Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Using UWB Gaussian pulses for inter-vehicle communications

Ultra-wideband (UWB) radio is a candidate technology for future wireless communications. It uses very short pulses, so that the spectrum of the emitted signals may spread over several GHz. An inter-vehicle communication system based on UWB technology is studied. Two waveforms are compared: Gaussian and monocycle pulses. A 2 GHz pulse generator is associated with an antipodal (AP) modulator in the first case and with a binary phase shift keying (BPSK) modulator in the second case. The numerical receiver and the detection algorithm are described. The performance of the matched filter receiver is evaluated in the case of multipath propagation with additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN). The European Telecommunication Systems Institute (ETSI) rural area (RA) channel has also been considered. The bit error rate (BER) values are calculated for the two UWB waveforms and the time jitter problem is also addressed. It is shown that the AP-coded Gaussian pulses waveform is the best signalling waveform among those studied here, with the supplementary advantages of a very low sensitivity to multipath effects and to jitter, together with much lower error rates.
Multimode TRL. A new concept in microwave measurements: theory and experimental verification

An original multimode thru-reflection line (TRL) algorithm is used to derive the generalized scattering parameters of multimode two-port networks. Theoretical developments are detailed for calibration procedures based on two ports as well as multiple-port vector network analyzer (VNA) measurements. First-run experimental results demonstrate the validity of this technique. This method allows the experimental characterization of multiconductor transmission-line devices. It could also be used to characterize power coupling to undesired modes in monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) structures using conductor-backed coplanar waveguides.
The village of Kunovica in the sustainable development context

Kunovica, is a typical mountain village, with large house density, and is situated on the slopes around the Kunovica river, surrounded by silence and tranquality of intact nature. It is the village of contrasts: on one hand there is the beautiful nature, great natural conditions for raising cattle and on the other hand it is a village with only a small number of mostly elderly people (101 inhabitants), few infrastructural systems and buildings it is far from the main roads (although it used to be near them) which very weak in economical terms. The most important problem faced by this village as well as by the other villages in this area, is the depopulation i.e. the migrations. This paper analyses the present situation of the sustenance elements on the level of the village, and of the relevant representative sample of the households employing the previously defined parameters. By definition, natural, economic, human and spatial resources analyzed in this way can describe present situation, its causes and consequences, but they also can define the level of sustenance, the capacities and the ways of its possible development. The obtained results and conclusions made were used as the basis for recognizing the further development and transformation of a village household, and particularly the transformation of the farmyard as the spatial household frame and place where all these processes are taking place.
Face Image Segmentation Using Color Information and Saliency Map

In this paper, we proposed an efficient method to address the problem of color face image segmentation that is based on color information and saliency map. This method consists of three stages. At first, skin colored regions is detected using a Bayesian model of the human skin color. Then, we get a chroma chart that shows likelihoods of skin colors. This chroma chart is further segmented into skin region that satisfy the homogeneity property of the human skin. The third stage, visual attention model are employed to localize the face region according to the saliency map while the bottom-up approach utilizes both the intensity and color features maps from the test image. Experimental evaluation on test shows that the proposed method is capable of segmenting the face area quite effectively，at the same time, our methods shows good performance for subjects in both simple and complex backgrounds, as well as varying illumination conditions and skin color variances.
Understanding Boss Battles: A Case Study of Cuphead

“Bosses” – powerful, difﬁcult enemies – have been a part of video games for the majority of their existence. Despite their integral role in many games, they have rarely been the focus of study. Cuphead is a run-and-gun style 2D action game with a large pool of boss battles, making it an ideal game for comparing and contrasting bosses, to determine what makes a compelling (or frustrating) boss battle. In this case study, we developed an ontology of ‘shoot-em-up’-genre attacks and bosses. With this system for codifying a boss battle, we cluster the attacks using a Gaussian Mixture Model – which are then used to represent a boss as a “bag-of-attacks”. We then use multinomial regression to predict the player experience of a boss given the parameterized boss.
Experimental Study on Flaw Response in Inhomogeneous Media

The objective of this paper is to predict the flaw response in an inhomogeneous solid medium. Multi-Gaussian Beam (MGB) model is used to represent the incident ultrasonic beam. The effect of ultrasonic attenuation and phase velocity dispersion due to grain scattering is included in the predictions. The effect of variation of mean diameter of the grains on the received voltage for different domain of interest is studied through the experimental results.
Effects of rapid thermal annealing on InAsP/InP strained multiquantum well laser diodes grown by metal organic chemical vapour deposition

The authors report on the effect of rapid thermal annealing (RTA) on the performance of InAsP/InP strained multiquantum well (SMQW) laser diodes (LDs) grown by metal organic chemical vapour deposition. From the photoluminescence (PL) measurements, the optimal RTA temperature for the InAsP/InP strained single quantum well (SSQW) stack was found to be 700/spl deg/C. The 700/spl deg/C annealed SSQW stack was found to have a stronger PL peak intensity, no halfwidth broadening and small peak shift, indicating that the degree of interdiffusion of group-V elements can be much reduced. The threshold current and slope efficiency of the 700/spl deg/C RTA SMQW LDs can be reduced significantly as compared to those of as-grown LDs.
Free Vibration Analysis of Cracked Composite Beams Subjected to Coupled Bending-Torsion Loads Based on a First Order Beam Theory

In this paper free vibration analysis of cracked composite beams subjected to coupled bending-torsion loads are presented. The composite beam is assumed to have an open edge crack. A first order theory is applied to count for the effect of the shear deformations on natural frequencies as well as the effect of coupling in torsion and bending modes of vibration. Local flexibility matrix is used to obtain the additional boundary conditions of the beam in the crack area. After obtaining the governing equations and boundary conditions, GDQ method is applied to solve the obtained eigenvalue problem. Finally, some numerical results are given to show the efficacy of the method. In addition, to count for the effect of coupling on natural frequencies of the cracked beams, different fiber orientations are assumed and studied.
Step-frequency radar applied on bituminous concrete

In the road field, the need to get information on the thickness of very thin road layers is not solved by GPR. The reason is that the devices are not able to work over several gigahertz. That is why, a research has focused on the conception of a step frequency radar technique, enable to work with very high central frequency synthetic pulses. In collaboration with the LCPC (Central Laboratory of Bridges and Roads), an ultra wide band antenna has been developed at the LEAT (Electronic, Antennas and Telecommunication Laboratory). The ultra wide band antenna, developed for roads application, forms parts of the family of the Vivaldi antennas. It has been realized in stripline technology and one obtains a bandwidth greater than one decade. In a first step, this antenna has been tested on various bituminous concrete samples, with a network analyzer. Different parameters were studied like the bandwidth, the off-set between antennas, the height, and the shape of the pulse depending to the frequencies. A second step concerns GPR dynamic measurements. An homemade software enables to record data from the network analyzer. As LCPC has large testing facilities in the road field, such as a circular Pavement Fatigue Test Track, composed of different known structures, several radar profiles have been done. Results are compared with classical GPR profiles.
Quality management in the logistics function: an empirical study

The importance of the logistics function has increased dramatically at many firms as competitive priorities have shifted from cost and product quality to delivery and flexibility. At the same time, however, there have been few comprehensive studies of the implementation of TQM practices in logistics. This paper examines the application of quality management practices in the logistics function based on a field study of 165 Australian firms. Major findings include the practices implemented, the specific areas in which firms have implemented these practices, the obstacles faced in doing so and future plans for continued development.
The Impact of Corrosion on Oil and Gas Industry

The impact of corrosion on the oil industry has been viewed in terms of its effect on both capital and operational expenditures (CAPEX and OPEX) and health, safety, and the environment (HSE). To fight against the high cost and the impact of corrosion within the oil industry, an overview of topical research and engineering activities is presented. This covers corrosion and metallurgy issues related to drilling, production, transportation, and refinery activities.
A Study on Quantitative Methodology to Assess Cyber Security Risk of SCADA Systems

This paper aims to identify and clarify the cyber security risks and their interaction with the power system in Smart Grid. The SCADA system and other communication networks interact with the power system on a real time basis, so it is important to understand the interaction between two layers to protect the power system from potential cyber threats. In this study, the optimal power flow (OPF) and Power Flow Tracing are used to assess the interaction between the SCADA network and the power system. Through OPF and Power Flow Tracing based analysis, the physical and economic impacts from potential cyber threats are assessed, and thereby the quantitative risks are measured in a monetary unit.
Acousto-fluidic system assisting in-liquid self-assembly of microcomponents

In this paper, we present the theoretical background, design, fabrication and characterization of a micromachined chamber assisting the fluidic self-assembly of micro-electro-mechanical systems in a bulk liquid. Exploiting bubble-induced acoustic microstreaming, several structurally-robust driving modes are excited inside the chamber. The modes promote the controlled aggregation and disaggregation of microcomponents relying on strong and reproducible fluid mixing effects achieved even at low Reynolds numbers. The functionality of the microfluidic chamber is demonstrated through the fast and repeatable geometrical pairing and subsequent unpairing of polymeric microcylinders. Relying only on drag and radiation forces and on the natural hydrophobicity of SU-8 in aqueous solutions, assembly yields of approximately 50% are achieved in no longer than ten seconds of agitation. The system can stochastically control the assembly process and significantly reduce the time-to-assembly of building blocks.
Development of high-performance AlGaN/GaN high-electron mobility transistors for RF applications

GaN /AlGaN transistors are being developed for a variety of RF electronic and high temperature elctronics applications that will replace GaAs and Silicon devices and circuits for commercial and military applications. AlGaN/ GaN based HEMT device structure shows significant potential to meet these needs. In this paper, we present a GaN/AlGaN based HEMT design with modeling results, that includes AlN buffer layer followed by AlGaN layers on lattice matched semi-insulating SiC substrates. These devices were grown using RF Plasma Assisted MBE Technique. This approach has demonstrated very uniform epitaxial layers. Key to high quality HEMT structures is the ability to grow high quality AlN Buffer layers. Details of the electrical and optical characteristics of the HEMT layers and devices are presented and a short overview of semi-insulating SiC crystal growth is given.
Coal Transport Tape Control System Based on Machine Vision

Coal transport security is one of the important links of mining safety in production chain. Most of Mines use long distance wire rope core belt conveyor transporting coal. By the reason of the load increases, the belt surface scratches and aging etc when the transmission belt in the long run, will cause the wire rope core corrosion, fracture, joint elongation, wire rope core and transmission belt adhesion decreased and finally the joint tensile fault. Once a fault occurs, the transmission security not only endangers mine, even causes the entire production system halted, so the security warning mechanism of coal transport tape proposed must be enforced. Article using machine vision and online transmission detection combined. In the first field observation, using the high accuracy linear array CCD real-time transmission of high-speed operation with the image acquisition and image processing threshold; Though extraction algorithm, simulation experiment and field test; finally comprehensive analysis gives the early warning scheme. The project mainly studies the transmission belt blob spot detection and algorithm with wear, based on digital image, image coding and image enhancement, compared the collected image speckle with set threshold so as to determine which set of real-time image for pre-alarm wear spots, mark the spot coordinates, at the same time to upload data in order to complete the transmission belt warning. The project solves the influence of transmission tape failure of coal production effectively.
Multipulse controlled ac-dc converters for harmonic mitigation and reactive power management

Multipulse thyristor converters are being employed in industrial applications to control output current/voltage through adjustment of the thyristors' triggering angle. For reduced loading conditions, the triggering angle may be raised resulting in low power factor and a high total harmonic distortion (THD) in the source current. In addition, under light loads, overall system efficiency is reduced with rectifiers operated below capacity, and continuous operation of these rectifiers and switching devices reduces their life expectancy. An attractive alternative to meet reduced load conditions while maintaining improved power quality, system efficiency, reliability and device lifespan is proposed. The performance of multipulse thyristor converters is investigated with the proposed control scheme, which involves simultaneous and/or selective control of the thyristor triggering angle and converter pulse number. For pulse control, an appropriate rectifier or pair of rectifiers is disabled or enabled from the high current load depending on the current loading conditions. An 18-pulse parallel thyristor converter is selected to verify the proposed technique. The mathematical model of the 18-pulse thyristor converter is derived and the corresponding simulation model is developed to analyse the performance of the proposed control technique in terms of the above-mentioned criteria.
Rapid thermal modeling for smart-power and integrated multichip power circuit design

This paper recalls how the two-port network theory can be introduced to solve the 3D heat flow equation in a multilayered plane structure. In this paper we present two pieces of software based on the application of this theory, which are used to analyze the thermal behavior of SmartMos circuits with a fairly good accuracy and short computational times. Finally, an illustration is given and some comparisons are made with experiments and an FE code.
Asymmetric Coupled-Transmission-Line Magic-T

A Magic-T was designed using a 3-db asymmetric coupled-transmission-line directional coupler and a schiffman phase shift network. Expressions for the coupling and phase difference of the outputs of the basic coupler were obtained. Two phase shift networks for compensating the phase variation in the coupled outputs were investigated. The Schiffman phase shift network was shown to provide the best compensation over a given bandwidth. One unit designed in strip transmission line to operate from 2 to 4 Gc showed good agreement with the theory. The maximum difference in output power was 0.4 db, and the phase deviation was less than 4/spl deg/. The isolation between the input ports was greater than 25 db, while the isolation between output ports was greater than 21db throughout the entire band. Levy's design equations for a two-section asymmetric coupler with optimum coupling distribution are given for completeness.
Performance evaluation of micromachined mirror arrays for adaptive optics

The performance of different MEMS mirrors from Boston University, MEMS Optical LLC, University of Colorado and OKO Technologies was studied in respect to an application in a model-free adaptive optics system. The frequency response characteristic was determined in a simple laser beam focusing set-up. Closed-loop adaptation experiments were performed using a VLSI controller system implementing a stochastic parallel gradient descent optimization algorithm. The system behavior using different MEMS mirror types, esp. adaptation speed, was compared.
Multiband bandpass filters with suppressed harmonics using a novel defected ground structure

A novel defected ground structure, with a predominantly magnetic coupling, is designed, fabricated, and used to suppress the out‐of‐band harmonics of a class of multiband filter, characterized by very abrupt spurious response. A one‐pole lowpass filter is realized solely by making slots on the ground plane and keeping the original filter structure unchanged. The proposed structure has very minor effect on the performance of the original multiband filter, for example, on fractional bandwidths or level of S11. Measurements show the achieved suppression level of the filter spurious response to vary from 13 to 37 dB over a frequency range of about 1.5 GHz. Excellent agreements are observed between measurements and simulations within the filter bands. The filter size is maintained compact as the original. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:2726–2731, 2014
A power line conditioner using cascade multilevel inverters for distribution systems

A power line conditioner (PLC) using a cascade multilevel inverter is presented for voltage regulation, reactive power (VAr) compensation and harmonic filtering in this paper. The cascade M-level inverter consists of (M-1)/2 H-bridges in which each bridge has its own separate DC source. This new inverter: (1) can generate almost an sinusoidal waveform voltage with only one time switching per line cycle; (2) can eliminate transformers of multipulse inverters used in the conventional static VAr compensators; and (3) makes possible direct connection to the 13.8 kV power distribution system in parallel and series without any transformer. In other words, the power line conditioner is much more efficient and more suitable to VAr compensation and harmonic filtering of distribution systems than traditional multipulse and pulse width modulation (PWM) inverters. It has been shown that the new inverter is specially suited for VAr compensation. This paper focuses on feasibility and control schemes of the cascade inverter for voltage regulation and harmonic filtering in distribution systems. Analytical, simulated and experimental results show the superiority of the new power line conditioner.
Current-feedback source-degenerated CMOS transconductor with very high linearity

A highly linear current-feedback (CF) transconductor with resistive source-degeneration is developed in CMOS technology. It consists of a differential source follower cascaded with a classical source-degenerated transconductor with its drain current fed back to modulate the bias of the source follower for nonlinearity cancellation, yielding an overall linear transfer function in the circuit. Designed using a 0.35 µm CMOS process for a continuous-time delta-sigma application, the CF transconductor achieves the total harmonic distortion better than −80 dB up to 1 MHz for a 0.8 V input differential voltage while the supply voltage is 2.5 V and the power consumption is 3.4 mW.
Analysis of Site Amplification Phenomena: An Application in Ripabottoni for the 2002 Molise, Italy, Earthquake

The geophysical working group of the University of Genoa conducted a field experiment to analyze site amplification effects in Ripabottoni, a village in the Molise region of Italy. We used both noise and earthquake recordings, combined with detailed geologic and geotechnical surveys, to define site amplification phenomena. The site effects determination was obtained using the Nakamura technique and the H/V spectral analysis applied to earthquake recordings. The results were validated by applying a one-dimensional simulation code. The computed spectral ratios point out three different typologies of site effects: the southern sector of Ripabottoni is characterized by an absence of local amplification phenomena; the central sector of the village shows a local amplification phenomena with a fundamental frequency of 4–6 Hz; and the northeastern side of the village shows a site response at a fundamental frequency between 2–3 Hz.
Evaluation of Embedded Discontinuity Method for Finite Element Analysis of Cracking of Hot-Mix Asphalt Concrete

Cracking is a major source of distress in hot-mix asphalt (HMA) pavements. Various approaches have been proposed to describe crack initiation and propagation in HMA. This paper evaluates a finite element analysis technique that uses the embedded discontinuity method (EDM) for model cracking. The purpose of this study is to identify the strengths and potential weaknesses of the approach and investigate its applicability in general crack simulation for HMA pavements. An alternative formulation of EDM is adopted to make the approach easier to understand. The cohesive-crack model is used to describe development of HMA cracking. Numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the ability of EDM to simulate uniaxial-tension, three-point bending, and semicircular beam bending tests. It is shown that EDM is a promising finite element analysis technique, but additional research is needed to make it more robust.
Bending Force Preset Model Based on Optimal Algorithm

The reasonable bending force preset has a deep impact on strip flatness and yield. In this article, the optimal objective function bending force is established. The impact of roll thermal expansion and roll wear on roll gap crown is analyzed. The optimal bending force model is established. Rosenbrock algorithm is adopted by the model to solve the optimal bending force . The strip flatness control deviation is effectively decreased by the calculated bending force. The yield is increased markedly. The model has been applied into a 1450mm five-stand cold rolling process control system successfully and a good effect is achieved.