https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/2068 Tue, 12 May 2026 21:09:32 GMT 2026-05-12T21:09:32Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/146322 Title: Special issue “Towards a higher education of the future : transformational roles of edge intelligence” Authors: Doshi, Ruchi; Hu, Yu-Chen; Garg, Lalit; Fagbola, Temitayo Abstract: Higher Education of the Future (HEF) is anticipated to be a scalable educational framework that is driven by new digital learning architectures and platforms, as well as collaborative learning systems, that are able to completely guarantee self-paced, customizable, personalized and flexible teaching/learning experiences. The HEF concept strongly points toward a “learning from everywhere” model. The need for HEF is motivated, among other things, by the fact that most state-of-the-art higher education system models currently being used for driving and transitioning higher education are structurally, socially, and technologically incapacitated to meet the key requirements towards delivering a foreseeable smart, real-time intelligence driven HEF. [excerpt] Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/146322 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/146097 Title: Design of a VHF guard three-way lumped component unequal high power splitter Authors: Casha, Owen; Cutajar, Joseph; Catania, Luke; Deguara, Joe; Sciberras, Clayton; Zammit, Leslie Abstract: Implementing microstrip or stripline-based power splitters or couplers for high-power VHF applications is typically prohibitive due to the large wavelength, cost considerations, and power handling. This paper revisits and derives the complete set of design equations for a two-way lumped component Wilkinson’s unequal power splitter by using standard circuit theory, rather than odd and even mode analysis, given the non-symmetric nature of the circuit. Using these equations, a simplified and modular design of a three-way unequal high power splitter for the International Aeronautical Emergency Frequency is presented, while considering a lumped component equivalent circuit of a quarter wavelength transmission line section. A measured return loss of less than dB was obtained on each port at a frequency of 121.5 MHz together with an isolation of around dB from the main output port to the other output ports. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/146097 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/146079 Title: Record field in a 10 mm-period bulk high-temperature superconducting undulator Authors: Zhang, Kai; Pirotta, Andrew; Liang, Xiaoyang; Hellmann, Sebastian; Bartkowiak, Marek; Schmidt, Thomas; Dennis, Anthony; Ainslie, Mark; Durrell, John; Calvi, Marco Abstract: A 10 mm-period, high-temperature superconducting (HTS) undulator consisting of 20 staggered-array GdBa2Cu3O7−x (GdBCO) bulk superconductors has been fabricated and tested successfully. Each GdBCO disk was machined into a half-moon shape with micro-meter accuracy and shrink-fitted into a slotted oxygen-free copper disk which provided pre-stress and effective conduction-cooling. The HTS undulator prototype, consisting of GdBCO disks, copper disks, and CoFe poles fitted in a long copper shell, was field-cooled magnetized in fields of up to 10 T at 10 K. An undulator field of 2.1 T in a 4 mm magnetic gap was obtained. This field is the largest reported yet for the same gap and period length and exceeds the target value of 2 T for the meter-long HTS undulator scheduled for the hard x-ray I-TOMCAT beamline in the Swiss Light Source 2.0. We have demonstrated that bulk superconductor based undulators can provide significantly improved performance over alternative technologies. Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/146079 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/146069 Title: Feedback loops and bias in machine learning algorithms for predictive policing Abstract: Predictive policing describes several emerging practices of implementing artificial intelligence and machine learning in police work, specifically in attempting to predict future crimes through algorithmic crime forecasting. These emerging practices have introduced many new opportunities for improved police work, but critics of predictive policing have raised both ethical and practical concerns. These concerns include the risk of feedback loops and bias. This thesis aims to contribute to this ongoing debate by examining how algorithmic crime forecasting tools produce bias and feedback loops and by exploring if it is possible to create algorithmic crime forecasting tools with reduced tendencies towards bias and feedback loops. Specifically, the focus is on the seminal and widely adopted PredPol system, which is based on an earthquake prediction system known as Epidemic Type Aftershock Sequence (ETAS). The methodology used in this studywas to replicate studies detailing the PredPol system, as well as studies criticising it. Based on previous findings by critics, a synthetic population and urn modelling was used to demonstrate the negative tendencies of the system. Based on this, an original framework was developed for evaluating modifications made to the algorithm by measuring the effectiveness in reducing feedback loop tendencies and improving fairness. This is done through metrics like the Predictive Accuracy Index (PAI), variations in the mean conditional intensity rates, λ, and the total fairness score, which evaluates the consistency of law enforcement attention across different demographic groups. To reduce the algorithm’s tendencies towards bias and feedback loops, a modified algorithm using rejection sampling and a fairness penalty was developed. While the proposed algorithmic adjustments lead to increased fairness and reduced feedback loop generation in predictive policing, they also introduce some trade-offs in predictive performance, particularly noted in the PAI values. However, the enhancements significantly mitigate biased policing practices and reduce the perpetuation of historical inequities, aligning more closely with ethical standards. Description: M.Sc. ICT(Melit.) Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/146069 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z