Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Relationship Between PU and PEOU Towards the Behavior Intention to use New Student Placement (NSP) System of Senior High School in Banjarmasin

Since year 2004, Indonesian education student recruitment system changed from manual to computer-based, namely new student placement (NSP) system. NSP System has become an effective way of reaching most of the new students especially in senior high school (SHS). The purpose of this paper is to determine the pattern of technology acceptance model (TAM) towards behavior intention to use in NSP system of SHS in Banjarmasin South Kalimantan Indonesia. A set of working hypotheses explaining the relationship between TAM and behavior were drawn from acceptance behavior of NSP System framework emphasizing a linkage between TAM and behavior. The conceptual model and specific hypotheses in this paper were tested using factor analysis and regression analysis with a sample of 126 respondents constituting members of the new students recruited from 18 state SHSs in Banjarmasin. This study contributes to the improvement of the NSP system, hence the members (users) would have positive acceptance towards the system.
Extraction of User Context for Recommendation from Access History

Recommendation system is widely used to provide favorite information for a user. Current works show that the quality of recommendation can be enhanced by using user context such as time, location and situation. However, preparing enough amount of contextual information is not easy. The method to generate user context systematically is neccesary. This paper proposes a method to extract user context from calendar information and WWW access history for recom- mending restaurants. Five elements of user context such as time, location, situation, category, and budget are extracted systematically. The proposed method uses SVM(support vevtor machine) to associate access history into situation. The accuracy of the proposed method is evaluated from various aspects by experiment. The result shows the effectiveness of this approach. The proposed system is implemented on the Android, and shows the useful recommendations for users.
Software Patents and Open Source: The Battle Over Intellectual Property Rights

In the wake of a series of court cases extending patents to software, open-source software proponents have proposed a number of arguments for limiting or even eliminating software patents. In particular, they claim that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has done a poor job of reviewing software patent applications, resulting in obvious, trivial patents. They also maintain that software patents hinder the standards setting process so important for high-technology industries and that patents will to lead to intellectual property rights "thickets" that slow down or stop the innovative process in the software industry. We evaluate these claims, examining relevant empirical evidence where available. While it is clear that problems exist with the patent-granting process, they do not rise to the level of justifying a ban on software patents. Instead, other reasonable - and far less drastic - measures are available. The USPTO has already begun reforms that should improve its software patent review process. As for patent thickets, theory suggests they could form in the software industry, but empirical evidence suggests that in fact they have not formed. Moreover, tools such as patent pools and cross-licensing that increase innovation sharing are available to limit the development of thickets. While the academic literature is still debating the link between patents and innovation, patents have been show to have some positive effects, including increased venture capital funding for small firms. In the end, reform is far more attractive than abolition because it retains the good while minimizing the bad.
Electric vehicle wireless charging technology: a state-of-the-art review of magnetic coupling systems

Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming more popular due to concerns about the environment and rising gasoline prices. However, the charging infrastructure is lacking, and most people can only charge their EVs at home if they remember to plug in their cars. Using the principles of magnetic inductance and magnetic resonance, wireless charging (WC) could help significantly with these infrastructure problems by making charging secure and convenient. WC systems also have the potential to provide dynamic charging, making long road trips with EVs feasible and eliminating range anxiety. In this paper, we review the companies available in the literature that have developed electric vehicle wireless charging systems, automobile manufacturers interested in such technology, and research from universities and laboratories on the topic. While the field is still very young, there are many promising technologies available today. Some systems have already been in use for years, recharging public transit buses at bus stops. Safety and regulations are also discussed.
Reflections on almost a century of hydrological studies on Africa's largest lake

Abstract. Lake Victoria is the largest lake in Africa and its outflows strongly influence flows in the White Nile, including the availability of water for hydropower generation, irrigation and water supply. Understanding the water balance is a major challenge since the lake is large enough to influence the local climate and its catchment spans several countries. Hydrometeorological monitoring networks are also sparse in some parts of the basin. In this paper, we consider the history of water balance estimates for the lake and how the science has developed as new information and techniques have become available, including in areas such as seasonal flow forecasting and estimating the potential impacts of dam operations and climate change. These findings are placed into a wider context including the challenges arising from a changing climate and evolving ideas from international research programmes, which lead to some suggestions for future research priorities for Lake Victoria and other sub-Saharan/Rift Valley lakes.
Differential synchronous demodulation for small signal amplitude estimation

A circuit for estimating the amplitude of small signals (in the range of microvolts to a few millivolts) developed initially for an electrical impedance tomography (EIT) data acquisition system is presented. The paper is focused on two points, the accurate demodulation of the difference of two sinewave signals and the common-mode correction of the measurement. The method is oriented for applications in measuring instruments, where a signal source (sinewave oscillator) is assumed to be incorporated. It uses a sample-and-hold circuit, suitably driven, as an amplitude demodulator. One of the advantages of this method is that the realization of the synchronous demodulator (or phase-sensitive detector) does not require a low-pass fitter at the output, resulting in a smaller settling time, that is, in higher speed of measurement. Finally, to improve the accuracy, a self-calibration technique has been developed. >
Scheduling direct load control to minimize system operation cost

This paper presents a very effective method for direct load control (DLC) dispatch with the objective of minimizing system operational costs. In the paper, the coordination between DLC dispatch and unit commitment is discussed, and the significant potential benefit accrued from using DLC capacity as a part of system spinning reserve is illustrated. This paper also presents an extension of the proposed method to include consideration of capital cost saving.
Eigenmode expansion methods for simulation of optical propagation in photonics: pros and cons

With the rapid growth of the telecommunications industry over the last 5 to 10 years has come the need to solve ever more complex electromagnetic problems and to solve them more precisely than ever before. The basic EME (EigenMode Expansion) technique is a powerful method for calculation of electromagnetic propagation which has been well known amongst academic environments and also in microwave fields, representing the electromagnetic fields everywhere in terms of a basis set of local modes. It is at the same time a rigorous solution of Maxwell's Equations and is able to deal with very long structures. We discuss here progress that the authors and others have made recently in applying and extending it to integrated, fibre, and diffractive optics - including development of efficient ways of modelling tapers and other smoothly varying structures, new more efficient boundary conditions and improved mode finders. We outline the advantages it has over other techniques and also its limitations. We illustrate its application with a variety of real life examples, including diffractive elements, directional couplers, tapers, MMI's, bend modelling, periodic structures and others.
Impact of nearby lightning on photovoltaic modules converters

Purpose The lightning phenomenon is one of the main threats in photovoltaic (PV) applications. Suitable protection systems avoid major damages from direct strikes but also nearby strikes may induce overvoltage transients in the module itself and in the power conditioning circuitry, which can permanently damage the system. The effects on the PV system sensibly depend on the converter topology and on the adopted power switch. In the present study, a comparative analysis of the transient response due to a nearby lightning strike (LS) is carried out for three PV systems, each equipped with a different converter, namely, boost, buck and buck–boost, based on either silicon carbide metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (SiC MOSFET) or insulated gate bipolar transistors controlled power switch devices, allowing in this way an analysis at different switching frequencies. The purpose of this paper is to present the results of the numerical analysis to help the design of suited protection systems. Design/methodology/approach Using a recently introduced three-dimensional semi-analytical method to simulate the electromagnetic transients caused in PV modules by nearby LSs, we investigate numerically the effect of a LS on the electronic circuits connecting the module to the alternate current (AC) power systems. This study adopts numerical simulations because experimental analyses are not easy to perform and does not grant a sufficient coverage of all statistically relevant aspects. The approach was validated in a previous paper against available experimental data. Findings It is found that the load voltage is not severely interested by the strike effects, thanks to the low pass filters present at the converter output, whereas a relatively high overvoltage develops between the negative pin of the inner circuitry and the “ground” voltage reference. The overcurrent present in the active switches is hardly comparable because of the different topologies and working frequencies; however, the highest overcurrent is observed in the buck converter topology, with SiC MOSFET technology, although it shows the fastest decay. Originality/value This research proposes, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, a comprehensive comparison of the indirect lighting strike effects on the converter connected to PV panels. A proper design of the lightning and surge protection system should take into account such aspects to reduce the risk of induced overvoltage and overcurrent transients.
Delft University of Technology Electrochemical Investigations of BaCe0.7-xSmxZr0.2Y0.1O3-δ Sintered at a Low Sintering Temperature as a Perovskite Electrolyte for IT-SOFCs

Perovskite materials have gained a lot of interest in solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) applications owing to their exceptional properties; however, ideal perovskites exhibit proton conduction due to availability of low oxygen vacancies, which limit their application as SOFC electrolytes. In the current project, Sm was doped at the B-site of a BaCe0.7-xSmxZr0.2Y0. 1O3-δ perovskite electrolyte for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs). BaCe0.7-xSmxZr0.2Y0. 1O3-δ electrolytes were synthesized through a cost-effective coprecipitation method and were sintered at a low sintering temperature. The effects of samarium (Sm) doping on the electrochemical performance of BaCe0.7-xSmxZr0.2Y0. 1O3-δ were investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed that the BaCe0.7-xSmxZr0.2Y0. 1O3-δ electrolyte material retained the perovskite structure. The secondary phase of Sm2O3 was observed for BaCe0.4Sm0.3Zr0.2Y0. 1O3-δ. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) imaging displayed the dense microstructure for all the compositions, while prominent crystal growth was observed for composition x = 0.3. The formation of the perovskite structure and the presence of the hydroxyl groups of metal oxides for all the compositions were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). An increased symmetrical disturbance was also observed for the increased doping ratio of the Sm. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of all the compositions showed no major weight loss in the SOFC operating temperature range. It was also noted that the conductivity of BaCe0.7-xSmxZr0.2Y0. 1O3-δ gradually decreased with the increased contents of the Sm metal. The maximum power density of 390 mW cm−2, and an open-circuit voltage (OCV) of 1.0 V at 600 ◦C, were obtained, showing that BaCe0.7-xSmxZr0.2Y0. 1O3-δ, synthesized by a cost-effective method and sintered at a low temperature, can be used as a proton-conducting electrolyte for IT-SOFCs.
Slot dipole antenna with single-and dual-band tuning characteristic

A slot dipole antenna with a reconfigurable operating frequency is presented. The antenna comprises two pairs of slot arms. Each arm incorporates a number of varactor diodes. The antenna is capable of operating in single-band or dual-band mode. In each case, the location of these bands can be altered by varying the voltage applied to the varactor diodes. The antenna can be tuned over a wide frequency range, namely 1.5-4.5 GHz (i.e. a ratio of 3:1). The antenna is potentially useful for cognitive radio application, particularly in a small base station or access point terminal.
Landscape and microhabitat features determine small mammal abundance in forest patches in agricultural landscapes

Intensification of agricultural landscapes represent a major threat for biodiversity conservation also affecting several ecosystem services. The natural and semi-natural remnants, available in the agricultural matrix, represent important sites for small mammals and rodents, which are fundamental for sustaining various ecosystem functions and trophic chains. We studied the populations of two small mammals (Apodemus agrarius, A. sylvaticus) to evaluate the effects of landscape and habitat features on species abundance along a gradient of agricultural landscape intensification. The study was performed in Friuli Venezia Giulia (north-eastern Italy) during 19 months, in 19 wood remnants. Species abundance was determined using Capture-Mark-Recapture (CMR) techniques. In the same plots, main ecological parameters of the habitat (at microhabitat and patch scale) and landscape were considered. Abundance of A. agrarius increased in landscapes with high extent of permanent crops (i.e., orchards and poplar plantations) and low content of undecomposed litter in the wood understory. Instead, A. sylvaticus, a more generalist species, showed an opposite, albeit less strong, relationship with the same variables. Both species were not affected by any landscape structural feature (e.g., patch shape, isolation). Our findings showed that microhabitat features and landscape composition rather than wood and landscape structure affect populations’ abundance and species interaction. The opposite response of the two study species was probably because of their specific ecological requirements. In this light, conservation management of agricultural landscapes should consider the ecological needs of species at both landscape and habitat levels, by rebalancing composition patterns in the context of ecological intensification, and promoting a sustainable forest patch management.
Uncertainty, Complexity and Constraints: How do We Robustly Assess Biological Responses Under a Rapidly Changing Climate?

How robust is our assessment of impacts to ecosystems and species from a rapidly changing climate during the 21st century? We examine the challenges of uncertainty, complexity and constraints associated with applying climate projections to understanding future biological responses. This includes an evaluation of how to incorporate the uncertainty associated with different greenhouse gas emissions scenarios and climate models, and constraints of spatiotemporal scales and resolution of climate data into impact assessments. We describe the challenges of identifying relevant climate metrics for ecological models and evaluate the usefulness and limitations of different methodologies of applying climate change to both quantitative and qualitative ecological response models. We discuss the importance of incorporating extreme climate events and their stochastic tendencies in assessing ecological impacts and transformation, and provide recommendations for better integration of complex climate-ecological interactions at relevant spatiotemporal scales. We further recognize the compounding nature of uncertainty when accounting for our limited understanding of the interactions between climate and biological processes. Given the inherent complexity in ecological processes and their interactions with climate, we recommend integrating quantitative modeling with expert elicitation from diverse disciplines and experiential understanding of recent climate-driven ecological processes to develop more robust understanding of ecological responses under different scenarios of future climate change. Inherently complex interactions between climate and biological systems also provide an opportunity to develop wide-ranging strategies that resource managers can employ to prepare for the future.
Mine Safety: Law Regulation Policy

Historically, the mining industry has had a high incidence of work related injury and disease, and of disasters involving multiple fatalities. It also faces OHS challenges far exceeding those confronting most other industry sectors. Mine safety legislation can play an important role in meeting those challenges. Although regulation is never likely to be the entire answer, good regulation not only brings laggards up to a minimum legal standard, it also encourages, rewards and facilitates leaders in going beyond them. Bad regulation, in contrast, constrains good enterprises from taking the initiative to improve OHS, while failing to deter bad ones. This book describes mine safety legislation in the “mining states” and analyses its strengths and weaknesses. It also examines the broader policy questions of how best to design, implement and enforce mine safety regulation. It argues that substantial reform will be necessary not only in setting standards, but also in their implementation, if further OHS improvements are to be achieved. This implies substantial changes in the way the mine safety inspectorates go about their tasks: in how they administer and enforce the law; and in the circumstances in which they choose to prosecute. It also requires the nurturing of a degree of trust between employers and workers (individually and collectively) and between both these parties and the mines inspectorates, that has been substantially lacking in recent years.
Simplifying the Surgical Classification and Approach to the Posterolateral Skull Base and Jugular Foramen Using Anatomical Triangles

Introduction Lesions of the jugular foramen (JF) and postero-lateral skull base are difficult to expose and exhibit complex neurovascular relationships. Given their rarity and the increasing use of radiosurgery, neurosurgeons are becoming less experienced with their surgical management. Anatomical factors are crucial in designing the approach to achieve a maximal safe resection. Methods and methods Six cadaveric heads (12 sides) were dissected via combined post-auricular infralabyrinthine and distal transcervical approach with additional anterior transstyloid and posterior far lateral exposures. Contiguous surgical triangles were measured, and contents were analyzed. Thirty-one patients (32 lesions) were treated surgically between 2000 and 2016 through different variations of the retro-auricular distal cervical transtemporal approaches. Results We anatomically reviewed the carotid, stylodigastric, jugular, condylar, suboccipital, deep condylar, mastoid, suprajugular, suprahypoglossal (infrajugular), and infrahypoglossal triangles. Tumors included glomus jugulare, lower cranial nerve schwannomas or neurofibromas, meningiomas, chondrosarcoma, adenocystic carcinoma, plasmacytoma of the occipitocervical joint, and a sarcoid lesion. We classified tumors into extracranial, intradural, intraosseous, and dumbbell-shaped, and analyzed the approach selection for each. Conclusion Jugular foramen and posterolateral skull base lesions can be safely resected through a retro-auricular distal cervical lateral skull base approach, which is customizable to anatomical location and tumor extension by tailoring the involved osteo-muscular triangles.
Hot electron and DX center insensitivity of Al/sub 0.25/Ga/sub 0.75/As/GaAs HFET's designed for microwave power applications

We show in this work that, although designing Al/sub x/Ga/sub 1-x/As/GaAs HFET's for microwave power applications requires a large barrier layer bandgap (hence x>0.2), the presence of a large concentration of electrically active DX centers in the barrier layer does not hinder the device reliability. The existence of a remarkable quantity of DX centers in the Al/sub 0.25/Ga/sub 0.75/As barrier layer is for the first time revealed by means of room temperature electroluminescence, and their concentration is evaluated by measuring the threshold voltage shift induced by hot electron stress at cryogenic temperatures.
Technology innovation and integration in distance education

The innovation brought by the introduction of new technologies in modern society has also started to appear in education. The biggest efforts come from the institutions involved in distance education, partly due to the characteristics of the educational system they represent. The UNED, Spanish University for Distance Education, has made major advances among the educational centers in Spain. The current state of technological applications in the UNED is considered a reference for other national institutions, namely telematic tutoring, or videoconferences. This University is also participating in projects related to technological education. But the reality in Spain still shows a resistance to the application of technology in education, which is basically based in social and psychological factors. However, that application will succeed in a period of time shorter than expected.