Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
C-band backscattering signatures of Baltic Sea ice

A large data set of backscattering signatures of different Baltic Sea ice types have been acquired with an helicopter-borne C- and X-band scatterometer (HUTSCAT). In this study C-band moist snowcover and bare dry ice data sets were used. The variation of the mean /spl sigma//sup /spl deg// at HH-polarization between the incidence angles of 23 and 45 degrees was the largest for open water leads and smooth level ice and the smallest for heavily deformed ice and frozen brash ice. Std of texture depends on polarization, incidence angle, ice type and snow cover category. At co-polarizations mean Stds are roughly equal. The contrast between level ice and ridge /spl sigma//sup /spl deg// is larger at cross polarization than at co-polarizations. The small difference between /spl sigma//sup /spl deg// at VV- and VH-polarization for ridges suggest that the main scattering mechanism in ridges is multiple scattering between the ice blocks or multiple surface scattering.
Joint optimization of routing and scheduling for higher throughput in IEEE 802.16 mesh networks

-Wireless mesh networks are emerging to be a promising technique for the next generation wireless networks. Specifically, the MAC layer in IEEE Standard 802.16-2004 supports mesh mode. In this paper, an optimal scheduling scheme is proposed to increase the network throughput. The problem of finding the maximum network throughput in the optimal scheduling scheme can be formulated as an integer linear problem. Meanwhile, a minimal interference routing algorithm is introduced to improve the network throughput by reducing the interference among the links. Furthermore, the simulation results show that the combination of the optimal scheduling scheme and the minimal interference routing algorithm can achieve significant improvement in the throughput performance.
Performance of Hybrid Laser Diodes Consisting of Silicon Slab and InP/InGaAsP Deep‐Ridge Waveguides

The fundamental transverse mode lasing of a hybrid laser diode is a prerequisite for efficient coupling to a single‐mode silicon waveguide, which is necessary for a wavelength‐division multiplexing silicon interconnection. We investigate the lasing mode profile for a hybrid laser diode consisting of silicon slab and InP/InGaAsP deep ridge waveguides. When the thickness of the top silicon is 220 nm, the fundamental transverse mode is lasing in spite of the wide waveguide width of 3. 7µm. The threshold current is 40 mA, and the maximum output power is 5 mW under CW current operation. In the case of a thick top silicon layer (1 µm), the higher modes are lasing. There is no significant difference in the thermal resistance of the two devices.
De novo assembly methods for next generation sequencing data

The recent breakthroughs in next-generation sequencing technologies, such as those of Roche 454, Illumina/Solexa, and ABI SOLID, have dramatically reduced the cost of producing short reads of the genome of new species. The huge volume of reads, along with short read length, high coverage, and sequencing errors, poses a great challenge to de novo genome assembly. However, the paired-end information provides a new solution to these problems. In this paper, we review and compare some current assembly tools, including Newbler, CAP3, Velvet, SOAPdenovo, AllPaths, Abyss, IDBA, PE-Assembly, and Telescoper. In general, we compare the seed extension and graph-based methods that use the overlap/lapout/consensus approach and the de Bruijn graph approach for assembly. At the end of the paper, we summarize these methods and discuss the future directions of genome assembly.
Double search self-healing algorithm and its characteristics

The requirements of today's communication networks are changing rapidly with the introduction of highcapacity transmission links and the increased amount of data traffic, thus fast restoration from failures is of increasing importance. To meet this requirement, self-healing algorithms, which are distributed algorithms based on autonomous control at each node, are discussed. The conventional self-healing algorithms called single-search self-healing algorithms have the following problems: (1) the self-healing process for bidirectional path failure has not been investigated; and (2) a large search area is affected by restoration messages. To solve these problems, this paper proposes and evaluates the restoration characteristics of a new self-healing algorithm called the “double-search self-healing algorithm. ” The results indicate that the proposed algorithm can restore foiled bidirectional paths faster and find alternate paths more effectively man conventional self-healing algorithms. To evaluate the restoration characteristics, an SDH network model based on existing telephone network data in Japan also is constructed.
Voronoi Diagram Based Retrieval Method for the Internet of Things

In the Internet of Things, search service is that information which is corresponding to entities in real world is retrieve so as to help people achieve information that they need. From the angle of visualization, this paper study the search service in the Internet of Things. With the Vector-Space Model, entities' information is expressed as entity vectors, and a Voronoi diagram based Vector-Space Model visualization method is presented. According to similarity between entity vectors, entity vectors' position in two-dimensional plane is calculated and this plane is divided into Voronoi diagram by nodes as which feature vectors of entity vectors’ clustering are taken. According to similarity between query vector and feature vector, a Voronoi diagram based Vector-Space Model retrieval method is put forward. This method restricts the searching scope in Voronoi domain of feature vectors that are the most similar to query vector, thereby the number of compared entity vectors is reduced in the retrieval process. The experiment result indicates that this method can ensure retrieval precision and improve retrieval efficiency.
Quick estimation of transient currents in CMOS integrated circuits

A methodology is established for analyzing transient currents in CMOS VLSI circuits without extensive detailed circuit simulations. Equations are presented for the analyzing individual device currents using transistor dimensions, rise/fall times, frequency, and capacitive loading. The concept of effective frequency for various transistor structures is introduced and used for frequency propagation in complex circuits. Simple algorithms are presented for differentiating between simultaneous and nonsimultaneous currents using frequency, propagation delay, and power-bus location. Current flow is analyzed in general for three structures: interconnect, internal power buses, and pad-ring power buses. Individual transistor currents are related to total current in VLSI circuits. Current values and percentage errors are given to various examples. These current estimates can flag serious reliability issues, such as electromigration, or spurious signal noise from excessive power-bus voltage drops. >
Pronunciation error detection for computer-assisted language learning system based on error rule clustering using a decision tree

Faculty of Engineering, Tohoku University,Aramaki aza Aoba 6–6–5, Sendai, 980–8579 Japan(Received 28 August 2006, Accepted for publication 27 October 2006)Keywords: CALL system, Pronunciation error detection, Decision tree, ClusteringPACS number: 43.72. Ne [doi:10.1250/ast.28. 131]1. IntroductionRecently, several computer-assisted language learning(CALL) systems that exploit spoken language technologyhave been developed. Automatic assessment of a learner’spronunciation is one of the main issues of such systems [1]. We are developing a mispronunciation detection systembased on multilingual phone models [2]. This method ﬁrstprepares ‘mispronunciation rules,’ which are the mispronun-ciations a learner tends to make. When a learner utters asentence presented by the system, the system prepares anacoustic model of the correct pronunciation of the sentenceas well as that of the mispronounced sentence. Then, thelikelihood values of both models are calculated using thelearner’s utterance, and the two likelihood values arecompared with each other. If the likelihood of the correctmodel is higher, the learner’s utterance is likely to be correct.Otherwise, the utterance is concluded to be mispronounced.One problem of the mispronunciation detection method isthat the method tends to evaluate the utterance more strictlythan human evaluators, because the strictness of a humanevaluator depends on the linguistic context of the phoneme tobe evaluated. To solve this problem, the strictness of detectionof a mispronunciation has to be adjusted so that the system’sjudgment becomes similar to that by a human.In this paper, we propose a method of solving thisproblem by adjusting the thresholds of error detection. Thismethod forms several clusters of mispronunciation rules usinga decision tree [3], and the optimum threshold is determinedfor each cluster.2. Pronunciation error detection based on themispronunciation rulesFirst, we explain the framework of the pronunciation errordetection based on multilingual phone models. In this work,the target language is English and the native language of thelearners is Japanese. First, the system gives the learner a wordor a sentence to pronounce. When the learner utters the wordor sentence, the system records the speech and performs anacoustic analysis. Here, the input speech is denoted by O.Next, the system prepares a model of the correct pronunci-ation of the presented word or sentence. The ‘model’ iscomposed of connected hidden Markov models (HMMs),each of which models a phoneme. This model of the correctpronunciation is denoted by . Then, the mispronunciationrules are applied to the correct model to generate the models
Scheduling of networked control systems

The defining characteristic of a networked control system (NCS) is having one or more control loops closed via a serial communication channel. Typically, when the words networking and control are used together, the focus is on the control of networks, but in this article our intent is nearly inverse, not control of networks but control through networks. NCS design objectives revolve around the performance and stability of a target physical device rather than of the network. The problem of stabilizing queue lengths, for example, is of secondary importance. Integrating computer networks into control systems to replace the traditional point-to-point wiring has enormous advantages, including lower cost, reduced weight and power, simpler installation and maintenance, and higher reliability. In this article, in addition to introducing networked control systems, we demonstrate how dispensing with queues and dynamically scheduling control traffic improves closed-loop performance.
Cyberbotics Ltd. Webots™: Professional Mobile Robot Simulation

Cyberbotics Ltd. develops Webots™, a mobile robotics simulation software that provides you with a rapid prototyping environment for modelling, programming and simulating mobile robots. The provided robot libraries enable you to transfer your control programs to several commercially available real mobile robots. Webots™ lets you define and modify a complete mobile robotics setup, even several different robots sharing the same environment. For each object, you can define a number of properties, such as shape, color, texture, mass, friction, etc. You can equip each robot with a large number of available sensors and actuators. You can program these robots using your favorite development environment, simulate them and optionally transfer the resulting programs onto your real robots. Webots™ has been developed in collaboration with the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, thoroughly tested, well documented and continuously maintained for over 7 years. It is now the main commercial product available from Cyberbotics Ltd.
Testing of a locating discriminating metal detector for landmine detection

Conventional metal detectors are established and trusted tools for landmine detection, but their inability to precisely locate a target and discriminate mines from clutter leads to a high false alarm rate and slow rate of progress. This paper reports on developments to the Marmot advanced metal detector, which uses an array of coils to precisely locate a metal target in three dimensions and identify it. Recent developments allow the detector to calculate the magnetic polarizability tensor of a metal object. The magnetic polarizability tensor is unique to a particular target, and is a property of the metal's shape, size, conductivity, permeability and orientation. The eigenvalues of the magnetic polarizability tensor are compared to a library of values in the detector's software, representing common types of mine and clutter. In this way, Marmot can often quickly identify a detected object as a type of mine or a piece of clutter. This identification is independent of the target's orientation and, within limits, its position relative to the search head, thus providing the potential for a target recognition facility. This paper presents the results of tests to determine Marmot's ability to detect, precisely locate and identify common landmines. Tests have been conducted in air and in several types of soil. The instrument is a first step in developing the concept for landmine clearance. Issues for further investigation have been identified, including use of the instrument for identifying high metal content landmines, application of the soil rejection function and signal to noise issues.
Comparison of indoor geolocation methods in DSSS and OFDM wireless LAN systems

Geolocation methods for HIPERLAN/2 OFDM systems were reported previously. This paper continues to study the possibility of overlaying geolocation functions in 802.11 DSSS wireless LANs. In this paper, a delay measurement-based TDOA measuring method is proposed for 802.11 wireless LANs, which eliminate the requirement of initial synchronization in the conventional methods. The performance of the potential overlaid geolocation systems for DSSS and OFDM wireless LANs are analyzed and compared in terms of symbol synchronization performance.
Evaluation of a multi-algorithm approach to passive microwave monitoring of Central North American snow water equivalent

The Meteorological Service of Canada (MSC) has developed a series of operational snow water equivalent (SWE) retrieval algorithms for central Canada, based on the vertically polarized difference index for the 19 and 37 GHz channels of the Special Sensor Microwave/Imager (SSM/I). Separate algorithms derive SWE for open environments, deciduous, coniferous, and sparse forest cover, with the final SWE value representing the area weighted average based on the proportional land cover within each pixel. In this study, 5-day averaged (pentad) passive microwave derived SWE imagery for the winter season (December, January, February) of 1994/95 is compared to a network of in situ SWE measurements throughout central Canada in order to assess algorithm performance. Results indicate that retrieved SWE remains within /spl plusmn/10-20 mm of surface observations, independent of fractional within-pixel land cover. No bias towards under or over-estimation is evident except in high-density coniferous regions where the MSC algorithm consistently underestimates SWE relative to the surface measurements. Algorithm performance is notably improved when compared to a previously developed MSC algorithm that does not consider land cover and consistently underestimates SWE in forested areas.
Binary Particle Swarm Optimization for Optimization of Photovoltaic Generators in Radial Distribution Systems Using Probabilistic Load Flow

Abstract This article shows that technical constraints must be considered in radial distribution networks, where voltage regulation is one of the primary problems in distributed generation photovoltaic systems. Loads and distributed generation production are modeled as random variables. Results prove that the proposed method can be applied for keeping voltages within desired limits at all load buses of a photovoltaic grid-connected system. To evaluate the performance of a photovoltaic system, this article has developed a probabilistic model that takes into account the random nature of solar irradiance and load. This work introduces a new method utilizing discrete particle swarm optimization and probabilistic radial load flow. Computer simulation reduction demonstrates better performance of the new probabilistic load flow in comparison to the Monte Carlo simulation. Acceptable solutions are reached in a smaller number of iterations. Therefore, convergence is rapidly attained, and computational cost is low enough for that required for Monte Carlo simulation.
Jitter minimization with genetic algorithms

Transmission network induced jitter in periodic control variables is a known problem on field bus based distributed systems for embedded control applications. This jitter can be reduced or eliminated if adequate release instants are imposed to the periodic messages transmitted. In this paper, jitter reduction is achieved testing a variant genetic algorithm that determines an adequate initial phasing. This algorithm can be used progressively, i.e. it can work first on a subset of the messages, thus finding solutions for the higher priority ones, and later including the other messages until the whole set is considered. Experimental results obtained with two well-known and widely used benchmarks, the PSA, coming from automotive industries, and the SAE from Automatically Guided Vehicles, show complete elimination or a significant decrease of jitter when compared to non-optimized systems.
Handoff considerations in microcellular systems planning

An objective of microcellular networks is to increase frequency reuse by decreasing the size of cell coverage areas. Sufficient overlap in coverage area between adjacent microcells along with appropriate selection of values for the handoff threshold and bias are required to ensure quality reception in handoff regions. These parameters affect the system such that they should not be evaluated in isolation. Assuming handoff algorithms based on received signal strength levels and further assuming the microcell propagation environment to exhibit log-normal shadow fading statistics, an analytical model for studying the effects of varying certain system parameters, (i) radius of the cell, (ii) overlap in coverage area between adjacent microcells, (iii) mobile station velocity, (iv) handoff threshold and (v) bias, is presented. The performance criteria of interest are the probabilities for (i) a late handoff (ii) not being able to find a candidate microcell to handoff to, and (iii) handing back to the original BS after a forward handoff has already occurred.
TCP-RC: a receiver-centered TCP protocol for delay-sensitive applications

TCP is the de-facto standard transport-layer protocol in the Internet. However, TCP is generally considered to be inappropriate for delay-sensitive applications such as multimedia. This paper proposes a novel receiver-centered TCP (TCP-RC), which is a TCP modification at the receiver that is intended for delay-sensitive applications. The basic principle behind TCP-RC is that it achieves low latency at the expense of reliability. In particular, TCP-RC forges lost packets, passing them on to an enabled application. This allows low-latency transmission for a class of applications that do not demand full reliability. Results obtained from emulated experiments show that over a range of loss rates and round-trip times, TCP-RC has a significantly smaller average- and worst-case per-packet delay than regular TCP.
FM4 SOUNDPARK AUDIO-BASED MUSIC RECOMMENDATION IN EVERYDAY USE

We present an application of content-based music recommendation techniques within an online community platform targeted at an audience interested mainly in independent and alternative music. The web platform’s goals will be described, the problems of content management approaches based on daily publishing of new music tracks will be discussed, and we will give an overview of the user interfaces that have been developed to simplify access to the music collection. Finally, the adoption of content-based music recommendation tools and new user interfaces to improve user acceptance and recommendation quality will be justified by detailed user access analyses.
A compact higher‐order ADI‐FDTD method

A 2D higher‐order alternating‐direction‐implicit (ADI) finite‐difference time‐domain method based on a compact scheme is presented in this paper. This compact ADI method improves the efficiency of computation by reducing the bandwidth of the matrix to be inversed from seven to five for the 4th‐order scheme. The method is proved to be unconditionally stable and its dispersion analysis is also presented. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 44: 273–275, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.20609
Exploration of Spatial Scale Sensitivity in Geographic Cellular Automata

Cellular automata (CA) are individual-based models in which states, time, and space are discrete. Spatiotemporal dynamics emerge from the simple and local interactions of the cells. When using CA in a geographic context, nontrivial questions have to be answered about the choice of spatial scale, namely cell size and neighbourhood configuration. However, the spatial scale decisions involved in the elaboration of geographic cellular automata (GCA) are often made arbitrarily or in relation to data availability. The objective of this study is to evaluate the sensitivity of GCA to spatial scale. A stochastic GCA was built to model land-cover change in the Maskoutains region (Quebec, Canada). The transition rules were empirically derived from two Landsat-TM (30 m resolution) images taken in 1999 and 2002 that have been resampled to four resolutions (100, 200, 500, 1000 m). Six different neighbourhood configurations were considered (Moore, Von Neumann, and circular approximations of 2, 3, 4, and 5 cell radii). Simulations were performed for each of the thirty spatial scale scenarios. Results show that spatial scale has a considerable impact on simulation dynamics in terms of both land-cover area and spatial structure. The spatial scale domains present in the results reveal the nonlinear relationships that link the spatial scale components to the simulation results.
Mosaic-based video compression

We describe a technique for video compression, based on a mosaic image representation obtained from all frames in a scene sequence, giving a panoramic view of the scene. We describe two types of mosaics, static and dynamic, which are suited for storage and transmission applications, respectively. In each case, the mosaic construction process aligns the images using a global parametric motion transformation, usually canceling the effect of camera motion on the dominant portion of the scene. The residual motions that are not compensated by the parametric motion are then analyzed for their significance and coded. The mosaic representation exploits large scale spatial and temporal correlations in image sequences. In many applications where there is significant camera motion (e.g., remote surveillance), it performs substantially better than traditional interframe compression methods, and offers the potential for very low bitrate transmission. In storage applications, such as digital libraries and video editing environments, it has the additional benefit of enabling direct access and retrieval of single frames at a time.