Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sequential Algorithm for Robust Radiometric Calibration and Vignetting Correction

In many computer vision systems, it is assumed that the image brightness directly reﬂects the scene radiance. However, the assumption does not hold in most cases due to non-linear camera response function, exposure changes, and vi-gnetting. Effects of these factors are most visible in image mosaics where colors look inconsistent and notable boundaries exist. In this paper, we propose an sequential al-gorithm for robust estimation of the radiometric response function, exposures, and vignetting. By decoupling the effect of vignetting from the response function, we approach each process in a manner that is robust to outliers and derive closed form solutions. We were able to remove radio-metric artifacts in image mosaics successfully applying our method and we also show a comparison of our method and a previous method which is based on simultaneous nonlinear optimization.
Image Denoising by using Local Pixel Grouping with PCA and SVD along with JBF and Median Filters

This paper proposed a new technique for image denoising [1] [2] [8] [10] [14] using local pixel grouping, SVD and Joint Bilateral Filter. The paper also proposed use of LPGSVD with median filter. It is found that bilateral filter technique works well for Gaussian noise [22] whereas median filter when applied to the output of LPGSVD improves results for salt & pepper noise [22]. The results are compared using PSNR and SSIM [16] performance metrics. General Terms Image Processing, Image Restoration.
EVALUATION OF ANTILINGULA AND MANDIBULAR FORAMEN IN 3D CT SCAN IMAGES FOR MANDIBULAR OSTEOTOMIES

Sagittal split osteotomy of mandible has been performed routinely for correction of mandibular prognathism, retrognathia, mild open bite, and asymmetry. (1)One of the big objections to the sagittal split technique is the likely damage to the inferior alveolar nerve.Antilingula is an important landmark in mandibular ramus osteotomies, however it is a highly variable landmark. (2) The purpose of the study is to examine the geometric relationships of mandibular foramen and antilingula in relation to sigmoid notch and deepest concavity of anterior border of ramus using 3D Computed Tomographic data. The values obtained from this study can be of significant use in performing mandibular osteotomies with much confidence by the surgeon.
LEARNING REFLECTION ON BASIC MATHEMATICAL SUBJECT IN HIGHER EDUCATION AS THE FINAL STAGE OF LESSON STUDY IMPLEMENTATION

Students often have math anxiety which results in low learning outcomes. Giving story questions turned out to raise student’s difficulties in solving problems, including identifying elements that are known, asked, and adequacy of elements, and making mathematical models of story problems. This indicates that the problemsolving ability of non-mathematics major students in basic mathematics courses is low. Lesson Study Learning based on character education can facilitate the acquisition of solutions to the above problems. The most important stages in lesson study are stages of reflection (see), in which the stages are stated all findings in learning are then given input in order to improve learning. This study uses the descriptive method with a qualitative approach. The activity carried out is to describe the reflection of basic mathematics learning as the final stage of the lesson study implementation. The research variable is in the form of a dependent variable, such as students' problem solving abilities and independent variables, namely student activity and creativity. It was obtained an average problem solving ability of 81.52. While the students’ activeness with an average of 83.4 categories is very active and the average of students’ creativity is 81.3 with a very good category. The character building for students, such as honesty, discipline, creativity, curiosity, enthusiasm, responsibility, tolerance, hard work, democratic, friendly / communicative, independent, religious, caring for the environment, and socially concerned. Hopefully, further research can be carried out to improve abilities understanding’s student concepts in basic mathematics subjects.
The significant impact of aerosol vertical structure on lower atmosphere stability and its critical role in aerosol–planetary boundary layer (PBL) interactions

Abstract. The aerosol–planetary boundary layer (PBL) interaction was proposed as an important mechanism to stabilize the atmosphere and exacerbate surface air pollution. Despite the tremendous progress made in understanding this process, its magnitude and significance still have large uncertainties and vary largely with aerosol distribution and meteorological conditions. In this study, we focus on the role of aerosol vertical distribution in thermodynamic stability and PBL development by jointly using micropulse lidar, sun photometer, and radiosonde measurements taken in Beijing. Despite the complexity of aerosol vertical distributions, cloud-free aerosol structures can be largely classified into three types: well-mixed, decreasing with height, and inverse structures. The aerosol–PBL relationship and diurnal cycles of the PBL height and PM 2.5 associated with these different aerosol vertical structures show distinct characteristics. The vertical distribution of aerosol radiative forcing differs drastically among the three types, with strong heating in the lower, middle, and upper PBL, respectively. Such a discrepancy in the heating rate affects the atmospheric buoyancy and stability differently in the three distinct aerosol structures. Absorbing aerosols have a weaker effect of stabilizing the lower atmosphere under the decreasing structure than under the inverse structure. As a result, the aerosol–PBL interaction can be strengthened by the inverse aerosol structure and can be potentially neutralized by the decreasing structure. Moreover, aerosols can both enhance and suppress PBL stability, leading to both positive and negative feedback loops. This study attempts to improve our understanding of the aerosol–PBL interaction, showing the importance of the observational constraint of aerosol vertical distribution for simulating this interaction and consequent feedbacks.
Modelling Score Variation in Student Writing with a Big Data System: Benefits, Challenges, and Ways Forward

• Aim: This theoretically-oriented research note has multiple aims. First, the note sets out approaches to studying the relationship between linguistic features and essay grades and how this has influenced approaches to score modelling in the domain of student university writing. Second, and more pressingly, the note makes the case for this work to continue by scholars questioning how they have gone about uncovering this language use and how they have used this knowledge to construct models of writing assessment and/or model what lies behind assessment scores. As part of this questioning, the note introduces the method of mixed-effects modelling as a robust alternative to traditional linear regression modelling techniques. This method allows us to determine how the use of language influences assessment scores, while taking account of individual writer and rater variables as well as contextual variables that include task and topic in this modelling process. The note encourages this research in the context of a first-year university writing program in a large U.S. university that has currently set up a “big data” text repository system to allow researchers the opportunity to carry out large-scale corpus examinations of language use. The note concludes by outlining some of the key challenges that scholars need to be aware of when undertaking such work.
Methanethiol, dimethyl sulfide and acetone over biologically productive waters in the southwest Pacific Ocean

Abstract. Atmospheric methanethiol (MeSH a ), dimethyl sulfide (DMS a ) and acetone (acetone a ) were measured over biologically productive frontal waters in the remote southwest Pacific Ocean in summertime 2012 during the Surface Ocean Aerosol Production (SOAP) voyage. MeSH a mixing ratios varied from below the detection limit ( 10 ppt) up to 65 ppt and were 3 %–36 % of parallel DMS a mixing ratios. MeSH a and DMS a were correlated over the voyage ( R2=0.3 , slope = 0.07) with a stronger correlation over a coccolithophore-dominated phytoplankton bloom ( R2=0.5 , slope 0.13). The diurnal cycle for MeSH a shows similar behaviour to DMS a with mixing ratios varying by a factor of ∼ 2 according to time of day with the minimum levels of both MeSH a and DMS a occurring at around 16:00 LT (local time, all times in this paper are in local time). A positive flux of MeSH out of the ocean was calculated for three different nights and ranged from 3.5 to 5.8 µ mol m −2 d −1 , corresponding to 14 %–24 % of the DMS flux (MeSH ∕ (MeSH + DMS)). Spearman rank correlations with ocean biogeochemical parameters showed a moderate-to-strong positive, highly significant relationship between both MeSH a and DMS a with seawater DMS (DMS sw ) and a moderate correlation with total dimethylsulfoniopropionate (total DMSP). A positive correlation of acetone a with water temperature and negative correlation with nutrient concentrations are consistent with reports of acetone production in warmer subtropical waters. Positive correlations of acetone a with cryptophyte and eukaryotic phytoplankton numbers, and high-molecular-weight sugars and chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM), suggest an organic source. This work points to a significant ocean source of MeSH, highlighting the need for further studies into the distribution and fate of MeSH, and it suggests links between atmospheric acetone levels and biogeochemistry over the mid-latitude ocean. In addition, an intercalibration of DMS a at ambient levels using three independently calibrated instruments showed ∼ 15 %–25 % higher mixing ratios from an atmospheric pressure ionisation chemical ionisation mass spectrometer (mesoCIMS) compared to a gas chromatograph with a sulfur chemiluminescence detector (GC-SCD) and proton transfer reaction mass spectrometer (PTR-MS). Some differences were attributed to the DMS a gradient above the sea surface and differing approaches of integrated versus discrete measurements. Remaining discrepancies were likely due to different calibration scales, suggesting that further investigation of the stability and/or absolute calibration of DMS standards used at sea is warranted.
Corporate Governance and Firm Performance: Case of Selected Oil Companies in Nigeria

Background: Separating ownership from managerial control in publicly traded firms made corporate governance a matter of necessity, due to the possibility of principal agent problem. Mostly, managers protect their own self-interest without regard for shareholders’ returns on investment, this often lead to agency conflict andconsequent loss. Previous studies have focused mainly on manufacturing andbanking sector, however, paucity of information exists in areas of oil firms over the years. Hence, effect of corporate governance on performance of listed oil companies in Nigeria from 2009 to 2018 were investigated. Methodology: Secondary data sourced from Nigeria stock exchange covering 2009 to 2018 were used to examine effect of corporate governance on performance of six oil companies in Nigeria. Data collected include; board size, executive directors’ number, non-executive directors’ number, audit committees’ number, net annual income, shareholders’ equity, net profit/margin, assets for the period, while board composition, return on assets and equity were generated. Data collected were analysedusing Cross Sessional Random Effects Model (REM) of regression analysis. Results: Unit root test indicated that all variables were stationary at level. Audit committee (0.803277), (4.363851) exhibited a positive relationship with firms’ performance,though insignificant, while board composition (-2.647377)(-2.647377) and board size (-0.546097) (-2.948961) had an inverse relationship, though significant with ROE and ROA. All the variables jointly influence firms’ performance positively with R 2 (0.587999,0.597182) and adjusted R 2 (0.544499,0.584174)value, respectively. Conclusion: Audit committees enhances firms’ performance, all variables jointly improve firms’ performance. Measures should be put in place to increase audit committees independence and the extent to which they disclose corporate governance information.
THE PRESERVATION OF SANDSTONE RELIEFS AT THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE OF TAJÍN, MEXICO, USING COLLOIDAL SILICA

The Archaeological Site of Tajín was the biggest and most important prehispanic city of the north coast of the Mexican Gulf; it reached its peak from the early ninth to the early thirteenth century C.E. Currently, it is surrounded by jungle and stands in the vicinity of areas of petroleum extraction. At this World Heritage Site several constructions have detailed religious and symbolic scenes carved on carbonatecemented sandstone, which suffers from diverse deterioration, mainly weathering, flaking, and often extensive loss. The first plasters applied in the conservation of these reliefs were made of synthetic polymers or lime without good results. These materials differed in color, texture and porosity from the original material; they were difficult to apply and often stained the stone during application and after weathering. After time, they also suffered from cracking and detachment. Fills prepared with colloidal silica showed good initial results for the treatment of the sandstone reliefs subject to tropical environmental conditions and air pollution. Colloidal silica-based plasters have been tested for one year on site and have shown better endurance, stability, and appearance than the previously applied plasters. The plasters were also tested as protective surface coatings for the sandstone against environmental deterioration and acidic pollution at the site. Petrographic studies and nitrogen adsorption-desorption techniques were used to characterize the plasters in order to evaluate their long term durability and compatibility with the original sandstone, as well as future alteration.
PneuSleeve: In-fabric Multimodal Actuation and Sensing in a Soft, Compact, and Expressive Haptic Sleeve

Integration of soft haptic devices into garments can improve their usability and wearability for daily computing interactions. In this paper, we introduce PneuSleeve, a fabric-based, compact, and highly expressive forearm sleeve which can render a broad range of haptic stimuli including compression, skin stretch, and vibration. The haptic stimuli are generated by controlling pneumatic pressure inside embroidered stretchable tubes. The actuation configuration includes two compression actuators on the proximal and distal forearm, and four uniformly distributed linear actuators around and tangent to the forearm. Further, to ensure a suitable grip force, two soft mutual capacitance sensors are fabricated and integrated into the compression actuators, and a closed-loop force controller is implemented. We physically characterize the static and dynamic behavior of the actuators, as well as the performance of closed-loop control. We quantitatively evaluate the psychophysical characteristics of the six actuators in a set of user studies. Finally, we show the expressiveness of PneuSleeve by evaluating combined haptic stimuli using subjective assessments.
Active transitive inference: When learner control facilitates integrative encoding

A growing body of research indicates that active control of learning improves episodic memory for material experienced during study. It is less clear how active learning impacts the integration of those experiences into flexible, generalizable knowledge. This study uses a novel active transitive inference task to investigate how people learn a relational hierarchy through active selection of premise pairs. Active control improved memory for studied premises as well as transitive inferences involving items that were never experienced together during study. Active learners also exhibited a systematic search preference, generating sequences of overlapping premises that may facilitate relational integration. Critically, however, advantages from active control were not universal: Only participants with higher working memory capacity benefited from the opportunity to select premise pairs during learning. These findings suggest that active control enhances integrative encoding of studied material, but only among individuals with sufficient cognitive resources.
MECHANICAL TENSILE TEST OF THE BODY ADHESIVE ELASTIC TAPE

Purpose: Elastic tape is a widely used material for therapy in different professions. There is no published study of the forces that this type of material produces and, as well, proper protocol of use. All published works on elastic bandage cite the form of tension in different ways, which may incur errors of clinical and scientific production. Methods: The cross-sectional study of the mechanical tensile test was performed using the EMIC 200 MF Universal Test Machine with 200 N load cell. Results: We found a statistically significant difference for the different points of deformation but there was no significant difference between the lengths and widths of the bandage. Conclusions: different from what one imagined elastic bandage does not produce linear forces, but exponential forces. To obtain a significant force there is a need to deform the material over 75% of its original length within the elastic deformation phase. At the end, an application was developed to facilitate the use of bandaging in physical and experimental therapy. Conclusions: Different from what one imagined elastic tape does not produce linear forces, but exponential forces. To obtain a significant force there is a need to deform the material over 75% of its original length within the elastic deformation phase. At the end, an application was developed to facilitate the use of elastic tape in physical and experimental therapy.
Use of Formal Methods for verification and optimization of Fault Lists in the scope of ISO26262

This work aims at an alternative method to verify the correctness of Fault Lists generated by fault simulators tools in context of safety verification. The lists generated by simulation tools are verified against lists from formal tools. The consistency evaluation between the lists supports the Tool Confidence Level (TCL) assessment, defined in the ISO26262. In addition, formal tools have the potential of performing optimization in Fault Lists by annotation of the expected behavior of the design under fault. Our work demonstrates the feasibility of using Formal Methods to verify and optimize the fault list from simulators. Results indicate an average reduction of 29.5% on the number of faults to be simulated and demonstrate that it is possible to achieve TCL by verification of the fault lists.
A Pipelined ADC With Sub-ADC Based on Flash–Ramp Architecture

This work is base on the pipeline ADCs architecture. Pipeline ADCs are convenient alternatives to time interleaving. As the stage of the pipeline is simpler asd compare to a full converter, the design area and power are competitive. The pipeline ADC design with two or more stages in which every stage is of a low resolution ADC, and combining these stages results in a higher resolution.The design ADC consists of channels for high operating speed and every channel consist of a pipelined flash and ramp analog 5to digital converter architecture with reduce power and a optimize area. The sample ADC design in a 50-nanometer CMOS technology with 8-bit of resolution. The supply voltage is 1.2V.
Assessment of the cardio-autonomic status by short-term heart rate variability in young football players

Background/Objectives: The present study was done to explain the importance of physical activity (PA) on autonomic nervous system. We have compared the short-term heart rate variability (HRV) between football players and normal controls lacking PA, fitness, and exercise. Design: Case–control study. Methods: The sample included 40 football players and 40 controls with age group between 17 and 26 years. Individuals with minimum 5 years of football practice were included and morphological variables (weight, height, and body mass index) were recorded in all of them. Five minutes lead II electrocardiography recorded in supine position in the morning and R-R intervals were analyzed in Kubios software. Results: Time domain parameters of average mean R-R interval (1014 ± 286.12 ms vs. 860.28 ± 362.4 ms), standard deviation of the NN (89.81 ± 18.14 ms vs. 63.9 ± 31.27 ms), root mean square of successive difference (76.95 ± 24.20 ms vs. 43.19 ± 29.83 ms), and pNN 50% (39.16 ± 16.87% vs. 23.46 ± 19.43%) were significantly higher in the study group than the control group. Higher frequency power band (71.23 ± 11.59 n.u vs. 54.90 ± 17.3 n.u) showed significant higher value while low-frequency (LF) power band (29.66 ± 15.13 n.u vs. 47.23 ± 13.84 n.u) and LF/high-frequency ratio (0.964 ± 0.286 vs. 2.04 ± 0.459) of frequency domain parameters showed significant reduction among the football players. Conclusion: The present study explains that regular PA in the form of football shifts the autonomic system toward parasympathetic domination. The indices of HRV can be useful to monitor the effects of football training on parasympathetic modulation and to the periods of stress and recovery.
Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia and Quality-of-Life: Ovarian and Uterine Cancer Patients and the Aesthetics of Disease

This study is an examination of ovarian and uterine cancer patients’ perceptions of chemotherapy-induced alopecia and how it impacts quality-of-life over the course of chemotherapy. The chapters in this dissertation address the following research questions: How do ovarian and uterine cancer patients communicate about their experiences of alopecia over the course of chemotherapy? How does chemotherapy-induced alopecia influence patients’ understandings of quality-of-life? Longitudinal interviews were conducted with a patient population of twenty-three, and each patient was interviewed at least twice over the course of chemotherapy. The data set was composed of fifty-five interviews, and a thematic analysis was performed across interview transcripts. Analysis of the data revealed four themes: 1) chemotherapy-induced alopecia and quality-of-life; 2) the “mirror moment”; 3) performance of social roles; and 4) gendered visibility. Data indicate ovarian and uterine cancer patients experienced substantial daily distress related to chemotherapy-induced alopecia. The ability to perform social roles deemed important to patients’ quality-of-life such as the familial roles of partner and mother/grandmother were negatively impacted by hair loss. Patients’ distress concerning alopecia was strongly connected to the ability to function in the public sphere without feeling approachable or being approached by “strangers” because of their alopecia. Clinicians might consider repeatedly asking about chemotherapy-induced alopecia over the course of chemotherapy, both because it could help patients cope with the side effect and because it may generate dialogue related to other important concerns late-stage cancer patients may feel are too trivial to mention in clinical discussions. Women’s social and familial roles may be impacted by alopecia and chemotherapy in unique ways that deserve additional study.