Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adaptive traffic road sign panels text extraction

In this paper we present an approach to the detection and extraction of text in road sign panels. Text strings, indicators and signs extraction is efficiently performed so OCR algorithms can recognize different characters that may be present on the traffic plane. In a first step, basic color segmentation and shape classification is done for the purpose of detecting possible rectangular planes. Every detected plane is extracted from the original image and then reoriented. Chrominance and luminance histogram analysis and adaptive segmentation is carried out, and connected components labeling and position clustering is finally done for the arrangement of the different characters on the panel. Special emphasis has been placed on the adaptive segmentation. Experimental results have showed that following steps strongly depends on correct separation between the background and foreground objects of the panel. Moreover, OCR systems are highly sensitive to noise, and we have put special attention into it in order that the OCR system could be able to recognize characters properly.
Original Paper

Endophytic fungi are major contributors to fungal diversity and an important component of plant microbiota. Plants growing in biodiversity hotspots and having ethnobo-tanical utility are often explored for the presence of endophyt-ic fungi with bioactive potential. Western Ghat mountains of India are one of the ten famous biodiversity hotspots in the world. Hence, in the present study, we investigated the diversity of endophytic fungi associated with tissues of Nothapodytes foetida (a tree), Hypericum mysorense (a shrub) and Hypericum japonicum (a herb) collected from forests of Western Ghats with emphasis on diversity of endophytic fungi harbored in different tissues of three plants and their antimi-crobial and free radical scavenging activities. A total of 298 isolates belonging to 31 genera were isolated along with dark septate and sterile fungi. All isolates belonged to Dothidiomycetes, Eurotiomycetes and Sordariomycetes of the phylum Ascomycota. Pestalotiopsis. Endophytes showed neither any host preference nor any dominance of a single species. Ethyl acetate extracts of 39 endophytic fungi exhibited antimicrobial activity against one or more pathogens, of which the activity of Bionectria ochroleuca NOTL33, Chaetomium globosum HYML55, Alternaria brassicae HYMS01, Aspergillus sp. HYML56 was prominent against most of the pathogens tested. 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) free radicals were effectively quenched by the ethyl acetate extracts of 28 isolates and 34 isolates, respectively. This study is the first of its kind in H. mysorense and H. japonicum, and not only describes the endophytic diversity of these plants but also emphasizes the bioactive potential of endophytic isolates for future use in agricultural, pharmaceutical and industrial applications.
Uncertain Lifetime and Intertemporal Choice * Risk Aversion as a Rationale for Time Discounting

This paper makes explicit the links between preferences over lotteries on length of life and intertemporal choice. I show that the approach used by traditional life cycle models to account for uncertain survival corresponds to a strong assumption of risk neutrality with respect to the length of life. Relaxing such an assumption leads us to develop a more general formulation of lifetime utility in which time discounting is directly related to preferences over length of life. In particular, it provides an explanation for exponential and hyperbolic discounting which are found to result, in a first approximation, from constant and hyperbolic risk aversion with respect to the length of life.
Inhibitory control in children who stutter

 IC forms an integral part of Rothbart’s model of temperament, which she defines as ‘constitutional differences in reactivity and self-regulation’. Reactivity refers to motor, emotional, and attentional responses to internal and external stimuli. Self-regulation are those processes serving to modulate this reactivity (e.g. Approach/Withdrawal, Inhibitory control, and Attention). Temperamental concepts are being used to explain behavioral and physiological patterns and responses that are evoked under conditions of stress (e.g. novelty situations, unfamiliar persons).  Independent-samples t-tests were employed to evaluate possible differences on chronological age, SES, IQ-score, and a simple reaction time task. No significant between-group differences were found ( p > .05).
Design and simulation of PMSM drive for EPS applications using MATLAB

In this paper The practical design considerations of a low torque ripple Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) drive for Electric Power Steering (EPS) application using Matlab is presented. The Design detail of various controller elements on torque ripple performance is discussed. The Hardware & software results show that the Microcontroller scheme used in the design can reduced torque ripples and applicable for Automotive Industry.
Probabilistic Gate Level Fault Modeling for Near and Sub-Threshold CMOS Circuits

This paper presents gate level delay dependent probabilistic fault models for CMOS circuits operating at sub-threshold and near-threshold supply voltages. A bottom-up approach has been employed: SPICE simulations have been used to derive higher level error models implemented using Verilog HDL. HSPICE Monte-Carlo simulations show that the delay dependent probabilistic nature of these faults is due to the process-voltage-temperature (PVT) variations which affect the circuits operating at very low supply voltages. For gate level error analysis, mutant based simulated fault injection (SFI) techniques have been employed for combinational net list reliability analysis. Four types of gate level fault models, with different accuracies, are proposed. Our findings show that the proposed SFI method presents a 2X-5X simulation time overhead compared to the simulation of the gold circuit, with respect to SPICE analysis, the proposed method requires three orders of magnitude less simulation time.
A controlled long-distance test of a professional medium.

Abstract in Undetermined Suitable methods for testing alleged mediums are still debated after a century of research. In this study a professional medium was tested using a double-masked, long distance protocol with seven male sitters who rated how each statement and overall readings applied to them; they also completed a measure of paranormal belief. The experimenters rated the specificity of the statements. Statement specificity was negatively correlated with applicability, whereas paranormal belief was positively related to overall applicability ratings, but not to sitters’ ratings of their target reading. No sitter rated his target reading as the most applicable and the statistical analysis based on the Pratt and Birge (1948) technique did not support the hypothesis of genuine mediumistic ability. Possible reasons for these results are discussed as are methodological issues in the quantitative assessment of mediumship. (Less)
Chk2 Regulates Cell Cycle Progression during Mouse Oocyte Maturation and Early Embryo Development

As a tumor suppressor homologue during mitosis, Chk2 is involved in replication checkpoints, DNA repair, and cell cycle arrest, although its functions during mouse oocyte meiosis and early embryo development remain uncertain. We investigated the functions of Chk2 during mouse oocyte maturation and early embryo development. Chk2 exhibited a dynamic localization pattern; Chk2 expression was restricted to germinal vesicles at the germinal vesicle (GV) stage, was associated with centromeres at pro-metaphase I (Pro-MI), and localized to spindle poles at metaphase I (MI). Disrupting Chk2 activity resulted in cell cycle progression defects. First, inhibitor-treated oocytes were arrested at the GV stage and failed to undergo germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD); this could be rescued after Chk2 inhibition release. Second, Chk2 inhibition after oocyte GVBD caused MI arrest. Third, the first cleavage of early embryo development was disrupted by Chk2 inhibition. Additionally, in inhibitor-treated oocytes, checkpoint protein Bub3 expression was consistently localized at centromeres at the MI stage, which indicated that the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) was activated. Moreover, disrupting Chk2 activity in oocytes caused severe chromosome misalignments and spindle disruption. In inhibitor-treated oocytes, centrosome protein γ-tubulin and Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) were dissociated from spindle poles. These results indicated that Chk2 regulated cell cycle progression and spindle assembly during mouse oocyte maturation and early embryo development.
A Twist-like bHLH gene is a downstream factor of an endogenous FGF and determines mesenchymal fate in the ascidian embryos

Ascidian larvae develop mesenchyme cells in their trunk. A fibroblast growth factor (FGF9/16/20) is essential and sufficient for induction of the mesenchyme in Ciona savignyi. We have identified two basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) genes named Twist-like1 and Twist-like2 as downstream factors of this FGF. These two genes are phylogenetically closely related to each other, and were expressed specifically in the mesenchymal cells after the 110-cell stage. Gene-knockdown experiments using a specific morpholino oligonucleotide demonstrated that Twist-like1 plays an essential role in determination of the mesenchyme and that Twist-like2 is a downstream factor of Twist-like1. In addition, both overexpression and misexpression of Twist-like1 converts non-mesenchymal cells to mesenchymal cells. We also demonstrate that the upstream regulatory mechanisms of Twist-like1 are different between B-line mesenchymal cells and the A-line mesenchymal cells called `trunk lateral cells'. FGF9/16/20 is required for the expression of Twist-like1 in B-line mesenchymal precursor cells, whereas FGF, FoxD and another novel bHLH factor called NoTrlc are required for Twist-like1 to be expressed in the A-line mesenchymal precursor cells. Therefore, two different but partially overlapping mechanisms are required for the expression of Twist-like1 in the mesenchymal precursors, which triggers the differentiation of the mesenchyme in Ciona embryos.
Gaussian Process Regression Using Spatial-Temporal covariance : Research on Sea Level Prediction

It is only recent that researcher have become to realize the importance of sea level prediction. By studying the global and local sea level, we can provide critical information about the relations between the Earth’s climate or atmosphere and our oceans. In this paper, I use Gaussian Process Regression with spatial-temporal covariance for sea level prediction. I conducted experiments on a public dataset, including global sea levels of more than 20 years. The predictive model can precisely predict the trend of sea level changes. Besides, the most interesting thing is that this model correctly discover the EI Nino event in 1997-’98. In the end of this paper, I also discussed the influence of mean functions and covariance functions while using Gaussian Process Regression.
One-diregular subgraphs in semicomplete multipartite digraphs

The problem of nding necessary and suucient conditions for a semicomplete multipartite digraphs (SMD) to be Hamiltonian, seems to be both very interesting and diicult. In 3] Bang-Jensen, Gutin and Huang proved a suucient condition for a SMD to be Hamiltonian. A strengthening of this condition, shown in this paper, allows us to prove the following three results. We prove that every k-strong SMD with at most k-vertices in each color class is Hamiltonian and every k-strong SMD has a cycle through any set of k vertices. These two statements were stated as conjectures in 10] and 1], respectively. We also prove that every diregular SMD is Hamiltonian, which was conjectured in a weaker form in 11].
Optimal design of the active droop control method for the transient response

Use of the active droop control method is a popular way to achieve adaptive voltage position (AVP) for the voltage regulator (VR). This paper discusses the small-signal model of the active droop control method, which is shown to be a two-loop feedback control system. The compensator design impacts both the current and voltage loops, making the design complicated. An optimal design method is proposed in order to achieve equal crossover frequencies for the two loops so that constant output impedance is realized in the VR. Simulation and experimental results prove the good VR transient response and high efficiency.
Steady state analysis of voltage multiplier ladder switched-capacitor cell

Switched capacitor converters have become an alternative for high gain power conversion. The ladder switched capacitor cell is used for voltage multiplying and, when associated with other conventional converters in hybrid topologies, it does not need any additional controlled switches for the cell. There are solutions in literature for the steady state modeling, however some parasitic elements, such as the diode threshold voltage, are not considered in most analysis. This paper proposes the steady state modeling of a voltage multiplier ladder switched capacitor cell including major parasitic elements. The proposed model can be used for efficiency analysis and to determine project specifications.
Stochastic Erasure-Only List Decoding Algorithms for Reed-Solomon Codes

We present a novel stochastic decoding algorithm for Reed-Solomon codes. We apply an iterative Monte Carlo based approach called the Cross-Entropy method to produce, in every iteration, a set of random error locator vectors, each indicates n-k possible erasure positions within a received word. We associate each error locator vector with a candidate codeword by erasures-only decoding the received word, using the error locator vector to locate the erasures. Each iteration results in a new elite set that contains the best E candidate codewords. To increase the search radius and enhance the decoder performance we use the randomly drawn samples to generate what we call virtual received words from which extra candidate codewords and thus candidate elite members can be obtained. The proposed algorithms offer both complexity and performance advantages over some existing algebraic decoding algorithms for high rate RS codes.
Tractable Bayesian Optimal Policy in the Presence of Regime Change and Local Parameter Uncertainty

This paper proposes an approximation to the optimal policy problem in forward-looking models with regime change that allows for tractable solution for the optimal policy even when the parameters of the model and the current regime are not known with certainty. The linear-quadratic framework is adhered to as much as possible, with a particular emphasis on maintaining the property of separation of estimation and control, which is crucial for maintaining tractability. Generality is achieved by allowing for full Bayesian updating of all aspects of the model, including model parameters, the probability that a regime change has occurred, and the values of all (generally non-normal) shocks hitting the model each period. The methods of this paper provide results that can be quite useful in practice—for example, they fit the policy behavior of the Federal Reserve in the late 1990s very well, which standard methods fail to do.
Vantagens Competitivas do Mix de Varejo sob a Ótica da VRIO: Um Estudo de Caso em um Supermercado Independente

O objetivo deste estudo e analisar as vantagens competitivas a partir do mix de varejo em um supermercado independente, sob a otica do modelo de Valor, Raridade, Imitabilidade e Organizacao (VRIO) proposto por Barney e Hesterly (2007) e da literatura sobre mix de varejo, vantagem competitiva e a Resource-Based Review (RBV). Esta pesquisa e caracterizada como relato de um caso com abordagem qualitativa, realizada por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas com os clientes e a proprietaria do supermercado, alem de um roteiro de observacao nao participante. A partir da analise de conteudo dos dados coletados nas entrevistas e da observacao nao participante foi possivel identificar que a s variaveis do mix de varejo: localizacao, atmosfera da loja, publico-alvo e atendimento sao estrategias de diferenciacao e consideradas como vantagem competitiva em relacao a concorrencia.
Prognostic significance of carotid and vertebral ultrasound in ischemic stroke patients

The ultrasound investigation of carotid and vertebral arteries is routinely performed in stroke patients to determine the etiopathogenetic classification and possible need of revascularization. However, the medium and long‐term prognostic implications of carotid and vertebral ultrasound in ischemic stroke patients are not yet known.
Per-Subcarrier Antenna Selection for OFDMA-Based Cognitive Radio Systems

The performance of an OFDM system can be improved by performing per-subcarrier antenna selection, which facilitates the exploitation of frequency and spatial diversity in the wireless channel. In this paper, we extend the concept of per-subcarrier antenna selection to a multiuser cognitive radio environment and present a practical subcarrier and antenna selection algorithm that exploits the multiuser, frequency and spatial diversities inherent in such systems while requiring only limited channel knowledge. The problem is formulated as an integer programming (IP) problem. We demonstrate that a linear relaxation of the problem still leads to an optimal solution, thus reducing the computational complexity relative to other approaches found in the literature. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed resource allocation problem leads to an improvement in secondary users' link qualities, compared to a single-input single-output system and, at the same time, limits the interference to the primary user.
KLT Tracking Using Intrinsic and Extrinsic Camera Parameters in Consideration of Uncertainty

Feature tracking is an important task in computer vision, es pecially for 3D reconstruction applications. Such procedures can be run in environments with a controlled sens or, e.g. a robot arm with camera. This yields the camera parameters as special knowledge that should be us ed d ring all steps of the application to improve the results. As a first step, KLT (Kanade-Lucas-Tomasi) trac king (and its variants) is an approach widely accepted and used to track image point features. So, it is str aigh forward to adapt KLT tracking in a way that camera parameters are used to improve the feature track ing results. The contribution of this work is an explicit formulation of the KLT tracking procedure incorpo rating known camera parameters. Since practical applications do not run without noise, the uncertainty of th e camera parameters is regarded and modeled within the procedure. Comparing practical experiments have been p rformed and the results are presented.
Security Challenges And Implementation Mechanism For Vehicular Ad Hoc Network

: - Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks (VANET) is an emerging and promising technology, this technology is a fertile region for attackers, who will try to challenge the network with their malicious attacks. The security of VANET has mostly directed the attention of today research efforts, while comprehensive solutions to protect the network from adversary and attacks still need to be improved, trying to reach a satisfactory level, for the driver and manufacturer to achieve safety of life and infotainment. We discuss the need for robust VANET networks which is strongly dependent on their security and privacy features. VANET facing many challenges that been addressed in this research, we also discuss a set of solutions presented for these challenges and problems; and we made critics for these solutions.
Automated Closed Loop Control of Inspired Oxygen Concentration

Oxygen therapy is extensively used in premature infants and adults with respiratory insufficiency. In the premature infant the goal during manual control of the FIO2 is to maintain adequate oxygenation and to minimize the exposure to hypoxemia, hyperoxemia, and oxygen. However, this is frequently not achieved during routine care, which increases the risks of associated side effects affecting the eye, lungs, and central nervous system. In the adult the primary goal is to avoid hypoxemia, but conventional methods of oxygen supplementation may fall short during periods of increased demand. On the other hand, there are growing concerns related to unnecessarily high FIO2 levels that increase the exposure to hyperoxemia and excessive oxygen use in settings where resources are limited. Systems for automated closed loop control of FIO2 have been developed for use in neonates and adults. This paper will give an overview of the rationale for the development of these systems, present the evidence, and discuss important advantages and limitations.
Motion detection and tracking system based on frame analysis and simulated static electric field (SSEF) snake

The entire framework of the motion detection and tracking system is demonstrated in the paper. Series of processes have been developed to perform tracking activities. The system consists of inter frame analysis, estimation of active object region, edge map calculation and thinning, closed contour finding and object extraction with the simulated static electric field (SSE ) snakes. Lots of synthetic and real image sequences (simulate consecutive frames of video) are tested in the tracking system. These image sequences are of different types of cases such as a monochromatic object and a textured object with a complex background, and deformable object with fixed scene.
Application of a diagnostic algorithm for inherited thrombocytopenias to 46 consecutive patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The Italian Gruppo di Studio delle Piastrine recently developed a diagnostic algorithm to assist clinicians in the diagnosis of inherited thrombocytopenias. This algorithm is based on the simplest possible diagnostic investigations and can also be used in centers that are not highly specialized. The aim of the present study was to validate this diagnostic algorithm by applying it to a case series of genetic thrombocytopenias. DESIGN AND METHODS The diagnostic algorithm was applied retrospectively to 46 consecutive patients observed during the last five years at a single institution. Twenty-eight were affected by defined illnesses or their variants, while 18 had a disorder that did not fit the criteria for any known genetic thrombocytopenia. The study was based on the evaluation of clinical records and laboratory tests. RESULTS The diagnostic algorithm recognized: 4 homozygous and 4 heterozygous Bernard-Soulier syndromes, 11 MYH9-related diseases, one von WillebrandOs disease type 2B, one gray platelet syndrome and one X-linked thrombocytopenia with thalassemia. Moreover, it identified 4 patients with the clinical and laboratory features of heterozygous Bernard-Soulier syndrome not caused by mutations in the coding region of the GPIbalpha, GPIbbeta, GPIX or GPV genes, and two patients with the clinical phenotype of MYH9-related disease but without MYH9 mutations. Since the diagnostic flow chart did not allow prompt recognition of two subjects with MYH9-related disease, we introduced a small change to the previously proposed flow chart to obviate this defect. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS The diagnostic algorithm correctly diagnosed 26 of 28 patients with known disorders or phenotypic variants of known disorders. By a simple modification of the investigation sequence, its sensitivity reached 100%. The algorithm also identified 18 patients with new, as yet uncharacterized forms of genetic thrombocytopenia.