Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Saving Behaviour from Childhood to Early Adulthood: Analysis of British Panel Data

We explore the saving behaviour of children aged 11-15 using the British Household Panel Survey. Our findings suggest that parental allowances/pocket money (earnings from part-time work) lower (increase) the probability that a child saves. Parental saving behaviour does not influence that of their offspring, whereas parental financial optimism lowers the probability that a child saves. We then track the children into early adulthood (aged 16-29). Our findings suggest that having saved as a child has a large positive influence on the probability of saving on a monthly basis and on the amount saved as a young adult.
Performance Evaluation and Qos Analysis of SPEED and MMSPEED Routing Protocol in Wireless Sensor Network

Wireless sensor network (WSN) is based on distributed event-based system which is used to provide a bridge between the real physical and virtual world. The main aim of the system is to send and receive a data packet with the highest efficiency and quality. In WSN, quality of service (QoS) is to give special delivery service to the applications that need it by guaranteeing adequate transmission capacity, jitter, balancing latency and decreasing data loss. Here we are focus on Stateless Protocol for End to end delay (SPEED) is a Qos based routing protocol to provide real time communication, effective delivery speed and efficiency over the network. Multipath Multi SPEED (MMSPEED) is another Qos protocol is to provide multi-path, efficiency and minimal overhead to the network. This paper presents the study and comparison of SPEED and MMSPEED protocols in ns2.
Low-Temperature Bonding for Silicon-Based Micro-Optical Systems

Silicon-based integrated systems are actively pursued for sensing and imaging applications. A major challenge to realize highly sensitive systems is the integration of electronic, optical, mechanical and fluidic, all on a common platform. Further, the interface quality between the tiny optoelectronic structures and the substrate for alignment and coupling of the signals significantly impacts the system’s performance. These systems also have to be low-cost, densely integrated and compatible with current and future mainstream technologies for electronic-photonic integration. To address these issues, proper selection of the fabrication, integration and assembly technologies is needed. In this paper, wafer level bonding with advanced features such as surface activation and passive alignment for vertical electrical interconnections are identified as candidate technologies to integrate different electronics, optical and photonic components. Surface activated bonding, superior to other assembly methods, enables low-temperature nanoscaled component integration with high alignment accuracy, low electrical loss and high transparency of the interface. These features are preferred for the hybrid integration of silicon-based micro-opto-electronic systems. In future, new materials and assembly technologies may emerge to enhance the performance of these micro systems and reduce their cost. The article is a detailed review of bonding techniques for electronic, optical and photonic components in silicon-based systems.
On monotone planar circuits

In this paper we show several results about monotone planar circuits. We show that monotone planar circuits of bounded width, with access to negated input variables, compute exactly the functions in non-uniform AC/sup 0/. This provides a striking contrast to the non-planar case, where exactly NC/sup 1/ is computed. We show that the circuit value problem for monotone planar circuits, with inputs on the outerface only, can be solved in LOGDCFL/spl sube/SC, improving a LOGCFL upper bound due to Dymond and Cook. We show that for monotone planar circuits, with inputs on the outerface only, excessive depth compared to width is useless; any function computed by a monotone planar circuit of width w with inputs on the outerface can be computed by a monotone planar circuit of width O(w) and depth w/sup O(1)/. Finally, we show that monotone planar read-once circuits, with inputs on the outerface only, can be efficiently learned using membership queries.
Ca II and DLA absorption line systems: dust, metals and star formation at 0.4 < z < 1.3

Absorption line studies of galaxies along the line-of-sight to distant quasars allow a direct observational link between the properties of the extended gaseous disk/halo and of the star forming region of galaxies. In these proceedings we review recent work on Ca ii absorbers detected in the SDSS at 0.4 < z < 1.3 which, because of their dust content and chemical properties, may lie spatially closer to the central host galaxy than most DLAs. We present direct evidence for the presence of star formation, through observation of the [O ii]λλ3727,3730 emission line, in both Ca ii absorbers and Mg ii-selected Damped-Lyman-α (DLA) systems. The measured SFR from light falling within the SDSS fibre apertures (corresponding to physical radii of 6−9h kpc) is 0.11−0.48 M⊙yr −1 for the Ca ii-absorbers and 0.11−0.14 M⊙yr −1
Comparison of different algorithms for InterCriteria relations calculation

In this investigation different algorithms for InterCriteria relations calculation are proposed. The algorithms are investigated by exploring the influence of genetic parameters on algorithm performance during the model parameter identification of E. coli fermentation process. Four different algorithms performing InterCriteria Analysis (ICrA), namely μ-biased, balanced, ν-biased and unbiased, are applied. Proposed ICrA algorithms are compared based on real experimental data set of an E. coli MC4110 fed-batch fermentation process. The obtained results show that for considered here case study the most reliable algorithm is the μ-biased one.
African American Women Superintendents in Texas: An Exploration of Challenges and Supports.

School superintendents who are African American women are understudied. In this study, researchers explored the lived experiences of African American women superintendents in the state of Texas. The purpose of the study was to identify the challenges, supports, and personal background characteristics that participants believed influenced their ascension to superintendent positions. A phenomenological research approach was used, and data were collected through individual interviews with superintendent participants. Data were analyzed and interpreted using Moustakas’ (1994) phenomenological reduction approach. Three major themes emerged in the results: (a) desire to impact others at various levels, (b) sources of personal strength, and (c) external support systems. Subthemes were identified and described for each larger theme. Findings suggest a need to expose aspiring African American women administrators to the challenges and rewards of superintendent positions and increase mentorship opportunities and quality preparation programs.
An Analysis Methodology for Dynamic Power Gating

High leakage current in deep-submicrometer designs have become a significant contributor to total power dissipation of CMOS circuits, as short-channel transistors require lower power supply levels to reduce power consumption. This forces a reduction in the threshold voltage that causes a substantial increase of weak inversion current. As evidence of this effect, the 2006 Edition of the International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors (ITRS) states that “Leakage will become a major industry crisis, threatening the survival of CMOS itself”. Among the leakage-control techniques that have been proposed so far, power gating, also known as MTCMOS, has traditionally been the most effective way to lower the leakage. This article describes a novel dynamic analysis methodology for power gated circuits which can be used as an electrical sign-off method for a full chip in deep sub-micrometer technology. The proposed methodology can achieve spice-comparable accuracy and full-chip-level performance for modern VLSI chip designs.
Adaptive characterisation of a human hand model during intercations with a telemanipulation system

Proper modeling of the human arm dynamic, as it interacts with telemanipulation and haptic systems, is important in enhancing the transparency of these systems. In this article, we introduced an adaptive identifier to estimate the impedance characteristic of a human operator as it interacts with a single translational degree of freedom mechanism. The five parameter model, including an extra spring and damper for a better approximation of the dynamic behavior of human arm, has been used. Since the impedance characteristic of human arm differs from one individual to another, it is important to estimate these parameters for each individual and update the controller to enhance the transparency and stability of the system. An adaptive architecture with normalized least square method with forgetting factor has been used for on-line identification of these five unknown impedance parameters of the human arm. The results illustrates that the estimated parameters properly converge to actual parameters if the richness condition (richness on input data) is satisfied. It is shown that the suggested adaptive architecture has the ability to identify the impedance characteristics of different operators.
On the Performance of Multiple Imputation Based on Chained Equations in Tackling Missing Data of the African α3.7-Globin Deletion in a Malaria Association Study

Multiple imputation based on chained equations (MICE) is an alternative missing genotype method that can use genetic and nongenetic auxiliary data to inform the imputation process. Previously, MICE was successfully tested on strongly linked genetic data. We have now tested it on data of the HBA2 gene which, by the experimental design used in a malaria association study in Tanzania, shows a high missing data percentage and is weakly linked with the remaining genetic markers in the data set. We constructed different imputation models and studied their performance under different missing data conditions. Overall, MICE failed to accurately predict the true genotypes. However, using the best imputation model for the data, we obtained unbiased estimates for the genetic effects, and association signals of the HBA2 gene on malaria positivity. When the whole data set was analyzed with the same imputation model, the association signal increased from 0.80 to 2.70 before and after imputation, respectively. Conversely, postimputation estimates for the genetic effects remained the same in relation to the complete case analysis but showed increased precision. We argue that these postimputation estimates are reasonably unbiased, as a result of a good study design based on matching key socio‐environmental factors.
Restoration of Simulated EnMAP Data through Sparse Spectral Unmixing

This paper proposes the use of spectral unmixing and sparse reconstruction methods to restore a simulated dataset for the Environmental Mapping and Analysis Program (EnMAP), the forthcoming German spaceborne hyperspectral mission. The described method independently decomposes each image element into a set of representative spectra, which come directly from the image and have previously undergone a low-pass filtering in noisy bands. The residual vector from the unmixing process is considered as mostly composed of noise and ignored in the reconstruction process. The first assessment of the results is encouraging, as the original bands taken into account are reconstructed with a high signal-to-noise ratio and low overall distortions. Furthermore, the same method could be applied for the inpainting of dead pixels, which could affect EnMAP data, especially at the end of the satellite’s life cycle.
Target-to-track collaborative association combining a laser scanner and a camera

Advance Driver Assistance Systems designed to enhance safety require a perception module that should be reliable, robust and affordable. We propose a new cooperative fusion method between two exteroceptive sensors for the detection and tracking of obstacles. Focus is cast on the issue of data association of asynchronous measurements from multiple sensors of different nature. This perception and detection module is applied to local perception embedded on a host vehicle (the ego-vehicle) with two types of complementary sensors (laser scanner and mono-camera). The first detection stage is performed by the mono-layer laser scanner which provides a set of clustered impact points. Those clusters are filtered and projected into the image to define targets. Detected vehicles are tracked using an image registration algorithm. A multi-objects association and tracking algorithm based on belief theory is implemented to estimate the dynamic state of the tracks and to monitor appearance and disappearance of obstacles. Our approach does not make any assumption on the type of driving maneuver and is able to address highly non linear dynamic configuration. The method is applied on both real data and in simulated environment for the validation stage.
An Automatic Qari Recognition System

In this paper, we present an automatic Qari Recognition system based on text-independent speaker recognition technique using Mel-Frequency Cepstral Coefficients. Our test database of 200 samples consisted of recordings by 20 reciters and we achieved 86.5% recognition rate for clean samples. The recognition rate is also tested for noisy samples of 25 dB to 0 dB SNR. This automatic Qari recognition system can be used by the Holy Qur'an radio and Television station anchors to help identify the reciter of the Holy Qur'an while broadcasting live and recorded prayers and recitations.
Adaptive Restructuring of Radial Basis Functions Using Integrate-and-Fire Neurons

This paper proposes a neurobiology-based extension of integrate-and-fire models of Radial Basis Function Neural Networks (RBFNN) that adapts to novel stimuli by means of dynamic restructuring of the network's structural parameters. The new architecture automatically balances synapses modulation, re-centers hidden Radial Basis Functions (RBFs), and stochastically shifts parameter-space decision planes to maintain homeostasis. Example results are provided throughout the paper to illustrate the effects of changes to the RBFNN model.
Runtime Analysis of the ( + 1) EA on Simple Pseudo-Boolean Functions

Although Evolutionary Algorithms (EAs) have been successfully applied to optimization in discrete search spaces, theoretical developments remain weak, in particular for population-based EAs. This paper presents a first rigorous analysis of the ( + 1) EA on pseudo-Boolean functions. Using three well-known example functions fromthe analysis of the (1 + 1) EA, we derive bounds on the expected runtime and success probability. For two of these functions, upper and lower bounds on the expected runtime are tight, and on all three functions, the ( + 1) EA is never more efficient than the (1 + 1) EA. Moreover, all lower bounds growwith . On a more complicated function, however, a small increase of provably decreases the expected runtime drastically. This paper develops a newproof technique that bounds the runtime of the ( + 1) EA. It investigates the stochastic process for creating family trees of individuals; the depth of these trees is bounded. Thereby, the progress of the population towards the optimum is captured. This new technique is general enough to be applied to other population-based EAs.
Interplay of Nkx3.2, Sox9 and Pax3 Regulates Chondrogenic Differentiation of Muscle Progenitor Cells

Muscle satellite cells make up a stem cell population that is capable of differentiating into myocytes and contributing to muscle regeneration upon injury. In this work we investigate the mechanism by which these muscle progenitor cells adopt an alternative cell fate, the cartilage fate. We show that chick muscle satellite cells that normally would undergo myogenesis can be converted to express cartilage matrix proteins in vitro when cultured in chondrogenic medium containing TGFß3 or BMP2. In the meantime, the myogenic program is repressed, suggesting that muscle satellite cells have undergone chondrogenic differentiation. Furthermore, ectopic expression of the myogenic factor Pax3 prevents chondrogenesis in these cells, while chondrogenic factors Nkx3.2 and Sox9 act downstream of TGFß or BMP2 to promote this cell fate transition. We found that Nkx3.2 and Sox9 repress the activity of the Pax3 promoter and that Nkx3.2 acts as a transcriptional repressor in this process. Importantly, a reverse function mutant of Nkx3.2 blocks the ability of Sox9 to both inhibit myogenesis and induce chondrogenesis, suggesting that Nkx3.2 is required for Sox9 to promote chondrogenic differentiation in satellite cells. Finally, we found that in an in vivo mouse model of fracture healing where muscle progenitor cells were lineage-traced, Nkx3.2 and Sox9 are significantly upregulated while Pax3 is significantly downregulated in the muscle progenitor cells that give rise to chondrocytes during fracture repair. Thus our in vitro and in vivo analyses suggest that the balance of Pax3, Nkx3.2 and Sox9 may act as a molecular switch during the chondrogenic differentiation of muscle progenitor cells, which may be important for fracture healing.
Self-localization of swarm robots based on voice signal acquisition

This paper presents an acoustical signal tracking experiment by swarm mobile robots. Biological swarm is a fascinating behavior of nature which was inspired from social insects' behavior. A mobile robot that is designed as a swarm robotic platform was employed for implementing voice exploration behavior. An additional module was developed to connect to robots for processing given voice signals using the proportional signal strength approach that estimates orientation of sound source using fuzzy logic approach. The voice processor module utilizes four condenser microphones with around −47db sensitivity which are placed in different directions of the circuit board for capturing surrounding sound signals. Captured samples by microphones are processed to estimate the relative positions of the sound source in the robotic environment. After estimating the position of the signal's source, all participants move towards similar to the insects' colony. The participant robots have an individual task for the estimation of source location from captured samples. Moreover, according to the swarm definition, an additional cooperation between swarm participants is required to achieve a correct colony of robots. Obtained results illustrate the feasibility of the proposed technique and hardware interface for sound signals acquisition with swarm robots.
The quest for security in mobile ad hoc networks

So far, research on mobile ad hoc networks has been forcused primarily on routing issues. Security, on the other hand, has been given a lower priority. This paper provides an overview of security problems for mobile ad hoc networks, distinguishing the threats on basic mechanisms and on security mechanisms. It then describes our solution to protect the security mechanisms. The original features of this solution include that (i) it is fully decentralized and (ii) all nodes are assigned equivalent roles.
RELATING INTUITIONISTIC FUZZY SETS AND INTERVAL-VALUED FUZZY SETS THROUGH BILATTICES

In this paper, we show that bilattices are robust mathematical structures that provide a natural accommodation to, and bridge between, intuitionistic fuzzy sets and interval-valued fuzzy sets. In this way, we resolve the controversy surrounding the formal equivalence of these two models, and open up the path for a new tradition for representing positive and negative information in fuzzy set theory. 1. Motivation Bilattices are algebraic structures that were introduced by Ginsberg 15 , and further examined by Fitting 11,12,13 and others 1,2,14 , as a general framework for many applications in computer science. In this paper, we show that these structures can also elegantly and naturally accommodate intuitionistic fuzzy sets (IFSs) and interval-valued fuzzy sets (IVFSs), which are two frequently encountered and syntactically equivalent generalizations of Zadeh’s fuzzy sets. In particular, and more generally than in previous works, we demonstrate that Atanassov’s decision to restrict the evaluation set for L-intuitionistic fuzzy sets to consistent couples of the “square” L 2 forces the resulting structure to coincide with the “triangle” I(L). This insight provides a convenient stepping stone towards more general and expressive models for the representation and processing of positive and negative imprecise information.
Motion constraint Markov network model for multi-target tracking

A typical Markov network for modeling the interaction among targets can handle the error merge problem, but it suffers from the labeling problem due to the blind competition among collaborative trackers. In this paper, we propose a motion constraint Markov network model for multi-target tracking. By augmenting the typical Markov network with an ad hoc Markov chain which carries motion constraint prior, this proposed model can overcome the blind competition and direct the label to the corresponding target even in the case of severe occlusion. In addition, the motion constraint prior is formulated as a local potential function and can be easily incorporated in the joint distribution representation of the novel model. Experimental results demonstrate that our model is superior to other methods in solving the error merge and labeling problems simultaneously and efficiently.
A Novel Reduced Complexity MMSE-Based Receiver for OFDM Broadband Wireless Networks

Zero-Padding Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (ZP-OFDM) has been proposed as an alternative solution to coded-OFDM, which often incurs high decoding complexity. Various ZP-OFDM receivers have been proposed in the literature, exchanging performance with complexity. On the contrary, we propose in this paper a novel reduced-complexity minimum mean square error (MMSE)-based receiver for ZP-OFDM transmissions without sacrificing performance. We demonstrate that the proposed receiver enjoys a remarkably simple decoding scheme, while outperforming conventional ZP-OFDM-MMSE in terms of symbol error rate (SER) performance. We further show that, by incorporating linear processing techniques, our MMSEbased receiver is able to collect full antenna and multipath diversity gains.
Recommendation challenges in web media settings

This paper calls out several research challenges in the art of recommendation technology as applied in Web media sites. One particular characteristic of such recommendation settings is the relative low cost of falsely recommending an irrelevant item, which means that recommendation schemes can be less conservative and more exploratory. This also creates opportunities for better item cold-start handling. Other technical difficulties include analyzing offline data that is heavily biased by the site's appearance, and in a related vein -- once a recommendation module's appearance has been designed -- defining the correct metrics by which to measure it. Also called out are tradeoffs between personalization and contextualization, as are novel schemes that aim at recommending sets and sequences of items.