Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Compressed sensing based method for ECG compression

Compressive sensing (CS) is a new approach for the acquisition and recovery of sparse signals that enables sampling rates significantly below the classical Nyquist rate. Based on the fact that electrocardiogram (ECG) signals can be approximated by a linear combination of a few coefficients taken from a Wavelet basis, we propose a compressed sensing-based approach for ECG signal compression. ECG signals generally show redundancy between adjacent heartbeats due to its quasi-periodic structure. We show that this redundancy implies a high fraction of common support between consecutive heartbeats. The contribution of this paper lies in the use of distributed compressed sensing to exploit the common support between samples of jointly sparse adjacent beats. Simulation results suggest that compressed sensing should be considered as a plausible methodology for ECG compression.
A rate of convergence result for the largest eigenvalue of complex white Wishart matrices

It has been recently shown that if X is an n×N matrix whose entries are i.i. d. standard complex Gaussian and l1 is the largest eigenvalue of X*X, there exist sequences mn,N and sn,N such that (l1−mn,N)/sn,N converges in distribution to W2, the Tracy–Widom law appearing in the study of the Gaussian unitary ensemble. This probability law has a density which is known and computable. The cumulative distribution function of W2 is denoted F2. In this paper we show that, under the assumption that n/N→ γ∈(0, ∞), we can find a function M, continuous and nonincreasing, and sequences μn,N and σn,N such that, for all real s0, there exists an integer N(s0, γ) for which, if (n∧N)≥N(s0, γ), we have, with ln,N=(l1−μn,N)/σn,N, ∀ s≥s0 (n∧N)2/3|P(ln,N≤s)−F2(s)|≤M(s0)exp(−s). The surprisingly good 2/3 rate and qualitative properties of the bounding function help explain the fact that the limiting distribution W2 is a good approximation to the empirical distribution of ln,N in simulations, an important fact from the point of view of (e.g., statistical) applications.
Plio‐Quaternary exhumation history of the central Nepalese Himalaya: 1. Apatite and zircon fission track and apatite [U‐Th]/He analyses

New apatite and zircon fission track and (U‐Th)/He analyses serve to document the bedrock cooling history of the central Nepalese Himalaya near the Annapurna Range. We have obtained 82 apatite fission track (AFT), 7 zircon fission track (ZFT), and 7 apatite (U‐Th)/He (AHe) ages from samples collected along the Marsyandi drainage, including eight vertical relief profiles from ridges on either side of the river averaging more than 2 km in elevation range. In addition, three profiles were sampled along ridge crests that also lie ∼2 km above the adjacent valleys, and a transect of >20 valley bottom samples spans from the Lesser Himalaya across the Greater Himalaya and into the Tethyan strata. As a consequence, these data provide one of the more comprehensive low‐temperature thermochronologic studies within the Himalaya. Conversely, the youthfulness of this orogen is pushing the limits of these dating techniques. AFT ages range from >3.8 to 0 Ma, ZFT ages from 1.9 to 0.8 Ma, and AHe ages from 0.9 to 0.3 Ma. Most ridges have maximum ages of 1.3–0.8 Ma at 2 km above the valley bottom. Only one ridge crest (in the south central zone of the field area) yielded significantly older ZFT and AFT ages of ∼2 Ma; we infer that a splay of the Main Central Thrust separates this ridge from the rest of the Greater Himalaya. ZFT and AFT ages from a vertical transect along this ridge indicate exhumation rates of ∼1.5 km Myr−1 (r2 > 0.7) from ∼2 to 0.6–0.8 Ma, whereas AHe ages indicate a faster exhumation rate of ∼2.6 km Myr−1 (r2 = 0.9) over the last 0.8 Myr. Exhumation rates calculated for six of the remaining seven vertical profiles ranged from 1.5 to 12 km Myr−1 (all with low r2 values of <0.6) for the time period from ∼1.2 to 0.3 Ma, with no discernible patterns in south to north exhumation rates evident. The absence of a trend in exhumation rates, despite a strong spatial gradient in rainfall, argues against a correlation of long‐term exhumation rates with modern patterns of rainfall. AFT ages in the Tethyan strata are, on average, older than in the Greater Himalaya and may be a response to a drier climate, slip on the South Tibetan Detachment, or a gentler dip of the underlying thrust ramp. These data are further evaluated with thermokinematic modeling in the companion paper by Whipp et al.
The Reddening-Free Decline Rate Versus Luminosity Relationship for Type Ia Supernovae

We develop a method for estimating the host galaxy dust extinction for type Ia supernovae based on an observational coincidence first noted by Lira, who found that the B-V evolution during the period from 30 to 90 days after V maximum is remarkably similar for all events, regardless of light-curve shape. This fact is used to calibrate the dependence of the Bmax-Vmax and Vmax-Imax colors on the light-curve decline rate parameter Δm15(B), which can, in turn, be used to separately estimate the host galaxy extinction. Using these methods to eliminate the effects of reddening, we reexamine the functional form of the decline rate versus luminosity relationship and provide an updated estimate of the Hubble constant of H0 = 63.3 ± 2.2(internal) ± 3.5(external) km s-1 Mpc-1.
The Effects of Work Values, Work-Value Congruence and Work Centrality on Organizational Citizenship Behavior

The aim of this study is to test the “work values” inventory developed by Tevruz and Turgut and to utilize the concept in a model, which aims to create a greater understanding of the work experience. In the study multiple effects of work values, work-value congruence and work centrality on organizational citizenship behavior are examined. In this respect, it is hypothesized that work values and work-value congruence predict organizational citizenship behavior through work centrality. Work-goal congruence test, Tevruz and Turgut’s work values inventory are administered along with Kanungo’s work centrality and Podsakoff et al.’s [47] organizational citizenship behavior test to employees working in Turkish SME’s. The study validated that Tevruz and Turgut’s work values inventory and the work-value congruence test were reliable and could be used for future research. The study revealed the mediating role of work centrality only for the relationship of work values and the responsibility dimension of citizenship behavior. Most important, this study brought in an important concept, work-value congruence, which enables a better understanding of work values and their relation to various attitudinal variables. Keywords—Work values, work-value congruence, work centrality, organizational citizenship behavior.
Impact of source metallization ageing on thermo-mechanical characteristics of a vertical power device

Reliability is a major economic and technical challenge for power electronics. This paper aims at exploring the impact of reconstruction of source metallization [1] due to ageing on temperature and mechanical strain distributions within a smart power device. Based on 3D FEM electro-thermal simulations, we explore thermal and mechanical impact of source metallization ageing on bonding wires during operation.
Improved Biomass Estimation Using the Texture Parameters of Two High-Resolution Optical Sensors

Accurate forest biomass estimation is essential for greenhouse gas inventories, terrestrial carbon accounting, and climate change modeling studies. Unfortunately, no universal and transferable technique has been developed so far to quantify biomass carbon sources and sinks over large areas because of the environmental, topographic, and biophysical complexity of forest ecosystems. Among the remote sensing techniques tested, the use of multisensors and the spatial as well as the spectral characteristics of the data have demonstrated a strong potential for forest biomass estimation. However, the use of multisensor data accompanied by spatial data processing has not been fully investigated because of the unavailability of appropriate data sets and the complexity of image processing techniques in combining multisensor data with the analysis of the spatial characteristics. This paper investigates the texture parameters of two high resolution (10 m) optical sensors (Advanced Visible and Near Infrared Radiometer type 2 (AVNIR-2) and SPOT-5) in different processing combinations for biomass estimation. Multiple regression models are developed between image parameters extracted from the different stages of image processing and the biomass of 50 field plots, which was estimated using a newly developed "allometric model" for the study region. The results demonstrate a clear improvement in biomass estimation using the texture parameters of a single sensor (r2 = 0.854 and rmse = 38.54) compared to the best result obtained from simple spectral reflectance (r2 = 0.494) and simple spectral band ratios (r2 = 0.59). This was further improved to obtain a very promising result using the texture parameter of both sensors together (r2 = 0.897 and rmse = 32.38), the texture parameters from the principal component analysis of both sensors (r2 = 0.851 and rmse = 38.80), and the texture parameters from the av eraging of both sensors (r2 = 0.911 and rmse = 30.10). Improvement was also observed using the simple ratio of the texture parameters of AVNIR-2 (r2 = 0.899 and rmse = 32.04) and SPOT-5 (r2 = 0.916), and finally, the most promising result (r2 = 0.939 and rmse = 24.77) was achieved using the ratios of the texture parameters of both sensors together. This high level of agreement between the field and image data derived from the two novel techniques (i.e., combination/fusion of the multisensor data and the ratio of the texture parameters) is a very significant improvement over previous work where agreement not exceeding r2 = 0.65 has been achieved using optical sensors. Furthermore, biomass estimates of up to 500 t/ha in our study area far exceed the saturation levels observed in other studies using optical sensors.
The other side of compassion How the self avoids responsibility for past wrongs

We feel compassion when we see others suffering. Previous research has shown that this can evoke positive feelings for other people or groups, as well as stimulate a desire to help. This is because compassion entails focusing entirely on the suffering of the other: as a result, we can offer selfless help. The goal of this PhD project was to investigate whether compassion can also produce the opposite effect. We specifically investigated past situations where people caused the suffering of others themselves, or belonged to a group that did. Confrontations with such events can be painful, because we are strongly motivated to maintain a positive perception of ourselves and the groups we belong to. We suspected that compassion may offer a subtle way out in these situations: exactly because we focus exclusively on the suffering of the other, we do not have to concern ourselves with our harmful behaviour that caused it in the first place. Our results support this prediction. The degree to which people identify with the group or with the person they were when they committed the harm turned out to be a crucial factor: when people were not strongly identified, compassion led to an increase in self-critical emotions (such as guilt, anger and shame) and feelings of responsibility. But when they were strongly identified, compassion decreased these emotions and feelings. Our research thus shows that the function of emotions strongly depends on people’s underlying motivations.
Probing the Role of Medication, DBS Electrode Position, and Antidromic Activation on Impulsivity Using a Computational Model of Basal Ganglia

Everyday, we encounter situations where available choices are nearly equally rewarding (high conflict) calling for some tough decision making. Experimental recordings showed that the activity of Sub Thalamic Nucleus (STN) increases during such situations providing the extra time needed to make the right decision, teasing apart the most rewarding choice from the runner up closely trailing behind. This prolonged deliberation necessary for decision making under high conflict was absent in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients who underwent Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery of STN. In an attempt to understand the underlying cause of such adverse response, we built a 2D spiking network model (50 × 50 lattice) of Basal ganglia incorporating the key nuclei. Using the model we studied the Probabilistic learning task (PLT) in untreated, treated (L-Dopa and Dopamine Agonist) and STN-DBS PD conditions. Based on the experimental observation that dopaminergic activity is analogous to temporal difference (TD) and induces cortico-striatal plasticity, we introduced learning in the cortico-striatal weights. The results show that healthy and untreated conditions of PD model were able to more or less equally select (avoid) the rewarding (punitive) choice, a behavior that was absent in treated PD condition. The time taken to select a choice in high conflict trials was high in normal condition, which is in agreement with experimental results. The treated PD (Dopamine Agonist) patients made impulsive decisions (small reaction time) which in turn led to poor performance. The underlying cause of the observed impulsivity in DBS patients was studied in the model by (1) varying the electrode position within STN, (2) causing antidromic activation of GPe neurons. The effect of electrode position on reaction time was analyzed by studying the activity of STN neurons where, a decrease in STN neural activity was observed for certain electrode positions. We also observed that a higher antidromic activation of GPe neurons does not impact the learning ability but decreases reaction time as reported in DBS patients. These results suggest a probable role of electrode and antidromic activation in modulating the STN activity and eventually affecting the patient's performance on PLT.
Probing dark energy with the shear-ratio geometric test

We adapt the Jain-Taylor (2003) shear-ratio geometric lensing method to measure the dark energy equation of state, w = pv /ρv and its time derivative from dark matter haloes in cosmologies with arbitrary spatial curvature. The full shear-ratio covariance matrix is calculated for lensed sources, including the intervening large-scale structure and photometric redshift errors as additional sources of noise, and a maximum likelihood method for applying the test is presented. Decomposing the lensing matter distribution into dark matter haloes we calculate the parameter covariance matrix for an arbitrary experiment. Combining with the expected results from the cosmic microwave background (CMB) we design an optimal survey for probing dark energy. This shows that a targeted survey imaging 60 of the largest clusters in a hemisphere with five-band optical photometric redshifts to a median galaxy depth of Z m = 0.9 could measure ω 0 = ω(z = 0) to a marginal 1σ error of Δω 0 = 0.5. We marginalize over all other parameters including ω a , where the equation of state is parametrized in terms of scalefactor a as w(a) = ω 0 + ω a (1- a). For higher accuracy a large-scale photometric redshift survey is required, where the largest gain in signal arises from the numerous ≈0 14 M ⊙ haloes corresponding to medium-sized galaxy clusters. Combined with the expected Planck Surveyor results, such a near-future five-band survey covering 10000 deg 2 to Z m = 0.7 could measure ω 0 to Δω 0 = 0.075 and Δωa = 0.33. A stronger combined constraint is put on w measured at the pivot redshift z p = 0.27 of Aw(zp) = 0.0298. We compare and combine the geometric test with the cosmological and dark energy parameters measured from planned baryon acoustic oscillation (BAO) and supernova Type Ia experiments, and find that the geometric test results combine with a significant reduction in errors due to different degeneracies. A combination of geometric lensing, CMB and BAO experiments could achieve Δω 0 = 0.047 and Δωa = 0.111 with a pivot redshift constraint of Δω(Z p ) = 0.020 at z p = 0.62. Simple relations are presented that show how our lensing results can be scaled to other telescope classes and survey parameters.
Optical and Near-Infrared Study of the Cepheus E Outflow, A Very Low-Excitation Object

We present images and spectra of the Cepheus E (Cep E) region at both optical and infrared wavelengths. Only the brightest region of the southern lobe of the Cep E outflow reveals optical emission, suggesting that the extinction close to the outflow source plays an important role in the observed difference between the optical and IR morphologies. Cep E is a unique object since it provides a link between the spectroscopic properties of the optical Herbig-Haro (HH) objects and those of deeply embedded outflows. The observed H2 infrared lines allow us to determine an excitation temperature of ∼2300 K, an Ortho-to-Para ratio of ∼3, and an H2 (1, 0)/(2, 1) S(1) line ratio of ∼9. These results are consistent with the values observed for HH objects with detected NIR emission lines, with shock excitation as the main mechanism for their formation, and also with the values observed for embedded, NIR flows. The optical spectroscopic characteristics of Cep E (HH 377) appear to be similar to the ones of low-excitation HH objects. However, the electron density determined from the [S II] λλ6731/6717 line ratio for this object (ne = 4100 cm-3), and the [O I] λ6300/Hα, [S II] λλ(6717 + 6731)/Hα ratios are higher than the values of all of the previously studied low-excitation HH objects. This result is likely to be the consequence of an anomalously high environmental density in the HH 377 outflow. The ionization fraction obtained for HH 377 is xe ∼ 1%. From this result, together with the observed [O I] λ6300/Hα line ratio, we conclude that the observed Hα line emission is collisionally excited. From a comparison with shock models, we also conclude that the extinction toward HH 377 is very low. Comparing the observed Hβ and Hα fluxes of HH 377 with model predictions, we determine a shock speed between 15 and 20 km s-1, although somewhat higher velocities also produce spectra with line ratios that qualitatively agree with the observations of HH 377.
Cetacean mother-calf behavior observed from a small aircraft off Southern California. Animal Behavior and Cognition

During early developmental stages, cetacean calves are dependent on their mothers for survival. Protection of young whales engaged in behaviors that are biologically important is critical for population recovery, so that appropriate management actions can be taken to minimize human disturbance. However, the occurrence and frequency of whale nursing and calves back-riding their mothers (both considered important to calf survival) have rarely been observed nor adequately quantified or defined. Therefore, it may not always be clear when disruption is occurring. We used extended behavioral observations, still photography, and video camera footage obtained during aircraft surveys in the Southern California Bight in 2008 – 2013 to characterize cetacean mother-calf interactions. Based on observations of four mother/calf pairs (two gray whale, Eschrichtius robustus, one fin whale, Balaenoptera physalus, and one blue whale, B. musculus) and one killer whale presumed mother/yearling pair (Orcinus orca), we describe bouts of nursing and calves riding on the backs of their presumed mothers, including activity duration, frequency, and relative body positioning. We conclude with specific definitions useful to wildlife conservation agencies authorizing and establishing restrictions to certain human activities when they might constitute behavioral disruptions.
Computer-tailored dietary behaviour change interventions: a systematic review

Improving dietary behaviours such as increasing fruit and vegetable consumption and reducing saturated fat intake are important in the promotion of better health. Computer tailoring has shown promise as a strategy to promote such behaviours. A narrative systematic review was conducted to describe the available evidence on ‘second’-generation computer-tailored primary prevention interventions for dietary behaviour change and to determine their effectiveness and key characteristics of success. Systematic literature searches were conducted through five databases: Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL and All EBM Reviews and by examining the reference lists of relevant articles to identify studies published in English from January 1996 to 2008. Randomized controlled trials or quasi-experimental designs with pre-test and post-test behavioural outcome data were included. A total of 13 articles were reviewed, describing the evaluation of 12 interventions, seven of which found significant positive effects of the computer-tailored interventions for dietary behaviour outcomes, one also for weight reduction outcomes. Although the evidence of short-term efficacy for computer-tailored dietary behaviour change interventions is fairly strong, the uncertainty lies in whether the reported effects are generalizable and sustained long term. Further research is required to address these limitations of the evidence.
Using adaptive architecture to probe attitudes towards ubiquitous monitoring

The term Ubiquitous Monitoring aims to capture the unprecedented degree to which data collection will occur in the future through ongoing developments in embedded, wireless and sensory technologies. Intelligent buildings represent the most current instantiations of this technology in the form of building management/automation systems. However, there is an emerging field of research called adaptive architecture, which aims to explore more meaningful and direct interactions between occupants and their environments. In this paper, we use the experience of a prototype adaptive/biofeedback architecture called ExoBuilding as a probe to explore user attitudes towards future monitoring systems in buildings. We present results from a semi-structured interview, which encouraged participants to envision future monitoring technologies, making projections based on their real experiences with ExoBuilding.
A knowledge engineering approach for image classification based on probabilistic reasoning systems

We present an image classification system based on probabilistic reasoning that was developed to meet two research objectives. The first objective was to exploit interactions between multiple classifiers to improve classification performance. The second objective was to exploit existing descriptions of an image to improve classification performance. A case study of applying this approach for the consumer photograph domain is presented, along with performance evaluation results.
Why Volunteer? Evidence on the Role of Altruism, Reputation, and Incentives

Volunteering plays a prominent role in the charitable provision of goods and services, yet we know relatively little about why people engage in such prosocial acts. The list of possible motivations is long, but recent research has focused on altruism, reputational concerns, and material incentives. We present an analysis of a unique data set that combines an experimental measure of altruism, surveyed measures of other factors including reputational concerns, and call records from volunteer firefighters that provide an objective measure of the hours volunteered. Controlling for a variety of other explanations, we find that altruism and reputational concerns are positively associated with the decision to volunteer. Moreover, by utilizing variation in the presence and level of small stipends paid to the firefighters, we find that the positive effect of monetary incentives declines with reputational concerns, supporting a prediction that extrinsic incentives can crowd out prosocial behavior.