Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optimisation de la couche PHY des systèmes de communication sur le réseau d'énergie en présence de bruit impulsif

Les travaux de cette these concernent l'etude et la proposition de nouvelles solutions d'adaptation d'un systeme de transmission CPL haut debit aux caracteristiques du canal ligne electrique en accordant un interet particulier au bruit impulsif qui represente une contrainte severe encore difficile a surmonter. Le premier objectif concerne la conduite d'une analyse statistique des mesures du bruit impulsif puis l'etude et la definition d'un modele a la fois simple et fidele qui servira a dimensionner et evaluer par simulation les techniques a proposer. Les campagnes de mesure realisees dans les milieux indoor et automobile ont permis de degager les caracteristiques du bruit dans les deux environnements et de les comparer pour deduire l'agressivite du bruit indoor et la difficulte de sa compensation. Dans la phase de modelisation du bruit, trois modeles ont d'abord ete presentes et etudies: la classe A du modele de Middleton, l'approche basee sur les chaines de Markov et l'approche stochastique. Ensuite, une approche hybride, permettant a la fois une simplicite et une efficacite a reproduire les caracteristiques temporelles, a ete proposee. La comparaison des mesures aux differents modeles etudies ainsi qu'a celui propose a montre l'efficacite de l'approche hybride qui sera adoptee dans la suite de ce travail. Le deuxieme objectif concerne la proposition d'une nouvelle methode de compensation de l'effet du bruit impulsif qui soit a la fois performante mais a faible complexite d'implantation materielle. D'abord, la solution d'ajout de modules d'annulation de bruit au niveau du recepteur a ete etudiee en proposant des techniques d'annulation de bruit basees sur l'estimation de sa puissance, ensuite differentes structures de codage canal ont ete developpes, et leurs performances ont ete verifiees et comparees en presence de plusieurs types de scenarios de bruit impulsif.
Location identification for crime & disaster events by geoparsing Twitter

Geoparsing means automatically identifying locations in text. The location mentions in messages during crime and disaster events are very crucial, as they can help emergency response teams to quickly identify the place to send rescue teams to the location. Use of social media during such crisis events has been rapidly increasing all over the world, as well as in India. We consider here the source of messages as Twitter because it is realtime, robust and can handle large amounts of data. We collect tweets at real time and then parse those tweets for crisis situation and location information. Extracting the location information to the level of streets & buildings will help to detect the exact location of the event; this is done with the help of NLP methods. We use classifiers to classify tweets to obtain the event occurred.
Rab12 Localizes to Shiga Toxin‐Induced Plasma Membrane Invaginations and Controls Toxin Transport

Several exogenous and endogenous cargo proteins are internalized independently of clathrin, including the bacterial Shiga toxin. The mechanisms underlying early steps of clathrin‐independent uptake remain largely unknown. In this study, we have designed a protocol to obtain gradient fractions containing Shiga toxin internalization intermediates. Using stable isotope labeling with amino acids in cell culture (SILAC) and quantitative mass spectrometry, Rab12 was found in association with these very early uptake carriers. The localization of the GTPase on Shiga toxin‐induced plasma membrane invaginations was shown by fluorescence microscopy in cells transfected with GFP‐Rab12. Furthermore, using a quantitative biochemical assay, it was found that the amount of receptor‐binding B‐subunit of Shiga toxin reaching the trans‐Golgi/TGN membranes was decreased in Rab12‐depleted cells, and that cells were partially protected against intoxication by Shiga‐like toxin 1 under these conditions. These findings demonstrate the functional importance of Rab12 for retrograde toxin trafficking. Among several other intracellular transport pathways, only the steady‐state localizations of TGN46 and cation‐independent mannose‐6‐phosphate receptor were affected. These data thus strongly suggest that Rab12 functions in the retrograde transport route.
Parametric design in Reverse Engineering based on CT data

The paper will present a concept showing the use of CT data for creating a CAD model without having been previously transferred. It also introduces a prototype-like application demonstrating the methods practicability, as well as outlines the advantages in comparison with the state of the art techniques. Furthermore, predictions are also given regarding ongoing complements supporting the work of the designing engineer when using this technology.
Automotive Safety Case A Qualitative Case Study of Drivers, Usages, and Issues

The automotive industry is using software and electronics to an increasing degree to realize new functionality that can be considered to be safety related. This qualitative study, with rigorous data analysis, takes the perspective of automotive vehicle manufacturers and explores the drivers, usages and potential issues in relation to a possible introduction of the safety case concept in the automotive industry. The study involves three automotive OEMs contributing access to potential stakeholders of a safety case. The study identifies 18 motivating factors for the introduction of safety cases, e.g. need of engineer design support and a definition of acceptable risk. Further, 21 possible usages of a safety case are identified and classified into five subcategories, e.g. communication and system development. To conclude, the study identifies several drivers for introducing safety cases as well as a wide application area, but also raises questions about their design, required competence, and increased workload.
Increasing target behavior of children with developmental disorders by designing innovative multistage tablet games

Individuals diagnosed with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) often exhibit multiple challenging behaviors such as stereotyping, non-compliance, self-injuries, and aggression. The lack of a target behavior across schools, homes, and clinical settings not only impedes an individual learning on academic and self-help skills, but also disrupts their integration into school and society. To maintain the target behavior, the study successfully evaluated various reinforcement strategies. On the basis of a preliminary study conducted with a small group of children diagnosed with developmental disorders at an Autism intervention clinic in India concluded that video games can be used to strongly reinforce the expected behavior and reduce problematic behavior, successfully. Consequently, a survey carried out with various experts within India and abroad confirm that videogames designed on a tablet format are successfully used as strong reinforces during behavioral interventions. In view of these aspects, the present study proposes a multi-stage videogame design that is built with a user interface and smart algorithm allowing access and progression in the game based on a childs behavior data. The design establishes a contingency between reinforcer (videogame) and childs behavior thereby improving the acceptable target behavior.
Extension of Discrete LQR-Problem to Symplectic Systems ∗

In this paper we consider a discrete linear-quadratic regulator problem in the setting of discrete symplectic systems (S). We derive minimal conditions which guarantee the solvability of this problem. The matrices appearing in these conditions have close connection to the focal point definition of conjoined bases of (S). We show that the optimal solution of this problem has a feedback form and that it is constructed from a generalized discrete Riccati equation. Several examples are provided illustrating this theory. The results of this paper extend the results obtained earlier by the authors for the special case of discrete linear Hamiltonian systems.
The analysis of population growth when the birth and death rates depend upon several factors.

SUMMARY In this paper we present methods for analyzing the growth of a population of individuals (females and males) in which the birth and death rates for the individuals depend upon several factors, e.g., their sex, age, parity, etc. We provide formulae for calculating (1) the intrinsic growth-rate when the several factors are taken into account, (2) the eventual joint distribution of the population with respect to these factors, (3) the expected reproductive values associated with the individuals in the population classified with respect to these factors, and (4) other quantities of interest in the analysis of population growth. We illustrate the application of these formulae using data on the fertility and mortality conditions for the U.S.A. in 1965.
The effects of fixed versus escalating reinforcement schedules on smoking abstinence.

Studies indicate that when abstinence is initiated, escalating reinforcement schedules maintain continuous abstinence longer than fixed reinforcement schedules. However, these studies were conducted for shorter durations than most clinical trials and also resulted in larger reinforcer value for escalating participants during the 1st week of the experiment. We tested whether escalating reinforcement schedules maintained abstinence longer than fixed reinforcement schedules in a 12-week clinical trial. Smokers (146) were randomized to an escalating reinforcement schedule, a fixed reinforcement schedule, or a control condition. Escalating reinforcement participants received $5.00 for their first breath carbon monoxide (CO) sample <3 ppm, with a $0.50 increase for each consecutive sample. Fixed reinforcement participants received $19.75 for each breath CO sample <3 ppm. Control participants received payments only for delivering a breath CO sample. Similar proportions of escalating and fixed reinforcement participants met the breath CO criterion at least once. Escalating reinforcement participants maintained criterion breath CO levels longer than fixed reinforcement and control participants. Similar to previous short-term studies, escalating reinforcement schedules maintained longer durations of abstinence than fixed reinforcement schedules during a clinical trial.
Acoustic group feature selection using wrapper method for automatic eating condition recognition

In this paper, we present a wrapper-based acoustic group feature selection system for the INTERSPEECH 2015 Computational Paralinguistics Challenge (ComParE) 2015, Eating Condition (EC) Sub-challenge. The wrapper-based method has two components: the feature subset evaluation and the feature space search. The feature subset evaluation is performed using Support Vector Machine (SVM) classiﬁers. The wrapper method combined with complex algorithms such as SVM is computationally intensive. To address this, the feature space search uses Best Incremental Ranked Subset (BIRS), a fast and efﬁ-cient algorithm. Moreover, we investigate considering the feature space in meaningful groups rather than individually. The acoustic feature space is partitioned into groups with each group representing a Low Level Descriptor (LLD). This partitioning reduces the time complexity of the search algorithm and makes the problem more tractable while attempting to gain insight into the relevant acoustic feature groups. Our wrapper-based system achieves improvement over the challenge baseline on the EC Sub-challenge test set using a variant of BIRS algorithm and LLD groups.
Differential SART for sub-Nyquist tomographic reconstruction in presence of misalignments

In this paper we study tomographic reconstruction methods in the case that prior knowledge about the object is available. In particular, we consider the case that a reference object that is similar in shape and orientation is available, which is very common in non-destructive testing applications. We demonstrate that a differential version of existing reconstruction methods can easily be derived which reconstructs only the deviation between test and reference object. Since this difference volume is significantly more sparse, the differential reconstruction can be implemented very efficiently. We also discuss the case where knowledge about the misalignment between test and reference object is available, in which case the efficiency of the differential reconstruction can be improved even further. The resulting algorithm is faster, more accurate, and less sensitive to the choice of the step size parameters and regularization than state of the art reconstruction methods.
Human Performance on an Analogue of an Interval Bisection Task

Two experiments used normal adult human subjects in an analogue of a time interval bisection task frequently used with animals. All presented durations were defined by the time between two very brief clicks, and all durations were less than 1 sec, to avoid complications arising from chronometric counting. In Experiment 1 different groups of subjects received standard durations of either 0.2 and 0.8 or 0.1 and 0.9 sec and then classified a range of durations including these values in terms of their similarity to the standard short (0.2- or 0.1-sec) and long (0.8- or 0.9-sec) durations. The bisection point (defined as the duration classified as “long” on 50% of trials) was located at 0.43 sec in the 0.2- 0.8 group, and at 0.46 sec in the 0.1–0.9 group. Experiment 2 replicated Experiment 1 using a within-subject procedure. The bisection point of both 0.2-and 0.8-sec and 0.1- and 0.9-sec durations was found to be 0.44 sec. Both experiments thus found the bisection point to be located at a duration just lower than the arithmetic mean of the standard short and long durations, rather than at the geometric mean, as in animal experiments. Some other performance measures, such as difference limen, and Weber ratio, were, however, of similar values to those found in bisection tasks with animals. A theoretical model assuming that humans bisect by taking the difference between a presented duration and the short and long standards, as well as having a bias to respond “long”, fitted the data well. The model incorporated scalar representations of standard durations and thus illustrated a way in which the obtained results, although different from those found with animal subjects, could be reconciled with scalar timing theory.
In vivo selectivity of a selective cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitor in the oral surgery model

Prostanoids formed by cyclooxygenase play an important role in pain and the induction of inflammation. It is generally believed that COX‐1 is constitutively expressed, whereas COX‐2 is primarily inducible during inflammation. This study examined the in vivo selectivity of celecoxib, a COX‐2 inhibitor, and evaluated whether estimates of selectivity that are based on in vitro and ex vivo analyses are reliable indicators ofin vivo selectivity.
A method for creating interactive, user-resembling avatars

Virtual reality (VR) applications have disseminated throughout several fields, with a special quest for immersion. The avatar is one of the key constituents of immersive applications, and avatar resemblance can provoke diverse emotional responses from the user. Yet, a lot a virtual reality systems struggle to implement real life-like avatars. In this work, we propose a novel method for creating interactive, user-resembling avatars using available commercial hardware and software. Avatar visualization is possible with a point-cloud or a contiguous polygon surface, and avatar interactions with the virtual scenario happens through a body joint-approximation for contact. In addition, the implementation could be easily extended to other systems and its modular architecture admits improvement both on visualization and physical interactions. The code is under Apache License 2.0 and is freely available as supplemental material. ABSTRACT 6 Virtual reality (VR) applications have disseminated throughout several ﬁelds, with a special quest for immersion. The avatar is one of the key constituents of immersive applications, and avatar resemblance can provoke diverse emotional responses from the user. Yet, a lot a virtual reality systems struggle to implement real life-like avatars. In this work, we propose a novel method for creating interactive, user-resembling avatars using available commercial hardware and software. Avatar visualization is possible with a point-cloud or a contiguous polygon surface, and avatar interactions with the virtual scenario happens through a body joint-approximation for contact. In addition, the implementation could be easily extended to other systems and its modular architecture admits improvement both on visualization and physical interactions. The code is under Apache License 2.0 and is freely available as supplemental material.
A novel multichannel multiple access protocol for vehicular ad hoc networks

A novel multichannel multiple access (MMA) protocol is proposed for vehicular ad hoc networks in this paper. For increasing channel efficiency, two control channels are utilized in MMA to finish request-to-send/clear-to-send (RTS/CTS) interactions and acknowledgments (ACKs) separately. When a collision happens in the control channel, the waiting period before the next re-transmission is adjusted by a relative mobility based back-off scheme. Benefiting from the fully distributed channel selection scheme, which is also included in MMA, the data transmissions carried in the chosen service channels can be successfully accomplished without collision, and the influence of exposed terminals can also be effectively alleviated. Simulation results show that MMA outperforms the classic single channel and multichannel MAC protocols in average channel utilization, packet delay, and packet drop rate.
Conflict Between Professional Ethics and Practice Demands: Social Workers' Perceptions

This study examined the degree to which social workers perceived experiencing ethical conflicts in the contexts of their practice environments. A sample of 376 NASW members filled out questionnaires to report on a Likert scale the degree to which eight vignettes describing practice situations presented a value conflict, were frequent, and were inevitable. Findings indicated that respondents tended to view most situations as creating an ethical conflict and infrequent. Financially-related situations were seen as inevitable more often than others. Findings are discussed and implications for the profession are offered.
Low-cost coincidence-counting electronics for undergraduate quantum optics

Coincidence counting is a necessary ingredient for quantum optics experiments at the undergraduate level, but cost has created an entry barrier for many schools. We present a design of a coincidence-counting module that replaces the traditional method based on time-to-amplitude conversion and pulse-height analysis. Our module accepts inputs from up to four detectors, has a coincidence-time window of less than 10 ns, and has a throughput of more than triple that of the traditional method. The cost of our coincidence-counting module is less than 5% of the cost of the traditional method. © 2009 American Association of Physics Teachers.
Wearable passive UHF RFID tag based on a split ring antenna

We present the development and performance evaluation of a wearable passive UHF RFID tag based on a split ring antenna that is electromagnetically optimized for operation in the close proximity of the human body. The antenna is composed of a single conductor layer and created on a light-weight textile substrate. Our results show that the split ring antenna provides stable performance for the tag placed at different distances from the body, as well as in air. This is an advantageous feature for cloth-integrated tags with generally unspecified antenna-body separation.
How disability discrimination law can enable new assistive technologies

Disability Discrimination Law is a relatively recent innovation whose principles have now been accepted by the vast majority of the world's nations. Chief amongst these is the elastic yet mercurial concept of reasonable adjustments, which can have some surprising yet potent implications for this rights of people with disabilities. This article is an overview of my varied work aimed at exploring how disability discrimination law can enable new assistive technologies, including systems of general utility (e.g. Google Glass) which as a side effect, can also assist in helping ameliorate disability related disadvantages. At the same time, I also discuss some of the existing limitations with respect to disability discrimination law and its implementation.
Role of depth in eye distance measurements: Comparison of single and stereo‐photogrammetry

Photogrammetry has been used as an alternative to direct measurements to obtain facial distances for a variety of anthropometric applications. Taking measurements from photographs is less intrusive to subjects and reduces screening time, but measurements from single frontal photographs neglect depth information and may be inadequate for screening purposes. This study examined the role of depth in measurements of palpebral fissure length, interpupillary distance, inner canthal distance, and outer canthal distance using single‐ and stereo‐photogrammetry; an operator selected landmarks on single and stereo digital photographs displayed on a computer monitor. Depth was not found to make a significant contribution to eye distances in an idealized system where the real‐world coordinates of points on the eye were known from three‐dimensional calibration of stereo photographs. However, the differences found between measurements taken from single frontal photographs and those from stereo‐photogrammetry indicated that measurements from single photographs are prone to errors due to misalignment of the camera, the face, and the calibration instrument during image acquisition; if single photographs are to be used, the placement of these components should be carefully monitored. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 15:573–578, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Automated Antenna Design Using Normalized Steady State Genetic Algorithm

A group of NASA had designed an evolved X-band antenna for NASApsilas Space Technology 5 (ST5) spacecraft in 2003 which then became the first evolved hardware in space. However they didn't consider too much about the efficiency of algorithm. In this paper we focus more on the algorithm. Firstly we borrow the concept of dominance to handle constraints and balance different constraints and objectives via normalization. The ultimate comparison is based on the product of these normalized values. Then we test the algorithm carefully using the 24 constrained benchmark problems on CEC2006. The experimental results show it works better than or competitive to a known effective algorithm. Finally we take ST5 antenna design as a real world test problem to verify its ability of solving real world problem. The simulation results are quite promising. Our approach is simple and straightforward, yet effective. Moreover, it has the potential of reducing parameter numbers in objective functions which are quite time consuming to be tuned. In our future work we will apply the algorithm in real antenna design.
Preliminary study of pupil detection and tracking with low cost optical flow sensors

This work presents a preliminary study of pupil detection and tracking with low cost optical flow sensors. In this proposal, the low cost optical flow sensor designed originally for the optical computer mouse has been used in a pupil detection and tracking device. The application was based on the use of this sensor as an imaging combined with a microcontroller. In the future the tracking results will be compared with the automatic measurement performed by the sensor. First tracking results show promising performances and confirm the versatility of this kind of low cost optical flow sensors.