Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fast Human Detection with Cascaded Ensembles

Detecting people in images is a challenging task because of the variability in clothing and illumination conditions, and the wide range of poses that people can adopt. To discriminate the human shape clearly, Dalal and Triggs [1] proposed a gradient based, robust feature set that yielded excellent detection results. This method computes locally normalized gradient orientation histograms over blocks of size 16x16 pixels representing a detection window. The block histograms within the window are then concatenated. The resulting feature vector is powerful enough to detect people with 88% detection rate at 10 -4 false positives per window (FPPW) using a linear SVM. The detection window slides over the image in all possible image scales; hence this is computationally expensive, being able to run at 1 FPS for a 320x240 image on a typical CPU with a sparse scanning methodology. Due to its simplicity and high descriptive power, several authors worked on the Dalal-Triggs algorithm to make it feasible for real time detection. One such approach is to implement this method on a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), exploiting the parallelisms in the algorithm. Another way is to formulate the detector as an attentional cascade, so as to allow early rejections to decrease the detection time. Zhu et al. [2] demonstrated that it is possible to obtain a 30x speed up over the original algorithm with this methodology. In this thesis, we combine the two proposed methods and investigate the feasibility of a fast person localization framework that integrates the cascade-of-rejectors approach with the Histograms of Oriented Gradients (HoG) features on a data parallel architecture. The salient features of people are captured by HoG blocks of variable sizes and locations which are chosen by the AdaBoost algorithm from a large set of possible blocks. We use the integral image representation for histogram computation and a rejection cascade in a sliding-windows manner, both of which can be implemented in a data parallel fashion. Utilizing the NVIDIA CUDA framework to realize this method on a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), we report a speed up by a factor of 13 over our CPU implementation. For a 1280x960 image our parallel technique attains a processing speed of 2.5 to 8 frames per second depending on the image scanning density, with a detection quality comparable to the original HoG algorithm.
A new method for the transient simulation of causal linear systems described in the frequency domain

A convolution-based method is described for the transient analysis of causal linear systems. The main novelty lies in the method proposed for computing discrete impulse response samples, which possess excellent frequency interpolation properties to the system function, even though comparatively few samples are used. Convolution operations are accordingly highly efficient. Results are presented to validate the method in comparison to theoretical analysis, SPICE simulation, and experimental step-response results for a lossy microstrip filter. Extensions of the method to more general nonlinear transient simulation are conceptually straightforward. <<ETX>>
Multi-resolution decomposition applied to crackle detection

Crackles, heard over the lungs in a variety of diseases, are one of the most important physical signs in clinical medicine. They have an explosive pattern in the time domain, with a rapid onset and short duration. The timing, repeatability and shape of crackles are important parameters for diagnosis. Therefore, automatic detection of crackles and their classification as fine and coarse crackles have important clinical value. Since the multi-resolution decomposition technique can give high resolution in both time and frequency, it can be exploited to detect crackles and to classify them according to the information in each scale. In this paper, we present a new method for crackle detection based on the continuous wavelet transform. The theory, methods and experimental results are given in detail in this paper.
VLSI architectures for metric normalization in the Viterbi algorithm

In the realization of Viterbi decoders with finite precision arithmetic, the values of the survivor metrics computed by the add-compare-select (ACS) recursion must remain within a finite numerical range to avoid catastrophic overflow (or underflow) situations. The authors compare several metric normalization techniques which are suitable for VLSI implementations with fixed-point arithmetic. The modulo normalization technique is found to be the most local and uniform approach. An efficient VLSI design of ACS units based on this technique is discussed. The modified comparison rule is found to produce a more efficient ACS architecture than previous results based on subtraction. <<ETX>>
Ray traced gaming, are we there yet?

Advances in hardware acceleration has resulted in development of a variety of hardware accelerated ray tracing libraries. The purpose of this bachelor thesis is to investigate if a simple ray tracer, based on a hardware accelerated ray tracing library, can achieve acceptable frame rates in rendering simple 3D game-related environments. Games are often associated with fast rasterization-based rendering techniques, but rasterization is limited where instead ray tracing holds many advantages.Background research was done to gain knowledge about related work, state-of-the-art in ray tracing and available hardware accelerated libraries. By using a method similar to Kanban and Scrum [36], the implementation was split up into different tasks, prioritizing the tasks of implementing basic functionalities of a ray tracer. A simple ray tracer was implemented based on the chosen library Embree, a framework developed at Intel Corporation.Results show that the scenes rendered in lower resolutions (800 x 600) are good candidates for having a stable frame rate of 30 FPS, which is not enough in order to render a real game. The standard of games today require high resolution (full HD 1920 x 1080) and complex scenes. Earlier studies show that Embree has potential of higher performance and looking back the performance of real-time ray tracing has improved, but is still limited to low resolutions and simple lighting and shading models.
Quasi-continuous high-order sliding-mode controllers

A universal finite-time-convergent controller is developed capable to control the output /spl sigma/ of any uncertain SISO system of a known permanent relative degree r. The mode /spl sigma//spl equiv/0 (r-sliding mode) is established by means of a control dependent only on /spl sigma/, /spl sigma/, . , /spl sigma//sup (r-1)/ and continuous everywhere except the set /spl sigma/=/spl sigma/=. =/spl sigma//sup (r-1)/=0. An output-feedback controller version is also developed. With /spl sigma/ being the tracking deviation, the exact finite-time-convergent output tracking is provided in the absence of output noises, otherwise the tracking accuracy is proportional to the magnitude of the noise. In the latter case /spl sigma//spl equiv/0 is not attained producing an unswitched control continuous in time. The resulting performance is significantly improved compared with known r-sliding controllers.
Combination of forecasts using self-organizing algorithms

Based on the theories and methods of self-organizing data mining, a new forecasting method, called self-organizing combining forecasting method, is proposed. Compared with optimal linear combining forecasting methods and neural networks combining forecasting methods, the new method can improve the forecasting capability of the model. The superiority of the new method is justified and demonstrated by real applications. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of intertone and interblock interference in OFDM when the length of the cyclic prefix is shorter than the length of the impulse response of the channel

Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) is a modulation technique that resists the effects of a multipath channel when provided an ample cyclic prefix. No intersymbol interference is caused in channels whose impulse responses are shorter than the cyclic prefix length. However interference arises when this is not the case. This paper describes the degradation of the system under this scenario. In particular, simulations describing a suburban hilly environment are done for several cyclic prefix lengths.
Feature Axis Driven 2D Shape Interpolation

This paper presents a novel 2D shape interpolation approach for a pair of planar polygonal shapes. Observing the natural transition of local orientations of shape features is important for pleasing interpolation, a simple structure called the feature axis is introduced to represent such local orientations. In addition, the global positions and orientations and the local details of the shape features are extracted. During shape interpolation, the global positions and orientations and local orientations as well as the local details of the source and target shape features are interpolated using the rigidity-preserving approach, intrinsic approach, and linear method, respectively. The intermediate shapes are reconstructed from the interpolated results of the shape features. Experimental results show that the method can effectively avoid shape distortion and preserve local shape features, as well as generate smooth, natural and visually pleasing effects.
Playing in 7D: An Action-Oriented Framework for Video Games

This paper is summary of our Ph.D. thesis, a work that proposes an analysis on the player-game system relationship through the perspective of an action-oriented framework. This framework is centred on the existence of actors, which are the entities through which action is enacted in the game, and in which the player and the game system are a part of. The grounding principles of this framework are seeded on a transition of action into experience, based on communicational systems that structure the dynamic formation of networks of actors from which distinct behaviours emerge, which, in their turn, promote the enactment of diverse sequences of events establishing narrative, which is a source of experience of the player.
Evaluating String Comparator Performance for Record Linkage

We compare variations of string comparators based on the Jaro-Winkler comparator and edit distance comparator. We apply the comparators to Census data to see which are better classifiers for matches and nonmatches, first by comparing their classification abilities using a ROC curve based analysis, then by considering a direct comparison between two candidate comparators in record linkage results.
Wikis as a Student Collaborative Tool

Wikis are one of many Web 2.0 components that may be used to enhance the teaching and learning process. A wiki is a web communication and collaboration tool that can be used to engage students in learning with others within a collaborative environment. This paper expands on wiki usage, reviews current literature on wiki use in education. It presents the results of a pilot application of a wiki as a student collaborative tool in a required Business Communication class to determine if a wiki will improve student performance (grades).
Aerosol microphysics modules in the framework of the ECHAM5 climate model – intercomparison under stratospheric conditions

Abstract. In this manuscript, we present an intercomparison of three different aerosol microphysics modules that are implemented in the climate model ECHAM5. The comparison was done between the modal aerosol microphysics module M7, which is currently the default aerosol microphysical core in ECHAM5, and two sectional aerosol microphysics modules SALSA, and SAM2. The detailed aerosol microphysical model MAIA was used as a reference to evaluate the results of the aerosol microphysics modules with respect to sulphate aerosol. The ability of the modules to describe the development of the aerosol size distribution was tested in a zero dimensional framework. We evaluated the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches under different types of stratospheric conditions. Also, we present an improved method for the time integration in M7 and study how the setup of the modal aerosol modules affects the evolution of the aerosol size distribution. Intercomparison simulations were carried out with varying SO2 concentrations from background conditions to extreme values arising from stratospheric injections by large volcanic eruptions. Under background conditions, all microphysics modules were in good agreement describing the shape of the aerosol size distribution, but the scatter between the model results increased with increasing SO2 concentrations. In particular in the volcanic case the setups of the aerosol modules have to be adapted in order to dependably capture the evolution of the aerosol size distribution, and to perform in global model simulations. In summary, this intercomparison serves as a review of the different aerosol microphysics modules which are currently available for the climate model ECHAM5.
Hungarian vowel harmony in Optimality Theory

Vowel harmony systems have presented descriptive challenges for virtually every well-articulated theory within the framework of generative phonology. Significantly, no comprehensive and completely satisfactory account in a rule-based theory exists for one of the best studied of these systems, that of Hungarian. The novel approach of Optimality Theory (henceforth OT), as originally developed by Prince & Smolensky (1993) and McCarthy & Prince (1993a, b, 1995), has been shown to offer insightful solutions to vexing problems of prosodic phonology and morphology. This paper seeks to relate the insights of OT to the description of Hungarian vowel harmony: it provides a detailed description of the facts, offers solutions to heretofore unresolved problems, and draws conclusions for general theoretical issues within the OT model. In §2 we present the facts of backness harmony as the empirical backdrop to the ensuing discussions. In §3 we present an analysis of backness harmony in OT. The ‘spreading’ of the feature [±back] is accounted for by an alignment constraint which is formulated as a constraint prohibiting vowels from intervening between the right edge of a backness feature and the right edge of the word, following proposals of Ellison (1995), Kirchner (1993) and Zoll (1996). We analyse certain roots with floating features, adopting a proposal by Zoll (1996) which ensures that floating features are in fact realised in outputs (unless blocked by satisfaction of higher-ranked constraints). We also assume, following much recent work in OT (Beckman 1995, 1997, 1998, McCarthy & Prince 1995, Steriade 1995, Zoll 1996), that certain prominent positions (e.g. roots) may be subject to more stringent faithfulness constraints than are less prominent positions (e.g. affixes). We further demonstrate that inventory constraints interact with other constraints to determine optimal outputs. In §4 roundness harmony data are presented. We argue that while backness harmony involves alignment constraints, so-called ‘roundness harmony’ does not, and hence that it is a mistake to assume that all cases of vowel harmony involve alignment constraints.
Text analysis module of a System for Automatic eXtraction of lEarning object Features (SAXEF)

on-line courses are often created by using existing learning objects found on the net. However, those learning objects cannot easily be reused for the creation of a new didactic work because they are usually proposed without information on their aims and the typology of users which they are destined to. Moreover, the contents are not clearly synthesized so that the reading of the whole object is often necessary to understand its relevance to the new course. To facilitate this task, we have created a system called SAXEF (System for Automatic eXtraction of lEearning object Features) which allows to automatically extract the basic indicators of any learning object (a sort of DNA) found in Internet. It provides a valuable help to a teacher who is in the process of creating a new on-line course because he/she can easily choose the most appropriate learning objects from the net just by looking at their basic indicators. SAXEF presents a modular structure and we have already developed some modules and are in the process of implementing the rest of the system. This paper presents the main architecture of SAXEF and the details of the text analysis module for extracting main and secondary topics of a learning object.
Numerical Solutions of the Multispecies Predator-Prey Model by Variational Iteration Method

The main objective of the current work was to solve the multispecies predator-prey model. The techniques used here were called the variational iteration method (VIM) and the Adomian decomposition method (ADM). The advantage of this work is twofold. Firstly, the VIM reduces the computational work. Secondly, in comparison with existing techniques, the VIM is an improvement with regard to its accuracy and rapid convergence. The VIM has the advantage of being more concise for analytical and numerical purposes. Comparisons with the exact solution and the fourth-order Runge-Kutta method (RK4) show that the VIM is a powerful method for the solution of nonlinear equations.
Effects of Multiple Auditory Alerts for in-Vehicle Information Systems on Driver Attitudes and Performance

In-vehicle information systems might introduce a variety of sounds to alert drivers to situations ranging from imminent collisions to the arrival of email. This study examined the effects of auditory alerts on driver performance and attitudes. Sixteen participants drove eight driving scenarios over a period of two days in which they were exposed to email alerts and collision avoidance warnings. In each scenario, four email alert tones sounded, one occurring 300 ms before a collision avoidance tone. Two collision avoidance tones sounded in each scenario, one associated with a braking lead vehicle and the other a false alarm. The results show that annoyance is an important sound characteristic that can affect workload. The results also indicate that urgency is a sound characteristic that affects driving performance. In addition, the strong effect of sound parameters on annoyance suggest that Edworthy's urgency mapping principle should be complemented by an annoyance tradeoff principle.
An empirical study of the complexity of data flow testing

An empirical study to determine the cost of using a family of test data adequacy criteria based on data-flow information is described. Evidence shows that even as the program size increases, the amount of testing, expressed in terms of the number of test cases sufficient to satisfy a given criterion, remains modest. A method of predicting the number of test cases that will be needed to satisfy a given criterion for a given program is explored. <<ETX>>
Neural network design for short-term load forecasting

This paper addresses an issue of the optimal design of a neural-network based short-term load forecaster. It describes the process of developing a multilayer, feedforward neural network for load forecasting, and then presents algorithms for performing two important steps of this process, i.e., input variable selection and network structure design. Input variable selection is carried out by forming a set of variables significantly correlated with the forecasted load and then by removing redundant, mutually correlated variables using singular value decomposition techniques. Selection of the optimal number of hidden neurons is based on the observation that oversized networks display near collinearity in the outputs of their hidden neurons. Hence, the presence of redundant hidden neurons can be detected by examining column dependency in the matrix of the hidden neuron outputs computed from the training data. The methodology presented in this paper can be used in the automatic design of an optimal forecaster based on historical data.
Robot vision system capable of recognizing machine parts using multistage neural networks

A visual sense system for robots which can measure and recognize 3-D objects is proposed. This robot vision system is capable of recognizing machine parts moving on a line so that an automated transferring and assembly system with high flexibility and no dependence on external peripheral equipment can be realized. This system possesses two remarkable features. One is the measuring technique, which can effectively remove the false 3-D information due to mirror reflection using laser slit beams from two directions. The other is the technique of carrying out the recognition of polygonal surfaces by p-type Fourier descriptor, area and perimeter, and, further, the recognition of objects based on aspect graphs, using multistage neural networks. As compared with the conventional recognition method, the speed and accuracy of recognition rose a step. <<ETX>>
Dealing with the complexity of business systems architecting

Engineers are trained to design systems such as bridges, computers, and aircraft in a well‐structured manner. However, the design of business processes has not yet matured to this level. We argue that the complexity of business processes is the major cause. In this paper, we investigate the causes of this complexity, and provide heuristics to master this complexity. Business process “architecting,” the high‐level, functional design of business processes, is more an art than a science. Consequently, experience is very important. The heuristics we provide are based on an analysis of the reasons why business process architecting is so complex as well as our experience resulting from the Testbed project, a cooperative project of industry and research organizations. We conclude by discussing some basic requirements for modeling concepts and methods. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Syst Eng 4: 118–133, 2001
GPS IIF-the next generation

This paper provides an overview of the next generation of the Global-Positioning System (GPS) space and ground segments as embodied in the GPS Block II follow-on (GPS IIF) program. The GPS IIF program includes the procurement of 33 satellites and the operation and support of the new GPS operational control segment. The program is using the principles of acquisition reform to develop and field a new generation of satellites, support equipment, and software. Performance improvements in GPS signal power, accuracy, and service to civilian users are described. These improvements provide a foundation and, combined with the flexibility of the GPS IIF system, they allow for upgrading the system to even greater capability. The elements of the GPS IIF system are described in significant detail.