Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analyzing Feature Relevance for Linear Reject Option SVM using Relevance Intervals

When machine learning is applied in safety-critical or otherwise sensitive areas, the analysis of feature relevance can be an important tool to keep the size of models small, and thus easier to understand, and to analyze how different features impact the behavior of the model. In the presence of correlated features, feature relevances and the solution to the minimal-optimal feature selection problem are not unique. One approach to solving this problem is identifying feature relevance intervals that symbolize the range of relevance given to each feature by a set of equivalent models. In this contribution, we address the issue of calculating relevance intervals – a unique representation of relevance – for reject option support vector machines with a linear kernel, which have the option of rejecting a data point if they are unsure about its label.
A Graph-based Disambiguation Approach for Construction of an Expert Repository from Public Online Sources

The paper describes a dynamic framework for the construction and maintenance of an expert-finding repository through the continuous gathering and processing of online information. An initial set of online sources, relevant to the topic of interest, is identified to perform an initial collection of author profiles and publications. The extracted information is used as a seed to further enrich the expert profiles by considering other, potentially complementary, online data sources. The resulting expert repository is represented as a graph, where related author profiles are dynamically clustered together via a complex author disambiguation process leading to continuous merging and splitting of author nodes. Several rules are developed that assign weights to the links in the graph based on author similarities such as name, affiliation, e-mail, co-authors, and interests. Dynamic clustering of the authors depending on these weights results in the identification of unique experts for a specific domain. The developed disambiguation and author clustering algorithms are validated on several authors with varying name notations showing an improvement on the identification of unique profiles of 28% compared to the
Quaternion-based robust attitude control for quadrotors

A robust control method is proposed for quadrotor systems. The designed controller is developed based upon the quaternion representation model, which is subject to multiple uncertainties. A feedback controller is proposed to restrain the effects of nonlinearities and uncertainties on the closed-loop system. These uncertainties are considered as input equivalent disturbances and their effects are proven to be attenuated. Experimental results show the effectiveness of the designed control method.
Fluorescent in situ hybridization analysis of cervical smears. A pilot study of 20 cases.

The Papanicolaou smear has been established as a useful cytological screening tool that has greatly contributed to the reduction of cervical cancer related mortalities. This test, however, cannot reveal underlying genetic damage, i.e., numerical and structural chromosomal abnormalities that may predispose an individual to a future potentially life-threatening cervical neoplasm. An assay that has the ability to detect genetic abnormalities in interphase cervical mucosal cells will be a useful complement to the Papanicolaou smear on cytological preparations. The present project explores such a possibility using the technique of fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). The chromosome 8 specific alpha-satellite probe is initially used because of our past experience in the validation of this probe in various cancers. The applicability of this assay, however, is not restricted to the use of this particular probe. Data on our initial pilot study of 20 cases revealed that such an interphase FISH assay is indeed feasible as a potential future screening tool for cervical cancer.
Filter Technology: Integrated Wastewater Irrigation and Treatment, a Way of Water Scarcity Alleviation, Pollution Elimination and Health Risk Prevention

The use of urban wastewater in agriculture is a widely established practice for alleviating water scarcity situations and reducing or even eliminating the purchase of chemical fertilizers. However, unregulated irrigation with untreated wastewater poses serious public health risks, as sewage is a major source of excreted pathogens that cause gastro-intestinal infections in human beings. Wastewater may also contain highly poisonous chemical toxins from industrial sources that may cause much more serious long-term health risks. Reuse after proper treatment is normally recommended as the main solution of preventing health risks. Unfortunately, because of the high cost of engineering plants, most cities in developing countries do not have sufficient wastewater treatment capacity, and the perspectives of the capacity increasing in these cities are bleak. Planned and regulated wastewater irrigation with crop limitations and proper irrigation methods (for example local irrigation) may to some extent, prevent health risks. But for a given territory, it is often impossible to limit the type of crops to be grown. This paper introduces the FILTER (Filtration and Irrigated cropping for Land Treatment and Effluent Re-use) technique, an improved land treatment technique developed at CSIRO, Australia and tested both in Australia and China. FILTER combines the use of nutrient-rich wastewater for intensive cropping with filtration through the soil to a subsurface drainage system. Therefore, FILTER has the capacity to handle high volumes of wastewater in a relatively small land area and during periods of low cropping activity or periods of high rainfall. In order to produce minimum-pollutant drainage water which meets general environmental criteria for re-use and discharge to surface water bodies, the wastewater application and subsurface drainage in the FILTER system needs to be managed to ensure adequate removal of pollutants, while maintaining required drainage flow rates. Trial results indicate that a well-managed FILTER technique can reduce pollutant levels in drainage waters below EPA limits, while maintaining crop yields and nutrient removal to potentially make it a sustainable system.
Finite element modeling for predicting the contact pressure between a foam mattress and the human body in a supine position

Abstract In this paper, we generated finite element (FE) models to predict the contact pressure between a foam mattress and the human body in a supine position. Twenty-year-old males were used for three-dimensional scanning to produce the FE human models, which was composed of skin and muscle tissue. A linear elastic isotropic material model was used for the skin, and the Mooney–Rivlin model was used for the muscle tissue because it can effectively represent the nonlinear behavior of muscle. The contact pressure between the human model and the mattress was predicted by numerical simulation. The human models were validated by comparing the body pressure distribution obtained from the same human subject when he was lying on two different mattress types. The experimental results showed that the slope of the lower part of the mattress caused a decrease in the contact pressure at the heels, and the effect of bone structure was most pronounced in the scapula. After inserting a simple structure to function as the scapula, the contact pressure predicted by the FE human models was consistent with the experimental body pressure distribution for all body parts. These results suggest that the models proposed in this paper will be useful to researchers and designers of products related to the prevention of pressure ulcers.
Treating Juveniles in a Sex Offender Program Using Adventure-Based Programming: A Matched Group Design

Ninety-five male juvenile sex offenders in an adventure-based behavior management program (LEGACY) were matched with male juveniles in state treatment-as-usual and other specialized programs in the same state to determine program effectiveness (as measured by rearrest rates). The LEGACY program demonstrated significant treatment effectiveness on rearrest rates when compared with youth development centers and other specialized programs two and three years later. Overall, three-year rearrest rates for the most serious reoffenses for each of the placements were as follows: 34.8% for YDC, 32.6% for OSP, and 19% for LEGACY.
A Large Scale Knowledge Base Representing the Base Form of Kaomoji

In this paper, we construct a large-scale knowledge base representing the base form of kao ji (emoticon) and other elements of kaomoji: eye, nose, mouth, and so on, to analyze features of ka mojiin detail. Previous methods to analyze kaomojimainly aim to extractkaomoji from sentences, paragraphs, or documents, or to classifykaomojiinto some emotion classes based on the emotion that kaomojishows or potentially includes. We define the base form of kaomojifor detailedkaomojianalytics. Application systems can estimate another feature of derivativekaomoji based on its base form and other elements for sentiment analytics, emotion extraction, orkaomojiclassification. We annotated about 40,000 kinds of kaomoji for constructing a largescale knowledge base. The total number of extracted base forms is about 3,000. In experimental evaluations based on cosine similarity using N-gram based features and simple Skip-gram based features, we show that the model can estimate the base form of kaomojiwith an accuracy of about 50%.
Particle Filtering With Invertible Particle Flow

A key challenge when designing particle filters in high-dimensional state spaces is the construction of a proposal distribution that is close to the posterior distribution. Recent advances in particle flow filters provide a promising avenue to avoid weight degeneracy; particles drawn from the prior distribution are migrated in the state space to the posterior distribution by solving partial differential equations. Numerous particle flow filters have been proposed based on different assumptions concerning the flow dynamics. Approximations are needed in the implementation of all of these filters; as a result, the particles do not exactly match a sample drawn from the desired posterior distribution. Past efforts to correct the discrepancies involve expensive calculations of importance weights. In this paper, we present new filters which incorporate deterministic particle flows into an encompassing particle filter framework. The valuable theoretical guarantees concerning particle filter performance still apply, but we can exploit the attractive performance of the particle flow methods. The filters we describe involve a computationally efficient weight update step, arising because the embedded particle flows we design possess an invertible mapping property. We evaluate the proposed particle flow particle filters’ performance through numerical simulations of a challenging multitarget multisensor tracking scenario and complex high-dimensional filtering examples.
Correlation of an Electrical Penetration Graph Waveform with Walking by Asian Citrus Psyllid, Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Psyllidae)

Electrical penetration graph (EPG) monitoring of insect feeding is a rigorous means of observing and quantifying the otherwise invisible feeding of piercing-sucking arthropods (Walker 2000). EPG is being used to study how the feeding behavior of the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) (Diaphorina citri Kuwayama) changes in response to insecticide residues (Serikawa et al. 2010; Serikawa et al. in press), in an effort to improve the efficacy of wide spread insecticide treatments against this insect in Florida citrus. ACP is the vector of the putative causal agent of Huanglongbing (HLB) disease, Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, the cause of millions of dollars in damage to the citrus indus try in Florida (Muraro & Morris 2009). The pri mary means of disease management at this time is insecticide treatment of vectors; however, it is presently unknown whether insecticides prevent performance of the feeding behaviors of ACP re quired for pathogen transmission. Coarse-scale EPG waveforms for ACP have been defined via standard EPG correlation meth
Obstacle map generation using virtual disparity image

The driving support system is one of the most important research fields in intelligent transport system (ITS). In this paper, we address an obstacle maps generation method for driving support system. The stereovision system is the one of most suit sensor to recognize details of environment. On the other hand, a disparity image obtained by stereovision system has quite a lot of information. Therefore an efficient algorithm to analyze obtained disparity image is strongly demanded. If the road surface is extracted, obstacles can be easily extracted by evaluating whether one object touch on a road or not. In this paper, we propose a novel method to estimate three-dimensional road surface position by using virtual disparity image. Moreover, an obstacle extraction method is expressed.
Tortoise burials in Namaqualand: uncovering ritual behaviour on South Africa's west coast

Numerous instances of deliberately buried tortoises have been uncovered at late Holocene sites along the Namaqualand coast of South Africa. They occur in small pits immediately beneath intact shell middens at the coast or below other archaeological layers at sites further inland. At the coast, the pits were never dug through the overlying midden material and, besides the tortoises, generally contain nothing except incidental inclusions. Other examples have been found further inland and to the south. Animal burials elsewhere appear invariably to be linked to ritual behaviour and it is concluded that the Namaqualand tortoise burials likely represent a consecration ritual developed within the last 800 years and marking the establishment of a new campsite.
Recent developments in radar altimetry over land and their application to the CryoSat -2 mission

Altimeters are active microwave instruments for the accurate measurement of vertical distances (between the spacecraft and the altimeter footprint). The technology determines the two-way delay of the radar pulse echo from the Earth's surface to a very high precision (to less than a nanosecond). The instrument is also able to measure the power and the shape of the reflected radar pulses. Since the first dedicated altimeter was launched on the Seasat platform in 1978, satellite altimetry has experienced incredible and continuous development as new sensors have been designed and have become operational. The accuracy in range measurements gradually reached values that have produced an extraordinary increase in our knowledge of many aspects of ocean and ice dynamics and variability. Mainly, the evolution of the altimeter transmitter is marked by improvements in pulse compression techniques that have substantially reduced peak power requirements, as reported in [1] and [2], for example. The altimeter missions considered in this paper operate at Ku-band. The choice of frequency is constrained by both the system and the operational requirements. Since a narrow transmitted pulse is required to achieve reasonable range precision, high-frequency operation supports both the large receiver bandwidth and the narrow antenna beamwidth requirements. The upper limit on the operational frequency is constrained by atmospheric attenuation effects that significantly degrade the performance of the altimeter for frequencies > 18 GHz. In some altimetric missions, such as Topex, the radar altimeter instrument includes a C-band transmitter so that ionospheric propagation delays can be accurately measured. Generally, the two-frequency system produces subdecimeter range precision so that very small variations (particularly in the ocean surface) can be detected.
Faculty development programs for medical teachers in India

Introduction India has the highest number of medical colleges in the world and subsequently the higher number of medical teachers. There is a dire need of adopting a systematic approach to faculty development to enhance quality education to meet health challenges for 21st Century. This manuscript provides a landscape of faculty development programs in India, identifying gaps and opportunities for reforms in faculty development. Methods Conventionally, FDPs are organized by medical colleges and universities through Basic Courses and Advanced Courses focusing on pedagogy. Medical Council of India is facilitating FDPs through 18 selected regional centers to enable medical teachers to avail modern education technology for teaching from July 2009. Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research has three Regional Institutes in India. Results Recommendations include the need for formulating a national strategy for faculty development to not only enhance the quantity of medical teachers but also the quality of medical education; providing support for Departments of Medical Education/Regional Centers in terms of finance and staffing and incorporation of teaching skills in postgraduate training. Conclusion Distance learning courses focusing on educational leadership and pedagogy for medical teachers can be an option to reach a wider audience. FDPs can be an asset in recruiting and retaining teachers as they offer valued professional development opportunities.
LAKE WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT FROM LANDSAT THEMATIC MAPPER DATA USING NEURAL NETWORK: AN APPROACH TO OPTIMAL BAND COMBINATION SELECTION1

Abstract: The concern about water quality in inland water bodies such as lakes and reservoirs has been increasing. Owing to the complexity associated with field collection of water quality samples and subsequent laboratory analyses, scientists and researchers have employed remote sensing techniques for water quality information retrieval. Due to the limitations of linear regression methods, many researchers have employed the artificial neural network (ANN) technique to decorrelate satellite data in order to assess water quality. In this paper, we propose a method that establishes the output sensitivity toward changes in the individual input reflectance channels while modeling water quality from remote sensing data collected by Landsat thematic mapper (TM). From the sensitivity, a hypothesis about the importance of each band can be made and used as a guideline to select appropriate input variables (band combination) for ANN models based on the principle of parsimony for water quality retrieval. The approach is illustrated through a case study of Beaver Reservoir in Arkansas, USA. The results of the case study are highly promising and validate the input selection procedure outlined in this paper. The results indicate that this approach could significantly reduce the effort and computational time required to develop an ANN water quality model.
Le débat sur la réforme municipale à Montréal. La place de la variable linguistique

Fortement mediatise, le debat sur les fusions municipales a occupe le devant de la scene montrealaise pendant les deux annees qui ont precede l’entree en vigueur de la loi creant la nouvelle ville de Montreal en janvier 2002. Abordant la controverse entourant les fusions municipales sous un angle nouveau, cet article la situe dans le contexte de la transformation des rapports interethniques au Quebec en mettant l’accent sur la place occupee par la variable linguistique. Pour faire ressortir les enjeux ethniques et linguistiques lies a cette reforme, peu explores dans les recentes etudes, nous examinons la facon dont la dimension linguistique a teinte l’ensemble de ce debat et faisons ressortir la centralite de la variable linguistique, d’abord comme argument fondamental des villes a statut bilingue, puis comme transcendant l’ensemble du debat sur les defusions.
Phase Modulated Radio-Over-Fiber System for High Order Modulation Millimeter Wave Link

A concept for highly linear radio-over-fiber links at millimeter wave frequencies is presented. The phase modulation based link uses digital processing for linear phase detection. The requirements for low Error-Vector-Magnitudes are analyzed in terms of link noise and third order link nonlinearity. Based on these results the required link bandwidth and susceptibility to chromatic dispersion are discussed. System simulations complement the analytical results to provide a description of link performance for link bandwidth, subcarrier frequency and baseband pulse shape. Experimental results obtained by transmitting higher order modulation formats up to 64QAM at 91 GHz underline the potential of the approach.
Light Scattering Characteristics of Aerosols as a Function of Relative Humidity: Part I—A Comparison of Measured Scattering and Aerosol Concentrations Using the Theoretical Models

ABSTRACT The Southeastern Aerosol and Visibility Study (SEAVS) was undertaken to characterize the size-dependent composition, thermodynamic properties, and optical characteristics of the ambient atmospheric particles in the southeastern United States. The field portion of the study was carried out from July 15 to August 25, 1995. As part of the study a relative humidity controlled inlet was built to raise or lower the relative humidity to predetermined levels before the aerosol was passed into an integrating nephelometer or particle-sizing device. Five other integrating nephelometers were operated in various configurations, two of which were fitted with a 2.5 μm inlet. Fine particle (<2.5 μm) samplers were operated to measure concentrations of sulfate, nitrate, and ammonium ions, organic and elemental carbon, and fine soil. Mass size distributions were measured with an eight-stage, single orifice cascade impactor.
Microbiologic assay of space hardware.

Review of the procedures used in the microbiological examination of space hardware. The general procedure for enumerating aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms and spores is outlined. Culture media and temperature-time cycles used for incubation are reviewed, along with assay systems designed for the enumeration of aerobic and anaerobic spores. The special problems which are discussed are involved in the precise and accurate enumeration of microorganisms on surfaces and in the neutralization of viable organisms buried inside solid materials that could be released to a planet's surface if the solid should be fractured. Special attention is given to sampling procedures including also the indirect techniques of surface assays of space hardware such as those using detachable or fallout strips. Some data on comparative levels of microbial contamination on lunar and planetary spacecraft are presented.
PRICING EXTERNAL-CHAINED BARRIER OPTIONS WITH EXPONENTIAL BARRIERS

Abstract. External barrier options are two-asset options with stochastic variables where the payoff depends on one underlying asset and the barrier depends on another state variable. The barrier state variable determines whether the option is knocked in or out when the value of the variable is above or below some prescribed barrier level. This paper derives the explicit analytic solution of the chained option with an external single or double barrier by utilizing the probabilistic methods the reflection principle and the change of measure. Before we do this, we examine the closed-form solution of the external barrier option with a single or doublecurved barrier using the methods of image and double Mellin transforms. The exact solution of the external barrier option price enables us to obtain the pricing formula of the chained option with the external barrier more easily.