Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optical coherence tomography by all-optical MEMS fiber endoscope

This paper presents the first successful demonstration of all-optical MEMS (microelectromechanical system) fiber endoscope for OCT (optical coherence tomography) measurement. A MEMS optical scanner for spatial light modulation has been assembled in the endoscope probe head (φ6mm) with optical components and a photovoltaic cell. Actuation energy for the MEMS scanner is optically supplied by using a 1. 5µm light of 10mW, and OCT probing is operated by another wavelength at 1. 3µm. Use of optical fiber for both powering and measurement makes a safe endoscope that is free from the risk of electrocution or electromagnetic interference.
Turbo Trellis Coded Modulation With Iterative Decoding for Mobile Satellite Communications

In this paper, analytical bounds on the performance of parallel concatenation of two codes, known as turbo codes, and serial concatenation of two codes over fading channels are obtained. Based on this analysis, design criteria for the selection of component trellis codes for MPSK modulation, and a suitable bit-by-bit iterative decoding structure are proposed. Examples are given for throughput of 2 bits/sec/Hz with 8PSK modulation. The parallel concatenation example uses two rate 4/5 8-state convolutional codes with two interleavers. The convolutional codes' outputs are then mapped to two 8PSK modulations. The serial concatenated code example uses an 8-state outer code with rate 4/5 and a 4-state inner trellis code with 5 inputs and 2 x 8PSK outputs per trellis branch. Based on the above mentioned design criteria for fading channels, a method to obtain he structure of the trellis code with maximum diversity is proposed. Simulation results are given for AWGN and an independent Rayleigh fading channel with perfect Channel State Information (CSI).
Probe: a formal specification-based testing system

The aim of software verification is determining how well the software conforms to its specification. Testing is the most popular method of software verification. For software testing to be done effectively, there is a need to select proper test cases such that all aspects of the software can be tested. This paper describes a new approach for specification-based testing. The formal specification of the software is used as the basis for generating test cases. Instead of generating test cases directly from the formal specification, they are generated from an executable PROLOG specification, which is translated from the formal specifications of the software under test. An automatic testing system called PROBE has been developed based on the new approach.
Linear programming for heuristics in optimal planning

Many recent planning heuristics are based on LP optimization. However, planning experts mostly use LP solvers as a black box and it is often not obvious to them which LP techniques would be most suitable for their specific applications. To foster the communication between the planning and the optimization community, this paper gives an easily accessible overview over these recent LP-based heuristics, namely the optimal cost partitioning heuristic for abstractions, the post-hoc optimization heuristic, a landmark heuristic, the state-equation heuristic, and a delete relaxation heuristic. All these heuristics fit the framework of so-called operator-counting constraints, which we also present.
A study on the equivalent circuit of longitudinal vibration piezoelectric transformers with contacted heat transfer device

In this paper, the electrical equivalent circuits of the piezoelectric transformer (PT) with heat transfer system (HTS) had been studied. A heat transfer model of the longitudinal vibration PT had been built and an experiment study on the equivalent circuit model of the PT with HTS was proposed. this work provides a useful information for the application of piezoelectric transformer in high-power condition.
Generating a Complete Multipart Musical Composition from a Single Monophonic Melody with Functional Scaffolding

This paper advances the state of the art for a computer-assisted approach to music generation called functional sca↵olding for musical composition (FSMC), whose representation facilitates creative combination, exploration, and transformation of musical concepts. Music in FSMC is represented as a functional relationship between an existing human composition, or scaffold, and a generated accompaniment. This relationship is encoded by a type of artificial neural network called a compositional pattern producing network (CPPN). A human user without any musical expertise can then explore how accompaniment should relate to the sca↵old through an interactive evolutionary process akin to animal breeding. While the power of such a functional representation has previously been shown to constrain the search to plausible accompaniments, this study goes further by showing that the user can tailor complete multipart arrangements from only a single original monophonic track provided by the user, thus enabling creativity without the need for musical expertise.
The preparation and application of N-terminal 57 amino acid protein of the follicle-stimulating hormone receptor as a candidate male contraceptive vaccine

Follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR), which is expressed only on Sertoli cells and plays a key role in spermatogenesis, has been paid attention for its potential in male contraception vaccine research and development. This study introduces a method for the preparation and purification of human FSHR 57-amino acid protein (FSHR-57aa) as well as determination of its immunogenicity and antifertility effect. A recombinant pET-28a(+)-FSHR-57aa plasmid was constructed and expressed in Escherichia coli strain BL21 Star™ (DE3) and the FSHR-57aa protein was separated and collected by cutting the gel and recovering activity by efficient refolding dialysis. The protein was identified by Western blot and high-performance liquid chromatography analysis with a band of nearly 7 kDa and a purity of 97.4%. Male monkeys were immunized with rhFSHR-57aa protein and a gradual rising of specific serum IgG antibody was found which reached a plateau on day 112 (16 weeks) after the first immunization. After mating of one male with three female monkeys, the pregnancy rate of those mated with males immunized against FSHR-57aa was significantly decreased while the serum hormone levels of testosterone and estradiol were not disturbed in the control or the FSHR-57aa groups. By evaluating pathological changes in testicular histology, we found that the blood-testis barrier remained intact, in spite of some small damage to Sertoli cells. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that the rhFSHR-57aa protein might be a feasible male contraceptive which could affect sperm production without disturbing hormone levels.
A GIS-Based Irregular Cellular Automata Model of Land-Use Change

This study proposes an alternative cellular automata (CA) model, which relaxes the traditional CA regular square grid and synchronous growth, and is designed for representations of land-use change in rural-urban fringe settings. The model uses high-resolution spatial data in the form of irregularly sized and shaped land parcels, and incorporates synchronous and asynchronous development in order to model more realistically land-use change at the land parcel scale. The model allows urban planners and other stakeholders to evaluate how different subdivision designs will influence development under varying population growth rates and buyer preferences. A model prototype has been developed in a common desktop GIS and applied to a rapidly developing area of a midsized Canadian city.
Application of a 2D Hydrodynamic Model for Assessing Flood Risk from Extreme Storm Events

In the wake of increasing flood disasters, there is an increasing use of flood inundation models to assess risks and impacts at different temporal and spatial scales. Assessing the impacts of extreme climatic rainfall events will require developing design rainfall profiles to represent rainfall under different conditions. Rainfall profiles of different return periods were developed using the Flood Estimation Handbook (FEH) methodology for a small rural catchment of Scotland, to assess flood risks at a catchment scale. Rainfall induced runoff flows were estimated based on a set of catchment characteristics. The channel and floodplain flows were modelled using a two-dimensional hydrodynamic model-TUFLOW. The main channel was represented by a one-dimensional linear channel based on surveyed data and the floodplain topography, was represented by a digital terrain model based on Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR). A range of hydrological events with different return periods are simulated. Results show that many residential houses and an extensive area of agricultural land are at risk of flooding from extreme events such as a 1 in 100 year flood.
A high speed two-stage dual-path operational amplifier in 40nm digital CMOS

This paper presents a design of a high speed operational amplifier using 40nm digital CMOS technology. The proposed two-stage dual-path fully differential topology is based on the Improved Recycling Folded Cascode (IRFC) topology. The IRFC first stage provides a moderate DC gain, and the high efficient dual-path push-pull output stage provides ultra-high unity-gain frequency bandwidth (UGBW) with relatively low power consumption. It could find wide application in high bandwidth high resolution analog-to-digital converters (ADCs). Under 1.1V supply voltage, the simulation results show that the proposed operational amplifier topology could achieve 56.3dB DC gain, 3GHz UGBW, 24. 8μV RMS noise integrated from DC to 50MHz and 2.9ns settling time with 1V peak-to-peak differential input signal.
Evidence-based trauma treatment: Problems with a cognitive reappraisal of guilt.

Across the U.S. Veterans Affairs health care system, there have been programmatic initiatives to implement evidence-based psychotherapies (EBPs) for posttraumatic stress disorder, such as Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Prolonged Exposure (PE) (Chard, Ricksecker, Healy, Karlin, & Resick, 2012). Several thousand clinicians have been trained, which makes these manualized treatments some of the most widespread and influential clinical training tools in the country. This article contends that these approaches are inadequate in responding to what is arguably the most important impact of military trauma: an enduring sense of guilt, remorse, and regret. A dialogue from the CPT training manual is highlighted as an example of how a therapist’s assumptions about, inattention to, or underestimation of clients’ moral horizons can cause harm. The author situates this critique in a broader discussion of some of the ways that psychology in general has dismissed guilt by divorcing it from the traditional contexts and value systems that give it meaning. This includes the cognitive–behavioral propagation of guilt as the byproduct of an irrational and unhelpful cognitive style, and recent research on moral injury conceptualization and treatment.
Compiler Extensions To Catch Security Holes : Dissected

Programming errors that lead to unreliable and insecure programs are a problem that has been around since the very beginning of computer science. Most of these errors are caught via extensive testing and debugging. However, more serious bugs are often left in the code unnoticed, because either the interaction through which they can occur is too complex to understand, given a certain time frame, or the testing phase is too expensive. This paper presents various automated methods, with a special focus on code analysis (both static and dynamic) to contain or isolate the damage.
Expanding Understandings of Literacy: The Double Consciousness of a Black Middle Class Child in Church and School

Abstract:The purpose of this qualitative case-study is to examine the complexity and double consciousness of a Black, middle class child navigating church and school. Conceptually, the study draws from Black education and theoretically employs Cultural Historical Activity Theory and identity theories. Three research questions were investigated: (a) How are identity roles arranged in church and school settings? (b) How do these identity roles influence a Black middle class child as she navigates each space? (c) How do the literacy practices shape her identity roles? Findings suggest the need for educators to find ways to foster Black middle-class children’s literacy practices in meaningful ways. Implications for educational stakeholders are offered.
Some a posteriori error estimators for elliptic partial differential equations

We present three new a posteriori error estimators in the energy norm for finite element solutions to elliptic partial differential equations. The estimators are based on solving local Neumann problems in each element. The estimators differ in how they enforce consistency of the Neumann problems. We prove that as the mesh size decreases, under suitable assumptions, two of the error estimators approach upper bounds on the norm of the true error, and all three error estimators are within multiplicative constants of the norm of the true error. We present numerical results in which one of the error estimators appears to converge to the norm of the true error.
Purchasing Must Become Supply Management

Kraljic inleder med att beskriva hur chefer kan upptacka svagheter i deras inkopsprocesser samt hur de kan motverka detta. Den globala marknaden som idag existerar dar outsourcing, joint-ventures och integrerade IT-system ar allt vanligare behover foretagen komma till ratta med risker och komplexitet. En okad konkurrens, teknologiutvecklingen, en snabb foranderlig varld samt osakra leveransrelationer gor att man behover gora inkop till en mer strategisk funktion. Det ar darfor nodvandigt att byta fokus fran inkop till supply management.
System-Level Service Assurance — The H ∀ Mcast Approach to Global Multicast

The Internet revolution introduced a single, adaptive abstraction layer for global communication. Today, IP interconnects millions of applications, which themselves are bound to the present IP layer via the socket API. After almost 30 years, the time has come to abandon this focus on a single, homogeneously established Internet protocol and thereby release the accumulated needs for innovation on the network layer. H∀Mcast addresses this goal by following the evolutionary approach of a hybrid multiservice network layer that decouples service and application development from infrastructure deployment. The objective of this work is a universal, robust service access that allows group applications to run everywhere, no matter what the status of regional technological deployment will be.
Family Functioning, Perception Of Risky Behavior And Internet Addiction In Italian Adolescents

Literature has demonstrated the adaptive influence of family functioning toward manifestation of problem behaviors in adolescence. These dimensions act on both internalizing and externalizing symptoms. During adolescence, crucial phase in the developmental process, family must be able to combine the need of independence with the creation of a solid family climate capable of containing adolescent uncertainties. The research goal is to investigate the influence of family functioning on the perception of risky behaviors and the possible presence of a psychopathological use of the Internet in a group of Sicilian adolescents. The research involved 100 high school students, aged between 15 and 18 (M = 16.14; S.D = 0.49), who completed following instruments: the Family Assessment Device to measure family functioning, the Cognitive Appraisal of Risky Events to investigate the perception of risky behaviors, and the Internet Addiction Test to evaluate the possible presence of the psychopathological Internet use. Data show that the behavioral control, perceived within the family context, determines a more realistic perception of risk behaviors; furthermore, a greater problem-solving capacity and family communication lead to reduce the internet use in adolescents participating in the research. Family rapresents the favored context of learning beliefs and patterns, that affect the broader regulatory social environment, for this reason, it is considered the privileged context on which to intervene to reduce the adolescents’ behavior problems. Some aspects of family functioning, such as poor supervision, discipline and inconsistent communication, seem to influence the adoption of risky behaviors among Sicilian adolescents. © 2019 Published by Future Academy www.FutureAcademy. org.UK
Highly linear fully integrated class-O power amplifier in standard 65 nm CMOS technology

This paper demonstrates a fully integrated class-O power amplifier (PA), as a stand-alone module. The PA is implemented in a standard 65 nm CMOS including input matching, load-transformation networks and baluns. Thus, no extra lumped components are needed. The class-O PA consists of a common-drain (CD) and a common-source (CS) amplifier. The CD provides excellent linearity due to the inherent feedback but low gain at RF frequency. The CS is employed to increase the gain. Capacitive-feedback is used to improve the stability of the class-O PA. Measured saturated output power (Pout) is 26.7 dBm and peak PAE is 26.2 % at 2.26 GHz under a Vdd of 2.5 V for the fabricated PA module, i.e. PCB and bonding losses are included. With a 64 QAM LTE, 20 MHz signal applied an average Pout of 18.8 dBm is obtained while E-UTRA ACLR is below -30 dBc without DPD. An average Pout of 22.5 dBm and EVM of 4.5 % are achieved with WCDMA standard.
Lip reading using DWT and LSDA

In lip reading, selection of feature play crucial role. Goal of this work is to compare the common feature extraction modules. Proposed two stage feature extraction technique is exceedingly discriminative, precised and computation efficient. We have used, Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) to decorrelate spectral information and extract only the salient visual speech information from lip portion. In the second stage the Locality Sensitive Discriminant Analysis (LSDA) is used to further trim down the feature dimension while preserving the required identifiable ability. A competent feature extraction module result a novel automatic lip reading system. We have compared performance of classical Naive Bayes with the popular SVM classifier. The CUAVE database is used for experimentation and performance comparison. Experimental results show that DWT+LSDA feature mining is better than DWT with PCA or LDA. The performance of Naïve Bayes classifier is exceedingly augmented with DWT+LSDA.
Sidrauski Model with Endogenous Labor

In the paper we analyze the Sidrauski model similar by Walsh (2003) (see for example Sterken, 2005). For analyses it is needed to use Dynamic optimization techniques. The model is extended by endogenous labor. We show that all Walsh's conditions are kept. Even though in steady state analysis in generally the superneutrality of money theory does not hold. Labor supply, is no longer inelastic and influences marginal productivity. To reach the money superneutrality we must assume that preferences of representative consumer are represented by separable utility function. A similar analysis was made by Walsh, the results are the same in general case.
Self-reported appetite, hospitalization and death in haemodialysis patients: findings from the Hemodialysis (HEMO) Study.

BACKGROUND Anorexia is an important cause of protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) in haemodialysis patients. We investigated whether self-reported appetite was associated with death and hospitalization in subjects enrolled in the Hemodialysis (HEMO) Study. METHODS The HEMO Study was a 7-year, multicentre, randomized trial (N = 1846), which examined the effects of dialysis dose and membrane flux on mortality and morbidity. Three questions from the Appetite and Diet Assessment Tool (ADAT) were used to determine whether appetite had changed over time in the randomized treatment groups. The relations among ADAT scores, dietary protein and energy intakes, biochemical and anthropometric measures, and quality of life were assessed. We used Cox proportional hazards models to evaluate the relative risks of death and hospitalization associated with static and dynamic ADAT scores, adjusted for demographic factors, dose and flux assignments, and co-morbidity. RESULTS The average length of follow-up was 2.84 years. After adjusting for demographic factors and randomized treatment assignments, there was a significant association between poorer self-reported appetite and death (RR 1.52, 95% CI 1.16-1.98); however, the association became non-significant with further adjustment for co-morbidity (RR 1.23, 95% CI 0.94-1.62). Poorer appetite was unequivocally associated with increased hospitalization rates (multivariable RR 1.35, 95% CI 1.13-1.61). The longitudinal effect of worsening appetite from baseline to 1 year was not associated with mortality or hospitalization rate after adjusting for co-morbidity. CONCLUSIONS The association between appetite and death was confounded by co-morbidity. Self-reported appetite was associated with hospitalization rate in haemodialysis patients and, thus, it may be a useful screening tool for this outcome. Patients who report poor or very poor appetites should be monitored, and they should receive more comprehensive nutritional assessments.
Nonparametric estimation and consistency for renewal processes 1

In reliability or medical studies, we may only observe each ongoing renewal process for a certain period of time. When the underlying distribution F is arithmetic, Vardi (Ann. Statist. 10 (1982b), 772-785) developed the RT algorithm for nonparametric estimation. In this paper we extend the study to the nonarithmetic case and show that the choice of an arbitrary constant in the RT algorithm can be avoided. We also prove the strong consistency of the maximum likelihood estimators of the mean of F and F restricted to the interval [0, b), if the lengths of the observation periods converge to b. AMS classification: primary 62G05; 62F12; secondary 62D05; 60F05; 62P10; 62P20; 62P25; 62P99
Cryptanalysis of Aydos et al.'s ECC-based wireless authentication protocol

With the rapid development of communication technology, wireless technology has become more and more important, and has been widely used in personal communication. Recently, Aydos et al. proposed an ECC-based authenticated key agreement protocol for wireless communication. In their protocol, they used ECDSA and Diffie-Hellman key agreement to provide authentication and to obtain a session key for later communication. In this paper, however, we show that Aydos et al's ECC-based authenticated key agreement protocol for wireless communication does not achieve some essential security requirements including forward secrecy, known-key security, and mutual authentication.
Joint learning of ontology and semantic parser from text

Semantic parsing methods are used for capturing and representing semantic meaning of text. Meaning representation capturing all the concepts in the text may not always be available or may not be sufficiently complete. Ontologies provide a structured and reasoning-capable way to model the content of a collection of texts. In this work, we present a novel approach to joint learning of ontology and semantic parser from text. The method is based on semi-automatic induction of a context-free grammar from semantically annotated text. The grammar parses the text into semantic trees. Both, the grammar and the semantic trees are used to learn the ontology on several levels -- classes, instances, taxonomic and non-taxonomic relations. The approach was evaluated on the first sentences of Wikipedia pages describing people.