Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A mixed PI/VI design method for nonlinear H∞ Control

This paper proposes a new mixed policy iteration and value iteration (PI/VI) design method for nonlinear H∞ control based on the theories of polynomial optimization and Lasserre's hierarchy. The design of a mixed PI/VI controller can be carried out in four steps: firstly, initialize design parameters and expand nonlinear system matrices; secondly, obtain a polynomial matrix inequality for policy improvement; thirdly, obtain the Lasserre's hierarchy of a global polynomial optimization problem for value improvement; fourthly, perform the mixed PI/VI algorithm to approximate the optimal nonlinear H∞ control law. The novelty of this work lies in that the problem of designing a nonlinear H∞ controller is translated into a polynomial global optimization problem, which can be solved by Lasserre's hierarchy directly, and then, the mixed PI/VI algorithm is presented to approximate the optimal nonlinear H∞ control law by updating global optimizers iteratively. The main results of this paper consist of the mixed PI/VI algorithm and the related three theorems, which guarantee robust stability and performance of the closed‐loop nonlinear system. Numerical simulations show that the mixed PI/VI algorithm converges very fast and achieves good robust stability and performance in transient behavior, disturbance rejection, and enlarging the domain of attraction of the close‐loop system.
Deep Generate Residual Similar Feature Networks for Image Super-Resolution

In this paper, Driven by advanced convolutional neural networks, we present a deep generate residual similar feature networks to improve super-resolution performance. Many researches have found that many CNN network training of SR requires skill and computing equipment. The input low-resolution features and CNN intermediate features contain rich similar feature maps. The different upscaling factor is used for needing the different model, which increase computational complexity. For the problem raised above, we proposed the generate residual feature (GRF) module to generate more high-frequency information in the residual feature. Each generated residual structure contains the short skip connection and long skip connection. Furthermore, we extract the similar feature in the residual feature by considering the interrelation among residual feature. Qualitative and quantitative assessments on benchmark datasets shows that we use different methods to achieve the same effect as best results of SR, while we make the network light weighted. Meanwhile, Our experiments shows that the pedestrian detection in the monitoring scene has achieved good results.
Electro-optic-polymer-based optical circular-polarization modulators

The TE-TM mode balancer of the fabricated circular-polarization modulator(CPM) has a polarization-conversion efficiency of 90 %,which offers rather wide adjustment for balancing the polarization components of the optical output.With the balanced TE and TM modes,the measured results show that the TE-TM phase-difference modulator of the CPM can be used to realize good optical circular-polarization modulation.The extinction ratio between the 45°- and -45°-tilted-polarization components of the linear-polarization output is larger than 25 dB.With the electro-optical effect generated by contact poling,the conversion-cycle voltage of the TE-TM mode balancer is about 230 V while the modulation-cycle voltage of the TE-TM phase-difference modulator is about 192 V.
Structural Changes in the African Easterly Jet and Its Role in Mediating the Effects of Saharan Dust on the Linear Dynamics of African Easterly Waves

Analytical and numerical analyses are used to examine how structural changes to the African easterly jet (AEJ) mediate the effects of Saharan mineral dust aerosols on the linear dynamics of African easterly waves (AEWs). An analytical expression for the generation of eddy available potential energy (APE) is derived that exposes how the AEJ and dust combine to affect the energetics of the AEWs. The expression is also used to interpret the numerical results, which are obtained by radiatively coupling a simplified version of the Weather Research and Forecasting Model to a conservation equation for dust. The WRF-Dust model is used to conduct linear simulations based on five observationally consistent zonal-mean AEJs: a reference AEJ and four other AEJs that are obtained by perturbing the maximum meridional and vertical shear. For a dust distribution consistent with summertime observations over North Africa, the numerical simulations show the following: (i) Irrespective of the AEJ structure or the zonal scale of the AEWs, the dust increases the growth rates of the AEWs. (ii) The growth rates of the AEWs are optimized when the ratio of baroclinic to barotropic energy conversions is largest. (iii) When the energy conversions are sufficiently large, the zonal scale of the fastest-growing AEW shortens. The numerical results confirm the analytical analysis, which shows that the dust effects, which are modulated by the Doppler-shifted frequency, are strongest north of the AEJ axis, a region where the dust augments the preexisting meridional temperature gradient.
Optical Imaging in Brainsmatics

When neuroscience’s focus moves from molecular and cellular level to systems level, information technology mixes in and cultivates a new branch neuroinformatics. Especially under the investments of brain initiatives all around the world, brain atlases and connectomics are identified as the substructure to understand the brain. We think it is time to call for a potential interdisciplinary subject, brainsmatics, referring to brain-wide spatial informatics science and emphasizing on precise positioning information affiliated to brain-wide connectome, genome, proteome, transcriptome, metabolome, etc. Brainsmatics methodology includes tracing, surveying, visualizing, and analyzing brain-wide spatial information. Among all imaging techniques, optical imaging is the most appropriate solution to achieve whole-brain connectome in consistent single-neuron resolution. This review aims to introduce contributions of optical imaging to brainsmatics studies, especially the major strategies applied in tracing and surveying processes. After discussions on the state-of-the-art technology, the development objectives of optical imaging in brainsmatics field are suggested. We call for a global contribution to the brainsmatics field from all related communities such as neuroscientists, biologists, engineers, programmers, chemists, mathematicians, physicists, clinicians, pharmacists, etc. As the leading approach, optical imaging will, in turn, benefit from the prosperous development of brainsmatics.
Millimeter-Waves Slot Array Antennas based on Gap Waveguide Technology

Recently, gap waveguide technology is introduced as a promising guiding structure for millimeter-wave systems. The conception of gap waveguide technology can be modeled for theoretical analysis by two parallel plates, a top perfect electric conductor layer and a bottom perfect magnetic conductor layer. This structure stops all modes propagating in all directions except for a quasi-TEM mode along the strip over a speci c frequency band (stopband) when the gap between PEC and PMC plates is smaller than quarter wavelength at an operation frequency. Until now there are already four dierent versions of this novel conceptgroove, ridge, inverted microstrip and microstrip ridge gap waveguides. The proposed thesis mainly focuses on array antenna design based on gap waveguide technology. We present several low-pro le single-layered and multilayer corporate-fed slot array antennas with high gain for the 60-GHz band and 140-GHz. The aim of this thesis is to demonstrate the advantages of gap waveguide technology as an alternative to the traditional lowloss waveguide structure to overcome the problem of good electrical contact due to mechanical assembly. Measurement results and experimental validation are provided for the presented antenna design.
Harmonic Generation at a Nonlinear Imperfect Joint of Plates by the S0 Lamb Wave Incidence

Nonlinear interaction of Lamb waves with an imperfect joint of plates for the incidence of the lowest-order symmetric (S0) Lamb wave is investigated by perturbation analysis and time-domain numerical simulation. The imperfect joint is modeled as a nonlinear spring-type interface, which expresses interfacial stresses as functions of the displacement discontinuities. In the perturbation analysis, under the assumption of weak nonlinearity, the second-harmonic generation at the joint is examined in the frequency domain by the thin-plate approximation using extensional waves. As a result, the amplitude of the second-harmonic extensional wave is shown to be in good agreement with the result of the S0 mode in a low-frequency range. However, it is found that the thin-plate approximation does not reproduce the amplification of the second-harmonic S0 mode, which occurs due to the resonance of the joint. Furthermore, the time-domain analysis is performed by the elastodynamic finite integration technique (EFIT). When the amplitude of the incident wave is relatively large, the fundamental wave and the second harmonic exhibit different behavior from the results by the perturbation analysis. Specifically, if the incident amplitude is increased, the peak frequency of the second-harmonic amplitude becomes low. The transient behavior of the nonlinear interaction is also examined and discussed based on the results for the weak nonlinearity.
OPTICAL PROCESSING BASED ON BRILLOUIN SCATTERING

Nonlinear effects are valuable tools in the field of optical processing. This Thesis is aimed at contributing with new architectures and methods to this field, in particular to the light-by-light control of polarization and optical filtering of microwave signals. The manipulation of the polarization properties of light in guided media is crucial in many classical and quantum optical systems. However, the capability of current technology to finely define the state of polarization of particular wavelengths is far from the level of maturity in amplitude control. In Chapter 3, a new approach for all-optical control of the state of polarization with wavelength selectivity based on the change of the phase retardance by means of stimulated Brillouin scattering is present-ed. Experiments show that any point on the Poincare sphere can be reached from an arbitrary input state of polarization with little variation of the signal amplitude (< 2.5 dB). Unlike other Brillouin processing schemes, the degradation of the noise figure is small (1.5 dB for a full 2pi rotation). This all-optical polarization controller can forge the development of new polarization-based techniques in optical communication, laser engineering, sensing, quantum systems and light-based probing of chemical and biological systems. The second area of interest of the Thesis is photonic microwave filtering. Photonics provides an alternative implementation of microwave filters. The features provided by Brillouin scattering are very attractive to design filters with competitive specifications. Chapter 4 is devoted to new schemes for photonic microwave filtering based on SBS. In particular, a method to enhance the filter slope of Brillouin-based photonic microwave filters is presented. This improvement is achieved by the combination of Brillouin gain and loss responses over phase modulated signals. The experimental results show passband responses exhibiting a slope of 16.7 dB per octave, which corresponds with a 3-fold improvement in comparison to the natural Lorentzian response for the same gain. However, the need of three pump waves, i.e. three microwave oscillators, increases the system complexity and make tunability more difficult. To overcome these limitations, a second technique to enhance the slope of a photonic microwave filter based on stimulated Brillouin scattering is proposed, that maintains easy tunability. It relies on exploiting the polarization dependence of Brillouin gain in birefringent fibers. The presence of two orthogonal Brillouin gains/loss in birefringent fibers results in two filter responses that can be subtracted in a balanced photodetector to remove the slow Lorentzian decay of the natural Brillouin gain response. Experimental results show that a filter slope of 8.3 dB/oct can be obtained. Finally, the Thesis document provides conclusions and future activities opened by this PhD work.
Post exercise hypotension and blood pressure circadian rhythm in pre-hypertensive older adults

Pre-hypertension (pre-HT) (Blood Pressure (BP) ≥120/80mmHg to ≤ 140/90mmHg) increases the risk of developing hypertension (HT). BP reductions following acute exercise are known as post exercise hypotension (PEH). BP and perhaps PEH shows a daily circadian rhythm. Purpose: To compare the magnitude of PEH after morning and evening aerobic exercise in adults with pre-HT. Hypothesis: The magnitude of PEH will be larger after evening versus morning exercise. Participants: Pre-HT men and women 50-65 years old. Study Design: Participants engaged in cycling exercise (60% VO2max) on two occasions: 1.5 and 11 hours following waking. Cardiovascular function was assessed for 30 minutes pre and one hour post exercise. Results: 1) Systolic PEH responses affected by TOD differed by gender. 2) Baseline Heart Rate Variability and its response to exercise differed gender but not TOD. The inconsistent significant gender and TOD differences of PEH and its mechanisms suggest that this group.
Image reconstruction method for exterior circular cone-beam CT based on weighted directional total variation in cylindrical coordinates

Abstract The exterior cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) appears when the x-rays can only pass through the exterior region of an object due to the restriction of the size of the detector, the energy of x-rays and many other factors. The exterior CBCT is an ill-posed inverse problem due to the missing projection data. The distribution of artifacts in exterior CBCT is highly related to the direction of missing projection data. In order to reduce artifacts and reconstruct high quality image, an image reconstruction method based on weighted directional total variation in cylindrical coordinates (cWDTV)is presented in this paper. The directional total variation is calculated according to the direction of missing projection data. The weights are set to reduce artifacts and preserve edges. The convexity of cWDTV and the relationship between cWDTV and classical TV are also illustrated to explain the advantages of our method. Simulated experiments show that our method can improve the performance on artifact reduction and edge preserving.
New Lyapunov conditions of stochastic finite-time stability and instability of nonlinear time-varying SDEs

In this paper, we further consider the problem of stochastic finite-time stability and instability of nonlinear stochastic differential equations (SDEs) with time-varying drift and diffusion terms. The contributions of the paper are highlighted as follows. Some new conditions via multiple Lyapunov functions are given for stochastic finite-time stability of nonlinear time-varying SDEs. Compared with the existing results on stochastic finite-time stability, the constraint of the differential operator is further relaxed in this paper, which enable us to construct the Lyapunov functions much more easily in applications for nonlinear time-varying SDEs. In addition, a stochastic finite-time instability theorem is proposed, and it shows the necessity of in the proposed conditions of stochastic finite-time stability. Some examples are presented to illustrate the new results.
THE INFLUENCE OF GEOMETRICAL AND OPERATIONAL PARAMETERS ON INTERNAL FLOW CHARACTERISTICS OF INTERNALLY MIXING TWIN-FLUID Y-JET ATOMIZERS

Internally mixing twin-fluid Y-jet atomizers are widely used in coal fired thermal power plants for start-up, oil-fired thermal power plants and industrial boilers. The flow through internally mixing Y-jet atomizers is numerically modeled using the compressible Navier-Stokes equations; Wall Modeled Large Eddy Simulations (WMLES) is used to resolve the turbulence with Large Eddy Simulations whereas the Prandtl Mixing Length Model is used for modeling the subgrid scale structures, which are affected by geometric and operational parameters. Moreover, the Volume-of-Fluid (VOF) method is used to capture the development and fragmentation of the liquid-gas interface within the Y-jet atomizer. The numerical results are compared with correlations available in open literature for the pressure drop; further results are presented for the multiphase flow regime maps available for vertical pipes. The results show that the mixing point pressure is strongly dependent on the mixing port diameter to airport diameter ratio, specifically for gas to liquid mass flowrate ratio (GLR) in the range 0.1 < GLR < 0.4; the mixing port length moderately affects the mixing point pressure while the angle between mixing and liquid ports is found not to have an appreciable effect. Moreover, it is found that the vertical pipe multiphase flow regime maps in the literature could be applied to the flow through the mixing port of the twin-fluid Y-jet atomizer. The main flow regimes found under the studied operational conditions are annular and wispy annular flow.
Stokes-anti-Stokes correlation in the inelastic scattering of light by matter and generalization of the Bose-Einstein population function

The Stokes and anti-Stokes components in the inelastic scattering of light are related to phonon statistics and have been broadly used to measure temperature and phonon lifetimes in different materials. However, correlation between the components are expected to change the Stokes/anti-Stokes intensity ratio, imposing corrections to the broadly used Bose-Einstein statistics. Here the excitation power dependence of these scattering processes is theoretically described by an effective Hamiltonian that includes correlation between the Stokes and the anti-Stokes events. The model is used to fit available experimental results in three-dimensional diamond and two-dimensional graphene, showing that the phenomenon can significantly increase in the low-dimensional system under specific resonance conditions. By setting the scientific basis for the Stokes-anti-Stokes correlated phenomenon, the use of the Bose-Einstein population function for reasoning the inelastic scattering is generalized, providing a model to predict the conversion of optical phonons into heat or light, according to coupling constants and decay rates. The model applies to inelastic scattering in general.
Microscale flow and heat transfer between the rotor and the flank for rotary engine

This paper is to investigate microscale flow and transfer between the rotor and the flank for rotary engine. The rotor and flank are simplified to two disks in order to study flow field and temperature field conveniently. The paper takes analysis of steady laminar flow and heat transfer between two disks separated by a gas-filled gap due to machining tolerance. A 3-D multi-physical coupling model is used, involving velocity slip, temperature jump, rarefaction, and dissipation. A solution based on commercial code COMSOL is derived and the results are used to illustrate the effects to velocity field, temperature distribution, disks' torque, and Nusselt number based on the governing parameters. The paper also investigates the effects of different modified Knudsen number on flow field and temperature field.
Validation de mesures d'amplitude d'élévation et d'activité musculaire à l'aide de capteurs sans fil pour l'analyse de mouvements fonctionnels à l'épaule

and Compendex). Two evaluators performed independent selection, quality assessment (consensus-based standards for the selection of health measurement instruments [COSMIN] and quality appraisal tools), and data extraction. Forty-two studies were included. Reported validity varied according to task complexity (higher validity for simple tasks) and the joint evaluated (better validity for lower limb joints). More studies on reliability are needed to make stronger conclusions, as the number of studies addressing this psychometric property was limited. M/IMU should be considered as a valid tool to assess whole body range of motion, but further studies are needed to standardize technical procedures to obtain more accurate data. 2.3 Introduction Physical rehabilitation assessments often require quantification of body movement over an extended period of time during functional or work-related tasks in order to characterize motor dysfunction, to determine task requirement, or to assess the effectiveness of an intervention. This can be performed in a laboratory setting using motion-capture systems [103], as these systems ensure high data quality and are commonly recognized as the gold standard for movement quantification [5]. However, these systems can only be used in controlled environments due to their lack of portability and to the technical expertise required, thereby limiting their potential clinical applications.
Traffic sign detection and positioning based on monocular camera

ABSTRACT Geospatial and geometric states of traffic signs are indispensable information for traffic facility maintenance. This study applies a low-cost single camera system to locate and identify traffic signs and reflects their on-site conditions for assisting in maintenance. Referring to official regulations, a traffic sign can be identified and classified based on its color and shape attributes. The poses and states of the sign planes can also be evaluated according to their geometric shape ratios and the discrepancy with respect to traffic sign regulations, in which a least-square consistency check is proposed to ensure assessment reliability and accuracy. Validation with day and nighttime image sequences was performed to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method and the robustness to illumination changes, color deterioration, and motion blur. Considering the promising results, this study can be deemed as an alternative to promote routine maintenance of traffic facilities.
Dealing with Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting in Western Europe: Challenges of Achieving Zero Tolerance

This paper explores the potential challenges that could have contributed to the difficulty of achieving ‘Zero tolerance’ to FGM/C. In an attempt to answer the question the research looked at the language and representation of the initial campaigning, production of FGM/C and the reactions to the issue at a global level. Debates about the medicalization and criminalization of FGM/C are discussed in order to show the underlying contradictions and complexities of dealing with FGM/C. It also looked at the role and position of Anti-FGM/C NGO’s and their challenges regarding the practice. Information from a semi-structured interview with key informants working on anti-FGM/C organization is used to complement, the analysis of selected secondary data. The research argues that the issue of FGM/C is caught in debates of polarized positions loaded with abstract meanings and has moved its focus from the ‘woman’ or the ‘girl’ in the practicing communities. It shows the tendency of the issue to be driven by the international community and hence its limitation in reaching the very communities it intends to change. It also highlights the lack of accuracy in basic the knowledge about prevalence of FGM/C.