Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Frequency-fixed beam-scanning microstrip leaky-wave antenna with multi-terminals

New frequency-fixed beam-scanning microstrip leaky-wave antennas are reported. The beam-scanning ability at a fixed frequency of the antenna can be achieved with novel feeding configurations. Simulation and measurement results show the new feeding structure can make the main lobe gradually scan from 50 to 80° in H-plane when the frequency fixes at 1.12 GHz.
Wise Expansion Strategy of Urban Fringe Area in Chengdu

In the high-speed urbanization of China, urban fringe is at the forward position of urban expansion whose ecological security pattern, special form, land uses, industrial structure and traffic model would determine the future of the city. Based on PLUREL program, this article analyzed the negative and positive influences of urban fringe to urban expansion, pondered the reasons behind those negative influences and put forward advice to Wise Urban Expansion in Chengdu such as crack-shape land layout, mixed land use, tie-in implementation for ecological Greenland, conversion from traditional agriculture to ecological agriculture and so on.
Improved lead-acid battery management techniques

The consumer and industrial markets are experiencing unprecedented demand for battery management technology. Consumer appetite for the convenience of battery-powered portable equipment such as cellular phones and small form-factor computers is continuing to expand. The industrial market is being besieged by governmental regulations and consumer concerns on environmental pollution. This has increased development emphasis on electric motor-driven tools and vehicles. The secondary-battery industry is under competitive pressure to produce a cell that weighs almost nothing, takes up little space, and has ideal charge/discharge performance. Secondary battery technologies including lead-acid are being challenged to meet the lighter weight, smaller size, and higher performance requirements of these emerging market opportunities. Specifically, lead-acid battery technology is being improved by several innovative techniques that are well published. The battery charging and battery management techniques must keep pace with these improvements and meet or exceed consumer expectations. This paper describes some techniques that enhance the charging and battery management methods available for lead acid batteries. These include voltage rate termination, battery conditioning, and auto-cycle charge algorithms.
Dampace: Design of an Exoskeleton for Force-Coordination Training in Upper-Extremity Rehabilitation

The Dampace exoskeleton combines functional exercises resembling activities of daily living with impairment-targeted force-coordination training. The goal of this paper is to evaluate the performance of the Dampace. In the design, the joint rotations are decoupled from the joint translations; the robot axes align themselves to the anatomical axes, overcoming some of the traditional difficulties of exoskeletons. Setup times are reduced to mere minutes and static reaction forces are kept to a minimum. The Dampace uses hydraulic disk brakes, which can resist rotations with up to 50 N m and have a torque bandwidth of 10 Hz for multisine torques of 20 N m. The brakes provide passive control over the movement; the patients' movements can be selectively resisted, but active movement assistance is impossible and virtual environments are restricted. However, passive actuators are inherently safe and force active patient participation. In conclusion, the Dampace is well suited to offer force-coordination training with functional exercises.
A Rapid Prototyping Scenario for Power Factor Control in Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor Drives: Control Solutions for Interleaved Boost Converters

Abstract Rapid prototyping of control is one of the most important technologies for designers and researchers to shorten design and testing of control algorithms. This article presents power electronics opportunities provided by PSIM software and a high performance digital signal processing. The field of application examined is motor control and switching mode power supplies. In particular, more emphasis to the theoretical treatment of linear and non-linear power factor controllers has been given, and the performances of examined algorithms in both the simulated and real world have been verified. Finally, good matching between the results of these two configurations has been documented.
Spatio-Temporal Spread Pattern of COVID-19 in Italy

This paper investigates the spatio-temporal spread pattern of COVID-19 in Italy, during the first wave of infections, from February to October 2020. Disease mappings of the virus infections by using the Besag–York–Mollié model and some spatio-temporal extensions are provided. This modeling framework, which includes a temporal component, allows the studying of the time evolution of the spread pattern among the 107 Italian provinces. The focus is on the effect of citizens’ mobility patterns, represented here by the three distinct phases of the Italian virus first wave, identified by the Italian government, also characterized by the lockdown period. Results show the effectiveness of the lockdown action and an inhomogeneous spatial trend that characterizes the virus spread during the first wave. Furthermore, the results suggest that the temporal evolution of each province’s cases is independent of the temporal evolution of the other ones, meaning that the contagions and temporal trend may be caused by some province-specific aspects rather than by the subjects’ spatial movements.
An evolutionary time-frequency approach to multi-carrier wireless communications

This paper provides a time-frequency approach to modeling and estimating the communication channel, and to symbol transmission in multi-carrier wireless systems. The method is based on the evolutionary spectral theory of signals and systems. Multi-carrier systems, such as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFMD) and multi-carrier spread spectrum (MCSS), are very efficient in fast fading channels. However, the basic pulse used in the modulation causes dispersion in time-frequency, complicating inter-symbol and inter-channel interferences. Our time-frequency approach deals separately with the channel modeling and estimation, and with the symbol transmission. Using the properties of the response of the channel to a linear chirp signal it is shown that the typical linear time-variant channel model, needed to characterize multi-path and Doppler, is simplified into a linear time-invariant model of minimal order. Time and Doppler shifts are represented by equivalent time-shifts, and are estimated in a blind fashion from the evolutionary kernel of the received signal. Thus, the linear chirp signal is used as a pilot sequence to characterize the channel. A coherent receiver uses such information to detect the sent symbols. A multi-user OFDM system is obtained using a linear chirp as the modulating signal for basic pulses shifted in time, and by choosing the instantaneous frequency of the linear chirp to be of unity slope for an optimal time-frequency lattice. This optimal lattice increases the transmission rate, diminishes the inter-symbol and inter-channel interference, and provides a new way of looking at OFDM. This approach is extended to MCSS. To illustrate the concepts, simulations, with different signal to noise ratios, are performed. The results are encouraging and worth of further investigation.
The application of virtual prototyping in the development of complex aerospace products

Highlights that the application of virtual prototyping to the development of complex aerospace products has brought about a revolution in the way that such products are introduced into production. Deals with implications of the introduction of virtual prototyping to a highly competitive high‐technology global industry. Points out that the benefits of this engineering innovation are not limited to the aerospace sector, however, and the lessons learned can be equally applied in other design and manufacturing activities. Describes the development and application of a comprehensive virtual prototyping initiative applied to the mechanical design and manufacture domain at British Aerospace Defence Dynamics, and the extent to which it has affected working practice. Introduces aspects of the existing research collaboration programme, and identifies potential areas for future research.
In Search of Effective Methodology for Organizational Learning: A Japanese Experience

The author’s personal journey regarding simulation and gaming started about 25 years ago when he happened to realize how powerful computerized simulation could be for organizational change. The metaphors created by computerized simulation enabled him to transform a stagnant university into a high-performance organization. Through extensive surveys, the author found that gaming/simulation could be most effective for organizational learning. In 1997, Professor Duke gave him a rare opportunity to acquire the tacit knowledge about developing policy exercises. The author started to create policy exercises for Japanese companies, a national agency, and local authorities. On the basis of his gaming experience, he believes that the key success factors of effective policy exercises for organizational learning are confidence and trust that the exercise designer can win by addressing two key elements: participation and transparency.
Characterization of fully depleted SOI transistors after removal of the silicon substrate

FDSOI technology is compatible with the construction of three-dimensional integrated circuits. Removal of the silicon substrate, an essential step in the 3D assembly technology, will not cause an increase in off-state current provided the wafer bond technology is compatible with a 400/spl deg/C sinter. Substrate removal will also decrease the effect of ionizing radiation on transistor properties.
Evaluation of the ICT Test Bed project: final report, June 2007

The report describes three strands of evaluation used in the review of the 2006 outcomes from ICT Test Bed and the findings from each strand. a) Quantitative data: Benchmarking of changes in performance on national tests against matched comparator schools and national averages; b) Qualitative data: Site visits including classroom observations, interviews with local authority managers, head teachers, teachers, administrative staff, technicians and students; and c) Document analysis.
Orthosis for Surgery Procedures

Prolonged standing at work has been linked to health problems including foot, leg and back pain, varicose veins, circulatory problems, including a possible increased stroke risk. [1]. There are many other potentially very serious health concerns. Worsening of existing coronary heart disease as well as varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency has been associated with prolonged standing. Pain in the lower limbs and feet are also associated. [2] Studies suggest back pain associated with long surgery is about twice as common in those who stand compared to those medical staff who usually work sitting, even after controlling for age and lifting weights. The main reason is the back position must to be inclinate in the most part of the surgery. The design of orthesis for the lower extremity with chest support represents an alternative to medical staff health problems who standing for long periods on surgical procedure. The surgical orthesis system proposal in this research is positioned on middle side of the leg and is designed such that support the body weight during the surgical procedure. The system can be used for release pressure on ankle, knee and hip joints.
Saccharomyces cerevisiae from Baker’s Yeast for Lower Oil Viscosity and Beneficial Metabolite to Improve Oil Recovery: An Overview

This article is an overview of microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR) and the potential of Saccharomyces Cerevisiae to be applied in MEOR. MEOR may have same mechanisms with commercial enhanced oil recovery (EOR) but it used biological approach in improving oil recovery. Saccharomyces Cerevisiae produced carbon dioxide and ethanol under anaerobic condition. The carbon dioxide and ethanol that produced by this microbe are two from the six main MEOR agents in improving oil recovery. This articles also discussed on previous MEOR pilot projects that were conducted in Argentina, China and Malaysia.
Verification of a tree canopy model and an example of its application in wind environment optimization

Abstract. In this paper, the method of introducing additional source/sink terms in the turbulence andmomentum transport equations was applied to appropriately model the effect of the tree canopy. At first,the new additional source term for the turbulence frequency ω equation in the SST k-ω model wasproposed through theoretical analogy. Then the new source/sink term model for the SST k-ω model wasnumerically verified. At last, the proposed source term model was adopted in the wind environmentoptimal design of the twin high-rise buildings of CABR (China Academy of Building Research). Basedon the numerical simulations, the technical measure to ameliorate the wind environment was proposed.Using the new inflow boundary conditions developed in the previous studies, it was concluded that thetheoretically reasonable source term model of the SST k-ω model was applicable for modeling the treecanopy flow and accurate numerical results are obtained.Keywords: wind environment; high-rise building; numerical simulation; SST k-
Breast cancer cell invasiveness is stimulated by loss of membrane interaction of actinbinding protein profilin1 via altered phosphoinositide metabolism

Profilin1 (Pfn1) belongs to a class of actin‐binding protein cytoskeletal function of which is negatively regulated by its interaction with membrane phosphoinositides (PPI). In stark contrast to most physiological scenarios where loss of Pfn1 significantly impairs normal cell migration and invasion through inhibition of actin polymerization, breast cancer cells exhibit hyper‐migratory phenotype in vitro and enhanced hematogenous dissemination from primary tumor in vivo upon depletion of Pfn1, the underlying mechanism of which is not easily explained by Pfn1's cytoskeletal function. Through knockdown and overexpression studies in multiple cell lines, we show that Pfn1 plays a key role in determining the cellular profile of various PPIs including PI(4,5)P2, PIP3 and PI(3,4)P2 Specifically, Pfn1 promotes PI(4,5)P2 and inhibits membrane accumulation of PI3K‐generated PPIs including PIP3 and PI(3,4)P2, a feature related to Pfn1's PPI interaction. Kinetics of PI3K signaling output suggest that loss of Pfn1 enhances sustenance of PI3K signaling by inhibiting an antagonistic pathway, a finding that correlates to Pfn1‐dependent regulation of PTEN. We establish Pfn1‐dependent alteration of multiple pro‐metastatic cytokines and membrane recruitment of selective PI(3,4)P2‐dependent pro‐migratory protein complexes, the latter in particular linking to hyper‐migratory and hyper‐invasive phenotypes of Pfn1‐deficient breast cancer cells. In summary, these findings establish novel regulation of cell migration by lipid signaling via membrane interaction of actin‐binding protein.
Design of an advanced helmet mounted display (AHMD)

High fidelity visual display capability has long been a critical element in successfully training war-fighters. This paper presents the results of a project to develop an affordable, ergonomically designed, augmented reality, Advanced Helmet Mounted Display (AHMD) system. AHMD blends computer-generated data (symbology, synthetic imagery, enhanced imagery) with the actual and simulated visible environment. Critical requirements included ability to be used on the user’s own unmodified helmet, rapid self fitting and alignment, with a wide (100° x 50°) field of view (FOV), low mass and balanced center of mass (CM), maximized see-through (>60%) with image quality (>0.5 cy/mr resolution and >30:1 ANSI contrast ratio) that supports training. This paper will outline the design, incorporating a number of innovative concepts, manufacture and performance of the resulting AHMD. This innovation in visual display technology can be used to support deployable reconfigurable training solutions, traditional simulation requirements, UAV augmented reality, air traffic control and Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) applications.
A novel hybrid planar SIW magic tee and monopulse antenna

In this article, a novel planar substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) magic Tee is proposed, and the magic Tee is implemented in a monopulse antenna design. Although the E arm is lain down, the magic Tee is of good performance. The magic Tee is used in a monopulse SIW slot array, and the beam pattern is measured. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52: 686–689, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.24990
Stock Market Forecasting from Multi-Source Data using Tolerance Based Multi-Agent Deep Reinforcement Learning

Analyzing and forecasting the future trends in stock market is challenging due to the ever increasing size of stock data. Modern techniques extract the stock indicators from the web data to forecast the stock movements. However, most previous studies were based on single source of data for extracting these indicators. This might not be effective in obtaining all the possible diverse factors that influence the market movements. Multi-source data has been rarely applied for stock prediction and even those techniques have limitations in handling larger data. In an attempt to utilize multi-source data more effectively for extracting stock indicators and improve the forecasting accuracy of stock movements, this paper developed a stock market forecasting model using Tolerance based Multi-Agent Deep Reinforcement Learning (TMA-DRL) model. The TMA-DRL model effectively combines the quantitative stock data with the indicators i.e. the events extracted from news data and sentiments extracted from tweets. This forecasting model utilizes Random forests to extract the twitter opinions and Restricted Boltzmann Machine (RBM) for event extraction from news data. Combining these indicators, the TMA-DRL model leads to improved data learning and provides highly accurate prediction of future stock trends. Datasets for evaluation were collected from three sources namely Twitter, Market News and Stock exchange, for 12 months period. Evaluation results illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed TMA-DRL stock market forecasting model which makes predictions with high accuracy and less time complexity.
Why is (Teaching) Project Management Hard in Academia?

This paper discusses issues resulting from the author's experience in teaching human factors and ergonomics design project courses, including a recent project examining features of project management software applied to academic environments. The experiences of the design project team, as well as other issues in managing the author's research lab, indicate significant issues associated with attempting to apply industry-based project management tools, processes, and expectations to a university-based teaching and learning environment. Rather than demonstrate an empirical solution to the title question, this paper presents a series of queries to examine in the context of limits and opportunities in higher education to enhance students' preparation for entering a information economy workforce.
Fast oscillations in cortical circuits

I recently heard it stalwartly defended that analytical neurophysiology has reached its apogee in the understanding of the detailed electro-chemical properties of single cells. For instance, powerful genetic, molecular, pharmacological and biophysical techniques have been developed to tease out the channel composition and channel characteristics of identified cells, and there is even a role for modelling in putting together these various pieces to assess their overall interactions. The implicit flipside to these successes is the sparsity of our equivalently detailed understanding of the rich behaviours of these neural elements when combined in circuits, excepting, of course, important examples from various invertebrate systems. It is in this area that this important and cautionary book contributes.
Channel behavior for very-large MIMO systems - initial characterization

Wireless communication using very-large multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antennas is a new research field, where base stations are equipped with a very large number of antennas as compared to previously considered systems. Unlike the conventional small and compact antenna arrays, the very-large arrays may span many wavelengths in space, thus they can experience large-scale fading over the array. This power variation over the antenna array may be critical to algorithm design and performance evaluations for very-large MIMO systems, and it is thus important that it is included in channel models. Based on channel measurements using a 128-antenna linear array in a semi-urban area, we characterize and model the large-scale fading properties. We focus on cluster-based modeling which can be seen as an extension of the current COST 2100 channel model. In the paper, we report our latest channel behavior modeling progress for very-large MIMO systems.
Session hijacking attacks in wireless local area networks

Abstract : Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) technologies are becoming widely used since they provide more flexibility and availability, Unfortunately, it is possible for WLANs to be implemented with security flaws which are not addressed in the original 802.11 specification, IEEE formed a working group (TGi) to provide a complete solution (code named 802.11i standard) to all the security problems of the WLANs, The group proposed using 802.1X as an interim solution to the deficiencies in WLAN authentication and key management, The full 802. 11i standard is expected to be finalized by the end of 2004, Although 802.1X provides a better authentication scheme than the original 802.11 security solution, it is still vulnerable to denial-of-service, session hijacking, and man-in- the-middle attacks, Using an open-source 802.lx test-bed, this thesis evaluates various session hijacking mechanisms through experimentation, The main conclusion is that the risk of session hijacking attack is significantly reduced with the new security standard (802.11i); however, the new standard will not resolve all of the problems, An attempt to launch a session hijacking attack against the new security standard will not succeed, although it will result in a denial-of-service attack against the user,
New design of an RSFQ parallel multiply–accumulate unit

The multiply–accumulate unit (MAC) is a central component of a successive interference canceller, an advanced receiver for W-CDMA base stations. A 4 × 4 two’s complement fixed point RSFQ MAC with rounding to 5 bits has been simulated using VHDL, and maximum performance is equal to 24 GMACS (giga-multiply–accumulates per second). The clock distribution network has been re-designed from a linear ripple to a binary tree network in order to eliminate the data dependence of the clock propagation speed and reduce the number of Josephson junctions in clock lines. The 4 × 4 bit MAC has been designed for the HYPRES 4.5 kA cm−2 process and its components have been experimentally tested at low frequency: the 5-bit combiner, using an exhaustive test pattern, had margins on DC bias voltage of ± 18%, and the 4 × 4 parallel multiplier had margins equal to ± 2%.