Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Parameter Identification for Wiener Model Using Particle Swarm Optimization with a Case Study

For a class of nonlinear systems described by Wiener model, the model parameter identification problem is equivalent to the nonlinear minimization problem with the estimated parameters as the optimized variables subjected to some equality and inequality constraints. Then the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is used to obtain the optimal solution to the minimization problem (i.e. the optimal estimation of Wiener model parameters) by searching in the whole parameter space. The inertia weight and learning gains in PSO algorithm are modified through analyzing particle trajectory. A numeric simulation of a Wiener model is provided to verify the effectiveness of the proposed identification scheme. Finally, PSO based parameter identification method is applied to the quality model for a continuous annealing furnace, achieving some satisfactory identification results.
RF-Based Traffic Detection and Identification

Road traffic congestion estimation is a critical function that affects both developed and developing countries alike. In this paper, we present Monitor as a novel RF-based traffic detection and identification system. Compared to the current approaches for traffic estimation, Monitor is low-cost, does not disrupt traffic during installation, works for non-laned traffic, and does not require active user participation. Our approach is based on the fact that the presence of an object in an RF environment affects the signal strength, and hence can be used for detecting and identifying objects. We present the Monitor system architecture and how it uses statistical techniques, based on the mean and variance of the received RF signal strength, to both detect the presence of objects and differentiate between humans and cars to reduce the traffic estimation outliers. Implementation of Monitor on standard RF equipment shows its capability of detecting the presence of objects and identifying their type with high accuracy highlighting its promise for different vehicle-related applications.
Migrated Question Prediction on StackExchange

Stack Exchange (SE) is a network of popular Community based Question and Answering (CQA) websites. Each SE Q&A website is created to address questions on specific user interest or domain. However, often users post questions on SE websites that do not match the domain of the website. Such questions are considered as Off-topic for the origin site. Off-topic questions must be detected and migrated to more appropriate On-Topic site in SE network. Off-topic questions are migrated manually to other sites by moderators or experts users (through a voting process). The process of migrating questions from one site to other is known as Question Migration. We study migrated questions on SE Q&A website. We identify several distinguishing features of migrated questions and propose a machine learning based framework to predict migrating questions. Effectiveness of proposed model is tested on five SE Q&A sites. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed model is effective (maximum accuracy of 73%) in predicting migrating questions.
BayesOpt: A Library for Bayesian optimization with Robotics Applications

The purpose of this paper is twofold. On one side, we present a general framework for Bayesian optimization and we compare it with some related fields in active learning and Bayesian numerical analysis. On the other hand, Bayesian optimization and related problems (bandits, sequential experimental design) are highly dependent on the surrogate model that is selected. However, there is no clear standard in the literature. Thus, we present a fast and flexible toolbox that allows to test and combine different models and criteria with little effort. It includes most of the state-of-the-art contributions, algorithms and models. Its speed also removes part of the stigma that Bayesian optimization methods are only good for "expensive functions". The software is free and it can be used in many operating systems and computer languages.
Quality Assessment of Established and Emerging Blood Components for Transfusion

Blood is donated either as whole blood, with subsequent component processing, or through the use of apheresis devices that extract one or more components and return the rest of the donation to the donor. Blood component therapy supplanted whole blood transfusion in industrialized countries in the middle of the twentieth century and remains the standard of care for the majority of patients receiving a transfusion. Traditionally, blood has been processed into three main blood products: red blood cell concentrates; platelet concentrates; and transfusable plasma. Ensuring that these products are of high quality and that they deliver their intended benefits to patients throughout their shelf-life is a complex task. Further complexity has been added with the development of products stored under nonstandard conditions or subjected to additional manufacturing steps (e.g., cryopreserved platelets, irradiated red cells, and lyophilized plasma). Here we review established and emerging methodologies for assessing blood product quality and address controversies and uncertainties in this thriving and active field of investigation.
Comparing Non-projective Strategies for Labeled Graph-Based Dependency Parsing

We fill a gap in the systematically analyzed space of available techniques for state-of-the-art dependency parsing by comparing non-projective strategies for graph-based parsers. Using three languages with varying frequency of non-projective constructions, we compare the non-projective approximation algorithm with pseudo-projective parsing. We also analyze the differences between different encoding schemes for pseudo-projective parsing. We find only minor differences between the encoding schemes for pseudo-projective parsing, and that the non-projective approximation algorithm is superior to pseudo-projective parsing.
High cortical spreading depression susceptibility and migraine‐associated symptoms in Cav2.1 S218L mice

The CACNA1A gene encodes the pore‐forming subunit of neuronal CaV2.1 Ca2+ channels. In patients, the S218L CACNA1A mutation causes a dramatic hemiplegic migraine syndrome that is associated with ataxia, seizures, and severe, sometimes fatal, brain edema often triggered by only a mild head trauma.
Selection of Provenances to Adapt Tropical Pine Forestry to Climate Change on the Basis of Climate Analogs

Pinus patula and Pinus tecunumanii play an important role in the forestry sector in the tropics and subtropics and, in recent decades, members of the International Tree Breeding and Conservation Program (Camcore) at North Carolina State University have established large, multi-site provenance trials for these pine species. The data collected in these trials provide valuable information about species and provenance choice for plantation establishment in many regions with different climates. Since climate is changing rapidly, it may become increasingly difficult to choose the right species and provenance to plant. In this study, growth performance of plantings in Colombia, Brazil and South Africa was correlated to the degree of climatic dissimilarity between planting sites. Results are used to assess the suitability of seed material under a changing climate for four P. patula provenances and six P. tecunumanii provenances. For each provenance, climate dissimilarities based on standardized Euclidean distances were calculated and statistically related to growth performances. We evaluated the two methods of quantifying climate dissimilarity with extensive field data based on the goodness of fit and statistical significance of the climate distance relation to differences in height growth. The best method was then used as a predictor of a provenance change in height growth. The provenance-specific models were
Texture Synthesis and Image Inpainting for Video Compression Project Report for CSE-252 C

In this report we investigate the application of texture synthesis and image inpainting techniques for video compression. Working in the non-parametric framework, we use 3D patches for matching and copying. This ensures temporal continuity to some extent which is not possible to obtain by working with individual frames. Since, in present application, patches might contain arbitrary shaped and multiple disconnected holes, fast fourier transform (FFT) and summed area table based sum of squared difference (SSD) calculation [8] cannot be used. We propose a modification of above scheme which allows its use in present application. This results in significant gain of efficiency since search space is typically huge for video applications.
M ay 2 00 3 Equivalence of Additivity Questions in Quantum Information Theory

We reduce the number of open additivity problems in quantum i nformation theory by showing that four of them are equivalent. Namely, we show that the con je tures of additivity of the minimum output entropy of a quantum channel, additivity of t he Holevo expression for the classical capacity of a quantum channel, additivity of the e ntanglement of formation, and strong superadditivity of the entanglement of formation, a re either all true or all false.
Optimal and scalable methods to approximate the solutions of large‐scale Bayesian problems: theory and application to atmospheric inversion and data assimilation

This article provides a detailed theoretical analysis of methods to approximate the solutions of high‐dimensional (>106) linear Bayesian problems. An optimal low‐rank projection that maximizes the information content of the Bayesian inversion is proposed and efficiently constructed using a scalable randomized SVD algorithm. Optimality results for the associated posterior error covariance matrix and posterior mean approximations obtained in previous studies are revisited and tested in a numerical experiment consisting of a large‐scale atmospheric tracer transport source‐inversion problem. This method proves to be a robust and efficient approach to dimension reduction, as well as a natural framework to analyze the information content of the inversion. Possible extensions of this approach to the nonlinear framework in the context of operational numerical weather forecast data assimilation systems based on the incremental 4D‐Var technique are also discussed, and a detailed implementation of a new Randomized Incremental Optimal Technique (RIOT) for 4D‐Var algorithms leveraging our theoretical results is proposed.
A learning market based layered multi-robot architecture

This work presents a novel learning market based layered architecture for distributed multi-robot systems. For the market system, a reward function is defined and adapted by some kind of learning algorithm in the dynamical system. A layered architecture combining the market based system with the typical layered robot architecture is also proposed to make the robot team execute smoothly in the dynamic environment. Results illustrate the relationships between task time, task amount and robot amount. The task/robot rate is defined to deeply study their relationships.
Cutting the Cord : Wireless Mixed Reality Displays

In this paper we present wireless technologies that can be used to transmit uncompressed stereosco pic video signals to wireless displays in real time. We introduce two output devices, a stereoscopic head mounted dis play (HMD) and a TFT display module. Both of them have bee n adapted to act as receivers in order to display wir elessly streamed Mixed Reality (MR) content. By way of example two educational MR applications are presented which were used for demonstration and testing purposes. A numb er of teaching scenarios are described where teachers and students greatly benefit from the use of wireless d isplays. We briefly summarize the results of our observations while developing and evaluating these displays. Keywords-Wireless Display, Wireless HMD
MIRAGE, Updated Version of the Model for Trade Policy Analysis: Focus on Agriculture and Dynamics

MIRAGE is a multi-region, multi-sector computable general equilibrium model, devoted to trade policy analysis. It incorporates imperfect competition, horizontal and vertical product differentiation, and foreign direct investment, in a sequential dynamic set-up where installed capital is assumed to be immobile. Adjustment inertia is linked to capital stock reallocation. MIRAGE draws upon a very detailed measure of trade barriers and of their evolution under given hypotheses, thanks to the MAcMap database. The most recent version, presented in this paper, offers improvements in the modelling of agriculture policy and dynamics.
Size versus health as a cue for host choice: a test of the tasty chick hypothesis

Knowledge about how parasites choose their hosts is scarce and incomplete. Recent work has primarily focused on host health (i.e. immunocompetence) whereas ecological factors have been largely neglected. Here we investigate whether the immunocompetence, the nutritional condition or body size of nestling European bee-eaters Merops apiaster are used as parameters for habitat choice of the haematophagous fly Carnus hemapterus. We found that (i) flies consistently and non-randomly preferred larger nestlings, even after controlling for differences in habitat availability (host surface), (ii) in the presence of similar-sized hosts, parasites' choice for an individual was less likely than if hosts differed in size, (iii) the more the hosts differed in size, the more the parasites aggregated on the larger nestling and (iv) parasites changed their preference according to size criteria regardless of the identity of the larger host. Neither immunocompetence nor host body condition could account for parasites' preference. Our results do not support the prediction of the Tasty Chick Hypothesis, namely that the poor immunocompetence ability of junior chicks makes them more attractive to parasites. We conclude that basic ecological factors (e.g. body size) can be essential for parasites when choosing a host.
Analytical Formulas for Local Volatility Model with Stochastic Rates

This paper presents new approximation formulae for European options in a local volatility model with stochastic interest rates. This is a companion paper to our work on perturbation methods for local volatility models [ Int. J. Theor. Appl. Finance , 2010, 13 (4), 603--634] for the case of stochastic interest rates. The originality of this approach is to model the local volatility of the discounted spot and to obtain accurate approximations with tight estimates of the error terms. This approach can also be used in the case of stochastic dividends or stochastic convenience yields. We finally provide numerical results to illustrate the accuracy with real market data.
Holomorphy, Rescaling Anomalies and Exact $\beta$ Functions in Supersymmetric Gauge Theories

There have long been known \exact" functions for the gauge coupling in N =1 supersymmetric gauge theories, the so-called Novikov-Shifman-Vainshtein-Zakharov (NSVZ) functions. Shifman and Vainshtein further related these functions to the exact 1-loop running of the gauge coupling in a \Wilsonian" action. All these results, however, remain somewhat mysterious. We attempt to clarify these issues by presenting new perspectives on the NSVZ function. Our interpretation of the results is somewhat dierent than the one given by Shifman and Vainshtein, having nothing to do with the distinction between \Wilsonian" and \1PI" eective actions. Throughout we work in the context of the Wilsonian Renormalization Group; namely, as the cuto of the theory is changed from M to M 0 , we seek to determine the appropriate changes in the bare couplings needed in order to keep the low energy physics xed. The entire analysis is therefore free of infrared subtleties. When the bare Lagrangian given at the cuto is manifestly holomorphic in the gauge coupling, we show that the required change in the holomorphic gauge coupling is exhausted at 1-loop to all orders of perturbation theory, and even non-perturbatively in some cases. On the other hand, when the bare Lagrangian at the cuto has canonically normalized kinetic terms, we nd that the required change in the gauge coupling is given by the NSVZ function. The higher order contributions in the NSVZ function are due to anomalous Jacobians under the rescaling of the elds done in passing from holomorphic to canonical normalization. We also give prescriptions for regularizing certain N = 1 theories with an ultraviolet cuto M preserving manifest holomorphy, starting from nite N =4a nd N =2 theories. It is then at least in principle possible to check the validity of the exact function by higher order calculations in these theories.
Making a “Career” in People-Smuggling in Indonesia: Protracted Transit, Restricted Mobility and the Lack of Legal Work Rights

Two case studies of convicted Afghan people smugglers detail the specific tasks and responsibilities of people smugglers in Indonesia. Academic research has so far overlooked the fluctuant nature of smuggling networks, the distribution of roles and the varying involvement of their members and auxiliaries. Attention to these dimensions of people-smuggling contributes to a more nuanced understanding of the operation of these networks in the Indonesian setting. This understanding suggests that entering criminal business networks such as people-smuggling networks is the last option left for failed asylum seekers stuck in Indonesia. More significantly, it makes clear that Australian and Indonesian asylum policies and border politics have, unintentionally, contributed to the evolution of transnational people-smuggling networks.
Evaluating mobile banking application: Usability dimensions and measurements

Usability has greatly been considered as one of the significant quality attributes to determine the success of mobile application. Mobile banking application is increasingly recognized as an emergent m-commerce application which dignified to become the giant killer mobile application arena. However, prominent usability evaluation models for mobile applications are too general and do not adequately capture the complexities of interacting with m-banking application platform. Similarly, there are no sufficient descriptions concerning the relationship between phases and appropriate usability measures for a specific application. Some banks do not offer m-banking application, while those that offer have inadequate functionalities and this shows that their interfaces are still insufficient and not user friendly. To date, usability and measurements for mbanking application in particular is very limited or even isolated and this makes usability evaluation of m-banking more of challenging. Consequently, this report proposes to address this matter by proposing a suitable and an appropriate set of usability dimensions and measurements for m-banking evaluation. The systematic literature review was employed to review relevant journals and conference proceedings. Seven hundred and eight papers were downloaded but merely forty nine papers have been selected and fully reviewed/analysed. Five usability dimensions and twelve relevant criteria (sub-dimensions) have been created that can be used to evaluate m-banking application.
Energy-efficient wireless content delivery with proactive caching

We propose an intelligent proactive content caching scheme to reduce the energy consumption in wireless downlink. We consider an online social network (OSN) setting where new contents are generated over time, and remain relevant to the user for a random lifetime. Contents are downloaded to the user equipment (UE) through a time-varying wireless channel at an energy cost that depends on the channel state and the number of contents downloaded. The user accesses the OSN at random time instants, and consumes all the relevant contents. To reduce the energy consumption, we propose proactive caching of contents under favorable channel conditions to a finite capacity cache memory. Assuming that the channel quality (or equivalently, the cost of downloading data) is memoryless over time slots, we show that the optimal caching policy, which may replace contents in the cache with shorter remaining lifetime with contents at the server that remain relevant longer, has a threshold structure with respect to the channel quality. Since the optimal policy is computationally demanding in practice, we introduce a simplified caching scheme and optimize its parameters using policy search. We also present two lower bounds on the energy consumption. We demonstrate through numerical simulations that the proposed caching scheme significantly reduces the energy consumption compared to traditional reactive caching tools, and achieves close-to-optimal performance for a wide variety of system parameters.
The Political Economy of Structural Reforms in Europe

Reforms in labour and product markets play a central role in government policies. The issue of whether structural reforms lead to higher economic growth remains controversial. Researchers in this field tend to agree on the positive role that reforms could play in driving growth as a result of efficiency gains and technological progress. However, reforms may have some negative impacts. One concern is about the timing: structural reforms may not be effective but turn out to be negative when the economy is in a recession and demand is weak. The other concern is structural reforms may lead to income inequality which weakens political support for further reforms. These topics have, in the context of globalization and European integration, attracted great research interest among scholars. This book provides an assessment of past progress and takes stock of current frontier work. It brings together leading contributions from academia, the central banks in Europe, and the OECD. We are convinced that some structural reforms can make a fundamental contribution to improving economic performance across Europe as well as to promoting European integration. Yet we believe that comprehensive, critical, and non-dogmatic assessments of the costs and benefits of different reform programmes are key to guiding future policies. This will allow us to identify the conditions under which structural reforms are beneficial. We believe that future research requires a substantial shift from evaluating generalized direct impacts of structural reforms on economic growth to a broader set of issues and research questions.
So shall we reap : what's gone wrong with the world's food - and how to fix it

A work that focuses on the relentless drive for maximum food production at rock-bottom cost. As health scares spiral, rural workers are driven off the land and poor nations are forced to export their goods in a cut-throat marketplace. Colin Trudge proposes an alternative, looking at the global food industry and showing how - without resorting to GM crops - corporate barons can be stripped of control, the world can be fed and humanity can survive.
BRAIN COMPUTER INTERFACES FOR MEDICAL APPLICATIONS

Developing neuroprostheses and advanced communication systems for patients with disabilities has involved considerable scientific and technological efforts. Many recent projects developed software and hardware based on BCIs for such patients. Principles of Brain Computer Interfaces (BCI), technologies used for this type of interfaces and the latest research activities in the field of BCIs are presented in this paper. The concluding chapter synthesize the capabilities of the current BCI systems and formulates some directions for future research needed to understand how BCIs could be used in medical rehabilitation applications.