Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Template-Based Method for Compensation of Time Difference of Arrival in Passive Sound Source Localization under Reverberant and Noisy Environments

Source localization techniques are important and effective for various applications. Without reverberation and noise, some conventional source localization techniques have achieved high accuracies. However, reverberation degrades their performance due to reflected sounds because they compare observed time differences of arrival (TDOAs) with theoretical TDOAs, which are derived from anechoic conditions and do not agree with actual ones under reverberant conditions. We propose a template-based method that compensates the discrepancy between theoretical TDOAs and actual TDOAs in order to reduce the influence of reflections. In this study, two types of experiments are performed to validate the effectiveness of the proposed method. The first one is a simple case that investigates the estimation accuracy in detail and the second one investigates a more practical case in a more complicated situation. For both cases, our proposed method can calibrate these errors effectively without increasing the computational time and improve the performance of conventional methods.
Architecting NP-Dynamic Skybridge

iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to gratefully and sincerely thank Dr. Csaba Andras Moritz for his guidance, understanding and patience throughout my graduate study at Umass Amherst. His mentorship was paramount in providing me correct attitude of doing research and proper method to present ideas. He encouraged me to not only grow as a programmer but also as an independent thinker. For everything you've done for me, Dr. Moritz, I thank you. I would also like to thank the members of the Skybridge research group, especially Mostafizur Rahman, Santosh Khasanvis and my good partner Mingyu Li for their consistent help during my Master study. I would like to thank the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department of Umass Amherst for the support, which turns my dream into reality. In addition, I would also thank all members in my Master Thesis committee, Drs. Csaba Andras Moritz, Israel Koren, and C. Mani Krishna, for their significant help from proposal to the final defense. I want to thank my parents, Jidong Shi and Aisu Xu, for their selfless and endless love to me. Also for my uncle Jiqiang Shi, thanks for his selfless support for my study in America.
Matching heterogeneous sensing pipelines to digital maps for ego-vehicle localization

In this thesis, we present a probabilistic framework for ego-vehicle localization called Road Layout Estimation framework. The main contribution to the vehicle localization problem is the synergistic exploitation of heterogeneous sensing pipelines, as well as their matching with respect to the OpenStreetMap service. The approach is validated in different ways by exploiting different visual clues. Firstly by using the road graph provided by the OpenStreetMap service, then exploiting high-level features like intersections between roads, buildings façades, and other road features. Regarding the effectiveness of the road-graph exploitation, its is proven by achieving real-time computation with state-of-the-art results on a set of ten not trivial runs from the KITTI dataset, including both urban/residential and highway/road scenarios. Moreover, a probabilistic approach for detecting and classifying urban road intersections from a moving vehicle is presented. The approach is based on images from an on-board stereo rig. It relies on the detection of the road ground plane on one side, and on a pixel-level classification of the observed scene on the other. The two processing pipelines are then integrated and the parameters of the road components, i.e., the intersection geometry, are inferred. As opposed to other state-of-the-art off-line methods, which require processing of the whole video sequence up to when the vehicle is inside the intersection, our approach integrates the image data by means of an on-line procedure. The experiments have been performed on the well-known KITTI datasets as well, allowing the community to perform future comparisons. Besides the pure road interpretation schemes, in this work we also present a technique that takes advantage of detected building façades and OpenStreetMaps building data to improve the localization of an autonomous vehicle driving in an urban scenario. The proposed approach also leverages images from the stereo rig mounted on the vehicle to produce a mathematical representation of the buildings’ façades within the field of view. This representation is matched against the outlines of the surrounding buildings as they are available on OpenStreetMaps. All the retrieved features are fed into our probabilistic framework, in order to produce an accurate lane-level localization of the vehicle in urban contexts. Finally, as to achieve a lane-level localization also in highway scenarios, we propose two methods that allow the framework to leverage the lane number and the road width. The proposed approaches have been tested under real traffic conditions, showing satisfactory performances with respect to the map-matching-only settings and compensating the noisy measures of a basic line detector.
Robot Calligraphy using Pseudospectral Optimal Control in Conjunction with a Simulated Brush Model

Chinese calligraphy is a unique form of art that has great artistic value but is difficult to master. In this paper, we make robots write calligraphy. Learning methods could teach robots to write, but may not be able to generalize to new characters. As such, we formulate the calligraphy writing problem as a trajectory optimization problem, and propose a new virtual brush model for simulating the real dynamic writing process. Our optimization approach is taken from pseudospectral optimal control, where the proposed dynamic virtual brush model plays a key role in formulating the objective function to be optimized. We also propose a stroke-level optimization to achieve better performance compared to the character-level optimization proposed in previous work. Our methodology shows good performance in drawing aesthetically pleasing characters.
Mixture of Normal Mean-Variance of Lindley Distributions

In this paper, a new mixture modelling using the normal meanvariance mixture of Lindley (NMVL) distribution has been considered. The proposed model is heavy-tailed and multimodal and can be used in dealing with asymmetric data in various theoretic and applied problems. We present a feasible computationally analytical EM algorithm for computing the maximum likelihood estimates. The behavior of the obtained maximum likelihood estimators is studied with respect to bias and mean squared errors through conducting a simulation study. Two examples with flow cytometry data are used to illustrate the applicability of the proposed model.
Liver stiffness: a novel parameter for the diagnosis of liver disease

The noninvasive quantitation of liver stiffness (LS) by ultrasound based transient elastography using FibroScan® has revolutionized the diagnosis of liver diseases, namely liver cirrhosis. Alternative techniques such as acoustic radiation impulse frequency imaging or magnetic resonance elastography are currently under investigation. LS is an excellent surrogate marker of advanced fibrosis (F3) and cirrhosis (F4) outscoring all previous noninvasive approaches to detect cirrhosis. LS values below 6 kPa are considered as normal and exclude ongoing liver disease. LS of 8 and 12.5 kPa represent generally accepted cut-off values for F3 and F4 fibrosis. LS highly correlates with portal pressure, and esophageal varices are likely at values >20 kPa. Many other factors may also increase LS such as hepatic infiltration with tumor cells, mast cells (mastocytosis), inflammatory cells (all forms of hepatitis) or amyloidosis. In addition, LS is directly correlated with the venous pressure (eg, during liver congestion) and is increased during mechanic cholestasis. Thus, LS should always be interpreted in the context of clinical, imaging and laboratory findings. Finally, LS has helped to better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying liver fibrosis. The novel pressure-stiffness-fibrosis sequence hypothesis is introduced.
Dynamical properties of superstable attractors in the logistic map

In this talk I will present previously unknown properties of the family of periodic superstable cycles characterized by a Lyapunov exponent that diverges to minus infinity. The successive superstable cycles illustrate the fractal structure of the Feibenbaum attractor. We will show that the basin of attraction for the phases of the cycles develops fractal boundaries of increasing complexity as the period-doubling structure advances towards the transition to chaos. We will also comment on the dynamical features of the trajectories that either evolve towards the Feigenbaum attractor or are captured by its matching repellor.
let’s get back to work: survival analysis on the return-to-work after depression

absence from work is associated with a reduced probability of return-to-work (RTW). Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a prevalent condition in Dutch occupational health care settings. An early estimate of the prognosis regarding RTW in patients with MDD could serve both as a point of departure for the identification of high-risk cases and as an instrument to monitor the course of the disorder and of RTW. In the current study, we aimed to assess the added value of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and severity of depression to predict the time to RTW. Patients and methods: Data were derived from a prospective longitudinal study aimed to evaluate the cost effectiveness of a collaborative care treatment in sick-listed workers with MDD. We included demographic, job-related, and health-related variables. Severity of depression was measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire Depression Scale-9 (PHQ-9). HRQoL was measured using two generic preference-based instruments, the EuroQol 5-Dimension (EQ-5D™) and the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). A survival model was constructed by applying different survival functions to assess the best fit for the data. Additionally, survival analyses were performed to assess the added value of the two HRQoL measures and depression severity for predicting RTW. Results: Females and older patients had a longer time to RTW. The same was true for patients with a full-time job and patients with more decision latitude. Patients in a management position and patients with more social support had a shorter time to RTW. Severity of depression was not predictive for the time to RTW. HRQoL measured by the SF-36 was a significant predictor for the time to RTW. Conclusion: HRQoL emerged as a significant predictor for the time to RTW. However, severity of depression was not predictive for the time to RTW. These results suggest the importance of assessing HRQoL in addition to severity of disease to assess functionality.
Fragment plume evaluations from two examples of high-energy density laser target interactions

The Orion facility is used mainly for studying high energy density physics. It has ten “long” pulse UV laser beams, two “short” pulse Petawatt beams and ancillary beams for probing of the experimental conditions. Occasionally experimental teams are requested to perform dedicated shots of a given configuration to obtain information on laser target fragments and their effects on surfaces within the target chamber. After these test shots witness plate surfaces were inspected by optical microscopy so that palliative measures could be taken or modifications to the experiment undertaken to minimize any deleterious effects on laser optics or diagnostic instrumentation.
Automatic position and guidance system for space manipulator operation based on videometrics

Based on the principle of videometrics, this paper presents a visual positioning and navigation system for lunar soil sampling and encapsulation. The system uses local histogram technique to decrease the influence of complex light environment and sub-pixel correlation technique of camera measurement is used to overcome the influence of low resolution of monitor camera and improve the precision of measurement. It can provide pose parameters for space manipulator operation.
Hop count optimal position-based packet routing algorithms for ad hoc wireless networks with a realistic physical Layer

Existing routing and broadcasting protocols for ad hoc networks assume an ideal physical layer model. We apply the log-normal shadow fading model to represent a realistic physical layer and use the probability p(x) for receiving a packet successfully as a function of distance x between two nodes. We define the transmission radius R as the distance at which p(R)=0.5. We propose a medium access control layer protocol, where receiver node acknowledges packet to sender node u times, where u*p(x)/spl ap/1. We derived an approximation for p(x) to reduce computation time. It can be used as the weight in the optimal shortest hop count routing scheme. We then study the optimal packet forwarding distance to minimize the hop count, and show that it is approximately 0.73R (for power attenuation degree 2). A hop count optimal, greedy, localized routing algorithm [referred as ideal hop count routing (IHCR)] for ad hoc wireless networks is then presented. We present another algorithm called expected progress routing with acknowledgment (referred as aEPR) for ad hoc wireless networks. Two variants of aEPR algorithm, namely, aEPR-1 and aEPR-u are also presented. Next, we propose projection progress scheme, and its two variants, 1-Projection and u-Projection. Iterative versions of aEPR and projection progress attempt to improve their performance. We then propose tR-greedy routing scheme, where packet is forwarded to neighbor closest to destination, among neighbors that are within distance tR. All described schemes are implemented, and their performances are evaluated and compared.
MBED : A Network Resource Mapping Service for Distributed Applications †

Emerging configurable infrastructures (large-scale overlays, grids, distributed testbeds, and sensor networks among others) comprise diverse sets of computing resources and network conditions. The distributed applications to be deployed on these infrastructures exhibit increasingly complex constraints and requirements on the resources they require. Thus, a common problem facing the efficient deployment of distributed applications on these infrastructures is that of mapping application-level requirements onto the network in such a manner that the requirements of the application are realized. We present two new techniques to tackle this combinatorially-hard problem that thanks to a number of heuristics, are able to find feasible solutions or determine the non-existence of a solution in most cases, where otherwise the problem would be intractable. These techniques are also false negative free, a common problem among other heuristics currently in use.
Adaptive learning rate method based on Nesterov accelerated gradient

A kind of stochastic gradient descent method of self-adaptive learning rate is proposed in this thesis. This method is based on the optimization algorithm Nesterov accelerated gradient (NAG). First second derivative approximation of cost function is executed, then the final update orientation is corrected through self-adaptive learning rate, and the convergence of the method is analyzed theoretically. This method required no manual adjustment of the learning rate and is robust in the selection of noise gradient information and hyper-parameters, featuring high computation efficiency and small memory overhead. Finally, a comparison is made between this method and other stochastic gradient descent methods through MNIST digital classification task, and the experiment result showed that Adan worked well with the faster rate of convergence and is better than other stochastic gradient descent optimization methods.
From Functional to Distributional Models

This paper defines logical functional models in the category of finite dimensional vector spaces over the field of real numbers. The functional models are given by functors from the free compact closed lexical category associated to a pregroup grammar. Any functional model is completely compositional and includes first order predicate logic. Each functional model is mapped to a vector space model in the sense of Kartsaklis, Sadrzadeh, et al. via a 'canonical' probability of the functional model. The logical connectives of the functional model are transferred to the vector space model where they become algebraic operators. The algebraic logical operators subsume the quantum logical operators of van Rijsbergen. The transfer provides an insight into how logical operators and other function words interpreted in abstract semantics change when implemented in vector space semantics.
Source (or Part of the following Source): Type Article Title Individual Differences in Laughter Perception Reveal Roles for Mentalizing and Sensorimotor Systems in the Evaluation of Emotional Authenticity Author(s) Individual Differences in Laughter Perception Reveal Roles for Mentalizing and Sensor

Copyright It is not permitted to download or to forward/distribute the text or part of it without the consent of the author(s) and/or copyright holder(s), other than for strictly personal, individual use, unless the work is under an open content licence (like Creative Commons). UvA-DARE is a service provided by the library of the University of Amsterdam (http://dare.uva.nl) Humans express laughter differently depending on the context: polite titters of agreement are very different from explosions of mirth. Using functional MRI, we explored the neural responses during passive listening to authentic amusement laughter and controlled, voluntary laughter. We found greater activity in anterior medial prefrontal cortex (amPFC) to the deliberate, Emitted Laughs, suggesting an obligatory attempt to determine others' mental states when laughter is perceived as less genuine. In contrast, passive perception of authentic Evoked Laughs was associated with greater activity in bilateral superior temporal gyri. An individual differences analysis found that greater accuracy on a post hoc test of authenticity judgments of laughter predicted the magnitude of passive listening responses to laughter in amPFC, as well as several regions in sensorimotor cortex (in line with simulation accounts of emotion perception). These medial prefrontal and sensori-motor sites showed enhanced positive connectivity with cortical and subcortical regions during listening to involuntary laughter, indicating a complex set of interacting systems supporting the automatic emotional evaluation of heard vocalizations.
Objective estimation of tropical cyclone innercore surface wind structure using infrared satellite images

Abstract. An objective technique is presented for estimating tropical cyclone (TC) innercore two-dimensional (2-D) surface wind field structure using infrared satellite imagery and machine learning. For a TC with eye, the eye contour is first segmented by a geodesic active contour model, based on which the eye circumference is obtained as the TC eye size. A mathematical model is then established between the eye size and the radius of maximum wind obtained from the past official TC report to derive the 2-D surface wind field within the TC eye. Meanwhile, the composite information about the latitude of TC center, surface maximum wind speed, TC age, and critical wind radii of 34- and 50-kt winds can be combined to build another mathematical model for deriving the innercore wind structure. After that, least squares support vector machine (LSSVM), radial basis function neural network (RBFNN), and linear regression are introduced, respectively, in the two mathematical models, which are then tested with sensitivity experiments on real TC cases. Verification shows that the innercore 2-D surface wind field structure estimated by LSSVM is better than that of RBFNN and linear regression.
Association of Clinical Pathologists: 72nd general meeting

(Bristol) The concentrations of 5-hydroxytryptamine were measured in the portal and peripheral venous blood of patients with intrahepatic type of portal hypertension and normal controls. The effect of an end-to-side portacaval anastomosis on the peripheral venous levels was also assessed. The peripheral levels of patients in hepatic coma were compared with those of fully conscious patients with cirrhosis, and the levels of 5-H.T. in cerebrospinal fluid in the former with a series of non-cirrhotic controls. The method of estimation was that of Crawford and Rudd (1962) using an Aminco-Bowman spectrophoto-fluorimeter. Each determination was carried out on 2 ml. of platelet-rich plasma. The results show that the peripheral venous concentrations of 5-H.T. in the cases of cirrhotic portal hypertension are significantly lower than those in normal controls. This is in contrast to the findings of Magdelaine et al. (1962) who, using a less sensitive method, reported values higher than normal in such cases. At operation the concentrations in the portal vein are usually higher than those found in peripheral venous blood. End-to-side portacaval anastomosis has no significant effect on the peripheral venous levels in the majority of cases, but in those with poor liver function a rise in concentration may occur post-operatively. The peripheral levels of 5-H.T. in patients in hepatic coma are comparable to those found in the conscious group of portal hypertensives. In contradistinction to the high values reported by Southern (1962), the cerebrospinal fluid levels in hepatic coma appear to be within normal limits. It is concluded that 5-H.T. is not specifically linked with the development of the hypertensive state in patients with intrahepatic portal hypertension.
NBER WORKING PAPER SERIES THE LONG-TERM IMPACTS OF TEACHERS: TEACHER VALUE-ADDED AND STUDENT OUTCOMES IN ADULTHOOD

Are teachers’ impacts on students’ test scores (“value-added”) a good measure of their quality? This question has sparked debate largely because of disagreement about (1) whether value-added (VA) provides unbiased estimates of teachers’ impacts on student achievement and (2) whether high-VA teachers improve students’ long-term outcomes. We address these two issues by analyzing school district data from grades 3-8 for 2.5 million children linked to tax records on parent characteristics and adult outcomes. We find no evidence of bias in VA estimates using previously unobserved parent characteristics and a quasi-experimental research design based on changes in teaching staff. Students assigned to high-VA teachers are more likely to attend college, attend higherranked colleges, earn higher salaries, live in higher SES neighborhoods, and save more for retirement. They are also less likely to have children as teenagers. Teachers have large impacts in all grades from 4 to 8. On average, a one standard deviation improvement in teacher VA in a single grade raises earnings by about 1% at age 28. Replacing a teacher whose VA is in the bottom 5% with an average teacher would increase the present value of students’ lifetime income by more than $250,000 for the average classroom in our sample. We conclude that good teachers create substantial economic value and that test score impacts are helpful in identifying such teachers. Raj Chetty Department of Economics Harvard University 1805 Cambridge St. Cambridge, MA 02138 and NBER chetty@fas.harvard.edu John N. Friedman Harvard Kennedy School Taubman 356 79 JFK St. Cambridge, MA 02138 and NBER john_friedman@harvard.edu Jonah E. Rockoff Columbia University Graduate School of Business 3022 Broadway #603 New York, NY 10027-6903 and NBER jonah.rockoff@columbia.edu