Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Empirical modelling principles in application development for the disabled

Our ability to develop systems to meet special needs is influenced by several factors. The importance of emerging low-cost computer technology cannot be denied, but this is not itself enough. In this paper, we are mainly concerned with the complementary role played by principles for computer programming and software development in exploiting technologies for the disabled. Despite cheap computer technology, it remains difficult and costly to develop radically new software packages, or even to adapt existing software in comparatively modest ways. In practice, a new software product may be viable only where there is a mass market, because of the large investment in software development involved. Such issues are particularly relevant to the development of technology for the disabled, in view of the unusually high degree of innovation and customisation this typically demands. An ongoing programme of research into computer-based modelling at the authors' university has led to the development of new principles and software tools that we believe can address some of the problems associated with more rapid and flexible exploitation of emerging computer technology. Many case studies in a wide variety of application areas have been investigated, both through sponsored research and through student projects at undergraduate and postgraduate level. The aim of this paper is to highlight those aspects of our empirical modelling method that seem most relevant to developing software and hardware technology to meet special needs.
Finite-length decision-feedback equalisation for optimum combining diversity in digital cellular mobile radio

The paper analyses the performance of optimum space combining diversity with finite-length decision-feedback equalisation operating in a mobile radio environment with frequency-selective fading and quadrature amplitude modulation transmission. Selection diversity, another very common diversity method, is also involved in the analysis. By analytic techniques and simulation, it is shown that for the same number of taps, generally, the improvement is greater with combining diversity structure. However, numerical results also indicate that combining diversity may be inferior to selection diversity in some cases where the channels are severely distorted and combining diversity may lead to noticeable amplitude dispersion which cannot be compensated for easily by using a finitely long postcombining equaliser. Estimates of average errors and outage probabilities as functions of length of equalisation are provided for different diversity structures. The required length of equalisation to approach the optimum performance (achievable with an infinitely long equaliser) for different values of relative delay spread is examined carefully. Admitting perfect elimination of intersymbol interference postcursors, considerably superior performance of decision feedback equalisation can be obtained in terms of a fairly small number of taps to achieve this best performance, in addition to a smaller minimum mean square error than linear equalisation if the channel suffers severe time-dispersive multipath fading, particularly in the combining diversity case.
Internal low‐profile metal‐plate monopole antenna for DTV portable multimedia player applications

A low‐profile metal‐plate monopole antenna for mobile handset operating over Digital‐TV (DTV; 470–850 MHz) frequency band is proposed. The antenna consists of a folded rectangular patch and two slits, and has a small volume of 65 × 25 × 5 mm3. The measured return loss for the proposed antenna at DTV frequency band is better than 10 dB. The antenna has omni‐directional or monopole‐like radiation patterns, with good antenna gain even for such a compact size. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 49: 593–595, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.22219
Low-voltage low-power CMOS-RF transceiver design

Research over the last ten years has resulted in attempts toward single-chip CMOS RF circuits for Bluetooth, global positioning system, digital enhanced cordless telecommunications and cellular applications. An overview of the use of CMOS for low-cost integration of a high-end cellular RF transceiver front-end is presented. Some fundamental pitfalls and limitations of RF CMOS are discussed. To circumvent these obstacles, the choice of transceiver architecture, circuit topology design, and systematic optimization of the different transceiver blocks is necessary. Moreover, optimization of the transceiver as one single block by minimizing the number of power-hungry interface circuits is emphasized. As examples, a fully integrated cellular transceiver front-end, a low-power extremely low noise-figure low-noise amplifier, and a very efficient power amplifier are demonstrated.
Introduction to A Wind Energy Generation System

This chapter contains sections titled: Introduction Basic Concepts of a Fixed Speed Wind Turbine (FSWT) Variable Speed Wind Turbines (VSWTs) Wind Energy Generation System Based on DFIM VSWT Grid Code Requirements Voltage Dips and LVRT VSWT Based on DFIM Manufacturers Introduction to the Next Chapters Bibliography ]]>
The Research of PID and Bang-Bang Controllers Based on the dSPACE

This paper analyzes the PID and the Bang-Bang control methods. To compare the performance of these traditional algorithms, the speed control of a brushless DC drive system is implemented in real-time, using these two methods. The parameters in the controller can be adjusted by the hardware and the software to achieve the optimum performance of the closed-loop system. The experiment results proved that these two controllers have their own merit and defect according to the different steady-state performance and dynamic response respectively. It is concluded that the PID and the Bang-Bang controllers could be used in different applications.
Pedestrian navigation using inertial sensors and altitude error correction

Purpose – The aim of this article is to present a PIN (pedestrian inertial navigation) solution that incorporates altitude error correction, which eliminates the altitude error accurately without using external sensors. The main problem of PIN is the accumulation of positioning errors due to the drift caused by the noise in the sensors. Experiment results show that the altitude errors are significant when navigating in multilayer buildings, which always lead to localization to incorrect floors. Design/methodology/approach – The PIN proposed is implemented over an inertial navigation systems (INS) framework and a foot-mounted IMU. The altitude error correction idea is identifying the most probable floor of each horizontal walking motion. To recognize gait types, the walking motion is described with angular rate measured by IMU, and the dynamic time warping algorithm is used to cope with the different dimension samples due to the randomness of walking motion. After gait recognition, the altitude estimated w.
Early signs of middle cerebral artery infarction on multidetector computed tomography: Review of 20 cases

OBJECTIVE: This study intended to assess the occurrence of early signs of middle cerebral artery (MCA) on multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in correlation with duration of the clinical features of stroke. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed the electronic records of 20 patients with MCA infarction. The detected signs studied according to the onset of the clinical features of stroke to the time of CT imaging. RESULTS: Out of 20 patients with MCA infarction included in this study, the results revealed a significant relationship between the presence of insular ribbon sign and/or subtle hypodensity and hyperacute infarction (P < 0.001 and 0.003, respectively). Results revealed significant relationship between the occurrence of hypodense area, effacement of the cortical sulci, and compression of the ipsilateral lateral ventricle with acute infarction (6–72 h), (P = 0.006, 0.007, and 0.002) (odds ratio = 0.047, 0.050 and 0.028) and (95% confidence interval = 0.004–0.552, 0.004–0.597 and 0.002–0.367) respectively. CONCLUSION: MDCT can detect nearly half of MCA infarctions in the first 6 h. Insular ribbon sign and subtle hypodensity were the most significant findings in the first 6 h of stroke. Hypodense area was a significant sign after 6 h. Diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease were the most common risk factors. Hemiparesis was the most common clinical finding in MCA infarction.
Development of a microrobot-based micromanipulation cell in a scanning electron microscope (SEM)

In the scanning electron microscope (SEM), specially designed microrobots can act as a flexible assembly facility for prototype microsystems, as probing devices for in-situ tests in various applications or just as a helpful teleoperated tool for the SEM operator when examining a few samples. Several flexible microrobots of this kind have been developed and tested. Driven by piezoactuators, these few cubic centimeters small mobile robots perform manipulations with a precision of up to 20 nm and transport the gripped objects at speeds of up to 3 cm/s. New microrobot prototypes being employed in the SEM are described in this paper. The SEM's vacuum chamber has been equipped with various elements to enable the robots to operate. In order ot use the SEM image for automatic real-time control of the robots, the SEM's electron beam is actively controlled by a PC. The latter submits the images to the robots' control computer s ystem. For obtaining three- dimensional information in real time, a triangulation method with the luminescent spot of the SEM's electron beam is being investigated. Finally, the strategies of a micro force sensing and control methods required for handling techniques with two robots are discussed.
Dietary Intake Regulates the Circulating Inflammatory Monocyte Pool

Caloric restriction is known to improve inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. However, the mechanisms by which reduced caloric intake modulates inflammation are poorly understood. Here we show that short-term fasting reduced monocyte metabolic and inflammatory activity and drastically reduced the number of circulating monocytes. Regulation of peripheral monocyte numbers was dependent on dietary glucose and protein levels. Specifically, we found that activation of the low-energy sensor 5’-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in hepatocytes and suppression of systemic CCL2 production by peroxisome proliferator-activator receptor alpha (PPARα) reduced monocyte mobilization from the bone marrow. Importantly, while caloric restriction improves chronic inflammatory diseases, fasting did not compromise monocyte emergency mobilization during acute infectious inflammation and tissue repair. These results reveal that caloric intake and liver energy sensors dictate the blood and tissue immune tone and link dietary habits to inflammatory disease outcome. Highlights Fasting reduces the numbers of peripheral pro-inflammatory monocytes in healthy humans and mice. A hepatic AMPK-PPARα energy-sensing axis controls homeostatic monocyte numbers via regulation of steady-state CCL2 production. Fasting reduces monocyte metabolic and inflammatory activity. Fasting improves chronic inflammatory diseases but does not compromise monocyte emergency mobilization during acute infectious inflammation and tissue repair.
Improving backing-up manoeuvre safety with vision-based movement detection

Every year, backing-up crashes are responsible for hundreds of casualties in the world. In order to reduce this number, many automotive suppliers now provide ways for drivers to monitor the rear of their vehicle using sonar - or radar-based systems or wide angle cameras. Yet these systems still do not offer the performance required to consequently reduce the number of fatalities. To overcome the limitations of these systems, we have developed a real-time static obstacle detection system using a wide angle camera. We now propose to add moving obstacle detection and localisation to our camera-based system. Such system is the perfect candidate for next generation of automatic anti-collision systems. Our approach is based on camera movement compensation using inverse perspective mapping and probabilistic reasoning for movement detection. Using shape filtering, our approach can even limit detection to specific types of moving objects (pedestrians, cars etc.). We present the algorithms developed and the evaluation protocol used. We also show results of the system in typical urban situations, some in hard conditions (worst cases), and conclude on which future developments will bring performance improvements. (A)
Smart Roadside Server for Driver Assistance and Safety Warning: Framework and Applications

In many countries, various in-vehicle Telematics systems are already available, while new systems are being currently designed. This paper introduces a smart roadside server for driver assistance and traffic safety warning. In recent world wide projects, roadside equipment is used for wider applications and becomes a server with more intelligent functions. This paper introduces a concept and framework of smart roadside server in various road systems using Telematics system. We suggest two service and application models in signalized intersection and SMART highway. This system models provide a vehicular safety service to a vehicle terminal of a vehicle located on a road within a service area from a smart roadside server. The smart roadside server is useful for driver assistance and warning by Telematics devices.
Geometry Preserving Active Polygon-Incorporated Sign Detection Algorithm

AbstractA generalized traffic sign detection algorithm incorporating a hybrid active contour (HAC) model has been previously developed to automatically detect all types of traffic signs. Although the HAC model has shown some promising results, there are still some false negatives remaining due to the over-evolution of the HAC model. Therefore, further improvement is needed to reduce the number of these false negatives. This paper is aimed at developing a new geometry-preserving active polygon (GPAP) model to address the over-evolution issue in the HAC model for improving the computation speed. The contributions of this paper include (1) proposing a new geometry-preserving evolution that ensures that the “contour” only evolves at its vertices instead of at every point along the edges; (2) tailoring a new energy function that enables a polygon to effectively converge to traffic sign regions without losing its geometry integrity by using both local color contrast feature and global elongation and rectangular.
Underwater Radiated-Noise Simulation Control Model Based on Propeller Influencing

Underwater target radiated-noise of time domain is significant important in underwater defense and security. Its simulation model based on propeller influencing is considered in this paper. Linear difference equation representing relationship between underwater target radiated-noise of time domain and propeller induced noise is fitted from the data. Dynamical programming is employed to investigate the control of the target radiated-noise. Experimental results show the efficiency of our model and the control methods.
Commercial off the shelf (COTS) software in safety systems

Many safety systems, such as those in nuclear power plants, are systems for which the consequences of failure can be severe or catastrophic. These systems must be developed, implemented, and maintained in ways that provide assurance that catastrophic consequences will be prevented. This paper discusses various aspects of the question of using commercially available software in these systems. Risk, grading, and system assessment are discussed, and relevant standards are summarized. Recommendations for addressing key issues are given.
A comparison of embedded sensor Lamb wave ultrasonic tomography approaches for material loss detection

Computerized tomography (CT) algorithms have been used mainly in the medical field but their powerful capabilities are being exploited more and more in industrial applications. This paper demonstrates that the technology is capable of detecting material loss on real aircraft components using embedded piezoelectric sensors on hidden surfaces. The work is novel in more than one respect. Firstly, it demonstrates that Lamb wave ultrasonic tomography can be used to accurately map material loss on an exposed aircraft surface with sensors embedded on the structure’s hidden surface. Hidden, in this case, refers to the surface that is not exposed to the atmosphere—the underneath of an aircraft wing, for example. Secondly, it compares tomographic images generated by fan-beam back projection and the signal difference coefficient methods, showing clearly that the latter are more sensitive to material loss.
A spectroscopic system for near infrared glucose measurement

Noninvasive blood glucose monitoring has been long envisioned to serve as an invaluable tool in the treatment of diabetes. The current invasive method makes it difficult for diabetic patients to perform frequent blood glucose measurements and maintain better control of their glucose levels, crucial in reducing the risks of complications. In this thesis, the use of the near infrared absorption spectroscopy is proposed and investigated. The light radiation is envisioned to be transmitted through thin tissue such as the webbing tissue between the thumb and the index finger. The main technical difficulties are identified to be those caused by complex interferences from other physiological variables and the weak near infrared glucose signals. Thus, the success of such a method hinges on adequately isolating the glucose signals from among the interferences as well as on obtaining high signal-to-noiseratio spectra. The first objective of this thesis is to provide deeper quantitative understanding to the challenges described above. Such knowledge is key to developing clinically accurate and robust devices. This objective is accomplished through a series of systematic experimental and analytical investigations involving glucose measurements in various biological sample matrices. Analytical figures of merit such as "selectivity" and "limit of detection" are defined, and used to quantify the signal quality and to predict the robustness of the method. The second objective of this thesis is to design an optimum spectroscopic system for the near infrared glucose measurements in the methodically selected band region approximately between 2100 and 2300 nm. A unique, filter spectrometer is developed, which enables spectral signal-to-noise ratio improvement by an order of magnitude over the published data to-date employing top-grade commercial spectrometers, while significantly reducing the required signal acquisition time and hardware complexity. A spectral processing algorithm is developed, which enables the effective removal of spectral variations caused by changes or drifts in the instrument, environment and/or sample conditions, as well as those due to tissue scattering. The spectroscopic system is tested in experiments measuring glucose in synthetic biological solutions, human plasma samples and animal tissue samples. The thesis demonstrates that with a carefully designed system, noninvasive blood glucose measurements using the near infrared absorption spectroscopy is feasible. Thesis Supervisor: Kamal Youcef-Toumi Title: Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Experimental Technique for Sensing Droplet Position in Digital Microfluidic Systems Using Capacitance Measurement

Capacitance measurement has been identified as an effective technique for droplet position sensing in digital microfluidic systems mainly due to its non-intrusive nature. In essence, this technique relies on the correlation between the capacitance of two top-bottom electrodes with the amount of droplet overlap on the electrode. This paper describes an experimental setup used to gather capacitance data from a set of electrodes with varying droplet overlap to determine the droplet position. A prototype closed digital microfluidic (DMF) system consisting of an array of electrodes in the form of a 2 × 2 matrix was fabricated. A circular droplet was positioned on the DMF system, and capacitance measurements for each of the four electrodes were taken using a fast data acquisition device. A sufficiently accurate approximation of the droplet position was made using the four capacitance measurements. The paper presents the experimental results and also discusses the sources of error, viability of the experimental setup and manufacturing procedure for use in the development of capacitance measurement droplet position sensing techniques.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Investigation of compact second‐order microstrip bandpass filter

To investigate compact shape bandpass filter, a second‐order microstrip with three controllable finite transmission zero points is proposed in this article. The U‐shape slots are designed to suppress spurious band, and controllable stopband characteristics can be achieved simultaneously, as well as skirt selectivity. The simulated results agree very well with measurements. When compared with other similar structure, the proposed filter is much more efficient than other counterpart. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52: 1970–1973, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.25409
Prospects for computer aided railway scheduling: perspectives from users and parallels from mass transit

Railway scheduling faces new challenges as competition and, in many parts of the world, privatisation require ever better results, both in terms of minimising the resources used and maximising the performance achieved by those resources. It is therefore surprising that in practice railway scheduling tasks appear to be performed largely without the use of optimizing models. This paper takes two different perspectives, a case study of user needs from the UK railway industry and a comparative analysis with mass transit scheduling systems, to consider why this might be and assesses what the future prospects are for computer aided railway scheduling. A number of conclusions are drawn: that optimization models need to be integrated with software packages that meet schedulers' data management needs; that researchers need to work with commercial developers to achieve this integration; that there needs to be an emphasis on extending models to cover more real‐life circumstances; and that solutions with international applicability should be sought.
Large-current radiators

One of the most important tasks for the practical use of nonsinusoidal waves in radar is the design of radiators. Just like resonating radiators for sinusoidal waves, they must efficiently transform a driving current and voltage into electromagnetic waves. However, in addition, the distortions caused by the buildup and decay of the energy stored in the near zone must be avoided, a task not required of the radiators of steady-state sinusoidal waves.