Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Head to Head: The Economic Battle Among Japan, Europe, and America

With the dismantling of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the implosion of the USSR in 1991, the Cold War era has ended. Immediately, a new economic struggle begins. Three economic superpowers emerge, each playing the game of capitalism in a strikingly different manner. And, for the first time, the United States is the second largest economy in the world. As the domestic economy stagnates and the deficit financing of the federal government escalates, many Americans see themselves at a turning point. And well they might. In "Head to Head", Lester Thurow provides an assessment of the emerging economic landscape, the rules of this new three-way competition; the strengths and weaknesses of the players; and the information needed to win. "Head to Head" contains several surprises; one attribute of the new competition is that radical new skills and radical new ways of thinking are vital to success. For example: competition and cooperation - in the 1990s, there will be no clear winners, but losers might be destroyed, the ability to co-operate effectively with one's direct adversary will be a requisite for survival; resources - those who want to thrive in this new environment must overhaul their whole notion of essential resources before the year 2000; key industries - there are seven key industries vital to the maintenance of a high standard of living, how can the competitiveness of those industries be maintained over the coming decade and beyond? ; education - education is the most potent weapon of the new warfare, how can the education gap be closed? ; and teams - how can we learn to become players in new and unfamiliar ways?
Conversion of sorghum stover into animal feed with white-rot fungi : Pleurotus ostreatus and Pleurotus

Treatment of crop residues with some species of white-rot fungi can enhance the nutritive value. After the fungal treatment of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) stover with two white-rot fungi in a solid state fermentation, the chemical composition and in vitro digestibility of the resultant substrate was determined. The results show a significant (p < 0.05) increase in crude protein contents from 2.54% for the control to 4.51% for Pleurotus ostreatus (POS) and 4.59% for Pleurotus sajor pulmonarius (PPT). The nitrogen free extract (NFE) content also increased significantly (p < 0.05). The crude fibre decreased significantly from 31.65% for the control to 27.49% for POS and 23.54% for PPS. There were also consistent significant decreases (p < 0.05) in the values obtained for NDF, ADF ADL. Significant differences were also observed in the hemicellulose and cellulose contents. Fermentation of the insoluble fraction (b) was enhanced by the fungal treatment. Wide variations were also observed in the mineral contents of the different substrates The estimated organic matter digestibility (OMD) ranged from 42.99 to 57.75%, short chain fatty acid ranged from 0.56 to 0.94 μM and metabolisable energy (ME) ranged from 5.97 to 8.21 MJ/Kg DM. This result suggests that fungal treatment of sorghum stover resulted in improved CP and digestibility, hence its potential in ruminant nutrition.
End year project report Vertical Mixing and Simulation of the Central America Seaway Opening on a Double-Drake Configuration

My final year project was divided into two parts. The first explored the use of numerical tracer dispersion in ocean models that mimics in-situ experiments done in the field by James Ledwell and collaborators. This allows one to infer vertical mixing rates in an ocean model by monitoring the vertical spreading of a tracer over time. Both ’z-coordinate’ and isopycnal (’σ-coordinate’) models were contrasted. Two advection schemes were explored: a second order centered scheme and the quadratic upstream Prather scheme. Coarse grid and eddy-resolving versions of the z-coordinate MITgcm were used as well as HYCOM, an isopycnal model. The use of the Prather scheme endows the z-coordinate model with many of the properties of isopycnal models offering a promising development avenue for ’z-coordinate’ models that would target improving the tracer advection schemes. The second study investigated the role of the opening of the Central America Seaway on deep convection and Meridional Overturning Circulation (MOC) of the Atlantic Ocean. An idealized ’Double Drake’ coupled model of an aquaplanet was used. Two experiments were performed, one with a deep passage and one with a shallow one. Contrary to much previous work, we find that the MOC does not collapse from the Atlantic-like basin. This may be due to the use a dynamical atmospheric model in our study which resolves synoptic eddies and has a realistic hydrological cycle. Most investigators use Energy Balanced Models and thus employ only a very crude representation of atmospheric heat and moisture transport. It appears that the atmosphere response can counter-balance the effect of the ocean circulation.
Estimation of Car-Following Model Parameters Distribution Using Bootstrap Method

Acknowledging driver’ s car-following behavior heterogeneity is crucial to the understanding of drivers’ car-following behavior. In naturalistic driving, driver behavior also shows randomness. Empirical studies have been carried out to calibrate car-following behavior parameters in order to extract information about driver behavior characteristics. However, no explicit paradigm is available for quantitative assessment of driver behavior heterogeneity. Based on the assumption that driver's car-following behavior is stochastic, an approach utilizing the bootstrap resampling technique was proposed to investigate how drivers’car-following model parameters are distributed. Instead of calibrating parameters for a few long trajectories, trajectories were cut into shorter segmented trajectories as calibration source, and then bootstrap was performed to estimate the sampling distribution of the calibrated driver’ s car-following model parameters. A case study was presented to illustrate the process. 26 drivers were recruited in an active mode car-following experiment, and trajectory data collected in the experiment were used as data source to calibrate the intelligent driver model and to estimate the parameter distributions using the proposed approach. The method was able to find differences of parameters’mean statistic between two driver groups. Finally, the stability of estimation was discussed regarding the trajectory length used in the calibration. The proposed method turned out to be relatively reliable and would aid the study of driver behavior heterogeneity.
Augmented Generator Sub-transient Model Using Dynamic Phasor Measurements

In this article, we present a new model for a synchronous generator based on phasor measurement units (PMUs) data. The proposed sub-transient model allows to estimate the dynamic state variables as well as to calibrate model parameters. The motivation for this new model is to use more efficiently the PMU measurements which are becoming widely available in power grids. The concept of phasor derivative is applied, which not only includes the signal phase derivative but also its amplitude derivative. Applying known non-linear estimation techniques, we study the merits of this new model. In particular, we test robustness by considering a generator with different mechanical power controls.
An experimental study on the effect of V-ring position and die chamfer shape on the die roll height in fine blanking tool

It is very important to minimize the die roll height of gear, in order to maximize the shear cutting surface(tooth surface) of fine blanking. In this paper, the fine blanking tool sets were manufactured in order to study the die roll height according to V-ring position and die chamfer shape. They were constituted of the various die inserts and guide plate inserts with different die chamfer shape and different V-ring distance. The fine blanking experiment was conducted with the fine blanking tool sets and the die roll height of the gear samples was measured. It should be noted that die roll height on the fine blanked gear increased with increasing the V-ring distance and die chamfer angle.
Methods for Estimation of Subsample Time Delays of Digitized Echo Signals

Time delay estimation (TDE) is commonly performed in practice by crosscorrelation of digitized echo signals. Since time delays are generally not integral multiples of the sampling period, the location of the largest sample of the crosscorrelation function (ccf) is an inexact estimator of the location of the peak. Therefore, one must interpolate between the samples of the ccf to improve the estimation precision. Using theory and simulations, we review and compare the performance of several methods for interpolation of the ccf. The maximum likelihood approach to interpolation is the application of a reconstruction filter to the discrete ccf. However, this method can only be approximated in practice and can be computationally intensive. For these reasons, a simple method is widely used that involves fitting a parabola (or other curve) to samples of the ccf in the neighborhood of its peak. We describe and compare two curve-fitting methods: parabolic and cosine interpolation. Curve-fitting interpolation can yield biased time-delay estimates, which may preclude the use of these methods in some applications. The artifactual effect of these bias errors on elasticity imaging by elastography is discussed. We demonstrate that reconstructive interpolation is unbiased. An iterative implementation of the reconstruction procedure is proposed that can reduce the Computation time significantly.
Diabetic Mellitus Type 2 in Wajo South Sulawesi, Indonesia

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is increasing in all populations worldwide. The research aimed to analyze the relationship risk of the Type 2 DM. This study was a cross sectional study. Samples in the research were 300 samples from eligible population. Data collection was carried out through interviews, antropometry measurement and uptake of blood sugar. The data were analyzed by using a Chi square test and multivariate analysis with the logistic regression test with Alfa 5%. The result showed that central obesity (p=0,000), vegetable and fruit consumption (p=0, 000), physical activities (p=0, 033), smoking (p=0, 000) and stress (p=0, 021) have the relationship with the occurrence of Type 2 DM. Logistic regression showed that the consumption of vegetable and fruit is the most influential factors on the occurrence of Type 2 DM (p=0, 000). Recommendation study expected that policy makers develop diabetes control programs, especially in high- risk populations. Its need to manage of weight and improving of vegetables and fruit consumption. And for communities to control blood glucose regularly.
High Performance Power Delivery for Nanoscale Integrated Circuits

A critical challenge in high performance nanoscale integrated circuits is high quality power delivery. The efficient generation and distribution of multiple on-chip power supply voltages require fundamental changes to the power delivery process to provide increased current in next generation nanoscale integrated circuits. Four primary components are required to realize an efficient power delivery system: (a) ultra-small voltage converters to generate power close to the load, (b) accurate models to characterize the individual power components, (c) efficient algorithms to analyze the quality of the power delivered to the load circuits, and (d) a co-design methodology to simultaneously determine the optimal location of the on-chip power supplies and decoupling capacitors. In this dissertation, a hybrid combination of a switching and low-dropout (LDO) regulator as a point-of-load power supply for next generation heterogeneous systems is proposed. The area of this circuit is significantly smaller than the area of conventional voltage regulators, while maintaining high current efficiency. The proposed circuit
The influence of phoneme inventory on elicited speech errors in Arabic speakers of English

Previous studies have shown that nonnative phonemic contrasts pose perceptual difficulties for L2 learners, but less is known about how these contrasts affect speech production in L2 learners. In the present study, we elicited speech errors in a tongue twister task investigating L1 Arabic speakers producing L2 English words. Two sets of word productions were contrasted: words with phonemic contrasts existing in both L1 Arabic and L2 English (e.g. tip vs dip, sing vs zing) or words with phonemic contrasts existing in English alone (pit vs bit, fat vs vat). Results showed that phonemic contrasts that do not exist in Arabic induced significantly more speech errors in L2 Arabic speakers of English compared to native English speakers than did phonemic contrasts found in both languages. Implications of these findings for representations in L2 learners are discussed.
Energy-aware grid resource scheduling: model and algorithm

Energy efficiency for high-performance computing and communication systems has recently become an important concern, but most current grid environments do not implement energy-aware resource management. This paper proposes an energy-aware grid resource scheduling scheme. Energy-aware grid resource scheduling optimisation is formulated as utility optimisation. The goal of the paper is not only to reduce energy consumption, but also to improve the system utility in the grid environment, ensuring the battery lifetime and the deadlines of the grid applications. To reduce the computational complexity, we decompose the energy-aware grid resource scheduling optimisation problem into two sub-problems; the interaction between the two sub-problems is controlled through the use of the pricing variable. The paper proposes an energy-aware grid resource scheduling optimisation algorithm. The performance evaluation of the algorithm is conducted by comparing with other related algorithms.
Determining indicators of deception in computer mediated communication using eye tracking

This work combines two studies, both identifying indicators of deception through the analysis of the visual attention of a veracity judge. using eye tracking. In the first study, we investigated the effect of the varying media modes on detection accuracy through the analysis of the visual behavior of veracity judges. We employed eye tracking technology to understand where the judges looked at and what impact their visual foci had on their detection performance. We found that the visual foci of the judges varied as a result of the message veracity and media modes. Judges fixated longer and more frequently on the mouth and the torso of the communicators in deceptive messages. In video-only modes, the judges fixated longer on the mouth of the sender. Fixation frequency on the eyes and the mouth of the sender worsened deception detection accuracy. In the second study, we investigated the reading behavior of veracity judges when presented with honest and deceptive statements produced in high-stake, real-life scenarios with potential negative consequences for the individuals who produced those statements. We found that the reading metrics of veracity judges varies across honest and dishonest statements and the linguistic cues that the judges focus on have an effect on deception detection performance.
Improving real-time MRI for the clinical assessment of velar closure and velopharyngeal motion during speech

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has been used to provide high-resolution tomographic information, valuable in the study of static vocal tract. However, speech does not present a static behaviour but relies on the continuous and dynamic interaction of the vocal tract articulators and neighbouring tissues. Thus, this could make real-time MRI (rt-MRI) an essential tool to assess speech, with numerous advantages over the current clinical techniques. However, using rt-MRI to image the upper vocal tract remains challenging; the motion of the articulators, including the velum is fast while MRI data acquisition is slow thus inherently limiting temporal resolution. Additionally, an intrinsic loss in SNR, spatial resolution and/or visual image quality is present. The main focus of this thesis is to increase clinical reliability of rt-MRI in speech by investigating novel methodologies for the imaging of velopharyngeal motion. Firstly, commercial rt-MRI protocols at 1.5 T and 3 T were compared, regarding image quality and temporal resolution compromise. Optimal imaging protocols were suggested for both field strengths. This provided a starting point for future clinical translation and the use of commercial and currently available protocols to image velopharyngeal motion. Furthermore, imaging of velopharyngeal motion was further improved with non-standard acquisition methods, such as non-Cartesian sampling and more advanced reconstruction schemes. An improved imaging protocol for the assessment of velopharyngeal motion was suggested. This was based on a highly accelerated radial trajectory with a novel parallel imaging reconstruction method (radial tt-GRAPPA). The suggested protocol not only allowed for improved image quality and image sharpness,
Robust 2D human upper-body pose estimation with fully convolutional network

With the increasing demand for the development of human pose estimation, such as human-computer interaction and human activity recognition, there have been numerous approaches to detect the 2D poses of people in images more efficiently. Despite many years of human pose estimation research, the estimation of human poses with images remains difficult to produce satisfactory results. In this study, we propose a robust 2D human body pose estimation method using an RGB camera sensor. Our pose estimation method is efficient and cost-effective since the use of RGB camera sensor is economically beneficial compared to more commonly used high-priced sensors. For the estimation of upper-body joint positions, semantic segmentation with a fully convolutional network was exploited. From acquired RGB images, joint heatmaps accurately estimate the coordinates of the location of each joint. The network architecture was designed to learn and detect the locations of joints via the sequential prediction processing method. Our proposed method was tested and validated for efficient estimation of the human upper-body pose. The obtained results reveal the potential of a simple RGB camera sensor for human pose estimation applications.
Variable Neighborhoods Search for Multi-Site Production Planning

In the home textile industry, production planning needs to be done so that the production costs incurred by the company can be well controlled. Production planning is a problem that cannot be solved in a short time. Problems are more complex if the company has several production branches in other cities, with rules and standards that are certainly very different from one city to another. Based on this background, an algorithm is needed that can solve production planning problems for companies with many production branches in order to obtain optimal solutions. VNS is applied by the author and produces an optimal and efficient solution because the time needed is relatively short compared to the planning carried out previously by the company.
Reliability and validity of free software for the analysis of locomotor activity in mice

Background Kinovea software that tracking semi-automatically the motion in video screen has been used to study motion-related tasks in several studies. However, the validation of this software in open field test to assess locomotor activity have not been studied yet. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the reliability and validity of this software in analyzing locomotor activities. Methods Thirty male Institute Cancer Research mice were subjected in this study. The results examined by this software and the classical method were compared. Test-retest reliability and inter-rater reliability were analyzed with Pearson's correlation coefficient and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The validity of this software was analyzed with Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results This software showed good test-retest reliability (ICC=0.997, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.975-0.994, p<0.001). This software also showed good inter-rater reliability (ICC=0.987, 95% CI=0.973-0.994, p<0.001). Furthermore, in three analyses for the validity of this software, there were significant correlations between two methods (Pearson's correlation coefficient=0.928-0.972, p<0.001). In addition, this software showed good reliability and validity in the analysis locomotor activity according to time interval. Conclusion This study showed that this software in analyzing drug-induced locomotor activity has good reliability and validity. This software can be effectively used in animal study using the analysis of locomotor activity.
Secure multi-antenna transmission with finite-alphabet signaling

SECURE MULTI-ANTENNA TRANSMISSION WITH FINITE-ALPHABET SIGNALING Sina Rezaei Aghdam Ph.D. in Electrical and Electronics Engineering Advisor: Tolga Mete Duman December 2017 With the ever-growing demand for services that rely on transmission over wireless networks, a challenging issue is the security of the transmitted information. Due to its open nature, wireless communications is prone to eavesdropping attacks. Typically, secrecy of the transmitted information is ensured with the aid of cryptographic techniques, which are deployed on upper layers of the network protocol stack. However, due to the need for key distribution and management, cryptographic solutions are difficult to implement in decentralized networks. Moreover, the security provided by key based solutions is not provable from a mathematical point of view. Physical layer security is an alternative or complement to the cryptographic techniques, which can resolve the complexities associated with key distribution and management. The basic principle of physical layer security is to exploit the randomness of the communication channels to allow a transmitter deliver its message to an intended receiver reliably while guaranteeing that a third party cannot infer any information about it. Much of the existing research in physical layer security focuses on investigating the information theoretic limits of secure communications. Among different techniques proposed, multiple-antenna based solutions have been shown to exhibit a high potential for enhancing security. Furthermore, Gaussian inputs are proved to be the optimal input distributions in a variety of scenarios. However, due to the high detection complexity, Gaussian signaling is not used in practice, and the transmission is carried out with the aid of symbols drawn from standard signal constellations. In this thesis, we develop several secure multi-antenna transmission techniques under the practical finite-alphabet input assumption. We first consider multipleinput multiple-output (MIMO) wiretap channels under finite-alphabet input constraints. We assume that the statistical channel state information (CSI) of the eavesdropper is available at the transmitter, and study two different scenarios regarding the transmitter’s knowledge on the main channel CSI (MCSI) including iii