Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
RFID-Based Vehicle Localization Scheme in GPS-Less Environments

In vehicular networks many applications and services require the use of vehicle position, which motivates the research on high-precision vehicle localization schemes. Unfortunately, conventional localization systems, e.g., global positioning system (GPS), hardly meet new accuracy requirements in some special scenarios. On the other hand, radio frequency identification (RFID) has become an efficient booster for internet of things (IOT) due to its low cost, battery-free, and unique identification. In this paper, we propose an RFID-based vehicle localization scheme in GPS-less environments. Considering the practical implementation of multiple RFID reader antennas on a vehicle is constrained, we therefore adopt single antenna multi-frequency-based range estimation, in which the integer ambiguity problem is solved by a closed-form robust Chinese remainder theorem (CRT) algorithm. Then, Levenberg-Marquardt (LM) algorithm is exploited to obtain the location of the vehicle. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed scheme can achieve accurate vehicle localization with error lower than 33cm at the probability of 90%.
An Improved ArUco Marker for Monocular Vision Ranging

ArUco markers can be used to measure the three-dimension distance between the lens of a monocular camera and the target markers. The corner points of the marker used for distance measurement by pose estimation are the intersection of the edges obtained by line fitting. The accuracy of straight line fitting has a great influence on the accuracy of corner coordinates, which directly affects the stability of ranging. In the environment of high noise and high mechanical vibration, but there is a problem of corner jitter. In this paper, an improved method of adding four feature circles on the diagonal of ArUco marker is proposed, and the centers of the circles are fitted into a straight line by the least square method to modify the corners of ArUco marker. Experiments are performed by measuring the distance between the marker and the camera in depth and lateral directions respectively. When using the improved marker for ranging, the relative error is less than 1%, and the standard deviation is less than 0.3cm, which shows that the method improves the robustness and stability of measurement.
Security Analysis of LTE-V2X and A Platooning Case Study

C-V2X extended from cellular networks has been considered one of the promising communication techniques for Internet of Vehicles (IoV). Correspondingly, it inherits the security issues from cellular networks, i.e., LTE or 5G, and also bring new types of security issues. In this paper, we take LTE-V2X as an example to investigate the potential security and privacy issues of LTE-V2X. In particular, we first study the LTE-V2X communication procedure and discover the potential security flaws. Then we use the platooning case to show the harmfulness caused by different types of attacks using the security flaws. Finally, we use SUMO and OMNET++ to simulate platoon and LTE-V2X, and conduct different types of attacks on the simulator. The simulation results show that various attacks severely degrade the performance of platoon from the perspective of inter-vehicle distance and vehicle speed.
Adaptive pinning synchronization on nonlinearly coupled complex networks with an asymmetrical matrix

In this paper, the global synchronization problem for a kind of complex dynamical networks with nonlinearly coupled functions and an asymmetrical coupling matrix is investigated by using pinning control. By designing the adaptive updating laws for the pinning feedback controller, some proper feedback control gains will be acquired. According to the Lyapunov stability theorem and the projection method, sufficient conditions are obtained that ensure the realisation of the global synchronization for the complex dynamical network with different initial values. Finally, the theoretical results are illustrated by a numerical experiment.
An eco-friendly process for the preservation of natural nutritious sprouts

In an era where plants based and healthy diets are more adopted by the consumers and where the environment-friendly processes are are prevailing, preservation of nutritious natural sprouts by a time and energy saving treatment prompted us to conduct this study. Optimization of the germination of common wheat and Kamut grains was first presented. Reduced imbibition times of 3 and 5 hours were obtained for wheat and Kamut grains respectively with less water consumption. Then an optimal germination duration of 7 days was determined for both grains by monitoring the lipids, proteins, vitamins B2, B6, E and $\beta$-carotene contents during germination. Afterwards these sprouts were treated by Intensification of Vaporization by Decompression to the Vacuum (IVDV) and hot air dried to a water content of 4%. The effect of this treatment on the nutritional content of the sprouts and their drying kinetics were then studied. IVDV was proved to preserve the vitamins content of sprouts while saving around 8 hours of hot air drying.
An 8b 1GS/s 2.55mW SAR-Flash ADC with Complementary Dynamic Amplifiers

An 8b SAR-Flash ADC is proposed, where four reset-power-free complementary dynamic amplifiers (CDAs) are first engaged to a 4b loop-unrolled (LU) SAR conversion and then reutilized for a 4.5b fine interpolating-flash conversion. The hardware-reusing flash ADC not only saves power consumption and area but also reduces the number of conversion cycles. A prototype 1GS/s ADC in 28nm CMOS achieves 45.5dB SNDR at a Nyquist input with 2.55mW power consumption, leading to a FoMWalden of 16.6 fJ/c-s.
Non-Cooperative Game to Balance Energy and Security in Resource Constrained IoT Networks

The restricted resources in IoT networks such as limited battery have resulted in strict requirements to prolong the network life time. To improve the communication, IoT nodes attempt to optimize the available energy in the sensor network, this makes them vulnerable to the malicious attacks from adversaries because of open scenario. In addition, enhancing the security level will consume the energy and decreases network life time. In order to balance energy and security in the network game theory concept is used. We design a non cooperative game between energy and security where the utilities of both energy and security players are maximized by controlling the number of nodes transmitting and hash length. We consider complete and incomplete information game and determine Nash equilibrium. Extensive simulation have been performed to examine Nash equilibrium. We obtained Nash equilibrium for both energy and security players.
A Blind-Test Comparison of the Reliability of Using External Morphology and Echolocation-Call Structure to Differentiate Between the Little Brown Bat (Myotis lucifugus) and Yuma Myotis (Myotis yumanensis)

Abstract Species that overlap in their morphologies are sometimes difficult to distinguish from one another, which can complicate species’ conservation and management. The Little Brown Bat (Myotis lucifugus) and Yuma Myotis (Myotis yumanensis) are sympatric in parts of their range in western North America, and they overlap in morphology, making them difficult to tell apart in the hand in some areas, such as the Pacific Northwest. We compared various methods of distinguishing between M. lucifugus and M. yumanensis to genetic results, using a blind test approach to remove observer bias. Using multiple independent observers, we used external morphology and echolocation-call structure to classify bats from a maternity colony consisting of both species. Genetic analysis confirmed 13 M. lucifugus and 40 M. yumanensis. Minimum echolocation-call frequency separated 100% of M. lucifugus from M. yumanensis using a cut-off of 43 kHz. All M. lucifugus had a minimum echolocation-call frequency ≤42.8 kHz, whereas M. yumanensis had a minimum frequency ≥44.55 kHz. There was some overlap in forearm length; a cut-off of 36 mm would have correctly identified 77% of M. lucifugus and 100% of M. yumanensis to species. Criteria based on subjective assessment of fur sheen and length as well as ear color were moderately successful (90.5 and 77% success by 2 separate observers) in distinguishing between the 2 species. The use of Munsell soil color charts and multivariate statistics to classify fur and membrane color and confirm species identification was not successful. Our results suggest that mean minimum call frequency alone is sufficient for distinguishing between M. lucifugus and M. yumanensis. Use of quantitative rather than qualitative criteria eliminates observer bias and appears to be better for identifying these 2 species.
Nonthermal Atmospheric Plasma-Induced Cellular Envelope Damage of Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans Biofilms: Spectroscopic and Biochemical Investigations

Objective: Nonthermal plasma at atmospheric condition using dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) is reported to be useful in many applications. Here, we have developed a strategy to generate nonthermal atmospheric plasma (NTAP) at ambient conditions for potential biomedical applications. Methods: We have explored the active ingredients of the nonthermal plasma using atomic emission spectroscopy. The potential mechanism of the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) from the generated plasma for therapeutic use has been demonstrated. Major results: The antimicrobial efficacy of the nonthermal plasma application to model Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans biofilms has been investigated. Our detailed electron microscopic studies followed by biochemical investigation reveal the mechanism of bacterial/fungal deactivation process. The nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies on the live cell of C. albicans before and after NTAP treatment clearly conclude the disruption of cellular envelope leading to necrosis as evidenced by fluorescence-assisted cell sorting (FACS) studies. Conclusions: The proposed NTAP setup may find relevance in novel strategies in bacterial and fungal biofilm destruction in the future development of nonfluid hand sanitization.
Impact of Energy Storage System on Frequency Control of an Islanded Microgrid

Microgrids (MG) are a new trend on electrical grids. Despite their dependence on intermittent renewable resources, they provide harmful greenhouse gas emissions to our environment and may present a long-term solution to meet future energy needs with sustainable energy resources (e.g. solar example, wind turbine). Initially, the MG adopted is a hybrid system with non-controllable sources as renewable sources, an energy storage system and controllable sources (e.g. diesel generator (DG), fuel cell (FC), micro turbine (MT)) to ensure MG reliability, transparency and efficiency. It’s also recommended to maintain the frequency as part of the quality of electrical energy affected and disturbed by the intermittence of sources and loads that cannot be controlled depending on conditions weather (for example, solar irradiation, wind speed, temperature) and human behavior (load). This article presents a study of the impact of the storage system and the effect of the uncertainties of the MG system and the frequency of noise recovery by applying a secondary control based on a PI control set by combined GATLBO. A simulated isolated MG is tested in scenarios to test the approach adopted to design the PI parameters in order to avoid frequency fluctuation in the different case studies.
Ceratophyllum revised-a study in fruit and leaf variation

Summary. The range of fruit and leaf variation in the genus Ceratophyllum is discussed with respect to geographical distribution, and a scheme of classification is proposed. Two species are recognised, C. demersum L. and C. submersum L. , each with four varieties. Four new combinations are made, C. demersum L. f. missionis (Wight & Arn.) Wilmot-Dear, C. submersum L. var. haynaldianum (Borbas) Wilmot-Dear, C. submersum L. subsp. muricatum (Chain.) Wilmot-Dear and C. submersum L. var. echinatum (Gray) Wilmot-Dear. Two new taxa are described, C. demersum L. f. papillosum WilmotDear and C. submersum L. var. squamosum Wilmot-Dear. The genus Ceratophyllum in the monogeneric family Ceratophyllaceae has been considered variously as comprising 1, 3-4 or more than 12 species. Most recent treatments have recognised 3 or 4, though not always the same ones. This confusion is due in large part to the fact that in many parts of its range Ceratophyllum can be separated into several distinct entities, yet there is not one of these which does not in at least one region begin to show variants intermediate with another. This study endeavours to provide a method of classifying this range of material which will be both consistent and workable in all regions. Ceratophyllum L. , Sp. P1. ed. 1: 992 (1753) & Gen. PI. , ed. 5: 428 (1754). Aquatic, monoecious herbs, perennating by buds, usually free-floating; stems branched. Leaves in whorls of (6-)8-10(-12), filiform, dichotomously branched once or more, margins (especially of distal segments) often with few to many spine-tipped teeth, terminal segments truncate 2-spined and with a central reddish terete soon-deciduous projection + 0-2 mm long. Flowers axillary, single or several per node, male and female almost always at different nodes, male ? sessile, female rarely shortly pedicellate. Perianth of 8-13 herbaceous lorate or obovate lobes united at base and some in pairs to over half length, each margin often with a single hyaline spine, apex truncate with 2 spines and central projection as in leaves. Male flowers subsessile with numerous (up to ? 30) stamens in several whorls on a domed torus around pistillode; filaments very short or absent; anthers oblong, extrorse, loculi 2, parallel, dehiscing longitudinally, connective produced apically into 2 spines and a central projection as in perianth lobes, margins often with 1-3 spines; immature anthers much flattened, resembling perianth lobes, later swollen, oblong, the reddish projection detaching, tissues becoming gas-filled and bearing detached anthers to water surface where they dehisce, shedding pollen onto plants below. Female flowers sessile or shortly pedicellate without staminodes; ovary solitary, superior, sessile, tapering into a long style; ovule 1, pendulous. Fruit a hard nut, ovoid or ellipsoid, slightly laterally flattened, wingless and rimless, or more markedly flattened and then often with marginal longitudinal 'rim' or entire to dentate or spinulose wing; style ? persistent and spinose;
Migrating to SDN for Mobile Core Networks: A Dynamic and Global Perspective

The rapid growth of mobile traffic and the vast variety online activities demand enhancement of mobile networks. Software-Defined Networking (SDN) is considered a promising solution for the core network. But upgrading to SDN from a legacy network is a multi-period process. From both dynamic and global perspectives, during the migration it needs to simultaneously consider optimizing the local goal at each intermediate step and the global goal. This involves in some essential questions that have to be answered: which legacy devices to upgrade and when to, and how to place controllers. Due to interaction between the local goals and the global goal, however, to answer these questions together is challenging. In this paper we study the SDN migration problem and answer all of these questions together. We formulate the SDN migration problem as a time-varying dual-objective dynamic optimization model, in which the timing factor is taken into account, and the objective of optimization varies with time. Then we introduce a penalty item to convert the dual-objective dynamic optimization problem to a series of single step optimization problems that can be solved directly by CPLEX for small scale networks. The simulation results based on real network topology show that our model can obtain a tradeoff between the local goals and global one.
Chimaeras obtained by the nuclear transplantation technique in the mouse.

核移植技術を用いて,BALB×BALBおよびF1×CBAの2細胞胚期間で片側割球核の交換移植を行いキメラマウスの作出を試みた。 得られた結果の概要は次の通りである。 1. BALB系の核を注入したF1胚の胚盤胞への発生率(62%)は,F1の核を注入したBALB系胚の発生率(42%)に比べて有意に高かった。 2. 培養胚の移植により,BALB系の核を注入したF1胚で,産仔の33% (15/39)に体毛キメラが得られた。 じかしながら,逆の組み合わせではキメラ個体は得られなかった。 3. GPI-1型の比率と体毛のキメラ状態は一致したが,生殖細胞では異なっていた。
A Multichannel Recursive Least-Squares Algorithm Based on a Kronecker Product Decomposition

In this paper, a multichannel recursive least-squares (RLS) algorithm is proposed for the identification of multiple-input single-output (MISO) systems. As compared to the conventional (multichannel) RLS algorithm, the proposed solution exploits a Kronecker product decomposition of the global impulse response, together with low-rank approximations. The gain is twofold, in terms of both performance and complexity. Simulations performed in the context of stereophonic acoustic echo cancellation indicate the appealing features of this algorithm.
A General Pulse Width Modulation Method for Zero-Voltage-Switching Active-clamping Three-phase Power Converters: Edge Aligned Pulse Width Modulation (EA-PWM)

A general PWM method for soft-switching three-phase power converters—Edge Aligned PWM (EA-PWM) is proposed. It aligns all the high loss commutation instants of the converter bridges in a switching cycle at the same instant so that all the switches of the three-phase converter can realize zero-voltage-switching (ZVS) with the help of the resonant auxiliary circuit which operates once each switching cycle. EA-PWM scheme for ZVS active-clamping three-phase converter is introduced. ZVS condition and voltage stress of the converters is derived. EA-PWM can adapt to various modulation methods such as SPWM, Harmonic Injected SPWM, Continuous Pulse Width Modulation (CPWM), Discontinuous Pulse Width Modulation (DPWM), etc. The ZVS condition of three-phase Compound Active Clamping (CAC) converter are discussed. Finally, EA-PWM scheme is verified in Back-to-Back (BTB) converter prototype.
Complementary Mean-Square Analysis of CNLMS Algorithm Using Pseudo-Energy-Conservation Method

This study develops a pseudo-energy-conservation relation to analyze the complementary mean-square performance of a complex-valued normalized least mean-square (CNLMS) algorithm. Based on this relation, we derive a recursion describing the transient complementary mean-square deviation (CMSD) behavior of the CNLMS. Closed-form expressions to predict the steady-state CMSD and complementary excess mean-square error conjugate (CEMSEc) are obtained. Because this method inherits the advantages of the energy-conservation method, our results do not restrict the distribution of input signals. Numerical simulations validate our theoretical analysis results.
Finite-time State and Output Feedback Guaranteed Cost Control of Discrete-time Stochastic Systems

This paper is devoted to the problem of state and output feedback finite-time guaranteed cost control for discrete-time stochastic system. We can obtain two sufficient conditions for the existence of state and output feedback controllers by the definition of stochastic finite-time guaranteed cost control. The finite-time stochastic stability of discrete-time closed-loop systems is discussed. Furthermore, the upper bound of quadratic cost function is ensured. Finally, two examples are presented to demonstrate the efficiency of the results.
Recent Land Use and Land Cover Change Dynamics in the Gran Chaco Americano

Land transformation is one of the most significant human changes on the Earth’s surface processes. Therefore, land use land cover time series are a key input for environmental monitoring, natural resources management, territorial planning enforcement at national scale. We here capitalize from the MapBiomas initiative to characterize land use land cover (LULC) change in the Gran Chaco between 2010 and 2017. Specifically we sought to a) quantify annual changes in the main LULC classes; b) identify the main LULC transitions and c) relate these transitions to current land use policies. Within the MapBiomas project, Landsat based annual maps depicting natural woody vegetation, natural herbaceous vegetation, dispersed natural vegetation, cropland, pastures, bare areas and water. We used Random Forest machine learning algorithms trained by samples produced by visual interpretation of high resolution images. Annual overall accuracy ranged from 0,73 to 0,74. Our results showed that, between 2010 and 2017, agriculture and pasture lands increased ca. 3.7 Mha while natural forestry decreased by 2.3 Mha. Transitions from forests to agriculture accounted for 1.14% of the overall deforestation while 86% was associated to pastures and natural herbaceous vegetation. In Argentina, forest loss occurred primarily (39%) on areas non considered by the territorial planning Law, followed by medium (33%), high (19%) and low (9%) conservation priority classes. These results illustrate the potential contribution of remote sensing to characterize complex human environmental interactions occurring over extended areas and time frames.
Trajectory Tracking of Multi-Robot System Using a Singularity Approach

Singularity causes failure of cluster space control in a multi-robot system due to collisions between the robots. There are two methods offered to solve the singularity problem, namely the coupling method based on the angular velocities of the right and left wheels of the robot. The escaping singularity method based on the angular velocity of a single wheel. In this paper, the escaping singularity method is chosen because of its simpler implementation due to the need of one wheel only for angular velocity calculations. The escaping singularity controls is applied as a multi-robot control system in the cluster space. The multi-robot system consists of one leader and two followers that is in a nonrigid formation. The leader traverses the assigned trajectory, while the followers follow the leader's movement using cluster space to keep each other's distance. The simulation results show that the cluster space multi-robot system using escaping singularity controls can solve the singularity problem, even with additional disturbances applied to the leader with average error rates of 3.7213 m/s without disturbance and 3.8498 m/s with disturbance.
Efficient Computation of Skyline Queries Over a Dynamic and Incomplete Database

Skyline queries rely on the notion of Pareto dominance, filter the data items by keeping only those data items that are the best, most preferred, also known as skylines, from a database to meet the user’s preferences. Skyline query has been studied extensively and a significant number of skyline algorithms have been proposed, mostly attempt to resolve the optimisation problem that is mainly associated with a reduction in the processing time of skyline computations. In today’s era, the presence of incomplete data in a database is inevitable. Furthermore, databases are dynamic in nature in which their states change throughout the time to reflect the current and latest information of the applications. The skylines derived before changes are made towards the initial database are no longer valid in the new state of the database. Blindly examining the entire database to identify the new set of skylines is unwise as not all data items are affected by the changes made towards the database. Hence, in this paper we propose a solution, named DyIn-Skyline, which is capable of deriving skylines over a dynamic and incomplete database, by exploiting only those data items that are affected by the changes. Several experiments have been conducted and the results show that our proposed solution outperforms the previous works with regard to the number of pairwise comparisons and processing time.