Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Generalized Regression Neural Network Based Channel Identification and Compensation Using Scattered Pilot

In the high-speed mobile environment, channel state information (CSI) estimated at the beginning of the packet is quite different at the last part because the actual channel state changes with time. To overcome this problem, a neural network (NN) based channel compensation method was previously developed. Due to inaccurate channel estimation of decision feedback channel estimation (DFCE), the pilot-aided CSI of the first symbol and DFCE-aided CSIs in the intermediate data part will cause inexact channel state transition even though the application of NN. Accordingly, the channel compensation performance is still degraded, especially in the last part of the packet. This paper proposes a new version of GRNN based channel identification and compensation method by introducing scattered pilot. It can improve the tracking capability of GRNN thanks to densely arranged pilot in the time-domain while it cannot reduce the transmission efficiency. Simulation results show that the proposed method is more effective than the conventional ones in terms of RMSE and BER performance, even in the fast fading environment.
Reading practices in transformation. Re-designing print-based literacy mindsets in the Swedish digital classroom

Various reading projects aimed at stimulating students’ reading are carried out on a regular basis in Swedish schools. Beyond L1, a common structure is also to include other subjects and teachers in these projects. By focusing on norms and values connected to the reading and teaching of literature, this article aims to deepen the knowledge about a reading practice project conducted in other subjects than L1, aiming to stimulate, develop and strengthen students’ reading. The analysis is based on ethnographic video material, where the students’ interactions and activities in the classroom are documented through video recording and screen mirroring of their computers and mobile phones. The analysis reveals challenges in relation to reading activities performed in classrooms where different digital devices are available. Results show that reading practice in the connected classroom is characterised by a print-based mindset that the students resist to varying degrees. This leads to situations where the printed book is given contradictory roles in relation to the reading activity in school, providing students with a cover behind which they can engage in alternative reading activities on their digital devices. Here, we highlight the access paradox as well as issues related to the issue of what texts, and what types of reading are sanctioned in reading activities at school, and not least what this means for male students in terms of their chances to join a reading community and identify as readers in the educational setting to which they belong.
Low dose of homoharringtonine and cytarabine-based priming induction regimens for patients with de novo acute myeloid leukemia and high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome aged over 70 years

ABSTRACT Objectives Our objective is to retrospectively analyze the response to low dose of homoharringtonine (HHT) and cytarabine-based priming induction regimens in patients above 70 years with de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Patients and methods We retrospectively analyzed these very elderly newly diagnosed patients with AML and high-risk MDS, who received low dose of HHT and cytarabine-based priming induction regimens between March 2006 and September 2019. Results Of the 24 patients, 11 patients (47.8%) achieved complete remission (CR) and 3 (13%) partial remission, and the overall response rate was 60.9%. The estimated median overall survival (OS) time was 12 months and the 1-year OS rate was 47.8%. Patients without CR and Charlson’s Comorbidity Index > 2 may be the two independent prognostic factors. The median OS was significantly higher for patients with CR after induction chemotherapy than those without CR (22.93 vs. 8.5 months, p < .01). Conclusion Our study provides a hint of the efficacy of low dose of HHT and cytarabine-based priming induction regimens for patients aged over 70 years with de novo AML and high-risk MDS should be further studied.
Principles for building

This paper is a practical pocket philosophy of building construction. It sets out a way of thinking about building construction in terms of principles, rules and compensation, and illustrates their application with a range of examples. Its basis lies in reflections on the way things work and the way they fail, and a search for a simple pattern in this. Its aim is to set out a system which by virtue of its simplicity will serve as a guide both to those designing and to those interpreting buildings. The ideas it contains were first set out by Lyall Addleson and the author in Performance of Materials in Buildings (Butterworth Heinemann, Oxford, 1991). The focus of these ideas is those parts of a building which act as containers, separators, and modifiers of environments or, in other words, the construction of the building envelope.
Experimental comparison of DI and PFI in terms of emissions and efficiency running Ethanol-85

It has in recent year become more and more important to find an alternative to fossil fuel in our vehicles due to the increasing fuel price and to reduce their negative impact on the environment.One alternative is already in widespread use around the world, namely ethanol. Ethanol has,besides its environmental qualities, properties that makes it a favorable fuel to use in Internal Combustion Engines (ICE). Its high octane rating combined with its high heat of evaporation makes it resilient against knock which allows for an engine with higher compression ratios and overall increased efficiency. The traditional SI engines use Port Fuel Injection (PFI) while modern engines are moving towards Direct Injection (DI). There are many advantages of the DI system, most notably increased efficiency and performance by increased volumetric efficiency and knock suppression while poorer air/fuel mixing and added complexity are the negatives. The positive effects of DI seem to be further increased when utilizing ethanol's improved charge cooling effect and its higher octane number.In order to investigate if an ethanol fueled SI engine is suitable for HD application both DI and PFI are evaluated in terms of efficiency and emissions on a Scania D12 HD engine. The engine is modified to accomedate a sparkplug. The Scania XPI is used as DI with some light modifications in order to run ethanol.The DI system is evaluated at two SOIs, stratified and homogenous, and a SOI sweep isperformed for both DI and PFI in order to find the optimum SOIs. DI homogeneous and PFI are found to produce similar results while DI stratified stands out with its; low knock propensity, much faster combustion, lower HC emissions and lower CoV of IMEP. Railpressure is found to have little or no effect on homogeneous DI while it slightly increases the combustion speed, HC and CO emissions and efficiency as well as lowers the CoV of IMEP for stratified DI.No conclusions can be drawn about efficiency in this study due to a lack of reliable fuel flowmeasuraments.
Stabilisation of an earth dam using driven prestressed concrete piles

The remediation of Sardis Dam in Mississippi to prevent potential sliding upstream along a thin liquefiable layer in the foundation is described. The upstream slope of the embankment was stabilised by nailing it to stable foundation soils using prestressed concrete piles with 0.6 m2 cross-section. This was an innovative and unusual solution in addition to being cost-effective. The paper explains how the moments and shears for design of the piles were obtained. The analytical procedures developed for this project have since been used on several dams with similar problems.
The effects of local filtering processes on the structure and functioning of native plant communities in experimental urban habitats

Abstract Despite a growing literature‐base devoted to document biodiversity patterns in cities, little is known about the processes that influence these patterns, and whether they are consistent over time. In particular, numerous studies have identified the capacity of cities to host a rich diversity of plant species. This trend, however, is driven primarily by introduced species, which comprise a large proportion of the urban species pool relative to natives. Using an experimental common garden study, we assessed the relative influence of local assembly processes (i.e., soil environmental filtering and competition from spontaneous urban species) on the taxonomic and functional diversity of native plant communities sampled over four seasons in 2016–2018. Taxonomic and functional diversity exhibited different responses to local processes, supporting the general conclusion that species‐ and trait‐based measures of biodiversity offer distinct insights into community assembly dynamics. Additionally, we found that neither soil nor competition from spontaneous urban species influenced taxonomic or functional composition of native species. Functional composition, however, did shift strongly over time and was driven by community‐weighted mean differences in both measured traits (maximum height, Hmax; specific leaf area, SLA; leaf chlorophyll a fluorescence, Chl a) and the relative proportions of different functional groups (legumes, annual and biennial‐perennial species, C4 grasses, and forbs). By contrast, taxonomic composition only diverged between early and late seasons. Overall, our results indicate that native species are not only capable of establishing and persisting in vacant urban habitats, they can functionally respond to local filtering pressures over time. This suggests that regional dispersal limitation may be a primary factor limiting native species in urban environments. Thus, future regreening and management plans should focus on enhancing the dispersal potential of native plant species in urban environments, in order to achieve set goals for increasing native species diversity and associated ecosystem services in cities.
Identification of power system load dynamics using artificial neural networks

Power system loads are important in the planning and operation of an electric power system. Load characteristics can significantly influence the results of synchronous stability and voltage stability studies. This paper presents a methodology for the identification of power system load dynamics using neural networks. Input-output data of a power system dynamic load is used to design a neural network model which comprises delayed inputs and feedback connections. The developed neural network model can predict the future power system dynamic load behavior for arbitrary inputs. In particular, a third-order induction motor load neural network model is developed to verify this methodology. Neural network simulation results are illustrated and compared with the actual induction motor load response.
Experimental Investigation of Manifold Induced Flow Maldistribution in U-and Z-Turn Flow Configurations

In many process equipments and mechanical system where a flow needs to be distributed among several outlets, the design is generally based on the assumption that the fluid is uniformly divided among them but practically in never happens. A non-uniform flow distribution imposes a serious design limitation in terms of rise in pressure drops and decrease in thermal performance of the system. Reynolds number being a characterizing parameter of pipe flow is expected to play a significant role in flow maldistribution pattern also. This paper present an experimental study performed on multi channel U-and Z-turn flow configurations where the flow is varied in the practical range of 20000 < Re < 35000. Result shows the presence of maldistribution. It is found that the Re plays an important role in characterizing the flow in terms of channel velocity, axial velocity in header and flow distribution pattern in a specific channel. Maldistribution effect is found to be dominant in the central region in U-turn flow and peripheral region in Z-turn configurations.
Bones, carnivores, and grassland fires. Actualistic taphonomy of faunal assemblages from two caves in Central Argentina and its implication for the fossil record

ABSTRACT The aim of this paper is to identify the potential accumulator of two modern non-digested bone assemblages recovered from El Laurel (EL) and El Pulgar (EP) caves, both located in Characato (Córdoba province, Central Argentina), as well as to evaluate the role of recent wildfires in its formation. For this purpose, we combined a detailed taphonomic analysis of bones and remote sensing data analysis in GIS. Our results and its comparison with other actualistic studies from different latitudes show that the assemblages are likely to be averaged accumulations produced and modified by different small carnivores (foxes and felids) that inhabit the area, including Lycalopex culpaeus smithersi, Leopardus geoffroyi and/or Lycalopex gymnocercus. On the other hand, remote sensing analyses showed that fires differentially affected the caves – EL was the most affected–, especially due to variations in their surrounding environments and fuel availability. This difference in fire severity between both caves is reflected in the frequency of burnt specimens and the extension of burning in the bone surface of their assemblages.
A new passive non-linear damper for automobiles

Abstract Passive linear suspension systems are limited in their ability to improve ride characteristics owing to the conflicting interdependence between ride comfort, road holding, and space occupied by the suspension system. Non-linear systems can improve the performance of passive designs by de-linking the various metrics involved in ride comfort. Based on the control strategies used in semi-active suspensions, a new non-linear damper design is proposed, where the damping rapidly changes with stroke. This design has been fabricated and tested to validate the analytical expressions governing the damping as a function of stroke. Experimental results show excellent agreement with analytical expressions. The novel damper model has been used along with an existing non-linear spring design, in a quarter-car simulation. The results indicate that the non-linear design leads to significantly lower acceleration levels when compared with a linear system, without any compromise on other metrics.
Multiscale Modeling to Predict Mechanical Behavior of Asphalt Mixtures

This study presents a multiscale computational model for predicting the mechanical behavior of asphalt mixtures. The model can account for mixture heterogeneities by considering individual mixture constituents through the scale-linking technique: a local scale in a form of the heterogeneous representative volume element and a global scale that has been homogenized from local scale responses. The model is implemented with a finite element formulation, so that geometric complexities, material inelasticity, and the growth of time-dependent damage can be properly handled. Damage is in the form of cracks modeled with nonlinear viscoelastic cohesive zones. The primary purpose of this paper is to present the multiscale modeling framework developed and to evaluate the applicability of the multiscale modeling technique to determine the performance of asphalt mixtures and structures when damaged. This is accomplished by employing only material properties at the constituent level (local scale) as model inputs. The indirect tensile test of fine-aggregate matrix mixture is simulated as an example, and the simulation results are compared with experimental results to evaluate the applicability of the model. Predictive power of the model and the benefits related to the reduction of computational efforts and laboratory tests are further discussed.
EEEPROM tunnel oxide lifetime reliability prediction based on fast electrical stress tests

It is shown how floating gate memory cell behaviour during retention tests can be predicted relying on static electrical stress tests. Retention tests are usually performed at high or low temperature bake to provide warning of an impending failure of the capability of memory cells to store data. These tests are very useful to screen out defective cell populations but induce significant test time overhead. To overcome this limitation, a correlation between stress time and retention time is established to anticipate retention test results. Experimental results based on an EEPROM test chip are presented in order to show the correlation between retention tests and electrical stress tests.
Prunus microcarpa: a potential rootstock for apricots

One of the most important developments in the histo ry of fruit growing is the discovery and use of dwarf rootstocks.Today, dwarf rootstock studies continue in different fruit species including apricot.The main goal of this study was to identify new dwarfing rootstocks for apricots that limit apricot tree height and size, without altering scio n production or fruit characteristics. In this study, ‘Hacıhaliloğlu’, ‘Hasanbey’, ‘Kabaa şı’, and ‘Roxana’ apricot cultivars grafted on Prunus microcarpa -a potential rootstock for apricotwere investiga ted. Phenological, morphological, yield and quality traits of apricot ( Prunus armeniaca L.) cultivars grafted on Prunus microcarpa seedlings and apricot ( P. armeniaca) seedlings and Pixy ( Prunus institia) were exemined. The study was carried out between 2011-2016 years in th e field and laboratories of the Kahramanmara ş East Mediterranean Transitional Zone Agricultural Research Institute. Phenologically, it was observed that apricot variet ies grafted on P. microcarpa rootstock showed
Modeling and optimization techniques for ensuring resilience in heterogeneous networked systems

of Dissertation Presented to the Graduate School of the University of Florida in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy MODELING AND OPTIMIZATION TECHNIQUES FOR ENSURING RESILIENCE IN HETEROGENEOUS NETWORKED SYSTEMS By Alexey V. Sorokin August 2012 Chair: Panos M. Pardalos Cochair: Vladimir L. Boginski Major: Industrial and Systems Engineering This dissertation presents modeling and optimization approaches for addressing some aspects of ensuring resilience of various types of networked systems with respect to potential failures of network components. In the context of the considered problems, resilience of a networked system can be broadly defined as the ability of a system to maintain its functionality after intentional attacks or unintentional (random) failures of system components (i.e., nodes and/or links). Many real-world systems and infrastructures can be modelled as heterogeneous networks, which can be considered either separately, or as parts of larger interdependent networked systems, which may include power, communication, transportation and other types of networks that may mutually interact and affect each other’s performance. After a brief introduction to the resilience of heterogeneous networked systems in the first part of this dissertation, the second part studies a transmission expansion planning problem for interdependent electricity and natural gas systems. Electricity generation is one of the largest natural gas consumption. Natural gas is playing an increasingly important role in the global energy market because of its environment friendly properties, especially for electricity generation. We study a stochastic transmission
Method for Extraction of Object Contour of near Space SAR Image Based on Level Set Algorithm

Its a research hotspot recently to conduct image analysis and target detection using the object image acquired by the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) in military survey, military mapping and ocean monitoring. To be able to quickly and accurately extract the object contour of SAR image real sequence captured by the aircraft in the low dynamic near space, the level set method is introduced in this article based on separating object from background by Difference Image Method. Then, the level set method is improved with the change of object image time sequence to accelerate contour extraction. The simulation experiment proves this method is efficient.
Research on the Fatigue Life Prediction for a New Modified Asphalt Mixture of a Support Vector Machine Based on Particle Swarm Optimization

SMC (Styreneic Methyl Copolymers) is a novel normal temperature asphalt modifier with superior performance. It has the advantages of a low construction temperature, good road performance, good energy savings and an emission reduction effect, and can improve the performance of an asphalt mixture. The fatigue performance of an asphalt mixture is one of the important technical parameters in the structural design of asphalt pavements. The fatigue performance of an asphalt mixture under specific traffic and environmental conditions has an important guiding significance and normative function for the design, construction, and maintenance of asphalt pavement. In this paper, the mixture of an SMC normal-temperature-modified asphalt and styrene–butadiene styrene block copolymer (SBS)-modified asphalt (SMCSBS) compound-modified asphalt was investigated, and an SMCSBS composite modified asphalt mixture with a different SMC content was prepared. A semi-circular bending fatigue test (SCB) was conducted to analyze and compare the fatigue properties of the modified asphalt mixture. On this basis, this paper proposes a fatigue life prediction model of an SMCSBS composite modified asphalt mixture based on a particle swarm optimization support vector machine (PSO-SVM). SMC content (SMC accounts for the mass percentage of SMCSBS composite modified asphalt)/%, asphalt aggregate ratio, stress ratio and loading frequency/Hz were used as training data to establish the prediction model, and RMSE and R2 were used to evaluate the performance of the model. Experimental results show that the prediction results of the PSO-SVM method are more accurate than the experimental observation data and can effectively improve the prediction accuracy of the model. Compared with the M5′ model tree (M5′), artificial neural network (ANN), and support vector machine (SVM) method, the PSO-SVM method can achieve better prediction performance and a better prediction effect.
Tapered composite right/left‐handed leaky‐wave antenna for wideband broadside radiation

A leaky‐wave antenna (LWA) based on tapered composite right/left‐handed unit cell sections is proposed for wideband broadside radiation. The substrate‐integrated‐waveguide metamaterial based antenna consists of three sections with varying slot lengths for unit cells. The measured broadside gain of the proposed tapered antenna prototype is higher than 9.0 dBi over a bandwidth of 4.7% (8.825–9.250 GHz). The bandwidth of the proposed tapered LWA for 1‐dB gain variation doubles that of the conventional LWA with non‐tapered unit cells. In addition, the proposed antenna is able to scan the beam from −72° to +75° over a frequency range of 8.0–13.0 GHz with the gain greater than 9.0 dBi. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 57:624–629, 2015