Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Generalized linear prediction based on analytic signals

The conventional theory of linear prediction (LP) is renewed and extended to form a more flexible algorithm called generalized linear prediction (GLP). There are three new levels of generalization available. On the first level (I) the predictor FIR is replaced with a generalized FIR constructed out of allpass sections having complex coefficients. On the second level (II) the allpass filters have distributed coefficients, i.e., they are unequal, and on the third and the most general level (III) the filter sections may have different characteristics. The theory of GLP is presented and the algorithm is tested with speech signals. The results show that GLP works as desired: nonuniform frequency resolution can be achieved and the resolution is controlled by the choice of the allpass parameters. On level I, the angle of the pole-zero-pair of the allpass sections defines the highest resolution area while the radius of the pole controls the degree of the resolution improvement. The GLP prediction error decreases rapidly with the order of the predictor. Its normalized RMS value falls off exponentially and its spectral flatness improves efficiently. On the average the results are clearly better than those of conventional LP. Levels II and III are only briefly discussed.
An integrated test generation tool for enhanced coverage of Simulink/Stateflow models

Simulink/Stateflow (SL/SF) is the primary modeling notation for the development of control systems in automotive and aerospace industries. In model based testing, test cases derived from a design model are used to show model-code conformance. Safety standards such as ISO 26262 recommend model based testing to show the conformance of a software with the corresponding model. From our experiments with various test generation techniques, we have observed that their coverage capabilities are complementary in nature. With this observation in mind, we have developed a new tool called SmartTestGen which integrates different test generation techniques. In this paper, we discuss SmartTestGen and the different test generation techniques utilized - random testing, constraint solving, model checking and heuristics. We experimented with 20 production-quality SL/SF models and compared the performance of our tool with that of two prominent commercial tools.
Advances in photonic packet switching: an overview

The current fast-growing Internet traffic is demanding more and more network capacity every day. The concept of wavelength-division multiplexing has provided us an opportunity to multiply network capacity. Current optical switching technologies allow us to rapidly deliver the enormous bandwidth of WDM networks. Photonic packet switching offers high-speed, data rate/format transparency, and configurability, which are some of the important characteristics needed in future networks supporting different forms of data. In this article we present some of the critical issues involved in designing and implementing all-optical packet-switched networks.
GPi vs STN deep brain stimulation for Parkinson disease: Three-year follow-up

Editors' Note: In reference to “GPi vs STN deep brain stimulation for Parkinson disease: Three-year follow-up,” Drs. Sidiropoulos and LeWitt suggest that the study findings could be due to suboptimal globus pallidus internus (GPi) programming and targeting imprecision. Odekerken et al., authors of the study, disagree and offer several arguments to support their findings, which showed superiority of subthalamic nucleus (STN) over GPi deep brain stimulation. Commenting on “Statin pretreatment is associated with better outcomes in large artery atherosclerotic stroke,” Dr. Goldstein further discusses the benefit of statin on cerebrovascular events and functional outcome, citing 2 exploratory analyses based on data from the Stroke Prevention by Aggressive Reduction in Cholesterol Levels (SPARCL) trial. Tsivgoulis et al., authors of the study, suggest further research to establish the safety and efficacy of early statin treatment on the …
Grid graph reachability problems

We study the complexity of reachability problems on various classes of grid graphs. Reachability on certain classes of grid graphs gives natural examples of problems that are hard for NC1 under AC0 reductions but are not known to be hard far L; they thus give insight into the structure of L. In addition to explicating the structure of L, another of our goals is to expand the class of digraphs for which connectivity can be solved in logspace, by building on the work of Jakoby et al. (2001), who showed that reachability in series-parallel digraphs is solvable in L. We show that reachability for single-source multiple sink planar dags is solvable in L
Basal metabolic rate of birds is associated with habitat temperature and precipitation, not primary productivity

A classic example of ecophysiological adaptation is the observation that animals from hot arid environments have lower basal metabolic rates (BMRs, ml O2 min−1) than those from non-arid (luxuriant) ones. However, the term ‘arid’ conceals within it a multitude of characteristics including extreme ambient temperatures (Ta, °C) and low annual net primary productivities (NPPs, g C m−2), both of which have been shown to correlate with BMR. To assess the relationship between environmental characteristics and metabolic rate in birds, we collated BMR measurements for 92 populations representing 90 wild-caught species and examined the relationships between BMR and NPP, Ta, annual temperature range (Tr), precipitation and intra-annual coefficient of variation of precipitation (PCV). Using conventional non-phylogenetic and phylogenetic generalized least-squares approaches, we found no support for a relationship between BMR and NPP, despite including species captured throughout the world in environments spanning a 35-fold range in NPP. Instead, BMR was negatively associated with Ta and Tr, and positively associated with PCV.
Advanced micromechanical analysis of highly loaded hybrid composite structures

Multi-scale computed tomography has been used to obtain a detailed 3D understanding of meso- and micro-structural characteristics in a hybrid composite/metallic component, along with a micro-mechanical understanding of the associated failure processes. A 3D FE approach has been adopted to model the structure, which has been informed by results achieved from the computed tomography.
Crude, Cheesy, Second-Rate Consciousness

If we aren’t sure what consciousness is, how can we be sure we haven’t already built it? In this article I speak from the perspective of someone who routinely builds small-scale machine intelligence. I begin by discussing the difficulty in finding the functional utility for a convincing analog of consciousness when considering the capabilities of modern computational systems. I then move to considering several animal models for consciousness, or at least for behaviours humans report as conscious. I use these to propose a clean and simple definition of consciousness. I use this definition to suggest which existing artificial intelligent systems we might call conscious. I then contrast my theory with related literature before concluding.
Thermal Vent Clam (Calyptogena magnifica) Hemoglobin

A heterodont bivalve mollusk Calyptogena magnifica, from the East Pacific Rise and the Gal�pagos Rift hydrothermal vent areas, contains abundant hemoglobin in circulating erythrocytes. No other known heterodont clam contains a circulating intracellular hemoglobin. The hemoglobin is tetrameric and has a relatively high oxygen affinity, which varies only slightly between 2� and 10�C. The presence of hemoglobin in the clam may facilitate the transport of oxygen to be used in chemoautotrophic hydrogen sulfide metabolism.
Loop Corrections to the Universal Hypermultiplet,” Phys

The universal hypermultiplet arises as a subsector of every Calabi-Yau compactifica-tion of M-theory or Type II string theory. Classically its moduli space is the quaternionic space SU (2, 1)/U (2). We show that this moduli space receives a one-loop correction proportional to the Euler character of the Calabi-Yau. The correction vanishes in the limit that the Planck mass is taken to infinity, and hence is essentially gravitational in nature.
Mathematical foundations for relational oriented systems engineering (ROSE)

Relational oriented systems engineering (ROSE) is a viewpoint on systems engineering that is based on domains and mathematical relations. It is a model-based formalism that integrates and extends the work of Yi Lin and George Klir on relational structures and relational homomorphism in systems engineering. It is also appropriate from the viewpoint of universal algebra. The mathematical formalism also admits a graphical interpretation. The mathematical foundation for ROSE supports the rigorous development of structures for the design of systems and the assemblage of systems of systems that extend the methods of Nam Suh on axiomatic design theory. The ROSE formalism is rooted in the Tarski theory of models in mathematical logic but has been adapted to the practice of engineering. The various mathematical viewpoints that comprise ROSE are seen to comprise a coherent foundation for a relational orientation on systems and system of systems engineering.
Bond Strength of Glass-Fiber Post to Dentine after some Treatment Methods

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of various root canal treatment methods on bonding strength of a glass-fıber post to root canal dentin. 60 human maxillary anterior teeth were prepared with ParaPost (Coltène) up to diameter of 1.75 mm with drills of 1.14, 1.25, 1.40, 1.50 and 1.75 mm from 1 mm coronal level of apices. The upper surfaces of polished areas were ground to acquire correct angle with the long axis of drills and the specimens were divided into 6 groups (n=10). Glass-fiber posts (1.5mm) (everStick POST, StickTech) were cemented with a dual-cure composite resin cement (ParaCem, Coltène) after following treatment methods. (Group 1) 0.9% isotonic NaCl solution (control), (Group 2) 2.5% NaOCl + Er:YAG Laser (Kavo K-E-Y), (Group 3) 2% Chlorhexidine + Er:YAG Laser , (Group 4) Slurry Bioactive Glass Granules (Vivoxid), (Group 5) Silane-based Primer (3M, ESPE, RelyX) + Er:YAG Laser, (Group 6) Slurry Bioactive Glass Granules + Silane-based Primer + Er:YAG Laser. From each root, two disks of 2 mm thickness was obtained. The push-out test was carried out by using a universal testing device (Lloyd LRX) with a loading tip (diameter 1.7 mm, crosshead speed of 1.0 mm/min) until loosening of the post. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA followed by post-hoc comparisons (Tukey B, p<0.05). Root canals were evaluated by SEM. Bond strength of fiber posts were significantly affected by the type of treatment (p<0.05). The highest bond strength was observed in Group 5, whereas the lowest bond strength values were recorded with the Group 3. Bond strength of glass-fiber post to root canal dentin was affected by treatment method. Treatment with laser and Bioactive Glass Granules in combination of using silane yielded the highest bond strength.
Research on TCAM-based Openflow switch platform

OpenFlow is a new type of switch model in rapid development. This model supports the control of external policies to network process. Multi-table and multi-item group matching is the challenge in Openflow platform. Three-layer implementation model of Openflow switch is proposed in this paper. Openflow multi-table switching technique based on TCAM is studied, including the model of the multi-table process in Openflow and TCAM performance model. TCAM-based Openflow forwarding performance is analyzed under the above model.
Left-Luggage Detection using Bayesian Inference

This paper presents a system that incorporates low-level object tracking and high-level event inference to solve the video event recognition problem. First, the tracking module combines the results of block tracking and human tracking to provide the trajectory as well as the basic type (human or non-human)of each detected object. The trajectories are then mapped to 3D world coordinates, given the camera model. Useful features such as speed, direction and distance between objects are computed and used as evidence. Events are represented as hypotheses and recognized in a Bayesian inference framework. The proposed system has been successfully applied to many event recognition tasks in the real world environment. In particular, we show results of detecting the left-luggage event on the PETS 2006 dataset.
Cost-effectiveness of endoscopy in irritable bowel syndrome.

BACKGROUND It is unknown to what extent at what expense flexible sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy add to the diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The aim of the study was to assess the incremental cost-effectiveness of endoscopic procedures in the workup for IBS. METHODS Using the Bayes formula, we calculated the increase in diagnostic certainty for a consecutive number of tests. We also calculated the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio, which corresponds to the test costs divided by the increment in diagnostic certainty. RESULTS The diagnosis of IBS can be established with a relatively high probability of more than 80% relying on relatively inexpensive and noninvasive tests only. Flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy constitute the most costly portion of any workup for IBS, which amounts to 50% to 75% of the overall costs. Because of their high incremental cost-effectiveness ratio, endoscopic procedures should not be used at the beginning of the diagnostic workup. This outcome of the analysis remains largely unaffected within reasonable ranges of the sensitivity and specificity of various tests. CONCLUSIONS In the diagnosis of IBS, inexpensive, noninvasive tests should be used first to rule out other diagnoses. Despite their high incremental cost-effectiveness ratio, flexible sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy are indicated when a serious organic disease is reasonably likely and needs to be ruled out.
Size-exclusion chromatography of circulating cardiac troponin T.

In a recent issue of Clinical Chemistry , Fahie-Wilson et al. (1) reported their use of gel-filtration chromatography and size-exclusion chromatography (SEC), combined with off-line measurement, to investigate circulating forms of cardiac troponin T (cTnT). We believe that the presented data did not justify the main conclusion of the paper, that cTnT circulates predominantly in the free, intact form in serum of patients with kidney failure and patients with acute coronary syndrome. Behavior of proteins in SEC is determined mainly by their hydrodynamic volume (expressed as Stokes radius, Rs). Nonglobular proteins are known to have a larger Rs than globular proteins with a comparable relative molecular mass ( M r), and cTnT is far from globular (2). Therefore, as is generally agreed, the separation of the nonglobular cTnT protein in an SEC column is better described with the Rs than the Mw(3). Hence, we used Rs to …
l-Lactate Production from Biodiesel-Derived Crude Glycerol by Metabolically Engineered Enterococcus faecalis: Cytotoxic Evaluation of Biodiesel Waste and Development of a Glycerol-Inducible Gene Expression System

ABSTRACT Biodiesel waste is a by-product of the biodiesel production process that contains a large amount of crude glycerol. To reuse the crude glycerol, a novel bioconversion process using Enterococcus faecalis was developed through physiological studies. The E. faecalis strain W11 could use biodiesel waste as a carbon source, although cell growth was significantly inhibited by the oil component in the biodiesel waste, which decreased the cellular NADH/NAD+ ratio and then induced oxidative stress to cells. When W11 was cultured with glycerol, the maximum culture density (optical density at 600 nm [OD600]) under anaerobic conditions was decreased 8-fold by the oil component compared with that under aerobic conditions. Furthermore, W11 cultured with dihydroxyacetone (DHA) could show slight or no growth in the presence of the oil component with or without oxygen. These results indicated that the DHA kinase reaction in the glycerol metabolic pathway was sensitive to the oil component as an oxidant. The lactate dehydrogenase (Ldh) activity of W11 during anaerobic glycerol metabolism was 4.1-fold lower than that during aerobic glycerol metabolism, which was one of the causes of low l-lactate productivity. The E. faecalis pflB gene disruptant (Δpfl mutant) expressing the ldhL1LP gene produced 300 mM l-lactate from glycerol/crude glycerol with a yield of >99% within 48 h and reached a maximum productivity of 18 mM h−1 (1.6 g liter−1 h−1). Thus, our study demonstrates that metabolically engineered E. faecalis can convert crude glycerol to l-lactate at high conversion efficiency and provides critical information on the recycling process for biodiesel waste.
Reversing a polyhedral surface

We introduce a new variety of flexatube, a rhomboflexatube. It is obtained from a cardboard rhombohedron by removing a pair of opposite faces (rhombi), and then subdividing the remaining four faces by pairs of diagonals. It is reversible, that is, it can be turned inside out by a series of folds, using edges and diagonals of the rhombi. To turn a rhomboflexatube inside out is quite a challenging puzzle. We also consider the reversibility of general polyhedral surfaces. We show that if an orientable polyhedral surface with boundary is reversible, then its genus is 0 and for every interior vertex, the sum of face angles at the vertex is at least 2�. After defining tube-attachment operation, we show that every polyhedral surface obtained from a rectangular tube by applying tube-attachment operations one after another can be subdivided so that it becomes reversible.
Curvature scale space based image corner detection

This paper describes a new method for image corner detection based on the curvature scale space (CSS) representation. The first step is to extract edges from the original image using a Canny detector. The Canny detector sometimes leaves a gap in T-junctions so during edge extraction, the gaps are examined to locate the T-junction corner points. The corner points of an image are defined as points where image edges have their maxima of absolute curvature. The corner points are detected at a high scale of the CSS and the locations are tracked through multiple lower scales to improve localization. The final stage is to compare T-junction corners to CSS corners and remove duplicates. This method is very robust to noise and we believe that it performs better than the existing corner detectors.
Channel Capacity Loss Reduction with Channel State Detections

Adaptive modulation and coding schemes (MCS) are key components in the next generation wireless system to improve channel throughput by adaptively choosing the MCS according to channel states. However, due to channel feedback delay, processing delay, and scheduling delay, the channel state may change at the time of transmission and results in channel capacity loss. Simply using previous channel state without any detection approach to choose the MCS results in a large channel capacity loss. In this paper, we propose to use minimum mean-squared error (MMSE) and maximum a posteriori (MAP) approaches to detect the MCS at any given time and schedule the transmission using the detected MCS. Simulation results show that our proposed MCS detection approaches reduce channel capacity loss, compared with the case when no detection is used.
Radius & Distance Estimates of the Isolated Neutron Stars Geminga & PSR B0656+14 using Optical Photometry

Integrated ground-based and HST optical studies of isolated neutron stars have provided important independent datasets in the determination of emission activity, particularly in the fitting of anticipated Rayleigh-Jeans extrapolations from EUV/soft X-ray datasets, despite their intrinsic faintness. Differentiation of the pulsed and unpulsed fluxes and consequently of the nonthermal and thermal modes of emission could provide definitive data with which to constrain this blackbody continuum. Based upon high speed photometric observations of Geminga and PSR B0656+14 in the B band, we have combined upper limits of unpulsed emission with recently published model-fits with a view to assessing possible implications for the R/d parameter. For Geminga, with a known distance of ~ 160 pc, we find that R_{infty} < 9.5 km for a ~ blackbody source, and R_{\infty} < 10.0 km with the presence of a magnetized H atmosphere. In addition, we suggest that PSR B0656+14 is some ~ 4 - 5 times closer than the 760 pc estimated from DM measurements alone.
A simple Bayesian decision‐theoretic design for dose‐finding trials

A flexible and simple Bayesian decision‐theoretic design for dose‐finding trials is proposed in this paper. In order to reduce the computational burden, we adopt a working model with conjugate priors, which is flexible to fit all monotonic dose‐toxicity curves and produces analytic posterior distributions. We also discuss how to use a proper utility function to reflect the interest of the trial. Patients are allocated based on not only the utility function but also the chosen dose selection rule. The most popular dose selection rule is the one‐step‐look‐ahead (OSLA), which selects the best‐so‐far dose. A more complicated rule, such as the two‐step‐look‐ahead, is theoretically more efficient than the OSLA only when the required distributional assumptions are met, which is, however, often not the case in practice. We carried out extensive simulation studies to evaluate these two dose selection rules and found that OSLA was often more efficient than two‐step‐look‐ahead under the proposed Bayesian structure. Moreover, our simulation results show that the proposed Bayesian method's performance is superior to several popular Bayesian methods and that the negative impact of prior misspecification can be managed in the design stage. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prevention of Elbow Injuries in Youth Baseball Pitchers

Context: Although baseball is a relatively safe sport, numerous reports suggest a rapid rise in elbow injury rate among youth baseball pitchers. Evidence Acquisition: PubMed was searched for epidemiologic, biomechanical, and clinical studies of elbow injuries in baseball (keywords: “youth OR adolescent” AND baseball AND pitching AND “ulnar collateral ligament OR elbow”; published January 2000 – April 2012). Studies with relevance to youth baseball pitchers were reviewed. Relevant references from these articles were also retrieved and reviewed. Original data, insight, and recommendations were added. Results: The majority of baseball elbow injuries are noncontact injuries to the dominant arm resulting from repetitive pitching. Five percent of youth pitchers suffer a serious elbow or shoulder injury (requiring surgery or retirement from baseball) within 10 years. The risk factor with the strongest correlation to injury is amount of pitching. Specifically, increased pitches per game, innings pitched per season, and months pitched per year are all associated with increased risk of elbow injury. Pitching while fatigued and pitching for concurrent teams are also associated with increased risk. Pitchers who also play catcher have an increased injury risk, perhaps due to the quantity of throws playing catcher adds to the athlete’s arm. Another risk factor is poor pitching biomechanics. Improper biomechanics may increase the torque and force produced about the elbow during each pitch. Although throwing breaking pitches at a young age has been suggested as a risk factor, existing clinical, epidemiologic, and biomechanical data do not support this claim. Conclusions: Some elbow injuries to youth baseball pitchers can be prevented with safety rules, recommendations, education, and common sense. Scientific and medical organizations have published safety rules and recommendations, with emphasis on prevention of overuse and pitching while fatigued. Strength-of-Recommendation Taxonomy (SORT): A