Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Numerical investigations on the quasi-stationary response of antennas to wideband LFMCW excitation

In this contribution, we numerically investigate if the quasi-stationary (QS) response is a valid approximation for the response of antennas excited by wideband linear-frequency modulated continuous waveforms. We give results for two idealized example systems, showing how the validity of the QS response is dependent on the system's resonant behavior. It will be shown that the error between exact output and QS response is approximately linearly dependent on the sweep-rate of the linear-frequency modulated excitation. We then conduct our simulations for a realistic wideband radar system operating from 5 GHz to 8 GHz and using impulse responses extracted from electromagnetic simulations of a dipole and a biconical antenna.
Anatomical and physiological definition of the motor cortex of the marmoset monkey

We used a combination of anatomical and physiological techniques to define the primary motor cortex (M1) of the marmoset monkey and its relationship to adjacent cortical fields. Area M1, defined as a region containing a representation of the entire body and showing the highest excitability to intracortical microstimulation, is architecturally heterogeneous: it encompasses both the caudal part of the densely myelinated “gigantopyramidal” cortex (field 4) and a lateral region, corresponding to the face representation, which is less myelinated and has smaller layer 5 pyramidal cells (field 4c). Rostral to M1 is a field that is strongly reminiscent of field 4 in terms of cyto‐ and myeloarchitecture but that in the marmoset is poorly responsive to microstimulation. Anatomical tracing experiments revealed that this rostral field is interconnected with visual areas of the posterior parietal cortex, whereas M1 itself has no such connections. For these reasons, we considered this field to be best described as part of the dorsal premotor cortex and adopted the designation 6Dc. Histological criteria were used to define other fields adjacent to M1, including medial and ventral subdivisions of the premotor cortex (fields 6M and 6V) and the rostral somatosensory field (area 3a), as well as a rostral subdivision of the dorsal premotor area (field 6Dr). These results suggest a basic plan underlying the histological organization of the caudal frontal cortex in different simian species, which has been elaborated during the evolution of larger species of primate by creation of further morphological and functional subdivisions. J. Comp. Neurol. 506:860–876, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A two-layer model for behavior and dialogue planning in conversational service robots

This paper presents a model for the behavior and dialogue planning module of conversational service robots. Most of the previously built conversational robots cannot perform dialogue management necessary for accurately recognizing human intentions and providing information to humans. This model integrates robot behavior planning models with spoken dialogue management that is robust enough to engage in mixed-initiative dialogues in specific domains. It has two layers; the upper layer is responsible for global task planning using hierarchical planning and the lower layer engages in local planning by utilizing modules called experts, which are specialized for performing certain kind of tasks by performing physical actions and engaging in dialogues. This model enables switching and canceling tasks based on recognized human intentions. A preliminary implementation of the model, which has been integrated with Honda ASIMO, has shown its effectiveness.
Psychology in South Africa Belongs to the Colonial Era. Arrogance or Ignorance?

Psychology grew out of the European and North American soil, which, according to several African authors, is impoverished in soul and poor in spirit. It is to such psychology that we in South Africa bow our heads. In doing so we do ourselves a disservice, for there is in sub-Sahara Africa a psychological dimension which has a great deal to offer the rest of the world. Southern Africa's psychological potential is especially apparent with respect to the holistic principle — the importance of the majority of her people attach to the physical, spiritual and interpersonal dimensions of being. In contrast to Africa's holistic approach the framework of ‘bigoted rationalism and fanatic adherence to outer physical reality’, characteristic of western society, has created a dehumanized psychology, particularly apparent in South Africa. Not only is there no understanding or need to understand and know about the psychological principles underlying life in Africa, but psychology seems to be oblivious to the immense human drama being enacted within the borders of our country. The psychological profession fails to facilitate communication between the races and develop the empathic ability of white people. In the light of the present political climate, an interesting feature of South African psychology is the fact that Afrikaans speaking departments at universities are generally adhering closer to the ‘more’ human ‘Rogerian’ than the ‘less’ human ‘Skinnerian’ approach to therapy. Yet Rogers' concern for the dignity and worth of each individual is not implemented in the larger social context. Most of the English medium departments, adhering to a politically more liberal policy which claims to acknowledge the human rights of all citizens, paradoxically pay very little attention to the Rogerian approach.
A generalised entropy of curves: An approach to the analysis of dynamical systems

A generalisation of the entropy of a plane curve to ¿n space is provided and the generalised entropy is used to evaluate the nonlinear behaviour of dynamical systems. The entropy of a curve, first introduced within the theory of thermodynamics of plane curves, has been used to quantify the irregularity of a curve. This paper extends the concept to higher dimensions and provides an algorithmic procedure to evaluate the entropy of a curve evolving in the phase space according to the equations of a dynamical system. The thermodynamic indicator is eventually used to infer some properties about the dynamical system. In particular, according to the proposed indicator, all linear systems evolve at entropy zero, while higher entropies characterise nonlinear systems, leading to an effective criterion for their classification.
Solution of Home Security Based on ARM and ZigBee

The application of the Internet of things(IoT) speeds up the realization of intelligent home security. In this paper, solution of Home security based on ARM and ZigBee is proposed. Using S3C2440 as the central controller, GPRS MC39i constitute SMS sending terminal, as well as CC2430 forms the ZigBee network module. By real-time monitoring to multiple sensors through ZigBee, when any one of the sensor's value exceeds the preset threshold, it automatically sends the warnings to the set target. This scheme's degree of intelligence and digitization is high, it has a strong practical value.
A modular and retargetable framework for tree-based WCET analysis

A fundamental requirement for hard real-time systems is the knowledge of tasks worst case execution times (WCET). Static worst-case execution time analysis (WCET analysis), thanks to the static analysis of a piece of source code, returns an upper bound of the time required to execute it on a given hardware. Taking into account modern architectural features makes it possible to determine tight WCET bounds. Several mechanisms that use modeling and simulate some architectural feature behaviors such as instruction cache, branch prediction mechanism and pipeline have been proposed in the literature. These methods have often been designed independently from each other which leads to an integration issue. This paper proposes to formalize (through data structures) three techniques for static simulation of instruction cache, pipeline and branch prediction in order to gather them in an integrated static WCET analysis framework. Performance improvements due to the integrated approach are also given.
Fast and unique Tucker decompositions via multiway blind source separation

A multiway blind source separation (MBSS) method is developed to decompose large-scale tensor (multiway array) data. Benefitting from all kinds of well-established constrained low-rank matrix factorization methods, MBSS is quite flexible and able to extract unique and interpretable components with physical meaning. The multilinear structure of Tucker and the essential uniqueness of BSS methods allow MBSS to estimate each component matrix separately from an unfolding matrix in each mode. Consequently, alternating least squares (ALS) iterations, which are considered as the workhorse for tensor decompositions, can be avoided and various robust and efficient dimensionality reduction methods can be easily incorporated to pre-process the data, which makes MBSS extremely fast, especially for large-scale problems. Identification and uniqueness conditions are also discussed. Two practical issues dimensionality reduction and estimation of number of components are also addressed based on sparse and random fibers sampling. Extensive simulations confirmed the validity, flexibility, and high efficiency of the proposed method. We also demonstrated by simulations that the MBSS approach can successfully extract desired components while most existing algorithms may fail for ill-conditioned and large-scale problems.
10 GHz Low-Noise Low-Power Monolithic Integrated VCOs in Digital CMOS Technology

This paper presents the design of low-power low-noise 10 GHz CMOS monolithic integrated LC VCOs suitable for data clock recovery architectures in optical receivers of SDH (STM-64) and SONET (OC-192). Optimizations of device parameters and passive components are given in detail. For passive components, differential and single-ended inductor structures as well as MOS varactors with and without lightly doped drain/source (LDD) implantation have been investigated. The VCOs implemented in a 0.18 μm process demonstrate the single-side-band phase noise of as low as -107dBc/Hz at 1 MHz offset and 21% tuning range while consuming only 7 mW under 1.8 V supply.
Identification for Control: From the Early Achievements to the Revival of Experiment Design

This paper presents the author’s views on the development of identification for control. The paper reviews the emergence of this subject as a specific topic over the last 15 years, at the boundary between system identification and robust control. It shows how the early focus on identification of control-oriented nominal models has progressively shifted towards the design of control-oriented uncertainty sets. This recent trend has given rise to an important revival of interest in experiment design issues in system identification. Some recent results on experiment design are presented.
Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) and Factors Associated with Not Using a Condom at Last Sexual Intercourse with a Man and with a Woman in Senegal

Background Men who have sex with other men (MSM) are a vulnerable population in Africa that has been insufficiently explored. Given the high rate of bisexuality among MSM (73% in the past year), it is important to understand their risk-taking behaviors regarding both men and women. Methodology/Principal Findings A socio-behavioral survey was carried out in 2007 among 501 MSM recruited using the snowball sampling method. We explore in this article why a condom was not used during last sexual intercourse with a man and with a woman, taking into account the respondent's characteristics, type of relationship and the context of the sexual act. In the survey, 489 men reported that they had had sexual intercourse at least once with another man during the previous year, and 358 with a man and with a woman. The main risk factors for not using a condom at last sexual intercourse with another man were having sex in a public place (aOR = 6.26 [95%CI: 2.71–14.46]), non-participation in an MSM prevention program (aOR = 3.47 [95%CI: 2.12–5.69]), a 19 years old or younger partner (aOR = 2.6 [95%CI: 1.23–4.53]), being 24 years or younger (aOR = 2.07 [95%CI: 1.20–3.58]) or being 35 years or over (aOR = 3.08 [95%CI:1.11–8.53]) and being unemployed (aOR = 0.36 [95%CI: 0.10–1.25]). The last sexual intercourse with the respondent's wife was hardly ever protected (2%). With women, the other factors were a 15 years or younger partner (aOR = 6.45 [95%CI: 2.56–16.28]), being educated (primary: aOR = 0.45 [95%CI: 0.21–0.95], secondary or higher: aOR = 0.26 [95%CI: 0.11–0.62]), being a student (aOR = 2.20 [95%CI: 1.07–4.54]) or unemployed (aOR = 3.72 [95%CI: 1.31–10.61]) and having participated in a MSM prevention program (aOR = 0.57 [95%CI: 0.34–0.93]). Conclusion Having participated in a prevention program specifically targeting MSM constitutes a major prevention factor. However, these programs targeting MSM must address their heterosexual practices and the specific risks involved.
Dimensionality and clinical importance of pain and disability in hand osteoarthritis: Development of the Australian/Canadian (AUSCAN) Osteoarthritis Hand Index.

OBJECTIVE To develop a reliable, valid, and responsive self-administered questionnaire to probe pain, stiffness and physical disability in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the hand. DESIGN In order to assess the dimensionality of the symptomatology of hand OA, a self-administered questionnaire was developed to probe various aspects of pain (10 items), stiffness (two items), and physical function (83 items). The question inventory was generated from eight existing health status measures and an interactive process involving four rheumatologists, two physiotherapists, and an orthopaedic surgeon. RESULTS Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 50 OA hand patients; 39 females and 11 males with mean age 62.8 years and mean disease duration 9.4 years. Items retained were those which fulfilled specified selection criteria: prevalence > or =60% and mean importance score approximating or exceeding 2.0 Item exclusion criteria included low prevalence, gender-based, ambiguous, duplicates or similarities, alternatives, composite items, and items that were too restrictive. This process resulted in five pain, one stiffness and nine function items which have been proposed for incorporation in the AUSCAN Index. CONCLUSIONS Using a traditional development strategy, we have constructed a self-administered multi-dimensional outcome measure for assessing hand OA. The next stage includes reliability, validity and responsiveness testing of the 15-item questionnaire.
Influences of Students' Teacher Recognition on Abuse

本研究の目的は, 児童・生徒が教師の日常的な指導態度をどのように捉えているのかということ（教師認知）が, 学級のいじめに否定的な集団規範と, いじめに対する罪悪感の予期を媒介して, 児童・生徒のいじめ加害傾向に与える影響を明らかにすることである。 547名（小学生240名, 中学生307名）の児童・生徒を対象に, 教師認知, 学級のいじめに否定的な集団規範, いじめに対する罪悪感予期, いじめ加害傾向を質問紙調査で測定し, 共分散構造分析による仮説モデルの検討を行った。 主な結果は以下の通りであった。 (1) 学級のいじめに否定的な集団規範といじめに対する罪悪感の予期は, 制裁的いじめ加害傾向と異質性排除・享楽的いじめ加害傾向に負の影響を与えていた。 (2) 受容・親近・自信・客観の教師認知は, 学級のいじめに否定的な集団規範といじめに対する罪悪感の予期に正の影響を与えていた。 (3) 怖さの教師認知と学級のいじめに否定的な集団規範は, いじめに対する罪悪感に正の影響を与えていた。 (4)罰の教師認知は, 制裁的いじめ加害傾向と異質性排除・享楽的いじめ加害傾向に正の影響を与えていた。 本研究によって, 教師の受容・親近・自信・客観といった態度が, 学級のいじめに否定的な集団規範といじめに対する罪悪感の予期を媒介して, 児童・生徒の加害傾向を抑制する効果があることが示唆され, いじめを防止する上で教師の果たす役割の重要性が明らかになった。
Analytical modelling of temperature effects on synapses

It was previously reported, that temperature may significantly influence neural dynamics on different levels of brain modelling. Due to this fact, while creating the model in computational neuroscience we would like to make it scalable for wide-range of various brain temperatures. However currently, because of a lack of experimental data and an absence of analytical model describing temperature influence on synapses, it is not possible to include temperature effects on multi-neuron modelling level. In this paper, we propose first step to deal with this problem: new analytical model of AMPA-type synaptic conductance, which is able to include temperature effects in low-frequency stimulations. It was constructed on basis of Markov model description of AMPA receptor kinetics and few simplifications motivated both experimentally and from Monte Carlo simulation of synaptic transmission. The model may be used for efficient and accurate implementation of temperature effects on AMPA receptor conductance in large scale neural network simulations. This in fact, opens wide-range of new possibilities for researching an influence of temperature on brain functioning.
A power electronics unit to drive piezoelectric actuators for flying microrobots

This paper describes a power electronics unit (PEU) for an insect-scale flapping-wing robot. Three power saving techniques used in the actuator driver of the PEU - envelope tracking, dynamic common mode, and charge sharing - reduce power consumption while retaining weight benefits of an inductor-less linear driver. A pair of actuator driver ICs energize four 15nF capacitor loads, which represent the piezoelectric actuators of a flapping-wing robot. The PEU consumes 290mW, which translates to 37% lower power compared to a design without these power saving techniques.
Heath Sector Network Governance and State‐building in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo

&NA; Longstanding patterns of interaction exist between state and non‐state actors seeking to improve public health in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). DRC is a weak state, and, in many cases, private actors have stepped in to fill the void created by the lack of state health care provision. However, the role of these interactions in creating a governance network in the health sector has been underexplored. Using data from 18 months of qualitative field research, this study aimed to explore governance networks in DRC's health sector, examining how multiple stakeholders work to manage the health system and how the resulting governance network has been relevant for the state‐building process. The findings demonstrate that the health sector in South Kivu is emerging as an arena of networked governance based on active partnerships between state institutions and non‐state actors. Interactions between state and non‐state actors account for the persistence of the health sector in a setting characterized by state weakness. However, networked governance does not function optimally, because, although non‐state interventions fill the void where the state falls short, the DRC state has faced the challenge of interacting with partners with fragmented and horizontally competing agendas. Although weak, the shadow of state authority is present in the arena of stakeholders' interactions, as the state plays a determining role by providing a regulatory framework. Overall, the findings show that the interactive engagement of non‐state actors contributes to improving institutional capacity through these actors' engagement with state institutions for health system management and institutional development. However, although networked health sector governance does contribute to state capacity, it is difficult to assess the real influence of these interactions on the state‐building process in a context of critical fragility, where coordination and alignment have been problematic.
Support Screening Studies on the Hydrogenation of Levulinic Acid to γ-Valerolactone in Water Using Ru Catalysts

γ-Valerolactone (GVL) has been identified as a sustainable platform chemical for the production of carbon-based chemicals. Here we report a screening study on the hydrogenation of levulinic acid (LA) to GVL in water using a wide range of ruthenium supported catalysts in a batch set-up (1 wt. % Ru, 90 °C, 45 bar of H2, 2 wt. % catalyst on LA). Eight monometallic catalysts were tested on carbon based(C, carbon nanotubes (CNT)) and inorganic supports (Al2O3, SiO2, TiO2, ZrO2, Nb2O5 and Beta-12.5). The best result was found for Ru/Beta-12.5 with almost quantitative LA conversion (94%) and 66% of GVL yield after 2 h reaction. The remaining product was 4-hydroxypentanoic acid (4-HPA). Catalytic activity for a bimetallic RuPd/TiO2 catalyst was by far lower than for the monometallic Ru catalyst (9% conversion after 2 h). The effects of relevant catalyst properties (average Ru nanoparticle size, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area, micropore area and total acidity) on catalyst activity were assessed.
Explaining Educational Differences in Adolescent Substance Use and Sexual Activity

Secondary school adolescents attending vocational tracks engage considerably more often in substance use and sexual activity compared to those attending academic tracks. Prior studies have sought explanations for these differences in higher levels of social-emotional problems among vocational students. This study presents a novel approach. Inspired by ethnographic and cultural studies, it examines the role of conceptions and expectations of adulthood in the association between educational track and adolescent substance use and sexual activity. Self-report data were collected among 1,568 Dutch adolescents by means of a web-based questionnaire. First, in a preliminary qualitative analysis, conceptions of adulthood were explored among vocational and academic students. Next, a mediation analysis was employed. Results of the qualitative analysis revealed that vocational and academic students had different conceptions of adulthood, with vocational students perceiving substance use and sexual activity more often as typical adult behaviors. The results of the quantitative analysis confirmed this finding and added that vocational students expect social role transitions earlier in life than academic students. Both factors mediated the association between educational track and adolescent substance use and sexual activity. Implications of the findings and future directions for research are discussed.
Analysis of a New Delayed HBV Model with Exposed State and Immune Response to Infected Cells and Viruses

We propose a comprehensive delayed HBV model, which not only considers the immune response to both infected cells and viruses and a time delay for the immune system to clear viruses but also incorporates an exposed state and the proliferation of hepatocytes. We prove the positivity and boundedness of solutions and analyze the global stability of two boundary equilibria and then study the local asymptotic stability and Hopf bifurcation of the positive (infection) equilibrium and also the stability of the bifurcating periodic solutions. Moreover, we illustrate how the factors such as the time delay, the immune response to infected cells and viruses, and the proliferation of hepatocytes affect the dynamics of the model by numerical simulation.