Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Performance evaluation on EZW & WDR image compression techniques

The objective of this paper is to implement the concept of wavelet based image compression to gray scale images using different techniques. The techniques involved in the comparison process are EZW and WDR. These techniques are more efficient and provide a better quality in the image. In compression, wavelets have shown a good adaptability to a wide range of data, while being of reasonable complexity. Wavelet difference reduction (WDR) has recently been proposed as a method for efficient embedded image coding. This method retains all of the important features like low complexity, region of interest, embeddedness, and progressive SNR. The above techniques have been successfully used in many applications. The techniques are compared by using the performance parameters PSNR and MSE. Images obtained with those techniques yield very good results.
Context-Aware Photography Learning for Smart Mobile Devices

In this work we have developed a photography model based on machine learning which can assist a user in capturing high quality photographs. As scene composition and camera parameters play a vital role in aesthetics of a captured image, the proposed method addresses the problem of learning photographic composition and camera parameters. Further, we observe that context is an important factor from a photography perspective, we therefore augment the learning with associated contextual information. The proposed method utilizes publicly available photographs along with social media cues and associated metainformation in photography learning. We define context features based on factors such as time, geolocation, environmental conditions and type of image, which have an impact on photography. We also propose the idea of computing the photographic composition basis, eigenrules and baserules, to support our composition learning. The proposed system can be used to provide feedback to the user regarding scene composition and camera parameters while the scene is being captured. It can also recommend position in the frame where people should stand for better composition. Moreover, it also provides camera motion guidance for pan, tilt and zoom to the user for improving scene composition.
Association between Food Insecurity and Procurement Methods among People Living with HIV in a High Resource Setting

Objective People living with HIV in high-resource settings suffer severe levels of food insecurity; however, limited evidence exists regarding dietary intake and sub-components that characterize food insecurity (i.e. food quantity, quality, safety or procurement) in this population. We examined the prevalence and characteristics of food insecurity among people living with HIV across British Columbia, Canada. Design This cross-sectional analysis was conducted within a national community-based research initiative. Methods Food security was measured using the Health Canada Household Food Security Scale Module. Logistic regression was used to determine key independent predictors of food insecurity, controlling for potential confounders. Results Of 262 participants, 192 (73%) reported food insecurity. Sub-components associated with food insecurity in bivariate analysis included: < RDI consumption of protein (p = 0.046); being sick from spoiled/unsafe food in the past six months (p = 0.010); and procurement of food using non-traditional methods (p <0.05). In multivariable analyses, factors significantly associated with food insecurity included: procurement of food using non-traditional methods [AOR = 11.11, 95% CI: 4.79–25.68, p = <0.001]; younger age [AOR = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.86–0.96, p = <0.001]; unstable housing [AOR = 4.46, 95% CI: 1.15–17.36, p = 0.031]; household gross annual income [AOR = 4.49, 95% CI: 1.74–11.60, p = 0.002]; and symptoms of depression [AOR = 2.73, 95% CI: 1.25–5.96, p = 0.012]. Conclusions Food insecurity among people living with HIV in British Columbia is characterized by poor dietary quality and food procurement methods. Notably, participants who reported procuring in non-traditional manners were over 10 times more likely to be food insecure. These findings suggest a need for tailored food security and social support interventions in this setting.
Shifted Frequency Analysis (SFA) concepts for EMTP modelling and simulation of Power System Dynamics

This paper presents fundamental concepts associated with the method of Shifted Frequency Analysis (SFA) for modelling electric circuit transients at frequencies close to the fundamental rated power frequency (50Hz or 60Hz). In a Smart Grids scenario, where the inertia of the generating sources is much less than at the transmission system level, electric transients simulation tools like the Electromagnetic Transients Program - EMTP become particularly important to assess the impact of distributed generation and voltage and frequency dynamics. With SFA implemented in the EMTP, very accurate results can be achieved with relatively large time steps that can trace the envelopes of transient voltages and currents around the fundamental frequency. If required, instantaneous values can be obtained directly from the "dynamic phasor solution" obtained with SFA. This paper presents a rigorous mathematical derivation of SFA based on the Hilbert transform. Error analysis is performed in terms of the integration time step size and the width of the frequency band around the fundamental frequency. A test case illustrates the main modelling concepts.
Analysis of Ad Hoc Routing Protocols for Emergency and Rescue Scenarios

A mobile ad hoc network MANET is a collection of wireless mobile nodes that can dynamically configure a network without a fixed infrastructure or centralized administration. This makes it ideal for emergency and rescue scenarios where information sharing is essential and should occur as soon as possible. This article discusses which of the routing strategies for mobile ad hoc networks: proactive, reactive and hierarchical, have a better performance in such scenarios. Using a real urban area being set for the emergency and rescue scenario, we calculate the density of nodes and the mobility model needed for validation. The NS2 simulator has been used in our study. We also show that the hierarchical routing strategies are beffer suited for this type of scenarios.
Selection and presentation practices for code example summarization

Code examples are an important source for answering questions about software libraries and applications. Many usage contexts for code examples require them to be distilled to their essence: e.g., when serving as cues to longer documents, or for reminding developers of a previously known idiom. We conducted a study to discover how code can be summarized and why. As part of the study, we collected 156 pairs of code examples and their summaries from 16 participants, along with over 26 hours of think-aloud verbalizations detailing the decisions of the participants during their summarization activities. Based on a qualitative analysis of this data we elicited a list of practices followed by the participants to summarize code examples and propose empirically-supported hypotheses justifying the use of specific practices. One main finding was that none of the participants exclusively extracted code verbatim for the summaries, motivating abstractive summarization. The results provide a grounded basis for the development of code example summarization and presentation technology.
Tree indexing on solid state drives

Large flash disks, or solid state drives (SSDs), have become an attractive alternative to magnetic hard disks, due to their high random read performance, low energy consumption and other features. However, writes, especially small random writes, on flash disks are inherently much slower than reads because of the erase-before-write mechanism. To address this asymmetry of read-write speeds in tree indexing on the flash disk, we propose FD-tree, a tree index designed with the logarithmic method and fractional cascading techniques. With the logarithmic method, an FD-tree consists of the head tree -- a small B+-tree on the top, and a few levels of sorted runs of increasing sizes at the bottom. This design is write-optimized for the flash disk; in particular, an index search will potentially go through more levels or visit more nodes, but random writes are limited to a small area -- the head tree, and are subsequently transformed into sequential ones through merging into the lower runs. With the fractional cascading technique, we store pointers, called fences, in lower level runs to speed up the search. Given an FD-tree of n entries, we analytically show that it performs an update in O(logB n) sequential I/Os and completes a search in O(logB n) random I/Os, where B is the flash page size. We evaluate FD-tree in comparison with representative B+-tree variants under a variety of workloads on three commodity flash SSDs. Our results show that FD-tree has a similar search performance to the standard B+-tree, and a similar update performance to the write-optimized B+-tree variant. As a result, FD-tree dominates the other B+-tree index variants on the overall performance on flash disks as well as on magnetic disks.
Quality Management Systems in Australian Software Houses: some problems of sustaining creativity in the software process

Software houses are taking steps towards the implementation of quality management systems (QMS) and achieving certification to international quality standards. There is an increasing tendency to require quality certificates from system suppliers before business can be even considered. The QMS is seen as a way of avoiding personnel risk if product and market knowledge remains in the possession of individuals. It is also felt that quality procedures in place will improve the company's image, attract new staff and help to keep the staff turnover low. However, the application of standards to the less structured tasks, eg. pre-sales or research and development tasks, was seen to stifle the creativity needed to complete them successfully.
Measuring knowledge management investments and results ; two business cases

Currently, knowledge management is getting a lot of attention, while the assessment of its results is lagging behind. In other words, companies spend a lot of resources in improving their knowledge household, while less effort is invested to measure the results of their knowledge management endeavours. We think that the reason is not that companies do not see the relevance of assessing aspects of knowledge management, but simply that no appropriate instruments are available.
Sequentially Generated Instance-Dependent Image Representations for Classification

In this paper, we investigate a new framework for image classification that adaptively generates spatial representations. Our strategy is based on a sequential process that learns to explore the different regions of any image in order to infer its category. In particular, the choice of regions is specific to each image, directed by the actual content of previously selected regions.The capacity of the system to handle incomplete image information as well as its adaptive region selection allow the system to perform well in budgeted classification tasks by exploiting a dynamicly generated representation of each image. We demonstrate the system's abilities in a series of image-based exploration and classification tasks that highlight its learned exploration and inference abilities.
Robot dynamic calibration: Optimal excitation trajectories and experimental parameter estimation

Advanced robot control schemes require an accurate knowledge of the dynamic parameters of the manipulator. This article examines various issues related to robot dynamic calibration, from generation of optimal excitation trajectories to data acquisition and filtering, and experimental inertial and friction parameter estimation. In particular, a new method is developed for the determination of optimal joint trajectories for the calibration experiment, which is based on evolutionary optimization techniques. A genetic algorithm is used to determine excitation trajectories that minimize either the condition number of the regression matrix or the logarithmic determinant of the Fisher information matrix. All the calibration steps have been carried out on a SCARA two-link planar manipulator, and the experimental results are discussed. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Constrained Tensor Modeling Approach to Blind Multiple-Antenna CDMA Schemes

In this paper, we consider an uplink multiple-antenna code-division multiple-access (CDMA) system linking several multiple-antenna mobile users to one multiple-antenna base station. For this system, a constrained third-order tensor decomposition is introduced for modeling the multiple-antenna transmitter as well as the received signal. The constrained structure of the proposed tensor decomposition is characterized by two constraint matrices that have a meaningful physical interpretation in our context. They can be viewed as canonical allocation matrices that define the allocation of users' data streams and spreading codes to the transmit antennas. The distinguishing features of the proposed tensor modeling with respect to the already existing tensor-based CDMA models are: i) it copes with multiple transmit antennas and spreading codes per user and ii) it models several spatial spreading/multiplexing schemes with multiple spreading codes by controlling the constrained structure of the tensor signal model. A systematic design procedure for the canonical allocation matrices leading to a unique blind symbol (or joint blind symbol-code) recovery is proposed which allows us to derive a finite set of multiple-antenna schemes for a fixed number of transmit antennas. Identifiability of the proposed tensor model is discussed, and a blind multiuser detection receiver based on the alternating least squares algorithm is considered for performance evaluation of several multiple-antenna CDMA schemes derived from the constrained modeling approach.
Effect of Transformational Leadership, Incentive Giving, Professional Development of Work Discipline and TeacherPerformance SMK Ma'arif Surabaya Indonesia

Vocational Secondary School (SMK) is a model of education that is relevant to bridge the gap between education outcomes and business needs, in its development it does not show significant growth of SMK. This study aims to examine and analyze the influence of transformational leadership, provision of incentives and professional development of teacher work discipline SMK Ma'arif Surabaya. Testing and analyzing the influence of transformational leadership, giving incentives and professional development to the performance of teachers of SMK Ma'arif Surabaya. And test and analyze the influence of work discipline on the performance of teachers of SMK Ma'arif in Surabaya. The population in this study is the foundation teacher at SMK under the auspices of Educational institutions(LP) Ma'arif Surabaya, with the sample in accordance with the research criteria is 163 people. To test the hypothesis is done by using SEM analysis (Structural Equation Model), the use of SEM in this study is based on the evaluation of the relationship of interdependence between variables adapted to the theoretical basis and concept and previous research. The result of the research shows that transformational leadership, incentive and professional development have a significant effect on teacher work discipline of SMK Ma'arif Surabaya. Transformational leadership, incentives and professional development have a positive and significant impact on the performance of teachers of SMK Ma'arif Surabaya. And work discipline has a positive and significant impact on teacher performance of SMK Ma'arif Surabaya.
The Development of Visual Areas Depends Differently on Visual Experience

Visual experience plays an important role in the development of the visual cortex; however, recent functional imaging studies have shown that the functional organization is preserved in several higher-tier visual areas in congenitally blind subjects, indicating that maturation of visual areas depend unequally on visual experience. In this study, we aim to validate this hypothesis using a multimodality MRI approach. We found increased cortical thickness in the congenitally blind was present in the early visual areas and absent in the higher-tier ones, suggesting that the structural development of the visual cortex depends hierarchically on visual experience. In congenitally blind subjects, the decreased resting-state functional connectivity with the primary somatosensory cortex was more prominent in the early visual areas than in the higher-tier ones and were more pronounced in the ventral stream than in the dorsal one, suggesting that the development of functional organization of the visual cortex also depends differently on visual experience. Moreover, congenitally blind subjects showed normal or increased functional connectivity between ipsilateral higher-tier and early visual areas, suggesting an indirect corticocortical pathway through which somatosenroy information can reach the early visual areas. These findings support our hypothesis that the development of visual areas depends differently on visual experience.
Financial Market Reform – A New Driver for China's Economic Growth?

This paper analyses the financial distortions – growth nexus in China using a tractable general equilibrium modelling approach in which heterogeneous private and state-owned firms interact. The focal points of the model are financial frictions and reallocations of factors of production across firms. The calibrated version of the model elicits the important message that the adoption of a comprehensive financial market reform package abolishing financial distortions will lead to substantial output gains. Thus, structural policies leading to more efficient allocation of factors of production will remain a key policy challenge in China in the years to come.
FPGA-Based Image Processor Architecture for Wireless Multimedia Sensor Network

This paper presents the architecture of a FPGA-based efficient processing system suited to Wireless Multimedia Sensor Networks. The core is a 16-bit RISC microprocessor, which is designed to operate at low frequency and is optimized for handling instructions and operations of the Wireless Sensor Networks. A part of the processor is empowered with image processing functions, optimized for handling image processing instructions and operates at high frequency. The image processing function of the processor is optimized to achieve high speed processing with minimal hardware and power consumption. Experiments have been conducted to verify the image compression and transmission ability of the proposed design and to investigate other WMSN issues such as image packetization, power management and system synchronization. These experiments reveal that the proposed approach is suitable for WMSN applications and removes a many issues associated with using off-the-shelf processors.
Malignant Transformation Potentials of Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells Both Spontaneously and via 3-Methycholanthrene Induction

Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (HUMSCs) are highly proliferative and can be induced to differentiate into advanced derivatives of all three germ layers. Thus, HUMSCs are considered to be a promising source for cell-targeted therapies and tissue engineering. However there are reports on spontaneous transformation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from human bone marrows. The capacity for HUMSCs to undergo malignant transform spontaneously or via induction by chemical carcinogens is presently unknown. Therefore, we isolated HUMSCs from 10 donors and assessed their transformation potential either spontaneously or by treating them with 3-methycholanthrene (3-MCA), a DNA-damaging carcinogen. The malignant transformation of HUMSCs in vitro was evaluated by morphological changes, proliferation rates, ability to enter cell senescence, the telomerase activity, chromosomal abnormality, and the ability to form tumors in vivo. Our studies showed that HUMSCs from all 10 donors ultimately entered senescence and did not undergo spontaneous malignant transformation. However, HUMSCs from two of the 10 donors treated with 3-MCA displayed an increased proliferation rate, failed to enter senescence, and exhibited an altered cell morphology. When these cells (tHUMSCs) were injected into immunodeficient mice, they gave rise to sarcoma-like or poorly differentiated tumors. Moreover, in contrast to HUMSCs, tHUMSCs showed a positive expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) and did not exhibit a shortening of the relative telomere length during the long-term culture in vitro. Our studies demonstrate that HUMSCs are not susceptible to spontaneous malignant transformation. However, the malignant transformation could be induced by chemical carcinogen 3-MCA.
Performance of Robust Active Queue Management Schemes and Window Adaptation Schemes in IP Network

ORUGANTI, SAI. Performance of Robust Active Queue Management Schemes and Window Adaptation Schemes in IP Network. (Under the direction of Dr. Mihail Devetsikiotis) The Internet today has emerged as a ubiquitous network consisting of globally-shared resources. Optimal sharing of these resources raises the issue of resource and cost allocation which, in turn, leads to network performance modelling. In our work we emphasize the importance of performance evaluation and monitoring of network resources to achieve their optimal utilization. We analyze the network as a decoupled system consisting of end nodes and routers. We analyze the algorithms running on each component and propose modifications. For the router we study the existing and widely-deployed active queue management scheme, Random Early Detection (RED) and its predecessor, TailDrop scheme. Emphasizing robustness and end-to-end delay, we propose our modification to RED and show that it achieves better results compared to RED. Similarly, for the end nodes, we explore the window adaptation scheme of the widely-deployed cooperative transport protocol, TCP Reno. Stressing packet re-sent ratio and power, we show that our proposed modification of window adaptation schemes achieves better performance than TCP Reno. For a more balanced research we compute the algorithmic complexity of each algorithm to show that better results can be achieved at the expense of increased algorithmic complexity. Performance of Robust Active Queue Management Schemes and Window Adaptation Schemes in IP Network
Exploring Gender Wage “Discrimination” in South Africa, 1995-2004: A Quantile Regression Approach

This paper uses quantile regression and counterfactual decomposition methods to investigate whether a ‘glass ceiling’ exists or if instead a ‘sticky floor’ is more prevalent among the African populace in the South African ‘formal’ labour market. Furthermore, it assesses whether the incidence of gender wage ‘discrimination’ has been widening or narrowing across the entire wage distribution from 1995-2004. Given that it is almost ten years after the abolition of legalised discrimination and the introduction of affirmative action legislation, one would have expected that the gaps between male and female wages in general and in particular, the component of these gaps attributable to different returns to characteristics ‘discrimination’ might have decreased. Surprisingly, the results of this study suggest that the gaps increased between 1995 and 2004. In addition, there is evidence of a sticky floor in the South African labour market. 1 I am greatly indebted to Martin Wittenberg and the IZA Research Associates and visitors, for helpful comments on earlier drafts of this paper. I also thank the Data First Resource Unit for providing the data utilised for the study. The usual disclaimer applies.