Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Merging Method for Siphon-Based FMS Maximally Permissive Control with Simple Structures

It has been a hot race to design optimal controllers to be maximally permissive with fewest monitors in the shortest amount of time. Recent maximally permissive deadlock prevention controls for S3PR (Systems of Simple Sequential Processes with Resources) reduce the computation burden by considering only a small portion of all forbidding markings and employs much fewer monitors by a linear integer programming method. However, it still requires costly reachability analysis. This paper proposes a method (the first of its kind) to merge several monitors into a single one while not losing states. It achieves the same best results in the literature while avoiding the time-consuming reachability analysis which does not scale well with the size of the nets.
Students’ preconceptions about the independent characteristics of orthogonal component velocities

This paper has two objectives. First to make some comments on Tiberghien’s paper (in the proceedings); particularly on her view of the factors influencing the understanding of physics concepts. A stronger emphasis could be made for considering the types of preconceptions that students bring to the learning situation, which is seen as a crucial factor to better grasp physics concepts. The second is to present the types of preconceptions that students possess about three independent characteristics when two orthogonal velocities simultaneously influence a moving body. Data was collected through individual interviews before instruction and through a questionnarier in a class setting after instruction. Educational implications for making explicity what is defined as ‘‘implicit characteristic’’ are also discussed.
THE POWER OF LITERATURE IN EFL CLASSROOMS

This paper proposes the importance of acknowledging literature as one of the best resources for promoting language learning in EFL (English as a Foreign Language) classrooms. It reviews briefly various theoretical issues in teaching English through literature. Highlights are given to the justifications and guidelines for literature in the language classroom. Finally, the article presents examples of practical teaching and learning tasks based on one specific literary text.
Knowledge sharing of academic staff: A comparison between private and public universities in Malaysia

Purpose – The aim of this study is to build upon Jain et al.'s (2007) work by investigating the knowledge-sharing barriers and strategies of academic staff in public and private universities in Malaysia which have received relatively little research attention to date. Design/methodology/approach – A survey of 502 questionnaires was collected on both public and private universities in Malaysia. Data were analysed using SPSS. Findings – The overall findings show that private universities are more effective and are more willing to share knowledge. Linking knowledge sharing with non-monetary rewards and fair performance appraisals are strongly recommended in private universities, while monetary rewards, recognitions, publication of knowledge on websites and newsletters and the use of appropriate technology tools and systems are strongly recommended in public universities. Practical implications – Top management in Malaysian public and private universities must play their role and put in more effort to ensure .
A Question of Accessibility: Exploring Barriers to the Free Flow of Information

In theory, the concept of freedom of access to information is ideal, particularly since democracy warrants the free flow of information. However, in practice this seldom occurs, especially among various classes and groups, and across several geographical boundaries. There are many factors and obstacles which hinder or prohibit the flow of information. This paper explores some of the main barriers to the free flow of information and identifies ways in which they may be alleviated or removed through the use of technologies.
SDTs: sparse dynamic trees

We introduce a class of image models which we call sparse dynamic trees (SDTs). These extend our previous work (1999) on dynamic trees by introducing a top-down generative prior for the tree structures, which leads to a sparse use of nodes in the network. We present results showing the properties of these networks in action on 1D patterns.
Application of fuzzy query based on relation database

The traditional query in relation database is unable to satisfy the needs for dealing with fuzzy linguistic values. In this paper, a new data query technique combined fuzzy theory and SQL is provided, and the query can be implemented for fuzzy linguistic values query via a interface to Microsoft Visual Foxpro. Here, we applied it to an realism instance, questions could be expressed by fuzzy linguistic values such as young, high salary, etc, in Employee relation database. This could be widely used to realize the other fuzzy query based on database.
LPV control design for pitch-axis missile autopilots

The missile pitch-axis autopilot is designed using linear parameter-varying (LPV) control theory. The controller guarantees quadratic stability and bounded induced L/sub 2/-norm performance for the missile plant. Our approach is motivated by gain-scheduling methodology and provides a well founded and systematic procedure for high performance missile autopilot design.
A 12-b Asynchronous SAR Type ADC for Bio Signal Detection

This paper describes a low power asynchronous successive approximation register (SAR) type 12b analog-to-digital converter (ADC) for biomedical applications in a 0.35 μm CMOS technology. The digital-to-analog converter (DAC) uses a capacitive split-arrays consisting of 6-b main array, an attenuation capacitor C and a 5-b sub array for low power consumption and small die area. Moreover, splitting the MSB capacitor into subcapacitors and an asynchronous SAR reduce power consumption. The measurement results show that the proposed ADC achieved the SNDR of 68.32 dB, the SFDR of 79 dB, and the ENOB (effective number of bits) of 11.05 bits. The measured INL and DNL were 1.9LSB and 1.5LSB, respectively. The power consumption including all the digital circuits is 6.7 μW at the sampling frequency of 100 KHz under 3.3 V supply voltage and the FoM (figure of merit) is 49 fJ/conversion-step.
Improved privacy rotection in authentication by fingerprints

We show the feasibility of implementing a new zero leakage quantization schemeon biometric templates. In particular, we investigate the challenge that a sys-tem designer has to model the feature distributions prior to actually enrollingparticipants. For a Gaussian a priori model, we calculate the capacity and pri-vacy leakage for the commonly used biometric dataset FVC2000 and compare itto other verification schemes. We show that the zero leakage scheme achievesan equal error rate of approximately 3.5% while model mismatch leads to anaverage leakage of less than 0.1 bit per dimension. It outperforms quantizationindex modulation, both in terms of prevention of leakage and equal error rate,and binary quantization in terms of verification errors that can be tolerated.
The effective second formant F2' and the vocal tract front-cavity

The authors advance the hypothesis that the equivalent perceptual second formant F2' carries information about the front cavity of the vocal tract. They note a previous result that peaks found by perceptually based linear predictive (PLP) analysis closely track the F2'. The authors recall P. Mermelstein's (1967) observation of the relative invariance of the front cavity shape and size in vowels synthesized to maintain a constant F-pattern under variations of the vocal tract length. They show by tracing X-rays that humans with radically different vocal tract lengths tend to preserve the front cavity shape and size when producing vowels with identical phonetic values. Articulatory synthesis with variable vocal tract lengths is used to demonstrate that the F2' from the PLP model follows the resonance frequency of the front cavity. <<ETX>>
A 320 MHz, 1.5 mW @ 1.35 V CMOS PLL for Microprocessor Clock Generation

This paper describes a low-power microprocessor clock generator based upon a phase-locked loop (PLL). This PLL is fully integrated onto a 2.2-million-transistors microprocessor in a 0.35-? m triple-metal CMOS process without the need for external components. It operates from a supply voltage down to 1 V at a VCO frequency of 320 MH? The PLL power consumption is lower than 1.2 mW at 1.35 V for the same frequency. The maximum measured cycle-to-cycle jitter is ? 150 ps with a square wave superposed to the supply voltage with a peak-to- peak amplitude of 200 mV and rise/fall time of about 30 ps, The input frequency is 3.68 MHz and the PLL internal frequency ranges from 176 MHz up to 574 MHz, which correspond to a multiplication factor of about 100.
Special issue of ReCALL on Mobile Assisted Language Learning

As in other areas of education where the possibilities offered by mobile learning are being increasingly investigated, there is a growing body of research in the field of Mobile Assisted Language Learning (MALL). The collection of papers in this volume addresses secondary and tertiary education, mobile devices and mobility of learners. The authors describe both the successes and challenges they faced, and consider some of the barriers to the adoption of MALL. Sufficient research has been carried out for MALL to have been identified as separate from computer assisted language learning (CALL). Within this special issue, Kukulska-Hulme and Shield provide an overview of studies that have been carried out in the last six years or so, and the move from content delivery to supported collaboration and interaction.
FACE LOCALIZATION AND DETECTION BASED ON SYMMETRY DETECTION AND TEXTURE FEATURES

This study refers mainly to the characteristics of symmetry and texture features in order to correctly locate a face within an image. Since we target facial expression and illumination variation in a facial image, this first requires an equalization process of adaptive smoothing of the shadows of the face caused by varying illumination. Following this, for symmetry axis detection, the study will address: Gradient Detection, Image Width and Location of Symmetry Axes, Symmetry Axes for Gradient Histogram (SAGH) and Selection; Weight is also added to strengthen symmetry characteristics. In order to verify the accuracy of the method, this study will use 6 experimental methods, namely SAGH, SAPG, WSAGH, WSAPG, WSAGH for no adaptive smoothing, and WSAPG for no adaptive smoothing. The image database used for this experiment is the Yale Face Database, with facial images that are subjected to different illumination, masked by shelters and displaying varying facial expressions. The experiment results show that the WSAPG method is the most accurate; achieving a 96.36% LM value, with the lowest GM value; it was the most successful at locating a face in the image. Hopefully it will be applied to enhancing current face recognition technology. To cite this document: Chuen-Horng Lin, Jyun-An Cai, and Shik-Kuan Liao, "Face localization and detection based on symmetry detection and texture features", International Journal of Electronic Commerce Studies, Vol.3, No.2, pp.191-210, 2012. Permanent link to this document: http://dx.doi. org/10.7903/ijecs.1076
A Two Dimensional Scheme To Evaluate The Adequacy Of Fault Tolerance Testing

Fault-tolerant design becomes increasingly important with the growth in the demand for non-stop computer based service. The criticality of fault-tolerant software suggests the importance of testing it to examine how well it can tolerate unforeseen faults. In the past, researchers have proposed several techniques, built and used tools towards this end. A representative along the efforts is the AAS fault tolerance testing [4]. Indispensable for such tools is a notion of “adequacy” of a test for fault tolerance to reflect how well the test has been conducted. An “adequacy” measure is suggests possible improvements in a test. It also serves as a basis to decide the release time of the software. We propose a new quantitative adequacy criteria that can be measured with the aid of a prototype tool under implementation. Our criteria and the underlying rationale are mentioned in the remainder of this paper.
Passivity properties of neuro-identifier

In this paper the passivity approach is applied to access several stability properties of neuro-identifier. A dynamic neural network is used for nonlinear system online identification. By using a simple gradient learning law, the conditions for passivity stability, asymptotic stability and input-to-state stability are established. The result obtained shows that the gradient algorithm is robust with respect to all kinds of bounded uncertainties for the neuro-identifier.
A software toolkit for acoustic respiratory analysis

Millions of Americans suffer from pulmonary diseases. According to recent statistics, approximately 17 million people suffer from asthma, 16.4 million from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 12 million from sleep apnea, and 1.3 million from pneumonia - not to mention the prevalence of many other diseases associated with the lungs. Annually, the mortality attributed to pulmonary diseases exceeds 150,000. Clinical signs of most pulmonary diseases include irregular breathing patterns, the presence of abnormal breath sounds such as wheezes and crackles, and the absence of breathing entirely. Throughout the history of medicine, physicians have always listened for such sounds at the chest wall (or over the trachea) during patient examinations to diagnose pulmonary diseases - a procedure also known as auscultation. Recent advancements in computer technology have made it possible to record, store, and digitally process breath sounds for further analysis. Although automated techniques for lung sound analysis have not been widely employed in the medical field, there has been a growing interest among researchers to use technology to understand the subtler characteristics of lung sounds and their potential correlations with physiological conditions. Based on such correlations, algorithms and tools can be developed to serve as diagnostic aids in both the clinical and non-clinical settings. We developed a software toolkit, using MATLAB, to objectively characterize lung sounds. The toolkit includes a respiration detector, respiratory rate detector, respiratory phase onset detector, respiratory phase classifier, crackle and wheeze detectors and characterizers, and a time-scale signal expander. This document provides background on lung sounds, describes and evaluates our analysis techniques, and compares our work to approaches in other diagnostic tools.
How well do Canadian distance education students understand plagiarism

This project ascertains how well students taking online, distance education courses at a Canadian university recognize plagiarised material and how well they paraphrase. It also assesses the types of errors made. Slightly more than half of 420 psychology students correctly selected plagiarised phrases from four multiple choice questions. Only a minority was able to rewrite a phrase properly in their own words. A more diverse sample of university students also had difficulty recognizing plagiarised passages from multiple choice options. The poor ability of students to identify plagiarised passages may suggest poor understanding of the concept. Students may benefit from training to improve their understanding of plagiarism.
Developing Sustainable Digital Libraries: Socio-Technical Perspectives

Developing Sustainable Digital Libraries: Socio-Technical Perspectives presents a compilation of articles discussing the benefits and challenges of digital information and library digitization. Scholars from around the globe investigate web application development, techniques for digital conversion, composition of digital libraries, digital environments, and much more. This reference work proves valuable to the study and enhancement of digital information systems and technologies, and in assisting practitioners in the implementation and building of such systems and applications.
Measuring student learning over time with clickers in an introductory operations management course

This article describes the use of classroom communications systems, otherwise known as clickers, for measuring student learning over time. In an introductory operations management course, they were used to track student learning and progress. Student learning was assessed based upon the three lower levels in Bloom's taxonomy: knowledge, understanding and application. This assessment occurred during lectures, small-stakes quizzes and high-stakes tests. This article shows that assessment opportunities are made possible through the use of clickers. This provides a mechanism to measure learning and allows an instructor to adjust instruction and to diagnose individual students in a timely manner so that additional help can be provided to students in need. Since many of the factors involved in the learning process lie outside of the realm of clicker technology, readers are advised to be cautious about reaching conclusions too quickly with regard to student learning and clickers.
Advanced level‐adaptive overdrive (ALAO) method applicable to full‐HD LC TVs

Abstract— In this paper, we report on the development of an advanced level‐adaptive overdrive (ALAO) method applicable to full‐HD LC TVs, which makes it possible not only to reduce the gray‐level response time to less than one fourth, but also to improve the S/N ratio for still images by 10 dB; and further to reduce the circuit cost for the LAO method to almost half that of the prior LAO circuit. We have applied the ALAO method to a full‐HD LC front projector with 1.84 Mpixels and a screen size larger than 100 in. , and we obtained high‐quality full‐HD moving images.
Using a Computer in Foreign Language Pronunciation Training: What Advantages?

This paper looks at how speech-interactive CALL can help the classroom teacher carry out recommendations from immersion-based approaches to language instruction. Emerging methods for pronunciation tutoring are demonstrated from Carnegie Mellon University's FLUENCY project, addressing not only phone articulation but also speech prosody, responsible for the intonation and rhythm of utterances. New techniques are suggested for eliciting freely constructed yet specifically targeted utterances in speech-interactive CALL. In addition, pilot experiments are reported that demonstrate new methods for detecting and correcting errors by mining the speech signal for information about learners' deviations from native speakers' pronunciation.
The Revised Report on SCHEME: A Dialect of LISP.

Abstract : SCHEME is a dialect of LISP. It is an expression-oriented, applicative order, interpreter-based language which allows one to manipulate programs as data. It differs from most current dialects of LISP in that it closes all lambda-expressions in the environment of their definition or declaration, rather than in the execution environment. This has the consequence that variables are normally lexically scoped, as in ALGOL. However, in contrast with ALGOL, SCHEME treats procedures as a first-class data type. They can be the values of variables, the returned values of procedures, and components of data structures. Another difference from LISP is that SCHEME is implemented in such a way that tail-recursions execute without net growth of the interpreter stack. The effect of this is that a procedure call behaves like a GOTO, and thus procedure calls can be used to implement iterations, as in PLASMA. A complete 'user manual' for the SCHEME language is given. Some features described here were not documented in the original report on SCHEME (for instance particular macros). Other features were added, changed, or delected as our understanding of certain language issues evolved. Annotations to the manual describe the motivations for these changes.
A Novel Approach of Amazigh Text Steganography based Elliptic Curve

Techniques for information hiding are becoming increasingly more sophisticated andwidespread. Steganography is the art and science of hiding information by embedding datainto media. Over the years we have come across several steganographic techniques de-signed for hiding information inside digital media like image, audio and video ﬁles etc. Textsteganographic is more difﬁcult than others because there is a little redundant informationin text ﬁle. In this paper, we attempt to provide a new steganographic method for hidinginformation inside Amazigh Unicode text documents. This approach combines schemes ofcryptography with steganography for hiding secret messages. Depending on the bit of thesecret key used to modify the code representation in cover text with the data to be hidden.Therefore, the proposed method has a high hiding capacity because it inserts one characterat each time instead of hiding one bit in the existing methods. Moreover, our algorithm canbe applied in different size textual data.
Preliminary Social Security Contributions as Consumption Taxes: the Case of Mexico By

There is an old and popular adage that characterizes Mexico as a “two-country” country: one rich, modern and prosperous, and another poor, anachronistic and informal. Today the first generates about 25 per cent of the –formalemployment and 40 percent of GDP, while the second generates more than 40 percent of mostly informalemployment and contribute with less than 25 per cent to GDP2. What is more, the second one is growing relative to the first, a fact that has deterred the rise of productivity over time (Levy, 2008).
Gain scheduled control of magnetic suspension system

A gain scheduling approach for the suspension control of a nonlinear MAGLEV system is presented. We show that this technique is very useful for improving not only performance to the operational disturbances originating aerodynamic force but also robustness to the uncertainty of payload. As a scheduling variable, even though the external disturbance need to be estimated in real time, but the additive measurement is not required. Some simulations show that the gain scheduling control system performs very well comparing with other methods using a nonlinear feedback linearization or a fixed gain linear feedback.
A simple model of IEEE 802.11 wireless LAN

In IEEE project 802, the 802.11 medium access control (MAC) is used to support asynchronous and time bounded delivery of radio data packets. A distributed coordination function (DCF), which is a carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance (CSMA/CA) with exponential backoff, is the basis of the IEEE 802.11 WLAN MAC protocols. This paper proposes an analytical model to compute the saturated throughput of 802.11 DCF, that is, both the basic access mechanism and the optional RTS/CTS mechanism. Compared with other models, this model is shown to be able to follow the behavior of 802.11 more accurately, which is verified by elaborate simulations.
Sorting and searching

• To compare the selection sort and merge sort algorithms • To study the linear search and binary search algorithms • To appreciate that algorithms for the same task can differ widely in performance • To understand the big-Oh notation • To learn how to estimate and compare the performance of algorithms • To learn how to measure the running time of a program CHAPTER GOALS O ne of the most common tasks in data processing is sorting. For example, a sequence of employees needs to be printed out in alphabetical order or sorted by salary. You will learn several sorting methods in this chapter and compare their performance. Once a sequence of records is sorted, one can rapidly locate individual records. You will study the binary search algorithm that carries out this fast lookup.