Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Snow water equivalent change mapping from slope-correlated synthetic aperture radar interferometry (InSAR) phase variations

Area-based measurements of snow water equivalent (SWE) are important for understanding earth system processes such as glacier mass balance, winter hydrological storage in drainage basins, and ground thermal regimes. Remote sensing techniques are ideally suited for wide-scale area-based mapping with the most commonly used technique to measure SWE being passive microwave, which is limited to coarse spatial resolutions of 25 km or greater and to areas without signiﬁcant topographic variation. Passive microwave also has a negative bias for large SWE. Another method is repeat-pass synthetic aperture radar interferometry (InSAR) that allows measurement of SWE change at much higher spatial resolution. However, it has not been widely adopted because (1) the phase unwrapping problem has not been robustly addressed, especially for interferograms with poor coherence, and (2) SWE change maps scaled directly from repeat-pass interferograms are not an absolute measurement but contain unknown offsets for each contiguous coherent area. We develop and test a novel method for repeat-pass InSAR-based dry-snow SWE estimation that exploits the sensitivity of the dry-snow refraction-induced InSAR phase to topographic variations. The method robustly estimates absolute SWE change at spatial resolutions of < 1 km without the need for phase unwrapping. We derive a quantitative signal model for this new SWE change estimator and identify the relevant sources of bias. The method is demon-strated using both simulated SWE distributions and a 9-year RADARSAT-2 (C-band, 5.405 GHz) spotlight-mode dataset near Inuvik, to in situ snow survey measurements and estimates from ERA5 reanalysis. well in high-relief thus providing complementary to a single existing aperture
Chapter 5 Dissipative Particle Dynamics : Foundation , Evolution , Implementation , and Applications

Dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) is a particle-based Lagrangian method for simulating dynamic and rheological properties of simple and complex fluids at mesoscopic length and time scales. In this chapter, we present the DPD technique, beginning from its original ad hoc formulation and subsequent theoretical developments. Next, we introduce various extensions of the DPD method that can model non-isothermal processes, diffusion-reaction systems, and ionic fluids. We also present a brief review of programming algorithms for constructing efficient DPD simulation codes as well as existing software packages. Finally, we demonstrate the effectiveness of DPD to solve particle-fluid problems, which may not be tractable by continuum or atomistic approaches.
Dynamic Deployment of Wireless Multimedia Sensor Network Nodes Based on Balanced Energy Consumption

The quality of data sensing, storage, and interaction depends on node deployment, so the optimization of node deployment becomes the key mission to response network congestion. This paper studies the indoor sensor network nodes deployment and simulates the corresponding sensor network environment, in order to solve the congestion of wireless multimedia sensor network based on balanced energy. We introduce the balanced energy consumption of hybrid nodes deployment strategy to maximize use of network resources. The two-dimensional plane nodes are redeployed and further extended to three-dimensional space on the basis of energy equilibrium. The whole experiment states clearly that intelligent node deployment strategy use wireless multimedia sensor network node resources to effectively extend the network life cycle.
Development of an Instrument to Evidence Knowledge Abstractions in Technological/Engineering Design-Based Activities

ion To abstract a principle is to identify a generic quality or pattern across instances of the principle. In formulating an abstraction, an individual deletes details across exemplars, which are irrelevant to the abstract category.These abstractions are represented in symbolic form and avoid contextual specificity so they can be applied to other instances or across situations (Fuchs, Fuchs, Prentice, Burch, Hamlett, Owen, 2003, p. 294) Open-Ended Problem-Based Learning An approach to teaching and learning where students work through a real-world problem designed to foster free inquiry. They can develop their own database and hypothesis usually under the guidance of the teacher (Barrows, 1986). Problem-Based Learning Problem-based learning is a phrase that describes acquiring knowledge, information, and learning techniques and processes while working toward the solution to a problem, on an investigation, or toward the production of a product (Glasgow, 1997). Technological Design-Based Learning Technological design-based learning poses real world problems to students. Students then work through the problem using a design approach. This approach includes defining the problem, stating a need, collecting information, developing alternative solutions, choosing an optimal solution, prototyping, and evaluation (Hutchinson & Karsnitz, 1994; Raizen, Sellwood, Todd, & Vickers, 1995; Wells, 2008).
Heli-gauging flood flows

Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCPs) differ from traditional propeller current meters largely in the flexibility of the way they can be deployed in the field during flood events. Otago Regional Council (ORC) now uses four methods to deploy ADCPs for flood flow measurements, including mounted on the side of a jet boat, towed from a bridge by hand, towed from a fixed or portable cableway and, more recently, towed by a helicopter. The helicopter tow method was developed and trialed by ORC in April 2012. For flood flow measurement ORC uses an ADCP mounted inside a modified white water kayak hull. Of the four deployment methods, the heli-gauging method has proven to be the most beneficial during large flood events in the Otago Region. Since then the heli-gauging method has been utilized by ORC to conduct flow gaugings during two large flood events with a high level of success. A case study of a two day heli-gauging run is used to outline why the heli-gauging method has proven to be a cost effective, highly efficient and accurate method of collecting flow information which is not affected by poor access and flooded access roads.
Extendible load-isolation wireless charging platform for multi-receiver applications

In this study, the authors developed a novel load-isolation and extendible wireless power transfer system for multi-receiver applications. This system consists of a half-bridge or full-bridge converter power supply, K-inverters, transmitting resonators, and multiple receivers as loads. Only one power supply is needed in this extendible system and the power division ratio of the receivers is controllable. The principle of the authors’ load-isolation scheme is illustrated theoretically in this study and was verified through experimentation, as described below. The results show that it can indeed be applied in extendible multi-receiver household applications. The system features are also stated theoretically and verified experimentally, including the power-distributing of each receiver, the transmission efficiency, and the cross-couplings. Experimental results are in agreement with the theory very well.
Optimal Forest Stand Aggregation and Harvest Scheduling Using Compactly Formulated Integer Programming

We propose an alternative approach for optimal forest stand aggregation for implementing harvest scheduling, which allows for multiple harvests using a compact formulated integer programming that seeks an optimal aggregated pattern among candidates for forest management units over the planning horizon. We deal with aggregation of small forest stands by introducing the concept of a “hyper unit” as a possible aggregated management unit, which is predefined with the use of adjacency relationship among the set of forest stands. Our proposed approach is based on an optimization framework of a traditional spatially constrained harvest scheduling problem which is used to choose the best set of treatments for the aggregated management units, as well as the original un-aggregated forest stands, while allowing for multiple harvests. We also apply adjacency constraints to create aggregated management units, which are separated from other units, as well as un-aggregated forest stands such that, no adjacent units are harvested in the same period.
Global and regional burden of attributable and associated bacterial antimicrobial resistance avertable by vaccination: modelling study

Introduction Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health threat with 1.27 million and 4.95 million deaths attributable to and associated with bacterial AMR, respectively, in 2019. Our aim is to estimate the vaccine avertable bacterial AMR burden based on existing and future vaccines at the regional and global levels by pathogen and infectious syndromes. Methods We developed a static proportional impact model to estimate the vaccination impact on 15 bacterial pathogens in terms of reduction in age-specific AMR burden estimates for 2019 from the Global Research on Antimicrobial Resistance project in direct proportion to efficacy, coverage, target population for protection, and duration of protection of existing and future vaccines. Results The AMR burden avertable by vaccination in 2019 was highest for the WHO Africa and South-East Asia regions, for lower respiratory infections, tuberculosis, and bloodstream infections by infectious syndromes, and for Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Streptococcus pneumoniae by pathogen. In the baseline scenario for vaccination of primary age groups against 15 pathogens, we estimated vaccine-avertable AMR burden of 0.51 (95% UI 0.49–0.54) million deaths and 28 (27–29) million disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) associated with bacterial AMR, and 0.15 (0.14–0.17) million deaths and 7.6 (7.1–8.0) million DALYs attributable to AMR globally in 2019. In the high-potential scenario for vaccination of additional age groups against seven pathogens, we estimated vaccine-avertable AMR burden of an additional 1.2 (1.18–1.23) million deaths and 37 (36–39) million DALYs associated with AMR, and 0.33 (0.32–0.34) million deaths and 10 (9.8–11) million DALYs attributable to AMR globally in 2019. Conclusion Increased coverage of existing vaccines and development of new vaccines are effective means to reduce AMR, and this evidence should inform the full value of vaccine assessments.
Shackle in Time: Time in Shackle on Challenging the Art of Making Predictions

GLS Shackle got much and the crucial inspiration from John Maynard Keynes. But that’s not all. He took a number of further consequences of Keynes’ thoughts. This implies for example ideal claims to economists — having to deal with both mechanical time and expectational time. In consequence the idea in this paper is to introduce Keynesian Kaleidics as an illustration of how complicated it is to analyze economic contexts. Finally it is discussed how the potential opportunities is to make alternatives to deterministic predictions on the basis of Shackles approach to economic analysis and especially the idea of scenario writing.
Climate change and environmental influence on visceral leishmaniasis in West Pokot county, Kenya

Kala-azar is a parasitic disease caused by Leishmania species transmitted by sand fly. In Kenya, kala-azar is endemic in thirty sub-counties spread over in eleven counties in the arid zones. Climate change-influenced seasonal weather variability and environmental alterations remain important determinants of many vector-borne diseases. The present study focused on climate change and environmental influence on kala-azar in West Pokot. Descriptive cross-sectional and retrospective research design was adapted. Study area was purposively selected. Locations and villages were randomly selected, while households were systematically selected. Three hundred sixty three household questionnaires, eleven key informant interviews, and five focus group discussions were undertaken. Secondary data was obtained from Kacheliba sub-county hospital records. Statistical package for social science version 24 was used to analyze quantitative data while NVivo software was used to analyse qualitative data. Kala-azar cases have been on the rise on aggregate from 2010 to 2020, 400 to 500 annual average cases, and incident rate tends to surge during dry season and just after the rains when humidity is high and temperature variations are wide. Significant environmental characteristics associated with risk of kala-azar infection included: presences of seasonal rain water pathways and rock piles around houses (X2= 30.706, df=1, p<0.001); presence of acacia trees in and around homesteads (X2=21.404, df=1, p<0.001); presence of dumping site (X2=9.641, df=1, p=0.002); presence of anthills around the homesteads (X2=16.538, df=1, p<0.001); presence of animal shed (X2=4.290, df=1, p=0.038); presences of chicken shelter (X2=36.862, df=1, p<0.001); and practices of frequently moving houses to new temporary compound (X2=20.919, df=1, p<0.001). Climate change-induced seasonal weather variability; increased temperature and reduced precipitation and environmental alterations remain significant predictors of kala-azar in West Pokot. Community sensitization on disease prevalence, clearing of vector predilection sites and improving community environmental risk perception are imperative to promote prevention and reduce disease burden.
A Novel Approach to Master and Slave Control by Force Feedback Based Virtual Impedance Controller

A field of research which deals with tactile sensation is called haptics. Many researchers have been investigated haptics in recent years. In the past research, 4ch bilateral controller based on torque/force sensorless approach is developed so as to achieve high transparency as teleoperation systems. In actual system with geared motor, however, the high transparency leads to instability because of disturbances. In particular, the geared motor has a large joint friction which affects the torque/force sensorless control, though its cost is low. This means that the high quality of tactile sensation is not expected in case the geared motor is used in experimental system. To improve the effect of friction, linear motor is often utilized in the past research, though its cost is high. To address this issue, his paper focuses on a novel control strategy to realize low cost teleoperation systems based on the geared motor, that is, master and slave systems. To reduce the effect of joint friction, a novel approach to master and slave control by force feedback based virtual impedance controller is proposed. By using the proposed method, position and force controllers can be designed independently and it is one of remarkable features. To verify the validity of proposed method, the performance of the controller is analyzed and evaluated by using "Reproducibility" and "Operationality". Furthermore experimental validation is conducted with 1-DOF manipulator.
A Secret Sharing Algorithm for Cloud Computing Security Development

— Cloud computing is recently emerged as a service program, where users can remotely depot their data into the cloud so as to take advantage of on-demand high quality services from a shared pool of configurable computing resources. Cloud computing it has considerable potential as an alternative process for traditional silo computing. One can deploy applications more speedily across shared server storage resource pools than is possible with conventional enterprise solutions it also enables a new level of agility. Beside this, users will not have physical ownership of the outsourced data of possibly large size, hence the data integrity preservation in Cloud Computing is difficult task. Surveys on cloud computing imply that there should be proper privacy and security means for cloud, otherwise this may be disappointing. The term “multi-clouds”, can be vied as a solution for improved data security by using secret sharing algorithm.
Testing a new model of ram-air parachute inflation

Abstract This paper reports on the experimental validation of a new model of slider-reefed ram-air parachute opening, using jump data collected by this investigator and others. The model is based on the parachute load equation of motion coupled with a new differential equation which describes the rate of change of the parachute's drag area. The model clearly identifies the important factors which determine the inflation peak load and opening time. It also features many scaling relationships useful for design work. Several predictions are shown to be design-independent. The experimental data used in this model validation were gathered during sport parachuting jumps performed by this author. Also used are data generated by the US Navy during tests of the MC-5, MT-1X/SL and MT-1XX parachutes. The experimental results and model predictions are found to agree within 20% accuracy over a wide range of opening speeds and deployment altitudes.
Mathematical contributions for the optimization and regulation of electricity production

We present our contribution on the optimization and regulation of electricity produc- tion.The first part deals with a microgrid Energy Management System (EMS). We formulate the EMS program as a continuous time optimal control problem and then solve this problem by dynamic programming using BocopHJB, a solver developed for this application. We show that an extension of this formulation to a stochastic setting is possible. The last section of this part introduces the adaptative weights dynamic programming algorithm, an algorithm for optimization problems with different time scales. We use the algorithm to integrate the battery aging in the EMS.The second part is dedicated to network markets, and in particular wholesale electricity markets. We introduce a mechanism to deal with the market power exercised by electricity producers, and thus increase the consumer welfare. Then we study some mathematical properties of the agents’ optimization problems (producers and system operator). In the last chapter, we present some pure Nash equilibrium existence and uniqueness results for a class of Bayesian games to which some networks markets belong. In addition we introduce an algorithm to compute the equilibrium for some specific cases.We provide some additional information on BocopHJB (the numerical solver developed and used in the first part of the thesis) in the appendix.
Solidification of Titanium Slags and Influence on Post Processing

Ilmenite is a titanium-rich ore, and accounts for almost all the world’s consumption of titanium bearing minerals. One of the main uses of titanium is as powdered TiO2, used extensively as whitening pigment. The first step in the process of making TiO2 pigment, is reducing the ilmenite to a titanium-rich slag. The titanium slag consists mainly of a titanium phase on the form of M3O5. The elements Fe, Mn and Mg can substitute Ti in the M3O5 lattice, and the slag also contains impurities such as SiO2, CaO, Al2O3, Cr2O3 and V2O5. The slag needs to be purified and processed to make the pigment end product. This thesis focuses on the stage after reducing the ilmenite to a titanium-rich slag, and before the further purification of the slag. To get a better understanding of the properties of the solid slag after reduction in the blast furnace, both industrially collected and experimentally prepared samples have been analyzed. It is believed that the cooling rate and access to oxygen of the slag during solidification will influence the microstructure of the solidified slag. This gives rise to differences in both grain size and shape, as well as the phases present. Samples were collected from the industrial plant Tizir Titanium & Iron in Tyssedal, Norway. Slag samples prepared at the university were made by controlling temperature during solidification, and the properties of the samples were linked to those of the slags from the industrial plant. Slag cross-sections were analyzed using BSD images and EDS spectra from the electron microscope. Phases in the slags were analyzed with X-ray diffraction. A theoretical review of thermal analysis for the slags was conducted. The main titanium phases identified were pseudobrookite and rutile. The samples that experience slow cooling yielded a higher amount of rutile than the other samples. These samples also exhibited generally larger pseudobrookite grains. The experimentally produced samples were concluded to all have experienced cooling rates faster than those collected industrially. Further work includes preparing samples with both solidification rates and other conditions closer to those of the industrial process. Another step is continued work on accurately measuring thermal properties of the slags, as this is an important parameter both to the industrial process as well as a quantitative measurement separating the different slag samples.
Palm oil clinkers as composite materials in marshall mix design

Palm oil industry becomes one of the main Malaysian commodities as indicated in Ninth Malaysian Plan (RMK9). As Malaysian focus on biotechnology industry, it is expected that million tons of waste produced annually and treated as disposal waste. By recycle the waste, it is not only can save the disposal area but also can sustain green environment. The Economic growth has led to the rapid increase of the demands for the aggregate for use in civil engineering field. The roads are the main links for all type of transportation to travel from one to another place. The growth of economy in a country also depends to the system of roads of the country itself. Besides, the decreasing of natural aggregate in our country is turning out to be a problem as its important for future generation. Since the road construction in Malaysia really developing rapidly and costs a lot in a project, an alternatives method or material need to been identified to minimize the cost and gives a good quality of pavement for long term usage. Malaysia also produce a large volume of palm oil waste and the usage of palm oil clinker in hot mix asphalt will make benefits for the environment and solid waste management. Malaysia is known as main manufacturers of palm oil in Asian region. Every oil mill produces a waste byproduct, known as clinker. Clinker was found to be suitable to replace normal gravel aggregate in concrete mixture and also mix design for pavement. For this project, palm oil clinkers will be mix together with the natural aggregate in Hot Mix Asphalt with different composition. The proportion for each category varies as Sample A contains 90% Natural Aggregate and 10% Palm Oil Clinker, Sample B contains 80% Natural Aggregate and 20% Palm Oil Clinker, Sample C contains 70% Natural Aggregate and 30% Palm Oil Clinker. From the experiment, the values of LA Abrasion for natural aggregate and palm oil clinker are 34.4% and 47%. This value will be compared with the JKR Standard which specifies the value for LA Abrasion should be less than 60%. The aggregate impact Value for natural aggregate is 16.62% and for palm oil clinker is 18.08%. JKR requirement For AIV Test is Not Exceed 30%.