Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dimension Reduction and Adaptation in Conditional Density Estimation

An orthogonal series estimator of the conditional density of a response given a vector of continuous and ordinal/nominal categorical predictors is suggested. The estimator is based on writing a conditional density as a sum of orthogonal projections on all possible subspaces of reduced dimensionality and then estimating each projection via a shrinkage procedure. The shrinkage procedure uses a universal thresholding and a dyadic-blockwise shrinkage for low and high frequencies, respectively. The estimator is data-driven, is adaptive to underlying smoothness of a conditional density, and attains a minimax rate of the mean integrated squared error convergence. Furthermore, if a conditional density depends only on a subgroup of predictors, then the estimator seizes the opportunity and attains a corresponding minimax rate of convergence. The latter property relaxes the notorious “curse of dimensionality. ” Moreover, the estimator is fast, because neither projections nor shrinkages are computation-intensive. A numerical study for finite samples and a real example are presented. Our results indicate that the proposed estimation procedure is practical and has a rigorous theoretical justification.
DETERMINANTS OF FDI IN THE ECONOMY OF GCC COUNTRIES: A PMG ARDL APPROACH

: The main determinant of the growth of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries is inward foreign direct investment stock (FDI). The paper shows the effects of economic growth, cost of living, Economic Freedom Indices, global oil price, and construction value-added on the inward foreign direct investment stock in GCC in the long term and short term for an unbalanced data period of study from 1996 to 2020(Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates) and Qatar from 1999 to 2020. We use the PMG ARDL model to have a long-run and short-run estimate between these variables in the gulf council region. Empirical results evidence positive correlation that economic growth and construction industry volumes and cost of living and economic freedom indices have an inverse relationship in long term on regional FDI stock. At the same time, results confirm that there is Cross-sectional dependence among these countries of GCC.
DAMAGE DETECTION OF TRUSS-LIKE STRUCTURES USING WAVELET TRANSFORMS

This study deals with the application of wavelet transforms to the damage detection of truss-like structures. The principles of damage detection by using the wavelet transforms are interpreted and the damage detection capabilities of wave transforms for cracks are demonstrated by numerical and experimental methods. Numerical simulation in combination with the wavelet transforms provides reliable numerical results and the guided wave method using smart materials enables the experimental verification of the numerical results. The basic component elements of truss structures, i.e., beams, are studied first, and subsequently complex structures are considered. The information extracted from the simulation data by using the wavelet transforms shows considerably accurate signatures for localization of damages. In particular, the study considers the influence of structural discontinuities and loading points on damage detection of crack localization. The information extracted from the signal by using the numerical and experimental methods employing the wavelet transforms shows the robustness of the methods in detecting damages in simple and complex structures.
Design of robust finite time functional observers in uncertain linear systems

In this paper, a design problem of the robust finite time functional observers in the uncertain linear systems is investigated. The aim is to design a robust functional observer which can estimate the state linear functions of the uncertain linear systems almost in a predefined finite time. Based on the parametric solutions for a class of Sylvester matrix equation, this paper presents the parametric expressions of all the gain matrices for the finite time functional observers in the linear systems without uncertainties, in which the free parameters can offer all the design degrees of freedom needed in the robust control system design. By using the offered design degrees of freedom, the robust indexes can be parameterised and the design problem of the robust finite time functional observers for the uncertain linear systems can be changed into a minimisation problem with some constraints. By solving the changed minimisation problem, a corresponding algorithm to design the robust finite time functional observers in the uncertain linear systems is proposed. Finally, a numerical example and its simulation results show the simplicity and effectiveness of the proposed design method of robust finite time functional observers in the uncertain linear systems.
Branch Rickey’s Equation Fifty Years Later

This paper reviews recent developments in methods for dealing with weak instruments (IVs) in IV regression models. The focus is more on tests (and confidence intervals derived from tests) than estimators. The paper also presents new testing results under "many weak IV asymptotics," which are relevant when the number of IVs is large and the coefficients on the IVs are relatively small. Asymptotic power envelopes for invariant tests are established. Power comparisons of the conditional likelihood ratio (CLR), Anderson-Rubin, and Lagrange multiplier tests are made. Numerical results show that the CLR test is on the asymptotic power envelope. This holds no matter what the relative magnitude of the IV strength to the number of IVs.
Digital to RF Wideband Multi-Standard Multi-Path Transmitter

This article presents a multi-standard transmitter based on the eight-path architecture with a fully digital baseband (BB) input, covering the frequency band from 300 MHz to 1.5 GHz, while all harmonics and the distortion product of C-IMD3 are rejected to better than −40 dBc. The proposed architecture is based on the multipath technique in which the amplitude weighting algorithm is implemented in the digital domain. The fully digital input baseband section of the architecture eliminates the need for power-consuming circuit modules, such as mixers, high-frequency filters, and amplifiers, thus simplifying the required circuitry and improving the overall performance in terms of the operating frequency band, power consumption, and power efficiency. The power amplifier of this transmitter consists of an array of four pseudo-differential digital power amplifiers. A programmable first-order radio frequency (RF)-low pass filter (LPF), integrated within the DPAs, as well as an off-chip first-order RF-LPF, has been adopted in order to attenuate the seventh and ninth harmonics below the desired level, which are not rejected by the eight-path architecture. The chip is realized in 0.18- $\mu \text{m}$ CMOS with an active area of 0.58 mm 2. Measurements verify an output power and overall power efficiency ranging from 10.6 to 17.6 dBm and 3.6% to 19.7%, respectively, within the entire RF bandwidth. The proposed transmitter also satisfies the requirements of the IEEE 802.11af and IEEE 802.11ah standards. An ANN-based calibration algorithm improves the error vector magnitude of 64-QAM data from −21.5 to −34.1 dB.
Spatiotemporal phase unwrapping and its application in fringe projection fiber optic phase-shifting profilometry

In this paper, a spatiotemporal phase unwrapping method is proposed, which combines the dynamic optic fiber interferometric fringe projection method and the phase- shifting technique. A fringe projection fiber optic phase- shifting interferometer was set up, in which the fringe spacing and rotation can be easily adjusted. In the first step of the spatiotemporal phase unwrapping method, a large effective wavelength can be chosen so that the phase jump at the discontinuous profile is less than (pi) , then the spatial phase unwrapping method can be applied. Several intermediate phase maps can be obtained by changing fringe pitch and fringe orientation, reducing the effective wavelength step by step, and unwrapping each pixel along the time axis. In the final step, a high precision result can be obtained. A minimum number of steps may be chosen for obtaining the required accuracy according to the conclusion presented in this paper. An experimental result is presented for the measurement of a discontinuous object and shows the validity of the proposed method.
Entropy Generation Between Two Rotating Cylinders with Magnetohydrodynamic Flow Using Nanofluids

The flow between two cylinders where one or both of the cylinders rotate has many practical applications such as swirl nozzles, rotating electrical machines, rotating disks, standard commercial rhymesters, and chemical and mechanical mixing equipment. In this paper, the effect of using TiO2-water nanofluid (ϕ≤2%) on entropy generation between two corotating cylinders in the presence of magnetohydrodynamic flow is investigated. An analytical approach is applied to solve the simplified governing equations in the cylindrical coordinate system. To calculate the thermal conductivity and viscosity of the nanofluid, two correlations, which are based on the experimental data, are used. The velocity field is obtained as modified Bessel functions, and then, using the expansions of these Bessel functions with three terms, the temperature field and, subsequently, the entropy generation rate are estimated. The results are presented for various parameters, including the entropy generation number (NS), Bejan number (Be).
Trajectory design and maneuver strategy for the MESSENGER mission to mercury

Destined to become the first spacecraft to orbit the planet Mercury, the MESSENGER spacecraft was launched on 3 August 2004. The 6.6-year ballistic trajectory to Mercury will utilize six gravity-assist flybys of Earth (one), Venus (two), and Mercury (three). With three trajectory correction maneuvers completed by mid-December 2005, many more maneuvers will be necessary during the journey to Mercury and the subsequent 1-year duration Mercury orbit phase. The spacecraft's design and operational capability will enable real-time monitoring of every course-correction maneuver. A complex mission plan will provide multiple opportunities to obtain observational data that will help fulfill the mission's scientific objectives. Soon after entering Mercury orbit in mid-March 2011, the initial primary science orbit will have an 80-deg orbit inclination relative to Mercury's equator, 200-km periapsis altitude, 60°N subspacecraft periapsis latitude, and a 12-h orbit period. With science goals requiring infrequent orbit-phase trajectory adjustments, pairs of orbit-correction maneuvers occur at about the same time every Mercury year, or every 88 days. For the first time, the spacecraft's orbit design at Mercury accounts for the best available Mercury gravity model, small solar pressure perturbations due to changes in the solar array tilt angle, and an improved strategy for performing orbit correction maneuvers.
Using Distance Information in the Design of Large Multidimensional Scaling Experiments

Good nonmetric multidimensional scaling algorithms have been available for more than a decade (Kruskal, 1964), and the large number of published applications attests to their popularity and usefulness. These procedures are capable of constructing a configuration of points in a metric space using no more than the ordinal properties of the data in a matrix of dissimilariti es—thus the characterization "nonmetric. " Despite the fact that a large body of experience and knowledge has been accumulated regarding the behavior of nonmetric algorithms, there have been few systematic attempts to discover which characteristics of the input data are essential for successful construction of the configuration. It is important to know the answer to this question, since in many situations it may not be feasible, or desirable, to collect all possible pairwise judgments of dissimilarity from a subject. The most obvious
Hard Gallium Alloys for Use as Low Contact Resistance Electrodes and for Bonding Thermocouples into Samples

A new family of low contact resistance electrodes is described. These are hard alloys of gallium, prepared at room temperature in a manner similar to that of dental amalgams. They may be packed into cavities in semiconductors or in some cases applied to a flat surface and allowed to harden under pressure. These alloys can also be used to bond wires and thermocouples into samples. The maximum operating temperatures range from 250° to about 900°C for various alloys. The electrical characteristics, when used on ferrites and controlled valency semiconductors, are similar to those of the frequently used semiliquid indium‐mercury and indium‐gallium electrodes.
Energy Storage Characteristics of a Piezo-Generator using Impact Induced Vibration

This paper presents theoretical and experimental considerations of the energy storage characteristics of a piezoelectric generator developed previously by the authors. In this paper, the oscillating output voltage induced by mechanical impact via the piezoelectric effect is rectified, and the electrical energy is stored in a capacitor. The effect of the capacitance of the capacitor and the initial voltage is investigated using an equivalent circuit model. A maximum efficiency over 35% has been achieved with a prototype generator.
An Effective Method of Detecting Characteristic Points of Impedance Cardiogram Verified in the Clinical Pilot Study

Accurate and reliable determination of the characteristic points of the impedance cardiogram (ICG) is an important research problem with a growing range of applications in the cardiological diagnostics of patients with heart failure (HF). The shapes of the characteristic waves of the ICG signal and the temporal location of the characteristic points B, C, and X provide significant diagnostic information. On this basis, essential diagnostic cardiological parameters can be determined, such as, e.g., cardiac output (CO) or stroke volume (SV). Although the importance of this problem is obvious, we face many challenges, including noisy signals and the big variability in the morphology, which altogether make the accurate identification of the characteristic points quite difficult. The paper presents an effective method of ICG points identification intended for conducting experimental research in the field of impedance cardiography. Its effectiveness is confirmed in clinical pilot studies.
Porcine antibody profiles of 33 Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae fusion proteins from M. hyopneumoniae natural infection but not vaccination

Abstract Background Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, the primary pathogen responsible for porcine enzootic pneumonia, reduces average daily weight gain and causes substantial economic losses to the pig industry worldwide. Vaccination is the most common strategy to control this disease but offers partial protection. Therefore, developing next‐generation vaccines by screening protective antigens is crucial. Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibody response to 33 recombinant proteins in pigs naturally infected with M. hyopneumoniae. Methods The genes encoding 33 (hypothetical) membrane proteins or secretory proteins were ligated into pGEX‐6P‐1, pGEX‐6P‐2, pGEX‐5X‐3 or pGEX‐4T‐3 vectors and transformed into Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) or E. coli XL‐1 Blue to construct recombinant bacteria and to express the recombinant proteins. The recombinant bacteria expressing the target proteins reacted with porcine convalescent sera and negative sera to screen immunodominant proteins by ELISA. Then, recombinant bacteria expressing immunodominant proteins were used to identify the discriminating immunodominant proteins that were recognised by convalescent sera nut not hyperimmune sera. Results All recombinant bacteria could express the target recombinant proteins in soluble form. Twenty‐one proteins were shown to present immunodominant antigens, and four proteins were not recognised by convalescent sera. Moreover, six proteins were considered discriminating and reacted with convalescent sera but not with hyperimmune sera. Conclusions The identified immunodominant proteins were antigenic and expressed during bacterial infection, suggesting that these proteins, especially those capable of discriminating between sera, can be used to identify protective antigens with the view to develop more effective vaccines against M. hyopneumoniae infection.
Composition fluctuation in InGaN quantum wells made from molecular beam or metalorganic vapor phase epitaxial layers

Using strain analysis on high resolution electron microscopy images and finite element modeling of InGaN quantum wells (QWs), it is shown that the In composition changes inside the layers can be accurately determined. The analyzed samples were nominally grown with 15%–17% In composition by molecular beam or metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy. Inside these QWs, the In composition is not homogeneous. Finite element modeling strongly suggests that the measured strain corresponds most probably to InN clusters whose size depends on the growth method.
Performance of SALP Swarm Localization Algorithm in Underwater Wireless Sensor Networks

In underwater wireless sensor networks, the optimization strategies for localization might be seen as a new boon for the localization of sensor nodes (UWSNs). The techniques for optimization are those that repair the incorrect value, adapt it to the situation, and correct it. Because the algorithm could adapt to the constantly changing environment, it was widely used in terrestrial applications, and the same can be extended to the underwater environment with modifications. To address the localization issue that arises in UWSNs, the Underwater Salp Swarm Algorithm (USSA), a nature-inspired node localization algorithm, has been presented. With the help of this technique, an effort to discover a solution to the localization problem as an optimization problem is considered. The proposed algorithm is accessed in a simulated water environment. The energy is assigned to the anchor well as non-localized nodes, after deploying them in the simulated underwater network. The suggested algorithm is compared with other optimization algorithms, such as UPSO and UBOA, with reference to the computing time, localization accuracy, and the number of localized nodes. It is possible to localize a greater number of nodes in a much faster and more efficient way by considering the proposed algorithm.
Multivalued Impulsive SDEs Driven by G-Brownian Noise: Periodic Averaging Result

This paper aims to study two approximation theorems in view of the periodic averaging results for non-Lipschitz multivalued stochastic differential equations with impulses and G-Brownian motion (MISDEGs). By adopting G-Itô’s formula and non-Lipschitz condition, the solutions to the simplified MSDEGs without impulses may replace those of the initial MISDEGs in view of approximation in L 2 -sense and capacity. Finally, we bring a couple of two examples to enhance our theoretical results.
Calculation and interpretation of analytic high‐beta poloidal equilibria in finite aspect ratio tokamaks

The validity of the analytic large aspect ratio, high‐β equilibria developed by Cowley et al. [Phys. Fluids B 3, 2066 (1991)] is extended to include finite aspect ratio equilibria with q2≫1, where q is the safety factor. These high‐β equilibria have two regions. Most of the volume lies in the ‘‘core region,’’ where ψ=ψ(R). The flux surfaces close in the ‘‘boundary layer region,’’ which has thickness δ. The solutions are valid when δ/a∼O (√e/βq2) is small, where a is the minor radius. Thus, finite e is allowed when q2 is large. The equilibria are completely specified by the midplane profiles of pressure p(R) and poloidal magnetic field BP(R) and the shape of the plasma boundary, all of which can be measured experimentally. Note the departure from customary specification of p(ψ), q(ψ), or F(ψ). A fast numerical code, requiring a few seconds to execute, has been written to compute and illustrate the analytic high‐β equilibria. The qualitative features of high‐βP tokamaks are discussed in detail.
Choosing Multiple Items From A Product Class

By focusing on consumer preference for single items, researchers have implicitly assumed that product choices are made independently of each other. For many product classes (e.g., magazines, stereo albums, liquor in a home bar) that assumption is implausible. “Balancing” or “rounding out” a group of items implies dependence among selections. Models incorporating this dependence are constructed and tested.
Impact of the Interplay Between Mode Dispersion and Kerr Effect in SDM Optical Networks

Space division multiplexing (SDM) – such as based on multi-mode fibers – is under investigation to support the growing capacity demands. In optical networks, the estimation of quality of transmission (QoT) is a fundamental control task to identify the most suitable transmission parameters (e.g., modulation format) to meet proper spectral efficiency while satisfying the required optical reach. The Gaussian Noise (GN) model is widely adopted for QoT estimation. However, the basic version of the GN model does not account for the interplay between mode dispersion and the Kerr effect. In this paper, we investigate the impact of mode dispersion on SDM networks exploiting strongly coupled modes, through an extended GN model. Network performance analysis is evaluated. First, an analysis of the achievable information rate (AIR) with Gaussian data statistics is presented. Then, a network capacity analysis is shown constrained to a set of supported modulation formats and a fixed symbol rate. Finally, blocking probability is studied with the same set of supported modulation formats with variable symbol rates. The presented network analysis shows that accounting for mode dispersion increases the throughput considering: i) Gaussian data statistics, ii) different modulation formats. Moreover, the blocking probability analysis shows a blocking reduction when mode dispersion is considered in the physical layer modeling.
The Testing culture and the role of private education

ABSTRACT Entrance to prestigious four-year colleges in South Korea depends heavily on secondary school curricula and scoring high enough on the university entrance exam known as the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT). The current national policy has elevated English to the same level of importance as math and Korean on the CSAT. Private English lessons, a part of the burgeoning shadow education, are vital to high school students seeking to obtain a high score, since students do not perceive that public school English education suffices for this immediate goal. Through an analysis of survey data gained from 420 high school students and semi-structured interviews with 15 English teachers, this study shows that Korea’s testing culture leads to the devaluing of public school teachers and curricula and does not promote competences in speaking and writing. Our analysis suggests the necessity of curriculum reform that advances the empowerment of public school English teachers while ensuring a focus on all four language competences.