Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Simulation Platform for Vision Aided Inertial Navigation

Abstract : Integrated Inertial Navigation System (INS) and Global Positioning System (GPS) solutions have become the backbone of many modern positioning and navigation systems. The Achilles' heel of such systems are their susceptibility to GPS outages. Hence, there has been sustained interest in alternate navigation techniques to augment a GPS/INS system. With the advancement in camera technologies, visual odometry is a suitable technique. As the cost and effort required to conduct physical trials on a visual odometry system is extensive, this research seeks to provide a simulation platform that is capable of simulating different grades of GPS/INS systems under various realistic visual odometry scenarios. The simulation platform also allows standardized data to be tested across different navigation filters. The utility of this simulation platform is demonstrated by a trade study on factors affecting the performance of a GPS/INS system augmented with visual odometry.
How Important is Reputation for New Zealand Wine Makers

The wine industry in New Zealand has been maturing over the past few decades, with consumers becoming more sophisticated and wineries responding by increasing their production of premium varieties. In addition, there have been several legal changes and subsequent changes to the distribution and marketing of wine in New Zealand that have made wine more widely available. It is therefore an interesting and dynamic time to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the relative effects of regional reputation and producer-specific quality on the willingness to pay for domestically produced premium table wine in New Zealand. Previous empirical work suggests that New Zealand consumers rely on both expert opinion and regional reputation when determining their willingness to pay for wine produced domestically. The current paper extends this work by considering the development of a winery's reputation in more detail. Hedonic price analysis is used to determine the price premia associated with a range of indicators of both individual and collective reputation. Preliminary statistical results are presented and interpreted within the context of a growing body of international literature on wine economics.
Efficient generation and optimization of stochastic template banks by a neighboring cell algorithm

Placing signal templates (grid points) as efficiently as possible to cover a multi-dimensional parameter space is crucial in computing-intensive matched-filtering searches for gravitational waves, but also in similar searches in other fields of astronomy. To generate efficient coverings of arbitrary parameter spaces, stochastic template banks have been advocated, where templates are placed at random while rejecting those too close to others. However, in this simple scheme, for each new random point its distance to every template in the existing bank is computed. This rapidly increasing number of distance computations can render the acceptance of new templates computationally prohibitive, particularly for wide parameter spaces or in large dimensions. This work presents a neighboring cell algorithm that can dramatically improve the efficiency of constructing a stochastic template bank. By dividing the parameter space into sub-volumes (cells), for an arbitrary point an efficient hashing technique is exploited to obtain the index of its enclosing cell along with the parameters of its neighboring templates. Hence only distances to these neighboring templates in the bank are computed, massively lowering the overall computing cost, as demonstrated in simple examples. Furthermore, we propose a novel method based on this technique to increase the fraction of covered parameter space solely by directed template shifts, without adding any templates. As is demonstrated in examples, this method can be highly effective.
A Single-Input Single-Output Approach by using Minor-Loop Voltage Feedback Compensation with Modified SPWM Technique for Three-Phase AC DC Buck Converter.

The modified sinusoidal pulse-width modulation (SPWM) is one of the PWM techniques used in three-phase AC–DC buck converters. The modified SPWM works without the current sensor (the converter is current sensorless), improves production of sinusoidal AC current, enables obtainment of near-unity power factor, and controls output voltage through modulation gain (ranging from 0 to 1). The main problem of the modified SPWM is the huge starting current and voltage (during transient) that results from a large step change from the reference voltage. When the load changes, the output voltage significantly drops (through switching losses and non-ideal converter elements). The single-input single-output (SISO) approach with minor-loop voltage feedback controller presented here overcomes this problem. This approach is created on a theoretical linear model and verified by discrete-model simulation on MATLAB/Simulink. The capability and effectiveness of the SISO approach in compensating start-up current/voltage and in achieving zero steady-state error were tested for transient cases with step-changed load and step-changed reference voltage for linear and non-linear loads. Tests were done to analyze the transient performance against various controller gains. An experiment prototype was also developed for verification.
Distinct snail (Physa) morphotypes from different habitats converge in shell shape and size under common garden conditions

Background: Aspects of snail shell morphology may be plastic or genetically fixed. Even within a single population, environmentally induced shell shape plasticity can lead to unclear species identifications as a result of extreme shape variation. Extrinsic factors, such as predation pressure and stream flow, tend to induce adaptive plastic changes in shell morphology, such as elongate shells with narrow apertures and short-spired shells with wide apertures, respectively. Snail populations from a local stream and adjacent wetland exhibit these distinct morphotypes. Questions: Do the snail morphotypes represent a single cryptic species? Are the morphotypes environmentally induced and plastic, or epigenetic? Organisms: We captured wild Physa snails from either a stream population (low predation, high flow site) or a nearby pond population (high predation, low flow site) in Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA. Predictions: If distinct snail morphotypes represent a single cryptic species, their phenotypes may be plastic. In this case, raising snail offspring under similar conditions of predation and stream flow will result in one shell shape and size. Methods: We reared and maintained snail offspring of both morphotypes in laboratory aquaria (low water flow, no predation). We measured the shell morphology of wild, of firstgeneration laboratory, and of second-generation laboratory snails using geometric morphometrics. Results: Shell shape and size of wild snails from the two populations were significantly different. After a single generation, however, the shell shape of both populations resembled the wild snails from the pond site (elongate with narrow apertures). Shell size decreased in the first generation, but shell size in the two populations did not fully converge until the second generation. Conclusions: The shape differences are plastic responses to environmental variation. Thus, the two morphotypes constitute a single snail species (Physa acuta). The single generation lag in size convergence suggests there is an epigenetic difference between generations within populations.
How to Sell to Buyers with Crossholdings

This paper characterizes the optimal selling mechanism in the presence of horizontal crossholdings. We find that this mechanism imposes a discrimination policy against the stronger bidders so that the seller? s expected revenue is increasing in both the common crossholding and the degree of asymmetry in crossholdings. Furthermore, it can be implemented by a sequential procedure that includes a price-preferences scheme and the possibility of an exclusive deal with the weakest bidder. We also show that a simple sequential negotiation mechanism, although suboptimal, yields a larger seller? s expected revenue than both the first-price and the second-price auctions.
A model for investigating and calibrating IR systems evaluation

Benchmarking practices in information retrieval rely on measuring the per-topic performances of systems and aggregating these across the topics in a given test set. For an evaluation experiment, the per-topic scores represent the values in the matrix of the participating systems and the set of topics. In the absence of explicit external reference points indicating the true performance of systems, such a matrix represents a relative view over a sample of the universe of possible system-topic pairs, where a cyclical dependency exists between the systems and the topics. In this paper we develop a unified model for system evaluation by systematically modeling the relationship between topics and systems and by generalizing the way overall system performance is obtained from the individual topic scores with the use of a generalized means function with adaptive weights. We experiment with multiple definitions of the means on TREC evaluation runs and compare our rankings with the standard TREC averages. Our analysis of the different evaluations leads to recommendations for calibrating evaluation experiments.
Thermo-optic Characteristics of Micro-structured Optical Fiber Infiltrated with Mixture Liquids

We present both theoretically and experimentally the thermo-optic characteristics of micro-structured optical fiber (MOF) filled with mixed liquid. The performance of MOF depends on the efficient interaction between the fundamental mode of the transmitted light wave and the tunable thermo-optic materials in the cladding. The numerical simulation indicates that the confinement loss of MOF presents higher temperature dependence with higher air-filling ratios d/Λ, longer incident wavelength and fewer air holes in the cladding. For the 4cm liquid-filled grapefruit MOF, we demonstrate from experiments that different proportions of solutions lead to tunable temperature sensitive ranges. The insertion loss and the extinction ratio are 3~4 dB and approximate 20 dB, respectively. The proposed liquid-filling MOF will be developed as thermo-optic sensor, attenuator or optical switch with the advantages of simple structure, compact configuration and easy fabrication.
Superluminality and Entanglement in an Electromagnetic Quantum-Relativistic Theory

An electromagnetic theory that links quantum and relativistic phenomena in a single context is built. Wave-particle duality is the experimental proof of their common origin. In this context, Quantum Mechanics and Special Relativity are two compatible synergistic theories. The developed theory shows the existence of superluminal effects that suggest an explanation to the entanglement between pairs of particles and photons.
Heterotrophic dinoflagellates in the ecosystem of the Gulf of Gdansk

Quantitative studies on heterotrophic dinoflagellates were carried out in 1987 at 3 stations located in the Gulf of Gdansk (southern Baltic) and differing in environmental conditions. Heterotrophic dinoflagellates were identified under an epifluorescence microscope and counted, using Utermohl's technique, in Lugol-solution-treated samples. Two biomass peaks were recorded over the year: one in the spring, co-occurring with the spring phytoplankton bloom, and the other in autumn. Heterotrophic dinoflagellates were the dominant component of the protozooplankton, particularly in the eutrophic, highly productive Gulf waters where they made up almost half of the total zooplankton and dominated over the metazooplankton.
Measurement of Determinants for Enhancing Strategic Information Systems Planning (SISP) Success and Dynamic Capabilities in South Korea

In the current dynamic and increasingly globalized environments, Strategic Information Systems Planning (SISP) has been regarded as one of the most important tasks for better management and supporting strategic use of IS/IT. To facilitate organisational performance and sustain competitive advantage, it is necessary for organisations to recognize the importance of considering various determinants to achieve SISP success, and understand how SISP success affects improving dynamic capabilities as the outcome of its success. A model to show the relationship among six determinants, SISP success and its outcomes is proposed. A sample of 250 from large companies in Korea is collected and structural equation modelling (SEM) is used to validate the proposed model. The result suggests that the determinants positively affect SISP success and the SISP success influences improving the outcome of SISP success. Besides, there is a positive relationship among the determinants, SISP success and the outcome of its success. Key findings and implications are discussed.
Bayes Interval Estimation for binomial proportion and difference of two binomial proportions with Simulation Study

This study is considered a number of popular confidence interval for binomial proportion and the difference of two binomial proportions . A new approach is proposed base on Bayesian view for binomial proportion and also for difference of two binomial proportions . The Bayes confidence intervals compared with other confidence intervals of coverage probability and expected length . Based on this analysis , and t he simulation study recommend the Bayes confidence interval of binomial proportion and difference of two binomial proportions for small sample , and show their superior performance from both criteria .
Real Exchange Rate and Manufacturing Export Competitiveness in Eastern Africa

This paper investigates the effects of real exchange rates on manufacturing exports in 10 East African countries. The study uses pooled mean group and mean group estimators with an Autoregressive Distributed Lag procedure to analyze disaggregated manufacturing exports, unlike past studies that often examined aggregate exports by adopting traditional empirical methods subject to various shortcomings. Our results are more or less consistent with the standard theory. The elasticity is relatively low, except for low-skill manufacturing exports. In the short run, real exchange rate depreciation improves exports of labor-intensive, low-skill, and medium-skill technology-intensive manufacturing. In contrast, depreciation of the real effective exchange rate worsens high-skill technology-intensive exports. Another findings suggest that exchange rate devaluation matters for export performance in Eastern Africa. Nevertheless, the magnitude of this elasticity is low and remains below the findings for Sub-Saharan African and other developing countries. Positive and elastic manufacturing exports with respect to domestic real GDP shows the importance of economic growth to the performance of manufacturing exports. Therefore, policies aimed at boosting exports in the long term should aim to provide a conducive environment for economic growth rather than continuous devaluation of a domestic currency.
Measuring the electrical properties of semiconductor nanowires using terahertz conductivity spectroscopy

Accurately measuring the electronic properties of nanowires is a crucial step in the development of novel semiconductor nanowire-based devices. With this in mind, optical pump–terahertz probe (OPTP) spectroscopy is ideally suited to studies of nanowires: it provides non-contact measurement of carrier transport and dynamics at room temperature. OPTP spectroscopy has been used to assess key electrical properties, including carrier lifetime and carrier mobility, of GaAs, InAs and InP nanowires. The measurements revealed that InAs nanowires exhibited the highest mobilities and InP nanowires exhibited the lowest surface recombination velocity.
Dreams and Medicines: The Perspective of Xhosa Diviners and Novices in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

Abstract Based on anthropological fieldwork conducted in the Eastern Cape, the paper explores the interconnections between dreams (amathongo, amaphupha) and medicines (amayeza, imithi, amachiza) as aspects of the Xhosa diviner’s culture, knowledge and experience. Background information is provided in the introduction, inter alia, on the Xhosa patrilineal clan (isiduko), divination (imvumisa, evumiso) and religious and cultural change. The ability to dream, inter alia of the ancestors and medicines, is central to the diviner’s intuition and professional stock-in-trade, which are part and parcel of a religious healing tradition. Examples of dreams involving the ancestors (iminyanya), diviners, clients and medicinal plants are presented and analysed in relation to relevant case material. The ritual significance of dreams is explored in some detail. The distinctions between diviner (igqirha lokuvumisa) and herbalist (ixhwele), and between medicines and charms (amakhubalo), receive attention in the section on medicines. The underlying purpose of traditional Xhosa religious ideology is discussed in the conclusion.
A novel yet effective motion artefact reduction method for continuous physiological monitoring

This study presents a non-invasive and wearable optical technique to continuously monitor vital human signs as required for personal healthcare in today’s increasing ageing population. The study has researched an effective way to capture human critical physiological parameters, i.e., oxygen saturation (SaO2%), heart rate, respiration rate, body temperature, heart rate variability by a closely coupled wearable opto-electronic patch sensor (OEPS) together with real-time and secure wireless communication functionalities. The work presents the first step of this research; an automatic noise cancellation method using a 3-axes MEMS accelerometer to recover signals corrupted by body movement which is one of the biggest sources of motion artefacts. The effects of these motion artefacts have been reduced by an enhanced electronic design and development of self-cancellation of noise and stability of the sensor. The signals from the acceleration and the opto-electronic sensor are highly correlated thus leading to the desired pulse waveform with rich bioinformatics signals to be retrieved with reduced motion artefacts. The preliminary results from the bench tests and the laboratory setup demonstrate that the goal of the high performance wearable opto-electronics is viable and feasible.
Cadmium-induced turion formation of Spirodela polyrhiza (L.) Schleiden

Spirodela polyrhiza (L.) Schleiden (giant duckweed) is an extensively studied representative of duckweeds (Lemnoideae subfamily, Araceae). Despite its widespread applica- tion in numerous research areas and well-known capability for producing turions, the effects of various toxicants on turion production are sporadically discussed in the scientific literature. Our aim was to study the growth of S. polyrhiza under cadmium stress and to test its potential interference with turion production. Effects of cadmium were assessed in axenic cultures of a local S. polyrhiza clone in 7-days-long duckweed growth inhibition tests. Our results indicated that higher cadmium concentrations decreased the relative growth rates of cultures within 3 days and growth inhibition reached its maximum between the 3rd and 5th days with 0.080 mg l -1 IC50. Parallel with slowed frond production - by mirror image pattern - induction of turion formation was observed. The first turions protruded by the 5 th day of treatments in the 0.075- 0.75 mg l -1 concentration range. Such rapid onset of turion formation is indicative of an almost immediate switch between normal and turion mode of meristem function upon cadmium stress. The consideration of this mechanism in practical applications of S. polyrhiza is recommended. Acta Biol Szeged 58(2):103-108 (2014)
IMPROVEMENT OF NON SPECIFIC IMMUNE SYSTEM ON COMMON CARP (Cyprinus carpio) AGAINST KOI HERPESVIRUS DISEASE (KHVD) BY ADDITION OF ASCORBIC ACID ON FISH DIET: A FIELD SCALE STUDY

The research with the aim to know the optimal feeding frequency of supplemented ascorbic acid (microencapsulated vitamin C CFC-90) on the dose of 750 mg/kg feed to control Koi Herpesvirus (KHV) disease infecting common carp has been done in field condition. Fish were reared in floating cages with the size of 3.5 m x 3.5 m x 2.0 m and stocking density of 1,250 fish/cage with the size range of ± 10 g/fish. The treatments applied in the research were: (A) daily application, (B) every 3 days application, and (C) without vitamin C addition as the control. Fish test were challenged to KHV infection on the mid cultivation by cohabitation method in the laboratory scale for 2 weeks. Examination on behavior, clinical sign, and mortality of fish test conducted daily. The results showed that the highest survival rate was found on the application of vitamin C every 3 days (60.16%); and followed by every day (52.00%), and the lowest was found on the control group (47.36%).
Blastwave parameters assessment at different altitude using numerical simulation

There are some equations to establish the relationship between blastwave parameters with scaled distance. In this paper, the resulting data from numerical simulations by AUTODYN-1D for different marked distances from detonation points and different amounts of charge are compared with results from experimental data and equations. To sum up, some equations for evaluating blastwave parameters are presented, which are in excellent conformity with numerical and experimental data. In addition, the importance of the effect of altitude from sea level is clearly expressed and the presented equations are modified by proposing a modifying coefficient.
Antecedents and Consequences of Perceived Corporate Social Responsibility on Financial Holding Companies - Finance Students' Perceptions

Consumers consider various factors when purchasing because of consumer awareness. Increasingly, consumer behaviors are influenced by corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities. This study comprehensively investigates the relationships of antecedents and consequences of CSR from consumer perceptions. CSR ethics statements and financial performance are the antecedents in this study. The effects of the relationships among consumers’ perception of CSR and consumer satisfaction, perceived corporate reputation, perceived risk, as well as consumer loyalty are the consequences. The findings suggest that perceived CSR was affected by perceived quality of ethics; therefore, corporations should emphasize an internal ethics statement and establish their CSR image to increase consumer satisfaction, enhance the corporate reputation, reduce perceived risk, and form a positive link between corporations and consumers. In addition, the findings reveal that significant relationships were observed among consumer satisfaction, corporate reputation, and perceived risk, which affect consumer loyalty.
Analysis on the Current Situation of the Self-Innovation of China’s Manufacturing Industry Based on Structural Equation

Manufacturing industry is the material foundation of national economy, the foundation of social progress and arich country. It plays decisive role especially for China, which is a large manufacturing power. Self-innovation isone of the strategies of sustainable development of Chinese economy; it is also the correct channel to improvethe competitiveness. Therefore, the self-innovation of manufacturing industry directly affects thecompetitiveness of our country. This article utilizes the basic principle of structural equation to establish the pathdiagram of influencing factor of self-innovation of manufacturing industry. Through path analysis, the authorcalculated the path coefficient of self-innovation of manufacturing industry, measured the situation ofself-innovation of manufacturing industry in the current stage, and made effective analysis on it, providedsolution and suggestion for the development of China’s manufacturing industry.