Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Robust Bayesian Beamforming for Sources at Different Distances with Applications in Urban Monitoring

Acoustic smart sensor networks can provide valuable actionable intelligence to authorities for managing safety in the urban environment. A spatial filter (beamformer) for localization and separation of acoustic sources is a key component of such a network. However, classical methods such as delay-and-sum beamforming fail, because sources are located at varying distances from the sensor array. This causes a regularization problem where either far-away sources are wrongly attenuated, or noise is wrongly amplified.We solve this by considering source strength and location as random variables. The posterior distributions are approximated using Gibbs sampling. Each marginal is computed by combining importance sampling and inverse transform sampling using Chebyshev polynomial approximation. This leads to an iterative algorithm with similarities to deconvolution beamforming.Our method is robust against deviations in manifold model, can deal with sources at different distances and power levels, and does not require an a priori known number of sources.
Graphite-based material development for reconfigurable antennas

New antenna material functionalities are required for reconfigurable antenna technologies. For these applications, RF circuit materials which are innately reconfigurable could provide increased functionality without added complexity. We have investigated two such materials: sulfuric acid-intercalated graphite, a tunable-impedance conductor; and a graphene oxide-metal nanoparticle composite, a semi-conductor with demonstrated negative differential resistance properties. This paper covers fabrication and characterization of devices using these materials, exploring their intrinsic tunability from DC to 40 GHz and their potential for application to reconfigurable RF technology.
Stochastic Transparency

Stochastic transparency provides a unified approach to order-independent transparency, antialiasing, and deep shadow maps. It augments screen-door transparency using a random sub-pixel stipple pattern, where each fragment of transparent geometry covers a random subset of pixel samples of size proportional to alpha. This results in correct alpha-blended colors on average, in a single render pass with fixed memory size and no sorting, but introduces noise. We reduce this noise by an alpha correction pass, and by an accumulation pass that uses a stochastic shadow map from the camera. At the pixel level, the algorithm does not branch and contains no read-modify-write loops, other than traditional z-buffer blend operations. This makes it an excellent match for modern massively parallel GPU hardware. Stochastic transparency is very simple to implement and supports all types of transparent geometry, able without coding for special cases to mix hair, smoke, foliage, windows, and transparent cloth in a single scene.
Hydrophobic core repacking and aromatic–aromatic interaction in the thermostable mutant of T4 lysozyme ser 117 → phe

The T4 lysozyme mutant Ser 117 → Phe was isolated fortuitously and found to be more thermostable than wild‐type by 1.1–1.4 kcal/mol. In the wild‐type structure, the side chain of Ser 117 is in a sterically restricted region near the protein surface and forms a short hydrogen bond with Asn 132. The crystal structure of the S117F mutant shows that the introduced Phe side chain rotates by about 150° about the Cα–Cβ bond relative to wild type and is buried in the hydrophobic core of the protein. Burial of Phe 117 is accommodated by rearrangements of the surrounding side chains of Leu 121, Leu 133, and Phe 153 and by main‐chain shifts, which result in a minimal increase in packing density. The benzyl rings of Phe 117 and Phe 153 form a near‐optimal edge–face interaction in the mutant structure. This aromatic–aromatic interaction, as well as increased hydrophobic stabilization and elimination of a close contact in the wild‐type protein, apparently compensate for the loss of a hydrogen bond and the possible cost of structural rearrangements in the mutant. The structure illustrates the ability of a protein to accommodate a surprisingly large structural change in a manner that actually increases thermal stability. The mutant has activity about 10% that of wild‐type, supportive of the prior hypothesis (Grütter, M.G. & Matthews, B.W., 1982, J. Mol. Biol. 154, 525–535) that the peptidoglycan substrate of T4 lysozyme makes extended contacts with the C‐terminal domain in the vicinity of Ser 117.
Cosmic reionization in dynamic quintessence cosmology

In this paper we investigate the effects that a dynamic dark energy component dominant in the universe at late epochs has on reionization. We follow the evolution of HII regions with the analytic approach of Furlanetto & Oh (2005) in two different universes for which we assume the Peebles & Ratra (2003) and Brax & Martin (2000) quintessence models and we compare
A metrics‐based analysis of seasonal daily precipitation and near‐surface temperature within seven Coordinated Regional Climate Downscaling Experiment domains

We compare ensemble mean daily precipitation and near‐surface temperatures from regional climate model simulations over seven Coordinated Regional Climate Downscaling Experiment domains for the winter and summer seasons. We use Taylor diagrams to show the domain‐wide pattern similarity between the model ensemble and the observational data sets. We use the Climatic Research Unit (CRU) and the University of Delaware gridded observations and ERA‐Interim reanalysis data as an additional observationally based estimate of historical climatology. Taylor diagrams determine the relative skill of the seven sets of simulations and quantify these results in terms of center pattern root‐mean square error and correlation coefficient. Results suggest that there is good agreement between the models and the CRU, in terms of their respective seasonal cycles, as shown in Taylor diagrams and bias plots. There is also good agreement between both gridded observation sets. In addition, downscaled ERA‐Interim precipitation is closer to observations than raw ERA‐Interim precipitation. Domains located in the low latitudes and those having high topography appear to have larger biases, especially precipitation.
A review on the evolvement trend of robotic interaction control

Purpose Interaction plays a significant role in robotics and it is considered in all levels of hardware and software control design. Several models have been introduced and developed for controlling robotic interaction. This study aims to address and analyze the state-of-the-art on robotic interaction control by which it is revealed that both practical and theoretical issues have to be faced when designing a controller. Design/methodology/approach In this review, a critical analysis of the control algorithms developed for robotic interaction tasks is presented. A hierarchical classification of distributed control levels from general aspects to specific control algorithms is also illustrated. Hence, two main control paradigms are discussed together with control approaches and architectures. The challenges of each control approach are discussed and the relevant solutions are presented. Findings This review presents an evolvement trend of interaction control theories and technologies over time. In addition, it highlights the pros and cons of each control approaches with addressing how the flaws of one control approach were compensated by emerging another control methods. Originality/value This review provides the robotic controller designers to select the right architecture and accordingly design the appropriate control algorithm for any given interactive task and with respect to the technology implemented in robotic manipulator.
Thermal simulator of 3D-IC with modeling of anisotropic TSV conductance and microchannel entrance effects

This paper presents a fast and accurate steady state thermal simulator for heatsink and microfluid-cooled 3D-ICs. This model considers the thermal effect of TSVs at fine-granularity by calculating the anisotropic equivalent thermal conductances of a solid grid cell if TSVs are inserted. Entrance effect of microchannels is also investigated for accurate modeling of microfluidic cooling. The proposed thermal simulator is verified against commercial multiphysics solver COMSOL and compared with Hotspot and 3D-ICE. Simulation results shows that for heatsink cooling, the proposed simulator is as accurate as Hotspot but runs much faster at moderate granularity. For microfluidic cooling, our proposed simulator is much more accurate than 3D-ICE in its estimation of steady state temperature and thermal distribution.
Functional Characterization of the Frost Gene in Drosophila melanogaster: Importance for Recovery from Chill Coma

Background Almost all animals, including insects, need to adapt to temperature fluctuations. The molecular basis of thermal adaptation is not well understood, although a number of candidate genes have been proposed. However, a functional link between candidate genes and thermal tolerance has rarely been established. The gene Frost (Fst) was first discovered when Drosophila flies were exposed to cold stress, but the biological function(s) of Fst has so far not been characterized. Because Fst is up-regulated after a cold stress, we tested whether it was essential for chill-coma recovery. Methodology/Principal Findings A marked increase in Fst expression was detected (by RT-PCR) during recovery from cold stress, peaking at 42-fold after 2 h. The GAL4/UAS system was used to knock down expression of Fst and recovery ability was assessed in transgenic adults following 12 h of chill coma at 0°C. The ability to recover from cold stress (short-, medium- and long-term) was significantly altered in the transgenic adults that had Fst silenced. These findings show that Fst plays an essential role in the recovery from chill coma in both males and females. Conclusions/Significance The Frost gene is essential for cold tolerance in Drosophila melanogaster and may play an important role in thermal adaptation.
Tissue-Volume Preserving Deformable Image Registration for 4DCT Pulmonary Images

We propose a 4D (three spatial dimensions plus time) tissue-volume preserving non-rigid image registration algorithm for pulmonary 4D computed tomography (4DCT) data sets to provide relevant information for radiation therapy and estimate pulmonary ventilation. The sum of squared tissue volume difference (SSTVD) similarity cost takes into account the CT intensity changes of spatially corresponding voxels, which is caused by the variations of fraction of tissue within voxels throughout the respiratory cycle. The proposed 4D SSTVD registration scheme considers the entire dynamic 4D data set simultaneously, using both spatial and temporal information. We employed a uniform 4D cubic B-spline parametrization of the transform and a temporally extended linear elasticity regularization of deformation field to ensure temporal smoothness and thus biological plausibility of estimated deformation. We used a multiresolution multi-grid registration framework with limitedmemory Broyden Fletcher Goldfarb Shanno (L-BFGS) optimization procedure for rapid convergence and limited memory consumption. We conducted experiments using synthetic 2D+t images and clinical 4DCT pulmonary data sets and evaluated accuracy and temporal smoothness of the proposed method via manually annotated landmarks.
Misidentification of Tansy, Tanacetum Macrophyllum, as Yarrow, Achillea Grandifolia: A Health Risk or Benefit?

Tansy, Tanacetum macrophyllum (Waldst. & Kit.) Sch. Bip. , is often misidentified by herb collectors as yarrow, Achillea grandifolia Friv. With the former, cases of poisoning induced by its ingestion are well documented, but the latter is widely used for ethnopharmacological purposes. The aim of this study was to estimate, based on the volatile metabolite profiles of the two species, the potential health risk connected with their misidentification. GC and GC-MS analysis of the essential oils hydrodistilled using a Clevenger-type apparatus from A. grandifolia, T. macrophyllum, and two plant samples (reputedly of A. grandifolia, but in fact mixtures of A. grandifolia and T. macrophyllum) obtained from a local market, resulted in the identification of 215 different compounds. The main constituents of A. grandifolia oil were ascaridole (15.5%), α-thujone (7.5%), camphor (15.6%), borneol (5.2%) and (Z)-jasmone (6.4%), and of T. macrophyllum oil, 1,8-cineole (8.6%), camphor (6.4%), borneol (9.1%), isobornyl acetate (9.5%), copaborneol (4.2%) and γ-eudesmol (6.2%). The compositions of the oils extracted from the samples obtained from the market were intermediate to those of A. grandifolia and T. macrophyllum. Significant differences in the corresponding volatile profiles and the literature data concerning the known activities of the pure constituents of the oils, suggested that the pharmacological action of the investigated species (or their unintentional mixtures) would be notably different. It seems, however, that misidentification of T. macrophyllum as A. grandifolia does not represent a health risk and that the absence of the toxic α-thujone from T. macrophyllum oil may in fact be regarded as a benefit.
Waveguides with uniaxially patterned layers

We present an effective approach to calculating the low-frequency part of the spectrum of uniaxially patterned periodic structures. In this approach we ignore to zeroth-order the Bragg scattering by crystalline planes but include local field effects in first order perturbation theory. Bragg reflections are shown to be important only near points of symmetry-induced spectral degeneracy, where they can be taken into account by the degenerate perturbation theory. We apply this approach to waveguiding by thin patterned slabs embedded in a homogeneous medium. This results in an effective medium approximation, similar to the Maxwell Garnet theory but modified for the local field corrections specific to 2D geometry. Slab spectra are well described by a single frequency-independent parameter, which we call the guiding power. Simple analytic formulae are presented for both TM and TE polarizations. Comparing these formulae with similar expressions for homogeneous uniaxial slabs of same thickness, we derive the principal values of the effective homogeneous permittivity that provides identical waveguiding. We also discuss the extinction of waves due to the Rayleigh-like scattering on lattice imperfections in the slab. The TE waves that are normally better confined are scattered out more effciently, in part because of the higher scattering cross-section and in part because the better confinement leads to higher exposure of TE waves to lattice imperfections in the slab.
Neural Network-Based Modeling of Electric Vehicle Energy Demand and All Electric Range

A deep neural network-based approach of energy demand modeling of electric vehicles (EV) is proposed in this paper. The model-based prediction of energy demand is based on driving cycle time series used as a model input, which is properly preprocessed and transformed into 1D or 2D static maps to serve as a static input to the neural network. Several deep feedforward neural network architectures are considered for this application along with different model input formats. Two energy demand models are derived, where the first one predicts the battery state-of-charge and fuel consumption at destination for an extended range electric vehicle, and the second one predicts the vehicle all-electric range. The models are validated based on a separate test dataset when compared to the one used in neural network training, and they are compared with the traditional response surface approach to illustrate effectiveness of the method proposed.
Strategy selection during exploratory behavior: sex differences

This study was designed to assess sex-related differences in the selection of an appropriate strategy when facing novelty. A simple visuo-spatial task was used to investigate exploratory behavior as a specific response to novelty. The exploration task was followed by a visual discrimination task, and the responses were analyzed using signal detection theory.During exploration women selected a local searching strategy in which the metric distance between what is already known and what is unknown was reduced, whereas men adopted a global strategy based on an approximately uniform distribution of choices. Women’s exploratory behavior gives rise to a notion of a secure base warranting a sense of safety while men’s behavior does not appear to be influenced by risk. This sex-related difference was interpreted as a difference in beliefs concerning the likelihood of uncertain events influencing risk evaluation.
A Survey on Test Generation Techniques used in Evosuite Automatic Unit Test Generation Tool

Generating test cases automatically rather than doing it manually reduces the effort and time of testers. Evosuite, a result of research work by Arcuri et al, is such a tool which generates test cases with assertions for java programs and achieves high code coverage with the generated test cases. Evosuite had undergone so many changes continuously throughout its development for achieving better results; meanwhile it implemented several techniques for test case generation. This paper aims to present a comprehensive study of those techniques which are involved in the development of
Categorical Biases in Human Occipitoparietal Cortex

Categorization allows organisms to generalize existing knowledge to novel stimuli and to discriminate between physically similar yet conceptually different stimuli. Humans, nonhuman primates, and rodents can readily learn arbitrary categories defined by low-level visual features, and learning distorts perceptual sensitivity for category-defining features such that differences between physically similar yet categorically distinct exemplars are enhanced, whereas differences between equally similar but categorically identical stimuli are reduced. We report a possible basis for these distortions in human occipitoparietal cortex. In three experiments, we used an inverted encoding model to recover population-level representations of stimuli from multivoxel and multielectrode patterns of human brain activity while human participants (both sexes) classified continuous stimulus sets into discrete groups. In each experiment, reconstructed representations of to-be-categorized stimuli were systematically biased toward the center of the appropriate category. These biases were largest for exemplars near a category boundary, predicted participants' overt category judgments, emerged shortly after stimulus onset, and could not be explained by mechanisms of response selection or motor preparation. Collectively, our findings suggest that category learning can influence processing at the earliest stages of cortical visual processing. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Category learning enhances perceptual sensitivity for physically similar yet categorically different stimuli. We report a possible mechanism for these changes in human occipitoparietal cortex. In three experiments, we used an inverted encoding model to recover population-level representations of stimuli from multivariate patterns in occipitoparietal cortex while participants categorized sets of continuous stimuli into discrete groups. The recovered representations were systematically biased by category membership, with larger biases for exemplars adjacent to a category boundary. These results suggest that mechanisms of categorization shape information processing at the earliest stages of the visual system.
A Corpus-based Contrastive Analysis for Defining Minimal Semantics of Inter-sentential Dependencies for Machine Translation

Inter-sentential dependencies such as discourse connectives or pronouns have an impact on the translation of these items. These dependencies have classically been analyzed within complex theoretical frameworks, often monolingual ones, and the resulting fine-grained descriptions, although relevant to translation, are likely beyond reach of statistical machine translation systems. Instead, we propose an approach to search for a minimal, feature-based characterization of translation divergencies due to inter-sentential dependencies, in the case of discourse connectives and pronouns, based on contrastive analyses performed on the Europarl corpus. In addition, we show how to automatically assign labels to connectives and pronouns, and how to use them for statistical machine translation.
Glycated hemoglobin is associated with the complexity of coronary artery disease, even in non-diabetic adults.

AIM Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and death from any cause. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between HbA1c value and coronary artery lesion complexity. METHODS The subjects were 638 consecutive patients who underwent their first coronary angiography and had their HbA1c levels measured from December 2008 to August 2011. Sixty-one hemodialysis patients were excluded and 577 were analyzed. The complexity of the coronary artery lesions was evaluated using the SYNTAX score (SXscore). The subjects were divided into quartiles according to either the HbA1c or the fasting plasma glucose (FPG) values. Logistic regression analysis (with forced entry methods) was used to predict the prevalence of an intermediate or high SXscore. RESULTS Both the higher HbA1c quartiles (Q1 to Q4) and higher FPG quartiles were significantly associated with a higher SXscore (p for trend <0.0001 and 0.026, respectively). The association between higher HbA1c quartiles and a higher SXscore was even observed in non-diabetic subjects (n= 433, Q1: 3.0±6.8, Q2: 6.9±15.6, Q3: 7.6±11.8, Q4: 7.4±13.4 p for trend= 0.004). In addition, a higher HbA1c quartile independently predicted patients with intermediate or high SXscores (SXscore ≥23) after adjusting for age, sex, hypertension, dyslipidemia, creatinine and FPG values (Odds ratio: Q1: 1.00 reference, Q2: 3.24, Q3: 3.03, Q4: 8.04). CONCLUSION HbA1c is significantly associated with the complexity of coronary lesions. This association is even observed in non-diabetic adults. A higher HbA1c value is an independent predictor of the prevalence of complex coronary lesions.
EFFECT OF GIRLS ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE LEARNING AND PERFORMANCE IN CHEMISTRY IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN NANDI NORTH SUB-COUNTY, KENYA.

Bitok Norah Jelimo, Prof. Lusweti Kituyi and Dr. Waswa Peter. University of Eldoret, Kenya. Manuscript Info Abstract . Manuscript History Received: 20 January 2019 Final Accepted: 22 February 2019 Published: March 2019