Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dynamic Vision Sensor integration on FPGA-based CNN accelerators for high-speed visual classification

Deep-learning is a cutting edge theory that is being applied to many fields. For vision applications the Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) are demanding significant accuracy for classification tasks. Numerous hardware accelerators have populated during the last years to improve CPU or GPU based solutions. This technology is commonly prototyped and tested over FPGAs before being considered for ASIC fabrication for mass production. The use of commercial typical cameras (30fps) limits the capabilities of these systems for high speed applications. The use of dynamic vision sensors (DVS) that emulate the behaviour of a biological retina is taking an incremental importance to improve this applications due to its nature, where the information is represented by a continuous stream of spikes and the frames to be processed by the CNN are constructed collecting a fixed number of these spikes (called events). The faster an object is, the more events are produced by DVS, so the higher is the equivalent frame rate. Therefore, these DVS utilization allows to compute a frame at the maximum speed a CNN accelerator can offer. In this paper we present a VHDL/HLS description of a pipelined design for FPGA able to collect events from an Address-Event-Representation (AER) DVS retina to obtain a normalized histogram to be used by a particular CNN accelerator, called NullHop. VHDL is used to describe the circuit, and HLS for computation blocks, which are used to perform the normalization of a frame needed for the CNN. Results outperform previous implementations of frames collection and normalization using ARM processors running at 800MHz on a Zynq7100 in both latency and power consumption. A measured 67% speed-up factor is presented for a Roshambo CNN real-time experiment running at 160fps peak rate.
A New Criterion for Confounder Selection

Summary We propose a new criterion for confounder selection when the underlying causal structure is unknown and only limited knowledge is available. We assume all covariates being considered are pretreatment variables and that for each covariate it is known (i) whether the covariate is a cause of treatment, and (ii) whether the covariate is a cause of the outcome. The causal relationships the covariates have with one another is assumed unknown. We propose that control be made for any covariate that is either a cause of treatment or of the outcome or both. We show that irrespective of the actual underlying causal structure, if any subset of the observed covariates suffices to control for confounding then the set of covariates chosen by our criterion will also suffice. We show that other, commonly used, criteria for confounding control do not have this property. We use formal theory concerning causal diagrams to prove our result but the application of the result does not rely on familiarity with causal diagrams. An investigator simply need ask, “Is the covariate a cause of the treatment? ” and “Is the covariate a cause of the outcome? ” If the answer to either question is “yes” then the covariate is included for confounder control. We discuss some additional covariate selection results that preserve unconfoundedness and that may be of interest when used with our criterion.
USE OF THE RIETVELD METHOD FOR DESCRIBING STRUCTURE AND TEXTURE IN XRD DATA OF DOLOMITE [ CaMg ( CO 3 ) 2 ] AND HYDROMAGNESITE [ Mg

The generalized spherical-harmonic (GSH) description for preferred orientation correction of Xray and neutron diffraction data of uniaxially pressed molybdite (MoO3) and calcite (CaCO3) powders in Rietveld analyses (Sitepu, 2002; Sitepu, O and Li, 2005; Sitepu, 2009) has been extended to describe crystal structure and texture in X-ray diffraction (XRD) data of asreceived powders, as well as uniaxially pressed dolomite [CaMg(CO3)2] and hydromagnesite [Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2(H2O)4] powders. The results showed that the structural parameters along with the bond lengths agree reasonably well with the single-crystal XRD results. Also, the Rietveld refinement provided reasonable fits for the uniaxially-pressed dolomite and hydromagnesite powders. Moreover, the level of preferred orientation for uniaxially pressured dolomite and hydromagnesite powders is higher than the as-received samples. INTRODUCTION Crystallographic preferred orientation, i.e. texture in crystalline materials, is a common feature of experimental powder diffraction patterns and can cause serious systematic errors in both quantitative phase analysis and crystal structure determination (Dollase, 1986; O Sitepu; 1991 & 1992; Sitepu, Vaudin and Prask; 2001). Recently, the author reviewed the mathematics of two commonly used models for preferred orientation the March-Dollase (Dollase, 1986) and the GSH (Bunge, 1982; Popa, 1992; Von Dreele, 1997) models, and applied each individually to XRD data (Sitepu et al., 2005) and neutron diffraction (ND) data (Sitepu, 2002; Sitepu, 2009) from uniaxially pressed molybdite (MoO3) and calcite (CaCO3) powders in Rietveld analyses. The results indicated that the GSH description (see below) provided better Rietveld fits than the March model for the molybdite and calcite, and therefore, the GSH description was recommended for modeling of preferred orientation in XRD and ND analysis for both crystal structure refinement and quantitative phase analysis. In GSAS software package (Larson and Von Dreele, 2000), the GSH description in the general axis distribution ) , , , ( A is generated using selection rules depending on the crystal symmetry of the phase under investigation (Bunge, 1982; Popa, 1992; Von Dreele, 1997): ) , ( ) , ( ) 1 2 4 ( 1 ) , , , ( 1 1 2 n l m l mn l l
TELEMETRY SYSTEM FOR UTILITY METERING APPLICATION THROUGH GSM NETWORK

Now-a-days technology has developed to a large extend. At the same time the need for systems with automation and high security are preferred. So, by using one of the best technologies available i.e. GSM we are designing an automatic power meter reading system for commercial and domestic purposes. Traditional meter reading for electricity consumption and billing done by human operator from houses to houses and building to building. This requires huge number of labor operators and long working hour to achieve complete area reading and billing. Human operator billing are prone to reading errors as sometime the houses electricity power meter is placed in location where it is not easily accessible . Labor billing job is sometime also restricted and is slowed down by bad weather conditions. By using this project we can avoid such problems. This paper is aimed to develop a system to provide security by intimating the condition in the form of SMS by making use of GSM technology.
X-chromosome markers in Forensic Genetics: Evaluation and development of a new 17 X-STR multiplex reaction

Actualmente, la demanda por los analisis de parentesco y la identificacion genetica se han convertido enun tema de interes social. Del mismo modo, la identificacion de personas desaparecidas en desastres demasas, tanto naturales como producidos por el hombre, es un tema candente. En Espana, el numero depersonas no identificadas que fueron asesinadas y ejecutadas durante la Guerra Civil Espanola (17 deJulio de 1936 ? 1 de Abril de 1939) y la posterior dictadura sigue siendo muy elevado. Es por ello que losanalisis geneticos tienen un valor anadido en esta poblacion. En este contexto, el tipo de relacionesestudiadas generalmente no se corresponden con familiares cercanos sino de segundo o tercer grado, talescomo abuelo-nieto, medias hermanas por parte de padre, tia-sobrino, etc. Los conjuntos de marcadoresgeneticos localizados en los cromosomas autosomicos actualmente empleados para la identificaciongenetica pueden resultar insuficientes a la hora de estudiar algunas relaciones de parentesco complejas.Sin embargo, los marcadores microsatelites localizados en el cromosoma X (X-STRs) pueden ayudar aresolver ciertos casos complejos de parentesco. Los dos conjuntos de marcadores X-STRs actualmenteempleados en Genetica Forense estan compuestos por 10 y 12 marcadores microsatelites. En terminos depoder de discriminacion, cuanto mayor sea el numero de marcadores, mayor sera el poder de resolucion.Teniendo esto en cuenta, el objetivo del presente trabajo ha sido desarrollar una nueva reaccion deanalisis simultaneo de 17 X-STRs siguiendo las recomendaciones de la SWGDAM para su aplicacion amuestras de ADN altamente degradado y escaso en el ambito forense. Ademas, los polimorfismos debase unica localizados en el cromosoma X (X-SNPs) tambien han demostrado su utilidad en la resolucionde casos complejos. Es por ello que se ha llevado a cabo la evaluacion in silico de la eficiencia forense delos marcadores X-SNP con tres y cuatro alelos polimorficos.
The Bordetella Adenylate Cyclase Repeat-in-Toxin (RTX) Domain Is Immunodominant and Elicits Neutralizing Antibodies*

Background: The protective antigen adenylate cyclase toxin (ACT) has not been included in current pertussis vaccines partly due to incomplete understanding of its protective epitopes. Results: The repeat-in-toxin (RTX) domain is immunodominant in mice and contains neutralizing epitopes. Conclusion: The RTX domain induces similar neutralizing antibody responses as ACT. Significance: The RTX domain may be an alternative to ACT for inclusion in future vaccines. The adenylate cyclase toxin (ACT) is a multifunctional virulence factor secreted by Bordetella species. Upon interaction of its C-terminal hemolysin moiety with the cell surface receptor αMβ2 integrin, the N-terminal cyclase domain translocates into the host cell cytosol where it rapidly generates supraphysiological cAMP concentrations, which inhibit host cell anti-bacterial activities. Although ACT has been shown to induce protective immunity in mice, it is not included in any current acellular pertussis vaccines due to protein stability issues and a poor understanding of its role as a protective antigen. Here, we aimed to determine whether any single domain could recapitulate the antibody responses induced by the holo-toxin and to characterize the dominant neutralizing antibody response. We first immunized mice with ACT and screened antibody phage display libraries for binding to purified ACT. The vast majority of unique antibodies identified bound the C-terminal repeat-in-toxin (RTX) domain. Representative antibodies binding two nonoverlapping, neutralizing epitopes in the RTX domain prevented ACT association with J774A.1 macrophages and soluble αMβ2 integrin, suggesting that these antibodies inhibit the ACT-receptor interaction. Sera from mice immunized with the RTX domain showed similar neutralizing activity as ACT-immunized mice, indicating that this domain induced an antibody response similar to that induced by ACT. These data demonstrate that RTX can elicit neutralizing antibodies and suggest it may present an alternative to ACT.
Preshaping Plates for Minimally Invasive Fixation of Calcaneal Fractures Using a Real-Size 3D-Printed Model as a Preoperative and Intraoperative Tool

The extensile lateral approach has been the most common approach for the operative treatment of intra-articular calcaneal fractures. Although it allows excellent exposure of the fracture, soft tissue complications, including flap necrosis and wound infection, have been a concern. In an attempt to eliminate these complications, minimally invasive approaches, such as a sinus tarsi approach or lateral subtalar approach, have been developed. However, with these approaches, plate fixation is limited to plates much smaller to those used in extensile lateral approach. Several articles report minimally invasive surgery protocols using only screws, but in multifragmentary fractures of the anterior process, axial screws may not gain enough purchase to stabilize the construct adequately. When using a plate in a minimal approach, contouring the plate on the calcaneus is difficult because the fractured calcaneus cannot be fully exposed, thus smaller plates are used. However, larger plates can repair more numerous fracture fragments and may be able to compress a larger area of the lateral wall, which is often blown out with comminuted fractures, to restore the width of the calcaneus. In this article, we describe the use of a real-size 3-dimensional (3D) printed calcaneus model as a preoperative and intraoperative tool for the minimally invasive plate fixation of calcaneal fractures. A computed tomography (CT) scan is taken of both calcanei in patients with a unilateral intraarticular calcaneal fracture. Using the mirror imaging technique, the noninjured calcaneus is printed into a real-size fractured side calcaneus model. The calcaneal locking plate is preshaped before the surgery to fit the real-size model that is similar to the calcaneus before the injury. The model is sterilized and used intraoperatively to evaluate the reduction by comparing it with the fractured calcaneus under C-arm fluoroscopy.
Mechanisms underlying reductions in stroke volume at rest and during exercise at high altitude

Abstract High-altitude exposure challenges the cardiovascular system to maintain oxygen delivery to the mitochondria under conditions of hypoxic stress. Following acclimatisation (3–5 days), stroke volume (SV) falls to below sea-level values but heart rate remains elevated, such that cardiac output is maintained compared to sea level. The decrease in SV has been a topic of research for over 40 years, but the underlying mechanisms are incompletely understood. Impaired systolic contractile function secondary to reduced coronary arterial oxygen tension has been investigated as a potential cause for the decrease in SV. However, despite in vitro evidence of impaired cardiac contractile force in severe hypoxia, the majority of studies to date have reported enhanced in vivo ventricular systolic function at rest and during exercise in humans up to and above 5000 m. However, the elevated function observed at rest has recently been suggested to reduce the functional reserve available during exercise. While in vivo systolic function appears enhanced at high altitude, a decrease in left ventricular end-diastolic volume (EDV) and altered filling patterns of both ventricles has been observed. The reduction in ventricular filling will undoubtedly affect SV, and four potential mechanisms have been proposed to explain the reduction in left ventricular filling. In this article, both historical and recent reports of systolic function at high altitude will be reviewed, and evidence supporting and refuting each of the four mechanisms underpinning reduced left ventricular filling will be discussed.
A New Integrated Multimodal Multi-criteria Route Planning Method in Bus Network Considering Passengers's Walking Behavior

Route planning systems in bus networks play a key role in providing a better experience to passengers for public transportation services. The existing systems satisfy the multicriteria in two ways. One way is firstly to find the k-shortest paths, then these paths are compared according to the given multi-criteria to select the ultimate path. Another way is to search for a set of Pareto paths with multi-criteria. However, both of the above systems only consider users' preferences qualitatively but not quantitatively. As a result, they can not integrate multicriteria as a single criterion based on users' quantitative preferences. Therefore, in this paper, a new integrated multi-criteria route planning method is proposed for searching the optimal path in a bus network according to passengers' quantitative references. Multi objectives being considered in this work are arrival time, walking time and number of bus transfers. A set of simulation scenarios is executed to show the performance of proposed new system.
Analysis of the effects of kraal manure accumulation on soil nutrient status through time

This study investigated the influence of the accumulation of animal wastes on the soils of active kraal sites through time. This investigation involved the sampling and analysis of the soils of kraals that had been in use for periods ranging from 2 to over 45 years. Soil sampling and analysis were done both in the dry and wet seasons for comparative purposes. The properties of the kraal soils were compared with those of control sites. Samples were taken from 25 kraals categorized into 5 age (length of use) groups: 40 years. The soils were sampled at two depths, 0 ‐ 15 and 15 ‐ 35 cm. Soil parameters analyzed included particle size distribution (%), bulk density (g/cm 3 ), pore space (%), moisture content (%), pH in water and in potassium chloride solution, EC (µS/cm), organic matter (%), CEC (meq/100g), exchangeable bases: Ca ++ (cmolc/kg), Mg ++ (cmolc/kg), K + (cmolc/kg), Na + (cmolc/kg); nitrogen: NH4-N (mg/kg), NO3-N (mg/kg), TKN (%), and Olsen P (mg/kg). Results showed a direct correlation between length of active kraal utilization and impact of animal waste concentration on the soil with correlation coefficients as high as r = 0.99 and r = 0.95 for pH and OM respectively. Nutrient levels in kraal soils of all ages were significantly higher (P = 0.05) than those of the control site soils. Most nutrient elements showed increases ranging from about 2 - 30 times greater than in the control site soils. Soil nutrient levels were higher in the dry season than in the wet season. The nutrient enrichment in the kraals extended deep into the soil, at least, to the 35 cm depth. The organic and nutrient enrichments of the soils also had very positive effects on soil moisture and structural characteristics. However, this highly localized nutrient enrichment of kraal soils is detrimental to the long term sustainability of arid ecosystems and soil productivity. The nutrients concentrated in kraals have been harvested from the surrounding areas by grazing animals and transferred to the kraal sites. In a situation of sedentary kraaling that exists in semi arid lands of Botswana where rotation of kraal sites or the harvesting of animal manure from kraals for use as soil manure is not commonly practiced, the concentration of soil nutrients at scattered kraal spots causes an imbalance in the spatial pattern of soil and plant productivity in the arid land ecosystem. The entire ecosystem is made poorer by this phenomenon.
Stability of a six storey steel frame structure

The world nowadays requires more tall buildings to overcome limited land space and creating high esthetic value. However, these high rise buildings require high frame structure stability for safety and design purposes. This research focused on non linear geometric analysis to be compared to previous studies on linear analysis. The linear analysis did not consider deformed configuration which can be considered as least accurate. On top of this, several designers did not incorporate the wind load which could lead to sway effect to tall buildings. In this study, a six storey 2-D steel frame structure with twenty four meter height has been selected to be idealized as tall building model. The model was analyzed by using SAP2000 structural analysis software with the consideration of geometric non linear effect. At the same time, several factors including the use of bracing, varying distributed loads on beam’s element and an increased in column size at bottom part of the building were also applied to study the sway and stability of the building. In addition, several cases including placing a fully bracing, bracing at half height of the building and alternate bracing were also studied. This study showed that a steel frame with the consideration of wind load produce greater sway value as compared to the steel frame without wind load. The sway prediction by using linear analysis was found to be less than 4% compared to the sway prediction from non linear analysis. This indicates that the non linear analysis is vital and significant element to be adopted for the analysis of tall building. The study also found that the use of bracing system results in small sway values compared to the frame without bracing system. As for consideration to costing aspect, the use of alternate bracing provide better option compared to half bracing in terms of stability of the building. The analysis results also showed that the adjustment of distributed load at upper part of steel frame structure able to provide different sway values, creating higher stiffness at lower part of the building which reduces the sway values and increases the stability of the building. SAP2000 software is found as reliable tool in evaluating structural analysis especially when involving non linear analysis
Optimal Locations on Timoshenko Beam with PZT S/A for Suppressing 2Dof Vibration Based on LQR-MOPSO

Neutralization of external stimuli in dynamic systems has the major role in health, life, and function of the system. Today, dynamic systems are exposed to unpredicted factors. If the factors are not considered, it will lead to irreparable damages in energy consumption and manufacturing systems. Continuous systems such as beams, plates, shells, and panels that have many applications in different industries as the main body of a dynamic system are no exceptions for the damages, but paying attention to the primary design of model the automatic control against disturbances has highly met the objectives of designers and also has saved much of current costs. Beam structure has many applications in constructing blades of gas and wind turbines and robots. When it is exposed to external loads, it will have displacements in different directions. Now, it is the control approach that prevents from many vibrations by designing an automated system. In this study, a cantilever beam has been modeled by finite element and Timoshenko Theory. Using piezoelectric as sensor and actuator, it controls the beam under vibration by LQR controller. Now, in order to increase controllability of the system and reduce the costs, there are only spots of the beam where most displacement occurs. By controlling the spots and applying force on them, it has the most effect on the beam. By multi-objective particle swarm optimization or MOPSO algorithm, the best weighting matrices coefficients of LQR controller are determined due to sensor and actuator displacement or the beam vibration is controlled by doing a control loop.
Taxonomy of Korean Calanthe species and few of its mutants based on AFLP data

Five Korean Calanthe species, C. discolor, C. bicolor, C. sieboldii, C. reflexa, and C. aristulifera, were studied using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) to assess their taxonomic and genetic rela- tionships. Sixteen accessions belonging to five native Calanthe spp. and mutants with yellow tepal and white lip (YW mutants) were studied. We identified 50 putative markers using AFLP analysis. The results of AMOVA showed that genetic variance was higher between species than within species. Genetic dissimilarity when com- pared with the rest of the species was the lowest for individuals of the YW mutants and the highest for indi- viduals of C. reflexa. The mutants clustered outside the major group. Calanthe bicolor clustered with C. discolor, suggesting that its genetic composition is closer to that of C. discolor. Though it is suggested to have originated as a result of natural hybridization between C. sieboldii and C. discolor, introgression is likely to have occurred in the direction of C. discolor based on the data of molecular marker, clustering and genetic dissim- ilarity. Calanthe reflexa and C. aristulifera were genetically the most diverse of the species studied. In conclu- sion, the results showed that there is genetic diversity in Korean Calanthe species, that C. bicolor introgressed in the direction of C. discolor and that the YW mutants are genetically closer to C. sieboldii.