Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Learning-Based Fast Iterative Convergence of 3-D MoM via Eigen-AGMRES Method

Three-dimensional (3-D) full-wave electromagnetic simulation using method of moments (MoM) under the framework of fast solver algorithms like fast multipole method (FMM) is often bottlenecked by the speed of convergence of the Krylov-subspace-based iterative process. This is primarily because the electric field integral equation (EFIE) matrix, even with cutting-edge preconditioning techniques, often exhibits bad spectral properties arising from frequency or geometry-based ill-conditioning, which render iterative solvers slow to converge or stagnate occasionally. In this communication, a novel technique to expedite the convergence of MoM matrix solution at a specific frequency is proposed, by extracting and applying Eigen-vectors from a previously solved neighboring frequency in an augmented generalized minimum residual (AGMRES) iterative framework. This technique can be applied in unison with any preconditioner. Numerical results demonstrate up to 40% speed-up in convergence using the proposed Eigen-AGMRES method.
Medical Image Compression And Reconstruction Using Compressive Sensing

: Compressive sensing is new era and emerging platform for data acquisition and signal processing. Magical statement of Compressive sensing tells that one can recover certain signal or images from far fewer samples than traditionally required. Image Compression, the art and science of reducing the amount of data required tore present image is one of the most useful and commercially successful in the field of digital image processing. Image compression plays important role in many other areas, including tele video conferencing, remote sensing, document and medical imaging, and facsimile transmission. On encoding side it require two property of a signal that are sparsity and incoherence. First, any signal is converted into particular transform i.e. wavelet or DCT, with help of sensing matrix it extracts required coefficients which has less dimensionality than image dimensions and hence we can get resultant matrix. which is also called measurements which are non-adaptive. In certain areas like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), it is urgent to reduce the time of the patients’ exposure in the electromagnetic radiation. CS recovery algorithms basically divided into two types like L1 minimization techniques and greedy CS recovery algorithms. Where L1 minimization technique is based on linear optimization solving and this technique provide good security but more computation time is required for image reconstruction. When greedy CS recovery algorithms are based on iteration calculation of approximation of image coefficients until a convergence criterion is met and these algorithm is faster but they are no provide stability. So that we have proposed Hybrid technique for reconstruction of image and by using it we can reduce the elapsed time.
The impact of vascular risk factors multiplicity on severity of carotid atherosclerosis—A retrospective analysis of 1969 Egyptian subjects

Background and Purpose: Carotid atherosclerosis has been recognized as a major cause of stroke. The cur-rent study aimed to describe the effect of multiplicity rather than the type of vascular risk factors on severity of carotid atherosclerosis among a large sample of Egyptian population. Methods: We analyzed the data of 1969 Egyptian subjects, who proved to have extra cranial carotid atherosclerotic disease by duplex scanning at the vascular laboratories of Cairo Uni-versity Hospitals. Demographic, clinical data and causes of referral were recorded and correlated with ultrasound findings. Atherosclerotic indices, namely IMT, plaque number and percentage of stenosis were used for evaluation of severity of carotid atherosclerosis. Furthermore, subjects were classified according to multiplicity of major atherosclerotic risk factors and multivariate regression analysis was performed to detect independent predictors of significant carotid disease. Results: Out of 1969 subjects with proved signs of extracranial carotid atherosclerosis by duplex ultrasonographic scan, 225 (11.4%) showed hemody-namic significant stenosis (≥50%). Multiplicity of risk factors beyond the age of 50 years was the strongest predictor of significant stenosis. Conclusion: Age more than 50 years and multiplicity rather than the type of risk factors were the strongest predictors of significant carotid atherosclerotic disease (CAD).
Access to Improved Sanitation in Informal Settlements: The Case of Dar es Salaam City, Tanzania

A large number of people in developing countries live in informal settlements. Such settlements are mostly situated in areas that are frequently flooded. In terms of sanitation, majority informal settlements dwellers use traditional pit latrine technology, which is considered cheap given their level of income. The use of pit latrines in areas that are frequently flooded causes health risks. Most of the informal settlements lack access to infrastructure services particularly sanitation facilities. This has made many residents discharge waste water from pit latrines into storm water run-offs. This often leads to environmental pollution and endangers the health of local residents. Based on the current study, this paper attempts to examine how and the extent to which residents in these informal settlements get access to improved sanitation. The paper also draws lessons to inform the way forward. The findings show that community based initiatives, partnerships and law enforcement are instrumental in improving access to sanitation in informal settlements.
Effect of putrescine on antioxidative properties in Matricaria chamomilla

In this study investigated the effect of putrescine sprayed (0.5 & 1mM) on Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) and the changed of Anthocyanin, Phenolic compounds, POX & CAT Antioxidative enzymes were examined. The results show that Putrescine treatments increased hydrogen peroxide in seedlings to compare control. Phenolic compound content under putrescine treatments are different. Phenolic compound content under 1mM putrescine was reduced significantly however phenolic compound content under 0.5mM putrescine was increased significantly. Anthocyanin content under putrescine treatments have increased. POX and CAT enzymes activity indicated to addition relative activity under putrescine treatments in leaves of Matricaia chamomile seedlings.
SBS Mitigation in a Microstructured Optical Fiber by Periodically Varying the Core Diameter

In this letter, we experimentally demonstrate a 4-dB increase of the stimulated Brillouin scattering threshold in a microstructured optical fiber. This result is obtained by periodically varying the size of the air-hole structure by only 7% amplitude, while keeping a low attenuation coefficient. The efficiency of this passive technique is verified by use of the Brillouin echoes-distributed sensing technique where the Brillouin frequency-shift oscillation is clearly observed.
Laser-evoked potentials : normative values

Objective: Laser-evoked potentials (LEPs) currently represent the most reliable and widely agreed method of investigating the Ad-fibre pathways. Many studies dealt with the usefulness of LEPs in peripheral and central nervous system diseases. We aimed at gaining normative values for LEP data. Methods: Using a CO2 laser stimulator we recorded LEPs after face, hand, and foot stimulation in 100 normal subjects. We measured the perceptive threshold, latency and amplitude of the main vertex components, and their side-to-side differences. We also studied the correlations between LEP data and age and body height, as well as gender differences. Results: Laser perceptive threshold increased and LEP amplitude decreased from face to foot (P! 0.0001). The latency of hand and footLEPs correlated significantly with body height (P! 0.0001). The amplitude, though not the latency, correlated with age (P! 0.0001). LEP data did not significantly differ between genders (PO0.1). Conclusions: This study provides normative values for the main LEP data and their absolute and side-to-side limits, highlighting the physiological differences related to, body height, age, gender and stimulation site. Significance: Our data may help to improve the clinical reliability of LEPs as a diagnostic tool. q 2004 International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Pattern reconfigurable antenna for a wireless sensor network sink node

This paper presents a pattern reconfigurable antenna (f = 2.4 − 2.4835 GHz) for wireless sensor network (WSN) sink nodes. It can change beam pattern from a conical pattern to a front-directional pattern or vice versa. This pattern reconfigurable antenna is composed of two radiators, an Electromagnetic bandgap (EBG) ground plane, and a power divider which in coupled with a stub switched phase shifter. This antenna is desirable for wireless sensor network sink node because directional antennas that change pattern according to location of sensors provide improvements over omni-directional antennas in terms of the energy consumption, sensitivity of signal, and long propagation range in WSN environments.
Higher-order Lamé mode square microresonator with improved quality factor and f-Q product

This paper reports on the design and experimental characterization of a higher-order Lamé mode to reduce the effect of squeezed-film damping and thus enhancing the Quality factor for near atmospheric pressures. Three vibration modes of the resonator are examined. It is demonstrated that the employing a higher order Lamé modes will result in higher f-Q product compared to the fundamental Lamé and extensional modes of the resonator. For the tested resonator, the Quality factor for the second Lamé mode is 830,000 at a frequency of 16.54MHz resulting in an f-Q product of 1.37×1013 Hz. This is about an order of magnitude higher than the f-Q product for lower modes.
Model reference output feedback tracking control design for switched linear systems with time delay

Model reference output feedback tracking control design for switched linear systems with time-varying delay is investigated in this paper. The possibility of designing switching control law based on measured output instead of the state information is considered when the states are not available. Average dwell time method is utilized to the stability analysis and controller design for switched linear time-varying delay systems. Compare to existing results, the Variation-of-constants formula is avoided. By introducing free weighting matrix scheme and choosing a reduced piecewise Lyapunov functional, the difficulties of the tracking control problem are decreased compare to existing results.
Characterization and Modeling of Hot Carrier-Induced Variability in Subthreshold Region

We developed an analytical model that is able to predict the evolution of the subthreshold slope variability associated with hot carrier (HC) stress. The model assumes that HC stress generates interface states with a Poisson distribution and that the number of HC-induced interface states increases linearly with the HC-induced subthreshold slope variation. We validate the model by means of extensive variability data sets collected on n-channel MOSFETs in 45- and 65-nm CMOS technologies. Furthermore, we investigate the correlation between the threshold voltage and the subthreshold slope fluctuations in order to fully characterize their impact on the subthreshold current variability.
Assessment of capacity upgrade using 40Gbps DPSK transmission in 10Gbps DWDM ROADM networks

We present a detailed study for capacity upgrade using 40Gbps DPSK transmission in 10Gbps optimized 50GHz spaced DWDM ROADM systems. It was found that further optimizing the chromatic dispersion pre-compensation for 40G channel can significantly improve its transmission, and the neighboring 10G channels have negligible impact on the 40G transmission.
Evaluation of Intravenous Lidocaine Overdose in Chickens (Gallus domesticus)

Objective- To evaluate the total toxic dose of lidocaine and serum lidocaine concentrations resulting in clinical signs of toxicity in chickens. Design- Experimental study Animals- Eight healthy, female, 55-week-old chickens (Lohman breed) weighing 1.45 ± 0.17 kg (mean ± SD) Procedure- A loading dose of 2% lidocaine (4 mg/kg) was administered IV, followed by a constant-rate infusion at a dose of 8 mg/kg/min using a syringe pump. Times to onset of convulsion and/or respiratory arrest were recorded and the total toxic dose of lidocaine was determined. Blood sample was withdrawn for lidocaine analysis at the onset of the major signs of intoxication (convulsion or respiratory arrest). Results- The total toxic dose of lidocaine required to produce systemic toxicity and corresponding serum lidocaine concentration were 28.96 ± 6.21 mg/kg and 38.5 ± 10.4 µg/mL, respectively. Conclusions and clinical relevance- Based on the results of this study, greater doses of lidocaine are needed to produce toxic manifestations in chickens as compared with mammals.
Airline recommendations using a hybrid and location based approach

In the modern times, due to the advancements in science and technology, there has been an increase in the available products a consumer can buy. This variety often leads to a confusion in the consumers mind. A new technique called as Recommender Systems was designed in order to suggest the products to a user based on his/her liking. A number of different techniques like collaborative filtering, content based filtering, etc., can be used to generate appropriate recommendations. In this project, we analyze the scope and density of these Recommendation algorithms and propose a way in which these algorithms can be hybridized to generate recommendations for the airline industry.
Pharmakotherapie im Alter

Zusammenfassung Bei Alterspatienten bestimmen nicht nur altersbedingte normale pharmakokinetische und pharmakodynamische Veränderungen, sondern auch Faktoren wie Lebensgewohnheiten oder chronische Erkrankungen die unterschiedliche Wirksamkeit und Verträglichkeit von Arzneimitteln im Vergleich zu jüngeren Patienten. Darüber hinaus sind Alterspatienten, insbesondere bei Komorbidität, von den meisten klinischen Studien ausgeschlossen. Daher gibt es nur beschränkte Evidenz für die Wirksamkeit vieler Medikamente. Die mangelhafte Evidenz und die große Variabilität der Pharmakokinetik und Pharmakodynamik erfordern im Alter eine individualisierte Pharmakotherapie. Zur Risikominimierung gilt es, inadäquate Medikamente, übermäßige Polypharmazie, unerwünschte Arzneimittelwechselwirkungen, aber auch eine medikamentöse Unterversorgung zu vermeiden. Das Dictum für Alterspatienten „Start low, go slow“ bezüglich Arzneimitteldosis sollte nicht bei jedem Patienten angewandt werden. Aufgrund der hohen interindividuellen Variabilität der Pharmakokinetik und Pharmakodynamik sollte bei Alterspatienten während der medikamentösen Behandlung ein enges Monitoring bzgl. Wirksamkeit und Verträglichkeit erfolgen. Blutspiegelmessungen von Psychopharmaka sollten genutzt werden, um pharmakokinetische Besonderheiten und die bei Alterspatienten häufigen Complianceprobleme zu erkennen.
Enabling social learning environments at the college level: A toolbox

Social networks are being massively utilized for targeting consumers, as entertainment channels and in personal communications, but also offer an appealing potential as a tool for learning in higher education, largely unexplored yet. This paper describes the design and implementation of a social network platform aimed at integrating informal learning processes (games, questions and answers, group ranking) in the university curricula. We present the design principles, the major software modules and the workflow of our tool, which is based on open-source software.
A Performance Comparison for Various Methods to Design the Three-Term Fuzzy Logic Controller

Summary A three-term (proportional plus integral plus derivative, PID) fuzzy logic controller (FLC) algorithm have been and continue to be a very active and fruitful research field since early pioneered work on fuzzy controller. In this study, we propose taxonomy of various methods to design three-term FLC. Two applications representing second-order systems and third-order systems were used to analyze the performance of the various design methods and compare their performance. The analysis shows that the PD-like FLC parallel with PI-like FLC design method are quite efficient and superior to other design methods with respect to transient response, accuracy, and robustness to varying of defuzzification methods.
Space-time block coding for switched beam systems

A scheme for selecting two beams in a switched beam antenna system for providing downlink transmit diversity based on space-time block coding (STBC) technique is proposed. The scheme involves selecting a pair of beams based on the uplink reception of the switched beam antenna system, and determining from the pair of beams a corresponding pair of orthogonal beams. The scheme also involves providing the pair of orthogonal beams as pair of transmit beams, the switched beam antenna system achieves nearly the same system performance, in terms of bit error rate (BER), as much complex adaptive antenna system with STBC. Simulation results demonstrate the promising scheme.
Low-energy effective Hamiltonian involving spin-orbit coupling in silicene and two-dimensional germanium and tin

Starting from symmetry considerations and the tight-binding method in combination with first-principles calculation, we systematically derive the low-energy effective Hamiltonian involving spin-orbit coupling (SOC) for silicene. This Hamiltonian is very general because it applies not only to silicene itself but also to the low-buckled counterparts of graphene for the other group-IVA elements Ge and Sn, as well as to graphene when the structure returns to the planar geometry. The effective Hamitonian is the analog to the graphene quantum spin Hall effect (QSHE) Hamiltonian. As in the graphene model, the effective SOC in low-buckled geometry opens a gap at the Dirac points and establishes the QSHE. The effective SOC actually contains the first order in the atomic intrinsic SOC strength xi(0), while this leading-order contribution of SOC vanishes in the planar structure. Therefore, silicene, as well as the low-buckled counterparts of graphene for the other group-IVA elements Ge and Sn, has a much larger gap opened by the effective SOC at the Dirac points than graphene, due to the low-buckled geometry and larger atomic intrinsic SOC strength. Further, the more buckled is the structure, the greater is the gap. Therefore, the QSHE can be observed in low-buckled Si, Ge, and Sn systems in an experimentally accessible temperature regime. In addition, the Rashba SOC in silicene is intrinsic due to its own low-buckled geometry, which vanishes at the Dirac point K, while it has a nonzero value with deviation of (k) over right arrow from the K point. Therefore, the QSHE in silicene is robust against the intrinsic Rashba SOC.
Linear and Nonlinear Optical Phenomena of Metallic Nanoparticles

We have numerically characterized localized surface plasmons (LSPs) of triangular and cubic Ag particles on a substrate using the so-called finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method. Especially, we have evaluated the effect of roundness around the prism corners on the characteristics of LSPs and, in addition to that, have focused onto a change in the characteristics of LSPs caused by an interaction between a particle and a substrate. Introduction of roundness decreases the field enhancement and existence of the substrate has made characteristics of LSP modes change. We have also simulated nonlinear optical response of an Ag nanosphere coated with a CdS film, being a Kerr material, by using a nonlinear 3-D FDTD method for spherical coordinates. We have presented extinction spectra of a triangle Ag particle that was processed by using a focused ion beam (FIB) lithography. The experimental spectrum has been well interpreted by introducing roundness around the triangle corners. Ag particles coated with a CdS film have been synthesized by employing the reversed micelle method. We have shown the first experimental observation of the optical nonlinear response for the single Ag nanoparticle coated with a CdS material, based on the optical Kerr effect due to an electronic nonlinearity, at room temperature.
SMART T ALK : A Learning-based Framework for Natural Human-Robot Interaction

This paper presents a learning-based framework named SMARTTALK for natural-language human-robot interaction (HRI). The primary goal of this framework is to enable non-expert users to control and program a mobile robot using natural language commands. SMARTTALK is modality-agnostic, and is capable of integrating with both speech and non-speech (e.g., gesture-based) communication. Initially, robots using this mechanism are equipped with a limited vocabulary of primitive commands and functionality; however, through extended use and interaction, the robots are able to learn new commands and adapt to user’s behaviors and habits. This makes the proposed framework highly desirable for long-term deployment in a variety of HRI tasks. We present the design of this framework and experimental data on a number of realistic scenarios to evaluate its performance. A qualitative experiment on a robotic platform is also presented.
Incorporating financial protection into the economic evaluation of health technologies

The almost universal approach to the economic evaluation of health technologies is to compare the cost-effectiveness of treatments, using metrics such as the „cost per quality adjusted life year‟. This is based on the reasonable view that a prime objective of the health system is to maximize health. However, another fundamental role of universal health insurance is to protect citizens from financial catastrophe associated with sickness. Financial protection is an especially high priority in many developing countries, but is also returning to prominence in high income settings, where policy makers are beginning to question sustainability of comprehensive statutory health insurance. This paper develops a simple model in which risk averse individuals care about health, but also place a value on protection from the financial consequences of rare but costly events. The paper shows how conventional cost-effectiveness analysis can readily be augmented to take account of financial protection objectives. The results depend on whether or not there exists a market in complementary private health insurance. They have important implications for the methodology adopted by health technology assessment agencies, and for the broader design of health systems.
A Skeptic's Sense of Wonder

Skeptics and True Believers The Exhilarating Connection Between Science and Religion. Chet Raymo. Walker, New York, 1998. 300 pp. $23. ISBN 0-8027-1338-6. Chet Raymo, a science writer and professor of astronomy and physics, wishes to bridge the gap between the scientific and spiritual communities with a scientifically enlightened new religious consciousness. The reviewer found "no positive claims of a religious sort . but many scientific experiences of wonder and awe, many breathtaking observations that lead to apprehensions of mystery. "