Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
32-nm SOC printing with double patterning, regular design, and 1.2 NA immersion scanner

Resolution Enhancement Techniques (RET) are inherently design dependent technologies. To be successful the RET strategy needs to be adapted to the type of circuit desired. For SOC (system on chip), the three main patterning constraints come from: -Static RAM with very aggressive design rules specially at active, poly and contact -transistor variability control at the chip level -random layouts The development of regular layouts, within the framework of DFM, enables the use of more aggressive RET, pushing the required k1 factor further than allowed with existing RET techniques and the current wavelength and NA limitations. Besides that, it is shown that the primary appeal of regular design usage comes from the significant decrease in transistor variability. In 45nm technology a more than 80% variability reduction for the width and the length of the transistor at best conditions, and more than 50% variability reduction though the process window has been demonstrated. In addition, line-end control in the SRAM bitcell becomes a key challenge for the 32nm node. Taking all these constraints into account, we present the existing best patterning strategy for active and poly level of 32nm : -dipole with polarization and regular layout for active level -dipole with polarization, regular layout and double patterning to cut the line-end for poly level. These choices have been made based on the printing performances of a 0.17&mgr;m2 SRAM bitcell and a 32nm flip-flop with NA 1.2 immersion scanner.
Um Novo Olhar Sobre o Fortran: da Computação Sequencial à Paralela

A Linguagem Fortran foi uma das primeiras linguagens de programação tendo sido criada ainda na década de 50. Quase 60 anos depois, a linguagem continua sua evolução e não há indícios que sua história irá se encerrar. Nesse contexto, este artigo tem como objetivo apresentar como a linguagem tem evoluído e como suas características tem permitido que a linguagem continue em uso, iniciando com a computação sequancial, perpassando pela sua adaptação à computação paralela, chegando ao seu auge no programação de muitos núcleos em GPUs. Assim, a ideia do artigo é lancar uma nova perspectiva sobre a linguagem, em especial para o público de ciência da computação, fazendo com que seu real potecial seja visível a toda comunidade.
Assessing Understanding of Planning and Scheduling Theory and Practice on Construction Projects

Abstract Despite attention being paid to the development of planning and scheduling theory, it is unclear whether project stakeholders and practitioners have sufficient understanding about how it applies in practice. A study was conducted with the aim of assessing practitioners’ perceptions of planning and scheduling theory and practice on construction projects in Oman. Data were gathered through a questionnaire-based survey and analyzed using the relative importance index. Respondents were asked to consider: (1) the suitability and efficiency of existing planning methods; (2) scheduling development and performance control; and (3) knowledge-based planning and scheduling concepts. The analysis revealed no significant variations among respondents’ perceptions in regard to the above topics. The findings did, however, reveal a number of factors that are of equal importance to the development of project planning and scheduling. The overall findings imply that practicing managers should implement new management strategies that foster knowledge-based planning and scheduling concepts for a more effective construction process. Recommendations are made for improvement that include the need for practicing managers to professionalize project planning and scheduling based on a more proactive and knowledge-based planning approach, which is supported by management.
Privacy Preserving Scheme for Online Image Sharing

: This paper presents a privacy protection solution for online photo share by obscuring faces in images, which keeps persons anonymous. The proposed system contains two modules. The first is the face detection module to identify region of interest (ROI) which is faces. The second is a face encryption module, which encrypts the ROI pixels using keys so that the access to the faces is restricted. The face detection module uses skin color detector in YCbCr color space to detect skin areas in the image. Also, to overcome the illumination problems in color images, two color constancy methods were adopted for color correction and lighting of the input images. The edges of the image are utilized to separate the faces segments from the background or object that have similar skin color. Morphological operations such as erosion are applied to remove small areas and hole filling to remove any holes in the binary segments. In addition, the correct faces are located by using a set of features. The face encryption module uses two chaotic logistic maps. One map is used for shuffling the face area pixels and another map is used for encrypting the pixels. Both shuffling and encryption are done using a keys. The face detection was tested on Caltech face database and showed a high detection rate and can localize face under different illumination conditions. The experiments on face encryption showed satisfactory results in various tests in terms of key space, PSNR, MSE and entropy analysis.
A web‐based performance assessment system for environmental protection: WePass

In response to the increasing public concern over the effects of construction waste on the environment, a performance assessment system has been designed to provide an instant, online assessment of how well a construction site performs environmentally, e.g. measuring the level of pollution generated from a construction site. Through the use of both Internet and database technologies, it is possible to collect and present data that are essential for environmental management online. To achieve this, a set of environmental performance parameters was derived through a postal questionnaire survey and interviews with experts in the field. A conceptual framework was developed, of which the key components were: template, knowledge base, output data and benchmark group. In combination, these factors provide a system that enables speedy assessment and effective management of environmental performance on construction sites, hence prompt decisions can be made and corrective actions can be taken before potential hazards turn into real disasters.
Re-Shaping Learning: A Critical Reader - The Future of Learning Spaces in Post-Compulsory Education

Learning Spaces is an emerging field, fuelled by a growing interest in the relationships between learning and spaces in which it takes place, whether conceptual, personal, social, physical and/or virtual. It is concerned with making learning spaces that can better meet the needs of 21st century learners, academics and other related publics. In post-compulsory education this has opened up many interesting and important issues. There remains a lack of any theoretical understanding as to how such spaces should be conceived or designed; and hardly any critical discussion about effective frameworks for either the development of contemporary learning spaces or for assessing their impact on learning, teaching and research. At the same time, there is much debate about what the purposes of post-compulsory education should be, as well as concerns about where and by whom it should be provided. We therefore need to urgently improve our understanding of the interactions between learning and space. It is essential that we not only share perspectives, theories and methodologies but also critically reflect on our own different assumptions, and work together to build better models for post-compulsory education in the future. To help in this process this book is designed as a ‘critical reader’ that can enable researchers, academics, students and managers involved in Learning Spaces to share and engage with some key ideas, issues and texts. A central aim is to bring together some of the best research from across the many different disciplines concerned with learning spaces, including education, architecture, anthropology, human-computer interaction, estate planning and museum studies. Reshaping Learning is thus intended for anyone interested in, and wanting to think more about, learning spaces whether as users, clients or managers; or who are want to better understand interactions between the social and the spatial.
Repeal the Safe Harbors

The "safe harbors" excuse derivatives from much of the normal operation of the Bankruptcy Code. This exception to the normal rules is justified by fears that involvement of derivatives in the bankruptcy process will increase systemic risk. But as I and others have argued, the safe harbors themselves are likely to increase systemic risk by encouraging a "run on the bank. " As Congress considers a variety of responses to the financial crisis, I argue that it is time to repeal the safe harbors. I do not advocate pulling out sections of the Bankruptcy Code and leaving the Code otherwise the same. Derivative contracts are somewhat unique. The volatility, interconnectedness and sheer magnitude of the sums of money involved make financial firms unique. As part of the repeal that I suggest, the Code would have to adapt to these realities. But the safe harbors should be repealed.
A relational database approach to power plant design and operating plant services

An approach is described which utilizes a relational database for data storage, and is accessible directly for computational purposes during different stages of plant design and for maintenance and expansion purposes as the future requires. The stored characteristics of some typical equipment are described, and the additional benefits gained during computational stages by using this approach are explained. >
Study on Waste Concrete as Reclaimed Fine Aggregate

This paper compares the properties of concrete made by reclaimed fine aggregate with those made by other fine aggregate. Although the properties of reclaimed fine aggregate and other kinds of fine aggregate are different, especially the strength of reclaimed fine aggregate is lower than that of manufactured sand. It is concluded that the fluidity, the strength and the elastic modulus of concrete made by reclaimed fine aggregate are almost similar to those made by other fine aggregate. When it comes to the making of concrete, reclaimed fine aggregate can serve as a substitute for other aggregate. Moreover, it can enhance resources utilization and reduce environmental pollution.
A Research on Credit Card Fraudulent Detection System

Nowadays credit card is more popular among the private and public employees. By using the credit card, the users purchase the consumable durable products in online, also transferring the amount from one account to other. The fraudster is detecting the details of the behavior user transaction and doing the illegal activities with the card by phishing, Trojan virus, etc. The fraudulent may threaten the users on their sensitive information. In this paper, we have discussed various methods of detecting and controlling the fraudulent activities. This will be helpful to improve the security for card transaction in future.
Preferences: modelling frameworks, reasoning tools, and multi-agent scenarios

 Many real-life problems can be modelled via constraints  Ex. :  “I need at least two bedrooms”  “I don’t want to spend more than 100K”  Constraint = requirement = relation among objects (values for variables) of the problem  Solution of a constraint problem = object choice (variable assignment) such that all constraints are satisfied  Constraint programming offers  Natural modelling frameworks  Efficient solvers  Many application domains  Scheduling, timetabling, resource allocation, vehicle routing, .
A Study on Productivity Factors of Chinese Container Terminals

The container port industry has been variously studied by many researchers, because the contemporary container transportation and container port industries play a pivotal role in globalization of the world economy. For container terminals, the productivity, affected by many factors, is an important target in measuring container terminal performance. Under this background, finding the critical factors affecting the productivity is necessary. Regression analysis can be used to identify which independent variables are related to the dependent variable, and explore the relationships of them. The aim of paper is to evaluate the factors affecting the productivity of Chinese major terminals by using a regression statistical analysis modeling approach, which is to establish the variable preprocessing model (VPM) and regression analysis model (RAM), by means of collecting the major Chinese container terminals data in the year of 2008.
Mechanical Method to Evaluate Safety Factors in Buried Pipes

The method presented studies the real behavior of a buried pipes system and its interaction with the surrounding soil. A mechanical system is used to apply a nondestructive loading from the inside of the structure, allowing a parametric model of the complex soil-pipe structural behavior to be developed. The principle of the first inspection step is to apply a cyclic loading to the pipe and to measure produced displacements. Data obtained are investigated with a finite-element theoretical model, which provides the pipe's real behavior in its real state. The resulting model allows a theoretical analysis. By this analysis, we refine and explain deteriorations and stress distribution in each tested section of the network. This theoretical model can be used for installations in trench, embankment, or tunnel. In this paper, we present different assumptions and steps used to analyze the real structural behavior of buried pipes in operating conditions and the method to determine the safety factor. Upon this factor, we can distinguish areas with high risks and normal risks. This evaluation permits one to optimize investments of buried pipe rehabilitation. Language: en
Break‐even analysis for the storage of PV in power distribution grids

The integration of renewable energy systems poses major challenges on distribution grid operators. Because of the strong growth rates of the installation of photovoltaic (PV) and wind generators, huge needs for reinforcements in grids are expected. Next to conventional reinforcements (with additional and/or bigger dimensioned cables and transformers) also the introduction of decentralized storage systems seems to be promising.
Realization of sub-micron radius of curvature measurement in vertical interferometer workstation

Radius of curvature (ROC) is one of the key parameters for optical elements and it is especially important for high quality optical system, in which the computer-aided integration is wildly used. ROC is one of the main input parameters and its measurement accuracy is a premise for high quality integration. In this paper, sub-micron ROC measurements are realized in a vertical interference workstation based on Fizeau interferometer. The error sources and uncertainty of the system are analyzed. Experiment results based on samples with difference ROC are presented and in accordance with the analysis. At last, a ROC comparing tests between the system and a three-coordinates measuring machine (CMM) are performed on a SiC ball to certify the workstation’s measurement uncertainty.
Monte Carlo simulation of p- and n-channel GOI MOSFETs by solving the quantum Boltzmann equation

The scaling characteristics of both n- and p-channel Ge-on-insulator (GOI) as well as silicon-on-insulator (SOI) MOSFETs with channel length ranging from 20-130 nm are studied by a two-dimensional self-consistent fullband Monte Carlo device simulator. The transistors' intrinsic performance and subthreshold characteristics are investigated for various channel lengths and Ge layer thicknesses. Our results indicate that both n- and p-channel GOI MOSFETs can be scaled down to the nanoregion, due to the nonstationary transport, especially for the p-channel device. More than 10% performance improvement for nMOS and about 20% for pMOS can be achieved in GOI even when channel length is scaled down to 20 nm, as compared to SOI devices. However, the GOI devices suffer from more severe short channel effect and have larger p-n junction leakage current as compared to SOI counterpart. For high-performance CMOS applications, GOI devices are feasible if the junction leakage can be reduced by optimizing the device structure.
Regular Paper: Fuzzy Control: 2D Pneumatic Muscle Actuator’s Arm

Pneumatic muscle actuators are newly developed actuators in rotational, non-aligned and specified applications. In this paper, pneumatic muscle actuators are used to set up a two-dimensional pneumatic arm to simulate the excavator’s motion. Fuzzy control algorithms are typically applied in pneumatic control systems owing to their non-linearity and ill-defined mathematical models. Two fuzzy controllers, which include the sliding mode fuzzy controller and self-organizing fuzzy controller, are comparatively implemented in this 2D pneumatic arm control system. The present paper provides the comparisons of trajectory tracking performances and adaptations of these two fuzzy controllers via a variety of trajectory tracking experiments.
Human Papillomavirus Vaccination in Hmong-American Adolescents:  A Participatory Focus Group Study

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates in Asian-American/Pacific- Islander (AAPI) populations are substantially lower than majority Americans. No studies have assessed HPV vaccine rates in the Hmong population, an AAPI group with increased risks of cervical and nasopharyngeal cancer. In 2015, the HPV vaccinations rates for Hmong girls and boys ages 9-17 at a Minnesota community health center (CHC) were 32% and 20%, lower than national 2017 HPV rates of 47% and 53%. This qualitative community-based participatory action research study identified multilevel barriers, facilitators, and decision-making processes about HPV vaccinations among Hmong adolescents and parents. Methods: Bilingual community researchers recruited Hmong adolescents and their parents from a community health center, conducted eight focus groups with 12 adolescents and 13 parents. Participants also completed demographic and HPV knowledge surveys. The research team analyzed transcripts using participatory thematic analysis and identified themes using a multilevel socioecological model combined with an assets lens. Results: Both survey and focus group results showed that Hmong adolescents and parents had low levels of HPV and HPV vaccine awareness. At the individual-level, both adolescents and parents reported concerns about side-effects and cost as reasons for not getting any type of vaccination, however they also expressed a strong desire to learn about HPV and the HPV vaccine. Community-level barriers identified included community narratives around traumatic experiences with vaccines, and facilitators included family and community connections and communications. At the institutional-level, barriers included structural constraints in health care settings, while facilitators included ease of obtaining vaccines at school-based clinics and provider authoritative decision-making. Finally, there was a range of decision-making processes between parents and adolescents and between parents and providers. Conclusion: A linguistically and culturally-specific HPV educational program for Hmong adolescents and parents could address barriers and build on facilitators and assets to promote HPV vaccine uptake. These findings have informed the development of an eHealth application to increase HPV vaccinations in Hmong adolescents. Future research will test the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of culturally-tailored, multilevel HPV vaccination interventions that may provide evidence about the efficacy of culturally-appropriate education in comprehensive vaccine strategies.
Blended Learning: How to Integrate Online and Traditional Learning

From the Publisher: The buzz phrase of the moment in the world of training is is "blended learning" but. * What exactly is it? * How can it help? * How does it relate to e-learning? * Is it right for your organization? * How can you implement it? These questions and more are answered in this up-to-the-minute guide to the latest trend in training. Essentially, blended learning is a workable solution that allows trainers and staff developers to integrate online learning with a broad range of more traditional learning techniques. Demonstrating how old and new methods of improving staff performance and learning can work seamlessly together to give better results, this book is the ideal guide to creating a new way of training. In her usual practical style Kaye Thorne shows how the concept of blended learning can be applied most effectively to help you take the first steps towards developing a blended training program. Case studies from a wide variety of organizations (from Rolls Royce to small businesses) illustrate what is emerging as the new (post-digital revolution) training of the future.
Active Noise Control in a Semi-Closed Aircraft Cabin

An active noise control system is developed for the loadmaster area of a propeller driven transport aircraft. The loadmaster area is a small semi-enclosed volume connected to the large cargo hold. This coupling of a small room with a large room yields to new questions when an active noise control system is designed: Which effects does the coupling have on the noise field inside the small loadmaster area? Which influence do these effects have on the active noise control system? How complex is the uncertainty induced by the coupling to the large cargo? The analysis of this coupling was done in two ways. The first one, an energy based method, is used to analyze the acoustical energy flow between the loadmaster area and the cargo hold. The second one, a substructure technique, is used to study the influence on the eigenfrequencies and eigenmodes of such a coupled system. Afterwards, the theoretic results were confirmed with an experimental forced vibration analysis. The most important result is that the shape of the noise field inside the loadmaster area is less sensitive in spite of the large cargo hold. Moreover, an active noise controller was developed to handle the controller tasks. First experimental control results are given in the last section. These results have shown successful noise reduction up to 23 dB without any controller optimization.
Optimal Location of Thyristor-controlled Series Compensators in Power Systems for Increasing Loadability by Genetic Algorithm

Abstract This article presents an approach to find the optimal location of thyristor-controlled series compensators in a power system to improve the loadability of its lines and minimize its total loss. Also the proposed approach aims to find the optimal number of devices and their optimal compensation levels by using a genetic algorithm taking into consideration the thermal and voltage limits. Examination of the proposed approach is carried out on a modified IEEE 30-bus system.