Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spatial Perception by Object-Aware Visual Scene Representation

Spatial perception is a fundamental ability necessary for autonomous mobile robots to move robustly and safely in the real-world. Recent advances in SLAM enabled a single camera-based system to concurrently build 3D maps of the world while tracking its location and orientation. However, such systems often fail to track themselves within the map and cannot recognize previously visited places due to the lack of reliable descriptions of the observed scenes. We present a spatial perception framework that uses an object-aware visual scene representation to enhance the spatial abilities. The proposed representation compensates for aberrations of conventional geometric scene representations by fusing those representations with semantic features extracted from perceived objects. We implemented this framework on a mobile robot platform to validate its performance in home situations. Further evaluations were conducted with the ScanNet dataset which provides large-scale 3D photo-realistic indoor scenes. Extensive tests show that our framework can reliably generate maps by reducing tracking-failure, and better recognize overlap in the map.
Semantic Evaluation and Efficiency Comparison of the Edge Pixel Neighboring Histogram in Image retrieval

A novel approach in image retrieval based on middlelevel features, instead of low-level features, is applied in trademark matching problem. The approach is developed utilizing edge pixel neighboring histograms for capturing the overall image structure. The closeness of the method to human perceptual judgment is evaluated by a subjective test along with the efficiency in comparison with four other methods known from the literature. The query set and the image database used in the tests are taken from the MPEG-7 dataset and the experimental results show a significant supremacy in semantic compatibility over the histogram of edge angles, MPEG-7’s edge histogram descriptor (EHD), and the invariant moments method. The proposed method is more efficient than the correlation method which is closer to human perception.
Microsoft Word-COMPUMAG2013_DWF_LL_MF_LK_FM_CV_Short_v1

A reliable lumped parameters model for an Inductive Coupling Device (ICD) is necessary for many reasons, mainly to develop a robust device. This paper evaluates an analytical method, a method through Finite Element Method (FEM) and two different physical measurement methods. It shows the advantage of FEM over the analytical method, especially in situations with misalignments. It also outlines the two measurement methods using different measurement devices: impedance analyzer and vector network analyzer.
Challenges of implementing innovation contests to facilitate radical innovation

Innovation processes have become increasingly decentralised and distributed to meet the rapidly changing and knowledge intensive markets. Innovation contests are often pointed out as tools for generating radical innovation and to aid organisations in adopting to open innovation practices. These contests cut across established organisational structures and do therefore not automatically fit into the everyday corporate processes. This paper analyses through a case study some of the difficulties that innovation contests meet when being introduced to an established, large organisation. Certain challenges are pointed out for innovation contests to act as vehicles in building dynamic capabilities for the firm.
3-Benzyl-4-phenyl-1 H -1,2,4-triazole-5(4 H )-thione

The title compound, C15H13N3S, was prepared by the reaction of 1-(2-chloro­ethyl)­benzene with hydrazine and phenyl iso­thio­cyanate. Packing is stabilized by N—H⋯S intermolecular hydrogen bonds and C—H⋯π interactions.
A Key Management Architecture for Securing O-Chip Data Transfers on an FPGA

Data security is becoming ever more important in embedded and portable electronic devices. The sophistication of the analysis techniques used by attackers is amazingly advanced. Digital devices’ external interfaces to memory and communications interfaces to other digital devices are vulnerable to malicious probing and examination. A hostile observer might be able to glean important details of a device’s design from such an interface analysis. Defensive measures for protecting a device must therefore be even more sophisticated and robust. This thesis presents an architecture that acts as a secure wrapper around an embedded application on a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). The architecture includes functional units that serve to authenticate a user over a secure serial interface, create a key with multiple layers of security, and encrypt an external memory interface using that key. In this way, the wrapper protects all of the digital interfaces of the embedded application from external analysis. Cryptographic methods built into the system include an RSA-related secure key exchange, the Secure Hash Algorithm, a certificate storage system, and the Data Encryption Standard algorithm in counter mode. The principles behind the encrypted external memory interface and the secure authentication interface can be adjusted as needed to form a secure wrapper for a wide variety of embedded FPGA applications. This work is dedicated to my mother, who invested ten years of her life to educate me at home. This thesis represents a culmination of her efforts as much as mine.
RFID Reader Receivers for Physical Layer Collision Recovery

Arbitration and scheduling of multiple tags in state-of-the-art Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems is accomplished on the medium access control layer. Currently, only answers of a single tag can be decoded in such a system. If multiple tags respond simultaneously, a collision occurs. In that case, conventional systems discard the physical layer information and a retransmission is executed. This work shows how to recover from such collisions on the physical layer and successfully read the data. The contributions of the paper are: 1) An analysis of the achievable throughput increase of a system, that can recover from collisions at a physical layer is given. 2) A model for a description of collisions on the physical layer is presented. 3) Based on this model, we propose a channel estimation method and two types of receiver structures for separating the signals of a collision of two tags: first, single antenna receivers that discriminate the sources of the two tags in the I/Q plane, and second, multiple antenna receivers which exploit the different spatial signatures of both tags. 4) The functionality of the proposed receiver structures is verified with measurement data of two colliding tags. Eventually, a performance analysis of the receivers is provided.
Addendum One Addendum One Proteomic profiling of plasma and serum of elderly patients with postoperative delirium

Delirium is a frequently observed postoperative complication in elderly patients, the pathophysiology of it is still poorly understood. The aim of this study was to compare plasma and serum protein profiles in patients with and without postoperative delirium and to identify discriminating protein(s). Patients aged 65 years or more admitted for surgery following a hip fracture were included. Serum and plasma samples of eight patients with and eight patients without delirium were selected as testing group. A second group of eight patients with and eight without delirium was selected for validation. An additional sample was collected after the delirious episode. Protein profiles were generated by SELDI-TOF MS using CM10 and Q10 ProteinChip® Arrays. Demographical and clinical characteristics of patients with delirium were not significantly different from patients without delirium, except for the number of medications before admission. After correction for multiple testing, significant protein profile differences were found in the testing group. The largest difference was found in EDTA plasma using CM10 ProteinChip® Arrays, which was confirmed in the validation group. Taking both groups together, three discriminating peaks were found in delirious patients. These peaks presumably correspond to hemoglobin-β (15.9 kDa), the doubly charged ion of the unmodified protein (7.97 kDa) and its glycosylated form (16.0 kDa). Diagnostic accuracies of the three peaks expressed as area under the curve were 0.84, 0.88, and 0.83, respectively (P-values 0.001). 208 Addendum 1 versie 17-04.qxp 17-4-2008 10:51 Pagina 208
The Apprenticeship Experience at university: an exploration

The last three years has seen a rapid growth in Undergraduate (Level 6) and Masters (Level 7) Degree apprenticeships, creating a type of student arguably different from those on traditional full-time, work-based and distance learning programmes. Here, I discuss an exploratory study of the experience of apprenticeship students at our university, whilst at work and at study, within two cohorts at a UK Higher Education Institution (HEI) on a Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship (CMDA) programme. The exploration uses a broad grounded theory methodology and sought to reveal a deeper understanding of the student experience than those currently discussed in reports such as the ‘Apprenticeship Evaluation 2017: Learners (IFF 2017). A very small (N=2) sample was deliberately chosen in order to constraint the exploration and provide an opportunity for deeper and meaningful responses through a qualitative approach. Through semi-structured interviews, memo writing, journal writing and visual representation, data was coded, analysed and evaluated to build a theoretical understanding about these student experiences. The main emerging themes related to questions of identity as an apprentice, perceptions of knowledge and skills, and inconsistent understanding of the wider policy intentions. As growth in degree level apprenticeships continue to expand, policy makers, educators, employers and potential apprentices may need to reflect on their ‘mindset’. The idea of apprenticeship, and its perceived value at degree level, seems to differ between the key stakeholders. If this discrepancy continues, in the longer term it will hinder the concept’s progress towards becoming an established feature of Higher Education.
Interpreting the mental health crisis in Australia's Gold Coast primary schools

ental health is recognized as a worldwide issue, which affects hundreds of millions of people (World Health Organization, 2011). In Australia, mental health is listed as one of the nine health priority areas (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2013). Figures indicate an extremely alarming trend with as many as one in seven Australian children, aged from four to seventeen, having significant mental health issues (Littlefield, 2008; Graetz et al., 2008; Sawyer et al., 2000). In recent years, the Queensland Department of Education and Training have explicitly acknowledged the need for schools to address mental health issues. They have developed policies and issued directives to schools and teachers requiring them to engage in curriculum activities which promote and support students’ mental health and wellbeing (Department of Education and Training, 2009). There is extensive literature and evidence that states when social emotional learning programs are developed and implemented correctly, children’s behavioural and emotional functioning can be greatly improved (Greenberg et al., 2003; Han & Weiss, 2005). However, many of the policies and directives issued to teachers and counsellors on this topic take for granted their knowledge of, and confidence within, mental health debates. In order to explore such a research shortfall, around mental health and children, this project sought to address the following questions: 1. What do current teachers and counsellors describe as the most significant mental health issues in Gold Coast primary schools? 2. How do teachers and counsellors describe the impact that mental health issues have on student learning? 3. To what extent do teachers and counsellors’ feel able to respond appropriately when faced with mental health issues? 4. What factors facilitate or impede these responses?
Maximum Power Point Tracking Method for PMSG-based Wind Energy Conversion Systems using Torque Observer

In order to enhance the efficiency of a wind energy conversion system (WECS), the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm is usually employed. This paper presents an optimal algorithm to extract the maximum available power under a sudden wind speed change condition, which is applied in a permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG)-based WECS. The proposed method provides a good tracking performance by means of detecting the variation in the wind speed rapidly. In addition, the implementation does not require the prior information on the wind turbine parameters, air density, or wind speed. By investigating the change directions of the mechanical output power of wind turbine and the rotor speed of generator, the proposed MPPT algorithm is able to determine an optimal speed to achieve the maximum power point (MPP). Then, this optimal speed is set to the reference in speed control loop to force the system to operate at the MPP via a three-phase converter. Conventionally, the mechanical output power of wind turbine is calculated from the mechanical torque which is measured directly by sensor. In this paper, a disturbance observer is employed to estimate the torque for the purpose of eliminating the requirement for additional sensor in WECS. The simulation results based on the PSIM are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Laryngeal mask versus endotracheal intubation for pre-hospital emergency airway management: a meta-analysis of randomized control studies

Background : Pre-hospital emergency airway management plays an important role in pre-hospital care. Laryngeal masks are increasingly employed for the airway management of pre-hospital critical patients and have achieved promising results. Although several randomized controlled trials have reported benefits, the efficacy of laryngeal masks in pre-hospital emergency airway management compared to endotracheal intubation have not been systematically reviewed. Methods: Electronic databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Scopus and CNKI) were searched up to April 2019 for related randomized studies. Outcome indicators included overall intubation success rates, the success rates of the first intubation, insertion time, resuscitation efficiency rates, SpO2 rise time, the blood gas index and adverse events. Two investigators selected the trials, extracted the data according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, and assessed the quality of the literature according to the Jada score. The meta-analysis was performed using stata14.0 software. Results: We included 31 human studies. Compared to endotracheal intubation, the application of laryngeal mask for pre-hospital emergencies enhanced the resuscitation efficiency rates [RR=1.20, 95% CI (1.06, 1.35), P<0.001], improved the success of first intubation [RR=1.29, 95% CI (1.18, 1.40), P<0.001] and the patients’ blood gas index, shortened the insertion and SpO2 rise times [SMD=-3.48, 95% CI (-4.17, -2.80), P < 0.001; -2.19, 95% CI (-3.06, -1.32), P < 0.001] and reduced the incidence of adverse events [RR=0.41, 95% CI (0.30, 0.57, P<0.001]. All results were stable and statistically significant. Conclusions: Laryngeal masks could quickly and effectively improve patient ventilation in pre-hospital emergencies, highlighting its utility for clinical application.
SILAGE QUALITY OF CORN AND SORGHUM ADDED WITH FORAGE PEANUTS

Corn and sorghum are standard silage crops because of their fermentative characteristics. While corn and sorghum silages have lower crude protein (CP) contents than other crops, intercropping with legumes can increase CP content. Furthermore, one way to increase CP content is the addition of legumes to silage. Consequently, the research objective was to evaluate the fermentative and bromatological characteristics of corn (Zea mays) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) silages added with forage peanuts (Arachis pintoi). The experimental design was completely randomized with four replicates. The treatments consisted of corn silage, sorghum silage, forage peanut silage, corn silage with 30% forage peanut, and sorghum silage with 30% forage peanut. The results showed that the corn and sorghum added with peanut helped to improve the silage fermentative and bromatological characteristics, proving to be an efficient technique for silage quality. The forage peanut silage had lower fermentative characteristics than the corn and sorghum silages. However, the forage peanut silage had a greater CP content, which increased the protein contents of the corn and sorghum silages when intercropped with forage peanuts.
Electroencephalogram Analysis Based on Gramian Angular Field Transformation

This paper addresses the problem of motion imagery classification from electroencephalogram signals which related with many difficulties such on human state, measurement accuracy, etc. Artificial neural networks are a good tool to solve such kind of problems. Electroencephalogram is time series signals therefore, a Gramian Angular Fields conversion has been applied to convert it into images. GAF conversion was used for classification EEG with Convolutional Neural Network (CNN). GAF images are represented as a Gramian matrix where each element is the trigonometric sum between different time intervals. Grayscale images were applied for recognition to reduce numbers of neural network parameters and increase calculation speed. Images from each measuring channel were connected into one multi-channel image. This article reveals the possible usage GAF conversion of EEG signals to motion imagery recognition, which is beneficial in the applied fields, such as implement it in brain-computer interface.
SoDa – A Multimode VHF/UHF Software Defined Radio

SoDa is a software defined radio system using the Ettus Radio USRP and its WBX VHF/UHF daughtercard. SoDa implements an all-mode (CW, USB, LSB, AM, NBFM, WBFM) radio suitable for use as an exciter/IF-strip for microwave transverters and in the VHF and UHF ham bands.
Towards Explainable Neural-Symbolic Visual Reasoning

Many high-performance models suffer from a lack of interpretability. There has been an increasing influx of work on explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) in order to disentangle what is meant and expected by XAI. Nevertheless, there is no general consensus on how to produce and judge explanations. In this paper, we discuss why techniques integrating connectionist and symbolic paradigms are the most efficient solutions to produce explanations for non-technical users and we propose a reasoning model, based on definitions by Doran et al. [2017] (arXiv:1710.00794) to explain a neural network's decision. We use this explanation in order to correct bias in the network's decision rationale. We accompany this model with an example of its potential use, based on the image captioning method in Burns et al. [2018] (arXiv:1803.09797).
Effect of the Slurry Application Method
on Odour Emissions: A Pilot Study

The sustainable intensification of agriculture needs the use of natural fertilizers. Odour emission from their application is bothersome for the surroundings – especially in suburban areas. The aim of the study was to compare odour concentrations after pig slurry application using two different types of applicators. Odour measurements were carried out on two experimental fields where the pig slurry was applied by different methods. On field I it was a trailing hose applicator (Zunhammer SKE 15,5), and on field II it was a conventional splash-plate applicator (Joskin Modulo 2 8400 with a so-called ‘Exact’ scatterer). Measurements included 6 series in the following periods: immediately after application and 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 hours after application. Odour analysis was made within 30h of collection using the dynamic olfactometry method (ECOMA TO 8 olfactometer) according to the Standard PN-EN 13725:2007. The average value of odour concentration was 683 ouE·m -3 for a trailing hose applicator and 522 ouE·m -3 for conventional splash-plate applicator. Three hours after application of pig slurry, the odour concentrations on two experimental fields were relatively low and almost did not differ between each other. Use of the trailing hose applicator for pig slurry application resulted in 31% higher odour emissions than slurry spreading by conventional splash-plate applicator. The biggest difference between odour concentration was immediately after application (56%) and it decreased to almost 0% (3 hours after application). The largest decrease in odour concentration, by nearly 50% for both fields, was observed during the first hour after slurry application.
The hands-free telephone problem

The author describes the problem of providing the means for a comfortable hand-free telephone conversation. After a report on conventional schemes the properties of a loudspeaker-enclosure-microphone system are discussed. It is shown that for a truly two-way conversation the decoupling of the loudspeaker and the microphone requires an adaptive filter with an impulse response of several hundreds of milliseconds in duration. The attempts to solve the adaptation problem are outlined. >
Virtual-Environment Modeling and Correction for Force-Reflecting Teleoperation With Time Delay

Virtual environment (VE) is an effective method to deal with time delay in teleoperation, but it depends heavily on the accuracy of the virtual model. In this paper, a novel approach is proposed to create and verify geometric and dynamic model of the remote physical environment. The geometric errors of the virtual model are corrected by overlaying the graphics over video images and also by fusing the position and force information from the remote. A sliding-average least-square algorithm is proposed to identify dynamic parameters of the remote environment, and the corresponding virtual-model parameters are updated online to keep equal to the real environment. The VE-based teleoperation system developed in our laboratory is described. Experimental results show that the relative errors of forces provided by the corrected VE are 2.82%, 2.22%, and 2.60%, respectively, with time delay of 5, 10, and 15 s. Results indicate that VE built by this method can provide the operator with appropriate predictive virtual forces with a certain time delay
CMSM - A Closed Multi-Source IP Multicast Protocol

To tackle the high requirement to network infrastructure, lack of scalability, address conflict and security vulnerability problems of IP multicast protocols, this paper introduces CMSM, a novel closed multi-source IP multicast protocol. It is a lightweight self-configurable multi-source multicast paradigm for the Internet. After being aware of a specific source for a many-to-many group, the hosts and the routers send their JOIN/REQS/LEAVE message towards the source, and a closed hybrid multi-source-multi-receiver CMSM tree used for secure group communication is formed in an open network infrastructure. Non-CMSM routers are bypassed by CMSM tunnels, which eliminates the dependence of multicast-specific routing. Only authorized senders or receivers are allowed to send to or receive from CMSM group and only trusted routers are allowed to be the branch points of CMSM tree. Analyses show that CMSM is high scalability and reachability, and has preferable security features