Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optimal Estimation of Supporting-Ground Orientation for Multi-Segment Body Based on Otolith-Canal Fusion

This article discusses the problem of estimating the orientation of inclined ground on which a human subject stands based on information provided by the vestibular system consisting of the otolith and semicircular canals. It is assumed that body segments are not necessarily aligned and thus forming an open kinematic chain. The semicircular canals analogues to a technical gyrometer provide a measure of the angular velocity whereas the otolith analogues to a technical accelerometer provide a measure of the translational acceleration. Two solutions are proposed and discussed. The first is based on a stand-alone Kalman filter that optimally fuses the two measurements based on their dynamic characteristics and their noise properties. In this case, no body dynamic model is needed. In the second solution, a central extended disturbance observer that incorporates a body dynamic model (internal model) is employed. The merits of both solutions are discussed and demonstrated by experimental and simulation results. Keywords—Kalman filter, orientation estimation, otolith-canal fusion, vestibular system.
Improving source routing reliability in mobile ad hoc networks

In this paper, we propose a novel on-demand routing protocol called backup source routing (BSR) to establish and maintain backup routes that can be utilized after the primary path breaks. The key advantage of BSR is the reduction of the frequency of route discovery flooding, which is recognized as a major overhead in on-demand protocols. We define a new routing metric, called the route reliability, and use it to provide the basis for the backup path selection. We use a heuristic cost function to develop an analytical model and an approximation method to measure this metric. Various algorithms for our BSR protocol in the route discovery phase and route maintenance phase have been designed based on this cost function. Extensive simulations demonstrated that our routing strategy has two interesting features: 1) in less stressful situations of lower mobility, BSR has similar performance to DSR, 2) in more challenging situations of high mobility, BSR can improve the performance significantly.
Dietary macronutrients and food consumption as determinants of long-term weight change in adult populations: a systematic literature review

This systematic literature review examined the role of dietary macronutrient composition, food consumption and dietary patterns in predicting weight or waist circumference (WC) change, with and without prior weight reduction. The literature search covered year 2000 and onwards. Prospective cohort studies, case–control studies and interventions were included. The studies had adult (18–70 y), mostly Caucasian participants. Out of a total of 1,517 abstracts, 119 full papers were identified as potentially relevant. After a careful scrutiny, 50 papers were quality graded as A (highest), B or C. Forty-three papers with grading A or B were included in evidence grading, which was done separately for all exposure-outcome combinations. The grade of evidence was classified as convincing, probable, suggestive or no conclusion. We found probable evidence for high intake of dietary fibre and nuts predicting less weight gain, and for high intake of meat in predicting more weight gain. Suggestive evidence was found for a protective role against increasing weight from whole grains, cereal fibre, high-fat dairy products and high scores in an index describing a prudent dietary pattern. Likewise, there was suggestive evidence for both fibre and fruit intake in protection against larger increases in WC. Also suggestive evidence was found for high intake of refined grains, and sweets and desserts in predicting more weight gain, and for refined (white) bread and high energy density in predicting larger increases in WC. The results suggested that the proportion of macronutrients in the diet was not important in predicting changes in weight or WC. In contrast, plenty of fibre-rich foods and dairy products, and less refined grains, meat and sugar-rich foods and drinks were associated with less weight gain in prospective cohort studies. The results on the role of dietary macronutrient composition in prevention of weight regain (after prior weight loss) were inconclusive.
Geographic Distribution of Leishmania Species in Ecuador Based on the Cytochrome B Gene Sequence Analysis

A countrywide epidemiological study was performed to elucidate the current geographic distribution of causative species of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in Ecuador by using FTA card-spotted samples and smear slides as DNA sources. Putative Leishmania in 165 samples collected from patients with CL in 16 provinces of Ecuador were examined at the species level based on the cytochrome b gene sequence analysis. Of these, 125 samples were successfully identified as Leishmania (Viannia) guyanensis, L. (V.) braziliensis, L. (V.) naiffi, L. (V.) lainsoni, and L. (Leishmania) mexicana. Two dominant species, L. (V.) guyanensis and L. (V.) braziliensis, were widely distributed in Pacific coast subtropical and Amazonian tropical areas, respectively. Recently reported L. (V.) naiffi and L. (V.) lainsoni were identified in Amazonian areas, and L. (L.) mexicana was identified in an Andean highland area. Importantly, the present study demonstrated that cases of L. (V.) braziliensis infection are increasing in Pacific coast areas.
Classification of schizophrenia patients based on resting-state functional network connectivity

There is a growing interest in automatic classification of mental disorders based on neuroimaging data. Small training data sets (subjects) and very large amount of high dimensional data make it a challenging task to design robust and accurate classifiers for heterogeneous disorders such as schizophrenia. Most previous studies considered structural MRI, diffusion tensor imaging and task-based fMRI for this purpose. However, resting-state data has been rarely used in discrimination of schizophrenia patients from healthy controls. Resting data are of great interest, since they are relatively easy to collect, and not confounded by behavioral performance on a task. Several linear and non-linear classification methods were trained using a training dataset and evaluate with a separate testing dataset. Results show that classification with high accuracy is achievable using simple non-linear discriminative methods such as k-nearest neighbors (KNNs) which is very promising. We compare and report detailed results of each classifier as well as statistical analysis and evaluation of each single feature. To our knowledge our effects represent the first use of resting-state functional network connectivity (FNC) features to classify schizophrenia.
Design of High Speed and Low Offset Dynamic Latch Comparator in 0.18 µm CMOS Process

The cross-coupled circuit mechanism based dynamic latch comparator is presented in this research. The comparator is designed using differential input stages with regenerative S-R latch to achieve lower offset, lower power, higher speed and higher resolution. In order to decrease circuit complexity, a comparator should maintain power, speed, resolution and offset-voltage properly. Simulations show that this novel dynamic latch comparator designed in 0.18 µm CMOS technology achieves 3.44 mV resolution with 8 bit precision at a frequency of 50 MHz while dissipating 158.5 µW from 1.8 V supply and 88.05 µA average current. Moreover, the proposed design propagates as fast as 4.2 nS with energy efficiency of 0.7 fJ/conversion-step. Additionally, the core circuit layout only occupies 0.008 mm2.
High Rate Two-Way Amplify-and-Forward Half-Duplex Relaying with OSTBC

In this paper, we derive tight upper and lower bounds for the average sum rate of two-way amplify-and-forward (AF) half-duplex relaying, which show that two-way AF half-duplex relaying can significantly mitigate the spectral efficiency loss of conventional one-way AF half-duplex relaying. We then extend the AF half-duplex two-way relaying to the case where source and destination terminals both transmit Alamouti's orthogonal space time block code (OSTBC) utilizing two antennas and relay has only one antenna. We derive both upper and lower bounds for the average sum rate as well as an upper bound for the pair-wise error probability (PEP) for the proposed OSTBC scheme. We also find the optimal power allocation for both two- way relaying schemes analytically. Our theoretical analysis and numerical simulation results show that higher average sum rate compared to the single antenna case and diversity order of two are achieved by the proposed OSTBC scheme.
Integrating grasp planning with online stability assessment using tactile sensing

This paper presents an integration of grasp planning and online grasp stability assessment based on tactile data. We show how the uncertainty in grasp execution posterior to grasp planning can be dealt with using tactile sensing and machine learning techniques. The majority of the state-of-the-art grasp planners demonstrate impressive results in simulation. However, these results are mostly based on perfect scene/object knowledge allowing for analytical measures to be employed. It is questionable how well these measures can be used in realistic scenarios where the information about the object and robot hand may be incomplete and/or uncertain. Thus, tactile and force-torque sensory information is necessary for successful online grasp stability assessment. We show how a grasp planner can be integrated with a probabilistic technique for grasp stability assessment in order to improve the hypotheses about suitable grasps on different types of objects. Experimental evaluation with a three-fingered robot hand equipped with tactile array sensors shows the feasibility and strength of the integrated approach.
An Empirical Evaluation of Property Recommender Systems for Wikidata and Collaborative Knowledge Bases

The Wikidata platform is a crowdsourced, structured knowledgebase aiming to provide integrated, free and language-agnostic facts which are---amongst others---used by Wikipedias. Users who actively enter, review and revise data on Wikidata are assisted by a property suggesting system which provides users with properties that might also be applicable to a given item. We argue that evaluating and subsequently improving this recommendation mechanism and hence, assisting users, can directly contribute to an even more integrated, consistent and extensive knowledge base serving a huge variety of applications. However, the quality and usefulness of such recommendations has not been evaluated yet. In this work, we provide the first evaluation of different approaches aiming to provide users with property recommendations in the process of curating information on Wikidata. We compare the approach currently facilitated on Wikidata with two state-of-the-art recommendation approaches stemming from the field of RDF recommender systems and collaborative information systems. Further, we also evaluate hybrid recommender systems combining these approaches. Our evaluations show that the current recommendation algorithm works well in regards to recall and precision, reaching a recall@7 of 79.71% and a precision@7 of 27.97%. We also find that generally, incorporating contextual as well as classifying information into the computation of property recommendations can further improve its performance significantly.
Reducing Long‐Term Remedial Costs by Transport Modeling Optimization

The Department of Defense (DoD) Environmental Security Technology Certification Program and the Environmental Protection Agency sponsored a project to evaluate the benefits and utility of contaminant transport simulation‐optimization algorithms against traditional (trial and error) modeling approaches. Three pump‐and‐treat facilities operated by the DoD were selected for inclusion in the project. Three optimization formulations were developed for each facility and solved independently by three modeling teams (two using simulation‐optimization algorithms and one applying trial‐and‐error methods). The results clearly indicate that simulation‐optimization methods are able to search a wider range of well locations and flow rates and identify better solutions than current trial‐and‐error approaches. The solutions found were 5% to 50% better than those obtained using trial‐and‐error (measured using optimal objective function values), with an average improvement of ∼20%. This translated into potential savings ranging from $600,000 to $10,000,000 for the three sites. In nearly all cases, the cost savings easily outweighed the costs of the optimization. To reduce computational requirements, in some cases the simulation‐optimization groups applied multiple mathematical algorithms, solved a series of modified subproblems, and/or fit “meta‐models” such as neural networks or regression models to replace time‐consuming simulation models in the optimization algorithm. The optimal solutions did not account for the uncertainties inherent in the modeling process. This project illustrates that transport simulation‐optimization techniques are practical for real problems. However, applying the techniques in an efficient manner requires expertise and should involve iterative modification to the formulations based on interim results.
Physicians' attitudes about prescribing and knowledge of the costs of common medications.

BACKGROUND Compliance with medical therapy is often compromised because patients cannot afford to pay for medications. Inadequate physician knowledge of drug costs may unwittingly contribute to this problem. OBJECTIVE To measure attitudes about prescribing and knowledge of medication costs and compare differences among attending physicians and residents. DESIGN/PARTICIPANTS Written survey of internal medicine house staff and general medicine attending physicians in an urban hospital-based primary care center. RESULTS One hundred thirty-four of 189 physicians responded (71% response rate). Seventy percent of respondents were house officers and 30% were attending physicians. Eighty-eight percent of physicians felt the cost of medicines was an important consideration in the prescribing decision, and 71% were willing to sacrifice some degree of efficacy to make drugs more affordable for their patients. However, 80% often felt unaware of the actual costs. Only 33% had easy access to drug cost data, and only 13% had been formally educated about drug costs. Regarding insurance coverage, 94% of physicians gave strong consideration to the cost of medications when patients were self-paying, 68% when patients had Medicare, and 30% when patients had Medicaid or were participants in a health maintenance organization with a prescription plan. Physicians' estimates of the cost of a month's supply of 33 commonly used medications were accurate in 45% of cases, too low for 40%, and too high for 15%. The costs of brand-name and expensive drugs were most likely to be underestimated. House officers were less cost-conscious than attending physicians. CONCLUSIONS Physicians were predisposed to being cost-conscious in their prescribing habits, but lacked accurate knowledge about actual costs and insurance coverage of drugs. Interventions are needed to educate physicians about drug costs and provide them with reliable, easily accessible cost information in real-world practice.
Hydrologic pulsing promotes spatial connectivity and food web subsidies in a subtropical coastal ecosystem

: Resource pulsing is a widespread phenomenon, but its effects on ecosystem dynamics are often difficult to predict. Hydrological pulsing, in particular, is known to influence the structure and dynamics of fluvial and coastal ecosystems, but little information is available about its effects on trophic connectivity between wetlands and estuaries. We investigated the hypothesis that hydrologic pulsing drives 1-way trophic subsidies (e.g. suspended organic matter and freshwater fish) from wetland to estuary. Our study system is a coastal lagoon with an ephemeral mouth that, when closed, stores freshwater as a sustained flood pulse that is subsequently released when a connection with the sea is reestablished. We monitored isotopic composition of consumers and food sources over the course of an entire flood pulse to infer trophic linkages and spatial subsidies. Before the flood peak (April and May), freshwater and estuarine zones were largely dependent on local primary production sources (seston and C 3 plants vs. C 4 plants and microphytobenthos, respectively), essentially functioning as disconnected compartments. A sustained pulse of freshwater inflow (June to August) induced greater habitat connectivity and a net flow of biomass and energy from the freshwater zone into the estuarine zone. The opening of the lagoon outlet channel abruptly terminated the flood pulse and reduced freshwater subsidies to estuarine consumers, and both zones returned to dependence on autochthonous production. Our findings contribute to current concerns that artificial opening of sandbars in coastal lagoons alters natural ecological dynamics with significant effects on biodiversity and ecosystem processes.
L-Asparaginase and the effect of age on coagulation and fibrinolysis in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Summary Alterations in haemostasis are frequently observed in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). It was the objective of this study to analyse age-related disturbances in coagulation and fibrinolysis parameters during the induction phase of the anti-leukemic treatment. Sixty-four children were classified by age into three groups (1–5, 6–10, 11–16 years), and studied during induction treatment of ALL including four weeks of dexamethasone, followed by two weeks tapering of dexamethasone during which 6,000 IU/m2 native L-Asparaginase (total 4 doses) was administered intravenously twice weekly. Blood samples were collected immediately before each L-Asparaginase infusion to analyze procoagulant (fibrinogen, factor [F] II, FV, FVII, F IX, F X) and anticoagulant factors (antithrombin [AT], protein C, protein S), parameters of thrombin generation (F1+2, TAT) and fibrinolysis (α2-antiplasmin, plasminogen, PA P , D-dimer). Children were in a hypercoagulable state after four weeks of dexamethasone due to upregulation of coagulation parameters. Upregulation was highest in the two youngest age groups. During L-Asparaginase treatment the 11– to 16-year- olds showed lower values in procoagulant and, even more, in anticoagulant factor levels compared to the younger children. Activation markers of thrombin generation and fibrinolysis did not change over time during the study period. Decreased synthesis of α2-antiplasmin and plasminogen during L-Asparaginase treatment resulted in less potential of clot lysis by plasmin in children older than 11 years of age. In conclusion, a more severe decline of anticoagulant and fibrinolytic parameters in children between 11 and 16 years of age underline that these children are at higher risk of thrombosis during ALL induction treatment.
Enhanced Data Security in Cloud by CP-ABE Access Control Scheme

Cloud computing refers to the practice of transitioning computer services such as computation or data storage to multiple redundant offsite locations available on the Internet, which allows application software to be operated using internet-enabled devices. Clouds can be classified as public, private, and hybrid. Cloud computing and storage solutions provide users and enterprises with various capabilities to store and process their data in third-party data centers. It relies on sharing of resources to achieve coherence and economies of scale, similar to a utility (like the electricity grid) over a network. At the foundation of cloud computing is the broader concept of converged infrastructure and shared services. Since the cloud computing environment is distributed and untrusted, data owners have to encrypt outsourced data to enforce confidentiality. To achieve practicable access control of encrypted data in an untrusted environment is an urgent issue that needs to be solved. Attribute-Based Encryption (ABE) is a promising scheme suitable for access control in cloud storage systems. This system proposes a hierarchical attribute-based access control scheme with constant-size cipher text.
Clustering of Musical Sounds Using Polyspectral Distance

This paper describes a hierarchical clustering of musical signals based on information derived from spectral and bispectral acoustic distortion measures. This clustering reveals the ultra metric structure that exists in the set of sounds, with a clear interpretation of the distances between the sounds as the statistical divergence between the sound models. Spectral, bispectral and combined clustering results are presented.
Title Heap graph based software theft detection

As JavaScript is becoming more and more popular, JavaScript programs are valuable assets to many companies. However, the source code of JavaScript programs can be easily obtained and plagiarism of JavaScript programs is a serious threat to the industry. There are techniques like code obfuscation and watermarking which can make the source code of a program difficult to understand by humans and prove the ownership of the program. However, code obfuscation cannot avoid the source code being copied and a watermark can be defaced. In this paper, we use a relatively new technique, software birthmark, to help detect code theft of JavaScript programs. A birthmark is a unique characteristic a program possesses that can be used to identify the program. We extend two recent birthmark systems that extract the birthmark of a software from the run-time heap. We propose a redesigned system with improved robustness and performed extensive experiments to justify the effectiveness and robustness of it. Our evaluation based on 200 large-scale websites showed that our birthmark system exhibits 100% accuracy. We remark that it is solid and ready for practical use.
Why Phishing Works: Project for an Information Security Capstone Course

This paper presents a project which was conducted in a capstone course in Information Security. The project focused on conducting research concerning the various aspects of phishing, such as why phishing works and who is more likely to be deceived by phishing. Students were guided through the process of conducting research: finding background and related work on the topic, determining the hypothesis, development of the survey system, data collection, analysis of the results, and writing of the academic paper. This project was very successful in that students gained in-depth knowledge about phishing, developed an understanding of research and academic writing, and learned to statistically analyze data to support or refute their hypothesis. Educators who are teaching a capstone course in Information Security may be interested in this project because it is an appropriate level for undergraduate seniors, it can be accomplished in one semester, and the participants can be other students at the institution.