Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Designing Multi-user Lighting Interfaces: Four strategies to implement Social Translucence

In this work, we investigate how to design multi-user interfaces for shared environments by implementing social translucence: Visibility of socially relevant information, awareness of other people, and accountability for actions. By designing and analysing 126 multi-user lighting interface concepts, we define four strategies to implement socially relevant information into a user interface. The strategies are: (1) to direct attention towards the context, (2) to present information about previous interactions, (3) to make information about needs and wishes explicit, and (4) to facilitate pre-evaluation of a light setting and its impact.
A proof-of-concept model for the identification of the key events in the infection process with specific reference to Pseudomonas aeruginosa in corneal infections

Background It is a common medical practice to characterise an infection based on the causative agent and to adopt therapeutic and prevention strategies targeting the agent itself. However, from an epidemiological perspective, exposure to a microbe can be harmless to a host as a result of low-level exposure or due to host immune response, with opportunistic infection only occurring as a result of changes in the host, pathogen, or surrounding environment. Methods We have attempted to review systematically the key host, pathogen, and environmental factors that may significantly impact clinical outcomes of exposure to a pathogen, using Pseudomonas aeruginosa eye infection as a case study. Results and discussion Extended contact lens wearing and compromised hygiene may predispose users to microbial keratitis, which can be a severe and vision-threatening infection. P. aeruginosa has a wide array of virulence-associated genes and sensing systems to initiate and maintain cell populations at the corneal surface and beyond. We have adapted the well-known concept of the epidemiological triangle in combination with the classic risk assessment framework (hazard identification, characterisation, and exposure) to develop a conceptual pathway-based model that demonstrates the overlapping relationships between the host, the pathogen, and the environment; and to illustrate the key events in P. aeruginosa eye infection. Conclusion This strategy differs from traditional approaches that consider potential risk factors in isolation, and hopefully will aid the identification of data and models to inform preventive and therapeutic measures in addition to risk assessment. Furthermore, this may facilitate the identification of knowledge gaps to direct research in areas of greatest impact to avert or mitigate adverse outcomes of infection.
Scissors: Dealing with header redundancies in data centers through SDN

Growing concern for reduced power dissipation, cost and latency demands in next generation Data Centers (DC) motivates us to revisit header optimizations. Headers contribute to about 30-40% of DC traffic and is responsible for equal proportion of consumed power. This amounts to significant overhead on per byte transfer of payload. In the past, highly inflexible switches have limited the focus of header optimizations primarily on end-host or edge network routers. Further, strict compliance to protocols by switches/routers along the path have limited the segments of headers that can be optimized. Recent evolution of Software Defined Network (SDN) brings in several opportunities to control over switches. We believe that if SDN's finer handle to the switching devices is exploited, it can help deal with header information. In this paper, we exploit the capabilities of SDN and introduce a new functionality that can effectively replace the redundant and repetitive header information with shorter unique identity. We present Scissor that trims the headers lower in the protocol stack. As a replacement for routing, we introduce the notion of Flow-ID, where all packets belonging to a flow are identified using this unique Flow-ID. We leverage the capabilities of the SDN to dynamically allow switching devices to route the packets based on the Flow-IDs. Our approach of trimming header at the switching devices leaves the hosts unmodified making it highly adoptable for DC environment. We show that our approach can decrease switch fabric power consumption by a factor of 2.5 compared to an existing L2 switch and reduce the latency by about 30% for a significant fraction (around 30-50%) of the network traffic.
Personalization Algorithm for Real-Time Activity Recognition Using PDA, Wireless Motion Bands, and Binary Decision Tree

Inactive and sedentary lifestyle is a major problem in many industrialized countries today. Automatic recognition of type of physical activity can be used to show the user the distribution of his daily activities and to motivate him into more active lifestyle. In this study, an automatic activity-recognition system consisting of wireless motion bands and a PDA is evaluated. The system classifies raw sensor data into activity types online. It uses a decision tree classifier, which has low computational cost and low battery consumption. The classifier parameters can be personalized online by performing a short bout of an activity and by telling the system which activity is being performed. Data were collected with seven volunteers during five everyday activities: lying, sitting/standing, walking, running, and cycling. The online system can detect these activities with overall 86.6% accuracy and with 94.0% accuracy after classifier personalization.
SINR Balancing for the Multi-User Downlink under General Power Constraints

We address the problem of maximizing the minimum signal to interference and noise ratio of individual users via linear preceding in a multiuser downlink channel with multiple antennas at the transmitter and single antenna receivers. While previous research aimed at optimizing transmission under a total power constraint over all antennas, we provide a framework for solving the optimization under power constraints per arbitrary groups of antennas. The results include power constraints per antenna as well as a sum-power constraint as special cases. The scenario is motivated by recent interest in so called network- MIMO techniques where mobile terminals may be served by multiple base stations subjected to individual power constraints.
Unimodular sequence design for good autocorrelation properties

Unimodular (i.e., constant modulus) sequences with good autocorrelation properties are useful in several areas, including communications, radar and sonar. The integrated sidelobe level (ISL) is often used to express the goodness of the autocorrelation properties of a given sequence. In this paper, we present several cyclic algorithms for the local minimization of ISL-related metrics. To illustrate the performance of the proposed algorithms, we present a number of examples including the design of sequences that have virtually zero autocorrelation sidelobes in a specified lag interval, and of long sequences that could hardly be handled by means of other algorithms previously suggested in the literature.
The Existence of Madura Local Food Commodity-Based Microbusinesses

The importance of the existence of a business is to survive and have competitiveness in the midst of the current Covid-19 pandemic. The problem that is often faced by microbusiness in Bangkalan is that their strengths are less able to overcome weaknesses and threats. This study aims to determine the existence of microbusiness which will further produce strategic recommendations for survival. This research is through descriptive analysis, the variables studied are described. While qualitative analysis is used in assessing data sources, data reduction, and drawing conclusions which are analyzed using multiple linear regression analysis and SWOT. The results show that existence is influenced by purchasing power, product availability, and regulation. While the resulting strategic recommendations are not to increase production and inventory volumes during the pandemic, to create alternative income, to create alternative sales mechanisms, not to aggressively expand business, and to collaborate with banks as strategic partners for sources of financing, information, and business development.
Low-Voltage Bipolar-Type DC Microgrid for Super High Quality Distribution

Microgrid is one of the new conceptual power systems for smooth installation of many distributed generations (DGs). While most of the microgrids adopt ac distribution as well as conventional power systems, dc microgrids are proposed and researched for the good connection with dc output type sources such as photovoltaic (PV) system, fuel cell, and secondary battery. Moreover, if loads in the system are supplied with dc power, the conversion losses from sources to loads are reduced compared with ac microgrid. As one of the dc microgrids, we propose “low-voltage bipolar-type dc microgrid,” which can supply super high quality power with three-wire dc distribution line. In this paper, one system for a residential complex is presented as an instance of the dc microgrid. In this system, each house has a cogeneration system (CGS) such as gas engine and fuel cell. The output electric power is shared among the houses, and the total power can be controlled by changing the running number of CGSs. Super capacitors are chosen as main energy storage. To confirm the fundamental characteristics and system operations, we experimented with a laboratory scale system. The results showed that the proposed system could supply high-quality power under several conditions.
Méthodes de reconstruction du profil de densité pour la réflectométrie en mode extraordinaire.Density profile reconstruction methods for extraordinary mode reflectometry.

The goal of this PhD is to improve the data analysis techniques of frequency swept reflectometry for determination of the density profile of fusion plasmas. There has been significant improvements in the last two decades on the hardware design and signal extraction techniques, but the data analysis is lagging behind and require further improvements to meet the required standards for continuous operation in future reactors. The improvements obtained in this thesis on the reconstruction of density profiles provide a better accuracy in a shorter time, even in the presence of a density hole, also enabling sufficiently precise measurements of the properties of turbulence used to validate numerical models, and allowing real-time monitoring of the shape and position of the plasma
Pre-Ictal phase detection algorithm based on one dimensional EEG signals and two dimensional formed images analysis

Over 50 million persons worldwide are affected by epilepsy. It can affect equally young babies as well as old people. Epilepsy is a brain disorder characterized by the neurobiological, cognitive, psychological and social consequences. It is known for sudden, unexpected transitions from normal to pathological behavioral states called epileptic seizures. Epilepsy poses a significant burden to society due to associated healthcare cost to treat and control the unpredictable and spontaneous occurrence of seizures. There is a need for a quick screening process that could help neurologists diagnose and determine the patient's treatment. Electroencephalogram has been traditionally used to diagnose patients by evaluating those brain functions that might correspond to epilepsy. This research focuses on developing new classification technique and the prediction of pre-ictal states that announce epileptic seizures, from the online EEG data analysis. The idea is to place electrodes on critical regions on the patient's head that would wirelessly communicate with the EEG recorder and the unit that performs online automated pre-ictal state detection based on obtained EEG signal. The patient should get timely alert about the possible seizure attack so that she/he can stop with its activities and take safety precautions.
Lessons from the Past-Progress for the Future-1-Using game theory for producing quality plans : A Pac-Man simulation experiment

Organizational development frameworks like total quality management (TQM) are known for creating conflicts between change agents and managers. Some researchers believe that playing video games has an impact on how people make decisions and handle conflicts. The purpose of this paper is to identify and investigate a PacMan model for developing optimal TQM strategies. An empirical study has been carried out as discourse analysis in terms of using the video game of Pac-Man as a theoretical lens for describing conflicts and progress in a five year TQM development project. The results are presented as simulations of game play, suggesting how PacMan strategies can be used as TQM strategies. Three strategies are identified as (1) finding and following the “patterns” in the organizational maze that can be audited without upsetting management, (2) eating “power pellets” when the organization is in a receptive mode, and (3) eating “bonus fruits” of management appreciation whenever it appears.
Securing Collaborative Spectrum Sensing against Untrustworthy Secondary Users in Cognitive Radio Networks

Cognitive radio is a revolutionary paradigm to migrate the spectrum scarcity problem in wireless networks. In cognitive radio networks, collaborative spectrum sensing is considered as an effective method to improve the performance of primary user detection. For current collaborative spectrum sensing schemes, secondary users are usually assumed to report their sensing information honestly. However, compromised nodes can send false sensing information to mislead the system. In this paper, we study the detection of untrustworthy secondary users in cognitive radio networks. We first analyze the case when there is only one compromised node in collaborative spectrum sensing schemes. Then we investigate the scenario that there are multiple compromised nodes. Defense schemes are proposed to detect malicious nodes according to their reporting histories. We calculate the suspicious level of all nodes based on their reports. The reports from nodes with high suspicious levels will be excluded in decision-making. Compared with existing defense methods, the proposed scheme can effectively differentiate malicious nodes and honest nodes. As a result, it can significantly improve the performance of collaborative sensing. For example, when there are 10 secondary users, with the primary user detection rate being equal to 0.99, one malicious user can make the false alarm rate increase to 72%. The proposed scheme can reduce it to 5%. Two malicious users can make increase to 85% and the proposed scheme reduces it to 8%.
Characterization of six new capsular types (23 through 28) of Streptococcus suis

Six new capsular types of Streptococcus suis (types 23 to 28) are described. All reference strains were isolated from diseased pigs and were morphologically and biochemically similar to previously described capsular types 1 to 22. Clear and specific reactions were obtained for each of the new capsular types with three different typing techniques; no cross-reactions were detected among them or with other S. suis capsular types. Their capsular material presented similar ultrastructural characteristics, as shown by electron microscopy, and fimbriae similar to those described for other capsular types of S. suis were observed. When untypeable field isolates were tested with antisera raised against the six new capsular types, capsular type 23 appeared to be the most prevalent, representing more than 50% of all these isolates. Most isolates were recovered from cases of pneumonia, septicemia, and meningitis. Presumptive biochemical identification described for S. suis capsular types 1 to 22 may also be used for capsular types 23 to 28.
Three-dimensional Numerical Simulation of Airflow in Oscillating Water Column Device

ABSTRACT Lee, K.H. and Kim, T.G. , 2018. Three-dimensional Numerical Simulation of Airflow in Oscillating Water Column Device. In: Shim, J.-S. ; Chun, I. , and Lim, H.S. (eds.), Proceedings from the International Coastal Symposium (ICS) 2018 (Busan, Republic of Korea). Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 85, pp. 1346–1350. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. An Oscillating Water Column (OWC) is a wave energy converting technology that uses the compressed and decompressed airflow induced by the vertical oscillations of water column inside the chamber as a driving force of an airflow turbine. In this study, three-dimensional numerical simulations of a bottom-fixed OWC are performed to understand the interaction of an OWC device with regular waves. The open-source CFD model REEF3D is used, which is able to consider immiscible two-phases (air and water) using the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations. The simulation capability of REEF3D is validated by comparison with experimental data for wave deformations caused by the OWC and air-flow fields and the airflow velocity in the chamber. The numerical results revealed that the CFD numerical tool REEF3D can successfully simulate wave deformations caused by wave-OWC interactions, and directly estimate an air velocity inside the chamber. In addition, it was found that a phase difference occurs between time series of free surface evolution and air velocity evolution.
Optimal Monte Carlo Estimation of Belief Network Inference

We present two Monte Carlo sampling algorithms for probabilistic inference that guarantee polynomial-time convergence for a larger class of network than current sampling algorithms provide. These new methods are variants of the known likelihood weighting algorithm. We use of recent advances in the theory of optimal stopping rules for Monte Carlo simulation to obtain an inference approximation with relative error e and a small failure probability δ. We present an empirical evaluation of the algorithms which demonstrates their improved performance.
The Relationship Between Organizational Characteristics and the Structure of the Information Services Function

Although much has been written about the centralization versus decentralization of information services, relatively little is known about how the structure of an organization influences the level of centralization or decentralization. This paper presents the results of a study which examined the organizational context of the information services function. The authors attempted to identify those organizational characteristics that are associated with the structure of the information services function. It was found that the organizational environment does not have an influence upon the level of decentralization of information services. Few organizational characteristics, however, ere found to influence the structure of information services consistently across all organizations. Further research relating organizational form to its impact on information services is suggested.
Evaluation of quantum dot immunofluorescence and a digital CMOS imaging system as an alternative to conventional organic fluorescence dyes and laser scanning for quantifying protein microarrays

Organic fluorescent dyes are widely used for the visualization of bound antibody in a variety of immunofluorescence assays. However, the detection equipment is often expensive, fragile, and hard to deploy widely. Quantum dots (Qdot) are nanocrystals made of semiconductor materials that emit light at different wavelengths according to the size of the crystal, with increased brightness and stability. Here, we have evaluated a small benchtop “personal” optical imager (ArrayCAM) developed for quantification of protein arrays probed by Qdot‐based indirect immunofluorescence. The aim was to determine if the Qdot imager system provides equivalent data to the conventional organic dye‐labeled antibody/laser scanner system. To do this, duplicate proteome microarrays of Vaccinia virus, Brucella melitensis and Plasmodium falciparum were probed with identical samples of immune sera, and IgG, IgA, and IgM profiles visualized using biotinylated secondary antibodies followed by a tertiary reagent of streptavidin coupled to either P3 (an organic cyanine dye typically used for microarrays) or Q800 (Qdot). The data show excellent correlation for all samples tested (R > 0.8) with no significant change of antibody reactivity profiles. We conclude that Qdot detection provides data equivalent to that obtained using conventional organic dye detection. The portable imager offers an economical, more robust, and deployable alternative to conventional laser array scanners.
Insiders and Outsiders: Does Forbidding Sexual Harassment Exacerbate Gender Inequality?

Sexual harassment is perceived to be a major impediment to female labor force participation. Using novel data on all workplace sexual harassment precedent in US Circuit Courts from 1982-2002, we exploit the random assignment of US appellate judges and the fact that a judge’s gender and party of appointment predict decisions in sexual harassment cases to demonstrate the causal impact of pro-plaintiff sexual harassment precedent on the adoption of sexual harassment human resources policies and reduction in gender inequality. Consistent with an insider-outsider model of involuntary unemployment, forbidding sexual harassment encouraged entry of outsiders and reduced gender inequality along the dimensions of quantity and price, particularly in the construction industry, which was heavily affected by sexual harassment litigation, but these ameliorative effects are reduced for insider women. Pro-plaintiff decisions spurred the adoption of sexual harassment human resources policies by 4.8 percentage points and increased female employment shares by 0.4 percentage points.
Accuracy and reliability of ocean current and wave monitoring with the coastal radar “WERA”

The WERA system (WavE RAdar) is a shore based remote sensing system to monitor ocean surface currents, waves and wind direction. WERA is using the lowest noise FMcw technique to provide highest temporal and fine spatial resolution for time critical applications. The vertical polarised electromagnetic wave is coupled to the conductive ocean surface and will follow the curvature of the earth. This over the horizon oceanography radar can pick up back-scattered signals (Bragg effect) up to ranges of more than 200 km. Publications about the results from systems installed all over the world have proved the accuracy of the WERA system. The reliability of these ocean data was studied for more than 2 years at a permanent WERA installation at the French coast near Brest.