Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Key Diagonal Blocks of the Fisher Information Matrix on Neural Manifold of Full-Parametrised Multilayer

Abstract: It’s well known the natural gradient learning (NGL) ([1]) may avoid global optima or phenomena of plateau in the training process since it takes into consideration the intrinsic geometric structure of the parameter space. But, natural gradient ([1]) is itself induced by Fisher information matrix (FIM) ([2]) defined on the 1-form tangent space ([3]), therefore calculation of relevant FIM is key to the realization of NGL. This paper gives explicit derivation and compact matrix representation of the diagonal blocks, and their inverses as well, of the FIM based Riemannian metric on neural manifold of full-parametrised multilayer perceptrons (MLP), thus extending and complementing the results partially given in [1] and [3].
By chance is not enough: preserving relative density through nonuniform sampling

Dealing with visualizations containing large data set is a challenging issue and, in the field of information visualization, almost every visual technique reveals its drawback when visualizing large number of items. To deal with this problem we introduce a formal environment, modeling in a virtual space the image features we are interested in (e.g, absolute and relative density, clusters, etc.) and we define some metrics able to characterize the image decay. Such metrics drive our automatic techniques (i.e., not uniform sampling) rescuing the image features and making them visible to the user. In This work we focus on 2D scatter-plots, devising a novel non uniform data sampling strategy able to preserve in an effective way relative densities.
Packages for Terahertz Electronics

In the last couple of decades, solid-state device technologies, particularly electronic semiconductor devices, have been greatly advanced and investigated for possible adoption in various terahertz (THz) applications, such as imaging, security, and wireless communications. In tandem with these investigations, researchers have been exploring ways to package those THz electronic devices and integrated circuits for practical use. Packages are fundamentally expected to provide a physical housing for devices and integrated circuits (ICs) and reliable signal interconnections from the inside to the outside or vice versa. However, as frequency increases, we face several challenges associated with signal loss, dimensions, and fabrication. This paper provides a broad overview of recent progress in interconnections and packaging technologies dealing with these issues for THz electronics. In particular, emerging concepts based on commercial ceramic technologies, micromachining, and 3-D printing technologies for compact and lightweight packaging in practical applications are highlighted, along with metallic split blocks with rectangular waveguides, which are still considered the most valid and reliable approach.
A Diffusive Load Balancing Scheme for Clustered Peer-to-Peer Systems

Node clustering is an effective solution for achieving good performance and high reliability for peer-to-peer (P2P) systems. To improve the performance of a clustered P2P system, it is important to balance the service load among the clusters in the system. In this paper, we describe a diffusive load balancing scheme for clustered P2P systems, which dynamically adjusts the size of the clusters, by moving nodes among the clusters, based on their service demands and node resource capacities. Our simulations show that the proposed load balancing scheme significantly improves the performance of a P2P system in terms of balanced available capacity.
Analysis of LULC changes and urban expansion of the resort city of Al Ain using remote sensing and GIS

Remote sensing data integrated with GIS techniques were used together with socio-economic data in a post-classification analysis to map the spatial dynamics of land use/cover changes and identify the urbanization process in Al Ain resort city, United Arab Emirates. Land use/cover statistics, extracted from Landsat Multi-spectral Scanner (MSS). Thematic Mapper (TM) and Enhanced Thematic Mapper plus (ETM +) images for 1972. 1990 and 2000 respectively, revealed that the built-up area has expanded by about 170.53km2. The city was found to have a tendency for major expansion in four different directions: North, North-east, southeast, and south-west. GIS overlay analysis of multi-temporal satellite data helped us tracking the different classes' trajectories by adopting a GIS coding system unique to each class.
Role of the Inserted α-Helical Domain in E. coli ATP-Dependent Lon Protease Function

Multidomain ATP-dependent Lon protease of E. coli (Ec-Lon) is one of the key enzymes of the quality control system of the cellular proteome. A recombinant form of Ec-Lon with deletion of the inserted characteristic α-helical HI(CC) domain (Lon-dHI(CC)) has been prepared and investigated to understand the role of this domain. A comparative study of the ATPase, proteolytic, and peptidase activities of the intact Lon protease and Lon-dHI(CC) has been carried out. The ability of the enzymes to undergo autolysis and their ability to bind DNA have been studied as well. It has been shown that the HI(CC) domain of Ec-Lon protease is required for the formation of a functionally active enzyme structure and for the implementation of protein-protein interactions.
Statistical inference from single channel records: two-state Markov model with limited time resolution

Though stochastic models are widely used to describe single ion channel behaviour, statistical inference based on them has received little consideration. This paper describes techniques of statistical inference, in particular likelihood methods, suitable for Markov models incorporating limited time resolution by means of a discrete detection limit. To simplify the analysis, attention is restricted to two-state models, although the methods have more general applicability. Non-uniqueness of the mean open-time and mean closed-time estimators obtained by moment methods based on single exponential approximations to the apparent open-time and apparent closed-time distributions has been reported. The present study clarifies and extends this previous work by proving that, for such approximations, the likelihood equations as well as the moment equations (usually) have multiple solutions. Such non-uniqueness corresponds to non-identifiability of the statistical model for the apparent quantities. By contrast, higher-order approximations yield theoretically identifiable models. Likelihood-based estimation procedures are developed for both single exponential and bi-exponential approximations. The methods and results are illustrated by numerical examples based on literature and simulated data, with consideration given to empirical distributions and model control, likelihood plots, and point estimation and confidence regions.
Power prediction in mobile communication systems using an optimal neural-network structure

Presents a novel neural-network-based predictor for received power level prediction in direct sequence code division multiple access (DS/CDMA) systems. The predictor consists of an adaptive linear element (Adaline) followed by a multilayer perceptron (MLP). An important but difficult problem in designing such a cascade predictor is to determine the complexity of the networks. We solve this problem by using the predictive minimum description length (PMDL) principle to select the optimal numbers of input and hidden nodes. This approach results in a predictor with both good noise attenuation and excellent generalization capability. The optimized neural networks are used for predictive filtering of very noisy Rayleigh fading signals with 1.8 GHz carrier frequency. Our results show that the optimal neural predictor can provide smoothed in-phase and quadrature signals with signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) gains of about 12 and 7 dB at the urban mobile speeds of 5 and 50 km/h, respectively. The corresponding power signal SNR gains are about 11 and 5 dB. Therefore, the neural predictor is well suitable for power control applications where ldquodelaylessrdquo noise attenuation and efficient reduction of fast fading are required.
Conspiracy Theory in Film, Television, and Politics

Since the assassination of John F. Kennedy, motion pictures and television productions-some based on historical fact and conjecture, others clearly fanciful-have embraced the idea that conspiracies shape many events, hide others, and generally dictate much of the course of modern life, often to the disadvantage of the average person. As a result, conspiracy theories have developed into a potent undercurrent in American politics. By the 1990s, it was not unusual to find conspiracies used as explanations for a wide range of political events that would otherwise seem to have quite ordinary explanations. Thus, a vast right-wing conspiracy was suggested as the source of Bill Clinton's troubles, just as conspiracy-like machinations of the liberal media were used to explain why the picture of world events did not coincide with conservative views. And this is to say nothing of the bitter arguments that still erupt over varying explanations for the attacks of 9/11. Regardless of a person's opinion about such claims, what these and many other examples clearly show is that conspiracy-theory explanations have penetrated mainstream American thought. Here, author Gordon Arnold examines the evolution of this cultural climate in the United States. Conspiracy Theory in Film, Television, and Politics examines the intersection of various film and television productions in the context of unfolding political developments. The chapters follow this story chronologically, showing how screen media have both reflected and shaped the cultural milieu in which traumatic events and political controversies have been interpreted with increasing cynicism. The work also reviews the original contexts in which film, television, and political manifestations of conspiracy ideas first appeared.
P2P DDoS: Challenges and Countermeasures

Peer-to-Peer (P2P) has become a popular networking method with highly desired characteristics of robustness and scalability. However, the decentralized P2P computing models have some serious security problems which may cause large-scale Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS). This paper introduces the P2P technology and the DDoS attacks in the particular networking environment. The challenges for detection and prevention of P2P DDoS have been discussed and recent countermeasures highlighted.
A critique of measurement theory in psychology : the case of the Sensation Seeking Scale

Previous investigations of the psychometric properties of the Sensation Seeking Scale (SSS) have employed statistical tests that are inappropriate for dichotomous items. In addition, the dimensionality of the SSS has been assessed with models that entail overly restrictive linear latent variable, item response relationships. In the present study, theory from Holland and Rosenbaum (1986) was employed in a test of the dimensionality of the SSS items that is consistent with the theoretical structure of tLe SSS and its subscales. It was shown that with the possible exception of the Experience Seeking (ESj subscale, each of the SSS subscales has a psychometric structure that is in conformity with its theoretical structure. However, the psychometric properties of the SCS were shown to be inconsistent with its theoretical structure, From a psychometric point of view the results indicate that, in general, the SSS subscales each measure a single theoretical construct while the full scale does not. However, in an analysis of Wittgenstein's philosophy of psychology and the fundamental pi-inciples of construct validity it was shown that psychometric results are actually irrelevant to the issue of whether the SSS and its subscales are measures of the constructs for which they are nainedAlthough it was shown that a total score based on any given set cf items carmot be a measure of sensation seeking proper, a conceptual analysis was performed and revealed that, in fact, none of he forty SSS items denote sensation seeking. In addition, it was shown that the justification for measurement claims given by operationism, the act frequency approach and axiomatic measurement theory is flawed. Since the vast majority of psychological tests have been constructed in accordance with the principles of construct validity, operationism, the act frequency approach and axiomatic measurement theory, it is concluded that in the vast majority of psychological research that employs psychological tests there is no justification for the claim that the results are relevant to the concepts the tests are believed to measure.
Assessment of microscopy methods for distinguishing engineered nanoparticles from incidental nanoparticles

Recommended Citation Ellickson, Daniel Emick. "Assessment of microscopy methods for distinguishing engineered nanoparticles from incidental nanoparticles. " MS O'Shaughnessy for all of his guidance preparing for this project. I would also like to thank Dr. Peters for the use of his laboratory equipment, Jonas Baltrusaitis for microscopy training and advice, and the Heartland Center for financial support for completing this program. iii ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to assess the utility of electron microscopy methods for the purpose of distinguishing engineered nanoparticles from " incidental " nanoparticles. Methods included the use of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) to analyze samples of known ratios of titanium dioxide (TiO 2) to Arizona Road Dust (ARD) or incense particles. TEM collection methods were analyzed for two different samplers: a Marple impactor and an electro-static precipitator (ESP). TEM grids were placed on the four lowest stages of the impactor. Results for impactor stages of a TiO 2 mixture with ARD displayed the following higher proportions of TiO 2 on the upper stages. TiO 2 /incense samples had very high (79%-90%) TiO 2 proportions, which was not expected since the mixture was 50% TiO 2. Incense particles did not collect with the same efficiency as TiO 2 or ARD, due to their much lower density. Incense particles were entirely carbon based and were not identifiable using TEM/EDS. The TiO 2 /ARD mixture demonstrated that the impactor would remove most of the larger particles so that grids on the filter stage could be used to analyze and image TiO 2 mostly alone. Sampling criteria for desired particle loading had to be established in order to obtain usable TEM grids. TiO 2 was distinguishable from all other particles, but accurate particle identity and proportion in samples was not obtainable for combustion particles using these methods.
Automatic Title Generation for Spoken Broadcast News

In this paper, we implemented a set of title generation methods using training set of 21190 news stories and evaluated them on an independent test corpus of 1006 broadcast news documents, comparing the results over manual transcription to the results over automatically recognized speech. We use both F1 and the average number of correct title words in the correct order as metric. Overall, the results show that title generation for speech recognized news documents is possible at a level approaching the accuracy of titles generated for perfect text transcriptions.
Impact of Universal Health Insurance Coverage on Hypertension Management: A Cross-National Study in the United States and England

Background The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) galvanised debate in the United States (US) over universal health coverage. Comparison with countries providing universal coverage may illustrate whether the ACA can improve health outcomes and reduce disparities. We aimed to compare quality and disparities in hypertension management by socio-economic position in the US and England, the latter of which has universal health care. Method We used data from the Health and Retirement Survey in the US, and the English Longitudinal Study for Aging from England, including non-Hispanic White respondents aged 50–64 years (US market-based v NHS) and >65 years (US-Medicare v NHS) with diagnosed hypertension. We compared blood pressure control to clinical guideline (140/90 mmHg) and audit (150/90 mmHg) targets; mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure and antihypertensive prescribing, and disparities in each by educational attainment, income and wealth, using regression models. Results There were no significant differences in aggregate achievement of clinical targets aged 50 to 65 years (US market-based vs. NHS- 62.3% vs. 61.3% [p = 0.835]). There was, however, greater control in the US in patients aged 65 years and over (US Medicare vs. NHS- 53.5% vs. 58.2% [p = 0.043]). England had no significant socioeconomic disparity in blood pressure control (60.9% vs. 63.5% [p = 0.588], high and low wealth aged ≥65 years). The US had socioeconomic differences in the 50–64 years group (71.7% vs. 55.2% [p = 0.003], high and low wealth); these were attenuated but not abolished in Medicare beneficiaries. Conclusion Moves towards universal health coverage in the US may reduce disparities in hypertension management. The current situation, providing universal coverage for residents aged 65 years and over, may not be sufficient for equality in care.
An efficient Wireless Sensor Network-based water quality monitoring system

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) have been achieved widespread applicability in water quality monitoring. However, existing WSN-based monitoring systems are not adequate for monitoring pond and lake water, city water distribution and water reservoir. Moreover, these frameworks cannot be reused in other monitoring applications since they use static and application specific sensor nodes and are not dynamic to the changing requirements. Thus, we introduce a reusable, self-configurable, and energy efficient WSN-based water quality monitoring system that integrates a Web-based information portal and a sleep scheduling mechanism of sensor nodes. The testbed and simulation results show that the framework can monitor the water quality in real-time and the sleep scheduling mechanism increases the network lifetime, respectively.
Differential Time Course of Microstructural White Matter in Patients With Psychotic Disorder and Individuals at Risk: A 3-Year Follow-up Study

Background: Although widespread reduced white matter (WM) integrity is a consistent finding in cross-sectional diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) studies of schizophrenia, little is known about the course of these alterations. This study examined to what degree microstructural WM alterations display differential trajectories over time as a function of level of psychosis liability. Methods: Two DTI scans with a 3-year time interval were acquired from 159 participants (55 patients with a psychotic disorder, 55 nonpsychotic siblings and 49 healthy controls) and processed with tract-based spatial statistics. The mean fractional anisotropy (FA) change over time was calculated. Main effects of group, as well as group × region interactions in the model of FA change were examined with multilevel (mixed-effects) models. Results: Siblings revealed a significant mean FA decrease over time compared to controls (B = −0.004, P = .04), resulting in a significant sibling-control difference at follow-up (B = −0.007, P = .03). Patients did not show a significant change over time, but their mean FA was lower than controls both at baseline and at follow-up. A significant group × region interaction (&khgr;2 = 105.4, P = .01) revealed group differences in FA change in the right cingulum, left posterior thalamic radiation, right retrolenticular part of the internal capsule, and the right posterior corona radiata. Conclusion: Whole brain mean FA remained stable over a 3-year period in patients with psychotic disorder and declined over time in nonaffected siblings, so that at follow-up both groups had lower FA with respect to controls. The results suggest that liability for psychosis may involve a process of WM alterations.
Live reports from the soil grain - the promise and challenge of microbiosensors

Summary 1. Linking microbial activity with ecosystem function is a continuing goal among ecologists focusing their efforts below ground in terrestrial ecosystems. 2. Genomic approaches, using DNA and RNA extracted from soil to characterize types of microbes present and genes expressed in soil, are promising, but, the required destructive harvest confounds spatial and temporal information. 3. Microbiosensors offer a gene-based way to examine microbial perception of, and response to, the soil environment non-destructively, with high spatial and temporal resolution. 4. In this mini-review, we explore the promise, challenges and tradeoffs associated with the design and deployment of microbiosensors in soil, as well as the interpretation of information derived from them live from the soil grain'. Both the promises and challenges are caused by the facts that: microbiosensors are living organisms with specific traits; they come from a phylogenetically diverse but restricted subsample of enormous soil microbial diversity; they are responsive to internal and external influences on multiple cellular processes (not just promoter induction); and they become part of food chains in non-sterile soils. We examine each of these characteristics, and associated blessings and curses, in the context of using microbiosensors to explore microbial soil ecology.
InSAR phase unwrapping using nonlinear Kalman smoother

Phase unwrapping (PU) is one of the key processing step in reconstructing the digital elevation model (DEM) of a scene from interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) data. The PU problem entails the estimation of an absolute phase from the observation of its noisy principal (wrapped) values. This paper presents a 2D InSAR phase unwrapping algorithm exploiting the capability of the Kalman algorithm to simultaneously perform noise filtering and phase unwrapping. The performance of the proposed algorithm is tested on simulated InSAR images of the Gaussian type proving the effectiveness of our method.
Dynamic and fair resource allocation algorithm for OFDM systems

A resource allocation algorithm with dynamic bit control to achieve the greatest fairness for all users and minimize transmission power over orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems is presented under perfect channel-state information. Two kinds of system scenarios, bandwidth abundance and shortage, are scrutinized. Simulation results confirm that the proposed algorithm can achieve good fairness and minimize transmission power simultaneously under a BER constraint.
A Machine Learning Approach to Convert CCGbank to Penn Treebank

Conversion between different grammar frameworks is of great importance to comparative performance analysis of the parsers developed based on them and to discover the essential nature of languages. This paper presents an approach that converts Combinatory Categorial Grammar (CCG) derivations to Penn Treebank (PTB) trees using a maximum entropy model. Compared with previous work, the presented technique makes the conversion practical by eliminating the need to develop mapping rules manually and achieves state-of-the-art results.
HOSPITAL GENERATED WASTE: AN ASSESSMENT OF THE AWARENESS OF HOSPITAL STAFF

Background: The provision of healthcare generates waste which can be detrimental to health and environment. Staff who provide healthcare ought to be aware of the proper handling and the system of management of healthcare waste used by different hospitals. Materials and Methods: A survey of doctors, nurses and allied medical staff for their awareness of the hospital generation and handling of waste was conducted. A self-administered questionnaire was used. Results: Lack of awareness, ignorance of policy and procedure on the handling of healthcare waste and failure to attend educational activities were major defects found among healthcare staff in the study. Conclusion: There is a need for a plan to improve the awareness of healthcare workers about hospital generated waste and its proper handling.