Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Phase diagram and approximate message passing for blind calibration and dictionary learning

We consider dictionary learning and blind calibration for signals and matrices created from a random ensemble. We study the mean-squared error in the limit of large signal dimension using the replica method and unveil the appearance of phase transitions delimiting impossible, possible-but-hard and possible inference regions. We also introduce an approximate message passing algorithm that asymptotically matches the theoretical performance, and show through numerical tests that it performs very well, for the calibration problem, for tractable system sizes.
Classifying Relationships Between Nouns

In this paper we develop a system for classifying relationships between noun pairs. This is accomplished by finding the dependency paths between the nouns in the Reuters corpus and training a multiclass classifier based on the counts of the paths. We experiment with several classification algorithms (NB, kNN, SVM), feature selection techniques, and additional features. The resulting system achieves up to a 60% classification accuracy over four classes of word relationships using an SVM.
Rumination and Worry: Factor Structure and Predictive Utility

ii Rumination and Worry: Factor Structure and Predictive Utility . 1 Study 1 . 5 Method . 5 Participants and procedures . 5 Measures . 5 Analyses . 6 Results and Discussion . 7 Study 2 . 9 Method . 9 Participants and procedures . 9 Measures . 9 Analyses . 10 Results and Discussion . 10 Factor structure of worry and rumination . 10 Predictive utility of NRT . 11 Factor structure of worry, rumination, and negative emotionality . 12 Concurrent validity of the general negative affect factor . 13 Study 3 . 14 Method . 14 Participants and procedures . 14 Analyses . 14 Results and Discussion . 14 Factor structure of worry and rumination . 14 Predictive utility of NRT . 15 Factor structure of negative emotionality, rumination, and worry . 15 Concurrent validity of general negative affect . 15 General Discussion . 17 References . 20 Appendix A: Main Figures and Tables . 24 Appendix B: Study 1 Models . 32 Appendix C: Study 2 Models . 35 Appendix D: Study 3 Models . 43 Appendix E: IRB Approval Letters . 51
Writer identification of Arabic handwriting documents using grapheme features

A system for Arabic writer identification using grapheme features and k-nearest neighbor classifier is built using Matlab programming language. The results of our preliminary study reveal that unknown writers can be identified by using edge base directional features and text-dependent method; however the simple system approach needs improvement to satisfy the requirements of real data. This project works on the following improvements: First a database of text- independent Arabic handwritten pages from around 100 different writers is gathered and used as a test bed. Then, features will be extracted from writers' handwriting. Prior to feature extraction, preprocessing operations is applied to documents to remove the background. In this research, we build an interactive background removal interface. Then the multi-scale edge-hinge features and grapheme features will be extracted from the handwritten pages. The classification will be performed by a k-nearest neighbor classifier. The project studies the performance of the new features, and recognition operations on Arabic text, on the identification rate of writers. Matlab programming language is used to write the programs for this project. This project aims at building an Arabic writer identification system consisting of three main processes: an interactive preprocessing to remove documents background, a feature extraction process to extract feature vector, and a classification process. The three processes will be implemented on the training and testing phase of the system.
Effect of estrogens on skin aging and the potential role of SERMs

In humans, structural and functional changes attributable to aging are more visibly evident in the skin than in any other organ. Estrogens have significant effects on skin physiology and modulate epidermal keratinocytes, dermal fibroblasts and melanocytes, in addition to skin appendages including the hair follicle and the sebaceous gland. Importantly, skin aging can be significantly delayed by the administration of estrogen. This paper reviews the effects of estrogens on skin and the mechanisms by which estrogens can alleviate the changes due to aging that occur in human skin. The relevance of estrogen replacement therapy (HRT) in post-menopausal women and the potential value of selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) as a therapy for diminishing skin aging are also highlighted.
Effect of Inverted Yoga Practice and Brain Fitness Exercises on Critical Thinking of Coastal Area School Students

The purpose of the study was to find out the effect of inverted yoga practices and brain fitness exercises on critical thinking of coastal area school students. To achieve the purpose of the present study, sixty (n = 60) coastal area school boys from Alphonsa Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Nagarcoil, Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu, India, were selected at random as subjects and their age ranged from 14 to 17 years. The subjects were divided into four equal groups of 15 students each. Group I acted as experimental Group I (Inverted Yogic Practices), Group II acted as experimental Group II (brain Fitness exercises group), Group III acted as experimental Group III (Combined training), and Group IV acted as control Group. The requirement of the experiment procedures, testing as well as exercise schedule was explained to the subjects so as to get full cooperation of the effort required on their part and before the administration of the study. The pre-test was conducted for all the subjects on critical thinking. The duration of the experimental period was 16 weeks. After the experimental treatment, all 60 subjects were tested on critical thinking. This final test scores formed as post-test scores of the subjects. The pre-test and post-test scores were subjected to statistical analysis using dependent “t”-test and analysis of covariance to find out the significance among the mean differences. Whenever the “F” ratio for the adjusted test was found to be significant, Scheffer’s post hoc test was used. In all cases, 0.05 level of significance was fixed to test hypotheses. The combined training group had shown significant improvement in critical thinking than the inverted yoga practices, brain fitness exercises group, and control group.
The Multi-Dimensional Additionality of Innovation Policies. A Multi-Level Application to Italy and Spain.

"The paper proposes and applies an original multi-dimensional evaluation of the additionality of innovation policy, which takes into account its multi-level nature. The input, output and behavioural additionality effects of innovation policies (multi-dimension) are jointly investigated, at the national and regional level (multi-level). An empirical application is carried out for Italy and Spain. A propensity score matching estimation of the average treatment effect on the treated (ATT) is carried out, by using the 4th Community Innovation Survey (CIS). The two multi-level systems of policies appear quite different, both in the extent to which their additionality affects the different dimensions, and to which it does it at the two levels of government. Regional policies miss input additionality in both countries, while they show output additionality in Spain only, where they are also able to spur innovative behaviours by the treated firms. National policies show output additionality in both countries, but in terms of different variables in Spain (product innovations) and in Italy (process innovations). Overall, only national policies show full multi-dimensionality in their additionality. Behavioural additionality has an opposite cross-level nature in the two countries: full additionality in Spain, but full crowding-out in Italy. "
Experimental predator removal causes rapid salt marsh die-off

Salt marsh habitat loss to vegetation die-offs has accelerated throughout the western Atlantic in the last four decades. Recent studies have suggested that eutrophication, pollution and/or disease may contribute to the loss of marsh habitat. In light of recent evidence that predators are important determinants of marsh health in New England, we performed a total predator exclusion experiment. Here, we provide the first experimental evidence that predator depletion can cause salt marsh die-off by releasing the herbivorous crab Sesarma reticulatum from predator control. Excluding predators from a marsh ecosystem for a single growing season resulted in a >100% increase in herbivory and a >150% increase in unvegetated bare space compared to plots with predators. Our results confirm that marshes in this region face multiple, potentially synergistic threats.
Minimax Robust Optimal Estimation Fusion in Distributed Multisensor Systems With Uncertainties

In this paper, the robust estimation fusion problem in multisensor systems with norm-bounded uncertainties concerning the error covariance matrix between local estimates is addressed. A robust fusion method by minimizing the worst-case fused mean-squared error (MSE) for all feasible error covariance matrices of local estimates is proposed. The minimax robust fusion weighting matrices can be explicitly formulated as a function of solution of a semidefinite programming (SDP). Some numerical examples demonstrate that when the error covariance matrix suffers disturbance, the proposed fusion method is more robust than the nominal fusion method which ignores the uncertainties, and can improve the performance when the disturbance is considerably large.
Extending the ciphertext-policy attribute based encryption scheme for supporting flexible access control

Ciphertext-Policy Attribute Based Encryption (CP-ABE) is recognized as an important data protection mechanism in cloud computing environment for its flexible, scalable and fine-grained access control features. For enhancing its security, efficiency and policy flexibility, researchers have proposed different schemes of CP-ABE which have different kinds of access policy structures. However, as far as we know, most of these structures only support AND, OR and threshold attribute operations. In order to achieve more effective data self-protection mechanisms in open environments such as Cloud computing, CP-ABE needs to support more flexible attribute based policies, most of which are described using operators of NOT, <, ≤, >, ≥. This paper proposed an Extended CP-ABE(ECP-ABE) scheme based on the existing CP-ABE scheme. The ECP-ABE scheme can express any access policy represented by arithmetic comparison and logical expressions that involve NOT, <, ≤, >, ≥ operators in addition to AND, OR and threshold operators. We prove the Chosen-plaintext Attack (CPA) security of our scheme under the Decisional Bilinear Diffie-Hellman (DBDH) assumption in the standard model, and also discuss the experimental results of the efficiency of ECP-ABE.
Randomized Gossip Algorithms for Achieving Consensus on the Majority Vote

This paper studies a decentralized, randomized gossip algorithm for computing a majority vote amongst the binary decisions associated to n nodes organized in a fixed, ad-hoc network. It is indicated how this problem can be reduced to computing the global average using a standard, randomized gossip algorithm. Then, we illustrate how the majority vote problem allows one to formulate individual stopping rules deciding when an individual node makes its final verdict. Finally, we will provide an illustration of how well the algorithm and associated stopping rule behaves.
3D Computational Mechanics Elucidate the Evolutionary Implications of Orbit Position and Size Diversity of Early Amphibians

For the first time in vertebrate palaeontology, the potential of joining Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Parametrical Analysis (PA) is used to shed new light on two different cranial parameters from the orbits to evaluate their biomechanical role and evolutionary patterns. The early tetrapod group of Stereospondyls, one of the largest groups of Temnospondyls is used as a case study because its orbits position and size vary hugely within the members of this group. An adult skull of Edingerella madagascariensis was analysed using two different cases of boundary and loading conditions in order to quantify stress and deformation response under a bilateral bite and during skull raising. Firstly, the variation of the original geometry of its orbits was introduced in the models producing new FEA results, allowing the exploration of the ecomorphology, feeding strategy and evolutionary patterns of these top predators. Secondly, the quantitative results were analysed in order to check if the orbit size and position were correlated with different stress patterns. These results revealed that in most of the cases the stress distribution is not affected by changes in the size and position of the orbit. This finding supports the high mechanical plasticity of this group during the Triassic period. The absence of mechanical constraints regarding the orbit probably promoted the ecomorphological diversity acknowledged for this group, as well as its ecological niche differentiation in the terrestrial Triassic ecosystems in clades as lydekkerinids, trematosaurs, capitosaurs or metoposaurs.
We Got Soul: Exploring Contemporary Black Women Educators’ Praxis of Politicized Care

Abstract In this critical case study, I draw on endarkened feminist epistemology and a legacy of politicized womanist care to explore how three contemporary black women educators in New York City public schools enact a spiritual and politicized care rooted in their understandings of the sociopolitical contexts where their students live and learn. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and analyzed to reveal a praxis of politicized care characterized by three main components: (1) Soulful and politicized purpose driving high expectations; (2) Building relationships through vulnerability, encouragement, communication, and recognition; and (3) Redefining success and envisioning paths for the future. Examining such praxis provides insight into approaches educators can take to create connections with students that are responsive to their material lives and helps them feel grounded in their educational and professional pursuits.
Impact of Participatory Decision Making on Organisational Goal Attainment

The study centred on participatory decision making and organizational goal attainment. This study investigated the extent to which participative decision making affects the organizational goal attainment. The study had a sample size of 136 obtained using the Cochran statistical formula. The study employed a survey research design. The instrument used for data collection was the questionnaire. The data from the responses were presented in frequencies, simple percentages. Three hypotheses were tested using the chi-square X2 and t-test statistical tools. The study found out that: Employee participation in decision making significantly improves job productivity (X2 cal = 2.554 > X2 0.5 = 0.6763); employee participation in decision, making relates to employee motivation (Fc – test = 21 .56 > ft 1 = 2.01); the policy of employee participation in decision-making is significant in organizational goal attainment (X2 Cal = 1.887 > X2 0.5 = 0.6763) The study, based on the above findings, concluded that for the goal attainment of any organization to be achieved successfully depended on the extent to which the organization integrated the workers into the policy formulation and implementation. The study recommends that organizations should adopt the ring show management theory as a way of survival.
Multi-label active learning with label correlation for image classification

Label correlation analysis is very important for multi-label classification. And there is no study to measure the label correlation for example-label based active learning. In this paper, from a statistical point of view, we proposed a cosine similarity based multi-label active learning (CosMAL), which uses cosine similarity to accurately evaluate the correlations between all labels. It further uses the average correlation between the potential label and the other unlabeled labels as the label information for each sample-label pair. And then we select the most informativeness example-label pairs. Our empirical results demonstrate that our proposed method CosMAL outperforms the state-of-the-art active learning for multi-label classification. It significantly reduces the labeling workload and improves the performance of a classifier learned.
Risk assessment and relationship management : practical approach to supply chain r isk management

The literature suggests the need for incorporating the risk construct into the m easurement of organisational performance, although few examples are available as to how this might be undertaken in re latio to supply chains. A conceptual framework for the development of performance and risk manage e t within the supply chain is evolved from the literature and empirical ev id nce. The twin levels of dyadic performance / risk management and the management of a portfolio of performance / risks is addressed, e mploying Agency Theory to guide the analysis. The empirical evidence relates to the downstream management of dealership s by a large multinational organisation. Propositions are derived from the analysis r elat ng to the issues and mechanisms that may be employed to effectively manage a portfolio of suppl y chain performance and risks.
- 1-HERDING BEHAVIOUR IN STRATEGIC STYLE ALLOCATIONS : EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE ON UK PENSION PLAN MANAGERS

This study firstly examines herding behaviour in the strategic style allocations of UK pension plans by using the traditional measure developed by Lakonishok et al. (1992). Afterwards, some original analyses are carried out to overcome certain shortcomings and limitations existing in this metric. The results show that UK pension managers are involved in herd behaviour although the magnitude of this phenomenon is reduced after the application of our alternative approach. Furthermore, this phenomenon is also confirmed when using additionational analyses to test this behaviour from other perspectives.
Manageable Provenace Architecture in Scientific Workflow Systems

Scientific workflows have shown great benefit as a means of orchestrating complex distributed scientific computations over grids and speed the advance of scientific progress. To address some requirements of scientific experiment, such as result reproducibility, sharing and validation, provenance support has become an essential component of scientific workflow systems. With the increase of the amount of provenance data, managing enormous set of provenance data becomes a challenge work. In this paper, we will present a label introduced provenance architecture which classifies provenance information with labels and manages provenance information according as labels.
Pneumonia and influenza hospitalization in HIV-positive seniors

SUMMARY HIV-positive persons and the elderly have increased risk for influenza-related complications, including pneumonia. Using claims data for pneumonia and influenza (P&I) hospitalization in the USA, we described the temporo-demographic trends and in-patient case-fatality in persons aged ⩾65 years by HIV status. Our results showed a near doubling in the fraction of P&I admissions representing HIV-positive persons between 1991 and 2004 [relative risk (RR) 1·95, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·80–2·13]. HIV-positive adults were younger (70·3 vs. 79·9 years, P<0·001), and had higher case-fatality (18·0% vs. 12·6%, P<0·001). Adjusting for other variables, case-fatality decreased by 5·8% in HIV-positive persons with the availability of highly active antiretroviral therapy (P=0·032). However, HIV-positive seniors were still 51% more likely to die during hospitalization than HIV-negative persons in 2004 (OR 1·51, 95% CI 1·23–1·85). HIV-infected persons represent a growing fraction of the elderly population hospitalized with P&I. Additional measures are needed to reduce case-fatality associated with P&I in this population.
The Parceling of Loyalty: Brand Quality, Brand Affect, and Brand Trust Effect on Attitudinal Loyalty and Behavioral Loyalty

As a valuable asset, the brand gets many attentions from many parties. Trust and affect variables which are owned by customers on smartphone brand are two important variables believed contributing to the customers' loyalty. This study will focus on several important variables which relate to the brand's theoretical reinforcement by testing the relationship among five variables which is divided into eight hypotheses. One of this study purposes is to describe the importance of a brand in the customer's perspective. The value offered in this study is the parceling of loyalty variable becoming two forms which are attitudinal loyalty and behavioral loyalty which will be tested with brand quality, brand affect, and brand trust. The sampling technique used is accidental sampling and Partial Least Square is used to support in this quantitative research data processing. From eight proposed hypotheses, seven are accepted while one hypothesis is rejected that is the effect of brand trust on behavioral loyalty. This result contradicts with some previous studies and this finding should be tested also by other studies for confirming this relationship. Overall, these study findings are expected to give some knowledge in the specified area of marketing.
GIRAFFE: A scalable distributed coordination service for large-scale systems

The scale of cloud services keeps increasing over time, significantly introducing huge challenges in system manageability and reliability. Designing coordination services in cloud is the right track to solve the above problems. However, existing coordination services (e.g., Chubby and ZooKeeper) only perform well in read-intensive scenario and small ensemble scales. To this end, we propose Giraffe, a scalable distributed coordination service. There are three important contributions in our design. (1) Giraffe organizes coordination servers using interior-node-disjoint trees for better scalability. (2) Giraffe employs a novel Paxos protocol for strong consistency and fault-tolerance. (3) Giraffe supports hierarchical data organization and in-memory storage for high throughput and low latency. We evaluate Giraffe on a high performance computing test-bed. The experimental results show that Giraffe gains much better write performance than ZooKeeper when server ensemble is large. Giraffe is nearly 300% faster than ZooKeeper on update operations when ensemble size is 50 servers. Experiments also show that Giraffe reacts and recovers more quickly than ZooKeeper against node failures.