Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optimal sensor deployment for 3D AOA target localization

This paper investigates the problem of how to improve angle-of-arrival (AOA) target localization accuracy by finding an optimal AOA sensor deployment strategy in 3D space. Under the assumption of constant absolute elevation angles for the sensors, a novel and simple optimal sensor deployment criterion is proposed based on minimizing the trace of inverse Fisher information matrix. Our analysis shows that when sensor elevation angles equal ±42.2869° and twice of azimuth angles have equal angular distribution with uniform distance from the target and equal noise covariance, the lowest mean squared error is achieved. Besides, with more sensors placed closer to the target, a lower mean squared error is attained. Simulation examples are presented to verify the effectiveness of the developed optimality criterion.
Modeling Loss Given Default in SAS/STAT®

Predicting loss given default (LGD) is playing an increasingly crucial role in quantitative credit risk modeling. In this paper, we propose to apply mixed effects models to predict corporate bonds LGD, as well as other widely used LGD models. The empirical results show that mixed effects models are able to explain the unobservable heterogeneity and to make better predictions compared with linear regression and fractional response regression. All the statistical models are performed in SAS/STAT®, SAS® 9.2, using specifically PROC REG and PROC NLMIXED, and the model evaluation metrics are calculated in PROC IML. This paper gives a detailed description on how to use PROC NLMIXED to build and estimate generalized linear models and mixed effects models.
A hierarchical approach to unsupervised shape calibration of microphone array networks

Microphone arrays represent the basis for many challenging acoustic sensing tasks. The accuracy of techniques like beamforming directly depends on a precise knowledge of the relative positions of the sensors used. Unfortunately, for certain use cases manually measuring the geometry of an array is not feasible due to practical constraints. In this paper we present an approach to unsupervised shape calibration of microphone array networks. We developed a hierarchical procedure that first performs local shape calibration based on coherence analysis and then employs SRP-PHAT in a network calibration method. Practical experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach especially for highly reverberant acoustic environments.
Monitoring physical activity and energy expenditure with smartphones

Monitoring physical activity and energy expenditure is important for maintaining adequate activity levels with an impact in health and well-being. This paper presents a smartphone based method for classification of inactive postures and physical activities including the calculation of energy expenditure. The implemented solution considers two different positions for the smartphone, the user's pocket or belt. The signal from the accelerometer embedded in the smartphone is used to classify the activities resorting to a decision tree classifier. The average accuracy of the classification task for all activities is 99.5% for the pocket usage and 99.4% when the phone is used in the belt. Using the output of the activity classifier we also compute an estimation of the energy expended by the user. The proposed solution is a trustworthy smartphone based activity monitor, classifying the activities of daily living throughout the entire day and allowing to assess the associated energy expenditure without causing any change in user's routines.
Comparison of WiMAX scheduling algorithms and proposals for the rtPS QoS class

Scheduling algorithms are of utmost importance in WiMAX for efficient use of radio resources. A scheduling algorithm should take into account the WiMAX QoS classes and service requirements. It should also provide high throughput. In this paper, we propose a review of scheduling algorithms proposed for WiMAX. We focus on the real-time Polling Service (rtPS) QoS class. NS-2 simulations show interesting results. We highlight a problem that may exist with the WiMAX rtPS QoS class and we provide solutions for it. Simulation results concerning proposed WiMAX schedulers are discussed. We propose an enhancement of the maximum Signal-to-Interference Ratio (mSIR) scheduler, called modified maximum Signal-to-Interference Ratio (mmSIR). We show through extensive simulations that this enhancement provides better mean sojourn time in addition to an improvement in throughput.
Tag anti-collision algorithms in RFID systems: a new trend

RFID is a wireless communication technology that provides automatic identification or tracking and data collection from any tagged object. Due to the shared communication channel between the reader and the tags during the identification process in RFID systems, many tags may communicate with the reader at the same time, which causes collisions. The problem of tag collision has to be addressed to have fast multiple tag identification process. There are two main approaches to the tag collision problem: ALOHA based algorithms and tree based algorithms. Although these methods reduce the collision and solve the problem to some extent, they are not fast and efficient enough in real applications. A new trend emerged recently which takes the advantages of both ALOHA and tree based approaches. This paper describes the process and performance of the tag anti-collision algorithms of the tree-ALOHA trend.
A high-resolution modeling study of convective initiation on 19 June 2002 during IHOP

Accurate prediction of warm-season convective rainfall has remained a challenging problem in the United States. At present, the quantitative precipitation forecasting (QPF) skill associated with these warmseason systems is still very low (Fritsch and Carbone 2004). It is an essential step to improve the QPF skill by improving the knowledge of the timing, location and intensity of convective initiation (hereafter, CI) (Weckwerth et al. 2004; Weckwerth and Parsons 2006). While the prediction of CI is partly related to the accurate representation of important smaller-scale physical processes in mesoscale numerical models, and can also be highly dependent on very accurate estimates of water vapor within the boundary layer (Crook 1996; Weckwerth et al. 2004). It is because the water vapor is in high temporal and spatial variability within the boundary layer, and can evidently influence the vertical profile of buoyancy, which the CI sensitively dependent on. To understand the CI processes and QPF questions using more accurate observations of water vapor, the International H2O Project (IHOP_2002; Weckwerth et al. 2004) field experiment was carried out in the spring of 2002.
Using complementary models-based approaches for representing and analysing ATM systems' variability

Large-Scale Socio-Technical Systems, such as Air Traffic Management (ATM), are organizations where different interconnected systems work together to achieve a common goal. Analysis of variability is particularly challenging in these systems of systems due to the non-linear and complex interactions among social and technical functions. This paper proposes a systematic approach able to represent and to reason about the variability of such socio-technical systems. The proposed approach is based on the synergistic use of 3 models able to represent the variability from different points of view. This federation of models focusses the analysis on the relevant aspects of the systems of systems at different levels of granularity. The models taken into account for the representation of system variability are FRAM [12] focusing on organizational functions, HAMSTERS [17], which is centred on human goals and activities and ICO [20] which is dedicated to the representation of systems' behaviour (including the user interface). The paper presents a detailed development process describing how the models are built and analysed. This process is exemplified on a case study involving the AMAN (Arrival MANager) system.
The pulmonary vascular complications of hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia

Hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder, characterised by the presence of vascular malformations. The pulmonary vascular complications of HHT include pulmonary arteriovenous malformations, pulmonary hypertension associated with high-output heart failure and liver vascular malformations and, finally, pulmonary arterial hypertension secondary to HHT. In the present review, the authors describe the clinical presentation, diagnosis and management of all three pulmonary vascular presentations of HHT, as well as the underlying genetics and pathophysiology.
Prevalence of Anti-Neu5Gc Antibodies in Patients with Hypothyroidism

Background. N-Glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc) is a sialic acid synthesized by animals, but not by humans or birds. However, it can be incorporated in human cells and can trigger immune response. In the present study, we detected anti-Neu5Gc antibodies in samples of the general population and of patients suffering from hypothyroidism/Hashimoto's disease, which is known to have autoimmune origin. Methods. Antibodies were measured using enzyme-immunosorbent techniques. Results. Serum anti-Neu5Gc IgG antibodies were higher in patients with hypothyroidism (mean: 14.8 ± 15.9 μg/mL, median: 10.0 μg/mL, P = 0.0003, Mann-Whitney) and even higher in the group with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (mean: 31.1 ± 16.3 μg/mL, median: 27.2 μg/mL, P = 0.0000, Mann-Whitney) compared to the general population (mean: 5.3 ± 4.7 μg/mL, median : 4 μg/mL). All anti-TPO positive samples had anti-Neu5Gc antibody concentration higher than the mean value of the general population while anti-TPO concentration was increased as anti-Neu5Gc concentration increased. Low concentrations of IgA and IgM antibodies were measured in both general population and patient groups. Conclusion. The increased values of anti-Neu5Gc antibodies in patients with hypothyroidism/Hashimoto's disease and the correlation of anti-TPO incidence with increased anti-Neu5Gc concentration raise the possibility of an association between anti-Neu5Gc antibody development and autoimmune hypothyroidism.
Myogenic Responses of Mouse Isolated Perfused Renal Afferent Arterioles: Effects of Salt Intake and Reduced Renal Mass

Because defects in renal autoregulation may contribute to renal barotrauma in chronic kidney disease, we tested the hypothesis that the myogenic response is diminished by reduced renal mass. Kidneys from 5/6 nephrectomized mice had only a minor increase in the glomerular sclerosis index. The telemetric mean arterial pressure (108±10 mm Hg) was unaffected after 3 months of high-salt intake (6% salt in chow) or reduced renal mass. Afferent arterioles from 5/6 nephrectomized mice and sham-operated controls were perfused ex vivo during step changes in pressure from 40 to 134 mm Hg. Afferent arterioles developed a constriction and a linear increase in active wall tension above a perfusion pressure of 36±6 mm Hg, without a plateau. The slope of active wall tension versus perfusion pressure defined the myogenic response, which was similar in sham mice fed normal or high-salt diets for 3 months (2.90±0.22 versus 3.22±0.40 dynes · cm−1/mm Hg; P value not significant). The myogenic response was unaffected after 3 days of reduced renal mass on either salt diet (3.39±0.61 versus 4.04±0.47 dynes · cm−1/mm Hg) but was reduced (P<0.05) in afferent arterioles from reduced renal mass groups fed normal and high salt at 3 months (2.10±0.28 and 1.35±0.21 dynes · cm−1/mm Hg). In conclusion, mouse renal afferent arterioles develop a linear increase in myogenic tone around the range of ambient perfusion pressures. This myogenic response is impaired substantially in the mouse model of prolonged reduced renal mass, especially during high salt intake.
A Phase-Shifted PWM D-STATCOM Using a Modular Multilevel Cascade Converter (SSBC)—Part II: Zero-Voltage-Ride-Through Capability

This paper provides an experimental discussion on zero-voltage-ride-through (ZVRT) capability of a phase-shifted pulsewidth-modulation distribution static synchronous compensator (D-STATCOM) using the modular multilevel cascade converter based on single-star bridge cells (SSBC). The cluster-balancing control producing a significant effect on the ZVRT capability is modeled and analyzed with focus on either a low-pass filter (LPF) or a moving-average filter (MAF) to attenuate the 100-Hz (double the line frequency) component inherent in each dc capacitor voltage. The cluster-balancing control using the MAF is better in transient performance than that using the LPF. A three-phase downscaled SSBC-based D-STATCOM rated at 150 V and 10 kVA is designed, constructed, and tested to verify the ZVRT capability under the severest single-, two-, and three-phase voltage sags with a voltage depth of 100%. Experimental waveforms show that the STATCOM continues operating stably as if no voltage sag occurred.
A Double Built-In Containment Strategy for Production of Recombinant Proteins in Transgenic Rice

Using transgenic rice as a bioreactor for mass production of pharmaceutical proteins could potentially reduce the cost of production significantly. However, a major concern over the bioreactor transgenic rice is the risk of its unintended spreading into environment and into food or feed supplies. Here we report a mitigating method to prevent unwanted transgenic rice spreading by a double built-in containment strategy, which sets a selectively termination method and a visual tag technology in the T-DNA for transformation. We created transgenic rice with an inserted T-DNA that harbors a human proinsulin gene fused with the far-red fluorescent protein gene mKate_S158A, an RNAi cassette suppressing the expression of the rice bentazon detoxification enzyme CYP81A6, and an EPSPS gene as the selection marker for transformation. Herbicide spray tests indicated that such transgenic rice plants can be killed selectively by a spray of bentazon at regular field application dosage for rice weed control. Moreover, the transgenic rice seeds were bright red in color due to the fused far-red fluorescent protein, and could be easily visualized under daylight by naked eyes. Thus, the transgenic rice plants reported in this study could be selectively killed by a commonly used herbicide during their growth stage, and their seeds may be detected visually during processing and consumption after harvest. This double built-in containment strategy may greatly enhance the confinement of the transgenic rice.
Exploring Different Strategies for Efficient Delivery of Colorectal Cancer Therapy

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer and the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the world. Currently available chemotherapy of CRC usually delivers the drug to both normal as well as cancerous tissues, thus leading to numerous undesirable effects. Much emphasis is being laid on the development of effective drug delivery systems for achieving selective delivery of the active moiety at the anticipated site of action with minimized unwanted side effects. Researchers have employed various techniques (dependent on pH, time, pressure and/or bacteria) for targeting drugs directly to the colonic region. On the other hand, systemic drug delivery strategies to specific molecular targets (such as FGFR, EGFR, CD44, EpCAM, CA IX, PPARγ and COX-2) overexpressed by cancerous cells have also been shown to be effective. This review aims to put forth an overview of drug delivery technologies that have been, and may be developed, for the treatment of CRC.
Analysis of multilevel graph partition algorithm Class Project-Algorithm

All the recent available graph partitioning packages include the multilevel graph partition algorithm in which the graph is coarsened by a sequence of increasingly smaller graphs. The smallest graph is partitioned using a graph partitioning algorithm and this partition is propagated back through the hierarchy of graphs. A Kernighan –Lin algorithm is applied periodically to refine the partition. Experiments indicate that, the multilevel algorithm produces a high quality partition at low cost. This paper is the study and analysis of different phases of this algorithm. It tries to explain the algorithm and its complexity in much simpler and basic form using pseudo code and simple figures.
CYCLES, GROWTH AND STRUCTURAL CHANGE. Theories and empirical evidence

Preface L.F. Punzo Part I. Facts and Interpretations of Growth and Fluctuations 1. Economic cycles since 1870 Solomos Solomou 2. Growth and fluctuations: the post-war Japanese experience Hiroshi Yoshikawa 3. Productivity-investment fluctuations and structural change Bernhard Bohm and Lionello F. Punzo Part II. The Macroeconomy and its Dynamics 4. Qualitative dynamics and macroeconomic evolution in the very long run Richard H. Day and Oleg V. Parlov 5. Out-of-equilibrium dynamics Mario Amendola and Jean Luc Gaffard 6. Disequilibrium growth in monetary economies: basic components and the KMG working model Peter Flaschel 7. Schumpeterian dynamics: a disequilibrium theory of long run profits Katsuihito Iwai Part III. Dynamics by Interaction 8. Equilibrium distribution of agents by types in a market, and existence of power laws Masano Aoki 9. The instability of markets Tad Hogg, Bernardo Huberman and Michael Youssefmir 10. Financial fragility and fluctuating growth Domenico Delli Gatti and Mauro Gallegati 11. Toward the microeconomics of innovation: growth engine of market economies William J. Baumol Part IV. Challenges for Quantitative Methodologies 12. Business cycle research: methods and problems Edward C. Prescott 13. Complexity-based methods in cycles and growth: any potential value-added? William A. Brock 14. Information, complexity and the MDL principle Jorma Rissanen 15. The 'exogenous' in 'endogenous' growth theory Frank Hahn
Self-reported altruistic and reciprocal behaviors among homosexually and heterosexually experienced adults: implications for HIV/AIDS service organizations

Abstract Prior studies find that gay men and lesbians volunteer in HIV/AIDS service organizations at high rates. However, no population-based study has investigated the mechanisms involved. Using data from the General Social Survey, a nationally representative biennial survey that in 2002 and 2004 interviewed 2031 sexually experienced adults, the authors examine levels of empathic concern, altruistic values, and the past year occurrence of altruistic and reciprocal behaviors among homosexually and exclusively heterosexually experienced adults. Overall, women reported higher levels of empathic concern and stronger altruistic values relative to men while men reported engaging in a wider variety of altruistic behaviors than did women. In gender-specific comparisons, homosexually experienced men reported stronger altruistic values than did exclusively heterosexual men but levels of empathic concern and the range of altruistic and reciprocal behaviors engaged in did not vary appreciable. Among women, homosexually experienced women reported engaging in a wider range of altruistic behaviors than exclusively heterosexual women, but did not differ in their levels of empathic concern or strength of altruistic values. Findings support the existence of some small sexual orientation-related differences in altruistic values and altruistic and reciprocal behaviors. These have implications for HIV-related volunteerism. One surprising finding in this study was that approximately 17% of homosexually experienced men had donated blood in the year prior to interview despite the prohibition against doing so.
Working Capital Management, Firms- Performance and Market Valuation in Nigeria

— This study examines the impact of working capital management on firms’ performance and market value of the firms in Nigeria. A sample of fifty four non-financial quoted firms in Nigeria listed on the Nigeria Stock Exchange was used for this study. Data were collected from annual reports of the sampled firms for the period 1995-2009. This result shows there is a significant negative relationship between cash conversion cycle and market valuation and firm’s performance. It also shows that debt ratio is positively related to market valuation and negatively related firm’s performance. The findings confirm that there is a significant relationship between Market valuation, profitability and working capital component in line with previous studies. This mean that Nigeria firms should ensure adequate management of working capital especially cash conversion cycle components of account receivables, account payables and inventories, as efficiency working capital management is expected to contribute positively to the firms’ market value.
Ultraviolet-Visible Plasmonic Properties of Gallium Nanoparticles Investigated by Variable-Angle Spectroscopic and Mueller Matrix Ellipsometry

Self-assembled, irregular ensembles of hemispherical Ga nanoparticles (NPs) were deposited on sapphire by molecular beam epitaxy. These samples, whose constituent unimodal or bimodal distribution of NP sizes was controlled by deposition time, exhibited localized surface plasmon resonances tunable from the ultraviolet to the visible (UV/vis) spectral range. The optical response of each sample was characterized using a variable-angle spectroscopic ellipsometer, and the dielectric response of the ensemble of NPs on each sample was parametrized using Lorentz oscillators. From this, a relationship was found between NP size and the deduced Lorentzian parameters (resonant frequency, damping, oscillator strength) for most unimodal and bimodal samples at most frequencies and angles of incidence. However, for samples with a bimodal size distribution, Mueller matrix ellipsometry revealed nonspecular scattering at particular frequencies and angles, suggesting a resonant interparticle coupling effect consistent with r.
Distributed tracking and classification of targets with sensor networks

Localization and tracking of target is an important application of the wireless sensor network. In this paper, we propose to apply a classification algorithm to sensor network nodes aimed at target tracking. Localization and tracking is based on a distributed method that enables us to simplify the signal processing and makes a more robust system. Also we address to group sensors, each group or cluster is led by one of them (leader node/sensor). This sensor is responsible for processing all the information about the target and estimate its position. Simulation results show that this classification algorithm reduces the estimate error in tracking targets.
Delayed resampling in a Rao-Blackwellized particle filtering SLAM for consistent loop closures

The Rao-Blackwellized particle filtering SLAM (RBPF-SLAM) still suffers from a large-loop or nested-loop closure due to a lack of hypotheses. This makes the filter optimistic and results in the RBPF to be a short term solution. This paper provides an important insight to the current resampling scheme and proposes an approach to delaying the resampling decision until the loop closing. A discussion about the issue of preserving the importance weight is also presented with developing the weight-smoothing method. This approach is a necessary step for the RBPF-SLAM, but to the best of our knowledge, no literature deals with this concept. Since the delayed resampling maintains the possible hypotheses, the filter consistency is significantly improved. Moreover since the resampling takes the loop closure into account, the required number of particles can be proportional to the loop size of the environment. The computational burden, caused by the resampling process, is also drastically reduced due to the delaying decision. Experimental results in large-scale environment with large and nested loops illustrate the effectiveness of our approach.