Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Two-Stage Uninterruptible Power Supply With High Power Factor

An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) with high power factor and two conversion stages is suggested. The double-conversion configuration has three stages, but normally, only two stages are operating at the same time. The first stage of the proposed scheme integrates the power-factor-correction stage and the battery charger of the double-conversion configuration, obtaining a two-stage UPS. The second stage is based on the theory of inverter with boosting capabilities. The battery set has not only been completely isolated, but it has also been charged with a small change at the controller set point; these particular characteristics facilitate the system maintenance and simplify its operation. Additionally, the battery-set voltage is low, reducing the weight and size. The converter operation, analysis, design, and experimental results are shown. The proposed UPS approach is practical in low-power applications (les 500 W).
2-Methylsulfanyl-1H-perimidin-3-ium iodide

In the structure of the title salt C12H11N2S+·I−, the methylsulfanyl group of the cation is nearly coplanar with the perimidine rings, as indicated by the C—S—C—N torsion angles of 2.9 (5) and −177.2 (3)°, respectively. The (S)C—N bond lengths in the heterocyclic ring are approximately equal [1.325 (5) and 1.326 (6) Å] suggesting a degree of delocalization. In the crystal, cations and anions are linked via two discrete N—H⋯I hydrogen bonds, forming chains along the b axis.
Robust Scale Adaptive Kernel Correlation Filter Tracker With Hierarchical Convolutional Features

Visual object tracking is a challenging task due to object appearance changes caused by shape deformation, heavy occlusion, background clutters, illumination variation, and camera motion. In this letter, we propose a novel robust algorithm which decomposes the task of tracking into translation and scale estimation. We estimate the translation by using five correlation filters with hierarchical convolutional features which produced multilevel correlation response maps to collaboratively infer the target location. We also calculate the scale variation by another correlation filter with histogram of oriented gradient features at the same time. Extensive experimental results on a large-scale 50 challenging benchmark dataset show that the proposed algorithm achieved outstanding performance against state-of-the-art methods.
An Information Theoretic Study for Noisy Compressed Sensing With Joint Sparsity Model-2

In this paper, we study a support set reconstruction problem in which the signals of interest are jointly sparse with a common support set, and sampled by joint sparsity model-2 (JSM-2) in the presence of noise. Using mathematical tools, we develop upper and lower bounds on the failure probability of support set reconstruction in terms of the sparsity, the ambient dimension, the minimum signal to noise ratio, the number of measurement vectors and the number of measurements. These bounds can be used to provide a guideline to determine the system parameters in various applications of compressed sensing with noisy JSM-2. Based on the bounds, we develop necessary and sufficient conditions for reliable support set reconstruction. We interpret these conditions to give theoretical explanations about the benefits enabled by joint sparsity structure in noisy JSM-2. We compare our sufficient condition with the existing result of noisy multiple measurement vectors model (MMV). As a result, we show that noisy JSM-2 may require less number of measurements than noisy MMV for reliable support set reconstruction.
An Efficient Fingerprint Matching System for Low Quality Images

ABSTRACT Fingerprint-based identification is one of the most well-known and publicized biometrics for personal identification. It remains a reliable, efficient and commonly accepted biometric. In this paper, a fingerprint recognition system for identifying the low quality fingerprint images on Myanmar National Registration Cards (NRCs) is developed. Traditional minutia based approach is not robust to poor quality fingerprint images. In proposed system, ridge feature-based approach for fingerprint recognition using contextual filter and single pass thinning algorithm is developed. The input image is preprocessed and gabor filtering is applied for ridge line enhancement. The system extracts the ridge line features from the skeleton image derived from single pass thinning algorithm and it is compared to the database using Euclidean distance metric. The effectiveness of the proposed system can be confirmed through the experimental results.
Functional Characterization of a Na+-Coupled Dicarboxylate Carrier Protein from Staphylococcus aureus

ABSTRACT We have cloned and functionally characterized a Na+-coupled dicarboxylate transporter, SdcS, from Staphylococcus aureus. This carrier protein is a member of the divalent anion/Na+ symporter (DASS) family and shares significant sequence homology with the mammalian Na+/dicarboxylate cotransporters NaDC-1 and NaDC-3. Analysis of SdcS function indicates transport properties consistent with those of its eukaryotic counterparts. Thus, SdcS facilitates the transport of the dicarboxylates fumarate, malate, and succinate across the cytoplasmic membrane in a Na+-dependent manner. Furthermore, kinetic work predicts an ordered reaction sequence with Na+ (K0.5 of 2.7 mM) binding before dicarboxylate (Km of 4.5 μM). Because this transporter and its mammalian homologs are functionally similar, we suggest that SdcS may serve as a useful model for DASS family structural analysis.
Microscale Diversity of the GenusNitrobacter in Soil on the Basis of Analysis of Genes Encoding rRNA

ABSTRACT We looked at the diversity of NO2−oxidizers at field scale by examining isolates at clump scale and in microsamples of soil (diameter, 50 μm). The genetic distances (as determined by amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis performed with Nitrobacter-specific primers) in a small clump of soil were as large as those between reference strains from large geographical areas. Diversity in individual microsamples was shown by serotyping.
Minx: a simple and efficient anonymous packet format

<i>Minx</i> is a cryptographic message format for encoding anonymous messages, relayed through a network of Chaumian mixes. It provides security against a passive adversary by completely hiding correspondences between input and output messages. Possibly corrupt mixes on the message path gain no information about the route length or the position of the mix on the route. Most importantly Minx resists active attackers that are prepared to modify messages in order to embed tags which they will try to detect elsewhere in the network. The proposed scheme imposes a low communication and computational overhead, and only combines well understood cryptographic primitives.
Agglomeration Control of Nd:YAG Nanoparticles Via Freeze Drying for Transparent Nd:YAG Ceramics

Neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) nanopowders were synthesized by the carbonate coprecipitation method. The effects of freeze drying and conventional oven drying of the precursor on the agglomeration of the Nd:YAG nanopowders were compared. The optical properties of the Nd:YAG nanopowders and the corresponding sintered Nd:YAG transparent ceramics were also investigated. The Nd:YAG nanopowders synthesized from freeze-dried precursor showed better dispersion and narrower particle size distribution compared with the powders synthesized from conventional oven drying. As a result, the Nd:YAG nanopowders synthesized from freeze-dried precursor have good sinterability, and Nd:YAG transparent ceramics were fabricated by vacuum sintering at 1750°C for 5 h.
Understanding One's Systems: A New Role for Auditing

A decanter and sanitary pump assembly for dispensing metered quantities of liquid. The pump assembly is mounted inside the decanter, and the entire apparatus is quickly and easily disassembled for cleaning, thus making it particularly useful for dispensing food products. The outlet of the pump assembly projects downwardly from an overhanging section of the decanter to allow convenient placing of a liquid receiving container beneath the outlet.
A Novel Stochastic Algorithm for Scheduling QoS-Constrained Workflows in a Web Service-Oriented Grid

The success of Web services has influenced the way in which grid applications are being written. Grid users often submit their applications in the form of workflows with certain quality of service (QoS) requirements imposed on the workflows. These workflows detail the composition of Web services and the level of service required from the Grid. This paper addresses scheduling technique, which aims to satisfy QoS requirements of grid workflows with a sufficient guarantee. We model a Web service as a G/G/k queue and obtain scheduling solutions for workflow tasks by solving an ILP (integer linear program), which is the traditional method. We further develop a novel 2-stage stochastic program, which is capable of dealing with the volatile nature of the grid and adapting the selection of the services during the lifetime of the workflows. We also present a stochastic algorithm which obtains scheduling solutions for workflow tasks. We present experimental results comparing our approaches, showing that the 2-stage stochastic programming approach performs consistently better than other traditional approaches
Optical interferometry of early-type stars with PAVO@CHARA – I. Fundamental stellar properties

We present interferometric observations of 7 main-sequence and 3 giant stars with spectral types from B2 to F6 using the PAVO beam combiner at the CHARA array. We have directly determined the angular diameters for these objects with an average precision of 2.3%. We have also computed bolometric fluxes using available photometry in the visible and infrared wavelengths, as well as space-based ultraviolet spectroscopy. Combined with precise \textit{Hipparcos} parallaxes, we have derived a set of fundamental stellar properties including linear radius, luminosity and effective temperature. Fitting the latter to computed isochrone models, we have inferred masses and ages of the stars. The effective temperatures obtained are in good agreement (at a 3% level) with nearly-independent temperature estimations from spectroscopy. They validate recent sixth-order polynomial (B-V)-$T_\mathrm{eff}$ empirical relations \citep{Boyajian2012a}, but suggest that a more conservative third-order solution \citep{vanBelle2009} could adequately describe the (V-K)-$T_\mathrm{eff}$ relation for main-sequence stars of spectral type A0 and later. Finally, we have compared mass values obtained combining surface gravity with inferred stellar radius (\textit{gravity mass}) and as a result of the comparison of computed luminosity and temperature values with stellar evolutionary models (\textit{isochrone mass}). The strong discrepancy between isochrone and gravity mass obtained for one of the observed stars, $\gamma$\,Lyr, suggests that determination of the stellar atmosphere parameters should be revised.
A new mathematical model of air pollutant concentration averaging time and frequency.

A previous mathematical model of air pollutant concentration, averaging time, and frequency gave results close to actual measurements for the relatively short averaging times for which it was used. However, recent calculations show that mathematically unsound results are obtained with the model for averaging times longer than one month. A new mathematical model, described herein, gives mathematically sound results for all averaging times. The two dominant features of this new model are derived from observations that indicate: (1) air pollutant concentrations are approximately lognormally distributed for all pollutants in all cities for all averaging times; and (2) median concentration is proportional to averaging time to an exponent. Applications to problems air pollutant effects and air quality standards are shown.
Chapter 7 Surface Energy and Wetting in Island Films

The chapter describes the fundamental aspects of the effects of scale on surface phenomena in condensed films. Experimental and theoretical data for the size and temperature dependencies of the surface energy (including the solid phase); wetting of solid surfaces and free thin films by small metal particles are discussed. Several modern methods of contact angle measurement in small-sized systems based on the optical and electron microscopy methods are described.
Analysing Imperfect Temporal Information in GIS Using the Triangular Model

Abstract Rough set and fuzzy set are two frequently used approaches for modelling and reasoning about imperfect time intervals. In this paper, we focus on imperfect time intervals that can be modelled by rough sets and use an innovative graphic model [i.e. the triangular model (TM)] to represent this kind of imperfect time intervals. This work shows that TM is potentially advantageous in visualizing and querying imperfect time intervals, and its analytical power can be better exploited when it is implemented in a computer application with graphical user interfaces and interactive functions. Moreover, a probabilistic framework is proposed to handle the uncertainty issues in temporal queries. We use a case study to illustrate how the unique insights gained by TM can assist a geographical information system for exploratory spatio-temporal analysis.
Analysis of inverted base pavements with thin-asphalt layers

Inverted base pavements are flexible pavement structures built by placing a top quality compacted granular aggregate base between a rigid cement-treated base and a thin-asphalt surface layer. The proximity of the granular base to the load makes its behaviour critical to the pavement response. Three-dimensional finite-element simulations are conducted to assess the mechanical performance of different inverted base pavement structures, with emphasis placed on pavements that feature thin-asphalt surface layers. A nonlinear constitutive model captures the anisotropic stress-dependent stiffness of the granular base. Results show that the stress distribution within inverted base pavements is markedly different from that of conventional pavements due to the stiffness contrast between successive layers. Thin-asphalt layers deform more uniformly and experience lower tension than thick layers. However, in the presence of combined shear and vertical contact loads, the benefits of a membrane response in thin asphalt concrete layers may be overwhelmed by the increased tensile strain at the load edge. The transition from beam to membrane asphalt response depends on the relative stiffness between the asphalt layer and the aggregate base. In most cases, the transition takes place at an asphalt layer thickness between 25 mm and 50 mm.
Ice and Climate News nr. 10

5. Atmosphere-Ocean General Circulation Models 7. Global Prediction: Permafrost 8. Predicting Lake and River Ice 10. Operational Sea-Ice Analysis and Forecasting at met.no 11. Arctic Council Climate and Cryosphere Project 12. Seasonal Forecast of Antarctic Sea Ice 13. The Global Cryosphere Watch 14. Towards a Community Arctic System Model 16. Simulation of Glacier Mass and Energey Balance 18. The 2nd Asia CliC Symposium 19. First Training Workshop on Permafrost Research Methods N u m b e r 1 0 , J a n u a r y 2 0 0 8
Plasma electrode pockels cell for ICF lasers

In a plasma-electrode Pockels cell (PEPC), plasma discharges serve as transparent electrodes on each side of an electro-optic crystal such as KDP. These plasmas facilitate rapid and uniform charging and discharging of the crystal. We describe PEPC technology deployed on Beamlet and envisioned for the National Ignition Facility. Performance on Beamlet is discussed in detail. We also discuss models which have shed light on PEPC operation. These models describe both the high-voltage sheath that forms near the crystal surface and the characteristics of the bulk plasma column.
ANTONIA Perfusion and Stroke

Summary Objectives: The objective of this work is to present the software tool ANTONIA, which has been developed to facilitate a quantitative analysis of perfusion-weighted MRI (PWI) datasets in general as well as the subsequent multi-parametric analysis of additional datasets for the specific purpose of acute ischemic stroke patient dataset evaluation. Methods: Three different methods for the analysis of DSC or DCE PWI datasets are currently implemented in ANTONIA, which can be case-specifically selected based on the study protocol. These methods comprise a curve fitting method as well as a deconvolution-based and deconvolution-free method integrating a previously defined arterial input function. The perfusion analysis is extended for the purpose of acute ischemic stroke analysis by additional methods that enable an automatic atlas-based selection of the arterial input function, an analysis of the perfusion-diffusion and DWI-FLAIR mismatch as well as segmentation-based volumetric analyses. Results: For reliability evaluation, the de-scribed software tool was used by two ob-servers for quantitative analysis of 15 data-sets from acute ischemic stroke patients to extract the acute lesion core volume, FLAIR ratio, perfusion-diffusion mismatch volume with manually as well as automatically selected arterial input functions, and follow-up lesion volume. The results of this evaluation revealed that the described software tool leads to highly reproducible results for all parameters if the automatic arterial input function selection method is used. Conclusion: Due to the broad selection of processing methods that are available in the software tool, ANTONIA is especially helpful to support image-based perfusion and acute ischemic stroke research projects.
Expression cloning in Xenopus identifies RNA‐binding proteins as regulators of embryogenesis and Rbmx as necessary for neural and muscle development

We have performed an expression cloning screen in Xenopus laevis with the aim of isolating novel gene activities from the neural plate. Of 8,064 clones screened, we isolated 61 clones that affected either neural plate patterning or tadpole morphology. Of these, 20 clones encoded RNA binding proteins, and the majority of these are heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs) or SR‐proteins, which are associated with alternative splicing. All of these genes are expressed in the nervous system, and in several cases specific to neural tissue. Injecting mRNA encoding these proteins results in neural plate mispatterning and abnormal muscle segmentation. To initiate characterization of these proteins, we selected Rbmx as a candidate for deeper analysis. Using morpholino mediated knockdown, we show that Rbmx is necessary for normal anterior neural plate patterning, neurogenesis, neural crest development, and muscle segmentation. Developmental Dynamics 237:1755–1766, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Making Grammar-Based Generation Easier to Deploy in Dialogue Systems

We present a development pipeline and associated algorithms designed to make grammarbased generation easier to deploy in implemented dialogue systems. Our approach realizes a practical trade-off between the capabilities of a system's generation component and the authoring and maintenance burdens imposed on the generation content author for a deployed system. To evaluate our approach, we performed a human rating study with system builders who work on a common largescale spoken dialogue system. Our results demonstrate the viability of our approach and illustrate authoring/performance trade-offs between hand-authored text, our grammar-based approach, and a competing shallow statistical NLG technique.
A Diffusion Approximation and Numerical Methods for Adaptive Neuron Models with Stochastic Inputs

Characterizing the spiking statistics of neurons receiving noisy synaptic input is a central problem in computational neuroscience. Monte Carlo approaches to this problem are computationally expensive and often fail to provide mechanistic insight. Thus, the field has seen the development of mathematical and numerical approaches, often relying on a Fokker-Planck formalism. These approaches force a compromise between biological realism, accuracy and computational efficiency. In this article we develop an extension of existing diffusion approximations to more accurately approximate the response of neurons with adaptation currents and noisy synaptic currents. The implementation refines existing numerical schemes for solving the associated Fokker-Planck equations to improve computationally efficiency and accuracy. Computer code implementing the developed algorithms is made available to the public.
Access normalization: loop restructuring for NUMA compilers

In scalable parallel machines, processors can make local memory accesses much faster than they can make remote memory accesses. In addition, when a number of remote accesses must be made, it is usually more efficient to use block transfers of data rather than to use many small messages. To run well on such machines, software must exploit these features. We believe it is too onerous for a programmer to do this by hand, so we have been exploring the use of restructuring compiler tecnology for this purpose. In this paper, we start with a language like FORTRAN-D with user-specified data distribution and develop a systematic loop transformation strategy called access normalization that restructures loop nests to exploit locality and block transfers. We demonstrate the power of our techniques using routines from the BLAS (Basic Linear Algebra Subprograms) library. An important feature of our approach is that we model loop transformations using invertible matrices and integer lattice theory, thereby generalizing Banerjee's framework of unimodular matrices [5].
OpenPMF SCaaS: Authorization as a Service for Cloud & SOA Applications

This paper introduces the concept of moving security and compliance policy automation for Cloud applications and mashups into the Cloud. The policy automation aspects covered in this paper include policy configuration, technical policy generation using model-driven security, application authorization management, and incident reporting. Policy configuration is provided as a subscription-based Cloud service to application development tools, and technical policy generation, enforcement and monitoring is embedded into Cloud application development and runtime platforms. OpenPMF Security & Compliance as a Service (“ScaaS”), a reference implementation using Object Security OpenPMF, is also presented.
Atomistic calculations of composite interfaces

The modified embedded atom method (MEAM), an empirical extension of the embedded atom method (EAM) that includes angular forces, has been used to examine the interface between a silicon substrate and a thin overlayer of nickel. A brief review of the MEAM is given and parameters are determined for the Si-Ni system. As verification of the reliability of the model, the geometry, energy and elastic constants of a number of ideal Si-Ni compounds are calculated and are found to agree reasonably well with experiment and first-principles calculations. Planar defect energies are also presented. Calculations of the relaxed energy and geometry of a coherent 10 AA overlayer of Ni on Si(001) yield two similar structures, both of which were typified by a slightly rippled Ni structure relative to perfect FCC Ni. The lower-energy interface also contained rows of slightly shifted Ni atoms. It is found that significant differences occur between the energetics of a rigid or relaxed separation of the overlayer. Separation of the overlayer with a monolayer of Si atoms attached to the Ni yields a significantly lower-energy structure than separation exactly at the interface. The relaxed brittle fracture energy of this interface is found to be 1.5 J m-2, which is significantly lower than the unrelaxed fracture energy of 4.8 J m-2.