Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Different Multivariable Control Design Methods Applied on Half Car Test Setup

The multivariable tracking accuracy on an automotive vibration test rig can be improved by extending the current industrial off-line iterative feedforward procedure with a real time feedback controller. This article compares three MIMO feedback control design procedures with respect to design complexity and obtained performance: (1) DK-iteration, the most common μ-synthesis method to design robust MIMO-controllers, (2) a control design based on static decoupling, which is a combination of a static input – output transformation to decouple the system, and independent SISO-controllers designed for the diagonal elements of the transformed system and (3) an inverse-based control design, which is also based on a decoupling transformation, but the decoupling is performed by a dynamic precompensator. The performance of these controllers is compared experimentally on a half car test setup. The tracking performance of the controller designs based on static or dynamic decoupling is comparable with the performance of the controller based on μ-synthesis. The decoupling-based controller designs, using standard SISO H∞ techniques, are however much simpler and more straightforward.
Building Interactive Multi-Touch Surfaces

Multi-touch interaction with computationally enhanced surfaces has received considerable attention in recent years. Hardware implementations of multi-touch interaction such as frustrated total internal reflection (FTIR) and diffused illumination (DI) have allowed for the low-cost development of surfaces. Although many of these technologies and associated applications have been presented in academic settings, the practicality of building a high-quality multi-touch—enabled surface, both in terms of the software and hardware required, are not widely known. We draw upon our extensive experience as developers of multi-touch technology to provide practical advice in relation to building and deploying applications upon multi-touch surfaces. This includes technical details of the construction of optical multi-touch surfaces, including infrared illumination, silicone compliant surfaces, projection screens, cameras, filters, and projectors, and an overview of existing software libraries for tracking.
Cooperative localization of network robot system based on improved MPF

In the network robot system, robot localization and sensor network localization are fundamental and mutually coupled problems. This paper presents the idea of robot and sensor network cooperative localization referring to the solution of SLAM, gives the representation of the joint conditional probability and decomposes it, and estimates the decomposed items with an improved Marginalized Particle Filter (IMPF) individually. Due to jointing the latest observation information, the proposal distribution is closer to the posterior probability density function of the system state and the localization accuracy of both robot and sensor network are improved. The experimental results verify the correctness of the method.
Carbon nanotube/graphene nanocomposite as efficient counter electrodes in dye-sensitized solar cells

We demonstrated the replacement of the Pt catalyst normally used in the counter electrode of a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) by a nanocomposite of dry spun carbon multi-walled nanotube (MWNT) sheets with graphene flakes (Gr-F). The effectiveness of this counter electrode on the reduction of the triiodide in the iodide/triiodide redox (I−/I3−) redox reaction was studied in parallel with the use of the dry spun carbon MWNT sheets alone and graphene flakes used independent of each other. This nanocomposite deposited onto fluorinated tin-oxide-coated glass showed improved catalytic behavior and power conversion efficiency (7.55%) beyond the use of the MWNTs alone (6.62%) or graphene alone (4.65%) for the triiodide reduction reaction in DSSC. We also compare the use of the carbon MWNT/Gr-F composite counter electrode with a DSSC using the standard Pt counter electrode (8.8%). The details of increased performance of graphene/MWNT composite electrodes as studied are discussed in terms of increased catalytic activity permitted by sharp atomic edges that arise from the structure of graphene flakes or the defect sites in the carbon MWNT and increased electrical conductivity between the carbon MWNT bundles by the graphene flakes.
Determination of Nonprototypical Valence and Arousal in Popular Music: Features and Performances

Mood of Music is among the most relevant and commercially promising, yet challenging attributes for retrieval in large music collections. In this respect this article first provides a short overview on methods and performances in the field. While most past research so far dealt with low-level audio descriptors to this aim, this article reports on results exploiting information on middle-level as the rhythmic and chordal structure or lyrics of a musical piece. Special attention is given to realism and nonprototypicality of the selected songs in the database: all feature information is obtained by fully automatic preclassification apart from the lyrics which are automatically retrieved from on-line sources. Further more, instead of exclusively picking songs with agreement of several annotators upon perceived mood, a full collection of 69 double CDs, or 2 648 titles, respectively, is processed. Due to the severity of this task; different modelling forms in the arousal and valence space are investigated, and relevance per feature group is reported.
Role model effects on women's political engagement: Observational and experimental approaches to measurement & two studies on mediation

Contributing to a growing debate about ‘symbolic’ or non-policy effects of gender-balanced legislatures, my thesis sets out to tackle issues of (a) measurement, combining experimental and observational evidence of the effect of female politicians as role models on women’s political engagement; and (b) mediation, considering the underlying mechanisms convincing on the individual-level of voter psychology, explaining why role models are powerful in engaging fellow women in the electorate. Firstly, I triangulate results from an eye-tracking experiment investigating attentional bias to gender balance in manipulated picture stimuli of political groups; an online experiment investigating measures of psychological engagement with politics as a function of gender balance in the same picture stimuli; and British Election Study panel data investigating campaign effects on psychological engagement with politics as a function of the gender balance among candidates running in the 2010 and 2015 UK parliamentary constituencies. My results suggest two general types of role model effects: one of ‘tokenism’ where women’s striking minority presence impacts political attention and the probability of learning about politics, and one of ‘linear’ effects where a gradual increase in women’s presence in political groups towards parity translates into a gradual increase in political self-efficacy and confidence about political knowledge. Secondly, I develop and test hypotheses about mediation in terms of implicit mechanisms not requiring that citizens consider the policy output of their representatives, drawing heavily on the stereotype threat literature especially on the role of affect. Using a more classical, regression-based approach to mediation analysis, along with a novel crossover experiment or ‘design-based’ mediation analysis, I present preliminary evidence that, following exposure to role models, women experienced fewer self-evaluative threats as evidenced by anxiety, explaining effects on self-efficacy in politics. I present an additional study scrutinising affect, and show that the action-oriented anger may result in approach of the source of threat, reversing stereotype threat effects under ‘men-only’ politics. Thirdly, I develop and test hypotheses about mediation in terms of instrumental mechanisms that do require expectations or associations about policy output. Through similar approaches to mediation analysis, I show that though women expect better policy across two domains with more female politicians on board, greater competency attributed to elites is, if anything, negatively related to self-efficacy in politics. In a full-experimental study, I find no evidence that women’s greater self-efficacy is due to expectations about women-friendly policy pursued by role models.
Fast binary to BCD converters for decimal communications using new recoding circuits

In this work, fast binary to binary-coded-decimal (BCD) code converters for decimal communications are proposed. By employing new recoding circuits, our proposed converters can perform fast and area-efficient conversions from binary inputs to decimal outputs to speed up decimal multiplications. Synthesis results show that our proposed converters can achieve over 60% delay with slight area increase compared with previous proposed method, respectively. Our proposed converters can be applied to decimal multiplications to boost the decimal communications.
Automatic 3D Geometry Reconstruction and FE-Mesh generation of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Rupture

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (AAAs) are pathological localized dilations of the abdominal aorta. Untreated AAAs may enlarge until they rupture; an event with a mortality rate of 70-95%. The indication of medical interventions is directly linked to an assessment of the formation’s risk of rupture, which, up to date is based on simple (geometrical) diagnostic parameters. However, there is scientific evidence [1], that a biomechanical Finite Element (FE) analysis provides much more reliable determinants in that respect. To clinically evaluate this approach, i.e. to explore a statistically significant number of AAAs, an automatic analyzing tool is required. This paper presents a highly automatic software tool, which extracts 3D-morphological models from a set of Computer Tomography (CT) angiography images and accounts for the major mechanically relevant tissue components, such as the vessel wall and the Intra-Luminal Thrombus (ILT). The proposed method is based on deformable models, which are known to be highly accurate and insensitive to image artifacts [2], and hence, frequently used in medical image processing [3]. After initializing the algorithm, where the region of interest and the vessels to be examined are defined, it works fully automatic. The algorithm segments 3D-geometries of the different tissue components and generates hexahedral dominated volume meshes. The discrete grids are tailored for FE computations and tissue in-homogeneities, e.g., calcifications can directly be passed from the set of image data into the FE computation. Likewise, the discrete 3D representation of the tissue components facilitates the derivation of sophisticated geometrical determinants, such as the ILT thickness, see Figure 1, and the ILT volume, which might be used for diagnostic purposes [4]. The proposed algorithm has been developed to analyze sets of CT data; however, an application to Magnetic Resonance (MR) data seems to be straight forward.
Semi-individualised Chinese medicine treatment as an adjuvant management for diabetic nephropathy: a pilot add-on, randomised, controlled, multicentre, open-label pragmatic clinical trial

Introduction Diabetes mellitus and diabetic nephropathy (DN) are prevalent and costly to manage. DN is the leading cause of end-stage kidney disease. Conventional therapy blocking the renin–angiotensin system has only achieved limited effect in preserving renal function. Recent observational data show that the use of Chinese medicine (CM), a major form of traditional medicine used extensively in Asia, could reduce the risk of end-stage kidney disease. However, existing clinical practice guidelines are weakly evidence-based and the effect of CM remains unclear. This trial explores the effect of an existing integrative Chinese–Western medicine protocol for the management of DN. Objective To optimise parameters and assess the feasibility for a subsequent phase III randomised controlled trial through preliminary evaluation on the effect of an adjuvant semi-individualised CM treatment protocol on patients with type 2 diabetes with stages 2–3 chronic kidney disease and macroalbuminuria. Methods and analysis This is an assessor-blind, add-on, randomised, controlled, parallel, multicentre, open-label pilot pragmatic clinical trial. 148 patients diagnosed with DN will be recruited and randomised 1:1 to a 48-week additional semi-individualised CM treatment programme or standard medical care. Primary end points are the changes in estimated glomerular filtration rate and spot urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio between baseline and treatment end point. Secondary end points include fasting blood glucose, glycated haemoglobin, brain natriuretic peptide, fasting insulin, C peptide, fibroblast growth factor 23, urinary monocyte chemotactic protein-1, cystatin C, nephrin, transforming growth factor-β1 and vascular endothelial growth factor. Adverse events are monitored through self-completed questionnaire and clinical visits. Outcomes will be analysed by regression models. Enrolment started in July 2015. Ethics and registration This protocol is approved by the Institutional Review Board of the University of Hong Kong/Hospital Authority Hong Kong West Cluster (reference number UW 14-301). Trial registration number NCT02488252.
Simulations of Pedestrian Dynamics and Trail Formation

A simulation model for the dynamic behaviour of pedestrian crowds is mathematically formulated in terms of a social force model, that means, pedestrians behave in a way as if they would be subject to an acceleration force and to repulsive forces describing the reaction to borders and other pedestrians. The computational simulations presented yield many realistic results that can be compared with video films of pedestrian crowds. Especially, they show the self-organization of collective behavioural patterns. By assuming that pedestrians tend to choose routes that are frequently taken the above model can be extended to an active walker model of trail formation. The topological structure of the evolving trail network will depend on the disadvantage of building new trails and the durability of existing trails. Computer simulations of trail formation indicate to be a valuable tool for designing systems of ways which satisfy the needs of pedestrians best. An example is given for a non-directed trail network.
A context aware MAC protocol for medical Wireless Body Area Network

During long-term medical monitoring in Wireless Body Area Networks (WBAN), network requirements (i.e. traffic loads and latency) of various data sources may be different at different time. High traffic loads may lead to data overload and unacceptable latency, which makes potential danger of patients undiagnosed. It is important that real-time transmission of life-critical data can be always guaranteed. To address this problem, a context-aware MAC protocol is presented in this paper. According to analysis of collected life parameters, the protocol can switch between normal state and emergency state. As a result, data rate and duty cycle of sensor nodes are dynamically changed to meet the requirement of latency and traffic loads in a contexta-ware way. To save the power consumption, a TDMA-based MAC frame structure is used. Moreover, a novel optional synchronization scheme is proposed to decrease the overhead caused by traditional TDMA synchronization scheme. Simulation results show significant improvements of our design on latency and power consumption.
Re-defining the reactive power dispatch problem in the context of competitive electricity markets

This study proposes a novel reactive power dispatch model that takes into account both the technical and economical aspects associated with reactive power dispatch in the context of the new operating paradigms in competitive electricity markets. The main objective of the proposed model is to minimise the total amount of dollars paid by the system operator to the generators for providing the required reactive power support. The real power generation is decoupled and assumed fixed during the reactive power dispatch procedures; however, because of the effect of reactive power on real power, a re-schedule in the real power generation is allowed within given limits. The 32-bus CIGRE benchmark system is used to illustrate the proposed reactive power dispatch technique. The developed model is generic in nature and designed to be adopted by system operators in any electricity market structure, as demonstrated by its application to Ontario's grid considering its market rules for reactive power payments.
3D Object Reconstruction Based on Motion Vision

This paper proposes a novel method for reconstruction of the target three-dimensional (3D) objects based on motion vision. The main contribution of this paper is twofold: (1) we build a new mathematical model to express the position relationship of the camera, the image plane, the ground plane and the target 3D objects at different times. (2) We propose and implement a 3D reconstruction algorithm refer to the mathematical model using geometric theory. With the result of that, we know the distance from the camera to the objects and the height of the objects in the real world. The experimental indicates have shown the accuracy of the approach presented in this paper.
Pdsg1 and Pdsg2, Novel Proteins Involved in Developmental Genome Remodelling in Paramecium

The epigenetic influence of maternal cells on the development of their progeny has long been studied in various eukaryotes. Multicellular organisms usually provide their zygotes not only with nutrients but also with functional elements required for proper development, such as coding and non-coding RNAs. These maternally deposited RNAs exhibit a variety of functions, from regulating gene expression to assuring genome integrity. In ciliates, such as Paramecium these RNAs participate in the programming of large-scale genome reorganization during development, distinguishing germline-limited DNA, which is excised, from somatic-destined DNA. Only a handful of proteins playing roles in this process have been identified so far, including typical RNAi-derived factors such as Dicer-like and Piwi proteins. Here we report and characterize two novel proteins, Pdsg1 and Pdsg2 (Paramecium protein involved in Development of the Somatic Genome 1 and 2), involved in Paramecium genome reorganization. We show that these proteins are necessary for the excision of germline-limited DNA during development and the survival of sexual progeny. Knockdown of PDSG1 and PDSG2 genes affects the populations of small RNAs known to be involved in the programming of DNA elimination (scanRNAs and iesRNAs) and chromatin modification patterns during development. Our results suggest an association between RNA-mediated trans-generational epigenetic signal and chromatin modifications in the process of Paramecium genome reorganization.
Digital Image Inpainting based on Median Diffusion and Directional Median Filtering

Inpainting refers to the art of restoring lost elements of image and reconstructing them from the background data. Filling the region of missing data of a picture from the data of the encompassing and reconstructing the image is that the basic work of Image Inpainting algorithms. Here in this paper we have compared two techniques for image inpainting namely median diffusion (median filtering) and directional median filtering. In both the techniques the area to be inpainted is manually selected by the user. In first method a rectangular region of D x D pixels is selected and the center pixel is replaced by the median of this block. In second method D x D block size is selected in the region to be inpainted and median in all direction is taken then the centre pixel is replaced by the median of these medians. The techniques are implemented in matlab and results are obtained and compared using standard images.
A new drop-falling algorithms segmentation touching character

A new algorithm for segmenting connected character is presented. The algorithm unify the segmentation process into two ways, free-falling segmentation in external contours and tunnel segmentation in connected paths, by simulating movement of water droplets. Under the guidance of the center force of gravity, the segmentation path can be got taking no account of type of touching in advance. Experiments show that the algorithm can rapidly and accurately separate the various type of touching characters.
Development and Experimental Demonstration of a Self-Powered ETO (SPETO)

This paper presents the design and experimental demonstration of a superior high-power-device self-powered emitter turn-off thyristor (SPETO). Different from conventional high-power devices which require external power input for their gate drivers, the SPETO achieves optically controlled turn on and turn off, and all of the internal power required is self-obtained. A low-loss gate-drive circuit is implemented which allows the simple power-up operation. During a normal switching operation, the SPETO obtains a power for the gate drive during its turn-on operation. A novel switching strategy is also introduced to minimize the gate-drive power requirement. The SPETO greatly reduces costs and increases the reliability of power converters since no external power supply for device gate drive is required. Therefore, the SPETO is suitable for high-power high-frequency voltage-source-converter applications