LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
SPLINES : A PERFECT FIT FOR SIGNAL / IMAGE PROCESSING

1. INTRODUCTION Finding a general mechanism for switching between the continuous and discrete signal domains is one of the fundamental issues in signal processing. It is a question that arises naturally during the acquisition process where an analog signal or an image is to be converted into a sequence of numbers (discrete representation). Conversely, the need for a continuous signal representation comes up every time one wishes to implement numerically an operator that is initially defined in the continuous domain. Typical examples in image processing are the detection of edges through the computation of gradients (spatial derivatives), and geometric transformations such as rotations and scaling (interpolation). The textbook approach to those problems is provided by Shannon's sampling theory which describes an equivalence between a bandlimited function and its equidistant samples taken at a frequency that is superior or equal to the Nyquist rate [76]. Even though this theory has had an enormous impact on the field, it has a number of problems associated with it. First, it relies on the use of ideal filters which are devices not commonly found in nature. Second, the bandlimited hypothesis is in contradiction with the idea of a finite (or finite duration) signal. Third, the bandlimiting operation tends to generate Gibbs oscillations which can be visually disturbing in images. Lastly, the underlying cardinal basis function (sinc(x)) has a very slow decay which makes computations in the signal domain very inefficient. While the first two problems can be dealt with by using approximations and introducing concepts such as an essential bandwidth and an essential time duration [78], there is no way to address the last two issues other than changing basis functions. Our purpose here will be to provide arguments in favor of an alternative approach that uses splines, which is equally justifiable on a theoretical basis, and which offers many practical advantages. To reassure the reader who may be afraid to enter new territory, we must emphasize that we are not loosing anything because we will retain the traditional theory as a particular case (i.e., a spline of infinite degree). The basic computational tools will also be familiar to a signal processing audience (filters and recursive algorithms), even though-2-their use in the present context is less conventional. In the course of the presentation, we will also bring out the connection with the multiresolution theory of the wavelet transform. Interestingly, splines are slightly older than …
A Novel First-Order Current-Mode All-Pass Filter Using CDTA

This paper presents a new realization of a firstorder current-mode (CM) all-pass filter (APF) using the recently proposed modern active building block (ABB), namely the current differencing transconductance amplifier (CDTA). The CM APF is made using minimum number of components, namely a single CDTA and one grounded capacitor. The circuit does not use any external resistors and offers the advantages of current-tunable pole frequency, low input impedance and high output impedance. Non-ideal analysis and sensitivity analysis are provided and PSPICE simulation results are included to verify the workability of the circuit.
Narcissism and attractiveness

Is narcissism related to observer-rated attractiveness? Two views imply that narcissism is unrelated to attractiveness: positive illusions theory and Feingold’s (1992) attractiveness theory (i.e., attractiveness is unrelated to personality in general). In contrast, two other views imply that narcissism is positively related to attractiveness: an evolutionary perspective on narcissism (i.e., selection pressures in shortterm mating contexts shaped the evolution of narcissism, including greater selection for attractiveness in short-term versus long-term mating contexts) and, secondly, the self-regulatory processing model of narcissism (narcissists groom themselves to bolster grandiose self-images). A meta-analysis (N > 1000) reveals a small but reliable positive narcissism–attractiveness correlation that approaches the largest known personality–attractiveness correlations. The finding supports the evolutionary and self-regulatory views of narcissism. 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Impact of computer-generated personalized goals on HbA(1c).

OBJECTIVE
The public is increasingly aware of the importance of HbA(1c) testing, yet the vast majority of patients with diabetes do not know their HbA(1c) status or goal. We set forth to evaluate the impact of a system that provides uniquely formatted and personalized reports of diabetes status and goals on changes in HbA(1c) levels.


RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
A total of 150 patients with diabetes were randomized to receive either standard care or intervention inclusive of a computer-generated 11" x 17" color poster depicting an individual's HbA(1c) status and goals along with personalized steps to aid in goal achievement. All patients enrolled received diabetes education during the 3 months before enrollment. HbA(1c) was performed at baseline and 6 months.


RESULTS
At baseline, there were no significant differences between patient groups in terms of age, sex, education level, race, and HbA(1c) or lipid levels. Among patients with baseline HbA(1c) > or =7.0%, there was an 8.6% (0.77% absolute) reduction in HbA(1c) among control subjects compared with a 17.0% (1.69% absolute) decline in the intervention group (P = 0.032). There were no differences between the control and intervention groups with respect to the frequency of patients experiencing any decline in HbA(1c) (63 vs. 69%, P = 0.87); among these patients experiencing a decline, the most substantial reductions were seen with the control group, which had a 13.3% (1.15% absolute) decline compared with the intervention patients, who reduced their HbA(1c) by 24.2% (2.26% absolute reduction; P = 0.0048). At study close, 77% of the patients had their poster displayed on their refrigerator.


CONCLUSIONS
This unique and personalized computer-generated intervention resulted in HbA(1c) lowering comparable to that of hypoglycemic agents.
MLP neural network based face recognition system using constructive training algorithm

Face recognition is one of the most efficient applications of computer authentication and pattern recognition. Therefore it attracts significant attention of researchers. In the past decades, many feature extraction algorithms have been proposed. In this paper Gabor features and Zernike moment were used to extract features from human face images for recognition application. This paper is a study for new constructive training algorithm for Multi Layer Perceptron (MLP) which is applied to face recognition application. An incremental training procedure was employed where the training patterns are learned incrementally. This algorithm started with a single training pattern and a single hidden-layer using one neuron. During neural network training, the hidden neuron is increased when the Mean Square Error (MSE) of the Training Data (TD) is not reduced or the algorithm gets stuck in a local minimum. Input patterns are trained incrementally (one by one) until all patterns of TD are selected and trained. Face recognition system structure based on a MLP neural network was constructed and was tested for face recognition. The proposed approach was tested on the UMIST database. Experimental results indicate that we can obtain an optimal architecture of neural network classifier (with the least possible number of hidden neuron) using our present constructive algorithm, and prove the effectiveness of the proposed method compared to the MLP architecture with back-propagation algorithm.
Structural Equation Modeling of Mediation and Moderation With Contextual Factors

Researchers often grapple with the idea that an observed relationship may be part of a more complex chain of effects. These complex relationships are described in terms such as indirect influences, distal vs. proximal causes, intermediate outcomes, and ultimate causes; all of which share the concept of mediation. Similarly, researchers must often consider that an observed relationship may be part of a more complex, qualified system. These relationships are described using concepts such as interactions, subgroup differences, and shocks; all of which share the concept of moderation. Generally speaking, a mediator can be thought of as the carrier or transporter of information along the causal chain of effects. A moderator, on the other hand, is the changer of a relationship in a system. In this chapter, we explore both empirical and theoretical considerations in modeling mediation and moderation using structural equation modeling. Our
Learning dynamic prices in electronic retail markets with customer segmentation

In this paper, we use reinforcement learning (RL) techniques to determine dynamic prices in an electronic monopolistic retail market. The market that we consider consists of two natural segments of customers, captives and shoppers. Captives are mature, loyal buyers whereas the shoppers are more price sensitive and are attracted by sales promotions and volume discounts. The seller is the learning agent in the system and uses RL to learn from the environment. Under (reasonable) assumptions about the arrival process of customers, inventory replenishment policy, and replenishment lead time distribution, the system becomes a Markov decision process thus enabling the use of a wide spectrum of learning algorithms. In this paper, we use the Q-learning algorithm for RL to arrive at optimal dynamic prices that optimize the seller’s performance metric (either long term discounted profit or long run average profit per unit time). Our model and methodology can also be used to compute optimal reorder quantity and optimal reorder point for the inventory policy followed by the seller and to compute the optimal volume discounts to be offered to the shoppers.
Pixantrone dimaleate in combination with fludarabine, dexamethasone, and rituximab in patients with relapsed or refractory indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma: phase 1 study with a dose-expansion cohort.

BACKGROUND
Pixantrone dimaleate (pixantrone) has been shown to have antitumor activity in leukemia and lymphoma in vitro models and to lack delayed cardiotoxicity associated with mitoxantrone in animal models. FND-R, a combination regimen of fludarabine, mitoxantrone, dexamethasone, and rituximab, has been shown to be an effective regimen for low-grade lymphomas.


METHODS
This dose-escalation study, with an expansion cohort, was conducted to evaluate the safety and preliminary efficacy of FPD-R, in which pixantrone was substituted for mitoxantrone in the FND-R regimen, in patients with relapsed or refractory indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Escalated doses of pixantrone were administered to newly enrolled patients on day 2 of each 28-day cycle of FPD-R.


RESULTS
Twenty-eight of 29 enrolled patients received at least 1 cycle of FPD-R (median, 5 cycles). Pixantrone 120 mg/m(2) was identified as the recommended dose in this regimen. Grade 3-4 adverse events were primarily hematologic; grade 3-4 lymphopenia occurred in 89% of patients and leukopenia in 79%. No patients developed congestive heart failure or grade 3-4 cardiac adverse events. Left ventricular ejection fraction decreases occurred in 8 (29%) patients, and most were grade 1 or 2, transient, and asymptomatic. The overall response rate was 89%. Estimated survival was 96% after 1 year and 92% after 3 years.


CONCLUSIONS
The FPD-R regimen was well-tolerated and highly active in patients with relapsed or refractory indolent NHL.
Ambiguities in Visual Tracking of Articulated Objects Using Two- and Three-Dimensional Models

Three-dimensional (3D) kinematic models are widely-used in videobased figure tracking. We show that these models can suffer from singularities when motion is directed along the viewing axis of a single camera. The single camera case is important because it arises in many interesting applications, such as motion capture from movie footage, video surveillance, and vision-based user-interfaces. We describe a novel two-dimensional scaled prismatic model (SPM) for figure registration. In contrast to 3D kinematic models, the SPM has fewer singularity problems and does not require detailed knowledge of the 3D kinematics. We fully characterize the singularities in the SPM and demonstrate tracking through singularities using synthetic and real examples. We demonstrate the application of our model to motion capture from movies. Fred Astaire is tracked in a clip from the film “Shall We Dance”. We also present the use of monocular hand tracking in a 3D user-interface. These results demonstrate the benefits of the SPM in tracking with a single source of video. KEY WORDS—AUTHOR: PLEASE PROVIDE
Nonlinear systems solver in floating-point arithmetic using LP reduction

This paper presents a new solver for systems of nonlinear equations. Such systems occur in Geometric Constraint Solving, e.g., when dimensioning parts in CAD-CAM, or when computing the topology of sets defined by nonlinear inequalities. The paper does not consider the problem of decomposing the system and assembling solutions of subsystems. It focuses on the numerical resolution of well-constrained systems. Instead of computing an exponential number of coefficients in the tensorial Bernstein basis, we resort to linear programming for computing range bounds of system equations or domain reductions of system variables. Linear programming is performed on a so called Bernstein polytope: though, it has an exponential number of vertices (each vertex corresponds to a Bernstein polynomial in the tensorial Bernstein basis), its number of hyperplanes is polynomial: O(n2) for a system in n unknowns and equations, and total degree at most two. An advantage of our solver is that it can be extended to non-algebraic equations. In this paper, we present the Bernstein and LP polytope construction, and how to cope with floating point inaccuracy so that a standard LP code can be used. The solver has been implemented with a primal-dual simplex LP code, and some implementation variants have been analyzed. Furthermore, we show geometric-constraint-solving applications, as well as numerical intersection and distance computation examples.
Analytical approach to parallel repetition

We propose an analytical framework for studying parallel repetition, a basic product operation for one-round twoplayer games. In this framework, we consider a relaxation of the value of projection games. We show that this relaxation is multiplicative with respect to parallel repetition and that it provides a good approximation to the game value. Based on this relaxation, we prove the following improved parallel repetition bound: For every projection game G with value at most ρ, the k-fold parallel repetition G⊗k has value at most
 [EQUATION]
 This statement implies a parallel repetition bound for projection games with low value ρ. Previously, it was not known whether parallel repetition decreases the value of such games. This result allows us to show that approximating set cover to within factor (1 --- ε) ln n is NP-hard for every ε > 0, strengthening Feige's quasi-NP-hardness and also building on previous work by Moshkovitz and Raz.
 In this framework, we also show improved bounds for few parallel repetitions of projection games, showing that Raz's counterexample to strong parallel repetition is tight even for a small number of repetitions.
 Finally, we also give a short proof for the NP-hardness of label cover(1, Δ) for all Δ > 0, starting from the basic PCP theorem.
A Novel Optical Fiber Sensor for Steel Corrosion in Concrete Structures

Steel corrosion resulting from the penetration of chloride ions or carbon dioxide is a major cause of degradation for reinforced concrete structures,. The objective of the present investigation was to develop a low-cost sensor for steel corrosion, which is based on a very simple physical principle. The flat end of a cut optical fiber is coated with an iron thin film using the ion sputtering technique. Light is then sent into a fiber embedded in concrete and the reflected signal is monitored. Initially, most of the light is reflected by the iron layer. When corrosion occurs to remove the iron layer, a significant portion of the light power will leave the fiber at its exposed end, and the reflected power is greatly reduced. Monitoring of the reflected signal is hence an effective way to assess if the concrete environment at the location of the fiber tip may induce steel corrosion or not. In this paper, first the principle of the corrosion sensor and its fabrication are described. The sensing principle is then verified by experimental results. Sensor packaging for practical installation will be presented and the performance of the packaged sensors is assessed by additional experiments.
Traits of Popular Children: A Case Study

To be accepted in peer groups is important in children adjustment particularly in the school and future social relationship in general. The aim of the study was to find out traits of popular children. Mixed methods were used in the present study, which had two phases, first quantitative method and second qualitative method. Peer matrix of peer nomination was used as Peer matrix of peer nomination was used as method of data collection in quantitative, meanwhile interviews and observation were used in qualitative method. The results revealed that 5 popular children obtained from peer matrix of peer nomination were liked most by peers. Moreover, these five popular children were known because they had traits that made them different from others. Peers viewed them based on positive traits and positive social interaction, physical interaction, the quality of relationship, and social dominance. The result also indicated that popular children gave effects on peers and school environment.
Carcinoid heart disease: impact of pulmonary valve replacement in right ventricular function and remodeling.

BACKGROUND
Carcinoid heart disease characteristically affects tricuspid (TV) and pulmonary valves (PV), and TV replacement is helpful in selected patients. There is uncertainty, however, regarding optimal surgical management of PV regurgitation.


METHODS AND RESULTS
We reviewed 22 patients having operation for carcinoid heart disease and compared those having TV and PV replacement (n=12), to those who underwent TV replacement and excision of the PV (n=10). Pre- and postoperative right ventricular (RV) size and dysfunction were assessed by consensus of 2 echocardiographers blinded to type of surgical treatment. RV dysfunction was graded as none (0), mild (1), moderate (2), or severe (3). RV size was graded as normal (0), or mild (1), moderate (2), or severe (3) enlargement. Preoperatively, RV size (2.2+/-0.8 [no PVR]versus 2.7+/-0.6 [with PVR], P=0.15), RV dysfunction (0.9+/-0.9 [no PVR]versus 1.4+/-0.7 [with PVR], P=0.14), and NYHA class were similar in the 2 groups. Postop RV size decreased inpatients with PVR, 2.7+/-0.6 to 1.7+/-1.0 (P=0.008), but did not change appreciably in those without PVR, 2.2+/-0.8 to 2.3+/-0.8 (P=0.67). There was no significant change in RV dysfunction after surgery, 1.4+/-0.7 to 1.8+/-0.9 with PVR (P=0.26) and 0.9+/-0.9 to 1.6+/-0.9 without PVR (P=0.07).


CONCLUSIONS
PV replacement appears to have a beneficial effect on RV size in patients after surgery for carcinoid heart disease. This may have important implications for RV remodeling after PV replacement.
Life cycle assessment (LCA) of waste management strategies: Landfilling, sorting plant and incineration

This paper focuses on a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of four waste management strategies: landfill without biogas utilization; landfill with biogas combustion to generate electricity; sorting plant which splits the inorganic waste fraction (used to produce electricity via Refuse Derived Fuels, RDF) from the organic waste fraction (used to produce biogas via anaerobic digestion); direct incineration of waste. These scenarios are applied to the waste amount and composition of the Municipality of Roma (Italy) and are evaluated under different points of view: global and local emissions, total material demands, total energy requirements and ecological footprints. Results, reliable for most of the European big cities, show landfill systems as the worst waste management options and significant environmental savings at global scale are achieved from undertaking energy recycling. Furthermore, waste treatments finalized to energy recovery provide an energy output that, in the best case, is able to meet the 15% of Roma electricity consumption. 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Towards a Theory of Open Innovation : Three Core Process Archetypes

Open Innovation is a phenomenon that has become increasingly important for both practice and theory over the last few years. The reasons are to be found in shorter innovation cycles, industrial research and development’s escalating costs as well as in the dearth of resources. Subsequently, the open source phenomenon has attracted innovation researchers and practitioners. The recent era of open innovation started when practitioners realised that companies that wished to commercialise both their own ideas as well as other firms’ innovation should seek new ways to bring their in-house ideas to market. They need to deploy pathways outside their current businesses and should realise that the locus where knowledge is created does not necessarily always equal the locus of innovation they need not both be found within the company. Experience has furthermore shown that neither the locus of innovation nor exploitation need lie within companies’ own boundaries. However, emulation of the open innovation approach transforms a company’s solid boundaries into a semi-permeable membrane that enables innovation to move more easily between the external environment and the company’s internal innovation process. How far the open innovation approach is implemented in practice and whether there are identifiable patterns were the questions we investigated with our empirical study. Based on our own empirical database of 124 companies, we identified three core open innovation processes: (1) The outside-in process: Enriching a company’s own knowledge base through the integration of suppliers, customers, and external knowledge sourcing can increase a company’s innovativeness. (2) The inside-out process: The external exploitation of ideas in different markets, selling IP and multiplying technology by channelling ideas to the external environment. (3) The coupled process: Linking outside-in and inside-out by working in alliances with complementary companies during which give and take are crucial for success. Consequent thinking along the whole value chain and new business models enable this core process.