Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Understanding Why People Change Their Technology Use in Protests: User Study on Ebonyi State Mobile Telecommunication Subscribers Experiences

The rise in consumers complains against their service/tech providers has empowered government of various nations to set up Consumer Complaint Commissions. Some corporate organizations who wish to handle the complaints of their customers usually set up an in-house/internal customer care centres, a platform through which they attend to their customers’ needs. This research therefore is interested in exploring the reasons for user-protests among the mobile telecommunication subscribers in Ebonyi State, Nigeria against their network service providers. To arrive at this, we designed a research questionnaire to capture the experiences of the subscribers of the 4 major mobile telecommunication network service provider companies operating in the state. The participants were recruited through physical administration of research instrument and social media such as facebook, whatsapp and email platforms with a total of 72 participants feedbacks received. The users responses on the various issues raised on our questionnaire were the-matically analyzed and represented using adequate data presentation tools. Our results proved that there are growing numbers of disgruntled customers among subscribers of the various network providers. From our survey, we gathered that 81.90% of the respondents have engaged in protest use at one point or the other against their service providers with MTN network topping the list with 36.50%, followed by GLO network 27%, Airtel network 23.80% and 9 Mobile 12.70%. Finally, we proposed a design prototype named “Komplain” that will serve as rallying system for the protest users to use and pros-ecute their actions. The system can also recommend actions which the protesters may undertake.
As above, so below? Effects of fungicides on microbial organic matter decomposition are stronger in the hyporheic than in the benthic zone

Microbial organic matter decomposition is a critical ecosystem function, which can be negatively affected by chemicals. Although the majority of organic matter is stored in sediments, the impact of chemicals has exclusively been studied in benthic systems. To address this knowledge gap, we assessed the impact of a fungicide mixture at three concentrations on the decomposition of black alder leaves in the benthic and hyporheic zone. We targeted two sediment treatments characterized by fine and coarse grain sizes (1–2 vs. 2–4 mm). Besides microbial communities' functioning (i.e., decomposition), we determined their structure through microbial biomass estimates and community composition. In absence of fungicides, leaf decomposition, microbial biomass estimates and fungal sporulation were lower in the hyporheic zone, while the importance of bacteria was elevated. Leaf decomposition was reduced (40%) under fungicide exposure in fine sediment with an effect size more than twice as high as in the benthic zone (15%). These differences are likely triggered by the lower hydraulic conductivity in the hyporheic zone influencing microbial dispersal as well as oxygen and nutrient fluxes. Since insights from the benthic zone are not easily transferable, these results indicate that the hyporheic zone requires a higher recognition with regard to ecotoxicological effects on organic matter decomposition.
Interleaved converters operation based on CMC

A new family of low-ripple DC-to-DC switching converters based on a parallel connection of N-identical boost converters with current-mode control (CMC) is presented. The CMC strategy ensures that all the converters operate at the same duty cycle, sharing an equal amount of input current and forcing the output voltage to be an integer multiple (N) of the input voltage. As a result, the total input current and output voltage ripples are extremely low. The generation of control signals from inductor currents feedback without using external triangular or sawtooth signals is another characteristic of the new converter family.
Beyond Relevance Ranking: A General Graph Matching Framework for Utility-Oriented Learning to Rank

Learning to rank from logged user feedback, such as clicks or purchases, is a central component of many real-world information systems. Different from human-annotated relevance labels, the user feedback is always noisy and biased. Many existing learning to rank methods infer the underlying relevance of query–item pairs based on different assumptions of examination, and still optimize a relevance based objective. Such methods rely heavily on the correct estimation of examination, which is often difficult to achieve in practice. In this work, we propose a general framework U-rank+ for learning to rank with logged user feedback from the perspective of graph matching. We systematically analyze the biases in user feedback, including examination bias and selection bias. Then, we take both biases into consideration for unbiased utility estimation that directly based on user feedback, instead of relevance. In order to maximize the estimated utility in an efficient manner, we design two different solvers based on Sinkhorn and LambdaLoss for U-rank+. The former is based on a standard graph matching algorithm, and the latter is inspired by the traditional method of learning to rank. Both of the algorithms have good theoretical properties to optimize the unbiased utility objective while the latter is proved to be empirically more effective and efficient in practice. Our framework U-rank+ can deal with a general utility function and can be used in a widespread of applications including web search, recommendation, and online advertising. Semi-synthetic experiments on three benchmark learning to rank datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of U-rank+. Furthermore, our proposed framework has been deployed on two different scenarios of a mainstream App store, where the online A/B testing shows that U-rank+ achieves an average improvement of 19.2% on click-through rate and 20.8% improvement on conversion rate in recommendation scenario, and 5.12% on platform revenue in online advertising scenario over the production baselines.
Design of Zero Slope Microirrigation Laterals: Effect of the Friction Factor Variation

AbstractMicroirrigation has become quite a common practice in agricultural production in various parts of the world. To achieve the optimum (hydraulic and economic) system performance, designers are often faced with the problem of designing a maximum lateral length which results in a desired coefficient of uniformity (CU) or an allowable pressure head variation (δH). Previous theoretical design approaches are usually based on a constant Darcy–Weisbach (DW) friction factor along the lateral and this assumption can lead to substantial errors. In the research reported in this paper, a new analytical design approach does not require the constant DW assumption for zero-slope laterals while it still takes into account the emitter exponent and the effect of minor friction losses caused by emitters. Assuming a constant friction factor along the lateral might result in errors up to 14% in the calculation of the maximum lateral length. Conversely, the maximum relative error caused by the application of the proposed.
FD-TD analysis for coaxial probe inserted into a waveguide

Full wave FD-TD analysis has been carried out for a coaxial probe inserted into a waveguide so as to achieve a coaxial-waveguide transition. Including cases for probes with large diameter and extension length, equivalent admittances agreed well with corresponding measured results and have been provided as useful data for circuit design. Field concentration which ought to be taken into account for high power application design has been also discussed by field distribution.
Crowdsourcing: What can be Outsourced to the Crowd, and Why ?

Why should a firm outsource certain activities in countries where labor is inexpensive, when by using the Internet, firms are a mouse click away from an eclectic, university educated, population ready to invest in intellectually stimulating projects for little or no remuneration ? The word Crowdsourcing –a compound contraction of Crowd and Outsourcing, was used by Howe in order to define outsourcing to the crowd. Beyond cost, benefits for the company can be substantial. It can externalize the risk of failure and it only pays for products or services that meet its expectations. The aim of this paper is to characterize Crowdsourcing from a management science perspective. Our approach is mainly theoretical, although we rely on extensive illustrations. First we discuss the definition of Crowdsourcing, and provide examples that illustrate the diversity of Crowdsourcing practices. Then, we present similarities and differences between Crowdsourcing and established theories (Open Innovation, User Innovation) and a phenomenon that has inspired many studies in Economics and Management, Open Source Software. Our goal is to avoid future misunderstandings and to show that Crowdsourcing is a concept per se. Finally, we propose and illustrate a typology of Crowdsourcing practices based on two criteria: the integrative or selective nature of the process and the type of tasks that are crowdsourced (routine, complex and creative tasks). In either case, the client firm seeks to mobilize external competencies. Relying upon the crowd can be an adequate method, because of its unique characteristics that are fostered by the Internet.
Stationary frame harmonic reference generation for active filter systems

Harmonic reference generators for active power filter systems are commonly implemented in the synchronous reference frame, so that simple low or high pass filter functions can be used depending on the requirements of a particular application. High pass filters in particular are used when the reference generator is required to produce an "everything but the fundamental" target waveform. This paper presents a stationary frame notch filter equivalent to a high pass synchronous frame harmonic reference generator for such systems. The use of the stationary frame allows for quicker calculation of the reference generation in a discrete digital implementation, and also allows classical control techniques to be used to analyze the active filter system without requiring synchronous frame transformations of the outside system model. Both simulation (continuous and discrete) and experimental results showing the equivalency of the stationary and synchronous frame reference generation process are presented using both shift and delta operator based IIR digital filters.
Low Phase Noise Self-Switched Biasing CMOS LC Quadrature VCO

A self-switched biasing quadrature voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) is presented. It is implemented by directly injecting the oscillation signal of one VCO core into the other VCO core through the divided tail current sources without additional active devices for coupling. The proposed coupling structure automatically switches the NMOS field-effect transistors used in VCO cores and current sources from strong inversion to accumulation. Since the deep switching of MOSFETs was reported to physically reduce flicker noise, the proposed quadrature VCO (QVCO) is expected to improve the phase noise performance, which is confirmed experimentally. The designed QVCO using 0.18- mum CMOS technology operates from 1.86 to 2.2 GHz with a 17% frequency tuning range. The measured phase noise is from - 129.1 to - 134.5 dBc/Hz at a 1-MHz offset, which is really close to ideal simulation results with the NMOS model disabling the flicker noise components. The average measured phase noise is 7.2 dB below the simulated one with a flicker noise model, which verifies the physical reduction of flicker noise by deep switching of the MOSFET. The phase noise figure-of-merit ranges from 179 to 185 over the entire tuning range. The QVCO dissipates 20 mA from a 1.8-V supply.
Evaluation of Variables Affecting Sustainable Highway Design with BE2ST-in-Highways System

The Building Environmentally and Economically Sustainable Transportation-Infrastructure-Highways (BE2ST-in-Highways) sustainability rating system was developed to provide a quantitative methodology for rating the benefits of sustainable highway construction. The methodology is grounded in quantitative metrics so that a transparent linkage exists between the project rating and the sustainable practices employed in design and construction. This rating system can be employed by the highway construction industry and agencies to evaluate sustainable practices quantitatively and to incorporate sustainable elements into projects. To illustrate how BE2ST-in-Highways is employed, 10 alternative designs were evaluated and compared with two reference pavement designs for a pilot project (Baraboo Bypass, Wisconsin). The results of this pilot project evaluation indicate that the use of recycled materials instead of conventional materials in highway construction can improve sustainability considerably: about 27% reduction in global warming potential and energy and water use. Reductions in carbon dioxide emissions and energy and water consumption are largely due to the reduction of the material production phase (e.g., mining and processing) by substituting existing recycled materials and reducing the thickness of the base layer and the number of rehabilitation events due to longer service life because of superior properties. Use of recycled material resulted in reductions in the life-cycle cost by as much as 30%. Using recycled materials in the surface layer is not the use with the highest value. Using recycled materials in the base course is thus more advantageous and has higher value because larger material quantities are involved in the base course with greater potential for cost savings, as shown in this case study.
Hot-electron-induced degradation of pseudomorphic high-electron mobility transistors

Pseudomorphic high-electron mobility transistors have been found to undergo hot-electron-induced degradation. Due to the negative temperature dependence of hot-electron effects, it will be necessary to conduct electrical and temperature stress tests separately, in order to ascertain the reliability of these transistors under normal operating conditions. <<ETX>>
Nontarget Image-Based Technique for Small Cable Vibration Measurement

In this paper, a proof-of-concept image-based technique is proposed for measuring small cable vibration. The technique analyzes an image sequence of a vibrating cable segment captured by a camera. An optical flow method is used to calculate variation of optical intensity of an arbitrary selected region of interest ROI on the cable image sequence. The obtained optical flow vector provides the direction of vibration for the ROI on the cable segment, which then can be used to estimate displacement of the ROI on the image plane. Furthermore, actual displacement of the ROI can be extracted when some conditions are met. The proposed technique is validated both in the laboratory using a rigid pipe and in the field on a small pedestrian bridge cable. Results show that the technique is able to measure the pipe motion and the cable vibration accurately. The proposed technique requires only one commercial camera, and no prior camera calibration is needed. In addition, the use of an optical flow method eliminates the need to attach any target to the cable and makes the technique very easy to implement. Despite these advantages, the technique still needs further development before it can be applied to long-span bridge cables.
Oxidative Stress Markers and Modified Model for End-Stage Liver Disease Are Associated with Outcomes in Patients with Advanced Heart Failure Receiving Bridged Therapy with Continuous-Flow Left Ventricular Assist Devices

Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is well established as an alternative treatment for end-stage heart failure (HF) patients. The aim of the study was to determine the prognostic value of oxidative stress markers and the modified Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (modMELD) in patients receiving bridged therapy with continuous-flow LVAD. We prospectively analyzed 36 end-stage HF patients who received LVAD therapy between 2015 and 2018. The total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total oxidant status (TOS) were measured by the methods described by Erel. The oxidative stress index (OSI) was defined as the ratio of the TOS to TAC levels. The modMELD scores were calculated based on the serum bilirubin, creatinine, and albumin levels. The patients’ median age was 58 (50–63.0) years. During the 1.5-years follow-up, a major adverse cardiac event—MACE (death, stroke, or pump thrombosis) was observed in 17 patients (47.2%). The area under the receiver operating characteristics curves (AUCs) indicated a good prognostic power of TAC (AUC 0.7183 (0.5417–0.8948)), TOS (AUC 0.9149 (0.8205–0.9298)), OSI (AUC 0.9628 (0.9030–0.9821)), and modMELD (AUC 0.87 (0.7494–0.9905)) to predict a MACE. Oxidative stress markers serum concentrations, as well as the modMELD score, allow the identification of patients with a risk of MACE.
CHARACTERISTICS OF ELECTROMECHANICAL COUPLING SELF-SYNCHRONIZATION OF A MULTI-MOTOR VIBRATION TRANSMISSION SYSTEM

Multi-motor vibratory transmission systems have been wide used in large vibratory machines, and four-motor linear vibratory machine is one typical equipment of them. Under non-forcible synchronization condition zero-phase synchronization of the machine is non-stationary and π-phase synchronization is stable. Under half-forcible synchronization condition in which only one motor is controlled being synchronous to another, only lag synchronization near zero-phase synchronization can be realized. Both of the characteristics have never been revealed with classical theory quantitatively. The problem is solved by means of establishing an electromechanical coupling mathematical model of the system and numerical analysis of the starting processes.
Enhancement of Guidance System using Kalman Filter

The operation of Modern Guidance System may be separated into two cascaded functions 1. Filtering of the noisy measurements obtained from the sensors and 2. Utilization of the estimated parameters to control the required acceleration. Guidance system is enhanced by using 3 rd order Kalman filter to estimate the separation distance and its derivatives that needed in optimal controller. Slant range and closing velocity is estimated using 2 nd order Kalman filter and they also needed in estimation of time to go. The optimal guidance system is better than the proportional navigation, biased proportional navigation, and the augmented proportional navigation system since it required simple achieved acceleration. Fading memory filter may be used to enhance the navigation system instead of Kalman filter. It is simple in structure and need minimum time but less accuracy than the Kalman filter.
The feasibility and validity of using a real time location system (RTLS) to measure bedside contact time

Background The association between the nurse-to-patient ratio and patient outcomes has been extensively investigated. Real time location systems have the potential capability of measuring the actual amount of bedside contact patients receive. Aims This study aimed to determine the feasibility and accuracy of real time location systems as a measure of the amount of contact time that nurses spent in the patients’ bed space. Methods An exploratory, observational, feasibility study was designed to compare the accuracy of data collection between manual observation performed by a researcher and real time location systems data capture capability. Four nurses participated in the study, which took place in 2019 on two hospital wards. They were observed by a researcher while carrying out their work activities for a total of 230 minutes. The amount of time the nurses spent in the patients’ bed space was recorded in 10-minute blocks of time and the real time location systems data were extracted for the same nurse at the time of observation. Data were then analysed for the level of agreement between the observed and the real time location systems measured data, descriptively and graphically using a kernel density and a scatter plot. Results The difference (in minutes) between researcher observed and real time location systems measured data for the 23, 10-minute observation blocks ranged from zero (complete agreement) to 5 minutes. The mean difference between the researcher observed and real time location systems time in the patients’ bed space was one minute (10% of the time). On average, real time location systems measured time in the bed space was longer than the researcher observed time. Conclusions There were good levels of agreement between researcher observation and real time location systems data of the time nurses spend at the bedside. This study confirms that it is feasible to use real time location systems as an accurate measure of the amount of time nurses spend at the patients’ bedside.
Field and Laboratory Evaluation of Fracture Resistance of Illinois Hot-Mix Asphalt Overlay Mixtures

A major study of reflective cracking of asphalt overlays that are used in conjunction with interlayer systems for reflective-crack control was recently completed. In this cooperative study at the Illinois Center for Transportation, three field projects in central Illinois were selected and extensive coring was performed. Six fundamentally different types of hot-mix asphalt overlay mixtures, which were expected to demonstrate significantly different levels of fracture resistance, were obtained from coring. To evaluate the fracture resistance of these mixtures in the field and the laboratory, visual field crack surveys and a series of advanced laboratory tests were conducted. This paper presents field performance evaluation results for the performance–benefit ratio and laboratory performance evaluation results for creep stiffness (St), complex modulus (E*), and disk-shaped compact tension fracture energy (Gf). Field performance of pavement sections with premium overlay mixtures was found to be superior to those sections containing conventional overlay materials. The polymer-modified overlay section in one of three projects was found to have performance inferior to that of the unmodified control overlay section of the same project. This tendency was detected by the Gf test but not by the St or the E* tests. The St and Gf values obtained for the interlayer mixtures were consistent with results typically obtained on short-term aged specimens, validating the appropriateness of the coring and testing approach used here as a forensic investigation tool and indicating that little aging had occurred in the bottom of the overlay system.
Obesity in the News

Obesity is a pressing social issue and a persistently newsworthy topic for the media. This book examines the linguistic representation of obesity in the British press. It combines techniques from corpus linguistics with critical discourse studies to analyse a large corpus of newspaper articles (36 million words) representing ten years of obesity coverage. These articles are studied from a range of methodological perspectives, and analytical themes include variation between newspapers, change over time, diet and exercise, gender and social class. The volume also investigates the language that readers use when responding to obesity representations in the context of online comments. The authors reveal the power of linguistic choices to shame and stigmatise people with obesity, presenting them as irresponsible and morally deviant. Yet the analysis also demonstrates the potential for alternative representations which place greater focus on the role that social and political forces play in this topical health issue.