Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Estimation of Recursive Route Choice Models with Incomplete Trip Observations

This work concerns the estimation of recursive route choice models in the situation that the trip observations are incomplete, i.e., there are unconnected links (or nodes) in the observations. A direct approach to handle this issue would be intractable because enumerating all paths between unconnected links (or nodes) in a real network is typically not possible. We exploit an expectation-maximization (EM) method that allows to deal with the missing-data issue by alternatively performing two steps of sampling the missing segments in the observations and solving maximum likelihood estimation problems. Moreover, observing that the EM method would be expensive, we propose a new estimation method based on the idea that the choice probabilities of unconnected link observations can be exactly computed by solving systems of linear equations. We further design a new algorithm, called as decomposition-composition (DC), that helps reduce the number of systems of linear equations to be solved and speed up the estimation. We compare our proposed algorithms with some standard baselines using a dataset from a real network and show that the DC algorithm outperforms the other approaches in recovering missing information in the observations. Our methods work with most of the recursive route choice models proposed in the literature, including the recursive logit, nested recursive logit, or discounted recursive models.
A Survey on XAI for Beyond 5G Security: Technical Aspects, Use Cases, Challenges and Research Directions

With the advent of 5G commercialization, the need for more reliable, faster, and intelligent telecommunication systems are envisaged for the next generation beyond 5G (B5G) radio access technologies. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are not just immensely popular in the service layer applications but also have been proposed as essential enablers in many aspects of B5G networks, from IoT devices and edge computing to cloud-based infrastructures. However, existing B5G ML-security surveys tend to place more emphasis on AI/ML model performance and accuracy than on the models' accountability and trustworthiness. In contrast, this paper explores the potential of Explainable AI (XAI) methods, which would allow B5G stakeholders to inspect intelligent black-box systems used to secure B5G networks. The goal of using XAI in the security domain of B5G is to allow the decision-making processes of the ML-based security systems to be transparent and comprehensible to B5G stakeholders making the systems accountable for automated actions. In every facet of the forthcoming B5G era, including B5G technologies such as RAN, zero-touch network management, E2E slicing, this survey emphasizes the role of XAI in them and the use cases that the general users would ultimately enjoy. Furthermore, we presented the lessons learned from recent efforts and future research directions on top of the currently conducted projects involving XAI.
Non-reciprocal emissivity, partial coherence, and amplification of internal energy from photon recycling when thermal radiation is sourced within matter

Photons excited into an internal ground-state mode at temperature T display well-defined partitioning of photons among variable transport properties such as photon phase, lifetime and distance travelled since creation. These property distributions have a mean, and a maximum which sets the distance from an interface photon creation can contribute to thermal radiation. All thermally excited photons at frequency f have the same phase velocity set by their standing wave’s optical index n(f). Internal fluxes and internal energy then depend on T and the mode density set by n(f). All photons per mode that strike an interface and are obliquely emitted are refracted, so their exit intensities are irreversible except when very weak internal attenuation occurs. Attenuation index k(f) at very low T ~0 K is small, so universal reversibility is then approximate, but when T increases refraction of exiting photons varies as attenuation index k(f) rises. Total emission remains reversible after transitioning through a non-equilibrium state with no other heat inputs. In equilibrium the densities of excitations that create and annihilate photons are in balance with photon densities, and emissivity depends on n(f), k(f), T and internal incident direction q *. Exit spectral intensities containing strong resonant intensities from pure water and crystalline silica are modelled, and match data accurately. Intrinsic resonances formed within liquids and compounds are due to photon modes hybridising with localized excitations, including molecular oscillations and the anharmonic component of lattice distortions. They explain the many resonant spectral intensities seen in remote sensing. Each hybrid oscillator is a photonic “virtual-bound-state” whose energy fluctuates between levels separated by hf. Other features addressed; radiance due to solid angle change at exit, anomalous refraction, thermal recycling of internally reflected photons, fluxes within multilayers, and enhanced internal heat flux from drag” by photon density temperature
Minimax Robust Quickest Change Detection using Wasserstein Ambiguity Sets

We study the robust quickest change detection under unknown pre- and post-change distributions. To deal with uncertainties in the data-generating distributions, we formulate two data-driven ambiguity sets based on the Wasserstein distance, without any parametric assumptions. The minimax robust test is constructed as the CUSUM test under least favorable distributions, a representative pair of distributions in the ambiguity sets. We show that the minimax robust test can be obtained in a tractable way and is asymptotically optimal. We investigate the effectiveness of the proposed robust test over existing methods, including the generalized likelihood ratio test and the robust test under KL divergence based ambiguity sets.
The eclipsing binary systems with δ Scuti component – II. AB Cas

We present a complex study of the eclipsing binary system, AB Cas. The analysis of the whole TESS light curve, corrected for the binary effects, reveals 112 significant frequency peaks with 17 independent signals. The dominant frequency f1 = 17.1564 d−1 is a radial fundamental mode. The O − C analysis of the times of light minima from over 92 years leads to a conclusion that due to the ongoing mass transfer the system exhibits a change of the orbital period at a rate of 0.03 s per year. In order to find evolutionary models describing the current stage of AB Cas, we perform binary evolution computations. Our results show the AB Cas system as a product of the rapid non-conservative mass transfer with about 5-26% of transferred mass lost from the system. This process heavily affected the orbital characteristics of this binary and its components in the past. In fact, this system closely resemble the formation scenarios of EL CVn type binaries. For the first time, we demonstrate the effect of binary evolution on radial pulsations and determine the lines of constant frequency on the HR diagram. From the binary and seismic modelling, we obtain constraints on various parameters. In particular, we constrain the overshooting parameter, fov ∈ [0.010, 0.018], the mixing-length parameter, αMLT ∈ [1.2, 1.5] and the age, t ∈ [2.3, 3.4] Gyr.
Developing Reading Material for Elementary Students in Tourism Area by Inserting Local Culture

This research and development (R&D) aimed at 1) developing reading material for the fifth grade students of elementary schools in tourism area, and (2) investigating the quality of the material developed. To gather the data, this study used scoring rubric, questionnaires, observation sheets, interview guide, and test. This study used the development model proposed by Sugiyono (2011) and was developed based on the characteristics of good reading material proposed by Tomlinson (1998). The results showed that (1) reading material was developed by involving some of local contents and (2) reading material had high validity and practicality and was proven to be effective. It then can be concluded that to make good quality of a reading material, the development of it should involve local content and should be based on the criteria of good material.
Impersonalization in Slavic: A Corpus-Based Study of Impersonalization Strategies in Six Slavic Languages

Abstract:This paper gives a comprehensive overview of how impersonalization is expressed in Slavic. It presents the results of a comparative corpus study, outlining all possible strategies for expressing impersonalization in six Slavic languages (Russian, Ukrainian, Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, and Polish), using German man as a filter. This paper shows on the basis of a random sample of over 5,000 translated sentences which impersonalization means Slavic languages use to express propositional content expressed by the pronoun man in German. Additionally, this pilot study answers two questions: (1) How do Slavic languages differ in the distribution of these impersonalization strategies? and (2) Are there major translation effects? The main findings are an outline of a cross-Slavic set of impersonalization strategies that reveals significant differences between the Slavic languages in the distribution of man-equivalents and a highly significant impact of the source language on the choice of the impersonalization strategy in translation.
Webometric Analysis of University Websites in Sri Lanka

Abundant research has been done on webometrics regarding the control of websites on each other and the trustworthiness of Web Impact Factor (WIF) as a quantitative instrument to demonstrate the visibility and brunt of websites. The main intention of this investigation is to learn the impact of 19 universities spread over the country of Sri Lanka on the web. Consequently, total number of web pages and links into every university were calculated by advance search skill of AltaVista search engine. On the whole, inlink and self-link WIFs for all website were calculated. In wrapping up the universities ranked according to these parameters. The outcome demonstrates that The universities of Srilanka are possessing varied domains for their home pages namely . ac . net and . lk but most of them (89.47%) prefer the sub level domain like . ac, University of Colombo, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, University of Peradeniya ranked one by possessing highest web pages, inlinks and selflinks respectively. University of the Visual & Performing Arts of Sri Lanka topped one for web impact factor for inlinks, The Open University of Sri Lanka ranked one for web impact factor for selflinks and here once again university of Colombo is first in the WISER ranking.
Gifted Education in Lebanon: Time to Rethink Teaching the Gifted

ABSTRACT Lebanon is a country that places a high value on education, with the culture specifically rewarding effort and achievement. Despite this, no educational policies for gifted students exist in the country. This article outlines findings from a mixed method case study investigating the perceptions of more than 280 Lebanese teachers about educational approaches used to identify and teach highly able/gifted primary school students. Findings acknowledge reservations among teacher participants in relation to offering special services for gifted students. Although the analysis illustrated an overall lack of awareness of practices that have been identified in international research as effective for identifying and providing for gifted students, there was ample evidence of the desire of teacher participants to become more informed about evidence-based practice. This suggests the time is ripe for a revised focus on gifted education in Teacher Education within Lebanon.
An Investigation of an Early College Entrance Program’s Ability to Impact Intellectual and Social Development

ABSTRACT Self-reported perceptions of the impact of acceleration through an early college entrance program at the University of Iowa National Academy of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering (NAASE), revealed the program’s contribution to students’ overall development. Responses from a sample of 76-gifted participants to a 64-item survey offered insights about accelerated college-aged students’ perceptions of their intellectual and social growth, peer and family relationships, leadership ability, happiness, and peer acceptance. Self-perceptions of NAASE program effectiveness were generally positive. Not all abilities or skills were perceived as equally impacted as a function of participation in the NAASE program. Results add to the growing literature explicating the effects of participation in an early college entrance program on the development and peer relationships of gifted students. Implications are discussed for further research.
Beneficial cardiovascular and remodeling effects of SGLT 2 inhibitors

ABSTRACT Introduction This paper intended to review the data regarding the multipotential effects of the sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT 2) inhibitors, their cardiovascular effects, and their mechanism of action. Areas covered The SGLT2 inhibitors exert their beneficial antidiabetic and cardioprotective effects through increased glucose excretion from the kidneys, blood pressure and weight lowering, vasodilation and other potential beneficial effects. They have been used for the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) as well as in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD), coronary artery disease (CAD),and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). To get a better understanding of their mechanism of action for their multiple cardiovascular protective effects, a Medline search of the English language literature was conducted between 2015 and February 2022 and 46 pertinent papers were selected. Expert opinion The analysis of data clearly demonstrated that the use of the SGLT2 inhibitors besides their antidiabetic effects, provide additional protection against CVD, CAD, and HFrEF and HFpEF, and death, but not stroke, in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients. Therefore, they should be preferably used for the treatment of patients with T2DM with preexisting CVD, CAD, and HFrEF and HFpEF
How longtime residents use visual media cues to determine evacuation actions before hurricanes

Abstract This study sought to measure risk perception and behavioral intention in rural and urban communities in Mississippi and Alabama when severe weather strikes. We developed an experiment testing how visual cues and media messages surrounding an impending hurricane could influence an individual's decision-making in the situation. Respondents were selected from six counties on Mississippi and Alabama coastlines and placed into one of three conditions, each of which described a hypothetical “Hurricane Farrah,” which was near landfall nearby. Data were collected on 466 respondents and analysis determined that the live video was least likely to motivate respondents to take evacuation measures.
Characterizing the performance of a do-it-yourself (DIY) box fan air filter

Abstract Air filtration serves to reduce concentrations of particles in indoor environments. Most standalone, also referred to as portable or in-room, air filtration systems use HEPA filters, and cost generally scales with the clean air delivery rate. A “do-it-yourself” lower-cost alternative, known as the Corsi-Rosenthal Box, that uses MERV-13 filters coupled with a box fan has been recently proposed, but lacks systematic performance characterization. We have characterized the performance of a five-panel Corsi-Rosenthal air cleaner using both research-grade instrumentation (an aerodynamic particle sizer, APS) and a low-cost particle sensor. Measurements of size-resolved and overall decay rates of aerosol particles larger than 0.5 microns emitted into rooms of varying size with and without the air cleaner allowed for determination of the apparent clean air delivery rate—both as a function of size and integrated across particle sizes for a number-weighted median particle diameter of 1.2 ± 0.12 microns. The measurements made in the different rooms produced similar results, demonstrating the robustness of the method used. The size-integrated effective clean air delivery rate increases with fan speed, from about 600 to 850 ft3 min−1 (1019 to 1444 m3 h−1) as determined with the APS. The low-cost sensor yields similar clean air delivery rates as the APS, demonstrating a method by which others who lack access to research-grade instruments can determine the effectiveness of Corsi-Rosenthal Boxes that use components that differ from those used here. Overall, our results demonstrate that our Corsi-Rosenthal air cleaner efficiently reduces suspended particle concentrations in indoor environments.
How to Support Users in Understanding Intelligent Systems? An Analysis and Conceptual Framework of User Questions Considering User Mindsets, Involvement, and Knowledge Outcomes

The opaque nature of many intelligent systems violates established usability principles and thus presents a challenge for human-computer interaction. Research in the field therefore highlights the need for transparency, scrutability, intelligibility, interpretability and explainability, among others. While all of these terms carry a vision of supporting users in understanding intelligent systems, the underlying notions and assumptions about users and their interaction with the system often remain unclear. We review the literature in HCI through the lens of implied user questions to synthesise a conceptual framework integrating user mindsets, user involvement, and knowledge outcomes to reveal, differentiate and classify current notions in prior work. This framework aims to resolve conceptual ambiguity in the field and enables researchers to clarify their assumptions and become aware of those made in prior work. We further discuss related aspects such as stakeholders and trust, and also provide material to apply our framework in practice (e.g., ideation/design sessions). We thus hope to advance and structure the dialogue on supporting users in understanding intelligent systems.
The Virginia Tech Phasor Data Concentrator Analysis & Testing System

The development of Smart Grid and an increased emphasis on Wide Area Measurement, Automation, Protection and Control (WAMPAC) has lead to the substantial increase in the development and use of Synchrophasor Systems. The Department of Energy having realized its importance in the Power System has encouraged its deployment through the Smart Grid Investment Grant. With many utilities beginning to implement a large number of PMUs over their respective power systems, Phasor Data Concentrators (PDCs) play a crucial part in accurately relaying data from the point of measurement to the operators at the control center. The current Synchrophasor standard, IEEE C37.118-2005 covers adequately the steady state characterization of PMUs but does not specify requirements for PDCs. Having recognized the need for such a standard for PDCs, the North American Synchrophasor Initiative (NASPI) has developed a guide outlining some of its objectives, functions and tests requirements. Virginia Tech has developed a PDC Test System under these guidelines and as per the requirements of the PJM Synchrophasor Systems Deployment Project. This thesis focuses on the testing tools developed and the procedures implemented in the Virginia Tech PDC Test System.
Bacillus Calmette-Gu (cid:1) erin vaccine to reduce healthcare worker absenteeism in COVID-19 pandemic, a randomized controlled trial * Clinical Microbiology and Infection

controlled trial Trained immunity Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic increases healthcare worker (HCW) absenteeism. The bacillus Calmette-Gu (cid:1) erin (BCG) vaccine may provide non-speci ﬁ c protection against respiratory infections through enhancement of trained immunity. We investigated the impact of BCG vaccination on HCW absenteeism during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: HCWs exposed to COVID-19 patients in nine Dutch hospitals were randomized to BCG vaccine or placebo in a 1:1 ratio, and followed for one year using a mobile phone application. The primary endpoint was the self-reported number of days of unplanned absenteeism for any reason. Secondary endpoints included documented COVID-19, acute respiratory symptoms or fever. This was an investigator-funded study, registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03987919). Results: In March/April 2020, 1511 HCWs were enrolled. The median duration of follow-up was 357 person-days (interquartile range [IQR], 351 to 361). Unplanned absenteeism for any reason was observed in 2.8% of planned working days in the BCG group and 2.7% in the placebo group (adjusted relative risk 0.94; 95% credible interval, 0.78 e 1.15). Cumulative incidences of documented COVID-19 were 14.2% in the BCG and 15.2% in the placebo group (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 0.94; 95% con ﬁ dence interval (CI), 0.72 e 1.24). First episodes of self-reported acute respiratory symptoms or in 490 and 443 (60.2%) participants, respectively (aHR: 1.13; 95% CI, 0.99 e 1.28). Thirty-one serious adverse events were reported (13 after BCG, 18 after placebo), none considered related to study medication. Conclusions: During the COVID-19 pandemic, BCG-vaccination of HCW exposed to COVID-19 patients did not reduce unplanned absenteeism nor documented COVID-19. Thijs ten Doesschate, Clin Microbiol Infect 2022;28:1278 © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons. org/licenses/by/4.0/). randomized trial determine
New methods for the computational fabrication of appearance

Abstract : 3D printing has been advancing rapidly with new machines becoming available each year. They can already accurately reproduce an object's shape. However, they are very limited when reproducing the object's appearance. Computational fabrication of appearance is an interesting research direction which seeks to extend the appearance reproduction capabilities of current devices and also to manage their limitations. It can have great impact in a number of different fields including product prototyping and design, realistic prosthesis and watermarks in security. This thesis presents three appearance fabrication works: a similarity metric, a light routing algorithm and reflectance fabrication process. First, recent spatially varying reflectance (svBRDF) printing systems can reproduce an input document as a combination of matte, glossy and metallic inks. Due to the limited number of inks, this reproduction process incurs some distortion. To preserve a material's perceived variation with lighting and view, we introduce an improved BRDF similarity metric that builds on both experimental results on reflectance perception and on the statistics of natural lighting environments. We validate it quantitatively as well as through a perceptual study. We also show how to adapt traditional color gamut mapping methods to svBRDFs to preserve textures and edges. Second, we use multi-material 3D printing to fabricate objects with embedded optical fibers, exploiting total internal reflection to guide light inside an object. We introduce automatic fiber design algorithms together with new manufacturing techniques to route light between two arbitrary surfaces. Our implicit algorithm optimizes light transmission by minimizing fiber curvature and maximizing fiber separation while respecting manufacturing constraints. Our methods enables new applications in sensing and display such as surface displays of arbitrary shape. Third, existing BRDF fabrication methods are restricted to usin