Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Discovering reflective-narrative: constructing experience in the Deweyan guide for reflective practice

ABSTRACT This article provides an explanatory supplement for authors to more thickly describe their experience when using the published Guide for Reflective Practice (GRP). As members of the reflective practice laboratory that created the GRP, we recognized the need to provide stronger theoretical justification and practical instructions for the activity/project description section of the guide. The result of our inquiry was a reworking of the activity/project description section and renaming it reflective-narrative. John Dewey’s theory of experience and Clandinin and Connelly’s three-dimensions of narrative space were used to develop the instructions for writing a reflective-narrative. There is also discussion on how to ensure quality and rigor in writing such a narrative. We recommend creating additional instructional supplements for the GRP. We also discuss our plans to facilitate reflective writing retreats to train new faculty on writing a reflective-narrative and engaging in reflective practice.
Modeling and analysis of high-speed electro-optic modulation in high confinement silicon waveguides using metal-oxide-semiconductor configuration

We analyze the electrical and optical properties of a silicon electro-optic waveguide modulator using a metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) configuration. The device performance is studied under different modes of operation of the MOS diode and gate oxide thicknesses. Our calculations indicate that this scheme can be used for achieving high-speed submicron waveguide active devices on silicon on insulator. A microring resonator intensity modulator is predicted to exhibit switching times on the order of tens of picoseconds with modulation depth of 73% by employing a bias voltage of only 5 V.
State of The Art and Hot Aspects in Cloud Data Storage Security SICS technical report T2013:01

Along with the evolution of cloud computing and cloud storage towards maturity, researchers have analyzed an increasing range of cloud computing security aspects, data security being an important topic in this area. In this paper, we examine the state of the art in cloud storage security through an overview of selected peer reviewed publications. We address the question of defining cloud storage security and its different aspects, as well as enumerate the main vectors of attack on cloud storage. The reviewed papers present techniques for key management and controlled disclosure of encrypted data in cloud storage, while novel ideas regarding secure operations on encrypted data and methods for protection of data in fully virtualized environments provide a glimpse of the toolbox available for securing cloud storage. Finally, new challenges such as emergent government regulation call for solutions to problems that did not receive enough attention in earlier stages of cloud computing, such as for example geographical location of data. The methods presented in the papers selected for this review represent only a small fraction of the wide research effort within cloud storage security. Nevertheless, they serve as an indication of the diversity of problems that are being addressed.
Unpacking Teacher’s Self-understanding in Technology Use during COVID-19 Pandemic

The spread of Covid-19 virus has suddenly forced face-to-face learning into online learning. These sudden changes give impacts to professional teaching and learning practices of teacher, teacher not only gives the material but also use technology maximally during this pandemic. The role of teachers and their professional self-understanding has become increasingly complex. This current study led to know about the teacher’s self-understanding in the use of technology during the pandemic. Based on the purpose of the study, this study adopted a small-scale case study with one participant who is an EFL teacher from one of private senior high school in Surakarta, Indonesia. This case study used semi-structure interviews and classroom observations for collecting data techniques. To collect the data, researcher used teacher’s self-understanding theory from Kelchtermans (1993). These teacher’s self-understanding has five components, (1) self-image; (2) self-esteem; (3) task-perception; (4) job motivation; and (5) future perspective. After collecting the data, researcher applied an interactive model analysis. The results showed that (1) teacher’s self-understanding in the use of technology becomes more positive. This understanding brings teacher to become part of booster teaches conducted by The Ministry of Education and Culture, and (2) the inclusion of informal, self-initiated, and self-regulated procedures has supported the modifications of these components of teacher’s self-understanding when she used technology.
Lifetime predictions of prestressed concrete bridges—Evaluating parameters of relevance using Sobol' indices

The residual structural lifetime of concrete bridges is often limited by fatigue of the prestressing steel. In practice, numerical calculations of the structure are combined with Miner's rule—based on load frequencies and stress amplitudes—to estimate the damage. Thereby, various parameters must be accounted for whereof a few are actually relevant. Structural monitoring is valuable to increase the accuracy of lifetime predictions, but usually experts choose the right parameters on experience only. A more objective assessment can be reached by sensitivity analysis. A powerful method is provided by Sobol's variance‐based indices. They quantify the influence of a single parameter's variance on the model's total variance and account for interactions in nonlinear models, too. Exemplified on a reference structure, sensitivity indices are determined. Meanwhile specific characteristics like the nonlinear behavior of concrete after cracking are considered. In this case, the key elements of lifetime prediction turn out to be the time‐dependent losses of prestress and the traffic loads.
Explaining non-renewal behaviour: an empirical investigation of recently lapsed NRL club members

This paper reports on a survey of lapsed members of an Australian professional National Rugby League (NRL) Club. Analysis of the 195 useable responses returned suggest that these lapsed members had originally joined as much for intangible aspects, such as seeking a greater level of involvement with the club, as for the functional aspects such as savings on game entry. Overall, these lapsed members were satisfied with the service they received whilst a member, and claimed it had been performed in line with expectations. The main drivers of satisfaction were also a mix of tangible and intangible factors such as feeling valued by the club and receiving discounts on entry costs. The members gave a number of reasons for not rejoining in 2002, but primarily cited an inability to attend games. Despite joining for intangible reasons, it seems that if these members could not get to games, they perceived that membership was not worth maintaining. That said, a large number of members indicated that as their circumstances change they will rejoin the club, supporting the theory that non-renewal is not driven by service failure, but rather the perception that attendance is still the core product (entertainment). The overall level of satisfaction had a weak but positive relationship with the likelihood of members rejoining in the future.
Predicting cost deviation in reconstruction projects: Artificial neural networks versus regression

This paper investigates the challenging environment of reconstruction projects and describes the development of a predictive model of cost deviation in such high-risk projects. Based on a survey of construction professionals, information was obtained on the reasons behind cost overruns and poor quality from 50 reconstruction projects. For each project, the specific techniques used for project control were reported along with the actual cost deviation from planned values. Two indicators of cost deviation are used in this study: cost overrun to the owner, and the cost of rework to the contractor. Based on the information obtained, 36 factors were identified as having direct impact on the cost performance of reconstruction projects. Two techniques were then used to develop models for predicting cost deviation: statistical analysis, and artificial neural networks (ANNs). While both models had similar accuracy, the ANN model is more sensitive to a larger number of variables. Overall, this study contributes to a better understanding of the reasons for cost deviation in reconstruction projects and provides a decision support tool to quantify that deviation.
Pilot Age and Accident Rates Report 3: An Analysis of Professional Air Transport Pilot Accident Rates by Age

In response to continuing controversy over the Age 60 Rule (14 CFR § 121.383(c)), the United States Senate directed further study by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of pilot age and accidents. This report presents the third of four studies proposed by the agency. Accident rate was defined in this study as the ratio of the number of accidents occurring under 14 CFR §121 and §135 to annual hours flown by professional pilots holding Class 1 medical and air transport pilot (ATP) certificates for the period 1988 through 1997. Accident data were provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Annual hours flown were estimated from medical examination records extracted from the FAA Comprehensive Airman Information System. Three analyses were conducted. As directed by the Senate request, the first analysis examined accident rates as a function of one unique (60-63) and 36 overlapping, four-year age groups declining from age 59 for pilots with Class 1 medical and ATP certificates (i.e., 60-63, 56-59, …, 21-24). The second analysis examined accident rates by overlapping, four-year age groups declining consistently from age 63 (i.e., 60-63, 59-62, …, 21-24). The third analysis examined accident rates for the 60-63 age group as directed by the Senate and non-overlapping (or independent) five-year age groups (i.e., 55-59, 50-54, …, less than or equal to 29) for comparison to previous studies. Overall, these analyses support the hypothesis that a "U"-shaped relationship exists between the age of professional pilots holding Class 1 medical and ATP certificates and the accident rate for operations under 14 CFR §121 and §135. However, the range of mean differences across age groups was very small and not statistically different when comparing adjacent age groups on either side of the current rule.
DAΦNE Commissioning for SIDDHARTA-2 Experiment

DAΦNE, the Frascati lepton collider, has completed the preparatory phase in order to deliver luminosity to the SIDDHARTA-2 detector. DAΦNE collider rings rely on a new interaction region, which implements the wellestablished Crab-Waist collision scheme, and includes a low-β section equipped with newly designed permanent magnet quadrupoles, and vacuum components. Diagnostics tools have been improved, especially the ones used to keep under control the beam-beam interaction. The horizontal feedback in the positron ring has been potentiated in order to achieve a higher positron current. Luminosity diagnostics have been also updated so to be compatible with the new detector design. The commissioning was initially focused on recovering the optimal dynamical vacuum conditions, outlining alignment errors, and optimizing ring optics. For this reason, a detuned optics, featured by relaxed low-β condition at the interaction point and Crab-Waist Sextupoles off, has been applied. In a second stage a low-β optics has been implemented to test collisions with a preliminary setup of the experiment detector. Machine preparation and the first luminosity results are presented and discussed.
Vocabulary learning strategy instruction in the EFL secondary classroom: an exploratory study

Abstract This study investigated instruction in vocabulary consolidation strategies over eight months and vocabulary learning among a group of secondary students in Hong Kong. Two vocabulary tests and one vocabulary learning strategies (VLSs) questionnaire survey were administered near the end of the school year. The data were analysed using t-tests and correlation coefficients. The results show that the eight-month VLSs instruction was significantly correlated with students’ vocabulary knowledge. It was also found that: (1) students favoured cognitive strategies and word analysis strategies to other VLSs; (2) more successful learners employed a wider variety of VLSs than less successful learners, with significant, positive correlations found between the repertoire of strategies and vocabulary performance; and (3) the strategies taught were effective for students’ vocabulary learning and were significant predictors of more successful students. Students’ responses from group discussions revealed their positive experiences with learning VLSs through explicit instruction, supporting the effectiveness of consolidation strategies. This study adds to the limited research literature on the role of VLSs instruction for EFL secondary learners. Strategies conducive to vocabulary learning and the implications of this study are discussed.
Objects Detection from High-Resolution Remote Sensing Imagery Using Training-Optimized YOLOv3 Network

The traditional YOLOv3 model uses ImageNet and COCO datasets for training in which the scene target characteristics are significantly different from those in test datasets and leads to low detection accuracy of complex scene targets in high-resolution remote-sensing images This paper optimizes the training process of the traditional YOLOv3 network using the idea of transfer learning During the training of the YOLOv3 network the model is pre-trained by generating an augmented dataset similar to the target domain The training-optimized method improves the accuracy of the object boundary of target prediction Also the parameters of the pre-training model are fine-tuned using a training dataset from the target domain thus completing the whole training process of the network The experiment on the detection of three types of object including aircraft playground overpass was carried out based on a subset of RSOD & DIOR dataset for remote sensing image object detection The results show that the proposed YOLOv3 model effectively improves the detection accuracy of the three types of targets in complex urban scenes The mean average precision of object detection using our model improved by 2% or more compared with the traditional YOLOv3 model
Sea Purslane as an Emerging Food Crop: Nutritional and Biological Studies

: Halophyte plants are highly adapted to salt marsh ecosystems due to their physiological and ecological characteristics. Halimione portulacoides (L.) Aellen is one abundant halophyte shrub that belongs to a Chenopodiaceae family and Caryophyllales order and is found on sandy or muddy coastlines and salt marshes. In this study, the leaves of sea purslane ( H. portulacoides ) grown in Figueira da Foz (Portugal) were characterized at nutritional and mineral concentration. Moreover, different methanolic extracts were obtained from the leaves, and the antioxidant activity was assessed by several methods. From a nutritional point of view, this halophyte plant may be considered a good source of dietary ﬁber, protein, natural minerals such as calcium, magnesium, manganese, copper, and potassium. The primary sugar found in leaves of sea purslane is maltose, followed by sucrose, glucose, and fructose. Finally, leaves showed a high content of phenolic compounds and considerable antioxidant activity. The novel products butter and pasta enriched with powder dried leaves of H. portulacoides revealed the plant’s potential to be used as a salt substitute and a good alternative to enhance the sensory characteristics of products, with additional health beneﬁts. The nutritional characteristics and the phytochemical value highlight H. portulacoides as a potential candidate crop in saline agriculture and to be used as a new vegetable, especially as a premium food in the novel “salty veggies” market or as a kitchen salt substitute.
The Effects of Leadership on Quality

Abstract: Research examining quality management has focused primarily on manufacturing organizations with specific attention directed toward organizational employees. Many in the field of quality believe that management is key for a successful quality program, yet the effects of specific leadership styles on quality performance have not been determined. In this study, leadership styles within transformational, transactional and non-transactional classifications are evaluated relative to the organization's performance based on the criteria from the Baldrige Quality Award. Results indicate that leadership does have an affect on quality, and certain transformational and transactional styles are more effective.
The mode-matching technique as a basis of automatic solvers for complicated waveguide problems

The main goal of realized project was to suggest a new generalized approach to mode-matching procedures both for calculation of sophisticated WG mode spectra and for calculation of the frequency response of complicated devices as well. Moreover, we have attempted to create fully automated algorithms that, permit one to avoid the stage of analytical consideration, i.e. to get rid of individual approach to each of the new configurations produced by practice. Together with special tools for recognizing the contours of WG cross-sections and their preliminary processing they provide the background for hookup to "mode-matching" solver - the comfortable interface for "geometrical specifying and editing". The classes of the objects that may be calculated by suggested approach include any WG devices with metal boundaries specified in Cartesian coordinate system or with the smooth boundaries that may be replaced by stair-case surface.
Smoke detection from foggy environment based on color spaces

Detection of smoke from videos captured by surveillance cameras in outdoor environments is one of the useful outcome of Internet of Things (IoT) applications. The potential benefit increases when deep learning (DL) architectures are involved. However, an inherent difficulty is to detect smoke while natural events like fog exists. The effectiveness of color spaces in detection performance has not yet fully evaluated in those architectures. Moreover, the energy and memory requirements of DL architectures may not be applicable for handling IoT implementation demands. Therefore, in this work, a DL architecture with a suitable color space model, applicable for IoT implementations is proposed to detect smoke from videos in foggy environment. By collecting several videos including smoke samples, the performance comparison of popular and the state-of-the-art DL architectures denoted the outperforming result according to both accuracy and memory usage.
Low-frequency vibration energy harvester using a spherical permanent magnet with controlled mass distribution

This paper presents a vibration energy harvester using a springless spherical permanent magnet with a non-uniform mass distribution as a proof mass. The magnet has been designed to have the center of mass below the geometrical center, which generates a roly-poly-like motion in response to external vibrations and maintains the upright position. Utilizing this roly-poly-like magnet, proof-of-concept electromagnetic energy harvesters have been fabricated, tested and analyzed. An analytical model which explains the motion of the magnet assembly and resulting output voltage has been developed by finite element analysis of the magnetic field distribution and motion analysis of the magnet assembly. With the fabricated device, a maximum open-circuit voltage of 48.85 mVrms and an output power of 9.03 μW have been obtained in response to a 20 Hz sinusoidal vibration at 3 g acceleration.
The contribution of organic acid on heterotrophic CO2 flux from tropical peat: a trenching study

Quantification of CO2 flux from peat has been studied with various methods of measurement and data analysis. Several studies have applied regression analysis to assess carbon flux from tropical peatland as a function of groundwater level. Such an analysis simplified the complex nature of peat decomposition, which involved microbial activities. The study was conducted at Buatan Village, Siak Indrapura Regency, Riau Province, Indonesia. Soil sampling was done every month for a year observation, from July 2018 to June 2019. This study aimed to comprehend CO2 production from the respiration of heterotrophic components (Rh-CO2) as a function of soil properties determined by soil pH, N-NH4, N-NO3, available P, exchangeable-K, C-organic acids, and environmental factors that are determined by soil water content, and groundwater level. The study applied trenching experimentation to quantify Rh-CO2 flux by first removing plant roots from the trenching plot. The CO2 flux and groundwater level were measured for five consecutive days each month for a one-year period. Multiple regression analysis was performed to determine the main determinant for the Rh-CO2 flux. The results showed that seasonal fluctuation of Rh-CO2 flux, negatively correlated with available P (p = 0.037), and positively (p = 0.018) with C-substrate as C-organic acids but not with either of the speciated ones as acetic, lactic, citric, malic, nor oxalic acids. More specifically, the C-organic acids were found as the main determinant factor (p = 0.039) affecting the Rh-CO2 flux.
Project management, briefing and territorial planning. The case of military properties disposal

Il recente dibattito sulle politiche di dismissione dei beni pubblici in Italia ha interessato molti soggetti pubblici e privati. Particolare attenzione e posta su beni architettonici in grado di generare significative ricadute economiche e sulla fase preliminare dei progetti pubblici, facendo riferimento all’approccio anglosassone alla pianificazione dei progetti. A partire da alcuni limiti della legislazione italiana sui lavori pubblici e dall’importanza della fase di briefing, si propone un approccio metodologico basato sull’integrazione di tre strumenti (Swot Analysis, Cia e Ahp) e finalizzato alla strutturazione del brief di progetto. Il caso studio della caserma La Marmora di Torino e presentato per dimostrare come un supporto operativo durante la fase di briefing possa aiutare a definire linee guida strategiche per l’attuazione di progetti di valorizzazione di beni architettonici
A wide-band on-wafer noise parameter measurement system at 50-75 GHz

A wide-band on-wafer noise parameter measurement system at 50-75 GHz is presented. This measurement system is based on the cold-source method with a computer-controlled waveguide tuner. Calibrations and measurement methods are discussed and measured results for passive and active on-wafer devices are shown over a 50-75 GHz range. An InP high electron-mobility transistor device is used as a test item for the active device. A Monte Carlo analysis to study measurement uncertainties is also shown. The measurement system is a useful tool in the development and verification of device noise models, as well as in device characterization.