Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
LOOP SWITCHING TECHNIQUE FOR WIRELESS POWER TRANSFER USING MAGNETIC RESONANCE COUPLING

We propose a loop switching technique to improve the e-ciency of wireless power transfer (WPT) systems using magnetic resonance coupling. The proposed system employs several loops with difierent sizes, one of which is connected to the system with various distances between the transmitter and the receiver. It enables the coupling coe-cient to be adjusted with the distance, which allows high e-ciency over a wide range of distances. The proposed system is analyzed using an equivalent circuit model, and electromagnetic (EM) simulation is performed to predict the performance. It is shown from the experimental results at 13.56MHz that the proposed loop switching technique can maintain high e-ciency over a wide range. The e-ciency is measured to be 50% at 100cm, which corresponds to a 46% increase compared to a conventional WPT system without the loop switching technique.
Understanding Data Access Patterns Using Object-Differentiated Memory Profiling

The information provided by commonly used code-oriented profilers can be complemented by means of data-oriented profiling techniques. Based on a data-oriented approach, in this study we leverage techniques developed in previous papers to analyze the data access characteristics of a range of U.S. Department of Energy applications representative of different application domains. By analyzing object-differentiated memory access profiles, we identify markedly different access patterns across application stages. We find read-only and read-write periods, relatively large periods without accessing particular objects, and a variety of data access rates. This information is useful for devising software optimizations, for software and hardware code sign, and for data distribution and partitioning in heterogeneous memory systems.
A vision-based generic dynamic model of PKMs and its experimental validation on the Quattro parallel robot

In this paper, we present a dynamic modeling method for parallel kinematic manipulators. This method is built upon the postures (i.e., 3D orientation vectors, lengths and self rotations) of the kinematic elements which form the kinematic chains of the robot. Regarding the structure of the above method, computer vision emerges as a good option to obtain the postures of these kinematic elements. This method is then validated experimentally on the commercial Adept Quattro parallel robot.
Mixture Gaussian Process Conditional Heteroscedasticity

Generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (GARCH) models have long been considered as one of the most successful families of approaches for volatility modeling in financial return series. In this paper, we propose an alternative approach based on methodologies widely used in the field of statistical machine learning. Specifically, we propose a novel nonparametric Bayesian mixture of Gaussian process regression models, each component of which models the noise variance process that contaminates the observed data as a separate latent Gaussian process driven by the observed data. This way, we essentially obtain a mixture Gaussian process conditional heteroscedasticity (MGPCH) model for volatility modeling in financial return series. We impose a nonparametric prior with power-law nature over the distribution of the model mixture components, namely the Pitman-Yor process prior, to allow for better capturing modeled data distributions with heavy tails and skewness. Finally, we provide a copula- based approach for obtaining a predictive posterior for the covariances over the asset returns modeled by means of a postulated MGPCH model. We evaluate the efficacy of our approach in a number of benchmark scenarios, and compare its performance to state-of-the-art methodologies.
Changes in the margin of Ice Stream C, Antarctica

Abstract We present results from satellite imagery, ice-motion surveys and ice-penetrating radar studies of part of the north margin of Ice Stream C, one of the ice streams draining the West Antarctic ice sheet to the “Ross Embayment”. Our studies suggest that the shutdown of Ice Stream C about 150 years ago was not a single event, but a sequence involving stagnation of ice and migration of the ice-stream boundary. Ground-based studies confirm the inference from imagery that a series of former shear zones exist, decreasing in age towards the ice-stream center. A region of ice-stream trunk, including a former margin, lies sheared and folded between the (recent) inner and (older) outer margins of the area. ice-motion and topographic surveys give some constraint on the time of shutdown of the outer margin. The results provide a forum for discussing shutdown mechanisms. Possible causes for the stepwise migration of the north margin of Ice Stream C include a gradual decrease in ice flux, a reduction in the available water or hydrostatic pressure in the basal till, or a freezing of the till layers on the northern side.
Verbal Perception and the Word Length Effect

A theoretical framework is proposed for the understanding of verbal perception -- the conversion of words into meaning, modeled as a compromise between lexical demands and contextual constraints -- and the theory is tested against experiments on short-term memory. The observation that lists of short words are recalled better than lists of long ones has been a long-standing subject of controversy, further complicated by the apparent inversion of the effect for mixed lists. In the framework here proposed, these behaviors emerge as an effect of the different level of localization of short and long words in semantic space. Events corresponding to the recognition of a nonlocal word have a clustering property in phase space, which facilitates associative retrieval. The standard word-length effect arises directly from this property, and the inverse effect from its breakdown. An analysis of data from the PEERS experiments (Healey and Kahana, 2016) confirms the main predictions of the theory. Further predictions are listed and new experiments are proposed. Finally, an interpretation of the above results is presented.
The Passenger Demand Prediction Model on Bus Networks

Public transport, especially the bus transport, can reduce the private car usage and fuel consumption, and alleviate traffic congestion. However, when traveling with buses, the travelers not only care about the waiting time, but also care about the crowdedness in the bus. Excessively overcrowded bus may drive away the anxious travelers and make them reluctant to take buses. So accurate, real-time and reliable passenger demand prediction becomes necessary, which can help determine the bus headway and help reduce the waiting time of passengers. There are three major challenges for predicting the passenger demand on bus services: inhomogeneous, seasonal bursty periods and periodicities. To overcome the challenges, we propose three predictive models and further take a data stream ensemble framework to predict the number of passengers. Our performance study based on a real dataset of five months' bus data demonstrates that our approach is quite effective: among 86,411 passenger demands on bus services, more than 78% of them are accurately forecasted.
Comparative Advantage and Competitive Advantage: An Economics Perspective and a Synthesis

There is a considerable amount of controversy about the model(s) of comparative advantage and its applicability to international business, in particular as a guide to the success of nations and/or firms in international markets. This perception (or understanding) of inapplicability of the model(s) of comparative advantage has lead international business experts to develop new models, or what may be called frameworks, for analyzing the potential for success of firms and/or nations in international markets. These frameworks are popularly known as models of "competitive advantage". In the author's view, the model(s) of comparative advantage are too general to be dismissed altogether in this manner. While they may not be applicable to all circumstances in international business, they are valid models and can still offer meaningful predictions in a variety of circumstances. Furthermore, the models of comparative advantage used together with models of competitive advantage have the potential of offering a much richer analysis of international trade/business, normally not available with either the model(s) of comparative advantage or the model(s) of competitive advantage alone. The major aim of this paper is to establish a link between the principles of comparative and competitive advantage, and outline a synthesis of the two principles as a guiding force for gauging success of nations and/or firms in international trade/business.
Enhanced Endothelin-1 Mediated Vasoconstriction of the Ophthalmic Artery May Exacerbate Retinal Damage after Transient Global Cerebral Ischemia in Rat

Cerebral vasculature is often the target of stroke studies. However, the vasculature supplying the eye might also be affected by ischemia. The aim of the present study was to investigate if the transient global cerebral ischemia (GCI) enhances vascular effect of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and 5-hydroxytryptamine/serotonin (5-HT) on the ophthalmic artery in rats, leading to delayed retinal damage. This was preformed using myography on the ophthalmic artery, coupled with immunohistochemistry and electroretinogram (ERG) to assess the ischemic consequences on the retina. Results showed a significant increase of ET-1 mediated vasoconstriction at 48 hours post ischemia. The retina did not exhibit any morphological changes throughout the study. However, we found an increase of GFAP and vimentin expression at 72 hours and 7 days after ischemia, indicating Müller cell mediated gliosis. ERG revealed significantly decreased function at 72 hours, but recovered almost completely after 7 days. In conclusion, we propose that the increased contractile response via ET-1 receptors in the ophthalmic artery after 48 hours may elicit negative retinal consequences due to a second ischemic period. This may exacerbate retinal damage after ischemia as illustrated by the decreased retinal function and Müller cell activation. The ophthalmic artery and ET-1 mediated vasoconstriction may be a valid and novel therapeutic target after longer periods of ischemic insults.
Genetic engineering, genetic modification, or agricultural biotechnology: does the term matter?

Abstract The risk perception and communication literature appears to use terms such as genetic engineering (GE), genetic modification (GM), and agricultural biotechnology (agbiotech) almost interchangeably. The present research therefore seeks to compare the effect of these three terms on consumers’ cognitive, affective and behavioral component of attitude. The variables under investigation are consumers’ perceptions of risk, benefits, personal control over technology, support and promotion of the development of technology, dread, labeling, and purchase intentions. The study draws on the equivalency framing literature in conducting two question wording experiments whereby participants are randomly assigned to receive a version that uses just one of the three different terms. The first experiment found that the framing effect of food technology as either GE or GM may be contingent on source of information. When the technology was framed as GE and the information source was a consumer organization, respondents reported higher perceived personal control over the technology compared to when the information source was government, newspaper, or no source. Therefore, framing food as GE may be a somewhat beneficial for those who seek to promote the technology while framing the technology as GM might help those who oppose the technology. The second experiment found that using the terms agbiotech and GE were associated with higher perceived benefits, positive feelings, and purchase intention compared to GM. The ‘agbiotech’ term garnered the most relative support for the technology. Implications are discussed.
The SimCore/Alpha Functional Simulator

We have developed a function-level processor simulator, SimCore/Alpha Functional Simulator Version 2.0 (SimCore Version 2.0), for processor architecture research and processor education. This paper describes the design and implementation of SimCore Version 2.0. The main features of SimCore Version 2.0 are as follows: (1) It offers many functions as a function-level simulator. (2) It is implemented compactly with 2,800 lines in C++. (3) It separates the function of the program loader. (4) No global variable is used, and so it improves the readability and function. (5) It offers a powerful verification mechanism. (6) It operates on many platforms. (7) Compared with sim-fast in the SimpleScalar Tool Set, SimCore Version 2.0 attains a 19% improvement in simulation speed.
A framework for uplink capacity evaluation of cellular MIMO system

The uplink capacity evaluation of cellular multiple input multiple output (MIMO) system is of great interest but not straight forward. This paper presents a framework to evaluate the uplink cellular capacity. In this framework, the effects of co-channel interference (CCI) as well as the effects of transmit power control (TPC) have been taken into consideration. The uplink capacities assuming various frequency reuse factors (FRF) and different TPC schemes are evaluated and demonstrated by simulation results.
Context-constrained hallucination for image super-resolution

This paper proposes a context-constrained hallucination approach for image super-resolution. Through building a training set of high-resolution/low-resolution image segment pairs, the high-resolution pixel is hallucinated from its texturally similar segments which are retrieved from the training set by texture similarity. Given the discrete hallucinated examples, a continuous energy function is designed to enforce the fidelity of high-resolution image to low-resolution input and the constraints imposed by the hallucinated examples and the edge smoothness prior. The reconstructed high-resolution image is sharp with minimal artifacts both along the edges and in the textural regions.
A Mixed Methods Study Examining the Factors Associated with Retention in Direct Support Professionals

Author: Krakovich, Teri, M. Ph.D. Institution: Purdue University Degree Received: August 2017 Title: A Mixed Methods Study Examining the Factors Associated with Retention in Direct Suport Professionals Major Professor: John H. McGrew The current study investigated the organizational and individual factors that promote retention for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) who work with individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (ID/DD) in residential or community-based settings across a Midwestern state. Twenty-seven DSPs completed qualitative and quantitative measures by responding to open-ended interview questions and supplying background information and ratings indicating their desires to stay or leave their current organizations and reasons for doing so. Content analysis was used to interpret the qualitative data and descriptive statistics, t-tests and Chi-square analyses were used to examine the quantitative data. Factors were conceptualized under three categories: (1) Intrinsic Factors, (2) Extrinsic Factors, and 3) Individual Factors. This organizational framework for DSPs is similar to retention models for other direct care workers (e.g., Ellenbecker, 2004; Li, 2007; Warburton et al., 2014). Some factors DSPs endorsed were similar to direct care workers generally, e.g., personality traits such as being loving or empathetic towards clients, having strong communication with coworkers and supervisors, and valuing the flexibility and benefits they receive on the job, whereas other factors appeared to be relatively unique to staff working with adults with ID/DD, e.g., seeing progress and change in their clients and feeling love and appreciation from clients. When the reasons DSPs stay (e.g., relationships with clients, flexibility in their schedules) and leave their jobs (e.g., financial constraints, viewing the job as temporary) were compared, they appeared to differ, but more research is warranted. Further research is also needed to examine
Metamorphic Code from LLVM IR Bytecode

Metamorphic software changes its internal structure across generations with its functionality remaining unchanged. Metamorphism has been employed by malware writers as a means of evading signature detection and other advanced detection strategies. However, code morphing also has potential security benefits, since it can serve to increase the “genetic diversity” of software. We have created a metamorphic code generator within the LLVM compiler framework. LLVM is a three-phase compiler that supports multiple source languages and target architectures. It uses a common intermediate representation (IR) bytecode in its optimizer. Consequently, any supported high-level programming language is transformed to this IR bytecode as part of the LLVM compilation process. Our metamorphic generator functions at the IR bytecode level, which provides many advantages over morphing at the assembly or source code level. The morphing techniques that we employ include dead code insertion and transposition, where the dead code is actually executed within the morphed code, making its detection and removal more challenging. We have verified the effectiveness of our code morphing using hidden Markov model analysis.
Do EPA Administrators Recommend Environmental Policies That Citizens Want?

We investigate whether Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrator recommendations regarding improvements in environmental quality differ from citizen preferences. This is done by conducting identical choice experiments on both citizens and administrators at the EPA. The administrators were asked to choose the alternatives they would recommend as a policy, while the citizens were asked to act as private persons. We find that the rankings of attributes differ between the two groups and that the willingness to pay (WTP) obtained from the choices made by the administrators is higher for five out of the seven attributes, and in some cases the difference between the WTPs is substantial. (JEL D61, Q58)
Finding and approximating top-k answers in keyword proximity search

Various approaches for keyword proximity search have been implemented in relational databases, XML and the Web. Yet, in all of them, an answer is a Q-fragment, namely, a subtree T of the given data graph G, such that T contains all the keywords of the query Q and has no proper subtree with this property. The rank of an answer is inversely proportional to its weight. Three problems are of interest: finding an optimal (i.e., top-ranked) answer, computing the top-k answers and enumerating all the answers in ranked order. It is shown that, under data complexity, an efficient algorithm for solving the first problem is sufficient for solving the other two problems with polynomial delay. Similarly, an efficient algorithm for finding a θ-approximation of the optimal answer suffices for carrying out the following two tasks with polynomial delay, under query-and-data complexity. First, enumerating in a (θ+1)-approximate order. Second, computing a (θ+1)-approximation of the top-k answers. As a corollary, this paper gives the first efficient algorithms, under data complexity, for enumerating all the answers in ranked order and for computing the top-k answers. It also gives the first efficient algorithms, under query-and-data complexity, for enumerating in a provably approximate order and for computing an approximation of the top-k answers.
White Blood Cells Identication and Classication from Leukemic Blood Image

The counting and classification of blood cells allows the evaluation and diagnosis of a vast number of diseases. Through the analysis of white blood cells (WBCs) the ALL Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia, a blood cancer that can be fatal if left untreated, can be detected. Nowadays the morphological analysis of blood cells is performed manually by skilled operators. This involves numerous drawbacks, such as slowness of the analysis and a non-standard accuracy, dependent on the operator skills. In literature there are only few examples of automated systems in order to analyze and classify the blood cells, most of which only partial. This paper presents a complete and fully automatic method for WBCs identification and classification from microscopic images. The proposed method firstly individuates WBCs from which, subsequently, are extracted morphological features necessary for the final stage of classification. The whole work has been developed using MATLAB environment.
Microchips in Medicine: Current and Future Applications

With the objective of improving efficacy and morbidity, device manufacturers incorporate chemicals or drugs into medical implants. Using multiple reservoirs of discrete drug doses, microchips represent a new technology capable of on-demand release of various drugs over long periods of time. Herein, we review drug delivery systems, how microchips work, recent investigations, and future applications in various fields of medicine.
Reuse Distance as a Metric for Cache Behavior.

The widening gap between memory and processor speed causes more and more programs to shift from CPUbounded to memory speed-bounded, even in the presence of multi-level caches. Powerful cache optimizations are needed to improve the cache behavior and increase the execution speed of these programs. Many optimizations have been proposed, and one can wonder what new optimizations should focus on. To answer this question, the distribution of the conflict and capacity misses was measured in the execution of code generated by a state-of-the-art EPIC compiler. The results show that cache conflict misses are reduced, but only a small fraction of the large number of capacity misses are eliminated. Furthermore, it is observed that some program transformations to enhance the parallelism may counter the optimizations to reduce the capacity misses. In order to minimize the capacity misses, the effect of program transformations and hardware solutions are explored and examples show that a directed approach can be very effective.
Height-diameter equations for young-growth red fir in California and southern Oregon.

easurement of tree heights is both time-consuming and cumbersome--especially in dense stands: Therefore, the standard sampling procedure for forest inventory is to measure heights of only a few trees and estimate the unmeasured heights fr om mathematical relationships between height and diameter or 'between height and diameter and other stand characteristics. Height-diameter equations also can be used to indirectly predict height growth in growth and yield models where actual measurements of height growth are not available for modeling purposes. ' This note presents equations forestimating total heights of individual red fii trees in California and southern Oregon. Because California red fi (Abies magn@ca A. Mm.) and its commonly recognized botanical variety Shasta red fi (Abies mgnlpca var. sbstensis Lemma) are Station, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriconsidered to be almost identical in culture; 4 p. silvical characteristics? no attempt was made to distinguish between them during the sapling phase of the study. I* this note, they are referred to collectively as red r ~ . The equations presented here apply only to young-growth trees. were rained f r a n stem analyses of 562 trees distributed collected on trees greater than 120 years old at breast height-