Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Double-DCCCAE: Estimation of Sequential Body Motion Using Wave-Form - AlltheSmooth

Different types of inputs (e.g., speech, text, motion) to motion estimation have been widely investigated in frame-based system, but these do not reflect the temporal relationship between speech and motion. It is common in the literature to use multiple frames of input to estimate one frame of motion data, this would increase the input’s dimension dramatically if one must estimate sequential motion. We also show that the correlation gets weaker be-tween multiple blocks of speech and multiple frames of motion data. To resolve the problems, we extend our previous work and propose a frame-based system that estimates the motion in a sequential manner, double deep canonical correlation constrained autoencoder (Double-DCCCAE), which encodes sequential features (speech/motion) into frame-based embedded features with error and canonical correlation analysis (CCA) loss. The learnt motion embedded feature is estimated from the learnt speech-embedded feature through a simple feed-forward neural network and further decoded back to the sequential raw motion. Our proposed feature pair showed higher correlation than spectral features with motion data, and our model was more preferred than the baseline model (BA) in terms of human-likeness and had similar appropriateness.
A fuzzy expert system for the forecasting of wind speed and power generation in wind farms

This paper presents a fuzzy expert system that forecasts the wind speed at a wind energy conversion system (WECS) site and the electrical power that will be generated. The user can define the forecast horizon, which can range from some minutes up to several hours ahead. After training, the system can make reliable wind speed forecasts in less than a second. The system implements wind speed and direction measuring stations that are installed around and in the WECS site. The stations send measurements via wireless modems to a central computer running the fuzzy expert system, which exploits any spatial correlation existing among the measuring stations' wind speed time series. For the training of the fuzzy expert system two genetic algorithm implementations were used and compared.
Gadoterate meglumine - anionic linear globular dendrimer second generation: A novel nano sized theranostic contrast agent

Objective(s): Cancer is known as one of the most life-threatening diseases in the world. Early diagnosis of cancer may significantly increase the chance of effective treatment. In the recent years, the importance of medical imaging usage has been increased to identify cancer’s nature and pattern of growth in order to provide the most advantageous treatment approaches for cancer tumors. Magnetic resonance imaging is an efficient non-invasive tool for early diagnosis of cancer which provides clear scans of various tissues without radiation. Contrast Agents such as Gadoterate Meglumine enhance contrast MR imaging and provide imaging from inside the cells without entering them.Materials and Methods: In this study, Gadoterate Meglumine nano-sized anionic linear globular dendrimer second generation was first synthesized and then qualitative and quantitative methods were carried out to ensure the proper synthesis and to assess the toxicity of the compound. Once the non-toxicity of the chemical was ensured, in vivo MR imaging studies was performed to test the impact of the synthesized compound on the resolution of image. Results: The result obtained from this study demonstrated that the attachment of Gadolinium (III) to a nano dendrimer reduces its cytotoxicity and also improved resolution of image. In this research, Gadoterate Meglumine nano-sized anionic linear globular dendrimer second generation was effectively able to enter the cells while showing low cytotoxicity in the normal cells and moderate cytotoxicity on cancer cells. Conclusion: Therefore, ALGDG2-GM could be introduced as a novel, safe, effective and promising nano-sized theranostic contrast agent candidate.
Research on Electronic Materials with Design of a Down-Conversion Mixer Based on Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm

This paper presents principles of a down-converted mixer for four sub-harmonic and proposes a particle swarm optimization algorithm as a global search algorithm, and the performance equation is used as the assessment of the mixer circuit optimization method. Dielectric substrate adopts Electronic Materials with RF/Duroid 5880 whose dielectric constant is 2.20 and 5mil in thickness. The optimization algorithm can quickly get optimal results. The simulation results show that this mixer achieves higher 1 dB compression point, loss of frequency conversion which is less than 15 dB and good linearity.
Modeling of dry stiction in micro electro-mechanical systems (MEMS)

Stiction, a term commonly used in micro electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) to refer to adhesion, is a major failure mode in MEMS. Undesirable stiction, which results from contact between surfaces, can severely compromise the reliability of MEMS. In this paper, a model is developed to predict the dry stiction between uncharged micro parts in MEMS. In dry stiction the interacting surfaces are assumed to be either hydrophobic or placed in a dry environment. In this condition the van der Waals (vdW) and asperity deformation forces are dominant. Here a model is developed for the vdW force between rough micro surfaces, and the new model is combined with a newly developed multiple asperity point model for the elastic/plastic deformation of rough surfaces in contact to solve the equilibrium condition of the forces. This in turn will yield the equilibrium distance between micro surfaces, using which the apparent work of adhesion can be found. The theory result is compared with the available experimental data from the literature. The developed model can be easily used for design purposes. If the topographic data and material constants are known, the desirable adhesion parameters can be quickly found from the model.
Decision Making and Patronage Behaviour in Islamic Co-operatives in Aceh, Indonesia

Although the number of Islamic co-operatives' memberships only amounted to 2.51 million people (11.19%) to the total membership of co-operatives in Indonesia nationwide, but it has shown a rising trend in its membership by 76.11% over the last decade (Ministry of Co-Operatives & SMEs, 2019). These figures raise an essential research question: what drives the decision of Indonesian citizens to patronage Islamic co-operatives? Specifically, this study explores pertinent determinants of decision-making made by the members to select Islamic co-operatives in Aceh, Indonesia. A number of 280 members and non-members of Islamic co-operatives were selected as the sample of the study using a purposive sampling technique. Based on the logistic multiple regression technique, the study recorded that the members' decision-making in selecting Islamic co-operatives was mainly determined by their shari'ah compliance and characteristics' uniqueness. Meanwhile, physical facilities and services quality provided by the Islamic co-operatives have insignificant effects on the people's decision-making to become the memberships of Islamic co-operatives. This empirical evidence suggested that to attract more memberships, the Islamic co-operatives should improve their shari'ah compliance and characteristics' uniqueness.
Implementing Effective Communication Among Hajj Pilgrims

During the Hajj season, the pilgrims will perform their Hajj in the Holy Land of Mecca, Saudi Arabia houses. Performing hajj is the fifth principle of Islam and it is compulsory for all Muslims who have the physical and financial capability to perform Hajj at least once in their lifetime. For that, health quality is important to be preserved because it not only helps clear the flow of Hajj but also ensures the safety of the pilgrims’ journey. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the communicative strategy by Utas Travel agency in creating the awareness of healthcare services for the pilgrims. Data analysis will be employing the qualitative approach. Interviewing will be adopted onto the pilgrims who have performed Hajj for a few years ago and for the first time. Interview will be done onto about 50 pilgrims using openended questions and data will be analysed using thematic analysis. The research outcome will benefit Utas Travel agency in identifying an effective communicative strategy in creating a healthcare service model awareness for pilgrims. This study can add to the pool of knowledge. The purpose of the study is therefore to develop an effective communication model for promoting the Hajj sector.
Meeting the needs of all: Why schools in Kuwait are failing to meet their moral obligation and what can be learned from the U.S. education system

Inclusive education is an aim for all nations. To achieve that goal, countries such as Kuwait need to focus on educational policies and strategies designed to ensure that all students benefit from an appropriate educational environment. Factors needed to create inclusive schools are leadership, vision, commitment, professional development and effective instructional practices centered on individualized and differentiated curricula. First, the authors of the paper describe the United States (U.S.) experience with inclusion and how Kuwait can reshape, import, and adopt the U.S. special education model. Second, the authors present recommendations for implementing inclusive education. It is hoped that the recommendations made in this paper move Kuwait forward in a speedy manner as they design and implement inclusive education policy.
Modeling and Analysis of DC-Link Capacitors Subjected to High Frequency Conducted Disturbances in Electronic Equipment

Occurrence of high frequency emission due to increasing use of power electronic based equipment challenges the functioning of equipment, e.g., malfunctions of equipment, audible noise or performance/lifetime degradation of dc-link capacitor. When subjected to a high frequency voltage distortion, an ac–dc converter draws intermittent current of the same frequency, this is referred to as “intermittent conduction. ” In this article, a link between intermittent conduction and dc-link capacitor current has, for the first time, been constituted through a mathematical expression. Based on this, a model that can quantify the impacts on dc-link capacitor and calculate maximum allowed voltage in the frequency range of 2–150 kHz, so called “supraharmonics (SHs),” has been proposed for avoiding degradations. Besides modeling, a testing technique is implemented where maximum allowed voltage can be identified for an equipment under test. The result shows that dc-link capacitor's stress can be managed under the SHs if maximum SH voltages are respected. The proposed model gives a better understanding of SH impacts on dc-link capacitor and the mechanisms behind. This article has been limited to equipment that draws input current lower than 16 A as they exhibit more nonlinear characteristic and longer zero crossing, which results in intermittent conduction.
Variable-Frequency Drives - Three perspectives

SUMMARY Variable-frequency drives (VFDs) are used for efficient control of AC motors in various electro-mechanical systems like pumps, fans, and compressors. It is expected that the use of VFD systems will increase due to their energy saving potential. However, there are certain challenges in securing continuous operation of VFDs in safety-critical systems. In a recent pre-study, based on a literature survey and interviews, three main challenges have been identified. These are, (1) New techniques for improved power semiconductor monitoring to meet rising demands on reliability when VFDs are applied in critical applications, (2) New techniques to model the electrodynamics of VFD systems to allow for EMC studies, (3) Adopting and developing international standards for software frameworks to allow for robust operation of VFD systems. These three main challenges are now addressed in a recently started multidisciplinary project including three PhD students and will continue until 2018.
Direct current ripple compensation for multi-phase fault-tolerant machines

A second-harmonic direct current (DC) ripple compensation technique is presented for a multi-phase, fault-tolerant, permanent magnet machine. The analysis has been undertaken in a general manner for any pair of phases in operation with the remaining phases inactive. The compensation technique determines the required alternating currents in the machine to eliminate the second-harmonic DC-link current, while at the same time minimising the total rms current in the windings. An additional benefit of the compensation technique is a reduction in the magnitude of the electromagnetic torque ripple. Practical results are included from a 70 kW, five-phase generator system to validate the analysis and illustrate the performance of the compensation technique.
Ambient lighting controller based on reinforcement learning components of multi-agents

The paper presents a vision of sustainable eco-social laboratory, the ESLab which might be used to speed up the process of development of the recently proposed by authors of the Smart Eco-Social Apartment. It is presented the multi-agent model of the ambient comfort measurement and environment control system to be used for the development of the ESLab . The human Ambient Lighting Affect Reward index, the ALAR index is proposed at the first time used for development of the Reinforcement Learning Based Ambient Comfort Controller, the RLBACC for the ESLab. The ALAR index is dependent on human physiological parameters: the temperature, the ECG - electrocardiogram and the EDA -electro-dermal activity. The fuzzy logic is used to approximate the ALAR index function by defining two fuzzy inference systems: the Arousal-Valence System , and the Ambient Lighting Affect Reward (ALAR) System. The goal of the RLBACC is to find such the environmental state characteristics that create an optimal comfort for people affected by this environment. The Radial Basis Neural Network is used as the main component of the RLBACC to performing of two roles - the policy structure, known as the Actor , used to select actions, and the estimated value function, known as the Critic that criticizes the actions made by the Actor . The Critic in this paper was used as a value function approximation of the continuous learning tasks of the RLBACC . Ill. 9, bibl. 7 (in English; abstracts in English and Lithuanian). DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.5755/j01.eee. 121.5. 1656
A DC controlled reactor using thyristors

Saturable reactors are used widely to obtain an inductance dependent on the dc current in the control winding. These saturable reactors generate harmonics that may cause undesired harmonic resonances. This paper develops an inductor arrangement that generates negligible harmonics and the inductance varies almost linearly with dc voltage. The arrangement basically consists of a binary arrangement of inductors and a vernier inductor. The vernier inductor is used to provide smooth transition between discrete switching of the binary inductors. A control scheme using analogue and digital techniques is developed to monitor the firing of the thyristors for the switching arrangement. The system is analyzed and the experimental results are compared with the theoretical results. The system developed has maximum utilization of the thyristors and the maximum inductive kVA that can be controlled is limited by maximum available ratings of the thyristors.
Principles and Labs for Physical Fitness

This fitness text contains Chapters 2-11 from Hoeger's best-selling PRINCIPLES AND LABS FOR FITNESS AND WELLNESS, with a distinct Chapters 1 and 12. This text gives students the tools to apply their learning experiences and knowledge from their fitness and wellness course using motivation techniques and behavioral modification. Perforated laboratory worksheets found at the end of each chapter make it ideal for fitness and wellness courses with a lab component.
Failure Modes of Doubly Supported Capacitive RF MEMS Switches

For the design of radio frequency micro-electro-mechanical systems (RF MEMS) switches, the reliability issue becomes increasingly important. This paper represents some failure phenomena of doubly supported capacitive RF MEMS switches that include observable destruction failure and directly measurable parameter degradation obtained from the actuating-voltage testing and scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation. The relevant failure modes as well as their failure mechanisms are identified.
Creative workplace: instrumental and symbolic support for creativity

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to gain insight into the relationship between the physical workplace and creativity.Design/methodology/approach – The paper summarises literature from business management, psychology, environmental psychology and facility management to define creativity, creative process and determinants of creativity, and their subsequent relations with the physical workplace. It describes a set of interviews with creative professionals on their understanding of the creative workplace.Findings – The review of the literature reveals knowledge gaps and fragmentation in research about the relation between creativity and the physical workplace. The interviews provide further insight into the relationship between creativity and the physical workplace, showing its plurality and complexity.Originality/value – Most of the literature about creativity and physical workplace reports on supporting communication. Creativity research is broad and recognises culture, process and activities as crea.
Impact of Chevron Alignment Sign on Driver Stress on Horizontal Curves: A Simulator Study

The chevron alignment sign is an important element of curve delineation devices, and it mainly allows for better visibility when approaching the curve and provides positive guidance while navigating through a curve. However, few researches in China have been conducted to study its effects on drivers’ stress. This current study, based on a driving simulator experiment, focused on testing the effectiveness of chevron alignment sign on driver stress; meanwhile, researchers also tested if the function of chevron signs on driver nervousness was affected by curve roadway geometry (i.e., curve direction and curve radius). Thirty drivers participated in the experiment and the data of heart rate and their subjective feeling were collected through an AKF2 dynamic multi-parameter physiological recorder and through their verbal reports, respectively. The scenarios used in this experiment consisted of twelve different horizontal curves with combinations of chevrons presence, curve radius and curve direction. The results showed that in sharp-radius curve, drivers’ stress tended to be at a lower level and thus their heart rate was relatively low when chevrons were presented and the drivers’ perceived safe speed was higher. However, with the increased of the curve radius, the result was opposite. Therefore, the effect of chevrons was significant in sharp curve, and decreased with the increased of the curve radius.
Atrazine Transport in Irrigated Heavy- and Coarse-Textured Soils, Part I: Field Studies

Abstract Groundwater pollution in agricultural areas is a result of the excessive use of fertilizers and herbicides, and is a major concern in industrialized countries. In the Sorraia valley, Portugal, irrigated agriculture plays a very important role in the region's economy. This study was conducted to investigate the movement of atrazine through the soil profile, in two different but representative soils of this region, under irrigated conditions. Two plots, one located in a silty loam soil of recent alluvial origin and the second in a sandy soil of ancient alluvial formation, were selected for this study and were divided into three sub-plots for monitoring the movement of atrazine as a function of irrigation. The silty loam soil was under surface irrigation (furrowed level basin) during the summers of 1996 and 1997. The sandy soil was under surface irrigation (short blocked furrows) during the summer of 1996 and under sprinkler irrigation during 1997. Atrazine was applied to the surface at a rate of 1·2 kg a.i./ha in the silty loam soil, and at a rate of 1·0 kg a.i./ha in the sandy soil in Spring of 1996 and 1997. Several irrigations were applied during the months of July–September. The soil in each plot was monitored for water content and atrazine concentrations. The results of this study indicated that physical properties of the alluvial soil did not favour atrazine transport to deeper soil depths, but larger irrigations caused atrazine leaching to deeper depths. Similar observations in the sandy soil indicated that significant movement of atrazine occurred due to heavy rains a few days after atrazine application in 1996. The results also indicated that overirrigation resulted in leaching of atrazine in this coarse soil. For both alluvial and sandy soils, no residual accumulation of atrazine was observed during these two years. The translocation of atrazine was not found to be very high, and the highest atrazine concentrations were always found in the 0–10 cm depth soil layer for both soils.
Evaluating the reliability of component‐based software systems

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the reliability of individual software components in terms of the probability that each software component performs its intended functionality successfully. The overall software system reliability is evaluated.Design/methodology/approach – This paper incorporates the reliability behavior of component‐based software system using Markov process.Findings – It is found that the component‐based software system reliability increases as the component reliability increases.Originality/value – This paper explores new directions in evaluating the reliability of component‐based software systems for software reliability and offers practical help to researchers and software industries in reliable software development. The proposed software simulation technique will act as a tool for the software quality assurance team for evaluating the reliability of component‐based software systems.
Dynamic evaluation and control of blood clotting using a microfluidic platform for high-throughput diagnostics

Microfluidic technology has the potential to revolutionise blood-clotting diagnostics by incorporating key physiological blood flow conditions like shear rate. In this paper we present a customised dynamic microfluidic system, which evaluates the blood clotting response to multiple conditions of shear rate on a single microchannel. The system can achieve high-throughput testing through use of an advanced fluid control system, which provides with rapid and precise regulation of the blood flow conditions in the platform. We present experimental results that demonstrate the potential of this platform to develop into a high-throughput, low-cost, blood-clotting diagnostics device.
The bridge stabilized oscillator

A new type of constant frequency oscillator of very high stability is presented. The frequency controlling resonant element is used as one arm of a Wheatstone resistance bridge. Kept in balance automatically by a thermally controlled arm, this bridge provides constancy of output amplitude, purity of wave form, and stabilization against fluctuations in power supply or changes in circuit elements. A simple one-tube circuit has operated consistently with no short-time frequency variations greater than ± 2 parts in 108. Convenient means are provided for making precision adjustments over a narrow range of frequencies to compensate for long-time aging effects. Description of the circuit is followed by a brief linear analysis and an account of experimental results. Operating records are given for a 100 kc. oscillator.