Shapes reconstruction from robot tactile sensing

Shapes reconstruction bridges real objects and their computer models. Most of the shape reconstruction techniques were derived for computer vision applications. A very important sense of human, tactile sensing can be applied to acquire shape information about 2D and 3D objects. Nevertheless, tactile data usually has a lot of noise. In this thesis, I present an applicable scheme that acquires shape data using a simple joystick sensor and then reconstructs 2D shapes and 3D patches. The 2D shapes are tracked by an Adept Cobra robot and represented as polynomial functions determined by the 3L fitting algorithm. The 3D shapes are composed of multiple patches, each of which is described by a polynomial function generated by least-square fitting. Experiments have been carried out with the robot. A display environment for 3D objects has also been developed

Enhancing Complex Question Answering over Knowledge Graphs through Evidence Pattern Retrieval

Information retrieval (IR) methods for KGQA consist of two stages: subgraph extraction and answer reasoning. We argue current subgraph extraction methods underestimate the importance of structural dependencies among evidence facts. We propose Evidence Pattern Retrieval (EPR) to explicitly model the structural dependencies during subgraph extraction. We implement EPR by indexing the atomic adjacency pattern of resource pairs. Given a question, we perform dense retrieval to obtain atomic patterns formed by resource pairs. We then enumerate their combinations to construct candidate evidence patterns. These evidence patterns are scored using a neural model, and the best one is selected to extract a subgraph for downstream answer reasoning. Experimental results demonstrate that the EPR-based approach has significantly improved the F1 scores of IR-KGQA methods by over 10 points on ComplexWebQuestions and achieves competitive performance on WebQuestionsSP.Comment: Accepted to TheWebConf'24 (WWW 2024). This is a preprint version; the CR version will include more details. Github: https://github.com/nju-websoft/EPR-KGQ

Capacity Limitation and Optimization Strategy for Flexible Point-to-Multi-Point Optical Networks

Point-to-multi-point (PtMP) optical networks become the main solutions for network-edge applications such as passive optical networks and radio access networks. Entropy-loading digital subcarrier multiplexing (DSCM) is the core technology to achieve low latency and approach high capacity for flexible PtMP optical networks. However, the high peak-to-average power ratio of the entropy-loading DSCM signal limits the power budget and restricts the capacity, which can be reduced effectively by clipping operation. In this paper, we derive the theoretical capacity limitation of the flexible PtMP optical networks based on the entropy-loading DSCM signal. Meanwhile, an optimal clipping ratio for the clipping operation is acquired to approach the highest capacity limitation. Based on an accurate clipping-noise model under the optimal clipping ratio, we establish a three-dimensional look-up table for bit-error ratio, spectral efficiency, and link loss. Based on the three-dimensional look-up table, an optimization strategy is proposed to acquire optimal spectral efficiencies for achieving a higher capacity of the flexible PtMP optical networks.Comment: The paper has been submitted to the IEEE Transactions on Communication

Flexible Coherent Optical Access: Architectures, Algorithms, and Demonstrations

To cope with the explosive bandwidth demand, significant progress has been made in the ITU-T standardization sector to define a higher-speed passive optical network (PON) with a 50Gb/s line rate. Recently, 50G PON becomes mature gradually, which means it is time to discuss beyond 50G PON. For ensuring an acceptable optical power budget, beyond 50G PON will potentially use coherent technologies, which can simultaneously promote the applications of flexible multiple access such as time/frequency-domain multiple access (TFDMA). In this paper, we will introduce the architectures, algorithms, and demonstrations for TFDMA-based coherent PON. The system architectures based on an ultra-simple coherent transceiver and specific signal spectra are designed to greatly reduce the cost of ONUs. Meanwhile, fast and low-complexity digital signal processing (DSP) algorithms are proposed for dealing with upstream and downstream signals. Based on the architectures and algorithms, we experimentally demonstrate the first real-time TFDMA-based coherent PON, which can support at most 256 end users, and peak line rates of 100Gb/s and 200Gb/s in the upstream and downstream scenarios, respectively. In conclusion, the proposed technologies for the coherent PON make it more possible to be applied in the future beyond 50G PON.Comment: The paper has been submitted to the Journal of Lightwave Technolog

Comparative transcriptomic analysis reveals the molecular mechanisms related to oxytetracycline- resistance in strains of Aeromonas hydrophila

Antibiotic resistance among aquatic bacterial pathogens has become a serious concern in aquaculture environments, which has increased research interest to develop solutions to overcome this problem. Moreover, the activities of several Aeromonas hydrophila gene pathways have remained elusive concerning antibiotic resistance evolution. Therefore, in this study, we have performed a transcriptomic analysis to compare differentially expressed genes between oxytetracycline (OXY) susceptible and resistant strains of A. hydrophila. Compared to the A. hydrophila susceptible strain, a total of 22 and 185 genes were differentially expressed in the 4-fold minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and 8-fold MIC resistant strains, respectively. Furthermore, the bioinformatics analysis revealed that the sulfur metabolism-related genes were down-regulated. The genes responsible for mannitol metabolism and the efflux pump system were up-regulated in resistant strains, compared to the susceptible strain. Therefore, it suggests that these three pathways may be involved in the OXY resistance evolution in A. hydrophila. The outcome of the transcriptomic data was further validated through quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot analysis. Overall, the obtained data provides a deeper insight into the intrinsic molecular mechanism of OXY resistance evolution in A. hydrophila

Multiprocessor scheduling for hard real-time software

This thesis builds upon work previously done in the development of the Computer Aided Prototyping System (CAPS) and the Prototype System Description Language (PSDL) and presents a conceptual design for the pioneer prototype of the static scheduler for multiprocessors which are part of the CAPS execution support system. The design of hard real-time systems is gaining importance in the software engineering field as real-world processes are becoming automated. This increase in automation needs the advancement of software design technology to meet the design requirements for these hard real-time systems. The CAPS and PSDL are tools being developed to aid the software designer in the rapid prototyping of hard real-time systems. Scheduling PSDL operators in multiprocessor systems to meet the timing constraints is the main part of this thesis. Implementation of the conceptual design will be the basis for further work in this area.http://archive.org/details/multiprocessorsc1094530647Captain, Republic of China (Taiwan) ArmyApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Shapes reconstruction from robot tactile sensing

Shapes reconstruction bridges real objects and their computer models. Most of the shape reconstruction techniques were derived for computer vision applications. A very important sense of human, tactile sensing can be applied to acquire shape information about 2D and 3D objects. Nevertheless, tactile data usually has a lot of noise. In this thesis, I present an applicable scheme that acquires shape data using a simple joystick sensor and then reconstructs 2D shapes and 3D patches. The 2D shapes are tracked by an Adept Cobra robot and represented as polynomial functions determined by the 3L fitting algorithm. The 3D shapes are composed of multiple patches, each of which is described by a polynomial function generated by least-square fitting. Experiments have been carried out with the robot. A display environment for 3D objects has also been developed.</p

Examining Space Usage for Developing a Current and Future State Representation of Patrons Needs: A Case Study in H.M. Briggs Library

A reasonable and patron-centered space design in an academic library with limited resources and budget provides more value for patrons. In an academic library, as a kind of public service organization, the patron is a key factor in its life. Therefore, it is important to consider the patron’s needs when contemplating improvement. This research is a single case study applied in Hilton M. Briggs Library on the main campus of South Dakota State University. The goal of this project is to gather data that can be used for redesigning spaces in H. M. Briggs Library to better meet the needs of patrons. To redesign the space, it is necessary to understand current usage of library space and to determine patron opinions of the spaces and what they think would improve the spaces. Ethnographic methods were used to determine the current state of the library, examining the physical space to explore ways in which they can improve the service to meet patrons’ needs. In order to minimize the limitations of a single method, triangulation methods were used to explore the research questions including a flipchart survey, a direct observation, a resource location analysis and a focus group study. The general population of participants in this research consists of students, faculty, researchers, and staff of SDSU, all of whom utilize the space and equipment in H. Briggs Library’s public spaces