Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Colour image annotation using hybrid intelligent techniques for image retrieval

This paper presents a novel technique for colour image annotation based on neural networks and fuzzy logic. Neural network is proposed for classifying the images based on their contents and fuzzy logic is proposed for interpreting the content of an image in terms of natural language. One of the main aspects of this research is to avoid re-training of the neural networks by training the content of the image. Neural network is not trained on database of images; therefore image can be added or deleted from image database without affecting the training. The proposed hybrid technique is tested on real world colour image dataset and promising results are obtained.
A new modular multilevel converter for medium voltage high power oil & gas motor drive applications

This paper presents the first commercially available water-cooled MV motor drive based on the Modular Multilevel Topology (M2C). The motor drive specific features and HW are described. Measurement results from a 12 MW back-to-back test is included, e.g. operation at low motor frequencies down to zero speed at high torque.
EXPERIMENTAL EXTENDED PREDICTIONS WITH A NINE-LEVEL HEMISPHERIC MODEL

Abstract Two-week predictions were made for two winter cases by applying the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory high-resolution, nine-level, hemispheric, moist general circulation model. Three versions of the model are discussed: Experiment 1 includes the orography but not the radiative transfer or the turbulent exchange of heat and moisture with the lower boundary; Experiment 2 accounts for all of these effects as well as land-sea contrast; Experiment 3 allows, in addition, the difference in thermal properties between the land-ice and sea-ice surfaces, as well as an 80% relative humidity condensation criterion reduced from the 100% criterion in Experiments 1 and 2. The computed results are compared with observed data in terms of the evolution of individual cyclonic and anticyclonic patterns, the zonal mean structure of temperature, wind, and humidity, the precipitation over the United States, and the hemispheric energetics. The forecast near sea level was considerably improved in Experiments 2 and 3 o.
Evaluation of Ad Hoc on Demand Distance Vector Routing Protocol in HetMAN Architecture

Problem statement: Mobile Ad hoc Network (MANET), a type of network with special characteristics, needs a special mechanism to bear with its ad hoc behavior. Approach: The important issue in MANET is routing protocol. Routing protocol is a standard used to determine the route path taken during the transmission of data. Results: In this study we focused on the Ad hoc On demand Distance Vector (AODV) routing protocol for MANET. Simulation experiments were carried out using the OMNeT++ network simulator to study AODV performance in a HetMAN architecture, which models heterogeneous MANET that is MANET integrated with Internet through fixed and wireless networks. The four types of network in HetMAN architecture are MANET, wireless LAN, wired LAN and cellular network. The simulation results were analyzed using several metrics assigned to measure the routing protocol performance. Conclusion/Recommendations: We described three scenarios for HetMAN architecture. This study covered scenario I (communication entirely within MANET; Homogeneous MANET) and scenario II (communication between MANET and wireless LAN; Heterogeneous MANET). Analyzing the simulation results for these two scenarios, we compared the performance of AODV in homogeneous MANET and heterogeneous MANET. Throughput value for scenario I was found to be 16% higher than for scenario II, while packet delivery ratio in scenario I is between 26.5-36.6% higher than that for scenario II. Analysis showed that implementation of AODV performed better in homogeneous MANET than in heterogeneous MANET.
Comparison Study of Different BOD Tests in the Determination of BOD7 Evaluated in a Model Domestic Sewage

The aim of this research was to study the suitability of a manometric respirometric test (OECD 301F) for the determination of biological oxygen demand (BOD) in domestic wastewater. This was done by comparing four different BOD tests (a manometric respirometric test, oxygen sensor determination, iodometric titration, and UV absorption measurement) and by evaluating the BOD7 value after a short-term measurement applying the manometric respirometric test. Measurements were done in three different laboratories. The respirometric test was performed well on municipal sewage, and the precision of results was good. There were minor deviations between BOD7 values as determined by the different methods, but the deviations were not essentially big enough to have a practical impact. Evaluation of the BOD7 value after two or three days' incubation by the respirometric method was shown to work well; average deviations between measured and evaluated values after three days' incubation were 5–18%. Hence, the manometric respirometric test proved to be a rapid and suitable tool for process control purposes.
Absence of Erythrocyte Sequestration and Lack of Multicopy Gene Family Expression in Plasmodium falciparum from a Splenectomized Malaria Patient

Background To avoid spleen-dependent killing mechanisms parasite-infected erythrocytes (IE) of Plasmodium falciparum malaria patients have the capacity to bind to endothelial receptors. This binding also known as sequestration, is mediated by parasite proteins, which are targeted to the erythrocyte surface. Candidate proteins are those encoded by P. falciparum multicopy gene families, such as var, rif, stevor or PfMC-2TM. However, a direct in vivo proof of IE sequestration and expression of multicopy gene families is still lacking. Here, we report on the analysis of IE from a black African immigrant, who received the diagnosis of a malignant lymphoproliferative disorder and subsequently underwent splenectomy. Three weeks after surgery, the patient experienced clinical falciparum malaria with high parasitemia and circulating developmental parasite stages usually sequestered to the vascular endothelium such as late trophozoites, schizonts or immature gametocytes. Methodology/Principal Findings Initially, when isolated from the patient, the infected erythrocytes were incapable to bind to various endothelial receptors in vitro. Moreover, the parasites failed to express the multicopy gene families var, A-type rif and stevor but expression of B-type rif and PfMC-2TM genes were detected. In the course of in vitro cultivation, the parasites started to express all investigated multicopy gene families and concomitantly developed the ability to adhere to endothelial receptors such as CD36 and ICAM-1, respectively. Conclusion/Significance This case strongly supports the hypothesis that parasite surface proteins such as PfEMP1, A-type RIFIN or STEVOR are involved in interactions of infected erythrocytes with endothelial receptors mediating sequestration of mature asexual and immature sexual stages of P. falciparum. In contrast, multicopy gene families coding for B-type RIFIN and PfMC-2TM proteins may not be involved in sequestration, as these genes were transcribed in infected but not sequestered erythrocytes.
A Computationally Feasible Approximate ResolutionMatrix for Seismic Inverse

SUMMARY Seismic inversion produces model estimates which are at most unique in an average sense. The model resolution matrix quantiies the spatial extent over which the estimate averages the true model. Although the resolution matrix has traditionally been deened in terms of the singular value decomposition of the discretized forward problem, this computation is prohibitive for inverse problems of realistic size. Inversion requires one to solve a large normal matrix system which is best tackled by an iterative technique such as the conjugate gradient method. The close connection between the conjugate gradient and Lanczos algorithms allows us to construct an extremely inexpensive approximation to the model resolution matrix. Synthetic experiments indicate the data dependancy of this particular approximation. The approximation is very good in the vicinity of large events in the data. Two large linear viscoelastic inversion experiments on p ? marine data from the Gulf of Mexico provide estimates of the elastic parameter reeectivities corresponding to two diierent 1 seismic sources. Traditionally, one evaluates the accuracy of the two reeectivity estimates by comparing them to measured well logs. The approximate model resolution matrices agree with the well-log ranking of the two models and provide us with a way to compare diierent model estimates when, for example, such well-log measurements are not available.
Specifying Personal Privacy Policies to Avoid Unexpected Outcomes

The growth of the Internet is increasing the deployment of e-services in such areas as e-commerce, e-learning, and e-health. In parallel, the providers and consumers of such services are realizing the need for privacy. The use of P3P privacy policies on web sites is an example of this growing concern for privacy. Managing privacy using privacy policies is a promising approach. In this approach, an e-service provider and an e-service consumer each have separate privacy policies. Before an e-service is engaged, the provider's policy must be "compatible" with the consumer's policy. However, beyond compatibility, the policies may lead to unexpected outcomes. This can result in the lost of privacy and even lead to serious injury in certain cases. This paper gives examples of how such outcomes can arise and suggests how the consumer’s personal privacy policy can be modified to avoid such outcomes.
The Optimization of Complex XML Queries over XML Streams under DTD

Time and Space complexity is a critical factor for a successful stream-based continuous query processing system. In this paper, we address the optimization of complex XML queries over XML Streams by using the semantic and structural constraints of its DTD. The optimization is preprocessed before the runtime of matching XML stream against user's queries in order to simplify XPathes. An approach that processes complex twig patterns with OR-predicates and AND-predicates over XML document streams is also described in this paper, which can be also be used without DTDs.
Fall detection in walking robots by multi-way principal component analysis

SUMMARY Large disturbances can cause a biped to fall. If an upcoming fall can be detected, damage can be minimized or the fall can be prevented. We introduce the multi-way principal component analysis (MPCA) method for the detection of upcoming falls. We study the detection capability of the MPCA method in a simulation study with the simplest walking model. The results of this study show that the MPCA method is able to predict a fall up to four steps in advance in the case of single disturbances. In the case of random disturbances the MPCA method has a successful detection probability of up to 90%.
Tempo Control in Speech Synthesis by Prosodic Phrasing

Tempo control in most speech synthesisers is performed by linear time-scaling although tempo change in human speech shows a non-linear nature. In a perception experiment with a German speech synthesiser it was found that the versions with adjusted prosodic breaks and pauses are preferred over the linear versions for two fast rates and particularly for "very slow". However, the model for "rather slow" needs a refined syntax-prosody mapping.
DESIGNING HYPERMEDIA : AN EXPERIENCE IN MULTIMEDIA CATALOGUE OF BUILDING PRODUCTS

The definition of an universal structuring model of the technical documentation is arduous, indeed utopian considering the great number of products and the diversity of relative information. To answer to this situation we are trying to develop a general approach of the documentation. It is based on the fact that eighty percent of realized, exchanged and consulted information with computer tools is on a document form.
Performance Analysis of Bulk Synchronous Parallel Algorithms

In the last few years, there has been considerable interest in general purpose computational models of parallel computation to permit independent development of hardware and software. The BSP and related models represent an important step in this direction. This paper presents a methodology for the performance analysis of bulk synchronous parallel algorithms based on parameters which reflect the two-level memory hierarchy advocated by these models. A parallel sorting algorithm is taken as a case study where it is shown a close agreement between theoretical and experimental results.
Dimension Amnesic Pyramid Match Kernel

With the success of local features in object recognition, feature-set representations are widely used in computer vision and related domains. Pyramid match kernel (PMK) is an efficient approach to quantifying the similarity between two unordered feature-sets, which allows well established kernel machines to learn with such representations. However, the approximation of PMK to the optimal feature matches deteriorates linearly with the dimension of local features, which prohibits the direct use of high dimensional features. In this paper, we propose a general, data-independent kernel to quantify the feature-set similarities, which gives an upper bound of approximation error independent of the dimension of local features. The key idea is to employ the technique of normal random projection to construct a number of low dimensional subspaces, and perform the original PMK algorithm therein. By leveraging on the invariance property of p-stable distributions, our approach achieves the desirable dimension-free property. Extensive experiments on the ETH-80 image database solidly demonstrate the advantage of our approach to high dimensional features.
The Coach–Athlete Relationship Questionnaire (CART‐Q): development and initial validation

The purpose of the present study was to develop and validate a self‐report instrument that measures the nature of the coach–athlete relationship. Jowett et al.'s ( Jowett & Meek, 2000; Jowett, in press ) qualitative case studies and relevant literature were used to generate items for an instrument that measures affective, cognitive, and behavioral aspects of the coach–athlete relationship. Two studies were carried out in an attempt to assess content, predictive, and construct validity, as well as internal consistency, of the Coach–Athlete Relationship Questionnaire (CART‐Q), using two independent British samples. Principal component analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were used to reduce the number of items, identify principal components, and confirm the latent structure of the CART‐Q. Results supported the multidimensional nature of the coach–athlete relationship. The latent structure of the CART‐Q was underlined by the latent variables of coaches' and athletes' Closeness (emotions), Commitment (cognitions), and Complementarity (behaviors).
Robust detection of single-frame defects in archived film

The main issue in current algorithms for the detection of single-frame defects like dust, dirt and blotches in archived film is the significant number of false alarms due to motion compensation errors and film grain. This typically leads to disturbing artifacts occurring in the subsequent defect removal process. We propose a novel algorithm for the detection of single-frame defects which addresses this issue. A continuous response map is defined which indicates the probability of a pixel being part of a single-frame defect. Furthermore, we introduce the novel co-support which is applied to the response map for both noise suppression and spatial completion of potential defects. Finally, regions which are likely affected by motion compensation errors are identified (e.g., by analyzing the motion field) and the single-frame-defect response map is damped in these regions. Experimental results show that the proposed method outperforms state-of-the-art algorithms in terms of accuracy and robustness to motion estimation issues.
Resynchronization Interval of Self-synchronizing Modes of Block Ciphers

Summary In some communication systems, some of the transmitted bits or bit groups are lost or, on the contrary, repeated. Lost or repeated bits or bit groups are called slips. In the case of cipher transmission, these slips produce a loss of the synchronization between transmitter and receiver, which is accompanied by the loss of the information being transmitted. Self-synchronizing modes of block ciphers are used for the elimination of this phenomenon. An important characteristic of these mode types is the average number of bits that were transmitted between the end of the slip and the moment of synchronization recovery - so-called resynchronization interval. In this paper, the probability distribution of the occurrence of a synchronization sequence in the cryptogram is derived first. On this basis, formulas for computing the resynchronization interval of OCFB and modified SCFB statistical self-synchronizing modes of block ciphers are then derived. The formulas obtained are compared with the formula for the resynchronization interval of the CFB mode. The results obtained may be used to choose a suitable self-synchronizing mode of a block cipher.
Interaction of fluctuating river flow with a barotropic tide: A demonstration of wavelet tidal analysis methods

Wavelet transforms provide a valuable new tool for analysis of tidal processes that deviate markedly from an assumption of exact periodicity inherent in traditional harmonic analysis. A wavelet basis adapted to nonstationary tidal problems is constructed and employed to analyze the modulation of the external tide in a river by variations in streamflow. Interaction of a surface tide with river flow is the best available demonstration of the continuous wavelet transform (CWT) methods developed. It is the simplest and perhaps the only nonstationary tidal process for which both sufficient data and dynamical understanding exist to allow detailed comparisons between CWT analyses and analytical predictions of the response of tides to nontidal forcing. Variations at upriver locations of low-frequency elevation (river stage ZR) and three tidal species are deduced from cross-sectionally integrated equations. For landward propagation in a channel of constant cross section with quadratic friction, the log of the amplitude of the diurnal (D1), semidiurnal (D2) and quarterdiurnal (D4) elevations should vary at far upriver locations with the square root of the river flow (QR;), and river stage (ZR) should depend on the square of river flow. Convergent geometry and species-species frictional interactions modify these predictions somewhat. CWT analyses show that the predicted amplitude behavior for the tidal species is approximately correct. Best results are obtained for the dominant, dynamically simplest processes (ZR and D2). In the past, further progress in understanding river tides has been limited by a lack of data analysis tools. Data analysis tools are now clearly better than the available analytical solutions.
Leiding geven in processen van co-evolutie: Over de co-evolutie van beleidsvoorkeuren binnen het Deltaprogramma

markdownabstract__Abstract__ This PhD-thesis presents the results of a study about leadership that promotes policy preferences of multiple actors with reciprocal interests to be of the same direction. The underlying assumption is that when preferences that consist of concrete measures will have more impact when they aim at realizing the same system state. The development of such policy preferences by different cooperating actors is conceptualized in this study as a process of social co-evolution. The multiple case study described and analyzed in this thesis is the Dutch Delta Program. To unravel the impact of leadership on the social co-evolution of these preferences this studies uses the term synchronization. We have defined synchronization as activities that contribute to developing preferences of the same direction. As a result of our case study we found that enabling leadership is the dominant type of leadership promoting synchronization of policy preferences. This corresponds to our theoretical expectations based on CLT. Based on the results of our case study we recommend further development of both theory and methods to study coevolution, leadership and synchronization concerning program management. We propose a specific conceptualization of administrative and enabling leadership for situations of program management within process systems. Our proposal is to consider administrative and enabling leadership as two ideal types stretching a continuum between maintaining existing boundary judgments (administrative leadership) and administratively applying adjusted boundary judgments that enable adaptations (enabling leadership).
Metabolism of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) by Human Hepatocytes in Vitro

Background Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are flame-retardant chemicals that accumulate in human tissues and are potential toxicants. Concentrations of PBDEs in human tissues have increased recently, and body burdens in the U.S. and Canadian populations are higher than in any other region. Objectives Although metabolism in animal laboratory studies has been examined, no studies have explored the metabolism of these contaminants in human tissues. We undertook this study to determine whether PBDEs could be metabolized by human liver cells in vitro and to identify what types of metabolites are formed. Methods We exposed hepatocytes from three different donors (two cryopreserved batches and one fresh batch) to solutions containing 10 μM of either of two environmentally relevant and prominent PBDE congeners—BDE-99 or BDE-209—for periods of 24–72 hr. We also conducted gene expression analysis to provide information on potential induction of xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes. Results Exposing hepatocytes to BDE-99 resulted in the formation of 2,4,5-tribromo phenol, two monohydroxylated pentabrominated diphenyl ether metabolites, and a yet unidentified tetrabrominated metabolite. No hydroxylated or debrominated metabolites were observed in the cells exposed to BDE-209. This suggests that BDE-209 was not metabolized, that nonextractable, covalently protein-bound metabolites were formed, or that the exposure time was not long enough for BDE-209 to diffuse into the cell to be metabolized. However, we observed up-regulation of genes encoding for cytochrome P450 monooxygenase (CYP) 1A2, CYP3A4, deiodinase type 1, and glutathione S-transferase M1 in hepatocyes exposed to both BDE-99 and BDE-209. Conclusions Our in vitro results suggest that the human liver will likely metabolize some BDE congeners (e.g., BDE-99) in vivo. These metabolites have been shown to elicit greater toxicity than the parent BDE congeners in laboratory bioassays; thus, more research on body burdens and human health effects from these metabolites are warranted.
A Configurable Membership Service

A membership service is used to maintain information about which sites are functioning in a distributed system at any given time. Many such services have been defined, with each implementing a unique combination of properties that simplify the construction of higher levels of the system. Despite this wealth of possibilities, however, any given service typically realizes only one set of properties, which makes it difficult to tailor the service provided to the specific needs of the application. Here, a configurable membership service that addresses this problem is described. This service is based on decomposing membership into its constituent abstract properties and then implementing these properties as separate software modules called micro-protocols that can be configured together to produce a customized membership service. A prototype C++ implementation of the membership service for a simulated distributed environment is also described.