Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Direct Weight Optimization applied to discontinuous functions

The Direct Weight Optimization (DWO) approach is a nonparametric estimation approach that has appeared in recent years within the field of nonlinear system identification. In previous work, all function classes for which DWO has been studied have included only continuous functions. However, in many applications it would be desirable also to be able to handle discontinuous functions. Inspired by the bilateral filter method from image processing, such an extension of the DWO framework is proposed for the smoothing problem. Examples show that the properties of the new approach regarding the handling of discontinuities are similar to the bilateral filter, while at the same time DWO offers a greater flexibility with respect to different function classes handled.
Variable bandwidth allocation scheme for energy efficient wireless sensor network

Increasing the lifetime of wireless sensors is essential for the proliferation of wireless sensor networks in various environments. In this paper, the relationship between bandwidth and energy consumption is exploited to increase the lifetime of the sensors. A variable bandwidth allocation scheme that uses time-frequency slot assignment is proposed to reduce the energy consumption of a collaborative sensor network which has large spatial variation in node density and event rates. To assign the time-frequency slots to the sensor network, a novel algorithm is presented, which results in significant energy savings over the conventional constant bandwidth allocation scheme.
A PCA-FBPN Approach for Job Cycle Time Estimation in a Wafer Fabrication Factory

Variable replacement is a well-known technique to improve the forecasting performance, but has not been applied to the job cycle time forecasting, which is a critical task to a semiconductor manufacturer. To this end, in this study, principal component analysis PCA is applied to enhance the forecasting performance of the fuzzy back propagation network FBPN approach. First, to replace the original variables, PCA is applied to form variables that are independent of each other, and become new inputs to the FBPN. Subsequently, a FBPN is constructed to estimate the cycle times of jobs. According to the results of a case study, the hybrid PCA-FBPN approach was more efficient, while achieving a satisfactory estimation performance.
Deformable Surface Tracking Ambiguities

We study from a theoretical standpoint the ambiguities that occur when tracking a generic deformable surface under monocular perspective projection given 3D to 2D correspondences. We show that, additionally to the known scale ambiguity, a set of potential ambiguities can be clearly identified. From this, we deduce a minimal set of constraints required to disambiguate the problem and incorporate them into a working algorithm that runs on real noisy data.
Active Transport in Biological Computing (Preliminary Version)

Early papers on biological computing focussed on combinatorial and algorithmic issues, and worked with intentionally oversimpliied chemical models. In this paper, we reintroduce complexity to the chemical model by considering the eeect problem size has on the initial concentrations of reactants, and the eeect this has in turn on the rate of production and quantity of nal reaction products. We give a sobering preliminary analyses of Adleman's technique for solving Hamiltonian path. Even on the simplest problems, the annealling phase of Adleman's technique requires time (n 2) rather than the O(log n) complexity given by a computationally inspired but chemically naive analysis. On more diicult problems, not only does the rate of production of witnessing molecules drop exponentially in problem size, the nal yield also drops exponentially. These issues are not objections to biological computing per se, but rather diiculties to be overcome in its development as a viable technology. 1 Reaction Rates We assume familiarity with Adleman's DNA-based technique Adl94] for solving the hamiltonian path problem. For the present analysis, we will consider the hamiltonian path problem on directed graphs, rather than graphs. We recommend Molecular Cell Biology LBB + 95] as a useful general reference for all chemical and biological concepts not otherwise referenced. We begin by considering a very simple family of directed graphs, the line di-graphs.
Grid base classifier in comparison to nonparametric methods in multiclass classification

In this paper, a new method known as Grid Base Classifier was proposed. This method carries the advantages of the two previous methods in order to improve the classification tasks. The problem with the current lazy algorithms is that they learn quickly, but classify very slowly. On the other hand, the eager algorithms classify quickly, but they learn very slowly. The two algorithms were compared, and the proposed algorithm was found to be able to both learn and classify quickly. The method was developed based on the grid structure which was done to create a powerful method for classification. In the current research, the new algorithm was tested and applied to the multiclass classification of two or more categories, which are important for handling problems related to practical classification. The new method was also compared with the Levenberg-Marquardt back-propagation neural network in the learning stage and the Condensed nearest neighbour in the generalization stage to examine the performance of the model. The results from the artificial and real-world data sets (from UCI Repository) showed that the new method could improve both the efficiency and accuracy of pattern classification.
Sub-surface fluorescence imaging of Protoporphyrin IX with B-Scan mode tomography

A non-contact fluorescence diffuse optical tomography (DOT) system capable of producing B-scan-type images of localized fluorescence regions up to depths of 15mm is presented. The B-Scan mode is analogous to ultrasound where the excitation and remission signals are delivered from the same surface of the tissue. This optical fluorescence system utilizes a 635 nm diode laser and two orthogonal galvanometers to raster scan the position of the source along the tissue surface. Using Protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) as a fluorescent agent, the amplitude of the remitted signal is separated by a 650 nm long pass filter and the fluorescence is then detected by a cooled CCD camera. Images are acquired for all source positions along the surface of the tissue, providing remission intensity images for each. This volume data set is then used in image reconstruction of the sub-surface volume, via a finite element method of modeling the fluorescence diffusion. The optimal remission imaging geometry, in terms of depth sensitivity, computation time, and image contrast-to-noise, was determined by performing sensitivity and singular-value decomposition analysis of the Jacobian for various source/detector combinations. The simulated results indicate that the fluorophore concentration and the inclusion size can not be recovered accurately in this mode; however, it is shown that the inclusion depth can accurately be predicted. Finally, by performing simulations on a mesh created from an MR image, we show that our system may prove useful in predicting the regions of local tissue fluorescence in the application of resection of residual brain tumor tissue under fluorescence guidance. This non-contact diagnostic system is being calibrated and finalized for potential use in this application of sub-surface imaging in the brain.
Evaluation of an objective technique for analysing temporal variables in DAT spontaneous speech

This paper describes a technique for quantifying the degree of speech deficits in probable dementia of Alzheimer's type (DAT). The technique involves interviewing individuals with DAT and transcribing their speech. From these transcripts five measurements that reflect the physical characteristics of this speech can be calculated, each measure being dependent on speech fluency and pauses. Eight patients with DAT and eight healthy participants were interviewed and their conversational speech analysed. The paper discusses statistical results obtained with these parameters and explores their usefulness for quantifying speech deficits in DAT. The paper recommends similar analysis with a larger sample and its integration with other linguistic methods of analysing the language deficits experienced by people with DAT.
The conserved SNARE SEC-22 localizes to late endosomes and negatively regulates RNA interference in Caenorhabditis elegans

Small RNA pathways, including RNA interference (RNAi), play crucial roles in regulation of gene expression. Initially considered to be cytoplasmic, these processes have later been demonstrated to associate with membranes. For example, maturation of late endosomes/multivesicular bodies (MVBs) is required for efficient RNAi, whereas fusion of MVBs to lysosomes appears to reduce silencing efficiency. SNAREs (soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors) mediate membrane fusion and are thus at the core of membrane trafficking. In spite of this, no SNARE has previously been reported to affect RNAi. Here, we demonstrate that in Caenorhabditis elegans, loss of the conserved SNARE SEC-22 results in enhanced RNAi upon ingestion of double-stranded RNA. Furthermore, SEC-22 overexpression inhibits RNAi in wild-type animals. We find that overexpression of SEC-22 in the target tissue (body wall muscle) strongly suppresses the sec-22(−) enhanced RNAi phenotype, supporting a primary role for SEC-22 in import of RNAi silencing signals or cell autonomous RNAi. A functional mCherry::SEC-22 protein localizes primarily to late endosomes/MVBs and these compartments are enlarged in animals lacking sec-22. SEC-22 interacts with late endosome-associated RNA transport protein SID-5 in a yeast two-hybrid assay and functions in a sid-5-dependent manner. Taken together, our data indicate that SEC-22 reduces RNAi efficiency by affecting late endosome/MVB function, for example, by promoting fusion between late endosomes/MVBs and lysosomes. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a SNARE with a function in small RNA-mediated gene silencing.
Temporal encoding of two-dimensional patterns by single units in primate inferior temporal cortex. III. Information theoretic analysis.

Ablation and single-unit studies in primates have shown that inferior temporal (IT) cortex is important for pattern discrimination. The first paper in this series suggested that single units in IT cortex of alert monkeys respond to a set of two-dimensional patterns with complex temporal modulation of their spike trains. The second paper quantified the waveform of the modulated responses of IT neurons with principal components and demonstrated that the coefficients of two to four of the principal components were stimulus dependent. Although the coefficients of the principal components are uncorrelated, it is possible that they are not statistically independent. That is, several coefficients could be determined by the same feature of the stimulus, and thus could be conveying the same information. The final part of this study examined this issue by comparing the amount of information about the stimulus that can be conveyed by two codes: a temporal waveform code derived from the coefficients of the first three principal components and a mean rate code derived from the spike count. We considered the neuron to be an information channel conveying messages about stimulus parameters. Previous applications of information theory to neurophysiology have dealt either with the theoretical capacity of neuronal channels or the temporal distribution of information within the spike train. This previous work usually used a general binary code to represent the spike train of a neuron's response. Such a general approach yields no indication of the nature of the neuron's intrinsic coding scheme because it depends only on the timing of spikes in the response. In particular, it is independent of any statistical properties of the responses. Our approach uses the principal components of the response waveform to derive a code for representing information about the stimuli. We regard this code as an indication of the neuron's intrinsic coding scheme, because it is based on the statistical properties of the neuronal responses. We measured how much information about the stimulus was present in the neuron's responses. This transmitted information was calculated for codes based on either the spike count or on the first three principal components of the response waveform. The information transmitted by each of the first three principal components was largely independent of that transmitted by the others. It was found that the average amount of information transmitted by the principal components was about twice as large as that transmitted by the spike count. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
The influence of axial length on retinal nerve fibre layer thickness and optic-disc size measurements by spectral-domain OCT

Background To evaluate the influence of axial length on measurements of the retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness and optic nerve head (ONH) parameters in healthy subjects. Methods Using Cirrus HD-OCT, RNFL thickness and ONH parameters (disc and rim area) were measured in 15 short (<22.5 mm), 15 medium (22.51–25.5 mm) and 15 long (>25.51 mm) eyes. Results The mean axial length was 21.5±0.5 mm in short eyes, 24.1±0.8 mm in medium eyes and 26.6±1.0 mm in long eyes. The RNFL thickness decreased with longer axial lengths in the superior (r=−0.52, r2=0.27, p=0.0003), inferior (r=−0.72, r2=0.52, p<0.0001), nasal (r=−0.60, r2=0.37, p<0.0001) and temporal (r=−0.30, r2=0.09, p=0.0485) quadrants, as well as in the 360° mean measurement (r=−0.69, r2=0.48, p<0.0001). The optic-disc area (r=−0.74, r2=0.54, p<0.0001) and rim area (r=−0.41, r2=0.17, p=0.0051) decreased with longer axial lengths. Correcting for axial length-induced ocular magnification by means of the Littmann formula resolved the relationship between axial length and both RNFL thickness and ONH area. Discussion Axial length influences measurements of RNFL thickness and ONH parameters in healthy subjects. Caution is recommended when comparing the measured values of myopic and hyperopic eyes with the normative database of the instrument.
Chronic Restraint Stress Induces an Isoform-Specific Regulation on the Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule in the Hippocampus

Existing evidence indicates that 21-days exposure of rats to restraint stress induces dendritic atrophy in pyramidal cells of the hippocampus. This phenomenon has been related to altered performance in hippocampal-dependent learning tasks. Prior studies have shown that hippocampal expression of cell adhesion molecules is modified by such stress treatment, with the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) decreasing and L1 increasing, their expression, at both the mRNA and protein levels. Given that NCAM comprises several isoforms, we investigated here whether chronic stress might differentially affect the expression of the three major isoforms (NCAM-120, NCAM-140, NCAM-180) in the hippocampus. In addition, as glucocorticoids have been implicated in the deleterious effects induced by chronic stress, we also evaluated plasma corticosterone levels and the hippocampal expression of the corticosteroid mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) and glucocorticoid receptor (GR). The results showed that the protein concentration of the NCAM-140 isoform decreased in the hippoampus of stressed rats. This effect was isoform-specific, because NCAM-120 and NCAM-180 levels were not significantly modified. In addition, whereas basal levels of plasma corticosterone tended to be increased, MR and GR concentrations were not significantly altered. Although possible changes in NCAM-120, NCAM-180 and corticosteroid receptors at earlier time points of the stress period cannot be ignored; this study suggests that a down-regulation of NCAM-140 might be implicated in the structural alterations consistently shown to be induced in the hippocampus by chronic stress exposure. As NCAM-140 is involved in cell-cell adhesion and neurite outgrowth, these findings suggest that this molecule might be one of the molecular mechanisms involved in the complex interactions among neurodegeneration-related events.
Swing-up control of a serial double inverted pendulum

A swing-up control scheme for a serial double inverted pendulum is proposed. The control scheme is to swing up the pendulum in three steps, step 1: to swing up the first pendulum, step 2: to swing up the second pendulum while stabilizing the first pendulum at the upright position, and step 3: to stabilize the two pendulums around the unstable equilibrium state. In each step a control scheme and a switching rule from a step to next step are given. The rule bases on the states of the system. For the controller of step 1, the energy control method is applied to swing up the first pendulum. For the controller of step 2, a new method is given. The method combines a stabilization control method of the first pendulum using sliding mode control method and a swing-up control method of the second pendulum using energy control method. And for a controller in step 3, the sliding mode controller stabilizing both of the pendulums is used. A numerical simulation is given to show the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
OBJECT-BASED CHANGE DETECTION USING HIGH-RESOLUTION REMOTELY SENSED DATA AND GIS

High resolution remotely sensed images provide current, detailed, and accurate information for large areas of the earth surface which can be used for change detection analyses. Conventional methods of image processing permit detection of changes by comparing remotely sensed multitemporal images. However, for performing a successful analysis it is desirable to take images from the same sensor which should be acquired at the same time of season, at the same time of a day, and – for electro-optical sensors – in cloudless conditions. Thus, a change detection analysis could be problematic especially for sudden catastrophic events. A promising alternative is the use of vector-based maps containing information about the original urban layout which can be related to a single image obtained after the catastrophe. The paper describes a methodology for an object-based search of destroyed buildings as a consequence of a natural or man-made catastrophe (e.g., earthquakes, flooding, civil war). The analysis is based on remotely sensed and vector GIS data. It includes three main steps: (i) generation of features describing the state of buildings; (ii) classification of building conditions; and (iii) data import into a GIS. One of the proposed features is a newly developed 'Detected Part of Contour' (DPC). Additionally, several features based on the analysis of textural information corresponding to the investigated vector objects are calculated. The method is applied to remotely sensed images of areas that have been subjected to an earthquake. The results show the high reliability of the DPC feature as an indicator for change.
Stereo-Based Autonomous Navigation and Obstacle Avoidance*

Abstract This paper presents a stereo vision-based autonomous navigation system using a GPS and a modified version of the VFH algorithm. In order to obtain a high-accuracy disparity map and meet the time constraints of the real time navigation system, this work proposes the use of a semi-global stereo method. By not suffering the same issues of the regularly used local stereo methods, the employed stereo technique enables the generation of a highly dense, efficient, and accurate disparity map. Obstacles are detected using a method that checks for relative slopes and heights differences. Experimental tests using an electric vehicle in an urban environment were performed to validate the proposed approach.
Synthesis gas utilization and production in a biomass liquefaction facility

LBL-10199 UC-61 SYNTHESIS GAS UTILIZATION AND PRODUCTION IN A BIOMASS LIQUEFACTION FACILITY C. Figueroa and S. Ergun November 1979 TWO-WEEK LOAN This is a Library y Copy which may be borrowed for two weeks. a personal copy-' call Division_, Ext. 6782. Prepared for the U.S. Department of Energy under Contract W-7405-ENG-48
Shared Virtual Memory Across SMP Nodes Using Automatic Update: Protocols and Performance

As the workstation market moves form single processor to small-scale shared memory multiprocessors, it is very attractive to construct larger-scale multiprocessors by connecting widely available symmetric multiprocessors (SMPs) in a less tightly coupled way. Using a shared virtual memory (SVM) layer for this purpose preserves the shared memory programming abstraction across nodes. We explore the feasibility and performance implications of one such approach by extending the AURC (Automatic Update Release Consistency) protocol, used in the SHRIMP multicomputer, to connect hardware-coherent SMPs rather than uniprocessors. We describe the extended AURC protocol, and compare its performance with both the AURC uniprocessor node case as well as with an all-software Lazy Release Consistency (LRC) protocol extended for SMPs. We present results based on detailed simulations of two protocols (AURC and LRC) and two architectural con gurations of a system with 16 processors; one with one processor per node (16 nodes) and one with four processors per node (4 nodes). We nd that, unless the bandwidth of the network interface is increased, the network interface becomes the bottleneck in a clustered architecture especially for AURC. While a LRC protocol can bene t from the reduction in per processor communication in a clustered architecture, the write-through tra c in AURC increases signi cantly the communication demands per network interface. This causes more tra c contention and either prevents the performance of AURC from improving under SMP or hurts it severely for applications with signi cant communication requirements. Thus, while AURC performs better than LRC, for applications with high communication needs, the reverse may be true in clustered architectures. Among possible solutions, two are investigated in the paper: protocol changes and bandwidth increases. Further work is clearly needed on the systems and application sides to evaluate whether AURC can be extended for multiprocessor node systems.
Attributions of Personality Based on Physical Appearance, Speech, and Handwriting

The effect of facial appearance, speech style, and handwriting on personality attributions was examined. The source consistency hypothesis predicted that an actor will receive consistent attributions across all three types of information. The differential information hypothesis predicted that different personality dimensions are used to differentiate the actors within each type of information. In a 3 X 6 multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) design, each judge rated a single actor/information combination on scales of social evaluation, intellectual evaluation, activity, potency, emotionality, and sociability. Photographs of actors were differentiated primarily in terms of positive social and intellectual evaluation; the speech of actors was differentiated primarily along an activity dimension; and the writing of the actors was differentiated primarily along a potency dimension. This study supported the differential information hypothesis and suggested that these three types of information about an actor may lead judges to use different personality dimensions. Person perception studies have shown that observers readily make attributions about the personality traits, abilities, and emotions of other persons based on limited information. Three types of information have been extensively studied: facial appearance, expressive noncontent characteristics of speech (such as pitch, tone, and tempo), and handwriting. Numerous studies have reported that facial features and expression influence attributions about the attractiveness, pleasantness, intellectual and social skills, and mental health of the target person (Adams, 1977; Berscheid & Walster, 1974; Bull & Stevens, 1979; Dion, Ber