Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Resistance, protest and configurations of time, space and place in Herbs’ Pacific reggae songs:

This paper begins by exploring the notions of resistance and protest in popular music. Although the terms have been used in Anglophone discussions of popular music for some hundred years, there is a tendency to treat them as synonymous. The paper draws on the work of David Laing (2003), who considers the distinction between protest songs and resistance songs, and also extends Barbara Harlow’s (1987) conceptualisation of resistance poetry to the similarly compressed discourse structures of popular songs. Framed by this exploration and by Mikhail Bakhtin’s theorisation of popular culture as “the privileged bearer of democratic and progressive values” (Hirschkop, 1987, p. 92), the paper presents an interpretive discourse analysis of the construction of social commentary, resistance and protest in the music of the band Herbs in Aotearoa New Zealand’s first Pacific reggae album, released in 1981. This investigation includes consideration of configurations of time/space and place relationships and the implications of these for meaning in three of Herbs’ songs, through the lens of Bakhtin’s (1981b) notion of the chronotope.
A microstrip antenna designed for millimeter wave mobile network

In this proposed paper, a microstrip line patch antenna with Rogers RT5880 substrate is designed to meet the demands of a 5G millimeter wave mobile network's demands. The presented antenna has a 10mm × 10mm × 0.57mm dimension with four L-shaped slots on the patch. The antenna resonates at 25.82 GHz, which is in the n258 band and has a realized gain of 7.85 dBi. In this paper, all geometry dimensions of the antenna and other parameters are presented.
Noise Equilibrium Frequency as a Measure of the Low Noise Devices Quality Involves the Lambert Function

We describe a new type of application where the optimization of the noise performance is related to the Lambert W function. The noise-equilibrium (balance) frequency of a physical process (or device) is defined as that upper frequency of the frequency band where the contributions of white and $f^{-1}$ noises are equal, given the lower frequency of the band. The noise-equilibrium frequency is found as the solution expressed with the Lambert function.
Leisure Time Use and Adolescent Mental Well-Being: Insights from the COVID-19 Czech Spring Lockdown

Background: As leisure—one of the crucial life domains—was completely disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, our study aimed to investigate how adolescents spent their leisure time during the Spring 2020 lockdown. Secondly, we aimed to investigate the associations between the perceived changes in leisure time use, the leisure activities adolescents engaged in, and the associations with well-being during the Spring 2020 lockdown in Czechia. Methods: Data from 3438 participants were included in this study (54.2% girls; mean age = 13.45, SD = 1.62). First, the initial number of items measuring leisure, electronic media use, and sports was reduced through Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Multivariate linear regression models tested the associations between leisure domains and mental well-being Results: The amount of leisure time, together with socially active leisure and sports and physical activity, formed the strongest positive predictors of mental well-being, whereas idle activities and time spent on electronic media acted as negative predictors. The amount of time spent doing schoolwork was unrelated to mental well-being. Conclusions: Overall, our results support the idea that leisure as a promoting factor for well-being is not just a matter of its amount but rather of engagement in meaningful and fulfilling activities.
Technology for quality of life: an enriched taxonomy

Urban, man-made environments are the most common living environments in the emerging knowledge-based society of the industrial world. A number of technology domains frame the urban setting that in turn frames the daily qualityof- life of man, including older persons. It is argued that the five domains of core ambitions in individuals most related to quality of life include: health and self-esteem, mobility and transport, housing and living, communication and governance, and work and leisure. A reanalysis of the theoretical basis for gerontechnology indicates that the impact of technology most related to these areas of application falls into four groups: enhancement and satisfaction, prevention and engagement, compensation and assistance, and care support and organisation. A matrix of domains and impacts provides a template that embodies an enriched taxonomy of the gerontechnological field. Using citations in this journal, the matrix is used to show the areas of greatest progress in the development over the past decade as well as the most promising areas of future development. Current changes in technology require an increase in the need for user-orientation in the choices related to technology development as well as dispersal as advocated by gerontechnology since its early days. Analysis of the advances and current gaps in the matrix elements may serve as a guiding principle for a sustainable development of technology for older persons and probably for society as a whole.
Adaptive neural control for nonlinear systems with actuator faults and unknown control directions via command filter

This article studies the issue of command filter‐based adaptive fault‐tolerant control for a class of nonlinear systems subject to unknown control directions and disturbance. First, the neural network is employed to deal with the nonlinear functions, and the explosion of the complexity problem is handled by the command filter approach. Second, the bound estimation method and the Nussbaum function are utilized to compensate for the influence of the actuator faults and the unknown directions, respectively. Finally, the tracking error signals are guaranteed to converge into bounded compact sets around the origin, and all closed‐loop signals are bounded. The effectiveness of the proposed method is illustrated by three simulations.
Unified equivalent-circuit model of planar discontinuities suitable for field theory-based CAD and optimization of M(H)MIC's

Unified dynamic equivalent-circuit model for characterizing planar unbounded discontinuities is reported for use in the field-theory-based computer-aided design and optimization of high-frequency integrated circuits and structures such as monolithic and hybrid microwave integrated circuits (M(H)MIC's). The proposal of the circuit model is stemmed from a new scheme called the short-open calibration (SOC) technique. This SOC technique is directly accommodated in a full-wave method-of-moments (MoM) algorithm. The developed MoM algorithm is applied to the modeling of unbounded planar discontinuities that can be segmented into two distinct sections: static model of feed lines and dynamic model of circuit discontinuity. In this paper, the MoM, is formulated in such a way that the port voltages and currents are explicitly represented through relevant network matrices. The SOC technique is used to remove or separate unwanted parasitics brought by the approximation of the impressed voltage source and also the problem of resulting consistency between the two-dimensional and three-dimensional simulations. Results for a class of planar circuit discontinuities are very well compared with measurements and also available publications. Generalized end-to-end coupling structure having offset and unequal input/output lines (to name a specific example) is studied to indicate the parametric and dispersion effects on its equivalent capacitance and radiation conductance. Advantageous features of the proposed unified circuit model suggests its practical usefulness and high accuracy in the design and optimization of a wide range of M(H)MIC's and planar antennas.
Leveraging the pandemic to build a community of networked, engaged and curious learners – our future leaders

The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly presented a multitude of challenges to the way education is delivered; its wide-reaching multidisciplinary impact has also presented a unique opportunity as a focus for real-world authentic learning. For some time now, technology has enabled interaction at a global scale, allowing students to connect with teachers and industry experts around the world. This paper reports on the innovative design of an intra-curricular program utilising COVID-19 as a focus for online, real-world connected learning, delivered to business students at a large Australian university during the pandemic lockdown. Implemented as an online intra-curricular initiative, ‘Leading in a Post-COVID World’ encouraged student engagement with the challenges of leadership to address issues on a personal, local, and global scale. Using a community of inquiry (CoI) lens we explore key features of the program and find that a CoI approach combined with principles of real-world learning and authentic experiences encourages student participation and engagement in this intra-curricular space.
Novel grid-connected photovoltaic inverter

Detailed analysis and simulation results of a novel solar photovoltaic inverter configuration interconnected to the grid are presented. From the simulation results it is confirmed that the harmonic distortion of the output current waveform of the inverter fed to the grid is within the stipulated limits laid down by the utility companies. Typical hardware aspects are also discussed in detail and the applicability of the design is verified.
Evaluation of Techniques for Blind Sources Separation in the Identification of Musical Instruments

This work makes a comparative analysis of some methods of blind source separation and their respective capabilities of serving as a tool accessory to a system of automatic recognition of musical instruments from polyphonic signals. For such, several methods were used, such as Sparse Component Analysis, Fast Independent Component Analysis and Independent Component Analysis, and an algorithm was elaborated in the present work.
Validation of “Trust/Mistrust in God Scale” for Spanish Cancer Patients

Trust/Mistrust in God have turned out to be two constructs that have great relevance in the study of the relationship between religion, spirituality, and health. In Spain, there are no instruments adapted to measure trust/mistrust in God, which limits the work of researchers interested in these aspects. Therefore, the aim of this study was to validate the Brief Trust/Mistrust in God Scale (BTMGS) in Spanish. The scale translated into Spanish was applied in a sample of 178 oncologic patients together with the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) and the significant others subscale of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, due to the existing evidence of relationships between the variables evaluated by these measures. Internal consistency, structural validity, convergent and discriminant validity were evaluated. The Spanish adaptation of the BTMGS obtained high internal consistency, both for trust subscale (α = 0.95) and for the mistrust subscale (α = 0.86). Furthermore, the correlations found between the BTMGS and the measures of positive and negative emotions and social add evidence of convergent and discriminant validity. These results suggest that the Spanish version of the BTMGS is a valid and reliable measure to be used in research on religion, spirituality and health in Spanish-speaking contexts.
Students' Perceptions on a Blended and Flipped Classroom

An introductory macroeconomics course was redesigned from a traditional lecture format to now incorporate components of blended learning and a fl ipped classroom. The students were required to prepare for class by reading the text and/ or working through narrated PowerPoint presentations. Individual and group quizzes were administered to ensure that the students were prepared to participate in the group activities that occurred during class. To determine the students' opinion of the change in the course structure, a questionnaire was administered at the end of the semester. While most students did not have trouble moving to a different course structure, there was some resistance to moving away from a traditional learning method. The students indicated that they enjoyed the group aspect of the class, they were more likely to prepare for class under this mode of learning, and they were forced to create new ways of learning the material.
The Effects of Oral Sodium Bicarbonate on Renal Function and Cardiovascular Risk in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective Oral sodium bicarbonate is often used to correct acid-base disturbance in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, there is little evidence on patient-level benign outcomes to support the practice. Methods We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the efficacy and safety of oral sodium bicarbonate in CKD patients. A total of 1853 patients with chronic metabolic acidosis or those with low-normal serum bicarbonate (22–24 mEq/L) were performed to compare the efficacy and safety of oral sodium bicarbonate in patients with CKD. Results There was a significant increase in serum bicarbonate level (MD 2.37 mEq/L; 95% CI, 1.03 to 3.72) and slowed the decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (MD −4.44 mL/min per 1.73 m2, 95% CI, −4.92 to −3.96) compared with the control groups. The sodium bicarbonate lowered T50-time, an indicator of vascular calcification (MD −20.74 min; 95% CI, −49.55 to 8.08); however, there was no significant difference between the two groups. In addition, oral sodium bicarbonate dramatically reduced systolic blood pressure (MD −2.97 mmHg; 95% CI, −5.04 to −0.90) and diastolic blood pressure (MD −1.26 mmHg; 95% CI, −2.33 to −0.19). There were no statistically significant body weight, urine pH and mean mid-arm muscle circumference. Conclusion Treatment of metabolic acidosis with sodium bicarbonate may slow the decline rate of kidney function and potentially significantly improve vascular endothelial function in patients with CKD. Prospero Registration Number CRD42020207185.
Pre-filtering on signal fading effect for radio-over-fiber distribution systems

With the increasing demand for broadband services, it is expected that radio-over-fiber (RoF) systems may be employed to provide high capacity wireless access networks. A major problem with the system is that standard amplitude modulation of the optical carrier generates Double Side-Band (DSB) signals. When these signals are transmitted over fiber, chromatic dispersion causes each side band to experience a different phase shift. If the phase difference at the receiver equals pi, the two side bands interfere destructively causing fading of the received signal. Using an optical filter to filter out one side band can reduce chromatic dispersion effects. Another problem in RoF systems may come from Stimulated Brillouin Scattering (SBS). SBS is an interaction between light and sound waves in the fiber, which causes frequency conversion and reversal of the propagation direction of the light. SBS severely limits the optical power that could be transmitted through a fiber and it is detrimental for optical communication systems. It can also be reduced by the filtration carried out at the transmitter (pre-filtering). Since the optical filer functions to eliminate one sideband and induces insertion loss, the optical power to be launched into the transmission fiber falls sharply and so does the risk of SBS. In this paper, we investigate the possibility of performing SSB filtering to simultaneously overcome the effects of dispersion and SBS in the transmission fibre. The results show that the pre-filtering can filter out one side band as well as reduce the effect of SBS.
Design of rectangular openings in precast walls under vertical loads

One of the successful precast concrete systems that has emerged from the PRESSS (PREcast Seismic Structural Systems) research program is the unbonded post-tensioned concrete wall system. This paper addresses the use of these walls with rectangular openings to accommodate architectural, mechanical, and safety requirements. The openings can cause large tensile stresses and, thus, cracking in the wall panels. Little information is available to aid in the design of the panel reinforcement around the openings to limit the size of these cracks. This paper describes an analytical investigation of the behavior and design of the walls under vertical post-tensioning and gravity loads. Critical regions in the wall panels where bonded mild steel reinforcement is needed are identified and a design approach is proposed to determine the required panel reinforcement. The effects of opening length, opening height, wall length, and initial stress in the concrete due to post-tensioning and gravity loads are considered. An example is included to demonstrate the proposed design approach.
An Empirical Study on How Sapienz Achieves Coverage and Crash Detection

Several tools for automatically testing Android applications have been proposed. In particular, Sapienz is a search‐based tool that has been recently deployed in an industrial setting. Although it has been shown that Sapienz outperforms several state‐of‐the‐art tools, it is still to be seen what features of SAPIENZ impact the most on its effectiveness. We conducted an extensive empirical study where we compare the impact of the search algorithm and the usage of motif genes, a more compact representation of individuals. Our empirical study shows that the usage of motif genes improves coverage both for Evolutionary Algorithms and random approaches. In particular, it also shows that NSGA‐II, the multi‐objective evolutionary algorithm used by Sapienz, does not have a clear improvement over other algorithms. In terms of number of crashes detected, our study shows that both NSGA‐II and Random Search perform similarly. While the usage of motif genes improves the crash detection of algorithms, it is not enough to make it statistically significant. These facts cast doubts about the use of Evolutionary Algorithms in the context of Android test generation and suggest that motif genes can have a great impact on the overall effectiveness.
Basic concepts and performance measures in prediction of collapse of buildings under earthquake ground motions

This paper summarizes collapse performance measures and the probabilistic basis for their development to assist in understanding of collapse behaviour of buildings and implementation of performance objectives in design and evaluation of buildings for collapse safety. Collapse in this context is defined as the loss of lateral load‐resisting capability of a building's structural system caused by ground shaking. Estimation of collapse performance requires the relation between a ground motion intensity measure (IM) and the probability of collapse, denoted as collapse fragility curve, and the relation between the same ground motion IM and the seismic hazard for the building, denoted as seismic hazard curve. Two methods for estimating the collapse fragility curve of a building are discussed: the EDP‐based approach and the IM‐based approach. In both approaches, collapse is associated with a scalar ground motion IM and is obtained by utilizing Incremental Dynamic Analysis. The collapse performance criteria presented in this paper are compared with the collapse performance criteria recommended in the SAC/Federal Emergency Management Agency guidelines. An eight‐storey moment‐resisting frame case study is used to compare the estimates of collapse performance of various approaches discussed in this paper. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Damage detection in smart structures using neural networks and finite-element analyses

An important aspect of the smart structures concept is the automated structural health monitoring of aircraft structures. This requires detecting damage and assessing its effect on structural performance. The authors present a new approach to detecting and defining large area damage on a structure. The approach is based on using a neural network to deduce the damage size and location from measured strain values at discrete locations. The neural network is trained using results from finite-element analyses. Several examples illustrating this approach are presented.
Investigating the Feasibility of Using Quick Response Codes in Highway Construction for Document Control

Highway construction takes place in remote locations, making document control challenging. Frequent changes in a project can cause errors, reworks, and schedule delays due to the time taken to disseminate these changes to the field or due to using outdated documents. With the advancement of mobile devices, Quick Response (QR) codes can now provide project teams rapid and reliable access to information and documents required for field operations. The use of QR codes can also allow for checking document versions, reduce the need for travelling or meeting for document revisions, and reduce the amount of hardcopy documents and storage spaces. Despite the potential for significant benefits, there have been little to no studies aimed at assessing the feasibility of using QR codes in highway construction. In response, this study aimed at investigating the benefits of and barriers of using QR codes in highway construction for document control. First, an online survey was conducted to determine the status quo of highway construction in terms of document control and mobile information technology (IT). The survey results indicated that hardcopy documentation is still the most prevalent form of document control in highway construction, and hence there is an opportunity for implementing QR codes in conjunction with mobile IT. Further, a time study using a real-world infrastructure project was conducted based on three activities: detail look up, specification check, and version check. A statistical analysis of the time study data showed that using QR codes can significantly save time, indicating a benefit cost ratio of 1.70. In conclusion, the report presents a guideline that state transportation agencies can use to implement QR codes in their document control practices.
High efficiency power factor correction using interleaving techniques

A highly efficient 1.5 kW power factor correction converter for computer applications is presented. Eight boost-topology switching cells are interleaved to meet stringent EMI input ripple specifications while operating at a very low switching frequency (25 kHz per cell) to minimize switching losses. The result is a system with very high conversion efficiency (94%-97%, including input bridge, bias supply, and EMI filter losses) over the 93-264 VAC input range. Key implementation details, including discontinuous inductor current operation, a combination of linear and bang-bang control algorithms for fast dynamic load response, and extended (100 ms) power outage ride-through capability, are described. <<ETX>>