Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Teachers' views about the Nuffield advanced physics course

It may be argued that the adoption and implementation of a course such as Nuffield A-level physics (NAP) has at least two critical stages. The first one occurs when the course is first published and teachers are becoming acquainted with it, its philosophy, changed teaching methods, content and experimental work. They have to decide whether to adopt the course and if so, how to implement it. A questionnaire survey conducted soon after the publication of NAP some eight years ago showed high degrees of satisfaction with the course among teachers who had attended in-service courses on it. The entries for the special NAP examination now amount to about 20% of all A-level physics entries (Tebbutt 1978) and there is also evidence of substantial amounts of informal adoption (Nicodemus 1975). For all these reasons it seems that NAP passed the first of the critical stages successfully. At the second stage the course has been in operation for some time and its features have been tried, tested and perhaps found wanting. At this stage the teachers may decide to continue with the course, or they may change to another course either because the original course is out of date or because rival courses have appeared which have greater appeal, or fewer demands. NAP has reached the second stage, at which revision is being considered, and this account gives a summary of the reactions to NAP of 116 teachers, representing a 60% return on a questionnaire survey of half the NAP schools, conducted in the summer of 1979. As would be expected from a randomly chosen sample the teachers' experience with NAP varied from before 1971 to 1978 in a fairly even distribution. This has been a period of reorganisation and the schools had changed from grammar to comprehensive or sixth-form college, direct grant to independent, and a number of boys schools had become coeducational. In spite of a substantial amount of change there had apparently been little change in the motivation, average ability, spread of ability or maturity of the pupils taking the course. Most of the schools (55) had one set of pupils, and a further 34 had two sets. The sizes of individual groups varied between 7 and 81 but the mean of 19.6 was consistent with these figures. In 16 of the schools pupils were entered for physics or engineering sciences examinations as well as NAP. Overall these data suggest that the sample was a reasonably representative one.
Cache Control of Edge Computing System for Tradeoff Between Delays and Cache Storage Costs

This paper studies the edge computing system (ECS) in which caching the frequently reusable service (FRS) at the edge server (ES) is an effective way to reduce delays. The larger cache space available in the ES (we call it ES cache space) might buffer the larger scale of FRS, and subsequently decrease the delays while bringing higher cache storage costs. Meanwhile, the distribution of FRS is not always known in advance. Therefore, how much ES cache space should be supplied to make the optimal tradeoff between the delays and cache storage costs arises as an interesting issue in practice. To address this issue, this paper first formulates the problem of determining the amount of ES cache space supply as a constrained Markov decision process (CMDP), then adopts the Zipf’s distribution to estimate the probability distribution of FRS, and finally proposes an effective cache space control algorithm (CSCA) guiding the ES to determine the amount of ES cache space supply to minimize the cache storage costs while maintaining the delays at the acceptable level. Theoretical analysis, simulations and field experiments document and illustrate its performance. Note to Practitioners—This paper addresses the interesting trade-off between the delays and cache storage costs for the edge computing system that operates with limited cache storage budgets while must satisfy the required real-time performances. It helps to improve the operation efficiency of the systems with edge computing setting in the area of Internet of Things (IoT) or Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) that employ the edge server to cache the frequently reusable services, arriving at the minimization of the accumulative cache storage costs while maintaining the accumulative delays at the acceptable level. Theoretical analysis, simulation and field experimental investigations jointly show that the solution proposed here outperforms existing solutions.
On sound localization cues in the median plane

In order to make it clear which is more important for sound localization in the median plane, SP cues (spectral cues) or ID cues (interaural difference cues), two localization tests of sound sources simulated by a digital computer using measured individual head‐related transfer functions (M. Morimoto et al., 9th ICA, H47 (1977)] were carried out. First, SP cues were presented to the subjects keeping interaural differences of all stimuli constant. Second, to the contrary, ID cues were presented to them keeping all spectra at one ear constant. The results of those tests are the following. (1) All subjects can localize stimuli with only SP cues. but they cannot localize so accurately as stimuli with the both cues. (2) They cannot localize stimuli with only ID cues at all. Those results show that SP cues are far more important than ID cues for sound localization in the median plane, however, that ID cues should not be neglected.
Analytical approach for calculation of aperture efficiency enhancement of horn antennas using a thin metal cylinder

This study aims to increase horn antenna gain and aperture efficiency in a way that are compatible with aperture electric field distribution similar to TE10 rectangular waveguide mode using analytical calculation method. The proposed analytical approach can be useful to calculate the performance of a horn antenna design with thin (r«λ) perfect electric conductor (PEC) cylinder placed on the antenna aperture dividing H‐plane. In the analytical solution, the aperture field distribution is obtained by solving the electromagnetic scattering from an infinitely long cylinder placed in front of the aperture. This structure not only improves the aperture electric field amplitude distribution but also corrects phase errors in the horn antenna. An X‐band pyramid horn antenna is manufactured by using three‐dimensional (3‐D) printer and coated with aluminum tape. The measurement results of the 3‐D printed antenna are also compared with the simulation results. The antenna gain is measured with and without the PEC cylinder on the aperture. It is found that, the antenna gain is increased by 1 dB. The results of the proposed analytical calculation method are compared with the simulation and measurement results and justified.
Kernel Regression When the Boundary Region is Large, with an Application to Testing the Adequacy of Polynomial Models

Abstract It is well known that kernel regression estimators are subject to so-called boundary or edge effects, a phenomenon in which the bias of an estimator increases near the endpoints of the estimation interval. When the regression curve is linear or nearly linear, the requisite amount of smoothing is so great that the boundary region is effectively the entire estimation interval. Special boundary kernels are proposed here to deal with such cases. It is shown that the proposed kernel estimator has a property also enjoyed by cubic smoothing splines; namely, as the estimator's smoothing parameter becomes large, the estimator tends to a straight line. The limiting straight line is essentially the least squares line when the design points are equally spaced. A simple generalization of ideas in the linear case leads to kernel estimates that are polynomials of any given degree for large bandwidths. Such estimates are an important component of a proposed test for the adequacy of a polynomial model. The test s.
Turbulent mixing in a shear-free stably stratified two-layer fluid

Direct numerical simulation is used to examine turbulent mixing in a shear-free stably stratified fluid. Energy is continuously supplied to a small region to maintain a well-developed kinetic energy profile, as in an oscillating grid flow (Briggs et al. 1996; Hopfinger & Toly 1976; Nokes 1988). A microscale Reynolds number of 60 is maintained in the source region. The turbulence forms a well-mixed layer which diffuses from the source into the quiescent fluid below. Turbulence transport at the interface causes the mixed layer to grow under weakly stratified conditions. When the stratification is strong, large-scale turbulent transport is inactive and pressure transport becomes the principal mechanism for the growth of the turbulence layer. Down-gradient buoyancy flux is present in the large scales; however, far from the source, weak counter-gradient fluxes appear in the medium to small scales. The production of internal waves and counter-gradient fluxes rapidly reduces the mixing when the turbulent Froude number is lower than unity. When the stratification is weak, the turbulence is strong enough to break up the density interface and transport fluid parcels of different density over large vertical distances. As the stratification intensifies, turbulent eddies flatten against the interface creating anisotropy and internal waves. The dominant entrainment mechanism is then scouring. Mixing efficiency, defined as the ratio of buoyancy flux to available kinetic energy, exhibits a similar dependence on Froude number to other stratified flows (Holt et al. 1992; Lienhard & Van Atta 1990). However, using the anisotropy of the turbulence to define an alternative mixing efficiency and Froude number improves the correlation and allows local scaling.
The effect of plant mycotrophy and soil disturbance on soil microbial activity

In cropping systems, the choices adopted for the tillage system used and plants cultivated can strongly influence the soil microbial population and its functional profile. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are an important component of soil microbiome and their mutualistic symbiosis with the majority of higher plants grant the latter a wide range of benefits. The extraradical mycelium developed by these fungi expands the volume of soil influenced and harbours a diversity of microbes establishing a distinct environment of complementary interactions. We assessed how growing plants with different levels of mycotrophy modifies the biological activity profile in the soil under Mn toxicity and whether this is modified by soil disturbance. Following mycotrophic plants, soil contained a more active microbiome than after the non‐mycotrophic plants, as expressed by higher values of soil basal respiration or dehydrogenase activity. Additionally, the count of phosphorus solubilizes and activity of phosphatase were greater after mycotrophic plants. Even among mycotrophic plants, different profiles of biological activity can be distinguished after growing a legume or grass. ERM disruption by soil disturbance decreased most of the parameters studied and for phosphatase activity and P solubilizers in a more significant way. These results indicate that even under Mn toxicity, the microbiome associated with AMF symbiosis following mycotrophic plants growth presented a higher biological activity and had a differential biological response towards the stress imposed by soil disturbance, when compared with the microbiome associated with non‐mycotrophic roots.
Konstruktionsgrammatische Zugänge zur (soziokognitiven) Diskurssemantik

In this paper, I propose an extension of Busse’s cognitive discourse semantics through a usage-based construction grammatical approach. Following Lasch (2015a, 2015b, 2016), I will argue that (i) constructions are discursive per se, and (ii) some constructions can fulfil a textual or discursive function depending on their usage. The theoretical discussion shows that construction grammar is arguably an interesting and fruitful tool of a cognitive discourse semantics, which is empirically explained with examples.
Target detection and recognition using Markov modeling and probability updating

While extract methods (e.g., jump-diffusion algorithms) for performing maximum a posteriori (MAP) target detection and recognition can be very complex and computationally expensive, it is often not clear how to develop effective and less complex suboptimal methods. Also, MAP algorithms typically generate hard decisions, but for fusion applications it would often be more desirable to have probabilities or confidence levels for a range of alternatives. In this paper, we consider the application of a framework called probability propagation in Bayesian networks. This framework organizes computations for iterated approximations to posterior probabilities, and has been used recently by communications researchers to derive very effective iterative decoding algorithms. In this paper, we develop a Bayesian network model for the problem of target detection and recognition, and use it in conjunction with Markov models for target regions to derive a probability propagation algorithm for estimating target shape and label probabilities.
An Interactive Anxiety-relieving Deep-breathing Art Installation Based on Arduino and Processing Programming Language

In recent years, according to a brief released by the World Health Organization, the global prevalence of anxiety and depression reached 25% in just the first year of the epidemic. In March 2022, the COVID 19 outbreak suddenly broke out in Shanghai, with a cumulative total of over 200,000 confirmed cases within a month. Difficulties in work and activities due to the epidemic have led to a constant negative psychological state and rising psychological stress [1] . How to relieve stress and maintain a relaxed mood has become a challenge for people. Meanwhile, it’s universally acknowledged that deep breathing in the right way can be effective in relieving stress. This device aims to combine the use of two open-source electronic platforms - Arduino and Processing - to break the traditional way of interaction through programming tools. It translates the data standard into the form of a dynamic art installation by setting the appropriate breathing rate and breathing volume, and uses good visual effects and interactive experience to promote people to participate in the interaction, which guides people to improve their mood and reduce stress while interacting with the art installation through proper breathing.
Fuzzy adaptive proportional-integral-derivative controller with dynamic set-point adjustment for maximum power point tracking in solar photovoltaic system

A novel fuzzy adaptive proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control strategy with online set-point tracking is presented for maximum power point tracking (MPPT) in solar photovoltaic (PV) system in this paper. The range of the membership functions of the fuzzy logic for online PID parameter tuner has been optimized using the relay feedback tuning method. The proposed MPPT controller has been designed with online set-point adjustment approach using current, radiation and temperature sensors. Real-time simulations have been carried out on MATLAB™/dSPACE™ ds1104 Research and Development control board platform for solar PV system with synchronous buck converter and resistive load. Performance of the proposed techniques has been compared with main existing MPPT techniques viz. perturb and observe, incremental conductance, fuzzy logic, neural network and adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system-based methods of MPPT. Performance of various techniques has been compared based on tracking efficiency, steady state and dynamic behaviour. Experimental results showed the superiority of the proposed method for tracking maximum power point under rapidly varying solar radiations.
3D imaging of radiation damage in silicon sensor and spatial mapping of charge collection efficiency

Radiation damage in semiconductor sensors alters the response and degrades the performance of many devices ultimately limiting their stability and lifetime. In semiconductor radiation detectors the homogeneity of charge collection becomes distorted while decreasing the overall detection efficiency. Moreover the damage can significantly increase the detector noise and degrade other electrical properties such as leakage current. In this work we present a novel method for 3D mapping of the semiconductor radiation sensor volume allowing displaying the three dimensional distribution of detector properties such as charge collection efficiency and charge diffusion rate. This technique can visualize the spatially localized changes of local detector performance after radiation damage. Sensors used were 300 μm and 1000 μm thick silicon bump-bonded to a Timepix readout chip which serves as an imaging multichannel microprobe (256 × 256 square pixels with pitch of 55 μm, i.e. all together 65 thousand channels). Per pixel energy sensitivity of the Timepix chip allows to evaluate the local charge collection efficiency and also the charge diffusion rate. In this work we implement an X-ray line scanning technique for systematic evaluation of changes in the performance of a silicon sensor intentionally damaged by energetic protons.
Effects of particle contamination and substrate interaction on the Raman response of unintentionally doped graphene

We investigated the inhomogeneities in the charge density of unintentionally doped graphene on SiO2 prepared by mechanical exfoliation. From the analysis of the G, D, and 2D phonon modes of the Raman spectra after displacing contaminants on graphene surface, and measuring the separation monolayer-substrate distance among zones with different doping levels, we deduce that the interaction with the substrate is the main cause of doping in graphene rather than particle contamination. In particular, we show how graphene doping levels vary within the same flake depending on the distance between graphene and the substrate.
SU‐FF‐I‐68: Evaluation of An Intensity‐Based Free‐Form Deformable Registration Algorithm

Purpose: To propose and evaluate an intensity‐based free‐form deformable registration algorithm for CTimage volumes. Method and Materials: We have developed an intensity‐based deformable registration algorithm with essentially limitless degrees of freedom depending on required accuracy and execution speed. The algorithm utilizes sufficient regularization to minimize the likelihood of folds or tears in the deformation fields. The first evaluation strategy utilized real CT volume pairs acquired weeks apart for three subjects who exhibited significant weight loss during IMRT treatment. For these subjects, we calculated the correlation coefficient after rigid and deformable registration. Additionally, a known deformation was applied to a real CT volume creating a synthetic target to determine the ability of the algorithm to recover the same “gold standard” deformation. Finally, we measured the consistency of the algorithm as the average distance of concatenated forward and reverse deformations from the unity transform on a real CT volume pair. Results: The correlation coefficients after rigid registration were 0.890, 0.921, and 0.859 for the three volume pairs. These improved to 0.979, 0.983, and 0.978, respectively, after deformable registration. These results were comparable to benchmark self‐correlations of the target CTs with a 1.4mm translation error applied (0.979, 0.980, and 0.978, respectively). In the second experiment, rigid registration averaged 10.3mm error (6.6mm SD) while deformable registration averaged 1.1mm error (1.9mm SD) from the “gold standard”. Nearly three quarters (73.9%) of voxels had less than 1mm error and the 95% confidence interval was 4.8mm compared to 0.6% and 23.2mm respectively for rigid registration. Finally, concatenating the forward and reverse deformations resulted in an average distance of 3.1mm (3.1mm SD) from unity. Conclusions: The accuracy and speed of the algorithm suggests its utility for a variety of purposes including integration into an adaptive radiation therapy protocol. Conflict of Interest: Contributing author employed by MIMvista Corp.
Sensitivity analysis for incomplete categorical data

Classical inferential procedures induce conclusions from a set of data to a population of interest, accounting for the imprecision resulting from the stochastic component of the model. This is usually done by means of precision or interval estimates. Less attention is devoted to the uncertainty arising from (unplanned) incompleteness in the data, even though the majority of clinical studies suffer from incomplete follow-up. Through the choice of an identifiable model for non-ignorable non-response, one narrows the possible data generating mechanisms to the point where inference only suffers from imprecision. Some proposals have been made for assessment of sensitivity to these modeling assumptions; many are based on fitting several plausible but competing models. We propose a formal approach which identifies and incorporates both sources of uncertainty in inference: imprecision due to finite sampling and ignorance due to incompleteness. The developments focus on contingency tables, and are illustrated using data from a HIV prevalence study and data from a psychiatric study.
mmWave Yagi-Uda Element and Array on Liquid Crystal Polymer for 5G

Arrays on personal terminals are feasible using mmWave frequencies, but are limited by mutual coupling. A standard specification for MIMO is −15 dB coupling which can be readily attained over a modest bandwidth, and decoupling modifications can reduce this to less than −20 dB. Such a change has relatively little impact on narrowband MIMO performance but is significant for wideband phased arrays, demonstrated here using simulation and measurement of a new design. For the element, we present a Yagi-Uda structure on PCB with a bandwidth from 22 to 44 GHz to cover a set of standard mmWave bands for 5G. Our prototype uses the RFIC packaging material Liquid Crystal Polymer which is suitable for Antenna-in-Package technology. For the array, the element spacing is set small enough to suppress grating lobes at the highest frequency. At the lowest frequencies, the lowest electrical spacing means the highest mutual coupling, and we apply a decoupling modification for this. The associated improvements in the impedance bandwidth, scan range, gain and radiation efficiency are presented for edge- and corner-mounted arrays designed for a mobile terminal such as a cellphone. Our array combining comprises simulation-based signal phasing and the simpler beam switching using element selection. The edge-mounted array has a 59% TARC bandwidth (24–44 GHz) over which the scan range is between ±60° and ±35°, the gain is 9.5 to 13 dBi with a radiation efficiency better than −0.2 dB. The corner-mounted switched array has peak gains of 6 to 9 dBi, showing the gain penalty associated with the simpler switched beam architecture. Finally, the impact of a cellphone chassis on the antenna performance is assessed by simulation.
ArmAssist: A Telerehabilitation Solution for Upper-Limb Rehabilitation at Home

ArmAssist (AA), developed by TECNALIA, is a telerehabilitation platform aiming to help poststroke subjects maintain the rehabilitation of the upper limb at home. AA includes robotic modules with multiple sensors to train and measure the users’ voluntary movements. An assessment platform based on serious games is also included to not only engage the user but also perform automated evaluations of arm and hand function and their evolution over time. Moreover, AA facilitates at-home rehabilitation with limited remote supervision by the therapist. In the present article, the technical specifications and developments of AA are described. Additionally, a summary of the outcomes of a usability evaluation of AA is presented.