Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Blind separation of images obtained by spatially-varying mixing system

The framework of blind separation of mixed images is extended to the case of mixing by a nonuniform medium. As an example, we provide a solution to blind separation of optically-distorted reflections superimposed on images taken through a curved semi-reflector. We use two images taken from slightly different locations, to remove the reflections. We consider the problem in the context of sparse blind source separation, where the sources are spatially-varying filtered prior to being mixed. The Scale Invariant Feature Transform (SIFT) is used to sparsify the images and estimate the mixing system. The sources are then estimated, using a variational approach. It uses a regularization operator, which is edge-preserving and color-channel coupled.
Three Design Aspects of Multicarrier Interleave Division Multiple Access

This paper presents a novel generalized transceiver architecture, i.e., Multicarrier Interleave-Division-Multiplexing-aided Interleave Division Multiple Access (MC-IDM-IDMA). A parallel interference cancellation (PIC)-aided iterative multiuser detection (MUD) algorithm is introduced, and the convergence behavior of the system is evaluated with the aid of EXtrinsic Information Transfer (EXIT) charts under the assumption of an equal-power multiuser scenario. Three interesting design tradeoffs of the MC-IDM-IDMA system are analyzed: 1) the multiplexing versus diversity tradeoffs; 2) the coding versus spreading tradeoffs, where the achievable bandwidth efficiency of both MC-IDM and MC-IDMA are characterized, and a general design rule is provided for low-rate codes; and 3) the complexity versus performance tradeoffs and the EXIT characteristics of two different MUD algorithms are investigated, leading to a reduced-complexity hybrid MUD.
Credit Constraints and Productivity in Peruvian Agriculture

This paper evaluates the performance of a rural credit market in Peru. We develop a model that shows that collateral requirements imposed by lenders in response to asymmetric information can lead not just to quantity rationing but also to transaction cost rationing and risk rationing. Just like quantity rationing, these two additional forms of non-price rationing adversely affect farm resource allocation and productivity. We test the insights of the model using a panel data set from Northern Peru. We estimate the returns to productive endowments for constrained and unconstrained households using a switching regression model. We find that, consistent with the theory, productivity is independent of endowments for unconstrained households but is tightly linked to endowments for constrained households. We estimate that credit constraints lower the value of agricultural output in the study region by 26%.
Level bundle methods for oracles with on-demand accuracy

For non-smooth convex optimization, we consider level bundle methods built using an oracle that computes values for the objective function and a subgradient at any given feasible point. For the problems of interest, the exact oracle information is computable, but difficult to obtain. In order to save computational effort the oracle can provide estimations with an accuracy that depends on two additional parameters, informed to the oracle together with the evaluation point. The first of such parameters is a descent target, while the second one is a bound for inexactness. If the oracle can reach the target with its function estimation, then the corresponding error is bounded by the second parameter. Otherwise, if the oracle detects that the target cannot be met, the function and subgradient estimations can be rough and have an unknown accuracy. For some selected iterates the considered methods drive the inexactness parameter to zero, thus ensuring that an exact solution to the optimization problem is asymptotically found. The approach is comprehensive and covers known exact and inexact level methods as well as some novel variants that can handle inaccuracy in an adaptive manner. In particular, when the feasible set is also compact, some of the new on-demand accuracy methods have the same rate of convergence of exact level variants known in the literature. A numerical benchmark on a battery of two-stage stochastic linear programs assesses the interest of the approach, substantially faster than the L-shaped method, without any accuracy loss.
Partner Selection and Utility Sharing in Collaborative Networks

This thesis studies two management problems of collaborative networks. First, optimal partner selection is studied in the context of temporary project organisations, called virtual organisations (VO). Second, utility-sharing mechanisms that steer the network partners away from suboptimal behaviour are studied through game theoretic models. Both research topics are motivated by realistic case-examples. The thesis is composed of a brief summary article and two papers. In the first paper, we develop mixed integer linear programming (MILP) models to support the configuration of VOs in a virtual organisation breeding environment (VBE). Apart from the basic model – which focuses on the minimisation of total fixed and variable costs – we present extensions which capture transportation costs, elaborate alternative measures for capacity risk, and account for inter-organisational dependencies due to an earlier collaboration history. Computational experiments suggest that our MILP models are tractable for problems of reasonable size and consequently potentially useful for VO decision making. The second paper studies the design of process-innovation incentives in supplier networks. We present a real-life case study from the boat-building industry to illustrate the importance of explicitly encouraging suppliers to continuous improvement. Motivated by the case study, we construct a game theory model trying to capture the possible conflicting interests of different parties in a company network. Using our model, we apply three different bargaining rules in order to determine ex-ante profit-sharing principles that award process-innovations. The aim of profit sharing is that the efficiency-improving arrangements can be implemented so that none of the network companies has to incur losses. Consequently, if the profit-sharing principles are ex-ante contracted, then the network companies have the incentive to innovate. verkostokumppaneilla kannustin innovoida. Foreword I wish to thank the invaluable support of Professor Ahti Salo who encouraged me to write this thesis and collaborated in writing the two papers. I would also like to thank Professor Urho Pulkkinen for collaboration and for sharing his experience in the many fruitful discussions. My colleagues in the ECOLEAD project have been of great help to me. In particular, I wish to express my gratitude to Mr. Martin Ollus; it has been a privilege to work in such a multinational project. For the great working atmosphere, I wish to thank my colleagues
Review on Process-Induced Strain Techniques for Advanced Logic Technologies

We have extensively studied stress enhancing techniques to increase channel mobility starting at the 130 nm technology node and continued this towards the 45 nm node. Stressed overlayers and spacer materials, strained SOI substrates, embedded SiGe and SiC layers and their proximity effects, the impact of different silicides, stress memorization and compatibility with laser and flash anneals have been investigated. The integration of abovementioned techniques into a CMOS flow resulted in an outstanding pMOS and nMOS performance improvement, no reliability issues and no impact on short channel behavior.
Regularizing parameter estimation for Poisson noisy image restoration

Deblurring images corrupted by Poisson noise is a challenging process which has devoted much research in many applications such as astronomical or biological imaging. This problem, among others, is an ill-posed problem which can be regularized by adding knowledge on the solution. Several methods have therefore promoted explicit prior on the image, coming along with a regularizing parameter to moderate the weight of this prior. Unfortunately, in the domain of Poisson deconvolution, only a few number of methods have been proposed to select this regularizing parameter which is most of the time set manually such that it gives the best visual results. In this paper, we focus on the use of l-norm prior and present two methods to select the regularizing parameter. We show some comparisons on synthetic data using classical image fidelity measures.
The effect of the turn ‘On’ resistance of an active device and the Q factor of the load harmonic network on the efficiency and efficiency bandwidth of a class E amplifier

In this paper the active device for a class E amplifier is modelled as switch in series with a turn on resistance ‘Ron’. Assuming an ideal harmonic load is used the switch equations for the voltage and current waveforms are reviewed and then used to examine how ‘Ron’ affects the efficiency of dc to ac power conversion. This ideal harmonic network is assumed to have optimum input impedance at the design frequency and an open circuit at all harmonics of the current waveform. In a practical amplifier the ideal harmonic network cannot be realised and therefore it is normally replaced by a series resonant circuit. This circuit is designed to have the required optimum input impedance at the design frequency and a high ‘Q’ factor to reduce the harmonic currents in the load resistance. It is not possible to obtain an analytical solution to show how the losses due to the harmonic currents affect efficiency. Consequently a Genetic Algorithm (GA) based on a stochastic search method is used obtain a design graph to show the relationship between the ‘Q’ factor, the resonant of the above circuit and efficiency. The effect of ‘Ron’ and the ‘Q’ factor on the efficiency and the efficiency bandwidth is also investigated.
PRÁTICAS ORÇAMENTÁRIAS APLICADAS EM CONCESSIONÁRIAS DE VEÍCULOS NO ESTADO DE SANTA CATARINA

O objetivo deste artigo é analisar as práticas de orçamentos em concessionárias de veículos em Santa Catarina. A pesquisa visa cobrir uma gama de questões de orçamento incluindo: o processo utilizado na definição do orçamento, acompanhamento e avaliação dos processos orçamentários e a execução e controle do orçamento. Para tanto foi realizada uma pesquisa descritiva, com abordagem quantitativa, com a utilização do questionário fechado de práticas de orçamento que foram respondidas por 20 (vinte) Concessionárias de Veículos em Santa Catarina. Conclui-se que a principal razão da elaboração do orçamento é para auxiliar no controle, avaliação de desempenho e no planejamento. A abordagem de elaboração conjunta é a mais utilizada pelas concessionárias. Os orçamentos são geralmente vistos como o principal indicador de desempenho das concessionárias. A aplicação prática do estudo é a recomendação para um processo orçamentário que melhore a precisão e melhore a eficiência de controle dos custos.
3D object relighting based on multi-view stereo and image based lighting techniques

We present a 3D object relighting technique for multiview-multi-lighting (MVML) image sets. Our relighting technique is a fusion of multi-view stereo (MVS) technique and image based relighting (IBL) technique. The MVML dataset consists of multiple camera view with each view filmed under multiple time-multiplex illumination modes. A multi-view 3D reconstruction algorithm is first applied using traditional multi-view stereo algorithm. After this, the reconstructed model is relighted through an image based relighting scheme for each camera view, followed with view-independent texture mapping procedure. Interactive relighting results demonstrate our high quality reconstruction accuracy, realistic relighting effects and real-time relighting performance. Moreover, our relighting technique is suitable for dynamic 3D object relighting.
SINGLE CELL TRAPPING AND ANALYSIS OF PROKARYOTIC PRODUCTION STRAINS IN SUB-µm FLUIDIC STRUCTURES

A disposable microfluidic chip system for single cell analysis is presented. The device enables hydrodynamic trapping of single bacteria cells of various industrial prokaryotic strains, e.g., E. coli and C. glutamicum, in partly sub-µm fluidic structures. Single cell traps are arranged in arrays aiming for quasi high-throughput cell observation with respect to cell growth, stress stimuli and productivity. High resolution live cell imaging microscopy is performed in a time lapse manner allowing the observation of multiple ROI. This work paves the way for future system biological and metabolic investigations such as single cell and cell-to-cell heterogeneity studies with the main goal of collecting statistical data for relevant parameters in biotechnology. As a proof of principle, the successful trapping and cultivation of single E. coli and C. glutamicum bacteria cells within a laminar flow, as well as fluorescence based specific amino-acid detection on single cell level is demonstrated in this contribution.
Multiuser subchannel matching algorithms for two-hop OFDM relay networks

The combination of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) modulation and relay technology is a promising way to increase system throughput and coverage area for the next-generation wireless cellular networks. The end-to-end system throughput in these networks relies on an appropriate and effective subchannel matching scheme because of the frequency selective fading on subchannels. In this paper, we consider the subchannel matching problem for a two-hop multiuser OFDM Relay network. Two algorithms are proposed for subchannel matching, aiming at two cases of user service type. The first algorithm can achieve high system throughput and the second one pursues to guarantee the quality of service (QoS) of high priority users. Simulation results show that our proposed algorithms outperform the existing subchannel matching schemes in terms of system throughput or the QoS of the high priority users.
Adult-Born Hippocampal Dentate Granule Cells Undergoing Maturation Modulate Learning and Memory in the Brain

Adult-born dentate granule cells (DGCs) contribute to learning and memory, yet it remains unknown when adult-born DGCs become involved in the cognitive processes. During neurogenesis, immature DGCs display distinctive physiological characteristics while undergoing morphological maturation before final integration into the neural circuits. The survival and activity of the adult-born DGCs can be influenced by the experience of the animal during a critical period when newborn DGCs are still immature. To assess the temporal importance of adult neurogenesis, we developed a transgenic mouse model that allowed us to transiently reduce the numbers of adult-born DGCs in a temporally regulatable manner. We found that mice with a reduced population of adult-born DGCs at the immature stage were deficient in forming robust, long-term spatial memory and displayed impaired performance in extinction tasks. These results suggest that immature DGCs that undergo maturation make important contributions to learning and memory.
Central blood pressure under angiotensin and calcium channel blockade.

Hemodynamic studies have shown that, in healthy subjects, there is a gradual widening of the height of the pressure waveform as it travels from the central (aortic) elastic arteries to the peripheral muscular arteries (brachial artery)1 (Figure). This disparity, which tends to disappear in the presence of vascular disease/aging, does not require any additional energy input within the arterial system, because the mean arterial pressure (MAP) and even the diastolic blood pressure (BP) remain almost unchanged between the 2 arterial sites. This finding is mainly attributed to the gradual increase (ie, amplification) of systolic BP (SBP) or pulse pressure (PP) along the arterial tree and is conventionally quantified as the ratio of the SBP or PP between the 2 sites (eg, SBP arm:SBP aorta)1 (Figure). Figure. Schematic personal representation of the forward and reflected pressure waves in the aorta and the influence of their timing on local PP. The definition of SBP amplification is indicated. In the present issue of Hypertension , Matsui et al2 have shown the superiority of calcium channel blockers (CCBs) over diuretics using the following protocol: the angiotensin receptor blocker olmesartan was combined with the CCB azelnidipine and compared with the same olmesartan associated with the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide. Central SBP was reduced to a greater degree with the CCB than with the hydrochlorothiazide. This resulted in an increase of SBP and PP amplification with the CCB, despite the lack of a significant difference in the brachial SBP reduction between the 2 …
Migration and the Employment and Wages of Native and Immigrant Workers

This article assesses the association between migration (both international and internal) and the employment status and earnings of young non-college-educated native White, Black, Hispanic, Asian, and immigrant white-collar and blue-collar workers in the United States during the decade from 1980 to 1990. The authors present results that only partly support the claim that internal migrants and immigrants are substitutes for native workers. On one hand, the authors found that migration (flow) was not a major factor associated with the increased joblessness and decreased wages experienced by some native groups during the 1980s, particularly among blue-collar workers. On the other hand, the authors did find that changes in the foreign-born composition of an industrial sector (a measure of immigrant stock) were associated with increased joblessness of native workers and decreased joblessness of immigrant workers.
Green Cellular — Optimizing the cellular network for minimal emission from mobile stations

Wireless systems, which include cellular phones, have become an essential part of the modern life. However the mounting evidence that cellular radiation might adversely affect the health of its users, leads to a growing concern among authorities and the general public. Radiating antennas in the proximity of the user, such as antennas of mobile phones are of special interest for this matter. In this paper we suggest a new architecture for wireless networks, aiming at minimal emission from mobile stations, without any additional radiation sources. The new architecture, dubbed Green Cellular, abandons the classical transceiver base station design and suggests the augmentation of transceiver base stations with receive only devices. These devices, dubbed Green Antennas, are not aiming at coverage extension but rather at minimizing the emission from mobile stations. We discuss the implications of the Green Cellular architecture on 3G and 4G cellular technologies. We conclude by showing that employing the Green Cellular approach may lead to a significant decrease in the emission from mobile stations, especially in indoor scenarios. This is achieved without exposing the user to any additional radiation source.
Identity and social networking sites : the roles of alcohol use, mental health, and personality

This thesis is submitted as part of the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of Birmingham and consists of two volumes. Volume I contains the research component of this thesis and consists of a systematic literature review, empirical research paper, and public dissemination document. The systematic review found that content on social networking sites can provide researchers with tentative information about the psychopathology and personality traits of the user. However, research displaying greater internal and external validity is required before this information could reliably inform the development of targeted online public health information or interventions. The research paper presents a study exploring the relationships between drinking identity, alcohol use, mental health symptoms, and alcohol content in social networking site pictures, in a community sample of young females. Drinking identity may be an important factor to consider in alcohol reduction and prevention efforts. The public dissemination document provides an accessible overview of the review and research paper. Volume II consists of five Clinical Practice Reports (CPRs). CPR I presents a Cognitive-Behavioural and Systemic formulation for a 21-year-old female experiencing low mood. CPR II presents a service evaluation of non-attendance to psychological assessment appointments in an adult community mental health setting. CPR III presents a single-case research design to assess the effects of a Positive Behavioural Support intervention with a 40-year-old female displaying behaviour that challenges. CPR IV presents a case study of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy with a 69-year-old female experiencing chronic pain and depression. CPR V presents a presentation abstract for a case study of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy with a 31-year-old female experiencing Bulimia Nervosa.
TECHNOLOGY Investigating and Analyzing Malicious Events in Android Application

Smart mobile devices have been widely used and the contained sensitive information is endangered by ma lware events and codes. The malicious events caused by malwares are crucial evidences for digital forensic a nalysis, and the main task of mobile forensic analysis is to fin d the malicious codes and reconstruct these events. However, the reconstruction heavily relies on the code analysis of the malware. The difficulties and challenges in clude how to quickly find the suspicious programs, how to remove the anti-forensics tricks of malicious code, and h ow to deduce the malicious behaviors according to the code. To a ddress this issue, a systematic procedure of analyz ing typical malware behaviors on the popular mobile operating s ystem Android is proposed. Based on the procedures, the deduction of Android malicious events is also discu ssed.
Semantic Web Content Management

Im Rahmen der Semantic Web Initiative des W3C sind in jungster Vergangenheit die RDF-basierten Standards RDFS und OWL verabschiedet worden, die als Wissensreprasentationssprachen gemas dem Ontologie-Paradigma im Web fungieren. Aufbauend auf diesen Technologien wird in dieser Arbeit gezeigt, wie im Zusammenspiel mit einem Ontologie-Editor die Grundlage fur ein wissensbasiertes Web Content Management geschaffen werden kann. Dabei finden die ublichen Paradigmen des Web Content Managements Berucksichtigung und Vorteile der Modellierung von Wissensbasen gegenuber einem relationalen oder auch XML basierten Inhaltsmodell werden genutzt. Dieser Ansatz leistet damit einen Beitrag, Web Content Management vom reinen Informationsmanagement zum Wissensmanagement weiterzuentwickeln.
Audio Segmentation and Speaker Localization in Meeting Videos

Segmenting different individuals in a group meeting and their speech is an important first step for various tasks such as meeting transcription, automatic camera panning, multimedia retrieval and monologue detection. In this effort, given a meeting room video, we attempt to segment individual person's speech and localize them in the video, based on data from a single audio and video source. The segmentation method is driven by audio and enhanced by video cues. We used Bayesian information criterion (BIC) to segment the feature vector streams and graph spectral partitioning to cluster them. We compare our results with audio based segmentation method and our localization technique with the commonly used mutual information