Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Improving stability of switching power supply with digital peak current mode control

The renewable energy has been attracted attention as a solution of global warming because it can suppress the carbon dioxide emissions. The renewable energy should be optimized by the energy management in the renewable energy system. The digital peak current mode control dc-dc converter is presented to realize the stable operation in this system considering the variation of the input voltage condition in this paper. The stability of the power supply system is kept by the peak current mode control when the integral gain is set to a large value to keep a wide regulation range. The waveform of the output voltage changes from an oscillatory response to a gentle one in comparison between the conventional voltage mode control and the proposed method because the stability is improved. As a result, the proposed method has an advantage under changing the input voltage condition such as the renewable energy system.
Balancing act : the political role of the urban school superintendent

According to Barbara Jackson, public schools are and always have been part of the political process, and any effective school superintendent must maintain a delicate balance among forces and interests both political and educational. This book reviews the long history of the urban superintendent's changing role, with special attention to the racial and ethnic politics of the cities since the 1970s. Boston and Detroit are discussed as illustrative examples. The entire study is grounded in a wide range of published and unpublished information, including numerous interviews with urban superintendents and others in the field.
Functional Automata Software Support for Formal Languages Courses

An introductory formal languages course exposes students t o automata theory, grammars, constructive proofs, computability, and decidability. This exposu re sually comes late in the undergraduate curriculum or early in the graduate curriculum. In either se tting, programming-oriented students find these topics to be challenging or, in many cases, overwhelmi ng and on the fringe of Computer Science. The existence of this perception is not completely abs urd, because rarely do formal languages courses, unlike programming courses, offer the sufficient s oftware infrastructure for students to experiment with their ideas and designs. This article describ es a library,FSM, designed to provide students with the opportunity to experiment and test their d signs using finite-state machines, regular expressions, regular grammars, pushdown automata, contex t-fre grammars, Turing machines, and context-sensitive grammars. Students are able to implemen t and test machines and grammars of their own design before proceeding with a formal proof of correctn ss. That is, students can test their designs much like they do in a programming course. In additio n, he library easily allows students to implement the algorithms they develop as part of the const ructive proofs they write. Providing students with this ability ought to be a new trend in the forma l languages classroom.
Worker displacement in the mid-1990s

The years 1995 and 1996 marked the fifth and sixth consecutive years of economic growth that began in the early 1990s. During these 2 years, 5.0 million jobs were added to nonfarm payrolls. The unemployment rate, which peaked at 7.8 percent in mid-1992, remained at about 51⁄2 percent during 1995–96. Despite these favorable labor market conditions, between 1995 and 1996 2.2 million workers aged 20 years and older lost jobs they had held for 3 or more years because their plants or companies closed down or moved, their positions or shifts were abolished, or their employer did not have enough work for them to do. In comparison, 2.4 million workers in that age group were displaced between 1993 and 1994, also a period of strong labor market conditions. The displacement rate, which represents the likelihood of being displaced, fell from 3.3 percent during 1993–94 to 2.9 percent during 1995–96. Of the 2.2 million workers displaced in the most recent period, 83 percent were reemployed when surveyed in February 1998. Workers who lost jobs earlier in the decade had not fared nearly as well: of those who had lost jobs during 1991 and 1992, only 75 percent were working in February 1994. Since 1984, the Employment and Training Administration of the U.S. Department of Labor has sponsored biennial surveys of worker displacement as supplements to the Current Population Survey (CPS). Using data from these surveys, this article examines the experience of job loss and reemployment. Two years of data from each of the Displaced Worker Surveys were used to form a time series that begins with the 1981–82 period (from Worker displacement in the mid-1990s
Automatic video-based face verification and recognition by support vector machines

This paper presents an automatic video based face verification and recognition system by Support Vector Machines (SVMs). Faces as training samples are automatically extracted from input video sequences in real-time by LUT-based Adaboost and are normalized both in geometry and in gray level distribution after facial landmark localization via Simple Direct Appearance Model (SDAM). Two different strategies for multi-class face verification and recognition problems with SVMs, "one-vs-all" and "one-vs-another", are discussed and compared in details. Experiment results over 100 clients are reported to demonstrate the effectiveness of SVM on video sequences.
Valuing flexibility in the control of contagious animal disease

Animal epidemics can bring severe damage to the livestock sector as well as the whole society. In controlling animal epidemic, the selection of suboptimal control strategies may lead to unnecessary costs which should be avoided. This paper argues that uncertainties about the state of the epidemic, irreversible actions like culling and vaccination of animals, and the possibility of learning during the epidemic requires control strategies to be flexible and the value of flexibility should be considered when evaluating control strategies. Based on Markov decision process (MDP) and dynamic programming, a decision support framework is developed to determine the optimal control strategy which accounts for uncertainties as well as flexibility in the dynamic decision making process. A numerical example illustrates our approach to quantify the value of flexibility.
Hierarchical control for drift correction in transmission electron microscopes

Electron microscopes are important tools for material science research since they can reveal accurate images (down to the atomic level) for a wide range of specimens. Moreover, a sample can be visualized while thermal processes are induced to the specimen. Such processes involve the contraction or the expansion of the specimen holder, and hence image movement. In current practice one has to wait until the image stabilizes and then analyze the sample. In this paper we propose a hierarchical control framework where at the lower levels we use local and independent PID controllers for adjusting the stage and the beam deflectors. These controllers are then coordinated by a supervisory controller such that maximum performance is achieved. The coordinating controller will solve a nonlinear optimization problem for linear stage models in the model-based predictive control (MPC) setting. Typically, this problem is NP hard and therefore difficult to solve. In this paper we propose to further improve the performance of the system by recasting the optimization problem into a mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) one. The advantage is that for MILP optimization problems solvers are available which guarantee to find the global optimum. Then the MILP solution can be used as good initial point when solving optimization problems for nonlinear stage models.
Kernel Optimization using Pairwise Constraints for Semi-Supervised Clustering

A critical problem related to kernel-based methods is the selection of an optimal kernel for the problem at hand. The kernel function in use must conform with the learning target in order to obtain meaningful results. While solutions to estimate optimal kernel functions and their parameters have been proposed in a supervised setting, the problem presents open challenges when no labeled data are provided, and all we have available is a set of pairwise must-link and cannot-link constraints. In this paper we address the problem of optimizing the kernel function using pairwise constraints for semi-supervised clustering. To this end we derive a new optimization criterion to automatically estimate the optimal parameters of composite Gaussian kernels, directly from the data and the given constraints. We combine the optimal kernel function computed by our technique with a recently introduced semi-supervised kernel-based algorithm to demonstrate experimentally the effectivess of our approach. The results show that our method enables the practical utilization of powerful kernel-based semi-supervised clustering approaches by providing a mechanism to automatically set the involved critical parameters.
Cost-Benefit Analysis for Investment Decisions: Chapter 9 (The Shadow Price of Foreign Exchange and Non-Tradable Outlays)

The economic cost of capital, as measured in Chapter 8, deals with the intertemporal comparisons. It links the annual flows of benefits and costs over a project's life to its initial capital investment. In the present chapter we deal with another facet of the act of raising project funds from the country's capital market. This facet concerns the distortions that are affected not intertemporally but at the same moment that the funds are raised. Investment and consumption expenditures by others in the market are displaced by the very act of raising the project's funds in the capital market. As a consequence, the government loses tariff revenue plus value added and other indirect taxes. These losses must be counted in the economic evaluation of any project, in addition to those linked to the spending of project funds on tradable or non-tradable goods and services, and in addition to the intertemporal distortions captured by the economic opportunity cost of capital. The existence of these indirect taxes on domestic and trade transactions, the economic value of foreign exchange differs from the market exchange rate and there will be a tax externality associated with expenditures on nontradables. This chapter has provided an analytical framework and a practical approach to the measurement of the economic cost of foreign exchange and the shadow price of non-tradable outlays.
An efficient parallel transparent diagnostic BIST

In this paper, we propose a new transparent Built-in Self-Diagnosis (BISD) method to diagnose multiple embedded memory arrays with various sizes in parallel. A new transparent diagnostic interface has been proposed to perform testing in normal mode. By tolerating redundant read/write/shift operations, we develop a new march algorithm called TDiagRSMarch to achieve the goals of low hardware overhead, lower test time, and high test coverage. Experimental results demonstrate that the diagnostic efficiency of TDiagRSMarch is independent of memory topology, defect-type distribution, and degree of parallelism.
Ocular detection for biometric recognition

Ocular biometric has created vital progress over past decade among the all biometric trains. The white region of eye is sclera, which is exposed. The sclera is roofed by the thin clear wet layer referred as conjunctiva. Conjunctiva and episclera contains the blood vessels. Our aim is to segment the sclera patterns from the eye footage. This paper focuses on the detection of ocular region from the eye image, enhancement of blood vessels and feature extraction. The features extracted from ocular regions are used for biometric recognition.
Discovering coherent value bicliques in genetic interaction data

Genetic Interaction (GI) data provides a means for exploring the structure and function of pathways in a cell. Coherent value bicliques (submatrices) in GI data represents functionally similar gene modules or protein complexes. However, no systematic approach has been proposed for exhaustively enumerating all coherent value submatrices in such data sets, which is the problem addressed in this paper. Using a monotonic range measure to capture the coherence of values in a submatrix of an input data matrix, we propose a two-step Apriori-based algorithm for discovering all nearly constant value submatrices, referred to as Range Constrained Blocks. By systematic evaluation on an extensive genetic interaction data set, we show that the coherent value submatrices represent groups of genes that are functionally related than the submatrices with diverse values. We also show that our approach can exhaustively find all the submatrices with a range less than a given threshold, while the other competing approaches can not find all such submatrices.
Dense Omnidirectional RGB‐D Mapping of Large‐scale Outdoor Environments for Real‐time Localization and Autonomous Navigation

This paper presents a novel method and innovative apparatus for building three‐dimensional (3D) dense visual maps of large‐scale unstructured environments for autonomous navigation and real‐time localization. The main contribution of the paper is focused on proposing an efficient and accurate 3D world representation that allows us to extend the boundaries of state‐of‐the‐art dense visual mapping to large scales. This is achieved via an omnidirectional key‐frame representation of the environment, which is able to synthesize photorealistic views of captured environments at arbitrary locations. Locally, the representation is image‐based (egocentric) and is composed of accurate augmented spherical panoramas combining photometric information (RGB), depth information (D), and saliency for all viewing directions at a particular point in space (i.e., a point in the light field). The spheres are related by a graph of six degree of freedom (DOF) poses (3 DOF translation and 3 DOF rotation) that are estimated through multiview spherical registration. It is shown that this world representation can be used to perform robust real‐time localization (in 6 DOF) of any configuration of visual sensors within their environment, whether they be monocular, stereo, or multiview. Contrary to feature‐based approaches, an efficient direct image registration technique is formulated. This approach directly exploits the advantages of the spherical representation by minimizing a photometric error between a current image and a reference sphere. Two novel multicamera acquisition systems have been developed and calibrated to acquire this information, and this paper reports for the first time the second system. Given the robustness and efficiency of this representation, field experiments demonstrating autonomous navigation and large‐scale mapping will be reported in detail for challenging unstructured environments, containing vegetation, pedestrians, varying illumination conditions, trams, and dense traffic.
Targeted modulation of cell differentiation in distinct regions of the gastrointestinal tract via oral administration of differently PEG-PEI functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles

Targeted delivery of drugs is required to efficiently treat intestinal diseases such as colon cancer and inflammation. Nanoparticles could overcome challenges in oral administration caused by drug degradation at low pH and poor permeability through mucus layers, and offer targeted delivery to diseased cells in order to avoid adverse effects. Here, we demonstrate that functionalization of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) by polymeric surface grafts facilitates transport through the mucosal barrier and enhances cellular internalization. MSNs functionalized with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), poly(ethylene imine) (PEI), and the targeting ligand folic acid in different combinations are internalized by epithelial cells in vitro and in vivo after oral gavage. Functionalized MSNs loaded with γ-secretase inhibitors of the Notch pathway, a key regulator of intestinal progenitor cells, colon cancer, and inflammation, demonstrated enhanced intestinal goblet cell differentiation as compared to free drug. Drug-loaded MSNs thus remained intact in vivo, further confirmed by exposure to simulated gastric and intestinal fluids in vitro. Drug targeting and efficacy in different parts of the intestine could be tuned by MSN surface modifications, with PEI coating exhibiting higher affinity for the small intestine and PEI–PEG coating for the colon. The data highlight the potential of nanomedicines for targeted delivery to distinct regions of the tissue for strict therapeutic control.
Learning from Enron

This essay argues that the Enron affair has been misunderstood as a failure of monitoring, with adverse consequences for the drafting of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the Higgs report. Where Enron’s board failed was in underestimating the risks that were inherent in the company’s business plan and failing to implement an effective system of internal control. Enron demonstrates the limits of the monitoring board and points the way to a stewardship model in which the board takes responsibility for ensuring the sustainability of the company’s assets over time.
The StorySpinner sculptural reader

This demo is of a hypertext reading system called StorySpinner. It follows the sculptural hypertext methodology and has been used as a test bed for experimenting with the authoring of narrative flow in automatically generated stories. Readers are able to select and read one of two available stories. Reading a story involves selecting tarot cards which are mapped to chunks of story text based on possible interpretations of the cards and information concerning current story state.
Progress and Challenges in Transfer of Large‐Area Graphene Films

Graphene, the thinnest, strongest, and stiffest material with exceptional thermal conductivity and electron mobility, has increasingly received world‐wide attention in the past few years. These unique properties may lead to novel or improved technologies to address the pressing global challenges in many applications including transparent conducting electrodes, field effect transistors, flexible touch screen, single‐molecule gas detection, desalination, DNA sequencing, osmotic energy production, etc. To realize these applications, it is necessary to transfer graphene films from growth substrate to target substrate with large‐area, clean, and low defect surface, which are crucial to the performances of large‐area graphene devices. This critical review assesses the recent development in transferring large‐area graphene grown on Fe, Ru, Co, Ir, Ni, Pt, Au, Cu, and some nonmetal substrates by using various synthesized methods. Among them, the transfers of the most attention kinds of graphene synthesized on Cu and SiC substrates are discussed emphatically. The advances and the main challenges of each wet and dry transfer method for obtaining the transferred graphene film with large‐area, clean, and low defect surface are also reviewed. Finally, the article concludes the most promising methods and the further prospects of graphene transfer.
Assessment of Present Status and Future Needs of Four Coral Reef Sites Along the Gulf of Aqaba, Egypt

The present status and future needs of four coral reef sites (Taba, Nuweiba , Dahab and Sharm El-Sheikh) along the Gulf of Aqaba, Egypt were evaluated. A total of 60 quadrats, distributed at different depths or different patches were surveyed at each site during the year 2007. Three mooring buoys were reported only in Ras Umm Seid but nothing was found in other sites, however excessive boating and diving pressure were recorded only in Ras Umm Seid. Highest amount of garbage was recorded in Nuweiba, patrolling efficiency was best in Taba but no patrolling activities were re- corded in other sites. Ras Umm Seid (Sharm El-Sheikh) had the highest amount of dead corals (13%) due to increased boating and diving pressure compared to other sites, however Dahab had the lowest amount of dead corals (4%) due to the rough conditions (strong wind and waves) causing difficulties in accessing that site. Nuweiba and Taba had high percent cover of sands (10% and 11%, respectively) playing a key role in the considerable amount of dead corals in both sites. Lowest % new coral recruits in Taba (0.5%) was associated with the soft sandy bottom, the opposite was true in Sharm El Sheikh due to the rocky bottom. Future needs of the studied sites include decreasing the number of divers to the diver car- rying capacity (DCC), repair of existing buoys and incorporation of 5 more buoys in Ras Umm Seid. Other sites have no future needs in these regards as they are far beyond the DCC. Nuweiba needs first of all to be cleaned, then being pro- tected for giving the chance of recovery. Except for Taba which has efficient patrolling, the other 3 sites need efficient ter- restrial and marine patrolling as well as enforcement of EEAA regulations. However reef access points which were absent in all sites need to be established to minimize reef damage on accessing deeper water. Also, the environmental awareness field signs which were absent in all sites need to be established and managed. Taba is recommended as a protected area as it has the food for threatened species beside being useful as a nesting site. Ras Umm Seid is recommended to have a estab- lished artificial reef to draw the attention of divers and snorklers from the natural reefs and prepare artificial shelters for fishes thus promoting the fish resources.
Switching cells and their implications for power electronic circuits

This paper will introduce two basic switching cells, P-cell and N-cell, along with their implications and applications in power electronic circuits. The concept of switching cells in power electronic circuits started in the late 1970's. The basic cells presented in this paper have one switching element (transistor) and one diode. The P-cell is the mirror circuit of the N-cell and vice-versa, and this paper suggests that (1) most power electronic circuits can be analyzed and re-constructed using these basic switching cells, (2) single, dual, and 6-pack switching modules should be configured and laid-out according to the basic switching cells and not necessarily the conventional way used by industry, and (3) many benefits such as minimal parasitic inductance and dead-time elimination or minimization may come about. The present paper will describe the construction and operation of these basic switching cells, and it will also show a sequential method to reconstruct several classical dc-dc converters, a voltage source inverter (VSI), and a current source inverter (CSI) using these basic switching cells. In addition, the use of basic switching cells introduces some new topologies of dc-dc converters that originate from the buck, boost, and Ćuk converter for negative input voltages. This paper will also illustrate the experimental results of the new and existing topologies constructed from basic switching cells.