Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
DRL-PLink: Deep Reinforcement Learning With Private Link Approach for Mix-Flow Scheduling in Software-Defined Data-Center Networks

In datacenter networks, bandwidth-demanding elephant flows without deadline and delay-sensitive mice flows with strict deadline coexist. They compete with each other for limited network resources, and the effective scheduling of such mix-flows is extremely challenging. We propose a deep reinforcement learning with private link approach (DRL-PLink), which combines the software-defined network and deep reinforcement learning (DRL) to schedule mix-flows. DRL-PLink divides the link bandwidth and establishes some corresponding private-links for different types of flows to isolate them such that the competition among different types of flows can decrease accordingly. DRL is used to adaptively and intelligently allocate bandwidth resources for these private-links. Furthermore, to improve the scheduling policy, DRL-PLink introduces the novel clipped double Q-learning, exploration with noise, and prioritized experience replay technology for DDPG to address function approximation error, to induce lager and more randomness for exploration, as well as more effective and efficient experience replay in DRL respectively. The experiment results under actual datacenter network workloads (including Web search and data mining workload) indicate that DRL-PLink can effectively schedule mix-flows at a small system overhead. Compared with ECMP, pFabric, and Karuna, the average flow completion time of DRL-PLink decreased by 77.79%, 65.61%, and 23.34% respectively, when the deadline meet rate is increased by 16.27%, 0.02%, and 0.836% respectively. Additionally, DRL-PLink can also well achieve load balance between paths.
Pursuing Gains or Avoiding Losses: The Contingent Effect of Transgenerational Intentions on Innovation Investments

Many business-owning families aspire to someday transfer their firm to the next family generation. Controversy surrounds the question of how these transgenerational intentions affect risky growth strategies such as investments in innovation: some emphasize the positives of a transgenerational time horizon for investments in future growth, others highlight the negatives of a more conservative mindset with amplified concern for stability and risk avoidance. Using regulatory focus theory, we resolve this long-standing controversy about the impact of transgenerational intentions by theorizing how they can trigger a promotion focus with increased innovation spending or a prevention focus with reduced innovation spending, depending on the firm’s survival hazard. Based on a sample of around 3,900 German firms using OLS and 2SLS estimation, we find empirical support for our predictions. This study extends the mixed gamble lens on family firm decision-making with insights from regulatory focus theory to build consensus on the role of transgenerational intentions while shifting consensus on the role of family ownership in relation to the innovation spending decision.
A feature‐based anthropometry for garment industry

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to propose a method to automatically generate individualized body size measurements from cloud point of a body scanner. It aims to propose a fast, reliable, and unambiguous method to obtain human body measurements for use in the garment industry.Design/methodology/approach – Based on a previous study by the authors, geometric features on the scanned body are identified by computerized algorithms through mathematical definitions. Feature lines situated on the human body surface are created as polylines that pass through the body's features and three types of computer measurements (tape‐measurement, contour‐measurement, and linear‐measurement) are provided.Findings – By dividing the body surface into rectangular patches using the feature lines as boundaries, the body can be reconstructed easily with a minimal amount of triangles while retaining the essential shape. The proposed measuring method applies to most manual measurements used in the garment industry. The autho.
The Evolution of Widespread Recombination Suppression on the Dwarf Hamster (Phodopus) X Chromosome

The mammalian X chromosome shows strong conservation among distantly related species, limiting insights into the distinct selective processes that have shaped sex chromosome evolution. We constructed a chromosome-scale de novo genome assembly for the Siberian dwarf hamster (Phodopus sungorus), a species reported to show extensive recombination suppression across an entire arm of the X chromosome. Combining a physical genome assembly based on shotgun and long-range proximity ligation sequencing with a dense genetic map, we detected widespread suppression of female recombination across ∼65% of the Phodopus X chromosome. This region of suppressed recombination likely corresponds to the Xp arm, which has previously been shown to be highly heterochromatic. Using additional sequencing data from two closely-related species (P. campbelli and P. roborovskii), we show that recombination suppression on Xp appears to be independent of major structural rearrangements. The suppressed Xp arm was enriched for several transposable element families and de-enriched for genes primarily expressed in the placenta, but otherwise showed similar gene densities, expression patterns, and rates of molecular evolution when compared to the recombinant Xq arm. Phodopus Xp gene content and order was also broadly conserved relative to the more distantly related rat X chromosome. Collectively, these data suggest that widespread suppression of recombination has likely evolved through the transient induction of facultative heterochromatin on the Phodopus Xp arm without major changes in chromosome structure or genetic content. Thus, dramatic changes in the recombination landscape have so far had relatively subtle influences on overall patterns of X-linked molecular evolution. Significance Statement Sex chromosome evolution represents a dynamic process of genomic specialization that is thought to be dependent on evolution of recombination. Here we use genome sequencing and genetic mapping to show that one arm comprising the majority of the X chromosome in a species of dwarf hamster has largely lost the ability to recombine in males and females. Although these dramatic shifts in recombination frequencies might eventually lead to sex chromosome degeneration, loss of recombination on this arm is associated with relatively minor changes in chromosome structure and gene contents in this species. These results underscore the conservation of the X chromosome across mammals, and allow us to test predictions about how genetic recombination influences sex chromosome evolution.
Measuring Drivers' Frustration in a Driving Simulator

The objective of the current study was to measure the effect of frustration on drivers' performance and scanning efficiency in a driving simulator. We hypothesized that unsafe driving would be elicited by a combination of manipulating frustrating events in the external driving environment while inducing a sense of time pressure within the driver. Two age groups of drivers drove through several frustrating situations on the road while trying to reach a destination within a limited time. The induced frustration decreased drivers' awareness of potential distractions, mental state, and potential danger in driving environment. When compared to younger drivers, older drivers had a more efficient scanning routine and safer vehicle control. This study speaks to the need for emotionally engaging simulated driving scenarios to produce more realistic driver performance.
Antioxidant effect of Chondrus crispus and Lentinula edodes on different margarines

Lipid oxidation is the reaction responsible for food degradation, to solve this problem the agri-food industry uses antioxidants, preservatives and chemical stabilizers. Currently there is an increasingly strong demand for healthier eating, because of this, the industry is increasingly interested in replacing chemical compounds with natural products of equal or greater effectiveness. This project studies oxidative stability in margarines of different composition, both qualitative and quantitative, when independently adding dehydrated material from a fungus (Lentinula edodes) and a seaweed (Chondrus crispus), which are characterized for having antioxidant activity. To achieve this, Rancimat equipment was used at different temperatures: 110 ºC, 120 ºC, 130 ºC and 140 ºC ± 1.6 ºC. comparing treated margarine samples with their respective controls. Results varied depending on the temperatures used, the composition of margarines and the natural antioxidants added. The results show that the margarine with a lower proportion in unsaturated fatty acids, and especially in polyunsaturated fatty acids, have greater oxidative stability and it increases to a greater degree when the fungus is added with respect to the addition of seaweed.
A financial model for environment-friendly changes in designs of electronic products

Environment-oriented product development and costs reduction often go hand in hand. The Environmental Design Cost model [Willems (1995)] has been developed to give companies the possibility to calculate the present and future costs of various environment-friendly changes in product designs. This model calculates the changes in the production costs and the changes in the present value of future end-of-life processing costs.
Quality Management Standard and Innovation: A Multiple-Case Study in Luxembourg

Innovation and quality are both important aspects of business excellence. ISO 9000 is a well-known quality management standard but its relationship with innovation is not completely understood. Previous quantitative studies have shown that ISO 9000 is positively correlated with technological innovation (product and process) in the manufacturing sector, while the effect of ISO 9000 on service innovation is positive only when considering non-technological innovation (organisational and marketing). Adopting a qualitative methodology, the current study investigates simultaneously the adoption and the impact of ISO 9000 on innovation in high-tech manufacturing firms and in low-knowledge-intensive services. The units of analysis are selected by adopting a simple coarsened exact matching model to increase the external reliability of the study. Innovation is investigated before and after the adoption of ISO 9000. The results suggest that the client focus and the formalisation of appropriate business practices (ISO 9000 requirements) impact on the innovation propensity. In the opinion of most of the interviewees, ISO 9000 certification, especially in the versions after the year 2000, does not limit technical and non-technical innovation. As some companies refused to participate in the study, potential selection bias suggests that further research could be required.
Differences in Environmental Impact between Plant-Based Alternatives to Dairy and Dairy Products: A Systematic Literature Review

A large body of research suggests a more plant-based diet, including a switch to plant-based alternatives to dairy, is needed for lowering human-induced climate change as well as land and water use. With the help of a systematic literature review, we analyzed data from 21 peer-reviewed articles about the differences in emissions and resources used between various plant-based alternatives to dairy and dairy products. Emissions included were greenhouse gases, acidifying, eutrophicating, and ozone-depleting substances, and resource use included water, energy, and land. The results are presented as the quotients of the ratios of plant-based alternatives to dairy and dairy products. The comparison shows that the plant-based dairy alternatives have lower, or much lower, impacts in almost all cases, with two exceptions: water use for almond drinks (several studies) and emissions of ozone-depleting substances for margarine (one study). There is a lack of data concerning impacts other than greenhouse gas emissions for plant-based cheese alternatives; and in general, emissions of greenhouse gases are more highly covered than other impacts. In the quest for a swift transition to a low carbon economy, however, there is already enough evidence to proceed with a dietary change involving switching dairy products to plant-based alternatives.
A NEW SLIDING MODE CONTROLLER FOR TIME-DELAY SYSTEMS

In this paper is proposed a new scheme of digital control designed to improve the robustness of system with input time delay. It is proposed a discrete-time variable structure control design that takes into account the time delay in the sliding surface to improve the performance of the system when delay is present in the input control. The delay is greater than the discrete sampling period and is treated as a failure to be detected and accommodated. A scheme for fault detection and accommodation is used so that when the delay is present, the controller is adapted for the fault condition. A computer simulation is shown to illustrate the design procedure and to show the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Hvordan barn lærer språk: en sammenligning mellom ordstilling i engelsk og norsk

Lærer barn språk ved å analysere syntaktiske strukturer eller imiterer de bare frekvente ordkombinasjoner i input? Denne artikkelen sammenligner forskjellige språklæringsmodeller i forhold til barns tilegnelse av et bestemt syntaktisk fenomen, ordstilling i hv-spørsmål, der både engelsk og norsk krever såkalt inversjon. Dette er et komplekst system, som forutsetter at man gjør detaljerte distinksjoner mellom f.eks. setningstyper eller verbklasser. Nyere forskning viser at barn stort sett produserer grammatisk ordstilling så snart de ytrer sine første spørsmål, med unntak av én type feil som oppstår hos enkelte barn. I artikkelen brukes disse resultatene til å understøtte en modell som argumenterer for at barn lærer syntaktiske strukturer ved å legge merke til spesifikke spor (micro-cues) i det språket som omgir dem. Disse sporene hindrer barn i å overgeneralisere ordstilling til andre kontekster, og modellen kan dermed også brukes til å forklare den feiltypen som av og til forekommer i barnespråk.
Speed sensorless stator flux-oriented control of induction motor in the field weakening region using Luenberger observer

In a conventional method speed, speed sensorless stator flux-oriented (SFO) induction motor drive, when the estimated speed is transformed into the sampled-data model using the first-forward difference approximation, the sampled-data model has a modeling error which, in turn, produces an error in the rotor speed estimation. The error included in the estimated speed is removed by the use of a low pass filter (LPF). As the result, the delay of the estimated speed occurs in transients by the use of the LPF. This paper investigates the problem of a conventional speed sensorless SFO system due to the delay of estimated speed in the field weakening region. In addition, this paper proposes a method to estimate exactly speed by using Luenberger observer. The proposed method is verified by simulation and experiment with a 5-hp induction motor drive.
Faculty Ratings for on-Line Teaching: Moving beyond the Teaching Evaluation

Teaching is difficult to evaluate fairly. Many academic institutions rely solely on the results of student teaching evaluations. Few institutions use in-class peer reviews or other more intrusive methods. The growing use of fully on-line teaching has created an opportunity to go beyond just using end of course student evaluators. This paper explores more advanced evaluation processes that are now readily available with the arrival of on-line teaching. These methods are not time extensive and can be applied consistently across varied courses. Methods discussed include the thorough review of on-line course shells, a check for updated course assessments and teaching aids, frequency and timeliness of faculty engagements, thoroughness and quality of student feedback, and the respect given to students during interactions. In addition, this paper asserts that giving advance knowledge of these standards along with the full support needed to meet them are both required to succeed with this newer and more modern on-line course evaluation approach.
Using a discrete-time model for large-signal analysis of a current-programmed boost converter

An approximate nonlinear discrete-time model is used to investigate behavior of a switching converter under large-signal and large-parameter variations. The system under study is a current-programmed boost converter with an overall voltage feedback loop. Stability of the desired fixed point is examined using bifurcation analysis supported by numerical results. Characteristic loci of eigenvalues and phase portraits of the system are used to provide better understanding of global and local system dynamics. <<ETX>>
Considering Environmental Pollution in Generation Expansion Planning.

Considering environmental pollution in generation expansion planning (GEP) is an important and considerable subject. This paper deals with GEP problem in the presence of environmental pollution. The problem is formulated as an optimization programming which aims at minimizing investment and pollution costs at the same time. The proposed optimization problem is solved by using firefly algorithm (FA). Simulation results verify the viability and capability of the proposed methodology.
A Departure Time Choice for Morning Commute Considering Train Capacity of a Rail Transit Line

Every commuter utilizing urban rail transit decides the departure time from home to a station according to individual judgment for the biggest possibility to board a train as soon as possible after the arrival. Therefore, the departure time choice behavior of the commuters is complicated especially when the transport capacity of this transit line cannot meet the travel demands of its users in rush hour. This research first develops a travel cost function mainly considering the travel time to rationally describe the volume distribution of the commuters arriving at a station at different time periods. Furthermore, an optimization model is accordingly proposed to rationalize the arrival distribution of the commuters on the basis of the amount of the arrived commuters who are able to board a train from the perspective of the systematic operation of a rail transit line for the minimal total travel cost of all the commuters along this line. It is found that the total travel cost can be reduced by 19.0% at most through the arrival distribution rationalization with the optimization model.
Ultrasonics and electromagnetics for a wireless corrosion sensing system embedded in structural concrete

This work describes ongoing development of an embedded sensor system for the early detection and prevention of deterioration of reinforcing steel tendons within reinforced concrete. These devices will evaluate the condition of the steel tendon using ultrasonic techniques and then wirelessly transmit this data to the outside world without human intervention. The ultrasonic transducers and the interpretation of the sensed signals that allow detection and prognosis of tendon condition are detailed. Electrical characterization of concrete mixtures used in bridge construction is conducted and a wideband microstrip antenna is designed and fabricated to operate between 2.4 and 2.5 GHz when embedded in such a medium. Simulations and measurements of the embedded antenna element are presented. Transceiver selection and implementation are discussed as well as future work in operational protocols, sensor networking, and power sources. By implementing commercially available off-the-shelf components whenever possible, these devices have the potential to save millions of dollars a year in evaluation, repair and replacement of reinforced concrete.
Exploring the adoption of low carbon technologies by Scottish housing associations

Housing associations (HAs) are responsible for building and managing approximately one-third of affordable homes in Scotland. The adoption of low carbon technologies (LCTs) by HAs presents an area that could potentially help towards reducing the carbon footprint of affordable housing and the fuel poverty of tenants. This research thus explores the issues pertaining to the adoption of LCTs from the perspective of two Scottish HAs. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with selected members of the management team in both HAs. The empirical findings revealed that HA-related issues (such as organization culture, being a learning organization and training) and tenant-related issues (such as social cohesion, change in behaviour and training) can both impinge on the adoption of LCTs in HAs. It is contended that there is a piecemeal adoption of LCTs and if mass adoption is to be realized, this will require a nationwide programme that is aimed at supporting the adoption of LCT, in addition to building the skills capacity of the construction industry which is seemingly ill-prepared. Copyright , Oxford University Press.
Discussing details of lumped parameter thermal modeling in electrical machines

Lumped parameter thermal networks (LPTN) have been widely used for the thermal modeling of the electrical machine due to its low computing time. In spite of the simple structure of the network, much effort has to be invested to define the thermal circuit in a physically proper way. This paper discusses details of lumped parameter thermal modeling and explains where attention should be paid for an accurate model. Components with high discretization level are introduced, providing both average and hot-spot temperatures. The impacts of inhomogeneous losses and the correction of temperature dependent losses are analyzed. The paper uses the example of a switched reluctance machine. However, the obtained result can be applied to all machine types.
Assessing Human Capital: A Lean Manufacturing Example

Abstract This article describes an approach and methodology that explicitly considers the assessment of human capital in a lean manufacturing environment supported by cellular manufacturing. It details a systematic approach where human capital is inventoried in the form of developing a skills database. Specific critical skills are identified, grouped, and placed onto a Skills Inventory Form (SIF). The SIF is used to assess the skill levels of each worker via an employee, supervisor, and consensus assessment approach. The approach is illustrated in a Fortune 100 company, showing how to use it to drive training requirements, change hiring practices, assign workers, and establish compensation and reward systems.