Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An ecosystem of platforms to support sensors for personal fitness

We have developed a collection of portable platforms to enable context-aware applications to help users with their personal fitness. Our approach has been to focus on established form-factors such as cellphones and wrist-watches for the user interfaces. A variety of sensors are used to infer aspects of the user's context and proactively gather and display information that is likely to be useful at that time. In this paper, we highlight some of our platforms, the roles they can play, some of the capabilities we have already implemented, and highlight some of the applications we are currently developing
Impact of Software Settings on Multiple-Breath Washout Outcomes

Background and Objectives Multiple-breath washout (MBW) is an attractive test to assess ventilation inhomogeneity, a marker of peripheral lung disease. Standardization of MBW is hampered as little data exists on possible measurement bias. We aimed to identify potential sources of measurement bias based on MBW software settings. Methods We used unprocessed data from nitrogen (N2) MBW (Exhalyzer D, Eco Medics AG) applied in 30 children aged 5–18 years: 10 with CF, 10 formerly preterm, and 10 healthy controls. This setup calculates the tracer gas N2 mainly from measured O2 and CO2concentrations. The following software settings for MBW signal processing were changed by at least 5 units or >10% in both directions or completely switched off: (i) environmental conditions, (ii) apparatus dead space, (iii) O2 and CO2 signal correction, and (iv) signal alignment (delay time). Primary outcome was the change in lung clearance index (LCI) compared to LCI calculated with the settings as recommended. A change in LCI exceeding 10% was considered relevant. Results Changes in both environmental and dead space settings resulted in uniform but modest LCI changes and exceeded >10% in only two measurements. Changes in signal alignment and O2 signal correction had the most relevant impact on LCI. Decrease of O2 delay time by 40 ms (7%) lead to a mean LCI increase of 12%, with >10% LCI change in 60% of the children. Increase of O2 delay time by 40 ms resulted in mean LCI decrease of 9% with LCI changing >10% in 43% of the children. Conclusions Accurate LCI results depend crucially on signal processing settings in MBW software. Especially correct signal delay times are possible sources of incorrect LCI measurements. Algorithms of signal processing and signal alignment should thus be optimized to avoid susceptibility of MBW measurements to this significant measurement bias.
Gipfeli - High Speed Compression Algorithm

Gipfeli is a high-speed compression algorithm that uses backward references with a 16-bit sliding window, based on 1977 paper by Lempel and Ziv, enriched with an ad-hoc entropy coding for both literals and backward references. We have implemented it in C++ and fine-tuned for very high performance. The compression ratio is similar to Zlib in the fastest mode, but Gipfeli is more than three times faster. This positions it as an ideal solution for many bandwidth-bound systems, intermediate data storage and parallel computations.
CLINICAL VARIABLES AS PREDICTORS OF RESPONSE TO ELECTROCONVULSIVE THERAPY IN ENDOGENOUS DEPRESSION

There is lack of consensus on the clinical variables that predict response to ECT. Identification of clinical variables could help in predicting the type of response before the start of ECT Therefore, a prospective study on 22 patients of severe depression, some of whom were drug-naive and others drug free at time of ECT was undertaken. A maximum of six ECT were administered with a prior definition of ‘good response’ (60% or greater reduction in Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores) Results showed that three clinical variables could distinguish between good responders and poor responders Hence, response to ECT was associated with the duration of past depressive episodes, suicidal thoughts and somatic symptoms.
A non-negative tensor factorization approach to feature extraction for image analysis

In this paper, a decomposition method is proposed for Separable Non-negative Tensor Factorization (SNTF), which yields a structure similar to the PARATUCK2 model for the decomposition of non-negative tensors. Among many different possibilities for performing tensor factorization, we develop a specific procedure for SNTF with an aim to decompose multi-way dataset expressed in the form of a tensor into low-rank components that extract dominant features in the data. The SNTF method is evaluated using real image data and the results show that the proposed SNTF is superior to other NTF methods in terms of error performance and computational efficiency.
An Axiomatic Approach to Robustness in Search Problems with Multiple Scenarios

This paper is devoted to the the search of robust solutions in state space graphs when costs depend on scenarios. We first present axiomatic requirements for preference compatibility with the intuitive idea of robustness. This leads us to propose the Lorenz dominance rule as a basis for robustness analysis. Then, after presenting complexity results about the determination of robust solutions, we propose a new sophistication of A* specially designed to determine the set of robust paths in a state space graph. The behavior of the algorithm is illustrated on a small example. Finally, an axiomatic justification of the refinement of robustness by an OWA criterion is provided.
GPGPU-accelerated construction of high-resolution generalized voronoi diagrams and navigation meshes

This paper presents a GPU-accelerated approach for improving the approximated construction of Generalized Voronoi Diagrams (GVDs). Previous work has shown how to render a GVD onto the GPU framebuffer, and copy it to the CPU for extraction of a high-quality diagram. We improve upon this technique by performing more computations in parallel on the GPU, and reducing the amount of data transferred to the CPU. We also design a multi-tiled construction technique that overcomes hardware limitations and enables much higher rendering resolutions, thus reducing discretization errors. Next, we extend our approach to create an Explicit Corridor Map navigation mesh, which is an efficient data structure for path planning in modern crowd simulation systems. The new implementation allows much faster construction of GVDs and navigation meshes at virtually infinite resolutions.
Copulas in Macroeconomics

This paper discusses the uses of copulas for modelling multivariate density functions and explains how copula methods can be applied to the study of macroeconomic relationships. It suggests that copulas are well suited to the study of these relationships and can sometimes shed new light on them. It then sets out the main steps of copula methodology and provides an illustrative application to the phenomenon of the Gibson paradox.
Browsing Large Image Datasets through Voronoi Diagrams

Conventional browsing of image collections use mechanisms such as thumbnails arranged on a regular grid or on a line, often mounted over a scrollable panel. However, this approach does not scale well with the size of the datasets (number of images). In this paper, we propose a new thumbnail-based interface to browse large collections of images. Our approach is based on weighted centroidal anisotropic Voronoi diagrams. A dynamically changing subset of images is represented by thumbnails and shown on the screen. Thumbnails are shaped like general polygons, to better cover screen space, while still reflecting the original aspect ratios or orientation of the represented images. During the browsing process, thumbnails are dynamically rearranged, reshaped and rescaled. The objective is to devote more screen space (more numerous and larger thumbnails) to the parts of the dataset closer to the current region of interest, and progressively lesser away from it, while still making the dataset visible as a whole. During the entire process, temporal coherence is always maintained. GPU implementation easily guarantees the frame rates needed for fully smooth interactivity.
Challenges and Perspectives of Procedural Modelling and Effects

The use of procedural modelling has risen dramatically over the last decade. This has been partly due to the increase in computing power, affording developers the opportunity to use methods that were previously infeasible. A further reason for this growth is due to the improvement of the representation of human knowledge. The development of procedural modeling has, thus far, been somewhat disjointed and ad hoc as different areas of graphics, gaming and modelling have been utilizing the technique with little reference outside of their own specialisation. This paper provides an overview of procedural modelling covering key techniques and applications and then suggests a framework for the development of a procedural modelling system that can form areas of land of both populated areas and bodies of water.
Wolbachia Influences the Production of Octopamine and Affects Drosophila Male Aggression

ABSTRACT Wolbachia bacteria are endosymbionts that infect approximately 40% of all insect species and are best known for their ability to manipulate host reproductive systems. Though the effect Wolbachia infection has on somatic tissues is less well understood, when present in cells of the adult Drosophila melanogaster brain, Wolbachia exerts an influence over behaviors related to olfaction. Here, we show that a strain of Wolbachia influences male aggression in flies, which is critically important in mate competition. A specific strain of Wolbachia was observed to reduce the initiation of aggressive encounters in Drosophila males compared to the behavior of their uninfected controls. To determine how Wolbachia was able to alter aggressive behavior, we investigated the role of octopamine, a neurotransmitter known to influence male aggressive behavior in many insect species. Transcriptional analysis of the octopamine biosynthesis pathway revealed that two essential genes, the tyrosine decarboxylase and tyramine β-hydroxylase genes, were significantly downregulated in Wolbachia-infected flies. Quantitative chemical analysis also showed that total octopamine levels were significantly reduced in the adult heads.
Effects of alpha, beta momorcharin fruit extract with the combination of paclitaxel in the treatment of glioma cancer in-vivo.

The vegetable Momordica charantia L. , (family: Cucurbitaceae) is a scientific name of the plant and its fruit. It is also known by other names, for instance in the USA it is known as Bitter gourd or balsam pear while its referred to as the African cucumber in many African countries. M.charantiais believed to posse’s anti-carcinogenic properties and it can modulate its effect via xenobiotic metabolism and oxidative stress. This study was specifically designed to investigate the cellular mechanisms whereby α, β momorcharin an extract of M. charantiacan induce cell death with the combination of paclitaxel. Different concentration (200µM - 1000µM)of the α, β momorcharin fruit extract were treated (24 hrs incubation) separately with three different cancer cell lines 1321N1, Gos-3, U87-MG and normal L6 muscle cell line. The results also show that paclitaxel(250 µg) with (1000 µM) of the α, β momorcharinextract of M. Charantia,and result in significant decreases in cell viability for each cell line, these effects were additive compared to the individual effect of paclitaxel.
A distributed tasks allocation scheme in multi-UAV context

This paper deals with the task allocation problem in multi-robot systems. We propose a completely distributed architecture, where robots dynamically allocate their tasks while they are building their plans. We first focus on the problem of simple "goto" tasks allocation: our approach involves an incremental task allocation algorithm based on the Contract-Net protocol. We introduce a parameter called equity coefficient in order to equilibrate the workload between the different robots and to control the triggering of the auction process. Then, we address the problem raised by temporal constraints between tasks by dynamically specifying temporary hierarchies among the tasks. Tests run in simulation quantify the benefits of our improvements.
Associations of high HDL cholesterol level with all-cause mortality in patients with heart failure complicating coronary heart disease

Abstract The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between HDL cholesterol level and all-cause mortality in patients with ejection fraction reduced heart failure (EFrHF) complicating coronary heart disease (CHD). A total of 323 patients were retrospectively recruited. Patients were divided into low and high HDL cholesterol groups. Between-group differences and associations between HDL cholesterol level and all-cause mortality were assessed. Patients in the high HDL cholesterol group had higher HDL cholesterol level and other lipid components (P <0.05 for all comparison). Lower levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP), and higher albumin (ALB) level were observed in the high HDL cholesterol group (P <0.05 for all comparison). Although left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were comparable (28.8 ± 4.5% vs 28.4 ± 4.6%, P = 0.358), mean mortality rate in the high HDL cholesterol group was significantly lower (43.5% vs 59.1%, P = 0.007). HDL cholesterol level was positively correlated with ALB level, while inversely correlated with ALT, Hs-CRP, and NYHA classification. Logistic regression analysis revealed that after extensively adjusted for confounding variates, HDL cholesterol level remained significantly associated with all-cause mortality although the magnitude of association was gradually attenuated with odds ratio of 0.007 (95% confidence interval 0.001–0.327, P = 0.012). Higher HDL cholesterol level is associated with better survival in patients with EFrHF complicating CHD, and future studies are necessary to demonstrate whether increasing HDL cholesterol level will confer survival benefit in these populations of patients.
Secrecy and service-loyalty in the Australian Defence Force : understanding the social psychology of problematic non-disclosure

In the wake of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the extent to which classified (i.e., officially secret) information is shared within and between organizational groupings has emerged as a matter of great importance. This thesis examines the social psychological processes underlying problematic non-disclosure of classified information in the context of the Australian Defence Force (ADF). In doing so, it provides a psychological account of why ADF personnel might be reluctant to disclose classified information to one another when doing so could be detrimental to the organization as a whole. The thesis contains four theoretical chapters which address: (1) our current understanding of how classified information comes to be known and not known by ADF personnel (Chapter 2); (2) the contribution that psychology has made in understanding the factors affecting disclosure behaviour (Chapter 3); (3) the social identity perspective, which incorporates both social identity theory and self-categorization theory (Chapter 5); and, (4) the contribution of psychology toward understanding decision-making under risk (Chapter 7). Guided by the analyses in those chapters and insights provided by related sociological literature, two factors emerge as being important to disclosure outcomes, those of Service affiliation and perceived risk. These factors then provide the foundation for the empirical program. Five studies are reported in the thesis, in addition to a pilot study and some qualitative data gathered by way of interviews with ADF personnel. The issue of whether ADF personnel can be expected to breach official rules in order to avert problematic outcomes associated with the concealment of classified information is examined in the pilot study and Study 1. The role of Service identity with respect to problematic non-disclosure of classified information in the ADF is examined in Studies 2 and 3. Finally, Studies 4 and 5 test a hypothesis of problematic non-disclosure which affirm the centrality of perceived risk in disclosure outcomes, the so-called guardedness hypothesis. The results of these studies allow us to draw conclusions about the factors likely to contribute to problematic non-disclosure of classified information in the context of the ADF. In Chapter 9, the implications of the work are discussed, some limitations and future directions are outlined, and a final comment about the broader significance of the thesis is made.
Ridge Regression Approach to Color Constancy

I am submitting herewith a thesis written by Vivek Agarwal entitled " Ridge Regression Approach to Color Constancy ". I have examined the final electronic copy of this thesis for form and content and recommend that it be accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, with a major in Electrical Engineering. We have read this thesis and recommend its acceptance: (Original signatures are on file with official student records) Dedication I would like to dedicate this thesis to my father Vijay Krishna Agarwal, to my mother Urmila Agarwal and to my brother Amit Agarwal, who have supported and encouraged me to achieve success in my higher education. iv Acknowledgements First and foremost, I would like to extend my appreciation towards my parents, brother, and sister-in-law who have always been instrumental in all my endeavors, for their continuous support and encouragements. Let me introduce you to my parents Vijay Krishna Agarwal, Urmila Agarwal, brother cum friend Amit Agarwal and sister-in-law Shaily Agarwal. I would like to thank my advisor Dr. Mongi. A. Abidi for his valuable guidance, opportunities and financial support that he presented to me during my graduate master's program at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. I am grateful to Dr. Andrei Gribok for his guidance, immense knowledge based discussion on various topics that proved instrumental towards my thesis and other research works in the lab. Knowledge and experience gained by me while working under him is immeasurable. He helped me seek focus and always got the best out of me. I thank him for all the good he has brought to my graduate education, for reviewing my thesis work, for his patience and for all the technical and non technical discussions. I am thankful to Dr. Andreas Koschan for sharing his immense knowledge in the field of color constancy research with me, reviewing my thesis, and for many other technical discussions. I would like to thank Dr. Besma Abidi for her guidance, valuable advices and for reviewing my thesis. I thank Dr. Seong. G. Kong for reviewing my thesis work. I would also like to thank Dr. David L. Page for helping me with my presentations and technical writing skills initially. Within IRIS laboratory among staff's, I would like to thank Vicki Courtney Smith for extending friendly welcome all the time and taking care of all the essential paperwork's. I thank Justin …
This Paper Is Included in the Proceedings of the 12th Usenix Symposium on Operating Systems Design and Implementation (osdi '16). Ryoan: a Distributed Sandbox for Untrusted Computation on Secret Data Ryoan: a Distributed Sandbox for Untrusted Computation on Secret Data

Users of modern data-processing services such as tax preparation or genomic screening are forced to trust them with data that the users wish to keep secret. Ryoan protects secret data while it is processed by services that the data owner does not trust. Accomplishing this goal in a distributed setting is difficult because the user has no control over the service providers or the computational platform. Confining code to prevent it from leaking secrets is notoriously difficult, but Ryoan benefits from new hardware and a request-oriented data model. Ryoan provides a distributed sandbox, leveraging hardware enclaves (e.g., Intel's software guard extensions (SGX) [15]) to protect sandbox instances from potentially malicious computing platforms. The protected sandbox instances confine untrusted data-processing modules to prevent leakage of the user's input data. Ryoan is designed for a request-oriented data model, where confined modules only process input once and do not persist state about the input. We present the design and prototype implementation of Ryoan and evaluate it on a series of challenging problems including email filtering, heath analysis, image processing and machine translation.
Complexity of the Minimum Base Game on Matroids

This paper studies the complexity of computing solution concepts for a cooperative game, called the minimum base game (MBG) (E, c), where its characteristic function c : 2E ↦ ℜ is defined as c(S) = (the weight w(B) of a minimum weighted base B ⊆ S), for a given matroid M = (E, ℐ) and a weight function w : E ↦ ℜ. The minimum base game contains, as a special case, the minimum spanning tree game (MSTG) in an edge-weighted graph in which players are located on the edges. By interpreting solution concepts of games (such as core, τ-value and Shapley value) in terms of matroid theory, we obtain: The core of MBG is nonempty if and only if the matroid M has no circuit consisting only of edges with negative weights; checking the concavity and subadditivity of an MBG can be done in oracle-polynomial time; the τ-value of an MBG exists if and only if the core is not empty, the τ-value of MSTG can be computed in polynomial time while there is no oracle-polynomial algorithm for a general MBG; computing the Shapley value.
Ontology-Based Interactive Question and Answering System

Interactive Question and Answering System (IQA) is a new question and answer research field. IQA guides users to complement the missing question information through some interaction strategy. It overcomes the defect that traditional question answering system cannot handle questions with incomplete information; it also reduces the requirement for questions analysis. This paper introduces the mechanism of IQA, proposes a domain Ontology-based IQA framework and an incomplete questions' knowledge representing framework-question information domain (QID). Domain Ontology-based IQA extracts effective information from domain question corpus, and then focuses the effective information on Ontology concept through Ontology-based query expansion (OBQE) method, to establish Ontology-based domain QID knowledgebase. The interaction is, searching the domain QID knowledgebase to complement users' QID to domain QID. We use rough set algorithm to deal with domain QID knowledgebase, reduce the search space and interaction steps. The experiment result shows that our IQA framework is feasible and the reduction of knowledgebase improves the interaction efficiently.
On service guarantees for input-buffered crossbar switches: a capacity decomposition approach by Birkhoff and von Neumann

Based on a decomposition result by Birkhoff (1946) and von Neumann (1953) for a doubly substochastic matrix, in this paper we propose a scheduling algorithm that is capable of providing service guarantees for input-buffered crossbar switches. Our service guarantees are uniformly good for all non-uniform traffic, and thus imply 100% throughput. The off-line computational complexity to identify the scheduling algorithm is O(N/sup 4.5/) for an N/spl times/N switch. Once the algorithm is identified, its on-line computational complexity is O(logN) and its on-line memory complexity is O(N/sup 3/logN). Neither framing nor internal speedup is required for our approach.