Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Study of the dependence of stratospheric ozone long-term trends on local solar time

Abstract. Multi-instrument comparison analyses are essential to assess the long-term stability of data records by estimating the drift and bias of instruments. The ozone profile dataset from the SOMORA microwave radiometer (MWR) in Payerne, Switzerland, was compared with profiles from the GROMOS MWR in Bern, Switzerland, satellite instruments (MLS, MIPAS, HALOE, SCHIAMACHY, GOMOS), and profiles simulated by the SOCOL v3.0 chemistry-climate model (CCM). The Payerne MWR dataset has been homogenized to ensure a stable measurement contribution to the ozone profiles and to take into account the effects of three major instrument upgrades. At pressure levels smaller than 0.59 hPa (above ~ 50 km), the homogenization corrections to be applied to the Payerne MWR ozone profiles are dependent on local solar time (LST). Due to the lack of reference measurements with a comparable measurement contribution at a high time resolution, a comprehensive homogenization of the sub-daily ozone profiles was possible only for pressure levels larger than 0.59 hPa. The long-term stability and mean biases of the time series were estimated as a function of the measurement time (day- and nighttime). The homogenized Payerne MWR ozone dataset agrees within p 5 % with the MLS dataset over the 30 to 65 km altitude range and within p 10 % of HARMOZ datasets over the 30 to 65 km altitude range. In the upper stratosphere, there is a large nighttime difference between Payerne MWR and other datasets, which is likely a result of the mesospheric signal aliasing with lower levels in the stratosphere due to a lower vertical resolution at that altitude. Hence, the induced bias at 55 km is considered an instrumental artefact and is not further analyzed and discussed. In the upper stratosphere (5–1 hPa, 35–48 km), the Payerne MWR trends are significantly positive at 2 to 3 %/decade. This is in accordance with the northern hemisphere (NH) trends reported by other ground-based instruments in the SPARC LOTUS project. The reason for variability in the reported long-term ground-based and satellite ozone profile trends has multiple possibilities. To determine what part of the variability comes from measurement timing, MWR trends were estimated for each hour of the day with a multiple linear regression model to quantify trends as a function of LST. In the mid- and upper stratosphere, differences as a function of LST are reported for both the MWR and simulated trends for the 2000–2016 period. However, these differences are not significant at the 95 % confidence level. In the lower mesosphere (1–0.1 hPa, 48–65 km), the 2010–2018 day- and nighttime trends have been considered. Here again, the variation of the trend with LST is not significant at the 95 % confidence level. Based on these results we conclude that trend differences between instruments cannot to be attributed to a systematic temporal sampling.
The structural relationship of meaning in life, personal growth initiative, life orientation and wisdom with authentic personality in students

Introduction: Personality and related structures have been considered as one of the fields of study in psychology and psychiatry. Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate structural relationships of Meaning in life, Personal Growth Initiative, Life orientation and wisdom with authentic personality in college students. Method: In a hypothetical structural model of relationships between research variables, 166 students (85 boys and 81 girls) of University of Isfahan were selected by available sampling. They were evaluated with Meaning in Life, Life Orientation (Scheier and Carver, 1985), Personal Growth Initiative (Robitschek, 1998), Three-Dimensional Wisdom (Ardelt, 2003) and Authenticity personality Scales (Wood et al, 2008). Results: The results showed that there is a positive and significant relationship between life orientation, meaning in life, Personal Growth Initiative and wisdom with authentic personality in students. The results of structural equation modeling also showed that optimism, Personal Growth Initiative and wisdom have a significant relationship with authentic personality of students. The evaluation of hypothetical model with fit indexes demonstrated that the hypothetical model fits the measurement model. The results showed a significant correlation between the orientation of life, Personal Growth Initiative, the authentic personality and meaning in life. Conclusion: The findings of the present study, in addition to practical implications, has provide a useful framework for identifying the components that affect the formation and development of authentic personality in students.
Study and application of improved level set method with prior graph cut in PCB image segmentation

The segmentation of printed circuit board (PCB) images is an important process in PCB inspection. The circuit traces, pads and vias in a PCB are dense and curved, and the PCB image obtained using different cameras or in different conditions may exhibit a large image gradient, which leads to inaccuracy and inefficiency in the PCB image segmentation. This paper aims to propose an improved local binary fitting level set method with prior graph cut, aiming to improve the accuracy and efficiency of the segmentation of PCB images obtained using different cameras or in different environments. ,First, the paper constructs a 4-connected undirected graph using a given PCB image and classifies it based on the graph cut. Second, an adaptive initialization level set is implemented using the priori information obtained from the graph cut. Finally, the paper constructs a priori energy term using the prior information and introduces it into the energy function of the level set. ,The approach results in an improved accuracy of segmentation in the context of a large gradient within the image. Experimental results demonstrate that the method can solve the deviation of artificially initialized level set from targets and improve the efficiency and accuracy of segmentation. ,This study only considers level set method as the research object. Iteration of the level set method takes a long time for a given huge PCB picture, which makes it impossible to apply to scenes with high real-time requirements. ,PCB image segmentation is an important process in the PCB inspection. Since template matching and morphology techniques are well-established, image segmentation quality has a significant impact on the accuracy of detection. ,This paper studies the segmentation of PCB images, improves the efficiency and accuracy of segmentation and facilitates the subsequent applications, such as in the nondestructive testing of PCB.
An On-the-Fly Feature Map Compression Engine for Background Memory Access Cost Reduction in DNN Inference

Specialized hardware architectures and dedicated accelerators allow the application of Deep Learning directly within sensing nodes. With compute resources highly optimized for energy eﬃciency, a large part of the power consumption of such devices is caused by transfers of intermediate feature maps to and from large memories. Moreover, a signiﬁcant share of the silicon area is dedicated to these memories to avoid highly expensive oﬀ-chip memory accesses. Extended Bit-Plane Compression (EBPC), a recently proposed compression scheme targeting DNN feature maps, oﬀers an opportunity to increase energy eﬃciency by reducing both the data transfer volume and the size of large background memories. Besides exhibiting state-of-the-art compression ratios, it also has a small, simple hardware implementation. In post-layout power simulations, we show an energy cost between 0 . 27 pJ/word and 0 . 45 pJ/word, 3 orders of magnitude lower than the cost of oﬀ-chip memory accesses. It allows for a reduction in oﬀ-chip access energy by factors of 2 . 2 × to 4 × for MobileNetV2 and VGG16 respectively and can reduce on-chip access energy by up to 45%. We further propose a way to integrate the EBPC hardware blocks, which perform on-the-ﬂy compression and decompression on 8-bit feature map streams, into an embedded ultra-low-power processing system and show how the challenges arising from a variable-length compressed representation can be navigated in this context.
Sibling Warmth Moderates the Intergenerational Transmission of Romantic Relationship Hostility

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate sibling support as a buffer against the intergenerational transmission of romantic relationship hostility. Background: Parental marital discord in adolescence negatively affects romantic relationships in adulthood. Given that sibling support is linked to positive outcomes in adolescence and adulthood, the current study investigated sibling support as a protective factor against romantic relationship hostility from adolescence to adulthood. Method: Using prospective longitudinal data from a community sample, 351 participants completed home assessments during adolescence (7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th grades) and adulthood (Mage = 31 years old). Romantic relationship hostility was coded from videotaped observations of participant interparental relations in adolescence and participant behavior toward a romantic partner in adulthood. In addition, the participants reported on the support they
The Intonation of Information-Seeking and Rhetorical Questions in Icelandic

We investigate the intonation of information-seeking and rhetorical questions in Icelandic. The results for the information-seeking questions largely confirm observations in previous literature based mostly on introspective data: Polar questions are mostly realized with late rise nuclear accents where the peak aligns after a stressed syllable (L*+H), wh-questions with peak accents (H*); wh-questions often start high (%H, H*). Illocution types (that is, information-seeking versus rhetorical questions) differ in nuclear pitch accent types and in the type and frequency of prenuclear accents. The default boundary tone is low (L%) across question types and illocution types. The results are discussed against the background of previous findings with respect to the relationship between question and illocution type, and prosody. *
COCHLEAR IMPLANTATION: MY EXPERIENCE

Cochlear implant is a small, surgically implanted complex electronic device that can help to provide a sense of sound to a person with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss. This type of hearing loss, typically involves damage to hair cells in the cochlea, as a result sound cannot reach the auditory nerve which usually receives information from hair cells. A cochlear implant skips the damaged hair cells and to stimulate the auditory nerve directly. An implant does not restore normal hearing, instead it can give a deaf person a useful representation of sounds in the environment and help him or her to understand speech. I am here presenting this article in relation to the indications, intraoperative and postoperative complications of cochlear implantation in our institute since January 2013. Children who receive implants at earlier age, outperform their peers who are implanted at a later age. This is reflected in all the areas of speech and language development.
Sound localization performance in children with cochlear implants using bimodal stimulation

Introduction: There are clear benefits of having bilateral inputs to the auditory nervous system. Hearing-impaired children are, therefore, generally fitted with two hearing aids so that they can benefit from hearing binaurally. Children who use a cochlear implant in one ear and no amplification in the opposite ear are, however, deprived of these advantages. The current study was undertaken to determine the benefits of bimodal stimulation in pediatric population. Methods and Materials: This study comprised of 20 children between 6-11 years of age with profound bilateral sensorineural hearing loss with cochlear implant in one ear and fitted with digital hearing aid in non-implanted ear. Mean sound localization score was compared in children with cochlear implant only and those with both cochlear implant and hearing aid. Result: A statistically significant difference was found between mean sound localization in both test condition under quiet surrounding. Conclusion: Hence it is suggested that the use of bimodal fitting can be considered as an effective management option in order to obtain binaural hearing benefits in children who undergo unilateral cochlear implantation.
Computational algorithm for stability analysis of distribution networks with distributed generation

: With the insertion of distributed generation in distribution networks, security analysis becomes crucial, in islanded operation or when the system is connected to the grid. Dynamic stability analyses are necessary in order to achieve minimum levels of security and reliability. Such analyses are obtained through the solution of the algebraic-differential set of equations that model the distribution grid and their generators, which requires numerical solution methods. Therefore, this paper presents a computational tool for transient stability and large disturbance frequency stability analysis, considering distribution systems with the insertion of biomass-fed distributed generation, which may, or may not, have speed regulation systems. The presented tool may be employed to assess assorted system indexes, such as the severity of disturbances, the quality of a given operating condition, in terms of voltage and frequency operating limits, and the response of both the system and the generators in face of the action of speed regulators.
Comparison of Terahertz time domain spectroscopy and laser Thomson scattering for electron density measurements in inductively coupled plasma discharges

Terahertz time domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) has been successfully applied in the plasma electron density diagnosis and the validity of the measurement results has been verified by Langmuir probe and microwave interferometer. In this work, the plasma electron density in argon discharge with inductively coupled plasma (ICP) source was in-situ measured by THz-TDS approach and combined with LTS method, which was acknowledged as a one of the most accurate method to measure the electron density. The ICP discharge was operated in the H-mode using a RF (13.56 MHz) power supply at 350 W under different argon gas pressures (30–90 Pa). The results indicate that features of the electron density as a function of the argon pressures measured both by THz-TDS and LTS are good agreement and the deviation between THz-TDS and LTS is in the region from 13% to 24%. The results futher verify the application potential of the THz-TDS for non-invasive plasma electron density measurement.
The Prediction of Vortex Interactions on a Generic Missile Configuration Using CFD: Current Status of Activity in NATO AVT-316

This paper provides a brief overview of the activities undertaken by the Missile Facet of NATO STO AVT 316 (Vortex Interaction Effects Relevant to Military Air Vehicle Performance) since its first meeting in April 2018. Rather than setting out to provide definitive technical statements, a broader, more narrative approach is taken towards summarising some of the key developments that have occurred during the early stages of the facet’s existence. To date, work has focussed on investigating a blind test case (CFD_OTC1) based on a generic missile airframe at a supersonic flight condition. Attention is focussed on the predicted total rolling moment coefficient, the polarity of which determines the airframe’s local static roll stability. While the facet is still some way from demonstrably achieving verified CFD solutions at the flight condition of primary interest, there is now little doubt that the airframe will be predicted to be locally unstable in roll.
Read as Needed: Building WiSER, a Flash-Optimized Search Engine

We describe WiSER, a clean-slate search engine designed to exploit high-performance SSDs with the philosophy "read as needed". WiSER utilizes many techniques to deliver high throughput and low latency with a relatively small amount of main memory; the techniques include an optimized data layout, a novel two-way cost-aware Bloom ﬁlter, adaptive prefetching, and space-time trade-offs. In a system with memory that is signiﬁcantly smaller than the working set, these techniques increase storage space usage (up to 50%), but reduce read ampliﬁcation by up to 3x, increase query throughput by up to 2.7x, and reduce latency by 16x when compared to the state-of-the-art Elasticsearch. We believe that the philosophy of "read as needed" can be applied to more applications as the read performance of storage devices keeps improving.
Race Yourselves: A Longitudinal Exploration of Self-Competition Between Past, Present, and Future Performances in a VR Exergame

Participating in competitive races can be a thrilling experience for athletes, involving a rush of excitement and sensations of flow, achievement, and self-fulfilment. However, for non-athletes, the prospect of competition is often a scary one which affects intrinsic motivation negatively, especially for less fit, less competitive individuals. We propose a novel method making the positive racing experience accessible to non-athletes using a high-intensity cycling VR exergame: by recording and replaying all their previous gameplay sessions simultaneously, including a projected future performance, players can race against a crowd of "ghost" avatars representing their individual fitness journey. The experience stays relevant and exciting as every race adds a new competitor. A longitudinal study over four weeks and a cross-sectional study found that the new method improves physical performance, intrinsic motivation, and flow compared to a non-competitive exergame. Additionally, the longitudinal study provides insights into the longer-term effects of VR exergames.
Design of circularly polarized patch antennas using anisotropic high refractive index metamaterial loading

ABSTRACT In this paper, for the first time, the development of the circularly polarized square-shaped patch antenna is performed with the assistance of anisotropic high refractive index (HRI) metamaterial. The HRI metamaterial is realized with the help of an investigation conducted on the single ring split ring resonator (SR-SRR). With the benefit of the concept of duality, the complementary SR-SRR is considered to load on to ground plane (instead of SR-SRR) to function as an effective HRI medium. The concept of the High refractive index in slowing down the waves is explained quantitatively. The anisotropy of the effective HRI metamaterial medium is used to create the phase difference between the orthogonal components. Anisotropy of the unit cell was used to realize one RHCP and one LHCP antenna from the same fundamental design by just rotating the unit cell. For both antennas, the simulated and measured results are agreed on the same.
Effects of pantothenic acid and folic acid supplementation on total tract digestibility coefficient, ruminal fermentation, microbial enzyme activity, microflora and urinary purine derivatives in dairy bulls

Abstract The effects of pantothenic acid (PA) and folic acid (FA) addition on digestibility coefficient, ruminal fermentation and urinary purine derivative (PD) excretion in dairy bulls were evaluated. Eight rumen-cannulated Holstein dairy bulls were allocated to a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design according to a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Diets were supplemented with two levels of FA (0 or 8.0 mg/kg dietary dry matter [DM]) and two of PA (0 or 60 mg/kg DM). The PA × FA interaction was not significant for all variables. Both supplements increased DM intake and average daily gain, but decreased a feed conversion ratio. Digestibility of DM, organic matter, crude protein and neutral detergent fibre increased, but ether extract digestibility was unchanged for both supplements. Digestibility of acid detergent fibre only increased with FA supplementation. For both supplements, ruminal pH and ammonia nitrogen (N) decreased, but total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration increased. Acetate proportion only increased with FA supplementation. Propionate proportion decreased for both supplements. Consequently, the acetate to propionate ratio increased. For both supplements, activity of xylanase and pectinase, population of Ruminococcus albus, R. flavefaciens, Fibrobacter succinogenes and Ruminobacter amylophilus and total PD excretion increased. Additionally, activity of carboxymethylcellulase, cellobiase, α-amylase and protease, and population of total bacteria, fungi, protozoa, methanogens, Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens and Prevotella ruminicola increased with FA addition. The results suggested that PA and FA supplementation stimulated ruminal microbial growth and enzyme activity, resulting in an increased digestibility coefficient and ruminal total VFA concentration in dairy bulls.
Digital Innovation and Transformation: a Quasi-Systematic Literature Review

Nowadays there are several examples of successful companies that run innovative digital business models. Studies indicate that companies that do not follow the technological tendencies will possibly cease to exist in the next years. Besides, Digital Transformation has a direct impact on relations and forms of consumption. However, although much have been said about this topic, the literature has not established yet a common ground about the meaning of Digital Innovation and Digital Transformation. The purpose of this paper is to identify, analyze and synthesize the various aspects of the main concepts related to Digital Innovation and Transformation (DI&T). We have done a quasi-systematic review of the literature, generating as a primary outcome a list of the main constructs related to DI&T, as well as their definitions. Our main contribution is a map that conceptualizes and relates DI and DT that could be used as a base for future researchers.
Learning Salient Features for Multimodal Emotion Recognition with Recurrent Neural Networks and Attention Based Fusion

Automatic emotion recognition is a challenging task since emotion is communicated through different modalities. Deep Con-volution Neural Networks (DCNN) and transfer learning have shown success in automatic emotion recognition using different modalities. However signiﬁcant improvement in accuracy is still required for practical applications. Existing methods are still not effective in modelling the temporal relationships within emotional expressions or in identifying the salient features from different modes and fusing them to improve accuracies. In this paper, we present an automatic emotion recognition system using audio and visual modalities. VGG19 models are used to capture frame level facial features followed by a Long Short Term Memory (LSTM) to capture their temporal distribution at a segment level. A separate VGG19 model captures auditory features from Mel Frequency Cepstral Coefﬁcients (MFCC). The extracted auditory and visual features are fused together and a Deep Neural Network (DNN) with attention is used in classiﬁcation using majority voting. Voice Activity Detection (VAD) on the audio stream improves performance by reducing the outliers in learning. The system is evaluated using Leave One Subject Out (LOSO) and K-fold cross-validation and our system outperforms state of the art methods on two challenging databases.
OPTIMIZATION OF EXTRACTION CONDITIONS FOR PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS FROM LEAVES OF CAMELLIA DALATENSIS LUONG, TRAN & HAKODA

Các điều kiện chiết xuất polyphenol từ lá Trà mi Đà Lạt (C. dalatensis) đã được tối ưu hóa bằng phương pháp quy hoạch thực nghiệm, sử dụng phần mềm Design-Expert.V11. 1.0. 1. Qua phương pháp tối ưu hóa bằng đáp ứng bề mặt, các điều kiện chiết xuất polyphenol tối ưu đã được xác định là: Dung môi chiết cồn 49.29%, nhiệt độ chiết 60oC, thời gian siêu âm 40 phút, kích thước nguyên liệu 0.5mm, và tỷ lệ dung môi/nguyên liệu 5.47.