Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
MITIGATING THE EFFECT OF SOFT-LIMITING FOR OFDM PEAK REDUCTION

Digital communication systems which use Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) are now widely used and have many advantages. The main disadvantage is the requirement for highly linear analogue electronics including the high power amplifier (HPA). This requirement cannot be met in all circumstances because of the occurrence of symbols with high peak to average power ratio (PAPR). Such symbols may be non-linearly distorted by limiting. Approaches to solve this problem have been either to reduce the PAPR at the transmitter or to try to mitigate the effect of the non-linearity at the receiver. Soft-limiting, i.e. applying limiting in software prior to the HPA is a simple way to reduce the PAPR. It produces non-linear distortion which will cause an increase in the bit-error-rate (BER) at the receiver. This thesis surveys existing alternatives ways of reducing the effect of non-linearity and proposes some new ones. Two iterative receiver techniques, based on statistical analysis of the nature of the non-linearity, have been implemented and investigated. These are the ? Bussgang Noise Cancellation? (BNC) technique and the ? Decision Aided Reconstruction? (DAR) techniques. As these techniques are valid for any memory-less nonlinearity, an alternative form of limiting, named as Inverted-Wraparound (IWRAP) has been included in the BNC investigation.A new method is proposed which is capable of correcting the received time-domain samples that are clipped, once they have been identified. This is named the ? Equation-Method? and it works by identifying constellation symbols that are likely to be correct at the receiver. If there are a sufficient number of these and they are correctly identified, the FFT may be partitioned to produce a set of equations that may be solved for the clipped time-domain samples. The thesis proposes four enhancements to this new method which improve its effectiveness. It is shown that the best form of this method outperforms conventional techniques especially for severe clipping levels. The performance of these four enhancements is evaluated over channels with additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) in addition to clipping distortion. A technique based on a ? margin factor? is designed to make these methods work more effectively in the presence of AWGN noise. A new combining algorithm referred as ? HARQ for Clipping? is presented where soft bit decisions are combined from multiple transmissions. HARQ for Clipping? has been combined with the best version of the Equation-Method, and the performance of this approach is evaluated in terms of the BER with different levels of AWGN. It has been compared to other approaches from the literature and was found to out-perform the BNC iterative receiver by 3dB at signal to noise ratios around 10dB. Without HARQ, the best version of the Equation-Method performs better than the BNC receiver, at signal-to-nose ratios above about 17dB.
Biosocial and disease conditions affecting the quality of life among older adults in Eastern Nepal

Background The ageing population in most low-and middle-income countries is accompanied by an increased risk of non-communicable diseases culminating in a poor quality of life. However, the factors accelerating this poor quality of life (QOL) have not been fully examined. Therefore, this study examined the factors influencing the quality of life of Nepali older adults.Methods Data from a previous cross-sectional study, conducted between January and April 2018 in eastern Nepal, was used. The analytical sample included 794 older adults aged ≥60 years, selected by a multi-stage cluster sampling approach. QOL was measured using the Older People’s Quality of Life tool; dichotomized as poor and good QOL. Other measures used included age, gender, ethnicity, religion, marital status, physical activity and chronic diseases such as osteoarthritis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and depression. The factors associated with quality of life were examined using mixed-effects logistic regression.Results Seven in ten respondents (70.4%) reported a poor quality of life. At the bivariate level, increasing age, unemployment, intake of alcohol, lack of physical activity as well as osteoarthritis, COPD and depression were significantly associated with a lower likelihood of a good quality of life. The adjusted model showed that older age (AOR=0.50, p<0.05), the Christian religion (AOR=0.38, p<0.01), and being from an Indigenous, Dalit, or Madheshi background were associated with a lower likelihood of good quality of life. However, higher income of >Nrs 10,000 (AOR=3.34, p<0.001), daily physical activity (AOR=3.33, p<0.001), and the absence of osteoarthritis and depression were associated with a higher odds ratio of good quality of life.Conclusion The findings of this study echo the need to develop and implement policies aimed at improving the socio-cultural and disease conditions that catalyse poor quality of life in this population.
An Examination of the Neutral Axis of Wood Beams

Abstract approved: __________________________________________________________ Rakesh Gupta For wood beams, it is often assumed that the neutral axis is located at the centroid of the beam. The neutral axis of isotropic, homogeneous materials is located at the centroid of the material, but wood is neither isotropic nor homogeneous. The varying grain patterns and knots located throughout wood are points of discontinuity that make wood anisotropic and non-homogeneous. In fact, wood is an orthotropic material, meaning that it has properties that are different in three mutually perpendicular directions. Because of this, research is needed to determine the location of the neutral axis of wood materials to gain a better understanding of the behavior of wood beams. This project used Digital Image Correlation and VIC-3D software to analyze 1in by 1in and nominal 2in by 4in wood beams when loaded in bending. Axial strain plots were used to determine the location of the neutral axis. From the data obtained, it was determined that the neutral axis of 1in by 1in wood beams is located below the centroid and for 2in by 4in beams the neutral axis is located above the centroid. Additionally, it was determined that knots will change the location of the neutral axis depending on their location in the beam.
Vermeidung und Reduktion von Möhrenfliegenschäden im Ökolandbau

The carrot fly Psila rosae is a major pest in organic carrots. Damage strongly depends on local factors and is often found when cropping intensity is high. However, limited field site availability may require growing carrots close to crop sites of preceding years. Here, results of the first two years show carrots may be protected from infestation using trap crops (also carrots) to bind and actively reduce the local P. rosae population. To protect the main carrot field, pair wise arrangements of carrot strips were sown 1) directly at the previous year carrot field and 2) close to the main field to protect the present carrots. During the first generation a mean sum of 36 and 62 flies/ trap in 2007 and 2008 respectively were monitored with yellow sticky traps (Rebell orange®) leading to high infestation pressure. Monitoring results show the flies are effectively attracted and bound by strip 1) but still negotiate distances of 130 and 180 metres between previous and present carrot fields. Carrot strip 1) was to be removed in time to prevent the second generation of P. rosae to develop. Based on the simulation model SWAT monitoring data and damage assessment was used for timing concerns. Hence, critical issues about removing the trap crops are discussed. In 2008 eclector traps were established onto the sites of removed trap crops to further verify the effectiveness of trap crop handling. First results positively support applied techniques. All trials are to be repeated during field season 2009.
Waveforms and Sonic Boom Perception and Response (WSPR): Low-Boom Community Response Program Pilot Test Design, Execution, and Analysis

The Waveforms and Sonic boom Perception and Response (WSPR) Program was designed to test and demonstrate the applicability and effectiveness of techniques to gather data relating human subjective response to multiple low-amplitude sonic booms. It was in essence a practice session for future wider scale testing on naive communities, using a purpose built low-boom demonstrator aircraft. The low-boom community response pilot experiment was conducted in California in November 2011. The WSPR team acquired sufficient data to assess and evaluate the effectiveness of the various physical and psychological data gathering techniques and analysis methods.
Validation of a flight simulation model of the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter against flight test data

The FLYRT simulation model of the U.S. Army/McDonnell Douglas AH-64 Apache attack helicopter is validated against flight test data. The approach used for validation involves matching static trim attitudes and control positions and driving the model with measured control time histories to compare dynamic responses such as angular rates and normal acceleration. Flight test data is processed to determine kinematic consistency in the angular degrees of freedom. Modeling problems associated with aerodynamic interaction of the main rotor wake on the horizontal stabilator and engine response timing are identified. Appropriate model updates are made which result in good overall model correlation throughout the flight regime investigated.
ISOLATION AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF BRUCELLA PHAGES

Bovine brucellosis, caused by Brucella abortus, is an economically significant bacterial disease causing enormous economic losses in developing countries. Due to emerging antibacterial resistance in current use of antibiotics and insufficient immunity by WHO recommended vaccine strategies, it is recommended to cull the positive animals to control the disease. In such circumstances, use of host specific bacteriophages could be an alternate option to control the disease. In present study, brucellaphages were isolated from slurry samples (n=50) of livestock farms. Seven samples were found positive in spot method, while two samples gave the positive plaques of pinpoint size (0.5 mm) with round and clear appearance in plaque assay. Isolated brucellaphages (BaP1 and BaP2) did not produce plaques against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus, Bacillus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Pasteurella multocida. Physicochemical characterization revealed that lytic activity of phages was present up to 60oC which started to decrease at 70oC and maximum stability was between 7 to 9 pH. Exposure of sunlight, normal fluorescent and UV light inactivated these phages within 3 hours, 24 hours and 15 minutes, respectively. Phages become inactivated in 15 minutes when treated with Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate, chloroform, Lysozyme, and Proteinase K, however, no effect of EDTA, normal saline, Trypsin and RNAse was observed on brucellaphages. In conclusion, the results have laid the foundation to standardize practical applications of brucellaphages after detailed in-vitro and in-vivo experimental evaluations.
The Impact of Corruption on Economic Growth

Even though corruption is correlated to political and moral degradation, there is no consensus on the impact of corruption on economic growth. Although, theory leans to the view that corruption has negative impact on growth, still empirical evidence and counter arguments show that there might be positive implications for corruption. This paper compares the corruption impact on growth in 17 developed European countries vs. 15 developing MENA countries using a pooled OLS model and a random effects model for the period (1999-2012). This paper contributes to the literature by examining the impact of corruption on growth in scarcely examined countries in Europe and MENA. Also, the paper findings are intriguing because they show that the region, as a proxy to degree of development, significantly influences the effect of corruption on economic growth.
Validity of Environmental Health Literacy Scale for Homebound and Bedbound Elder of Village Health Volunteer

Background: The goal of global environmental health is to increase health literacy. The elder is the group that has lower health literacy. The health volunteers can support them to improve this aspect. Objective: To develop an environmental health literacy (EHL) scale and examine a causal relationship model of environmental management behavior (EMB). Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional study of 454 village health volunteers that were selected by a quota cluster random sampling. Data were collected through the five points Likert rating scale questionnaire. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and a structural equation model (SEM) were conducted by LISREL software. Results: The quality assessment of the EHL consisted of 25 items and four key components. Those components are accessible, understanding, assessment, and decision-making. The EHL has a high acceptable reliability (alpha=0.91 to 0.93), validity (IOC 0.80 to 1.00), and factor loading (0.50 to 0.84). The EHL measurement model on the development and validation sample fit the empirical data. All factors can explain EHL and EMB of total sample with variance of 80% and 69%, respectively. The environmental literacy (EL) directly influenced EHL (beta=0.90), EL, and EHL directly, which influenced awareness of environmental management for the elder (beta=0.35 and 0.28, respectively). Additionally, EHL and awareness of environmental management directly influenced EMB towards the homebound and bedbound elder (beta=0.34 and 0.59, respectively) at significance level of 0.05. Conclusion: The EHL scale should be used to encourage EMB towards the homebound and bedbound elder among village health volunteers. Keywords: Environmental health, Health literacy, management, Health volunteer, Homebound, Bedbound, Elder
An Automobile Exterior Design Approach Model Linking Form and Color

In recent years, design has become the most important subjective factor affecting customer vehicle purchases. In this paper, the authors construct the “Automobile Exterior Design Approach Model (AEDAM)”, which uses biometric devices along with visualization technology and statistics to establish the relationship between vehicle form and color and customers’ subjective responses. Firstly, they analyze lines of sight using an eye camera to understand the perspectives from which customers observe overall automobile design. The subjective data collected during this process is then used to create a numerical model that measures form and color according to an objective scale. Finally, this information is used to construct and assess an evaluation model, and the given results are obtained. The effectiveness of this model is then verified.
International Macroeconomics With Imperfect Financial Markets

A review of recent advances in open economy analysis under segmented international financial markets. A set of modeling tools that have been used to understand ? financialcrises, the ensuing policy response (e.g., Quantitative Easing and FX intervention), deviations from arbitrage (CIP deviations), and more generally the impact of capital flows on exchange rates. This modeling approach has also sheds a different light onclassic topics such as the exchange rate disconnect, international risk sharing, UIPfailures, and the carry trade.
Operational Guidance For Bicycle-SpecificTraffic Signals in the United States: A Review

1 INTRODUCTION The purpose of this report is to summarize the relevant design and related guidance for bicycle-specific traffic signals, the existing published literature, and the results of a survey of installed bicycle-specific traffic signals in North America. This interim report contains the following four chapters:  Background – A summary of relevant design manuals, legislation, and policy.  Literature Review – A synthesis of published literature related to bicycle-specific traffic signals.  State of the Practice – A summary of our survey of known installations of bicycle-specific traffic signals, mostly in the U.S. but with a handful of Canadian jurisdictions.  Research Needs – Based on the results of the above reviews, a discussion of the identified research needs. 2 2 BACKGROUND This chapter briefly reviews the relevant design manuals, engineering documents, and enabling legislations. These are provided as context for the subsequent chapters. The review includes both versions of the AASHTO Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities. The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials' [AASHTO] 1999 Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities recognizes that the greatest risk for cyclists at an intersection is when crossing. This is especially so during periods of low traffic flow at actuated signals where the minimum clearance interval for waiting cars may be inadequate for cyclists entering during the yellow phase. From the Guide, equations for the minimum clearance interval are as follows: It should be noted that for many intersection widths, this formula produces very long yellow and red clearance intervals. Cyclists starting from a stopped position require a minimum total phase time in order to perform a complete crossing maneuver including reacting to the new green signal and accelerating from stop. After establishing minimum yellow and all-red intervals, a minimum green time is needed to ensure most cyclists can safely cross an intersection from a stopped position. Equations for the minimum green time from the Guide are as follows: 3 Figure 2-2 Minimum Green Time Equations (AASHTO, 1999) In lieu of field data from actual cyclists at the intersection to be timed, the AASHTO's Guide uses three classes of cyclist to estimate cyclist speed for use in the above equations. The three categories of " design " cyclists were originally established in a Federal Highway Administration [FHWA] report on accommodating bicycles on roadways (1994). The FHWA and AASHTO define the classes A, B, and C as follows: …
Transcriptome profiling of mastitis-specialized Staphylococcus aureus reveals the impact of low-oxygenation on the regulation of unique pawthways after internalization into bovine mammary alveolar cell-T (MAC-T)

Background Mastitis-specialized lineages of Staphylococcus aureus are important pathogens in the dairy industry. The molecular mechanisms underlying host- and organ-specialization in these lineages are still not fully understood. Recent findings suggested that differential expression of genes may have contributed to the evolution of strains with enhanced virulence. However, studies on gene expressions under key intra-mammary conditions are quite limited for mastitis S. aureus . The purpose of the study was to investigate the influence of low oxygen levels on the transcriptome profiles of bovine matitis S. aureus , using high-throughput whole genome qRT-PCR.Results Results showed that under normal oxygenation, a mastitis-isolate expressed subsets of genes for adaptation, environmental-sensing, and binding including merR, sigB , vraS , yycG/yycF , araC , and tetR . In addition, coupling of fermentative metabolism to virulence was indicated by accumulated transcripts for catabolite control protein A ( ccpA) and pentose-monophosphate operon and depleted transcripts for tricaroxylic acid cycle. Furthermore, sarU mediated agr activation was evidented by transcripts for toxins, adaptation, and in-vivo viability factors as staphopains and gntR operon. On the other hand, reduced oxygenation increased transcription of fibrinogen-binding genes, isd- operon, and sdrH showing aggressive adherence phenotype. While normal oxygenation produced gene activities for quick and aggressive responses, low-oxygenation induced phenotypes for persistence, binding, and metabolic inactivity.Conclusion Significant differences in the transcriptional profiles were observed for mammary alveolar cell-T (MAC-T) internalized S. aureus under low oxygen levels compared to that at normal levels. This indicated that low oxygen is an important key mammary factor that influence transcriptome profiles of intra-mammary-specific phenotypes of S. aureus . These findings will help in understanding the effect of oxygen on the differentiation and evolution of intramammary S. aureus .
Seroprevalence of Toxoplasmosis Infection in Diabetic Pregnant Women from Sanandaj, Kurdistan, West of Iran

Background: Toxoplasma gondii is an opportunistic parasitic protozoan, which is a causative agent of serious complications such as abortion in pregnant women or fetal still birth. The aim of this study was evaluating the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis infection in diabetic pregnant women from Sanandaj, Kurdistan, west of Iran. Methods: In this study 136 serum samples from diabetic pregnant women were collected from referred to the Toohid hospital diabetes center during June 2018 to October 2019 in Sanandaj, Kurdistan, west of Iran. IgM and IgG titers were evaluated by ELISA(enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) method. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS 19 software and using Chi-Square and Fisher tests. Results: The ELISA method showed 35(25.7%) and 7(5.1%) of diabetic pregnant women were positive for IgG and IgM T.gondii antibodies respectively. There was statistically significant relationship between toxoplasma infection and education, gestational age and number of parity. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that public awareness and education about toxoplasmosis and its transmission routes before pregnancy may be effective in preventing congenital toxoplasmosis.
Preliminary Trajectory Design of a Multiple Neo Rendezvous Mission Through Solar Sailing

Because of its potentially infinite specific impulse, solar sail propulsion is an attractive solution to reach interplanetary mission goals otherwise not achievable, or extremely expensive in terms of propellant mass. Furthermore, the scientific interest for Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) and the categorization of some of those as Potentially Hazardous Objects (PHOs) led several researchers to focus their work on NEO-related problems. The DLR/ESA Gossamer roadmap aims to push the boundaries of solar sailing technology by establishing three steps of increasing complexity, aimed to demonstrate the feasibility and reliability of solar sail technology. A preliminary result in a recent study showed the feasibility to rendezvous three NEOs in less than 10 years within the constraints of the DLR/ESA Gossamer technology. Considering the same technology constraints, this work presents a methodology for the preliminary design of a mission to visit a number of NEOs consecutively through solar sailing. The criteria that guide the selection of the possible encounters are based on the reduction of total mission duration and the increase of the total number of target bodies. Because of the huge amount of Near-Earth objects, the selection of the candidates for a multiple rendezvous is firstly a combinatorial problem, with more than a billion of possible sequences for only three consecutive encounters. Moreover, for each sequence a trajectory optimisation problem must be solved. This is a mixed combinatorial/optimisation problem, which is notoriously complex to tackle all at once. Therefore, this study proposes two sequential steps: the first one searches for the rendezvous sequence, initially pruning the whole list of objects with heuristic rules, then using a simplified trajectory model based on a shaped approach. In the second step, an optimisation method is used to solve the subsequent solar sail optimal control problem. Using this method, three preliminary sequences have been found. The mission parameters, trajectories and control histories of each transfer leg are shown.