Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Plat_Forms 2007: The Web Development Platform Comparison — Evaluation and Results

“Plat_Forms” is a competition in which top-class teams of three professional programmers competed to implement the same requirements for a web-based system within 30 hours, each team using a different technology platform (Java EE, PHP, or Perl). Plat_Forms intends to provide new insights into the real (rather than purported) pros, cons, and emergent properties of each platform. This report describes the evaluation of the solutions delivered by the participants and of the development process and presents the evaluation methodology as well as the results in great detail. It analyzes many aspects of each solution, both external (usability, functionality, reliability, robustness, etc.) and internal (size, structure, flexibility, modifiability, etc.). The many results we obtained cover a wide spectrum: First, there are results that many people would have called “obvious” or “well known”, say, that Perl solutions tend to be more compact than Java solutions. Second, there are results that contradict conventional wisdom, say, that our PHP solutions appear in some (but not all) respects to be actually at least as secure as the others. Finally, one result makes a statement we have not seen discussed previously: The amount of variation between the teams tends to be smaller for PHP than for the other platforms in a whole variety of different respects.
Formation of relationships in VSE internationalisation: chicken or golden egg?

The main aim of this study was to examine the significance of various relationship types upon the international ambitions of the resource stricken very small enterprise (VSE). Semistructured in-depth interviews with managing proprietors from seven New Zealand firms reveal a number of common types of relationship greatly impacted upon their ability to internationalise. The rich qualitative approach employed also reveals a variance in the manner the VSE builds and nurtures these relationships. Those employing a transaction cost perspective were inclined to view relationships as the prime mechanism to attain pecuniary and related foreign market outcomes. Conversely, those approaching them from a social exchange perspective viewed relationship formation and maintenance as the prime internationalisation outcome in itself. These findings could have wide ranging theoretical and managerial implications and some are highlighted.
System oscillations from negative input resistance at power input port of switching-mode regulator, amplifier, DC/DC converter, or DC/DC inverter

A switching regulator or a switching-mode amplifier, dc/dc converter, or dc/ac inverter can have a negative dynamic input resistance at the dc power input port. Frequently an LC decoupling filter is inserted in the dc power line between this equipment and the prime dc power source, to keep switching transients off the dc power buss. The negative input resistance of the equipment can exceed the positive output resistance of the LC filter and the power source. Then the system as a whole can oscillate. This oscillation can cause malfunction of the negative-resistance equipnent or of other types of equipment which may also be operated from the prime source. The conditions required for oscillation to take place are defined, and ways are shown to prevent the oscillation. The predicted oscillations have been observed experimentally.
Achieving 90% In Data-Centric Industry Deep Learning Task

In industry deep learning application, our manually labeled data has a certain number of noisy data. To solve this problem and achieve more than 90 score in dev dataset, we present a simple method to find the noisy data and re-label the noisy data by human, given the model predictions as references in human labeling. In this paper, we illustrate our idea for a broad set of deep learning tasks, includes classification, sequence tagging, object detection, sequence generation, click-through rate prediction. The experimental results and human evaluation results verify our idea.
Novel modulation and detection for bandwidth-reduced RZ formats using duobinary-mode splitting in wideband PSK/ASK conversion

This paper proposes a novel duobinary-mode-splitting scheme that uses wideband phase-shift-keying (PSK)/amplitude-shift-keying (ASK) conversion for modulation and detection of bandwidth-reduced return-to-zero (RZ) modulation formats. We have first demonstrated that the proposed scheme greatly simplifies the modulation process of the duobinary carrier-suppressed RZ format (DCS-RZ) based on baseband binary nonreturn-to-zero (NRZ) modulation. We also proposed carrier-suppressed RZ differential-phase-shift-keying format (CS-RZ DPSK) as a novel bandwidth-reduced RZ format by applying the proposed scheme in the detection process. These novel RZ formats are shown to be very useful for dense wavelength-division multiplexed (DWDM) transport systems using high-speed channels, over 40 Gb/s, with spectrum efficiencies higher than 0.4 b/s/Hz. We demonstrate that the proposed modulation and detection scheme greatly simplifies the DWDM transmitter and receiver configuration if the periodicity of the optical PSK/ASK conversion filter equals the WDM channel spacing. The large tolerance of the formats against several fiber nonlinearities and their wide dispersion tolerance characteristics are tested at the channel rate of 43 Gb/s with 100-GHz spacing. The novel CS-RZ DPSK format offers higher nonlinearity tolerance against cross-phase modulation than does the DCS-RZ format.
Residential data services via hybrid fiber-coax local access networks

The deployment of two-way broadband hybrid fiber-coax (HFC) local access networks will enable a wide variety of new communication services for consumers and small businesses. Interactive television, video-on-demand, video telephony, and other services focused on TV and video have attracted much attention. Broadband local access networks also offer compelling data-oriented services that support computers and other devices in homes and small businesses. This paper gives an overview of these new residential data services and applications, the technical challenges involved in their delivery, and architectures and key components of the required networking infrastructure.
Boiling Heat Transfer in Electric Vehicles

In this paper the feedback stabilisation of a boiling-based cooling scheme is discussed. Application of such cooling schemes in practical setups is greatly limited by the formation of a thermally insulating vapour film on the to-be-cooled device, called burn-out. In this study a first step is made, to check the viability of such cooling systems, already used in high performance electronics, applied to Electric Vehicles (EVs). It can be used for instance for the cooling of high heat flux transistors and for the thermal homogenisation of battery packs. Thereto, the unstable transition to burn-out is stabilised by controlling the pressure inside the boiling chamber, with which boiling (and thus creation of the thermally insulating vapour film) can be stimulated or suppressed. The feedback law used to do this is based on the dominant modes of the temperature field of the thermally conducting element, i.e. the heater, between the device and the boiling liquid. As not all states used in this feedback law can be measured, an observer or ”state-estimator” must be implemented in the control strategy. The observer is a copy of the nonlinear boiling model with an additional term to assure convergence of observer to system state. Simulations are performed to demonstrate controller efficiency on the nonlinear cooling device. This puts forth the boiling-based cooling scheme as viable for application in EVs, enabling increased cooling and thermal-homogenisation capacities compared to conventional thermal management methods. The next step should be experiments to proof the principle on battery cells/packs and high heat flux transistors.
Investigation of the Combined Effects of Rising Temperature and Pesticide Contamination on the Swimming Behaviour of Alpine Chironomids

Some pollutants can be transported through the atmosphere and travel medium–long distances to be deposited in glaciers at high altitude and latitude. The increase in the rate of glacier melting due to global warming can release these pollutants in alpine streams. This study investigated the combined effects of rising temperatures and chlorpyrifos (CPF) contamination on the swimming behaviour of alpine chironomids collected in a shrinking alpine glacier. We assessed the individual and interaction effects of rising temperatures (2–11 °C) and CPF concentrations (0–110 ng L−1) on the swimming behaviour of Diamesa zernyi (Chironomidae) larvae. Distance (mm) and speed (mm s−1) were recorded using a video-tracking system after 24–72 h of treatment. The two stressors caused different effects on distance and speed, with increasing temperature generally causing hyperactivity and CPF from hyperactivity to reduced mobility. Two interactions were detected between stressors when combined: (i) CPF superimposed the effect of temperature on both behavioural endpoints i.e., with 110 ng L−1 of CPF, at 11 °C, larvae moved less; (ii) warming (11 °C) magnified the negative effect of CPF: the smallest distance and slowest speed were recorded at the highest values of the two stressors after 72 h. Our results suggest that water contamination by CPF, even at sub-lethal concentrations, might increase the sensitivity of chironomids to warming, and vice versa, raising concerns about freshwater biodiversity conservation under climate change.
Geometric Motion Planning for a System on the Cylindrical Surface

Traditional geometric mechanics models used in locomotion analysis rely heavily on systems having symmetry in SE(2) (i.e., the dynamics and constraints are invariant with respect to a system’s position and orientation) to simplify motion planning. As a result, the symmetry assumption prevents locomotion analysis on non-flat surfaces because the system dynamics may vary as a function of position and orientation. In this paper, we develop geometric motion planning strategies for a mobile system moving on a position space whose manifold structure is a cylinder: constant non-zero curvature in one dimension and zero curvature in another. To handle this non-flat position space, we adapt conventional geometric mechanics tools - in particular the system connection and the constraint curvature function - to depend on the system orientation. In addition, we introduce a novel constraint projection method to a variational gait optimizer and demonstrate how to design gaits that allow the example system to move on the cylinder with optimal efficiency.
Salp Swarm Optimization Algorithm for Estimating the Parameters of Photovoltaic Panels Based on the Three-Diode Model

Due to the the lack of information about parameters in the datasheets of photovoltaic (PV) panels, it is difficult to study their modeling because PV behavior is based on voltage–current (V-I) data, which present a highly nonlinear relationship. To solve this difficulty, this study presents a mathematical three-diode model of a PV panel that includes multiple unknown parameters: photoinduced current, saturation currents of the three diodes, three ideality factors, serial resistance, and parallel resistance. These parameters should be estimated in the three-diode model of a PV panel to obtain the actual values that represent the voltage–current profile or the voltage–power profile (because of its visual simplicity) of the PV panel under analysis. In order to solve this problem, this paper proposes a new application of the salp swarm algorithm (SSA) to estimate the parameters of a three-diode model of a PV panel. Two test scenarios were implemented with two different PV panels, i.e., Kyocera KC200GT and Solarex MSX60, which generate different power levels and are widely used for commercial purposes. The results of the simulations were obtained using different irradiance levels. The proposed PV model was evaluated based on the experimental results of the PV modules analyzed in this paper. The efficiency of the optimization technique proposed here, i.e., SSA, was measured by a fair comparison between its numerical results and those of other optimization techniques tuned to obtain the best response in terms of the objective function.
Development of a Bio-inspired Soft Robotic Gripper based on Tensegrity Structures*

The bones, muscles, tendons and connective tissues form a continuous tension network throughout human body. This heterogeneous mixture presents the characteristics of tensegrity, providing the body with structurally integrity, stability and flexibility. Inspired by this, this paper proposes a novel soft robotic gripper based on tensegrity structures. Firstly, the design and working principle of the tensegrity-based robotic gripper is introduced, which is composed of a series of discrete rigid segments connected with tensegrity joints by means of tensional cables. Then, the kinematics of the robotic gripper is analyzed using force density method to obtain the relationship between the pose of the gripper and the tension of cables. Finally experiments on the developed prototype demonstrates that the robotic gripper is able to grasp various objects of different sizes, shapes, and materials. Additional desirable properties are derived from using tensegrity structures in the robotic gripper: light weight, high compliance, inherent safety, low cost, and waterproof and dustproof performance. It is suggested that tensegrity structures have great potential to be an effective alternative to the development of soft robotic grippers.
A Novel of Azo-Thiazole Moiety Alternative for Benzidine-Based Pigments: Design, Synthesis, Characterization, Biological Evaluation, and Molecular Docking Study

Abstract A new series of coloring compounds (pigments) based on 5-(2-aminothiazol-5-yl)thiazol-2-amine and 5-(4-aminophenyl)thiazol-2-amine as heterocyclic alternatives for benzidine based on disazo dyestuffs were synthesized. All the newly synthesized pigments are characterized based on their physical, spectral, and analytical data. The antimicrobial activity showed that introducing the heterocyclic analogues thiazole (mono or bis) exhibited less toxic and resisted antimicrobial (five gram-positive strain, three gram-negative, and three fungal species). Thus, derivatives demonstrated moderate to good activity compared with Gentamycin and Ketoconazole. Furthermore, the pigments screened for their in vitro antioxidant properties by the DPPH method, and the newly designed pigments PG4–PG11 with thiazole moiety causes increase antioxidant properties with IC50 values ranged between (0.054–0.192 µM) compared with PG1, PG2, and PG3 (IC50 = 0.712, 0.239, and 0.191 µM) as well as Ascorbic acid (IC50 = 2.532 µM). Further, the synthesized pigments' cytotoxicity activity evaluated against HepG-2 and showed IC50 values ranged between (53.52–94.05 µM) compared with PG1–PG3 (IC50 =216.04–393.58 µM) and doxorubicin (IC50 = 8.17 µM). Molecular docking study concluded that thiazole moiety might be made one or more binding mode as critical hydrogen bonding through the nitrogen of thiazole, as well as arene-cation and/or arene-arene interaction with dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) active site in 1DLS protein.
Viterbi equalisation of mobile radio channels having large delay spreads

Recent mobile radio systems, such as the GSM, advocate the use of time division multiple access (TDMA) where each TDMA signal is transmitted on a carrier frequency. The mobile user is allocated a time slot in a TDMA frame during which digital encoded data is transmitted at a high rate. The radio channel characteristics change significantly TDMA bursts as the mobile travels through a changing environment. Owing to the high transmission rate, fast fading and resolvable multipath phenomena are observed causing intersymbol interference (ISI) which may severely degrade the bit error rate (BER) performance. To ensure an acceptable BER, a channel equaliser is employed. In this paper, the authors consider the Viterbi equaliser (VE) which is a maximum likelihood sequence estimator in the strict sense. >
Hierarchical Terrain-Aware Control for Quadrupedal Locomotion by Combining Deep Reinforcement Learning and Optimal Control

Quadruped robots possess advantages on different terrains over other types of mobile robots by virtue of their flexible choices of foothold points. It is crucial to integrate terrain perception with motion planning to exploit the potential of quadruped robots. We propose a novel hierarchical terrain-aware control (HTC) framework, which leverages deep reinforcement learning (DRL) for the high-level planner and optimal control for the low-level controller. In general, traditional control methods yield better stability by using an optimization algorithm. In addition, DRL is able to offer more adaptive behavior. Our approach makes full use of the advantages of these two methods and possesses better adaptability and stability in challenging natural environments. Furthermore, the global height map of the terrain serves as visual information for the DRL, which determines the desired footholds for the robot’s leg swings and body postures. Optimal control calculates the torque of the joints on the standing legs to maintain body balance. Our method is tested on various terrains both simulated and real environments. The experimental results show that HTC can effectively enhance the adaptability of the quadruped robot by coordinating body posture.
Effect of gut microbiota on immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) based cancer immunotherapy

Modulation of the host immunity is one of the important functions rendered by the human gut microbiota. Tumor cells are able to exploit the host immune system for their survival and spread within the host. Cancer immunotherapy is one of the therapeutic strategies that are used to stimulate the host anti-tumor immune response against cancer cells. Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) based immunotherapy is a novel treatment approach in cancer immunotherapy that targets the immune checkpoints, namely, programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte–associated protein 4 (CTLA-4). However, patients showing both primary and acquired resistance to ICI based immunotherapy significantly limit its clinical application. Remarkably, the gut microbiota affects the ICI therapy by effectively modulating both PD-1 and CTLA-4 immune checkpoints. Hence, improvement of the gut microbial composition in favor of ICI based immunotherapy has gained promising therapeutic outcomes for cancer patients worldwide.
Enablers and barriers of the multi-user virtual environment for exploratory creativity in architectural design collaboration

Abstract Pioneering psychology and co-design research has highlighted the potential that multi-user virtual environment (MUVE) may help architects’ exploratory creativity that is a recursive search to discover an optimal match of novel and appropriate solutions. However, it has been not reported hitherto in what ways MUVE helps or obstructs architects’ exploratory creativity in individual and collaborative modes of collaboration. To investigate this issue, we compared MUVE and sketching media in face-to-face and remote collaboration modes, involving 22 pairs of architecture major students. Based on interview and video-observation, we discovered that (1) in MUVE, anthropomorphic avatars, which other media do not have, enabled individual and collaborative explorations to discover unexpected affordances of new solutions, with evaluation on physical properties and layouts of solutions. In addition, (2) co-presence with collaborator’s avatars enabled inspiration on new ways of problem-solving and puzzle-making through shared design processes and events, with co-evaluation on social aspects of design solutions. (3) Co-presence in a shared environment also allowed mutual co-exploration that promotes emerging creative solutions, with co-modification on design errors. As barriers of MUVE, (4) avatar’s immersion caused inconvenient perception to explore large-scaled environments and track collaborators’ different experiences, but the barriers were not reported in remote collaboration.
Analysis of safety for Lithium-Ion battery with Risk assessment of thermal runaway according to SOC

According to the carbon-neutral policy, the overall demand and renewable energy sources of an electric power industry are increasing, and the need for battery energy storage systems (BESS) is increasing. BESS can mitigate frequency disturbances in the power system caused by rapidly increasing renewable energy sources and the resulting power demand and can contribute to power stabilization, frequency adjustment, and voltage stabilization. However, the battery, which is the main power source of a BESS, has a safety problem. Safety issues with lithium-ion batteries include fire and explosion. The explosive power of a battery depends on the amount of internal energy remaining, and accordingly, it becomes important information when selecting the battery State-of-charge (SOC) operating range. Therefore, in this study, the degree of risk according to the SOC operating range of a BESS is analyzed and the degree of explosion according to the battery SOC is verified through experiments.
Performance Improvement of Spoke-Type Interior Permanent Magnet Motors with Asymmetric Rotor Structures

The novel spoke-type interior permanent magnet (SIPM) motors with asymmetric rotor structures and ferrite magnets for performance improvement are proposed in this paper. Three types of the proposed SIPM motors are investigated, one is designed with asymmetric rotor flux barriers, another one features asymmetric V -type PM configurations, and the last one is to slot the rotor based on the second model to improve the utilization of permanent magnets. A conventional SIPM motor is adopted for performance comparison to highlight the advantages of the three proposed models. The torque components of the motor are separated by taking use of the frozen permeability method (FPM) through the finite element analysis (FEA). The simulation results show that the proposed models can improve the torque and torque density when compared with the conventional SIPM model.
hors-piste Risk perception and precautions adoption: a study in the field of out-of-bounds skiing

MOTS-CLEF : hors-piste, jeunes, perception du risque, adoption de precautions, prevention. ABSTRACT: The avalanche phenomenon in out-of-bounds is particularly deadly for young people aged between 15 and 30 years. The French National Association for the Study of Snow and Avalanches (ANENA) is currently seeking for solutions for preventive communications, in order to protect young practitioners. However, given the variability of out-of-bounds skiing, it is necessary to have better knowledge about features of out-of-bounds for the development of prevention messages designed for this target. The aim of this paper is to present a research conducted within the framework of a thesis, on the relationship between perceived risk of avalanche and protective-behavior adoption. Three hundred and four participants aged from 14 to 32 years old answered a questionnaire bearing on risk perception, type of practice, and precautions adoption. The results show that practitioners perceive the risks of avalanche as more probable and controllable than non-practitionners. Perceived probability and controllability positively influence the adoption of several precautions before and during practice. In addition, the characteristics of out-of-bounds practice (frequency of practice, level of difficulty of the route, place in the group and training in avalanche victims detection) have an effect on avalanche risk perception and the adoption of precautions. These results hightlight the importance of studying avalanche risk perception, and that of taking into account risk perception in the designing of prevention messages.