Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
International standards for the induction motor efficiency evaluation: a critical analysis of the stray-load loss determination

Motor efficiency has to be measured or calculated in accordance with international standards. The most important standards are the IEEE 112-B, IEC 34-2, and JEC 3 . In this paper, a comparison of the measurement procedures defined by these international standards is reported, together with some comments on the prescribed methodologies. The comparison is based on experimental results obtained by tests on four general-purpose three-phase induction motors. The stray-load loss measurement represents a critical key for the correct evaluation of the motor efficiency. For this reason, a critical analysis of this type of losses has been performed. In particular, in order to understand which are the most critical quantities that influence their evaluation, the stray-load loss sensitivity to the measurement errors is analyzed. In the final part of the paper the temperature influence, on the conventional iron losses, is experimentally analyzed. The performed tests show that the temperature difference between the no-load test and the motor real operative conditions is not negligible.
Estimating Surface Reflectance Properties of a Complex Scene under Captured Natural Illumination

We present a process for estimating spatially-varying surface reflectance of a complex scene observed under natural illumination conditions. The process uses a laser-scanned model of the scene’s geometry, a set of digital images viewing the scene’s surfaces under a variety of natural illumination conditions, and a set of corresponding measurements of the scene’s incident illumination in each photograph. The process then employs an iterative inverse global illumination technique to compute surface colors for the scene which, when rendered under the recorded illumination conditions, best reproduce the scene’s appearance in the photographs. In our process we measure BRDFs of representative surfaces in the scene to better model the non-Lambertian surface reflectance. Our process uses a novel lighting measurement apparatus to record the full dynamic range of both sunlit and cloudy natural illumination conditions. We employ Monte-Carlo global illumination, multiresolution geometry, and a texture atlas system to perform inverse global illumination on the scene. The result is a lighting-independent model of the scene that can be re-illuminated under any form of lighting. We demonstrate the process on a real-world archaeological site, showing that the technique can produce novel illumination renderings consistent with real photographs as well as reflectance properties that are consistent with ground-truth reflectance measurements.
Use and Management of Mediterranean Ecosystems in South Africa — Current Problems 1

Deputy Director for Conservation Research, S. African Forestry Research Institute, Dept. of Water Affairs, Forestry and Environmental Conservation, Pretoria, Rep. of South Africa. Abstract--This paper summarises patterns of landuse and management in mediterranean-type ecosystems of South Africa and, in greater detail, aspects of current management of fynbos mountain catchments. The managed fire regime and how it is likely to affect ecosystems is outlined. Controversial questions about the effect of fire frequency on species diversity and on catchment nutrient and water balance, and about the ecological effects of unseasonal burning, indicate priorities for research. The biology of invasive plants needs more thorough study. Techniques of applying fire need development to allow more flexible management.
A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO OPERATOR ALERTNESS RESEARCH

Operator loss-of-alertness (LOA; also termed "fatigue" or "drowsiness") is an important cross-modal transportation safety concern. All administrations of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) have active research and countermeasure development programs relating to the LOA problem. This paper examines the role of LOA in transportation safety, and the various DOT programs to address it, conceptualized "holistically" within a paradigm that includes the characteristics and interactions of the operator, the vehicle, and the environment. DOT-supported approaches to prevent LOA, or mitigate its effects, include: fitness-for-duty testing, vehicle-based operator monitoring (psychophysiological and/or performance), modification of the vehicle/workstation and/or physical environment, regulatory measures including both conventional (e.g., hours-of-service) and state-of-the-art (e.g., performance-oriented) approaches, and cultural/public education interventions (e.g., encouragement of rest breaks and napping). Recent research findings and technological innovations portend major advancements in the ability to address this pervasive safety problem utilizing multiple and synergistic approaches. The approaches and research settings are consistent with the missions of the agencies, while providing opportunities for coordinating diverse research activities and avoiding duplication of effort.
An automatic performance evaluation protocol for video text detection algorithms

Text presented in videos provides important supplemental information for video indexing and retrieval. Many efforts have been made for text detection in videos. However, there is still a lack of performance evaluation protocols for video text detection. In this paper, we propose an objective and comprehensive performance evaluation protocol for video text detection algorithms. The protocol includes a positive set and a negative set of indices at the textbox level, which evaluate the detection quality in terms of both location accuracy and fragmentation of the detected textboxes. In the protocol, we assign a detection difficulty (DD) level to each ground truth textbox. The performance indices can then be normalized with respect to the textbox DD level and are therefore tolerant to different ground-truth difficulties to a certain degree. We also assign a detectability index (DI) value to each ground-truth textbox. The overall detection rate is the DI-weighted average of the detection qualities of all ground-truth textboxes, which makes the detection rate more accurate to reveal the real performance. The automatic performance evaluation scheme has been applied to performance evaluation of a text detection approach to determine the best thresholds that can yield the best detection results. The protocol has also been employed to compare the performances of several text detection systems. Hence, we believe that the proposed protocol can be used to compare the performance of different video/image text detection algorithms/systems and can even help improve, select, and design new text detection methods.
Medium Voltage Network PLC Modeling and Signal Propagation Analysis

PLC technology applications in medium voltage (MV) distribution networks are mainly related to the monitoring, control and metering applications. The CENELEC A band provides adequate transfer rate for such narrow band PLC applications. Scope of this paper is to present simulation results concerning NPL signalling on MV distribution networks. Cases of underground cables, overhead lines and distribution transformers are examined. All simulations have been done using the Electromagnetic Transients Program (ATP-EMTP). Results seem to be consistent with transmission line theory and modal wave propagation, showing standing wave signal voltage profiles along the lines. The case of an aerial MV distribution network is also examined for different frequencies and loading conditions, including open-ended lines, transformers, compensation capacitors and combinations of them.
Reversion-inducing cysteine-rich protein with Kazal motifs gene expression and its clinical significance in peripheral T-cell lymphoma

The reversion-inducing cysteine-rich protein with Kazal motifs (RECK) gene was originally identified as a transformation suppressor gene that is widely expressed in normal tissues. In tumor tissues, RECK expression levels are significantly reduced, and the downregulation of RECK has been implicated in tumors that are more aggressive with a poor prognosis. In the present study, RECK expression in peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL; n=82) was examined using immunohistochemistry, and its correlation with clinicopathological factors was analyzed. According to the proportion of positively-stained cells and the staining intensity (SI), the patients were categorized into RECK-negative or RECK-positive groups. RECK expression was observed in 30 of the 82 patients (36.6%). The 3-year survival rate of the patients with RECK-positive tumors (65.5%) was significantly high compared with that of the patients with RECK-negative tumors (20.3%; P=0.046). Reduced RECK expression was found to be significantly correlated with extranodal lymphomatous involvement (P=0.012). The survival analysis showed that RECK-negative expression was an independent and significant factor for predicting a poor prognosis. RECK status is a useful prognostic factor for assessing the biological behavior in PTCL.
25 0 v 2 1 2 M ay 2 00 5 Chemical Abundances in the Secondary Star of the Neutron Star Binary Centaurus X-4 Jonay

Using a high resolution spectrum of the secondary star in the neutron star binary Cen X-4, we have derived the stellar parameters and veiling caused by the accretion disk in a consistent way. We have used a χ minimization procedure to explore a grid of 1 500 000 LTE synthetic spectra computed for a plausible range of both stellar and veiling parameters. Adopting the best model parameters found, we have determined atmospheric abundances of Fe, Ca, Ti, Ni and Al. These element abundances are super solar ([Fe/H] = 0.23 ± 0.10), but only the abundance of Ti and Ni appear to be moderately enhanced (≥ 1σ) as compared with the average values of stars of similar iron content. These element abundances can be explained if the secondary star captured a significant amount of matter ejected from a spherically symmetric supernova explosion of a 4 M⊙ He core progenitor and assuming solar abundances as primordial abundances in the secondary star. The kinematic properties of the system indicate that the neutron star received a natal kick velocity through an aspherical SN and/or an asymmetric neutrino emission. The former scenario might be ruled out since our model computations cannot produce acceptable fits to the observed abundances. We have also examined whether this system could have formed in the Galactic halo, and our simulations show that this possibility seems unlikely. We also report a new determination of the Li abundance consistent with previous studies that is unusually high and close to the cosmic Li abundance in the Galactic disk. Subject headings: stars:neutron—stars:abundances—stars:individual (Cen X-4)—stars:X-rays:lowmass—binaries Based on observations obtained with UVES at VLT Kueyen 8.2 m telescope in programme 65.H-0447 Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cient́ıficas, SPAIN
Diffusion-based DNA target colocalization by thermodynamic mechanisms

In eukaryotic cell nuclei, a variety of DNA interactions with nuclear elements occur, which, in combination with intra- and inter-chromosomal cross-talks, shape a functional 3D architecture. In some cases they are organized by active, i.e. actin/myosin, motors. More often, however, they have been related to passive diffusion mechanisms. Yet, the crucial questions on how DNA loci recognize their target and are reliably shuttled to their destination by Brownian diffusion are still open. Here, we complement the current experimental scenario by considering a physics model, in which the interaction between distant loci is mediated by diffusing bridging molecules. We show that, in such a system, the mechanism underlying target recognition and colocalization is a thermodynamic switch-like process (a phase transition) that only occurs if the concentration and affinity of binding molecules is above a threshold, or else stable contacts are not possible. We also briefly discuss the kinetics of this `passive-shuttling' process, as produced by random diffusion of DNA loci and their binders, and derive predictions based on the effects of genomic modifications and deletions.
Computation of Interface Aesthetics

People prefer attractive interfaces. Designers strive to outmatch competitors, and create apps and websites that stand out. However, significant expenses on design are unaffordable to small companies; instead, they could adopt automatic tools of interface aesthetics evaluation, a cheaper strategy to good design. This paper describes an important step towards such a tool; it presents eight automatic metrics of graphical user interface (GUI) aesthetics. We tested the metrics in two exploratory studies -- on desktop webpages (N = 62) and on iPhone apps (N = 53) -- and found them to function on both GUI types and for both immediate (150ms exposure) and deliberate (4s exposure) aesthetics impressions. Our best-fit regression models explained up to 49% of variance in webpage aesthetics and up to 32% (if app genre is considered) of variance in iPhone app aesthetics. These results confirm past results and suggest the metrics are valid and reliable enough to be widely discussed, and possibly, to be embedded in our prospective GUI evaluation tool, tLight.
LOCAL SPATIAL STATISTICS FOR REMOTELY SENSED IMAGE CLASSIFICATION OF MANGROVE

As the spatial resolution improvement in remotely sensed imagery, more detail spatial information of mangrove forest can be shown. It is important to find a method, which can effectively use the spatial information to improve the accuracy of mangrove forest classification. In the study, SPOT-5 image of Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve in Malaysia has been used in the mangrove forest classifications, to study the influence of different spatial features. It is shown that influence of first-order (including entropy-1) and second-order texture features (including entropy-2, energy and homogeneity) to classification with Maximum Likelihood Classifier (MLC) and Support Vector Machine (SVM) are different. The involvement of texture features will reduce the classification accuracies with SVM. Meanwhile, the classification accuracies with MLC will mostly improve slight, if texture features (except the energy texture) are involved. In this research, a local spatial statistics, local Moran’s I index, was also tested. The Moran index are different from texture features, because the distance between pixels is considered in their calculation. The results shown that the Moran index calculated from multispectral image and panchromatic image can all improve obviously the classification accuracy of both MLC and SVM. For example, when the Moran index calculated from multispectral image with 7x7 kernel window are involved in the classification of SVM and MLC with spectral features, the accuracies will become 75.2% and 77.5% respectively, which are improved about 3.5% and 6.9% respectively. Our results show that it is necessary and important to find effective spatial features from high resolution remotely sensed image to improve the mangrove classification accuracy.
A system for locating users of WLAN using dynamic mapping in indoor and outdoor environment-LOIDS

The development of portable, light weight, hand held computing devices and high speed wireless local area networks enable user to remain connected while moving in indoor and outdoor environment. Wireless local area network has a wide range of utilization in moving from one location to another location. When a user is moving from one location to another, how the other user knows about the required station inside WLAN, for that we designed and implemented a system to locate a mobile user inside the wireless local area network based on RSSI. We designed four different architectures and used dynamic radio mapping of indoor and outdoor locations. These architectures are based on dynamic configuration of radio map in indoor and outdoor environment with the help of Sniffer, a specially designed application to locate a station at that time. We found a better location of a mobile user in WLAN with the help of Pamvotis a WLAN simulator. We tested this work in indoor and outdoor environment with different locations practically.
A Theory of Objective Sizing

The process of building parametric models to estimate the cost of large scale complex systems have recently uncovered unanticipated challenges. The most difficult of which includes the ability to define the boundary of the system being estimated. This boundary is an essential step towards determining the size of the system; a major input into parametric models. In this paper, we build on a concept from psychology known as the moon illusion to develop a theory of objective sizing. This theory has two main benefits: it helps explain why stakeholders have different views of systems and it provides an approach for how these differences can be reconciled. Ultimately it will help technical communities arrive at a more objective way for measuring system size which will ultimately improve the accuracy and influence of parametric models. Introduction In the last few hundred years human experiences have led to the development of science and supporting theories. These theories, while occasionally proven wrong, have helped explain phenomena surrounding the world in which we live. If adequately validated, these theories evolve to be socially accepted and applied in different contexts. In the twentieth century, a multitude of theories have emerged in engineering and management that have been socially accepted. Some of these include systems theory, cybernetics theory, complexity theory, chaos theory, game theory, approximation theory, and network theory. Even with these theories, there are unexplained phenomena that exist which have not been adequately understood. Today we are surrounded by many new design system paradigms, increasingly complex enterprises, and large-scale infrastructures that require new methods, tools, and theories that explain their behavior. Specifically, experience developing COSYSMO introduced new issues that previous cost models did not address. These issues were centered around blurred technical boundaries within which systems engineerswork. The existence of multiple layers of systems engineering introduced significant difficulties in using the model since users had diverse perspectives of the system boundary. This new dimension to the cost model required the introduction of clear counting rules for its size drivers which were: system requirements, system interfaces, and operational scenarios. It was observed that the diversity in interpretation of these drivers was caused by the perspective of users and the level of granularity they were interested in estimating. Coupling these with measures of system complexity resulted in a useful approach that helped explain how the size of a system could be arrived at objectively. Thus, the 1 The Constructive Systems Engineering Cost model
A Novel Approach Coloured Object Tracker with Adaptive Model and Bandwidth using Mean Shift Algorithm

The traditional color-based mean-shift tracking algorithm is popular among tracking methods due to its simple and efficient procedure, however, the lack of dynamism in its target model makes it unsuitable for tracking objects which have changes in their sizes and shapes. In this paper, we propose a fast novel threephase colored object tracker algorithm based on mean shift idea while utilizing adaptive model. The proposed method can improve the mentioned weaknesses of the original mean-shift algorithm. The experimental results show that the new method is feasible, robust and has acceptable speed in comparison with other algorithms.15 page,
Efficient Implementation of Elliptic Curve Cryptography for Wireless Sensor Networks

One of the huge problems for security in sensor networks is the lack of resources. Typical sensor nodes such as the quite popular MICA and MICA2 Motes from UC Berkeley are based on a microcontroller architecture with only a few KBytes of memory and severe limited computing ability. Strong public-key cryptography is therefore commonly seen as infeasible on such devices. In contrast to this prejudice this paper presents an efficient and lightweight implementation of public-key cryptography algorithms relying on elliptic curves. The code is running on Atmels 8Bit ATMEGA128 microcontroller, the heart of the MICA2 platform. The key to our fast implementation is the use of offline precomputation and handcrafting.
Data fusion of four ABS sensors and GPS for an enhanced localization of car-like vehicles

A localization system using GPS, ABS sensors and a driving wheel encoder is described and tested through real experiments. An odometric technique using the four ABS sensors is presented. Due to the redundancy of the measurements, the precision is better than the one of differential odometry using the rear wheels only. The sampling is performed when necessary and when a GPS measurement is performed. This implies a noticeable reduction of the GPS latency, simplifying thus the data fusion process and improving the quality of its results.
Environmental Medicine | Article Materials and Methods Mercury Derived from Dental Amalgams and Neuropsychologic Function

Despite widespread concern about the safety of silver–mercury amalgam dental restorations (Skare and Engqvist 1994), there is little evidence regarding harm or safety in the general population. Dental amalgams have been used for over 150 years with no overt adverse effects. Nevertheless, a 1991 American Dental Association survey of 1,000 adults found that 50% thought amalgam restorations might have adverse effects (Gerbert et al. 1992). A similar survey of dentists found that although 89% of respondents believed that amalgams posed no risk, 52% reported that they would replace such restorations at a patient's request (Gerbert et al. 1992). Reviews in both the scientific and lay literature link amalgam restorations to severe psychiatric, neurologic, and Severe chronic occupational exposure to elemental mercury (Hg 0) vapor has been associated with a constellation of neuropsycho-logic symptoms, the " Mad Hatter Syndrome. " Amalgam restorations are approximately 50% inorganic mercury (Hg 0), and systemic absorption of Hg 0 vapor from amalgams is Occupational exposure in dentists is associated with intentional tremor of muscles responsible for fine motor tasks, personality changes, behavioral changes, memory loss, increased excitability, and severe depression (Echeverria et al. 1995; Ngim et al. 1992). No data are available to assess possible neurotoxic effects related to levels of amalgam-derived exposure found in the general population. The present report draws on a cross-sectional sample of working adults, 30–49 years of age, that was designed to examine whether amalgam-derived mercury exposure is associated with cognitive functioning, including memory, attention and executive function, and visuomotor and visuospatial coordination. Exposure was assessed using the total number of visible amalgam surfaces and the number of visible occlusal amalgam surfaces, and by uri-nary mercury concentration (UHg). The Columbia-Presbyterian Institutional Review Board approved the protocol and informed consent documents for this study. Between September 1997 and December 1999, we invited a random sample of 1,966 employees at a university health center to participate in a study titled " Dental Health and General Well-Being. " We used a stratified random sampling of the personnel roster to select a sample with equal numbers in four strata defined by age (30–39 or 40–49 years) and employment status (professional or support staff). Older employees were not studied because, on average, the total number of amalgam surfaces declines after 50 years of age because of the loss of teeth (National Institute of Dental Research 1987). After excluding 229 noneligible persons, 550 (32%) agreed to …