Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Shape Analysis using Measurement Covariances

Conventional methods for shape analysis, based upon Procrustes and PCA, seem incapable of dealing with ‘non-landmark’ features, meaning measured locations not associated with well deﬁned locations. We argue here that this is due to an assumption of homogenous errors, associated with an attempt to extract linear models with biologically meaningful descriptions. This document contains the mathematical deﬁnition of a shape analysis system based upon the description of landmarks with measurement covariance which will extend the modelling process to ‘pseudo-landmarks’ such as boundaries and surfaces 1 . As this breaks with convention we discuss the properties of this approach and how these covariances can be considered characteristic of the local shape. The idea has been implemented in software and is now being tested on measurements from ﬂy wings. We will use these data to explore possible advantages and disadvantages over the use of Procrustes/PCA
Analysis and Improvement of Speech/Music Classification for 3GPP2 SMV Based on GMM

In this letter, a novel approach is proposed to improve the performance of speech/music classification for the selectable mode vocoder (SMV) of 3GPP2 using the Gaussian mixture model (GMM). An in-depth analysis of the features and classification method adopted in the conventional SMV is performed. Feature vectors applied to the GMM are then selected from the relevant parameters of the SMV for efficient speech/music classification. The performance of the proposed algorithm is evaluated under various conditions and yields better results compared with the conventional scheme implemented in the SMV.
Traction converter with medium-frequency transformer for railway applications: Direct current control of primary active rectifiers

This contribution deals with a new configuration of traction converter with medium-frequency transformer for multi-system suburban units and locomotives. This paper introduces control of primary voltage source active rectifiers with direct control of trolley current, presents simulation and experimental results of designed low-voltage laboratory prototype of traction converter of rated power of 12kW.
MODELING AND LEVERAGING EMERGING NON-VOLATILE MEMORIES FOR FUTURE COMPUTER DESIGNS

Many new types of non-volatile memory technologies are now e volving. For example, emerging non-volatile memories such as STTRAM, PCRAM, and ReRAM show their attractive propertie s of high access performance and low access energy. In this work, we aim to facilitate these emerging non-volatile memo ry technologies in designing future high-performance and l ow-power computer systems. We start this work by building circuit-le vel performance, energy, and area models for STTRAM, PCRAM, and ReRAM. And then, we provide architecture-level techniques that mitigate the drawbacks in non-volatile memory write op rations. Finally, we study the application-level cases of adopting t hese emerging technologies.
An Architecture Sketch of Eurotra-II

This paper outlines a new architecture for a NLP/MT development environment for the EUROTRA project, which will be fully operational in the 1993-94 time frame. The proposed architecture provides a powerful and flexible platform for extensions and enhancements to the existing EUROTRA translation philosophy and the linguistic work done so far, thus allow- ing the reusability of existing grammatical and lexical resources, while ensuring the suitability of EUROTRA methods and tools for other NLP/MT system developers and researchers.
Actinobacteria Associated with the Marine Sponges Cinachyra sp . , Petrosia sp . , and Ulosa sp . and Their Culturability

Actinobacteria associated with 3 marine sponges, Cinachyra sp. , Petrosia sp. , and Ulosa sp. , were investigated. Analyses of 16S rRNA gene clone libraries revealed that actinobacterial diversity varied greatly and that Ulosa sp. was most diverse, while Cinachyra sp. was least diverse. Culture-based approaches failed to isolate actinobacteria from Petrosia sp. or Ulosa sp. , but strains belonging to 10 different genera and 3 novel species were isolated from Cinachyra sp.
A speaker independent "liveness" test for audio-visual biometrics

In biometrics, it is crucial to detect impostors and thwart replay attacks. However, few researches have focused yet on the “liveness” verifi cation. This test ensures that biometric cues being acquired are actual measurements from a live person who is present at the time of capture. Here, we propose a speaker independent “liveness” verifi cation method for audiovideo identifi cation systems. It uses the correlation that exists between the lip movements and the speech produced. Two data analysis methods are considered to model this statistical link. Finally, according to tests carried out on the XM2VTS database, the best liveness verifi cation EER achieved is 14.5% .
The Case for "Big History.".

hat is the scale on which history should be studied? The establishment of the Journal of World History already implies a radical answer to that question: in geographical terms, the appropriate scale may be the whole of the world. In this paper, I will defend an equally radical answer to the temporal aspect of the same question: what is the time scale on which history should be studied? I will argue that the appropriate time scale for the study of history may be the whole of time. In other words, histori ans should be prepared to explore the past on many different time scales up to that of the universe itself? a scale of between 10 and 20 billion years.1 This is what I mean by "big history. " Readers of this journal will already be familiar with the case for world his tory. I will argue that a similar case can be made for teaching and writing about the past on these even larger time scales. As I understand it, the case for world history turns to a large extent on the belief of many historians that the discipline of his tory has failed to find an adequate balance between the opposing demands of detail and generality. In the century since Ranke, his torians have devoted themselves with great energy and great suc cess to the task of documenting the past. And they have accumu lated a vast amount of information about the history of a number of modern societies, in particular those with European or Medi terranean roots. But in history, as in any other academic disci w
Recovering Resolutions for Application Maintenance Incidents

These days IT service providers are rapidly embracing an automated services delivery model in order to keep pace with advances in technology and demanding market pressure to reduce and maintain quality. Application development and maintenance is a good example of a service system in which a sizable volume of tickets are raised everyday for different issues to get resolved with a view to deliver uninterrupted service. An issue is captured as summary on the ticket and once a ticket is resolved, the solution is also noted down on the ticket as resolution. It will be beneficial to automatically extract information from the description of tickets to improve operations like identifying critical and frequent issues, grouping of tickets based on textual content, suggesting remedial measures for them etc. In particular, the maintenance people can save a lot of effort and time if they have access to past remedial actions for similar kind of tickets raised earlier based on history data. In this work we propose an automated method based on background knowledge of tickets for recovering resolutions for fresh tickets using unsupervised learning and the traditional kNN (k-nearest neighbor) search. In absence of domain ontology we use ticket description to extract ontology which is grounded in WordNet. The experiment of our dataset shows that we are able to achieve a promising similarity match of about 48% between the suggestions and the actual resolution which shows an improvement over clustering without background knowledge.
An Experimental Study of Buyer-Seller Negotiation with One-Sided Incomplete Information and Time Discounting

We study a multiperiod bargaining mechanism in which a seller negotiates with a buyer over the price of an indivisible good. It is common knowledge that the good has zero value to the seller. Its value to the buyer is privately known, distributed independently of the seller's value according to a distribution that is common knowledge. Bargaining proceeds as follows. The seller sets a price and offers the buyer an opportunity to purchase the good. The buyer either waits for at least one more period or agrees to purchase the good at the given price. If the buyer refuses the offer, then the process is repeated with seller making a new offer on the next period. Our findings reveal several behavioral regularities, which do not support the sequential equilibrium for this bargaining mechanism. In line with recent developments in behavioral decision theory and game theory, which assume bounded rationality, we find that subjects follow simple rules of thumb in choosing strategies, reflected in the behavioral consistencies observed in the study.
WHY THEY ENJOY VIRTUAL GAME WORLDS? AN EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATION

In the past decade, virtual worlds have demonstrated the potential to be the next generation of interface for entertainment, interaction, content, and e-commerce. As a major type of virtual worlds, online games become a huge business and engage millions of players around the world. However, e-commerce researchers have so far paid insufficient attention to why players enjoy using virtual game worlds. To address this insufficiency, the current study develops and empirically tests a theoretical model of determinants of online gaming enjoyment. Specifically, this study suggests that key elements of online games are the primary factors associated with the enjoyment of playing an online game. The current study also investigates the impact of enjoyment on gaming behavior while we control for other known critical variables of attitude and subjective norms. The proposed research hypotheses are tested by using questionnaire responses of 253 online game players. Overall, the results indicate that online game story, graphics, length, and control are highly related to enjoyment, and that enjoyment has a significant impact on behavioral intention even with the presence of control variables.
The Occupation and Participation Approach to Reading Intervention (OPARI): A community of practice study

ABSTRACT We employed a community of practice to expand the application of the Occupation and Participation Approach to Reading Intervention (OPARI) and build the capacity of practitioners to support children with reading difficulties. Twelve pediatric practitioners participated in a community of practice for 7 months. We used a one group–pretest-posttest–mixed-methods design to measure changes in the knowledge, beliefs, and actions of the participants using a questionnaire and qualitative analysis of discussion documents. We found statistically significant changes (p < .009) in pretest and posttest scores of participants, indicating change in their ability to support the needs of children with reading difficulties. Qualitative findings support the process of change, continued professional development, and application of the OPARI principles. This community of practice process served as an effective means of translating knowledge and gaining insights concerning how the OPARI can be applied in daily practice.
Realistic 3D face modeling using feature-preserving surface registration

This paper presents a novel algorithm for realistic 3D face modeling from a single pair of color and time-of-flight (TOF) depth images using a generic, deformable model. Most previous approaches have attempted to emphasize either facial feature or global shape consistency, resulting in either visually plausible or geometrically accurate models. In this paper, we introduce feature-preserving surface registration to achieve both reality and accuracy. The proposed algorithm takes advantages of both facial features from the color image and geometric information from the depth image in an iterative closest point (ICP) framework, where the non-rigid registration is achieved by iteratively minimizing the energy function consisting of feature distance term, surface distance term, and linear elasticity term. As demonstrated in the experimental results, the proposed algorithm builds the personalized 3D face model within a few seconds with high visual quality.
Dating Violence and Sexual Assault Among College Men: Co-Occurrence, Predictors, and Differentiating Factors

WARKENTIN, JENNIFER B. , Ph.D., March 2008, Psychology Dating Violence and Sexual Assault Among College Men: Co-Occurrence, Predictors, and Differentiating Factors (174 pp.). Director of Dissertation: Christine A. Gidycz The present study was designed to test a modified model of sexual aggression in general, and verbal abuse and physical violence in a dating relationship. In addition, it examined the co-occurrence rates of aggressive behaviors, and the cumulative effect of risk factors on the likelihood of engaging in violent behavior. Finally, the present study looked at which predictor variables could successfully differentiate between the various forms of aggression, and between those who engage in one or two forms of aggression and those who engage in all three forms of aggression. Participants included 514 college men who completed surveys assessing for history of sexual aggression, history of dating violence, family violence, adolescent delinquency, sexual and dating experiences, hostile attitudes toward women, gender role strain, psychopathy, sensation seeking, empathy, narcissism, depression, self-esteem, substance use, and social desirability. A path analysis was conducted to predict perpetration of sexual aggression, and verbal abuse and physical violence in a dating relationship. Significant paths included family violence, adolescent delinquency, hostile masculinity, sexual promiscuity, and heavy alcohol use. Problem drinking behaviors emerged as the most influential variable in the path, predicting each form of aggression. Analyses were also conducted to examine the co-occurrence of aggression, and it was notable that there was no significant relationship between 4 perpetration of sexual aggression and perpetration of physical violence, and no participants reported having engaged in both forms of violence. Several of the predictor variables were able to differentiate between men who engaged in various forms of violence, including adolescent delinquency, problem drinking, hostile attitudes toward women, and psychopathy. Implications for future research and prevention programming are also addressed. Approved:______________________________________________________________ Christine A. Gidycz Professor of Psychology
7 EVALUATING FOREST MANAGEMENT EFFECTS ON EROSION , SEDIMENT , AND RUNOFF : CASPAR CREEK AND NORTHWESTERN CALIFORNIA

The effects of multiple logging disturbances on peak flows and suspended sediment loads from second-growth redwood watersheds were approximately additive. Downstream increases were no greater than would be expected from the proportion of the area disturbed. Annual sediment load increases of from 123 to 269% were measured in tributary watersheds but were not detected at the main channel gages, implying that sediment was being temporarily stored in the intervening channels.
People tracking with body pose estimation for human path prediction

Prediction and observation of human motion are essential functions for robots co-existing with humans in everyday environments. We propose a people motion tracking and prediction approach by using the advantage of detailed 3D information about the positions of body joints. Using the shoulder position displayed in a geometrical skeleton diagram of a human's upper body part, the body pose from the proposed human kinematic model is estimated. Human motion tracking and path prediction are achieved via the extended Kalman Filter. The proposed method is verified in an indoor environment where humans pass by each other. Experiment results demonstrate that walking people and their body pose are robustly tracked and predicted accurately, with less occlusions compared to traditional human tracking.
Transmission of Pulsatile Blood Pressure and Flow through the Isolated Lung

A horizontal isolated lung preparation has been used to examine the transmission of pulsatile blood pressure and flow. Arterial and venous pressure and flows were measured with pressure transducers and electromagnetic flowmeters. After a sudden increase in pulmonary arterial pressure, delays of several seconds were observed before venous flow began to increase. Flow then increased slowly over a period of 1 to 9 seconds to a new steady level. The transmission of pulsatile flow was independent of the outlet pressure and identical for perfusion in the forward and reverse directions. Flow transmission fell from about 75% at a frequency of 0.03 cps to approximately 10% at a frequency of 1 cps. Pressure transmission down to the collapsible vessels was measured when alveolar pressure exceeded venous pressure. At 0.1 cps approximately 50% of the incident pressure wave was transmitted, and at 1 cps this was reduced to 30%. It was concluded that the lung passed well only the low-frequency components of the applied input and that in a vertical lung only about 30% of the mean to peak pressure pulse would be transmitted down to the small vessels and therefore affect the distribution of blood flow.
Towards building H . 323-aware 3 G wireless systems : H . 323 Control Loops and Application adaptation to wireless Link conditions

Third Generation Mobile Systems are required to support Multimedia applications with high Quality of Service (QoS) requirements. QoS provisioning is, therefore, a major issue in both 3G wireless networks and packet based multimedia systems such as H.323-based systems. Both 3G wireless networks and H323-based multimedia applications provide control loops. The former use low level open and closed loops driven by measurements of transmission power and other internal system resources in order to maintain link quality, while the latter use out off band Real Time Control Protocol (RTCP) and H.245 signaling to cope with fluctuating network conditions and congestion. However, very much like signaling in TCP (Transport Control Protocol), H.323 signaling was originally tailored for fixed networks. Understanding the interactions and the cross-induced effects due to both types of control loops can lead to wireless link optimization, and to building H.323aware/multimedia-aware 3G wireless systems capable of playing an active role in the end to end H.323 signaling by intelligently forwarding/changing/spoofing control packet reports. This paper first investigates control loops in H.323-based multimedia applications, identifies wireless network events/conditions that might trigger them, and suggests some solutions to adapt the different control loops identified to a wireless link.
User ’ s Guide for the LySatool version 2 . 01

The LySatool [4] implements a security analysis for the process calculus LySa. This calculus comprises language primitives for modelling of network communication that achieves security by applying cryptographic techniques. The analysis is an over-approximating program analysis that can guarantee confidentiality and authentication properties for LySa processes — even when these are under attack from arbitrary network attackers. This user’s guide explains how to operate the LySatool. However, it does not explain how the analysis works nor does it give the necessary insight to interpret the analysis result. The user is referred to other published material on these matters. For example, LySa and the analysis are described in [1]. The main novelty of version 2 of the LySatool is an addition of an analysable meta-level, which is described in [3]. Further details on the correctness of the various features implemented in LySatool version 2 may be found in [2].
DENSIFICATION OF DTM GRID DATA USING SINGLE SATELLITE IMAGERY

Digital Terrain Models (DTMs) are simply regular grids of elevation measurements over the land surface. DTMs are mainly extracted by applying the technique of stereo measurements on images available from photogrammetry and remote sensing. Enormous amounts of local and global DTM data with different specifications are now available. However, there are many geoscience and engineering applications which need denser DTM grid data than available. Fortunately, advanced space technology has provided much single (if not stereo) high-resolution satellite imageries almost worldwide. Nevertheless, in cases where only monocular images are available, reconstruction of the object surfaces becomes more difficult. Shape from Shading (SFS) is one of the methods to derive the geometric information about the objects from the analysis of the monocular images. This paper discusses the use of SFS methods with single high resolution satellite imagery to densify regular grids of heights. Three different methodologies are briefly explained and then implemented with both simulated and real data. Moreover, classification techniques are used to fine tune the albedo coefficient in the irradiance model. Numerical results are briefly discussed.
Compliant Aerial Manipulators: Toward a New Generation of Aerial Robotic Workers

This letter focuses on the problem of handling impacts by means of an aerial manipulator and proposes a solution that combines the control of the aerial manipulator's end-effector position with an innovative design approach of aerial manipulation systems, consisting of both active and passive joints. The approach aims at limiting the influence of impacts on the controlled attitude dynamics in order to allow the aerial manipulator to remain stable during and after impact. The developed concept is intended to convert kinetic energy into potential energy, which is permanently stored into elastic elements by means of directional locking mechanisms. The proposed approach has been tested on a 2 d.o. f. manipulator mounted on a quadrotor UAV. The manipulation system has one active rotational d.o. f. compensating for pitch movements of the UAV and one passive linear joint which is in charge of absorbing the impact energy. The device has been used to validate the method through experiments, in comparison with a rigid manipulator. The results show that the proposed approach and the developed mechanical system achieve stable impact absorption without bouncing away from the interacting environment. Our work has the ambition to propose a new direction towards aerial manipulators that are capable of performing highly dynamic physical interaction tasks.
Breast imaging in the new era

In the last decade, there have been huge advances in the field of breast imaging. Full field digital mammography systems optimise lesion to background contrast with resultant improvement in the sensitivity of the technique for cancer detection, facilitated by computer-aided detection. Though mammography remains the only established modality for population-based screening, preliminary results from several large studies indicate that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has a role in high-risk patients. On the other hand, advances in ultrasound, MRI and nuclear medicine have the potential to greatly improve the specificity of breast imaging with regard to cancer detection and lesion characterisation. A number of new and experimental techniques are being developed which may have great impact in this area and these will be discussed. Though MRI now has an established place in the diagnosis of breast cancer, it is becoming clear that it can directly affect surgical and medical management by enabling assessment of response to chemotherapy and endocrine therapy, and facilitating choice of the most appropriate surgery. Just as the role of MRI has evolved, so too the place of nuclear medicine, particularly positron emission tomography and radio-immunoscintigraphy should become clearer in the next few years.