Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EXAMINING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF GAMIFICATION AND GAME-BASED LEARNING IN THE CONTEXT OF BLOCKCHAIN

In the world of gaming, there has been a shift from games being used solely for entertainment, to games being used as a medium to educate. For this matter, there are two methods of making a game which are gamification or game-based learning. The former is the use of game elements, such as health points or leader boards, and they are applied to a non-gaming platform. The latter, game-based learning, includes developing a full-fledged game where the means towards the end, that is to say victory are set in a world where the player has to apply the teachings given to advance. Since this is an IT-related research, the topic chosen for this study is Blockchain, an ever-expanding sector over the past decade. Different parts of Blockchain's makeup have been dissected into small, comprehensible pieces of information in the applications created, which a brand new student to the form can take in at their own pace. Should this study go beyond this research, it would be beneficial for the experiments to have two games designed and created by someone who has the artistic and technical capabilities of creating their own assets. This would leave a better impression with the test subjects and ideally receive a better data set for examination.
Compact E-band planar quasi-Yagi antenna with folded dipole driver

A broadband planar quasi-Yagi antenna using a folded dipole driver is presented. The new antenna element is realised on a low dielectric constant substrate and it is suitable for millimetre-wave applications using low-cost thick-film fabrication. The advantage of the quasi-Yagi antenna with folded dipole driver compared to the standard quasi-Yagi antenna is a reduction in the length of the driver, which allows closer spacing of the elements for array applications on low dielectric constant substrates. Use of the folded dipole driver gives a 4:1 impedance range because of its extra parameters. The element was designed for E-band applications, but operates over a much wider bandwidth of approximately 1.3:1. Mutual coupling between two antenna elements in an array environment is investigated and results obtained are similar to conventional quasi-Yagi antenna elements. Four linear arrays, each containing four elements and having a different beamforming network, were fabricated to demonstrate the scanning capabilities of the folded dipole quasi-Yagi antenna, and measured reflection coefficient, radiation patterns and gain for each array are presented.
The Research about the Wind Turbines Pitch Control

Based on the background of wind power, considering the wind blade sweep area on the uneven distribution, this paper is using the PID control algorithm to control the pitch system. At the same time, this paper is using Siemens SCL to programming, simulating on the experimental platform. Simulation results show the validity of the theory and the feasibility of the system, realizing variable pitch control of fan blade.
PID Control Optimization for Shuttle Kiln Temperature Based on Genetic Algorithm

Aiming at the coke oven temperature characteristics of great inertia pure time-delay, non-linear and time changeable, a new method that genetic algorithm is introduced to optimize PID parameters is proposed . In calculation of iteration, the optimal solutions are always reserved to guarantee all individuals to converge to the global optimization. For obtaining perfect control effect, the square of control quantity and overshoot-punishment item are set to an objective function with a time-integral to the absolute value of error. The genetic PID algorithm is adopted to control the output temperature. The simulation results of the proposed algorithm applied to a simplified oven model show the feasibility of the method
An Experimental Study of Journal Bearing Lubrication Effected by Journal Misalignment as a Result of Shaft Deformation Under Load

Journal bearing friction pair system is one of the most general and essential parts used in various mechanical devices. A special test bench is developed for the study on lubrication performance of cylindrical journal bearings. The effect of journal misalignment as a result of shaft bending under load is studied. The results show obvious changes at distribution and value of oil film pressure, oil film thickness and oil temperature of journal bearing due to journal misalignment. The higher the load on the shaft, the larger the journal misalignment resulted from shaft deformation, the more obvious effect on lubrication performance of journal bearing.
Prognostic value of Ki-67 in patients with hypertension and prostate cancer: A real-world study in a Chinese population

Background Prostate cancer is the second most common malignancy in males worldwide, with high mortality, especially when combined with hypertension. Ki-67 is one of the most reliable markers of growth for neoplastic human cell populations. However, the prognostic value of Ki-67 in patients with hypertension and prostate cancer remains unclear.Methods We retrospectively analyzed 296 patients with hypertension and prostate cancer from May 1, 2012, to October 1, 2015. The overall survival was evaluated by Cox regression models and Kaplan-Meier analysis. In addition, a nomogram was established, and the accuracy of the model was assessed by a calibration curve.Results A total of 101 (34.1%) patients died. In the multivariate analysis, being Ki-67(+) was associated with a >5-fold increase in the risk of death (hazard ratio [HR] 5.83, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.35-10.14, p<0.001) and a 2-fold increase in the risk of progression (HR 2.06, 95% CI 1.37-3.10, p<0.001). Multivariate Lasso regression showed that smoking, heart failure, ACS, Ki-67 expression, serum albumin, prognostic nutritional index, surgery, Gealson score, and stage were positively associated with prognosis in patients with prostate cancer. To quantify the contribution of each covariate to the prognosis, a nomogram of the Cox model was generated. The nomogram demonstrated excellent accuracy in estimating the risk of death, with a bootstrap-corrected C index of 0.829. There was also a suitable calibration curve for risk estimation.Conclusions The presence of Ki-67 predicts worsened outcomes for overall mortality. A cross-validated multivariate score including Ki-67 had excellent concordance and efficacy for predicting prostate cancer.
A neural network bid/no bid model: the case for contractors in Syria

Despite the crucial importance of the ‘bid/no bid’ decision in the construction industry, it has been given little attention by researchers. This paper describes the development and testing of a novel bid/no bid model using the artificial neural network (ANN) technique. A back‐propagation network consisting of an input buffer with 18 input nodes, two hidden layers and one output node was developed. This model is based on the findings of a formal questionnaire through which key factors that affect the ‘bid/no bid’ decision were identified and ranked according to their importance to contractors operating in Syria. Data on 157 real‐life bidding situations in Syria were used in training. The model was tested on another 20 new projects. The model wrongly predicted the actual bid/no bid decision only in two projects (10%) of the test sample. This demonstrates a high accuracy of the proposed model and the viability of neural network as a powerful tool for modelling the bid/no bid decision‐making process. The model offers a simple and easy‐to‐use tool to help contractors consider the most influential bidding variables and to improve the consistency of the bid/no bid decision‐making process. Although the model is based on data from the Syrian construction industry, the methodology would suggest a much broader geographical applicability of the ANN technique on bid/no bid decisions.
High-frequency radiating element and modified 3 dB/90° electronic shifting circuit with circular polarisation for broadband reflectarray device cells

The design of a high-frequency radiating element plus a broadband shifting circuit for reflectarray device cells is provided. The cell design is based on modified broadband 3 dB/90° reflecting circuit interlacing polarisation, along with a multilayered planar radiating element. The basics of the structure are to capture the signal at each cell of the reflectarray, to introduce the proper phase shift by means of the modified 3 dB/90° shifter and to re-radiate the signal again towards the radiating direction. This device reduces the complexity of the reflectarray cells in terms of design and manufacturing, enabling it to deal with circular polarisation in an easily affordable manner. The complete design of the unitary cell is provided.
Stochastic and Deterministic Analysis of Evaporative Cooling Benefits for Laying Hens

ABSTRACT Amodel for predicting layer performance as a function of inside temperature was used to determine the effects of evaporative cooling and local climatic effects on economic return. A stochastic weather model analysis was used to determine the effects of geographic location upon production with and without evaporative cooling and the effect of flock placement date. The stochastic analysis demonstrated the need to use a minimum of 50 years of replication to reasonably determine expected performance due to significant yearly variations in production response. Yearly variations were particularly large for the number of eggs produced and their distribution by size. The stochastic analysis yielded very different results than an analysis using a deterministic weather model, which has been the normal method of analysis to date. The simulation results strongly indicated that evaporative cooling can provide significant production benefits even in moderate northern climates and that flock placement date strongly affected expected returns.
Research on Relay Selection Based on Two-Hop Multi-Relay Networks

A relay selection criteria was proposed based on time division non-orthogonal cooperation, aiming at solving the problem of relay selection in the two-hop multi-relay cooperative communication to predigest the system design. The system BER (bit error rate) expression was obtained with its performance analysis under the condition of high SNR. Furthermore, computer simulations was conducted to show that the system diversity order is increased with the increase of the relay number under the condition of the distributed relay selection criterion, and diversity gain can be obtained significantly with the BER of the system significant decreasing.
Active frequency-tripler MMICs for 300 GHz signal generation

Two frequency-tripler monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs) reaching sub-millimeter-wave output frequencies of 315 GHz are presented. The convenient integration of transistor–based field effect transistor (FET) frequency multipliers into multifunctional MMICs is shown by integration of a single–stage frequency-tripler with a buffer amplifier generating −0.5 dBm of peak output power at 288. Without post-amplification an average output power of −10.1 dBm in the output frequency range from 285 to 315 is measured with 10 dBm of input power. The 3-dB bandwidth is more than 30 GHz and could not be determined exactly due to the measurement setup. Both MMICs are realized in a 50 nm metamorphic high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) transistor technology. A multiple power-meter measurement technique including a waveguide filter is used to measure accurately the second harmonic power content within the output spectrum.
The Use of a High Resolution Accident Data Recorder in the Field

The Mannesmann Kienzle UDS2165 Accident Data Recorder has been fitted to several vehicles in a fleet of cars in London as a trial of its effectiveness as an accident investigation tool. The characteristics of the device, which provides a record of driving for 30 seconds before and 15 seconds after an accident, are described together with the results from trials. The advantages of such a device are considerable, in that it provides information which is either of greater accuracy than that obtained by traditional methods, or which is not available at all. This includes speed and acceleration, heading angle and the use of brakes, direction indicators and lights throughout the whole 45 second period. (A) For the covering abstract of the conference see IRRD 882390.
Planners' Technical Expertise: Changing Paradigms and Practices in the Italian Experience

Planners' technical expertise has evolved from architectural-engineering bases to include socio-economic and environmental issues, as well as communication methods and participatory procedures. This progress challenges professional practices and educational programmes, and produces a looser image of the planner, in contrast with that of engineers and architects. After an analysis of how technical paradigms have evolved in the planning discipline in Italy, the paper focuses on the emerging types of expertise that are expected to form the planner's ‘toolbox’. This requires linking the discipline's progress with that of the professional practice, as well as connecting the legal framework with the educational system. The paper concludes by analysing the different kinds of technical expertise, taking into consideration the diverse roles played by planners.
Minimalism beyond the Nurnberg funnel

Reconstructing minimalism principles and heuristics for designing minimalist instruction ten misconceptions about minimalism exploring minimalism today - a view from practitioner's window follow-up on training in minimalism - how are technical communicators using minimalism? choosing a minimalist approach for expert users minimalism for complex tasks minimalism in technical communication -some issues to consider layering as a safety net for minimalist documentation optimizing the joint handling of manual and screen minimalism - a quality strategy for success the art of minimalism -constructing a rhetorical theory of computer documentation practical problems and proposed solutions in designing action-centred documentation minimalism - a case of information transfer in technical communication minimalism - an agenda for research and practice.
Piezoelectric resonant micromirror with high frequency and large deflection applying mechanical leverage amplification

This paper presents design, fabrication and measurements for single-axis piezoelectric MEMS micromirrors with 1 mm2 apertures. These micromirrors, which feature thin-film PZT actuators and mechanical leverage amplification, are dedicated for laser projection and meet the requirements of high resonant frequency and large deflection angles. To identify the optimal micromirror geometries a parametric study by means of FEM simulations and analytic modeling has been performed. Characterization, related to the material qualities of PZT and the mechanical performance of the micromirrors, have verified the reliability of the process, the robustness and the performance of the fabricated prototypes. According to the measurements the fabricated micromirrors feature high Q-factor about 1570. The micromirror reaches the θopt·D product of 42.5 °·mm at 32 kHz driven by a low voltage of 7 V. Furthermore, new designs with larger apertures and deflections are currently being developed.
Smart ROV LATIS in Action: Sea Trials

Abstract ROV LATIS is a next generation smart ROV with multiple modes of operation: Surface-Tow Mode, Surface-Thrusted Mode, ROV Operation Mode & ROV Submerged Tow in Strong Currents Mode. It is designed as a prototype platform to demonstrate system validity & operability and to prove new technologies developed in the Mobile and Marine Robotics Research Centre. Research outcomes are applicable to the growing international off-shore oil and gas sector, and also for future deployment, monitoring, and maintenance of ocean energy devices (in particular - wave energy converters and tidal turbines). System validation and technology demonstration was performed through a series of test trials with different support vessels off the west coast of Ireland. Selected results of the most recent field trials are presented in this paper.
Theory and experiment of PMD compensation with DOP as feedback signal

In this paper, the degradation of signal degree of polarization (DOP) by first and second order polarization mode dispersion (PMD) in 40Gb/s RZ and NRZ optical communication is analyzed by numerical simulation. The simulation results show that the degradation of signal DOP by first order PMD is monotony, but which is fluctuated by second order PMD. The influence of two components of second order PMD on DOP for NRZ code and RZ are also investigated by numerical simulation method. The results also show that the influence of the depolarization component and the PCD component on NRZ and RZ data formats are different. Those results will provide the theory basis for how to select proper compensation arithmetic. A compensation system is founded to compensate the first and high order PMD effectively by DOP as feedback signal and particle swarm optimizer (PSO) as compensation arithmetic. Here, we introduce an intelligent method PSO as a searching algorithm to multi-DOF (degree of freedom) PMD compensation, The PSO algorithm used here is described as: (1) Local neighborhood structure is employed to avoid being trapped into sub-optima. (2) 20 particles are employed. So 20 time units (less than 20 ms) are required in one iteration. (3) The maximum iteration number is set to 50. The experiment result show that the first and second PMD can be compensated at the same times for 10 Gb/s RZ and NRZ by using DOP as feedback signal and PSO as searching algorithm.
Multi-output buck-boost converter with enhanced dynamic response to load and input voltage changes

This paper presents a new multi-output DC/DC converter topology that has step-up and step-down conversion capabilities. In this topology, several output voltages can be generated which can be used in different applications such as multilevel converters with diode-clamped topology or power supplies with several voltage levels. Steady state and dynamic equations of the proposed multi-output converter have been developed, that can be used for steady state and transient analysis. Two control techniques have been proposed for this topology based on constant and dynamic hysteresis band height control to address different applications. Simulations have been performed for different operating modes and load conditions to verify the proposed topology and its control technique. Additionally, a laboratory prototype is designed and implemented to verify the simulation results.
Computational Improvements to Estimating Kriging Metamodel Parameters

The details of a method to reduce the computational burden experienced while estimating the optimal model parameters for a Kriging model are presented. A Kriging model is a type of surrogate model that can be used to create a response surface based a set of observations of a computationally expensive system design analysis. This Kriging model can then be used as a computationally efficient surrogate to the original model, providing the opportunity for the rapid exploration of the resulting tradespace. The Kriging model can provide a more complex response surface than the more traditional linear regression response surface through the introduction of a few terms to quantify the spatial correlation of the observations. Implementation details and enhancements to gradient-based methods to estimate the model parameters are presented. It concludes with a comparison of these enhancements to using maximum likelihood estimation to estimate Kriging model parameters and their potential reduction in computational burden. These enhancements include the development of the analytic gradient and Hessian for the log-likelihood equation of a Kriging model that uses a Gaussian spatial correlation function. The suggested algorithm is similar to the SCORING algorithm traditionally used in statistics.
Environmental Impact Research Program. Two-Equation, Depth-Integrated Turbulence Closure for Modeling Geometry-Dominated Flows.

Abstract : The state-of-the-art of nearfield hydrodynamic modeling has recently evolved to a point where the use of simple eddy viscosity/diffusivity closure models may no longer be satisfactory. In this report, a new and much improved method for addressing the turbulent transport mechanism in depth-integrated hydrodynamic models is presented. In addition, results of steady-state model simulations utilizing k-e closure are presented along with specific recommendations for future model improvement. (Author)
Comprex R Supercharging for Passenger Diesel Car Engines

Based on experience with supercharging of engines in commercial vehicles, investigations have been carried out during the past two years on diesel engines for automobiles. The results as regards performance, fuel consumption, and the characteristics of the exhaust gas are very encouraging, so that a complete range of pressure-wave superchargers is in preparation to cover a range of between about 30 and 100 kW.
Variations, relations and clinical significance of carotid arterial system in anterior neck: a cadaveric study

Background: The common carotid, internal and external carotid arteries and their branches serve as major source of blood supply in head-neck region of human and are often encountered during numerous surgical and clinical interventions of neck.Methods: We dissected and examined both sides of neck in 49 well embalmed cadavers (98 sides). We recorded the following anatomical parameters of carotid arterial system-level of bifurcation, the relation between internal and external carotid arteries, branching pattern of anterior branches of external carotid artery, tortuosity in carotid arterial system, and relation of hypoglossal nerve with the carotid arteries.Results: In 56.16 % cases, the common carotid arterial bifurcation took place at the upper border of thyroid cartilage though high bifurcation was quite common (43.88%). The external carotid artery was located antero-medial to internal carotid artery in most cases (93.87%). Abnormal tortuosity of carotid arterial system was detected in 2.04% cases only. In 86.73% cases, the hypoglossal nerve crossed the internal and external carotid artery superior to carotid bifurcation above the level of hyoid bone while in 1 case it crossed immediately inferior to carotid bifurcation. In branching pattern, following variations were observed- linguo-facial trunk in 15.3% cases, thyro-lingual trunk in 5.1% cases, origin of superior thyroid artery from common carotid in 10.02% cases and origin of superior thyroid from internal carotid in one case (1.02%). Conclusions: The carotid arterial system has complex and variable anatomy in neck and this information should be kept in mind to avoid unwanted damage during surgical procedures of neck.
Electric Vehicles Aggregator Participation in Energy Markets Considering Uncertainty Travel Patterns

This research studies a general modeling to evaluate different scenarios of travel patterns and their impact on the daily cost negotiated in the Real Time and Day-Ahead market, using the GAMS methodology in a MILP model, evaluating also a characterization of the PQP market (price quantity probability). The purpose of this characterization is to determine the behavior of the electric energy market, considering also the deterioration of batteries and the negotiations of it in real time in situations of shortage and overload, optimizing in this way the effects of the analysis of the cost of the application of the battery on the different travel patterns, consequently triggering the emergence of the development of the local electric transport aggregator industry.