Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Cross-layer design approach in OLSR MANET using BER and weighted Connectivity Index

Usually, Optimized Link State Routing (OLSR) protocol, a proactive routing protocols in MANET, is not aware of Quality of Service (QoS). Recently, the new approach called cross layer design has been proposed to improve the performance of wireless network, especially in MANET. In this work, we propose a heuristic approach based on cross layer design scheme to enhance performance of OLSR by using Bit Error Rate (BER) derived from physical layer together with a network layer parameter called weighted Connectivity Index (CI) which is a combination between the link connectivity and capacity. In our proposed heuristic algorithm, the approach is to find the optimized path in terms of highest weighted CI and lowest BER in order to improve the performance of Multipoint Relays (MPR) selection algorithm and route computation. The performances of the proposed scheme are investigated by simulation using Throughput, Packet Delivery Ratio, Average End-to-End Delay and Control Overhead as evaluation metrics. We compare the simulation results of our proposed scheme with the standard OLSR protocol and OLSR with only weighted CI approach. According to the simulation results, it is obvious that our proposed scheme illustrates the improvement of OLSR on the afore-mentioned evaluation metrics over the standard OLSR protocol and OLSR with weighted CI.
Five Steps to Planning Success

This product is part of the Financial Literacy Center working paper series. Working papers are intended to share researchers' latest findings and to solicit informal peer review. They have been approved for circulation by the Center but have not been peer reviewed or formally edited. Unless otherwise indicated, working papers can be quoted and cited without permission of the author, provided the source is clearly referred to as a working paper. Acknowledgements: The research reported herein was performed pursuant to a grant from the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) funded as part of the Financial Literacy Research Consortium. The authors thank Bart Orriens and Bas Weerman for help with the data. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are solely those of the authors and do not represent the opinions or policy of SSA, or any institution with which the authors are affiliated. Abstract We have investigated the effectiveness of both videos and narratives in improving people's understanding of five basic concepts in financial planning: (1) compound interest; (2) inflation; (3) risk diversification; (4) tax treatment of retirement savings vehicles; and (5) employer matches of defined contribution savings plans. To that end we have administered a quiz about these concepts in the American Life Panel to establish a baseline of what respondents understand about these concepts. Next, in a number of waves, respondents were shown narratives and videos related to the five concepts and the quizzes were administered again. We find significant improvements in understanding of these concepts in comparison with a control group that was not shown any material. We do not find a difference between videos and narratives in terms of effectiveness.
Appropriate Modelling Complexity : An application to mass-balance modelling of Lake Vänern , Sweden

Dahl, M. 2004. Appropriate Modelling Complexity: An application to mass-balance modelling of Lake Vänern, Sweden. Acta Universitatis Upsaliensis. Comprehensive Summaries of Uppsala Dissertations from the Faculty of Science and Technology 971. 42 pp. Uppsala. ISBN 91-554-5950-1 This work is about finding an appropriate modelling complexity for a mass-balance model for phosphorus in Lake Vänern, Sweden. A statistical analysis of 30 years of water quality data shows that epilimnion and hypolimnion have different water quality and should be treated separately in a model. Further vertical division is not motivated. Horizontally, the lake should be divided into the two main basins Värmlandssjön and Dalbosjön. Shallow near shore ares, bays and areas close to point sources have to be considered as specific sub-basins if they are to be modelled correctly. These results leads to the use of a model based on ordinary differential equations. The model applied is named L EEDS (Lake Eutrophication Effect Dose Sensitivity) and considers phosphorus and suspended particles. Several modifications were made for the application of the model to Lake Vänern. The two major ones are a revision of the equations governing the outflow of phosphorus and suspended particle through the outflow river, and the inclusion of chemical oxygen demand (COD) into the model, in order to model emissions from pulp and paper mills. The model has also been modified to handle several sub-basins. The LEEDSmodel has been compared to three other eutrophication models applied to Lake Vänern. Two were simple models developed as parts of catchment area models and the third was a lake model with higher resolution than the L EEDSmodel. The models showed a good fit to calibration and validation data, and were compared in two nutrient emission scenarios and a scenario with increased temperature, corresponding to the green house effect.
Nonlinear responses of white spruce growth to climate variability in interior Alaska

Ongoing warming at high latitudes is expected to lead to large changes in the structure and function of boreal forests. Our objective in this research is to determine the climatic controls over the growth of white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) at the warmest driest margins of its range in interior Alaska. We then use those relationships to determine the climate variables most likely to limit future growth. We collected tree cores from white spruce trees growing on steep, south-facing river bluffs at five sites in interior Alaska, and analyzed the relationship between ring widths and climate using boosted regression trees. Precipitation and temperature of the previous growing season are important controls over growth at most sites: trees grow best in the coolest, wettest years. We identify clear thresholds in growth response to a number of variables, including both temper- ature and precipitation variables. General circulation model (GCM) projections of future climate in this region suggest that optimum climatic conditions for white spruce growth will become increasingly rare in the future. This is likely to cause short-term declines in productivity and, over the longer term, probably lead to a contraction of white spruce to the cooler, moister parts of its range in Alaska. Resume : Le rechauffement en cours aux latitudes elevees devrait entrainer d'importants changements dans la structure et la fonction des forets boreales. Cette recherche avait pour but d'identifier les facteurs climatiques qui regissent la croissance de l'epicea blanc (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) present aux extremites les plus seches et les plus chaudes de son aire de repartition a ` l'interieur de l'Alaska. Nous avons ensuite utilise ces relations pour determiner quelles variables climatiques sont les plus susceptibles de limiter sa croissance future. Nous avons collecte des carottes dans cinq stations sur des epiceas blancs croissant sur des falaises abruptes exposees au sud, en bordure de riviere, al'interieur de l'Alaska et nous avons analyse la relation entre la largeur des cernes et le climat al'aide d'arbres de regression amplifies. La precipitation et la temperature de la saison de croissance precedente ont un effet determinant sur la croissance dans la plupart des stations : les arbres croissent le mieux lors des annees les plus fraiches et les plus humides. Nous avons identifie des seuils precis de la reaction de croissance aplusieurs variables, incluant des variables associees ala temperature et aux precipitations. Les predictions du modele de circulation generale au sujet du climat futur dans cette region indiquent que les conditions climatiques optimales pour la croissance de l'epicea blanc deviendront de plus en plus rares dans l'avenir. Cela est susceptible de causer le declin acourt terme de la productivite et probablement de provoquer aplus long terme le recul de l'epicea blanc et son confinement dans les parties les plus fraiches et les plus humides de son aire de repartition en Alaska. (Traduit par la Redaction)
Hydrocolloid-Stabilized Magnetite for Efficient Removal of Radioactive Phosphates

Liquid radioactive waste is a common by-product when using radioactive isotopes in research and medicine. Efficient remediation of such liquid waste is crucial for increasing safety during the necessary storage of the material. Herein, we present a novel Gum Karaya stabilized magnetite for the efficient removal of radioactive phosphorus 32P from liquid radioactive waste. This environmentally friendly material is well suited to be used as a nanohydrogel for the removal of liquid waste, which can then be stored in a smaller space and without the risk of the spills inherent to the initial liquid material. The maximum adsorption capacity of the GK/M in this study was found to be 15.68 GBq/g. We present a thorough morphological characterization of the synthesised GK/M, as well as a discussion of the possible phosphorus adsorption mechanisms.
The adjustable shunt valve in the treatment of adult hydrocephalus - Effect on clinical symptoms, intracranial pressure and complications

Background: Hydrocephalus causes impaired gait, balance, cognition and continence, all of which can be reversed by shunt treatment. Adjustable valves are commonly used in the shunt treatment of hydrocephalus but randomized controlled trials (RCT) are scarce. The aim of the present thesis was to evaluate adjustable valves in the treatment of hydrocephalus. Patients and Methods: In Study I, 450 hydrocephalus patients undergoing primary shunt insertion were followed over 10 years to investigate the shortterm perioperative risk factors of shunt surgery. In Study II the relationship between intracranial pressure (ICP) and ICP wave amplitude (AMP), valve settings and body positions were studied in 15 hydrocephalus patients. During the shunt operation an intraparenchymatous ICP-sensor was simultaneously inserted and ICP/AMP analyzed with the shunt ligated and when opened at different opening pressures and body positions. A doublecentered RCT was conducted in studies III and IV, including 68 patients with iNPH. The patients received a ventricular shunt and were randomized into two groups; in one group (20-4) the valve was initially set to 20 cm H2O and gradually reduced to 4 cm H2O over the course of the 6 month study period. In the other group (12), the valve setting was kept at a medium level of 12 cm H2O during the whole study period. In study III the time to and type of complications and overdrainage symptoms were recorded. In Study IV clinical variables were continuously compared between the two groups. Results: In total, 538 patients were included and the six month shunt revision rate was 19 %. Fifty-four percent of the patients received adjustable valves. Both adjustable valves and right frontal placement of the shunt were associated with a lower shunt revision rate, but not independently. ICP and AMP decreased significantly when the shunt was opened but the difference in ICP between the highest and lowest valve settings (in vivo) was smaller than previous measurements in vitro. Gradual reduction of the valve setting from 20 to 4 cm H2O neither improved clinical outcome nor the complication rate, compared to a fixed valve setting at 12 cm H2O. The clinical improvement was seen within 3 months postoperatively. Conclusions: Gradual reduction of the valve setting from a high to a low level neither improved the clinical outcome nor the complication rate, compared to a fixed valve setting at medium level. The pressure window in an adjustable valve is narrower in vivo than in vitro. ICP in the upright position is significantly different from the supine position. Right frontal shunt placement and the use of adjustable valves were associated with a lower shunt revision rate, but a coincidence of these two variables was found.
10-Shogaol, an Antioxidant from Zingiber officinale for Skin Cell Proliferation and Migration Enhancer

In this work, one of Zingiber officinale components, 10-shogaol, was tested with 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, metal chelating ability, and reducing power to show antioxidant activity. 10-Shogaol promoted human normal epidermal keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts cell growths. 10-Shogaol enhanced growth factor production in transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), platelet derived growth factor-αβ (PDGF-αβ) and vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) of both cells. In the in vitro wound healing assay for 12 or 24 h, with 10-shogaol, the fibroblasts and keratinocytes migrated more rapidly than the vehicle control group. Thus, this study substantiates the target compound, 10-shogaol, as an antioxidant for human skin cell growth and a migration enhancer with potential to be a novel wound repair agent.
The economics of investment in the presence of risk and market frictions: two applications

The thesis presents two applications of the economics of investment in the presence of risk and market frictions. The first is in the area of financial economics (Part II) and the second is in the area of international trade and labor economics (Part III). Part II is devoted to asymmetric information and portfolio risk in credit markets. Particular focus lies on equilibrium credit rationing, i.e., market equilibria with excess demand for credit. In Chapters 2 and 3, we motivate our analysis and review the literature on credit rationing, respectively. Chapter 4 presents our contribution which introduces non-diversifiable risk to the seminal Stiglitz-Weiss (1981) adverse selection model. Portfolio risk rises if the average riskiness of the projects financed increases, and lenders have to bear this risk. This opens up the possibility of a credit rationing equilibrium. We also address the role of lenders' risk aversion and the welfare implications of the equilibrium. Relative to a first-best or a second-best optimum, the credit market equilibrium may be characterized by underinvestment or overinvestment. In sum, we show that deviating from the common assumption of independent project payoffs leads to several interesting implications for equilibrium and welfare. Part III deals with the employment effects of offshoring in the presence of labor market frictions. Offshoring means the relocation of production processes from the home country to a foreign country. Chapter 5 motivates our work, which addresses the question of whether offshoring to low-wage countries is detrimental to employment in high-wage countries with labor market frictions. In Chapter 6, we define the main concepts and state some general facts and consequences of offshoring. Chapter 7 provides a comprehensive literature survey on offshoring and its labor market effects, bringing together the different strands of literature. Chapter 8 presents our model, which is Krugman’s (1979a) North-South trade model augmented to include offshoring and unemployment in the North due to union wage setting. This model endogenously determines the equilibrium number of firms that offshore production to the South and the production cost in both countries. A reduction in the cost of offshoring usually decreases employment in the North, while the opposite may happen at a low initial level of offshoring. The welfare effects of increased offshoring and a commitment problem of labor unions are also addressed. The variant of the model with heterogeneous firms possibly displays multiple equilibria and provides a more optimistic view of the employment effects of offshoring. In contrast to the existing literature, we extend a standard North-South trade model with two large economies. In doing so, we obtain interesting results concerning the employment effects of offshoring to low-wage countries, gains from trade, shrinking union power, and multiple equilibria.
Interleukin-4 but not gamma interferon production correlates with the severity of murine cutaneous leishmaniasis

For murine cutaneous leishmaniasis, data to date suggest a correlation between the presence of gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) and resistance in C57BL/6 mice and the presence of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and disease in BALB/c mice. In this study, 13 inbred strains of mice covering the range of susceptibility to disease were infected with Leishmania major to determine whether the subsequent expression of IFN-gamma or IL-4 is a reliable indicator of cure or progressive disease. The presence of IL-4 and IFN-gamma mRNAs in the draining lymph nodes was examined 9 weeks after infection, when differences in disease severity became obvious. There were large differences in the levels of IL-4 mRNA among the different strains, whereas IFN-gamma mRNA was detected at similar levels in all strains. The levels of IL-4 mRNA correlated with lesion score, with susceptible and intermediate strains containing up to 100-fold more than any of the resistant strains. Differences in the levels of IFN-gamma mRNA were within only a fourfold range, with significant overlap among susceptible, intermediate, and resistant strains. Similarly, the levels of IFN-gamma secreted in vitro by lymph node cells from infected mice in response to L. major antigens were within a 10-fold range for most strains, and there was no correlation with lesion score. Analysis of Leishmania-specific antibody levels revealed a correlation between immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) titers and lesion score, consistent with the role of IL-4 as a switch factor for IgG1. In contrast, there was no correlation between IgG2a titers and lesion score, supporting the notion that IFN-gamma synthesis (which promotes IgG2a production) is not correlated with disease state. These data suggest that along the spectrum of murine cutaneous leishmaniasis, IL-4 is a reliable indicator of disease, but IFN-gamma is not prognostic for resistance.
Anaphylaxis cases presenting to primary care paramedics in Quebec

Data on anaphylaxis cases in pre‐hospital settings is limited. As part of the Cross Canada Anaphylaxis Registry (C‐CARE), we assessed anaphylaxis cases managed by paramedics in Outaouais, Quebec. A software program was developed to prospectively record demographic and clinical characteristics as well as management of cases meeting the definition of the anaphylaxis. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were compared to assess factors associated with severity of reactions and epinephrine use. Among 33,788 ambulance calls of which 23,486 required transport, 104 anaphylaxis cases were identified (anaphylaxis rate of 0.31% [95%CI, 0.25%, 0.37%] among all ambulance calls and 0.44% [95%CI, 0.36%, 0.54%] among those requiring transport). The median age was 46.8 years and 41.3% were males. The common triggers included food (32.7% [95%CI, 24.0%, 42.7%]), drugs (24.0% [16.4%, 33.6%]), and venom (17.3% [10.8%, 26.2%]). Among all reactions, 37.5% (95%CI, 28.4%, 47.6%) were severe. Epinephrine was not administered in 35.6% (95%CI, 26.6%, 45.6%) of all cases. Males were more likely to have severe reactions (Odds ratio [OR]: 2.50 [95%CI, 1.03, 6.01]). Venom‐induced reactions and severe anaphylaxis were more likely to be managed with epinephrine (OR: 6.9 [95%CI, 1.3, 35.3] and 4.2 [95%CI, 1.5, 12.0], respectively). This is the first prospective study evaluating anaphylaxis managed by paramedics. Anaphylaxis accounts for a substantial proportion of the cases managed by paramedics in Outaouais, Quebec and exceeds prior reports of the proportion of Quebec emergency room visits attributed to anaphylaxis. Although guidelines recommend prompt use of epinephrine for all cases of anaphylaxis, more than a third of cases did not receive epinephrine. It is crucial to develop educational programs targeting paramedics to promote the use of epinephrine in all cases of anaphylaxis regardless of the specific trigger.
Shortest paths for wheeled robots with limited Field-Of-View: Introducing the vertical constraint

This paper presents the study of shortest paths for a robot with unicycle kinematics equipped with a limited Field-Of-View (FOV) camera, which must keep a given feature in sight. Previous works on this subject have provided the optimal synthesis for the case in which the FOV is limited in the left and right directions (H-FOV). Toward the final goal of obtaining the shortest paths synthesis for a realistic image plane modeled as a rectangle, in this paper we study the complementary case in which only upper and lower image plane direction are limited (V-FOV). A finite alphabet of extremal arcs is obtained. We also show that in some cases there exist no optimal path. However, we are always able to provide a path whose length approximates arbitrarily well any other shorter path.
Identifying the Stances of Topic Persons Using a Model-based Expectation-Maximization Method

Identifying persons with the same stance in topic documents that contain competing viewpoints can help readers construct the background of a topic and facilitate topic reading. In this paper, we propose an unsupervised method for identifying topic persons with the same stance. Specifically, we employ a model-based Expectation-Maximization (EM) method to cluster individuals into positively correlated groups. In addition, we utilize an off-topic block elimination technique and a weighted correlation coefficient to remove off-topic text blocks and alleviate the text sparseness problem. We also present an effective initialization algorithm that generates appropriate EM initializations. Our experiment results demonstrate that the proposed method clusters topic persons with the same stance correctly and outperforms many well-known clustering methods. Moreover, the initialization algorithm yields accurate and stable stance identification results.
Feature Tracking and Motion Compensation for Action Recognition

This paper discusses an approach to human action recognition via local feature tracking and robust estimation of background motion. The main contribution is a robust feature extraction algorithm based on KLT tracker and SIFT as well as a method for estimating dominant planes in the scene. Multiple interest point detectors are used to provide large number of features for every frame. The motion vectors for the features are estimated using optical flow and SIFT based matching. The features are combined with image segmentation to estimate dominant homographies, and then separated into static and moving ones regardless the camera motion. The action recognition approach can handle camera motion, zoom, human appearance variations, background clutter and occlusion. The motion compensation shows very good accuracy on a number of test sequences. The recognition system is extensively compared to state-of-the art action recognition methods and the results are improved.
Improved vector quantization for lossless compression of AVIRIS images

In this paper, we present a modification to the back end of vector quantization (VQ), which improves the compression ratio of the lossless compression of multispectral images. By introducing a small change to the back end of VQ, the compression ratio improve significantly. In our expreriments, images were compressed from the original image entropies of between 10.73 and 11.55 bits/pixel to between 5.13 and 5.33 bits/pixel.