Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Robot Soccer Educational Courses

Robot soccer is an international project intended to promote computer sciences, robotics, electronics and other related fields due to increasing demand for the properly educated engineers in these fields. It is an attempt to foster AI and intelligent robotics research by providing a standard problem where wide range of technologies can be integrated and examined. An idea of robot soccer and robot soccer league turned out as a great success in popularization of robotics and AI but also the other fields such as mechanical engineering and electronics. Practical courses for the undergraduate and graduate students can be domain – focused towards a particular research field such as intelligent agents, computer vision, etc. During the courses students are either constructing the robots, developing software for the robots or doing the both things, usually divided into different research teams. Anyhow, they are presented with the real-life problems and have the opportunity to work on challenging project that has a motivating goal. Although the practical courses for the university students are the most obvious choice because of generally high prerequested domain knowledge, children in elementary and secondary schools (K-12) are also targeted audience because of the need for the early days popularization of the technical sciences in order to provide better and more massive input in the faculties oriented towards technical sciences. Different age groups requires an adaptive and modular approach and this was the main idea behind the concept that will be presented here. A practical courses for three age groups has been developed: - younger K-12 school children (ages 13-15). - senior K-12 school children (ages 15-18). - university students (ages > 18). In this chapter, different modules incorporated in the practical courses are explained and curriculum, aims and tasks for each course level is described. The attention is focused on the modules integration. As a basis for the proposed constructive education courses, development of cheap and simple robots for the robot soccer team is explained in detail. Development of the skills needed in the mechanical engineering, electrical and electronic engineering and computer science and solving of the real life, practical problems results with a new quality in education of the target audience.
The Role of DNA Methylation in Perennial Plants

DNA methylation is an important epigenetic modification of the genome in all organisms. This review presents the effect of DNA methylation in perennial fruit trees such as chestnut, apple, peach etc. In particular, DNA methylation has been shown to affect bud dormancy, the changes of developmental stages such as: flowering, the synthesis of anthocyanins, among other flavonoid compounds; it also affects the fertilization and perpetuation of many fruit trees. Finally, DNA methylation can be used as a tool for investigating the epigenetic diversity of a species.
Overview of recent and current research on the TCV tokamak

Through a diverse research programme, the Tokamak a Configuration Variable (TCV) addresses physics issues and develops tools for ITER and for the longer term goals of nuclear fusion, relying especially on its extreme plasma shaping and electron cyclotron resonance heating (ECRH) launching flexibility and preparing for an ECRH and NBI power upgrade. Localized edge heating was unexpectedly found to decrease the period and relative energy loss of edge localized modes (ELMs). Successful ELM pacing has been demonstrated by following individual ELM detection with an ECRH power cut before turning the power back up to trigger the next ELM, the duration of the cut determining the ELM period. Negative triangularity was also seen to reduce the ELM energy release. H-mode studies have focused on the L-H threshold dependence on the main ion species and on the divertor leg length. Both L- and H-modes have been explored in the snowflake configuration with emphasis on edge measurements, revealing that the heat flux to the strike points on the secondary separatrix increases as the X-points approach each other, well before they coalesce. In L-mode, a systematic scan of the auxiliary power deposition profile, with no effect on confinement, has ruled it out as the cause of confinement degradation. An ECRH power absorption observer based on transmitted stray radiation was validated for eventual polarization control. A new profile control methodology was introduced, relying on real-time modelling to supplement diagnostic information; the RAPTOR current transport code in particular has been employed for joint control of the internal inductance and central temperature. An internal inductance controller using the ohmic transformer has also been demonstrated. Fundamental investigations of neoclassical tearing mode (NTM) seed island formation by sawtooth crashes and of NTM destabilization in the absence of a sawtooth trigger were carried out. Both stabilizing and destabilizing agents (electron cyclotron current drive on or inside the q = 1 surface, respectively) were used to pace sawtooth oscillations, permitting precise control of their period. Locking of the sawtooth period to a pre-defined ECRH modulation period was also demonstrated. Sawtooth control has permitted nearly failsafe NTM prevention when combined with backup NTM stabilization by ECRH.
DRIFTING E ILLUSIONE MANAGERIALE: L'IMPORTANZA DELL'IMPLEMENTAZIONE NEL PROCESSO DI PIANIFICAZIONE STRATEGICA

Management is control. Inefficienze della teoria manageriale classica e problematiche attinenti all’implementazione strategica. Drift, illusione manageriale e soluzioni orientate al superamento di tali fenomeni. Caso: Piano E-Gov 2012: l’ importanza del processo d’implementazione nella prevenzione del drifting.
Effects of hearing aid frequency-gain characteristics on sound localization

The effects of frequency shaping on azimuthal sound localization were investigated. High-pass gain was added to a two-band hearing aid design in which the low-pass band is presented binaurally and the high-pass band is presented diotically. This high-pass gain simulates the amplification necessary to overcome a typical presbycusis related hearing loss. The previous findings that increasing the system cutoff frequency diminishes localization ability were confirmed. The results suggest that high-pass gain has a negative effect on listeners' ability to localize sources. Furthermore, the the effect of the high-pass gain depends upon the system cutoff frequency. At higher cutoff frequencies, the effects of the high-pass gain are less prominent. With a system cutoff of 1400 Hz, performance only drops from 77% to 62% when 40 dB of high-pass gain are added. With the cutoff set to 700 Hz, performance drops from 66% to 19%. Thesis Supervisor: Patrick M. Zurek Title: Principal Research Scientist Acknowledgments I would like to acknowledge Pat Zurek for the guidance I received and thank him for providing me with interesting research opportunities, financial support, and plenty of encouragement. I must also acknowledge Andy Brughera; without his help, nothing would have worked. I wish to thank all the other members of the multi-microphone group for their friendliness and assistance.
Future Active: Media Activism and the Internet

1. Backing Into The Future: Version 1.0 Version 2.0 So does it work? LabourStart A Chinese CNN? The Nuremberg Files Backing into the Future Coming Up 2. Remote Control: Cyberhype All Tomorrow's Parties Click Here to Emote One Nation Coming Up 3. alt.media: Dissonant Perspectives In the Realm of the Censors Free Pacifica McSpotlight Coming Up 4. Open Publishing, Open Technologies: DIY Media and News Narratives Getting Determined Coming Up 5. Turning Signs Into Question Marks: rTark Just Say No Everything You Know Is Wrong Media Cartels, Media Carta Turning Up the Noise Coming Up 6. Hack Attacks and Electronic Civil Disobedience: The Theater is Open Electronic Civil Disobedience The Empire Strikes Back But Does It Work? Netwar Filling the Burrito Toywar Coming Up? 7. Where Do You Want To Go Tomorrow? : Act Tactically Think Strategically Be Clear About What You Want Don't Have Too Much Faith In the Net. But Do Have Faith In Yourselves
Investigation of Active Steering/Wheel Torque Control at the Rollover Limit Maneuver

It is well understood that driver's steering input strongly affects lateral vehicle dynamics and excessive steering command may result in unstable vehicle motion. In a certain driving condition, it is possible for a skilled driver to prevent vehicle rollover with better perceptive capability of judging conditions and responding faster with smooth compensatory actions. This paper investigates the possibility of using active steering and wheel torque control to assist drivers in avoiding vehicle rollovers in emergency situations. The effectiveness of steering control alone and combination of steering/wheel torque control in recovery from unstable vehicle roll condition was demonstrated through simulation of both low and high vehicle speeds.
Speech coding using time code modulation

A continuation of previous research which proposed a uniform amplitude coder as an alternative to traditional time-domain coders is presented. The time code modulation (TCM) encoder transmits the quantized intervals, corresponding to the time at which the input signal passed through uniform spaced amplitude levels (of a predetermined step size). The decoder reconstructs the signal by using liner interpolation in the amplitude domain. The sampling frequency and the step size are shown to be the two dominant factors that affect TCM performance; the higher the sampling frequency and the smaller the step size, the higher the SNR that can be achieved by TCM; at the same time, however, the transmission rate will increase. TCM was simulated at different sampling frequencies and step sizes with various sources. <<ETX>>
Atmospheric DBD Plasma Source in Play for SERS Active Substrates

High resolution SERS spectra has made possible to do multicomponent analysis simultaneously. This has driven the production demand of SERS substrates by technically feasible methods for further uptake on industrial scale. Here, a new idea of combining an atmospheric DBD plasma with ablation process at atmospheric gas pressure, is floated and described. The out flow from a DBD source, developed in flowing argon or helium is used to drive the plasmonic NP aerosol, produced from ablation of silver or gold target. The NP aerosols carried with the plasma jet, directly land on the solid surface and act as “hot spots” and makes a SERS active substrate to directly use for detection purpose. It is expected that the interaction of the plasma jet with the substrate would lead to formation of different morphologies and peculiar structures, and magnitude of SERS enhancement. The proposed approach seems handy to make flexible SERS substrate such as paper and to use directly for a wide range chemical and biological detection. Abbreviations: SERS: Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering; TCD: Trinity College Dublin; SPR: Surface Plasmon Resonance; EM: Electromagnetic Mechanism; NPs: Nano Particles; APLD: Atmospheric Pulsed Laser Deposition
Condiciones de la gestión del conocimiento, capacidad de innovación y resultados empresariales. Un modelo explicativo

Abstract The aim of this paper is to construct an explanatory model of the relationship between the conditions of knowledge management and innovation capability and its effect on firm performance. All this, from the combination of both internal conditions (strategic purpose, decision making, information and communication technologies and behavioural environment) and external conditions (competitive environment), which guide the process of development and renewal of new capabilities that involve knowledge acquisition, appropriation and the generation of results. It discusses the concept of innovation capability and proposes a model that integrates the necessary conditions for the evolution of knowledge within the firm and its influence on innovation capability.
A new method to design piezoelectric transformer used in MOSFET and IGBT gate drive circuits

This paper is situated in the continuity of our works focused on the use of piezoelectric transformer (PT) in MOSFET/IGBT gate drives. In this paper, a new design method for a gate drive PT is presented. We have previously demonstrated that this kind of transformer can be successfully used in insulated MOSFETs/IGBT's gate drive circuits. An optimized multi-layered PT working in the second thickness mode has been studied for transmitting signal and energy in a gate drive circuit. Based on an analytical Mason model, the design method gives the minimal size of the multi-layer PT. Thickness of the PT is given by its mechanical resonance frequency and by maximum electrical field in the material. This method takes into account mechanical losses and heating of the piezoelectric material. Area of the PT is calculated considering the required secondary power P/sub 2/ and heating of the material. This analytical design method can be extended to predict the characteristics of the PT: gain, transmitted power, efficiency and heating of piezoelectric materials according to load resistance. A prototype of a PT based on this design process was fabricated and tested experimentally. Piezoelectric material used for primary and secondary layers is lead titanate, PbTiO/sub 3/, polarized along the thickness. Insulation between the primary and the secondary is achieved by a 300 /spl mu/m thickness layer of alumina, Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/. All calculated characteristics have been confirmed by measurements.
Coordinated dynamic planning for air and space operations

Planners of military air and space operations in a battlefield environment seek to allocate resources against targets in a way that best achieves the objectives of the commander. In future conflicts, the presence of new types of assets, such as tactical space-based sensors and Operationally Responsive Spacelift (ORS) assets, will add complexity to air and space operations decisions. In order to best achieve objectives, planners of different types of assets will likely need to work collaboratively when formulating tasking for their resources. The purpose of this research is to investigate the challenges of air and space collaboration and to quantify its potential benefit. We model a future threat scenario involving a rogue nation with Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) capability and a significant air defense force. We consider three separately-controlled resource groups aircraft, satellites, and ORS assets to combat the target threat. In addition, we formulate a top-level coordination controller, whose job it is to effect collaborative decision-making among resource groups. Using a combination of pre-existing software and new algorithms, we develop the Coordinated Dynamic Air and Space Operations Control System (CDASOCS), which simulates controller-generated plans in a battlefield environment recurring over multiple planning periods. New algorithms are presented for both the top-level coordination controller and the ORS controller. The benefits of resource coordination in CDASOCS are demonstrated in three main experiments along with several parameter variation tests. Thesis Supervisor: Professor John-Paul Clarke Title: Professor of Aeronautics Professor, Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics Technical Supervisor: Dr. Stephan E. Kolitz Title: Principle Member of the Technical Staff The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.
Biopile Design, Operation, and Maintenance Handbook for Treating Hydrocarbon-Contaminated Soils

This handbook gives the reader the knowledge and tools to efficiently select, design, construct, operate, maintain, and close out a biopile system. As an added feature, the Biopile Cost Estimator{copyright} software, included in each handbook, enables easy estimation of capital, operation, and unit treatment costs. This software gives the user the flexibility to use default values or to input site-specific design variables, such as capacity, labor rates, analytical costs, and expected project life. The book starts with a general biopile technology overview and continues with detailed descriptions of selection criteria, regulatory issues, design parameters, and construction procedures. Written for the project manager and on-site technician, this handbook includes ready-to-use calculation sheets with completed problem checklists and data sheets. Other appendices include a general health and safety plan and a troubleshooting guide.
Synthetic aperture imaging for three dimensional resolution of fluid flows

Fluid mechanics and instrumentation have a long history together, as experimental fluids studies play an important role in describing a more complete physical picture in a variety of problems. Presently. state-of-the-art instruments for fluid flows aim to resolve various quantities in three-dimensions. This thesis describes a novel threedimensional imaging system intended to extend laboratory measurement capabilities in complicated flows where knowledge is incomplete. In particular, the imaging system is designed to perform three-dimensional velocimetry in densely seeded flows where object geometry may partially occlude the field as well as to measure and locate bubbles, droplets and particles in three-dimensions in multiphase flows. An instrument of this kind has ramifications in a variety of engineering applications from air-sea interaction to Naval hydrodynamics to turbulence and beyond. The imaging system is based upon synthetic aperture (SA) imaging, which has received much attention in the computer vision community recently. In focus images from an array of synchronized cameras are recombined in software post-capture using a refocusing algorithm to generate a focal stack of synthetic images. Each synthetic image has a narrow depth of field, and objects residing at this depth appear sharp while off-plane objects appear blurred. The refocusing algorithm not only allows for 3D reconstruction of a scene, but also enables "see-through" effects, whereby an object occluded in some of the camera views will be seen in the synthetic images. In this thesis, considerations for development of a three-dimensional measurement system for fluid flows based on the SA imaging field are made. A high-performance 'M. Levoy. Light fields and computational imaging. Computer, 39(8):46-55, Aug. 2006. three-dimensional particle image velocimetry technique is described and validated. Also, a method for auto-calibration of nutli-camera setups for fluids experiments is derived and developed. Finally, algorithms are generated for application to multiphase flows and the technique is applied to a circular plunging jet with results showing excellent agreement to prior literature and yielding new insight into the problem. Thesis Supervisor: Alexandra H. Techet Title: Associate Professor of Mechanical and Ocean Engineering
A W‐band RF‐MEMS switched LNA in a 70 nm mHEMT process

This work presents a monolithic integrated reconfigurable active circuit consisting of a W‐band RF micro‐electro‐mechanical‐systems (MEMS) Dicke switch network and a wideband low‐noise amplifier (LNA) realized in a 70 nm gallium arsenide (GaAs) metamorphic high electron mobility transistor process technology. The RF‐MEMS LNA has a measured gain of 10.2–15.6 dB and 1.3–8.2 dB at 79–96 GHz when the Dicke switch is switched ON and OFF, respectively. Compared with the three‐stage LNA used in this design the measured in‐band noise figure (NF) of MEMS switched LNA is minimum 1.6 dB higher. To the authors’ knowledge, the experimental results represent a first time demonstration of a W‐band MEMS switched LNA monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) in a GaAs foundry process with a minimum NF of 5 dB. The proposed novel integration of such MEMS switched MMICs can enable more cost‐effective ways to realize high‐performance single‐chip mm‐wave reconfigurable radiometer front‐ends for space and security applications, for example. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE 25:639–646, 2015.
Optical Fiber Communications

Optical fibers are used extensively for data transmission systems because of their dielectric nature and their large information-carrying capacity. Network architectures using multiple wavelength channels per optical fiber are utilized in local, metropolitan, or wide-area applications to connect thousands of users having a wide range of transmission capacities and speeds. A powerful aspect of an optical communication link is that many different wavelengths can be sent along a fiber simultaneously in the 1300-to-1600- nm spectrum. The technology of combining a number of wavelengths onto the same fiber is known as wavelength division multiplexing (WDM). The concept of WDM used in conjunction with optical amplifiers has resulted in communication links that allow rapid communications between users in countries all over the world. Keywords: optical fibers; attenuation; photonic systems; WDM; optical amplifiers; dispersion; nonlinear effects
Reply RC1

In this paper, the authors address a known problem: many different algorithms and approaches to retrieve the rainfall via commercial microwave links have been presented in the past. However, most of the presented model-based approaches are sensitive to various design parameters of the specific algorithm. The authors return to a previously published algorithm the RAINLINK, describe the problematic-sensitivity to specific design parameters, and suggest a methodology to pinpoint the most important parameters, and to better calibrate these parameters (which the authors did previously via empirical calibration).
Efficiency-Optimized Direct Torque Controlled Integrated Starter/Alternator with Power Factor Tuning

This paper presents a novel efiiciency-optimized scheme based on power factor tuning for the Direct Torque Controlled Integrated Starter/Alternator. The power factor of the induction machine is controlled to track the pre-determined power factor reference without requiring any speed or load information. Two power factor estimation methods are proposed. The power loss is minimized with proper power factor control under different conditions.
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF ALUMINUM-AIR BATTERY PROPULSION SYSTEMS FOR PASSENGER VEHICLES

Three electric propulsion systems using an aluminum-air battery were analyzed and compared to the internal-combustion-engine (ICE) vehicle. The analysis used projected battery characteristics extrapolated from laboratory measurements which were obtained in late 1979 and early 1980. In the analysis, the engine and fuel systems of a representative five-passenger highway vehicle were replaced conceptually by each of the three electric propulsion systems. The electrical vehicles were constrained by the computer simulation to be equivalent to the ICE vehicle in range and acceleration performance. The vehicle masses and aluminum consumption rates were then calculated for the electric vehicles and these data were used as figures of merit. The Al-air vehicles analyzed were: (1) an Al-air battery-only electric vehicle, (2) an Al-air battery combined with a nickel-zinc secondary battery for power leveling and regenerative braking, and (3) an Al-air battery combined with a flywheel for power leveling and regenerative braking. Projected Al-air battery power density, energy density, mass, and volume characteristics were based on recent experimental results of the Al-air battery development program at Lawrence Livermore Laboratory. All three electric systems compared favorably with the ICE vehicle.