Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Iterative Positioning Algorithm for Indoor Node Based on Distance Correction in WSNs

Node position information is critical in wireless sensor networks (WSN). However, existing positioning algorithms commonly have the issue of low positioning accuracy due to noise interferences in communication. Hence, proposed in this paper is an iterative positioning algorithm based on distance correction to improve the positioning accuracy of target nodes in WSNs, with contributions including (1) a log-distance distribution model of received signal strength indication (RSSI) ranging which is built and from which is derived a noise impact factor based on the model, (2) the initial position coordinates of the target node obtained using a triangle centroid localization algorithm, via which the distance deviation coefficient under the influence of noise is calculated, and (3) the ratio of the distance measured by the log-distance distribution model to the median distance deviation coefficient which is taken as the new distance between the target node and the anchor node. Based on the new distance, the triangular centroid positioning algorithm is applied to calculate the coordinates of the target node, after which the iterative positioning model is constructed and the distance deviation coefficient updated repeatedly to update the positioning result until the criteria of iterations are reached. Experiment results show that the proposed iterative positioning algorithm is promising and effectively improves positioning accuracy.
OBJECT TRACKING WITH BACKGROUND ELIMINATION BY YU SUN THESIS

Humans can follow moving objects and grasp an object of interest starting from early childhood. To grasp an object successfully, one needs to be able to recognize the object of interest against its background. If the object is moving, it is also critical to realize that the same object may look different from different prospectives. Then, an estimation of depth is required to decide if the object is within reach. Finally, when one is ready to grasp the object, he needs to figure out the part of the object to be held and the gesture of his hand to grasp the object. This process might be intuitive for humans, but it is not as simple for robots. The purpose of this research is to program the robot so that it can behave like a child who would follow moving objects unconsciously. Therefore, the thesis mainly focuses on the first step: object recognition. To begin, I implemented a simple object detector using color detection and segmentation. Then I experimented with object tracking algorithms which perform feature matching based on feature descriptors like SIFT or ORB. Last, I looked at a learning based method using Haar Feature-based Cascade Classifier. All these methods helped me understand how people approach the problem of object recognition, but they either have substantial limitations or do not quite satisfy the purpose of the research. Therefore, finally I implemented an object detection method by performing background elimination, which is able to track an arbitrary number of moving objects fast.
VARIATION OF HODGE STRUCTURES, FROBENIUS MANIFOLDS AND GAUGE THEORY

We explain the homological relation between the Frobenius structure on the deformation space of Calabi-Yau manifold and the gauge theory of Kodaira-Spencer gravity. We show that the genus zero partition function of descendant invariants on Calabi-Yau manifolds from Barannikov’s semi-infinite variation of Hodge structures is equivalent to the Kodaira-Spencer gauge theory at tree level.
Acceleration and collimation of magnetized winds

The acceleration-collimation problem is discussed for stationary, axisymmetric, polytropic, non-relativistic MHD outflows, with causality and the current-closure condition taken into account. To elucidate the properties of physically realizable ‘quasi-conical’ winds, we consider four kinds of rather unphysical flows in contrast, namely ‘radial’, ‘asymptotic’, ‘conical’ and ‘current-free’ flows. ‘Radial’ flows are supposed to possess the radial structure from the source to infinity, thereby not fulfilling the transfield equation, though keeping causal contact with the source. ‘Asymptotic’ flows coincide in the asymptotic domain with the ‘quasi-conical’ winds, and ones extrapolated inwards from them through the subasymptotic domain to the source. Thirdly, ‘conical’ flows are supposed to satisfy the transfield equation in the subasymptotic domain; thus they are not literally conical, but are supposed to satisfy the ‘solvability condition at infinity for the conical structure’. It is, however, argued that there is one difficulty in connecting the asymptotic conical structure causally to the structure upstream. Finally, ‘current-free’ flows with no poloidal and toroidal currents everywhere in the wind zone are treated, but it is pointed out that there is no means of satisfying the current-closure condition in the wind zone. Of physical relevance are the ‘quasi-conical’ winds, for which it is shown that the condition that open field lines in the wind zone can reach infinity leads to the requirement that the Poynting flux, proportional to ζ≡αρϖ2η, is not carried to infinity along these field lines, i.e., ζ0, where α is the angular velocity of field lines, ρ the gas density, and η the mass flux per unit flux tube. While ζ decreases from a value of ζB≡ζA+4πηδα near the coronal base through at the Alfvenic surface to null at infinity, the specific angular momentum of the flow increases up to and the flow energy reaches nearly at infinity, where δ is a constant of the Bernouilli integral, and ϖA is the axial distance of the Alfvenic surface. It is also argued that ‘quasi-conical’ winds with the current-closure condition fulfilled in the wind zone possess the two-componentness of outflow as one of their generic properties.
Effect of the legal system country of European commercial banks on the financial distress

This study examines the effect of the legal system on the governance of banks and hence on financial distress. We compare corporate governance to the legal system in 18 countries of the European Union to explain the relationship between financial distress and bank governance. Using a sample of 147 commercial banks, we find that the effect of the legal system really counts. The results also suggest that banks operating in common law and civil law countries tend the concentration of ownership and board size to the effect of increasing the likelihood of financial distress. This study contributes to research in the governance of enterprise to provide empirical evidence that the legal system has the power to influence the financial health of banks.
Object detection and recognition: using deep learning to assist the visually impaired

Abstract Background Deep learning systems have improved performance of devices through more accurate object detection in a significant number of areas, for medical aid in general, and also for navigational aids for the visually impaired. Systems addressing different needs are available, and many manage effectively the detection of static obstacles. Purpose This research provides a review of deep learning systems used with navigational tools for the visually Impaired and a framework for guidance for future research. Methods We compare current deep learning systems used with navigational tools for the visually impaired and compile a taxonomy of indispensable features for systems. Results Challenges to detection. Our taxonomy of improved navigational systems shows that it is sufficiently robust to be generally applied. Conclusion This critical analysis is, to the best of our knowledge, the first of its kind and will provide a much-needed overview of the field. Implication for Rehabilitation Deep learning systems can provide lost cost solutions for the visually impaired. Of these, convolutional neural networks (CNN) and fully convolutional neural networks (FCN) show great promise in terms of the development of multifunctional technology for the visually impaired (i.e., being less specific task oriented). CNN have also potential for overcoming challenges caused by moving and occluded objects. This work has also highlighted a need for greater emphasis on feedback to the visually impaired which for many technologies is limited.
Banking with Contingent Contracts, Macroeconomic Risks, and Banking Crises

We examine banking competition when deposit or loan contracts contingent on macroeconomic shocks become feasible. We show that the risk allocation is efficient, provided that banks are not bailed out. In this case, banks may shift part of the risk to depositors. The private sector insures the banking sector and banking crises are avoided. In contrast, when banks are bailed out, depositors receive non-contingent contracts with high interest rates, while entrepreneurs obtain loan contracts that demand high repayment in good times and low repayment in bad times. As a result, the present generation overinvests, and banks create large macroeconomic risks for future generations, even if the underlying risk is small or zero.
How to overcome the challenges of aligning the external image and the internal corporate identity when serving multiple market segments

In a continuously and rapidly changing environment, it is pivotal for companies to create a proper sustainable alignment between external image and internal identity. This alignment reflects a congruence between what customers observe in terms of image and the way organizational members consider themselves in terms of identity. As companies are serving an increasing number of market segments, it is imaginable that within these segments, the image that exists about a company differs. Therefore, this research investigates how companies can overcome the challenges of aligning image and identity differences as a result from serving multiple market segments. Using semi-structured interviews, the existing identity and image of a young and growing b2b company was investigated. The analysis shows differences between segments that are mainly caused by variety in involvement and variety in the nature of the market segments. For this reason, one segment finds certain distinctive values more important than another segment. In conclusion, young b2b companies should find out which of the values they possess are perceived as most important in the different market segments they are operating in, in order to increase the effectiveness of communicating the desired image.
Drosophilids (Diptera) from Mayotte island: an annotated list of species collected in 2013 and comments on the colonisation of Indian Ocean Islands

Summary. The Indian Ocean Islands are a most interesting region for evolutionary studies of terrestrial organisms and, among insects, the Drosophilidae family occupies a privileged position. The Comoros archipelago was, up to now, the least explored place among all the islands. We present here the results of a collection on one of the four main islands, Mayotte. From 4500 collected flies, 25 species were distinguished. The biology, ecology and biogeography of each species are discussed. Considering the extant known species from all islands, five evolutionary scenarios are proposed, ranging from the invasive, cosmopolitan, man-transported species to endemic species restricted to a single island. Some species raise a puzzling problem: despite having a very narrow and specialised ecological niche, they are broadly distributed on most islands and also on the African mainland.
Potential dual expansion of domesticated donkeys revealed by worldwide analysis on mitochondrial sequences

Molecular studies on donkey mitochondrial sequences have clearly defined two distinct maternal lineages involved in domestication. However, domestication histories of these two lineages remain enigmatic. We therefore compared several population characteristics between these two lineages based on global sampling, which included 171 sequences obtained in this study (including Middle Asian, East Asian, and African samples) plus 536 published sequences (including European, Asian, and African samples). The two lineages were clearly separated from each other based on whole mitochondrial genomes and partial non-coding displacement loop (D-loop) sequences, respectively. The Clade I lineage experienced an increase in population size more than 8 000 years ago and shows a complex haplotype network. In contrast, the population size of the Clade II lineage has remained relatively constant, with a simpler haplotype network. Although the distribution of the two lineages was almost equal across the Eurasian mainland, they still presented discernible but complex geographic bias in most parts of Africa, which are known as their domestication sites. Donkeys from sub-Saharan Africa tended to descend from the Clade I lineage, whereas the Clade II lineage was dominant along the East and North coasts of Africa. Furthermore, the migration routes inferred from diversity decay suggested different expansion across China between the two lineages. Altogether, these differences indicated non-simultaneous domestication of the two lineages, which was possibly influenced by the response of pastoralists to the desertification of the Sahara and by the social expansion and trade of ancient humans in Northeast Africa, respectively.
Do Democracies Grow Faster? Revisiting the Institutions and Economic Performance Debate

The recent empirical growth literature has proposed three underlying fundamental determinants of economic growth, namely, physical geography, economic integration, and institutional quality. This paper unpacks the final determinant into both political-economic institutions as well as the primarily political institution of democratic development. Using both cross-sectional and panel datasets, we show that, properly instrumented, there is no evidence that democracies grow faster or slower than non-democracies. This result is in contrast to much of the more recent literature, which tend to find a weakly positive relationship. Political economic institutions, however, remain positive and significant determinants of economic growth, which corroborates much of the empirical evidence in the existing literature.
Surrogate Gradient Learning in Spiking Neural Networks: Bringing the Power of Gradient-based optimization to spiking neural networks

Spiking neural networks (SNNs) are nature's versatile solution to fault-tolerant, energy-efficient signal processing. To translate these benefits into hardware, a growing number of neuromorphic spiking NN processors have attempted to emulate biological NNs. These developments have created an imminent need for methods and tools that enable such systems to solve real-world signal processing problems. Like conventional NNs, SNNs can be trained on real, domain-specific data; however, their training requires the overcoming of a number of challenges linked to their binary and dynamical nature. This article elucidates step-by-step the problems typically encountered when training SNNs and guides the reader through the key concepts of synaptic plasticity and data-driven learning in the spiking setting. Accordingly, it gives an overview of existing approaches and provides an introduction to surrogate gradient (SG) methods, specifically, as a particularly flexible and efficient method to overcome the aforementioned challenges.
Does Co-Occurring Anxiety Modulate ADHD-Related Cognitive and Neurophysiological Impairments?

Objective: This study investigates whether anxiety modulates cognitive-performance, electrophysiological and electrodermal processes that we previously found impaired in individuals with ADHD. Method: Self-reported anxiety symptoms, cognitive-electrophysiological measures of response inhibition, working memory, attention, conflict monitoring, error processing, and peripheral arousal during three cognitive tasks were obtained from 87 adolescents and young adults with ADHD and 169 controls. We tested the association of anxiety symptoms with each measure and whether controlling for anxiety symptoms attenuates the ADHD–control difference for each measure. Results: Individuals with ADHD showed significantly elevated anxiety symptoms compared with controls. Only commission errors on a Continuous Performance Test (measuring response inhibition) were significantly associated with anxiety symptoms and only among controls, with the ADHD–control difference in this measure remaining significant. Conclusion: Using a wide range of cognitive, electrophysiological, and electrodermal measures, our investigation suggests, overall, limited malleability of these impairments in individuals with ADHD irrespective of their levels of anxiety.
Evaluation of Data Telemetry for Future Leadless Cardiac Pacemaker

Multi-node leadless pacemaker system overcomes the main limitations related to lead complications of the conventional cardiac pacemaker and will thus replace them in the near future. The multiple nodes of the technology require the development of low-power, low data-rate and energy-efficient communication framework for device synchronization and bi-directional communication between them. Moreover, the nodes need to communicate with the outer peripheral devices for data telemetry, control and remote monitoring. This paper focuses on evaluation of different energy-efficient modulation schemes at 433 MHz for bi-directional communication between the nodes using homogeneous liquid phantom model of human heart and living animal experiments. In this paper, we have analyzed three simple, low-budget modulation schemes - On Off-Keying (OOK), Frequency Shift-Keying (FSK), and Gaussian Frequency Shift-Keying (GFSK). The analysis is done based on the total transmitter power required to achieve a reliable communication indicated by the minimum threshold values of bit-error rate and packet-error rate. The experiments have been conducted for three common implant communication scenarios - in-body to in-body, in-body to on-body and in-body to off-body links. For conducting the experiments, we have designed the experimental setup with electronic components and fabricated antennas. The results have shown that GFSK has the best performance among the other modulation techniques based on the total transmitter power. We also investigated higher order of the same modulation schemes – 4-FSK and 4-GFSK. The results showed that GFSK performed much better than 4-FSK and 4-GFSK. This research will be carried forward to build the entire radio frequency communication framework for the multi-node pacemaker technology.
A near-infrared light-controlled smart nanocarrier with reversible polypeptide-engineered valve for targeted fluorescence-photoacoustic bimodal imaging-guided chemo-photothermal therapy

Despite burgeoning development of nanoplatform made in the past few years, it remains a challenge to produce drug nanocarrier that enables requested on/off drug release. Thus, this study aimed to develop an ideal near-infrared light-triggered smart nanocarrier for targeted imaging-guided treatment of cancer that tactfully integrated photothermal therapy with chemotherapy to accurately control drug release time and dosage. Methods: This delivery system was composed of Ag2S QD coating with dendritic mesoporous silica (DMSN), which acted as nanocarrier of doxorubicin localized inside pores. To provide the nanocarrier with controlled release capability, a polypeptide-engineered that structure was reversible to photothermal effect of Ag2S QD, was covalently grafted to the external surface of drug-loaded DMSN. Results: This nanocarrier with the size of 40~60 nm had satisfactory biocompatibility and photothermal conversion efficiency up to 28.35%. Due to acidity-triggered charge reversal of polypeptide, which significantly extended circulation time and improved targeting ability, fluorescence and photoacoustic signals were still obvious at tumor site post-24 h by tail vein injection and chemo-photothermal synergistic therapy obviously enhanced antitumor efficacy. Mild PTT with multiple short-term exposures not only reduced the side effect of overdose drug but also avoided skin damage caused by long-term irradiation. Conclusion: By adjusting irradiation time and on/off cycle, multiple small amount local drug release reduced the side effect of overdose drug and skin damage. This novel approach provided an ideal near-infrared light-triggered nanocarrier with accurate control of area, time, and especially dosage.
Prior Academic Achievement, Effort, and Achievement Goal Orientations: A Longitudinal Examination

Empirical research has provided evidence attesting to the potency of two major theoretical frameworks in teaching and learning, namely, achievement goals and effort. The testing of achievement goals and effort in various cross-sectional studies (Dupeyrat & Marine, 2005; Elliot, McGregor, & Gable, 1999; Fenollar, Roman, & Cuestas, 2007) has yielded findings that indicate their positive effects on academic achievement, directly and indirectly via means of other internal cognitive processes. We used latent growth modeling (LGM) procedures to identify and trace the initial states and change in mastery and performance-approach goals, and how they influence academic achievement in mathematics over time. Furthermore, aligning closely to social cognitive theory (Bandura, 1986, 1997), we explore the effects of prior academic achievement and effort on achievement goals and mathematic achievement. This examination involved 234 university students (97 females, 137 males) across six time points: prior academic achievement at Time 1, effort at Time 2, mastery and performance-approach goals at Time 3 to Time 5, and mathematic achievement at Time 6. Existing Likert-scale inventories were used to measure effort, mastery and performance-approach goals. Our LGM analyses indicated a decline in mastery goals and an increase in performance-approach goals over time. Both effort and prior academic achievement influenced the initial states of mastery and performance-approach goals, respectively. Likewise, prior academic achievement and effort contributed to the prediction of mathematic achievement at Time 6.
Muscle Strengthening, Aerobic Exercise, and Obesity: A Pooled Analysis of 1.7 Million US Adults

Both aerobic physical activity and muscle‐strengthening exercise are recommended for obesity prevention. However, at the population level, the independent and/or combined associations of these physical activity modalities with obesity are unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the associations between aerobic physical activity and muscle‐strengthening exercise with obesity among a representative sample of adults.