Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Design of a new high-energy concentration kernel quadratic TFD for EEG spike signal

In this paper, the design of a novel high-energy concentration kernel quadratic TFD for EEG spike signal analysis is presented. Firstly, we show that the suppression of the negative frequency of the signal due of the use of Hilbert transform causes low Time-Frequency Distribution (TFD) resolution in the very low frequency band. To remedy this artifact, a frequency shifting of the signal to the mid frequency band is used so that the negative and positive frequencies are taken into account in the time-frequency domain. This process enhances the TFD resolution in the very low frequency band. Secondly, we derived a new separable kernel TFD with a high auto-terms energy concentration based on the localization of the auto-terms and cross-terms of the EEG spike signal in the ambiguity domain. The proposed kernel uses only two parameters and offers high TFD resolution compared to the existing ones.
Constructing Field Expedient Solar Water Pasteurizers from Junk

We explored repurposing discarded materials to construct simple, field expedient, solar heating devices capable of heating drinking water to water pasteurization temperatures. Results of different test configurations quickly constructed from junk material indicate important design parameters to include maximizing exposed container surface area and using transparent glass and dark absorbent material inside the solar heater box. The optimal configuration heated water to 69 °C in a few hours demonstrating that a field expedient, zero cost solar heater capable of pasteurizing water (65 °C) can be quickly assembled from discarded material. Translating these key design parameters, rather than the exact design itself, to people in developing countries via relief organizations could help improve drinking water quality, reduce respiratory distress from indoor biomass burning, and potentially reduce the time and household income devoted to acquiring traditional biomass fuels. Organizations that operate in austere or disaster prone regions where safe drinking water may be unavailable may also benefit from knowing these design principles.
The effect of uncertainty on decision making about climate change mitigation. A numerical approach of stochastic control

We apply standardized numerical techniques of stochastic optimization (Judd [1998]) to the climate change issue. The model captures the feature that the effects of uncertainty are different with different levels of agent's risk aversion. A major finding is that the effects of stochasticity differ even in sign as to emission control with varying parameters: introduction of stochasticity may increase or decrease emission control depending on parameter settings, in other words, uncertainties of climatic trends may induce people's precautionary emission reduction but also may drive away money from abatement.
A Word Sense-Oriented User Interface for Interactive Multilingual Text Retrieval

In this paper we present an interface for supporting a user in an interactive cross-language search process using semantic classes. In order to enable users to access multilingual information, different problems have to be solved: disambiguating and translating the query words, as well as categorizing and presenting the results appropriately. Therefore, we first give a brief introduction to word sense disambiguation, cross-language text retrieval and document categorization and finally describe recent achievements of our research towards an interactive multilingual retrieval system. We focus especially on the problem of browsing and navigation of the different word senses in one source and possibly several target languages. In the last part of the paper, we discuss the developed user interface and its functionalities in more detail.
The relationship between schedule flexibility and domain-specific satisfaction via work-to-family enrichment for working parents in South Africa

vi Aims of the Research . 2 Structure of the Dissertation . 3 Literature Review . 4 Theoretical Framework . 4 The Broaden and Build Theory of Positive Emotions. 4 Theoretical Model. 5 Schedule Flexibility . 6 Schedule Flexibility in South Africa. 9 Domain-­‐specific Satisfaction . 10 Job Satisfaction. 10 Family Satisfaction. 11 Work-­‐to-­‐family Enrichment as a Mediator . 12 Work-to-family Enrichment as a Mediator between Schedule Flexibility and Domainspecific Satisfaction. 13 Research Propositions . 15 Final Notes . 16 Method . 17 Research Design . 17 Respondents . 17 Measures . 19 Schedule Flexibility. 19 Work-to-family Enrichment. 20 Job Satisfaction. 20 Family Satisfaction. 21 Demographic Variables. 21 Schedule flexibility and domain-specific satisfaction via work-to-family enrichment iii Procedure . 21 Statistical Analyses . 22 Results . 23 Exploratory Factor Analysis . 23 Job Satisfaction and Family Satisfaction. 24 Work-to-family Enrichment. 24 Reliability Analysis . 25 Descriptive Statistics . 25 Correlation Analysis . 26 Regression Analysis . 27 Schedule Flexibility. 27 Domain-specific Satisfaction . 27 Mediation Analysis . 28 Family Satisfaction. 29 Job Satisfaction. 29 Final Notes . 31 Discussion . 32 Schedule Flexibility . 32 The Relationship between Schedule Flexibility and Job Satisfaction . 33 The Relationship between Schedule Flexibility and Family Satisfaction . 34 Work-­‐to-­‐family Enrichment as a Mediator . 34 Contributions of the Present Study . 35 Theoretical Contributions. 35 Managerial Contributions. 36 Limitations and Recommendations for Future Research . 37 Conclusion . 40 References . 41 Appendix A . 50 Appendix B . 51 Schedule flexibility and domain-specific satisfaction via work-to-family enrichment
Improving code diversity on block-fading channels by spatial coupling

Spatially coupled low-density parity-check (SC-LDPC) codes are considered for transmission over the block-fading channel. The diversity order of the SC-LDPC codes is studied using density evolution and simulation results. We demonstrate that the diversity order of the code can be increased, without lowering the code rate, by simply increasing the coupling parameter (memory) of a SC-LDPC code. For a (3,6)-regular SC-LDPC code with rate R = 1=2 and memory mcc = 4 a remarkable diversity of d = 10 is achieved without the need for any specific code structure. The memory of the SC-LDPC codes makes them robust against a non-stationary mobile-radio environment. The decoding of SC-LDPC codes using a latency constrained sliding window decoder is also considered.
Greedy Sparse RLS

Starting from the orthogonal (greedy) least squares method, we build an adaptive algorithm for finding online sparse solutions to linear systems. The algorithm belongs to the exponentially windowed recursive least squares (RLS) family and maintains a partial orthogonal factorization with pivoting of the system matrix. For complexity reasons, the permutations that bring the relevant columns into the first positions are restrained mainly to interchanges between neighbors at each time moment. The storage scheme allows the computation of the exact factorization, implicitly working on indefinitely long vectors. The sparsity level of the solution, i.e., the number of nonzero elements, is estimated using information theoretic criteria, in particular Bayesian information criterion (BIC) and predictive least squares. We present simulations showing that, for identifying sparse time-varying FIR channels, our algorithm is consistently better than previous sparse RLS methods based on the -norm regularization of the RLS criterion. We also use our sparse greedy RLS algorithm for computing linear predictions in a lossless audio coding scheme and obtain better compression than MPEG4 ALS using an RLS-LMS cascade.
Real-time microprocessed system applied to mobile robots control

This paper presents a low cost micro-processed system developed for real-time control of omnidirectional mobile robots. The control strategy is designed on cascade form, being used in a lower level, discrete PI for control of wheels speed, and at a higher level, a kinematic controller for the acquisition of poses references for the robots. The central processing unit is designed with the microcontroller PIC32 and supervisory system is implemented through software Lazarus IDE running under the Linux platform. Practical results are provided to demonstrate the system's performance on real-time trajectory tracking.
Characterizing the Performance of Algorithms for Lock-Free Objects

Concurrent access to shared data objects must be regulated by a concurrency control protocol to ensure correctness. Many concurrency control protocols require that a process set a lock on the data it accesses. Recently, there has been considerable interest in lock-free concurrency control algorithms. Lock-free algorithms offer the potential for better system performance because slow or failed processes do not block fast processes. Process "slowdowns" can occur due to cache line faults, memory and bus contention, page faults, context switching, NUMA architectures, heterogeneous architectures, or differences in operation execution time. Much work has been done to characterize the performance of locking algorithms, but little has been done to characterize the performance of lock-free algorithms. In this paper, we present a performance model for analyzing lock-free algorithms that studies the effects of slowdowns on performance. We find that lock-free algorithms are better than locking algorithms if the slowdowns are transient, but worse if the slowdowns are permanent. One implication of this result is that lock-free concurrent objects are appropriate for UMA architectures, but NUMA architectures require special protocols. >
COMPUTATIONAL COMPLEXITY OF INFERRING PHYLOGENIES BY COMPATIBILITY

A well-known approach to inferring phylogenies involves finding a phylogeny with the largest number of characters that are perfectly compatible with it. Variations of this problem depend on whether characters are: cladistic (rooted) or qualitative (unrooted); binary (two states) or unconstrained (more than one state). The computational cost of known algorithms that guarantee solutions to these problems increases at least exponentially with problem size; practical computational considerations restrict the use of such algorithms to analyzing problems of small size. We establish that the four basic variants of the compatibility problem are all NP- complete and, thus, are so difficult computationally that for them efficient optimal algorithms are not likely to exist. (Character compatibility; computational complexity; evolutionary tree; NP-complete; phylogenetic inference.) Resume. -Une approche bien connue a l'etude de l'evolution des especes est basee sur la recherche de l'arbre phylogenetique avec lequel il y a un nombre maximal de caracteres com- patibles. Des variantes de ce probleme impliquent des caracteres soit cladistiques (avec racine), soit qualitatifs (sans racine); des caracteres soit binaires (deux valeurs), soit sans contrainte (plus qu'une valeur). Les algorithmes connus pour resoudre ces problemes exigent un temps d'ordi- nateur qui augmente de faqon exponentielle en fonction de la taille du probleme; ainsi, a toute fin pratique, on est contraint a des petits problemes. Nous demontrons que les quatre variantes du probleme de compatibilite sont toutes NP-completes, donc il est presque certain qu'ils sont trop difficiles pour que des algorithmes efficaces puissent exister.
A model of the MT lexicon for verbs as an interface between syntactic parsing and semantic representations

Machine translation (MT) deals with a large amount of data which represents sentence meanings constructed on the basis of the grammatical rules and the lexical knowledge of the source and target languages. As it is hardly possible to make an automated semantic analysis of the source language data, predominant methods in use have been transfer models such as those of phrase-based statistical MT and pattern-based MT, the main task of which is to replace the source language text with the target language text without understanding them. As it is reported that nearly half the text data consist of unanalyzable multiword like collocations, idioms, and phrasal verbs, it would be inevitable to resort to such a method. At the same time, however, it has been observed that MT output quality suffers to a significant extent when the sentences are not divided into proper segments. This paper proposes a model of the lexicon of verbs whose rich relational information contributes to parsing and understanding sentences. While other existing models of lexicons have no or little consideration for their roles of interaction with processes of syntactic parsing and semantic representation, the proposed model is designed for playing a role as an interface between the two processes in handling sentences with regular usages of verbs as well as idiomatic and metaphoric usages.
Compact dual-band antenna with modified open U-shaped slot for WLAN applications

A compact dual-band antenna with modified open U-shaped slot is proposed. The antenna is mainly composed of a patch with modified open U-shaped slot and a T-shaped feed line. The dual-band characteristic is obtained by folding the upper strips of the patch. The proposed antenna is fabricated and tested. The measured results show that the proposed antenna covers 2.38–2.52 GHz and 5.0–6.1 GHz with S11<−10 dB, which can meet the requirement of WLAN applications. Detail designs and parameters can be investigated in this paper.
Alternative Feeding Strategies and Potential Disease Transmission in Wisconsin White-Tailed Deer

Abstract We conducted experimental feeding using 3 feeding methods (pile, spread, trough) and 2 quantities (rationed, ad libitum) of shelled corn to compare deer activity and behavior with control sites and evaluate potential direct and indirect transmission of infectious disease in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in central Wisconsin, USA. Deer use was higher at 2 of the feeding sites than at natural feeding areas (P ≤ 0.02). Deer spent a higher proportion of time (P < 0.01) feeding at pile (49%) and spread (61%) treatments than at natural feeding areas (36%). We found higher deer use for rationed than ad libitum feeding quantities and feeding intensity was greatest at rationed piles and lowest at ad libitum spreads. We also observed closer pairwise distances (≤0.3 m) among deer when corn was provided in a trough relative to spread (P = 0.03). Supplemental feeding poses risks for both direct and indirect disease transmission due to higher deer concentration and more intensive use relative to control areas. Concentrated feeding and contact among deer at feeding sites can also increase risk for disease transmission. Our results indicated that restrictions on feeding quantity would not mitigate the potential for disease transmission. None of the feeding strategies we evaluated substantially reduced the potential risk for disease transmission and banning supplemental feeding to reduce transmission is warranted.
“I Have,” “I Would,” “I Won’t”: Hooking Up Among Sexually Diverse Groups of College Students

Incorporating the intention to “hook up” with whether one has hooked up can distinguish groups with unique sets of background characteristics and experiences pertaining to hooking up within the college culture. A large, gender-balanced sample of college students (N = 3,893) from 2 universities that represented sizable numbers of diverse sexual identities was analyzed for the current study. Results indicated that within each sexual identity, men were more likely than women to have hooked up (“I have”) and to be willing to hookup if they hadn’t (“I would”). Across sexual identities, gay/lesbian and bisexual individuals were more likely to have hooked up than were straight individuals. Gay and straight individuals were more likely than bisexual individuals to intend to avoid hooking up (“I won’t”). However, multivariate analyses that accounted for various background, attitudinal, and sexual experiences appeared to account for much of the variation by sexual identity.
High-confidence petroleum industrial critical systems research based on bigraphical models

In the modern petroleum development and production process, a context-aware and self-adaptive environment is required to satisfy the dynamic changes of the well site operations. With the ubiquitous computing technology, a framework of high-confidence petroleum extraction software system is proposed to capture the system reconfiguration to fit special applications. As a sanity check, a bigraph model with a set of bigraphical reactive rules is used to discuss the structure and the dynamic behaviors of the framework. Finally, an example, with partly implementing the model, is briefly described to confirm the feasibility of the framework models.
An Overview of Rotor Losses Determination in Three-Phase Fractional-Slot PM Machines

Three-phase fractional-slot PM machines are more and more used in many applications. In spite of the several advantages, these machines exhibit high contents of space harmonics in the air-gap MMF distribution, whose amplitude depends on the particular combination of number of slots and poles. The main consequence of such harmonic contents is the induced losses in the rotor. The aim of this paper is to link the rotor losses to the combination of slots and poles of the PM machine. The effort is to determine a general rule to single out easily if a machine topology is suitable or not, as far as the rotor losses are concerned. Both overlapped and non-overlapped coil fractional-slot windings are considered.
Articular cartilage superficial zone collagen birefringence reduced and cartilage thickness increased before surface fibrillation in experimental osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVES To investigate articular cartilage collagen network, thickness of birefringent cartilage zones, and glycosaminoglycan concentration in macroscopically normal looking knee joint cartilage of young beagles subjected to experimental slowly progressive osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS OA was induced by a tibial 30° valgus osteotomy in 15 female beagles at the age of 3 months. Fifteen sisters were controls. Cartilage specimens were collected seven (Group 1) and 18 months (Group 2) postoperatively. Collagen induced optical path difference and cartilage zone thickness measurements were determined from histological sections of articular cartilage with smooth and intact surface by computer assisted quantitative polarised light microscopy. Volume density of cartilage collagen fibrils was determined by image analysis from transmission electron micrographs and content of glycosaminoglycans by quantitative digital densitometry from histological sections. Results—In the superficial zone of the lateral tibial and femoral cartilage, the collagen induced optical path difference (birefringence) decreased by 19 to 71% (p < 0.05) seven months postoperatively. This suggests that severe superficial collagen fibril network deterioration took place, as 18 months postoperatively, macroscopic and microscopic OA was present in many cartilage areas. Thickness of the uncalcified cartilage increased while the superficial zone became thinner in the same sites. In operated dogs, glycosaminoglycan content first increased (Group 1) in the lateral tibial condyle and then decreased (Group 2) (p < 0.05). Conclusion—In this OA model, derangement of the superficial zone collagen network was the probable reason for birefringence reduction. This change occurred well before macroscopic OA.
Women in multiple roles : study and motherhood combined : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University

This qualitative research project aimed to explore the experiences of women who were actively involved in both studying and motherhood roles. Interviews were conducted with twelve women who were involved in formal tertiary study, either on a full-time or part-time basis, and had a pre-school aged child . One semi-structured in-depth interview was conducted with each woman over a three month period . Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed and later analysed using thematic analysis practices. Through analysing the expenences of these women, eight organising themes arose signifying areas of importance to the participants. The eight themes described how their children influenced their decision to study at this time in their Jives, what they personally derive from their role as student, their satisfaction and difficulties with childcare, the support they receive from both family and friends , the benefits they experience from combining these roles, the spillover experienced from combining these roles, the impact they believe this has on their children and their own health and well-being and the feelings of support they experienced from other students in similar circumstances . The common view shared by these women is that although occupying multiple roles does indeed bring additional stressors and strains to their daily lives, it also provides rewards which would not be enjoyed through each role individually . Suggestions are presented from which tertiary institutions can work to further assist and accommodate the changing nature and needs of their student population, namely women with young children.
Group-Size Effects on the Evolution of Cooperation in the Spatial Public Goods Game

We study the evolution of cooperation in public goods games on the square lattice, focusing on the effects that are brought about by different sizes of groups where individuals collect their payoffs and search for potential strategy donors. We find that increasing the group size does not necessarily lead to mean-field behavior, as is traditionally observed for games governed by pairwise interactions, but rather that public cooperation may be additionally promoted by means of enhanced spatial reciprocity that sets in for very large groups. Our results highlight that the promotion of cooperation due to spatial interactions is not rooted solely in having restricted connections among players, but also in individuals having the opportunity to collect payoffs separately from their direct opponents. Moreover, in large groups the presence of a small number of defectors is bearable, which makes the mixed-phase region expand with increasing group size. Having a chance of exploiting distant players, however, offers defectors a different way to break the phalanx of cooperators and even to resurrect from small numbers to eventually completely invade the population.
Plasma amino acid levels in obesity: effects of insulin resistance

The decreased insulin sensitiVity of. obesity, besides its w~n-known effects on glucose metabolism, is also responsible for the elevated plasma amino acid levels observed in many obese persons. This hyperaminoacidemia is most evident for valine, leucine, lsoleucine, tyrosine and phenylalanine. The plasma amino acid response t(f. food Intake is also different in obese subjects; carbohydrate meals do not cause the expected fall in branched chain amino acids, causing a distorted postprandial amino acid prot:ile~