Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Simulation Models for Virtual Reality Applications

The paper describes some simulation models used to implement virtual reality applications, addressing the presentation of the architecture of VR systems, VR applications in different fields, including medicine, an introduction to simulation techniques and a set of mathematical models for creating virtual scenes. The material represents a significant development of the presentation given at the workshop VRRM 2007: Virtual Reality in Rehabilitation Medicine, with details on mathematical aspects.
Effect of Intraruminal Sucrose Infusion on Volatile Fatty Acid Production and Microbial Protein Synthesis in Sheep

Effects of sucrose supplement on the pattern of VFA production and microbial protein synthesis in the rumen were examined in sheep consuming basal diet of grass silage (2.5 kg fresh wt/d) that was provided in 24 equal meals each day by an automatic feeder. Four mature wethers were allocated to four experimental treatments in a 4×4 Latin square design with periods lasting 14 days. The treatments were (1) the basal diet, (2) supplemented with 150 g sucrose and 7.0 g urea, (3) 300 g sucrose and 13 g urea, and (4) 450 g sucrose and 20 g urea given as a continuous intraruminal infusion for 24 h. All infusions were given in 2 litres of aqueous solution per day using a peristaltic pump. The effect of sucrose level on rumen mean pH was significantly linear (p<0.01). There were not significant differences in the concentration of ammonia-N, total VFA and the molar proportions of acetate, propionate and butyrate with the level of sucrose infusion. The molar proportions of isobutyric acid (p<0.05) and isovaleric acid (p<0.001) were significantly reduced when the infused amount of sucrose was increased. The flow of microbial N was linearly (p<0.001) increased with sucrose and urea level. High levels of readily fermentable carbohydrate in a ration reduced the efficiency of microbial protein synthesis in the rumen. It was demonstrated that of the individual fatty acids, only the molar proportion of isovalerate showed a significant negative correlation (R2=0.3501**) with the amount of microbial N produced and a significant positive correlation (R2=0.2735**) with the efficiency of microbial growth. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2005. Vol 18, No. 3 : 350-353)
Simplified Grid Implementation of Medical Image Processing Algorithms using a Workflow Managment System

Complex analysis of large amounts of medical image data quickly exceeds storage capacity and computing power of single workstations or small local networks. When limited hardware resources impede full utilization of medical image analysis, a possib le solution is the usage of computing grids, the collaboration of distributed resources across institu tional borders. Many existing image processing problems would benefit from parallel processing, e.g. on sin gle image or volume slice level. Such coarsegrained parallelization can easily be achieved by implementation into a grid infrastructure. Furthermore, grids allow distributed users to share their code, promotin g collaborative projects. In this paper, we describe the grid implementation of existing code using grid workflows. The workflow management system is able to execute all tasks related to grid communication, such as authorization, scheduling and monitoring. It remains to the developer to make the code accessible for the workflow manager, and to define, where the code is found on the grid and what to do with it . We describe the procedure how to bring the code to the grid and show exemplarily the implementation of segmentation and registration algorithms for transrectal ultrasound guided prostate bio psies.
Comparative Study of Various Image Restoration Techniques on the Basis of Image Quality Assessment Parameters

One of the big challenges in digital photography is motion blur. To remove blur, we need: (i) To estimate how the image is blurred (i.e. the blur kernel or the point-spread function) and (ii) To restore a natural looking image through deconvolution. The blur kernel estimation is challenging because the algorithm needs to distinguish the correct image pair from incorrect ones that can also adequately explain the blurred image. The process of deconvolution is also difficult because the algorithm needs to restore high frequency image contents attenuated by blur. In this paper, we address a few aspects of these challenges. We introduce an insight that a blur kernel can be estimated by analyzing edges in a blurred photograph. We can recover the blur using the inverse radon transform. This method is computationally attractive and is well suited to images with many edges. Blurred edge profiles can also serve as additional cues for existing kernel estimation algorithms. We have introduced a method to integrate this information into a maximum-a-posteriori kernel estimation framework, and show its benefits. In this paper, we compared restored gaussian blurred images, by using four types of techniques of deblurring images such as Wiener filter, Inverse filter, Lucy Richardson deconvolution algorithm and our purposed algorithm on the basis of well-known image quality assessment parameters like mean squared error (MSE) and peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR).
Role of Nest Site Microclimate and Food Availability in Chick Development and Reproductive Success in Black-legged Kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla)

Seabirds are marine top predators, and as such are often studied as bioindicators of climate shifts (Oswald and Arnold 2012). Though many studies have analyzed the effect of macroclimatic variation on marine prey species availability and thus seabirds, few have analyzed effects of microclimate fine spatial patterns of climate (Mantua and Hare 2002; Hatch 2013; Kim and Monaghan 2005a). I tested the hypothesis that localized temperature and humidity at nest sites interact with food availability to alter black-legged kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) nest site quality, chick body condition during growth and development, and reproductive parameters including Julian lay date, number of eggs laid, and the proportion of chicks fledged per nest. All black-legged kittiwakes were located in physically accessible nests along the exterior of an abandoned radar tower that now serves as a converted seabird laboratory. Nests were located on “panels” with distinct compass orientation, insolation, and exposure to wind and rain along the exterior of this polyhedral radar tower. Panels housed ~27 nests, alternating between supplementally fed (n = 4; all nests offered ad libitum food 3x/day) and unfed panels (n = 3). The supplemental feeding status of each nest remained unchanged for the duration of the dataset with the exception of panel G, which had supplemental food removed in the latter third of the breeding/chick rearing season. I recorded temperature and humidity at individual nest sites during egg laying and chick rearing (May-August 2017) on Middleton Island, AK using rainproof wireless sensor tags (Cao Gadgets, LLC). Measurements of chick developmental morphology (weight, wing, tarsus, culmen, headbill) were collected every five days. Nest site quality
PV Cell Fed High Voltage Gain Coupled Inductor Based Input Parallel Output Series DC-DC Converter for Grid Connected System

Solar energy is the most low cost, competition free, universal source of energy as sun shines throughout. This energy can be converted into useful electrical energy using photovoltaic technology. Photovoltaic technology is one of the most promising for distributed low-power electrical generation. Converting the sun’s radiation directly into electricity is done by solar cells. These cells are made of semiconducting materials similar to those used in computer chips. Photovoltaic arrays may operate more or less efficiently, depending on their series/parallel configuration. Converters like Buck, Boost and Buck-Boost converters are popularly used for photovoltaic systems. But these converters are limited to low power applications. For PV applications like pumping these converters could do a good job as pumping is carried out at high power. Presently dc–dc converters are required in many industrial applications, to improve the voltage. The grid connected DC-DC converters are used for low input-voltage and high step up power conversion, this paper has successfully developed a high-voltage gain dc–dc converter by input-parallel output-series and inductor techniques. In this paper a novel input-parallel output-series boost converter with dual coupled inductors and a voltage multiplier module. The simulation results are presented by using Matlab/simulink software.
Is Stock Always the Right Choice? Should Naive Investors Avoid Stock Markets?

The goal of this paper is to present an original and simple analysis aimed to understand why investing in capital markets can be very dangerous for â€œnaive investorsâ€ . Stock markets display often exploding volatility. They are characterized by instability and subject to external shocks. If extraordinary periods are considered, the probability of making money on them can be very low. It can be shown that, in absence of any â€œwiseâ€ investment scheme, unpleasant results emerge. A simple empirical analysis shows that a riskless portfolio may perform better than a portfolio composed entirely by risky assets. In such circumstances, investors might make the wrong choice.
A preliminary evaluation of the effects of Camellia sinensis on stroke induced rat model

Introduction: The objectives of current study are to test for Neuroprotective activity of Camellia sinensis in rat model of stroke and to evaluate the effect of Camellia Sinensis as anti-thrombolytic agent and in lowering the impact of disease with the behavioural changes before and after the induction of Stroke. Methods: Forty male albino rats were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion method for induction of stroke. Camellia sinensis extract was administered orally for 21 consecutive days prophylactically. Ischaemic rats administered the same volume of tap water were used as a control group. Functional outcome tests (Pasta, forelimb flexion, cylinder, staircase) were performed. Rats were subjected to surgical procedures after 21 days’ treatment for analysis of stroke recovery. Results: Treatment with Camellia sinensis extract of 400 mg/kg PO significantly (P=0.000) enhanced neurological recovery in all tests performed. There was no significant difference of infarct volume among the experimental groups treated with Camellia sinensis extract 200 mg/kg PO. Conclusion: The outcomes of this study was vivid that Camellia sinensis extract is safe and effective mediator in clot dissolution and stroke reversal in rat model. It is the first agent found effective in no behavioural modification or adverse effects using its extract. Therefore, there is a need to evaluate, assess and appraise its desired characteristics and therapeutics in human subjects.
System convergence in transport models: algorithms efficiency and output uncertainty

Transport models most often involve separate models for traffic assignment and demand. As a result, two different equilibrium mechanisms are involved, (i) the internal traffic assignment equilibrium, and (ii) the external equilibrium between the assignment model and the demand model. The objective of this paper is to analyse convergence performance for the external loop and to illustrate how an improper linkage between the converging parts can lead to substantial uncertainty in the final output. Although this loop is crucial for the performance of large-scale transport models it has not been analysed much in the literature. The paper first investigates several variants of the Method of Successive Averages (MSA) by simulation experiments on a toy-network. It is found that the simulation experiments produce support for a weighted MSA approach. The weighted MSA approach is then analysed on large-scale in the Danish National Transport Model (DNTM). It is revealed that system convergence requires that either demand or supply is without random noise but not both. In that case, if MSA is applied to the model output with random noise, it will converge effectively as the random effects are gradually dampened in the MSA process. In connection to DNTM it is shown that MSA works well when applied to travel-time averaging, whereas trip averaging is generally infected by random noise resulting from the assignment model. The latter implies that the minimum uncertainty in the final model output is dictated by the random noise in the assignment model.
Firm Location, Trade and Economic Integration

The aim of this paper is to analyse how a process of economic integration between two adjacent countries with different transport costs (different levels of development) affects firms’ decisions on location and prices. Considering the situation where one firm is located in each country and manufactures a product that is imported by the more developed country, we find that when there are barriers to trade one of the firms tends to locate on the common frontier and the other at the far extreme. By contrast, with full economic integration, both firms tend to maximise differentiation, locating themselves at the non-neighbouring extremes, which leads to higher prices and profits. Therefore, the firm located in the more developed country increases its market share.
On the Dirac equation in curved space-time

We discuss in detail the general-relativistically covariant Dirac equation derived by Fock for a particle of rest mass $m$ and charge $e$ in an {\it potential} $A_i$, $[i\gamma^{\,k}(\partial_k -{\mit\Gamma}_k -i e A_k)-m]\psi=0$. The spinorial affine connection is given in terms of the spin connection $\omega_{abi}$ and spin operator $\bar{s}_{ab}$ by the formula ${\mit\Gamma}_i=-\omega_{abi}\bar{s}^{\,ab}$/4, which follows from the assumption that the curved-space gamma matrices $\gamma_i$ are covariantly constant, and which we prove to be equivalent to the `tetrad postulate' of van Nieuwenhuizen, that the tetrad $t_i^{\;\;a}$ is covariantly constant. The intermediate result that $\gamma_k{\mit\Gamma}_i^{\dagger}\gamma^{\,k}=0$ is also proven. Extension to dimensionality $D$ is straightforward, and results in the formula $\widehat{\mit\Gamma}_{I}=-\hat{\omega}_{abI}\widehat{\bar{s}}^{\,ab}$/4 for the spinorial connection. Reduction of the five-dimensional Dirac equation to four dimensions has been shown by Klein, in the approximation linear in $A_i$, to yield in addition an anomalous Pauli mass term $\frac{1}{2} i\sqrt{\pi G_{\rm N}}\,F_{ij}\ s^{ij}$, which produces a correction to the intrinsic magnetic moment of the electron by the factor $(1+\delta)$, where $\delta=-\sqrt{1\,/\,\alpha}\,m\,/\,M_{\rm P}=-4.90\times 10^{-22}$, of theoretical interest but beyond the range of current experiment. We also discuss the TCP theorem in curved space-time, with particular reference to the heterotic superstring theory of Gross {\it et al.}, in the expanding Friedmann Universe. Previously, we have established the interrelationship between non-invariance of the metric under T, defined with regard to comoving time by $t\,\rightarrow\, -t$, due to general relativity, and non-invariance of the superstring under P, due to the asymmetric construction of the world sheet, which contains only right-moving Majorana fermions, while TP is conserved. This motivates study of C and the dimensional fermionic existence conditions found by van Nieuwenhuizen, Chapline and Slansky, Wetterich and Gliozzi \etal
NEAR-FIELD COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY FOR INFORMING BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED PERSONS WHEN MOVING THROUGH TRAFFIC INTERSECTIONS

Today's development of services for mobile terminal devices based on Near-Field communication technology (NFC) are mainly used for payment models in the systems of e-commerce, data transfer or identification. Due to its technological specifications and user-friendliness, NFC technology can also be applied in the function of providing information to the blind and visually impaired persons. By transferring relevant information to the blind or visually impaired persons by using mobile terminal devices, the user receives accurate information, thus increasing the feeling of safety. Apart from the theory about NFC technology, this paper defines the architecture of information provided by the information service about the user environment. The information service is provided by means of development application solution for Android 4.3 and higher mobile operating systems, having done at the same time also the analysis of the security threats.
Using Site Case Histories Of Multiple Seam Coal Mining To Advance Mine Design

The nature of competition in the coal market tends to deplete the most favorable coal reserves first, and forces subsequent development of mines in more extreme ground conditions such as those associated with multiple -seam mining. In fact, 70% of the United States coal reserves are in multiple-seam situations. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is conducting research to develop mine design algorithms that will result in safer multiple seam mines. This paper presents an overview of multiple seam issues in the central Appalachian coalfields. To date, more than 50 case histories have been analyzed from 20 operating mines in Eastern KY, Western VA, and Southern WV. Each case history is classified according to the degree of multiple-seam interaction, ranging from no apparent interaction to severe interaction with direct impacts on mine safety and resource recovery. The case histories are also examined with regard to amount and geologic characteristics of interburden and overburden, and design stability factors. The sequence of mining has also been found to be critical when the lower seam is fully -extracted. This paper compares current case histories to traditional rules of thumb. In addition two situations were modeled using LaModel software. LaModel has been upgraded to import pillar grids and topographic data from AutoCAD files. The cases presented demonstrate vertical stress capabilities of LaModel.
Printed Triple-Band Circularly Polarised Antenna for Wireless Systems

A triple-band circularly polarised microstrip patch antenna operating in the 2.4, 3.5 and 5.7 GHz bands is presented. The antenna consists of two substrate layers with an electromagnetically coupled low-band patch in the middle layer and a probe-fed dual-band patch on the top layer. The impedance bandwidths (voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) < 2.5) for the three frequency bands are 112, 118 and 427 MHz with 3 dB axial-ratio bandwidths of 15, 44 and 36 MHz, respectively. The peak gains across the operating bands are 4.2, 5.5 and 4 dBic, respectively.
AN AGENT BASED TRANSACTION PROCESSING SCHEME FOR DISCONNECTED MOBILE NODES

We present a mobile transaction framework in which mobile users can share data which is stored in the cache of a mobile agent. This mobile agent is a special mobile node which coordinates the sharing process. The proposed framework allows mobile affiliation work groups to be formed dynamically with a mobile agent and mobile hosts. Using short range wireless communication technology, mobile users can simultaneously access the data from the cache of the mobile agent. The data Access Manager module at the mobile agent enforces concurrency control using cache invalidation technique. This model supports disconnected mobile computing allowing mobile agent to move along with the Mobile Hosts. The proposed Transaction frame work has been simulated in Java 2 and performance of this scheme is compared with existing frame works.
CENTRAL KALIMANTAN’S FAST GROWING SPECIES: SUITABILITY FOR PULP AND PAPER

Recent studies of fast growing species grown in PT. Sari Bumi Kusuma, Central Kalimantan, show that based on their fiber dimensions there are five species, namely Endospermum diadenum , Dillenia spp. , Adinandra dumosa , Adiandra sp. , and Nauclea junghuhnii with good potential for pulp and paper production. The fiber length of those five wood species are was more than 2,200 µm on average. This paper studies the physical properties, fiber dimensions and their chemical contents to predict the paper and pulp quality. The result shows that all of the species were classified in the medium to high density category. All species were classified into the first class quality for pulp and paper. Based on chemical contents, Dillenia sp. is the most suitable species due to its high value of holocellulose and a-cellulose, low lignin content, and its fiber length is about 3,119 µm on average. A. dumosa also has good opportunities because it had the longest fiber lengths (3,137 µm on average) and high value of holocellulose, even though it has the highest lignin content. While Nuclea junghuhnii is less suitable due to low values of holocellulose and a-cellulose.
SUCCESS FOR THE WHOLE FOOD CHAIN: TESTING THE MODEL OF NETWORK SUCCESS IN UKRAINE

Most empirical studies that declare their focus on network success or performance investigate the achievement of goals by an individual firm participating in a network. Goals that are set at the network level are mainly neglected. The aim of this study is to develop and test the model that includes goal achievement at both the firm and network levels. We test our model in the context of strategic supply chain networks in the Ukrainian food industry. The results indicate that network-level goals really exist in strategic networks and are subject to significant effect on the part of cooperation and coordination.
Knowledge-based Principal Component Analysis for Image Fusion

The purpose of image fusion is to integrate images with different resolution or from different sources in order to increase information and reinforce identification and reliability in remote sensing applic ation. The principal component analysis (PCA) approach is a commonly used method for satellite image fusing. In the PCA fusion process, the first principal component (PC1) image is replaced with a high resolution image (e.g., a Panchromatic (PAN) image of the SPOT4 satellite). When the histograms of PC1 and PAN images are more similar, less spectral information is lost in the replacement proc ess. In this study, a knowledge-based principal component analysis (KBPCA) fusion is developed to improve the fusing results of PCA approach. Before the replacement of PAN image, a prior landcover classification was done to gain the knowledge of the landcover of study area. Principal component transform was then conducted on the individual data set of each landcover class. Since the spectrum variation of each landcover class is smaller than that of the entire image, su ch pre-classification makes the PC1 of each class, have less spectrum variation, compared to the PC1 of the entire image. Landcover information derived from pre-classification is used as additional information to limit spectrum variation in each class for image fusio n during the principal component transform. As a result of fusion, a multi-spectrum high resolution new image can be produced by fusing multispectral and PAN images of SPOT4. The images fused by the KBPCA method are of quality superior to those fused by the PCA method in terms of visual and statistical assessments.