Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Microstrip ultra-wideband antenna measurements

New microstrip ultra-wideband antenna is presented and measured in this paper. The antenna was calculated to operate in 3.1–10.6 GHz ultra-wideband frequency band, even though the measurements revealed that it covers the band 3.4–12 GHz. It's manufactured on the basis of Rogers RO4350B, which is appropriate for this band. Antenna's total size with SMA connector 72970 Pomona is 39 mm × 19 mm. The main goal stated in this paper is to prove the antenna's characteristics, simulated before, by carrying out full-time measurements in anechoic chamber. Particularly the return loss, VSWR, transfer function, input impedance and radiation pattern were measured and analyzed, which finally showed similarity of simulation and measured results. It can be announced that the antenna has very wide radiation pattern (more than 180°) and well-matched to 50 Ohm in the entire frequency band. Since it's small, compact, low profile it can be applied in many modern high-capacity communication systems, including UWB, hybrid optical fiber-wireless networks, 3G and future 5G networks.
Lateral Current Injection Membrane Buried Heterostructure Lasers Integrated on 200-nm-thick Si Waveguide

Heterogeneous integration of lasers and 200-nm-thick Si waveguides is the key to realizing high-performance transmitters. A 500-μm-long DFB laser on Si waveguide exhibits 4.6-mW fiber coupled output power at 25°C and lasing up to 130°C.
Dispersion analysis of coaxial line loaded with twist-symmetric half-rings

A coaxial line with half-rings connected to its external conductor is proposed in this paper, to investigate the dispersion properties of a twist-symmetric electromagnetic configuration. We demonstrate that the propagating modes in a twist-symmetric structure are more linear than a conventional structure. Additionally, the bandgap at the Brillouin zone boundaries can be manipulated by tuning the relative angular orientation or translation of the rings. This tuning is equivalent to changing the order of the twist symmetry from 4- to 2-fold. Our proposed geometry finds potential application in fully-metallic reconfigurable filters and phase shifters.
Effects of Test Socket on Pain, Prosthesis Satisfaction, and Functionality in Patients with Transfemoral and Transtibial Amputations

Background The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the frequency of admissions, reason for admissions, and test socket satisfaction in patients who received a lower-limb prosthesis with or without a test socket in our unit. Material/Methods A total of 88 patients (54 men, 34 women) were included in the study. Patients were divided into 2 groups: the group with test socket (Group I, 44 patients) and the group without test socket (Group II, 44 patients). Variables related to the functional status, frequency of complaints, and test socket satisfaction were investigated in the 2 groups. The Trinity Amputation and Prosthesis Experience Scales (TAPES) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were used to assess the level of patient satisfaction with their prosthesis. The VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) was used to assess pain at rest and during walking. Results We found that the TAPES values were more significant in Group 1 in both transtibial and transfemoral amputations (P<0.05). However, prosthesis delivery time was more significant in Group 2 in both transtibial and transfemoral amputations (P<0.001) whereas the frequency of admissions within 3 months was more significant in Group 1 in both transtibial and transfemoral amputations (P<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups in terms of other parameters (P>0.05). Conclusions Although the use of a test socket increases the cost of prosthesis units, we showed that patients with transtibial and transfemoral amputations have fewer complaints related to prosthesis increases patient functionality, and that it reduces pain and increases patient satisfaction with the prosthesis.
Reinforcement learning for interference-aware cell DTX in heterogeneous networks

This paper focuses on Inter-Cell Interference Coordination for small cells implementing cell discontinuous transmission (DTX) to enhance the network energy efficiency. The small cell activity is dynamically orchestrated such that the inter-cell interference is limited, the power consumption of Radio Access Network and backhaul is jointly reduced, and the Quality of Service (QoS) constraints are satisfied. To achieve this goal, we develop a Reinforcement Learning framework that achieves network-wise optimization in stochastic environments. Our solution leads to notable energy saving with respect to the state of the art DTX approaches without affecting the QoS. Moreover, the user performance is close to the one experienced when a centralized scheduler is used to limit the inter-cell interference.
Speech emotion recognition from Indonesian spoken language using acoustic and lexical features

This paper describes our works to extend the previous work on emotion recognition for Indonesian spoken language. In this research, we construct an Indonesian emotional corpus (IDEC). In constructing the corpus, we aim at natural emotional occurrences from television talk shows. IDEC is utilized to construct the emotion recognizer using two main features, acoustic and lexical features. The Support Vector Machine (SVM), Random Forest (RF), and Multinomial Naive Bayes (MNB) algorithms are employed to model the emotions. Experiment result shows that SVM outperforms the RF and MNB algorithms. It achieves an average F- measure of 0.713 for 6 emotion classes by combining both acoustic and lexical features.
A novel RACH mechanism for machine type communications in cellular networks

Machine type communications (MTC) is one of the key technologies in the upcoming 5G cellular networks. Under MTC, millions of MTC devices try to access the cellular base station. The existing random access channel (RACH) mechanisms are not suitable for such large number of devices. Thus, 3GPP has proposed an extended access barring (EAB) mechanism to address this problem. However, it has been shown in the literature that the RACH success rate of EAB can be improved further. Hence, in this work, we propose a novel RACH mechanism based on successive interference cancellation (SIC) that results in higher RACH success rate. Through extensive numerical results, we show that the proposed mechanism significantly outperforms the existing RACH mechanisms for MTC in cellular networks.
Implementation of neareast neighbor quantum circuit with low quantum cost

Primary purpose behind this work is to develop a type of quantum gate C<sup>2</sup>(iZ)/C<sup>2</sup>(-iZ) derived from unitary quantum gate C<sup>2</sup>(-I) by finding its 2<sup>nd</sup> root. This newly introduced gate is nearest-neighbor compliant with a unit quantum cost. The main objective in deriving this quantum gate C<sup>2</sup>(iZ)/C<sup>2</sup>(-iZ) is to generate low cost MCT gates which eventually produces cost optimized NNC free reversible circuits. For systematic mapping and a fair comparison with prior works, we formed a quantum gate library that includes CNOT, NOT, H, CH, C<sup>2</sup>(-I) and C<sup>2</sup>(iZ)/C<sup>2</sup>(-iZ) gates. A mapping algorithm including the complete gate library is proposed alongwith necessary mathematical proofs. Using the gate library, we show significant cost savings is achievable over the state-of-the-art approaches, when mapping n-control Toffoli gates and chosen benchmark functions.
SC-FDMA with index modulation for M2M and IoT uplink applications

One of the most challenging issues of Internet of Things (IoT) devices is energy consumption. A massive deployment of connected devices is power hungry. Maximizing the energy efficiency of their batteries reduces the maintenance cost and extends their autonomy and then their utility. To address this issue, this paper proposes the introduction of index modulation on single carrier-frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) uplink transmissions for cellular IoT and machine-to-machine (M2M) networks. It is shown that the proposed SC-FDMA with index modulation (SC-FDMA-IM) scheme achieves 50% of energy efficiency increase, while improving the bit error rate performance by up to 3.5 dB of Eb/N0 for the same spectral efficiency performance. However peak-to average power ratio (PAPR) performance are decreased, and PAPR reduction techniques have to be used for this scheme.
Microcredit Programme Participation and Household Food Security in Rural Bangladesh

Lack of access to credit prevents poor households in developing countries from diversifying into income-generating activities that could safeguard them against unforeseen shocks and seasonality, leaving them susceptible to food deprivation, even when aggregate food supplies are adequate. Microcredit programmes help these households to access financial capital that could help improve their food security situation. We examine how microcredit affects different measures of food security; namely, household calorie availability, dietary diversity indicators and anthropometric status of women of reproductive age (15-49 years) and children under the age of 5 years. We find that microcredit programme participation increases calorie availability both at the intensive and extensive margins, but does not improve dietary diversity and only has mixed effects on the anthropometric measures. We also find that the effect of microcredit participation on food security may be non-linear in which participation initially has either no effect on food security or may actually worsen it, before improving it in the longer run. Our results help to explain why existing short-term evaluations of microcredit sometimes do not show any positive effects.
Effects of partial shading in different PV module configurations with minimum interconnections

The Solar Photovoltaic systems have come to the fore as the best standby or a backup means to meet the advancing need of energy. However, the difference in temperature, radiation, partial shading conditions and so on, would cause a change in the energy yield. Consequently, the power derived from photovoltaic systems is much below the anticipated power. Among these elements, a major decrease in the power obtained from the solar photovoltaic systems occurs due to partial shading. To address this problem of partial shading losses, emerging due to permanent, easy-to-foresee and assured shading condition, interconnection techniques are used. The recommended interconnections are competent enough to minimize the effects of partial shading with lesser interconnections as compared to the other available basic configurations.
Absolute Attitude Estimation of Rigid Body on Moving Platform Using Only Two Gyroscopes and Relative Measurements

Many outdoor activities, such as bicycling, driving, and riding segways can be modeled as rigid bodies on a moving platform. In this study, an attitude estimation scheme is established for the rigid body-moving platform system by using two gyroscopes and relative measurements between the rigid body and the platform. The proposed scheme estimates the drift-free attitudes of the rigid body and the partial drift-free absolute attitudes of the platform without using any global information or reference. The kinematic model plays an important role to obtain the drift-free estimation of the absolute attitude angles. To illustrate this, the estimation scheme is compared to another design with an alternative kinematic model. The estimation result differences between the two designs are analyzed through observability and posterior Cramer–Rao bound calculations. Extensive experiments are also conducted to demonstrate the performance of the proposed attitude estimation scheme with application to bicycle riding examples.
Frequency Splitting-Based Wireless Power Transfer and Simultaneous Propulsion Generation to Multiple Micro-Robots

Multiple microrobots are needed in biomedical applications to perform time-bound complex clinical practices. Simultaneous wireless power transfer (WPT) and propulsion generation helps the designer to miniaturize the size and capable of executing multitasking operation. However, the selective power and force transfer to multiple devices is challenging and requires multiple frequency magnetic fields at the transmitter (Tx). This paper proposes a new approach of simultaneous independent wireless power and force generation using frequency splitting phenomena present in magnetic resonance. In the proposed approach, three coils at the Tx side is operated under over coupled (OC) mode, which produces three different split frequencies. The split frequency at the Tx side is utilized for the simultaneous independent power and force transfer to three different micro-robots and the number of micro-robots can be increased by operating the Tx side coil at different OC region. In addition, the split frequency of three coil WPT circuit comprises of the original resonant frequency irrespective of variation in coupling between the coils. This feature can be applied for the design of leader–follower control approach to the multiple micro-robots environments. The mathematical, simulations, and experimental analysis of power transfer and force generation at frequency splitting are performed for the proposed system with five load coils (considered as micro-robots).
Investigating and experimenting CSMA channel access mechanisms for LoRa IoT networks

Given the incredible worldwide uptake of Long-Range (LoRa) networks for a large variety of innovative Internet-of-Things (IoT) applications and the high flexibility in deploying private ad-hoc LoRa networks, it is important to consider dense environments and to improve the robustness of LoRa transmissions with more advanced channel access mechanisms. In this article, we investigate how a Carrier Sense mechanism can be adapted to decrease collisions in LoRa transmissions for both short and long messages. We explain the various steps towards the proposition of a Carrier Sense Multiple Access (CSMA) protocol adapted to LoRa networks. We show experimental results using our low-cost IoT LoRa framework to implement innovative longrange image sensor nodes.
Maximum likelihood ADC parameter estimates improve selection of metastatic cervical nodes for patients with head and neck squamous cell cancer

The aim of this work was to determine whether classification of benign and metastatic cervical nodes based on diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) could be improved by use of a maximum likelihood algorithm for derivation of ADC parameters. A non linear least squares (LSQ) algorithm is usually used to fit parameters to the measured MR signal intensities as a function of b-value. LSQ assumes that the noise in high b-values is normally distributed whereas in reality it follows a Rice distribution. To account for the Rician noise, maximum likelihood (ML) algorithms have been proposed that provide unbiased ADC estimates. In this work the monoexponential, stretched exponential and biexponential models were examined, with their involved parameters calculated using the LSQ and the ML algorithms.
An initial access scheme for FDD spectrum bands in standalone millimeter-wave networks

Millimeter-wave frequency bands pose significant challenges to cellular communications because of their increased path loss and lower robustness against signal obstruction, reflection or blocking phenomena. Beamforming is generally perceived as the most convenient solution to overcome this issue, usually relying on a combination of beam scanning and reciprocity-based precoding. However, channel reciprocity cannot be assumed in FDD spectrum bands, hence forcing initial access to rely solely on beam scanning with the subsequent impact on initial access time. This paper presents an initial access scheme applicable to FDD bands, where second-order channel statistics are exploited through digital beamforming. Link-level and Monte Carlo simulations are performed using the QuaDRiGa channel model, showing good results of the initial access time even in very low signal to noise ratio conditions.
Modeling and co-simulation of actuator control for lower limb exoskeleton

This paper presents a methodology of using co-simulation to study the dynamic performance analysis of a lower limb exoskeleton (LLE). For patients who suffer permanent spinal cord injury, using the LLE is one of the most effective ways to assist their walking ability compared to the wheelchair. The robustness of the LLE performance is related to the precision of the LLE dynamic model. However, the LLE model usually dealt with difficulties in development due to its non linear characteristic. Therefore, a virtual design, modeling and simulation of control strategy for dynamic modeling of LLE by using PID control are presented in this paper. The actuator's modeling on the joint is developed by using Matlab system identification technique. The actuators are coupled with human model, and the dynamics of the LLE are analysed. The three-dimensional LLE model is designed with CATIA software and co-simulation approach is introduced by using multi-body dynamic software called ADAMS (Automatic Dynamic Analysis of Mechanical System). Then to validate the model in ADAMS, we integrate it with Matlab-Simulink control model. The results show that, the model can be used in simulation to prove the controller performance for actuator on the low-level controller. The result is significant for the development of the control systems of the LLE prototype.
Clarithromycin resistance and female gender affect Helicobacter pylori eradication failure in chronic gastritis

Background/Aims The eradication rate of the first-line triple therapy (a proton pump inhibitor, clarithromycin, and amoxicillin) for Helicobacter pylori infection has gradually decreased in Korea. We evaluated whether clinical parameters, clarithromycin resistance, and CYP2C19 genotype can affect the eradication failure. Methods A total of 203 patients with H. pylori-positive chronic gastritis were consecutively enrolled. They received clarithromycin-based triple therapy for 7 days. A clarithromycin resistance test was performed by detection of A2142G and A2143G point mutations in H. pylori 23S rRNA. The CYP2C19 genotype was examined for polymorphism G681A of exon 5 and G636A of exon 4 by polymerase chain reaction with restriction fragment length polymorphism. Eradication was assessed by a 13C-urea breath test 4 weeks after treatment. Results Of 203 patients, 190 completed the study. The eradication rate was 64.0% according to intention-to-treat analysis and 68.4% by per-protocol analysis. CYP2C19 genotypes were identified as follows: 75 poor metabolizers, 75 intermediate metabolizers, and 40 rapid metabolizers. Nonetheless, this polymorphism was not significantly associated with eradication failure (p = 0.682). Clarithromycin resistance was detected in 33/190 patients (17.4%), and their eradication rate was zero. Clarithromycin resistance (odds ratio [OR], 19.13; 95% confidence interval [CI], 9.35 to 35.09) and female gender (OR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.15 to 4.25) were significantly associated with eradication failure. The other clinical parameters such as age, cigarette smoking, alcohol intake, the body mass index, hypertension, and diabetes were not significantly associated with eradication. Conclusions Clarithromycin resistance and female gender are factors affecting H. pylori eradication failure in patients with chronic gastritis.
Science and Politics in the Polio Vaccination Debate on Facebook: A Mixed-Methods Approach to Public Engagement in a Science-Based Dialogue †

This study examines the ways in which the public discusses and debates the scientific issue of vaccinations in the online social media environment of Facebook. We apply a mixed-methods approach, where a qualitative analysis is combined with a quantitative analysis of the characteristics of the debate on polio vaccinations in a Facebook group dedicated to parental and professional dialogue. The qualitative analysis suggested that dialogue became more political than scientific overall, yet the quantitative analysis showed that the discussants did not abandon the scientific nature of the issue at hand.
Outage performance of mixed, parallel and serial DF relayed FSO links over weak turbulence channels with nonzero boresight pointing errors

This work investigates the outage performance of a typical Free Space Optical (FSO) system that employs parallel decode-and-forward (DF) relay-assisted, i.e. cooperative diversity, configurations in order to combat the influence of both, atmospheric turbulence and pointing error effects. For the examined weak turbulence conditions, the irradiance fluctuations of the optical signal at the receiver is emulated through the mathematically simple and accurate gamma distribution model, while pointing error effects with nonzero boresight are modeled, in turn, through the suitable Beckmann distribution. Under these assumptions, an outage probability (OP) performance analysis is carried out, depending on the number of parallel branches and the number of DF relays in each branch. Thus, accurate and compact mathematical expressions for OP are derived, while their corresponding analytical results demonstrate concrete performance improvements, especially when the number of the connected in parallel DF relays increases. Moreover, the obtained results are verified through the corresponding simulation results.
Optimization of electron beam dose for reliable nanoscale growth template formation in electron beam lithography system

Dose optimization of electron beam has been performed for transferring nano-dimension patterns by employing electron beam lithography. An extensive study has been conducted for optimizing lithographic features with e-beam resist PMMA of different thicknesses. It has been possible to obtain sub-80 nm circular dot patterns with good resolution and high aspect ratio. Au template has been developed by employing lift-off technique for subsequent nanostructure growth employing VLS method. TiO2 nanoislands have been grown on patterned Au template and its crystallographic nature has been studied by using X-ray diffraction measurement. The grown nanoislands showed perfect hexagonal facets.
A Joint Optimization Scheme for Artificial Noise and Transmit Filter for Half and Full Duplex Wireless Cyber Physical Systems

While half and full duplex wireless enabled cyber physical systems (CPSs) are gaining more importance and research attention, maintaining the security of CPS systems remains a vital challenge. The broadcast nature of wireless channels makes it possible for unauthorized receivers, called eavesdroppers, to capture the information signal. Wireless physical layer security techniques aim to harden the secrecy characteristics of wireless systems, decreasing the signal quality of a prospective eavesdropper. This paper considers a joint optimization of artificial noise (AN) signal and transmit filter for the information signals in order to achieve a target secrecy level. As eavesdropping attacks are very critical threats in CPS networks, and the need for high secrecy techniques remains valid. The proposed framework includes a scenario with two multi-antenna legitimate parties and a multi-antenna eavesdropper node (or multiple cooperating eavesdroppers). The transmit filter and AN signal are jointly optimized by the transmitters, where receiver nodes can make use of optimal transmit filters. The problem is derived for the cases where the legitimate CPS nodes perform full duplex and half duplex transmissions. The impact of channel estimation errors and self interference are also discussed.