Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mobile obesity study

The prevalence of overweight and obesity has steadily increased over the years among all genders, ages, racial and ethnic groups, educational levels, and smoking levels [15]. From 1960 to 2004, the prevalence of overweight increased from 44.8 to 66 percent in U.S. adults age 20 to 74 [14]. The prevalence of obesity during this same time period more than doubled among adults age 20 to 74 from 13.3 to 32.1 percent, with most of this rise occurring since 1980 [14]. As these numbers increase, more people are prone to diabetes and increased risk for congestive heart disease, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, dyslipoproteinemia, various cancers, and all-cause mortality [5]. With two thirds of American adults of age 20 or older being overweight or obese [13], it is imperative to prevent these numbers from rising any further; and, one way is to increase the level of general physical activity [5]. The main idea of the study is to use a mobile device (in our case, a mobile phone) to automatically and continuously monitor physical activity and then to reinforce increases in physical activity using positive reinforcement and operant conditioning learning theory. Prior work in behavioral science suggests that well-timed, positive, and tailored messages can influence behavior. This will be the first study to investigate the potential of using automatic activity recognition using sensors to apply this theory and to measure the impact consistent application of the theory might have on motivating behavior changes. Although we will study physical activity, the same strategies could be used to encourage other desired behavior changes. Thesis Supervisor: Dr. Stephen S. Intille Title: MIT House-n Laboratory
Impediments to the adoption of total quality management (TQM) in Jordanian ISO 9000 series certified manufacturing companies

Since ISO 9000 was introduced in 1987 there has been a tremendous growth in the number of companies seeking registration to it, both in developed and developing countries. It was found in the literature that few ISO 9000 certificate holders have converted their quality management programme to TQM. Jordan, a developing country, is not an exception. However, this subject has not received enough attention and certainly these studies in developing countries are almost totally lacking. Therefore, the aim of this research is 'to develop a framework to help in the identification of the impediments to the transition from ISO 9000 standard towards TQM among Jordanian ISO 9000 certified manufacturing companies'. The research methodology involved the adoption of a survey as a research strategy and a quantitative approach, utilising a self-administered questionnaire, to arrive at the major findings of the study. The research findings indicate that several impediments have emerged as inhibitors to going beyond ISO 9000 towards TQM in the Jordanian context. Among these are: the prevailing organisational culture/climate, lack of reward and recognition, lack of training and education, lack of employee empowerment and involvement, and infrastructure factors. By integrating the literature review and the study findings, a simple framework aimed at assisting in the identification of the impediments to the transition from ISO 9000 standard towards TQM in Jordanian ISO 9000 certified manufacturing companies was constructed. The thesis seeks to make an original contribution to knowledge in the quality management discipline by discovering the factors that are impediments to going to TQM and by developing a framework to help in the identification of these impediments to the transition from ISO 9000 standard towards TQM in Jordanian ISO 9000 certified manufacturing companies. Such contributions will be beneficial both academically and professionally. Academically, this research aims at gaining academic attention to this neglected domain in the context of this research and professionally, managers will also look at the practical implications of the research and the possibility of implementing the implications of this research in their organisations. Some recommendations for future research have been derived from this research.
Evolving Functional Self-Assembling in a Swarm of Autonomous Robots

The goal of this study is the design of controllers for robots capable of physically connecting to each other, any time environmental contingencies prevent a single robot to achieve its goal. This phenomenon is referred to as functional self-assembling. Despite its relevance as an adaptive response, functional self-assembling has been rarely investigated within the context of collective robotics. Our task requires the robots to navigate within a rectangular corridor in order to approach light bulbs positioned on the opposite end of the corridor with respect to their starting positions. Aggregation and assembling are required in order to traverse a low temperature area, within which assembled robots navigate more eectiv ely than a group of disconnected agents. The results of our empirical work demonstrate that controllers for a group of homogeneous robots capable of functional self-assembling can be successfully designed by using articial neural networks shaped by evolutionary algorithms.
Medical Student And Faculty Perceptions Of Undergraduate Surgical Training In The South African And Swedish Tertiary Institutions: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Purpose To evaluate and compare medical student and faculty perceptions of undergraduate surgical training and compare results between South Africa and Sweden. Patients and methods An electronic, online questionnaire was anonymously distributed to medical students and surgical faculty at the University of Cape Town (UCT), South Africa, and the Karolinska Institutet (KI), Sweden. The questionnaire explored the perceptions of medical students and surgical faculty regarding the current undergraduate surgical curriculum, as well as existing clinical and theoretical instructional methods. Results A total of 120 students (response rate of 24.4%) and 41 faculty (response rate of 74.5%) responded. Students believed they ought to receive significantly more teaching when compared to surgical faculty (p=0.018). Students and faculty generally agreed that students should expect to study approximately six to 20 hrs per week outside of clinical duty. There was general agreement that “small-group tutorials” was the area students learn the most from, whereas students reported “lectures” least helpful. Registrars were reported as the first person students should consult regarding patient care. Fifty-one (42.5%) medical students believed that faculty viewed students as an inconvenience, and 42 (35.0%) students believed that faculty would rather not have students on the clinical team. The majority of faculty (68.3%) reported significantly more negative views on the current undergraduate surgical curriculum when compared to students (p=0.002). UCT faculty reported giving significantly less feedback to students during their surgical rotation when compared to KI faculty (p=0.043). Conclusion Significant differences exist between surgical faculty and medical student perceptions regarding undergraduate surgical training in developing and developed countries. In order to increase surgical interest among undergraduate medical students, it is imperative for surgical educators to be aware of these differences and find specific strategies to bridge this gap.
A Practical Guide to SysML: The Systems Modeling Language

A general purpose graphical modeling language used to specify, analyze, and design systems that may include hardware, software, and personnel, SysML is now being adopted by companies across a broad range of industries, including aerospace and defense, automotive, and IT system developers. This book is the bestselling, authoritative guide to SysML for systems and software engineers, providing a comprehensive and practical resource for modeling systems with SysML. Fully updated to cover newly released version 1.3, it includes a full description of the modeling language along with a quick reference guide, and shows how an organization or project can transition to model-based systems engineering using SysML, with considerations for processes, methods, tools, and training. Numerous examples to help readers understand how SysML can be used in practice, while reference material facilitates studying for the OMG Systems Modeling Professional (OCSMP) Certification Program, designed to test candidates' knowledge of SysML and their ability to use models to represent real-world systems. Authoritative and comprehensive guide to understanding and implementing SysML A quick reference guide, including language descriptions and practical examples Application of model-based methodologies to solve complex system problems Guidance on transitioning to model-based systems engineering using SysML Preparation guide for OMG Certified Systems Modeling Professional (OCSMP) Table of Contents Part I Introduction Systems Engineering Overview Model-Based Systems Engineering3 SysML Language Overview SysML Language Overview Part II Language Description SysML Language Architecture Organizing the Model with Packages Modeling Structure with Blocks Modeling Constraints with Parametrics Modeling Flow-Based Behavior with Activities Modeling Message-Based Behavior with Interactions Modeling Event-Based Behavior with State Machines Modeling Functionality with Use Cases Modeling Text-Based Requirements and their Relationship? to Design Modeling Cross-Cutting Relationships with Allocations Customizing SysML for Specific Domains Part III Modeling Examples Water Distiller Example Using Functional Analysis Residential Security System Example Using the Object-Oriented Systems Engineering Method Part IV Transitioning to Model-Based Systems Engineering Integrating SysML into a Systems Development Environment Deploying SysML into an Organization APPENDIXES A-1 SysML Reference Guide A-2 Cross Reference Guide to the OMG Systems Modeling Professional Certification Program (OCSMP) - NEW
Analysis and synthesis of conformal conical surface linear phased array with volume surface integral equation 1 AEP (Active Element Pattern) and INSGA-II

In this study, for the first time, volume-surface integral equation (VSIE) and improved NSGA-II (INSGA-II) algorithms analyse and synthesise a conformal conical surface linear phased array. The antenna element patterns and port characteristic with mutual coupling have been simulated with the VSIE algorithm. Then, the patterns of all the elements terminated by their characteristic impedances, which are called active element patterns, are measured in a microwave chamber for comparison. The results show a good match between the simulated and the measured results. The pattern of the conformal antenna array is a superposition of all these active patterns of the elements with various weights. However, the design objects containing the 3-dB beam width, side lobe levels, and beam direction must be taken into account simultaneously. So, the INSGA-II algorithm is used for a multi-object optimisation here. Moreover, by using this algorithm, the entire optimum solutions, that is, the optimum solutions of the main beam of the conformal-phased array directing to different angles, can be solved by one optimisation. Comparisons between the experimental and the simulated results show the effectiveness of the proposed approach for conformal-phased arrays.
A systematic review of treatment strategies for erythrodermic psoriasis

Abstract Background: Erythrodermic psoriasis (EP) is a severe, rare form of psoriasis that can be life threatening. Treatment of EP is usually based on anecdotal evidence or past clinical experience, which is in part due to the rarity and often emergent nature of this psoriasis subtype. Methods: In December 2018, a keyword search for ‘erythrodermic psoriasis’ and ‘treatment’ was conducted. All studies investigating treatment strategies for EP in at least 2 patients were included in this review. Results: The database search yielded 921 results, and 23 studies comprising over 200 patients with EP were included in the final analysis. Biologics including tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (infliximab [n = 4], etanercept [n = 2], and adalimumab [n = 1]), interleukin-17 inhibitors (secukinumab [n = 3], ixekizumab [n = 2], and brodalumab [n = 1]), ustekinumab (n = 4), and guselkumab (n = 1) have been shown to rapidly achieve clinical improvement in patients with EP. The included studies also demonstrated efficacy of systemic agents cyclosporine (n = 4), etretinate (n = 3), and methotrexate (n = 1). Conclusions: A fair number of poor-quality studies support the use of various biologic and systemic therapies in the treatment of EP. Treatment of EP should be based on the severity of the clinical scenario as well as patient comorbidities.
Research on the response model of microbolometer

There are certain limitations in the application of uncooled focal plane array (FPA) detector due to the lack of an effective response model which reliably transforms the target temperature to analog output voltage. This paper establishes the response model of microbolometer through researching the detection theory of microbolometer and the heat balance equation under the condition of the pulsed voltage bias. In the establishing process, we simplified the heat balance equation to acquire a simple answer. The experimental data show that, in the temperature dynamic range of 30 K, the biggest tolerance between the model data and the experiment data is 0.2 K; while in the temperature dynamic range of 100 K, it is 1 K. This model can reflect the real response of the microbolometer with only small differences which are acceptable in engineering applications.
Laser altimetry simulator. Version 3.0: User's guide

A numerical simulator of a pulsed, direct detection laser altimeter has been developed to investigate the performance of space-based laser altimeters operating over surfaces with various height profiles. The simulator calculates the laser's optical intensity waveform as it propagates to and is reflected from the terrain surface and is collected by the receiver telescope. It also calculates the signal and noise waveforms output from the receiver's optical detector and waveform digitizer. Both avalanche photodiode and photomultiplier detectors may be selected. Parameters of the detected signal, including energy, the 50 percent rise-time point, the mean timing point, and the centroid, can be collected into histograms and statistics calculated after a number of laser firings. The laser altimeter can be selected to be fixed over the terrain at any altitude. Alternatively, it can move between laser shots to simulate the terrain profile measured with the laser altimeter.
Placement of power quality monitors using enhanced genetic algorithm and wavelet transform

Power quality (PQ) problems include harmonics, voltage flicker, three-phase imbalance, voltage swell/sag, interruption, switching transient and so on. Identification of accurate location and occurrence time of PQ problem is important for understanding the underlying cause and to prevent future occurrence. This study presents a new method for placement of power quality measurement facilities to identify PQ problems. The power harmonics and capacitor switching transients are used as disturbance sources for illustration. The proposed method first utilises harmonic voltages and wavelet coefficients as PQ features. An enhanced genetic algorithm is proposed for solving the modified K-means clustering to place PQ measurement monitors. Simulation results for an 18-bus system show that the proposed approach is effective in comparison with the existing approaches.
Soft tissue modelling and facial movement simulation using the finite element method

This thesis presents a framework for soft tissue modelling, facial surgery simulation, and facial movement synthesis based on the volumetric finite element method. Assessment of facial appearance pre- and post-surgery is of major concern for both patients and clinicians. Pre-surgical planning is a prerequisite for successful surgical procedures and outcomes. Early computer-assisted facial models have been geometrically based. They are computationally efficient, but cannot give an accurate prediction for facial surgery simulation. Therefore, in this thesis, the emphasis is placed on physically-based methods, especially the finite element technique. To achieve realistic surgery simulation, soft tissue modelling is of crucial importance. Thus, in this thesis, considerable effort has been directed to develop constitutive equations for facial skeletal muscles. The skeletal muscle model subsequently developed is able to capture the complex mechanical properties of skeletal muscle, which are active, quasi-incompressible, fibre-reinforced and hyperelastic. In addition, to improve the characterisation of in-vivo muscle behaviour, a technique has been developed to visualise the internal fibre arrangement of skeletal muscle using the FEM-NURBS method, which is the combination of the finite element method and the non-uniform rational B-spline solid mathematical representation. Another principal contribution made in this thesis is the three-dimensional finite element facial model, which can be used for the simulations of facial surgery and facial movement. The procedure of one cranio-facial surgery is simulated by using this facial model and the numerical predictions show a good agreement with the patient post-surgical data. In addition, it would be very helpful to also simulate the facial movement and facial expressions. In this thesis, two facial expressions (smile and disgust) and the mouth opening are simulated to assess the post-surgical appearance and test the muscle-driven facial movement simulation method.
Reducing Stress Associated with Participating in a Usability Test

Although usability tests are typically conducted with a purpose of making products less stressful for people to use, the usability testing process itself can be stressful for many test participants. The combination of trying to use a new product, being videotaped, and being watched by others, is a potentially stressful environment for many people. Although the Subject Precautions section of the Human Factors Society Code of Ethics clearly states that “the exposure of human or animal research subjects to … stress” should be “commensurate with the significance of the problem being researched,” the Code of Ethics does not provide guidance for reducing exposure of human subjects to stress. This paper describes several practical extensions to the Subject Precautions that can help reduce stress associated with participating as a subject in a usability test. The recommendations in this paper are based on anecdotal evidence gathered in numerous usability tests conducted in both laboratory and field settings. Recommendations are included for preparing the test environment, recruiting test participants, and interacting with participants during testing.
Hadrurid Scorpion Toxins: Evolutionary Conservation and Selective Pressures

Scorpion toxins are thought to have originated from ancestral housekeeping genes that underwent diversification and neofunctionalization, as a result of positive selection. Our understanding of the evolutionary origin of these peptides is hindered by the patchiness of existing taxonomic sampling. While recent studies have shown phylogenetic inertia in some scorpion toxins at higher systematic levels, evolutionary dynamics of toxins among closely related taxa remain unexplored. In this study, we used new and previously published transcriptomic resources to assess evolutionary relationships of closely related scorpions from the family Hadruridae and their toxins. In addition, we surveyed the incidence of scorpine-like peptides (SLP, a type of potassium channel toxin), which were previously known from 21 scorpion species. We demonstrate that scorpine-like peptides exhibit gene duplications. Our molecular analyses demonstrate that only eight sites of two SLP copies found in scorpions are evolving under positive selection, with more sites evolving under negative selection, in contrast to previous findings. These results show evolutionary conservation in toxin diversity at shallow taxonomic scale.
Intercity Passenger Rail Productivity in the Northeast Corridor: Implications for the Future of High-Speed Rail

The ongoing discussion about the future implementation of high-speed rail (HSR) in the Northeast Corridor (NEC) is full of questions on the feasibility of HSR and the ability of Amtrak to implement it. Indeed, the introduction of the Acela Express in the past decade was not free from operating problems, but even with trains running below their full potential, the Amtrak NEC had substantial market growth. Thus, it is not clear if a true HSR service is feasible in the NEC, and if the current prospects are potentially effective. To evaluate the performance of the NEC and its main services in FY 2002-2012, and make inferences about HSR in the NEC for the next 30 years, we use productivity analysis. We employ a non-parametric single factor productivity (SFP) Trnqvist trans-log index approach with several metrics. We set ridership, revenue, revenue passenger-miles (RPM), and available seatmiles (ASM) as outputs, and operating costs as input. In this way, we provided guidelines and a robust structure of analysis that can be useful for subsequent passenger rail productivity studies. We find that the NEC experienced highly volatile, but considerable productivity growth in FY 2002-2012 (in the range of ~1-3% per year). Amtrak increased its ability to fill up and economically exploit the available capacity, but did not perform equally well on the supply side. Service changes, technical problems with train sets, targeted capital investments, and economic recession and recovery were the main drivers of productivity change. The Acela Express and Northeast Regional were very sensitive to external events, had large economies of scale, and implemented slow adjustment of capacity via rolling stock and infrastructure improvements, which varied depending on the service. The characteristics of the NEC reveal a potential for a successful introduction of HSR, but although Amtrak's Vision for HSR in the NEC is realistic (in terms of productivity), it is risky and perhaps the time scale is not ambitious enough. We recommend revising the current projections, incorporate additional planning approaches, accelerate key stages of the Vision and include the FAA in the planning process. Thesis Supervisor: Joseph M. Sussman Title: JR East Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Engineering Systems
A New Multichannel Microphone Technique for Effective Perspective Control

This paper introduces a new multichannel microphone technique that was designed to produce multiple listener perspectives. A listener perspective paradigm and the related spatial attributes are also proposed for the evaluation of spatial quality in acoustic recording and reproduction. The proposed microphone array employs five coincident microphone pairs, which can be transformed into virtual microphones with different polar patterns and directions depending on the mixing ratio. The results of interchannel correlation and informal subjective evaluations suggest that the proposed technique is able to offer an effective control over various spatial attributes.