Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On the design of robust intelligent controllers with application to mobile robot tracking

This paper presents a rigorous mathematical development for the design of robust intelligent type-2 fuzzy control systems with regards to the disturbance rejection problem. The majority of the papers in the literature uses only type-1 fuzzy systems for the modeling of both plant ant controller. In the control structure presented in this paper, we use type-2 fuzzy systems, which are more generalized than their type-1 counterparts and particularly known for handling uncertainties. This work extends and generalizes the previous results for the design of robust intelligent control systems. The final robust criteria are given based on linear matrix inequalities (LMIs), and two examples are provided to demonstrate the developed methodologies. The simulation results also show the potential of type-2 fuzzy controllers in improving robustness compared to type-1. The mathematically-sound general framework proposed in this paper provides a systematic tool for the design of robust intelligent controllers, and hence it is expected to widen their applications.
Measuring the Usability, Efficiency and Effectiveness of CAAD Tools and Applications

Computer Aided Architectural Design (CAAD) decisions and judgments have been at the heart of architectural design practice. Despite the increasing popularity of computer aided design applications, measuring the decision making of designers empirically remains elusive. Past research claiming usefulness of the CAD has relied largely on anecdotal or case studies that are vulnerable to bias. The study reviews results of prior investigations. The relatively few laboratory experiments report hardly any empirical results regarding the measurement of CAD decision making. The study provides an overview of the literature of existing measurement methods that have been used in psychology and neuroscience to assess individual variations in design making, and highlight these different measurement methods strengths and weaknesses. We conclude with a comparative evaluation of the different measures and provide suggestions regarding their constructive use in building realistic theories of designers decision making measurement.
The ENIGMA ( Energy Investigation for Gate and Module Analysis ) System Dr

For CMOS and BiCMOS components whose feature size is 1 micron or greater, these consume power only through output transitions. However, as feature sizes reduce in order to avoid hot-carrier effects, the supply voltage must be reduced. To maintain or improve circuit speed, the ratio of supply voltage to threshold voltage must be 5 or greater otherwise the current drive capability of the gates is severely diminished. Thus, the threshold voltage is reduced with the unfortunate side-effect that there is a large increase in standby current, this is often referred to as Leakage Current. For sub-micron devices, leakage power is the same order of magnitude as dynamic power (i.e. transition and toggle power). Therefore, it is a significant factor in submicron devices [1], [2]. Consequently in sub-micron devices, dynamic and leakage power must be integrated into the power analysis, if the power assessment is to be accurate. For ultra deep submicron devices Gate oxide tunneling is a significant contributor to leakage current. Leakage effects can be determined at a transistor level of abstraction of the cells used in a design. Ultimately, they manifest themselves as (input) state dependent power models of the circuit’s cells. A typical cell from the TSMC 0.18 micron library is shown in Fig. 1.
LTE PART II : 3 GPP RELEASE 8

The long-term evolution (LTE) as defined by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) is a highly flexible radio interface [1, 2]; its initial deployment is expected by the end of 2009. The first release of LTE provides peak rates of 300 Mb/s, a radio-network delay of less than 5 ms, a significant increase in spectrum efficiency compared to previous cellular systems, and a new flat radio-network architecture designed to simplify operation and to reduce cost. LTE supports both frequency-division duplex (FDD) and time-division duplex (TDD), as well as a wide range of system bandwidths in order to operate in a large number of different spectrum allocations. Furthermore, LTE also aims for a smooth evolution from earlier 3GPP systems such as time divisionsynchronous code division multiple access (TDSCDMA) and wide-band code division multiple access/high-speed packet access (WCDMA/HSPA), as well as 3GPP2 systems such as code division multiple access (cdma)2000. Finally, LTE also constitutes a major step toward international mobile telephony (IMT)-Advanced. In fact, the first release of LTE already includes many of the features originally considered for future fourth-generation systems [3]. For an in-depth description of LTE, the reader is referred to [1]. A companion article [4] in this issue discusses the link-layer design. In this article, we provide an overview of the first release of LTE, release-8. The basic transmission schemes in uplink and downlink are described, and various aspects of LTE, such as spectrum flexibility, multiple-antenna transmission, and inter-cell interference coordination are discussed. This is followed by a set of simulation results, exemplifying the performance of LTE. Finally, we offer a short overview of the current, ongoing work on the evolution of LTE toward LTE-Advanced and the full IMT-Advanced capability.
Systemic risk, interbank relations and liquidity provision by the Central Bank

We model systemic risk in an interbank market. Banks face liquidity needs as consumers are uncertain about where they need to consume. Interbank credit lines allow to cope with these liquidity shocks while reducing the cost of maintaining reserves. However, the interbank market exposes the system to a coordination failure (gridlock equilibrium) even if all banks are solvent. When one bank is insolvent, the stability of the banking system is affected in various ways depending on the patterns of payments across locations. We investigate the ability of the banking system to withstand the insolvency of one bank and whether the closure of one bank generates a chain reaction on the rest of the system. We analyze the coordinating role of the Central Bank in preventing payments systemic repercussions and we examine the justification of the Too-big-to-fail-policy.
A Study of Thin Coating Wear in High Data Density Tape Heads

This paper reports on an investigation of the wear of very thin (20–50 nm) Cr2O3 hard coatings, deposited on the linear tape open (LTO) data tape heads. The differential wear of the magnetic poles on the head and subsequent pole tip recession (PTR) leading to an increase in magnetic spacing is the major factor limiting the performance of high data density data tape heads. In order to reduce or eliminate PTR, very thin Cr2O3 hard coatings were employed to reduce PTR. The coatings were deposited on the LTO heads surface using unbalanced magnetron sputtering deposition techniques. Atomic force microscopy was used to analyze the surface topography of the coated head surface. Wear measurement was carried out by the means X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Auger electron spectroscopy combined with argon ion depth profiling. By these means, the very small reduction in coating thickness during the wear and hence the wear rate could be accurately determined. Wear tests were conducted in modified HP LTO Ultrium Generation 1 tape drives, and it is shown that wear rates of below 5.6×10−21m3/N⋅m could be measured. Nano indentation and scratch tests were employed to study the wear of the head materials and coated heads, which indicated that pole materials suffer the greatest wear under the same wear test conditions. The coatings on the pole areas have the lowest anti-abrasive wear resistance. Compared to the uncoated heads, the PTR of LTO heads were significant reduced by Cr2O3 coatings.
Surface Grafted Polymer Brushes

Various strategies have been proposed and applied to prepare antibacterial materials able to respond to different requirements specific for antibacterial applications. Among diverse strategies the approach based on substrates modification with polymer brushes proved both versatile and reliable. Polymer brushes are thin polymeric films with all chains tethered with one end on a surface and since the development of SI-ATRP they can be obtained with good control over conformation, architecture and thickness. Therefore polymer brush coatings can be tailored with desired and fine tuned properties as functional biomaterials for a large variety of biomedical applications. The main objective of this Thesis was to develop versatile platforms for antibacterial applications based on polymer brush surfaces able to prevent bacteria adhesion and/or to kill bacteria on contact or through bacteria triggered controlled release of an antimicrobial compound. Moreover, novel systems based on polymer brushes have been synthesized as hydrolytically degradable platforms for potential biomedical applications. Chapter 1 analyses the mechanism of the biofilm formation and different strategies developed to inhibit bacterial adhesion, to prevent biofilm formation and proliferation and to reduce hospital-acquired bacterial infection. Various approaches for surfaces modification with polymer brushes are discussed, emphasizing on the possibilities of tailoring their antibacterial properties. Chapter 2 explores, for the first time, S. Epidermidis adhesion on PHEMA or POEGMA brushes on a wide range of grafting densities and film thicknesses. Both brushes carry functional groups on each repeating unit and are more appropriate for the development of platforms for novel biomedical applications. In Chapter 3 the possibility to obtain dual functional coatings combining the bacteria repellent character of the polymer brush with the possibility to selectively immobilize antibiotics is investigated. The antibacterial activity against S. Epidermidis of vancomycin modified surfaces is analyzed as a function of polymer brush structure and functional group used for coupling of the antibiotic. The aim of Chapter 4 is to develop systems based on polymer brush able to release an active compound in the presence of selected bacterial signals. A dye is coupled to PHEMA brushes via a specific linker sensitive to autolysins or beta-lactamase and its controlled release is monitored as a function of brush architecture. Finally, Chapter 5 focuses on improving existing hydrolytically degradable polymer brushes by neighboring group participation of a catalytic moiety. Moreover, the possibility to develop novel hydrolytically degradable polymer brushes based on polyphosphoesters is reported. The two studied systems are suitable as building blocks for platforms with antibacterial applications.
Principles of Wood Science and Technology: I Solid Wood

Comprehensive, detailed analysis of the theoretical and experimental research in wood science and technology. Covers the anatomy, biology, chemistry, physics, and mechanical technology of wood seasoning, wood preservation methods, wood machining, surfacing and gluing. An excellent ready reference for the technologist who deals with wood as a structural material or who uses wood as a raw material in manufacturing improved wood products. Volume II will cover base and composite materials. Fully illustrated with tables, charts, diagrams; photographs of machinery. First author is at Institut fur Holzforschung und Holzetechnik. Contents: The structure of wood and the wood cell wall. Chemical composition of wood. Defects and abnormalities of wood. Biological deterioration of wood. Wood preservation. Physics of wood. Me chanics and rheology of wood. Steaming and seasoning of wood. Wood machining. Author index. Subject index. -- AATA
Damage Identification by Embedded Piezoceramic Sensors in the Composite Plate

The embedded structural health monitoring system is envisioned to be an important factor of future structural systems. One of the many attractions of in situ health monitoring system is its capability to inspect the structural systems in less intrusive way over many other visual inspections which require disassembly of built up structures when some indications have appeared that damages have occurred in the structural systems The vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) process is used to fabricate woven-glass/phenol composite specimens which have the PZT sensor array embedded in them. The embedded piezoceramic (PZT) sensors are used as both transmitters and receivers. A damage identification approach is developed for a woven-glass/phenol composite laminates with known localized defects. Propagation of the Lamb waves in laminates and their interactions with the defects are examined. Lamb waves are generated by the high power ultrasonic analyzer. A real time active diagnosis system is therefore established. The results obtained show that satisfactory detection accuracy could be achieved by proposed method.
Aging Extends the Time Required to Switch Cognitive Set

ABSTRACT The Attentional Blink (AB) refers to a decrease in the chance of detecting a second target in a rapid sequence of items if it occurs within approximately 500 ms of a first target. In this study the efficiency of establishing and switching cognitive set for older adults (mean age 71.62 years) relative to young adults (mean age 21.33 years) was investigated. Three increasingly complex conditions of the AB paradigm were employed, each of which required participants to identify a coloured square (T1) and a letter (T2) within a stream of distracters. Accuracy of identification of T2 decreased for both young and older adults as complexity increased. In Condition 1, selection criteria for both targets were fully specified, while T1 acted as a direct cue to the selection criteria for T2 in Condition 2. Older participants took longer to establish cognitive set in this condition. Condition 3 contained an added requirement to activate a pre-determined rule for T2 selection. The basic requirement to establish cognitive set ‘online’, however, seemed to disguise any additional potential problems associated with the additional load required for Condition 3 for older adults. Younger adults were cognitively slowed in Condition 3 relative to Condition 2, suggesting that it is the need to use an internally generated cue to switch cognitive set that requires extra time for them. The significantly larger AB demonstrated by the older participants indicated an impaired ability to rapidly establish cognitive set. The findings are discussed in light of the current literature on cognitive aging, the AB and task switching.
Empirical Investigation of Impact of Organizational Culture, Prosocial Behavior and Organizational Trust on Sharing Mistakes in Knowledge Management Systems

This study is a part of a larger study which looked at the knowledge sharing behavior of employees within work organizations. In this paper we look at the sharing behavior related to a specific type of knowledge: knowledge created through learning from one’s mistake. Learning through mistakes can be potentially a very good way of learning and thus can generate great deal of public good. However, employees may not feel like sharing their mistakes with others as it may generate negative personal gains for them. This study therefore looked at the conditions when employees may feel like sharing their mistakes. The study found that group culture, developmental culture, rational culture, organizational trust and individual’s general compliance behavior support employees mistake sharing. Hierarchical culture is negatively related and individual’s helping behavior is not related to mistake sharing.
Material intensity of advanced composite materials: Results of asudy for the Verbundwerkstofflabor Bremen e.V

In this paper the results of an analysis of the material intensity of advanced composite materialsare presented. The analysis is based on the MIPS-concept of the Wuppertal Institute whichallows the calculation of the overall material intensity of products and services. It can be shownthat the production of one kg of E-Glass fibers is connected with the consumption of 6.2 kgmaterials, 95 kg water and 2.1 kg oxygen which is of similar size compared to the inputsrequired in steel production. Material inputs required to produce one kg of p-aramid are 37 kg ofmaterials and 19.6 kg air. Values for carbon fibers are even higher yielding to 61.1 kg of abioticmaterials and 33.1 kg of air. Similarly, the production of epoxy resins is connected with largermaterial flows than the production of polyester resins. Of core materials, inputs per kg for PVC-foam exceed those in PUR-foam production by a factor of 1.4 in water to 2.3 in abiotic materialconsumption.However, ecologically decisive are not the inputs per kg but the material input per service unit.Therefore, the material input per service unit computed for the body of a passenger ship and arobot arm are compared with alternative steel and aluminium versions. Both examples show thatin the case of significant inputs during the user phase of products, even a more materialintensive investment in the production phase can yield significant ecological benefits over thewhole life-cycle compared to metal versions. Improvements can easily reach a factor of twoalbeit significant potential for engine optimizations have still been neglected.Results already include the actual recycling quota of metals whereas for composites only virginmaterial has been calculated as any form of real recycling does not actually exist but only certaintypes of downrecycling. Of those treatment options, first material recycling and second the usein blast furnaces would lead to better results in resource productivity than incineration andlandfills.The paper finally draws some conclusions about the potential advantages of material substitutionin the automotive industry. Due to the rather short real operation time of cars during their userphase - around six months - an investment in advanced composite materials in car productiononly results in a significant improvement of the overall eco-efficiency of cars if it allows asubstantial weight reduction of the overall vehicle.
The phytohormone auxin is a component of the regulatory system that controls UV-mediated accumulation of flavonoids and UV-induced morphogenesis.

In plants, ultraviolet (UV)-B acclimation is a complex, dynamic process that plays an essential role in preventing UV-B damage to targets such as DNA and the photosynthetic machinery. In this study we tested the hypothesis that the phytohormone auxin is a component of the regulatory system that controls both UV-mediated accumulation of flavonoids and UV-induced morphogenesis. We found that the leaf area of Arabidopsis thaliana Col-0 plants raised under a low dose of UV radiation (0.56 kJ m(-2) daily dose) was, on average, decreased by 23% relative to plants raised in the absence of UV-B, and this was accompanied by a decrease (P = 0.063) in free auxin in young leaf tissues. Compared to Col-0, both the auxin influx mutant axr4-1 and the auxin biosynthesis mutant nit1-3 displayed significantly stronger morphogenic responses, i.e. relative decreases in leaf area were greater for these two mutants. UV exposure also induced accumulation of flavonoids. In Col-0, increases in the concentrations of specific kaempferol derivatives ranged from 2.1- to 19-fold. Thus, UV induces complex changes in flavonoid-glycosylation patterns. Compared to Col-0, three auxin mutants displayed significantly different flavonoid profiles. Thus, based on mutant analysis, it is concluded that the phytohormone auxin plays a role in UV acclimation by regulating flavonoid concentration, flavonoid-glycosylation pattern and by controlling UV-induced morphogenic responses.
Intradermal CpG-B Activates Both Plasmacytoid and Myeloid Dendritic Cells in the Sentinel Lymph Node of Melanoma Patients

Purpose: A decrease in the frequency and activation state of dendritic cells in the sentinel lymph node (SLN) has been observed in early stages of melanoma development. This may hinder the generation of effective antitumor T-cell responses and increase the likelihood of metastatic spread. Immunopotentiation of the melanoma SLN may therefore be a valuable adjuvant treatment option. One way to achieve this is through the use of bacterially derived unmethylated cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) DNA sequences that bind Toll-like receptor 9 and activate plasmacytoid dendritic cells (PDC). CpG-activated PDC, in turn, release IFNα and may thus boost T-cell and natural killer cell responses as well as activate conventional myeloid dendritic cells (MDC). Experimental Design: We studied the effects of preoperative local administration of the CpG B-type oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) PF-3512676 (formerly known as CPG 7909) on dendritic cell and T-cell subsets in the SLN of 23 stage I to III melanoma patients, randomized to receive intradermal injections of either PF-3512676 or saline (NaCl 0.9%). Results: PF-3512676 administration resulted in bulkier SLN, higher yields of isolated SLN leukocytes, and activation of BDCA-2+CD123+ PDC as well as of CD1a+ MDC. In addition, PF-3512676 administration was associated with the presence of a newly identified CD11chiCD123+CD83+TRAIL+ mature SLN-MDC subset, an increased release of a variety of inflammatory cytokines, and lower frequencies of CD4+CD25hiCTLA-4+FoxP3+ regulatory T cells in the SLN. Conclusions: These findings point to the possible utility of the conditioning of SLN by PF-3512676 as an adjuvant immunotherapeutic modality for early-stage melanoma.
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE BEHAVIOR OF ELECTRICAL RESISTIVITY IN NOBLE METALS AT LOW TEMPERATURES

Resistivity temperature – dependence and residual resistivity concentration-dependence in pure noble metals(Cu, Ag, Au) have been studied at low temperatures. Dominations of electron – dislocation and impurity, electron-electron, and electron-phonon scattering were analyzed, contribution of these mechanisms to resistivity were discussed, taking into consideration existing theoretical models and available experimental data, where some new results and ideas were investigated.
Deficient interleukin 2 activity in MRL/Mp and C57BL/6J mice bearing the lpr gene

Spleen cells from MRL-lpr and B6-lpr mice have a marked defect in the ability to produce interleukin 2 (IL-2) in response to concanavalin A stimulation. This defect precedes the onset of clinical illness, increases with age, and eventually becomes virtually absolute. It is not due to cellular suppression of IL-2 production, nor does it reflect the presence of a soluble inhibitor of IL-2 activity. Failure to restore IL-2 production with macrophage-replacing factors, such as interleukin 1 and phorbol myristic acetate, suggests that IL-2 deficiency reflects a primary T cell defect rather than a macrophage defect. MRL-lpr and B6-lpr spleen cells also have an age-dependent reduction in IL-2 response that apparently results from a deficiency of cell surface receptors for IL-2. Congenic MRL-+/+ and B6-+/+ mice, which lack the lpr gene responsible for accelerated autoimmunity and lymphoproliferation, have normal IL-2 activity. These findings suggest that a defect in IL-2 activity may contribute to impaired immunoregulation in mice bearing the lpr gene. The absence of such a defect in MRL-+/+ and B6-+/+ mice further suggests that a single autosomal recessive gene is responsible for IL-2 deficiency.