak knee moments, powers and work were reduced during the eccentric midstance burst. Knee moments, powers and work were similar in FD and SBST (p>0.05), but were greater than BD and SBSL (p<0.001). Peak moments, powers and work were greater in BD compared to the SBSL limb (p<0.001). Thus, the step-by-step descent strategy is more appropriate for individuals with unilateral knee problems, whereas backwards descent is more suitable for bilateral quadriceps weakness. Peak hip powers and work were larger in BD relative to FD (p <0.001) during initial contact. Similarly, the extensor moment in BD was significantly larger than the flexor moment demonstrated in FD. No consistent stair or condition effects were observed for the concentric hip flexor burst at push-off in FD, SBSL and SBST conditions. Finally, this study considered foot clearance in stair descent. Clearance was greater in BD relative to FD, SBSL and SBST in the mid staircase region, but was similar at step 1, which represented the transition from standing to stair descent. No foot contacts, trips or stumbles were recorded, demonstrating the likelihood of contacting a stair edge in all patterns was nonexistent for these healthy participants. The present results have implications to improve functionality in stair descent for individuals that find the task difficult or painful. Future studies will likely consider the strategies employed during the initiation of stair descent by elderly and clinical populations to gain insight on the strategies used to minimize mechanical burden on both the joints and overlying musculature. Lastly, research should consider the effects of handrail use on alternate stair descent strategy mechanics, such as backwards and step-by-step descent.
Research of Ecological Stoichiometry of Plant Community in Alpine KobresiaMeadow

N and P were important elements to life.Total nitrogen and phosphorus in plants,soil organic matter,total nitrogen phosphorus and potassium in soil were measured for analyzing N/P,C/N and C/P ecological stoichiometry of Kobresia meadow in Maqin.The results showed that total nitrogen mass fraction in plants ranged from 17.23g/kg to 32.83g/kg,total phosphorus ranged from 4.11g/kg to 10.32g/kg,N/P ranged from 2.18 g/kg to 5.62 g/kg.Average total nitrogen,phosphorus and N/P in plants were 20.94g/kg,6.09g/kg and 3.56 respectively.Mass fraction of soil organic matter,total nitrogen and total phosphorus were 102.60g/kg,5.68 g/kg,2.26g/kg respectively,C/N,C/P and N/P were 18.69,480.3,2.7 respectively.The results suggested that soil nutrients were higher than national level,plant growth was limited by N in Maqin Kobresia meadow.
Ricci on Glissando: The Shortcut to Violin Technique

Preface 1. The Old and New Systems of Violin Playing 2. One-finger, or Glissando, Technique Introduction Glissando Scales Guidelines for Practicing Glissando Scales 3. Exercises, Etudes, and Cadenzas Glissando Scales Flexibility Studies Ear-training Studies Coordination Studies Crawling Studies Etude in Thirds Etude in Sixths Etude in Octaves Cantabile and Waltz Cadenza to Brahms Concerto Cadenza to Paganini Concerto No. 4 Cadenza to Paganini Concerto No. 6 4. Miscellaneous Aspects of Technique Fingering Guidelines Vibrato Tone Production Bowing Articulation and Evenness in Slurred Passages Grouping Tuning Ear Training Practicing Instrument Setup Hand Development Holding the Violin Hand Position Shoulder Rests Shifting Guidelines Notes Index
Pengaruh Stres Kerja, Beban Kerja, terhadap kepuasan Kerja (studi pada medical representatif di Kota Kudus)

With the growth of world trade in products where competition is accompanied by increasingly stringent targets are so high from the company to its marketing, as well as the marketing of drug company called Medical Representative is charged with a high enough target. Therefore this study aims to determine Workload Influence on Job Stress, Job Stress and Effect on Medical Representative Job Satisfaction in Kudus. From the results of hypothesis test showed that the adjusted R2 of -, 025 indicates that the effect of workload on job stress at 2.5%. With a very small effect, may imply that no form of workload influence on work stress. while for the Effect of Work Stress on Job Satisfaction gained 0,033 Adjusted R2 results show an effect of work stress on job satisfaction by 3.3%, With very little effect, may imply that no form of the effect of job stress on job satisfaction.
Leadership behaviors in undergraduate hospitality management and dietetics students

Objective To explore leadership in undergraduate dietetics students including the leadership actions reported most frequently, the context of these leadership actions, and student's reported perceptions of themselves as leaders. Design A non-random sample of eight universities was utilized. Undergraduate dietetics students in a freshmen-level and a senior-level course were asked to complete questionnaires. Focus groups were conducted at one university. Subjects/setting A student leadership questionnaire was mailed to educators at eight universities. A total of 283 dietetics undergraduate students completed the questionnaire. Fifteen senior dietetics students participated in the focus groups. Statistical analyses Descriptive statistics were used to summarize data. One-way analysis of variance was used to assess differences in leadership behaviors based on demographic characteristics including previous supervisory experience and leadership experience. Results About half (49%) of respondents reported having leadership coursework. The majority of students reported having previous supervisory work experience (70%) and having held a leadership position (60%). The majority of students perceive themselves as leaders in all context areas. The leadership practice, Enabling Others to Act, was the most frequently reported. There were no significant differences in leadership behaviors based on college classification status, and supervisory experience. Leadership behaviors were more prevalent in students who had previous leadership coursework, were older, or who had previous leadership
Soft Marking Scheme of SVM Hierarchical Classifiers for Attack Classification

: Classification is a predictive modelling problem that involves assigning a class label to an instance correctly. There exist several strategies in machine learning to deal with the multi-class classification problems for attack detection. One of the popular strategies is the one-vs-one that decomposes the multi-class problem into multiple binary ones. The approach has been applied in many popular supervised learning algorithms, such as support vector machines. A possible problem of the standard multi-class classification problem is that it lacks correlation between different classes, which can increase overfitting problems and hinder generalization performance. Thus, a possible solution to the problem is to use a hierarchical classification that captures the relationship between classes by dividing the multi-class classification problem into a tree. However, one possible challenge in this approach is selecting parent and child nodes of the tree. The selected nodes should be informative to recognize and then classify different attack classes. One way is by looking at specific domain knowledge to train and build classifiers of the base learners for effective prediction. Thus, a soft marking scheme is introduced to assess a set of binary classifiers to ensure the best overall predictive base learners. Finally, we validate and compare the proposed approach to the standard NSL-KDD dataset. The results show that the proposed method outperforms the standard classifier on the intrusion attack classification.
TESTING OF STATE ROADSIDE SAFETY SYSTEMS. VOLUME I: TECHNICAL REPORT

The purpose of this study is to crash test and evaluate new or modified roadside safety hardware and, where necessary, redesign the devices to improve their impact performance. The three major areas addressed in this study are the impact performance of bridge railings, transitions from guardrails to bridge railings, and end treatments for guardrails and median barriers. This report presents a summary of the results of various laboratory, pendulum, and crash tests conducted under this study. A total of 36 full-scale crash tests were conducted, covering 12 different types of roadside safety appurtenances. The crash tests were conducted in accordance with guidelines set forth in NCHRP Report 230, NCHRP Report 350, and/or the 1989 AASHTO Guide Specifications for Bridge Railings, depending on the specific appurtenance being tested. In addition, laboratory and pendulum tests were conducted on a modified breakaway MELT post design. This volume is the first in a series of 14 volumes for the final report.
Online structured education for type 2 diabetes: An interdisciplinary research approach (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Digital health research encompasses methods from Human-Computer Interaction, and health research. OBJECTIVE The aim of this paper is to describe how these methods were combined to develop HeLP-Diabetes: Starting Out, an online structured education programme for people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. METHODS The development process consisted of three phases: (i) initial design for effectiveness; (ii) optimisation for usability and (iii) “in the wild” testing in the NHS with people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, and further revisions. We took an iterative user-centred approach and followed steps from the HCI design lifecycle and the Medical Research Council guidance on developing and evaluating complex interventions. RESULTS The usability testing highlighted at an early stage where changes needed to be made to the language and layout of the programme. The “in the wild” testing provided data on uptake and barriers to use. The study suggested low uptake and completion of the programme, but those who used it seemed to benefit. The qualitative findings suggested that barriers to use included an expectation that the programme would take too long. This informed refinements to the programme. CONCLUSIONS The use of interdisciplinary methods resulted in an iterative development process, and refinements to the programme that were based on user needs and data on uptake. The final intervention was more suitable for a definitive evaluation than the initial version. The description of our approach informs other digital health researchers about how to make interventions more sensitive to user needs.
Evaluating QoS and QoE Dimensions in Adaptive Video Streaming

The focus of this thesis has been on Quality of Service (QoS) and Quality of Experience (QoE) dimensions of adaptive video streaming. By carrying out a literature study reviewing the state of the art on QoS and QoE we have proposed several quality metrics applicable to adaptive video streaming, amongst them: initial buffering time, mean duration of a rebuffering event, rebuffering frequency, quality transitions and bitrate. Perhaps counterintuitively, other research has found that a higher bitrate does not always lead to a higher degree of QoE. If one look at bitrate in relation to quality transitions it has been found that users could prefer a stable video stream, with fewer quality transitions, at the cost of an overall higher bitrate. We have conducted two case studies to see if this is considered by todays adaptive video streaming technologies. The case studies have been performed by means of measurements on the players of Tv2 Sumo and Comoyo. We have exposed the players to packet loss and observed their behavior by using tools such as Wireshark. Our results indicate that neither player take the cost of quality transitions into account in their rate adaptation logic, the players rather strive for a higher quality level. In both cases we have observed a relatively large number of quality transitions throughout the various sessions. If we were to give any recommendations to the Over-the-Top (OTT) service providers, we would advise them to investigate the effects of quality transitions and consider including a solution for handling potentially negative effects in the rate adaptation logic of the player.