Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Another look at the estimation of dynamic programming models with censored decision variables

In this paper we propose a new approach to estimate the structural parameters in the context of a censored continuous decision model. Instead of handling with the original model, we consider an approximate model in which the decision variable has been discretized in a finite number of values. In this sense, an ordered choice model becomes a natural approximation to an underlying and more complicated censored continuous one. We extend the kind of Hotz-Miller estimators proposed for the estimation of binary or multinomial choice models to the context of ordered choice models. The estimation approach is based on the existence of a one-to-one mapping from conditional choice value functions to conditional choice probabilities. Exploiting the invertibility of that mapping it is possible to obtain structural parameter estimates without solving the dynamic programming problem.
Effectiveness of overlay routing based on delay and bandwidth information

Recent research on overlay networks has revealed that user-perceived network performance, such as end-to-end delay performance, could be improved by an overlay routing mechanism. However, these studies only consider end-to-end delay, and there are few works focusing on bandwidth-related information, such as available bandwidth and physical capacity. In the present paper, we use the measurement results of delay and available bandwidth of network paths between PlanetLab nodes and investigate the effect of overlay routing using both delay and bandwidth information. We further reveal the correlation between the latency and available bandwidth of the overlay paths and propose several guidelines for selecting an overlay path.
Adaptive Pixel Pair Matching based Steganography for audio files

Steganography is the art of concealing secret information inside cover media. Initially, Steganography, originated with the method called LSB Substitution. This is one of the oldest and simplest methods of hiding information, where, only the least significant bits of the cover image are altered. However, it faced its own disadvantages of higher distortion and lower embedding efficiency. These problems were then overcome by the method called Optimum Pixel Adjustment Process (OPAP). In this process, the substitution was adjusted depending upon the error condition. These two methods are based on single pixel processing. Later on, a method called Pixel Pair Matching (PPM) was proposed which worked with two pixel adjustment. Here, a pixel pair (x,y) and (x',y') is chosen. One pixel is used as the reference coordinate and the other pixel is used as the search coordinate. Depending upon the incoming secret message, the searched coordinate is concealed into the reference coordinate. Exploiting Modification Direction (EMD) and Diamond Encoding (DE) are the two variations of this kind. Adaptive Pixel Pair Matching (APPM) is another variation of the kind PPM. This method offers better embedding capacity than all other methods. This paper, proposes a method for hiding audio file inside images using APPM.
Replication Routing Indexes for XML Documents ⋆

Peer-to-peer systems have attracted considerable attention as a means of sharing content among large and dynamic communities of nodes. In this paper, we consider sharing of XML documents. We propose a simple yet efficient replication method that is based on replication routing indexes. A replication routing index for a node is a path-based XML index that summarizes access information for each of the links of the node. The replication routing indexes are used for determining both the granularity of the XML fragments to be replicated as well as the appropriate sites for placing the fragments. We also present experimental results of the deployment of our indexes in a dynamic unstructured peer-to-peer system.
Power and Precision of Alternate Methods for Linkage Disequilibrium Mapping of Quantitative Trait Loci

Linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis in outbred populations uses historical recombinations to detect and fine map quantitative trait loci (QTL). Our objective was to evaluate the effect of various factors on power and precision of QTL detection and to compare LD mapping methods on the basis of regression and identity by descent (IBD) in populations of limited effective population size (Ne). An 11-cM region with 6–38 segregating single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and a central QTL was simulated. After 100 generations of random mating with Ne of 50, 100, or 200, SNP genotypes and phenotypes were generated on 200, 500, or 1000 individuals with the QTL explaining 2 or 5% of phenotypic variance. To detect and map the QTL, phenotypes were regressed on genotypes or (assumed known) haplotypes, in comparison with the IBD method. Power and precision to detect QTL increased with sample size, marker density, and QTL effect. Power decreased with Ne, but precision was affected little by Ne. Single-marker regression had similar or greater power and precision than other regression models, and was comparable to the IBD method. Thus, for rapid initial screening of samples of adequate size in populations in which drift is the primary force that has created LD, QTL can be detected and mapped by regression on SNP genotypes without recovering haplotypes.
Neuronal approach for motion estimation in frequency domain

The analysis of motion in image sequences is a field of research still open. The development of new methods is guided by two objectives: the first is to improve the results obtained from the qualitative point of view; the second goal is to minimize the calculation time to meet the real-time applications. Our work is based on the application of neuronal motion estimation approach called MENA in the frequency domain. This choice is guided primarily by the qualitative results of this method and also by the strength of the frequency representation of the processed data. This view allows us also to generalize the MENA method that can benefit from the contributions of the different approaches to motion estimation.
The biochemistry behind human behavior: Implications for leisure sciences and services

Abstract This research reflection explores the relationship between biochemistry and human behavior. More specifically, it examines the implications associated with two neural pathways in the brain, one leading to pleasure and the other to contentment. After describing how the two pathways work and where they lead, we turn the reader’s attention to the implications for leisure sciences and services, including the way we think about leisure behavior, how we plan for it, and, ultimately, how we might rethink the leisure service profession’s obligation in light of its classical philosophical foundations.
Feature Space Mapping: a neurofuzzy network for system identification

Our original motivation for the development of the Feature Space Mapping (FSM) system came from cognitive modelling. Mind arises from complex dynamics of the brain. Approximations to this dynamics lead to a set of concepts [1] helpful in description of the mind, such as the “inner space” concept, called also the “conceptual space” or the “mind space”. Among many other aspects mind models should be capable of recognition, classification and reasoning. Cognitive modelling is not always faithful to neurobiology, but a natural implementation of such models has a neural network form. In this paper we present one particular realisation of general ideas related to cognitive modelling [1] leading to a neurofuzzy network useful for system identification. The low level cognitive processes accomplished by various topographic maps in the brain define features of internal representations X i (t) for the incoming signals I(t). These features may be of many types: shapes derived from the analogue sensory signals, numbers, linguistic variables. A coordinate system based on these features {X i } defines a multidimensional feature space, called here “the mind space” since axes of some of the coordinate systems we use represent confidence factors and partial classification results, not only simple features. The system learns by creating and modifying “mind objects” in this space. They are described using “mind function” M(X) as a fuzzy areas in the mind space where the function has non-zero values. Local maxima of the mind function are prototypical representations of the (fuzzy) training data. Feature detectors react to specific localised features of the incoming data, therefore objects in the mind space are modelled via localised functions rather then unbounded, sigmoidal functions that are most frequently used in neural models. In some cases unbounded functions are also useful. From the point of view of efficiency and flexibility of the system good choice is provided by [2]:
Partially quenched chiral perturbation theory in the epsilon regime at next-to-leading order

We calculate the partition function of partially quenched chiral perturbation theory in the epsilon regime at next-to-leading order using the supersymmetry method in the formulation without a singlet particle. We include a nonzero imaginary chemical potential and show that the finite-volume corrections to the low-energy constants Σ and F for the partially quenched partition function, and hence for spectral correlation functions of the Dirac operator, are the same as for the unquenched partition function. We briefly comment on how to minimize these corrections in lattice simulations of QCD. As a side result, we show that the zero-momentum integral in the formulation without a singlet particle agrees with previous results from random matrix theory.
Caspofungin for post solid organ transplant invasive fungal disease: results of a retrospective observational study

M. Winkler, J. Pratschke, U. Schulz, S. Zheng, M. Zhang, W. Li, M. Lu, D. Sgarabotto, G. Sganga, P. Kaskel, S. Chandwani, L. Ma, J. Petrovic, M. Shivaprakash. Caspofungin for post solid organ transplant invasive fungal disease: results of a retrospective observational study. Transpl Infect Dis 2010: 12: 230–237. All rights reserved
Inter and Intra Rater Reliability of the 10 Meter Walk Test in the Community Dweller Adults with Spastic Cerebral Palsy

Objective We aimed to investigation the intra-rater and inter-raters reliability of the 10 meter walk test (10 MWT) in adults with spastic cerebral palsy (CP). Materials & Methods Thirty ambulatory adults with spastic CP in the summer of 2014 participated (19 men, 11 women; mean age 28 ± 7 yr, range 18- 46 yr). Individuals were non-randomly selected by convenient sampling from the Ra’ad Rehabilitation Goodwill Complex in Tehran, Iran. They had GMFCS levels below IV (I, II, and III). Retest interval for inter-raters study lasted a week. During the tests, participants walked with their maximum speed. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) estimated reliability. Results The 10 MWT ICC for intra-rater was 0.98 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.96-0.99) for participants, and >0.89 in GMFCS subgroups (95% confidence interval (CI) lower bound>0.67). The 10 MWT inter-raters’ ICC was 0.998 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0/996-0/999), and >0.993 in GMFCS subgroups (95% confidence interval (CI) lower bound>0.977). Standard error of the measurement (SEM) values for both studies was small (0.02< SEM< 0.07). Conclusion Excellent intra-rater and inter-raters reliability of the 10 MWT in adults with CP, especially in the moderate motor impairments (GMFCS level III), indicates that this tool can be used in clinics to assess the results of interventions.
Cryptanalysis and Improvement of a Biometric-Based Multi-Server Authentication and Key Agreement Scheme

With the security requirements of networks, biometrics authenticated schemes which are applied in the multi-server environment come to be more crucial and widely deployed. In this paper, we propose a novel biometric-based multi-server authentication and key agreement scheme which is based on the cryptanalysis of Mishra et al.’s scheme. The informal and formal security analysis of our scheme are given, which demonstrate that our scheme satisfies the desirable security requirements. The presented scheme provides a variety of significant functionalities, in which some features are not considered in the most of existing authentication schemes, such as, user revocation or re-registration and biometric information protection. Compared with several related schemes, our scheme has more secure properties and lower computation cost. It is obviously more appropriate for practical applications in the remote distributed networks.
Representing the Knowledge of a Robot

Acquiring information about its environment by sensing is a crucial ability of autonomous robots. Based on the established solution to the Frame Problem of the Fluent Calculus, we present a new, unifying formalism for representing and reasoning about sensing actions, knowledge preconditions, conditional actions, non-knowledge, and about what goals a robot can possibly achieve.
Feature selection in multi-label classification through MLQPFS

In multi-label classification, each data instance is associated with a set of labels. Feature selection is one of the most significant challenges in multi-label classification. Irrelevant and dependent features can mislead the learning phase of multi-label classification. Therefore it is important to select the effective features. A large and growing body of literature has investigated multi-label feature selection problem. Most of these studies used incremental approach. In this paper a new algorithm has been proposed called MLQPFS which selects subset of features in such a way that redundancy among the selected features will be minimized meanwhile the relevancy between the selected features and class labels will be maximized. MLQPFS applies quadratic programming to optimize feature selection process. In order to evaluate the performance of proposed algorithm, MLQPFS and PMU have been compared in three multi-label data sets. The experimental results showed that MLQPFS has better performance than conventional incremental feature selection methods such as PMU.
Actuator Networks: Inducing Potential Fields to Guide a Moving Element to a Desired Position Using Push-Cage-Squeeze Cycles ∗

—Building on recent work in sensor networks and distributed manipulation, we propose Actuator Networks – networks of devices capable of exerting inﬂuence on their environment in addition to monitoring it. We show how an Actuator Network can be used to guide a moving element to a desired location in space through the creation of potential gradients, and introduce an algorithm capable of calculating the required actuation. In this algorithm, motion is achieved with three steps: “Push, Cage, and Squeeze”, whose sequential application we term a PCS cycle. Guiding a moving element via PCS cycles is robust to modeled trajectory error and provides a framework into which path planning and obstacle avoidance can be integrated. We explore the PCS cycle as an example of one of the types of distributed actuation possible with an Actuator Network. We introduce models, notation, terms and properties related to the nature of Actuator Networks, describe the distributed guidance algorithm, and discuss simulation results showing how an Actuator Network with eight nodes can guide a moving element to a desired location while avoiding obstacles.
Predictors of employment status: A study of former refugee communities in Australia

Objective There is substantial evidence that refugees' employment experiences are marred by a range of hurdles as they settle in their host country. This study investigated the relationship between a range of independent variables such as, demographic factors, acculturation, acculturative stress, and resilience and the dependent variable that is the employment status of former refugees. Method Questionnaire data were gathered from 169 participants from the Ethiopian, Congolese, and Myanmar communities settled in Brisbane, Australia. Hierarchical logistic regression was used to investigate the factors that predicted employment status. Results Resilience and demographic variables such as age, education, gender, and country of origin were not associated with being employed. Length of stay and English proficiency increased the likelihood of being employed. Surprisingly, an increase in acculturation was associated with the likelihood of being unemployed, while an increase in acculturative stress was associated with the likelihood of being employed. Conclusions These findings indicate that unemployed participants perceived themselves to be acculturated and integrated, while those who were employed reported more acculturative stress. Furthermore, employment despite its positive impact can also be stressful. The study has practical and theoretical implications for stakeholders involved in the employment of refugees.
Uniqueness and asymptotic stability of Riemann solutions for the compressible Euler equations

We prove the uniqueness of Riemann solutions in the class of entropy solutions in L∞ ∩ BVloc for the 3 × 3 system of compressible Euler equations, under usual assumptions on the equation of state for the pressure which imply strict hyperbolicity of the system and genuine nonlinearity of the first and third characteristic families. In particular, if the Riemann solutions consist of at most rarefaction waves and contact discontinuities, we show the global L2-stability of the Riemann solutions even in the class of entropy solutions in L∞ with arbitrarily large oscillation for the 3 × 3 system. We apply our framework established earlier to show that the uniqueness of Riemann solutions implies their inviscid asymptotic stability under L1 perturbation of the Riemann initial data, as long as the corresponding solutions are in L∞ and have local bounded total variation satisfying a natural condition on its growth with time. No specific reference to any particular method for constructing the entropy solutions is made. Our uniqueness result for Riemann solutions can easily be extended to entropy solutions U(x, t), piecewise Lipschitz in x, for any t > 0.
Development of a suction cup with a disc spring

This paper presents a new suction cup with a disc spring for exiting adsorption mechanisms (for example, wall-climbing robots). The center of the suction cup can be pulled up manually through the use of buckling of the disc spring. When deformation of the disc spring reaches a certain balance point, it can sufficiently generate adsorption force. However, with time, the adsorption force will gradually decrease because of air inflow into the suction cup. Then, the spring can be automatically pulled up again to next balance point according to the air inflow. Repeating this process enables the adsorption for a long duration. By pushing back the disc spring to the original position manually, the suction cup is easily detached from the wall. This proposed suction cup can achieve long adsorption, easy attachment and detachment, and energy saving. In this paper, analysis of the adsorption force, design of the suction cup, and experiment of the prototype are conducted.
Electrodelivery of Drugs into Cancer Cells in the Presence of Poloxamer 188

In the present study it is shown that poloxamer 188, added before or immediately after an electrical pulse used for electroporation, decreases the number of dead cells and at the same time does not reduce the number of reversible electropores through which small molecules (cisplatin, bleomycin, or propidium iodide) can pass/diffuse. It was suggested that hydrophobic sections of poloxamer 188 molecules are incorporated into the edges of pores and that their hydrophilic parts act as brushy pore structures. The formation of brushy pores may reduce the expansion of pores and delay the irreversible electropermeability. Tumors were implanted subcutaneously in both flanks of nude mice using HeLa cells, transfected with genes for red fluorescent protein and luciferase. The volume of tumors stopped to grow after electrochemotherapy and the use of poloxamer 188 reduced the edema near the electrode and around the subcutaneously growing tumors.
Using architectural knowledge in process of software maintenance

Software maintenance presents nowadays one of the most critical phases of software system life cycle. Constant changes of system's requirements or changes related to occurrences of system defects caused that thorough system understanding in order of efficient realization of system's modifications becomes now an inevitable part of maintenance process. In this paper, we emphasize the importance of system's comprehension in the context of an early detection of system's defects by offering the description of its life cycle and classification, but mainly by introducing the principles of architectural knowledge concept. We also propose a new approach of dealing with one of the currently most serious obstacles inhibiting this concept from its further use - the problem of architectural knowledge automatic acquisition.
Multi-feature walking pedestrians detection for driving assistance systems

Pedestrians are the most vulnerable urban traffic participants. In order to better protect them in pre-crash scenarios, it is necessary to detect them. Unfortunately, pedestrian detection is very difficult in highly cluttered urban scenarios, using cameras mounted on moving vehicle. A novel approach to walking pedestrian detection, using dense stereo vision systems, is presented. Multiple features combined into a Bayesian framework are used to yield a high rate of pedestrian detection. The feature set includes simple features such as width, height, lateral and longitudinal speed. It also includes complex motion features, such as the variance of the motion field caused by the pedestrians' legs and arms moving during walking and the periodicity of the pedestrians' walking pattern.
Susceptibility-Weighted Imaging: Technical Aspects and Clinical Applications, Part 1

SUMMARY: Susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) is a new neuroimaging technique, which uses tissue magnetic susceptibility differences to generate a unique contrast, different from that of spin density, T1, T2, and T2*. In this review (the first of 2 parts), we present the technical background for SWI. We discuss the concept of gradient-echo images and how we can measure local changes in susceptibility. Armed with this material, we introduce the steps required to transform the original magnitude and phase images into SWI data. The use of SWI filtered phase as a means to visualize and potentially quantify iron in the brain is presented. Advice for the correct interpretation of SWI data is discussed, and a set of recommended sequence parameters for different field strengths is given.
Model‐driven architecture of a maritime surveillance system simulator

This article reports on an experiment to apply a model‐driven approach for systems engineering in an industrial context. This experiment consisted of setting up a model‐driven simulation environment for a maritime surveillance system. The simulation is fully based on three models, each conforming to a specific metamodel. We discuss the main advances given by model‐driven orientated simulation for systems engineering. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Eng