Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Engineering JADEX agents with the MaSE methodology

Agent Oriented Software Engineering (AOSE) is one of the fields of the agent domain with a continuous growing interest. The reason is that the possibility to easily specify and implement agent-based systems is of a great importance for the recognition of the add-value of the agent technology in many application fields. In this paper we present an attempt towards this direction, by proposing a kind of roadmap of how one can combine the MaSE methodology for agent-oriented analysis and design and JADEX, a FIPA compliant agent development framework, for an easier analysis, design and implementation of multi-agent systems. Our objective is realized through the presentation of the analysis, design and implementation phases, of a water treatment plant information management system.
An empirical analysis of open source software developers' motivation using expectancy-valence theory

The purpose of this study was to investigate the motivations of individuals that are willing to join open source communities and voluntarily dedicate their effort and expertise for OSS development. Despite the emergence of various studies on developers' motivation, there is little research that focuses on developers' intentions to continue their participation and expend their effort. Expectancy-valence theory, human resource theory, and volunteerism were adapted to form two research models: a theoretical model of OSS developers' continuation, and an exploratory model of developers' effort. The continuation model captures those factors that might significantly influence OSS developers' satisfaction with OSS development, their commitment and intentions to continue participating in future open source projects, and the causal relationships among these factors. The effort model is developed to measure the associations between developers' effort and motivation, schedule availability, and expertise. The findings regarding the motivation of developers showed that volunteering can reflect multiple motivations: intrinsic motivation (i.e., helping) and extrinsic motivation (i.e., career advancement). A positive and satisfactory experience leads to a positive attitude toward retention. Moreover, volunteer developers' commitment primarily depends on motivation to help. These results, taken as a whole, suggest that OSS developers are motivated both by the altruism of helping and the economic incentive for career advancement. Developers' effort was primarily influenced by both their motivation to help and peer recognition, which implies that the impact of intrinsic motivators on effort is stronger than that of extrinsic motivators. Enjoyment demonstrated a significantly negative effect on effort, suggesting that developers with high levels of motivation on enjoyment did not spend more time on open source projects than those with less motivation on enjoyment. This study also provided empirical evidence that volunteers may vary their motivation according to their actual experience and the commercial viability of their project. The length of experience suggests a life cycle effect on motivation; i.e., the longer developers stay, the higher levels of motivation grow. In addition, the more commercially viable an open source project is, the more likely developers are motivated. Finally, scheduling availability is an important factor of predicting continuation and effort.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Properties of Poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne)-block-poly(4-methyl-2-pentyne) Block Copolymers

Poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne)-block-poly(4-methyl-2-pentyne) (PTMSP-b-PMP) block copolymers of different composition were synthesized through sequential living polymerization by catalytic systems based on niobium pentachloride with organometallic cocatalysts in cyclohexane. Mechanical, thermal, and gas transport properties of synthesized block copolymers are investigated. The morphology of PTMSP-b-PMP can be described as a two-phase supramolecular structure which includes regions with an increased level of ordering, distributed in an amorphous phase. The observed structure of block copolymers is explained by the presence of densely packed poly(4-methyl-2-pentyne) (PMP) blocks and less ordered poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) (PTMSP) blocks. The correlation of morphology of block copolymers with gas transport parameters as well as with resistance toward organic solvents is discussed. As result of this study, novel polymeric materials based on PTMSP and PMP combining resistance toward aromatic and alipha.
Polarizable Dissipative Particle Dynamics Simulation of Electrolyte Solutions

Solvent polarizability is introduced into a coarse-grained (CG) particle model to represent polar solvents on a mesoscopic level. In our method, the polarization of coarse-grained particles is represented by an oscillator which consists of two oppositely charged particles connected to each other by a spring. The charges and the spring constant are chosen so that the constant of proportionality relating the electric field to the induced dielectric polarization density corresponds to the macroscopic susceptibility. Dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) simulations of polar and the non-polar solvents are carried out to model electrolyte solutions. The cation-anion radial distribution functions (RDFs) for the polar solvent show an oscillatory character, as well as a sharp peak at a distance which corresponds to contact ion pair formation. In contrast, the RDFs for the non-polar solvent shows a monotonic change and a broad peak. This suggests that the introduction of the oscillator model for polar solvents improves the adequacy of the coarse-grained model of electrolyte solutions.
Study of Tools for Network Discovery and Network Mapping

Abstract : The work presented in this report is related to the DRDC Joint Network Management and Defense System (JNMDS) Technology Demonstrator Project. This work is an investigation of the currently available tools that are capable of performing automatic network discovery in an IP-based network. For the proposed system, it is required to provide an assessment of the existing tool's capabilities in identifying: the network topologies (map of physical links and logical links), the network resources (network elements and the configuration information) and the network services (network applications and system support). In particular, the study addresses the following issues: how is automatic network discovery achieved by the existing tools, and what is discovered. A number of tools from the commercial sector (COTS), the open-source community and the research$academic community were identified. Based on the main auto-discovery techniques that are implemented by the tools, four tool categories were defined. These are: the Active SNMP-based, the Active Hybrid, the Passive only and the Inventory & Audit tool category. For each of the four categories, a number of tools from the three sources were selected for further study. For the selected tools, a documentation-based evaluation of their auto-discovery capabilities was performed. The report presents the detailed evaluation of seventeen tools. The results of the evaluation are summarized in two characteristic tables. One thing that is apparent when looking at the outcome of the study is that although some tools present good capabilities, they all have their strengths and weaknesses. Within the scope of interest, the "one tool does it all" solution does not exist. It is reasonable to expect that for the Technology Demonstrator Project system, the solution is likely to consist of an integrated suite of tools where functionality of each tool will be combined to achieve the desired capability.
New desiccant cooling system using the regenerative, indirect evaporative process

This thesis deals with the study of a particular Desiccant Cooling system using the regenerative indirect evaporative process for air conditioning purposes. The designed system is characterized by a desiccant wheel made of silica gel coupled with several indirect evaporative coolers. The components are modelled and the system is simulated during the summer period in Copenhagen and Venice, to cover the sensible and latent loads inside a typical Danish supermarket. Alternative solutions based on electrical and absorption chillers are also simulated, by means of simplified models, to compare their results. It is shown that the designed desiccant cooling system is a valid alternative to conventional systems based on electrical chillers when cheap heat is available, both from renewable energy sources or as waste heat from other processes. The required number of evaporative coolers in the desiccant cooling system is high, requiring a further optimization of the system to decrease its investment costs, making it more attractive.
A Side-Constrained Peer-to-Peer Carpooling Stochastic User Equilibrium Model

: Peer-to-peer (P2P) carpooling has become an effective way to utilize the idle car capacity and ease traffic congestion. However, the interactive relationship between carpooling and traffic congestion has not been fully quantified. To make up for this gap, this paper constructs a side-constrained P2P carpooling stochastic user equilibrium model to disclose the effects of carpooling on traffic congestion. Next, the proposed model was transformed into a linear constrained minimization problem, and the problem was proved to have a unique solution. The case study shows that the travellers prefer carpooling at a high fuel price and a low inconvenient cost.
Sustainability of masonry in construction

The chapter provides an overview of masonry as a sustainable construction material. It deals primarily with clay brickwork and concrete blockwork and describes their manufacture and principal properties with regards to sustainability. The broader issues associated with sustainability are briefly discussed and the current methods for quantifying the whole life environmental performance of masonry walling used in residential and commercial buildings within the UK are examined. Examples of masonry buildings that are ‘more sustainable’ in terms of their operational energy and/or material usage are given, together with a brief outline of possible future developments in the masonry area.
PERFUMES: a scent of product quality characteristics

Quality is a complex concept and it depends on the opinions and attitudes of the stakeholders, who are concerned with different quality attributes. In this paper we investigate the ISO-9126 software product quality attributes from different stakeholders view and also extend the six main quality attributes with two new ones in view of recent developments in technology and development paradigms.
Personal Learning Environments for Overcoming Knowledge Boundaries between Activity Systems in Emerging Adulthood

Summary In this paper we suggest a possible answer to the question on why Social Network Systems (SNSs) are important for bridging social capital and for knowledge construction during emerging adulthood. We argue why web social artefacts 2.0, and particularly those defined as Personal Learning Environments, which consider also SNSs, could be more effective than web artefacts 1.0, such as those defined as Virtual Learning Environments (mainly represented by classical web platforms and web forums), for overcoming knowledge confines between activity systems during transitions in emerging adulthood. This theoretical route starts with the definition of emerging adulthood as a period broadly located between adolescence and adulthood in which individuals are faced with many types of transitions. A fundamental aspect of such a transition period is the personal network of relations, and in particular the concept of bridging social capital formed by networks of weak ties. Researches on the use of web technologies in emerging adulthood are also discussed, as the results show the importance of these tools for maintaining and reinforcing bridging social capital. The conclusions derived from this theoretical route emphasise the relevance that web artefacts 2.0 have, in particular SNSs, providing emerging adults with many possibilities and support in: − maintaining and developing their social capital; − constructing a knowledge background that could help them during transitions through different activity systems. These conclusions also lead towards a new conception of eLearning strategies employed in contexts such as universities, characterized until now by a heavy use of web artefacts 1.0 in which students play a passive role. We believe more flexible eLearning systems, such as SNSs, should be taken into consideration, since they are more likely to meet the needs of today’s emerging adults in terms of information and knowledge.
Professional master’s degree: Another ‘Jabuticaba’ or a bridge between theory and practice?

ABSTRACT In recent years, the gap between theory and practice in business administration has been turning into an uncomfortable chasm. However, few studies empirically explore the construction of bridges between theory and practice. ‘Jabuticaba’ is a typical Brazilian fruit. The term is often used to denigrate government-set standards and rules that exist only in the country. Since professional master’s programmes are encouraged by regulation, it is worth discussing whether this type of programme is another exotic Brazilian product or a model that merits learning by other countries to bridge the theory and practice gap. This article explores the creation and development of a professional master’s programme in a large business school in Brazil. It contributes to the literature on the theory and practice gap by showing that a professional master’s programme, with appropriate institutional support, can be a viable model to narrow the theory and practice gap.
Abiotic stresses.

Abstract Numerous abiotic stresses impact yield, quality and adaptation of cucurbit crops under the diverse cultivation systems across the globe. Irrigation systems, elevation, soil type, solar radiation, wind, pathogens, fertility and genotype all interact to determine the degree to which abiotic stress may impact the crop. This chapters describes some abiotic stresses affecting cucurbit cultivation, such as cold, heat, drought, flooding, nutrient deficiencies and excesses, and salinity. Tolerance or resistance to abiotic stress factors has been documented in the germplasm of multiple cucurbit crops. Utilizing wild accessions, landraces and known resistance sources, genes for abiotic stress resistance are being identified and introgressed into cultivars with desirable fruit quality. With the new gene editing technology, it may be possible to modify these endogenous stress resistance genes to enhance their effects in the near future.
Hardware-in-the-Loop Simulation of Rendezvous and Docking Maneuvers in On-Orbit Servicing Missions

On-orbit servicing (OOS) is of great significance with regard to spacecrafts’ lifetime extension and safe end-of-life de-orbiting. In an OOS mission a servicing satellite will approach a client/target satellite, will capture or dock on it and will take over its orbit and attitude control. This can be followed by additional maintenance tasks or by orbit maneuvers in a mated configuration. Rendezvous and docking (RvD) are considerably critical phases in such a mission and consequently RvD sensors and algorithms have to be verified and tested intensively. Therefore, DLR has established the second generation of a test facility called European Proximity Operations Simulator (EPOS 2.0) using robotic manipulators to generate the relative motion between two satellites. The last 25m of the rendezvous phase as well as the docking/capturing phase can be accurately simulated. This paper focuses on the rendezvous part to establish a hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation of a close-range rendezvous process. As navigation sensor a monocular camera is used to track continuously the target satellite. The complex software functionality for relative guidance, navigation and control (GNC) and for the satellite dynamics is developed under Matlab/Simulink environment and auto-coded with Real-Time Workshop. The paper describes the realised HIL simulation and presents first results.
Optimization of physical parameters for the growth and lipid production in Nannochloropsis gaditana (Lubian, 1982)

Shyni MarKose1, Ajan Chellappan1, Praba Thangamani1, Subilal George1, Selvaraj Thangaswamy1, Citarasu Thavasimuthu2, Michaelbabu Mariavincent3* 1Planktology and Aquaculture Division, Centre for Marine Science and Technology, Manonmanium Sundaranar University, Rajakkamangalam, India. 2Aquatic Animal Health Lab, Centre for Marine Science and Technology, Manonmanium Sundaranar University, Rajakkamangalam, India. 3Planktology and Aquaculture Division, Centre for Marine Science and Technology, Manonmanium Sundaranar University, Rajakkamangalam, India.
Big Time

The Proterozoic Eon was once regarded as the neglected middle half of Earth history. The name refers to early animals, but they did not appear until the eon (2.5–0.54 Ga) was nearly over. Eukaryotic cells and sexual reproduction evolved much earlier in the eon, as did chloroplasts. Molecular dioxygen, the presence of which altered the geochemical behavior of nearly every element essential to life, rose from negligible to near-modern levels, and then plummeted before rising fitfully again. Plate tectonics took on a modern form, and two supercontinents, Nuna and Rodinia, successively congregated and later dispersed. Climate regulatory failures, i.e., Snowball Earth, appear to be a uniquely Proterozoic phenomenon, having occurred twice in rapid succession near the end of the eon (from 717 to 660 Ma and from 650 to 635 Ma) and arguably once near its beginning (ca. 2.43 Ga). Dynamic sea glaciers covered Snowball Earth oceans from pole to pole, and equatorial sublimation drove slow-moving ice sheets on land. Ultimately, the gradual accumulation of CO2 triggered rapid deglaciation and transient greenhouse aftermaths. Physically based and geologically tested, Neoproterozoic Snowball Earth appears to have molecular legacies in ancient bitumens and modern organisms. This is the story of my love affair with an eon that is now a little less neglected.
Container Logistics and its Management

In this work research on container logistics and its management is presented. Contrary to the common approach of treating this as a mathematical problem and addressing it by operations research methods, this work regards the problem in a wider perspective. Instead of being limited to management of the physical system bringing about the movement of containers, container logistics management is regarded as also including demand management. The research aims at describing the logistics of the system in terms of how the various components in a container transport system interact and how the system interacts with its environment. Due to the limited previous research on container logistics and its management in a wider perspective, this work is primarily explorative and descriptive. Empirical studies of container flows are presented. Both the flow for an individual carrier and the total flow between a port and its hinterland have been studied and the studies reveal a low utilization of the containers. Containers were found to be stored empty for long periods of time at terminals, retained for a considerable time by customers and there was much transport of empty containers. The studies also revealed poor quality of the data in the computerized tracking systems with missing and erroneous data entries. In a study of ten of the world's twenty largest container shipping companies it was found that the use of advanced decision support systems, taking advantage of operations research or artificial intelligence technology, was scarce. Only one company reported to use such a system, which assigned priorities to depots, in day-to-day operations. The main logistical functions of the container are to create opportunities to exploit economies of scale and enabling vessels and vehicles to operate independently by decoupling them at terminals. Therefore, when deciding on actions to improve the utilization of containers the effect on other system components must be considered. Pooling is suggested as a way of increasing the utilization of the containers without constraining the operation of other, capital intensive, resources. Container logistics systems are characterized by high complexity and uncertainty. Much of the information relevant for decision-making is informal and the managers' experience is difficult to formalize. Therefore successful systems for container logistics management must take advantage of both human and computerized information processing. It is suggested to engage theories from cybernetics and information theory as a theoretical framework for logistics systems analysis. Even if this is only done to a limited extent in this research, due to being considered at a late stage of the research, these theories show a strong explanatory ability.
Where are we heading? The crisis in surveying education and a changing profession

SUMMARY It has been clear for some time, at least from the evidence presented at a number of FIG events, that the surveying profession is heading for a global crisis. The profession is changing and the number of competencies in which surveyors are actively involved is over 200. Different parts of the world report a range of major problems, including low student numbers, closure of surveying courses, an aging teaching profession, inadequate job opportunities in some locations with an insufficient supply of graduates to fill the vacancies in others. There are challenges of new technologies within both education content and delivery and, most damaging of all, the risks attached to non-specialist data uses. Overarching these is the lack of any clear international recognition of a 21 st century definition of the profession of “surveyors” (as defined by FIG) and thus a failure to promote, at a global level, the full range of surveying skills to both our clients base and to the broader public, thereby constricting both the supply of and demand for surveyors. Indeed, there is evidence that some surveying skills which are recognized and valued in some countries are not considered in the same light in others.