Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Creating and sustaining mixed income communities: a good practice guide

A comprehensive guide to planning and consultation issues around mixed income communities. This guide explores how to create attractive and well-managed places that meet the needs of all sections of the community. Drawing on the latest research, and featuring nine case study areas, it includes detailed guidance on: developing a strategy and negotiating the planning process; good practice in masterplanning, design, layout and long-term financial viability; how stakeholders can collaborate effectively and ensure that local residents are fully involved at all stages; how barriers to the development of sustainable communities might be overcome. The guide explores all types of mixed income communities, from the diversification of single-tenure inner-city estates to greenfield development on the urban fringe.
Multi-Agent Coordination Techniques for Naval Tactical Combat Resources Management

Abstract : Reaction times of modern current and future war platforms are eroded, since they are expected to operate in a large variety of complex scenarios. To cope with the increasingly diverse air and surface threats, modern platforms, either operating in a single ship configuration or within a (joint and/or combined) task group/force, will require their sensor suite and weapon arsenal to be efficiently managed. The coordination and tight integration of these resources will also be required. The Decision Support Systems (DSS) Section, at Defence Research & Development Canada- Valcartier (DRDC Valcartier), has initiated collaboration with industry and university partners. This collaboration aims at developing and demonstrating advanced concepts of combat resource management, which could apply to the current Command & Control Systems (CCSs) of the Halifax and Iroquois Class ships, as well as their possible future upgrade (e.g., Canadian Surface Combatant platform), in order to improve their performance against the predicted future threat. This activity builds upon and broadens the scope of prior research in the domain. It is oriented to the study, development, and implementation of management decision aids for tactical shipboard resources, based on intelligent agent technology and techniques for multi-agent planning and coordination. This report presents a review of agent and multi-agent coordination approaches. Theoretical basis of distributed planning in multi-agent systems is introduced and coordination mechanisms are described. Multi-agent approaches are used to address the coordination problems for: 1) hardkill/softkill, 2) weapons deployment/ship navigation, and 3) multi-ship positioning and operations. Results of the implementation and test of different algorithms for these combat resource coordination problems, in naval engagements, are presented and discussed.
Impact of High Penetration of Photovoltaics on Low Voltage Systems and Remedial Actions

Residential rooftop photovoltaics (PV) systems have great potential to supply part of the growing energy demand. However, its non-dispatchable, fluctuating, and intermittent characteristics may negatively impact the power quality and reliability (PQR) of low voltage (LV) distribution feeders. Large amounts of non-dispatchable PV sources, if integrated in a distributed way, can reverse the power flow in the feeder and lead to overvoltages. In diesel-based autonomous systems with high-penetration of PVs, the reduction in net load can significantly increase the wear and tear on the diesel genset(s). Therefore, connection of only a modest amount of PV is currently allowed at the LV level without a prior impact-assessment study. This thesis focuses on the detrimental impact of high penetration of PVs on LV systems and on the remedial actions that can be taken to increase PQR and the displacement of fossil fuels in diesel-based autonomous systems. Two scenarios are considered. First is the possibility of overvoltages in LV grid connected systems during periods of high PV generation and low load. The solutions used in medium-voltage feeders need to be revisited in light of the mostly resistive characteristics of LV feeders. An alternative is to use active power curtailment (APC) techniques. A droop-based APC approach, in which all inverters use the same droop coefficients, is analyzed. However, this strategy results in more APC in the PV inverters located near the end of the feeder than in the ones in the beginning. A new approach is proposed that allows equal sharing of the APC. A one-year simulation study assessed the overvoltage occurrences, the sharing of the burden for overvoltage prevention per house, and the total energy yield of the feeder using a benchmark based on typical parameters of Canadian LV feeders. The second scenario involves the impact of high-penetration PV systems in diesel-based autonomous LV systems, which are typical of remote communities. The use of APC of PV inverters is discussed, focusing on reducing the frequency variations and ensuring the diesel genset's minimum load, and can improve fuel consumption. This theoretical analysis is validated by simulations. Fuel consumption and yearly energy yields are estimated using statistical information about the load and solar irradiation.
Diseño, síntesis, caracterización y evaluación in vitro de la actividad de los péptidos antimicrobianos contra bacterias patógenas resistentes a antibióticos

Los péptidos antimicrobianos han atraído mucha atención como nuevos agentes terapéuticos contra enfermedades infecciosas. En este estudio se hizo el diseño racional in silico de 18 péptidos catiónicos con actividad antimicrobiana contra bacterias patógenas resistentes utilizando el programa DEPRAMP desarrollado en el Grupo de Investigación en Bioquímica y Microbiología de la Universidad Industrial de Santander. Posteriormente, los péptidos diseñados se sintetizaron en fase sólida con el método de 9-fluorenilmetoxicarbonilo en medio ácido. Se obtuvieron secuencias cortas de 17 aminoácidos con un grado de pureza entre 95 y 98 %, estructura secundaria de hélice alfa, carga neta catiónica (entre +3 y +6), punto isoeléctrico entre 10,04 y 12,03 e índice de hidropatía entre -0,62 y 1,14. Todos los péptidos antimicrobianos mostraron actividad antibacteriana y bactericida in vitro frente al menos una de las cepas patógenas estudiadas: Escherichia coli O157: H7, Pseudomonas aeruginosa y Staphylococcus aureus resistente a la meticilina. Los péptidos antimicrobianos GIBIM-P5S9K y GIBIM-P5F8W registraron la mejor actividad antibacteriana, alcanzando una concentración mínima inhibitoria (CMI 99) en rangos de 0,5 a 25 μM frente a las tres cepas evaluadas, de las cuales Escherichia coli O157: H7 fue la más sensible frente al péptido antimicrobiano GIBIMP5F8W, con una CMI 99 de 0,5 μM y una concentración mínima bactericida de 10 μM, en tanto que la cepa de Pseudomonas aeruginosa fue la más resistente, con una CMI de más de 100 μM frente a más de cinco péptidos antimicrobianos. La toxicidad de los péptidos sobre los eritrocitos produjo un porcentaje de hemólisis menor al 40 % en concentraciones de 50 μM. Por su parte, en las líneas celulares de carcinoma de pulmón A549 y HepG2, el único compuesto que presentó toxicidad fue GIBIM-P5F8W, presentando un 36% de células viables en concentraciones de 100 μM del péptido en la línea celular A549.
Visualisering – ett verktyg för att illustrera långsiktiga konsekvenser av slutavverkning och naturhänsyn

Forestry in Sweden is currently conducted in a manner aiming at equating the production objectives and the biodiversity. To ensure that biodiversity is maintained, patches that are considered to be valuable now or in the future is saved in final fellings. How the tree retention areas will grow into the future forest stands is yet unknown. The purpose of this study was to visualize how different scenarios of natural consideration taken at final felling will evolve in a long term perspective, for two rotation periods. Projections of the forest conditions were executed with the decision support system Heureka and its applications PlanStart and PlanWise. The information about the projected forests was then used for the visualizations which were created in the software Visual Nature Studio. For each scenario a number of visualizations were presented in images and related information of standing volume. A dialogue was also carried out with scientists working with forestry planning to discuss the benefits of visualization. They believed visualization should a part of the decision support systems that are used in forestry planning. Visualization has a future in Swedish forestry, but before it’s possible to make visualization more available a method making the dataflow simpler is needed as this is the most time consuming part today.
An updated review of potential therapeutic agents against COVID-19

Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) is a public health emergency of international concern caused by a novel coronavirus, i.e., Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus -2 (SARS-CoV-2). Since it is a new virus, an eﬀective remedy against the virus is yet unknown. SARS-CoV-2 is a member of order nidovirales, family coronaviridae. Previously known treatment strategies against Middle East Respiratory Syndrome and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndromes are being tested for their eﬀectiveness against SARS-CoV-2. Thus, various clinical and observational studies aimed at identifying potential therapies against the disease. In our study, we reviewed various drugs along with their mechanism of action including anti-virals, anti-bacterials, glucocorticoids, ACE inhibitors, anti retrovirals, anti-malarials, monoclonal antibodies, plasma and many more. Individual drugs are described and evaluated for their potential to treat SARS-CoV-2 infection. This study oﬀers a brief review of the ﬁndings of trials conducted so far. Dexamethasone, convalescent plasma therapy, tocilizumab, remdesivir and combination therapies are found to be beneﬁcial against SARS-CoV-2.
Realtime, Decimeter Accuracy Navigation Using Sliding Window Estimator and Autonomous Vehicle Trajectory Tracking Control

This dissertation focus on achieving high accuracy navigation using low-cost sensors and on high precision trajectory tracking control for Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). For high accuracy navigation, this dissertation presents a real-time sliding-window estimator to tightly integrate Differential-GPS (DGPS) and inertial measurement unit (IMU) to achieve reliable, high precision navigation performance in GPS-challenged urban environments using a low-cost, single-frequency (L1) GPS receiver. The approach is novel in that it utilizes the phase measurements, without resolving the integer ambiguity, to improve the accuracy and the robustness of the estimation results. Experimental results demonstrate that the performance of the proposed navigation system is significantly better than the extended Kalman Filter (EKF) (improved by one order of magnitude) and the novel usage of phase measurements further improves the robustness of the estimator to the pseudorange multipath error, which could otherwise be several meters in urban environments.Regarding precision trajectory tracking, this dissertation presents a new command filtered backstepping technique for under-actuated VTOL UAVs. Quaternions are used to represent the attitude of the vehicle to ensure the global attitude tracking without singularities. Since the quaternions have their own unique algebra, they cannot be filtered by a vector-based command filter; therefore, a second-order quaternion filter is developed to filter the quaternion and automatically compute its derivative, which determines the commanded angular rate vector. A quadrotor vehicle is used as an example to show the performance of the proposed controller.
How do flexible processes relate to software product-lines

YIP Jason (1), SUCCI Giancarlo (2), LIU Eric (1)(1) Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Calgary, Calgary,AB, Canada. {jchyip, liue}@ucalgary.ca(2) Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Alberta,Edmonton, AB, Canada. Giancarlo.Succi@ee.ualberta. caKeywords: flexible processes, software product linesAbstractFlexible processes and software product lines are two different proposals to improvesoftware development. There is a tendency for software product lines to be associatedwith building reusable frameworks, which may not fit well with a flexible process.Software product lines are not solely concerned with reusable frameworks and in fact,many aspects can be used in a flexible process. The two approaches can learn from eachother to further improve the effectiveness of software development.1 IntroductionFlexible processes and software product lines are two different proposals to improvingthe productivity and effectiveness of software development.Flexible processes are “value-centric”, meaning that the focus is on delivering businessvalue early with evolutionary delivery [Gilb97] instead of extensive up-front design.Some other defining aspects of flexible processes include reduced artifacts and anemphasis on informal face-to-face communication. Flexible processes promise toimprove productivity by reducing overhead.J. Yip, G. Succi, E. Liu (June 2000) How do Flexible Processes Relate to Software Product-Lines?  Proceedings of the First International Conference on Extreme Programming and Flexible Processes in Software Engineering (XP2000), Cagliari, Italy
Beamforming for MIMO-OFDM wireless systems

- The demand for wireless communication system increased in modern world. OFDM is used to reduce the interference and splits the data into several parallel narrow band channels with various frequencies orthogonally. MIMO is used to increase the capacity of the channel and increases the data rate. MIMO-OFDM is the combination of both OFDM and MIMO which is used to reduce the complexity in the system. Smart antennas are used for beamforming. The smart antennas perform two techniques which are Direction of Arrival (DOA) and beamforming. DOA is estimated by using Multiple Signal Classification (MUSIC) algorithm. The performance of beamforming is estimated with different modulation techniques like BPSK, QPSK, QAM in Rayleigh fading channel. To increase the Signal to noise ratio (SNR) by minimizing Bit error rate (BER). Finally, BER is reduced by increasing the values of SNR in with and without beamforming. Thus, the results are simulated with the MATLAB software.
The effectiveness of an oculometer training tape on pilot and copilot trainees in a commercial flight training program

A study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a video tape detailing the various aspects of instrument scanning by experienced pilots on performance by pilots and copilots undergoing flight training in a Boeing 737 flight simulator. The performance ratings by instructor pilots (IP's) and self-reported instrument scan behavior by trainees were compared with those of a control group. The results indicated that the training tape had little or no effect on performance by trainees in the experimental group. Feedback from the IP's and trainees suggested that a feedback strategy providing each trainee's individual instrument scan behavior might be more beneficial in flight training than the general instructional strategy of the oculometer training tape. Flight training personnel and trainees' reports of performance decrements on or around the third day of flight simulator training were investigated. The IP's performance ratings of 27 pilot and copilot trainees failed to reveal a systematic performance decrement; however, feedback from the trainees revealed that their own attribution of performance decrements was associated with the order in which their training occurred within a session. Further research was suggested.
Open innovation via virtual team : how and why do we meet?

Open innovation can take place on several levels. In this paper we will look at the virtual R&D project team level, especially at the ‘fuzzy front end’ of open innovation. We conducted qualitative research with six case studies of virtual R&D project teams, consisting of partners all over Europe. We found that most partners were intrinsically motivated for the virtual R&D project team because they were interested in the content of the project. These partners were already involved in research concerning the topic internally in the organisation. By collaboration in a virtual R&D project team they were able to put this research on a higher level. We also found that concerning the forming of the network, i.e. the virtual R&D project team, is that most partners are acquainted to each other, or are ‘acquaintances of acquaintances’.
Control of Tip Actuated Steerable Needles

Percutaneous procedures are minimally invasive medical procedures that use needles to locally operate on a target in a patient’s body. The precise placement of the needle in the body is a challenging task that can affect the quality and efficiency of these procedures. Needle insertion accuracy may be improved by robot-assisted control of steerable needles. The type of steerable needles considered in this study are needles that are being developed at the Delft University of Technology (TUD) and are intended to be used in liver biopsy procedures. The goal of this research is to prove that these needles are able to reach a predetermined target accuracy during straight needle insertion. First, the uncontrolled insertion is tested in different tissue stiffness samples and with different insertion speeds. The results show that the target is reached with an accuracy that is smaller than 1 mm only when the insertion speed and the tissue stiffness are low. Other conditions require a control of the needle steering during its insertion, so that its deviations from the straight path can be corrected for. Two controllers are applied and tested. They both use direct position feedback that comes from optical strain sensors in the needle stylet and act on the servomotors with a proportional controller. The first controller only takes into account the end-point of the needle, while the second one takes into account its whole trajectory. Results show that both controllers improve the needle insertion accuracy with respect to the uncontrolled insertion at the tested conditions, allowing to reach the target with a position error that is smaller than 1 mm. The trajectory control gave better performance than the end-point control, which is to be expected, considering that the needle is a nonholonomic system. Overall, this study proved that under specified conditions, the TUD tip actuated steerable needles are able to reach a target on a straight trajectory within a position error that is smaller than 1 mm.
Emerging technologies: bridging personal and organisational uses

Federman (2004)’s interpretation of McLuhan’s statement “the medium is the message” encourages us to notice changes that accompany a new medium, in order to shape its development and effective use. This approach has informed the development and delivery of a Year 1 undergraduate module called Emerging Technologies to 250350 students across eight different degree subjects in a United Kingdom Business School. Our students use personal digital technologies such as mobile phones, MP3 players and digital cameras; and use these to consume (and produce) social media at video sites, message boards, photo sites, and linked through social networking services to sustain and extend networks of interpersonal relations. Our expectations confirmed by Selwyn(2009) is that many students will have some proficiency in the use of social media but may not yet be critical consumers, or see them as relevant to either their study or their future career. Digital literacy is embedded within the curriculum and students’ life experiences by bridging the perspectives of personal use, and organisational use of social media as a product/service or in the delivery of other products/services. The relative newness and dynamism of social media for teachers as well as students has created a space for constructive engagement where reflexive use of the media can generate dialogue and learning. The focus in the first semester is on the development of practical skills in consuming, producing and choosing social media technologies and services. In the second semester, we turn to the impact of social media on organizations. Themes running throughout are ethics, identity, collaboration and network creation. Our pecha kucha will draw on images from student work and the contexts in which they experience emerging technologies. References Federman, M. (2004). What is the Meaning of the Medium is the Message? Retrieved 27 July, 2009, from http://individual.utoronto. ca/markfederman/article_mediumisthemessage. htm Selwyn, N. (2009). The digital native: myth and reality. Aslib Proceedings, 61(4), 364 379.
The internet usage amongst Universiti Malaysia Sabah students: The role of demographic and motivational variables

The Internet has spread through to our daily lives, and also the world of education is no exception. The days where students are truly rely upon teachers and the textbooks for learning resources are gone. Now day teachers have smoothen the progress of learning where students are encouraged to use multiple sources especially from the Cyberspace. This study determines the relationship between motivational variables (intrinsic and extrinsic), demographic variable and the Internet usage (frequency and actual usage). Previous study found that student's especially male students display the higher usage of Internet activities and also in terms of age differences was negatively related to any Internet activities especially to messaging and downloading activities. This study done shows that perceived usefulness is the important driver for Internet usage. For perceived ease of use was positively related to browsing and downloading activities while perceived enjoyment was positively related to all Internet activities expect for downloading.
Identification of Human Walking Patterns Using 3-D Dynamic Modeling

Title of Thesis: IDENTIFICATION OF HUMAN WALKING PATTERNS USING 3D-DYNAMIC MODELING Kaustav Nandy, Master of Science, 2006 Thesis Directed By: Professor. Rama Chellappa Department of Electrical And Computer Engineering One of the most common activities of our day to day life is walking. However simulating a human walking motion is one of the most difficult tasks to accomplish. Inherently it is an inverted pendulum like system and involves a large number of degrees of freedom. In this thesis we have modeled the human walking motion. The system is designed using a human body model in the form of a kinematic chain consisting of rigid links and revolute joints. Human walking patterns contain information like identity, presence of physical disability and loading conditions of a person like carrying a backpack. We have extracted some of these information and have used our model to discriminate various walking motions. The information that we have used are joint torque and angle sequences modeled using ARMA modeling and Dynamic Time Warping. Our human walking model is validated by comparing it with Stanford marker data. IDENTIFICATION OF HUMAN WALKING PATTERNS USING 3-D DYNAMIC MODELING by Kaustav Nandy Thesis submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School of the University of Maryland, College Park, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science 2006 Thesis Advisory Committee: Professor. Rama Chellappa, Chairman/Advisor Professor. Carol Y. Espy-Wilson Dr. Qinfen Zheng c © Copyright by Kaustav Nandy 2006 Dedicated To My Parents .