Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Development of a Residential Integrated Ventilation Controller

The goal of this study was to develop a Residential Integrated Ventilation Controller (RIVEC) to reduce the energy impact of required mechanical ventilation by 20percent, maintain or improve indoor air quality and provide demand response benefits. This represents potential energy savings of about 140 GWh of electricity and 83 million therms of natural gas as well as proportional peak savings in California. The RIVEC controller is intended to meet the 2008 Title 24 requirements for residential ventilation as well as taking into account the issues of outdoor conditions, other ventilation devices (including economizers), peak demand concerns and occupant preferences. The controller is designed to manage all the residential ventilation systems that are currently available. A key innovation in this controller is the ability to implement the concept of efficacy and intermittent ventilation which allows time shifting of ventilation. Using this approach ventilation can be shifted away from times of high cost or high outdoor pollution towards times when it is cheaper and more effective. Simulations, based on the ones used to develop the new residential ventilation requirements for the California Buildings Energy code, were used to further define the specific criteria and strategies needed for the controller. These simulations provide estimates of the energy, peak power and contaminant improvement possible for different California climates for the various ventilation systems. Results from a field test of the prototype controller corroborate the predicted performance.
Genotyping pepper varieties using Target SNP-seq reveals that population structure clusters according to fruit shape

Background The widely cultivated pepper (Capsicum spp.) is one of the most diverse vegetables; however, little research has characterized the genetic diversity and relatedness of commercial varieties grown in China. In this study, a panel of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) was created that consisted of 97 perfect SNPs, which were identified using re-sequencing data from 35 diverse C. annuum lines. Based on this panel, a Target SNP-seq was designed that combined the multiplex amplification of the perfect SNPs with Illumina sequencing to detect polymorphisms across 271 commercial pepper varieties. Results The perfect SNPs panel had a high discriminating capacity due to the average value of polymorphism information content (PIC), observed heterozygosity (Ho), expected heterozygosity (He), and minor allele frequency (MAF), which were 0.31, 0.28, 0.4, and 0.31, respectively. Notably, the studied pepper varieties were morphologically categorized based on fruit shape; blocky, long horn, short horn, and linear-fruited. The long horn-fruited population exhibited the most genetic diversity followed by the short horn, linear, and blocky-fruited populations. A set of 35 core SNPs were then used as KASPar markers, another robust genotyping technique for variety identification. Analysis of genetic relatedness using principal component analysis (PCA) and phylogenetic tree construction indicated that the four fruit shape populations clustered separately with limited overlaps. Based on STRUCTURE clustering, it was possible to divide the varieties into five subpopulations, which correlated with fruit shape. Further, the subpopulations were statistically different according to a randomization test and Fst statistics. Notably, two SNP loci, CaSNP118 and CaSNP053, which are located on chromosome 11 and 6 were significantly associated with fruit shape (p < 1.0 × 10 -4) Conclusions Target SNP-seq developed in this study appears as an efficient power tool to detect the genetic diversity, population relatedness and molecular breeding in pepper. Moreover, this study demonstrates that the genetic structure of the pepper varieties is significantly influenced by breeding programs focused on fruit shape.
Dynamic behaviour of dowel-type connections under in-service vibration

This study investigated the vibration serviceability of timber structures with dowel-type connections. It addressed the use of such connections in cutting-edge timber structures such as multi-storey buildings and long-span bridges, in which the light weight and flexibility of the structure make it possible that vibration induced by dynamic forces such as wind or footfall may cause discomfort to occupants or users of the structure, or otherwise impair its intended use. The nature of the oscillating force imposed on connections by this form of vibration was defined based on literature review and the use of established mathematical models. This allowed the appropriate cyclic load to be applied in experimental work on the most basic component of a dowel-type connection: a steel dowel embedding into a block of timber. A model for the stiffness of the timber in embedment under this cyclic load was developed based on an elastic stress function, which could then be used as the basis of a model for a complete connector. Nonlinear and time-dependent behaviour was also observed in embedment, and a simple rheological model incorporating elastic, viscoelastic and plastic elements was fitted to the measured response to cyclic load. Observations of the embedment response of the timber were then used to explain features of the behaviour of complete single- and multiple-dowel connections under cyclic load representative of in-service vibration. Complete portal frames and cantilever beams were tested under cyclic load, and a design method was derived for predicting the stiffness of such structures, using analytical equations based on the model for embedment behaviour. In each cyclic load test the energy dissipation in the specimen, which contributes to the damping in a complete structure, was measured. The analytical model was used to predict frictional energy dissipation in embedment, which was shown to make a significant contribution to damping in single-dowel connections. Based on the experimental results and analysis, several defining aspects of the dynamic response of the complete structures, such as a reduction of natural frequency with increased amplitude of applied load, were related to the observed and modelled embedment behaviour of the connections.
Electrically Small, Superdirective, and Superconducting Antennas

Preface. 1: ELECTRICALLY SMALL ANTENNAS. 1.1 Introduction. 1.2 Fundamental Limitations. 1.3 Electrically Small Antennas: Canonical Types. 1.4 Clever Physics, but Bad Numbers. 1.5 Pathological Antennas. 1.6 ESA Summary. References. Index. 2: SUPERDIRECTIVE ANTENNAS. 2.1 History and Motivation. 2.2 Maximum Directivity. 2.3 Constrained Superdirectivity. 2.4 Bandwidth, Efficiency, and Tolerances. 2.5 Miscellaneous Superdirectivity. 2.6 Matching Circuit Loss Magnification. 2.7 Non-Foster Matching Circuits. 2.8 SD Antenna Summary. References. Index. 3: SUPERCONDUCTING ANTENNAS. 3.1 Introduction. 3.2 Superconductivity Concepts for Antenna Engineers. 3.3 Dipole, Loop, and Patch Antennas. 3.4 Phasers and Delay Lines. 3.5 SC Antenna Summary. References. Subject Index.
Using Communicative Approach in Developing Oral Fluency of the Secondary Stage Students

The current study is primarily aimed to develop the EFL oral fluency skills of the secondary stage students through the communicative approach. Accomplishing thispurpose, the present study followed the pre-post, quasiexperimental-control group design. The researcher used two groups; experimental and control groups. Conducting the current research, a total of forty EFL first grade secondary stage students from AL Zankaloun secondary school, Sharkia Governorate, Egypt, were randomly assigned to two groups; twenty students for control groups and twenty for the experimental group. Generally, she managed a pre and post – testing technique for the purpose of data gathering and analysis purposes. The researcher designed EFL oral fluency test to measure EFL oral fluency skills according to their development by using the communicative approach before and after the treatment. Generally, the current study was conducted over a period of ten weeks along, with 10 sessions for applying the communicative approach on oral fluency skills. Finally, the results of the study approvedthat the communicative approach is effective in developing the EFL oral fluency of the secondary stage students, also it has a clear, strong and
Object recognition for an autonomous wheelchair equipped with a RGB-D camera

This thesis has been carried out within a project at AR Lab (Autonomous Robot Laboratory) and IAS-Lab (Intelligent Autonomous Systems Lab) of Shanghai Jiao Tong University and University of Padua respectively. The project aims to create a system to recognize and localize multiple object classes for an autonomous wheelchair called JiaoLong, and in general for a mobile robot. The thesis had as main objective the creation of an object recognition and localization system in an indoor environment through a RGB-D sensor. The approach we followed is based on the recognition of the object by using 2D algorithm and 3D information to identify location and size of it. This will help to obtained robust performance for the recognition step and accurate estimation for the localization, thus changing the behavior of the robot in accordance with the class and the location of the object in the room. This thesis is mainly based on two aspects: • the creation of a 2D module to recognize and detect the object in a RGB image; • the creation of a 3D module to filter point cloud and estimate pose and size of the object. In this thesis we used the Bag of Features algorithm to perform the recognition of objects and a variation of the Constellation Method algorithm for the detection; 3D data are computed with several filtering algorithms which lead to a 3D analysis of the object, then are used the intrinsic information of point cloud for the pose and size estimation. We will also analyze the performance of the algorithm and propose some improvements aimed to increase the overall performance of the system besides research directions that this project could lead
The 'Self'-Shunt Unit Testing Pattern

Let's say that you are a test case. One of the things that you can do is pass yourself to the objects you are testing so that you can get more information. Test first design is fun, but in the beginning, it can be a bit overwhelming. There are all sorts of little fears. You sit at your computer, with that empty screen just staring at you. You pick a test that you want to write, but you stop. “What if I write this test and it passes, and I write another, and another, and then I discover that my objects need to put things on the GUI. How do I write a test for that? ” If you are not careful, those sorts of thoughts will derail you for a while. Hopefully, you do hunker down to write the first test and move on, confident that you’ll find a way to write that test when the time comes. This article is about one very interesting strategy you can use when that time comes. Let’s suppose that we are writing a point of sale system. The first user story tells us that when a sales clerk swipes an item past a barcode scanner, its name and price come up on an LCD display. We don’t have any wiggle room here. It doesn’t look like there are any tests between the display problem and us.
Hacking Exposed Windows: Microsoft Windows Security Secrets and Solutions, Third Edition

The latest Windows security attack and defense strategies "Securing Windows begins with reading this book. " --James Costello (CISSP) IT Security Specialist, Honeywell Meet the challenges of Windows security with the exclusive Hacking Exposed "attack-countermeasure" approach. Learn how real-world malicious hackers conduct reconnaissance of targets and then exploit common misconfigurations and software flaws on both clients and servers. See leading-edge exploitation techniques demonstrated, and learn how the latest countermeasures in Windows XP, Vista, and Server 2003/2008 can mitigate these attacks. Get practical advice based on the authors' and contributors' many years as security professionals hired to break into the world's largest IT infrastructures. Dramatically improve the security of Microsoft technology deployments of all sizes when you learn to: Establish business relevance and context for security by highlighting real-world risks Take a tour of the Windows security architecture from the hacker's perspective, exposing old and new vulnerabilities that can easily be avoided Understand how hackers use reconnaissance techniques such as footprinting, scanning, banner grabbing, DNS queries, and Google searches to locate vulnerable Windows systems Learn how information is extracted anonymously from Windows using simple NetBIOS, SMB, MSRPC, SNMP, and Active Directory enumeration techniques Prevent the latest remote network exploits such as password grinding via WMI and Terminal Server, passive Kerberos logon sniffing, rogue server/man-in-the-middle attacks, and cracking vulnerable services See up close how professional hackers reverse engineer and develop new Windows exploits Identify and eliminate rootkits, malware, and stealth software Fortify SQL Server against external and insider attacks Harden your clients and users against the latest e-mail phishing, spyware, adware, and Internet Explorer threats Deploy and configure the latest Windows security countermeasures, including BitLocker, Integrity Levels, User Account Control, the updated Windows Firewall, Group Policy, Vista Service Refactoring/Hardening, SafeSEH, GS, DEP, Patchguard, and Address Space Layout Randomization Table of contents Chapter 1. Information Security Basics Chapter 2. The Windows Security Architecture from the Hacker's Perspective Chapter 3. Footprinting and Scanning Chapter 4. Enumeration Chapter 5. Hacking Windows-Specific Services Chapter 6. Discovering and Exploiting Windows Vulnerabilities Chapter 7. Post-Exploit Pillaging Chapter 8. Achieving Stealth and Maintaining Presence Chapter 9. Hacking SQL Server Chapter 10. Hacking Microsoft Client Apps Chapter 11. Physical Attacks Chapter 12. Windows Security Features and Tools Appendix A. Windows Security Checklist Appendix B. About the Companion Website Index
A Review of Warm Mix Asphalt

Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA) technology, recently developed in Europe, is gaining strong interest in the United States. By lowering the viscosity of asphalt binder and/or increasing the workability of mixture using minimal heat, WMA technology allows the mixing, transporting, and paving process at significantly lower temperature. Using this new technology, asphalt mix can be produced as much as 100oF lower than traditional hot mix asphalt (HMA). Several benefits of lower mixing and compaction temperature include: less emission, savings in energy cost, longer construction season, less odor, and construction during non-peak periods. Despite the apparent benefits, some researchers are concerned about the long-term performance of this new mixture. In the last few years, dozens of field test sections have been constructed throughout the USA using different WMA technologies. It is too early to report the performance; but so far, no negative performance has been reported in the literature. In the last few years, several large national and state level research projects have been initiated to evaluate, validate, and implement this new technology. This report documents the results of a comprehensive review of worldwide information dealing with the following issues as related to WMA: Current state of the art/practice of WMA; cost and benefits of WMA technology; plant modifications to accommodate WMA; mixture design; durability and performance; performance related testing; quality control; specifications; and construction guidelines.
Classification of Hot Spots using XGBoost and LightGBM Algorithms

Protein-Protein Interactions referred as PPIs perform significant role in biological functions like cell metabolism, immune response, signal transduction etc. Hot spots are small fractions of residues in interfaces and provide substantial binding energy in PPIs. Therefore, identification of hot spots is important to discover and analyze molecular medicines and diseases. The current strategy, alanine scanning isn't pertinent to enormous scope applications since the technique is very costly and tedious. The existing computational methods are poor in classification performance as well as accuracy in prediction. They are concerned with the topological structure and gene expression of hub proteins. The proposed system focuses on hot spots of hub proteins by eliminating redundant as well as highly correlated features using Pearson Correlation Coefficient and Support Vector Machine based feature elimination. Extreme Gradient boosting and LightGBM algorithms are used to ensemble a set of weak classifiers to form a strong classifier. The proposed system shows better accuracy than the existing computational methods. The model can also be used to predict accurate molecular inhibitors for specific PPIs
An evaluation of the impacts of the Champion Coaching Scheme on youth sport and coaching

This thesis examines the impacts and legacy of the Champion Coaching Scheme of the National Coaching Foundation, focusing on three case studies of implementation from 1996-1999, on Merseyside and North Wales. As one of the most significant and longrunning programmes of the 1990s, Champion Coaching represented a national blueprint for the development of youth sport and coaching. The evaluation uses a 'realist' approach, drawing upon the scientific realism of Pawson and Tilley (1997). Outcomes are derived from the programme theory developed for Champion Coaching in a multi-method approach. Central to this analysis is the need to examine the context, mechanisms and outcomes from programmes. It draws together evidence from a range of primary and secondary sources; participants, parents, coaches, sport Development practioners, teachers; young people; Census and deprivation statistics. Using a range of techniques, including face to face and telephone interviews, survey and geographical analysis, context- mechanism-outcome configurations of each case study were produced, in order to draw out how the programme 'worked', and contribute to building the evidence base for sport development interventions. The results demonstrate that the blueprint was flexibly interpreted and delivered resulting in particular patterns of outcomes in the different cases. Champion Coaching represented a successful approach to the development of 'perfon-nance pathways', as the level of club membership in participants was higher than suggested by national surveys. In contributing to coaching development, the Scheme had some clear impacts on the human capital involved in sport. However, results were not uniform and show how the sporting infrastructure and attitudes of schools or Governing Bodies to such programmes, can influence whether gains in such capital can be sustained. At the meso-level of analysis of policy for youth sport and coaching, the research shows how Champion Coaching contributed to the policy development in this increasingly salient policy area and points to its legacy in school-aged sport. The conclusions point to some of the lessons learned for future policies and the implications for outcome-oriented evaluations, including the need to plan such evaluation at the stage of programme design.
The influence of consumers' perception and demographic profile on attitude towards green food and green food purchase intention

Food is the most basic necessity in our human life. However, of lately, consumers'consumption pattern is experiencing a change. Consumers are more aware and more concern about the types of foods they consume. They are more likely to look for food which are nutritious, natural, healthy, safe, and are environmental and animal friendly. Thus, the green concept is steadily and gradually being exposed to consumers all around the globe. However, in Malaysia, this green food concept is still at a developing stage. Green foods refer to foods that are safe to be consumed by humans, fine quality, nutritious, and that are produced under the principle of sustainable development. This study aims to look at the influence of consumers' perception and demographic profile on the green food purchase intention mediated by attitude towards green food among the consumers in Kota Kinabalu. This study utilizes the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). The study design of this study is by using structured questionnaires as a tool to gather information on the green food consumer behaviour. A survey was conducted using 200 respondents in four major supermarkets around Kota Kinabalu. Analyses such as factor analysis, reliability analysis, descriptive analysis, correlation analysis, multiple regression analysis, and hierarchical regression analysis were conducted using SPSS software version 21. The findings from this study indicated that only education level had a significant influence on the green food purchase intention of consumers. At the end of this study, it also discusses the theoretical and managerial implications of these results for marketers and educators. It also considers the limitations of the study and the recommendations for future researches.
Flow around isolated structures and building clusters: A review

Buildings strongly perturb local wind fields and influence the transport and dispersion of air pollutants. Adequate predictive capability is generally not available; suspected problems are often treated on a case-by-case basis with wind tunnel and field studies. Retrofit solutions are frequently necessary. However, field and laboratory research has provided some limited guidance for estimating flow and dispersion near isolated buildings, near some building clusters, and in urban street canyons. This paper reviews the guidance available, and discusses some of the additional work needed to improve predictive capabilities. In particular, systematic study of flow and dispersion within building clusters is needed to determine mutual flow interferences and to estimate the optimum placement of fixed pollutant sources (e.g., stacks or vents) and receptors (e.g., air conditioning inlets) within building clusters. It is unlikely that detailed predictive models will be available for routine use in complex situations such as industrial facilities, but it may at least be possible to establish reasonable bounds for the individual situation. Reliable procedures cannot be expected until at least the simpler building cluster cases are better understood.
Culture and Mobile HCI: A Review

Culture has various definitions, but regardless of discussions about its concrete definition, the importance of cultural differences has been recognized in areas such as Human Computer Interaction (HCI). In the context of mobile HCI, the importance of culture can be viewed from various perspectives such as usability and ergonomics, business advantages and social sustainability. This study reviews HCI, and mobile HCI research in order to identify common approaches, tools, methods, results and findings in current literature. It is found that the field is missing HCI specific cultural models, has an unclear theoretical basis, and needs to apply user research methods. Consequently target points for further research in mobile HCI are itemized in the conclusion.