Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Alternative distributions for the multiplicative model in SAR images

Another class of distributions is proposed to model the terrain backscatter, namely the class of the generalized inverse Gaussian distributions. Besides allowing the explicit calculation of the density of the random variable that models the radar return, these distributions have the remarkable property of having the gamma and other distributions as particular cases. The resulting distributions for complex, multilook intensity and multilook amplitude data are derived assuming the multiplicative model. These new densities yield to a more general model-than the classical one, which is given by the class of K distributions. Several plots are presented, showing the flexibility of these new distributions and its possible use as a model for SAR data.
Robust Self-Calibration and Fundamental Matrix Estimation in 3D Computer Vision

The recent advances in the field of computer vision have brought many of the laboratory algorithms into the realm of industry. However, one problem that still remains open in the field of 3D vision is the problem of noise. The challenging problem of 3D structure recovery from images is highly sensitive to the presence of input data that are contaminated by errors that do not conform to ideal assumptions. Tackling the problem of extreme data, or outliers has led to many robust methods in the field that are able to handle moderate levels of outliers and still provide accurate outputs. However, this problem remains open, especially for higher noise levels and so it has been the goal of this thesis to address the issue of robustness with respect to two central problems in 3D computer vision. The two problems are highly related and they have been presented together within a Structure from Motion (SfM) context. The first, is the problem of robustly estimating the fundamental matrix from images whose correspondences contain high outlier levels. Even though this area has been extensively studied, two algorithms have been proposed that significantly speed up the computation of the fundamental matrix and achieve accurate results in scenarios containing more than 50% outliers. The presented algorithms rely on ideas from the field of robust statistics in order to develop guided sampling techniques that rely on information inferred from residual analysis. The second, problem addressed in this thesis is the robust estimation of camera intrinsic parameters from fundamental matrices, or self-calibration. Self-calibration algorithms are notoriously unreliable for general cases and it is shown that the existing methods are highly sensitive to noise. In spite of this, robustness in self-calibration has received little attention in the literature. Through experimental results, it is shown that it is essential for a real-world self-calibration algorithm to be robust. In order to introduce robustness to the existing methods, three robust algorithms have been proposed that utilize existing constraints for self-calibration from the fundamental matrix. However, the resulting algorithms are less affected by noise than existing algorithms based on these constraints. This is an important milestone since self-calibration offers many possibilities by providing estimates of camera parameters without requiring access to the image acquisition device. The proposed algorithms rely on perturbation theory, guided sampling methods and a robust root finding method for systems of higher order polynomials. By adding robustness to self-calibration it is hoped that this idea is one step closer to being a practical method of camera calibration rather than merely a theoretical possibility.
Using the spiral model to assess, select and integrate software development tools

Rather than having software tool assessment and selection be performed separately from the software development process, Boehm's (1988) spiral model of software development can be used to provide a framework within which tool assessment and selection can be systematically integrated into the software development process. The result is an incremental decision making/integration process which results in conservative (minimal, best-for-now) decisions which come under review each cycle through the spiral. This paper first describes the decision making/integration process. It then shows how the decision making/integration process has been used in the VETRONICS Simulation Facility project. The first three cycles through the spiral are described for the selection of a CASE tool, a prototyping tool, and an interprocess communication (IPC) tool. <<ETX>>
A NEW TRANSIENT BIO-HEAT MODEL OF THE HUMAN BODY

A new mathematical multi-segmented model based on an improved Stolwijk model is developed for predicting nude human thermal and regulatory responses within body segments and the environment. The passive model segments the body into the 15 cylindrical parts. Each body part is divided into four nodes of core, skin, artery blood, and vein blood. The body nodes interact with each other through convection, perfusion and conduction. In any body element, the blood exiting the arteries and flowing into the capillaries is divided into blood flowing in the core (exchanges heat by perfusion in the core) and blood flowing into the skin layer (exchanges heat by perfusion in the skin). The model calculates the blood circulation flow rates based on exact physiological data of Avolio [1], real dimensions, and anatomic positions of the arteries in the body. The circulatory system model takes into consideration the pulsatile blood flow in the macro arteries with its effect on the convective heat transport. The inclusion of calculated blood perfusion in both the tissue and the skin, based on the arterial system model and the heart rate is unique for the current model. The bio-heat human model is capable of predicting accurately nude human transient physiological responses such as the body’s skin, tympanic, and core temperatures, sweat rates, and the dry and latent heat losses from each body segment. The nude body model predictions are compared with published theoretical and experimental data at a variety of ambient conditions and activity. The current model agrees well with experimental data during transient hot exposures. The nude human model has an accuracy of less than 8% for the whole-body heat gains or losses and ±0.48°C for skin temperature values.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Semi-global containment control of multi-agent systems with input saturation

This study investigates containment control of multi-agent systems with input saturation and multiple leaders on directed networks. Both state feedback and output feedback containment control protocols are designed via low-gain feedback approach. Under the assumption that the system is asymptotically null controllable with bounded controls and there exists at least one leader that has a directed path to each follower, semi-global state feedback and output feedback containment control of the multi-agent system can be attained. Numerical examples are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the theoretical results.
An application of the two-scale model from the point of view of the small-slope approximation to radar observations from the ocean

The angular and polarization dependencies of the radar backscatter from the ocean at low grazing angles at X-band are discussed. Analysis of recent backscattering data, obtained as a result of small grazing-angle radar observations, indicates that the Bragg mechanism alone cannot explain all the peculiarities of the experimental results in the presence of surface stratification and hydrodynamical modulation. The two-scale model, from the point of view of the small-slope approximation (SSA), takes into account the effects of modulation of the scattering cross section due to small-scale roughness, caused by the local slopes of a large-scale undulating surface. The two-dimensional JONSWAP spectrum has been used to calculate the cross sections derived. The results obtained are compared with San Clemente Ocean Probing Experiment (SCOPE) measurements and some Coastal Ocean Probing Experiment (COPE) results.
[Nurse's attitudes to pain in children and their relation to continuing].

INTRODUCTION Broadly speaking, attitude can be defined as one of the basic elements in personality development, which shapes a person's behavior. OBJECTIVE To determine the attitude of nursing professionals to pain in children. MATERIAL The universe of subjects consisted of 121 male and female nurses who worked in pediatric services at secondary-level health facilities in the province of Cienfuegos (Cuba). METHOD A descriptive observational study was performed in the pediatric services of these health centers. The subjects were given a questionnaire to identify their attitude towards pain in children. This attitude was related to the variables, work experience and continuing education. The differences between response frequencies of the groups of participants were analyzed by means of the chi square test. Mean values were compared by using the Anova t-test for independent groups. The value regarded as statistically significant was p < 0.05. RESULTS The results obtained showed that 71.1% of the participants have a negative attitude towards pediatric pain, and that this attitude is significantly related to their training. CONCLUSIONS As nurses received more training, their attitude towards pain in children was found to be more tolerant and positive.
Cohesion in English

Cohesion in English is concerned with a relatively neglected part of the linguistic system: its resources for text construction, the range of meanings that are speciffically associated with relating what is being spoken or written to its semantic environment. A principal component of these resources is 'cohesion'. This book studies the cohesion that arises from semantic relations between sentences. Reference from one to the other, repetition of word meanings, the conjunctive force of but, so, then and the like are considered. Further, it describes a method for analysing and coding sentences, which is applied to specimen texts.
Face recognition with CTFM sonar

The use of biometrics, such as iris, thumbprints, voice, face, etc, for authentication have become commonplace. In this research, we are attempting to classify human faces using CTFM (Continuously Transmitted Frequency Modulated) sonar in place of the normally used computer vision. However, for this preliminary paper, the main objectives are to find out the range relationships between human facial features and how they are represented in echoes, and to test the quality of echo features for three faces from a single orientation. The tested features are features that were effective in past research into classifying objects from ultrasonic echoes. We measure the quality of these features using a minimum Euclidean distance criterion. Actual classification of faces will be attempted at a later phase.
Perturbation effects analysis in analog implementation of a stochastic artificial neural network

Analogue implementation of Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) especially as CMOS integrated circuits show several attractive features. During the last decade, numerous works show that small size analogue ANN operate correctly. However, today the efforts are focused on real industrial size application of ANN that will require large networks. On the other hand, all of the presented implementations of ANN have been supposed to be working in ideal conditions but real applications will be subject to some global perturbations. Especially in the case of the analogue and mixed digital/analogue implementation, the behavior analysis of the neural network with perturbation conditions is thus inevitable. Unfortunately, very few papers analyze the behavior of analogue neural network with global perturbations. We have investigated modeling and experimental validation of the behavior of analogue ANN in the case of a global perturbation of the network. We have analyzed the behavior of a CMOS analogue implementation of synchronous Boltzmann Machine model when the neural circuit is subject to perturbations. The perturbations we have considered concern the supply voltage of the neural circuit and ambient temperature in which the circuit operates. In this paper we present the analysis of the behavior of the analogue implementation of synchronous Boltzmann Machine with electrical and thermal perturbations. Simulation and experimental results have been exposed.
Approach to the Improvement of the Text Line Segmentation by Oriented Anisotropic Gaussian Kernel

The paper presents the approach to the algorithm for text line segmentation based on the anisotropic Gaussian kernel. As a result of this algorithm the growing region around text is exploited. Furthermore, anisotropic Gaussian kernel is rotated to improve text line segmentation process. Text objects orientation is evaluated by binary moments. For test purposes algorithm is evaluated under different text samples. From the obtained results comparative analysis between algorithm with anisotropic and oriented Gaussian kernel is made. At the end, benefits of the extended approach are revealed. Ill. 7, bibl. 22, tabl. 5 (in English; abstracts in English and Lithuanian). DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.5755/j01.eee. 118.2. 1181
E-journals for Research: the User Perspective

The global â€˜collaboratoryâ€™ is becoming the academic way of life and. electronic documents a vital part of it. In this more dynamic research environment, electronic journals are just one of a more integrated set of tools and there are still issues which challenge all but the most determined or most digitally literate. However, an increasing number of the academic community are enthusiastic about using or starting electronic journals, particularly where multimedia or additional data can enhance our understanding of original research or where the electronic process produces more timely debate.
Architectural considerations for mobile mesh networking

Mobile communications is central to many military operations and is necessary to communicate simultaneously with multiple warfighters engaged in a common task. This paper describes the problem of routing and resource reservation in mobile mesh networks and presents architectural recommendations necessary for Internet protocols to operate effectively in these environments. A "mobile mesh" network is an autonomous system of mobile routers connected by wireless links, the union of which form an arbitrary graph. The routers are free to move randomly; thus, the network's wireless topology may change rapidly and unpredictably.
CATIA-GDML geometry builder

Due to conceptual difference between geometry descriptions in Computer-Aided Design (CAD) systems and particle transport Monte Carlo (MC) codes direct conversion of detector geometry in either direction is not feasible. An original set of tools has been developed for building a GEANT4/ROOT compatible geometry in the CATIA CAD system and exchanging it with mentioned MC packages using GDML file format. A Special structure of a CATIA product tree, a wide range of primitives, different types of multiple volume instantiation, and supporting macros have been implemented.
The representation of (in)definiteness

"The Representation of (In)definiteness" collects the most important current research, reflecting a wide range of approaches, on a central theoretical issue in linguistics: characterizing the distinction between definite and indefinite expressions. The authors of these 11 original essays, which draw on current work in theoretical syntax and semantics, were charged by the editors to take more than usual heed of alternative analyses offered by other theories, thereby promoting cross-fertilization of syntactic and semantic ideas, concepts, and argumentation. The project as a whole is grounded in the belief that explicit comparison of seemingly incompatible approaches is essential to improve our understanding of the nature and structure of natural language. Eric J. Reuland and Alice ter Meulen are Professors of Linguistics at the Rijksuniversiteit Groningen and the University of Washington respectively. "The Representation of (In)definiteness" is fourteenth in the series Current Studies in Linguistics, edited by Samuel Jay Keyser.
Native-Speaker/Non-Native-Speaker Discourse in the MOO: Topic Negotiation and Initiation in a Synchronous Text-Based Environment

A number of researchers in computer-mediated communication have pointed towards its potential to stimulate learner participation and engagement in the classroom. However, in many cases only anecdotal reports were provided. In addition, it is unclear whether the pedagogical set-up or the technology involved is responsible for changes in learner attitudes. We have conducted bilingual MOO (object-oriented Multiple-User Domain) projects based on tandem learning for the past three years, and collected extensive learner data on native-speaker/non-native-speaker discourse during that time. In this paper, we will look in detail at issues such as topic negotiation and initiation, both in the learner’s L1 and L2. For instance, some researchers on native-speaker/non-native-speaker discourse have claimed that native speakers initiate the majority of topics, and that non-native speakers preferably initiate a topic by using questions. An analysis of learner data will be compared to existing research on face-to-face native-speaker/non-native-speaker discourse. This comparison provides us with an empirical basis to assess whether a combination of tandem learning and a synchronous communication technology like the MOO can support learner participation and engagement in the language classroom. We will also discuss whether the technology or the pedagogy is responsible for any differences in learner engagement.
Prognostic significance of ventricular arrhythmia modified by ability to adapt to stressful situations

Background Ventricular arrhythmia is a risk factor for myocardial infarction and mortality but many individuals with this abnormality live long and healthy lives. The aim of this study is to analyse the prognostic significance of frequent and complex ventricular arrhythmia in men who differed regarding ability to adapt to a stressful situation. Design Prospective cohort study. Methods The serial Color Word Test is a semi-experimental way to assess how individuals behave in a stressful encounter. This test was included in the prospective cohort study ‘Men born in 1914’ together with 24-h ambulatory electrocardiographic recordings at a baseline examination in 1982/83. Behaviour in the test was categorized as either adaptive or maladaptive. Behaviour in the test and occurrence of ventricular arrhythmia at baseline were analyzed in relation to incidence of myocardial infarction and mortality during approximately 14 years of follow-up. Results Multivariate analyses showed that ventricular arrhythmia was not associated with the incidence of myocardial infarction or all-cause mortality in the presence of an adaptive behaviour. Ventricular arrhythmia together with a maladaptive behaviour was associated with the incidence of myocardial infarction [relative risk (RR) 2.43; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.37 to 4.31] and with all-cause mortality (RR 1.56; 95% CI 1.01 to 2.41) during follow-up. Conclusions A maladaptive behaviour in a stressful encounter makes men with electrocardiographically detected ventricular arrhythmias more vulnerable and thereby exposed to an increased risk of a future myocardial infarction and overall mortality.
The Multimedia and Computer Technology Application in Physical Education

As the development of the multimedia and computer science, various advanced technologies are generalized to the education tasks. In this paper, specialized to the physical education, we present the application of the multimedia and computer technology in the process of the education. The key of the multimedia and computer technology is presented as discuss, which would contribute to the development of the physical education.
Advancing the practice of cognitive task analysis: a call for taxonomic research

Cognitive task analysis (CTA) captures unobservable cognitive processes, decisions and judgments of expert performance. Over 100 different CTA methods are identified in prior literature. However, existing classifications typically sort techniques by process rather than outcome, application or causal mechanism. Therefore, techniques can be misapplied and comparative analysis of methods made difficult. Based on the frequency distribution of CTA methods in 1065 studies, a subsample representing 60% of the most frequently published methods was coded based on elicitation and analysis techniques. Consistency of resulting applications was assessed. Inconsistent matching of CTA methods and subsequent applications indicate CTA is currently more craft than technology. Therefore, there is no robust basis for selecting one method over another for research or practice. Specific challenges include comparing the reliability and validity of individual methods and optimising selection of techniques for intended applications. Developing a causal taxonomy may facilitate such advancements.
Psychosocial Modeling of Insider Threat Risk Based on Behavioral and Word Use Analysis

In many insider crimes, managers and other coworkers observed that the offenders had exhibited signs of stress, disgruntlement, or other issues, but no alarms were raised. Barriers to using such psychosocial indicators include the inability to recognize the signs and the failure to record the behaviors so that they can be assessed. A psychosocial model was developed to assess an employee’s behavior associated with an increased risk of insider abuse. The model is based on case studies and research literature on factors/correlates associated with precursor behavioral manifestations of individuals committing insider crimes. A complementary Personality Trait modeling approach was developed based on analysis to derive relevant personality characteristics from word use. Several implementations of the psychosocial model were evaluated by comparing their agreement with judgments of human resources and management professionals; the personality trait modeling approach was examined using email samples. The paper also briefly discusses privacy/ethical issues in behavioral monitoring for insider threat detection and a vision for operational deployment of an approach that incorporates these models into a set of management tools for identifying employees who pose a greater insider threat.
Reconstruction of indoor scene from a single image

Given a single image of an indoor scene without any prior knowledge, is it possible for a computer to automatically reconstruct the structure of the scene? This letter proposes a reconstruction method, called RISSIM, to recover the 3D modelling of an indoor scene from a single image. The proposed method is composed of three steps: the estimation of vanishing points, the detection and classification of lines, and the plane mapping. To find vanishing points, a new feature descriptor, named “OCR”, is defined to describe the texture orientation. With Phrase Congruency and Harris Detector, the line segments can be detected exactly, which is a prerequisite. Perspective transform is a defined as a reliable method whereby the points on the image can be represented on a 3D model. Experimental results show that the 3D structure of an indoor scene can be well reconstructed from a single image although the available depth information is limited.