Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Decision analysis for earthquake prediction methodologies: fuzzy inference algorithm for trust validation

To identify a set of earthquake precursors for predicting earthquakes in different tectonic environments, a series of geo-scientific tools and methodologies based on rigorous assessment of multi-parameters have been developed by different researchers without complete success in earthquake prediction. The aim of earthquake forecasting involve multicomponents analysis in implementing probabilistic forecasts that resolves decision-making in a low-probability environment. The proposed work analytically examined some of the modern seismological earthquake algorithms used for analyzing seismo-electro-telluric-geodetic data used across the globe. The present study develops a fuzzy inference model by correlating evaluatory parameters by surveying analytical work of the data sets used,numerical experimentation done in analysis and the global application and success rate of 18 of the most viable earthquake prediction algorithms developed by mutually comparing different models in earthquake predictability experiments. Using qualitative analysis in probabilistic information, an efficient trust model has been implemented through fuzzy inferencing rules. Trust validity through information is an aggregation of consensus in earthquake occurrence given a set of past success rate and the methodologies involved in prediction.
An Improved Digital Signature Algorithm and Authentication Protocols in Cloud Platform

Due to the widespread use of cloud platforms the issues of safety and security have become a focus of attention within academia and industry. This article describes an elliptic curve cryptography digital signature system based on the proposed model described. The greatly improved algorithm presents a modular inversion digital signature method achieves greater efficiency, but more importantly, ensures data transmission security through prevention of signature forgery. These digital signature authentication protocols and algorithms ensure increased security of data on cloud platforms, while also improving the practicality of use.
A 38-Gb/s 2-tap transversal equalizer in 0.13-μm CMOS using a microstrip delay element

This paper describes a single-ended integrated transversal 2-tap feed-forward equalizer implemented using a commercial 0.13-mum CMOS process. Equalization of a 38-Gb/s data stream over SMA cables with 14.3 dB of channel loss is demonstrated on-wafer. The equalizer features a microstrip transmission line as the delay element and ldquoline inductorsrdquo for improved impedance matching. The IC measures 1.5 mm times 0.26 mm, and consumes 30 mW of power from a 1.2 V supply.
Exploiting precedence relations in the schedulability analysis of distributed real-time systems

In this paper we present improved techniques for the schedulability analysis of tasks with precedence relations in multiprocessor and distributed systems scheduled under a pre-emptive fixed priority scheduler. Recently developed techniques, based on the analysis of tasks with dynamic offsets, take into account the precedence relations between tasks only indirectly, through terms iteratively estimated from the response times of the tasks. With the techniques presented in this paper, we exploit the precedence relations in a more accurate way, and we also take advantage of the priority structure of the different tasks. These considerations permit a significant improvement of the results of the analysis applied to distributed and multiprocessor systems.
First year Bachelor of Education students' mental models of themselves as learners

There is political and academic concern about the high retention rate occurring among first year education students in universities worldwide. It is believed that students’ knowledge and thinking skills may prevent them from completing their teacher education program. Mental models are seen as a crucial factor since research shows that they can profoundly influence students’ knowledge, critical thinking skills, and problem solving in learning environments. Accessing students’ mental models will provide information about their conceptual scaffolds. By exploring students’ mental models, lecturers may be able to identify students’ difficulties and develop better instructional designs. This paper presents findings from a research project that examined First year Bachelor of Education students’ mental models while undertaking a pre-service teaching subject in Information and Communication Technologies and Education. The quantitative method study is used to capture the breadth, depth, and correlation factors of students’ mental models. Analysis was carried using exploratory factor analysis. Results suggest that there are four factor presenting mental models of the students: Academic Engagement with Effective Learning Strategy Mental Model, Disengagement Mental Model, Collaboration Mental Model, and Ineffective Learning Strategy Mental Model.
Deep Sequencing of the Oral Microbiome Reveals Signatures of Periodontal Disease

The oral microbiome, the complex ecosystem of microbes inhabiting the human mouth, harbors several thousands of bacterial types. The proliferation of pathogenic bacteria within the mouth gives rise to periodontitis, an inflammatory disease known to also constitute a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. While much is known about individual species associated with pathogenesis, the system-level mechanisms underlying the transition from health to disease are still poorly understood. Through the sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene and of whole community DNA we provide a glimpse at the global genetic, metabolic, and ecological changes associated with periodontitis in 15 subgingival plaque samples, four from each of two periodontitis patients, and the remaining samples from three healthy individuals. We also demonstrate the power of whole-metagenome sequencing approaches in characterizing the genomes of key players in the oral microbiome, including an unculturable TM7 organism. We reveal the disease microbiome to be enriched in virulence factors, and adapted to a parasitic lifestyle that takes advantage of the disrupted host homeostasis. Furthermore, diseased samples share a common structure that was not found in completely healthy samples, suggesting that the disease state may occupy a narrow region within the space of possible configurations of the oral microbiome. Our pilot study demonstrates the power of high-throughput sequencing as a tool for understanding the role of the oral microbiome in periodontal disease. Despite a modest level of sequencing (∼2 lanes Illumina 76 bp PE) and high human DNA contamination (up to ∼90%) we were able to partially reconstruct several oral microbes and to preliminarily characterize some systems-level differences between the healthy and diseased oral microbiomes.
Full-3D Real-Space Simulation of Surface-Roughness Effects in Double-Gate MOSFETs

We present numerical simulations of double-gate (DG)-MOSFETs based on a full-3D self-consistent Poisson-Schrodinger algorithm within the real-space non equilibrium Green's function (NEGF) approach. We include a geometrical description of surface roughness (SR) via an exponential auto-correlation law. In order to simulate rough planar structures we adopt periodic boundary conditions along one of the transverse directions. Transfer characteristics are computed for different realistic values of the root mean square (RMS) of spatial fluctuations whereas SR-limited mobility, which is extracted from effective mobility after subtraction of the ballistic component, presents a non monotonic dependence on the inversion charge density.
CHAPTER 2 Action Phases and MindSets

The focus of this chapter is on the course of action, which is understood to be a temporal, horizontal path starting with a person's desires and ending with the evaluation of the achieved action outcome. The phenomena of choosing an action goal, initiating the appropriate actions, and executing these actions are assumed to be situated in between. This comprehensive perspective conceives of the course of action as a number of consecutive, distinct segments or phases. It raises questions concerning how people choose action goals, plan and enact their execution, and eaaluate thek efforts. The concept of "mind-set" is employed to find answers to these questions in terms of the cognitive processes or orientations that allow for easy completion of the different action phases.
Adaptive principal components and image denoising

This paper presents a novel approach to image denoising using adaptive principal components. Our assumptions are that the image is corrupted by additive white Gaussian noise. The new denoising technique performs well in terms of image visual fidelity, and in terms of PSNR values, the new technique compares very well against some of the most recently published denoising algorithms.
Simple Analytical Expressions for the Force and Torque of Axial Magnetic Couplings

In this paper, a theoretical analysis of an axial magnetic coupling is presented, leading to new closed-form expressions for the magnetic axial force and torque. These expressions are obtained by using a 2-D approximation of the magnetic coupling geometry (mean radius model). The analytical method is based on the solution of Laplace's and Poisson's equations by the separation of variables method. The influence of geometrical parameters such as number of pole pairs and air-gap length is studied. Magnetic field distribution, axial force, and torque computed with the proposed 2-D analytical model are compared with those obtained from 3-D finite elements simulations and experimental results.
Through wall imaging based on MIMO UWB radar with a fast image reconstruction method

In this paper, we present a real-time through wall imaging (TWI) system based on ultra wideband (UWB) multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radar. Our goal is to find the positions of moving objects behind a wall or any other non-conducting obstacle. The system consists of data acquisition, signal processing, image reconstruction and image processing blocks. For image reconstruction, we propose a simple method which is significantly faster when compared to classical time-domain back projection (TDBP). As a result of the tests conducted in a real environment it was shown that moving objects behind a wall can be successfully detected and tracked in real-time.
THE CITATION OF WIKIPEDIA IN JUDICIAL OPINIONS

Wikipedia has been cited in over four hundred American judicial opinions. Courts have taken judicial notice of Wikipedia content, based their reasoning on Wikipedia entries, and decided dispositive motions on the basis of Wikipedia content. The impermanent nature of Wikipedia entries and their questionable quality raises a number of unique concerns. To date, no law review article has comprehensively examined the citation of Wikipedia in judicial opinions or considered its long-range implications for American law.This article reports the results of an exhaustive study examining every American judicial opinion that cites a Wikipedia entry. The article begins with a discussion of cases that cite Wikipedia for a significant aspect of the case before the court. The impact of these citations on litigants’ constitutional and procedural rights, the law of evidence, judicial ethics, and the judicial role in the common law adversarial system are explored. Part II discusses collateral references to Wikipedia entries. Part III proposes a set of best practices for when and how Wikipedia should be cited. Detailed statistics on the quality of Wikipedia entries cited in judicial opinions and the completeness and accuracy of citations to Wikipedia entries are provided. The article concludes with a discussion of the impact of Wikipedia citations in judicial opinions on the future of the law.
Perspective‐Taking as a Strategy for Improving Intergroup Relations: Evidence, Mechanisms, and Qualifications

In this article, we review empirical research investigating the efficacy of perspective-taking – the active consideration of others' mental states and subjective experiences – as a strategy for navigating intergroup environments. We begin by describing some of the benefits accrued from perspective-taking: more favorable implicit and explicit intergroup evaluations, stronger approach-oriented action tendencies and positive non-verbal behaviors, increased intergroup helping, reduced reliance on stereotype-maintaining mental processes, and heightened recognition of intergroup disparities. We then discuss several of the processes through which perspective-taking operates, focusing specifically on two affective (i.e., parallel and reactive empathy) and two cognitive (i.e., shifts in attributional thinking and self-outgroup merging) mechanisms. We also note several moderating factors based on perceiver characteristics, target characteristics, and features of the surrounding context that qualify the effects of perspective-taking. Finally, we conclude by suggesting potential directions for future research on intergroup perspective-taking.
An Antiharmonic, Programmable, DLL-Based Frequency Multiplier for Dynamic Frequency Scaling

This paper describes a new delay-locked loop (DLL)-based frequency multiplier, which includes a lock controller and a phase detector to solve the false lock problem and overcome the limited locking range of conventional DLLs. By using the multiple clock phases of the DLL, the lock controller is able to indicate whether the delay time of the VCDL is within the correct locking range or not. A differentially controlled edge combiner is also proposed for the frequency multiplication. The antiharmonic DLL-based frequency multiplier, implemented in a 0.18-μ. m CMOS process, occupies an active area of 0.043 mm2, and dissipates 36.7 mW at 1.7 GHz. The measured root mean square jitter and peak-to-peak jitter for the multiplied output clock at 1.7 GHz are 2.64 and 16.8 ps, respectively.
Modelling the thing-in-itself - a philosophically motivated approach to cognitive robotics

In this paper, we will try to outline a few major questions that the design of artificial cognitive systems should tackle. The argumentation will be led from a philosophical point of view, reviewing some of the latest epistemological positions, namely from the 20 th century. The notion of the thing-in-itself, i.e. the substantial core of an object, will be central in the discussion of abstraction in cognitive systems. A second important point is intentionality (in the philosophical sense): Doing something is always guided or biased by a task that is currently pursued. Last but not least the old question of symbol anchoring is to be posed. A preliminary system design for abstracting knowledge is shown that forms a possible implementation for tackling these aspects for the domain of robotic vision. 1. Why start from philosophy? It has become obvious in the past years that the study of cognitive systems, in which epigenetic robotics takes an important part, not only profits from but even requires an interdisciplinary approach. Philosophy has an outstanding role in the history of sciences, often termed as ” mother of all sciences“. Its unique approach can provide researchers with new perspectives and simultaneously retaining the big picture. The usual suspects of disciplines involved in the study of cognitive systems, namely biology/neuroscience, developmental sciences, psychology and artificial intelligence, have evolved from philosophy when sciences started to split into more detailed directions. Nevertheless, their roots are philo
Optimising the therapeutic safety of human embryonic stem cells through the evolution of defined culture systems supporting their isolation

Realising the therapeutic promise of embryo-derived stem cells is absolutely dependent on the evolution of defined and quality assured in vitro culture systems to mediate their isolation, expansion and delivery. Critical to the safety of these systems, both for the transplant recipient and the general population, is the necessity to eliminate dependence on animal cell-derived reagents to reduce the risk of cross-specific disease transmission. This paper discusses progress in the development of defined culture systems for human embryonic stem cell isolation and the challenges that still must be overcome.
Advanced controlling scheme for a DRAM voltage generator system

An brief overview is given of the voltage generator system of a 1-Gb synchronous DRAM. The design serves as an example for a state-of-the-art DRAM voltage generator system. A general analysis of the required controlling functionality is derived. A universal and flexible controlling scheme for a voltage generator system is presented, which can easily be modified for future voltage generator design. The main aspect of this controlling scheme is a clear separation between logic (digital) controlling functions and (analog) voltage generating functions. A control path that supplies the various voltage generator blocks with configuration information is introduced. Last, the control path is shown to have an additional advantage of increased testability. Hardware results verifying the concept are presented.
Multiinstitutional Analysis of Thyroid Nodule Risk Stratification Using the American College of Radiology Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System.

OBJECTIVE Guidelines for managing thyroid nodules are highly dependent on risk stratification based on sonographic findings. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the risk stratification system used by the American College of Radiology Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TIRADS). MATERIALS AND METHODS Patients with thyroid nodules who underwent sonography and fine-needle aspiration were enrolled in a multiinstitutional study. The sonographic nodule features evaluated in the study were composition, echogenicity, margins, and echogenic foci. Images were reviewed by two radiologists who were blinded to the results of cytologic analysis. Nodules were assigned points for each feature, and the points were totaled to determine the final TIRADS level (TR1-TR5). The risk of cancer associated with each point total and final TIRADS level was determined. RESULTS A total of 3422 nodules, 352 of which were malignant, were studied. The risk of malignancy was closely associated with the composition, echogenicity, margins, and echogenic foci of the nodules (p < 0.0001, in all cases). An increased aggregate risk of nodule malignancy was noted as the TIRADS point level increased from 0 to 10 (p < 0.0001) and as the final TIRADS level increased from TR1 to TR5 (p < 0.0001). Of the 3422 nodules, 2948 (86.1%) had risk levels that were within 1% of the TIRADS risk thresholds. Of the 474 nodules that were more than 1% outside these thresholds, 88.0% (417/474) had a risk level that was below the TIRADS threshold. CONCLUSION The aggregate risk of malignancy for nodules associated with each individual TIRADS point level (0-10) and each final TIRADS level (TR1-TR5) falls within the TIRADS risk stratification thresholds. A total of 85% of all nodules were within 1% of the specified TIRADS risk thresholds.
Topology Aggregation for E-science Networks

We propose several algorithms for topology aggregation (TA) to effectively summarize large-scale networks. These TA techniques are shown to significantly better for path requests in e-Science that may consist of simultaneous reservation of multiple paths and/or simultaneous reservation for multiple requests. Our extensive simulation demonstrates the benefits of our algorithms both in terms of accuracy and performance.
Efficient snubbers for voltage-source GTO inverters

The two gate turn-off thyristors in the phase leg of a voltage-source inverter are provided with a series center-tapped inductance snubber and shunt capacitor snubbers having a single discharge resistor and only two auxiliary diodes. This arrangement minimizes the number of components and allows reduction of capacitor size, thereby reducing the snubber losses. The resistor may be replaced by a transformer which conserves a substantial part of the energy trapped in both the series and shunt snubbers.
Does Co-Financing by Multilateral Development Banks Increase "Risky" Direct Investment in Emerging Markets?

The paper discusses the question of whether financial participation of multilateral development banks does prompt private investors to inject more risky equity capital in emerging market banks. Using a theoretical model, it is stipulated that the presence of an official lender in a project gives the recipient country a stronger economic incentive to honor its contractual obligations instead of possibly restricting access to the investment position. An innovative endogenous variable measuring the amount of invested equity capital which, given a country's historical risk profile, can be considered "at risk" is tested in the empirical investigation. The observed outcome for the group of investors receiving co-financing by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and/or the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is related – applying a propensity score matching approach using information on the characteristics of non-participants – to the amount these firms would have invested had they not been selected for official support. The econometric results show that the "treatment effect" is significantly positive as stipulated. That is, in the German case financial participation of multilateral agencies in investment projects did have a positive impact on the risk exposure that investors were willing to bear.
Simultaneous History Reconstruction for Complex Gene Clusters in Multiple Species

Genomic intervals that contain a cluster of similar genes are of extreme biological interest, but difficult to sequence and analyze. One goal for interspecies comparisons of such intervals is to reconstruct a parsimonious series of duplications, deletions, and speciation events (a putative evolutionary history) that could have created the contemporary clusters from their last common ancestor. We describe a new method for reconstructing such an evolutionary scenario for a given set of intervals from present-day genomes, based on the statistical technique of Sequential Importance Sampling. An implementation of the method is evaluated using (1) artificial datasets generated by simulating the operations of duplication, deletion, and speciation starting with featureless "ancestral" sequences, and (2) by comparing the inferred evolutionary history of the amino-acid sequences for the CYP2 gene family from human chromosome 19, chimpanzee, orangutan, rhesus macaque, and dog, as computed by a standard phylogenetic-tree reconstruction method.
Learning the Structure of Tacit Skills

Behavioural cloning seeks to build a model by learning from the traces of a skilled operator’s behaviour. These models should be both robust and explainable. The original cloning experiments sought to build situation-action rules that, together, behaved as a reactive controller. As a result of our research to date, it has become clear that it is difficult to represent tacit skills simply as f la t situation-action rules. Complex tasks have as inherent structure and it appears to be necessary tha t a behavioural clone reflects that structure.