Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Role of the Community in Teacher Preparation: Exploring a Different Pathway to Becoming a Teacher

Viewing learning as a social and cultural process the premise of this paper is that learner teachers’ developing expertise should not only reside in the knowledge domains typically established by universities and schools. A crucial knowledge domain that is often overlooked by schools and teacher education institutes (TEIs) is the community beyond the walls of the school classroom and university lecture hall. This paper attends to the question of what constitutes an effective teacher in an era of rapid change and throws light on the process of becoming a twenty-first century educator through examining an innovative curriculum design which has made experiential learning (EL) mandatory for all novice teachers at a TEI in Hong Kong. This challenging curriculum initiative in teacher training has enabled a powerful synergy between the core functions of our teacher-training faculty and the wider community. I seek to present findings that point to real impact on student teachers’ professional development – or their sense of becoming – and also in the way TEIs work within their local communities which are positioned as a powerful knowledge space and knowledge holder in the teacher education process. I will also show how community partners such as non-governmental organisations (NGOs) play a highly significant role in the development of beginning teachers and how they might even be seen as ‘co-educators’ in the complex but compelling process of teacher preparation.
Sliding Mode Control with Disturbance Rejection for Piezoelectric Nanopositioning Control

This paper presents the design of an active disturbance rejection control with sliding mode component (SMCDR) and its implementation for position control of a piezo-driven positioning stage. As compared with conventional sliding mode method, the proposed SMCDR releases the requirement of accurate plant model and it is easy to implement. The nonlinearity and uncertainty parts of the piezo-driven system are considered as lumped disturbance and estimated by an extended state observer (ESO). The stability of the proposed controller is proved with a rigorous Lyapunov method. Comparative experimental results show that the proposed SMCDR exhibits superior performance over conventional active disturbance rejection controller and sliding mode controller in position tracking application.
Ouroboros-E: An Efficient Lattice-based Key-Exchange Protocol

The Bit Flipping algorithm is a hard decision decoding algorithm originally designed by Gallager in 1962 to decode Low Density Parity Check Codes (LDPC). It has recently proved to be much more versatile, for Moderate Parity Check Codes (MDPC) or Euclidean metric. We further demonstrate its power by proposing a noisy Euclidean version of it. This tweak allows to construct a lattice based key exchange analogous to the Ouroboros protocol for Hamming metric but with a reduction to the Short Integer Solution (SIS) problem. The very efficient decoding algorithm permits to consider smaller alphabets than for NTRU or Ring-LWE decryption algorithms. Overall we obtain a new protocol which competes with the recent NEWHOPE and Kyber proposals, and also with NTRU. The resulting scheme exploits the cyclicity of the error, and benefits from the security of the renowned SIS problem.
Study of Wireless Communications Link at Subterahertz Frequencies Using FET-based Detectors

This paper focuses on the wireless link development deploying (sub)THz waves. The article describes authors' initial approach to the research and experiments dealing with THz communications. Presented work summarises the theory and achieved results in a filed of FET-based THz detectors and readout circuits aimed at wireless THz data transmission. Our main goal was to provide proper data transmission utilising (sub)THz carrier wave - this has been experimentally achieved at 170 GHz and 289 GHz.
eff-HAS: Achieve higher efficiency in data and energy usage on dynamic adaptive streaming

With the limited battery life of mobile devices and the full usage of shared network resources, mobile users are required to devise canny and amicable plans for energy and data consumption. In this paper, we propose an efficient chunk-scheduling strategy for adaptive video streaming which enhances per-power data utility. We first reveal that currently available chunk-scheduling strategies for adaptive video streaming do not consider the general viewing patterns of streaming users, causing a severe inefficiency in terms of not only data usage but also energy consumption. We then propose a energy- and data-efficient chunk scheduling algorithm that increases the per-power data utility for single bitrate encoded videos. We further extend the basic algorithm customizing it to dynamic adaptive streaming over HTTP (DASH) formatted video streaming systems, the most popular video streaming technique. We implemented the proposed scheme and the experiment results show that, while consuming 2% less energy, the scheme reduces the overall data wastage by 55% compared to a prior competing scheme.
Online Identification of Mutual Inductance of Induction Motor without Magnetizing Curve

This paper presents two easy-to-implement methods for online identification of the mutual inductance of induction motors without magnetizing curves. The first one uses the algorithm of a model reference adaptive system. The voltage model in a stationary reference frame is employed as a reference model as it is little affected by the variation of mutual inductances. The current model is used as an adaptive model as it is sensitive to the variation of mutual inductances. The second method is an open-loop method by calculating reactive power of the motor based on the steady-state voltage model in a rotating reference frame. As the reactive power and stator inductance are approximately linear, this method is easy to implement. Simulation results demonstrate that the steady-state errors caused by the mismatch of mutual inductance used in the controller and that of the motor are reduced by the proposed identification methods.
Peptide-Based Immunotherapeutics and Vaccines 2015

Pedro Reche, Darren R. Flower, Masha Fridkis-Hareli, and Yoshihiko Hoshino Department of Microbiology-I/Immunology, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK ATR, LLC, Worcester, MA 01606, USA Department of Mycobacteriology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Higashi-Murayama, Tokyo 189-0002, Japan
A Reduced Switch Count Single-Stage Three-Phase Bidirectional Rectifier With High-Frequency Isolation

Dual active bridge (DAB) based converters offer the benefit of smaller volume due to high-frequency isolation and controllability of active power flow, making them attractive for various applications, such as renewable energy generation, plug-in hybrid vehicles, and distribution systems. This paper presents a novel converter topology along with a modulation strategy for a DAB-based three-phase ac to dc converter. The major benefits are single-stage conversion, no unreliable intermediate dc-link capacitor, reduced number of switches, i.e., only two active switches on the ac side, simple control scheme, open-loop unity power factor operation, bidirectional power flow, and partial soft-switching. This paper presents the analysis of all the operating modes of the converter, resulting in the analytical estimation of power transfer and rms winding current and investigation of soft-switching conditions for the power devices. Simulation and experimental results have been presented to demonstrate the advantages of the proposed technique and accuracy of the analysis.1
p-GaN/n-ZnO nanorods: the use of graphene nanosheets composites to increase charge separation in self-powered visible-blind UV photodetectors

ZnO-based heterojunctions have found applications as self-powered ultraviolet photodetectors (PDs). However, high doping levels are not compatible with high mobility for metallic doped ZnO-based PDs so further development has been inhibited. This study demonstrates a method to increase the open-circuit voltage (Voc) that allows keeping a sufficiently high level of mobility of ZnO, using a ZnO nanorod/GaN heterojunction that incorporates graphene nanosheets as the active layer. These hybrid PDs have triple the value for Voc of PDs that have only pure ZnO and better exhibit photo-response characteristics. The results of surface Kelvin probe microscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectrometer show that the complex defects that occur because Zn interstitials form a shallow donor in ZnO are mainly responsible for the increase in the value of Voc. Using this functional nanostructure as an active layer represents a new method for the manufacture of high-performance self-powered PDs.
Causal Asymmetric State Communication Over the Degraded Broadcast Channel

The Rate-and-Asymmetric-State (RnAS) capacity region of a state-dependent two-user discrete memoryless degraded broadcast channel with a state-cognizant encoder is the set of rate-pairs at which data can be transmitted over the channel when the “higher quality” user-in addition to reliably decoding its message-must also reconstruct the state sequence with some defined fidelity. We show that feedback from the channel output to the encoder can increase this capacity region even for degraded broadcast channels that are memoryless with memoryless states. This capacity region is calculated here for such channels in the absence as well as in the presence of feedback when the state reconstruction fidelity is measured using a single-letter distortion function and the state sequence is revealed to the encoder in one of two different ways: strictly-causally or causally.
Using the Wizard-of-Oz Method for Exploring Deep Customer Experience Preferences

When almost eighty percent of the senior executives from 362 companies claimed they provided an exceptional customer experience, only eight percent of their customers agreed [1]. It is challenging and necessary to evaluate customer experiences in a proper way, especially under the Chinese cultural background. This paper describes the new application of the Wizard-of-Oz method aimed at exploring deep customer experience preferences. In the following article the authors illustrate the essence of customer experience and present the overview of the Wizard-of-Oz method across the sections. Furthermore the article details the practice of the Wizard-of-Oz experiment based on a development project of smartphone-based vehicle telematics services. Finally the article analyzes the results from the Wizard-of-Oz experiment in the form of sentiment trend matrix.
Graph-based Encoders and their Achievable Rates for Channels with Feedback

This paper investigates graph-based encoders for the unifilar finite-state channel (FSC) with feedback. A recent paper introduced the Q-graph as a tool for the recursive quantization of channel outputs on a directed graph. The Q- graph approach yielded single-letter lower and upper bounds on the feedback capacity of unifilar FSCs, termed here Q-LB and Q-UB, respectively. The current paper provides two computable optimization problems for the Q-LB and the Q-UB. The first, for the Q-LB, aims to find the graph-based encoder with the highest achievable rate. Specifically, for a structured cooperation between the encoder and the decoder, that is given by a particular Q-graph, the optimization problem maximizes the Q-LB over all input distributions. The resultant graph-based encoder from the optimization problem has a corresponding posterior matching scheme that achieves the Q-LB. The second optimization problem provides a formulation of the Q-UB as a convex optimization problem. Numerical results of the Q-LB and the Q-UB are presented for the Ising channel and a simplified version of a fading channel. The numerical results are then translated into analytical expressions for graph-based encoders and their achievable rates.
Robust Tactile Descriptors for Discriminating Objects From Textural Properties via Artificial Robotic Skin

In this paper, we propose a set of novel tactile descriptors to enable robotic systems to extract robust tactile information during tactile object explorations, regardless of the number of the tactile sensors, sensing technologies, type of exploratory movements, and duration of the objects’ surface exploration. The performance and robustness of the tactile descriptors are verified by testing on four different sensing technologies (dynamic pressure sensors, accelerometers, capacitive sensors, and impedance electrode arrays) with two robotic platforms (one anthropomorphic hand and one humanoid), and with a large set of objects and materials. Using our proposed tactile descriptors, the Shadow Hand, which has multimodal robotic skin on its fingertips, successfully classified 120 materials (100% accuracy) and 30 in-hand objects (98% accuracy) with regular and irregular textural structure by executing human-like active exploratory movements on their surface. The robustness of the proposed descriptors was assessed further during the large object discrimination with a humanoid. With a large sensing area on its upper body, the humanoid classified 120 large objects with multiple weights and various textures while the objects slid between its sensitive hands, arms, and chest. The achieved 90% recognition rate shows that the proposed tactile descriptors provided robust tactile information from the large number of tactile signals for identifying large objects via their surface texture regardless of their weight.
Disturbance Observer Based Speed Control of a Variable Displacement Pump-Driven-Motor System with Impedance Torque Regulation

This paper deals with both speed and torque control of a variable displacement pump-driven-motor system subject to external disturbances. In some cases, not only speed control but also torque control is required. Disturbance observer and impedance control are combined to solve this issue. Impedance control is applied to guarantee the contact torque to the environment lie in a specific range, which can avoid impacts and keep a proper contact torque. A relation between the output speed and contact torque is defined by a first order impedance rule. Disturbance observer based speed control is employed to account for the load and external disturbance to achieve accurate speed tracking. The overall system stability is analyzed. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed control strategy has both high-accuracy speed tracking and torque adjustment performance which can be widely used in construction and assembly.
A Subject-specific Layered Head Model for Monte Carlo Fitting in Time-domain Near-infrared Spectroscopy

Obtaining the absolute values of absorption coefficient in brain tissue has been a challenge in Near-infrared spectroscopy. Here a new layered head model is introduced based on the shape of each individual head surface to estimate absorption coefficient. Monte Carlo simulations are used to calculate distributed time of flight (DTOF) for each sourcedetector channel. These results can be used for fitting of experimental DTOFs obtained from Time-domain near-infrared spectroscopy.
Improved Template-Matching-based FRUC Method in Inter-Frame Video Coding

As a new inter prediction mode, Frame Rate Up-Conversion (FRUC) is introduced for exploring the future video coding. In FRUC, for a coding unit, the motion information can be derived by the Template Matching (TM) technique. However, in the TM-based FRUC, the prediction direction, including forward, backward, or bi-directional prediction, is determined only based on the initial motion information without further using pixel information of the current block. This may decrease the efficiency of the FRUC mode. To solve this problem, in this paper, three selection schemes on prediction direction are proposed based on template matching distortion and rate distortion cost, respectively. In the first scheme, the relationship in terms of template matching distortion is obtained among different prediction directions. Accordingly, based on this relationship, the prediction direction can be determined both at encoder and decoder, and no additional bit needs to be transmitted to the decoder. In the second scheme, the prediction direction is determined based on rate-distortion optimization, and two additional bits are transmitted to the decoder for each block. Finally, by combining the above two schemes, the third scheme is proposed to further enhance coding efficiency while reducing coding complexity. Our proposed algorithm is integrated into the Joint Exploration Model 5.0. 1 platform. Experimental results show that average Bjontegaard delta rate (BD-rate) savings of 0.23% (Y), 0.47% (Y), 0.51% (Y) for three schemes are achieved by using the proposed three schemes, respectively, with no or a little increase of computational cost.
Uncertainty in Identification Systems

We study the high-dimensional identification systems under the presence of statistical uncertainties. The task is to design mappings for enrollment and identification purposes. The identification mapping compresses users' information then stores the index in the corresponding position in a database. The identification mapping combines the information in the database and the observation which originates randomly from an enrolled user to produce an estimate of the underlying user index. We study two scenarios. Users' data are generated from the same unknown distribution while the observation channel is also subjected to uncertainty. Each user's data are generated iid from the distribution corresponding to its own state, while the observation channel is known. We provide an achievable compression-identification trade-off for the first and second settings considering both discrete and continuous cases. In the discrete scenario, the described regions are also the correspondingly complete characterizations.
The Temperature Compensation of FBG Sensor for Monitoring the Stress on Hole-Edge

To apply Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors in the hole structural health monitoring of aircraft, this study investigates a temperature compensation algorithm based on Fourier curve-fitting, combined with an analysis of FBG layout. The results identify that the wavelengths have a linear relationship with stress and temperature and the linear correlation coefficients are all greater than 0.9. In the experiment, the temperature range was 17 °C–100 °C (step is 10 °C) and the tensile force changed from 0 N to 10 KN (step is 1 KN). With the Fourier curve-fitting of the wavelength variation, the temperature compensation can be actualized, and the average error of temperature is 0.17 °C. By integrating the algorithm in the self-developed FBG interrogation system, the real-time monitoring of stress is achieved with the average error of stress is 3.9 μϵ.
Genetic homogeneity of North-African goats

North Africa represents a rich and early reservoir of goat genetic diversity, from which the main African breeds have been derived. In this study, the genetic diversity of four indigenous Algerian goat breeds (i.e., Arabia, Makatia, M’Zabite and Kabyle, with n = 12 for each breed) has been investigated for the first time by genome-wide SNP genotyping; moreover in a broader context, genetic structuration of Algerian and Moroccan goats was explored (via FST, MDS, STRUCTURE, FineSTRUCTURE, BAPS, sPCA and DAPC analyses). At national level, the study revealed high level of genetic diversity and a significant phenomenon of admixture affecting all the Algerian breeds. At broader scale, clear global genetic homogeneity appeared considering both Algerian and Moroccan stocks. Indeed, genetic structuration was almost nonexistent among Arabia (from Algeria), Draa, Black and Nord (from Morocco), while the ancestral Kabyle and M’Zabite breeds, reared by Berber peoples, showed genetic distinctness. The study highlighted the threat to the Maghrebin stock, probably induced by unsupervised cross-breeding practices which have intensified in recent centuries. Moreover, it underlined the necessity to deepen our understanding of the genetic resources represented by the resilient North-African goat stock.
Event-Triggered Control for Uncertain Linear Systems

In networked control systems, event-triggered control has been widespreadly used for its enormous advantages in the reduction of communication frequency and calculation time to save network resources and energy. However, this strategy was hardly extended to deal with uncertainty systems. In this paper, stability of observer-based event-triggered linear systems with parameter uncertainty is investigated. Sufficient stability condition is obtained in the form of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs), and meanwhile a minimum inter-event time (MIET) is derived to ensure feasibility. A numerical example is presented for illustration of the theoretical claims.
Understanding User-Defined Mapping Design in Mid-Air Musical Performance

Modern gestural interaction and motion capture technology is frequently incorporated into Digital Musical Instruments (DMIs) to enable new methods of musical expression. A major topic of interest in this domain concerns how a performer's actions are linked to the production of sound. Some DMI developers choose to design these mapping strategies themselves, while others expose this design space to performers. This work explores the latter of these scenarios, studying the user-defined mapping strategies of a group of experienced mid-air musicians chosen from a rare community of DMI practitioners. Participants are asked to design mappings for a piece of music to determine what factors influence their choices. The findings reveal novice performers spend little time reviewing mapping choices, more time practising, and design mappings that adhere to musical metaphors. Experienced performers edit mappings continuously and focus on the ergonomics of their mapping designs.
Metabolic control of regulatory T cell stability and function by TRAF3IP3 at the lysosome

Metabolic programs are crucial for regulatory T (T reg) cell stability and function, but the underlying mechanisms that regulate T reg cell metabolism are elusive. Here, we report that lysosomal TRAF3IP3 acts as a pivotal regulator in the maintenance of T reg cell metabolic fitness. T reg–specific deletion of Traf3ip3 impairs T reg cell function, causing the development of inflammatory disorders and stronger antitumor T cell responses in mice. Excessive mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1)–mediated hyper-glycolytic metabolism is responsible for the instability of TRAF3IP3-deficient T reg cells. Mechanistically, TRAF3IP3 restricts mTORC1 signaling by recruiting the serine-threonine phosphatase catalytic subunit (PP2Ac) to the lysosome, thereby facilitating the interaction of PP2Ac with the mTORC1 component Raptor. Our results define TRAF3IP3 as a metabolic regulator in T reg cell stability and function and suggest a lysosome-specific mTORC1 signaling mechanism that regulates T reg cell metabolism.
Fractional Order Zero Phase Error Tracking Control for Continuous Time Non-minimum Phase Processes

This paper presents a Fractional-Order Zero Phase Error Tracking Controller (FOZPETC) for the non-minimum phase processes. The conventional Zero Phase Error Tracking Controller (ZPETC) results in high bandwidth of the system and improves the tracking performance of the overall system. Meanwhile, the overall system may be quite sensitive to the high frequency disturbance and noise. We apply the fractional-order pole-zero cancellation techniques to the non-minimum phase zeros and use the FOZPETC instead of ZPETC to improve the disturbance rejection capacity. A numerical example is provided to illustrate the proposed fractional-order tracking zero phase controller design method.