Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mobile Accessibility Tools for the Visually Impaired

Visually impaired individuals are a growing segment of our population. However, social constructs are not always designed with this group of people in mind, making the development of better electronic accessibility tools essential in order to fulfill their daily needs. Traditionally, such assistive tools came in the form of expensive, specialized and at times heavy devices which visually impaired individuals had to independently look after and carry around. The past few years have witnessed an exponential growth in the computing capabilities and onboard sensing capabilities of mobile phones making them an ideal candidate for building powerful and diverse applications. We believe that the mobile phone can help concentrate the main functions of all the various specialized assistive devices into one, by enabling the rapid and cheap development of simple and ubiquitous assistive applications. The current thesis describes the design, implementation, evaluation and user-study based analysis of four different mobile applications, each one of which helps visually impaired people overcome an everyday accessibility barrier. Our first system is a simple to operate mobile navigational guide that can help its visually impaired users repeat paths that were already walked once in any indoor environment. The system permits the user to construct a virtual topological map across points of interest within a building by recording the user's trajectory and walking speed using Wi-Fi and accelerometer readings. The user can subsequently use the map to navigate previously traveled routes without any sighted assistance. Our second system, Mobile Brailler, presents several prototype methods of text entry on a modern touch screen mobile phone that are based on the Braille alphabet and thus are convenient for visually impaired users. Our third system enables visually impaired users to leverage the camera of a mobile device to accurately recognize currency bills even if the images are partially or highly distorted. The final system enables visually impaired users to determine whether a pair of clothes, in this case of a tie and a shirt, can be worn together or not, based on the current social norms of color-matching.
Multi-touch interaction for robot command and control

In emergency response, gathering intelligence is still largely a manual process despite advances in mobile computing and multi-touch interaction. The labor-intensive nature of this process means that the information digested by personnel going into the field is typically an operational period old. In a day where satellite photography and mobile connectivity is becoming ubiquitous in our digital lives, it is alarming to find this is the state of the practice for most disciplines of emergency response. Recent advances in robotics, mobile communication, and multi-touch tabletop displays are bridging this technological gap and providing enhanced network centric operation and increased mission effectiveness. Our work focuses on closing the gap between the personnel in the field and the command hierarchy supporting those teams. Our research in human-computer interaction leverages these technologies for robot control through a collaborative tabletop multi-touch display. A single-robot operator control unit and a multi-robot command and control interface has been created. Users command individual or multiple robots through a gesture set designed to maximize ease of learning. Users can pan and zoom on any area, and the interface can integrate video feeds from individual robots so the users can see things from the robot's perspective. Manual robot control is achieved by using the DREAM (Dynamically Resizing Ergonomic and Multi-touch) Controller. The controller is painted on the screen beneath the user's hands, changing its size and orientation according to our newly designed algorithm for fast hand detection, finger registration, and handedness registration. In addition to robot control, the DREAM Controller and hand detection algorithms have a wide number of applications in general human-computer interaction such as keyboard emulation and multi-touch user interface design.
Tibetan wild asses (Equus Kiang) were superior to domestic donkeys (Equus Asinus) in terms of the composition and function of gut microbial community

Tibetan wild asses (Equus Kiang) are the only wild species of perissodactyls on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, and appears on the International Union for Conversation of Nature (IUCN) 2012 Red List of threatened species. Therefor, understanding the gut microbita composition and function can provide a theoretical for the situ conservation of wild animals in the future. This study analyzed the intestinal microbiota of wild asses and domestic donkeys by high-throughput sequencing of the 16s rDNA regions. No significant difference in alpha diversity was detected between these two groups. Beta diversity showed that the bacterial community structure of wild asses was acutely different from domestic donkeys. At the phylum level, the two dominant phyla of Bacteroidetes and Firmcutes in wild asses were significantly higher than that in domestic donkeys. At the genus level, Ruminococcaceae_NK4A214, Phascolarctobacterium, Coprostanoligenes_group, Lachnospiraceae_XPB1014_group and Akkermansia in wild asses were significantly higher than domestic donkeys. Moreover, statistical comparisons showed that 40 different metabolic pathways exhibited significant differences. Among them, 29 pathways had richer concentrations in wild asses than domestic donkeys, mainly included amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, and energy metabolism. Of note, network analysis showed that wild asses harbored a relatively more complex bacterial network than domestic donkeys, possibly reflecting the specific niche adaption of gut bacterial communities through species interactions. The overall results indicated that wild asses were superior to that of domestic in gut bacteria community composition and function, and wild asses should be more suitable to survive in wild than to be domesticated or captive.
Avoid water hammer

Discusses where water hammer occurs, effects of water hammer, and conditions causing water hammer (hydraulic shock, thermal shock, differential shock). Points out that even mild water hammer can weaken and eventually destroy piping, gauges, floats, heat exchange equipment, etc. Suggests that greater understanding of water hammer should help introduce more preventive measures into system designs and installations, which will help provide maximum safety for personnel, lower maintenance cost and reduce system downtime.
Color Palette Considerations for Digital Map Displays

Abstract : The Map Data Formatting Facility is creating a library of Compressed Aeronautical Chart (CAC) data on a compact disk (CD) media in support of mission planning systems and airborne digital moving-map systems for military aircraft. The CAC library is generated by transforming the Defense Mapping Agency's Equal Arc-Second Raster Chart (ARC) Digitized Raster Graphics data from the ARC projection system into the Navy-specified tessellated spheroid projection system. The data are then color and spatially compressed using a technique known as vector quantization. This report discusses the method by which a standard set of thirty 8-bit color palettes, which are used for the color-compression portion of CAC generation, are built. Briefly, color compression is achieved by reducing the amount of color information from 24 bits per pixel to 8 bits per pixel via a color look-up table. A CAC color palette, which contains 256 entries (including 16 that are reserved for vector graphic overlays), is used to define the color look-up table. In addition, the color palette is written onto the final CAC CD- ROM for decompression operations. Since a single color palette will be used to color compress ARC digitized raster graphics data for one-fifth of the world at a given scale, prudent color selection is vital. Digital maps, Optical storage, Databases, Data compression.
Evaluation of the chronological impact heat stress has on swine intestinal function and integrity

Heat stress (HS) is a physiological condition when animals or humans can no longer regulate their internal euthermic temperature. When livestock and humans are subjected to this environmental stress, it can be detrimental to health, well-being and performance, and if severe enough even death. Swine are particularly susceptible to HS, costing the industry millions of dollars annually in lost production and carcass quality. One of the major organs affected by HS is the gastrointestinal tract. Heat stress reduces intestinal function and integrity, increases risk of endotoxemia and causes metabolic dysfunction. Together, these issues antagonize pig performance and health. Therefore, the overall objective of this dissertation was to chronologically characterize how a growing pig first perceives and initially copes with a severe heat-load. Additionally, we also determined the involvement of reduced feed intake utilizing a thermal neutral pair-fed to HS feed intake model. Knowing that HS alters intestinal integrity and function, this dissertation also assess the ability of an organic zinc source (ZnAA) as a nutritional mitigation strategy for HS in pigs. To address these objectives, the thesis has been organized into four research chapters. In the first study, (Chapter 2, 24 h of HS), pigs experienced changes in intestinal integrity, altered expression of tight junction proteins, increased circulating endotoxin concentrations and markers of cellular stress (heat shock and hypoxia response). Interestingly, under HS conditions, glucose transport machinery was also upregulated. In Chapter 3 (0-6 h of HS), pigs exposed to a short duration of HS had increased body temperatures, reduced feed intake, changes in neuropeptide hormones, and lighter body weights compared to controls. These pigs also had compromised intestinal integrity, which was evident as early on as 2 h HS. By 6 h HS, the ileum was more severely affected compared to the colon. At 12 h HS (Chapter
Advanced techniques to improve the performance of OFDM Wireless LAN

Abstract : OFDM systems have experienced increased attention in recent years and have found applications in a number of diverse areas including telephone-line based ADSL links, digital audio and video broadcasting systems, and wireless local area networks (WLAN). Orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) is a powerful technique for high data-rate transmission over fading channels. However, to deploy OFDM in a WLAN environment, precise frequency synchronization must be maintained and tricky frequency offsets must be handled. In this thesis, various techniques to improve the data throughput of OFDM WLAN are investigated. A simulation tool was developed in Matlab to evaluate the performance of the IEEE 802.1la physical layer. We propose a rapid time and frequency synchronization algorithm using only the short training sequence of the IEEE 802.1la standard, thus reducing the training overhead by 50%. Particular attention was paid to channel coding, block interleaving and antenna diversity. Computer simulation showed that drastic improvement in error rate performance is achievable when these techniques are deployed.
Responses to review comments-3 (RC3, by the Anonymous Referee #3)

The authors analyzed four organic nitrates in ambient PM2.5 samples collected at four different sites in eastern China. In combination with other gaseous data, they aim to identify major controlling factors on organic nitrates formation under different atmospheric environments, mainly by examining the correlation relationship between organic nitrates and some gas species and meteorology parameters. Considering the high biogenic and anthropogenic emissions in eastern China, looking at the PNOs formation provides a good chance to explore the influence of human activities on biogenic SOA formation. However, due to limitations on the analyzing method and limited samples collected at each site and the different sampling periods, they are not able to provide a reliable seasonal/spatial/diurnal trend. While the discussion is heavily relying on correlation analysis, the factors controlling the observed PNOs are not sufficiently captured. Therefore, this paper can not be accepted in its current form.
Testing the Relationship Between Looking Time and Choice Preference in Long-tailed Macaques

Visual bias in social cognition studies is often interpreted to indicate preference, yet it is difficult to elucidate whether this translates to social preference. Moreover, visual bias is often framed in terms of surprise or recognition. It is thus important to examine whether an interpretation of preference is warranted in looking time studies. Here, using touchscreen training, we examined (1) looking time to non-social images in an image viewing task, and (2) preference of non-social images in a paired choice task, in captive long-tailed macaques, Macaca fascicularis. In a touchscreen test phase, we examined (3) looking time to social images in a viewing task, and (4) preference of social images in a paired choice task. Finally, we examined (5) looking time to social images in a non-test environment. For social content, the monkeys did not exhibit clear preferences for any category (conspecific/heterospecific, in-group/outgroup, kin/non-kin, young/old) in the explicit choice paradigm, nor did they differentiate between images in the viewing tasks, thus hampering our interpretation of the data. Post-hoc analysis of the training data however revealed a visual bias towards images of food and objects over landscapes in the viewing task. Similarly, across choice-task training sessions, food and object images were chosen more frequently than landscapes. This suggests that the monkeys’ gaze may indeed indicate preference, but this only became apparent for non-social stimuli. Why these monkeys had no biases in the social domain remains enigmatic. To better answer questions about attention to social stimuli, we encourage future research to examine behavioral measures alongside looking time.
A Methodology to Support the Development of 4-year Pavement Management Plan

A methodology for forming and prioritizing pavement maintenance and rehabilitation (M&R) projects was developed. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) can use this methodology to generate defensible and cost-effective 4-year pavement management plans (PMPs). The developed methodology was implemented in a web-based software tool for evaluation by TxDOT personnel. This tool can potentially be used in the future by TxDOT to generate 4-year PMPs for individual districts and the statewide network. Key components of this methodology are: (1) methods for grouping data collection sections into pavement management sections (potential M&R projects), (2) pavement performance prediction models, (3) methods for measuring performance benefits and life-cycle costs of alternative M&R types and projects, (4) a method for prioritizing competing M&R projects using an incremental benefits-cost analysis, and (5) analysis of the impact of funding scenarios on network condition throughout the planning period. Projects are prioritized considering multiple factors that are deemed important by TxDOT’s districts. These factors and their importance weights were identified using a web-based survey of TxDOT’s districts. The methodology was tested and validated for Bryan, Fort Worth, and Lubbock Districts. The results highlight the potential of the developed methodology to improve pavement management planning by incorporating district priorities, producing cost-effective pavement management plans, and providing insights into the impact of these plans on the network condition.
Synchrontron VUV and Soft X-Ray Radiation Effects on Aluminized Teflon FEP

Surfaces of the aluminized Teflon FEP multi-layer thermal insulation on the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) were found to be cracked and curled in some areas at the time of the second servicing, mission in February 1997, 6.8 years after HST was deployed in low Earth orbit (LEO). As part of a test program to assess environmental conditions which would produce embrittlement sufficient to cause cracking of Teflon on HST, samples of Teflon FEP with a backside layer of vapor deposited aluminum were exposed to vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) and soft x-ray radiation of various energies using facilities at the National Synchrotron Light Source. Brookhaven National Laboratory. Samples were exposed to synchrotron radiation of narrow energy bands centered on energies between 69 eV and 1900 eV. Samples were analyzed for ultimate tensile strength and elongation. Results will be compared to those of aluminized Teflon FEP retrieved from HST after 3.6 years and 6.8 years on orbit and will he referenced to estimated HST mission doses of VUV and soft x-ray radiation.
Evaluation of Longitudinal Joint Tie Bar System

An adequate longitudinal joint tie bar system is essential in the overall performance of concrete pavement. Excessive longitudinal joint openings are believed to be caused by either inadequate tie bar size or spacing or improper tie bar installation. If designed and installed properly, tie bars prevent the joints from opening and consequently improve load transfer efficiency between slabs and between slabs and shoulders, resulting in increased load carrying capacity. This study evaluated the longitudinal joint tie bar system currently used by CDOT, examining the criteria for proper use of tie bars and determining the maximum number of lanes that can be tied together without negatively impacting the concrete pavement structure. An improved mechanistic-empirical tie bar design method was developed. Tie bar design tables with recommended bar size and spacing were provided for each combination of pavement base types, CDOT concrete mixes, and weather stations. Field studies were conducted to investigate longitudinal joint performance and further evaluate the impact of factors related to design and construction practices. The experimental plan for this round of testing included the evaluation of tie bar alignment, measurement of joint load transfer, and measurement of relative slab movement at the joints. In addition, CDOT’s current specifications and practices related to longitudinal joint construction and tie bar design and placement were compared with those of other state agencies. Field testing results revealed that the measured joint openings at some tied longitudinal joints were in the typical range of non-tied slabs, implying that some tied joints performed as poorly as non-tied slabs. The results indicate the possibility of tie bar failure due to loss of concrete-steel bonding or yielding of tie bar steel. Another key finding was the possible impact of tie bar misalignment or misplacement on poor longitudinal joint performance. Testing indicated that the measured joint openings were wider when the tie bars did not connect to the other side of the joint, or when the embedment lengths were inadequate. On the other hand, tie bars with adequate embedment length on both sides of the joint, even when misaligned, appear to hold the joint tight. CDOT should adopt the mechanistic-empirical tie bar design procedure developed in this study. The research team recommends that CDOT conduct more rigorous experimental and field testing covering various base material types and concrete mixtures to obtain Colorado-specific model parameters for implementation.
Catalysts of PtSn/C Modified with Ru and Ta for Electrooxidation of Ethanol

PtSn/C-type catalysts modified with Ta and Ru were prepared by the thermal decomposition of polymeric precursors with the following nominal compositions: Pt70Sn10Ta20/C, Pt70Sn10Ta15Ru5/C, Pt70Sn10Ta10Ru10/C and Pt70Sn10Ta5Ru15/C. The physicochemical characterization was performed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX). The electrochemical characterization was performed using cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry and fuel cell testing. PtSnTaRu/C catalysts were characterized in the absence and presence of ethanol in an acidic medium (H2SO4 0.5 mol L−1). All the catalysts showed activity for the oxidation of ethanol. The results indicated that the addition of Ta increased the stability and performance of the catalysts, as the Pt70Sn10Ta20/C catalyst had the maximum power density of 27.3 mW cm−2 in an acidic medium. The results showed that the PtSn/C-type catalysts modified with Ta and Ru showed good performance against alcohol oxidation, representingan alternative to the use of direct ethanol fuel cells.
E-GIS; European Level Developments of Flexible Learning Models Within Geographical Information Science (GIS) For Vocational Training

E-GIS is a Leonardo pilot project, within Geographical Information Science (GIS), to be implemented over a three year period, 2002-05. The main objectives of the project is to establish co-operation between European Universities and GIS user organisations and to develop modularised courses intended for Internet based learning, establish links of communications between the partners in the project in order to disseminate and share “best practises” in different teaching situations and for different types of students. The course modules to be developed, all together, will constitute a one-year programme within GIS. This project mainly targets full time students, private and civil service employees within the EU but also similar categories in non-EU countries. The course modules are supposed to be flexible both in time and in “tempo”. However, synchronous group models will also be considered. The outcomes of the project will be high level content, new net-based pedagogic method suited for accessing target groups of great diversity as regards pedagogic traditions, access to computers and bandwidth. Cooperation between the institutions will, certainly, give higher level courses than the individual institutions could possibly themselves. (Less)