Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Edge-Aware Remote Radio Heads Cooperation for Interference Mitigation in Heterogeneous C-RAN

Heterogeneous cloud radio access network (H-CRAN) has been deemed as a promising architecture for the fifth generation wireless networks. In H-CRAN, small remote radio heads (SRRHs) are deployed underlaying the macro remote radio head (MRRH) to boost the spectral efficiency. H-CRANs with dense RRHs suffer from severe inter-cell interference due to the random deployment of dense SRRHs, which limits its performance. In this paper, we propose an Edge-Aware RRH-Cooperation (EARC) scheme to mitigate the impact of both the cross-tier and co-tier interference. We partition the users into two groups, Cell Edge Device (CED) and Non-cell Edge Device (NED). These two groups, CED and NED, are mapped into two association modes, dual-association and single-association mode, respectively. In single-association mode, the NED associates with the RRH that provides the maximum received signal. On the other hand, in the dual-association mode, the CED associates with the two strongest RRHs where the two RRHs may belong to the same or different tier(s). Using tools from stochastic geometry, we quantify the performance gains of the proposed EARC scheme in terms of outage probability and ergodic rate. To further show the efficacy of the proposed scheme, we compare it to four schemes developed in the literature.
Technical Notes Examination of Parameters Affecting Large-Eddy Simulations of Flow Past a Square Cylinder

Separated flow over a bluff body is analyzed via large eddy simulations. The turbulent flow around a square cylinder features a variety of complex flow phenomena such as highly unsteady vortical structures, reverse flow in the near wall region, and wake turbulence. The formation of spanwise vortices is often times artificially suppressed in computations by either insufficient depth or a coarse spanwise resolution. As the resolution is refined and the domain extended, the artificial turbulent energy exchange between spanwise and streamwise turbulence is eliminated within the wake region. A parametric study is performed highlighting the effects of spanwise vortices where the spanwise computational domain’s resolution and depth are varied. For Re=22,000, the mean and turbulent statistics computed from the numerical large eddy simulations (NLES) are in good agreement with experimental data. Von-Karman shedding is observed in the wake of the cylinder. Mesh independence is illustrated by comparing a mesh resolution of 2 million to 16 million. Sensitivities to time stepping were minimized and sampling frequency sensitivities were nonpresent. While increasing the spanwise depth and resolution can be costly, this practice was found to be necessary to eliminating the artificial turbulent energy exchange.
EVALUATING A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR TEACHER EDUCATION QUALITY

It is critical for teacher educators and scholars of teacher education to think carefully about the conceptual framework that they use to evaluate teacher education programs. Without a strong conceptual framework, it may be difficult for teacher educators to evaluate whether or not they are operating within a strong program. Thus, we frame this article as an opportunity to present one particular pre-existing framework in the research literature that can be used to conceptualize teacher education quality. We then present some evidence that supports and challenges this framework. In other words, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the conceptual framework for teacher education quality proposed by Hsieh, Law, Shy, Wang, Hsieh, and Tang (2011). In our attempt to create a supplementary evaluation of this conceptual framework, we test a statistical model using a different large international database – Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) 2013 (OECD, 2014). Specifically, we examine the effects of preparedness for content knowledge (CK), pedagogical content knowledge (PCK), and field-based practice on teachers’ later performance satisfaction using multiple linear regression analysis. Our findings suggest that teachers who are more prepared for PCK and classroom practice (through field/clinical experience) during their teacher education program tend to be more satisfied with their teaching performance. However, our findings also suggest that becoming prepared in one’s CK during teacher preparation does not, according to the respondents, have a significant impact on their satisfaction with their teaching performance. Findings of this study have implications for practice and future research.
Application of parallel tabu search‐based hierarchical optimization to distribution system service restoration

This paper proposes a hybrid method of hierarchical optimization and parallel tabu search (PTS) for distribution system service restoration with distributed generators. The objective is to evaluate the optimal route to recover the service. The improvement of power quality makes the service restoration more important. Distribution system service restoration is one of the complicated combinational optimization problems that are expressed as nonlinear mixed integer programming. In this paper, an efficient method is proposed to restore the service in a hierarchical optimization with PTS. The proposed method is tested in a sample system. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 164(4): 15–23, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ eej.20463
THE EVOLUTION OF SINGAPORE'S GOVERNMENT INFOCOMM PLANS: SINGAPORE'S E-GOVERNMENT JOURNEY FROM 1980 TO 2007

This article traces e-government journey of Singapore, a nation that has consistently been ranked as one of the leading e-government nations in a number of independent studies. In particular, this study focuses on examining the evolving strategic e-government plans of the Singapore government since 1980; when the first concerted effort to use ICT extensively to transform public service delivery began, to provide an overview of the strategic planning and management aspects of e-government. It is hoped that through this paper, e-government academics and practitioners can draw lessons from the invaluable experience of this successful e-government nation, and identify the appropriate strategies that will help steer their respective e-government initiatives towards the achievement of the desired outcomes.
FOD Prediction in Aerospace Production Through Logistic Regression

Foreign Object Debris/Damage (FOD) is a costly problem that aerospace companies such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, among others are facing on their production lines every day. In general, FOD places the lives of pilots, passengers, crew members as well as people on the ground into high-risk if it is not prevented and/or eliminated. FOD refers to any type of foreign object, particle, debris or agent in the production environment, which could contaminate/damage the product or otherwise undermine quality control standards. FOD can be in the form of any of the following categories: panstock, manufacturing debris, tools/shop aids, consumables and trash. Although aerospace industries have put many prevention plans in place such as housekeeping and “clean as you go” philosophies, use of RFID for tooling control, training, etc. much work is still needed to eradicate the problem of FOD. This research presents a proposed model using logistic regression to predict types of FOD under specific circumstances such as workstation, month and aircraft being built. Reports of detected FOD were provided by an aerospace company for this study. Through predicting types of FOD, custom elimination plans can be put in place to completely eradicate the problem.
Measurement of the beat length in high-birefringent optical fiber by way of magnetooptic modulation

One of the most important parameters about high-birefringent optical fiber is the beat length. Because of its shortness and periodicity, the measurement of the beat length Is very critical. Here, a highly accurate measurement method that relies on magnetooptic modulation techniques is proposed, and the theoretical analysis and discussion about the measurement theories and the instrument construction are given in detail. Finally, the construction of the beat length measurement instrument based on this novel method is described and several kinds of high-birefringent optical fiber samples are measured. The beat-length resolution of this instrument is better than 0.01 mm, and the final measuring results are not influenced by the external interference on the fiber or the status of the placement of the optical fiber. >
Suppression of higher diffraction orders using quasiperiodic array of rectangular holes with large size tolerance

Advances in basic and applied research of conventional grating have been attracting much attention from optical engineering community. However, the higher orders diffraction contamination degrades the spectral purity obtained by conventional gratings seriously. Many designs of single-order or quasi-single-order gratings have been proposed to suppress higher-order diffraction contributions, however, their inhibitive effects on the higher order diffractions are restrained by the processing accuracy unavoidably. In this paper, we propose a grating that incorporates a quasi-periodical array of rectangular holes, and achieves larger tolerance of processing errors compared with the previously designed gratings by optimizing the probability density distribution function of the holes. This paper describes an analytical study of the diffraction property of this grating. Theoretical calculations reveal that the grating completely suppresses the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th orders diffractions, and the ratio of the 5th order diffraction efficiency to that of the 1st is as low as 0.01% even if relative errors for hole sizes exceed 20%, which greatly decreases the required processing accuracy.
Multi-country stated preferences choice analysis for fresh tomatoes

In this study we investigate consumers’ preferences for fresh tomato attributes in four European countries by assessing and comparing Marginal Willingness-To-Pay (MWTP) estimates from panel Mixed Logit (MXL) models with utility specifications in the WTP-space. We performed an in-depth post-estimation inference to identify what attributes are the main determinants of fresh tomato purchases in each domestic market. We also assess the choice probabilities for tomatoes of various ori-gins and types to illustrate how these post-estimation inference can be used to inform strategies designed to increase the market shares of Italian fresh tomato exports in new markets and to consolidate positions in markets where Italian fresh tomatoes are already appreciated by local consumers.
Regulated Series Hybrid Converter with DC Transformer (DCX) for Step-Up Power Conversion

The partial power converter which is composed of isolated topology and dc-dc topology is getting more and more attention due to its efficient power delivery. This paper proposes a partial power regulated series hybrid converter (RSHC), which is suitable for power conversion in step-up isolated applications. The proposed RSHC architecture consists of a dc-dc converter aiming to regulate the output voltage and a secondary-side series resonant converter (SSRC) operating as a high-efficiency dc transformer (DCX). The resonant tank of SSRC is derived from the reverse structure of a conventional LLC resonant converter. Different from the two-stage structure, the bulk power from the input to output is directly transmitted by SSRC with DCX function (SSRC-DCX), and part of the total power is delivered by dc-dc converter. Moreover, the voltage stress across the power devices of the dc-dc converter in the proposed RSHC is reduced in comparison with the two-stage structure. Therefore, the proposed RSHC can improve efficiency as well as save costs. The steady-state operation principle of RSHC is analyzed. Finally, a 250 W prototype is built to verify the output regulation mechanism and performance of the proposed RSHC.
Resonant frequency and quality factors of a silver-coated /spl lambda//4 dielectric waveguide resonator

In this paper, resonant frequency, radiation loss, conductor loss, and dielectric loss of a silver-coated /spl lambda//4 dielectric waveguide resonator are investigated. Leakage of the electromagnetic field from the open-end face of the resonator is the only source of radiation, which also affects the resonant frequency. New theoretical expressions are devised to calculate resonant frequency, conductor quality (Q) factor, dielectric Q factor, and radiation Q factor. Effective conductivity of the silver-coated resonator is estimated from experimental unloaded Q factor. The theoretical analysis is validated by the experimental result and the data obtained using the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) technique. Finally, we have designed and fabricated a dual-mode bandpass filter using this resonator.
Which Passenger Emotions Mediate the Relationship Between Type of Pilot Configuration and Willingness to Fly in Commercial Aviation

Abstract. There have been a few studies that have examined how different pilot configurations affect aviation consumer perceptions about trust, comfort, and willingness to fly (e.g., Rice et al., 2014, Int J Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace, 1, 1–12; Winter et al., in press, J Air Transp Management); however, to date, no study was found that has examined how the relationship between pilot configuration and willingness to fly might be mediated by different emotions. The purpose of this study was to fill this gap by examining how affect (emotion) mediates this relationship, and more specifically, which emotion(s) mediate. In two studies, participants were presented with different pilot configurations and asked to rate how they felt about them and how willing they would be to fly under those circumstances. Both studies revealed strong evidence that affect was a mediator in this relationship, and that anger, fear, and happiness were the significant emotions in play. The findings from this study provide in.
High-resolution offset-frequency PLL using properties of co-prime numbers

A new offset-frequency phase-locked loop (PLL) that realises high-frequency resolution based on a mathematical relation between the output frequency and the offset frequency is proposed. The proposed PLL achieved a 0.1 MHz frequency resolution while using a 1.1 MHz reference clock. The PLL consisted of a main PLL, a delay-locked loop based programmable frequency multiplier, and a single-sideband mixer. The prototype PLL was fabricated with a 0.18 m CMOS technology, and occupies a 0.29 mm 2 active silicon area.
Adaptive Relay Selection Strategy in Underwater Acoustic Cooperative Networks: A Hierarchical Adversarial Bandit Learning Approach

Relay selection solutions for underwater acoustic cooperative networks suffer significant performance degradation as they fail to adapt to incomplete information, noisy interference and overwhelming dynamics. To address this challenge, a hierarchical adversarial multi-armed bandit learning framework by proposing an online reward estimation layer is designed to improve adaptive relay decision control. In online reward estimation layer, adaptive Kalman filter estimator is developed to properly handle noisy observation to support accurate reward. Meanwhile, an online predict mechanism is projected for all relays to enrich learning information. Furthermore, based on estimate error variance, an adaptive exploration structure is developed to accelerate the balance between exploration and exploitation. All gathered information are exploited to learn relay quality for the decision-making. Accordingly, we present a Hierarchical Adversarial Bandit Learning (HABL) algorithm to fully exploit the heuristic interaction between the hierarchical framework. HABL integrates reward estimation, information prediction, adaptive exploration and decision making carefully in a holistic algorithm to maximize the learning efficiency. Thereby, the HABL-based relay selection algorithm has higher system throughput and lower communication cost. Further, we rigorously analyze the convergence of HABL algorithm and give its upper bound on the cumulative regret. Finally, extensive simulations elucidate the effectiveness of the HABL.
High Precision Low Temperature Coefficient Current Reference with Resistor Compensation

In order to improve temperature characteristics and precision of current reference, a novel resistor compensated current reference based on bandgap voltage reference with trimming network is proposed in this paper. By introducing the combination of 2nd order resistor and transmission gate whose temperature characteristics compensate that of bandgap voltage reference, lower temperature coefficient has been achieved. This circuit is implemented using HHNEC 0.35um BCD process with 3.3V power supply. Simulation results for the proposed current reference show the worst temperature coefficient of 15.25ppm/°C and the best temperature coefficient of 5ppm/°C over a temperature range from -45°C to 85°C. With trimming network, an output current variation of 1.4‰ is achieved among process corners. On the premise of not introducing high-order curvature compensated to bandgap which increase circuit complexity, this circuit put forward a new thought for the design of current reference. Keywords-Current reference, Resistor compensation, Trimming network, Temperature coefficient
Flight with Limited Field of View: A Parallel and Gradient-free Strategy for Micro Aerial Vehicle

In this paper, a parallel and gradient-free strategy is presented for autonomous navigation of a quadrotor with a limited field of view (FOV). The FOV constraint is nonlinear and non-continuous in general and involves higher order dynamics of the vehicle. Planning problems with such constraints are difficult to solve, especially with the realtime requirement. The proposed method first constructs an environment map by integrating the measurement of a limited-FOV sensor in a parallel process. Based on the map, it then selects a feasible local goal from a global path and generates a constraint-free nominal control sequence. Finally, a stochastic optimal control problem is solved to satisfy the limited FOV constraint, the dynamic constraint, the dynamic constraint, and the collision-free conditions at the same time. The objective functions are non-linear and non-continuous and involves dynamic of MAV. A parallel gradient-free algorithm is used to address these problems. Both the sensing and planning problems are solved parallelly on a light-weight Graphics Processing Unit (GPU). The effectiveness of the proposed strategy is demonstrated through both simulation and real flight experiments.
Test-retest reliability and measurement errors of six mobility tests in the community-dwelling elderly

Purpose. To explore (1) test-retest reliability, (2) measurement error at one point in time (standard error of measurement, SEM), and (3) measurement error between two measurements (smallest real difference, SRD) of 6 mobility tests in the community-dwelling elderly. The SRD can be used to determine whether a real change has occurred. Methods. A physiotherapist administered the 6 mobility tests (functional reach [FR]; usual and fastest gait speed [UGS & FGS]; timed chair stands [TCS]; timed up & go [TUG]; and 6-minute walk distance [6MW]) for 77 community-dwelling elderly in 2 sessions, 1 week apart. Results. Test-retest reliability was excellent (intra-class correlation coefficient 2,1 =0.80-0.95) for all measurements. The Pearson’s correlation coefficient ( r) among the 6 mobility tests varied from 0.2 to 0.9; UGS & FGS, 6MW, and TUG were highly correlated (r≥0.8). The standard error of the measurement and smallest real difference of all measurements were within 10% and 26%, respectively. The FGS showed the highest test-retest reliability (ICC 2,1 =0.95) and was most responsive for detecting a real change (SRD%=10.3%). The FGS was highly correlated with 6MW (r=0.87-0.88) and UGS (r=0.79-0.80). Conclusion. The 6 mobility tests provided reliable measurements of mobility functions for the community-dwelling elderly.
Challenges Posed to Performance Management by TQM Gurus: Contributions of Individual Employees Versus Systems-Level Features

There is a plethora of literature to suggest that even in quality-oriented organizational contexts, the approach driving performance appraisal is fundamentally in conflict with Total Quality Management (TQM) precepts, which put heavy emphasis on systems-level features of performance management. This inconsistency arguably impedes the transition to a stable Total Quality (TQ) environment, or even actively encourages regression to traditional ways. In response to this inconsistency, this paper discusses the contributions of individual employees towards organizational performance versus systems-level features, based on a wide-ranging literature survey and an empirical study of a sample of EFQM-affiliated organizations. The results indicate that most performance appraisal systems fail to meet TQ expectations in practice, and that they contradict TQM assumptions about the relatively low importance of individual employees as a source of variation in organizational performance. In this paper, we argue that performance management should be based on both systems-level features and contributions from individual employees, as these tend to complement each other. Our findings suggest that individual employees--as a basis for competitive advantage in the new millennium--will retain a critical role in providing a potential source of quality improvement. Thus, our research findings will provide a new insight into how quality-driven organizations not only cope with apparent mismatches between TQM precepts and the performance appraisal system used in practice, but also attempt to utilize the latter system to the advantage of both the organization and its employees.
Nonlinear, Linear Analysis and Computer-Aided Design of Resistive Mixers

Nonlinear large-signal analysis of local current shape and linear small-signal analysis of small-signal products are made for resistive mixers. Iteration adapted from Newton's method was used in the nonlinear analysis. The conjugate match method was used in the linear analysis to find the minimum conversion loss. These theories were applied to a new type spurious suppressed mixer and a reliable computer simulation was made.
Dynamic Task Scheduling in Cloud-Assisted Mobile Edge Computing

The cloud-assisted mobile edge computing system is a critical architecture to process computation-intensive and delay-sensitive mobile applications in close proximity to mobile users with high resource efficiency. Due to the heterogenous dynamics of task arrivals at edge nodes and the distributed nature of the system, the workloads of edge nodes are prone to be unbalanced, which can cause high task response time and resource cost. This paper solves the dynamic task scheduling problem in cloud-assisted mobile edge computing (including both peer task scheduling among edge nodes and cross-layer task scheduling from edge nodes to the cloud), aiming at minimizing average task response time within resource budget limit. To overcome the challenges of task arrival dynamics, edge node heterogeneity, and computation-communication delay tradeoff, we propose a Water-filling Based Dynamic Task Scheduling (WiDaS) algorithm. WiDaS dynamically tunes the usage of cloud resources based on the Lyapunov optimization method and efficiently schedules mobile tasks among edge nodes (and the cloud) by exploiting the idea of water filling. Extensive simulations are conducted to evaluate WiDaS under a trace-driven traffic pattern and two mathematic traffic patterns. The results demonstrate that WiDaS shows two-fold benefits of efficiency and effectiveness. In terms of efficiency, WiDaS can achieve the approximate results with the KKT-based algorithm while reducing the computation complexity from exponential order to polynomial order. In terms of effectiveness, WiDaS can reduce the average task response time by up to 64.4% and 47.2% over the Fair-ratio and the Edge-first algorithm.