An Optimization Based Empirical Mode Decomposition Scheme for Images

Bidimensional empirical mode decompositions (BEMD) have been developed to decompose any bivariate function or image additively into multiscale components, so-called intrinsic mode functions (IMFs), which are approximately orthogonal to each other with respect to the $\ell_2$ inner product. In this paper, a novel optimization problem is designed to achieve this decomposition which takes into account important features desired of the BEMD. Specifically, we propose a data-adapted iterative method which we call Opt-BEMD which minimizes in each iteration a smoothness functional subject to inequality constraints involving the strictly local extrema of the image. In this way, the method constructs a sparse data-adapted basis for the input function as well as an envelope in a mathematically stringent sense. Moreover, we propose an ensemble version of Opt-BEMD to strengthen its performance when applied to noise-contaminated images or images with only few extrema

A unique polar representation of the hyperanalytic signal

The hyperanalytic signal is the straight forward generalization of the classical analytic signal. It is defined by a complexification of two canonical complex signals, which can be considered as an inverse operation of the Cayley-Dickson form of the quaternion. Inspired by the polar form of an analytic signal where the real instantaneous envelope and phase can be determined, this paper presents a novel method to generate a polar representation of the hyperanalytic signal, in which the continuously complex envelope and phase can be uniquely defined. Comparing to other existing methods, the proposed polar representation does not have sign ambiguity between the envelope and the phase, which makes the definition of the instantaneous complex frequency possible.Comment: 2014 IEEE International Conference on Acoustics, Speech, and Signal Processing (ICASSP

Monetary policy rules in practice: Evidence from New Zealand

We use the ten years of experience in inflation-targeting in New Zealand since 1989 to test whether monetary policy appears to conform to the simple rules that have been recommended for it in the literature. Of the inflation targeting central banks, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand has both the longest experience and probably the most clearly defined target and policy framework for achieving it. We show that while a Taylor rule with the standard parameters used in the US does indeed describe New Zealand monetary policy quite well, the Reserve Bank has focused rather more strongly on price stability, as required by its Policy Target Agreements. However, while the conduct of New Zealand monetary policy as set out in the Monetary Policy Statements is firmly based on targeting the inflation rate in the future we find, using the Bank’s own forecasts, that nevertheless targeting inflation close to the present appears to be a better description of policy. Furthermore, restricting the policy choice to the information available to the Reserve Bank at the actual time of policy settings and ignoring subsequent revisions to published statistics does not result in a much improved explanation of its actions. We find a clear ‘smoothing’ element to the Bank’s policy rather than immediate response to every small fluctuation. We show further that some of the variables that enter the policy rule have slightly asymmetric cycles. From symmetric and asymmetric cointegration tests on the long-run relationship between interest rates, the output gap, and inflation we show that there is insufficient evidence to suggest that monetary policy has been asymmetric in treating upside inflationary pressures differently from those towards deflation.monetary policy; Taylor rule; inflation targeting; New Zealand

Penggunaan Internet yang Sehat dan Aman Di Kalangan Masyarakat dan Pelajar

Internet merupakan hal yang paling sering digunakan oleh masyarakat tiap harinya. Pengguna internet dominan berasal dari kelompok remaja atau pelajar. Sering kali ditemukan oknum yang menyalahgunakan internet sehingga perlu adanya pengedukasian akan cara berinternet sehat dan aman. Internet Sehat dan Aman (INSAN) adalah suatu program dari pemerintah Indonesia yang dirancangkan oleh Kementrian Komunikasi dan Informatika Indonesia (Kemkominfo) dengan tujuan mensosialisasikan penggunaan internet secara sehat dan aman melalui pembelajaran etika berinternet secara sehat dengan melibatkan seluruh komponen masyarakat. Melalui kegiatan Pancasila Social Experiment Project (PASEPRO) yang merupakan tugas proyek mata kuliah Pancasila dalam bentuk pengabdian masyarakat yang memiliki tujuan untuk mengembangkan pendidikan karakter dengan pendekatan partisipatif dan kolaboratif, penulis mengadakan sosialisasi. Kegiatan PASEPRO dilaksanakan dengan tujuan mengedukasi pelajar akan pentingnya berinternet sehat dan aman dan dapat menggunakan  internet secara bijak.. Metode pelaksanaan kegiatan yang digunakan adalah metode penyuluhan atau sosialisasi dan menggunakan teknik analisis data kualitatif untuk menganalisis data yang diperoleh. Melalui pelaksanaan proyek ini akan menghasilkan kalangan pelajar yang dapat memaksimalkan dampak positif penggunaan internet dan meminimalkan dampak negatif berinternet sehingga terciptanya kalangan masyarakat yang cerdas dan produktif kedepannya

Develop heuristics to the popular Minesweeper game

This project describes Automine, a program intended to aid in the solving of the Minesweeper computer game. Automine is based on the Linux xwindow C program with xwindow graphic library. The program uses heuristics and probability statistics to help in determining safe squares and squares concealing mines with the goal of allowing a player to achieve minimal time performance. The source code for Automine and for a game simulation is provided in the appendices

Conservation Genetics of Threatened Gopher Tortoises, \u3ci\u3eGopherus polyphemus\u3c/i\u3e: An Assessment of Genetic Variation and Parentage in Two Populations in South Mississippi

Despite the protection of gopher tortoises, Gopherus polyphemus, in the western portion of their range for over twenty years, populations of the De Soto National Forest (DNF) in southern Mississippi experience low recruitment and lower hatching success than populations in the eastern portion of the range, and the causes of this are unknown. Previous work has shown that Mississippi populations of the DNF have lower levels of genetic diversity than eastern populations, which prompted the suggestion that reduced levels of genetic variation may play a part in low hatching success. Small populations can become more susceptible to the effects of inbreeding which can have negative effects on fitness of offspring. Using a microsatellite-based approach, I assessed genetic variation at two sites in south Mississippi that have different levels of recruitment to test for a correlation between genetic variation and survivorship. T44 at Camp Shelby is a low recruitment site, and Hillsdale is a high recruitment site. I found evidence of a heterozygosity fitness correlation among tortoises belonging to different age classes in the Hillsdale population. Multilocus genotypic data was also used to perform parentage assessments to characterize the mating systems and movements of both populations. Both populations demonstrated unequal reproductive success among adult tortoises, and spatial analyses revealed strong colony fidelity within populations even across several years

Genetic basis of human circadian rhythm disorders.

Circadian rhythm disorders constitute a group of phenotypes that usually present as altered sleep-wake schedules. Until a human genetics approach was applied to investigate these traits, the genetic components regulating human circadian rhythm and sleep behaviors remained mysterious. Steady advances in the last decade have dramatically improved our understanding of the genes involved in circadian rhythmicity and sleep regulation. Finding these genes presents new opportunities to use a wide range of approaches, including in vitro molecular studies and in vivo animal modeling, to elevate our understanding of how sleep and circadian rhythms are regulated and maintained. Ultimately, this knowledge will reveal how circadian and sleep disruption contribute to various ailments and shed light on how best to maintain and recover good health