Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Debugging of Performance Degradation in Distributed Requests Handling Using Multilevel Trace Analysis

Root cause identification of performance degradation within distributed systems is often a difficult and time-consuming task, yet it is crucial for maintaining high performance. In this paper, we present an execution trace-driven solution that reduces the efforts required to investigate, debug, and solve performance problems found in multinode distributed systems. The proposed approach employs a unified analysis method to represent trace data collected from the user-space level to the hardware level of involved nodes, allowing for efficient and effective root cause analysis. This solution works by extracting performance metrics and state information from trace data collected at user-space, kernel, and network levels. The multisource trace data is then synchronized and structured in a multidimensional data store, which is designed specifically for this kind of data. A posteriori analysis using a top-down approach is then used to investigate performance problems and detect their root causes. In this paper, we apply this generic framework to analyze trace data collected from the execution of the web server, database server, and application servers in a distributed LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, and PHP) Stack. Using industrial level use cases, we show that the proposed approach is capable of investigating the root cause of performance issues, addressing unusual latency, and improving base latency by 70%. This is achieved with minimal tracing overhead that does not significantly impact performance, as well as O log n query response times for efficient analysis.
Micromachined thermoelectrically driven cantilever structures for fluid jet deflection

The design, fabrication, and performance of bimorph cantilever structures for direction control of laminar jet flow are reported. The fabrication process comprises standard IC technologies and additional silicon micromachining techniques. The design parameters for the structures are obtained using analytical approximations and numerical simulations. Forced convection as the decisive cooling mechanism proves to be very effective, resulting in an excellent dynamic response of the thermoelectrically activated structures. Experimental testing confirmed the predicted stationary and transient behavior of 1-mm-long and 1-mm-wide actuators, which are able to control hydraulic power at pressure levels of up to 4 bar, flow rates of up to 150 ml/min, and time constants of about 1 ms.<<ETX>>
AKT-mTOR Signaling-Mediated Rescue of PRKAG2 R302Q Mutant-Induced Familial Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy by Treatment with β-AR Blocker Metoprolol

PRKAG2 cardiac syndrome, as a common form of metabolic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) caused by mutations in PRKAG2 gene, often shows myocardial hypertrophy and abnormal glycogen deposition in cardiomyocytes. However, it remains incurable due to lacking of a management guideline for treatment. Herein, a β1-AR blocker Metoprolol was applied to 5 patients with PRKAG2 cardiac syndrome identified from a PRKAG2 R302Q mutant family, resulting in significantly postponed progression of cardiac hypertrophy. Overexpression of PRKAG2 R302Q in primary cardiomyocytes increased the activity of AMPK, induced cellular hypertrophy and glycogen storage, and promoted the phosphorylation levels of AKT-mTOR signaling. Application of either β1-AR blocker metoprolol or protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor H89 to the cardiomyocytes rescued the HCM-like phenotypes induced by PRKAG2 R302Q, including suppression of both AKT-mTOR phosphorylation and AMPK activity. In conclusion, the current study not only determined the mechanism regulating HCM induced by PRKAG2 R302Q mutant, but also demonstrated a therapeutic strategy using β1-AR blocker to treat the patients with PRKAG2 cardiac syndrome.
A graphical tool for analysis and design of bi‐characteristic‐impedance transmission lines

The bi‐characteristic‐impedance transmission lines (BCITLs) are generally lossy transmission lines that possess different complex characteristic impedances for waves propagating in forward and reverse directions. Because of complicated equations associated with BCITLs, a graphical tool is necessary in the analysis and design. In this article, the standard T‐chart developed for conjugately characteristic‐impedance transmission lines (CCITLs) is generalized to treat BCITL problems, called a generalized T‐chart. It is found that the way of using this new graphical tool is similar to that of the standard T‐chart. However, the magnitude of the voltage reflection coefficient associated with BCITLs may be greater than unity for some passive load terminations. An example of using a generalized T‐chart is provided in this paper. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 49: 2368–2372, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.22801
Toward Long-Term Recovery in Mississippi: Understanding the Impact of the Transportation System on Economic Resilience

AbstractOver the last decade, the state of Mississippi has shown its high susceptibility to natural and human-made disasters. The damages caused by Hurricane Katrina affected the economy not only of the coastal region, but also of the entire state. In particular, the loss of critical transportation infrastructure affected industries and the labor force. This paper analyzes the strong geographic correlation between the transportation network and economic development. The authors investigated the interdependency of logistics and regional economic distress using a model for simulating disruptions to the transportation network. To calibrate the model, the writers used the disruptions of CSX coastal rails in Mississippi and the shipbuilding industry’s economic indicators in the region pre- and post-Katrina. A hypothetical application of the model was created based on a high-magnitude earthquake along the New Madrid fault, which would impact northwest Mississippi. Disruptions were simulated in the railroad netw.
A novel noise optimization technique for inductively degenerated CMOS LNA

This paper proposes a novel noise optimization technique. The technique gives analytical formulae for the noise performance of inductively degenerated CMOS low noise amplifier (LNA) circuits with an ideal gate inductor for a fixed bias voltage and nonideal gate inductor for a fixed power dissipation, respectively, by mathematical analysis and reasonable approximation methods. LNA circuits with required noise figure can be designed effectively and rapidly just by using hand calculations of the proposed formulae. We design a 1.8 GHz LNA in a TSMC 0.25 μm CMOS process. The measured results show a noise figure of 1.6 dB with a forward gain of 14.4 dB at a power consumption of 5 mW, demonstrating that the designed LNA circuits can achieve low noise figure levels at low power dissipation.
Characterization of Clinical Escherichia coli Strains Producing a Novel Shiga Toxin 2 Subtype in Sweden and Denmark

Shiga toxin (Stx) is the key virulence factor in the Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli (STEC), which can cause diarrhea and hemorrhagic colitis with potential life-threatening complications. There are two major types of Stx: Stx1 and Stx2. Several Stx1/Stx2 subtypes have been identified in E. coli, varying in sequences, toxicity and host specificity. Here, we report a novel Stx2 subtype (designated Stx2m) from three clinical E. coli strains isolated from diarrheal patients and asymptomatic carriers in Sweden and Denmark. The Stx2m toxin was functional and exhibited cytotoxicity in vitro. The two Swedish Stx2m-producing strains belonged to the same serotype O148:H39 and Multilocus Sequencing Typing (MLST) Sequence Type (ST) 5825, while the Danish strain belonged to the O96:H19 serotype and ST99 type. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data analysis revealed that the three Stx2m-producing strains harbored additional virulence genes and the macrolide resistance gene mdf (A). Our findings expand the pool of Stx2 subtypes and highlight the clinical significance of emerging STEC variants. Given the clinical relevance of the Stx2m-producing strains, we propose to include Stx2m in epidemiological surveillance of STEC infections and clinical diagnosis.
The urban screen as a socialising platform: exploring the role of place within the urban space

In this paper we explore shared encounters mediated by technologies in the urban space. We investigate aspects that influence the interactions between people and people and people and their surroundings when technology is introduced in the urban space. We highlight the importance of space and the role of place in providing temporal and spatial mechanisms facilitating different types of social interactions and shared encounters. An emperical experiment was condeucted with a prototype that was implemented in the form of a digital screen, embeded in the physical surrounding in selected locations with low, medium and high pedestrian flows in the heritage City of Bath, UK. The aim is to create a novel urban experience that triggers shared encounters among friends, observers or strangers. Using the body as an interaface, the screen acted as a non-traditional interface and a facilitator between people and people and people and their surrounding environment. Here we outline early findings from deploying the digital screen as a socialiasing platform in a city context. We describe the user experience and demonstrate how people move, congregate and socialize around the digital surface. We illustrate the impact of the spatial and syntactical properties on the type of shared interactions in and highlight related issues. The initial findings indicated that introducing a digital platform as a public interactive installation in the urban space may provide a stage for emergent social interactions among various people and motivate users to actively and collaboratively play with the media. However, situating the digital platform in various locations, and depending on the context, might generate diverse and unpredicted social behaviours designers might be unaware of. In this respect we believe that the final experience is shaped by interconnection of structural, social, cultural, temporal and perhaps personal elements. We conclude by mentioning briefly our on going work.
EM coupling effects on radiation characteristics of a loop antenna by a 3-D body object in paging applications

EM coupling of a thin-wire loop antenna with a 3-D body object is analyzed. Coupled integral equations and the method of moments are used to solve this antenna-body coupled problem. It is observed that, from the antenna patterns (coupled with the body), when the loop orientation and position with respect to the body are appropriate, improvement of the performance of a small loop antenna can be obtained.
Integrated physics-oriented statistical modeling, simulation, and optimization (MESFETs)

Physics-based modeling of MESFETs is addressed from the point of view of efficient simulation, accurate behavior prediction and robust parameter extraction. A novel integration of a large-signal physics-based model into the harmonic balance equations for simulation of nonlinear circuits, involving an efficient Newton update, is presented and exploited in a gradient-based FAST (feasible adjoint sensitivity technique) circuit optimization technique. For yield-driven MMIC design a relevant physics-based statistical modeling methodology is presented. Quadratic approximation of responses and gradients suitable for yield optimization is discussed. The authors verify their theoretical contributions and exemplify their computational results using built-in and user-programmable modeling capabilities of the CAE systems OSA90/hope and HarPE. Results of device modeling using a field-theoretic nonlinear device simulator are reported. >
A Methodology for Designing a Nonlinear Feedback Controller via Parametric Optimization: State-Parameterized Nonlinear Programming Control

This paper introduces a new technique for designing nonlinear feedback controllers that can effectively and efficiently control nonlinear and unstable dynamical systems. The technique, called State-Parameterized Nonlinear Programming Control (sp-NLPC), constructs an optimal control strategy that is a function of dynamical system states. This is achieved through an offline parametric optimization process using the predictive parameterized Pareto genetic algorithm (P3GA) and representing the optimized state-varying policy using radial basis function (RBF) metamodeling. The sp-NLPC technique avoids many limitations of alternative methods, such as the need to make strong assumptions about model form (e.g., linearity) and the demands of online optimization processes. The proposed method is benchmarked on the problems of controlling the highly nonlinear and inherently unstable systems: single and double inverted pendulums on a cart. Performance and computational efficiency are compared to several competing control design techniques. Results show that sp-NLPC outperforms and is more efficient than competing methods. The parametric solution strategy for sp-NLPC lends itself to use in Control Co-Design (CCD). Such extensions are discussed as part of future work.
Claw pole armature permanent magnet machines exploiting soft iron powder metallurgy

This paper describes a novel permanent magnet machine which uses a claw pole topology in the armature to produce a high performance machine. This machine is almost impossible to construct from laminated material, therefore a soft magnetic composite has been employed throughout the stator. The paper gives details of the constructional features and presents performance measurements for this machine.
Using the series-parallel resonant converter in capacitor charging applications

For applications in pulse power systems, energy storage capacitors must be charged repeatedly to significant DC voltage levels (greater than 1 kV). Resonant converter topologies can be used for this purpose, and they consist of three main types: series loaded, parallel loaded, and series-parallel loaded. A circuit has been built that incorporates the third type, the concept of splitting the resonant circuit capacitance into a series component and a parallel component. The operation, control, and design of the series-parallel or hybrid resonant converter in capacitor charging applications are presented. <<ETX>>
Backstepping Fuzzy Sliding Mode Control for a Three-Links Spatial Robot Based on Variable Rate Reaching Law

To achieve the tracing control of a three-links spatial robot, a backstepping fuzzy sliding mode controller based on variable rate reaching law is proposed in this paper. The sliding mode controller is designed by means of backstepping way. To reduce the adjustment time, a fuzzy controller is designed to adjust the slope of sliding mode surface. To diminish the chattering of traditional sliding mode control, the variable rate reaching law is proposed. The variable rate reaching law is composed of the distance from current point to sliding mode surface in phase plane. The simulation studies for the tracking control of a three-links spatial robot have been carried out. Simulation results show the validity of the proposed control scheme.
Numerical simulations of wake characteristics of a wind turbine in uniform inflow

The wake of a wind turbine operating in a uniform inflow at various tip speed ratios is simulated using a numerical method, which combines large eddy simulations with an actuator line technique. The computations are carried out in a numerical mesh with about 8.4·106 grid points distributed to facilitate detailed studies of basic features of both the near and far wake, including distributions of interference factors, vortex structures and formation of instabilities. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Distributed Two-Dimensional MUSIC for Joint Range and Angle Estimation with Distributed FMCW MIMO Radars

To estimate range and angle information of multiple targets, FMCW MIMO radars have been exploited with 2D MUSIC algorithms. To improve estimation accuracy, received signals from multiple FMCW MIMO radars are collected at the data fusion center and processed coherently, which increases data communication overhead and implementation complexity. To resolve them, we propose the distributed 2D MUSIC algorithm with coordinate transformation, in which 2D MUSIC algorithm is operated with respect to the reference radar’s coordinate at each radar in a distributed way. Rather than forwarding the raw data of received signal to the fusion center, each radar performs 2D MUSIC with its own received signal in the transformed coordinates. Accordingly, the distributed radars do not need to report all their measured signals to the data fusion center, but they forward their local cost function values of 2D MUSIC for the radar image region of interest. The data fusion center can then estimate the range and angle information of targets jointly from the aggregated cost function. By applying the proposed scheme to the experimentally measured data, its performance is verified in the real environment test.
Skin Regeneration by Hybrid Carboxyl Methyl Cellulose/Calcium Alginate Fibers Electrospun Scaffold

ABSTRACT This study aimed to investigate on elasticity, degradation, and mechanical strength of sodium carboxyl methyl cellulose (SCMC) and calcium alginate (CA)-based scaffolds and their effect on fibroblasts’ proliferation and adhesion. Using electrospinning technique by employing natural polymers provides a progressive approach in tissue engineering by producing similar structure with adjustable properties. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was applied to observe the morphological and textural properties. Physico-chemical properties were studied using FTIR, tensile strain, contact angle, in vitro degradation, and water absorption test, and the biological properties were conducted by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and SEM observations. The results showed that a bead-free fibers was produced with over 80% porosity. CA resulted in enhancing elasticity, wettability, water uptake absorption, and increasing the rate of biodegradation. Biological assessment revealed that fibroblast cells were adhered and proliferated on SCMC/CA scaffold better comparable with pure SCMC scaffold. The overall findings denoted to the chemical, mechanical, hydrophilicity and biological suitability of SCMC/CA nanofiber scaffolds that make it a promising candidate for further studies toward skin tissue engineering applications.
The Investigation of Coupling-Unwanted Signal to the Solar Panel Material due to Induced Overvoltage Created by Short Spark Gap

Photovoltaics (PV) system converts light into electric current using the photo-electric effect. Due to the growing demand for renewable energy sources, the manufacturing of solar cells and PV system arrays has advanced considerably in recent years. However, lightning protection on photovoltaic material is very crucial to avoid strike damage caused by transient overvoltage to the photovoltaic system that may due to a direct or an indirect strike. There is no experimental study recently to show the profile of unwanted signals due to induced overvoltage that is coupled to the solar panel system or related material. It is consequently imperative that experimental work to investigate the unwanted signal that is coupled to the solar panel material be conducted. In this study, the experimental set up of induced overvoltage was conducted in which the unwanted signal due to induced voltage was created by the short spark gap. The experiment was conducted in a High Voltage lab in University Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) using artificial lightning discharge of 1.2/50μs with the peak voltage of 33 kV. The distance between the solar panel and spark gap was varied in order to study the relationship between the maximum voltage of unwanted signal and the distance. The existence of unwanted signal due to induced voltage with of maximum voltage profile was observed and is discussed in detail in the result and discussion sections.
EFFICIENT ENERGY CONSUMPTION IN WIRELESS SENSOR NETWORKS USING OPTIMIZATION TECNIQUE

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) find wide applications in defense, environmental monitoring like temperature, pressure, vibration, moisture, industrial monitoring, medical monitoring, habitat surveillance etc. The application of WSN consists of small sensor nodes that are low-cost, low power and multi-functional. The most important task of WSN is to send the collected data to the sink node and minimize the energy consumed during data transport. Sensor nodes forming a sensor network usually have limited energy capacity so it is important to minimize sensor nodes’ energy consumption because of difficulty in supplying additional energy for the sensor nodes. This paper proposes an optimization of energy consumption in wireless sensor networks. Genetic algorithm is used to optimize this problem. The simulation results showed that Genetic algorithm reduces the energy consumption in wireless sensor networks.
CCIM Technology for Treatment of LILW and HLW - 10209

Cold Crucible Inductive Melting (CCIM) technology is developed and applied at SIA Radon for vitrification of low- and intermediate-level radioactive wastes (LILW). During last eight years SIA Radon researchers were dealing with application of CCIM for vitrification of high level wastes (HLW). HLW surrogates of Savannah River Site (SRS), USA, and Production Association (PA) “Mayak”, Russia, were vitrified and products were examined in details. CCIM operational conditions and process variables (feed rate, melt rate, melting ratio, etc.) were determined. Feasibility of vitrification of HLW with high aluminum and iron contents has been proven. Various types of pumps to feed slurries into the crucible were tested. Maximum waste loading in glass keeping its high chemical durability was determined. The heat balance in the system “high frequency generator - crucible” was summarized and effective power spent for batch melting and melt homogenization was measured. Since 2007 design and construction works on cold crucible for HLW treatment were carried out. Previous experience in cold crucible design and operation experience during vitrification of actual LILW and HLW surrogates were applied. Principles of operation and control of the inductive melter were formulated. Automated control system has been designed and a set of the equipment required has been completed. The new cold crucible with the automated control system and auxiliary equipment is recommended for implementation at PA “Mayak” for study of HLW vitrification process of both spent nuclear fuel (SNF) reprocessing and old (“historical”) tanks with variable chemical composition.