Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gender classification system in uncontrolled environments

Most face analysis systems available today perform mainly on restricted databases of images in terms of size, age, illumination. In addition, it is frequently assumed that all images are frontal and unconcealed. Actually, in a non-guided real-time supervision, the face pictures taken may often be partially covered and with head rotation less or more. In this paper, a special system supposed to be used in real-time surveillance with un-calibrated camera and non-guided photography is described. It mainly consists of five parts: face detection, non-face filtering, best-angle face selection, texture normalization, and gender classification. Emphases are focused on non-face filtering and best-angle face selection parts as well as texture normalization. Best-angle faces are figured out by PCA reconstruction, which equals to an implicit face alignment and results in a huge increase of the accuracy for gender classification. Dynamic skin model and a masked PCA reconstruction algorithm are applied to filter out faces detected in error. In order to fully include facial-texture and shape-outline features, a hybrid feature that is a combination of Gabor wavelet and PHoG (pyramid histogram of gradients) was proposed to equitable inner texture and outer contour. Comparative study on the effects of different non-face filtering and texture masking methods in the context of gender classification by SVM is reported through experiments on a set of UT (a company name) face images, a large number of internet images and CAS (Chinese Academy of Sciences) face database. Some encouraging results are obtained.
Dynamical Shift and Broadening of Core Excitons in Semiconductors

A non-Hermitian eigenvalue equation is proposed to determine binding energies and widths of core excitons in semiconductors, taking into account the time dependence of screening effects through the dielectric matrix ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}(\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{r}}, {\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{r}}}^{\ensuremath{'}};\ensuremath{\omega})$. Deviations from static screening contribute both an increase of the binding energy and a narrowing of the Auger width. Numerical estimates of both effects for the Si $2p$ transition give qualitative agreement with experimental data when the exciton size is reduced by band-structure effects.
Optical design method for high zoom ratio lens with liquid lens and digital signal processing

This research proposes a newly developed method to high zoom lens for mobile phone use, which the overall length is restricted in mobile phone size acceptable. Generally speaking, the optical design with liquid lens might be more complicated in optimization than traditional optics; not only because aspherical coefficient in liquid lens element is difficult to be defined and measured, but also because efficient optics layout needs more efforts to study in the near future. The paper mainly utilizes liquid lens in order to short total length; two liquid lens elements must be included. Besides consider total length, Lateral aberration also is very important. Lateral aberration will play a significant role in the Modulation Transfer function (MTF), so, the optical design will be able to arise very big, and that the many kinds of chromatics aberration with two groups of liquid lens. Using Digital Signal Processing technology principal factor why this also is.
Use of the Stark effect to minimize residual electric fields in an experimental volume

A technique based on the Stark effect is described that allows the residual electric field in a small experimental volume to be systematically reduced to ≲50 μV cm−1. Although developed initially to allow production of Rydberg atoms in states with very large values of principal quantum number n, it will also permit high resolution studies involving near threshold photoionization or very low‐energy free electrons.
Coupled Contributions in the Doppler Radar Spectrum Width Equation

Abstract Contrary to accepted usage, the second central moment of the Doppler spectrum is not the sum of the second central moments of individual spectral broadening mechanisms. A rigorous theoretical derivation of the spectrum width observed with short dwell times reveals that the sum cannot strictly be taken for the variances associated with various spectral broadening mechanisms and that an added-term coupling shear with turbulence is needed. Furthermore, shear and antenna rotation are coupled. The theoretical expressions derived herein apply to radars with fixed or scanning beams.
The molecular hydrogen emission associated with the Orion bright bar

On a mesure neuf spectres IR le long d'une bande qui croise le front d'ionisation de la barre brillante d'Orion. Le gaz moleculaire est excite a la fois par des chocs et par l'absorption de rayonnement UV. Les observations suggerent que le gaz moleculaire entre le front d'ionisation et le choc est dissocie
Collinearity: revisiting the variance inflation factor in ridge regression

Ridge regression has been widely applied to estimate under collinearity by defining a class of estimators that are dependent on the parameter k. The variance inflation factor (VIF) is applied to detect the presence of collinearity and also as an objective method to obtain the value of k in ridge regression. Contrarily to the definition of the VIF, the expressions traditionally applied in ridge regression do not necessarily lead to values of VIFs equal to or greater than 1. This work presents an alternative expression to calculate the VIF in ridge regression that satisfies the aforementioned condition and also presents other interesting properties.
Casimir force experiments with quartz tuning forks and an atomic force microscope (AFM)

The aim of the measurement series is to study the Casimir force, specifically the effects of different materials and geometries. The art of measuring sub-nano Newton forces has been engineered to a great extent in the material sciences, especially for the atomic force microscope. In today's scanning microscope technologies there are several common methods used to measure sub-nano Newton forces. While the commercial atomic force microscopes (AFM) mostly work with soft silicon cantilevers, there are a large number of reports from university groups on the use of quartz tuning forks to get high resolution AFM pictures, to measure shear forces or to create new force sensors. The quartz tuning fork based force sensor has a number of advantages over the silicon cantilever, but also has some disadvantages. In this report the method based on quartz tuning forks is described with respect to their usability for Casimir force measurements and compared with other successful techniques. Furthermore, a design for Casimir force measurements that was set up in Berlin will be described and practical experimental aspects will be discussed. A status report on the Casimir experiments in Berlin will be given, including the experimental setup. In order to study the details of the Casimir effect the apparatus and active surfaces have to be improved further. The surfaces have to be flatter and cleaner. For better resolution, cantilevers and tuning forks with a low spring constant have to be employed.
Algorithms for Generating Maximin Latin Hypercube and Orthogonal Designs

Various proposals for implementing the maximin criterion for space-filling designs for use in computer experiments are reviewed. A new, well-performing algorithm is presented for the construction of maximin Latin hypercube designs using a 2-dimensional distance metric. An additional criterion, design orthogonality, is important when screening the effects of the input variables and a new search algorithm for orthogonal maximin designs is described for both 2-dimensional and multi-dimensional distance metrics. The new algorithms are shown to outperform existing algorithms under a variety of criteria.
200-μm ISO observations of NGC 6946: evidence for an extended distribution of cold dust

We have used the Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) to obtain a resolved 200-μm image of the nearby spiral galaxy NGC 6946. We compare these observations with those made at 60 and 100 μm by the Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS). Whereas IRAS mainly detected warm dust (T ~ 30 K) heated by star-forming regions, ISO detects an extended distribution of cold dust (T <= 22 K) that is heated by the general interstellar radiation field. The IRAS emission tends to follow the molecular gas while it appears that the colder dust has a stronger association with atomic hydrogen. The cold dust is more extended in the radial direction than the optical, near-infrared, IRAS and radio continuum (20 cm) emission. The total gas-to-dust mass ratio is found to be ~ 290. This is much closer to the Galactic value of ~ 160 than the value of 1240 found using IRAS data only.
The Thunderstorm Forecasting System at the Kennedy Space Center

Abstract One of the major problems concerning meteorologists at the Kennedy Space Center, Fla, involves the forecasting of thunderstorm activity and associated adverse weather phenomena. The purpose of the study is to outline some of the more successful diagnostic tools which have been developed to aid the forecaster. These involve a variety of statistical procedures including conditional probabilities, exposure-period probabilities, and systems of multiple-regression equations based on nonlinear predictors.
An improved accelerated initial stress procedure for elasto-plastic finite element analysis

The most flexible and generally applicable methods for elasto-plastic analysis are those based on an incremental-iterative form of the initial stress approach, but such methods often exhibit slow convergence. The acceleration procedure known as the alpha-constant stiffness method is reconsidered and some modifications are proposed. The principal difference in the present approach lies in the use of a single acceleration parameter, rather than a diagonal matrix of acceleration coefficients. The new scheme shows a significant improvement in numerical stability and converges three times faster than the standard initial stress method. Some practical aspects associated with the method are discussed and a number of applications are presented.
Comparison of three thermotherapy modalities for the ablation of mamma carcinoma in situ using thermal imaging and mapping

A larger percentage of small tumors in the breast are being detected due to effective screening programs and improved radiological diagnostic methods. For treatment, less invasive methods are preferred which are still radical but also provide a better aesthetic result. Recently, several ablation techniques have become available to locally ablate tumors in situ. In this study, the effectiveness of three ablation techniques was compared by imaging the thermal distribution and temperature mapping in vitro. The first system (KLS Martin, Trumpf, Germany) uses Nd:YAG laser light delivered through a single diffusing fiber tip which is positioned direct into the tissue or in a water-cooled needle. The second system (Olympus-Celon, Germany) uses bipolar Radio Frequency currents between electrodes in a water-cooled needle. The RF system has a temperature feedback based on tissue impedance to prevent tissue charring. The third system is a focused ultrasound system developed in the Hospital. For all three the techniques, the dynamics of temperature gradients around the probe or focus point are visualized using color Schlieren techniques in a transparent tissue model and recorded using thermocouples. The effective lesion size and tissue temperatures were determined in in vitro bovine mamma tissue. All systems were capable to heat tissue volumes up to 3 cm in diameter. The lesion growth dependent on the power input, temperature gradient around the initial power source and treatment time. Although the three systems are capable to ablate small mamma carcinoma in situ, they differ in precision, MR compatibility, invasiveness, practical use and treatment time. The real clinical effectiveness has to be proven in large patient studies with long term follow up.
Estimating the Number of Species: A Review

How many kinds are there? Suppose that a population is partitioned into C classes. In many situations interest focuses not on estimation of the relative sizes of the classes, but on estimation of C itself. For example, biologists and ecologists may be interested in estimating the number of species in a population of plants or animals, numismatists may be concemed with estimating the number of dies used to produce an ancient coin issue, and linguists may be interested in estimating the size of an author's vocabulary. In this article we review the problem of statistical estimation of C. Many approaches have been proposed, some purely data-analytic and others based in sampling theory. In the latter case numerous variations have been considered. The population may be finite or infinite. If finite, samples may be taken with replacement (multinomial sampling) or without replacement (hypergeometric sampling), or by Bernoulli sampling; if infinite, sampling may be multinomial or Bernoulli, or the sample may be th.
SPHERICAL DISKS : MOVING TOWARD A UNIFIED SOURCE MODEL FOR L1551

To predict the effects of a disk on the spectral energy distribution of a deeply embedded protostar, we construct disk models with power-law temperature distributions T is proportional to r(exp -q). We then use the spherically averaged disk emission as the central source for a spherical envelope, hence the term, 'spherical' disk. We then calculate the predicted spectral energy distribution of the disk and envelope, using a spherically symmetric radiative transport code. Applying this procedure to L1551 IRS 5, we find that the predicted far-infrared flux is not very sensitive to the nature of the central source. The best source model is consistent with the far-infrared emission arising from the infalling region in an 'inside-out' collapse model, independent of the nature of the central source. Disk models are superior to the star-only model when we try to match millimeter interferometer data. While disks with various q can reproduce the observed 2.7 mm interferometer flux, only an active disk (q = 0.5) can produce enough emission in a region small enough to match the observed 2.7 mm visibilities. However, if the disk is backwarmed by the envelope, even purely reprocessing disks can meet this constraint. All types of backwarmed disks are virtually in distinguishable in their millimeter properties. We find that all reasonable envelope models are sufficiently opaque in the mid-infrared to attenuate any disk model to a level well below the observations, unless the ratio of the mid-infrared to far-infrared dust opacities is similar to that of the dust opacities advocated by Mathis, Mezger, & Panagia (1983).
A unified Riemann-probiem-based extension of the Warming–Beam and Lax–Wendroff schemes

A unified, Riemann-problem-based extension of the Warming-Beam and Lax-Wendroff schemes for nonlinear systems of hyperbolic conservation laws is presented. This is achieved by employing the weighted average flux (WAF) approach with the numerical flux given by a space-time integral average of the solution of local Riemann problems. The local wave structure dictates switching between schemes automatically with no need for special conservative switching operators. The resulting Godunov-type scheme has CFL-number 2 stability restriction and when used in conjunction with Riemann-solver adaption procedures is significantly more efficient than Riemann-problem-based methods currently in use.
Quantitative analysis of compositional changes in InGaAs∕InGaAsP quantum wells on GaAs induced by intermixing with a low temperature grown InGaP cap layer

Energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy was used to analyze quantum well intermixing between an InGaAs quantum well (QW) and InGaAsP barriers grown on GaAs induced by a low temperature, molecular beam epitaxy grown, InGaP cap. This cap layer produces an enhanced blueshift of the photoluminescence (PL) wavelength following postgrowth annealing, and degradation of the PL signal. Cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy reveals modification of the whole structure, with formation of arsenic precipitates, broadening, and subsequent disappearance of the QWs in the capped structure. Uncapped samples are relatively unchanged. Increased phosphorus observed in the QW for capped structures confirms the diffusion of phosphorus from the P-rich cap.
Parameter Recovery and Model Fit Using Multidimensional Composites: A Comparison of Four Empirical Parceling Algorithms

Manifest variables in covariance structure analysis are often combined to form parcels for use as indicators in a measurement model. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate four empirical algorithms for creating such parcels, focusing on the effects of dimensionality on accuracy of parameter estimation and model fit. Results suggest that accuracy of parameter estimation is primarily a function of the nature and number of dimensions in a composite, and that greater dimensionality also renders parceling methods more similar with respect to accuracy of estimation. Conversely, model fit is predominantly influenced by the parceling algorithm and number of parcels formed. An integrative analysis of the degree to which model fit signals accuracy of estimation highlights the respective advantages and disadvantages of the parceling algorithms. Results suggest that a Radial parceling algorithm may offer advantages over Correlational, Factorial, or Random assignment of items to parcels. The behavior of the Radial algorithm, and iterative algorithms in general, warrant further investigation.
A Micropower High-Performance ECG Recording Amplifier

This work introduces a novel micropowered single supply low-noise ECG amplifier that can be used with dry fabric-based paste-less electrodes for ambulatory electrocardiogram monitoring. The study emphasizes the need to include realistic values of source impedance as high as 10 <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{M}\Omega $ </tex-math></inline-formula> to assess amplifier performance parameters, such as magnitude response, time-domain response, common-mode input impedance, semiconductor noise, and common mode rejection ratio (CMRR). The effect on these parameters associated with high values of electrode impedance at different input frequencies has been extensively demonstrated in this work. The recommendations and standards published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 60601 pertaining to electrocardiographic equipment have been used to evaluate the performance requirements of the amplifier to ensure minimal distortion of the ECG signal. The amplifier attains a minimum common-mode input impedance of 10 <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{G}\Omega $ </tex-math></inline-formula> at the input within a frequency range of 0.1–150 Hz. This boosted input impedance is preserved by neutralizing amplifier input capacitance using power supply bootstrapping. The amplifier also maintains a differential gain of 41 dB, the CMRR was measured at 84 dB at mains frequency, and the input referred semiconductor noise was measured at 32-<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mu \text{V}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> peak-to-peak (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mu $ </tex-math></inline-formula>Vpp) in a bandwidth of 250 Hz. The power consumption of the amplifier was <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$130 ~\mu \text{W}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> operating from 3.7-V lithium battery and is intended to provide for ECG signals having amplitudes in the range 0.1–10 mV. This small portable amplifier is intended for use in long-term ECG and heart-rate monitoring applications.
Impact of Thermal Processing on the Selected Biological Activities of Ginger Rhizome—A Review

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) is a spice, medicinal and cosmetic plant that has been known for centuries. It can be used in dried, fresh, marinated or candied form, and is also an essential ingredient in well-known curry blends. Ginger rhizomes are often freeze-dried as the first step in the preparation of the raw material. Many studies have proved that the composition and biological activity of ginger changes due to thermal processing. Therefore, the aim of the review was to summarize the scientific results on the impact of traditional and unconventional methods of the heat treatment of ginger rhizomes and their influence on the antioxidant and other selected biological activities of the plant. The review of the available scientific data is inconclusive, and it is hard to state unequivocally whether the thermal treatment of the raw material increases or decreases biological activity. Based on the presented literature review, it can be concluded that traditional cooking and microwave processing in general decrease the antioxidant activity of the ginger rhizome, whereas frying, autoclaving, blanching or traditional drying in the sun mostly lead to a significant increase in ginger activity. Interesting data were presented in the works describing the freeze-drying process during which the antioxidant potential of ginger increased.
Development and Validation of a System for the Assessment and Recovery of Grip Force Control

The ability to finely control hand grip forces can be compromised by neuromuscular or musculoskeletal disorders. Therefore, it is recommended to include the training and assessment of grip force control in rehabilitation therapy. The benefits of robot-mediated therapy have been widely reported in the literature, and its combination with virtual reality and biofeedback can improve rehabilitation outcomes. However, the existing systems for hand rehabilitation do not allow both monitoring/training forces exerted by single fingers and providing biofeedback. This paper describes the development of a system for the assessment and recovery of grip force control. An exoskeleton for hand rehabilitation was instrumented to sense grip forces at the fingertips, and two operation modalities are proposed: (i) an active-assisted training to assist the user in reaching target force values and (ii) virtual reality games, in the form of tracking tasks, to train and assess the user’s grip force control. For the active-assisted modality, the control of the exoskeleton motors allowed generating additional grip force at the fingertips, confirming the feasibility of this modality. The developed virtual reality games were positively accepted by the volunteers and allowed evaluating the performance of healthy and pathological users.