Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Design and evaluation of wireless dense networks - Application to in-flight entertainment systems

Wireless networking is one of the most challenging networking domains with unique features that can provide connectivity in situations where it is difficult to use wired networking, or when node mobility is required. However, the working environment usually imposes various constrains, where wireless devices face various challenges when sharing the communication media. Furthermore, the problem becomes worse when the number of nodes increase. Different solutions were introduced to cope with highly dense networks. On the other hand, a very low density can create a poor connectivity problem and may lead to have isolated nodes with no connection to the network. It is common to define network density according to the number of direct neighboring nodes within the node transmission range. However, we believe that such metric is not enough. Thus, we propose a new metric that encompasses the number of direct neighbors and the network performance. In this way, the network response, due to the increasing number of nodes, is considered when deciding the density level. Moreover, we defined two terms, self-organization and self-configuration, which are usually used interchangeably in the literature through highlighting the difference between them. We believe that having a clear definition for terminology can eliminate a lot of ambiguity and help to present the research concepts more clearly. Some applications, such as In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) systems inside the aircraft cabin, can be considered as wirelessly high dense even if relatively few nodes are present. To solve this problem, we propose a heterogeneous architecture of different technologies to overcome the inherited constrains inside the cabin. Each technology aims at solving a part of the problem. We held various experimentation and simulations to show the feasibility of the proposed architecture. Furthermore, we introduced a new self-organizing identification protocol that uses smart antennas to help the Display Units and their Remote Controls, of the IFE system, to identify each other without any preliminary configuration. The protocol was firstly designed and verified using UML language, then, a NS2 module was created to experiment with different scenarios. The experimentation and simulation results proved that such heterogeneous architecture can provide a solution for the constrained wireless communication inside the cabin.
Investigation of interaction between cellulase and residual lignin fractions in acid-pretreated bamboo residues and their effect on enzymatic digestibility

Background: During dilute acid pretreatment, pseudo lignin and lignin form droplets which deposit on the surface of lignocellulose, and further inhibit its enzymatic hydrolysis. However, how this lignin interacts with cellulase enzymes and then affects enzymatic hydrolysis is still unknown. In this work, different fractions of surface lignin (SL) obtained from dilute acid pretreated bamboo residues (DAP-BR) were extracted by various organic reagents and the residual lignin in extracted DAP-BR was obtained by milled wood lignin (MWL) method. All the obtained lignin fractions from DAP-BR were used to investigate the interaction mechanism between lignin and cellulase using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technology in order to understand how they affect enzymatic hydrolysisResults: Results showed that removing surface lignin significantly decrease the enzymatic hydrolysis of DAP-BR from 36.5% to 18.6%. The addition of MWL samples to Avicel decreased enzymatic hydrolysis of Avicel, while different SL samples showed a slight increase to its enzymatic digestibility. Due to the higher molecular weight and hydrophobicity of MWL samples versus the SL samples, stronger affinity for MWL (KD = 6.8-24.7 nM) was found versus that of SL (KD = 39.4-52.6 nM) by SPR analysis. The affinity constant of all tested lignin had good correlations (R2>0.6) with their effects on enzymatic digestibility of extracted DAP-BR and Avicel.Conclusions: This work reveals that the surface lignin on DAP-BR is necessary towards maintaining enzyme digestibility levels, and its removal has a negative impact on the substrate’s digestibility.
Novel Variations at Three Different Positions of Prion Protein Coding Gene in Ethiopian Sheep Breeds and the Resistance/Susceptible Status to Classical and Atypical Scrapie

Background: Classical Scrapie susceptibility in sheep has been linked to three polymorphisms at positions 136, 154, and 171 in the PRNP gene whereas atypical scrapie susceptibility is related to a polymorphism at position 141. Many other variants over the length of the prion protein coding gene were reported. Since infectious prion protein itself seems to be polymorphic, the identified novel PRNP gene variations may play a crucial role in fighting against the emergence of a new form of scrapie disease. Many studies conducted around the world to identify disease resistant status and new variants of PRNP gene in different breeds. However, such in-depth studies have never addressed the African continent’s sheep breeds. Therefore, genotyping native Ethiopian sheep breeds PRNP gene provides essential information to the current knowledge. This study aimed to identify potential novel variations in the Ethiopian sheep PRNP gene, thereby determine the uniqueness of the native breeds and predict scrapie status of sheep population based on the genotypes distribution. Results : Five novel variants were identified in the PRNP gene of native Ethiopian sheep. Four non-synonymous heterozygous substitutions at H99Q (CAC-->CAA), H99L (CAC-->CTA), A116E (GCA-->GAA), A116T (GCA-->ACA), and one synonymous N103N (AAC-->AAT) variants were detected. In addition to the novel variations, polymorphisms at 126,127,138,142,146,231, and 237 positions were also identified. The haplotype ARR was observed only in Menz and Afar breeds with frequencies 0.02 and 0.05 respectively. However, neither ARR/ARR nor VRQ/VRQ genotypes were identified in all of the breeds. Conclusion: Two of the novel variations at position 99 and 103 that are placed closer to the cleavage site and variant at 116 spotted in the palindrome region along with variants at position 127 in Glycine repeat domain may influence the conformational flexibility of prion protein. The low frequency of ARR haplotype and the sole variant 141L demonstrated that Ethiopian sheep are susceptible to classical scrapie and resistant to atypical scrapie. This study provides a valuable dataset that can be potentially integrated into selective breeding strategies against scrapie during inbreeding, crossbreeding and help to take precautious measures.
User-Interfaces for Hybrid Systems: Analysis and Design through Hybrid Reachability

Hybrid systems combine discrete state dynamics, which model the dynamics of mode switching in the system, with continuous state dynamics, which model the physical processes themselves. Human interaction with hybrid systems involves the user, the automation’s discrete mode-logic, and the underlying continuous dynamics of the physical system. Often the user-interface of such systems displays a reduced set of information about the entire system. In safety-critical systems, we wish to identify user-interface designs which do not have adequate information, or which may confuse the user. We present 1) a method of designing a discrete event system abstraction of the hybrid system, in order to analyze, verify, or design user-interfaces for hybrid human-automation systems, and 2) the relationship between user-interfaces and discrete observability properties. Applications of hybrid system theory to automated systems have traditionally assumed that the controller itself is an automaton which runs in parallel with the system under control. We model human interaction with a hybrid system, incorporating the user’s input, the automation’s discrete mode-logic, and the physical system’s nonlinear continuous dynamics. Using a hybrid computational tool for reachability, we find the largest region in which we can guarantee the system can always remain – this is the safe region of operation. By implementing a controller for safety which arises from this computation, we mathematically guarantee that this safe region is invariant. This guarantee holds to the accuracy of the model. Using the computed invariant regions as discrete states, we can abstract a discrete event system from this hybrid system with safety restrictions. This abstraction can be used in existing interface analyses, including existing interface verification and design methods. A user-interface, modeled as a discrete system, must not only be reduced (extraneous information has been eliminated), but also “immediately observable”. We derive conditions for immediate observability, in which the current state can be constructed from the current output and last occurring event. We also show how to synthesize an output for remote
Modeling attacker-defender interactions in information networks.

The simplest conceptual model of cybersecurity implicitly views attackers and defenders as acting in isolation from one another: an attacker seeks to penetrate or disrupt a system that has been protected to a given level, while a defender attempts to thwart particular attacks. Such a model also views all non-malicious parties as having the same goal of preventing all attacks. But in fact, attackers and defenders are interacting parts of the same system, and different defenders have their own individual interests: defenders may be willing to accept some risk of successful attack if the cost of defense is too high. We have used game theory to develop models of how non-cooperative but non-malicious players in a network interact when there is a substantial cost associated with effective defensive measures. Although game theory has been applied in this area before, we have introduced some novel aspects of player behavior in our work, including: (1) A model of how players attempt to avoid the costs of defense and force others to assume these costs; (2) A model of how players interact when the cost of defending one node can be shared by other nodes; and (3) A model of the incentives formore » a defender to choose less expensive, but less effective, defensive actions. « less
Stochastic decomposition of the M/G/-infinite queue in a random environment

We prove a stochastic decomposition formula for the number of customers in an M/G/ ∞ system with service speeds depending on the state of an independent random environment. In addition, we present a new technique to analyze this kind of queues and apply it to solve some examples of M/M/ ∞ queues in random environment.
New-generation individual based models for infectious diseases transmission

Mathematical models are powerful tools for simulating plausible epidemic spread scenarios and for evaluating the impact of control policies. They represent the scientific basis on which public health policy makers should take their decisions on the intervention strategies that should be performed at local, national and international scale. In this context, Individual-Based simulation Models (IBM) have become one of the much relevant approaches. The crucial point of this thesis project is to override some of the limit of the current generation of IBM. Specifically, highly detailed models of the sociodemography and mobility of the Italian and European population have been developed; a model of individuals and households demographics, which leads the network of contacts among individual to evolve over time, has been introduced; an analysis of the role of different assumptions on the ``random''contacts among the individuals of a population on the spread of epidemics has been performed. Results such as the development, for the first time in literature, of an IBM working on a continental scale and of an IBM suitable for the investigation of endemic diseases represent a crucial improvement for the community of epidemic modelers. Moreover, the achieved results in terms of evaluation of the effectiveness of (individually-targeted) public health control measures have had a practical application. In fact, they have been used by the Italian Ministry of Health for assessing the efficacy of the Italian pandemic preparedness plan and for planning the mitigation strategies for the 2009 A(H1N1) influenza pandemic.
The role of culture and leadership in lean transformation: a review and assessment model

This study investigates how the organisational culture and leadership influence the implementation of lean system in organisations. In doing so, organisational culture, leadership and internal issues concerning human resources are incorporated and discussed. The study further explains how an organisation can benefit from assessment of their culture by adopting Lean Culture Assessment Model (LCAM). The Critical Success Factors (CSFs) for lean system and internal as well as external organisational factors in Toyota’s working culture that brings about positive impacts on lean implementation is discussed. It is found from the literature review that a number of factors such as top management commitment and leadership, empowerment and training of human resources, building relationship with suppliers and customers, enhancing departmental relations and teamwork need to be taken into account in order to implement a successful lean system. The purpose of this study is to bring this system into organisations’ attention and give them insight of valuating their weaknesses and strengths by implementing the proposed LCAM. The methodology for this study was based on secondary data that represents literatures referring to Toyota’s culture, lean’s CSFs and organisational culture. The literature review establishes the importance of organisational culture, its leadership and the human resources in any organisations’ success. Moreover, empirical evidence from the reviewed literature shows that an organisation cannot succeed in lean unless it has a healthy culture, skilled workers, the buy-in from the top management and a strong leadership. The key and essential part of an organisation was found to be the leaders who act as a cornerstone between top management and bottom line workers. The LCAM would enable the organisations to assess their internal culture before implementing lean management. The model has been designed by systematically incorporating the lean values, philosophy, principles and Toyota’s culture.
Software Project Success : Moving Beyond Failure

Success and failure in software projects appear to be difficult to define. While there is a consensus around the prevalence of project failure, new projects seem destined to repeat past mistakes. This paper tries to advance the discussion by offering a new perspective for reasoning about the meaning of success and the different types of failures. In order to court project success, practitioners need to rise beyond a fixation with internal parameters of efficiency to recognise the role of quality in bringing about the effectiveness required to secure project success. The paper begins by discussing project failure surveys and the impact of project constraints before offering a richer model that identifies the crucial role of quality in securing future success. The paper concludes by introducing a series of mini- case studies that help in making sense of success and failure and in particular highlight the interplay between the four levels of success
Associations of Type 2 Diabetes Onset Age With Cardiovascular Disease and Mortality: The Kailuan Study

OBJECTIVE We aimed to explore the associations between type 2 diabetes onset age and cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality in the Chinese population. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS This study included 101,080 participants free of prevalent diabetes and CVD at baseline from the Kailuan Study. All participants were monitored biennially until 31 December 2017. During follow-up, 11,384 participants were diagnosed as having type 2 diabetes. For each case subject, one control subject was randomly selected, matched for age (± 1 years) and sex. The final analysis comprised 10,777 case-control pairs. Weighted Cox regression models were used to evaluate the average hazard ratios (AHRs) and 95% CIs of incident CVD and all-cause mortality among patients with new-onset type 2 diabetes versus control subjects across age-groups. Results During a median follow-up of 5.57 years, 1,794 incident events (907 CVD events, of which there were 725 strokes and 887 deaths) occurred. After adjustment for potential confounders, participants with type 2 diabetes diagnosed at age <45 years had the highest relative risks of CVD and all-cause mortality relative to the matched control subjects, with AHRs of 3.21 (95% CI 1.18–8.72) for CVD, 2.99 (95% CI 1.01–9.17) for stroke, and 4.79 (95% CI 1.95–11.76) for all-cause mortality. The risks gradually attenuated with each decade increase in type 2 diabetes onset age. CONCLUSIONS The relative risks of CVD and all-cause mortality differed across type 2 diabetes onset age-groups, and the associations were more evident in younger-onset type 2 diabetes.
Finite Element Modeling and Design of Honeycomb Sandwich Panels for Acoustic Performance

ii DEDICATION . iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS . iv TABLE OF CONTENTS . v LIST OF TABLES . viii LIST OF FIGURES . ix CHAPTER 1 : MOTIVATION AND BACKGROUND . 1 1.1 Cellular Materials in Design . 2 1.2 Sound Transmission Characteristics of Partitions . 7 1.3 Advantages of Using Honeycomb Cellular Materials in Partitions . 11 1.4 Previous Work in Sound Transmission of Honeycomb Panels . 12 1.5 Thesis Overview . 15 CHAPTER 2 : EFFECTIVE MATERIAL PROPERTIES AND GEOMETRY OF HONEYCOMB METAMATERIALS . 19 2.1 Geometric Modeling Parameters . 20 2.2 Controlling Overall Panel Structure Size . 21 2.3 Effective Properties . 23 CHAPTER 3 : SETUP OF ACOUSTIC FINITE ELEMENT MODEL USING COMMERCIAL SOFTWARE . 26 3.1 Justification for a Two Dimensional Model . 27 3.2 Analysis Components and Material Properties . 28 3.3 Element Justification and Mesh Setup . 29 3.4 Boundary Conditions and Loads . 31 3.5 Constraints . 32 3.6 Natural Frequency Extraction Procedure . 35 3.7 Steady State Dynamics, Direct Procedure.36 3.8 Response Collection/Post-processing . 37 3.9 Analysis Time . 38 3.10 Model Validation.39
TSIRP: A Temporal Social Interactions-Based Routing Protocol in Opportunistic Mobile Social Networks

With the increasing number of smart device users, data transmission between users is becoming more important, and a network architecture called opportunistic mobile social network (OMSN) is gaining attention. However, routing in OMSNs is a challenging problem due to the frequent disconnection between nodes and the absence of paths from the source to the destination. It results in a complex topology and a low packet transmission success rate. Therefore, we propose a novel routing algorithm called the temporal social interactions-based routing protocol (TSIRP) for solving the problem of low network performance due to the improper selection of message relay nodes. First, we focus on the temporal context of social interactions. Specifically, at a certain time of the day, a person has specific people with whom the person usually interacts (e.g., workers usually meet co-workers during working hours; students usually meet their classmates during class). Based on temporal social interactions between nodes, potential forwarding metrics are proposed and calculated for each time of the day to make forwarding decisions. Second, we propose a new scheme to control the message spreading rate, which allows achieving a balance between delivery latency and overhead ratio. In addition, an analytical model is also designed using an absorbing Markov chain to estimate the performance of TSIRP. Simulations were also conducted, and the results indicate that TSIRP can achieve better performance than existing routing protocols in terms of packet delivery ratio, delivery latency, network overhead ratio, and average hop count.
Adaptive polynomial predistorters and low-PAR circular APK signaling schemes for systems using non-linear power amplifiers

In this thesis, adaptive polynomial predistortion techniques suitable for DSP implementation at the baseband signals are introduced to counter-balance the AM/AM and AM/PM nonlinear effects of the transmit power amplifier. The proposed polynomial predistortion scheme is based on polar coordinate representation. Both LMS and RLS concepts are used to derive the adaptive algorithms. An enhanced LMS-based algorithm with fast convergence is proposed. For very fast convergence, a cascaded RLS-based adaptive polynomial predistorter structure is introduced. The obtained results show that the polynomial predistortion schemes can be used in M-QAM transmitters with power amplifiers operating near saturation to achieve a highest power efficiency. The thesis also presents a class of circular M-ary Amplitude-Phase Shift Keying (APK) signaling techniques with high bandwidth efficiency and low peak-to-average power ratio (PAR) suitable for systems using non-linear power amplifiers to achieve high power efficiency. Based on bandlimited two-dimensional M-ary signals using circular constellations, a search algorithm for optimum schemes for non-linear amplification in terms of minimum PAR and maximum DPR is introduced. Optimum circular constellations for 8-, 16-, 32-, 64- and 128-APK signalling schemes are proposed. The analytical and simulation results show that this class of circular M-ary APK signals outperforms the square and cross M-ary QAM schemes.
Real engineering in a virtual world

VR technology can be thought of as the next point on a continuum that leads from 1-D data (such as the text and numbers on a finite element analysis printout), through 2-D drawings and 3-D solid models to 4-D digital prototypes that eventually will have texture and weight and can be held in one`s hand. If it lives up to its potential, VR could become just another tool--like 3-D CAD/CAM systems and FEA software--that can be used to pursue continuous improvements in design and manufacturing processes. For example VR could help manufacturers reduce the number of prototypes and engineering change orders (ECOs) generated during the product life cycle. Virtual reality could also be used to promote concurrent engineering. Because realistic virtual models are easier to interpret and interrogate than 2-D drawings or even 3-D solid models, they have the potential to simplify design reviews. They could also make it easier for non-engineers (such as salespeople and potential customers) to contribute to the design process. VR technology still has a way to go before it becomes a standard engineering tool, however. Peripheral devices are still being perfected, and engineers seem to agree that the jury`s still out on which peripherals aremore » most appropriate for which applications. Further, advanced VR applications are largely confined to research and development departments of large corporations or to public and private research centers. Finally, potential users will have to wait a few years before desktop computers are powerful enough to run such applications--and inexpensive enough to survive a cost-benefit analysis. « less