Coverage model for character-based neural machine translation

En col·laboració amb la Universitat de Barcelona (UB) i la Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV)In recent years, Neural Machine Translation (NMT) has achieved state-of-the art performance in translating from a language; source language, to another; target language. However, many of the proposed methods use word embedding techniques to represent a sentence in the source or target language. Character embedding techniques for this task has been suggested to represent the words in a sentence better. Moreover, recent NMT models use attention mechanism where the most relevant words in a source sentence are used to generate a target word. The problem with this approach is that while some words are translated multiple times, some other words are not translated. To address this problem, coverage model has been integrated into NMT to keep track of already-translated words and focus on the untranslated ones. In this research, we present a new architecture in which we use character embedding for representing the source and target words, and also use coverage model to make certain that all words are translated. We compared our model with the previous models and our model shows comparable improvements. Our model achieves an improvement of 2.87 BLEU (BiLingual Evaluation Understudy) score over the baseline; attention model, for German-English translation, and 0.34 BLEU score improvement for Catalan-Spanish translation

Operational Analysis of the Flipped Left Diamond Interchange Design

Interchanges are critical elements of modern transportation networks. A new design called the Flipped Left-Turn Diamond Interchange (FLDI) has been proposed to enhance efficiency and increase the capacity of traditional diamond interchanges. The FLDI design features left-turn lanes in opposing directions, eliminating conflicts between opposing left-turn movements. One of the key benefits of FLDI is its ability to be easily implemented within the existing right of way, without the need for major construction or the elimination of direct connectivity between frontage roads or access to corner properties, unlike other innovative designs such as the Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) and Continuous Flow Intersections (CFI). The primary objective of this study is to investigate whether implementing the FLDI design can reduce vehicle delay, queue length, and the number of stops compared to a conventional diamond interchange. Additionally, the study aims to determine the applicable conditions for implementing the FLDI design and develop signal timing strategies to optimize its performance. To achieve this objective, various data types, including turning movement counts, travel time, and signal timing data, were collected at a diamond interchange in Fort Worth, Texas. Microscopic traffic models were then developed for the existing condition (conventional diamond interchange) and the FLDI design in PTV VISSIM. The base model was calibrated based on travel time and traffic count data to ensure that the developed model accurately represents the existing condition. In addition, a new signal timing plan was developed for FLDI to improve operational performance at the interchange. This phasing plan provides the traffic progression time between the two intersections at the diamond interchange and prevents the green starvation problem at the downstream intersection. The study found that FLDI is more robust than the conventional diamond interchange when subjected to heavy traffic conditions. The traffic simulation results showed that the implementation of FLDI may reduce vehicle delay, queue length, and the number of stops at the entire interchange by 30% to 40%, 30% to 50%, and 30%, respectively. The main reason for this improvement is that FLDI can allow more traffic flows to move simultaneously in one phase. Furthermore, it was found that the performance of FLDI was almost the same as the conventional diamond interchange when the interchange experiences low and medium traffic. To address traffic safety concerns, it is recommended that FLDI have a dedicated U-turn lane between the frontage roads. This study proposes that FLDI can be a viable design option for diamond interchanges with heavy traffic volume conditions due to its ability to reduce travel delays, stops, and queue lengths. Its feasibility should be evaluated carefully based on local traffic conditions and engineering judgment before implementation. This study can assist traffic engineers and transportation planners in the operational analysis of diamond interchanges

A comparison of radioactive waste from first generation fusion reactors and fast fission reactors with actinide recycling

Limitations of the fission fuel resources will presumably mandate the replacement of thermal fission reactors by fast fission reactors that operate on a self-sufficient closed fuel cycle. This replacement might take place within the next one hundred years, so the direct competitors of fusion reactors will be fission reactors of the latter rather than the former type. Also, fast fission reactors, in contrast to thermal fission reactors, have the potential for transmuting long-lived actinides into short-lived fission products. The associated reduction of the long-term activation of radioactive waste due to actinides makes the comparison of radioactive waste from fast fission reactors to that from fusion reactors more rewarding than the comparison of radioactive waste from thermal fission reactors to that from fusion reactors. Radioactive waste from an experimental and a commercial fast fission reactor and an experimental and a commercial fusion reactor has been characterized. The fast fission reactors chosen for this study were the Experimental Breeder Reactor 2 and the Integral Fast Reactor. The fusion reactors chosen for this study were the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor and a Reduced Activation Ferrite Helium Tokamak. The comparison of radioactive waste parameters shows that radioactive waste from the experimental fast fission reactor may be less hazardous than that from the experimental fusion reactor. Inclusion of the actinides would reverse this conclusion only in the long-term. Radioactive waste from the commercial fusion reactor may always be less hazardous than that from the commercial fast fission reactor, irrespective of the inclusion or exclusion of the actinides. The fusion waste would even be far less hazardous, if advanced structural materials, like silicon carbide or vanadium alloy, were employed

ENHANCING ARCHITECTURE EDUCATION WITH THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY

This paper presents effective ideas for using technology in design studio courses. These courses are based on some small well defined projects during the semester, in each of these projects students will pass through design process contain some clear steps. The attempt of this paper is to integrate technological methods in each stage of the design process. The paper first will outlines (agree on) five main stages in design process starting from research stage until the final jury presentation and then comes the faculties’ summative assessment. In each step technological modern methods are introduced. E-learning-podcasting, social media, smart boards, virtual client meeting, 3D cinema shows, coogle brainstorming, design games and finally using smart rubric for grading student’s projects will be involved in design steps to enhance students learning. Nowadays faculties have become increasingly committed to making teaching and assessments more effective in promoting student learning. This paper will presents HOW technology CAN enhance student learning in Design Studio courses especially in this era, where the technology not only yielded new tools and techniques, but have shaped a generation of students who seamlessly engage in the online and real world environments in many facets of their lives. Two types of data are considered for analysis: student’s level of satisfaction and expectation through surveys, Faculty Personal experience involvement. The paper will suggest a model for the design studio incorporating all the technological interventions in different stages of the design process

Significance of chitosan foliar spraying on the growth and yield of vegetable crop under protected cultivation: A Review

Chitosan is a naturally occurring substance that is manufactured industrially from crab shells. It has been used as a better material for improving vegetable growth and yields, as well as a protective mechanism against fungi, bacteria and viruses. Because of its excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability and bioactivity, the biopolymer "Chitosan" has generated a lot of interest for its potential wide application in agriculture. Chitosan acts as an inducer in many species of plants. It not only works by triggering the immune system of plants, but it also enhances crop yields. Chitosan increased plant efficacy in reducing the negative effect of adverse circumstances as well as plant growth. The main objective of this review paper is to synthesize the most recent literature on the influence of chitosan foliar spraying on the development and yield properties of various vegetables, as well as to foster academic collaboration.. For instance, 100 ppm level of foliar spraying of chitosan have effects on the average plant height, medium number of leaves, area of leaves, the content of chlorophyll and fruits weight of tomato plant growth parameters, whereas chitosan at 4 mL per litre improved the minerals situation in cucumber and this substance also significantly lowered the damaging Powdery mildew in okra. This study demonstrates the beneficial effect of foliar spraying chitosan in conjunction with other chemical substances on plants. The current research has been done for future studies aimed at improving the foliar application of chitosan for horticultural production, particularly vegetable yield and growth