Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An optimum control method for active filters

Active filtering is the most demanding application from a control point of view compared to all the line side converter applications because many harmonics have to be controlled with minimum switching frequency. The theoretical limit of the highest order of harmonic that can be controlled is at half the switching frequency. In this paper, a new method is presented to achieve optimum performance or achieve control up to the theoretical limits. The control law is derived from the system equations. The proposed method uses differentiation in the feedforward and ways to overcome associated noise amplification problem are presented. By introducing a delay in the feedback loop, it is made sure that the feedback loop only acts when there is any error in system modeling in feed-forward path. The basic control philosophy is based on the synchronous reference frame (SRF). The proposed scheme can be easily implemented by using a digital controller for SRF based control with a fraction of additional computing power necessary to implement the proposed scheme. Both simulation and practical results are presented for a 50 kVA lab prototype.
Trajectory Similarity Based Prediction for Remaining Useful Life Estimation

Trajectory Similarity Based Prediction for Remaining Useful Life Estimation (126 pp.) The degradation process of a complex system may be affected by many unknown factors, such as unidentified fault modes, unmeasured operational conditions, engineering variance, environmental conditions, etc. These unknown factors not only complicate the degradation behaviors of the system, but also lower the quality of the collected data for modeling. Due to lack of knowledge and incomplete measurements, certain important context information (e.g. fault modes, operational conditions) of the collected data will be missing. Therefore historical data of the system with a large variety of degradation patterns will be mixed together. With such data, learning a global model for Remaining Useful Life (RUL) prediction becomes extremely hard. This has led us to look for advanced RUL prediction techniques beyond the traditional global models. In this thesis, a novel RUL prediction method inspired by the Instance Based Learning methodology, called Trajectory Similarity Based Prediction (TSBP), is proposed. In TSBP, the historical instances of a system with life-time condition data and known failure time are used to create a library of degradation models. For a test instance of the same system whose RUL is to be estimated, similarity between it and each of the degradation models is evaluated by computing the minimal weighted Euclidean distance defined on two degradation trajectories. Based on the known failure time, each of the degradation models will produce one RUL estimate for the test instance. The final RUL estimate can then be obtained by aggregating the multiple RUL estimates using a density estimation method.
The Case for Design Consulting

After many years of working to get design a seat at the table when company development and strategy was being considered, the business world is finally taking notice. One result is that design consultancies are rapidly being snapped up as a result of corporate in-sourcing. Does this signal a new era in the business of design? A series of acquisitions and other developments at marquee design firms led this consultant to wonder: What's in store for the business of design?
COMPARATIVE PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSE OF SAINFOIN (ONOBRYCHIS VICIAEFOLIA) SEEDLINGS TO ALKALINE AND SALINE-ALKALINE STRESS

Salt-alkali stress is a major environmental factor that seriously limits crops development and productivity worldwide. The objective of this study is to compare growth and physiological responses of sainfoin (Onobrychis viciaefolia) to alkali (NaHCO3) and salt-alkali (NaCl: NaHCO3) stress, by investigating biomass, photosynthetic pigments, antioxidant enzymes, inorganic ions, organic substances such as proline and sugars. It was shown that both alkaline and salinealkaline stress treatments significantly reduced fresh weight (FW) and dry weight (DW), chlorophyll (Chl) contents, K+ concentrations, antioxidant enzymes activity and soluble sugars contents, whereas clearly increased malondialdehyde (MDA), proline and Na+ concentrations in sainfoin plants compared with control (no added NaCl and NaHCO3). It is also observed that in the 150 mM NaHCO3, peroxidase (POD) activity, soluble sugar contents and K+/Na+ ratio in plants under NaHCO3 treatment were lower than those in plants under NaCl: NaHCO3 treatment. These results suggested that the damages caused by alkaline stress on the growth of sainfoin plants are more serious than those caused by salinealkaline stress treatments. The findings of the present work provide a basis for understanding the physiological responses to saline-alkaline stress in forage legumes.
A Filter Technique for Optimising the Photon Energy Response of a Silicon PIN Diode Dosemeter

Silicon PIN diodes are used routinely as radiation detectors in electronic pocket dosemeters. Unless they are energy compensated, a significant over-response occurs below 200 keV. At least one manufacturer (Siemens) is using three diodes in parallel with individual filters to produce excellent energy and angular response. It is also possible to use an algorithm based on the photon spectrum of a single diode to flatten the energy response. However, the more cost effective commercial practice is to use a single diode with a simple filter to flatten the energy response - with the major disadvantage of sacrificing low energy photon response. The technique of using a filter with an opening has been used previously, typically for energy compensating GM detectors and proportional counters. A new variation of this technique has been investigated, which not only compensates the energy response of a silicon PIN diode but also maintains an extended low energy response. The technique consists of using a composite filter of two or more materials together with several openings whose individual area is in the range of 15% to 25% of the diode's active area. One of the openings is centred over the diode's active area, while the others are located at the periphery of the active area to preserve a good polar response to ±45°. Monte Carlo radiation transport methods were used to simulate the coupled electron-photon transport through a Hamamatsu S2506-01 diode and to determine the energy response of the diode for a variety of filters. Composite filters were designed, and optimised for both current and pulse mode operation of the diode. In current mode, the resultant dosemeter energy response relative to air dose was within -15% and +30% for 0° incidence over the energy range from 15 keV to I MeV. For ±45° incidence, the energy response was within -30% and +20% relative to air dose from 30 keV to 1 MeV. In pulse mode, the resultant dosemeter energy response was within -25% and +50% for 0° incidence over the energy range from 30 keV to 10 MeV. For ±45° incidence, the energy response was within -25% and +40% from 40 keV to 10 MeV. This filter technique is applicable to a variety of silicon diodes. The work and results described in this paper are intended to show the theoretical viability of the filter technique.
Spatial distribution of ductility demand and damage index in 3D RC frame structures considering directionality effects

Most of studies that examined the influence of incidence angles of bidirection ground excitations were focused on the estimation of engineering demand parameters (EDPs) only along two orthogonal axes varying ground motion orientations. However, variations of the EDPs have not been assessed in a desired horizontal angular distance from a reference direction that could be different than the incident angle. Furthermore, the structural demands along the height of structures were not also studied for different angles of the incident of ground motion. The current paper aims to assess these issues introducing spatial distribution of ductility demands and damage index induced to multi‐storey reinforced concrete frames due to incidence‐dependent bidirection ground excitations. Employing the concept of 3D archetypical frames, several pushover analyses and nonlinear response history analyses were conducted using two sets of ground motions classified as near‐field and far‐field records. The results of these comprehensive parametric analyses including the EDPs along different angular distances from a reference point were employed to perform regression analyses obtaining the critical EDPs. Several expressions for the critical EDPs (mostly oriented in non‐principal planar directions) are suggested in terms of the orthogonal peak responses assumed to be assessed corresponding to the principal axes. Different expressions proposed in this study could be used to predict the critical ductility of structures by combining the structural ductility in two perpendicular directions when they are assessed due to the principal directions of excitations. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Peer-Assisted Injection as a Harm Reduction Measure in a Supervised Consumption Service: A Mixed Method Study of Client Experiences

Background: Peer assistance is an emerging area of study in injection drug use. When Canada’s first supervised consumption site (SCS) opened in 2003 in Vancouver, BC, clients were prohibited from injecting their peers; only recently has this practice been introduced as a harm reduction measure at these sites. In 2018, Health Canada granted federal exemption to allow peer-assisted injection at certain SCS sites, under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Literature pertaining to peer-assisted injection addresses several topics: interpersonal relationships between the injector and recipient; the roles of ritual and pragmatism; trust and assessment of expertise; and gender relations.Methods: In this explanatory sequential mixed-methods study, participants were interviewed about their experiences in a peer-assisted injection program (PAIP) at one SCS regulated by Health Canada. Quantitative administrative data was used to provide context and to describe the study sample in comparison to all PAIP participants. Results: PAIP clients made up only 17.4% of all SCS clients; however, 71% of all SCS visits and 83% of all overdoses occurred among PAIP clients indicating their high service utilization. The PAIP program was utilized infrequently (0.4% of all SCS visits) but was a valuable service as expressed by Program participants. Participants expressed being moved by compassion to help others inject. While their desire to assist was pragmatic, they felt a significant burden of responsibility for the outcomes. Other prominent factors were social connection, trust, safety, social capital, and reciprocity. Participants also made suggestions for improving the PAIP. Conclusions: These findings reveal the humanity within a cohort of at-risk individuals, often dehumanized at the societal level. Relational equity and mutuality were evident, in contrast to other studies. Regular use of the SCS, and access to its resources, enabled participants to make healthier choices and practise lower-risk injections. At the federal level, there is considerable room to advocate for allowing clients to divide drugs safely within the SCS, and to increase capacity for safer alternatives such as inhalation.
Sustained Nano-Mechanical Oscillation of a Resonant-Body Transistor by Frequency-Modulated Heterodyne Phase-Locked-Loop

Many applications based on resonant nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS) require monitoring their natural frequency of oscillation over time with high precision, e.g. for gas sensing or nanomechanical mass spectrometry. In this study, we integrate a very-high frequency, nanomechanical resonant-body field-effect transistor into a frequency-modulated phase-locked loop (FM-PLL) which operates analog, requires only one frequency source, and simultaneously exploits the low-noise displacement detection based on FM-demodulation with resonant transistors. We demonstrate sustained mechanical oscillation of a 120 MHz doubly-clamped nano-resonator (54 nm thick, 158 nm wide, 2.65 μm long) by using the FM-PLL in vacuum and in air, reaching a frequency stability in the low ppm-range at room temperature.
A Current-Doubler Rectifier with Coupled Inductors for High Step-Down Applications

In this paper, a current-doubler rectifier with coupled inductors for high step-down applications is proposed. The proposed current-doubler rectifier includes two sets of coupled inductors, which can extend duty ratio to reduce the peak current through the isolation transformer and lower output current ripple. Additionally, the leakage inductors of the coupled inductors can limit current slew rate of the rectifier diodes, reducing reverse recovery loss significantly. In this study, a full-bridge phase-shift converter with the proposed rectifier, input voltage of 400V, output voltage of 12V, and full load power of 500W was built, from which experimental measurements have shown that the efficiency can reach as high as 91% under full load condition.
Integrated Requirements Engineering – Understanding and Bridging Gaps in Software Development

Software systems are becoming increasingly ubiquitous and can be found in devices we use every day from mobile phones to cars. As our reliance on software-based systems increases, our tolerance with software that is ill-fitted to our needs decreases. We expect these devices to function whenever and however we need them to. However, developing these (often) large and complex software systems to meet our needs and to be usable and robust is non-trivial. Yes, it requires good tools and methods, and competent software engineers that are good at design, development, testing and debugging. But, equally important is that the engineers can coordinate their activities and work together on developing the right thing. Figuring out what the right thing is, i.e. defining the requirements, and then ensuring that the whole development team joins together in realising this is a major challenge. When there are gaps between requirements and other development activities these gaps have a negative impact on the success of a project and a product. Similarly when there are no gaps, or they are effectively managed and bridged, the development process can run more smoothly and the project stands a better chance of delivering the required functionality, with good quality and on time. The main topic of this thesis is the collaboration and alignment of requirements within software development, and how this can enable a development company to consistently develop and deliver products that are well received by their users. A number of challenges and practices including factors contributing to these have been identified through industrial case studies. Furthermore, this thesis includes two methods for supporting project teams in improving on their work practices. Both methods have been applied in live development projects and found to enable teams to reflect on their practices and consider what gaps there are between people, between activities and between artefacts. By doing so, they can gain insight into how to improve on their coordination and alignment of requirements. The main conclusion of this thesis is that development as a whole can be improved with an integrated requirements engineering (iRE) approach. Understanding and bridging gaps, or the level of integration between requirements and other development activities, helps development teams in achieving the necessary collaboration to be aligned within the development projects. This then enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of the development process by ensuring that the right thing is developed.
Software update management in wireless sensor networks

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have recently emerged as a promising platform for many non-traditional applications, such as wildfire monitoring and battlefield surveillance. Due to bug fixes, feature enhancements and demand changes, the code running on deployed wireless sensors often needs to be updated, which is done through energy-consuming wireless communication. Since the energy supply of battery-powered sensors is limited, the network lifetime is reduced if more energy is consumed for software update, especially at the early stage of a WSNs life when bug fixes and feature enhancements are frequent, or in WSNs that support multiple applications, and frequently demand a subset of sensors to fetch and run different applications. In this dissertation, I propose an energy-efficient software update management framework for WSNs. The diff-based software update process can be divided into three phases: new binary generation, diff-patch generation, and patch distribution. I identify the energy-saving opportunities in each phase and develop a set of novel schemes to achieve overall energy efficiency. In the phase of generating new binary after source code changes, I design an update-conscious compilation approach to improve the code similarity between the new and old binaries. In the phase of generating update patch, I adopt simple primitives in the literature and develop a set of advanced primitives. I then study the energy-efficient patch distribution in WSNs and develop a multicast-based code distribution protocol to effectively disseminate the patch to individual sensors. In summary, this dissertation successfully addresses an important problem in WSNs. Update-conscious compilation is the first work that compiles the code with the goal of improving code similarity, and proves to be effective. The other components in the proposed framework also advance the state of the art. The proposed software update management framework benefits all WSN users, as software update is indispensable in WSNs. The techniques developed in this framework can also be adapted to other platforms such as the smart phone network.
m6A Methylation Regulators Are Predictive Biomarkers for Tumour Metastasis in Prostate Cancer

Simple Summary Recurrence and metastatic progression always lead to dismal outcomes in prostate cancer (PCa). There is no reliable biomarker for the prediction of recurrence and metastasis other than the Prostate Cancer Antigen (PCA). N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most common post-transcriptional mRNA modification and is regulated by m6A regulators dynamically. Since m6A modification is associated with cancer development and outgrowth, we performed a consensus clustering on PCa with regard to the gene expression of all m6A regulators. We identified three subtypes of Pca with distinct m6A expression patterns and enriched biological pathways. We also established an m6A score for metastasis prediction based on our clustering, which is potentially a predictive biomarker for Pca metastasis. Abstract Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common cancers in men. Usually, most PCas at initial diagnosis are localized and hormone-dependent, and grow slowly. Patients with localized PCas have a nearly 100% 5-year survival rate; however, the 5-year survival rate of metastatic or progressive PCa is still dismal. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most common post-transcriptional mRNA modification and is dynamically regulated by m6A regulators. A few studies have shown that the abnormal expression of m6A regulators is significantly associated with cancer progression and immune cell infiltration, but the roles of these regulators in PCa remain unclear. Here, we examined the expression profiles and methylation levels of 21 m6A regulators across the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), 495 PCas by consensus clustering, and correlated the expression of m6A regulators with PCa progression and immune cell infiltration. Consensus clustering was applied for subtyping Pca samples into clusters based on the expression profiles of m6A regulators. Each subtype’s signature genes were obtained by a pairwise differential expression analysis. Featured pathways of m6A subtypes were predicted by Gene Ontology. The m6A score was developed to predict m6A activation. The association of the m6A score with patients’ survival, metastasis and immune cell infiltration was also investigated. We identified three distinct clusters in PCa based on the expression profiles of 21 m6A regulators by consensus clustering. The differential expression and pathway analyses on the three clusters uncovered the m6A regulators involved in metabolic processes and immune responses in PCa. Moreover, we developed an m6A score to evaluate the m6A regulator activation for PCa. The m6A score is significantly associated with Gleason scores and metastasis in PCa. The predictive capacity of the m6A score on PCa metastasis was also validated in another independent cohort with an area under the curve of 89.5%. Hence, our study revealed the critical role of m6A regulators in PCa progression and the m6A score is a promising predictive biomarker for PCa metastasis.
The Development of the Home Control System with the OSGi

: The home network is the technique to guarantee a safe, economical, socially integrated, and healthy life to the family and it provides domestic safety, instrument control, controllable energy and health monitoring by the connection of the home appliances using wired and wireless networks. A home control system has been developed for managing and controlling home appliances. This paper designs the broadband PLC home controller using broadband PLC technology which can save much cost at a network infrastructure using the existing power line at a home and design the USB home controller using USB technology which is low cost and has many goods with it. And the embedded home server manages those. The CDMA module provides mobile functions to the home control system in this paper. And we choose the OSGi specification which is compatible with other home middleware and can accept various communication techniques of home network
Weak convergence of a primal-dual algorithm for split common fixed-point problems in Hilbert spaces

In this paper, we use the dual variable to propose a new iterative algorithm for solving the split common fixed-point problem of quasi-nonexpansive mappings in real Hilbert spaces. Under suitable conditions, we establish a weak convergence theorem of the proposed algorithm and obtain a related result for the split common fixed-point problem of firmly quasi-nonexpansive mappings. Some numerical experiments are given to illustrate the efficiency of the proposed iterative algorithm.