Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
First findings from a simulator study on driving behaviour of drivers with cerebral diseases

Driving performance may be affected by a number of cerebral diseases, in the general population and particularly in the elderly, who exhibit a higher risk of involvement in a road accident. The objective of this research is the investigation of the driving performance - assessed on driving simulator - of drivers with cerebral diseases, especially at unexpected incidents. The basic cerebral diseases considered concern Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), and Parkinson’s disease (PD). The driver performance is examined in terms of both traffic and safety parameters. A large experiment is carried out by an interdisciplinary team, in which participants (patients and control population) take part in driving simulator experiment, neurological and neuropsychological tests. The driving performance measures examined include speed, lateral position, reaction time at incidents etc. Preliminary results (39 drivers) confirm that cerebral diseases downgrade the driving performance and particularly the higher impact of PD in relation to MCI/AD and control drivers.
High percentage of young men with meningitis in HIV positive patients: A tertiary hospital study from South India

Objective: To describe the demographic characteristics of HIV patients with meningitis. Study Design: Cross-sectional, observational. Methods: We studied the age, sex, occupation and etiological profile of meningitis in 116 people living with HIV from a tertiary care hospital in India over a period of four years. Results: Fifty four percent of the patients were young adults [<35 years]. They were overwhelmingly of the male sex [70.4%] and were more commonly employed in performing manual labour [71.4%] occupations for daily living. Tuberculous [82.6%] meningitis was the most common aetiology. Conclusion: A focused clinical approach and public health program targeting this particular population at risk is much-needed.
BEST LINEAR UNBIASED LATENT VALUES PREDICTORS FOR FINITE POPULATION LINEAR MODELS WITH DIFFERENT ERROR SOURCES

We develop best linear unbiased predictors (BLUP) of the latent values of labeled sample units selected from a finite population when there are two distinct sources of measurement error: endogenous, exogenous or both. Usual target parameters are the population mean, the latent values associated to a labeled unit or the latent value of the unit that will appear in a given position in the sample. We show how both types of measurement errors affect the within unit covariance matrices and indicate how the finite population BLUP may be obtained via standard software packages employed to fit mixed models in situations with either heteroskedastic or homoskedastic exogenous and endogenous measurement errors.
A Robust Controller for Positioning Control of Pneumatic Servo System: Design and Experiment Tests

The pneumatic cylinders are difficult to be controlled due to flow characteristics of control valves, compressibility of air, and static and dynamic friction forces. This paper describes the development of a robust controller based on H∞ control theory for positioning control of a high-speed pneumatic cylinder. To design the H∞ controller, one has selected appropriate weighting functions of pneumatic servo system.Simulation results show that the system is robust during the whole response process and can suppress the disturbance. Finally experiments have been performed with varying supply pressures and load mass. Experimental results imply that good performance and robustness of positioning in pneumatic servo system can be obtained using H∞ controller.
Computation of design values for Class E amplifiers without using waveform equations

This paper presents a novel design procedure for Class E amplifiers without using waveform equations. By the proposed design procedure, Class E amplifiers can be designed regardless of the Q factor of resonant circuit, existence of the switch on resistor, and so on. The proposed design procedure requires only circuit equations and design specifications. All design procedures reported until now require deriving waveform equations which requires a lot of work. The benefits of the proposed design procedure is that it is to deriving waveform equations is no longer necessary. When the circuit equations are obtained, the other procedures for computation of design values are carried out with aid of computer. Therefore, we can design Class E amplifier more easily than the conventional design procedure. The authors design Class E amplifiers by using the proposed design procedures and carry out the circuit experiments, and find that the experimental results agree with calculation results, and show the validity of the proposed design procedure.
On the strategic management of an events portfolio to extend tourists’ length of stay: a LASSO approach

ABSTRACT Tourism destinations are increasingly recognizing the potential for additional benefits to be captured by managing their events as a strategic portfolio. By identifying and exploiting relatedness between key event variables, otherwise inaccessible benefits can be cross-leveraged from the portfolio as a whole. Developing a methodology for putting such a strategy into practice has, however, thus far eluded researchers. Indeed, the empirical research has thus far focused almost entirely on single events, considered in isolation. The purpose of this study is, therefore, to propose and test a parsimonious method for determining relatedness in the determinants of length of stay across a portfolio of events. This involves using sparse regression, based on the LASSO approach, using data from an event portfolio in Madeira. The LASSO method can be considered particularly advantageous because it produces results that are easily interpretable by event managers and are thus able to inform marketing strategies. The results from Madeira illustrate this by identifying four areas of close relatedness that could be cross-leveraged through the co-ordinated strategic marketing of the portfolio at the destination level. The approach uses readily obtainable data and, as such, represents a practical tool for event portfolio management that can readily be applied elsewhere.
Compact ultra-wideband bandpass filter using broadside coupled hairpin structures on multilayer liquid crystal polymer substrate

A novel ultra-wideband (UWB) bandpass filter (BPF) using a broadside-coupled hairpin structure and multilayer organic liquid crystal polymer (LCP) technology is presented. To suppress stopband harmonic response, folded stepped impedance structures were adopted as hairpin resonators in the design. The proposed filter has been investigated numerically and experimentally. Multilayer LCP technology was used to implement designed UWB BPF. Good agreement between simulated and measured results of the proposed filter was observed. They show that the fabricated UWB BPF has a good performance, including a small insertion loss, a flat group delay with a variation within 0.1 ns in most of its passband, a wide stopband from 11.0 20.0 GHz with a high rejection level up to 20.0 dB, and a very compact size of 9.8 times 7.5 mm (0.36 lambdag times 0.27 lambdag, where lambdag is the guided wavelength of 50 Omega microstrip line at 6.85 GHz).
Design and analysis of low‐speed, high‐torque permanent magnet motors

This paper presents design and analysis of low-speed, high-torque permanent magnet motors. The motor has 16-pole, 18-coil construction, and a unique winding arrangement to produce high torque. The simplified torque analysis is proposed considering the line of magnetic induction distribution in the motor. The validity of the proposed analysis has been proved by both linear and nonlinear FEM analyses. The 500-Nm, 200-rpm test motor has been designed and constructed and the motor shows the expected characteristics. © 2000 Scripta Technica, Electr Eng Jpn, 132(3): 48–56, 2000
Sexual and Gender Identity-Based Microaggressions: Differences by Sexual and Gender Identity, and Sex Assigned at Birth Among Dutch Youth

Research describes several sexual and gender identity-based microaggressions that sexual and gender minority (SGM) people might experience. We aimed to examine the occurrence of different sexual and gender identity-based microaggressions among SGM youth and to identify differences by sexual and gender identity, and sex assigned at birth. Open-ended questions about daily experiences were coded for 16 types of sexual and gender identity-based microaggressions in two daily diary studies among Dutch SGM youth (Study 1: N = 90, M age = 17.64 SD = 1.78; Study 2: N = 393, M age = 18.36 SD = 2.65). Several types of microaggressions were identified, and there was sizable variability in the reported frequency. Overall, lesbian women and bisexual youth were less likely to report microaggressions than gay youth. Bisexual youth were less likely to report use of heterosexist or transphobic terminology than gay youth and youth assigned male at birth were less likely to report invalidation of LGBTQ identity than youth assigned female at birth. Last, gender minority youth were more likely to report familial microaggressions, invalidation of LGBTQ identity, and threatening behaviors than cisgender youth. Overall, this study provides empirical support using mixed qualitative and quantitative methods for theorized typologies of microaggressions among Dutch SGM youth.
Research on the evaluation of user's influence in micro-blog platform

The paper elaborates and analyzes several methods of the evaluation of user's influence in micro-blog platform basing on extant researches, and generalizes three kinds of methods: the methods based on user's characteristics, the methods based on social networks topology and the methods based on topics. Then it reviews related documents and discusses the deficiencies of the current research methods and future trend of the research.
A review on designing viral barrier fabrics with monolithic films

Purpose – Protection of medical personnel against pathogenic viruses is a challenging task for the world scientific community. The purpose of this paper is to collect, analyze, critique, rearrange and present the scattered information scientifically to form a base for product development for viral protection.Design/methodology/approach – A huge range of recently available information has been collected, studied and arranged judiciously.Findings – After an exhaustive study of this topic, it is possible to present all information in a manner that will be helpful to start product development activity on both sides of the Atlantic. Initially, various coated textiles with zero breathability were used to cover doctors, nurses and staff but thereafter microporous coatings replaced the poreless surface coatings. However, the pore size distribution in microporous films and coatings could not be controlled precisely and manufacturers could not claim the surface offered foolproof protection against viruses. Monolith.
Thermal comfort requirements in the summer season in subtropical urban spaces

This article presents some of the findings from a thermal comfort study performed in subtropical China. This study was carried out in 17 different urban spaces during the summer of 2010. Thermal environmental measurements were taken and questionnaire surveys were used to assess the thermal comfort of subjects. Thermal comfort requirements and the effect of gender on thermal comfort were analysed. Neutral operative temperature was found to be 28.6°C and preferred temperature occurred at 24.7°C. By using the direct thermal acceptability assessment method, this article also demonstrated a new correlation between percentage of thermal dissatisfaction (PD) and thermal sensation vote (TSV) which is different from the predicted mean vote–predicted percentage dissatisfied model. The acceptable temperature range was 25.3–32.3°C in summer. Besides, the results show significant gender differences in urban spaces in terms of neutral temperature, preferred temperature and optimum wind speed.
Selecting Most Desirable Hot-Mix Asphalt Mixtures

Aggregate properties and gradations have been shown to have a significant impact on the strength and performance of HMA mixtures. Strength properties, such as the resilient modulus and tensile strength, and performance properties, such as moisture sensitivity, permanent deformation, and low-temperature cracking, play a major role in the field performance of HMA mixtures. However, it is believed that by changing the aggregate gradation and the asphalt binder, a desirable hot-mix asphalt mixture can be achieved for any source of aggregate. The data and analysis of a laboratory research study that evaluated four gradations and four asphalt binders in conjunction with five sources of Nevada aggregates are summarized. The measured material properties include the Superpave binder and aggregate properties, the strength properties, and the permanent deformation and low-temperature cracking of the mixtures. The data analysis indicated that the resilient modulus and tensile strength tests can be used in lieu of the more complicated triaxial repeated-load test to ensure against rutting and that the binder property can be used to ensure against low-temperature cracking.
EDUCAÇÃO A DISTÂNCIA DE NORTE A SUL DO BRASIL

Objetiva-se socializar análises a respeito do movimento de expansão da educação a distância, a partir de ilações entre os conceitos de qualidade e inovação. Adota-se como ponto empírico da pesquisa a exploração longitudinal do Censo da Educação Superior, abarcando o período de 2000, quando inicia a coleta sobre a educação a distância, a 2019. Foi possível observar fortes assimetrias regionais, que revelam alterações nas políticas educacionais formuladas nos anos de 1990 que caracterizavam a educação a distância como o caminho mais profícuo para a democratização do acesso à educação superior. É notável, ao longo de todo o período de 2000 a 2019, altos percentuais de crescimento, evidenciados de forma contínua, em patamares superiores ao crescimento da educação presencial. No entanto, em análise comparativa em segmentos quinquenais, a partir de 2010, observam-se oscilações e queda no número de matrículas nas regiões Norte e Nordeste, justamente onde o acesso às redes de internet é restrito e o número de instituições físicas é menor. Por outro lado, a região Sul detém 47% do conjunto das matrículas totais. Essa assimetria pode ser explicada pela ênfase, mais recente, no uso das tecnologias digitais na configuração dos cursos de educação a distância, especialmente marcada pelo viés privado. Conclui-se que, apenas quando qualidade social e inovação integrarem a política nacional de educação a distância, haverá a sua retomada como o caminho mais profícuo para a democratização da educação superior.
Improvement of threshold voltage deviation in damascene metal gate transistors

The metal gate work function deviation (crystal orientation deviation) was found to cause the threshold voltage deviation (/spl Delta/V/sub th/) in the damascene metal gate transistors. When the TiN work function (crystal orientation) is controlled by using the inorganic CVD technique, /spl Delta/V/sub th/ of the surface channel damascene metal gate (Al/TiN or W/TiN) transistors was drastically improved and found to be smaller than that for the conventional polysilicon gate transistors. The reason for the further reduction of the threshold voltage deviation (/spl Delta/V/sub th/) in the damascene metal gate transistors is considered to be that the thermal-damages and plasma-damages on gate and gate oxide are minimized in the damascene gate process. High performance sub-100 nm metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs) with work-function-controlled CVD-TiN metal-gate and Ta/sub 2/O/sub 5/ gate insulator are demonstrated in order to confirm the compatibility with high-k gate dielectrics and the technical advantages of the inorganic CVD-TiN.
Language as contextual factor of an education system: Reading development as a necessity

Language is a contextual factor of an education system as it determines the Language of Learning and Teaching (LOLT). In order to provide for diversity in South Africa, the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, makes provision for 11 official languages and the Language in Education Policy (LiEP) promotes respect for not only these official languages, but languages in general as well as the preservation of cultural diversity by means of multilingualism. Having measures like these in place creates the assumption that different languages are used as LOLT. However, mother tongue education is not fully realised in South Africa. A large percentage of learners’ LOLT is not their home language. This lack of mother tongue education may cause poor reading ability. South Africa’s government and Department of Education (DoE) has certain strategies available to promote reading, however, the feasibility of these strategies is questionable when the poor reading performance of South African learners is taken into account. To find a solution for the above-stated problem, due to the fact that reading plays an important role within an education system, and the integral part it forms in nation-building, we conducted a literature study to identify current national and international reading strategies. In this article we present a synthesis of these strategies, which we refer to as a reading motivation framework, outlining the responsibilities of various social role players.
Current ratio log amplifier using light emitting diodes

Use of a diode or transistor as the log element in log amplifiers is well established. As log amplifiers moat often use a silicon log element, their output can never exceed 0.0 V. Such a low output necessitates fine adjustment of the offset voltage of the operational amplifiers. Furthermore the lower current limit of logarithmic current-to-voltage converters is governed by the leakage current of the log element which for present day commercial log amplifiers is limited to about 10-9 A. This limit can be reduced to some extent by the use of low leakage diodes or FETs. The low leakage properties of large bond gap diodes particularly GaAaP diodes, commercially available as LEDs has recently been pointed out. The authors present a design of current ratio log amplifier based on these diodes which has a dynamic range at least three orders magnitude better than log amplifiers currently available The design is simple and uses commercially available components.
A moment method analysis for coplanar waveguide discontinuity inductances

Based on the concept of duality, the quasi-static equivalent inductance of a coplanar waveguide discontinuity is determined from the equivalent capacitance of its complementary structure, i.e., a coplanar strip discontinuity in free space. For the capacitance calculation, an integral equation governing the excess charge distribution near the discontinuity is solved by the method of moments together with Galerkin's approach. Numerical results for the short end and symmetric step change are presented. The good agreement with the data available from the full-wave analyses reveals that this approach is simple, accurate, and very suitable in the CAD for MMICs. >
Optimized space vector switching sequences for multilevel inverters

Previous work has shown that space vector modulation and carrier modulation for two-level inverters achieve the same phase leg switching sequences when appropriate zero sequence offsets are added to the reference waveforms for carrier modulation. This paper presents a similar equivalence between the phase disposition (PD) carrier and space vector modulation strategies applied to diode clamped, cascaded N-level or hybrid multilevel inverters. By analysis of the time integral trajectory of the converter voltage, the paper shows that the optimal harmonic profile for a space vector modulator occurs when the two middle space vectors are centered in each switching cycle. The required zero sequence offset to achieve this centring for an equivalent carrier based modulator is then determined. The results can be applied to any multilevel converter topology without differentiation. Discontinuous behavior is also examined, with the space vector and carrier based modulation methods shown to similarly produce identical performance. Both simulation and experimental results are presented.
Instructional Management for Adaptive Training and Education in Support of the US Army Learning Model-Research Outline

Abstract : While human tutoring and mentoring are common teaching tools, current US Army standards for training and education are group instruction and classroom training, also known as one-to-many instruction. Recently, the US Army has placed significant emphasis on self-regulated learning (SRL) methods to augment institutional training where Soldiers will be largely responsible for managing their own learning. In support of the US Army Learning Model and to provide affordable, tailored SRL training and educational capabilities for the US Army, the US Army Research Laboratory is investigating and developing adaptive tools and methods to largely automate the authoring (creation), delivery of instruction, and evaluation of computer-regulated training and education capabilities. A major goal within this research program is to reduce the time and skill required to author, deliver, and evaluate adaptive technologies to make them usable by a larger segment of the training and educational community. This research includes 6 interdependent research vectors: individual learner and unit modeling, instructional management principles, domain modeling, authoring tools and methods, evaluation tools and methods, and architectural and ontological support. This report (1 of 6 interdependent research outlines) focuses on instructional management research for adaptive training and education with the goal of guiding learning in militarily relevant training domains.