Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
New Improved Decision Aided Turbo Equalization

In this paper we propose a new Turbo Equalization algorithm with Decision Aided Equalizer (DAE). The algorithm takes into account that the soft feedback decisions from the previous iteration contain errors that cannot be neglected. The proposed algorithm finds the error variance and recalculates DAE coefficients at each turbo iteration. The algorithm shows Bit Error Rate (BER) performance improvement relative to the conventional Turbo DAE for severe frequency-selective channels. The achieved improvement is 0.8 dB at BER of 10-5.
Object based video watermarking sheme using feature points

This paper presents a video watermarking technique able to resist geometric attacks. The proposed method performs imperceptible watermarking of video in the spatio-temporal domain. Before embedding or detecting the watermark in the video, the location of the most appropriate triangles used for positioning the watermark must be found. For this reason, the interest points in each frame are first found using a spatio-temporal interest point detection method, and then the Delaunay triangulation is performed. Experimental evaluation demonstrates that the proposed scheme is able to withstand variety of attacks including common geometric attacks.
Income distribution, growth and social-welfare: towards an economic solution to the growth-equality trade-off problem

This thesis assesses the social-welfare implications of modifications to the post transfer distribution of income, in the context of welfare maximising policy design. Both the inequalitydistributional efficiency and inequality-growth relationship are assessed. An Atkinson social welfare function is employed in a novel fashion to model the inequality distributional efficiency relationship, including direct effects that result from the concavity of the personal utility function, and external losses operating via positional income effects. This analysis produces estimates of the social welfare losses from inequality across a data set of 137 countries, where the unweighted average of total losses is found to be equivalent to be 47% of GNI. The equality-growth relationship is analysed from the standpoint of both endogenous growth theory and post-Keynesian theories of demand and investment. The relationships between the functional and personal distribution of income and key macroeconomic variables including the rate of savings, and physical and human capital accumulation are assessed. Crucially, these relationships are found to be highly modifiable by economic policy and structural reform, and in theory, no growth–equality trade off need exist. On the contrary, equality may be growth promoting at moderate to high inequality levels. Combined with the large static welfare losses from inequality uncovered in this analysis, the welfare optimum level of inequality is likely to be close to the level associated with distributional efficiency maximisation. This is likely to be a very low level of inequality in comparison to existing levels in most countries and regions, and large welfare losses result from levels of inequality significantly above this level. Honours Thesis: Submitted as partial requirement for the degree of Bachelor of Arts (Honours), Political Economy, University of Sydney, 2011.
Implementation of HASPA algorithm for multiple antenna based RADAR signal processing

Specific algorithm simplifies the critical hardware requirement for smart signal processing applications. HASPA is such supervised ANN learning algorithm that specifically designed for multiple antenna based RADAR signal processing. The algorithm is based on the principle of spatial hearing of the Human Auditory Signal Processing System. In the processor, received signal from multiple sources are converted into compatible format and then suitably compared with themselves and with restored training sources. From the output data of the processor, different conclusions are made about the signal sources. The algorithm has been implemented in three steps with Linux Ubuntu based FORTRAN media and tested with the received signals of multiple antenna based tracking system. Test procedure and results have been presented and found to be satisfactory.
Bayesian Recovery of the Initial Condition for the Heat Equation

We study a Bayesian approach to recovering the initial condition for the heat equation from noisy observations of the solution at a later time. We consider a class of prior distributions indexed by a parameter quantifying “smoothness” and show that the corresponding posterior distributions contract around the true parameter at a rate that depends on the smoothness of the true initial condition and the smoothness and scale of the prior. Correct combinations of these characteristics lead to the optimal minimax rate. One type of priors leads to a rate-adaptive Bayesian procedure. The frequentist coverage of credible sets is shown to depend on the combination of the prior and true parameter as well, with smoother priors leading to zero coverage and rougher priors to (extremely) conservative results. In the latter case, credible sets are much larger than frequentist confidence sets, in that the ratio of diameters diverges to infinity. The results are numerically illustrated by a simulated data example.
Spitzer IRS Spectra and Envelope Models of Class I Protostars in Taurus

We present Spitzer Infrared Spectrograph (IRS) spectra of 28 Class I protostars in the Taurus star-forming region. The 5-36 μm spectra reveal excess emission from the inner regions of the envelope and accretion disk surrounding these predecessors of low-mass stars, as well as absorption features due to silicates and ices. Together with shorter and longer wavelength data from the literature, we construct spectral energy distributions and fit envelope models to 22 protostars of our sample, most of which are well constrained due to the availability of the IRS spectra. We infer that the envelopes of the Class I objects in our sample cover a wide range in parameter space, particularly in density and centrifugal radius, implying different initial conditions for the collapse of protostellar cores.
Identification of High-level Object Manipulation Operations from Multimodal Input

Object manipulation constitutes a large part of our daily hand movements. Recognition of such movements by a robot in an interactive scenario is an issue that is rapidly gaining attention. In this paper we present an approach to identification of a class of high-level manual object manipulations. Experiments have shown that the naive approach based on classification of low-level sensor data yields poor performance. In this paper we introduce a two-stage procedure that considerably improves the identification performance. In the first stage of the procedure we estimate an intermediate representation by applying a linear preprocessor to the multimodal low-level sensor data. This mapping calculates shape, orientation and weight estimators of the interaction object. In the second stage we generate a classifier that is trained to identify high-level object manipulations given the intermediate representation based on shape, orientation and weight. The devices used in our procedure are: Immersion CyberGlove II enhanced with five tactile sensors on the fingertips (TouchGlove), nine tactile sensors to measure the change of the object’s weight and a VICON multicamera system for trajectory recording. We have achieved the following recognition rates for 3600 data samples representing a sequence of manual object manipulations: 100% correct labelling of “holding”, 97% of “pouring”, 81% of “squeezing” and 65% of “tilting”.
Sequential Confidence Sets for the Proportional Hazards Model

In survival analysis or in reliability trials, stopping the study at the earlier time (or recruiting a minimum of individuals or items) may lead to a significant time and/or cost reduction of the study. Of course this cost reduction should not affect the quality of estimation. Many sequential techniques based on sequential confidence regions have been proposed for over fifty years (see e.g. Ghosh et al. 1997). Recently, Dmitrienko and Govindarajulu (2000), gave general properties of sequential maximum likelihood estimates based on fixed-width confidence regions for regular parametric models. Here we will focus our interest on extension of both the sequential methods and asymptotic results for the semiparametric proportional hazards model for censored data.
From Sweden with Love: Turkish Migrants in Sweden and their Social Remittances

The aim of this thesis is first to contribute to the theorising of the so-called ‘social remittances’. This entails an attempt to put together the reasons that qualifies the flow of social goods from migrant destinations to sending communities as remittances, as well as an endeavour to contribute to definitional clarifications on what constitutes the different natures, levels and types of these remittances and remitters. Following the theoretical work, I investigate two main questions: 1) Do the Turkish social remittances from Sweden indiscriminately serve for social development goals within the sending communities? 2) Does existing categorisation of certain types of immigrants and their remittance levels within the social remittance theory hold for the Swedish-Turkish case? I propose an intense clarification of definitions to go about answering these questions. Furthermore, the empirical part of this study is designed as a case study, collecting the necessary data through discourse analysis of an anti-terror rally organised by the Swedish-Turkish Worker’s Federation in Stockholm, and 9 semi-structured interviews that served greatly in my own quest of understanding the phenomenon.
The Welfare Cost of Argentine Risk

In this paper we do a couple of things: discussing a way to measure the welfare cost of country risk, and measuring it for Argentina in the period 1875-2006. There are two conclusions: a) the welfare cost of Argentine risk has been huge: for example, in the period 1976-2006 it was around 20% of GDP, several times larger than the welfare cost of any conventional distortion; b) this cost would be wholly paid by labor. These fascinating results deserve further investigation.
Natural histogram for very small population statistics

A new method is proposed that sharply increases the amount of statistical information extracted from experimental data. The new statistical technology is particularly suited for scarce sample populations, when it increases with one order of magnitude the extracted information. Hidden features would remain inaccessible otherwise. The method could prove useful also for signal processing, when a high level of accuracy in details rendition is required. The efficiency of the method is demonstrated by the experimental measurement of the combustion heat of rocket propellants. Populations as small as of six elements are thus successfully processed and statistically characterised, while the regular statistics could only be applied to much larger populations.
A Comprehensive Study of the Rational Function Model for Photogrammetric Processing

The rational function model (RFM) has gained considerable interest recently mainly due to the fact that Space Imaging Inc. (Thornton, Colorado) has adopted the RFM' as an alternative sensor model for image exploitation. The RFM has also been implemented in some digital photogrammetric systems to replace the physical sensor mode for photogrammetric processing. However, there have been few publications addressing the theoretical properties and practical aspects of the RFM until recently. In this paper a comprehensive study of the RFM is reported upon. Technical issues such as the solutions, feasibility, accuracy, numerical stability, and requirements for control information are addressed. Both the direct and iterative least-squares solutions to the RFM are derived, and the solutions under terrain-dependent and terrain-independent computation scenarios are discussed. Finally, evaluations of the numerous tests with different data sets are analyzed. The objective of this study is to provide readers with a comprehensive understanding of the issues pertaining to applications of the RFM. Background
A Novel Transmission Network Design Method for Beyond 3G Networks

In beyond 3G networks, the adequate design of the transmission network that diverts the data traffic of the NodeBs to the core network is an important challenge. Due to the deployment of new radio access technologies, and the dramatic traffic increase, the network operators tend to apply traffic aggregation techniques within their transmission network to reach higher utilization. This paper presents a method for the design of microwave transmission network topology and optimal link capacity assignment. The method considers the traffic conditions of the NodeBs; the number, lengths and capacities of the available microwave links; the available number of pylons/buildings with given upper-bound on the number of antennas; the traffic aggregation factor at the NodeBs; the costs of the transmission capacities; and topology constraints. The method finds the network topology and a capacity planning with the less cost within the set of candidate topologies.
An Appraisal of the Universal Basic Education in Nigeria

The Universal Basic Education (UBE) Programme could not have been introduced at a better time than now that the nation is in dire need of all round National Development. The major objective of the UBE programme is the provision of free, universal and compulsory basic education for every Nigerian child aged 6—15 years. However, for the Universal Basic Education programme to be truly free and universal, efforts must be made to check those factors that are known to have hindered the success of such programmes in the past. This paper specifically considered the implementation of Universal Basic Education (UBE) so far-. its success and problems. Relevant recommendations are therefore proffered. • Ensuring the acquisition of the appropriate levels of literacy numeracy, manipulative, communicative and life skills, as well as the ethnical, moral and civic value needed for paying. A review of related literature has revealed that attempts in the past to provide free education whether at the federal or state levels has never been successful due to poor planning and implementation. This view was supported by Nwagwu (2000) who sees poor planning as one of the problems responsible for the unsuccessful implementation of the former UPE programme. They posited that the planners of the programme were unable to project fairly accurate number of children that would gain from the scheme. Adequate efforts therefore, should be made to counter all the factors which led to the unsuccessful implementation of similar programmes in the past. This paper examines some issues associated with free education programme and proffers. solution for the effective implementation of UBE programme. The existing educational programmes in Nigeria failed to meet the educational needs and aspirations of the populace. This led to the proposal of the universal basic education (UBE) by the Nigerian government. This was a welcomed idea to the Nigerian populace. who were. unhappy that the 6-3-3-4 system which replaced the 6- 5-2-3 system and the earlier introduced universal primary education programmes. (UPE), (of the past regimes) was no better than the earlier introduced programmes.
Long-term financing needs for HIV control in sub-Saharan Africa in 2015–2050: a modelling study

Objectives To estimate the present value of current and future funding needed for HIV treatment and prevention in 9 sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries that account for 70% of HIV burden in Africa under different scenarios of intervention scale-up. To analyse the gaps between current expenditures and funding obligation, and discuss the policy implications of future financing needs. Design We used the Goals module from Spectrum, and applied the most up-to-date cost and coverage data to provide a range of estimates for future financing obligations. The four different scale-up scenarios vary by treatment initiation threshold and service coverage level. We compared the model projections to current domestic and international financial sources available in selected SSA countries. Results In the 9 SSA countries, the estimated resources required for HIV prevention and treatment in 2015–2050 range from US$98 billion to maintain current coverage levels for treatment and prevention with eligibility for treatment initiation at CD4 count of <500/mm3 to US$261 billion if treatment were to be extended to all HIV-positive individuals and prevention scaled up. With the addition of new funding obligations for HIV—which arise implicitly through commitment to achieve higher than current treatment coverage levels—overall financial obligations (sum of debt levels and the present value of the stock of future HIV funding obligations) would rise substantially. Conclusions Investing upfront in scale-up of HIV services to achieve high coverage levels will reduce HIV incidence, prevention and future treatment expenditures by realising long-term preventive effects of ART to reduce HIV transmission. Future obligations are too substantial for most SSA countries to be met from domestic sources alone. New sources of funding, in addition to domestic sources, include innovative financing. Debt sustainability for sustained HIV response is an urgent imperative for affected countries and donors.
Standardisation vs . Personalisation : An Alternative View of the Problem of Underutilised Corporate Intranets

Although intranets are well-established organisational information environments, employees often complain that their intranets do not help them in their daily activities, and, as a consequent, the technology is left under-utilised. The reason typically assumed, by managers and scholars alike, is that the intranets are too wild and ill structured, and the medicine prescribed is thus tighter management control. In this empirical study, initiated by management in a large international company, we examined the use of and the attitudes towards the organisation’s intranet. Though the respondents’ testimonies seem to be in line with existing literature, we argue this is only a superficial pattern. When the informants’ statements are not accepted as facts but instead critically questioned to reveal the underlying beliefs and attitudes that the statements are reflections of, a deeper understanding is uncovered. The critical interpretation of the empirical data reported in this paper suggests a different reason, where the individual views and customised services that come from more personalised information provision is what vitalises the corporate intranet. In the concluding discussion we hypothesise that corporate portals might be the technology that balances both management and endusers needs.
A Backoff Mechanism to Achieve Full Organization

The design of Medium Access Control (MAC) protocols for multi-hop ad hoc networks is challenging as each network entity has only a local view of the network. Consequently, efficient, decentralized, MAC protocols are needed. In this paper, we demonstrate that a protocol based on a local backoff mechanism can globally organize the transmissions in a network. Moreover, we show that such a protocol can achieve the highest level of spatial reuse.
Multi-Orientation Scene Text Detection with Adaptive Clustering

Text detection in natural scene images is an important prerequisite for many content-based image analysis tasks, while most current research efforts only focus on horizontal or near horizontal scene text. In this paper, first we present a unified distance metric learning framework for adaptive hierarchical clustering, which can simultaneously learn similarity weights (to adaptively combine different feature similarities) and the clustering threshold (to automatically determine the number of clusters). Then, we propose an effective multi-orientation scene text detection system, which constructs text candidates by grouping characters based on this adaptive clustering. Our text candidates construction method consists of several sequential coarse-to-fine grouping steps: morphology-based grouping via single-link clustering, orientation-based grouping via divisive hierarchical clustering, and projection-based grouping also via divisive clustering. The effectiveness of our proposed system is evaluated on several public scene text databases, e.g., ICDAR Robust Reading Competition data sets (2011 and 2013), MSRA-TD500 and NEOCR. Specifically, on the multi-orientation text data set MSRA-TD500, the <inline-formula><tex-math>$f$</tex-math><alternatives> <inline-graphic xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="yin-ieq1-2388210.gif"/></alternatives></inline-formula> measure of our system is <inline-formula><tex-math>$71$</tex-math><alternatives><inline-graphic xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="yin-ieq2-2388210.gif"/> </alternatives></inline-formula> percent, much better than the state-of-the-art performance. We also construct and release a practical challenging multi-orientation scene text data set (USTB-SV1K), which is available at http://prir.ustb. edu.cn/TexStar/MOMV-text-detection/.
On variations in the fine-structure constant and stellar pollution of quasar absorption systems

At redshifts z abs ≤ 2, quasar absorption-line constraints on space-time variations in the fine-structure constant, a, rely on the comparison of MgII and FeII transition wavelengths. One potentially important uncertainty is the relative abundance of Mg isotopes in the absorbers, which, if different from solar, can cause spurious shifts in the measured wavelengths and, therefore, a. Here we explore chemical evolution models with enhanced populations of intermediate-mass (IM) stars, which, in their asymptotic giant branch phase, are thought to be the dominant factories for heavy Mg isotopes at the low metallicities typical of quasar absorption systems. By design, these models partially explain recent Keck/HIRES evidence for a smaller a in z abs < 2 absorption clouds than on Earth. However, such models also overproduce N, violating observed abundance trends in high-z abs damped Lyman-a (DLA) systems. Our results do not support the recent claim of Ashenfelter et al. that similar models of IM-enhanced initial mass functions (IMFs) may simultaneously explain the HIRES varying-a data and DLA N abundances. We explore the effect of the IM-enhanced model on Si, Al and P abundances, finding it to be much less pronounced than for N. We also show that the 13 C/ 12 C ratio, as measured in absorption systems, could constitute a future diagnostic of non-standard models of the high-redshift IMF.
A converged hardware solution for FFT, DCT and Walsh transform

In this paper, we are interested in developing a programmable baseband processor for multiple radio standards, including the wireless LAN standards 802.11a and 802.11b. 802.11a is based on OFDM and uses a 64-point FFT. Demodulation of the complementary code keying (CCK) used in 802.11b includes the computation of a modified Walsh transform. Similarities have been found between the radix-4 FFT and the fast Walsh transform (FWT) and this has enabled the design of a converged FFT and FWT processor. With small modifications this processor can also be used for calculating the discrete cosine transform (DCT). A converged FFT/FWT/DCT processor was designed and synthesized in a 0.13/spl mu/m process. Results indicate that the hardware can run at 385 MHz, which means a 64-point FFT/DCT is calculated in 140 ns and a FWT for 802.11b 11Mb/s CCK in 47 ns. The area including memory is 0.40 mm/sup 2/.