Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Affective reactions to vibro-tactile events: A case study in automotive applications

The perceptual experiences which occur at a product or service interface are fundamental towards cognitive and emotional engagement. The current study investigates what form of correlation may exist between measures of the valence and the arousal dimensions of the human affective response to steering wheel stimuli felt at driver's hands and vibration intensity metrics. Seventeen steering wheel signals from mid-sized European automobiles and European roads were selected such that the widest possible operating envelope could be achieved. A laboratory-based experiment was performed with 30 participants who were presented the seventeen signals and asked to rate their feelings of emotional valence and emotional arousal by means of a Self-Assessment Manikin (SAM) scale. The results suggest that while vibration intensity plays a significant role in eliciting emotional feelings, there are also other stimuli properties which influence the human emotional response to steering wheel vibration such as the presence of high peak events or high frequency band amplitudes.
Metamaterial-Inspired CMOS Tunable Microwave Integrated Circuits For Steerable Antenna Arrays

This thesis presents the design of radio-frequency (RF) tunable active inductors (TAIs) with independent inductance (L) and quality factor (Q) tuning capability, and their application in the design of RF tunable phase shifters and directional couplers for wireless transceivers.The independent L and Q tuning is achieved using a modided gyrator-C architecturewith an additional feedback element. A general framework is developed for this Q-enhancement technique making it applicable to any gyrator-C based TAI. The designof a 1.5V, grounded, 0.13um CMOS TAI is presented. The proposed circuit achieves a0.8nH-11.7nH tuning range at 2GHz, with a peak-Q in excess of 100.Furthermore, printed and integrated versions of tunable positive/negative refractiveindex (PRI /NRI) phase shifters, are presented in this thesis. The printed phase shifters are comprised of a microstrip transmission-line (TL) loaded with varactors and TAIs, which, when tuned together, extends the phase tuning range and produces a low return loss. In contrast, the integrated phase shifters utilize lumped L-C sections in place of the TLs, which allows for a single MMIC implementation. Detailed experimental results are presented in the thesis. As an example, the printed design achieves a phase of -40 to +34 degrees at 2.5GHz. As another application for the TAI, a reconfigurable CMOS directional coupler is presented in this thesis. The proposed coupler allows electronic control over the coupling coefficient, and the operating frequency while insuring a low return loss and high isolation. Moreover, it allows switching between forward and backward operation. These features, combined together, would allow using the coupler as a duplexer to connect a transmitter and a receiver to a single antenna.Finally, a planar electronically steerable patch array is presented. The 4-elementarray uses the tunable PRI/NRI phase shifters to center its radiation about the broadside direction. This also minimizes the main beam squinting across the operatingbandwidth. The feed network of the array uses impedance transformers, which allowidentical interstage phase shifters. The proposed antenna array is capable of continuously steering its main beam from -27 to +22 degrees of the broadside direction with a gain of 8.4dBi at 2.4GHz.
Study of comparative analysis Self-directed Learning and Problem Oriented Learning Sessions in Cardio- Respiratory Physiology.

Background: Active learning methods like Self-directed learning and problem oriented learning are considered to be an important methods of learner centred approach of imparting knowledge in under graduate medical curriculum through integrated approach. Aim and objectives: To analyse and compare the efficacy of self-directed learning and problem oriented approach for physiology subject among first year MBBS students. Material and methods: The present study was conducted among 250 students of Phase I MBBS during the year 2019 for physiology course for cardiorespiratory modules. Group A (n=125) was administered with self- directed learning sessions, while group B (n=125) was administered with problem oriented learning session for the same topics. Following each session an objective assessment was conducted for all the topics covered in SDL and POL sessions and was assessed and analysed using unpaired t test.Results: Group A for self-directed learning sessions (group A) of cardiovascular physiology based on the analysis of the marks of objective type assessment; Maximum marks were obtained by 25.6% (32/125); while moderate marks 21.6% (27/125) by the students of Group A. Maximum marks were obtained by 31.2% (39/125) and moderate marks were obtained 47.2% (59/125) by the students for which significant difference in the p values was noted (n=0.008). For SDL sessions of respiratory system module (group A); maximum marks were obtained by 24% (30/125) ; while moderate marks by 23.5% (29/125) of students; for problem oriented sessions maximum marks were obtained by 32.8% (41/125) and moderate marks were obtained by 48% (60/125) students; Significant variations were found in both modules test scores (n=0.008) (n=0.009). The analysis of SDL and POL against the total scores of students in their internal assessment showed considerable differences between students attaining scores 80–89% in SDL and PBL, between 70–79% for both SDL and PBL with p values of =0.0192, and 0.01184, 0.0190, and 0.01179 respectively.Conclusion: Problem oriented learning sessions seems to be more effective way of delivering the concept as compared to self-directed learning sessions. There is a need of time for creating awareness and readiness of the learner for such type of learner centred active learning methods.
Patch utilization and flower visitations by wild bees in a honey bee‐dominated, grassland landscape

Abstract Understanding habitat needs and patch utilization of wild and managed bees has been identified as a national research priority in the United States. We used occupancy models to investigate patterns of bee use across 1030 transects spanning a gradient of floral resource abundance and richness and distance from apiaries in the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) of the United States. Estimates of transect use by honey bees were nearly 1.0 during our 3.5‐month sampling period, suggesting honey bees were nearly ubiquitous across transects. Wild bees more frequently used transects with higher flower richness and more abundant flowers; however, the effect size of the native flower abundance covariate (β^native = 3.90 ± 0.65 [1SE]) was four times greater than the non‐native flower covariate (β^non‐native = 0.99 ± 0.17). We found some evidence that wild bee use was lower at transects near commercial apiaries, but the effect size was imprecise (β^distance = 1.4 ± 0.81). Honey bees were more frequently detected during sampling events with more non‐native flowers and higher species richness but showed an uncertain relationship with native flower abundance. Of the 4039 honey bee and flower interactions, 85% occurred on non‐native flowers, while only 43% of the 738 wild bee observations occurred on non‐native flowers. Our study suggests wild bees and honey bees routinely use the same resource patches in the PPR but often visit different flowering plants. The greatest potential for resource overlap between honey bees and wild bees appears to be for non‐native flowers in the PPR. Our results are valuable to natural resource managers tasked with supporting habitat for managed and wild pollinators in agroecosystems.
Using Nodes to Develop Strategies For Combat with Multiple Enemies

Nodes (or waypoints) are commonly used in computer games for the navigation of computer controlled characters (also known as non-player characters or NPCs). The following paper demonstrates how these nodes can also be used to develop combat strategies for NPCs that engage in combat with multiple enemies. By storing data about node relationships in a bit string class, tactical information about locations in the environment can efficiently calculated and exploited by NPCs.
Improvement of SBC circuit using MPPT controller

This paper is about designing Maximum Power Point Tracker (MPPT) controller with Synchronous Buck Converter (SBC) circuit where the main purpose is to improve the converter's performance in terms of output voltage and current. The MPPT controller's characteristics, performance, operation modes, advantages, and disadvantages of SBC are analyzed and observed. PSpice software is used in designing and simulating both circuits. The analysis is carried out based on the average output voltage and current, node voltage, output ripple voltage and current, gate-to-source voltage, and body diode conduction loss of SBC circuit. The details are discussed thoroughly that include limitations and advantages of the controller using 1 MHz switching frequency. It is found that by implementing MPPT controller with SBC, the output voltage and output current have increased by approximately 12% and 13% in Continuous Conduction Mode (CCM) and Discontinuous Conduction Mode (DCM) conditions respectively. Besides, it reduces output voltage ripple and current by more than 40% in CCM compared to conventional SBC. However, in DCM, the output peak-to-peak ripples for both voltage and current have increased more than 20%.
Digital signal processing for coherent optical fibre communications

In this thesis investigations were performed into digital signal processing (DSP) algorithms for coherent optical fibre transmission systems, which provide improved performance with respect to conventional systems and algorithms. Firstly, an overview of coherent detection and coherent transmission systems is given. Experimental investigations were then performed into the performance of digital backpropagation for mitigating fibre nonlinearities in a dual-polarization quadrature phase shift keying (DP-QPSK) system over 7780 km and a dual-polarization 16- level quadrature amplitude modulation (DP-QAM16) system over 1600 km. It is noted that significant improvements in performance may be achieved for a nonlinear step-size greater than one span. An approximately exponential relationship was found between performance improvement in Q-factor and the number for required complex multipliers. DSP algorithms for polarization-switched quadrature phase shift keying (PS-QPSK) are then investigated. A novel two-part equalisation algorithm is proposed which provides singularity-free convergence and blind equalisation of PS-QPSK. This algorithm is characterised and its application to wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) transmission systems is discussed. The thesis concludes with an experimental comparison between a PS-QPSK transmission system and a conventional DP-QPSK system. For a 42.9 Gb/s WDM system, the use of PS-QPSK enabled an increase of reach of more than 30%. The resultant reach of 13,640 km was, at the time of publication, the longest transmission distance reported for 40 Gb/s transmission over an uncompensated link with standard fibre and optical amplification.
Detecting a Hidden Radio Frequency Transmitter in Noise based on Amplitude using Swarm Intelligence

Radio Frequency transmitters are becoming ubiquitous. For instance people often carry around a mobile phone containing several such transmitters. Having the ability to detect and locate such transmitters in noisy environments can there- fore be very beneficial in search and rescue and disaster management. By using amplitude measurements, simple hardware can be deployed on small and cheap Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. The use of many cooperative Unmanned Aerial Vehi- cles should enable rapid search and more precise geolocation of such transmitters. This thesis explores different search strategies to use on autonomous agents trying to detect a hidden Radio Frequency transmitter. By testing different Swarm Intelligence strategies important insight into the search process is gained. The experiments were run on a simulator to enable rapid testing of different strategies. In addition to testing baseline algorithms from the literature, a new strategy is created, the Call-out strategy. The work done, shows that few cooperating searchers should prefer exploita- tion of the transmitted signal over exploration. However, as more agents are employed this focus is shifted over to exploration. In addition, this work show that several simple searchers can perform the task with high performance. This shows that Swarm Intelligence can be used to direct several cooperative searchers in detecting a hidden Radio Frequency transmitter.
Scramjet isolator modeling and control

Abstract : The scramjet isolator is a duct in which pressure increases from the inlet to the combustor via a shock train. The shock train leading edge (LE) location must be controlled in an operational scramjet. A LE location measurement algorithm, dynamic model, and control algorithm were developed and validated with 500 frame per second (FPS) shadowgraph images in this research. The test apparatus consisted of a direct connect cold-flow high-speed wind tunnel with an adjustable ramp mounted in the tunnel floor. Ramp adjustments changed the tunnel cross-sectional area which changed the tunnel back pressure and LE location. Wall-mounted pressure transducers and a high-speed camera were used for data collection. The LE location measurement algorithm is the first with results validated using 500 FPS shadowgraph images to measure the LE location with root mean square (RMS) errors less than 20% of a duct height, D, although the transducers were separated by 50% of D. The developed and validated dynamic model is the first with error RMS values less than 24% of D. Finally, the first control algorithm capable of controlling the LE location within 50% of D was developed and validated.
EST Pipeline System： Detailed and Automated EST Data Processing and Mining

Expressed sequence tags (ESTs) are widely used in gene survey research these years. The EST Pipeline System, software developed by Hangzhou Genomics Institute (HGI), can automatically analyze different scalar EST sequences by suitable methods. All the analysis reports, including those of vector masking, sequence assembly, gene annotation, Gene Ontology classification, and some other analyses,can be browsed and searched as well as downloaded in the Excel format from the web interface, saving research efforts from routine data processing for biological rules embedded in the data.
INTRODUCING HACCP- BASED RISK MANAGEMENT FOR MYCOTOXIN CONTAMINATION IN AUSTRALIAN MAIZE

Recent incidents of mycotoxin contamination have highlighted the need for an industry wide management system to ensure Australian maize meets the standards of all domestic users and export markets. One potential framework is the HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) system, developed to ensure “absolute food safety” and used internationally for quality control in the food industry. HACCP is a logical process which analyses each step in production and identifies controls critical in minimising contamination. Applying these controls ensures that risk is managed throughout the entire production chain, not just in the end product. Documented monitoring of critical control points contributes to quality assurance and allows purchasers to select product from agents who have followed appropriate management procedures. The international body Codex Alimentarius has formulated a code of practice for minimising mycotoxins in cereals. We have prepared a step- by- step guide to developing a management plan that applies the principles in the Codex document combined with Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) to the Australian maize production chain within a HACCP framework. The guide uses simple, clear examples to guide growers, bulk handlers, millers and other industry sectors in identifying critical control points in their individual situations.
Adaptations and Analysis of the AFIT Noise Radar Network for Indoor Navigation

Abstract : After several years of development, the AFIT Noise Radar Network (NoNET) has proven to be an extremely versatile system for many standard radar functions. This pallet of capabilities includes through the wall target tracking capabilities due to its wide bandwidth and UHF operations. Utilizing White Gaussian Noise as its waveform, the NoNET can operate at much lower power levels than other comparable systems while remaining extremely covert. In an e ort to explore new applications, the question arose could the NoNET provide a viable option for navigation capability in GPS denied and indoor environments? This research aims to provide proof of concept and demonstration of the navigation function execution with the NoNET in indoor, multipath-ridden environments. Results demonstrate that the NoNET is currently capable of locating a receiver to accuracies of approximately 1 foot. Multipath, background RF interference, and network timing were investigated and solutions to mitigate the limitations imposed by each were developed with the potential to signi cantly improve accuracy. Future upgrades to the current NoNET hardware package were also investigated in order to provide a near real-time, portable solution to navigation in GPS denied environments.
Sidesway collapse of deteriorating structural systems under seismic excitations

An experiment was conducted in a joint effort between Stanford University & University at Buffalo to complete the first comprehensive collapse experiment. A four story two bay moment frame in one eighth scale made of aluminum, with steel dog bone connections. Is being used in a multi-step experiment including component and shake table testing to prove an analytical collapse prediction software package. The steel dog bone connections model that of moment connections used in the industry, these connections were tested monotonically and cyclically. The moment frame is attached to a mass simulator that employs the flagpole technique to simulate the weight of the structure. This complete structure was tested on shake table number one at the Structural Engineering Earthquake Simulation Laboratory with an earthquake record simulating that of the 1994 Northridge Canoga Park record. This was scaled and used in six levels of testing which inevitably ended with the correctly predicted collapse of the structure. A second round of shake table tests using a 1985 Chilean record was tested on an identical second frame to further verify the software package.
Location and topology discovery in wireless sensor networks

Although the specifics of sensor network deployment scenarios are entirely application domain specific, it is envisioned that wireless sensor networks are densely deployed over large monitoring areas. The post-deployment discovery of location and topological information in arbitrarily deployed wireless sensor network is critical to the effective use of a wireless sensor network. Fundamental to wireless sensor networks is the problem of developing a low-cost GPS-free localization technique. Therefore, we first present ANIML, a straightforward, iterative, anchor-free, range-aware, relative localization technique for wireless sensor networks. Through simulation, despite using a non-idealized MAC, we show that ANIML provides good relative localization in uniform, C-shaped and non-uniform topologies. However, while knowing the physical positions of every node in the network provides information about the deployed topology of a wireless sensor network, it does not provide a complete view of a network’s topology, such as the shape of the network deployment. The boundaries of the network have a physical correspondence to the environment in which the sensors are deployed. Therefore, we next present a robust, distributed technique that addresses the problem of boundary recognition in wireless sensor networks. We show that our boundary recognition technique constructs accurate perimeters (i.e. correctly bounding all nodes) in randomly deployed topologies of varying densities, perturbed grid topologies of varying densities and in sparsely populated/low-density topologies, in addition to highly irregularly shaped connectivity holes and networks. Lastly, we address the problem of edge detection in wireless sensor networks. Edge detection is the idea of reducing data analysis overhead through the geometric identification of sensed phenomena within a sensor network. We adapt our boundary recognition technique to address the more general problem of edge detection in wireless sensor networks. Our edge detection technique keeps inter-group communication to a minimum, while still constructing correct outer perimeters in the presence of anomalous perimeter crossings and phenomena wholly surrounded by other phenomena. We show that our technique constructs accurate perimeters in randomly deployed topologies of varying densities, perturbed grid topologies of varying densities and in sparsely populated/low-density topologies, in addition to highly irregularly shaped phenomena and networks.
FISCAL DEFICITS AND FOREIGN EXCHANGE PRESSURES IN LATIN AMERICA

Having briefly examined the mechanisms through which fiscal deficits may affect the balance of payments and currency crises, this paper uses static and dynamic panel data analysis to investigate in more detail their association with foreign exchange pressures. The estimations control for the effects of different exchange rate regimes as recently classified by Reinhart and Rogoff (2004). The GMM estimation method of the dynamic panel allows us to identify variables that 'lead' occurrences of high market pressure. The paper focuses on Latin America and the Caribbean, since our intuition is that the relationship is likely to be relatively strong within this region. We find considerable evidence that the central government budget balance and the exchange rate regime are indeed significant determinants of foreign exchange market pressures. Finally, we consider the implications of our findings for the design of macroeconomic policy and conjecture as to whether they would be replicated in other regions.
Optimization of excitation DOF selection for modal tests

This paper presents new methods for evaluation of the optimum driving point locations for modal testing using the amplitude estimates of the average displacement, velocity and acceleration for each DOF on the structure and the application of these average parameters for the design of the optimum modal tests. It is assumed that theoretical estimate for the natural frequencies and mass-normalised mode shapes are available before the modal test is carried out. The parameters which define the average amplitudes of displacement, velocity and acceleration can be used in the optimisation process of modal testing, but they are not sufficient for a complete optimisation of the modal test: the optimum suspension, excitation and measurement positions are necessary as well.
The Augmented Socio-Economic Progress Index: Measuring Development Across Indian States

There does not, in status quo, exist a unified measure of development adequately representing the multiple dimensions of progress of a Society. In this project, we present the ASEPI, whose disaggregated components represent individual dimensions of Socio-Economic Progress. Computing the ASEPI’s Dimensional Indices, we compare the level of development in 19 States of India. We go on to present an analysis of the current status and the Policy Frameworks underlying the top performing States of India, as measured by the ASEPI.