Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hierarchical Bayesian Models

Those of us who study human cognition have no easy task. We try to understand how people functionally represent and processes information in performing cognitive activities such as vision, perception, memory, language, and decision making. Fortunately, experimental psychology has a rich theoretical tradition, and there is no shortage of insightful theoretical proposals. Also, it has a rich experimental tradition with a multitude of experimental techniques for isolating purported processes. What it lacks, however, is a rich statistical tradition to link theory to data. At the heart of the field is the difficult task of trying to use data from experiments to inform theory, that is, to understand accurately the relationships within the data and how they provide evidence for or against various theoretical positions. The difficulty in linking data to theory can be seen in a classic example from Estes (1956). Estes considered two different theories of learning: one in which learning was gradual and another where learning happened all at once. These two accounts are shown in Figure 1A. Because these accounts are so different, adjudicating between them should be trivial: one simply examines the data for either a step function or a gradual change. Yet, in many cases, this task is surprisingly difficult. To see this difficulty, consider the data of Ritter and Reder (1992), who studied the speed up in response times from repeated practice of a mathematics tasks. The data are shown in Figure 1B, and the grey lines show the data from individuals. These individual data are highly variable making it impossible to spot trends. A first-order approach is to simply take the means across individuals at different levels of practice, and these means (red points) decrease gradually, seemingly providing support for the gradual theory of learning. Estes, however, noted that this pattern does not necessarily imply that learning is gradual. Instead, learning might be all-at-once, but the time at which different individuals transition may be different. Figure 1C shows an example; for demonstration purposes, hypothetical data are shown without noise. If data are generated from the all-at-once model and there is variation in this transition time, then the mean will reflect the proportion of individuals in the unlearned state at a given level of practice. This proportion may decrease
Pore‐water pressure effects on the detachment of cohesive streambeds: seepage forces and matric suction

Erosion of cohesive channel materials is not fully understood, but is assumed to occur largely as a result of hydraulic shear stress. However, field and laboratory observations of pore‐water pressures in cohesive streambed materials reveal the presence of positive and negative pore‐water pressure effects that may significantly affect the erosion process, as contributing and resisting forces respectively.
DC Versus Pulse-Type Negative Bias Stress Effects on the Instability of Amorphous InGaZnO Transistors Under Light Illumination

We report that a pulsed negative bias stress slightly deteriorates the photoelectric stability of amorphous InGaZnO thin-film transistors, whereas a dc negative bias stress induces a large threshold voltage shift under the light. In the case of pulsed bias stresses, many of photoexcited positive charges might be recombined during the interval between pulses while those charges under dc bias drift to the channel interface without recombination. Interfacial trap density measurements explain the effects of such photoexcited positive charges on the interface.
The Potential of Silane Coated Calcium Carbonate on Mechanical Properties of Rigid PVC Composites for Pipe Manufacturing

The inclusion of CaCO3 and kaolin in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) polymer matrices greatly enhances the physical and mechanical properties of the composite. In this study, the effects of kaolin and surface treatment of CaCO3 and kaolin particles on the microstructure and mechanical properties of PVC composites filled with kaolin particles via melt blending method were studied by means of SEM, tensile, Charpy impact testing, and FTIR. Treated and untreated kao-lin particles were dispersed in matrices of PVC resin at different concentrations up to 30 wt percentage. The tensile strength, elastic modulus, strain to failure and morphology of the resulting composites were measured for various filler loadings. Uniform dispersion of the fillers into the matrix proved to be a critical factor. SEM images revealed that small sized particles were more agglomerated than micron-sized particles and the amount of agglomerates increased with increasing particle content. Silane treated Kaolin-CaCO3/PVC composites had superior tensile and impact strengths to untreated kaolin-CaCO3/PVC composites. The Young’s modulus of all composites increased with increasing particle content up to maximum at 10% filler loading followed by gradually decreasing as content increased.
University of Dundee Mining Ethos in Political Debate

Despite the fact it has been recognised since Aristotle that ethos and credibility play a critical role in many types of communication, these facts are rarely studied in linguistically oriented AI which has enjoyed such success in processing complex features as sentiment, opinion, and most recently arguments. This paper shows how a text analysis pipeline of structural and statistical approaches to natural language processing (NLP) can be deployed to tackle ethos by mining linguistic resources from the political domain. We summarise a coding scheme for annotating ethotic expressions; present the first openly available corpus to support further, comparative research in the area; and report results from a system for automatically recognising the presence and polarity of ethotic expressions. Finally, we hypothesise that in the political sphere, ethos analytics – including recognising who trusts whom and who is attacking whose reputation – might act as a powerful toolset for understanding and even anticipating the dynamics of governments. By exploring several examples of correspondence between ethos analytics in political discourse and major events and dynamics in the political landscape, we uncover tantalising evidence in support of this hypothesis.
Biogeography based optimization protocol for energy efficient evolutionary algorithm: (BBO: EEEA)

WSN has so many constraints such as limited resources, energy consumption etc. There is essential requirement of algorithm which improves the energy efficiency. In this paper we propose an evolutionary based algorithm which improves the energy decay by using the improved BBO to elect cluster head. The simulation results shows the proposed algorithm enhance the stability and the lifespan of network in comparison of existing heterogeneous protocol such as LEACH, SEP, IHCR AND ERP.
Arctic catastrophes in an idealized sea ice model

With recent observations of diminishing summer Arctic sea ice extent, the hypothesis of a “tipping point” in summer ice cover has been the focus of a number of studies. This view suggests that as summer Arctic sea ice cover retreats it will reach a critical point after which the ice‐albedo e! ect will cause the summer ice cover to disappear altogether. We have examined the heuristic argument behind this hypothesis using an idealized, but observationally constrained, model of Arctic sea ice with representations of ice and ocean mixed layer thermodynamics, varying open water fraction, an energy balance atmosphere, and scalable CO2. We find that summer ice cover retreats toward an ice-free summer ocean at an accelerating rate in a scenario with exponentially increasing CO2. However, we find no critical CO2 concentration or “tipping point” using observationally based parameter values. We identify in the extended parameter space a bifurcation associated with multiple summer ice cover states and a cusp catastrophe, and we find that it occurs far from the physically realistic parameter regime. Our results suggest that the argument for a “tipping point” in summer Arctic ice cover brought on by ice albedo may not hold up when quantified. The reason is related to the fact that ice cover has only just begun to retreat at the time of maximum sunlight (June), and the minimum ice area occurs in September when there is very little Arctic sunlight.
Generalised partition functions: inferences on phase space distributions

Abstract. It is demonstrated that the statistical mechanical partition function can be used to construct various different forms of phase space distributions. This indicates that its structure is not restricted to the Gibbs–Boltzmann factor prescription which is based on counting statistics. With the widely used replacement of the Boltzmann factor by a generalised Lorentzian (also known as the q-deformed exponential function, where κ = 1∕|q − 1|, with κ, q ∈ R) both the kappa-Bose and kappa-Fermi partition functions are obtained in quite a straightforward way, from which the conventional Bose and Fermi distributions follow for κ → ∞. For κ ≠ ∞ these are subject to the restrictions that they can be used only at temperatures far from zero. They thus, as shown earlier, have little value for quantum physics. This is reasonable, because physical κ systems imply strong correlations which are absent at zero temperature where apart from stochastics all dynamical interactions are frozen. In the classical large temperature limit one obtains physically reasonable κ distributions which depend on energy respectively momentum as well as on chemical potential. Looking for other functional dependencies, we examine Bessel functions whether they can be used for obtaining valid distributions. Again and for the same reason, no Fermi and Bose distributions exist in the low temperature limit. However, a classical Bessel–Boltzmann distribution can be constructed which is a Bessel-modified Lorentzian distribution. Whether it makes any physical sense remains an open question. This is not investigated here. The choice of Bessel functions is motivated solely by their convergence properties and not by reference to any physical demands. This result suggests that the Gibbs–Boltzmann partition function is fundamental not only to Gibbs–Boltzmann but also to a large class of generalised Lorentzian distributions as well as to the corresponding nonextensive statistical mechanics.
The Constructivist Museum

Current education literature is dominated by discussions of constructivism. This new name for a set of old ideas has major implications for how museums address learning. Constructivism is particularly appropriate as a basis for museum education if we consider the wide age range of museum visitors. How can we accommodate this diverse audience and facilitate their learning from our objects on their voluntary, short visits?
A Security Cloud Storage Scheme Based Accountable Key-Policy Attribute-Based Encryption without Key Escrow

With the development of cloud computing, more and more users start to utilize the cloud storage service. However, there exist some issues: 1) cloud server steals the shared data, 2) sharers collude with the cloud server to steal the shared data, 3) cloud server tampers the shared data, 4) sharers and key generation center (KGC) conspire to steal the shared data. In this paper, we use advanced encryption standard (AES), hash algorithms, and accountable keypolicy attribute-based encryption without key escrow (WOKE-AKPABE) to build a security cloud storage scheme. Moreover, the data are encrypted to protect the privacy. We use hash algorithms to prevent the cloud server from tampering the data uploaded to the cloud. Analysis results show that this scheme can resist conspired attacks. Keywords—Cloud storage security, sharing storage, attributes, Hash algorithm.
An all-MOS low-power fast-transient 1.2 V LDO regulator

This paper presents a fully integrated low-power 0.18 μm CMOS Low-Dropout (LDO) voltage regulator for battery-operated portable devices. A single stage high-gain folded cascode-compensated amplifier is used to attain good static performances, while thanks to a very simple dynamic bias circuit, transient performances are significantly enhanced. Results validate a 1.2 V output voltage from a 3.3 V to 1.3 V battery input voltage, delivering a load current of 50 mA over a 50 pF load. The quiescent current is only 5.9 μA, including an all-MOS 0.4 V reference voltage. Settling times are lower than 5.4 μs at full load transient.
SUCCESS OF PHYLOGENETIC METHODS IN THE FOUR-TAXON CASE

The success of 16 methods of phylogenetic inference was examined using consis? tency and simulation analysis. Success? the frequency with which a tree-making method cor? rectly identified the true phylogeny? was examined for an unrooted four-taxon tree. In this study, tree-making methods were examined under a large number of branch-length conditions and under three models of sequence evolution. The results are plotted to facilitate comparisons among the methods. The consistency analysis indicated which methods converge on the correct tree given infinite sample size. General parsimony, transversion parsimony, and weighted par? simony are inconsistent over portions of the graph space examined, although the area of incon? sistency varied. Lake's method of invariants consistently estimated phylogeny over all of the graph space when the model of sequence evolution matched the assumptions of the invariants method. However, when one of the assumptions of the invariants method was violated, Lake's method of invariants became inconsistent over a large portion of the graph space. In general, the distance methods (neighbor joining, weighted least squares, and unweighted least squares) consistently estimated phylogeny over all of the graph space examined when the assumptions of the distance correction matched the model of evolution used to generate the model trees. When the assumptions of the distance methods were violated, the methods became inconsistent over portions of the graph space. UPGMA was inconsistent over a large area of the graph space, no matter which distance was used. The simulation analysis showed how tree-making methods perform given limited numbers of character data. In some instances, the simulation results differed quantitatively from the consistency analysis. The consistency analysis indicated that Lake's method of invariants was consistent over all of the graph space under some conditions, whereas the simulation analysis showed that Lake's method of invariants performs poorly over most of the graph space for up to 500 variable characters. Parsimony, neighbor-joining, and the least-squares methods performed well under conditions of limited amount of character change and branch-length variation. By weighting the more slowly evolving characters or using dis? tances that correct for multiple substitution events, the area in which tree-making methods are misleading can be reduced. Good performance at high rates of change was obtained only by giving increased weight to slowly evolving characters (e.g., transversion parsimony, weighted parsimony). UPGMA performed well only when branch lengths were close in length. (Phylogeny estimation; simulation; parsimony; Lake's invariants; UPGMA; neighbor joining; weighted least squares; unweighted least squares; tree space.)
Novel algorithms for learning overcomplete dictionaries

Using a Bayesian framework based on an assumption of a convex/Schur-convex (CSC) log-prior, together with an associated affine-scaling transformation (AST) optimization algorithm, a signal vector, y, can be succinctly represented within a very overcomplete m/spl times/n dictionary of representation vectors a/sub i/, A=[a/sub 1/,. ,a/sub n/], n/spl Gt/m, dictionary by obtaining a sparse solution, x, to the linear inverse problem Ax/spl ap/y/spl dot/. In this paper we outline how novel approximate maximum likelihood (AML) and maximum a posteriori (MAP) over-complete dictionary learning algorithms can be developed within the CSC/AST framework.
Robust estimation of primaries by sparse inversion via one-norm minimization

ABSTRACTA recently proposed method called estimation of primaries by sparse inversion (EPSI) avoids the need for adaptive subtraction of approximate multiple predictions by directly inverting for the multiple-free subsurface impulse response as a collection of band-limited spikes. Although it can be shown that the correct primary impulse response is obtained through the sparsest possible solution, the original EPSI algorithm was not designed to take advantage of this result, and instead it relies on a multitude of inversion parameters, such as the level of sparsity per gradient update. We proposed and tested a new algorithm, named robust EPSI, in which we make obtaining the sparsest solution an explicit goal. Our approach remains a gradient-based approach like the original algorithm, but it is derived from a new biconvex optimization framework based on an extended basis-pursuit denoising formulation. Furthermore, because it is based on a general framework, robust EPSI can recover the impulse response in t.
African stock markets: multiple variance ratio tests of random walks

This paper identifies four categories of formal stock market in Africa: South Africa, medium-sized markets, small new markets which have experienced rapid growth, and small new markets which have yet to take off. The hypothesis that a stock market price index follows a random walk is tested for South Africa, five medium-sized markets (Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria and Zimbabwe) and two small new markets (Botswana and Mauritius) using the multiple variance ratio test of Chow and Denning (Journal of Econometrics, 58, 385–401, 1993). The hypothesis is rejected in seven of the markets because of autocorrelation of returns. For the South African market, the stock price index follows a random walk. The paper also suggests factors which may contribute to whether or not an equity market follows a random walk.
Nonparametric control charts: economic statistical design

This paper studies economic statistical designs (ESD) for nonparametric control charts based on the sign and Wilcoxon tests. The main advantage of the procedures is that, except for the tested location parameter, they do not use either any parametric distribution for the quality characteristic or any information about the possible involved parameters, neither in the in-control nor in the out-of-control state. This is made possible by minimizing a cost function specied independently of these quantities. Unlike the ESD for the x chart, the resulting charts designs are robust to changes of the distributions of the observations (in control or out of control), provide reliable statistical guarantees when the x chart ESD does not and stay competitive even when the strong assumptions of the x chart ESD are fully satised. These new techniques can therefore be applied to a denitely wider class of problems and their designs may stay constant over time without losing performance.
A Low-Power Integrated Circuit for Interaural Time Delay Estimation Without Delay Lines

A low-power IC for the estimation of the delay between two infinitely clipped (digital) signals is designed and implemented in a 0.35-mum standard CMOS technology. The proposed circuit is based on a sliding-mode control system and does not need past values of the inputs, which are usually stored using chains of digital registers or analog delay lines and significantly increase the power consumption. The IC is intended to work in ultralow-power miniature sensor network nodes performing localization in the audio range [20, 1000] Hz, as part of a forest environmental protection network. Power dissipation results show a core power consumption of 1.04 muW at 3.3 V and only 282 nW at 1.8 V-in both cases with a clock frequency of 200 kHz. The circuit is fully operative and was successfully tested on field as part of a low-power bearing sensor unit.
A cascaded framework for robust traversable region estimation using stereo vision

Traversable region estimation is the fundamental enabler in autonomous navigation. In this paper, we propose a traversable region segmentation algorithm using stereo vision. We address this problem mainly in road scenes for the goal of autonomous driving. Using only geometry information, our approach has the advantages of effectiveness and robustness. The proposed approach is based on a cascaded framework. Given the disparity map of a rectified stereo image pair, projection from disparity space to U-V-disparity space is performed. We compute the U-V-disparity map in a probabilistic manner so that it is insensitive to errors generated by stereo matching. Then, our approach uses the U-V-disparity map to extract the potential regions. Finally, A RANSAC plane fitting on the potential regions is utilized to remove outliers. The results presented show the validity and robustness of our approach using KITTI road dataset.
Accurate Computation of Mutual Inductance of Two Air Core Square Coils with Lateral and Angular Misalignments in a Flat Planar Surface

This paper presents an analytical approach for computing the mutual inductance between two air core square coils placed in a flat planar surface. The mutual inductance of the coils is calculated for all possible variations including lateral and angular misalignments in space. In contrast to conventional approximated formulae, the straightforward approach based on Biot-Savart principle is used and their integrals are computed numerically. The results of computed mutual inductance by analytical method are validated by finite element analysis and an experimental setup. Finally, the analysis compares the three mutual inductance calculations: an analytical method, the finite-element model and an experimental results. The values computed by three methods in all cases are in good agreement.
Virtual-bilateral-type force control for stable and quick contact motion

The acceleration based force control is very important component in motion control. Looking ahead the development of the robotics system in the future, realization with high accuracy of the force control is essential. Since it is controlled so as to follow the external environment, the control performance completely depends on an impedance of the contact object. In generally, the velocity feedback stabilization is used to solve the problem. This paper tries to improve the fast-response while stabilizing the whole system based on the velocity feedback. The virtual actuator system is introduced in the proposed method. The control input for stabilizing is calculated by considering the interaction between the virtual system and the real system that contacts to objects. As a result, the velocity feedback works only in a contact state. With the proposed method, both of stabilization and quick response of the force control are achieved. The effectiveness of the proposed method is confirmed through the simple experiments.
Hybrid MHD model for a driven, ion-current FRC

Typical MHD models do not include the effects of a finite-electric field, finite gyro-radius, and gyro-period. The magnetohydrodynamic code, MACH2, is modified in one dimension to account for two-fluid behavior, in order to include these effects during the formation of a “driven”, field-reversed configuration (FRC). The simulation is run for a period of 150 μs, during which time an azimuthal ion current accelerates, the FRC forms, compresses radially and axially, and then begins to decay. Once the FRC is formed, an electron current develops, which sharpens the magnetic-field profile outside the null-field region. The equilibrium that is formed is characteristic of a Rigid Rotor. [1] The simulations also agree with prior experiments,[2] specifically the r-z shape of the FRC and the magnitude of the total current, including the ion and electron flows.