Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Computer Manikins in Evaluation of Manual Assembly Tasks

Digital human modelling (DHM) tools have been introduced in industry to facilitate a faster and more cost efficient design process. The research in this thesis is directed towards the DHM-tool-users’ needs and the objective is to identify difficulties and shortcomings, and identify requirements for improving the output of DHM-simulations.The research is directed towards both the tool functions and the processes related to the use of the tools. Five studies are presented in the thesis. In the first study three examples of the development of DHM-based company-specific ergonomics evaluation methods and work processes are portrayed. These illustrate the use of DHM-tools for performing static work and occupant packaging analyses, as well as customizing activities made for the implementation of the tools in companies’ work processes. This is followed by a discussion of future needs of DHM-tools including the call for ergonomics methods for evaluating full work cycles. The second study shows that DHM-tools correctly predict ergonomics issues for standing and unconstrained working postures. However, for more complex and constrained working postures the tools must be used with caution to prevent an unlikely working posture from being the result/outcome of an ergonomics simulation. The third study confirms that posture differences are found in simulation results between users who carry out identical simulation cases. However, humans are different and tasks are carried out differently. Thus, simulation engineers should preferably simulate and visualize a number of different strategies when analysing work tasks. The fourth study illustrates how the appearance of a manikin used when showing and visually evaluating ergonomics conditions makes a difference. Knowledge in ergonomics and/or experience of making visual ergonomics posture evaluations decreases the appearance modes’ influences on the observers. The fifth study exemplifies a method where time sensitive wrist exposure data are extracted from a manikin’s wrist movements. The results show that the exemplified method makes it easy to compare simulations with data from avaliable field studies. However, to be able to use the data to predict prevalence for work-related musculoskeletal disorders additional research is needed to understand the different exposure-dimensions’ (position, velocity, rest) importance as epidemiological risk factors.
Robot aided gait training and assessment: development of support strategies and assessment methods for LOPES

For the control of actuated orthoses, or gait rehabilitation robotics, kinematic reference trajectories are often required. These trajectories, consisting of joint angles, angular velocities and accelerations, are highly dependent on walking speed. We present and evaluate a novel method to reconstruct body heightand speed-dependent joint trajectories. First, we collected gait kinematics in fifteen healthy (middle) aged subjects (47-68), at a wide range of walking speeds (0.5-5 km/h). For each joint trajectory multiple key-events were selected (among which its extremes). Second, we derived regressionmodels that predict the timing, angle, angular velocity and acceleration for each keyevent, based on walking speed and the subject’s body height. Finally, quintic splines were fitted between the predicted key-events to reconstruct a full gait cycle. Regression-models were obtained for hip ab-/adduction, hip flexion/extension, knee flexion/extension and ankle plantar-/dorsiflexion. Results showed that the majority of the key-events were dependent on walking speed, both in terms of timing and amplitude, whereas the body height had less effect. The reconstructed trajectories matched the measured trajectories very well, in terms of angle, angular velocity and acceleration. For the angles the RMSE between the reconstructed and measured trajectories was 2.6°. The mean correlation coefficient between the reconstructed and measured angular trajectories was 0.91. The method and the data presented in this paper can be used to generate speed-dependent gait patterns. These patterns can be used for the control of several robotic gait applications. Alternatively they can assist the assessment of pathological gait, where they can serve as a reference for “normal” gait. Speed-dependent reference joint trajectory generation for robotic gait support 43 C h a p te r 2 2.
Frequency Transfer Techniques and Applications in Fiber Optic Communication Systems

Modern society is dependent on communications and the developments of these increases constantly through a seemingly endless demand for communication services and thereby synchronization and time. This is confirmed by a vast range of research on communications, irrespective of technology and protocol. Historically, the national metrology institutes are the distributors of stable accurate time and frequency through national timescales, but that situation has changed with the arrival of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) such as GPS (Global Positioning System). The introduction of GNSS-based solutions has resulted in improvement for system users and owners in need of time and frequency. When using a GNSS receiver, sufficient accuracy and precision is often achieved. However, a disadvantage of this development is that GNSS-solutions are based on weak radio signals that can be interfered with. The main objective of the research that forms the groundwork for this thesis is the development of new fiber based methods for time and frequency. The aim is to complement GNSS-based methods for redundancy, with the intention of strengthening the robustness of the Swedish infrastructure. The research has resulted in two unique and innovative transmission technologies, one of which has been patented (two-color, one-way). The first method is based on a non-insertion technology that utilizes passive listening to existing data frames in a fiber optical network and does not require any particular bandwidth. This technology only uses a fraction of the optical signal for time and frequency measurement from an indirect connection to the network. This method has resulted in a precision relative to the GPS carrier phase of less than 1 ns root mean square for distances exceeding 1,100 km. This precision has been achieved for all of the included experiments, conducted within the framework of the thesis, regardless of configuration. The other fiber based technology is a one-way method that uses two wavelengths (colors) for the realization of a correction algorithm and signals thereto. It was developed because the symmetry required for performing two-way time and frequency transfer is rarely precise enough. This optical fiber technique was evaluated with respect to a GPS precise point positioning technique in an urban fiber optical network. The difference in frequency stability between the two systems has been shown to be about 3 × 10-15 over an averaging interval of 10,000 s for a distance of 3 km. The method has also been evaluated in several laboratory experiments with fiber distances up to 160 km. The best performing result is presented as time resolved transit time variations compared with arrival time difference. The standard deviation of the difference between the reference measurement and the one-way, two-color technique result is 3.12 ns and the data showed temperature dependence in transit time of 6 ns / °C.
Peeking Out from under the Blinders: Some Factors We Shouldn't Forget in Studying Writing. Occasional Paper No. 25.

I am writing this essay for researchers and educators like myself as a reminder of the broad range of factors which have crucial impact on how writers write. I believe that such a reminder is useful because as we become more and more deeply absorbed in our research agendas our focus of attention tends to narrow. Our interests build empires, subjugating neighboring areas, and surrounding them with high walls which separate the "interesting" from the "not interesting. " This process can lead us systematically to ignore some very important topics which we may not see as important because they do not fit neatly into our current preoccupations.
Nonlinearity of Repeated Creep and Recovery Binder Test and Relationship with Mixture Permanent Deformation

It is recognized that the Superpave® binder rutting parameter (G*/sinδ) is not sufficient to evaluate binder contribution to asphalt mixture rutting. As a result of the NCHRP 9–10 project, a new dynamic shear rheometer test was introduced with promising results: repeated creep and recovery (RCR). For simplicity, the original RCR creep stress was 25 Pa so that the binder would stay in the linear range. However, there is evidence that stresses under traffic loads are high enough to make the binder reach the nonlinear range. This paper was prepared to cover the stress dependency of binders in the RCR test and the relationship with mixture performance. Eight different binders, modified and unmodified, were compared in the stress dependency. The relationship between binder and mixture performance was studied with mixtures prepared with two kinds of aggregates and seven different binders. Results show that the binder stress sensitivity varies significantly between binders on the basis of modification type and testing temperatures. Results of the mixture repeated creep show significant effects of modifier type and good correlation with results of the RCR of binders. For stresses until 10,000 Pa, the correlation between RCR and mixture permanent deformation is good in regard to the stress level selected. It was also noticed that binder samples that were able to withstand high levels of stress in the RCR test without collapse provided the mixtures with a lower amount of permanent deformation. The stress sweep using cyclic loading to measure G* relates well to the stress sensitivity measured with RCR.
Performance analysis of Binary FSK signals with L-Fold diversity selection combining techniques in a Nakagami-M fading channel

Abstract : This thesis investigates the performance analysis of a non-coherent Binary Frequency Shift Keying (BFSK) receiver using Selection Combining techniques over a frequency non-selective, slowly fading Nakagami channel. These techniques are independent of the number of diversity branches, so simpler receivers can be employed. First order selection Combining (SC), second order Selection Combining (SC-2) and third order Selection Combining (SC-3) techniques are evaluated and compared to each other. Numerical results show that the performance improves as the order of Selection Combining techniques increases.
Development of the Initial Small Unit Decision Making (SUDM) Assessment Battery

Abstract : In support of Marine Corps Vision and Strategy (MCV&S) 2025 Task 1 to Improve small unit leader ability to assess, decide, and act in a more decentralized manner, the USMC Training and Doctrine Command (TECOM) created the Small Unit Decision Making (SUDM) Initiative. One objective of the initiative is to develop a SUDM Assessment Battery to understand the development of decision making proficiency of infantry small unit leaders. The purpose of this report is to summarize previous work leading to the development of an Initial SUDM Assessment Battery and to highlight the development of two customized assessment instruments within the battery. The battery is based on a developmental model of maneuver squad leaders and on a multi-dimensional approach to determining decision making proficiency. An Initial SUDM Assessment Battery was developed from a literature review of available instruments and the creation of three custom instruments. Future usability testing of the custom instruments will be followed by a pilot study of the initial battery and finalization of the battery based on pilot study findings.
Full-wave Characterization of Rough Terrain Surface Effects for Forward-looking Radar Applications: A Scattering and Imaging Study from the Electromagnetic Perspective

Abstract : The performance of ultra-wideband (UWB) radar systems suffers from reflections between frontend components caused by impedance mismatch. The Synchronous Impulse Reconstruction (SIRE) radar built by the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) is no exception. While most of the radio frequency (RF) energy in each impulse is transmitted by the radar as desired, a portion of the RF energy reflects within the radar frontend. Undesired impulse echoes arrive back at the transmit antennas and are emitted from the radar. These undesired transmissions reflect from the radar environment and produce echoes in the radar image. The proposed solution for eliminating these echoes is to dissipate impulse reflections in a matched load before they are emitted. A high-speed switch directs the desired impulse to the antenna and redirects the undesired reflection from the antenna to a matched load. This report reviews the current SIRE frontend design and describes the solution for eliminating the echoes. The consequences of inserting each portion of the new circuit into the radar frontend are explained. Measurements on the new frontend show an attenuation of the undesired impulse transmissions of more than 18 dB at the expense of an attenuation in the desired impulse transmission of less than 3 dB.
Processing pronominal pointing signs in German Sign Language: Neurophysiological evidence for the first mention effect

While the first mention bias has been well investigated in spoken languages, little is known about the presence of a similar bias in sign languages. In sign languages, pronominal pointing signs are directed towards referential locations in the ipsilateral and contralateral area of the signing space usually associated with referents in previous contexts. The present event-related potential study investigates the presence of a first mention effect during pronoun resolution in German Sign Language. We present participants with sentence sets containing two referents in the first sentence and a pronominal sign at the beginning of the second sentence directed to the ipsilateral or contralateral area of the signing space. Results show an N400 component for contralateral compared to ipsilateral pronominal signs suggesting increased processing costs associated with the second referent assigned to the contralateral area. Thus, the current study provides evidence for a first mention effect highlighting its modality independent nature.
MINI-REVISÃO SOBRE OS CAROTENOIDES: CONCEITOS, FONTES E ATIVIDADES BIOLÓGICAS

Carotenoids are tetraterpenic pigments present in nature in photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic organisms, which are: animals, algae, microorganisms (fungi and bacteria) and vegetables. In foods, carotenoids are presented as natural dyes, with color ranging from yellow to red, in addition to providing health benefits with the potential for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor action, among others, thus contributing to the prevention of degenerative and cardiovascular diseases. This mini-review aimed to investigate the use of animal and vegetable carotenoid, as well as their biological applications. For the development of this mini-review, a bibliographical survey was carried out, using electronic scientific platforms, such as: ScienceDirect, Scielo, Elsevier, Google Scholar, Springer and PubMed (in the period 2005-2021), using as descriptors the following words and phrases: “carotenoids”, “animal and vegetable carotenoids”, “application of carotenoids”, “sources of carotenoids”. After cataloging the data, the high visibility of carotenoids in the commercial market for natural products was identified. Carotenoids have been considered excellent natural sources of biological compounds that can be acquired through food. Also, they can be produced by chemical synthesis, compounds that dominate the global market, however those obtained from natural sources have stood out due to the benefits associated with health, stimulating investments to make it possible to obtain them from residual sources. Such as those from agribusiness. Agro-residues, such as the shrimp shell and skin of red fish species, considered to be low cost, can be a viable alternative for the extraction of bioactive compounds, such as carotenoids, contributing to the improvement in economic and environmental impacts.
Implications of Modern Semiconductor Technologies on Gate Sizing

Gate sizing is one of the most flexible and powerful methods available for the timing and power optimization of digital circuits. As such, it has been a very well-studied topic over the past few decades. However, developments in modern semiconductor technologies have changed the context in which gate sizing is performed. The focus has shifted from custom design methods to standard cell based designs, which has been an enabler in the design of modern, large-scale designs. We start by providing benchmarking efforts to show where the state-of-the-art is in standard cell based gate sizing. Next, we develop a framework to assess the impact of the limited precision and range available in the standard cell library on the power-delay tradeoffs.In addition, shrinking dimensions and decreased manufacturing process control has led to variations in the performance and power of the resulting designs. We provide methods for gate sizing with statistical delay, and compute bounds to show that full statistical power optimization is not essential. Lastly, to address the complexities of doing in design in a yet immature process, we provide a method to perform incremental discrete gate sizing to account for both anticipated and unanticipated changes in the manufacturing process parameters.
Information Warfare: New Roles for Information Systems in Military Operations,

Abstract : In the past decade we have witnessed phenomenal growth in the capabilities of information management systems. National security implications of these capabilities are only now beginning to be understood by national leadership. Information warfare (IW) is one of the new concepts receiving a great deal of attention inside the Washington DC beltway; in some circles 1W is even touted as the cornerstone of future US military doctrine. There is no doubt IW is a concept the modern military officer should be familiar with, for advancements in computer technology have significant potential to dramatically change the face of military command and control. Information warfare theory has tremendous political, technical, operational and legal implications for the military. This article seeks to define IW for the layman and discuss its potential applications. It will also attempt to identify potential military uses of existing information systems technology and address some of the issues facing those who will be responsible for implementing this new doctrine.
EFFECTIVE USE OF WEB-BASED PUBLIC GENOMIC DATABANKS FOR AUTOMATIC AND UPDATED PERSONAL ANNOTATIONS AND ANALYSES OF MICROARRAY EXPERIMENT RESULTS

INTRODUZIONE: IL PROBLEMA Il sequenziamento automatico del genoma umano e di altri organismi ha prodotto grandi quantita di dati. Oggi, nell'era post-genomica gli esperimenti con tecnologie high-throughput quali i microarray permettono di analizzare migliaia di geni simultaneamente. Esperimenti di questo tipo generano una enorme mole di dati, rendendo arduo il compito di chi vuole interpretarli correttamente. Il risultato finale di un singolo esperimento con microarray e una lista di codici identificativi (ID) di geni "up-regolati" e una di geni "down-regolati" nelle condizioni sperimentali scelte. Nel caso in cui, anziche uno solo, sono stati effettuati vari esperimenti con microarray, ognuno in condizioni sperimentali diverse, tipicamente vengono applicati metodi statistici di clustering sui dati ottenuti di espressione genica, generando come risultato raggruppamenti di geni. Esiste dunque in ogni caso la necessita, una volta concluso l’esperimento con microarray e l’analisi dei dati di espressione prodotti, di annotare un certo gruppo di geni dei quali e noto l'ID con la maggior quantita possibile di informazioni strutturali e funzionali disponibili per interpretare correttamente i risultati ottenuti. Numerose banche dati bio-molecolari [1] sono state realizzate col fine di immagazzinare e rendere disponibili le informazioni riguardanti geni e proteine ottenute nel corso degli anni. Oggi queste banche dati contengono uno smisurato numero di informazioni preziose per l'interpretazione e l'annotazione di risultati di esperimenti con microarray. Molti di questi sistemi hanno un'interfaccia web, cioe un sito internet al quale ci si puo collegare per interrogare la banca dati. Purtroppo la maggior parte di questi archivi possono essere interrogati via web soltanto per un gene o una proteina alla volta. L'interazione col sito comporta certi passaggi obbligati: l'utente si collega col proprio browser alla homepage di una banca dati bio
Information Security Governance: The Art of Detecting Hidden Malware

Detecting malicious software or malware is one of the major concerns in information security governance as malware authors pose a major challenge to digital forensics by using a variety of highly sophisticated stealth techniques to hide malicious code in computing systems, including smartphones. The current detection techniques are futile, as forensic analysis of infected devices is unable to identify all the hidden malware, thereby resulting in zero day attacks. This chapter takes a key step forward to address this issue and lays foundation for deeper investigations in digital forensics. The goal of this chapter is, firstly, to unearth the recent obfuscation strategies employed to hide malware. Secondly, this chapter proposes innovative techniques that are implemented as a fully-automated tool, and experimentally tested to exhaustively detect hidden malware that leverage on system vulnerabilities. Based on these research investigations, the chapter also arrives at an information security governance plan that would aid in addressing the current and future cybercrime situations.
Evaluation of Traditional Security Solutions in the SCADA Environment

Abstract : Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems control and monitor the electric power grid, water treatment facilities, oil and gas pipelines, railways, and other Critical Infrastructure (CI). In recent years, organizations that own and operate these systems have increasingly interconnected them with their enterprise network to take advantage of cost savings and operational benefits. This trend, however, has introduced myriad vulnerabilities associated with the networking environment. As a result, the once isolated systems are now susceptible to a wide range of threats that previously did not exist. To help address the associated risks, security professionals seek to incorporate mitigation solutions designed for traditional networking and Information Technology (IT) systems. Unfortunately, the operating parameters and security principles associated with traditional IT systems do not readily translate to the SCADA environment. Security solutions for IT systems focus primarily on protecting the confidentiality of system and user data. Alternatively, SCADA systems must adhere to strict safety and reliability requirements and rely extensively on system availability. Mitigation strategies designed for traditional IT systems must first be evaluated prior to deployment on a SCADA system or risk adverse operational impacts such as a catastrophic oil spill, poisoning a water supply, or the shutdown of an electrical grid. This research evaluates the suitability of deploying a Host-Based Intrusion Detection System (IDS) to the Department of Defense SCADA fuels system. The impacts of the Host Intrusion Prevention System (HIPS) installed on the SCADA network's Human Machine Interface (HMI) is evaluated. Testing revealed that the HIPS agent interferes with the HMI's system services during startup. Once corrected, the HMI and connected SCADA network inherit the protections of the HIPS security agent and defenses associated with the Host-Based Security System.