Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Wi-Fi Finger-Printing Based Indoor Localization Using Nano-Scale Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

WI-FI FINGER-PRINTING BASED INDOOR LOCALIZATION USING NANO-SCALE UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES APPALA NARASIMHA RAJU CHEKURI 2018 Explosive growth in the number of mobile devices like smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches has escalated the demand for localization-based services, spurring development of numerous indoor localization techniques. Especially, widespread deployment of wireless LANs prompted ever increasing interests in WiFi-based indoor localization mechanisms. However, a critical shortcoming of such localization schemes is the intensive time and labor requirements for collecting and building the WiFi fingerprinting database, especially when the system needs to cover a large space. In this thesis, we propose to automate the WiFi fingerprint survey process using a group of nano-scale unmanned aerial vehicles (NAVs). The proposed system significantly reduces the efforts for collecting WiFi fingerprints. Furthermore, since these NAVs explore a 3D space, the WiFi fingerprints of a 3D space can be obtained increasing the localization accuracy. The proposed system is implemented on a commercially available miniature open-source quadcopter platform by integrating a contemporary WiFi-fingerprint-based localization system. Experimental results demonstrate that the localization error is about 2m, which exhibits only about 20cm of accuracy degradation compared with the manual WiFi fingerprint survey methods.
Visual Textbook Network: Watch Carefully before Answering Visual Questions

Recent deep neural networks have achieved promising results on Visual Question Answering (VQA) tasks. However, many works have shown that a high accuracy does not always guarantee that the VQA system correctly understands the contents of images and questions, which are what we really care about. Attention based models can locate the regions related to answers, and may demonstrate a promising understanding of image and question. However, the key components of generating correct location, i.e. visual semantic alignments and semantic reasoning, are still obscure and invisible. To deal with this problem, we introduce a two-stage model Visual Textbook Network (VTN), which is made up by two modules to produce more reasonable answers. Specifically, in the first stage, a textbook module watches the image carefully by performing a novel task named sentence reconstruction, which encodes a word to a visual region feature, and then decodes the visual feature to the input word. This procedure forces VTN to learn visual semantic alignments without much concerning on question answering. This stage is just like studying from textbooks where people mainly concentrate on the knowledge in the book and pay little attention to the test. At the second stage, we propose a simple network as exam module, which utilizes both the visual features generated by the first module and the question to predict the answer. To validate the effectiveness of our method, we conduct evaluations on Visual7W dataset and show the quantitive and qualitative results on answering questions. We also perform the ablation studies to further confirm the effectiveness of the individual textbook and exam modules.
Wave kinetic equation in a nonstationary and inhomogeneous medium with a weak quadratic nonlinearity.

We present a systematic derivation of the wave kinetic equation describing the dynamics of a statistically inhomogeneous incoherent wave field in a medium with a weak quadratic nonlinearity. The medium can be nonstationary and inhomogeneous. Primarily based on the Weyl phase-space representation, our derivation assumes the standard geometrical-optics ordering and the quasinormal approximation for the statistical closure. The resulting wave kinetic equation simultaneously captures the effects of the medium inhomogeneity (both in time and space) and of the nonlinear wave scattering. This general formalism can serve as a stepping stone for future studies of weak wave turbulence interacting with mean fields in nonstationary and inhomogeneous media.
A Novel Low Voltage Ride Through Control Method for Current Source Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Inverters

Due to their inherent topology characteristic, current source grid-connected photovoltaic inverters cannot realize low voltage ride through (LVRT) during a serious sag in the grid voltage. Based on mathematical models of three-phase current source grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) inverters, this paper analyzes quantitatively the relationship between steady-state DC-link current and grid voltage, and also derives the steady-state working range of the DC-link current in CSIs. Based on the steady-state working range of the DC-link current and the native characteristics of PV cells, this paper indicates the fundamental reason that three-phase current source inverter cannot realize LVRT. To solve this problem, an improved topology of a current source grid-connected photovoltaic inverter is adopted in this paper, where a chopper circuit is added in the DC link. Meanwhile, a novel control strategy is further proposed to realize LVRT under balanced and unbalanced grid voltage conditions. Finally, the simulation and experiment results verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Hamstring injuries: prevention and treatment—an update

Despite increased knowledge of hamstring muscle injuries, the incidence has not diminished. We now know that not all hamstring injuries are the same and that certain types of injuries require prolonged rehabilitation and return to play. The slow stretch type of injury and injuries involving the central tendon both require longer times to return to play. A number of factors have been proposed as being indicators of time taken to return to play, but the evidence for these is conflicting. Recurrence rates remain high and it is now thought that strength deficits may be an important factor. Strengthening exercise should be performed with the hamstrings in a lengthened position. There is conflicting evidence regarding the efficacy of platelet-rich plasma injection in the treatment of hamstring injuries so at this stage we cannot advise their use. Various tests have been proposed as predictors of hamstring injury and the use of the Nordboard is an interesting addition to the testing process. Prevention of these injuries is the ultimate aim and there is increasing evidence that Nordic hamstring exercises are effective in reducing the incidence.
Lipase Production using Aspergillus japonicus MF-1 through Biotransformation of Agro-Waste and Medicinal Oil Effluent

1 Research Centre, Department of Botany and Microbiology, Lady Doak College, Madurai 625002, Tamil Nadu, India 2 National Institute of Oceanography-CSIR, Regional Centre, Cochin 682018, Kerala, India 3 Center for Environmental Studies, Lady Doak College, Madurai -625002, India 4 Department Plant Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai-62502i, Tamil Nadu, India *Corresponding author
Serious Games When Used to Learn Software Processes: An Analysis from a Pedagogical Perspective

This paper presents the results of a systematic mapping study conducted to identify the existing serious games used to learn software life cycle processes. Seventy-one studies were selected in the systematic mapping, which were analyzed from a pedagogical perspective. The analysis performed permitted to find areas of contribution that could be employed to create future serious games.
Sat4j 2.3.2: on the fly solver configuration System Description

Taking the best of SAT (at large) technology for a given class of problems requires usually an expert knowledge of the solver used or to rely on an automatic configuration tool. The former condition is usually not satisfied as soon as the user is not a member of the SAT community, and the latter solution does not help the user to understand what is going on inside the solver. We propose an approach that allows the end users of Sat4j to configure a solver for a specific instance. Such an approach is based on both the ability to change dynamically the main settings of the solver when it is running and to display to the user several metrics that inform her about the state of the search in the solver. While the latter has been already explored in the SAT community, and the former has been explored in the constraint programming community, we believe that the combination of that two features is quite unique for SAT solvers. We believe that such a tool could also be used in the classroom to help students to understand how CDCL solvers work.
TWO-PHASE NONPARAMETRIC ICA ALGORITHM FOR BLIND SEPARATION OF INSTANTANEOUS LINEAR MIXTURES

We propose a nonparametric independent component analysis (ICA) algorithm for the problem of blind source separation with instantaneous, time-invariant and linear mixtures. Our Init-NLE algorithm combines minimization of correlation among nonlinear expansions of the output signals with a good initialization derived from search guided by statistical tests for independence based on the power-divergent family of test statistics. Such initialization is critical to reliable separation. The simulation results obtained from both synthetic and real-life data show that our method yields consistent results and compares favorably to the existing ICA algorithms.
Cooperative Collision Avoidance for Nonholonomic Robots

In this paper, we present a method, namely $\epsilon$ CCA, for collision avoidance in dynamic environments among interacting agents, such as other robots or humans. Given a preferred motion by a global planner or driver, the method computes a collision-free local motion for a short time horizon, which respects the actuator constraints and allows for smooth and safe control. The method builds on the concept of reciprocal velocity obstacles and extends it to respect the kinodynamic constraints of the robot and account for a grid-based map representation of the environment. The method is best suited for large multirobot settings, including heterogeneous teams of robots, in which computational complexity is of paramount importance and the robots interact with one another. In particular, we consider a set of motion primitives for the robot and solve an optimization in the space of control velocities with additional constraints. Additionally, we propose a cooperative approach to compute safe velocity partitions in the distributed case. We describe several instances of the method for distributed and centralized operation and formulated both as convex and nonconvex optimizations. We compare the different variants and describe the benefits and tradeoffs both theoretically and in extensive experiments with various robotic platforms: robotic wheelchairs, robotic boats, humanoid robots, small unicycle robots, and simulated cars.
MusicGlove: Motivating and quantifying hand movement rehabilitation by using functional grips to play music

People with stroke typically must perform much of their hand exercise at home without professional assistance as soon as two weeks after the stroke. Without feedback and encouragement, individuals often lose motivation to practice using the affected hand, and this disuse contributes to further declines in hand function. We developed the MusicGlove as a way to facilitate and motivate at home practice of hand movement. This low-cost device uses music as an interactive and motivating medium to guide hand exercise and to quantitatively assess hand movement recovery. It requires the user to practice functional movements, including pincer grip, key-pinch grip, and finger-thumb opposition, by using those movements to play different musical notes, played along to songs displayed by an interactive computer game. We report here the design of the glove and the results of a single-session experiment with 10 participants with chronic stroke. We found that the glove is well suited for use by people with an impairment level quantified by a Box and Blocks score of at least around 7; that the glove can be used to obtain a measure of hand dexterity (% of notes hit) that correlates strongly with the Box and Blocks score; and that the incorporation of music into training significantly improved both objective measures of hand motor performance and self-ratings of motivation for training in the single session.
Wireless multicast for cloud radio access network with heterogeneous backhaul

Cooperative communication in which multiple base-stations (BSs) jointly transmit to mobile users is a major advantage of the cloud radio-access network (C-RAN) architecture. This paper considers the use of wireless multicast for sharing user messages at multiple BSs in the C-RAN backhaul for cooperation purpose. To combat fading and path-loss in the wireless channels to the different BSs, this paper proposes the optimal provisioning of secondary backhaul to smooth out the channel disparity. The paper analyzes the problem structure and proposes an efficient algorithm for the optimization of secondary backhaul rate provisioning.
THE ETHNOBIOLOGY OF THEl HAITIAN ZOMBI

For many years students of Haitian society have suggested that there is an ethnopharmacological basis for the notorious zombies, the living dead of peasant folklore. The recent surfacing of three zombies, one of whom may represent the first potentially verifiable case, has focused scientific attention on the reported zombi drug. The formula of the poison was obtained at four widely separated localities in Haiti. The consistent ingredients include one or more species of puffer fish (Diodon hystrix, Diodon holacunthus or Sphoereides testudineus) which contain tetrodotoxins, potent neurotoxins fully capable of ph~~colo~c~y ~duc~g the zombi state. The ingredients, preparation and method of application are presented. The symptomology of tetrodotoxication as described in the biomedical literature is compared with the constellations of symptoms recorded from the zombies in Haiti. The cosmological rationale of zombies within the context of Voudou theology is described. Prelude laboratory tests are summarized.
Real-time implementation of an intent recognition system for artificial legs

This paper presents a real-time implementation of an intent recognition system on one transfemoral (TF) amputee. Surface Electromyographic (EMG) signals recorded from residual thigh muscles and the ground reaction forces/moments collected from the prosthetic pylon were fused to identify three locomotion modes (level-ground walking, stair ascent, and stair descent) and tasks such as sitting and standing. The designed system based on neuromuscular-mechanical fusion can accurately identify the performing tasks and predict intended task transitions of the patient with a TF amputation in real-time. The overall recognition accuracy in static states (i.e. the states when subjects continuously performed the same task) was 98.36%. All task transitions were correctly recognized 80–323 ms before the defined critical timing for safe switch of prosthesis control mode. These promising results indicate the potential of designed intent recognition system for neural control of computerized, powered prosthetic legs.
Improvement in the Tensile Bond Strength between 3Y-TZP Ceramic and Enamel by Surface Treatments

This study examined the effects of 3 mol % yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (3Y-TZP) ceramic surface treatments on the tensile bond strength and surface characteristics of enamel. To measure the tensile bond strength, the 3Y-TZP and tooth specimens were manufactured in a mini-dumbbell shape and divided into four groups based on the type of 3Y-TZP surface treatment: polishing (P), 110 µm alumina sandblasting (S), 110 µm alumina sandblasting combined with selective infiltration etching (SS), and 110 µm alumina sandblasting combined with MDP (10-methacryloyloxydecyl dihydrogen phosphate)-containing silane primer (SP). After surface treatment, the surface roughness, wettability, and surface changes were examined, and the tensile bond strength was measured. The mean values (from lowest to highest) for tensile bond strength (MPa) were as follows: P, 8.94 ± 2.30; S, 21.33 ± 2.00; SS, 26.67 ± 4.76; and SP, 31.74 ± 2.66. Compared to the P group, the mean surface roughness was significantly increased, and the mean contact angle was significantly decreased, while wettability was increased in the other groups. Therefore, surface treatment with 110 µm alumina sandblasting and MDP-containing silane primer is suitable for clinical applications, as it considerably improves the bond strength between 3Y-TZP and enamel.
Attempt to optically excite the nuclear isomer in 
Th229

We aim to perform direct optical spectroscopy of the $^{229}\mathrm{Th}$ nuclear isomer to measure its energy and lifetime, and to demonstrate optical coupling to the nucleus. To this end, we develop $^{229}\mathrm{Th}$-doped ${\mathrm{CaF}}_{2}$ crystals, which are transparent at the anticipated isomer wavelength. Such crystals are illuminated by tunable VUV undulator radiation for direct excitation of the isomer. We scan a $\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}5\ensuremath{\sigma}$ region around the assumed isomer energy of 7.8(5) eV and vary the excitation time in sequential scans between 30 and 600 seconds. Suffering from an unforeseen strong photoluminescence of the crystal, the experiment is sensitive only to short radiative isomer lifetimes. In our data analysis, we assume that radiative decay is the dominant de-excitation channel. Further, we suppose that the luminescence background has a super-Poissonian character and may be represented as a sum of a constant term and several decaying exponents whose time constants do not depend on the wavelength of the excitation. With these assumptions, we can exclude an isomer with lifetime between 0.2 and 1.1 s and energy between 7.5 and 10 eV at the 95% confidence level.
Maternal Smoking during Pregnancy and Daughters’ Preeclampsia Risk

Background An obstetrical paradox is that maternal smoking is protective for the development of preeclampsia. However, there are no prior studies investigating the risk of preeclampsia in women who were exposed to tobacco smoking during their own fetal period. We aimed to study the subsequent risk of preeclampsia in women who were exposed to tobacco smoke in utero, using a national population-based register. Methods Data were obtained from the Medical Birth Register of Sweden for women who were born in 1982 (smoking data first recorded) or after, who had given birth to at least one child; 153 885 pregnancies were included. Results The associations between intrauterine smoking exposure (three categories: non-smokers, 1–9 cigarettes/day [moderate exposure], and >9 cigarettes/day [heavy exposure]) and subsequent preeclampsia (n = 5721) were assessed using logistic regressions. In models adjusted for maternal age, parity and own smoking, the odds ratios (OR) for preeclampsia were 1.06 [95% CI: 0.99,1.13 for moderate intrauterine exposure, and 1.18, [95% CI: 1.10,1.27] for heavy exposure. Estimates were slightly strengthened in non-smoking women who experienced heavy intrauterine exposure (adjusted OR 1.24 [95% CI: 1.14,1.34]). Results were no longer statistically significant after adjustment for the woman’s own BMI, gestational age and birthweight Z-scores. Conclusion These data revealed some evidence of a possible weak positive association between intrauterine smoking exposure and the risk of subsequent preeclampsia, however, results were not significant over all manifestations of preeclampsia and confounder adjustment. The increased risk might be mediated through exposed women’s own BMI or birthweight.
Motion-robust MRI through real-time motion tracking and retrospective super-resolution volume reconstruction

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is highly sensitive to motion; hence current practice is based on the prevention of motion during scan. In newborns, young children, and patients with limited cooperation, this commonly requires full sedation or general anesthesia, which is time consuming, costly, and is associated with significant risks. Despite progress in prospective motion correction in MRI, the use of motion compensation techniques is limited by the type and amount of motion that can be compensated for, the dependency on the scanner platform, the need for pulse sequence modifications, and/or difficult setup. In this paper we introduce a novel platform-independent motion-robust MRI technique based on prospective real-time motion tracking through a miniature magnetic field sensor and retrospective super-resolution volume reconstruction. The technique is based on fast 2D scans that maintain high-quality of slices in the presence of motion but are degraded in 3D due to inter-slice motion artifacts. The sensor, conveniently attached to the subject forehead, provides real-time estimation of the motion, which in turn gives the relative location of the slice acquisitions. These location parameters are used to compensate the inter-slice motion to reconstruct an isotropic high-resolution volumetric image from slices in a super-resolution reconstruction framework. The quantitative results obtained for phantom and volunteer subject experiments in this study show the efficacy of the developed technique, which is particularly useful for motion-robust high-resolution T2-weighted imaging of newborns and pediatric subjects.
Turning Paths Into Trajectories Using Parabolic Blends

We present an approach for converting a path of multiple continuous linear segments into a trajectory that satisfies velocity and acceleration constraints and closely follows the given path without coming to a complete stop at every waypoint. Our method applies parabolic blends around waypoints to improve speed. In contrast to established methods that smooth trajectories with parabolic blends, our method does not require the timing of waypoints or durations of blend phases. This makes our approach particularly useful for robots that must follow kinematic paths that are not explicitly parametrized by time. Our method chooses timing automatically to achieve high performance while satisfying the velocity and acceleration constraints of a given robot.
Choosing a Cigarette Brand: Determining the Value of Countermarketing Information to Smokers Using Field Auctions

Information about cigarettes can help smokers come to an informed decision about what cigarettes to purchase. Countermarketing information can help smokers make informed decisions, but little is known about the value of this information to smokers. In this article, we use data from experimental auctions to estimate the value of countermarketing information that counters industry claims about reduced-risk cigarettes. We find that this information has significant value to smokers who have been exposed to marketing information from tobacco companies touting reduced-risk cigarettes, but we find no evidence it provides value to smokers not exposed to this marketing information.
Building and operating a real-time massive MIMO testbed — lessons learned

Massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) is one of the key candidates for the upcoming 5G wireless generation. It offers a multitude of advantages over traditional techniques, such as reduced latency, reduced interference among user equipments (UEs) and increased spectrum and energy efficiencies. However, to verify the theoretically promised gains in real-life, prototype systems are inevitable. This paper discusses the many experiences gathered during designing, building and operating the Lund University Massive MIMO (LuMaMi) testbed. We discuss the six main lessons learned including practical issues, such as the mechanical setup or driver issues but also implementation challenges, such as increasing operation count compared to traditional wireless systems, complicated data shuffling and low-processing latency and detail their specific requirements.