Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A novel multicell DC-AC converter for applications in renewable energy systems

This paper presents a novel DC-AC converter for applications in the area of distributed energy generation systems, e.g., solar power systems, fuel-cell power systems in combination with supercapacitor or battery energy storage. The proposed converter is realized using an isolated multicell topology where the total AC output of the system is formed by series connection of several full-bridge converter stages. The DC links of the full bridges are supplied by individual DC-DC isolation stages which are arranged in parallel concerning the dc input of the. total system. Therefore, all switching cells of the proposed converter can be equipped with modern low-voltage high-current power MOSFETs, which results in an improved efficiency as compared to conventional isolated DC-AC converters. Furthermore, the cells are operated in an interleaved pulsewidth-modulation mode which, in connection with the low voltage level of each cell, significantly reduces the filtering effort on the AC output of the overall system. The paper describes the operating principle, analyzes the fundamental relationships which are relevant for component selection, and presents a specific circuit design. Finally, measurements taken from a 2-kW laboratory model are presented.
Applications of cost-effective spectral imaging microscopy in cancer research

The application of a cost-effective spectral imager to spatially segmenting absorptive and fluorescent chemical probes on the basis of their spectral characteristics has been demonstrated. The imager comprises a computer-controlled spectrally selective element that allows random access to a bandwidth of 15 nm between 400 and 700 nm. Further, the use of linear un-mixing of the spectral response of a sample at a single pixel has been facilitated using non-negative least squares fitting. Examples are given showing the separation of dye distributions, such as immunohistochemical markers for tumour hypoxia, from multiply stained thin tissue sections, imaged by trans-illumination microscopy. A quantitative study is also presented that shows a correlation between staining intensity and normal versus tumour tissue, and the advantage of reducing the amount of data captured for a particular study is also demonstrated. An example of the application to fluorescence microscopy is also given, showing the separation of green fluorescent protein, Cy3 and Cy5 at a single pixel. The system has been validated against samples of known optical density and of known overlapping combinations of coloured filters. These results confirm the ability of this technique to separate spectral responses that cannot be resolved with conventional colour imaging.
Managers ' and Auditors ' Perceptions of Intellectual Capital Disclosure

Purpose – We aim to explore managers' & auditors' perceptions on intellectual capital measurement and reporting in Egyptian companies. Design/methodology/approach – The paper draws on a questionnaire survey sent to managers and external auditors were asked to provide their opinion about intellectual capital measurement and reporting for companies listed in the Egyptian Stock Exchange. Findings – We find significant differences between respondents' rates on IC indicators. These differences are due to different industry sectors involved in our sample. Further, we find that Egyptian listed firms do not either measure or report IC indicators in their annual reports. In addition, we find that auditors' responsibilities on IC reporting are ambiguous. Finally, we find that work experience is the main determinant of managers' perceptions on IC indicators, while professional education is the main determinant of external auditors' perceptions on IC indicators. Originality/value – Prior research on intellectual capital utilised the content analysis approach to measure levels of intellectual capital disclosure in annual reports. This paper add to the existing literature by utilising the results of a survey questionnaire distributed to managers working in (and auditors specialised in) Egyptian companies to explore their perceptions on intellectual capital measurement and reporting. Since prior research has focused on developed economies, we strongly believe that this paper provides a novel contribution to the existing literature as we are the first to examine this issue in Egypt.
Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction and Volumes: It Depends on the Imaging Method

In order to provide guidance for using measurements of left ventricular (LV) volume and ejection fraction (LVEF) from different echocardiographic methods a PubMed review was performed on studies that reported reference values in normal populations for two‐dimensional (2D ECHO) and three‐dimensional (3D ECHO) echocardiography, nuclear imaging, cardiac computed tomography, and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). In addition all studies (2 multicenter, 16 single center) were reviewed, which included at least 30 patients, and the results compared of noncontrast and contrast 2D ECHO, and 3D ECHO with those of CMR.
Hypergraph based query optimization

Resource Description Framework (RDF) is the fundamental data model for storing information on the web. In recent years, the amount of RDF data available on the web is increasing rapidly. As RDF is a graph based data model, the evaluation of SPARQL queries become expensive. Query optimization and data management problems are the key challenges associated with RDF data. This paper is focused on the concept of hypergraph for storing RDF data and graph based index for query processing. We propose some algorithms for transformation of RDF graph to hypergraph, formation of index, generating query path and for query processing. A PredicateBasedIndex (PBI) is created, from RDF graph, with the help of the size of hyper-edges. According to this index a query path is built for a SPARQL query and executed on the hypergraph. These algorithms are analyzed and compared with some existing literature based on query optimization.
Category Theory and Model-Driven Engineering: From Formal Semantics to Design Patterns and Beyond

There is a hidden intrigue in the title. CT is one of the most abstract mathematical disciplines, sometimes nicknamed "abstract nonsense". MDE is a recent trend in software development, industrially supported by standards, tools, and the status of a new "silver bullet". Surprisingly, categorical patterns turn out to be directly applicable to mathematical modeling of structures appearing in everyday MDE practice. Model merging, transformation, synchronization, and other important model management scenarios can be seen as executions of categorical specifications. Moreover, the paper aims to elucidate a claim that relationships between CT and MDE are more complex and richer than is normally assumed for "applied mathematics". CT provides a toolbox of design patterns and structural principles of real practical value for MDE. We will present examples of how an elementary categorical arrangement of a model management scenario reveals deficiencies in the architecture of modern tools automating the scenario.
The Impact of Nature Experience on Willingness to Support Conservation

We hypothesized that willingness to financially support conservation depends on one's experience with nature. In order to test this hypothesis, we used a novel time-lagged correlation analysis to look at times series data concerning nature participation, and evaluate its relationship with future conservation support (measured as contributions to conservation NGOs). Our results suggest that the type and timing of nature experience may determine future conservation investment. Time spent hiking or backpacking is correlated with increased conservation contributions 11–12 years later. On the other hand, contributions are negatively correlated with past time spent on activities such as public lands visitation or fishing. Our results suggest that each hiker or backpacker translates to $200–$300 annually in future NGO contributions. We project that the recent decline in popularity of hiking and backpacking will negatively impact conservation NGO contributions from approximately 2010–2011 through at least 2018.
Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor for Treatment of Onychomadesis with Delayed Regrowth of the Nail

Onychomadesis usually arises from an inflammation of the paronychium or as a result of blisters and hemorrhaging under a nail that has been struck or compressed. No documented interactions between basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and onychomadesis have hitherto been reported. This case report describes a 25-year-old woman with onychomadesis following infection of the ingrown nail of her left thumb. After ten months of observation with no treatment showed no regrowth of her left thumbnail, the external use of bFGF and antibiotic ointment was started. One month later, nail regrowth was observed up to the halfway point of the nail bed, and after treatment for three months, the regrown nail reached the top of the nail bed. Both thumbnails now looked identical. This case suggests that external use of bFGF can promote nail regrowth in cases of onychomadesis with delayed regrowth of the nail.
Tectogrammatical representation: towards a minimal transfer in machine translation

The Prague Dependency Treebank (PDT, as described, e.g., in (Hajic, 1998) or more recently in (Hajic, Pajas and Vidova Hladka, 2001)) is a project of linguistic annotation of approx. 1.5 million word corpus of naturally occurring written Czech on three levels (“layers”) of complexity and depth: morphological, analytical, and tectogrammatical. The aim of the project is to have a reference corpus annotated by using the accumulated findings of the Prague School as much as possible, while simultaneously showing (by experiments, mainly of statistical nature) that such a framework is not only theoretically interesting but possibly also of practical use. In this contribution we want to show that the deepest (tectogrammatical) layer of representation of sentence structure we use, which represents “linguistic meaning” as described in (Sgall, Hajicova and Panevova, 1986) and which also records certain aspects of discourse structure, has certain properties that can be effectively used in machine translation1 for languages of quite different nature at the transfer stage. We believe that such representation not only minimizes the “distance” between languages at this layer, but also delegates individual language phenomena where they belong to whether it is the analysis, transfer or generation processes, regardless of methods used for performing these steps.
A Query Conversion Scheme for Encrypted Cloud Databases

Encryption is an effective way of protecting sensitive data that have been outsourced in the cloud computing environment. But it is computationally expensive for the database management system to carry out SQL queries against the encrypted data. A query conversion scheme is presented which converts traditional database queries to encryption specific versions so that the queries can be directly executed on the cloud server. This scheme dramatically increases the efficiency of query processing in encrypted cloud databases, and it provides high transparency for end users by introducing a SQL gateway to the user applications and the cloud server.
The Israeli Queue with Finite and Infinite Number of Families

The so called ”Israeli Queue” is a single server polling system with batch service of an unlimited size, where the next queue to be visited is the one having the most senior waiting customer. The case with finite number of queues (families) was introduced in Boxma, Wal and Yechiali [2]. In this paper we extend the model to the case with a (possibly) infinite number of families. We analyze the M/M/1, the M/M/c, and the M/M/1/N type queues, as well as a priority model with (at most) M high-priority classes and a single lower priority class. In all models we present an extensive probabilistic analysis and calculate key performance measures.
A PROGRAMMABLE RESOLUTION A/D CONVERTER MODELING

This paper describes a VHDL implementation of a behavioural model for novel programmable resolution analog to digital converters (ADCs). This architecture uses the dichotomic method in the conversion. The goal for using this VHDL description is to validate the algorithm conversion and facilitate the synthesis of the digital part. In this example it includes digital control of dichotomic method. The structure of the converter is composed of a reference voltage generator, a programmable gain amplifier and a low resolution ADC. An ADC of 12-bits has been modeled and simulated using VHDL. The Static Test Ramp Method is applied for the testing of the 12bits ADC models. Also, we show how the analog parts affect the linearity of ADC. Static parameters such as INL and DNL are determined and presented.
Necrotizing Fasciitis in Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a rare, progressive, and life-threatening hematopoietic stem cell disorder characterized by complement-mediated intravascular hemolysis and a prothrombotic state. Patients with PNH might have slightly increased risk of infections due to complement-associated defects subsequent to CD59 deficiency. Here, we report a rare case of a 65-year-old male patient with necrotic ulcers on both legs, where the recognition of pancytopenia and microthrombi led to the diagnosis of PNH based on FLAER (FLuorescent AERolysin) flow cytometric analysis. He was subsequently started on eculizumab therapy, with starting and maintenance doses set as per drug labelling. Progression of the patient's leg ulcers during follow-up, with fulminant tissue destruction, purulent discharge, and necrotic patches, led to a later diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumonia infection. Courses of broad-spectrum antibiotics, surgical debridement, and superficial skin grafting were applied with successful effect during ongoing eculizumab therapy. This case highlights the point that it is important to maintain treatment of underlying disorders such as PNH in the presence of life-threatening infections like NF.
Taking the Pulse of Political Emotions in Latin America Based on Social Web Streams

Social media services have become increasingly popular and their penetration is worldwide. Micro-blogging services, such as Twitter, allow users to express themselves, share their emotions and discuss their daily life affairs in real-time, covering a variety of different points of view and opinions, including political and event-related topics such as immigration, economic issues, tax policy or election campaigns. On the other hand, traditional methods tracking public opinion still heavily rely upon opinion polls, which are usually limited to small sample sizes and can incur in significant costs in terms of time and money. In this paper, we leverage state-of-the-art techniques of sentiment analysis for real-time political emotion tracking. In particular, we analyze mentions of personal names of 18 presidents in Latin America, and measure each political figure's effect in the emotions reflected on the social web.
ZenLDA: An Efficient and Scalable Topic Model Training System on Distributed Data-Parallel Platform

This paper presents our recent efforts, zenLDA, an efficient and scalable Collapsed Gibbs Sampling system for Latent Dirichlet Allocation training, which is thought to be challenging that both data parallelism and model parallelism are required because of the Big sampling data with up to billions of documents and Big model size with up to trillions of parameters. zenLDA combines both algorithm level improvements and system level optimizations. It first presents a novel CGS algorithm that balances the time complexity, model accuracy and parallelization flexibility. The input corpus in zenLDA is represented as a directed graph and model parameters are annotated as the corresponding vertex attributes. The distributed training is parallelized by partitioning the graph that in each iteration it first applies CGS step for all partitions in parallel, followed by synchronizing the computed model each other. In this way, both data parallelism and model parallelism are achieved by converting them to graph parallelism. We revisited the tradeoff between system efficiency and model accuracy and presented approximations such as unsynchronized model, sparse model initialization and "converged" token exclusion. zenLDA is built on GraphX in Spark that provides distributed data abstraction (RDD) and expressive APIs to simplify the programming efforts and simultaneously hides the system complexities. This enables us to implement other CGS algorithm with a few lines of code change. To better fit in distributed data-parallel framework and achieve comparable performance with contemporary systems, we also presented several system level optimizations to push the performance limit. zenLDA was evaluated it against web-scale corpus, and the result indicates that zenLDA can achieve about much better performance than other CGS algorithm we implemented, and simultaneously achieve better model accuracy.
On the Implementation of Tree Automata: Limitations of the Naive Approach

Monadic Second Order logic (MSO) has been used as a formalism to describe Government and Binding rules. It also lends itself to be used as a query language. Main arguments are its expressive power and linear data complexity. Particularly in the domain of tree banks, where the size of the data is much bigger than the size of the query, the data complexity is an influential factor. It is known since the late 1960s that an MSO formula can be translated into a tree automaton. These results also predict an more than exponential blowup of the number of states of the tree automaton corresponding to the number of quantifier alternations in the formula. If one refrains from writing complicated formulae and thus avoids the theoretical blowup, one could hope the result becomes practically usable to write a query tool for tree banks. It is shown here that another problem arises: even with few quantifier alternations the transition tables get too big very soon. This is illustrated by a straightforward implementation of tree automata: by taking the definition in its mathematical sense, and translating every element into an equivalent computer language construct. This was done in a prototype Java version of the tool described above. I describe why this approach reaches its limits all too soon, due to the above problem.
Fast single image fog removal using edge-preserving smoothing

Imaging in poor weather is often severely degraded by scattering due to suspended particles in the atmosphere such as haze and fog. In this paper, we propose a novel fast defogging method from a single image of a scene based on the atmospheric scattering model. In the inference process of the atmospheric veil, the coarser estimate is refined using a fast edge-preserving smoothing approach. The complexity of the proposed method is only a linear function of the number of image pixels and this thus allows a very fast implementation. Results on a variety of outdoor foggy images demonstrate that the proposed method achieves good restoration for contrast and color fidelity, resulting in a great improvement in image visibility.
Chronological Sampling for Email Filtering

User models for email filtering should be developed from appropriate training and test sets. A k-fold cross-validation is commonly presented in the literature as a method of mixing old and new messages to produce these data sets. We show that this results in overly optimistic estimates of the email filter’s accuracy in classifying future messages because the test set has a higher probability of containing messages that are similar to those in the training set. We propose the k-fold chronological cross-validation method that preserves the chronology of the email messages in the test set.
Mycorrhizal colonization of Pinus muricata from resistant propagules after a stand-replacing wildfire

Colonization of mycorrhizal fungi was studied in a Pinus muricata forest on the coast in California, USA, burned by a stand-replacing wildfire in October 1995. Naturally established field seedlings of P. muricata were harvested 1 yr after the fire. The species composition of the mycorrhizal fungi on these field seedlings was dominated by Rhizopogon species, Wilcoxina mikolae and Tomentella sublilacina. Bioassays, set up with soil collected immediately after the fire, were used to determine which mycorrhizal species had colonized the burned area from resistant propagules. The P. muricata seedlings in these bioassays were dominated by suilloid and ascomycetous fungi, the same fungi which dominated the mycorrhizal flora of seedlings in pre-fire bioassays derived from the same forest site, suggesting that resistant propagules were the primary inoculum source for naturally establishing seedlings. Drying of post-fire soil for 1 month raised the number of bioassay seedlings associated with Rhizopogon olivaceotinctus, while the number of bioassay seedlings associated with Rhizopogon ochraceorubens was reduced. Fire appeared to have either stimulated or provided a competitive advantage to R. olivaceotinctus, which increased in abundance on the post-fire bioassay and field seedlings. Soil collected from the burned area was diluted with sterile soil in three different concentrations, and the number and frequency of mycorrhizal taxa on bioassay seedlings decreased with increased dilution. Although precise quantification was not possible, propagules of the Rhizopogon species were much more abundant than those of Tomentella or Wilcoxina species. Differences between the mycorrhizal associates of bioassay seedlings, naturally regenerated seedlings, and different inoculum sources are discussed.
SPACE USE, CIRCADIAN ACTIVITY PATTERN, AND MATING SYSTEM OF THE NOCTURNAL TREE RAT THALLOMYS NIGRICAUDA

Abstract We present results of a radiotracking study of the black-tailed tree rat Thallomys nigricauda, based on 3 males and 4 females in the breeding season and 2 males and 5 females in the nonbreeding season. The study was conducted in the southern Kalahari thornveld, South Africa, a savanna landscape of acacia trees and patchy acacia bush. Nocturnal activity patterns, vegetation use, space use, and interactions were followed for 8–17 days. During the breeding season, males were active with 2 synchronous activity peaks shortly after sunset and late at night. Home ranges included the nests of 8–10 females, 6 different daytime resting places, and 3–5 areas of high activity. Males were mobile within home ranges of 5–10 ha (90% minimal convex polygons) that overlapped with other males and covered home ranges of several females. Activity of females was high shortly after sunset and before sunrise with 6 h of low activity between. Home ranges of nursing females were 0.001–0.03 ha and included 2 small areas of high activity (nest and foraging site) where no other adult females were observed. Animals preferred small acacia shrubs (Acacia mellifera, A. luederitzi) for foraging. During the nonbreeding season, activity of both sexes was low, with only 1 peak shortly after sunset. Although small acacia shrubs did not have foliage, they were preferred by both sexes for foraging, and rats were observed feeding on buds. Home-range size of males was 1–2 ha and of females was 0.1–0.3 ha. Contrary to earlier reports, we found tree rats living solitarily or with young offspring. We suggest that the species has a promiscuous mating system.