Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mobile multimodal biometric identification for african communities

Biometrics, the automated recognition of individuals based on their behavioral and biological characteristics, is mostly used in developed countries with forensic and security proposes, as well as to regulate interactions between the citizens and the state. In developing countries, namely SubSaharan African (SSA) countries, some individuals are not officially identified and since they do not formally exist, they are completely excluded from the citizen life. The solution to this identity gap can lie in the usage of a biometric system. The underprivileged situation that these populations face and the lack of resources, like facilities and proper equipment to perform a controlled data acquisition, are barriers to the implementation of more advanced techniques. This situation motivates the use of smartphone-based biometric systems to perform individual recognition, providing a more economic and robust alternative. In this work, an algorithm is evaluated regarding its use on individual recognition, using low quality images acquired on unconstrained environments. The impact of this kind of environments, in the system performance, is also assessed by using an available dataset, with data from 50 individuals, comprising images captured from distinct smartphones. Having in mind these systems’ implementation in SSA, the algorithm was assessed when it is computed on images from African subjects. This was achieved by building a new dataset, that comprises periocular, hand, and ear images from 50 individuals also. However, half of the subjects is African while the other half is Caucasian. The multimodality characteristic of the dataset allow the study of multimodal systems, as well as the evaluation of the algorithm’s behaviour when applied to different traits. The algorithm showed high robustness regarding individual recognition, particularly when grayscale images and GIST descriptor were used. The applied fusion methods brought no significant improvements to the system, contributing just to an increase in its computational complexity. Also, some external factors, such as the environment brightness level or the individual’s ethnicity, were identified as having an high impact on the system performance. The presented methodology proved to be capable of being applied in a real context. However and due to the complexity of such systems, many areas were to explore, encouraging the continuation of this work in the future.
Re-Examination of the Epicenter of the 16 September 1994 Taiwan Strait Earthquake Using the Beam-Forming Method

The source location of the 16 September 1994 Taiwan Strait earthquake was relocated based on the beam-forming method using joint seismic observations from regional seismic networks in Taiwan and Fujian and the International Seismological Center Bulletin. The revised epicenter is located at latitude 22.37° N (±0.03°) and longitude 118.63° E (±0.03°). Results of this study showed that the location uncertainty has been significantly reduced using this approach. Decomposition tests of this study showed that the epicenters of Taiwan Strait events can be determined by the beam-forming method using data from densely distributed seismic stations in Taiwan. However, source depths of Taiwan Strait events can not be determined unambiguously using the first P-arrivals only. Seismic waveform data should be carefully re-examined using this method to investigate earthquake source properties and seismicity of the Taiwan Strait region.
Giant improvement of thermoelectric power factor of Bi2Te3 under pressure

The pressure (P) dependencies of both the thermopower (Seebeck effect) S and the electrical resistance (R) for p-type single crystals of Bi2Te3 and indium-doped bismuth telluride (InxBi2−xTe3,0.04≤x≤0.10) are reported on a pressure range of 0–8.5 GPa. The thermoelectric power factor (efficiency) (ae=S2/R) exhibits two maxima: the first one near ∼1 GPa and the second near ∼2.5–4.5 GPa. These features evidence a giant increase in the power factor by a factor of ∼10. Possible values of the dimensionless figure of merit under pressure are also estimated. The maxima are explained in terms of pressure-driven changes in an electron structure. The second feature may be also addressed to an intermediate high-pressure phase detected in x-ray diffraction studies.
Nonlinear Schroedinger Equation in the Presence of Uniform Acceleration

We consider a recently proposed nonlinear Schroedinger equation exhibiting soliton-like solutions of the power-law form $e_q^{i(kx-wt)}$, involving the $q$-exponential function which naturally emerges within nonextensive thermostatistics [$e_q^z \equiv [1+(1-q)z]^{1/(1-q)}$, with $e_1^z=e^z$]. Since these basic solutions behave like free particles, obeying $p=\hbar k$, $E=\hbar \omega$ and $E=p^2/2m$ ($1 \le q<2$), it is relevant to investigate how they change under the effect of uniform acceleration, thus providing the first steps towards the application of the aforementioned nonlinear equation to the study of physical scenarios beyond free particle dynamics. We investigate first the behaviour of the power-law solutions under Galilean transformation and discuss the ensuing Doppler-like effects. We consider then constant acceleration, obtaining new solutions that can be equivalently regarded as describing a free particle viewed from an uniformly accelerated reference frame (with acceleration $a$) or a particle moving under a constant force $-ma$. The latter interpretation naturally leads to the evolution equation $i\hbar \frac{\partial}{\partial t}(\frac{\Phi}{\Phi_0}) = - \frac{1}{2-q}\frac{\hbar^2}{2m} \frac{\partial^2}{\partial x^2} [(\frac{\Phi}{\Phi_0})^{2-q}] + V(x)(\frac{\Phi}{\Phi_0})^{q}$ with $V(x)=max$. Remarkably enough, the potential $V$ couples to $\Phi^q$, instead of coupling to $\Phi$, as happens in the familiar linear case ($q=1$).
Evaluating the representation of aerosol optical properties using an online coupled model over the Iberian Peninsula

Abstract. The effects of atmospheric aerosol particles on the Earth's climate mainly depend on their optical, microphysical and chemical properties, which modify the Earth's radiative budget. The aerosol radiative effects can be divided into direct and semi-direct effects, produced by the aerosol–radiation interactions (ARIs), and indirect effects, produced by aerosol–cloud interactions (ACIs). In this sense the objective of this work is to assess whether the inclusion of aerosol radiative feedbacks in the online coupled WRF-Chem model improves the modelling outputs over the Iberian Peninsula (IP) and surrounding water areas. For this purpose, the methodology is based on the evaluation of modelled aerosol optical properties under different simulation scenarios. The evaluated data come from two WRF-Chem simulations for the IP differing in the inclusion/no-inclusion of ARIs and ACIs (RF/NRF simulations). The case studies cover two episodes with different aerosol types over the IP in 2010, namely a Saharan dust outbreak and a forest fire episode. The evaluation uses observational data from AERONET (Aerosol Robotic Network) stations and MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) sensor, including aerosol optical depth (AOD) and Angstrom exponent (AE). Experimental data of aerosol vertical distribution from the EARLINET (European Aerosol Research Lidar Network) Granada station are used for checking the models. The results indicate that for the spatial distribution the best-represented variable is AOD and the largest improvements when including the aerosol radiative feedbacks are found for the vertical distribution. In the case of the dust outbreak, a slight improvement (worsening) is produced over the areas with medium (high/low) levels of AOD(−9 % / +12 % of improvement) when including the aerosol radiative feedbacks. For the wildfire episode, improvements of AOD representation (up to 11 %) over areas further away from emission sources are estimated, which compensates for the computational effort of including aerosol feedbacks in the simulations. No clear improvement is observed for the AE representation, the variability of which is largely underpredicted by both simulations.
Consciousness Modeled: Reification and Promising Pluralism

A tremendous opportunity lies in store for those of us interested in consciousness.I here bracket the arguments of those who wish to minimize or reduce consciousnessaway, either up into socially-based discourses and institutional power (e.g., Luhmannor Foucault) or down into sheer neural patterns (e.g., Paul Churchland). [. ]
Novel Design of Reversible MUX and DEMUX using GDI Techinque

Now a day’s Reversible logic is playing a crucial role in designing of digital circuits and it is used in reducing power consumption in digital design. By regaining the bit loss it reduces the power consumption in digital circuits. Gate diffusion input (GDI) is a technique of low-power digital circuit design. This technique reduces the power consumption, delay, and transistor count by maintaining the complexity very low of logic design. In these paper a novel MUX and DEMUX has been presented, which can be extended up to 1:2n and 2n:1 respectively and these are developed by using only one type of Reversible gate i.e. Fredkin Gate (FRG) and Not Gate. The simulations are done in H-Spice using 90nm technology.
AN AGGREGATOR FOR DISTRIBUTED ENERGY STORAGE UNITS UNDER MULTIPLE CONSTRAINTS IN THE NICE GRID DEMONSTRATOR

This paper presents the description of an algorithm for the management of a portfolio of distributed energy storage systems able to provide flexibility services to the distribution system operator. The algorithm will be referred to as Network Battery Aggregator (NBA). The work described in this paper is realized within the framework of the NiceGrid, a demonstration of the Grid4EU project. The project aims at developing a smart solar neighbourhood in an urban area near the city of Nice, France, and to combine controllable distributed electricity and thermal storage devices with forecasts of solar power production and load in a local energy management system. The local network energy manager (NEM) developed in this project will provide voltage control at the distribution level and congestion control at the transmission level.
Sensitivity of dynamic response of a clamped functionally graded magneto-electro-elastic plate to its elastic parameters

Sensitivity of dynamic response of a clamped functionally graded magneto-electro-elastic plate to its elastic parameters has been carried out by combining analytical method with finite element method. The functionally graded material parameters are assumed to obey a polynomial law in the thickness direction. A polynomial agreement with the clamped boundary condition is adopted in the plane of the plate and finite element method is used across the thickness of the plate such a way that the three-dimensional characteristics of the solution are preserved. The coupled electromagnetic dynamic characteristics of a functionally graded magneto-electro-elastic plate are determined by its dynamics differential equation modeled with displacement components, electric potential and magnetic potential as nodal degree of freedom. Sensitivity of dynamic response of a functionally graded magneto-electro-elastic plate to its elastic parameters has been studied. Dynamic response sensitivity analysis of a clamped functionally graded magneto-electro-elastic plate is useful for the optimization designs, nondestructive testing and inverse techniques of smart materials.
Dynamically Weighted Clique Evolution Model in Clique Networks

This paper proposes a weighted clique evolution model based on clique (maximal complete subgraph) growth and edge-weight driven for complex networks. The model simulates the scheme of real-world networks that the evolution of networks is likely to be driven by the flow, such as traffic or information flow needs, as well as considers that real-world networks commonly consist of communities. At each time step of a network’s evolution progress, an edge is randomly selected according to a preferential scheme. Then a new clique which contains the edge is added into the network while the weight of the edge is adjusted to simulate the flow change brought by the new clique addition. We give the theoretical analysis based on the mean field theory, as well as some numerical simulation for this model. The result shows that the model can generate networks with scale-free distributions, such as edge weight distribution and node strength distribution, which can be found in many real-world networks. It indicates that the evolution rule of the model may attribute to the formation of real-world networks.
Router Router Public Netw ork Router Router Router Forwarding data Fig . 2 : Forwarding Algorithm implement in Mesh Based Networks

Wireless mesh Network is an emerging area in the field of Networking and it has been applying in Mobile commerce, entertainment and education. This topology defined not only networking devices but interfaces with hardware and software for calculating frequency, bandwidth and network load. This paper highlighted the Ad Hoc on demand protocol i.e. reactive protocol for managing routing table, path and Node management. The other protocol named optimized link state routing protocol had used to update and maintained the routing table whenever changing the routing topology. The IEEE 802.11 standard has been studied and deploying with these protocol for comparing and optimized the performances of the network. The proactive protocol refers to OLSR protocol had many advantages over AODV protocol because this protocol work under many critical conditions like topology change, buffer overflow and routing table management. The paper covers the all terms related to wireless mesh networks and found that OLSR protocol gives better results than Ad Hoc on demand distance vector routing protocol.
Production Inventory Models for Deteriorating Items with Stochastic Machine Unavailability Time, Lost Sales and Price-Dependent Demand

The economic production quantity (EPQ) model is widely employed in reality and is also being intensively developed in the research area. This research tries to develop more realistic EPQ models for deteriorating items by considering stochastic machine unavailability time (uniformly and exponentially distributed) and price-dependent demand. Lost sales will occur when machine unavailability time is longer than the non production time. Since the closed form solution cannot be derived, we use Genetic Algorithm (GA) to solve the models. A numerical example and sensitivity analysis is shown to illustrate the models. The sensitivity analyses show that a management can use price policy to minimize the profit loss due to machine unavailability time under a price- dependent demand situation
Field Experiments and Technical Evaluation of an Optimized Media Evaporative Cooler for Gas Turbine Power Augmentation

This paper discusses an optimized media type evaporative cooling system called Outdoor Movable Media cooler which has been recently implemented on two 160 MW, V94.2 gas turbines of Kerman combined cycle power plant, Iran. The air cooling system can be applied to retrieve the lost power generation capability of gas turbine during hot months. System description is completely presented and optimizations such as making a movable media cooler are described. The moving ability of this system eliminates the power loss related to the conventional media coolers. Furthermore, experimental work including evaluation of humidity effect on the air filters operation is discussed and the results are presented. The cooling system performance curve shows the system capability of cooling the inlet air up to 19°C at the design condition. This cooling capacity leads to power augmentation up to 14% which is noteworthy in responding to the electricity demand in hot months, when air-conditioning loads are maximized. Considering several parameters, a cost analysis is done finally and payback period of the system is calculated.
Prehistoric Giant Swamp Taro (Cyrtosperma chamissonis) from Henderson Island, Southeast Polynesia

Subfossil leaf fragments of giant swamp taro (Cyrtosperma chamissonis) were recovered from archaeological contexts dating as early as A.D. 1451 (mean date) on Henderson Island (24°22'S, 128°19'W), Pitcairn group-a raised limestone (makatea) island isolated at the extreme margin of southeastern Polynesia and the Indo-West Pacific biotic province. Comparison of subfossil specimens and modern reference material from a range of known cultigens under scanning electron microscopy confirms the identification. A period of active interarchipelago voyaging between A.D. 1000 and A.D. 1500 is known from recent summaries of the geochemical analysis of exotic finegrained basalt artifacts from archaeological sites throughout Polynesia. If not an initial colonization, it is during this time that Cyrtosperma should have been introduced prehistorically to most, if not all, of the inhabitable islands of the region, especially those island groups lying to the west of Henderson. Investigation of subfossil plant remains adds another dimension to understanding plant distributions, prehistoric crop use, and subsistence practices in the Indo-Pacific region.
Validation of a coping self–efficacy scale in an African context

The aim of this study was to validate the Coping Self-Efficacy Scale (CSE) in a South African context. The Coping Self-Efficacy Scale was validated in a cross-sectional survey design. A multicultural convenience sample (N=2214) completed the CSE and other measures that are closely linked to coping, self-efficacy and psychological well-being. Results indicated a Cronbach alpha reliability coefficient of 0.87 and satisfactory inter-item correlations ranging from 0.19-0.21. Significant correlations between the CSE and other measures of self-efficacy as well as positive and negative psychological functioning indicated good criterion-related validity. Construct validity was supported by confirmatory and exploratory factor analysis. Three major factors similar to Chesney et al.’s (2006) findings were extracted, namely Use problem-focused coping, Stop unpleasant emotions and thoughts and Get support from friends and family. Construct validity is further supported by SEM analyses. The English version of the CSE therefore has good reliability and validity in a South African multicultural context.
A strong ice cloud event as seen by a microwave satellite sensor : Simulations and observations

In this article, brightness temperatures observed by channels of the Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit-B (AMSU-B) instrument are compared to those simulated by a radiative transfer model, which can take into account the multiple scattering due to ice particles by using a discrete ordinate iterative solution method. The input fields, namely, the pressure, temperature, humidity, and cloud water content are taken from the short range forecast from the Met Office mesoscale model (UKMES). The comparison was made for a case study on the 25 January 2002 when a frontal system associated with significant cloud was present over the UK. It is demonstrated that liquid clouds have maximum impact on channel 16 of AMSU whereas ice clouds have maximum impact on channel 20. The main uncertainty for simulating microwave radiances is the assumptions about microphysical properties, such as size distribution, shape and orientation of the cloud particles, which are not known in the mesoscale model. The article examines the impact of these parameters on the cloud signal. The polarisation signal due to oriented ice particles at these frequencies is also discussed. r 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Using Attributional Life Cycle Assessment to Estimate Climate‐Change Mitigation Benefits Misleads Policy Makers

Life cycle assessment (LCA) is generally described as a tool for environmental decision making. Results from attributional LCA (ALCA), the most commonly used LCA method, often are presented in a way that suggests that policy decisions based on these results will yield the quantitative benefits estimated by ALCA. For example, ALCAs of biofuels are routinely used to suggest that the implementation of one alternative (say, a biofuel) will cause an X% change in greenhouse gas emissions, compared with a baseline (typically gasoline). However, because of several simplifications inherent in ALCA, the method, in fact, is not predictive of real‐world impacts on climate change, and hence the usual quantitative interpretation of ALCA results is not valid. A conceptually superior approach, consequential LCA (CLCA), avoids many of the limitations of ALCA, but because it is meant to model actual changes in the real world, CLCA results are scenario dependent and uncertain. These limitations mean that even the best practical CLCAs cannot produce definitive quantitative estimates of actual environmental outcomes. Both forms of LCA, however, can yield valuable insights about potential environmental effects, and CLCA can support robust decision making. By openly recognizing the limitations and understanding the appropriate uses of LCA as discussed here, practitioners and researchers can help policy makers implement policies that are less likely to have perverse effects and more likely to lead to effective environmental policies, including climate mitigation strategies.
Multivariate extreme value modelling of sea conditions around the coast of England

It is widely recognised that coastal flood events can arise from combinations of extreme waves and sea levels. For flood risk analysis and the design of coastal structures it is therefore necessary to assess the joint probability of the occurrence of these variables. Traditional methods have involved the application of joint probability contours, defined in terms of extremes of sea conditions that can, if applied without correction factors, lead to the underestimation of flood risk and under-design of coastal structures. This paper describes the application of a robust multivariate statistical model to analyse extreme offshore waves, wind and sea levels around the coast of England. The approach described here is risk based in that it seeks to define extremes of response variables directly, rather than the joint extremes of sea conditions. The output of the statistical model comprises a Monte Carlo simulation of extreme events. These distributions of extreme events have been transformed from offshore to ne.