Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A volume scattering explanation for the negative spectral gradient of frozen soil

A combination of the 37 GHz radiobrightness (Tb37) and the 10.7 to 37 GHz spectral gradient (S,) has been used to classify prairie soil as either frozen or thawed. Wintertime data from the Scanning Multichannel Microwave Radiometer (SMMR) for northern Great Plains soils tend to fall along the line Sg = -6.42 + 0.026 Tb37 K/GHz for Tb37 < -247 K. Models of emission from homogeneous, frozen soils do not exhibit this behavior. The likely cause of a negative S, is volume scatter darkening like that recognized for microwave emission from snow. While frozen soils are not as transparent to microwaves as is snow, optical thicknesses of frozen soils can become large enough at low temperatures for significant volume scattering to become plausible. We use a radiative transfer version of first order, multiple scattering theory to develop an analytical relationship between brightness temperature and the scattering albedo. This relationship combined with the empirical data for S, yield the approximation to scattering albedo, WO + 6.1 Wo2 = 15.1 (273/T0 - 1) where To is the physical temperature in Kelvin and To < 273.
The Virtual Real-Time Dramaturge: Formalisation of Dramaturgic Principles

Compared to classic media like movies or theatre interactive digital productions in the field of entertainment computing like VR environments and computer games are typically lacking sophistication in their dramaturgic arrangement. While hardware and network technologies are rapidly gaining quality and speed we cannot observe remarkable improvements in the ability of interactive productions and formats to create empathy. Classical dramaturgic methods for the presentation of conflicts or dramatic situations frequently fail in interactive environments. Often dramaturgy and interactivity are hence labelled as contradicting concepts. In this paper we discuss important aspects of the implicit conflicts on different levels and propose new approaches to solve them. In contrast to previous work, our goal is to facilitate the understanding of dramaturgy in interactive, digital applications from a more general standpoint as a presentation strategy rather than a 'grand unifying theory'. We clarify our arguments by the description of a successful implementation.
Synthesis/coding of audio signals using optimized wavelets

A novel audio synthesis/coding approach based on an optimization of the wavelet transform of the audio signal is presented. In each frame of the audio signal, the authors identify the wavelet which yields an approximation to the audio segment that requires the minimum number of bits. The wavelet approximation is constrained to have no perceptual distortion or a distortion that is less than some fixed maximum level. Two wavelet coefficient representations are considered. In the first representation, the quantization step is fixed and the magnitude of the transform coefficients is optimized. In the second approach the wavelet coefficients are adaptively quantized. The authors show that the second representation leads to simpler optimization problems. They suggest several approximations which reduce the complexity of the optimization problem. Experiments indicate that high quality speech and audio reconstruction is possible in the range of 8-9 kb/s. <<ETX>>
A Java bytecode optimizer using side‐effect analysis

This paper describes Cream, an optimizer for Java bytecode using side-effect analysis to improve the optimizations. Dead-code elimination and loop-invariant removal are implemented and tested, as well as several variations of the side-effect analysis. The optimizer is tested on real-world applications such as itself and JavaSoft's Java compiler. Results show that the optimizations benefit well from the side-effect analysis. The best side-effect analysis gives five to ten times as many optimizations as without an analysis, and, in one case, makes a speed increase of 25% possible. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
N-Carboalkoxy-2-Nitrobenzenesulfonamides: A Practical Preparation of N-Boc-, N-Alloc-, and N-Cbz-Protected Primary Amines

: N-Carboalkoxy-2-nitrobenzenesulfonamides, readily prepared by acylation of 2-nitrobenzenesulfonamide ( o -NsNH 2 ), can be alkylated by either conventional or Mitsunobu protocols. Since the o-nosyl group can be deprotected under mild conditions, a variety of N-carboalkoxy derivatives of primary amines may be prepared in excellent yields from the corresponding alcohols and/or halides. In addition, allyloxycarbonyl (Alloc), t -butoxycarbonyl ( t - Boc), and benzyloxycarbonyl (Cbz) groups can be deprotected in the presence of the o-nosyl group, allowing the resultant N- alkylated 2-nitrobenzenesulfonamides to be used for further preparation of secondary amines.
Silicon dioxide thin films prepared by chemical vapor deposition from tetrakis(diethylamino)silane and ozone

Silicon dioxide thin films were prepared by a low‐temperature atmospheric‐pressure chemical vapor deposition method. The raw materials were tetrakis(diethylamino)silane and ozone in oxygen gas. The amorphous films were obtained at a substrate temperature above 200 °C. The films were superior in chemical stability and hardness to the films which were prepared from tetraethoxysilane and ozone.
Pedestrian recognition using high-definition LIDAR

Pedestrian detection is one of the key technologies for autonomous driving systems and driving assistance systems. To predict the possibility of a future collision, these systems have to accurately recognize pedestrians as far away as possible. Moreover, the function to detect not only people walking but also people who are standing near the road is also required. This paper proposes a method for recognizing pedestrians by using a high-definition LIDAR. Two novel features are introduced to improve the classification performance. One is the slice feature, which represents the profile of a human body by widths at the different height levels. The other is the distribution of the reflection intensities of points measured on the target. This feature can contribute to the pedestrian identification because each substance has its own unique reflection characteristics in the near-infrared region of the laser beam. Our approach applies a support vector machine (SVM) to train a classifier from these features. The classifier discriminates the clusters of the laser range data that are the pedestrian candidates, generated by pre-processing. A quantitative evaluation in a road environment confirms the effectiveness of the proposed method.
L2 proficiency and effect of auditory source in processing L2 stops

The current study investigates whether Korean-speaking adults show differential sensitivities to the sources of auditory stimuli (L1 Korean and L2 English) in utilizing VOT and f0 in the perceptual mode of L2 stops, and how the L2 proficiency interacts with the learners’ low-level phonetic sensitivities in L2 perceptual mode. 48 Korean learners of English participated in the perception experiments where they rated the goodness of English /t/ and /d/ using an analogue scale. Two sets of stimuli (English and Korean sources) were prepared by manipulating VOT (6-steps) and f0 (5-steps) values of productions by an English male (L2 source condition) and a Korean male (L1 source condition). Findings showed that, in judging /t/-likeness, the listeners responded differently to the two auditory stimulus conditions by relying on VOT significantly more in English source condition than in Korean source condition. The listeners’ English proficiency did not interact with these differential sensitivities to the auditory stimulus source either along the VOT dimension or the f0 dimension. The results of the current study suggest that low-level contextual information of the auditory source can affect the learners in faithfully being in the L2 perceptual mode.
An objective measure to compare some automatic generation methods of NN architectures

Many methods to codify artificial neural networks have been developed to avoid the defects of direct encoding schema, improving the search into the solution's space. A method to evaluate how the search space is covered and how movement along the search process applying genetic operators is needed in order to evaluate the different encoding strategies for a kind of artificial neural networks, feedforward neural networks. A first step of this method is considered with two encoding strategies, a direct encoding method and an indirect encoding scheme based on cellular automata.
Dynamics of Literary Texts And Diffusion

There are two major views to literature. The first and older one treats literature as something, invented by human for cultural needs. The traditional studies in literature employ this view evaluating cultural value of literature. The other and new one considers literature as a part of the cybernetic system nature-human-literature, where a human play a role of a transmitter, nature is its input and literature is output. Accordingly, it presents human as a medium, communicating fundamentals of nature in the form of literary texts. Although this view is already formed, its scientific implications are not yet investigated. In this paper we employ the second view and show that literature in the whole and diffusion behave similarly. We propose a method for creation of sample paths of the diffusion process, related to literary texts. The paper is addressed to those who are interested in mathematical modeling, philosophy of literature and communication. It has a speculative form with a minimum number of mathematical formulae.
A study on signature verification using a new approach to genetic based machine learning

This paper presents a new method to find best features for signature verification. The new method uses a new coding method, a new crossover method, and a new GA method with a local improvement mechanism proposed by the authors. The new coding method is effective to absorb the intra-personal variability among true signatures. The new crossover method determines the number of partial curves chosen for the signature verification. The new GA approach is very efficient in improving the local portions of chromosomes. Experiments are done to show the effectiveness of the new method.
Next-Generation Spacecraft Command & Data Handling System Based on the RAD750 Processor

Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) selected the RAD750 single board computer (SBC) manufactured by BAE Systems for use in its next-generation Spacecraft Command & Data Handling System for high-capacity communication spacecraft. This state-ofthe-art system will complete qualification testing by 3Q10. SS/L’s Spacecraft Command & Data Handling System features computing power that will support not only the spacecraft data handling and control functions but also some of the spacecraft’s payload signal processing functions.
Jamming-resistant Distributed Path Selection on Wireless Mesh Networks (demo)

Wireless mesh network is an emerging network architecture which have been actively standardized for the last few years. Because of its flexible network architecture, wireless mesh network can provide alternative paths even when some of wireless links are broken by node failures or intended attacks. Among various types of mesh network, we focus on the most recent mesh standard, IEEE 802.11s and its resiliency to jamming attack. In the demo, we show jamming effects on wireless mesh network and the performance of the hybrid wireless mesh protocol (HWMP) defined in IEEE 802.11s and our proposed distributed path selection protocol.
A genetic algorithms based approach for conflicts resolution in requirement

With the improvements of technologies, software systems have been more complex then ever before. This requires new approaches to improve software development processes so that they sufficiently and efficiently meet these challenges. Requirement engineering in this regard facing many problems in which conflicts resolution gained very little popularity. In this paper we present motivation toward requirement conflicts resolution and discuss how resolution techniques from other domains can be applied in this area. We also proposed a new approach for conflicts resolution based on the idea of genetic algorithm. This model is applied to a case study to demonstrate how systematically resolution process can be optimized. Key words: Genetic algorithm, conflict resolution, requirement engineering.
Considerations for Replacing Conventional LVRs With Output Capacitor Free LVRs

This paper discusses design considerations for replacing conventional linear voltage regulators (LVRs) for onchip loads with output capacitor free LVRs in CMOS. The key parameters for comparing the performance are chosen to be the output impedance and the power supply rejection ratio (PSRR). Based on the output impedance frequency response and PSRR frequency response the influence of external and internal components and parasitics will be shown. This allows an intuitive insight into the performance limitations of output capacitor free LVRs and gives a starting point for new designs. Keywords - LVR; LDO; capacitor less; output capacitor free
Synthesis and Catalytic Properties of Bimetallic Nanomaterials with Various Architectures

Summary Bimetallic nanomaterials have raised more and more significant concern from worldwide researchers in recent years because their new physical and chemical properties derived from synergistic effects between the two metals are highly desirable for specific technological applications, especially for catalytic applications. This review article provides an overview of recent developments in synthesis and properties of bimetallic nanomaterials. First, we summarize recent contributions on developing strategies for the controllable synthesis of bimetallic nanomaterials with various architectures including crown-jewel structure, hollow structure, heterostructure, core–shell structure, alloyed structure and porous structure. Then, we discuss how the microstructural parameters such as surface structure, composition, size, and morphology (crystal facet) influence catalytic properties of bimetallic nanomaterials. Finally, we conclude with our personal perspectives of future research in bimetallic nanomaterials.
Energy cost saving strategies in distributed power networks

In this paper we study energy cost saving strategies in power networks in presence of prosumers. Three tips are considered: (i) distributed power network architecture, (ii) peak energy shaving with the integration of prosumers’ contribution, (iii) Electric vehicles self-charging by means of prosumers’ production. The proposed distributed power network architecture reduces significantly the transmission costs and can reduce significantly the global energy cost up to 42 percent. Different types of prosumer who use self-charging photovoltaic systems, are able to intelligently buy energy from, or sell it, to the power grid. Therein, prosumers interact in a distributed environment during the purchase or sale of electric power using a double auction with negotiation mechanism. Using a two-step combined learning and optimization scheme, each prosumer can learn its optimal bidding strategy and forecast its energy production, consumption and storage. Our simulation results, conducted for the region of Sicily in Italy, show that the integration of prosumers can reduce peak hour costs up to 19 percent and 6 percent for eligible prosumers with electric vehicles.
Scalable video coding in network applications

Streaming video over packet networks is considered a joint source/channel coding problem, where the necessity of real-time delivery, bandwidth constraints, and error resilience determine the design parameters for the video transmission system. The objective of video coding for network applications is changed to optimising the video quality over a given bit rate range instead of at a given bit rate. Meeting bandwidth requirements and maintaining acceptable image quality simultaneously is a challenge. This paper provides an overview of scalable video coding methods.
Performance analysis of Gaussian Mixture Model speaker recognition systems with different speaker

This paper analyzes the effect of the speaker feature vector characteristics, in the performance of speaker recognition systems (SRS) based on the Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM). To this end, the performance of the SRS is analized using speaker features derived from: a) linear predictive cepstral coefficients (LPCepstral) extracted from the whole speech frame, b) LPCepstral derived from the voiced parts of the speech frame, c) LPCepstral extracted from voiced segments of speech frame together with the pitch information, d) LPCepstral extracted from voiced segments of each frame normalized using a Cepstral Mean Normalization (CMN). Evaluation results, using phrases of 2.5–3 second of telephone speech utterances in Japanese language, show that a fairly good performance of GMM-based SRS is achieved with most speaker features vectors with both, close test as well as with open-test, although the features vector providing the best recognition performance closely depends on each particular speaker. INTRODUCTION The development of efficient Speaker Recognition System (SRS) has been a topic of active research during the last decade, because they have a large number of potential applications in many fields that require accurate user identification or user identity verification such as: Shopping by telephone, bank transactions, access control to restricted places and information, voice mail and law enforcement, etc. According to the task that the SRS is required to perform, it can be divided in speaker identification system (SIS) or speaker verification systems (SVS), where the SIS has the task to determine the most likely speaker among a given speakers set, while the SVS has the task of deciding if the speaker is that she/he claims to be. Usually a SIS has M inputs and N outputs, where M depends on the feature vector size and N on the size of the speaker set, while the SVS usually has M inputs, as the SRS, and two possible outputs (accept or reject) or in some situations three possible outputs (accept, reject or indefinite). According to the speech data set used, the SRS can also be divided in text-dependent speaker recognition system (TD-SRS) and text-independent speaker recognition system (TI-SRS), where the TD-SRS is trained and tested using the same kind of sentence or words, such that in the TD-SRS the sentence or words used for testing are known in advance, while
FAULT LINKS: IDENTIFYING MODULE AND FAULT TYPES AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP

OF THESIS FAULT LINKS: IDENTIFYING MODULE AND FAULT TYPES AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP The presented research resulted in a generic component taxonomy, a generic code-fault taxonomy, and an approach to tailoring the generic taxonomies into domain-specific as well as project-specific taxonomies. Also, a means to identify fault links was developed. Fault links represent relationships between the types of code-faults and the types of components being developed or modified. For example, a fault link has been found to exist between Controller modules (that forms a backbone for any software via. its decision making characteristics) and Control/Logic faults (such as unreachable code). The existence of such fault links can be used to guide code reviews, walkthroughs, testing of new code development, as well as code maintenance. It can also be used to direct fault seeding. The results of these methods have been validated. Finally, we also verified the usefulness of the obtained fault links through an experiment conducted using graduate students. The results were encouraging.
Synchronous Mobile Audio-Visual Recording Technology (SMART) Cart for Healthcare Simulation Debriefing

Introduction. Video-assisted debriefing is commonly used in healthcare simulation. The ability to conduct video-assisted debriefing during in situ simulation is limited by the capacity to quickly and easily record and playback video in the clinical environment. Methods. We developed the Synchronous Mobile Audio-visual Recording Technology Cart (SMART-Cart) to improve the ability to conduct video-assisted debriefing during in situ simulation. The SMART-Cart is composed of a compact metal cart, integrated dual wide-angled pan-tilt-zoom cameras, microphones, high-performance audio-video computer with two rear facing video monitors, and a large front-facing video screen positioned for easy video playback and review. Results. During pilot-testing involving 75 simulations with the capture of over 10 GB of audiovisual data, the SMART-Cart functioned extremely well with no technical issues. Setup and take down speeds were significantly faster using the SMART-Cart as compared to traditional in situ video debriefing methods. Use of the SMART-Cart was also resulted in a 50% reduction in the overall foot-print of the simulation recording equipment. Discussion. Based on our experience, the SMART-Cart provides a fast and reliable option to facilitate video-assisted debriefing during in situ simulation. Further investigation into the process of video-assisted debriefing using the SMART-Cart are warranted.
Design of a sliding linear investigative platform for analyzing lower-limb stability (SLIP-FALLS)

A novel device has been designed to study falling potential, the sliding linear investigative platform for analyzing lower-limb stability (SLIP-FALLS). The SLIP uses air bearing technology to manipulate friction levels between its translating surfaces. This ability to control friction makes possible new tests of postural instability, of slipping and falling, and of neurological control. Subject response can be incorporated into a control/feedback loop where coupling between the platform and the sway pattern can be adjusted. Translations or "controlled slips" of up to 28 cm are possible at velocities ranging from 0.05 to 50 cm/sec.
Approximation of the Traveling Salesman Problem utilising a genetic algorithm in a parallel system

This document gives an introduction to genetic algorithms with a short detour to their history, describing how evolution works in nature and how genetic algorithms try to mimic this functionality. No mathematical background nor proof is given in this document. Further, it describes the development of a simple genetic algorithm in C++, providing excerpts of source code demonstrating the basic functionality. Afterwards, a more flexible approach based on the simple genetic algorithm is shown, including a description of its design and development. Subsequently, a very basic introduction to the traveling salesman problem and the complexity class of np-complete is given. Follwing that, steps necessary to customise the genetic algorithm for the traveling salesman problem are described in detail, including the necessary problem encoding and a basic coverage on elitism. The developed algorithm is tested and the approximated results are evaluated. To conclude this work the parallelisation using the OpenMP API [2] is described, as well as some problems typical to parallelisation. This document does not offer an introduction nor tutorial to the OpenMP API. Afterwards a performance comparison of the genetic algorithm running in sequential and parallel will be disclosed, drawing conclusions based upon the results. This work was done within the scope of the Hochschule fur Technik und Wirtschaft Aalen, Germany, as a mandatory project work over the course of the 6th semester.
PLL center-frequency tuning using floating-gates

This paper presents a novel technique for center-frequency tuning of phase-locked loops (PLL) by exposing the circuit to UV-light. No external biasing is required, and the tuning procedure is automatic due to the feedback in the PLL. The main purpose with the technique is to compensate for process variations in loops with low VCO-gain. A 433 MHz charge-pump PLL has been designed, and measured results are presented.