Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
LPCW: An LPC vocoder with linear predictive spectral warping

In ordinary linear prediction the speech spectral envelope is modeled by an all-pole spectrum. The error criterion employed guarantees a uniform fit across the whole frequency range. However, we know from speech perception studies that low frequencies are more important than high frequencies for perception. Therefore, a minimally redundant model would strive to achieve a uniform perceptual fit across the spectrum, which means that it should be able to represent low frequencies more accurately than high frequencies. This is achieved in the LPCW vocoder: an LPC vocoder employing our recently developed method of linear predictive warping (LPW). The result is improved speech quality for the same bit rate.
Eight new species of Ixodes from Central and South America (Acarina: Ixodidae).

Holotype. Female, from Volcan Tajumulco, San Marcos, Guatemala, February 24, 1934. F. W. J. Schmidt, RML 12037. Host: Sciurus g. griseoflavus, a squirrel, L. Mandel Guatemala Expedition, CNHM 41667. In the Chicago Natural History Museum. Description. Unengorged or slightly engorged female. Color of capitulum, scutum, and legs dark brown. Scutum occupies a little more than half the body length. Postscutal area and venter with a few fine hairs. Capitulum. Length, tips of palpi to tips of cornua, 0.74; width of basis, 0.44. Dorsal surface of basis crazed, shilling. Porose areas large, subcircular, depressed, and separated by about the distance equal to the diameter of one. Cornua short, pointed. Palpi widest near apex of segment 2; outer margins nearly straight, inner margins curved. Combined length of segments 2 and 3 about 0.51. In ventral view, the basis is flattened, constricted at the middle, and broadly rounded behind. Auriculae distinct as large rounded projections. Transverse sutural line present. Palpal segment 1 with a small ventral plate. Hypostome. Shape as figured. Dentition first 4/4 then 3/3 and finally 2/2 to the base. Teeth of the lateral files largest. Length about 0.41. Scutum. Length, 1.20; width, 0.98. Shape as figured. Lateral carinae distinct. Cervical grooves as shallow divergent lineal depressions. Punctations moderate in number and size, larger in the anterolateral field. Hairs few. Legs. Coxa I with a long slender internal spur and with a posterior salient edge; coxa II with no spurs but with posterior salient edge; coxae III and IV each with a faint external spur and a mildly salient posterior edge. Trochantal spurs absent. Tarsi gradually narrowed subterminally (all but the coxa of leg IV is missing). Length of tarsus I, 0.60; metatarsus, 0.34. Length of tarsus III, 0.48; metatarsus, 0.36. Spiracular plate. Shape as figured. Longer axis transverse. Length, 0.26; width, 0.23. Genital aperture. Situated between coxae IV. Male and immature stages unknown.
A logical view on scheduling in concurrency

This paper elaborates on a new approach of the question of the proof-theoretic study of concurrent interaction called "proofs as schedules". Observing that proof theory is well suited to the description of confluent systems while concurrency has non-determinism as a fundamental feature, we develop a correspondence where proofs provide what is needed to make concurrent systems confluent, namely scheduling. In our core logical system (a variant of multiplicative linear logic), processes and schedulers appear explicitly as proofs in different fragments of the proof language and cut elimination between them does correspond to execution of a concurrent system. This separation of roles suggests new insights for the denotational semantics of processes and new methods for the translation of �-calculi into prefix-less formalisms (like solos), as the operational counterpart of a translation between logical systems.
The L2-LInfinite Control for Leader-following Coordination with Switching Topology and Time-delay

In this paper, we investigate the L_2 - L_\infinity leader-following coordination problems with undirected switching topologies and external disturbance in two cases of the time delay and non-delayed networks. The agent dynamics is expressed in the form of a second-order model and the control laws are neighbor-based feedback laws. We first establish LMI sufficient conditions to guarantee that all following agents can track the leader agent with zero and nonzero communication delays respectively. Furthermore, we get a explicit estimation expression of L_2 - L_\infinity disturbance attenuation by constructing a parameter-dependent common Lyapunov function in case that there is no delay time. Finally, numerical examples are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of our results.
Control algorithm for grasping and manipulation by multifingered robot hands using virtual truss model representation of internal force

A unified control algorithm for grasping and manipulation of rigid objects by multifingered robot hands with fixed, rolling and/or sliding point contacts is established. Control algorithms have been proposed in the past for the cases of fixed contacts, rolling contacts, or sliding contacts separately. However, force control part of these control algorithms was not given enough consideration with respect to making clear the essential force variables that can be arbitrarily controlled. Also the sliding contact case was formulated only for 2D work space. Adopting the virtual truss model characterization of the internal force, this paper formulates a dynamic control algorithm that has a clear feedback structure in a general 3D setting. Some examples of bases of internal force parameter vectors are also given that are useful for determining the desired internal force vector in the control algorithm.
Statistical inference on stationary random fields

Statistical methods are developed to model random processes on multidimensional Euclidean space from observed data. Statistical inference techniques are used to estimate model parameters and test hypotheses concerning stationarity, isotropy, and number of parameters. Algorithms are described for fitting parametric models and testing between alternative model structures. Stochastic partial difference equation models of multidimensional processes are discussed in detail. Computer generated data from a known model are used to directly demonstrate the statistical procedures.
Remote output feedback stabilization for fractional-order systems via communication networks

In this study, the problem of remote output feedback stabilization for fractional-order (FO) systems with input time-varying delay via communication networks is investigated. The order of the FO system denoted by α considered in this paper is in the range of 0 to 2. Additionally, the network induced time-varying delay is considered as being generated by a known FO dynamic system. We design static output feedback and dynamic output feedback controller, respectively, and show how the delay dynamics can be explicitly incorporated into the Networked Control System controller design. The basic idea is to use linear matrix inequality and receding horizon control framework. We use the receding horizon method to design a stabilizing control law that sets the poles of the closed-loop system. The proposed control law explicitly takes into account an estimation of the delay dynamics. Finally, numerical examples are offered to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Why Is Case Management Effective? A Realist Evaluation of Case Management for Frail, Community-Dwelling Older People: Lessons Learned from Belgium

Despite many attempts to evaluate the effectiveness of case management for frail older people, systematic reviews including experimental designs show inconsistent results. Starting from the view that case management is a complex intervention occurring in multilayered realities, we conducted a realist evaluation of case management in Belgium, where this type of intervention is new. Realist approaches are particularly well suited to evaluate complex interventions as they seek to investigate iteratively the literature and empirical data to uncover mid-range theories underpinning the intervention under study. As such, realist evaluations are works in progress which provide tools to describe how, why and for whom an intervention is supposed to work. In this paper, we describe two mid-range theories that can explain why case management can help frail older people to remain at home, through the lens of capacity and social support.
Single Image Dehazing Using Invariance Principle

In this letter, we propose a novel technique to increase the visibility of the hazy image. Benefiting from the atmospheric scattering model and the invariance principle for scene structure, we formulate structure constraint equations that derive from two simulated inputs by performing gamma correction on the input image. Relying on the inherent boundary constraint of the scattering function, the expected scene albedo can be well restored via these constraint equations. Extensive experimental results verify the power of the proposed dehazing technique. key words: image dehazing, inhomogeneous atmosphere, atmospheric scattering model, depth map
Impacts to productivity in metal stud Framing, and the hanging and Finishing of gypsum Drywall

Stud Framing, Drywall, and Tape and Finishing trade-work is a major component of every building project. Labor productivity is the largest single variable affecting of the Framing and Drywall contractors' cost of performance. In spite of these facts, no major study of labor productivity in this major construction trade has previously been done. This study was undertaken to fill this gap in the literature; specifically to investigate external impacts to labor productivity in this construction sector. The study measured the impact of thirty-eight (38) variables on 226 separate projects. The study found that poor quality design documents, unexpected labor congestion, fragmentation, and overtime and added shift work negatively impacted labor productivity.
Memoryless feedback control of discrete-time systems with multiple time-varying actuator delays

This paper investigates the problem of stabilization of discrete-time systems with multiple actuator delays. The delays in the system are time-varying or even unknown. By developing the methodology of truncated pseudo predictor feedback (TPPF), state feedback control laws which use only the current states of the system are constructed to solve the problem. The modified TPPF controller is memoryless and independent of delays and thus is easy to implement in practice. A numerical example is presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
A 1.8 ns access, 550 MHz 4.5 Mb CMOS SRAM

High-speed, high-density 4-4.5Mb CMOS cache SRAMs do not have speed comparable to that of a 4.5Mb BiCMOS SRAM. This 4.5Mb CMOS SRAM has access time equivalent to that of a BiCMOS SRAM. Key techniques for achieving this speed are a decoder using source-coupled-logic (SCL) circuits combined with reset circuits, a sense amplifier with nMOS source followers, and a sense-amplifier activation-pulse generator that uses a duplicate memory-cell array.
Precuneus contributes to attentive control of finger movement.

AIM To examine whether precuneus subserves the attentive control of finger movement or whether it mediates the movement preparation and motor inhibition. METHODS In the Preparation Stage, subjects were shown with a 5-number string in which each number stood for a key-pressing response, the number strings included a complex pattern (eg, 4-1-4-2-3), or a simple one (eg, 2-2-2-2-2), or a null one (ie, x-x-x-x-x). In the Execution Stage, five reaction signs were presented one by one and subjects were required to press the corresponding key to each sign sequentially (eg, in the 4-1-4-2-3 preparation example, subjects press key 4 to the first sign, press key 1 to the second sign, key 4 to the third sign and so on). For the null preparation pattern, five numbers, rather than the reaction signs, were shown at the same pace as in the other two conditions and subjects were to press the corresponding keys. RESULTS Left medial frontal gyrus (BA 6) and precentral gyrus (BA 6) were involved in both of the Preparation Stage and the Execution Stage, whereas left precuneus (BA 7) was activated only in the Execution Stage. CONCLUSION Precuneus mediates the attentive control of finger movement, but not the movement preparation or motor inhibition.
Reproducibility and variability of quantitative magnetic resonance imaging markers in cerebral small vessel disease

Brain imaging is essential for the diagnosis and characterization of cerebral small vessel disease. Several magnetic resonance imaging markers have therefore emerged, providing new information on the diagnosis, progression, and mechanisms of small vessel disease. Yet, the reproducibility of these small vessel disease markers has received little attention despite being widely used in cross-sectional and longitudinal studies. This review focuses on the main small vessel disease-related markers on magnetic resonance imaging including: white matter hyperintensities, lacunes, dilated perivascular spaces, microbleeds, and brain volume. The aim is to summarize, for each marker, what is currently known about: (1) its reproducibility in studies with a scan–rescan procedure either in single or multicenter settings; (2) the acquisition-related sources of variability; and, (3) the techniques used to minimize this variability. Based on the results, we discuss technical and other challenges that need to be overcome in order for these markers to be reliably used as outcome measures in future clinical trials. We also highlight the key points that need to be considered when designing multicenter magnetic resonance imaging studies of small vessel disease.
FRF-BASED FINITE ELEMENT MODEL UPDATING METHOD FOR NON-VISCOUS AND NON-PROPORTIONAL DAMPED SYSTEM

The modeling of damping is very complex and still considered somewhat an unknown or grey area. Recently, model updating methods has been used to update the damping matrix based on measured dynamic test data to accurately represent energy dissipation mechanism in dynamic systems. Most of the finite element updating methods considers that the dynamic systems are viscous and proportional. In this paper, a new finite element model updating method is proposed in which damping is considered as non-viscous and nonproportional. The proposed method is frequency response function (FRF)-based and the updating model reflects general damping in the dynamic system. The effectiveness of the proposed damped finite element updating method is demonstrated by numerical examples and by actual laboratory experiments. The updated results have shown that the proposed damped element model updating method can be used to derive accurate models for nonviscous and non-proportional damped systems. This is illustrated by matching the complex FRFs obtained from the updated model with that from the experimental data.
Prediction of consumer purchase behaviour using Bayesian network: an operational improvement and new results based on RFID data

The prediction of consumers' purchase behaviour has been extensively investigated because accurate predictions assist managers and retailers in meeting customer needs and achieving profitability. This article presents two contributions to the consumer purchase behaviour research. First, the author describes new in-store behaviour data - radio frequency identification RFID data. An RFID tag attached to a customer's shopping cart can monitor and record the in-store behaviour e.g., location coordinates and elapsed time of that customer at any time. This article refers to in-store behaviour as 'stay time' and applies it to a time-based prediction of purchase behaviour. Second, the author reveals a non-monotonic relationship between purchase behaviour and stay time. For this purpose, the author proposes an operational approach to the construction of a Bayesian network BN to predict purchase behaviour. This article experiments a new perspective on the improvement of purchase decision-making predictions in contrast with the traditional hypothesis.
Robust Beamforming for OFDM Modulated Two-Way MIMO Relay Network

Robust Beamforming for OFDM Modulated Two-Way MIMO Relay Network. (May 2012) Jianwei Zhou, B.S., University of Hawaii at Manoa Chair of Advisory Committee: Shuguang Cui This thesis studies a two-way relay network (TWRN), which consists of two single antenna source nodes and a multi-antenna relay node. The source nodes exchange information via the assistance of the relay node in the middle. The relay scheme in this TWRN is amplify-and-forward (AF) based analog network coding (ANC). A robust beamforming matrix optimization algorithm is presented here with the objective to minimize the transmit power at the relay node under given signal to interference and noise ratio (SINR) requirements of source nodes. This problem is first formulated as a non-convex optimization problem, and it is next relaxed to a semi-definite programming (SDP) problem by utilizing the S-procedure and rank-one relaxation. This robust beamforming optimization algorithm is further validated in a MATLAB-based orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) MIMO two-way relay simulation system. To better investigate the performance of this beamforming algorithm in practical systems, synchronization issues such as standard timing offset (STO) and carrier frequency offset (CFO) are considered in simulation. The transmission channel is modeled as a frequency selective fading channel, and the source nodes utilize training symbols to perform minimum mean-square error (MMSE) channel estimation. BER curves under perfect and imperfect synchronization are presented to show the performance of TWRN with ANC. It is shown that the outage probability of robust beamforming algorithm is tightly related to the SINR requirements at the source
Chromosome dynamic changes in two cultured chinese human embryonic stem cell lines: Single nucleotide polymorphism, copy number variation and loss of heterozygosity

The quality and safety of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) in clinical application depend on gene stability. Two Chinese hESC lines, Zh1 and Zh21, were incubated over a long period. We observed and compared the gene stability in the passage numbers 20, 17 for Zh1 cell line and passage numbers 27, 60, 68 for Zh21 cell line. Single nucleotide polymorphisis analysis indicated that hESCs in early passages had relative gene stability; and with the increase in passage number, gene instability became strong. We also found that there were copy number variations (CNVs) in both Zh21 and Zh1. We analyzed the CNVs of Chinese Han Beijing man (CHB; normal Chinese people) and found that the all CNV forms were the loss in Zh21, Zh1, and CHB. We also analyzed and compared the related pathways of the mutant genes. We propose three steps to ensure hESC safety. Firstly, besides the conventional methods such as pluripotent genes, chromosome G‐banding and teratoma, high‐resolution DNA chip analysis should also be adopted; secondly, chromosomal properties are monitored every 10 passages in less than passage 50 and every 5 passages in more than passage 50; thirdly, the related pathways of mutant genes should be observed because only the mutant genes with variations of their related pathways may affected cell functions. J. Cell. Biochem. 113: 3520–3527, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Andrographolide Attenuates Inflammation by Inhibition of NF-κB Activation through Covalent Modification of Reduced Cysteine 62 of p501

NF-κB is a central transcriptional factor and a pleiotropic regulator of many genes involved in immunological responses. During the screening of a plant extract library of traditional Chinese herbal medicines, we found that NF-κB activity was potently inhibited by andrographolide (Andro), an abundant component of the plant Andrographis that has been commonly used as a folk remedy for alleviation of inflammatory disorders in Asia for millennia. Mechanistically, it formed a covalent adduct with reduced cysteine (62) of p50, thus blocking the binding of NF-κB oligonucleotide to nuclear proteins. Andro suppressed the activation of NF-κB in stimulated endothelial cells, which reduced the expression of cell adhesion molecule E-selectin and prevented E-selectin-mediated leukocyte adhesion under flow. It also abrogated the cytokine- and endotoxin-induced peritoneal deposition of neutrophils, attenuated septic shock, and prevented allergic lung inflammation in vivo. Notably, it had no suppressive effect on IκBα degradation, p50 and p65 nuclear translocation, or cell growth rates. Our results thus reveal a unique pharmacological mechanism of Andro’s protective anti-inflammatory actions.
HARP: An Open Architecture for Parallel Matrix and Signal Processing

Describes and analyzes the Hybrid Array Ring Processor (HARP) architecture. The HARP is an application specific architecture built around a host processor, shared memory, and a set of memory mapped processing cells that are connected both into an open backplane and a bidirectional systolic ring. The architecture is analyzed through detailed simulation of a system implementation based on the Texas Instruments TMS34082 floating point RISC. A bus controller is designed that provides a tightly coupled DMA function that accelerates systolic communication and supports new interleaved transparent communications and reduced overhead message passing. The architecture is benchmarked with the matrix multiplication, FFT, QRD, and SVD algorithms. >
USING CRITICISMS TO ELICIT AND MEET UNIT‐BASED LEARNING NEEDS

&NA; A strategy using staff nurses' criticisms is described, which may be a useful addition to the repertoire of strategies used by staff development educators to elicit and meet unit‐based learning needs. It is also argued that this strategy has the potential to equip staff nurses to move more independently from criticism to problem setting and problem solving.
Direction of Gaze while Walking a Simple Route: Persons with Normal Vision and Persons with Retinitis Pigmentosa

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to determine whether persons with advanced vision impairment, when walking an unfamiliar route, visually sample the environment in a different manner than do persons with normal vision. Methods. Direction of gaze was measured in six persons with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and in three persons with normal vision as they walked an unfamiliar, obstacle-free route while viewing the environment in a head-mounted display. Results. Persons with RP fixated over a larger area in the environment and at different features than did persons with normal vision. Persons with normal vision directed their gaze primarily ahead or at the goal, whereas persons with RP directed their gaze at objects on the walls, downward, or at the layout (i.e., edge-lines or boundaries between walls). The results also showed a significant negative correlation between the horizontal visual field extent of the RP subjects and the proportion of downward-directed fixations. Conclusions. Persons with advanced vision impairment as a result of RP visually sample the environment in a manner different from persons with normal vision.