Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Polarization-multiplexing-based measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution without phase reference calibration

Reference-frame-independent measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution (RFI-MDI-QKD) can reduce the complexity of practical systems caused by the alignment of the reference frame. Lengthening the transmission distance and improving the system clock rate are essential in practical applications of QKD. Herein, in an asymptotic case, we report the results of RFI-MDI-QKD over a distance of 160 km at a clock rate of 50 MHz. By considering the statistical fluctuation of a finite key, we experimentally implemented a four-intensity decoy-state RFI-MDI-QKD protocol with biased bases at transmission distances of 100 km and 120 km. In addition, we compare the RFI-MDI-QKD protocol with the original MDI-QKD protocol when different misalignments of the reference frame are deployed. The results demonstrate the robustness of our scheme and that the key rate of RFI-MDI-QKD can be improved for a large misalignment of the reference frame.
Determination of an appropriate dose ratio of a synergistic combination of long-acting bronchodilators for the maintenance treatment of asthma and COPD

Conclusion. The dose ratio showing the strongest synergy and leading to the best dose reduction when compared with the same drugs as monotherapy will be chosen to be formulated. However, this synergy at the selected dose ratio requires to be confirmed on a preclinical model of asthma or COPD by assessing lung function. It was proposed that dose ratios of LABA/LAMA (w/w) combinations resulting in synergistic airway relaxation were highlighted using an appropriate ex vivo model of isolated perfused guinea pig tracheal rings. This was done to optimise the benefits of the co-administration of these drugs in the treatment of asthma and COPD.
A Review on Low-Cost Phosphorous Removal Techniques from Domestic and Industrial Waste Water

This review article comprehends the efficient techniques of removal of Phosphorous from domestic and industrial waste water which are cost effective. The removal of excess of phosphorous during wastewater treatment is vital for ensuring and protecting the ecosystem. A major source of Phosphorus is from agricultural fertilizer dissolution, manure and organic wastes from sewages and industrial effluents. The excess of the element in water, speed up eutrophication. Hence controlling phosphorous concentration from industrial and municipal waste water prevents eutrophication of surface water. The raw waste water phosphorus level is 200-300mg/l and discharge limit are 15mg/l. Excess concentration of phosphorous causes many water quality problems including increased purification costs, decreased recreational, loss of livestock and the possible lethal effect of algal toxins on drinking water. The removal of P from wastewater can be performed using physico-chemical methods, biological and Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal (EBPR) method, and/or combinations of both. The Physico chemical method deals with precipitation, coagulation, and flocculation. The most common chemical P-removal options involve dosing metal salts to either pre-treated influent or to the conventional activated sludge (CAS) reactors. P removal rates are typically proportional to the mass of chemical added. The chemical adsorptive media are manufactured from natural products, such as apatite, bauxite, lime stone, industrial wastes such as, fly ash, steel slud or ochre. Phosphate removal rate found to be 91% when Polonite is used to treat municipal wastewater over a period of 1 year with a P-sorption capacity of 120 g/kg. Other chemical precipitation of soluble phosphorous, use metal salts i.e., aluminium based chemical product e.g., Alum, iron based chemical products e.g., ferric chloride. The Enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) technique is the modification of biological process that incorporates phosphorus in the cellular substance. In this process P can be removed without addition of chemicals. In EBPR technique, Polyphosphate-accumulating organisms (PAO) such as Candidatus Accumulibacter and Tetrasphaera were both important in all plants and contained together 24–70% of the total Phosphorus. The contribution of Tetrasphaera to the total P-removal was higher than that of Candidatus Accumulibacter. This paper deals with the cost effective and environmentally sustainable techniques of phosphorous removal from small scale domestic and industrial wastewater.
BlueSeer: AI-driven environment detection via BLE scans

IoT devices rely on environment detection to trigger specific actions, e.g., for headphones to adapt noise cancellation to the surroundings. While phones feature many sensors, from GNSS to cameras, small wearables must rely on the few energy-efficient components they already incorporate. In this paper, we demonstrate that a Bluetooth radio is the only component required to accurately classify environments and present BlueSeer, an environment-detection system that solely relies on received BLE packets and an embedded neural network. BlueSeer achieves an accuracy of up to 84% differentiating between 7 environments on resource-constrained devices, and requires only ~ 12 ms for inference on a 64 MHz microcontroller-unit.
Human Pose Estimation using Deep Learning

This report summarizes our ﬁndings in human 3D pose estimation task from images using deep convolutional neural network. We train our deep network to regress 3D poses from 0.15 million different images of the Human36M dataset. The regressor network is pre-trained by training a body part detection network and then using the learned weights for initializing the pose regression network. We test our results on approximately 13,000 images. On testing, we achieve promising re-sults. The results are further improved by using optimizations such as weight decay, momentum, dropout, and a non-linear activation at the last regression layer of the regression network.
Constructing a Culinary Interview Dialogue Corpus with Video Conferencing Tool

Interview is an efficient way to elicit knowledge from experts of different domains. In this paper, we introduce CIDC, an interview dialogue corpus in the culinary domain in which interviewers play an active role to elicit culinary knowledge from the cooking expert. The corpus consists of 308 interview dialogues (each about 13 minutes in length), which add up to a total of 69,000 utterances. We use a video conferencing tool for data collection, which allows us to obtain the facial expressions of the interlocutors as well as the screen-sharing contents. To understand the impact of the interlocutors’ skill level, we divide the experts into “semi-professionals’” and “enthusiasts” and the interviewers into “skilled interviewers” and “unskilled interviewers. ” For quantitative analysis, we report the statistics and the results of the post-interview questionnaire. We also conduct qualitative analysis on the collected interview dialogues and summarize the salient patterns of how interviewers elicit knowledge from the experts. The corpus serves the purpose to facilitate future research on the knowledge elicitation mechanism in interview dialogues.
Vibration compensated high-resolution scanning white-light Linnik-interferometer

We present a high-resolution Linnik scanning white-light interferometer (SWLI) with integrated distance measuring interferometer (DMI) for close-to-machine applications in the presence of environmental vibrations. The distance, measured by DMI during the depth-scan, is used for vibration compensation of SWLI signals. The reconstruction of the white-light interference signals takes place after measurement by reordering the captured images in accordance with their real positions obtained by the DMI and subsequent trigonometrical approximation. This system is the further development of our previously presented Michelson-interferometer. We are able to compensate for arbitrary vibrations with frequencies up to several kilohertz and amplitudes in the lower micrometer range. Completely distorted SWLI signals can be reconstructed and the surface topography can be obtained with high accuracy. We demonstrate the feasibility of the method by examples of practical measurements with and without vibrational disturbances.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PERFORMANCE AND CAPITAL STRUCTURE: EVIDENCE FROM THE SUGAR-ENERGY INDUSTRY IN BRAZIL

desempenho da empresa, especificamente, para empresas com níveis de dependência financeira superiores a 57,52%. Além disso, avalia-se a causalidade reversa entre desempenho da empresa e a dependência financeira através de duas hipóteses concorrentes: a hipótese eficiência-risco ( efficiency-risk hypothesis ) ( 𝐻 " ) e a hipótese do valor de franquia ( franchise-value hypothesis ) ( 𝐻 "# ). Utilizando a análise de regressão quantílica, constata-se que há um efeito negativo entre o desempenho da empresa e a sua alavancagem para todos os valores de eficiência até cerca de 0,57, indicando que a hipótese eficiência-risco não é válida para todos os valores relevantes de eficiência. No setor sucroenergético brasileiro, fica evidente o impacto da alavancagem sobre o desempenho das empresas e vice-versa. Aditivamente, o tamanho da empresa, a tangibilidade de seus ativos, a idade, a liquidez corrente e a categoria da propriedade (empresa familiar ou não) foram fatores relevantes na determinação da alavancagem das usinas de açúcar e etanol. Abstract This paper investigates the relationship between the performance and capital structure of sugar and ethanol mills in Brazil. In particular, we address the following questions: i) Does higher leverage lead to better company performance? ii) Does efficiency have a significant effect on leverage above traditional financial metrics? To answer both questions, the article relies on two hypotheses: i) higher leverage reduces agency costs and inefficiency, leading to an improvement in company performance, as stated by Jensen and Meckling (1976) ( 𝐻 ! ), and ii) companies with better performance opt for lower leverage (efficiency-risk hypothesis) ( 𝐻 " ), as proposed by Berger and Bonaccorsi di Patti (2006). Using annual data from 2006 to 2015 from a sample of sugar-energy mills in Brazil, our results do not reject the hypothesis of the agency cost of external shareholders in this industry, and we found that greater leverage is associated with better mill performance, specifically for mills with levels of financial dependence greater than 57.52%. In addition, we assess the reverse causality between mill performance and financial dependence through two competing hypotheses: the efficiency-risk hypothesis ( 𝐻 " ) and the franchise value hypothesis ( 𝐻 "# ). Using quantile regression analysis, we find a negative effect of company performance on leverage for all efficiency values up to roughly 0.57, indicating that the efficiency-risk hypothesis is not valid for all efficiency values. In the Brazilian sugar-energy industry, the impact of leverage on mill performance is evident. Additionally, we also found that mill size, the tangibility of its assets, its age, its current liquidity, and whether the mill is family owned or not to all be relevant factors in determining the leverage of sugar-energy mills.
Intelligent Operation Optimization of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor

This paper proposes an intelligent design of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) established on maximum efficiency, and an increased torque. Field Oriented Control (FOC) scheme is used as a speed regulator for PMSM with Space Vector Pulse Width Modulation (SVPWM) technology. For applications that require great performance and efficiency, and where traditional approaches are insufficient or take too long to obtain the desired results. Optimization algorithms are viable solutions for controller tuning. They ensure that one of the best solutions will be found and that the problem will be solved in within allowed time. In this research study Tree-Seed Algorithm (TSA) is utilized in the controller parameter tuning procedure. The obtained results reveal that the TSA optimized system has outperformance for particular usage that require variable speed as well as load torque. The simulation results showed that both the Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Tree and Seed Algorithm (TSA) optimization techniques were effective in tuning PI controller to follow desired speed, and that they also had satisfactory dynamic responses, confirm TSA is a promising method greatly beneficial when compared to other algorithms. Robust Matlab/Simulink platform adopted in developing mathematically modeled PMSM. Simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed control methods.
Construction in Occupied Spaces

Abstract Conducting construction activities in occupied environments presents a great challenge due to the additional logistical requirements and the presence of the building occupants. The aim of this research is to gather and evaluate the means and methods to successfully plan, manage, and execute construction activities in occupied spaces in an effort to provide consolidated industry tools and strategies for maintaining a schedule and minimizing the impact on the occupants. The methodology of the research utilizes an exploratory approach to gather qualitative data. The data was collected through interviews with industry professionals to identify industry best practices. The semi-structured interviews provided a platform for the documents, lessons learned, and the techniques and strategies used for occupied construction by the construction industry. The information obtained in the interview process identified six themes that are critical to achieving and maintaining quality in occupied construction. These themes of the schedule, cost, customer satisfaction, planning, fire/life safety and utilities, and contractor management are reviewed in detail, and the paper discusses how to manage each element. The analysis and extracted management techniques, procedures and strategies can be used by the construction industry for future projects by focusing on the critical aspects of occupied construction and the manner in which to succeed with it.
INFLUENCE OF LITERACY LEVELS ON DRUG AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE AMONG THE YOUTH IN KIAMBU COUNTY, KENYA

: Drug and substance abuse is a global problem and is one of the major problems affecting the youth both in school and out of school. This study sought to establish the influence of literacy levels on drug and substance abuse among the youth in Kiambu County, Kenya. The researcher used cross sectional survey research design that involves obtaining data at one point in time. Data was analyzed using Data was analyzed using feminist stand point theories that argue for the ‘starting off thought’, which means analyzing data starting from the lives and experiences of the youth in Ndeiya Ward. The study findings showed that drug and substance abuse among the youth are influenced by literacy level. Key recommendations made are; effects of drug and substance abuse be part of the syllabus from primary school, media be used to emphasize on the effects of drug abuse, the Government to create employment for the youth and train youth on time management and entrepreneurship, reinforcement of various laws that regulate production and consumption of drugs and substance of abuse and sensitize parents on good role modeling.
Morphological Analysis of Negation in Talk in Amele

Amele is one of several Trans-New Guinean languages spoken in Papua New Guinea, which Foley (2000) describes as all having complicated verbal morphology. The grammar of Amele was first described by Roberts (1987), and central to which are its conspicuous use of negators. Amele contains a negator ‘qee’ (‘q’ indicates voiced dorso-labiovelar plosive), which follows the element negated. Amele exhibits verbal conjugations for persons and numbers, but no negative conjugation in the present tense. That Amele has negative conjugations in past and future tenses quite differs from English and other major languages. Furthermore, Amele contains many types of past tenses—today’s past, yesterday’s past, the remote past, the negative past—and each of which has inflection. Typologically, other languages (Finnish, Finno-Ugric) exhibit negative conjugations of verbs (cf. Miestamo (2007) and Payne (1985)). However, the behaviors require elaboration. Following an extended ethnography of Amele communities, this study examines negative particles and negative verb conjugations in Amele, and attempts to clarify its morphological behaviors. As such, this study observes the functionalism of Amele grammar, and describes Amele’s grammatical positive-negative and present/past distinctions, as well as its functional markedness in past tenses.
Pedagogical Content Knowledge of Integrated Science Teachers and Its Impact on Their Instructional Practice

The impact of science instructors' Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK) on educational practice was studied in this study. Synthesis of a teacher's subject knowledge and pedagogical skill is described as PCK. The study's goal was to see if there was a link between Ghanaian science instructors' PCK and classroom practices. This research employed a descriptive survey approach. Eighty (80) teachers were randomly recruited and data was collected using a standardized questionnaire. Simple percentages and charts were used to organize and illustrate the data. It was revealed that subject matter understanding varies depending on a teacher's level of education. Experienced teachers, on the other hand, demonstrated greater pedagogical expertise and were better able to improve academic achievement than inexperienced teachers. The formal education of a teacher was a strong predictor of their knowledge and ability in the classroom. According to the findings of this study, teachers' pedagogical and subject-matter knowledge are crucial for effective science instruction and student comprehension.
KASYS at the NTCIR-16 WWW-4 Task

The KASYS team participated in the English subtask of the NTCIR-16 WWW-4 task. This paper describes our approach of generating NEW runs, and REV runs in the NTCIR-16 WWW-4 task. We applied BERT machine reading comprehension model to the WWW-4 task for generating NEW runs. We investigated the effectiveness of reading comprehension model in the ad-hoc Web document retrieval task. The evaluation results showed that our run outper-formed the baseline in the gold relevance assessment for the four runs we submitted. The evaluation results of REV runs showed that our runs in WWW-3 still well performed in WWW-4.
Digital Circuits and Systems for Ultra-Low Power Internet of Things Applications

The Internet of Things (IoT) is growing at an exponential rate, and some estimate that it will reach 1 trillion devices by 2035. Although IoT devices are functionally diverse, many of them are designed to sense, process, and transmit information. IoT sensing applications are numerous and span many sectors of the global economy including healthcare, manufacturing, agriculture, and infrastructure. The IoT has the potential to produce tremendous amounts of information that can be used to improve human life, but the proliferation of IoT devices is currently being hindered by the challenge of large-scale battery recharge and replacement, which increases the cost of device deployment. In recent years, significant research has focused on lowering the power consumption of IoT sensing devices so that they can operate from ambient harvested energy instead of batteries. This eliminates the need for battery recharge and replacement, and significantly reduces the maintenance costs of large-scale sensor networks. Lower power consumption improves self-powered device lifetime and reliability, and enables operation with smaller energy harvesters in more energy-scarce environments. Ultimately, if the cost of deployment can be reduced below the value of the information being collected, widespread adoption of IoT sensing devices will occur. This dissertation presents contributions in integrated circuit and self-powered system design for reducing the power consumption of IoT sensing devices and accelerating their adoption. This is accomplished using digital circuits, digital circuit design techniques, and system-level strategies that reduce the power of wireless Transmitter (TX) and digital processing circuits in Ultra-Low Power (ULP) System on Chips (SoCs). Wireless TX and digital processing circuits are both essential components in ULP SoCs, and often dominate the overall system power in many applications. The design of several ULP SoCs, their applications, and integration into larger sensing systems is also presented to demonstrate the technology readiness of self-powered
Comparison of attitude between senior citizens men and women towards physical activity

The objective of the study was to compare attitude between senior citizens men and women with regard physical activity. Fifity (twenty five men and twenty five women senior citizens) were randomly selected as subjects for the study. Age of the subjects ranged from 60 to 80 years. The data for the study was collected by distributing the questionnaires to the subjects personally by the researcher. The data was computed as mean, Standard Deviation and ‘t’ test and the hypothesis was tested at 0.05 level of significance. According to our findings, the variables namely tension release (t=1.352), health promoyion (t=.733), vigorous exercise (t=.914), and social benefits (t= 1.851) were significantly different in men and women senior citizens.
DESIGN AND TEST OF BIO-INSPIRED UNDERWATER SOFT GRIPPING ROBOT

This project is part of a collaboration between Rochester Institute of Technology and Boeing in an effort to research and develop underwater robotics technologies. The goal was to design and build an underwater soft robotics gripping device as a proof of concept that could be used to handle fragile samples or a wider range of geometries than traditional grasping devices. An underwater soft robotics gripper was designed and built using hydraulically controlled soft bending actuators for the gripping device, and a servo motor driven scissor mechanism to extend and retract the gripping device. In testing, the device is able to successfully grasp objects and proves that soft robotics are viable for use in underwater applications.
Novel Clustering Based Energy Efficient With Adaptive Pso Approach For Congestion Control In Fanet

: - Flying ad-hoc networks (FANETs) are a very vibrant research area nowadays. They have many military and civil applications. Limited battery energy and the high mobility of micro unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) represent their two main problems, i.e., short flight time and inefficient routing. A large number of recent advancements in the technology of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have enabled them to be very useful and effective in many applications in today’s society. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are proving to be an extremely flexible platform for a variety of applications. With advances in computation, sensor, communication, and networking technologies, the utilization of UAVs for military and civilian areas has become extremely popular in the last two decades. UAVs have to exchange information with each other and with the control station in order to meet the needs of their applications. The Mobile Ad hoc Network (MANET) is a solution to deliver this information to its destination over long ranges via one or multiple relays. In fact, MANET is a multi-hop wireless network where each node in the network acts as a mobile wireless terminal as well as a router to forward information to its neighbours. Thus, all nodes in the network are connected without requiring a pre-existing infrastructure, which makes MANET a cost-effective technology. Now, the researchers focusing on the Energy efficient techniques for improve the lifetime of the network. We propose a new EE-FANET based hybrid novel clustering based routing approach called Energy Efficient Clustering and Route Optimization Scheme in Flying Ad Hoc Networks (EECROS-EE-FANET). The proposed scheme combined with two aspects, initially, the UAV (node) energy information’s are collected and based on the energy level