Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A pr 2 01 2 Using Nyquist or Nyquist-Like Plot to Predict Three Typical Instabilities in DC-DC Converters

By transforming an exact stability condition, a new Nyquist -like plot is proposed to predict occurrences of three typical instabilities in DC-DC converters. The three instabilities are saddle-node bifurcation (coexistence of multiple solutions), period-doubling bif urcation (subharmonic oscillation), and Neimark bifurcation (quasi-periodic oscillation). In a single plo t, it accurately predicts whether an instability occurs and what type the instability is. The plot is equivalent to th e Nyquist plot, and it is a useful design tool to avoid these instabilities. Nine examples are used to illu strate the accuracy of this new plot to predict instabilities in the buck or boost converter with fixed or var iable switching frequency.
Abundances and kinematics of a candidate sub-damped Lymanα galaxy toward PHL 1226

The spectrum of the quasar PHL 1226 is known to have a strong Mg  and sub-damped Lymanα (sub-DLA) absorp- tion line system with N(Hi) = (5 ± 2) × 10 19 cm −2 at z = 0.1602. Using integral field spectra from the Potsdam Multi Aperture Spectrophotometer (PMAS) we investigate a galaxy at an impact parameter of 6. 4 which is most probably responsible for the absorption lines. A fainter galaxy at a similar redshift and a slightly larger distance from the QSO is known to exist, but we assume that the absorption is caused by the more nearby galaxy. From optical Balmer lines we estimate an intrinsic reddening consistent with 0, and a moderate star formation rate of 0.5 Myr −1 is inferred from the Hα luminosity. Using nebular emis- sion line ratios we find a solar oxygen abundance 12 + log (O/H) = 8.7 ± 0.1 and a solar nitrogen to oxygen abundance ratio log (N/O) = −1.0 ± 0.2. This abundance is larger than those of all known sub-DLA systems derived from analyses of metal absorption lines in quasar spectra. On the other hand, the properties are compatible with the most metal rich galaxies respon- sible for strong Mg  absorption systems. These two categories can be reconciled if we assume an abundance gradient similar to local galaxies. Under that assumption we predict abundances 12 + log (O/H) = 7. 1a nd log (N/O) = −1.9 for the sub-DLA cloud, which is similar to high redshift DLA and sub-DLA systems. We find evidence for a rotational velocity of ∼200 km s −1 over a length of ∼7 kpc. From the geometry and kinematics of the galaxy we estimate that the absorbing cloud does not belong to a rotating disk, but could originate in a rotating halo.
Optimal Portfolios of Mean-Reverting Instruments

In this paper we investigate portfolios consisting of instruments whose logarithms are mean-reverting. Under the assumption that portfolios are constant, we derive analytic expressions for the expected wealth and the quantile-based risk measure capital at risk. Assuming that short-selling and borrowing are allowed, we then solve the problems of global minimum capital at risk and the problem of finding maximal wealth subject to constrained capital at risk. We illustrate these results with some numerical examples that show the strong effect of the mean-reversion rates on the portfolio choice.
Bohr's Response to EPR: Criticism and Defense

In Quantum Dialogue (1999, 154), Mara Beller notes a significant shift of focus that Niels Bohr makes in responding to EPR.1 EPR appeal to measurement as sometimes sufficient in the determination of physically real properties ("elements of reality"). In his response, Bohr, while paraphrasing the words of EPR, morphs them into appeal to measurement and experiment as necessary in determining the meaning ("unambiguous meaning") of the term 'physical reality' itself (Bohr, 696). That shift opens the door to a semantic thesis that Bohr lays out later. He asserts that the "conditions which define the
uCCP: An Approach for Continuous Capacity Planning in the Cloud with Uptime-Based Pricing

The Cloud has become a popular choice for many organisations wishing to build an infrastructure for their products. Many new Infrastructure-as-a-Service solutions are becoming available with a growing number of supported pricing models. The recent availability of different pricing schemes, based on resource utilisation and uptime, reveals new challenges in an already complex capacity planing process. Subscribers must choose between ad-hoc provisioning with higher hourly rates and longer term commitments with reduced rates. The multiple pricing options results in the potential to have different prices for the same resources, depending on the daily uptime value. We propose an approach for continuous capacity planning in Cloud environments with uptime-based pricing models, uCCP, that can be used by subscribers to make these business critical decisions. A large google trace dataset was used to validate our recommender algorithms, results show that or proposed approach, uCCP, can achieve significant cost savings.
Automatic recognition of facial expressions in image sequences: A review

For human beings, facial expression is one of the most powerful and natural way to communicate their emotions and intensions. A human being can detect facial expressions without effort, but for a machine it is very difficult. Automatic facial expression recognition is an interesting and challenging problem. Automatic facial expression recognition systems can be mainly used for human computer interaction and data driven animation. There are three sub problems while designing automatic facial expression recognition system, face detection, extraction of the facial expression information, and classification of the expression. A system that performs these operations more accurately and in real time would be crucial to achieve a human-like interaction between man and machine. This paper reviews the past work done in solving these problems for image sequences.
Directed Technological Change and Total Factor Productivity. Effects and Determinants in a Sample of OECD Countries, 1971 – 2001

Technological change is far from neutral. The empirical analysis of the rate and direction of technological change in a significant sample of 10 OECD countries in the years 1971-2001 confirms the strong bias of new technologies and its effects on the actual levels of total factor productivity. This is not surprising for two reasons. First, because the introduction of new and biased technologies can be considered as the result of a clear inducement mechanism exerted by the characteristics of factor markets. Second, because the introduction of radical innovations, such as new information and communication technologies, provides innovators with a strong competitive advantage and feeds the creative destruction of old incumbents. Imitators, especially if based in other factor markets, can try and resist the decline by means of the systematic effort to adapt them to the structure of local endowment. The bias effect is the ultimate result of their creative adoption.
Meta-analysis of the efficacy of the pretreatment neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio as a predictor of prognosis in renal carcinoma patients receiving tyrosine kinase inhibitors

The data on the impact of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) patients receiving tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are inconsistent. We therefore performed a meta-analysis to assess the prognostic value of pretreatment NLR in patients treated with TKIs for mRCC. We searched the Embase, Medline, PubMed, Cochrane and ISI Web of Knowledge to identify clinical studies that had evaluated the association between the pretreatment NLR and prognosis in mRCC patients. Prognostic outcomes included overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Nine studies encompassing a total of 1091 participants were included. We found that a high NLR was an effective prognostic marker of both OS (pooled HR: 1.93, 95% CI: 1.35-2.77; P = 0.0003) and PFS (pooled HR: 2.12, 95% CI: 1.42-3.17; P = 0.0002). Subgroup analysis revealed that studies reporting a NLR ≥ 3 showed a more significant effect of NLR on both OS (pooled HR: 2.50, 95% CI: 1.99-3.14; P = 0.0003) and PFS (pooled HR: 2.17, 95% CI: 1.26-3.75). This meta-analysis suggests that high pretreatment NLR is associated with a poor prognosis in mRCC patients receiving TKI treatment.
Adapting the Hypercube Model to Archive Deferred Representations and Their Descendants

The web is today's primary publication medium, making web archiving an important activity for historical and analytical purposes. Web pages are increasingly interactive, resulting in pages that are increasingly difficult to archive. Client-side technologies (e.g., JavaScript) enable interactions that can potentially change the client-side state of a representation. We refer to representations that load embedded resources via JavaScript as deferred representations. It is difficult to archive all of the resources in deferred representations and the result is archives with web pages that are either incomplete or that erroneously load embedded resources from the live web. We propose a method of discovering and crawling deferred representations and their descendants (representation states that are only reachable through client-side events). We adapt the Dincturk et al. Hypercube model to construct a model for archiving descendants, and we measure the number of descendants and requisite embedded resources discovered in a proof-of-concept crawl. Our approach identified an average of 38.5 descendants per seed URI crawled, 70.9% of which are reached through an onclick event. This approach also added 15.6 times more embedded resources than Heritrix to the crawl frontier, but at a rate that was 38.9 times slower than simply using Heritrix. We show that our dataset has two levels of descendants. We conclude with proposed crawl policies and an analysis of the storage requirements for archiving descendants.
A Novel Data Embedding Technique for Hiding Text in Video File using Steganography

internet applications require data to be transmitted in a secure manner. Data transmission in public communication system is not secure because of interception and improper manipulation by eavesdropper. So the solution for this problem is Steganography. That has to do with secure data transmission between a sender and a receiver; implementing Steganography is the best way. Steganography is hiding private or secret data within a carrier in an invisible manner, in such a way that no one, apart from the sender and intend recipient. This paper focus on hiding text in a computer video file and to retrieve the hidden information. Generally Video files are collection of both images and audio. Hiding large amount of data in video is possible compare with others. Video Steganography deals with hiding secret data or information within a video. This can be done by using LSB technique.
Expliner - Robot for inspection of transmission lines

The inspection of high-voltage transmission lines is a dangerous and time-consuming job, that relies on especially trained workers operating tens of meters above the ground, and close to live lines with thousands of volts. This paper presents the development of a tele-operated robot designed for preventive maintenance of high-voltage lines. The robot was designed with mobility in mind, so that cable spacers, suspension clamps and other obstacles, which so far have prevented the use of robots for inspection of high-voltage lines, would not hamper the operation of the machine. After careful considerations on mobility, the robot was designed, and a prototype was built. Results of tests, performed on facilities reproducing real field conditions, are also presented in this paper.
Monitoring and Predicting Land-use Changes and the Hydrology of the Urbanized Paochiao Watershed in Taiwan Using Remote Sensing Data, Urban Growth Models and a Hydrological Model

Monitoring and simulating urban sprawl and its effects on land-use patterns and hydrological processes in urbanized watersheds are essential in land-use and water-resource planning and management. This study applies a novel framework to the urban growth model Slope, Land use, Excluded land, Urban extent, Transportation, and Hillshading (SLEUTH) and land-use change with the Conversion of Land use and its Effects (CLUE-s) model using historical SPOT images to predict urban sprawl in the Paochiao watershed in Taipei County, Taiwan. The historical and predicted land-use data was input into Patch Analyst to obtain landscape metrics. This data was also input to the Generalized Watershed Loading Function (GWLF) model to analyze the effects of future urban sprawl on the land-use patterns and watershed hydrology. The landscape metrics of the historical SPOT images show that land-use patterns changed between 1990–2000. The SLEUTH model accurately simulated historical land-use patterns and urban sprawl in the Paochiao watershed, and simulated future clustered land-use patterns (2001–2025). The CLUE-s model also simulated land-use patterns for the same period and yielded historical trends in the metrics of land-use patterns. The land-use patterns predicted by the SLEUTH and CLUE-s models show the significant impact urban sprawl will have on land-use patterns in the Paochiao watershed. The historical and predicted land-use patterns in the watershed tended to fragment, had regular shapes and interspersion patterns, but were relatively less isolated in 2001–2025 and less interspersed from 2005–2025 compared with land-use pattern in 1990. During the study, the variability and magnitude of hydrological components based on the historical and predicted land-use patterns were cumulatively affected by urban sprawl in the watershed; specifically, surface runoff increased significantly by 22.0% and baseflow decreased by 18.0% during 1990–2025. The proposed approach is an effective means of enhancing land-use monitoring and management of urbanized watersheds.
A new protocol for the rapid generation of accurate anatomically realistic finite element meshes of the head from T1 MRI scans

Reconstruction of images in Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) of brain function in the adult head benefits from the use of accurate numerical models, which may utilize meshes created by the Finite Element Method (FEM). Previously, these have been produced by manual segmentation and parametric representation of surfaces which were later meshed, but this was time consuming and required CAD specialist expertise; as a result a single standard mesh was used for all subjects and this may have introduced errors. We demonstrate a new mesh generation procedure, which employed the freely available BrainSuite segmentation and Cubit meshing software. By this procedure, anatomically accurate finite element meshes of the head can be produced from T1 MRI scans in less than an hour. Acceptable images of test objects in the human head could be obtained with image reconstruction with the new meshes using experimental tank and simulated data. For uniform mesh density, the optimum element size was 7 mm, or 7mm for scalp, 5mm for skull and CSF and a bias factor 1.4 for brain for variable sizing. This appears to provide a practicable and rapid new method which could be used to provide individual subject FEM meshes without special expertise for EIT imaging in the head or elsewhere in the body if accurate individual meshes are required.
4 Spectrum

The spectrum of a time series is the distribution of variance of the series as a function of frequency. The object of spectral analysis is to estimate and study the spectrum. The spectrum contains no new information beyond that in the autocovariance function (acvf), and in fact the spectrum can be computed mathematically by transformation of the acvf. But the spectrum and acvf present the information on the variance of the time series from complementary viewpoints. The acf summarizes information in the time domain and the spectrum in the frequency domain. Why analyze the spectrum? The spectrum is of interest because many natural phenomena have variability that is frequency-dependent, and understanding the frequency dependence may yield information about the underlying physical mechanisms. Spectral analysis can help in this objective. A classic example from dendroclimatology is LaMarche's (1974) application of spectral analysis to study differences in frequency properties of tree growth at the upper treeline and lower forest border in eastern Nevada. LaMarche found that lower frequencies dominated the variance at the upper treeline, while higher frequencies were more important at the lower treeline (Figure 4.1). From correlation analysis of frequency-stratified components of variability, he concluded that the low-frequency variations reflected temperature fluctuations and the high-frequency fluctuations precipitation variations. A couple of years earlier, LaMarche and Fritts (1972) had first applied modern spectral analysis methods to study a possible solar-variability signal in tree rings. This topic received much attention from dendroclimatologists in subsequent years. Ed Cook followed up on the solar-tree ring connection by applying spectral analysis methods to relate tree-ring variations at hundreds of sites in North America to an index of area covered by drought (Cook et al. 1997) and concluded that the data supports a bi-decadal rhythm in drought area possibly driven by interacting solar and lunar influences near the double sunspot and lunar nodal periods. Figure 4.1. Spectra of upper treeline (solid) and lower forest border (dashed) chronologies (LaMarche 1974).
Sociological dynamics of sport and exercise

1. Sociological Thinking and the Study of Sport and Exercise. 2. Socialization into Sport and Exercise: Active or Sedentary Lifestyle? 3. Sport, American Values, and the American Dream. 4. The Dynamics of Social Class and Social Mobility. 5. Social Problems in Sport and Exercise. 6. Gender and the Sport and Exercise Experience. 7. Race and Ethnicity: Diversity in Sport and Exercise. 8. The Fitness and Exercise Industry in a Sedentary Society. 9. Sport and the Educational Institution. 10. The Corporate World of Sport 11. Mass Communication and Images of Sport. 12. Future Trends of Sport and Exercise. Glossary. Index.
Towards a Theory of Cyber Security Assessment in the Universal Composable Framework

In this paper, we propose a novel Cyber security assessment methodology is presented and analyzed based on the decomposition and composition mechanism. To evaluate the security of a Cyber system, we first decompose the entire system into a set of security primitives/functionalites (a decomposition procedure); and then evaluate individual implementation in the environment-based security framework (a security assessment procedure). Finally, a composition theorem is formalized and proved in the universally composable framework that supports the composition of security modules (individual functionalities composition procedure). The presented SA-framework has the following salient features:\begin{itemize}\item it introduces the concept of the virtual ideal security (over its operation environment) serving as the benchmark, which can flexibly define sets of security attributes over various operation environments. \item supported by the composition theory, it will result in a comprehensive multidimensional security metrics over the scope of the concerning security aspects;\item while reducing the complexity of the security assessment for information system significantly, it captures the dynamic nature of the adversary strategies over the particular operation environment;\item with its computational efficiency of being programmable in polynomial time toward a security attribute, it promises a foundation for the development of the future effective SA automation tools. \end{itemize}
Are the labor market conditions causing the terms of trade to deteriorate? : A statistical evaluation of the Prebisch- Singer hypothesis.

The study examines to what extent weak labor unions and an abundance of labor have a negative effect on less developed countries terms of trade, as hypothesized by Hans Singer (1950) and Raul Prebisch (1950). Using a sample from panel data for 74 less developed countries during the period 1980 – 2010 in OLS-regressions with fixed effects, I find some evidence that weak labor unions and abundance of labor is negatively correlated with the terms of trade, which could be interpreted in favor of the Prebisch-Singer hypothesis. The marginal effect of an abundance of labor also appears to have less negative impact on the terms of trade as labor unions grow stronger.
America’s Forgotten Nuclear Waste Dump in the Pacific

During the Cold War the United States detonated sixty-seven nuclear weapons over the atolls of Bikini and Enewetak in the Marshall Islands. In the late 1970s the United States addressed the massive amount of residual contamination by abandoning Bikini as permanently uninhabitable and pushing much of the waste at Enewetak into the open lagoon. Much of the plutonium was dumped into the crater that had been left by an atomic bomb explosion, and then covered with a thin shell of cement. The resultant “Runit dome” sits unmarked and unguarded in a small island and one day will be submerged by the rising waters of the Pacific Ocean, unless it is first torn apart by typhoons. Radiation from the Marshall Islands has already been detected in the South China Sea. Using the experience of the Marshall Islands as a case study, this article seeks to shed light on the environmental and security challenges of nuclear waste disposal in the Pacific and beyond.
A CMOS OTA and implementation

This paper proposes a low voltage wide input linear range CMOS Operational Transconductance Amplifier (OTA). The voltage-to-current is carried by bulk-driven flipped-voltage follower differential pair input stage based on resistive source degeneration topology. The DC quiescent current of proposed OTA is determined by active load (diode-connected transistors) to provide a class-AB bulk-driven flipped-voltage follower differential pair input stage. The proposed design is optimized for a 0.8-V single power supply voltage. Simulation results of current tuning for the fully differential transconductance amplifier show wide linear differential input voltage range of 750-mV has one percentage of total harmonic distortion. The proposed OTA is implemented a CMOS biquad filter. Post layout simulation illustrates AC frequency responses for low-pass, band-pass, high-pass, and reject-band-pass filter through Specter simulator on 0.18-μm CMOS technology.