Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Attribution of local climate zones using a multitemporal land use/land cover classification scheme

Abstract. Worldwide, the number of people living in an urban environment exceeds the rural population with increasing tendency. Especially in relation to global climate change, cities play a major role considering the impacts of extreme heat waves on the population. For urban planners, it is important to know which types of urban structures are beneficial for a comfortable urban climate and which actions can be taken to improve urban climate conditions. Therefore, it is essential to differ between not only urban and rural environments, but also between different levels of urban densification. To compare these built-up types within different cities worldwide, Stewart and Oke developed the concept of local climate zones (LCZ) defined by morphological characteristics. The original LCZ scheme often has considerable problems when adapted to European cities with historical city centers, including narrow streets and irregular patterns. In this study, a method to bridge the gap between a classical land use/land cover (LULC) classification and the LCZ scheme is presented. Multitemporal Landsat 8 data are used to create a high accuracy LULC map, which is linked to the LCZ by morphological parameters derived from a high-resolution digital surface model and cadastral data. A bijective combination of the different classification schemes could not be achieved completely due to overlapping threshold values and the spatially homogeneous distribution of morphological parameters, but the attribution of LCZ to the LULC classification was successful.
Event-based sensing for the detection of modulated signals in degraded visual environments

Event-based sensors are a novel sensing technology which capture the dynamics of a scene via pixel-level change detection. This technology operates with high speed (>10 kHz), low latency (10 μs), low power consumption (<1 W), and high dynamic range (120 dB). Compared to conventional, frame-based architectures that consistently report data for each pixel at a given frame rate, event-based sensor pixels only report data if a change in pixel intensity occurred. This affords the possibility of dramatically reducing the data reported in bandwidth-limited environments (e.g., remote sensing) and thus, the data needed to be processed while still recovering significant events. Degraded visual environments, such as those generated by fog, often hinder situational awareness by decreasing optical resolution and transmission range via random scattering of light. To respond to this challenge, we present the deployment of an event-based sensor in a controlled, experimentally generated, well-characterized degraded visual environment (a fog analogue), for detection of a modulated signal and comparison of data collected from an event-based sensor and from a traditional framing sensor.
Influence of Fir-Tree Tenon Blade Parameters on Blade Dynamic Characteristics

In this paper, based on the theory of elastic structure analysis, considering the rotational softening and centrifugal stiffening of the blade, the dynamic model of the fir-tree rotating blade and the macroslip hysteresis model of the dry friction on the contact surface of fir-tree tenon are established. Based on elastic mechanics, the pressure distribution model of fir-tree tenon is innovatively established and the relationship between fit clearance and contact pressure has been derived. After the blade is discretized by the finite element method, the dynamic equation of the blade is solved iteratively by the Newmark-β numerical integration method. According to the dynamic equation of the blade, the influence of the change of the tenon angle on the forced response and contact stress of the blade is derived. Finally, some novel conclusions are obtained by analyzing the influence of pressure distribution, tenon angle, friction coefficient, rotational speed, and aerodynamic excitation on blade vibration characteristics. It provides a scheme and relevant basis for the design and development of tenon blades with the most damping effect at different speeds in industrial practice.
On invariant coordinate selection and nonparametric analysis of multivariate data

The aim of this doctoral thesis was to investigate further properties and applications of the recently introduced two scatter matrices transformation of Oja, Sirkiä and Eriksson (2006) and Tyler, Critchley, Dümbgen and Oja (2008). We consider this transformation in the framework of multivariate model selection, robust independent component analysis and multivariate nonparametric location tests. Especially the last one leads to robust affine invariant location tests which are highly efficient for appropriately chosen score functions. The transformation was implemented in R with a large choice for scatter functionals and made publicly available. Together with the other R packages resulting from this work, all methods discussed can be easily applied. For a practical demonstration a hemodynamic data set is analyzed using the methods discussed here.
An Optimized Nonlinear Controller Design for Boiler–Turbine System Using Evolutionary Algorithms

ABSTRACT This paper investigates an optimized design of newly developed nonlinear controller called finite-time convergent controller to a third-order boiler–turbine dynamics. The third-order boiler–turbine dynamics only includes highly nonlinear and critical parameters of thermal plant like drum pressure, electric power and drum level; the design of controller is always a complicated task. The present work explores the possibility of application of newly developed finite-time convergent controller to a third-order boiler–turbine dynamics. The novelty of the newly developed finite-time convergent controller is complete utilization of system nonlinearities instead of cancelling or linearizing them. Also, the finite-time convergent controller ensures robustness and fast convergence. To achieve optimal performance, the tuning parameters involved in finite-time convergent controller have been optimized using evolutionary algorithm techniques. To validate the control performance of an optimized nonlinear controller design, simulations have been conducted using various evolutionary algorithm techniques and the results are reported as various case studies. To compare the performance of proposed optimized finite-time convergent controller, the fuzzy logic controller has also been designed using ANFIS for boiler–turbine system and the results are reported.
Vehicle Safe Distance Detection System Based On Image Processing As Accident Prevention With Faster R-CNN Method

Numerous victims and huge economic and social losses have resulted from the escalating number of traffic accidents. From these issues, a technique to create a camera capable of detecting vehicles going around the driver using the Faster R-CNN method and calculating the vehicle's distance using the Stereo Vision and Mono Vision methods was discovered. The determination of safe distance between these cars is determined by the speed of the driver's vehicle, with the LED and buzzer warning system activating when the parameters are met. Based on the results of object detection experiments utilizing the Faster R-CNN, the model's success rate in identifying and classifying objects had an average success rate of 83.33 percent across 35 object situations examined from different perspectives. The success rates for distance estimates utilizing the Stereo Vision and Mono Vision methods with the Linear Regression equation were 98.84% and 98.10%, respectively.
Assessment of overhead environments on pedestrian thermal comfort in a dense urban district

Outdoor thermal comfort in urban environmental settings is often investigated at a small scale, e.g., in street canyons. Yet, pedestrian thermal comfort in a district is scarcely assessed, especially in terms of the comprehensive overhead environments such as sky openness, green coverage, and sun exposure. This study provides a systematic methodology to quantify the district-scale pedestrian thermal comfort performance considering overhead environments. Mobile transects were designed for data collection during peak hot hours within a medium-scale district. A portable weather station was used to measure outdoor thermal environments and a fisheye lens was to capture hemispherical images of overhead environments. A universal thermal comfort index, Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET), was subsequently calculated with the collected thermal environment data. Meanwhile, hemispherical images were segmented into areas of visible sky, overhead greenery, and sun, which were further weighed into corresponding view factors. Eventually, a multiple regression model was developed between PET and view factors together with meteorological variables. The results showed that a decrease in the sky view factor of 0.17 or an increase in the green view factor of 0.21 could reduce PET by 0.5°C. The findings scientifically support resilient urban planning in greening and cooling urban dense spaces for comfortable and liveable environments.
DYNAMICAL MODELING OF LARGE SCALE COHERENT STRUCTURES IN THE WAKE OF A WALL MOUNTED FINITE CYLINDER

The Extended Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (EPOD) was used to estimate the coherent structures in the wake of a wall mounted finite cylinder from the surface fluctuating pressure. To show the surface pressure is actually a good indicator, the method was first applied to the Large Eddy Simulation (LES) results, from which the instantaneous velocity and pressure data were available in the whole domain. Subsequently, the method was applied to planar Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) measurements for which only the pressure at discrete points at the cylinder side faces were taken. Even though a part of the correlation is lost due to the experimental limitations, the amplitude modulations and base flow variations around the average limit cycle were recovered and great improvements were achieved over the traditional phase averaging approach.
Effect of conducting core on the dynamics of a compound drop in an AC electric field

Dynamics of 0.1M NaCl/castor oil/silicone oil compound drop in an alternating electric field of frequency 1 Hz was investigated experimentally in a parallel plate electrode cell. A novel yet simple method was used for producing the compound drop with different ratios of the core radius to shell radius. Deformation dynamics under both transient and cyclical steady states were recorded using high-speed imaging. We observed that with an increase in the radius ratio, deformation of the shell increases and that of the core decreases. The temporal deformation of the core always leads that of the shell. The phase lead between the core and the shell is independent of electric field strength and salt concentration in the core but strongly depends on the viscosity of the medium and radius ratio. At a small radius ratio, the breakup of the core is similar to the disintegration of the isolated drop in an infinite fluid; whereas the core attends a diamond-like shape at a high radius ratio before ejecting the small dro.
Toward a multivariate formulation of the parametric Kalman filter assimilation: application to a simplified chemical transport model

Abstract. This contribution explores a new approach to forecasting multivariate covariances for atmospheric chemistry through the use of the parametric Kalman filter (PKF). In the PKF formalism, the error covariance matrix is modellized by a covariance model relying on parameters, for which the dynamics are then computed. The PKF has been previously formulated in univariate cases, and a multivariate extension for chemical transport models is explored here. This contribution focuses on the situation where the uncertainty is due to the chemistry but not due to the uncertainty of the weather. To do so, a simplified two-species chemical transport model over a 1D domain is introduced, based on the non-linear Lotka–Volterra equations, which allows us to propose a multivariate pseudo covariance model. Then, the multivariate PKF dynamics are formulated and their results are compared with a large ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) in several numerical experiments. In these experiments, the PKF accurately reproduces the EnKF. Eventually, the PKF is formulated for a more complex chemical model composed of six chemical species (generic reaction set). Again, the PKF succeeds at reproducing the multivariate covariances diagnosed on the large ensemble.
Morphological characterization of introduced quinoa genotypes under Saudi Arabia conditions

Quinoa is a highly nutritious grain crop and has attracted attention for its strong growth potential under extremely harsh environments. Toward introducing it into Saudi Arabia's agriculture system, fifty-five quinoa genotypes were imported, and field evaluated during the winter seasons of 2016 – 17 and 2017 – 18. These genotypes were characterized by thirty-three characters using the descriptor from Bioversity International. Quinoa plant was green during the seedling stage, then pigments were scattered over many parts of the plant, and some colors changed during its life. Three colors were detected on the panicle at flowering and seven colors at maturity. Quinoa plant was between 60 and 193 cm in height, took 98 to 187 days to reach maturity, and produced 15.3 to 70.1 g of seeds per plant. Two genotypes (Ames 13747 and Ames 13720) produced high seed yields of 3.3 and 3.1 t/ha and belonged to the average maturing categories (118.1 and 122.3 days, respectively). A significant correlation was detected between seed yield and plant height, number of branches, leaf width, and leaf area. Based on K-means clustering, the genotypes were grouped into five clusters with high variation among them (87.3%) and only 12.7% within clusters. The results identified the morphological characters that could be used as selection criteria to increase the efficiency of quinoa seed yield improvement programs.
Challenges to implementing circular economy: empirical evidence among built environment firms in Ghana

Abstract This study examines the challenges built environment (BE) professionals (comprising Contractors/Construction Managers, Architects, Engineers, Project Managers, Real Estate Practitioners, and Quantity Surveyors) encounter in implementing the principles of circular economy (CE) in the Ghanaian building industry (GBI). A structured questionnaire survey was used to solicit the views of 162 industry professionals working in construction, consulting, and developer firms on the issue under investigation. The questions were developed through a review of related literature. Data obtained were analyzed via descriptive (i.e. mean score ranking) and inferential statistics (i.e. Kruskal-Wallis H test, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses). The findings reveal that BE professionals encounter seven major categories of challenges. These are knowledge and facilities challenges, market orientation and operational challenges, financial challenges, environmental and regulatory challenges, preferential challenges, technological challenges, and industrial and consumer-related challenges. This finding can inform the various construction industry stakeholders of the challenges currently encountered in implementing CE principles. Furthermore, these identified challenges must encourage concerted efforts among stakeholders to find ways to boost the practice of CE principles in the GBI.
Optical slot antennas and their applications to photonic devices

Abstract We present optical slot antennas and their applications to photonic devices. We show that metallic nanoslots have the properties of a slot antenna by measuring the transmission spectra and far-field radiation patterns and then prove that they can be physically regarded as magnetic dipoles in the optical region. Additionally, we can generate directional radiations from optical slot antennas by adopting the geometry of radiofrequency Yagi-Uda antenna and properly adding auxiliary elements called reflectors and directors to a single slot antenna. We present two cases as the applications of optical slot antennas. One is the integration of slot antennas to plasmonic waveguides. This combination can be used as a basic unit for optical interconnection to free space and plasmonic via in multilayered plasmonic structures. The other is the integration of slot antennas to the electrode of light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Using slot antennas, we can control the polarization and direction of emissions from LEDs. Besides the above-mentioned two cases, we expect that optical slot antennas have possible applications to various photonic devices and can be essential elements in future integrated photonic circuits with nanometer scales.
A New Safety Assessment Method of Type-2 Prediction Sets Based on Credibility Degree of Data

Based on Credibility Degree of Data Xiaoxia Wang1,*, Fengbao Yang1, Boxiu Zhu1, Hong Wei2 and Feifei Zhang1 (1 School of Information and Communication Engineering, North University of China, No.3 Xueyuan Lu, 030051, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China 2 Computational Vision Group, School of Systems Engineering, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6AY, UK) * Correspondence: wangxiaoxia@nuc.edu. cn Abstract: A safety assessment method of type-2 prediction sets based on credibility degree is proposed as to the problem of misjudgment problem in the process of assessment which fails to reflect the credibility degree of data. Firstly, define the type-2 prediction sets and its relevant concepts on the basis of possibility distribution and credibility distribution, and subsequently propose the calculation method of similarity measure and its center between type-2 prediction sets. Secondly, establish joint distribution of disparate data on the basis of assessment requirements and safety rating scale of disparate data, and by using weighted fusion method fuse the disparate data on the distribution of type-2, respectively. Finally, compute the similarity measure between the fusion distribution and its safety rating scale distribution, determine the center of mass position in the joint plane scale and determine safe level. The experiment results show that the method proposed in this paper used in tailings dam’s safety determination is effective to reduce the granularity of evaluation results to avoid the misjudgment problems, and also facilitates the accurate judge of dam safety level.
Unpaid domestic work: persistence of gender-based labor division and mental disorders

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE Evaluating characteristics of unpaid domestic work and its association with mental disorders, exploring gender differences. METHODS We analyzed cross-sectional data from the second wave of an urban population cohort (n = 2,841) aged 15 and older from a medium-sized city in Bahia (BA). The representative population sample was randomly selected in subsequent multiple steps. We interviewed the survey participants at their homes. This study analyzed sociodemographic, occupational, unpaid domestic work and mental illness data, stratified by sex (gender). We investigated the association between the work-family-personal time conflict, the effort-reward imbalance in domestic and family work and the occurrence of common mental disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder and depression. We estimated prevalence, prevalence ratios and their respective 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS Among the participants, the unpaid domestic activities were performed by 71.3% of men and 95.2% of women, who were responsible for the investigated activities, except for minor repairs. The percentages of paid work were higher among men (68.1% versus 47.2% among women). The distribution of stressors and conflict experiences showed an inverse situation between genders: men depicted the highest high percentage of low work-family-personal time conflict (39.0%), while among women, the highest percentage was of high conflict (40.0%); 45.8% of the men reported low effort-reward imbalance in domestic and family work, while only 28.8% of women reported low imbalance. The investigated mental disorders were more prevalent among women, who showed a significant association between work-family-personal time conflict and common mental disorders, as well as depression; among men, conflict was positively associated with common mental disorders. The effort-reward imbalance, in turn, was strongly related to CMD (Common Mental Disorders), generalized anxiety disorder and depression among women. Amid men, this discrepancy was only associated to depression. CONCLUSIONS Domestic work persists as a mostly feminine assigned activity. The stressful situations of unpaid domestic work and the work-family-personal time conflict were more strongly associated with adverse effects on the female mental health.
Effect of Education Based on the Health Belief Model on Treatment Adherence in Patients With Heart Valve Replacement Surgery

Background: Adherence to the treatment regimen reduces complications of surgery after heart valve replacement. Educating the patient can improve treatment adherence. This study thus aimed to evaluate the effect of education based on the health belief model (HBM) on treatment adherence in patients with heart valve replacement surgery. Methods: In this quasi-experimental research, a total of 90 patients undergoing valve replacement surgery were studied. The subjects were selected randomly and then divided into an intervention and a control group using the permutation blocks method. The data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, an HBM- based questionnaire, and a treatment adherence questionnaire during two stages before and one month after the education. Three 60-minute sessions on HBM- based education were held based on a need assessment for the intervention group. The collected data were analyzed using the chi-square test, paired t test, independent t test, and linear regression in SPSS software version 16.0. Results: Most of the patients in the two groups were male, married, and employed, had reading and writing literacy and lived in an urban area. Both groups were similar in terms of demographic data except for marital status, disease history, and familial disease history. The mean scores of knowledge, HBM constructs (e.g., perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, perceived self-efficacy, and cues to action), and treatment adherence were greater in the control group than in the intervention group pre-intervention. However, the mean scores of all variables improved in the intervention group, and there were significant differences in the knowledge, all HBM constructs (except for perceived susceptibility and perceived self-efficacy), and medical adherence between the two groups post-intervention (P<0.05). Conclusion: Considering the positive effect of HBM-based educational intervention on the patients’ treatment adherence, HBM-based education could be suggested for patients with heart valve replacement surgery.
Entanglement concentration of unknown states on separate nitrogen-vacancy centers via error-detected entanglement swapping

Here we propose a new entanglement concentration protocol (ECP) for unknown less-entangled states on separate nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers. The protocol exploits the error-detected entanglement swapping based on cavity quantum electrodynamics, which is more robust and practical than previous ECPs for NV centers. We present in detail the principle and the advantages of the ECP. Also, the performance of the protocol with current experimental parameters is discussed. We believe that the ECP could provide a promising building block for solid-state quantum repeaters and quantum networks in the future.