Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Human retinal senescence measured histologically: as an aid to clinical diagnosis by ocular coherence tomography

Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) has become an established diagnostic tool for the clinical assessment of retinal pathology and its progression, in OPD setting. The aim of our study was to do in vitro quantification of relevant retinal layers to collect baseline data at different age groups, against which OCT findings can be interpreted. Thirty eyeballs (20-99 years) were used to study the retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL), ganglion cells and inner plexiform layer (GC+IPL) and outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness using V-Test software, 198035 on the H&E stained histological specimens. Mean thickness of these retinal layers was studied. To estimate the decrease from the optimal stage, absolute percentage decline (APD) was calculated for each decade. The mean thickness of RNFL at was 77.8 µm, 77.1 µm, 73.6 µm, 70.6 µm, 69. 2µm, 54. 1µm, 36. 5µm 26. 8µm from 3rd to 10th decade respectively. Significant APD of 30% was evident between 7th and 8th decades. APD graphs for RNFL and GC+IPL were almost parallel to each other. The absolute percentage decline (APD) for the thickness of ONL was 0.2%, 4.6%, 13%, 35%, 60%, 62% and 64% for 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th decade respectively. This study has provided normative base line histological data for ready reference. Decade wise changes in thickness of different layers can be used by ophthalmologist to differentiate senescent from pathological changes and to monitor progression of disease.
Advanced current control of synchronous reluctance motors

The presence of rare-earth materials in permanent magnet synchronous motors has shifted the attention of the research towards the rediscovery of the synchronous reluctance motors. However, they present a highly nonlinear magnetic structure that makes the current control design a troublesome task. Standard proportional-integral controllers may fail in assuring the desired dynamic performances in the whole operating region. However, their simplicity is still attractive, when compared to other more complex controllers, such as the predictive ones. This paper aims at proposing two modified proportional-integral controllers tailored on the synchronous reluctance motors magnetic characteristics. At the heart of the process stands the knowledge of an accurate model of the motor. The design process is thus accurately described and both simulation and experimental tests are reported.
Cardiac arrhythmias detection in an ECG beat signal using fast fourier transform and artificial neural network

Cardiac Arrhythmias shows a condition of abnor-mal electrical activity in the heart which is a threat to humans. This paper presents a method to analyze electrocardiogram (ECG) signal, extract the fea-tures, for the classification of heart beats according to different arrhythmias. Data were obtained from 40 records of the MIT-BIH arrhythmia database (only one lead). Cardiac arrhythmias which are found are Tachycardia, Bradycardia, Supraventricular Tachycardia, Incomplete Bundle Branch Block, Bundle Branch Block, Ventricular Tachycardia. A learning dataset for the neural network was obtained from a twenty records set which were manually classified using MIT-BIH Arrhythmia Database Directory and docu- mentation, taking advantage of the professional experience of a cardiologist. Fast Fourier transforms are used to identify the peaks in the ECG signal and then Neural Networks are applied to identify the diseases. Levenberg Marquardt Back-Propagation algorithm is used to train the network. The results obtained have better efficiency then the previously proposed methods.
Real-time electronic digital image stabilization system based on multi-core computation

The multi-core computing has become the new trend of computer industry. Electronic Digital Image Stabilization (EDIS) system involves a large amount of data and intensive computation. The real-time implementation of EDIS system entails rapid processing of data with high parallelism and repeating computation, which are suitable for parallel data processing of image sequences. The algorithm solution was proposed to deal with high speed image stabilization to meet the requirements of real-time application. According to the data processing characteristics, efficient C++ with inline SIMD (Single Instruction Multiple Data) and multi-thread programming are used on dual-core PC for real parallel running threads. After the motion vectors acquired by fast searching strategy, adaptive multi-local motions remove the moving objects interference. And the Kalman filter removes high-frequency image jitter motion while smooth global movements are retained. The test results show that it is possible to achieve a robust high efficient performance and real-time processing for stabilization system on conventional PC.
Optimal voltage balancing method for reduced switching power losses in stacked multicell converters

This paper proposes a voltage balancing method for reduced switching power losses in stacked multicell converters (SMCs) based on optimal switching of power MOSFETs. In order to reduce the switching transitions of the power devices, only optimal transitions between consecutive voltage levels are used in the proposed method. By switching the power devices in the optimal manner most of the switching losses are reduced efficiently so that the overall performance of the proposed multilevel converter has been improved significantly. The proposed system has been simulated in MatLab 2015a and the simulation results show that the proposed system outperforms the system which uses non optimal switching.
Manejo populacional de cães e gatos: métodos quantitativos para caracterizar populações, identificar prioridades e estabelecer indicadores

SANTOS BAQUERO, O. Dog and cat population management: quantitative methods to characterize populations, identify priorities and to establish indicators. [Manejo populacional de cães e gatos: métodos quantitativos para caracterizar populações, identificar prioridades e estabelecer indicadores. ] 2015. 87 p. Tese (Doutorado em Ciências) – Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, 2015. Dog and cat population management is a set of strategies to control and prevent problems related with the coexistence between those animals and human beings. In this thesis it is proposed a work-flow based on quantitative methods to support the planning, implementation and monitoring of companion animal population management programs. Following the work-flow, it is possible to collect data to characterize populations, analyze that data to propose interventions and assess the effect of interventions. The proposal was based on the articulation of five researches. In the first research, a complex sampling design was implemented to characterize the owned dog and cat populations of Votorantim, São Paulo. In the second research, which was based on data from the first one, public opinion profiles regarding dog and cat abandonment were identified using multiple correspondence analysis. In the third research, the validity of the sampling design used in the first research was assessed through stochastic simulations. In the fourth research, a mathematical model of population management was developed. With that model, it is possible to prioritize interventions according to the effect they produce. In the fifth research, a mathematical model was developed to assess the efficiency of reproductive control based on contraceptives with reversible effect. The models of the last two researches were based on systems of coupled differential equations, and on global and local sensitivity analysis. The proposal was implemented in an open source software, the R package capm, that can be incorporated in the working routine of sectors involved with companion animal population management.
Historical Averages, Units Roots and Future Net Discount Rates: A Comprehensive Estimator

The forensic economics literature hosts a continuing debate about the appropriateness of using historical verses current rates to predict future net discount rates. If the net discount rate series is stationary, which means that shocks are transitory and the series reverts to a long-term mean value, estimates based on historical values are reasonable. Alternatively, if the series exhibits a unit root, then past observations have questionable predictive value and the best predictor of the next period’s discount rate depends mainly on the current net discount rate. Several analyses have been performed to examine the stationarity of net discount rates, and the literature is mixed in its conclusions. Whether the series is found to be stationary depends on the period and measures observed, as well as the type of statistical tests performed. The inherent uncertainty over the existence of a unit root does not help the practitioner choose between the long-term average and the current net discount rate as an appropriate estimator. We derive an alternative estimator of future net discount rates based on the statistical properties of the underlying series. The estimator depends on both the length of the forecast horizon and the rate at which a time series converges to its equilibrium level in response to a shock (or its degree of persistence). For long forecast horizons, the estimator tends to resemble the longterm average. For short forecast horizons, the estimator more nearly resembles the current value. Similarly, if the degree of persistence is large (it converges slowly), the estimator tends to resemble the current rate whereas if persistence is low (it converges quickly), the estimator more nearly resembles the longterm average. In an important special case, where the net discount rate follows a first-order autoregressive process, the optimal estimator is a weighted average of the current net discount rate and the long-term mean of the net discount rate process. The use of a data-based, weighted average optimal estimator has certain advantages. From a theoretical standpoint, the optimal estimator is more efficient than either the long-term average or the current net discount rate. Benchmark estimates suggest that the forecast error variance using the optimal estimator is less than half that of the long-term average or current net dis-
On I/O and Lyapunov stability in robot models with state and output contrllers

This paper considers some control aspects associated with the synthesis of simple output controllers (with constant feedforwards) in set-point regulation tasks of n-degrees of freedom rigid and flexible-joint robots. We show that global asymptotic stability of the systems under consideration implies local exponential stability, and hence a small-signal Lp stability.
On the Merit of Asymmetric Phased Array Elements

Phased array antennas with a desired symmetric scan range about broadside usually are designed with array elements that have a corresponding symmetry. However, this appears to be an unnecessary restriction. We 1) show analytically that symmetric scan performance normally is maintained even with asymmetric array elements, and 2) compare conventional symmetric patch elements, which have E- and H-plane symmetry, with patches which are asymmetric in the E-plane, and with fully non-symmetric patches which have neither E- nor H-plane symmetry. The comparison is based on patch designs obtained by numerical optimization, over a 90 degree scan volume and 3:1 bandwidth, using a genetic algorithm. The elements with spoiled symmetry clearly have better scan and/or bandwidth performance. The results support our view that spoiling the symmetry may be a general technique to improve the bandwidth of phased array elements.
1310 nm V-cavity semiconductor laser with 38×100GHz tuning range

A 1310 nm InGaAlAs/InP V-cavity laser (VCL) is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. The laser is ultra-compact with a device size of only 520μm×300μm. Measurement result shows that 38×100GHz tuning range with above 30dB side-mode suppression ratio (SMSR) is achieved.
Recurrent Estimation of Distributions

This paper presents the recurrent estimation of distributions (RED) for modeling real-valued data in a semiparametric fashion. RED models make two novel uses of recurrent neural networks (RNNs) for density estimation of general real-valued data. First, RNNs are used to transform input covariates into a latent space to better capture conditional dependencies in inputs. After, an RNN is used to compute the conditional distributions of the latent covariates. The resulting model is efficient to train, compute, and sample from, whilst producing normalized pdfs. The effectiveness of RED is shown via several real-world data experiments. Our results show that RED models achieve a lower held-out negative log-likelihood than other neural network approaches across multiple dataset sizes and dimensionalities. Further context of the efficacy of RED is provided by considering anomaly detection tasks, where we also observe better performance over alternative models.
Daily maximum and minimum temperature trends in a climate model

The recent observed global warming trend over land has been characterised by a faster warming at night, leading to a considerable decrease in the diurnal temperature range (DTR). Analysis of simulations of a climate model including observed increases in greenhouse gases and sulphate aerosols reveals a similar trend in the DTR of −0.2°C per century, albeit of smaller magnitude than the observed −0.8°C per century. This trend in the model simulations is related to changes in cloud cover and soil moisture. These results indicate that the observed decrease in the DTR could be a signal of anthropogenic forcing of recent climate change.
System concept and Service Architecture in pervasive environments based on WWRF Requirements

The vision of pervasive computing and communication is likely to have a major impact on our lives. The WWRF (Wireless World Research Forum) has summarized this vision by the statement: "7 trillion wireless devices serving 7 billion people by 2017". Following this vision, the goal for new business sectors will be to provide an easy way of creating and deploying different kinds of service environments. This paper introduces the overall system vision with an emphasis on the requirements on and the problem of overall architectures for service execution environments and identifies an architectural approach, the requirements and design guidelines to built service execution environments and related platforms. A special focus will be given on the subjects of context awareness and personalization.
The applicability of static sampling techniques for measuring the application reliability of the communication networks in the simulation environment

Simulation and sampling are both important and widely used techniques in the research of networks. Scholars have already developed a variety of packet sampling techniques. However, few of these are focused on network reliability, especially in the simulation situation. In this paper, the necessity of using packet sampling techniques when evaluating network reliability in the simulation environment is proved. Several experiments are designed to discuss the applicability of different statistic sampling techniques, including simple random sampling, periodic sampling and equidistant sampling. Orthogonal experimental design is used to reduce the experiment time. The experimental result proves that the simple random sampling is the best of the three. The larger the sampling probability is, the better the applicability of the simple random sampling is. When the sampling probability increases to a threshold, the applicability becomes stable.
Examining Trolls and Polarization with a Retweet Network

This research examines the relationship between political homophily and organized trolling efforts. This is accomplished by analyzing how Russian troll accounts were retweeted on Twitter in the context of the #BlackLivesMatter movement. This analysis shows that these conversations were divided along political lines, and that the examined trolling accounts systematically took advantage of these divisions. The findings of this research can help us better understand how to combat systematic trolling.
Assessment of low-cost INS for positioning through sensor fusion with GPS

Nowadays the most known and widespread application of GPS is the car navigation system. In order to use the GPS signal we need to be in open air, but what happens if we have to cross a tunnel, or an area where the signal cannot reach our receiver? This master thesis project analyses the reliability of a system born from the sensor fusion of GPS with a low-cost Inertial Navigation System. This kind of system is able to keep track of the motion of the vehicle and estimate the position in real time, in order to keep the synchronization with the GPS signal, when this will be available again. A regular GPS receiver and a low-cost INS are used; this last one contains three accelerometers and three gyroscopes. The project can be divided in three main sections: an experimental part with the acquisition of data, a data pre-processing and noise estimation part in which data are synchronized and the noise effects are corrected, and a last part with the simulations, which are done using a Kalman filter to combine the two sets of data in a weighted form.
Modeling the pattern of structural change in U

The hypothesis of structural change in U.S. meat demand is tested in a four-meat almost ideal demand system with parameters following a gradual switching regression model. The results support the notion that structural change partly explains the observed U.S. meat consumption patterns. Structural change is biased against beef, neutral for pork, in favor of chicken and fish, and it does not affect estimated elasticities. The estimated path of structural change implies a rapid transition to a new regime in the mid-1970s, although a smooth path cannot be ruled out.
Ultrasound-promoted synthesis of (4 or 5)-aryl-2-aryloyl-(1H)-imidazoles in water

Article history: Received March 27, 2013 Received in Revised form August 27, 2013 Accepted 14 September 2013 Available online 14 September 2013 A green and efficient method for the synthesis of (4 or 5)-aryl-2-aryloyl-(1H)-imidazoles via self-condensation reaction of arylglyoxal hydrates in the presence of ammonium acetate using water as solvent under ultrasonic irradiation was reported. The reactions proceeded in high yields and very short reaction time. Introduced procedure is completely ecofriendly and don’t need any toxic organic solvent in all performing steps. In addition, we use computational chemistry for acquiring some information about the thermochemistry and geometrical structure of these imidazole derivatives. © 2013 Growing Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Speech enhancement using adaptive MMSE estimator under signal presence uncertainty and Laplacian prior

In this paper we present an adaptive speech spectral amplitude estimator when Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) coefficients of (clean) speech are modeled by Laplacian distributions. This estimator minimizes the Mean Square Error (MSE) under signal presence uncertainty. The performance of the proposed estimator is compared to the state-of-the-art spectral amplitude estimators that assume Gaussian and Laplacian priors for clean DFT coefficients. Comparative results demonstrate the superiority of the proposed estimator in terms of speech enhancement/ noise reduction measures.
Intergenerational Educational Persistence among Daughters: Evidence from India

Abstract: We examine educational transmission between fathers (mothers) and daughters in India for daughters born during 1962–1991. We find that educational persistence, as measured by the regression coefficient of father’s (mother’s) education as a predictor of daughter’s education, has declined. However, the correlation between educational attainment of daughters and fathers (mothers), another commonly used measure of persistence, suggests only a marginal decline. Further we decompose the intergenerational correlation. We also find that the probability of a daughter attaining senior secondary or above education (top end of educational distribution) is not only positively associated with father’s (mother’s) education levels but the gaps in those probabilities have not declined over time. Similarly, there is no convergence over time in the probability of a daughter attaining senior secondary or above education with the same level of father’s (mother’s) education for daughters belonging to Higher Hindu Castes and disadvantaged groups such as Other Backward Castes or Scheduled Castes/Tribes. Although conditional on having same educated fathers, sons are more likely to achieve senior secondary or above education in each cohort compared to daughters, the gap in those probabilities has declined over time.
Power-efficient dynamic BS muting in clustered cellular system

In this paper, dynamic traffic sharing and base station (BS) muting are incorporated into a clustered cellular system to reduce the total power consumption. Neighboring sectorized BSs form a cluster. Several BSs within the cluster can be muted as long as quality-of-service (QoS) requirement is met. Since the muted BS does not join the transmission, all the users within the cluster need to be served by the active BSs. A power consumption model is also established in this paper which is modeled as a function of traffic load, and incorporates the fixed, variable power consumptions in the system, as well as the power amplifier efficiency. Based on this model, the power saving gain under the effect of the additional traffic load due to BS muting will be discussed. The computer simulation results show that about 30% total power saving is achieved by dynamic traffic sharing and BS muting with clustered BS system.
15 PM-4 : 15 PM Interaction Quality in Service Encounter : Scale Development and Validation

This paper describes the development and validation of a 24-item scale which aims to measure interaction quality of service exchange in the hospitality industry. The new scale operationalise the quality of interaction as a function of both cognitive and social aspects of service encounter. Following traditional methods of scale development, the study starts with reviewing the literature, evaluating current measures, and identifying limitations of the existing scale. This is followed by a series of semistructured qualitative interviews to clarify concept and to ensure the new scale captures all aspects of interaction quality. The scale is then validated using a sample from UK population. The scale was found to be valid and reliable measure of interaction quality. The importance of such a scale for the service exchange is discussed.
A built-in I/sub DDQ/ testing circuit

Although I/sub DDQ/ testing has become a widely accepted defect detection technique for CMOS ICs, its effectiveness in very deep submicron technologies is threatened by the increased transistor leakage current. In this paper, a built-in I/sub DDQ/ testing circuit is presented, that aims to extend the viability of I/sub DDQ/ testing in future technologies and first experimental results are discussed.