Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mesopic vision characteristics at decreased contrast in fog

Perception of different color contrast stimuli was studied in the presence of light scattering in a fog chamber in Clermont-Ferrand and in laboratory conditions where light scattering of similar levels was obtained. Blue (shortest wavelength) light is scattered in fog to the greatest extent, causing deterioration of vision quality especially for the monochromatic blue stimuli. We have done spectral measurements of the light source in different density fog conditions and no spectral changes were found produced by the fog. Psychophysical measurements of the acuity in fog were done for two subjects with optotypes analyzed for red and blue stimuli.
Face description using anisotropic gradient: thermal infrared to visible face recognition

Face recognition technologies have been in high demand in the past few decades due to the increase in human-computer interactions. It is also one of the essential components in interpreting human emotions, intentions, facial expressions for smart environments. This non-intrusive biometric authentication system relies on identifying unique facial features and pairing alike structures for identification and recognition. Application areas of facial recognition systems include homeland and border security, identification for law enforcement, access control to secure networks, authentication for online banking and video surveillance. While it is easy for humans to recognize faces under varying illumination conditions, it is still a challenging task in computer vision. Non-uniform illumination and uncontrolled operating environments can impair the performance of visual-spectrum based recognition systems. To address these difficulties, a novel Anisotropic Gradient Facial Recognition (AGFR) system that is capable of autonomous thermal infrared to visible face recognition is proposed. The main contribution of this paper includes a framework for thermal/fused-thermal-visible to visible face recognition system and a novel human-visual-system inspired thermal-visible image fusion technique. Extensive computer simulations using CARL, IRIS, AT and T, Yale and Yale-B databases demonstrate the efficiency, accuracy, and robustness of the AGFR system.
Reservoir computing with delay in structured networks

Reservoir computing is a machine-learning scheme that solves computational problems with the power of dynamical systems. In this contribution we investigate and quantitatively compare the two reservoir systems that are predominantly used nowadays: Delay and network models. Additionally, we also investigate hybrid concepts called 'multiplexed networks', that incorporate elements of both of these approaches. By constructing reservoir computers with identical numbers of readout dimensions, we can quantitatively compare the performance. We find that the time-multiplexing procedure of the classical delay-approach can be extended to hybrid delay-network systems without loss of computational power, which enables the construction of faster reservoir computers.
Preventing DoS attack in sensor networks: a game theoretic approach

In order to isolate malicious nodes in wireless sensor and actor networks and provide a secure routing, we formulate the attack-defense problem as a two-player, nonzero-sum, non-cooperative game between an attacker and a wireless sensor and actor network. We show that this game achieves Nash equilibrium and thus leads to a defense strategy for the network. We propose two novel schemes for preventing denial of service attack. The first approach is called utility based dynamic source routing (UDSR). It incorporates the total utility of each route in data packets, where utility is a value that we are trying to maximize in the game theoretic approach. The second approach is based on a watch-list, where each node earns a rating from its neighbors, based on its previous cooperation in the network. Results show that the proposed game frameworks significantly increase the chance of success in defense strategy for the wireless sensor and actor networks.
Visual looming

The visual looming effect has been shown to be very important when action is taking place. In this paper we take a quantitative approach to visual looming. We define looming mathematically, show geometrical properties of objects that produce the same value of looming, and summarize results on measuring looming including how a multiresolution logarithmic retina simplifies this measurement.
Smart image recognition for medical application of lab-on-paper

In this paper, we demonstrate an automatic image analysis for Micro Total Analysis Systems (μTAS) or Lab-on-Paper (LoP). By placing fiducial markers on μTAS, application can crop image and remove bending distortions, also it can perform colorimetric analysis. With previously taken photo of μTAS device with applied reagents, user can determine ie. illness presence by uploading photo into the program. In the paper was prepared μTAS sheet, algorithm for finding fiducial points and software for colorimetric analysis written in Matlab.
Analyst as data scientist: surfing vs drowning in the information environment

Today’s analysts must process increasing amounts of information, including “Twitter-INT” 1 (social information such as Facebook, You-Tube videos, blogs, Twitter), as well as discern threat signatures in “gray zone” or hybrid conflicts distinguished by both aggression and ambiguity. The information environment is characterized by continuous change: the growing volume of data and the speed at which data is created and new influence tactics developed. Rebecca Goolsby wrote, “…the creation of hoaxes, hate speech, and other attempts at crowd manipulation and exploitation reveal the darker side of the social media phenomenon; the targeted “social-cyberattack” is rapidly coming of age. ” The goal is to be able to describe, diagnose, and predict actions/behaviors/events based on an environment in which both humans and bots are attempting to influence, in which disinformation is common and curation and fact checking are rare The information environment is changing much faster than the ability of analysts to process and make meaning about actors, events and influence. Learning how to “surf” the information environment, rather than drown in the proverbial big data will require a new approach. Leveraging the fundamentals and “tricks of the trade” used by data scientists/analysts can serve to close the gap. This paper will highlight exemplar methods and tools and provide contextualized examples of how they improve the ability to describe and diagnose, and, ultimately, make meaning.
Area targets observation mission planning of agile satellite considering the drift angle constraint

Abstract. The generation of agile satellites has better flexible three-axis maneuverability, which makes dynamic imaging possible. A mission planning algorithm is proposed to deal with the area target observation problems of agile satellites, which takes the drift angle constraint of the observation instrument into account. First, an area target observation path planning algorithm is presented based on the dynamic imaging mode and the grid discretization approach. Second, the constraint of drift angle is introduced into the mission planning to account for the effect of image motion on time delay integration charge coupled device imaging. Third, an improved ant colony algorithm based on sensational and consciousness strategy is developed to solve the travelling salesman problem with constraints. Finally, the computer simulation results show that the proposed algorithm can effectively solve the area target mission planning problem.
Minimum Degrees of Minimal Ramsey Graphs for Almost‐Cliques

For graphs F and H, we say F is Ramsey for H if every 2‐coloring of the edges of F contains a monochromatic copy of H. The graph F is Ramsey H‐minimal if F is Ramsey for H and there is no proper subgraph F′ of F so that F′ is Ramsey for H. Burr et al. defined s(H) to be the minimum degree of F over all Ramsey H‐minimal graphs F. Define Ht,d to be a graph on t+1 vertices consisting of a complete graph on t vertices and one additional vertex of degree d. We show that s(Ht,d)=d2 for all values 1
Post-processing for disparity map enhancement using modified guided image filter

Stereo matching methods estimate the depth information from stereo images using the characteristics of binocular disparity. After they find corresponding points between the left and right viewpoint images, the disparity value of two corresponding points is calculated. Since stereo matching methods search for corresponding points based on features in the stereo images, it is possible to estimate the accurate disparity value in the textured region. On the other hand, the inaccurate disparity value is estimated in the textureless and occluded regions and it causes disparity errors. The guided image filter is used for the disparity error refinement. However, the disparity refinement using this filter causes blurred pixels near the edge region in the refined disparity map. Therefore, we propose a post-processing method to alleviate this problem. The proposed method detects disparity errors in the initial disparity. After they are detected, we refine disparity errors using the modified guided image filter that applies the joint bilateral filter to the coefficient smoothing step in the guided image filter. As a result, the proposed method enhances the initial disparity map by alleviating the blurring artifact near the edge region in the disparity map.
Precision analysis of triangulations using forward-facing vehicle-mounted cameras for augmented reality applications

One crucial ingredient for augmented reality application is having or obtaining information about the environment. In this paper, we examine the case of an augmented video application for vehicle-mounted cameras facing forward. In particular, we examine the method of obtaining geometry information of the environment via stereo computation / structure from motion. A detailed analysis of the geometry of the problem is provided, in particular of the singularity in front of the vehicle. For typical scenes, we compare monocular configurations with stereo configurations subject to the packaging constraints of forward-facing cameras in consumer vehicles.
Using virtual environment for autonomous vehicle algorithm validation

This paper describes possible use of modern game engine for validating and proving the concept of algorithm design. As the result simple visual odometry algorithm will be provided to show the concept and go over all workflow stages. Some of stages will involve using of Kalman filter in such a way that it will estimate optical flow velocity as well as position of moving camera located at vehicle body. In particular Unreal Engine 4 game engine will be used for generating optical flow patterns and ground truth path. For optical flow determination Horn and Schunck method will be applied. As the result, it will be shown that such method can estimate position of the camera attached to vehicle with certain displacement error respect to ground truth depending on optical flow pattern. For displacement rate RMS error is calculating between estimated and actual position.
Seasonal fluctuations in the mass of the Amazon River system and Earth's elastic response

A GPS station in Manaus, near the center of the Amazon basin, manifests an annual cycle of vertical displacement with a peak‐to‐peak amplitude of 50–75 mm. This is by far the largest crustal oscillation observed to date, and nearly 2–3 times larger than the amplitude predicted for this region. Vertical ground displacement is strongly anti‐correlated with the local stage height of the Amazon river, with no detectable time lag between the two time series. This suggests that we are observing, for the first time, a purely elastic response to changes in the weight of a flowing river system. We use a simple hydrological model to relate stage height to the regional pattern of flooding, and argue that the elastic oscillations observed in Manaus are dominated by changes in water loading developed within ∼200 km of the GPS station.
Localization of laser pulse and slow light propagation in nonlinear photonic crystal

One investigates a light localization at laser pulse propagation in 1D (layered) or 2D nonlinear photonic structure. The light localization takes place due to appearance of spatial solitons which velocities depend on their intensities and location in the photonic crystal. This results in changing of velocities of sub-pulses which are not soliton and reflect or transmit through the nonlinear photonic crystal. We found out the formation of two types of solitons. One of them is appeared in separate layer. This soliton appear because of cubic nonlinear response. The second type of soliton spreads over some layers of the photonic crystal. This soliton is found out on the base of solving the eigenvalue function. We consider also the Anderson localization in photonic crystal with nonlinearity. The main result of this part of the investigation is a prevalence of nonlinear localization over the Anderson localization. The formation of soliton depends on input light intensity, duration of pulse and shape of elements from which the photonic crystal consists. In 2D case the soliton formation depends on focusing of laser beam and on presence of laser energy in neighbouring elements of the photonic crystal. These solitons move with slow velocity inside the elements of the photonic crystal. Under certain conditions the soliton can stop. This phenomenon can be used for data storage. The similar solitons can appear in many elements of the photonic crystal.
Beam-steering slotted leaky wave antenna with flexible control of azimuth pattern

A double layered substrate integrated waveguide leaky wave antenna is presented. The proposed design features beam scanning and beam diversity in the elevation and azimuth planes respectively which is beneficial for BTS antennas to best serve multiple users as they move within one or to the neighboring cell. The proposed 15GHz prototype shows perfect matching while the isolation is kept below -25dB, efficiency of 90% with directivity of 15.3-18.3 dB is achieved over the desired beam span.
Graph-based approach for airborne light detection and ranging segmentation

Abstract. A graph-based segmentation technique has been tailored to segment airborne LiDAR points which, unlike images, are irregularly distributed. In our method, every LiDAR point is labeled as a node and interconnected as a graph extended to its neighborhood, defined in a 4-D feature space: the spatial coordinates (x,y,z) and the reflection intensity. The interconnections between pairs of neighboring nodes are weighted based on the distance in the feature space. The segmentation consists of an iterative process of classification of nodes into homogeneous groups based on their similarity. This approach is intended to be part of a complete system for the classification of structures from LiDAR point clouds in applications needing fast response times. In this sense, a study of the performance/accuracy trade-off has been performed, extracting some conclusions about the benefits of the proposed solution. In addition, an interlaced graph-based approach is proposed to increase the reliability in general purpose segmentations.
Hybrid rectifier-receiver node

Simultaneous Wireless Information and Power Transfer (SWIPT) studies the transmission of wireless energy and data in a single RF signal. It becomes interesting when a single receiver chain is able to both convert the RF power to DC power, while at the same time converting the RF signal to BaseBand (BB). A practical method to receive the RF signal and convert the signal to BB while simultaneously harvesting power is proposed. This purpose is possible by utilizing a two-tone signal with a suitable Hybrid Rectifier-Receiver (HRR). The efficiency of the rectifier with different symbols can vary from 39% to 43% considering the power of the first tone as −11 dBm. Therefore, all symbols provide a descent DC output power. The proposed decoding is able to grasp the non-linearity of the diode in order to have a precise estimation of the symbols with different power levels.
MRI evaluation of the four tunnels of double-bundle ACL reconstruction

Background The double-bundle (DB) reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) has gained popularity in recent years. The positioning of anteromedial (AM) and posterolateral (PL) tunnels is aimed at the anatomic femoral and tibial attachments of AM and PL bundles of the native ACL. Purpose To use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to evaluate the tunnel locations and tunnel findings in DB ACL reconstruction. Material and Methods Sixty-six patients with DB ACL reconstruction were evaluated with 1.5-T MRI 2 years postoperatively. Two musculoskeletal radiologists separately measured the locations and the diameters of the tunnels. Inter-observer agreements were estimated according to the method of Bland and Altman. Results In the femur, the mean AM tunnel location was 32% from the proximal condylar surface and 18% from the notch roof. The mean PL tunnel location was 42% and 43%, respectively. In the tibia, the mean AM tunnel location was 54% of the lateral-to-medial tibial width and 42% of the anterior-to-posterior tibial depth. The mean PL tunnel location was 54% and 56%, respectively. The mean tunnel enlargement was 3.8 mm (56%). Tunnel communication was seen in seven patients (11%) in the femur and in 19 patients (29%) in the tibia. Greater femoral AM tunnel distance from the proximal condylar surface was associated with more tunnel enlargement, and more posterior tibial PL tunnel location was associated with less tunnel enlargement. Conclusion The tunnel locations of DB ACL reconstruction can be evaluated with MRI. Tunnel location was associated with tunnel enlargement that in turn was associated with tunnel communication.
Community-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus: Epidemiology and Clinical Consequences of an Emerging Epidemic

SUMMARY Staphylococcus aureus is an important cause of skin and soft-tissue infections (SSTIs), endovascular infections, pneumonia, septic arthritis, endocarditis, osteomyelitis, foreign-body infections, and sepsis. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) isolates were once confined largely to hospitals, other health care environments, and patients frequenting these facilities. Since the mid-1990s, however, there has been an explosion in the number of MRSA infections reported in populations lacking risk factors for exposure to the health care system. This increase in the incidence of MRSA infection has been associated with the recognition of new MRSA clones known as community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA). CA-MRSA strains differ from the older, health care-associated MRSA strains; they infect a different group of patients, they cause different clinical syndromes, they differ in antimicrobial susceptibility patterns, they spread rapidly among healthy people in the community, and they frequently cause infections in health care environments as well. This review details what is known about the epidemiology of CA-MRSA strains and the clinical spectrum of infectious syndromes associated with them that ranges from a commensal state to severe, overwhelming infection. It also addresses the therapy of these infections and strategies for their prevention.
Pathobiological Influence of a Radiofrequency Ablation System

Purpose: The objective of this study was to optimize the least invasive technique of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for the degenerated renal parenchyma and to develop a novel RFA system. Materials and Methods: Tissue temperature and pathological degeneration were investigated at regular time intervals and distances from the RFA needle electrode in the renal parenchyma of the pig kidney. We also examined whether interruption of the renal artery or irrigation in the renal pelvis had an influence on the therapeutic effects. Results: Pathological investigations showed a core necrotic area surrounded by an ischemic layer around the needle electrode. Interestingly, interruption of the renal artery and irrigation in the renal pelvis markedly enhanced the degeneration of the parenchyma. Especially the electric conductivity of irrigation solutions in the renal pelvis influenced the therapeutic effect. In this novel system which retains the flow of electricity between the 2 electrodes and maintains the electric power at a constant wattage, a marked therapeutic effect was observed between the 2 electrodes rather than on their outsides, and this was not influenced by renal artery interruption and/or renal parenchyma cooling. Conclusions: This novel RFA system may contribute to more effective and highly reproducible therapeutic results.
Three-dimensional dynamic GIS model for landscape planning

Most of the current popular GIS software only has solved the connection between the static data and map data in landscape planning and evaluation, but they seldom concern that the time plays a very important role in the landscape planning and evaluation system. In this paper, according to the multi-hierarchical dynamic property existing in the landscape planning and evaluation system, a concept of dynamic interaction is introduced, a kind of three-dimensional dynamic GIS model for landscape planning and evaluation system (it is named 4D-GIS-Model) is proposed, methods for the realization of the system based on this model are discussed, and a simple application of this dynamic GIS model is given finally.
Apoptosis in sepsis.

Sepsis demonstrates a marked dysregulation of the immune system in its ability to fight infection. Previous models have focused on the mechanisms which upregulate and sustain the heightened immune response without addressing the role of down-regulation effectors. Attention has been drawn to these down-regulating mechanisms and their precise role in the pathophysiology of sepsis. Apoptosis is an evolutionarily conserved, energy-dependent mode of cell death requiring the initiation and regulation of complex genetic programs. It is the body's main method of getting rid of cells which are in excess, damaged, or no longer needed in a controlled manner. The role of this cellular phenomenon in physiology and pathophysiology has been the subject of intense scrutiny over the last decade. Much work has demonstrated that dysregulation of apoptosis does occur in immune and nonimmune cells in in vitro and in vivo models of sepsis. The difficulty has been in tying the phenomenology of apoptosis into the pathophysiology of sepsis. Further work is needed to make these connections to elucidate rational approaches for clinical applications of immunomodulation in sepsis.
Distortion-resistant spherical visual odometry for UAV-based bridge inspection

In this research, we propose a novel distortion-resistant visual odometry technique using a spherical camera, in order to provide localization for a UAV-based, bridge inspection support system. We take into account the distortion of the pixels during the calculation of the 2-frame essential matrix via feature-point correspondences. Then, we triangulate 3D points and use them for 3D registration of further frames in the sequence via a modified spherical error function. Via experiments conducted on a real bridge pillar, we demonstrate that the proposed approach greatly increases the accuracy of localization, resulting in an 8.6 times lower localization error.