Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chatbot Design for a Healthy Life to Celiac Patients: A Study According to a New Behavior Change Model

There is an absolute need for technology in our daily life that makes people busy with their smartphones all day long. In the healthcare field, mobile apps have been widely used for the treatment of many diseases. Most of these apps were designed without considering health behavior change models. Celiac disease is a significant public health problem worldwide. In Saudi Arabia, the incidence of celiac disease is 1.5%. Celiac patients have a natural demand for resources to facilitate care and research; however, they have not received much attention in the field of healthcare apps. This study introduced a new health behavior change model based on the existing common models and adapted it to the use of technology for the changing behavior of celiac patients towards healthy suitable food. As proof of concept, the new model was applied to the WhatsApp chatbot for patients with celiac disease. To test the impact of the chatbot, 60 Saudi celiac patients participated in three steps. First, they completed a pre-test questionnaire. Then, the participants were divided into two groups: the control group, which was left without any intervention, and the test group, who used the chatbot for 90 days. Finally, all participants completed the posttest questionnaire. The results confirmed a significant statistical difference between both groups, and the test group improved their healthy life in terms of eating habits, reduced celiac symptoms, and commitment to the treatment plan. Keywords—Celiac disease; health behavior changes models; healthcare apps; user-centered design; experiment test; WhatsApp chatbot
Evaluating governmental support to automotive research and development (R&D): a Swedish case

One objective of evaluating governmental R&D investments is to learn from the past and improve future activities. This paper discusses R&D evaluation methods using empirical data covering more than 15 years of publicly (co-)funded automotive R&D in Sweden, with a particular focus on public-private R&D partnerships. One contribution of the paper is that it illustrates the need to add a systemic level to the programme and project level in traditional R&D evaluation methods. Further, it argues for diversity in public R&D funding in terms of instruments used and in the selection of actors, activities and technologies to be sponsored. This diversity is threatened in the Swedish automotive context, as the public-private R&D partnership programmes (which give priorities to the industrial actors in the agreement) appear to crowd out other types of public R&D investments.
Implementing built-in self-test environment for cores-based digital circuits with Verilog HDL

The implementation of fault testing environment for embedded cores-based digital circuits is a challenging endeavor. The subject paper aims developing techniques in design verification and test architecture utilizing well-known concepts of hardware and software co-design. There are available methods to ensure correct functionality, in both hardware and software, for embedded cores-based systems but one of the most used and acceptable approaches to realize this is through the use of design-for-testability (DFT). Specifically, applications of built-in self-test (BIST) methodology in testing embedded cores are considered in the paper, with specific implementations being targeted towards the International Symposium on Circuits and Systems (ISCAS) 85 combinational benchmark circuits.
A Field Study of an Iris Identification System

Abstract : We conducted a field trial of a commercial iris identification scanner at the US Navy Fleet Numerical Meterology and Oceanography Center (FNMOC) in Monterey, CA. Scans were performed by US military guards who had received approximately 20 minutes of training in the use of the scanner. Operating the iris scanner in a one-to-many subject identification mode, we experienced no false acceptances and few false rejects. But we did find the PIER 2.3 scanner to be highly sensitive to the position of the sun with respect to the scanner and subject.
Conformal array synthesis including mutual coupling

A pattern synthesis technique for a conformal array antenna on a cylinder is presented using the method of alternate projections. Both the sidelobe region and the shape of the main beam are controlled. The method includes the effect of the mutual coupling in the synthesis. It is shown that if mutual coupling is neglected, then poor results are obtained, especially in the shaped beam region.
Creating robotic characters for long-term interaction

Researchers studying ways in which humans and robots interact in social settings have a problem: they don’t have a robot to use. There is a need for a socially expressive robot that can be deployed outside of a laboratory and support remote operation and data collection. This work aims to fill that need with DragonBot a platform for social robotics specifically designed for long-term interactions. This thesis is divided into two parts. The first part describes the design and implementation of the hardware, software, and aesthetics of the DragonBot-based characters. Through the use of a mobile phone as the robot’s primary computational device, we aim to drive down the hardware cost and increase the availability of robots “in the wild”. The second part of this work takes an initial step towards evaluating DragonBot’s effectiveness through interactions with children. We describe two different teleoperation interfaces for allowing a human to control DragonBot’s behavior differing amounts of autonomy by the robot. A human subject study was conducted and these interfaces were compared through a sticker sharing task between the robot and children aged four to seven. Our results show that when a human operator is able to focus on the social portions of an interaction and the robot is given more autonomy, children treat the character more like a peer. This is indicated by the fact that more children re-engaged the robot with the higher level of autonomy when they were asked to split up stickers between the two participants. Thesis Supervisor: Cynthia Breazeal Title: Associate Professor
How Level of Explanation Detail Affects Human Performance in Interpretable Intelligent Systems: A Study on Explainable Fact Checking

Explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) systems aim to provide users with information to help them better understand computational models and reason about why outputs were generated. However, there are many different ways an XAI interface might present explanations, which makes designing an appropriate and effective interface an important and challenging task. Our work investigates how different types and amounts of explanatory information affect user ability to utilize explanations to understand system behavior and improve task performance. The presented research employs a system for detecting the truthfulness of news statements. In a controlled experiment, participants were tasked with using the system to assess news statements as well as to learn to predict the output of the AI. Our experiment compares various levels of explanatory information to contribute empirical data about how explanation detail can influence utility. The results show that more explanation information improves participant understanding of AI models, but the benefits come at the cost of time and attention needed to make sense of the explanation.
Inertial and Magnetic Tracking of Limb Segment Orientation for Inserting Humans into Synthetic Environments

Abstract : Current motion tracking technologies fail to provide accurate wide area tracking of multiple users without interference and occlusion problems. This research proposes to overcome current limitations using nine-axis magnetic/angular/rate/gravity (MARG) sensors combined with a quaternion-based complementary filter algorithm capable of continuously correcting for drift and following angular motion through all orientations without singularities. Primarily, this research involves the development of a prototype tracking system to demonstrate the feasibility of MARG sensor body motion tracking Mathematical analysis and computer simulation are used to validate the correctness of the complementary filter algorithm The implemented human body model utilizes the world-coordinate reference frame orientation data provided in quaternion form by the complementary filter and orients each limb segment independently. Calibration of the model and the inertial sensors is accomplished using simple but effective algorithms. Physical experiments demonstrate the utility of the proposed system by tracking of human limbs in real-time using multiple MARG sensors. The system is "sourceless" and does not suffer from range restrictions and interference problems. This new technology overcomes the limitations of motion tracking technologies currently in use. It has the potential to provide wide area tracking of multiple users in virtual environment and augmented reality applications.
Graphical Modeling of Shipboard Electric Power Distribution Systems

Abstract : With the increasing application of power electronics to shipboard electric power systems, there is a need for studying power systems in an object- oriented, graphical environment in order to examine the interrelations of the various system components. This thesis presents a method of analyzing shipboard electric power systems in a graphical environment. The simulation method used allows for real-time observation of the various power system measurements of interest. The machine equations, including those for voltage, torque, and rotor angle are developed which permit analyzing the machine in any chosen reference frame depending on the study being undertaken. Regulars for both speed and field voltage are developed and the stability of the speed regulator is examined. A means of modeling a load for a synchronous generator is then shown which accurately interrelates the loading of the generator and the frequency and voltage output of the machine. This load is then connected to the synchronous generator and two different scenarios are examined including a fifty percent load change and a fault study. Graphs showing the output of these studies are presented. Electric power systems, Electric machine simulation, Shipboard power systems, Power system modelling.
COCOS (corona oxide characterization of semiconductor) non-contact metrology for gate dielectrics

COCOS metrology enables gate dielectrics to be quickly monitored in a non-contact manner for all wafer sizes including 300mm. This approach has been developed during the last five years and is already implemented in many microelectronic fablines. The method uses corona charging in air to deposit an electric charge on a dielectric thus changing the electric field in the dielectric and in the semiconductor. The response is measured in a non-contact manner by using a contact potential difference, VCPD, in the dark and under strong illumination. This measurement gives the voltage drop across the oxide. VOX and the surface barrier, VSB, as a function of the corona charge dose, ΔQC. These basic relationships are then used in a very straightforward manner to determine the flat band voltage, VFB, the total charge required to achieve the flat band condition, QTOT and the interface trap spectra, DIT, across the silicon bandgap in an energy range from flat band to deep inversion. Measurements of VCPD vs. ΔQC under a.
Generalized differential quadrature analysis of electro‐magneto‐hydrodynamic dissipative flows over a heated Riga plate in the presence of a space‐dependent heat source: The case for strong suction effect

The importance of including an electromagnetic actuator as a moving boundary on the dissipative flows of weakly conducting fluids had led to many published facts. But, nothing is known on the generalized differential quadrature analysis of magnetohydrodynamics over a Riga plate with emphasis on the case of viscous dissipation and space‐dependent heat source. After deriving the simplified boundary layer equation that models the transport phenomenon, appropriate variables were used to non‐dimensionalize and parameterize the partial differential equations. Thereafter, the resulting set of ordinary differential equations was solved numerically by applying a powerful differential quadrature algorithm. Based on the outcome of the simulation, it can be concluded that the viscous frictional effect can be minimized at the Riga plate either by weakening the suction process or by heightening the magnetic parameter. Moreover, the Lorentz forces have a hastening effect on the fluid motion, in the case when those magnetic causes are directed in the same sense of the developed flow.
Effect of Cutting Height on Productivity and Forage Quality of Alfalfa in Alpine Area of Korea

Cutting management has been identified as a critical factor in the alfalfa production systems because it has a significant impact on maximizing yield and maintaining the forage quality. The objective of this experiment was to determine the proper cutting height according to harvesting time for optimizing nutrient yield and forage nutritive quality of alfalfa grown in alpine regions of Korea. Alfalfa was sown at a seeding rate of 30 kg/ha in August 2018 and harvested at four cuttings in 2019 (3 May, 2 July, 11 September, and 13 October). Cutting heights were adjusted at 5, 15, and 25 cm above the soil surface. Alfalfa plant was tallest at the third cutting (109 cm), which was on average 35 cm taller than the first or second cutting. Relative feed value (RFV) remained unaffected by cutting height at the first harvest, but increased consistently in subsequent harvests as cutting height increased. Alfalfa collected at the first and fourth cuttings had the highest RFV (mean 152), which was on average 8 and 67 units higher than the second and third harvests, respectively. At each harvest, in vitro dry matter digestibility was highest in alfalfa cut at a 25-cm height. Dry matter (DM) production at each cutting height was highest in the first cutting, accounting for on average 36-37% of total annual DM production, and lowest in the fourth harvest, accounting for about 11-13% of the total DM yield. The total dry matter production (in four harvests) was 4,218 kg/ha higher when alfalfa was subjected to a cutting height of 5 cm rather than 25 cm. Cutting height had no effect on total crude protein yield, but from the first to fourth cutting, the protein yield followed a decreasing trend. Finally, there were visible declines in forage nutritive quality when alfalfa was cut at a shorter height. However, the magnitude of difference in total forage yield may outweigh the slight decline in forage quality when alfalfa is cut at a lower height. The findings of this study could help the alfalfa growers make better harvest management decisions.
TOOTEKO: A CASE STUDY OF AUGMENTED REALITY FOR AN ACCESSIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE. DIGITIZATION, 3D PRINTING AND SENSORS FOR AN AUDIO-TACTILE EXPERIENCE

Abstract. Tooteko is a smart ring that allows to navigate any 3D surface with your finger tips and get in return an audio content that is relevant in relation to the part of the surface you are touching in that moment. Tooteko can be applied to any tactile surface, object or sheet. However, in a more specific domain, it wants to make traditional art venues accessible to the blind, while providing support to the reading of the work for all through the recovery of the tactile dimension in order to facilitate the experience of contact with art that is not only "under glass. " The system is made of three elements: a high-tech ring, a tactile surface tagged with NFC sensors, and an app for tablet or smartphone. The ring detects and reads the NFC tags and, thanks to the Tooteko app, communicates in wireless mode with the smart device. During the tactile navigation of the surface, when the finger reaches a hotspot, the ring identifies the NFC tag and activates, through the app, the audio track that is related to that specific hotspot. Thus a relevant audio content relates to each hotspot. The production process of the tactile surfaces involves scanning, digitization of data and 3D printing. The first experiment was modelled on the facade of the church of San Michele in Isola, made by Mauro Codussi in the late fifteenth century, and which marks the beginning of the Renaissance in Venice. Due to the absence of recent documentation on the church, the Correr Museum asked the Laboratorio di Fotogrammetria to provide it with the aim of setting up an exhibition about the order of the Camaldolesi, owners of the San Michele island and church. The Laboratorio has made the survey of the facade through laser scanning and UAV photogrammetry. The point clouds were the starting point for prototypation and 3D printing on different supports. The idea of the integration between a 3D printed tactile surface and sensors was born as a final thesis project at the Postgraduate Mastercourse in Digital Architecture of the University of Venice (IUAV) in 2012. Now Tooteko is now a start up company based in Venice, Italy.
Functionalized Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-Based Microgels in Tumor Targeting and Drug Delivery

Over the past several decades, the development of engineered small particles as targeted and drug delivery systems (TDDS) has received great attention thanks to the possibility to overcome the limitations of classical cancer chemotherapy, including targeting incapability, nonspecific action and, consequently, systemic toxicity. Thus, this research aims at using a novel design of Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) p(NIPAM)-based microgels to specifically target cancer cells and avoid the healthy ones, which is expected to decrease or eliminate the side effects of chemotherapeutic drugs. Smart NIPAM-based microgels were functionalized with acrylic acid and coupled to folic acid (FA), targeting the folate receptors overexpressed by cancer cells and to the chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin (Dox). The successful conjugation of FA and Dox was demonstrated by dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), UV-VIS analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Furthermore, viability assay performed on cancer and healthy breast cells, suggested the microgels’ biocompatibility and the cytotoxic effect of the conjugated drug. On the other hand, the specific tumor targeting of synthetized microgels was demonstrated by a co-cultured (healthy and cancer cells) assay monitored using confocal microscopy and flow cytometry. Results suggest successful targeting of cancer cells and drug release. These data support the use of pNIPAM-based microgels as good candidates as TDDS.
Physiological Quality in Leucaena leucocephala Seeds Conditioned with Potassium Nitrate Submitted to Saline and Water Stresses

Leucaena leucocephala is a species that occurs in semi-arid regions capable of developing physiological and biochemical strategies under adverse environmental situations, such as saline soils and water deficiency. Even so, there are still losses in germination and initial development of plants, mainly due to abiotic stress effects, making it necessary to implement alternatives which are able to diminish the impact on the seeds with the use of potassium nitrate. The objective of this work was to evaluate the physiological quality in L. leucocephala seeds conditioned in potassium nitrate solution and subjected to saline and water stresses. After scarification, the unconditioned leucine seeds were separated and identified, and the conditioners were immersed in the 1.0 Mmol/L solution of potassium nitrate for 24 hours. The treatments were NaCl: 0; 30; 60; 90; 120 and 150 Mmol/L and the water potential: 0, 0; -0.2; -0.4; -0.6, and -0.8 MPa. The seeds were distributed over two Germitest® sheets, moistened with distilled water 2.5 times the dry weight and incubated in a B.O. D. at 25°C for 10 days. Then, the germination speed index, seedling length and seedling mass were measured for the normal seedlings. Eleven treatments with four replicates of 50 seeds were used. The design was completely randomized, and the statistical analyzes were performed in SAS. The use of potassium nitrate (KNO3) contributed to maintaining the physiological quality of L. leucochephala seeds under conditions of saline stress and water restriction.
Analysis of on-premise to cloud computing migration strategies for enterprises

In recent years offering and maturity in Cloud Computing space has gained significant momentum. CIOs are looking at Cloud seriously because of bottom line savings and scalability advantages. According to Gartner's survey in early 2010 of 1600 CIOs around the world, Cloud computing and virtualization were on top of their list. This interest has also resulted in slew of products and services from existing IT players as well as new comers which promise to offer many solutions to pave the path towards Cloud computing adoption by enterprises. As organizations get on to the Cloud computing bandwagon they are looking at their current IT setup and looking at the best way they can take advantage of what Cloud has to offer. For a given enterprises, getting on to Cloud might be a complete new start from scratch, a limited deployment of new applications or migration of part of existing applications integrating backwards with on-premise applications. To take advantage of the Cloud, enterprise will need to define their short and long term Cloud strategy. They will need to consider factors specific to their businesses and determine their requirements, risks and benefits. Proper investigation by the enterprise will give them insight in to the benefits and specific strategy they need to follow to gain the said benefits from Cloud. This Thesis analyzes specific strategies which enterprises can adopt, both from business and technology perspective to make sure the migration and integration between on-premise and Cloud happens with minimal disruption to business and results in maximum sustainable cost benefit. It presents the current state of On-Premise IT and Cloud Computing space and then compares them to come up with enterprise specific variables based on which one can make Cloud migration decisions. Finally, Thesis presents the broad frameworks for "migration to Cloud" and confirms the same by interviewing enterprise managers involved in Cloud migration. There are various ways to slice and approach the Cloud migration but all should take in to consideration the business processes, architecture of existing systems, architecture of available Cloud services, interoperability between on-premise and Cloud applications, maturity of Cloud and standards, short and long term cost savings, sustainability, data/security/regulation, user adoption, available Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and business criticality.
Research on Main Engine Power of Transport Ship with Different Bows in Ice Area According to EEDI Regulation

The Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) has been applied to ship carbon emission standards since 2013, ice ships subject to the Finnish Swedish Ice Class Rules (FSICR) also need to meet the requirements of EEDI. In this study, the engine power requirements by EEDI at different stages for the considered ice class ships with different ice classes (1C, 1B, 1A, 1A Super) are compared with engine power requirements obtained from the resistance calculated by FSICR or Lindqvist method. Three different bow shapes for the considered ice class ships and different pack ice coverage are studied. The results from FSICR or Lindqvist formula show that 1A Super ice classes for all considered bow shapes cannot meet the requirement by EEDI at Phase 2 and 3; For 1B and 1A class, some bow shapes can meet the EEDI requirement for all stages, but some cannot; For 1C class, all bow shapes can meet the EEDI requirements for all stages. The ship main engine power requirements under different pack ice concentration are studied and compared to EEDI requirements.