Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
PARSER: A Model for Word Segmentation

Saffran, Newport, and Aslin (1996b) showed that adults were able to segment into words an artificial language that included no pauses or other prosodic cues for word boundaries. We propose an account of their results that requires only limited computational abilities and memory capacity. In this account, parsing emerges as a natural consequence of the on-line attentional processing of the input, thanks to basic laws of memory and associative learning. Our account was implemented in a computer program, PARSER. Simulations revealed that PARSER extracted the words of the language well before exhausting the material presented to participants in the Saffran et al. experiments. In addition, PARSER was able to simulate the results obtained under attention-disturbing conditions (Saffran, Newport, Aslin, Tunick, & Barrueco, 1997) and those collected from 8-month-old infants (Saffran, Aslin, and Newport, 1996a). Finally, the good performance of PARSER was not limited to the trisyllabic words used by Saffran et al., but also extended to a language composed of one- to five-syllable words. © 1998 Academic Press Perceiving a word as a unit may appear trivial to literate people, because words are displayed in isolation in written language. However, language acquisition initially proceeds from auditory input, and linguistic utterances usually consist of sentences linking several words without clear physical boundaries. The question thus arises: How do infants become able to segment a continuous speech stream into words? Recent psycholinguistic research has identified a number of potentially relevant factors. Analyses of the statistical structure of different languages have shown that a number of features are correlated with the presence of word boundaries and could therefore be used as cues to segment the speech signal into words. The prosodic characteristics of discourse, such as pitch and stress, provide such cues. In English, for instance, strong syllables tend to initiate words.
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF HIGH DENSITY OLIGONUCLEOTIDE ARRAYS: A SAFER APPROACH

High-density oligonucleotide arrays allow researchers to measure mRNA transcript abundance for thousands of genes on a single array. The large number of genes, multiple sources of variation, and typically small number of experimental units (EUs) combine to make analysis of data from these arrays challenging. We describe our experience in applying data analytic techniques to replicated microarray experiments. In particular, we focus on a framework that includes attention to Scale, Additive Fits to account for probe and chip biases, assessment of Experimental-unit variability, and where possible, using processes that are Resistant to extreme values (hence the SAFER acronym). Our approach aims to provide results in terms that are familiar to the analyst and easily interpreted by biologists. Moreover, by emphasizing resistant methods and not ignoring variability due to sampling, the approach aims to provide measures that speak to the repeatability of the results.
Performance Comparison of DQPSK and QPSK in Two-Channel MC-CDMA Environment

MC-CDMA is a multiple access system. The multi-user access of MC-CDMA is accomplished by exploiting the advantages of both OFDM and CDMA. The purpose of this paper is to compare the performances of DQPSK and QPSK in a MC-CDMA environment. Each modulation is assigned to each of the two channels. Reed-Solomon coding is employed in both channels. The BER is performed considering AWGN.
Information technology in developing a meta-learning environment

Advances in technology provide new tools for educators and students to be used in the learning process. Today students need to be skilled computer users and able to deal with different types of media in order to study effectively. However, technical expertise alone is not enough – one must know what to study, where to find information, what to do next etc. Therefore special attention is needed to orientate students to use technology so that they learn to study in a modern learning environment. In this study the focus is on adult students. It is also likely that some adult students may not be familiar with computers and information technology. In addition, they have not been in school for several years and therefore may not be used to studying. Consequently, adult students need advice and help in both using modern technology in studying, and in the studying itself. Here we argue that a meta-learning environment can help students in the learning process. A meta-learning environment is defined as a platform for studying and it should integrate technology and resources so that they empower the learning process. In this article we look at the development of a learning environment using the meta-learning environment approach. The theoretical contribution is in the recognition of key dimensions of the meta-learning environment. They provide a promising framework for developing learning environments in the digital age.
The Performance Study of Two Genetic Algorithm Approaches for VLSI Macro-Cell Layout Area Optimization

Very large scale integrated (VLSI) design has been the subject of much research since the early 1980s where the VLSI cell placement emerges to be a crucial stage in the chip design. Its area optimization is very important in order to reduce the delay and include more functionalities to the designed chip. The VLSI cell area optimization continues to become increasingly important to the performance of VLSI design due to the accelerating of the design complexities in VLSI. Thus, this paper addresses the performance comparisons of two different types of genetic algorithm (GA) techniques for VLSI macro-cell layout area optimization by utilizing the adopted method of cell placement that is binary tree method. Two GA approaches which are simple genetic algorithm (SGA) and steady-state genetic algorithm (SSGA) have been implemented and their performances in converging to their global minimums are examined and discussed. The performances of these techniques are tested on Microelectronics Center of North Carolina (MCNC) benchmark circuit's data set. The experimental results demonstrate that both algorithms achieve acceptable area requirement compared to the slicing floorplan approach (Lin et al., 2002). However, SSGA outperforms SGA where it achieves faster convergence rate and obtains more near optimum area.
Performance Characterization of Radial Stub Microstrip Bow-Tie Antenna

In this paper a novel radial stub feeding microstrip bow-tie antenna is designed to operate between C and X band and its performance characterization is presented. This antenna is having simple structure and topology over other stub loaded antennas. In addition the proposed antenna adjusts to the desired frequency easily. Antenna output parameters like radiation pattern, axial ratio, directive gain and quality factor are simulated and presented in this current work.
Guidelines for the evaluation of dementia and age-related cognitive change.

Dementia in its many forms is a leading cause of functional limitation among older adults worldwide and will continue to ascend in global health importance as populations continue to age and effective cures remain elusive (Mathers & Loncar, 2006). Plassman et al. (2007) estimated that over 2.5 million Americans suffered from Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and that nearly 4 million had that and other forms of dementia in 2002. Given expected increases in the size of the older adult population, those numbers are expected to increase strikingly by 2050 (Alzheimer’s Association, 2009). The following guidelines were developed for psychologists who perform evaluations of dementia and agerelated cognitive change. These guidelines conform to the American Psychological Association’s (APA’s) “Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct” (APA, 2002). The term guidelines refers to statements that suggest or recommend specific professional behavior, endeavors, or conduct for psychologists. Guidelines differ from standards in that standards are mandatory and may be accompanied by an enforcement mechanism. Guidelines are aspirational in intent. They are intended to facilitate the continued systematic development of the profession and to help facilitate a high level of practice by psychologists. Guidelines are not intended to be mandatory or exhaustive and may not be applicable to every professional situation. They are not definitive, and they are not intended to take precedence over the judgment of psychologists. Guidelines on this topic were originally developed by an APA Presidential Task Force, approved as policy of APA by the APA Council of Representatives, and published in 1998 (APA Presidential Task Force on the Assessment of Age-Consistent Memory Decline and Dementia, 1998). Consistent with APA standards, these guidelines were subject to sunset or review in 2008. The Board of Professional Affairs and the Committee on Professional Practice and Standards conducted an initial review and determined that the guidelines should not be sunset and that revision was appropriate. The APA Committee on Aging empanelled a group of experts who reviewed and deemed appropriate the maintenance of these guidelines with appropriate revision and updating. The introduction to the original guidelines remains pertinent today:
Paradigms for Tropical Cyclone Intensification

Abstract : We review the four main paradigms of tropical cyclone intensification that have emerged over the past five decades, discussing the relationship between them and highlighting their strengths and weaknesses. A major focus is on a new paradigm articulated in a series of recent papers using observations and high- resolution, three-dimensional, numerical model simulations. Unlike the three previous paradigms, all of which assumed axial symmetry, the new one recognises the presence of localised, buoyant, rotating deep convection that grows in the rotation-rich environment of the incipient storm, thereby greatly amplifying the local vorticity. It exhibits also a degree of randomness that has implications for the predictability of local asymmetric features of the developing vortex. While surface moisture fluxes are required for intensification, the postulated evaporation-wind feedback process that forms the basis of an earlier paradigm is not. Differences between spin up in three-dimensional and axisymmetric numerical models are discussed also. In all paradigms, the tangential winds above the boundary layer are amplified by the convectively-induced inflow in the lower troposphere in conjunction with the approximate material conservation of absolute angular momentum. This process acts also to broaden the outer circulation. Azimuthally-averaged fields from high-resolution model simulations have highlighted a second mechanism for amplifying the mean tangential winds. This mechanism, which is coupled to the first via boundary-layer dynamics, involves the convergence of absolute angular momentum within the boundary layer, where this quantity is not materially conserved, but where air parcels are displaced much further radially in - wards than air parcels above the boundary layer. It explains why the maximum tangential winds occur in the boundary layer and accounts for the generation of supergradient wind speeds there.
Research Trends in Selected M . A . TESOL Programs in Taiwan : A Preliminary Content Analysis of Master ’ s Theses from 2003-2007

This paper examines the research trends in selected master’s programs of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) by analyzing the master’s theses produced between 2003 and 2007. Seven TESOL graduate programs in different national universities, which also provide a secondary teacher education program, were selected. Data consisted of 493 thesis abstracts retrieved from the Electronic Theses and Dissertations System of National Digital Library. Using a content-analysis method, we identified the education levels of research contexts and research topics to present current research trends in Taiwan TESOL programs. The analysis of the research contexts showed that the two most common contexts were secondary education in high school and undergraduate education in universities. Although the nature of the master’s theses selected spans a wide range of research topics and varies across different programs, the preliminary analysis identified the four most frequently investigated topics were: (1) language skills, including research on listening, speaking, reading, writing, pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar, (2) teaching methods or approaches, (3) materials or curriculum and computer assisted language learning (CALL) tying for third. The patterns of the research agenda on English education in Taiwan reflected in the thesis research are briefly discussed in relation to different graduate program characteristics, local English educational issues, and global research trends in TESOL. It is hoped that the findings of this study will provide not only an overview of current research trends in TESOL programs in Taiwan but also new insights for future research directions and development for both TESOL master’s students and researchers as they consider research topics to explore.
Origins of The IEEE Standard Upper Ontology

Research and applications in computer science are creating the need for precise definitions of the concepts that make up our world. Web searching is handicapped by the limitations of specifying search criteria in terms of keywords rather than concepts. Automated natural language understanding, both oral and written, is severely limited by the ambiguity of language. Software engineering is limited by the need for engineers to define concepts to model the world. Computers exist in a world similar to Europe in the Middle Ages in which tiny principalities each had their own language or dialect. Worse yet, these dialects are impoverished and they enable the computers to say only very specific and limited things. In order to enable continued progress in ecommerce and software integration, we must give computers a common language with a richness that more closely approaches that of human language. Integrating the meaning (or semantics) of databases and programs is crucial for creating software that is reliable and scalable. The use of ontologies to specify semantics is emerging as a promising technique for software integration. Creators of different components often assume they understand the terms in the same way. The reality is that is rarely the case. Even the bestdocumented code has implicit assumptions and ambiguity in the definition and usage of terms. Research in several areas including computer science, artificial intelligence, philosophy, library science and linguistics are helping to meet these needs. All these fields have experience with creating precise and standard descriptions and terminology for the things that make up our world. (Sowa 2000) Current research is hampered by several issues. Computer scientists and philosophers lack consensus in their communities for creating the very large, wide-coverage ontologies that are needed, although they have the necessary formal languages to do so. Librarians and linguists have the charter to create large ontologies but those ontologies have typically lacked the formal definitions needed for reasoning and decisionmaking. In fact, it is probably fair to claim that to date no group has taken full advantage of the vast body of historical work in this area One group that has developed a large formal ontology is Cycorp. However, ithas released only a small part to the public, retains proprietary rights to the vast bulk of their ontology, (Lenat 1995) and the contents of the ontology have not been subject to extensive peer review
Robot manipulator adaptive control using disturbance estimator

In this paper, adaptive control of a robotic manipulator and a parameter estimation method are discussed. This paper considers the circumstance that a five-bar linkage manipulator is position controlled and unknown external disturbance is exist. In this case, conventional position based and/or prediction error based parameter estimation methods do not guarantee asymptotic stability due to the unknown disturbance. To overcome this problem, this paper presents a prediction error based adaptation with the disturbance estimator (DE). By using a characteristic that the estimation result of the DE contains informations about the estimated model error and the external disturbance, asymptotically stable parameter estimation is achieved under the ideal condition of the DE. In addition, by using the DE feedback control, both the tracking error and the parameter estimation error are converged to zero. Performance of the proposed adaptive control method is demonstrated by simulations.
Local binary patterns and modified red channel for optic disc segmentation

Glaucoma is one of the ocular eye diseases that can cause gradual vision loss and permanent blindness if it is not treated in the early stage. Current screening test such as intraocular pressure (IOP) assessment is not efficient since eye pressure is not the only symptom of glaucoma. The most suitable assessment of the glaucoma is by analyzing the health of the optic nerve head. In order to quantify the severity level of glaucoma, an automated detection system is developed by examining the optic disc and optic cup size. This paper explores two methods for optic disc segmentation, a part of modules in automated detection system, which are local binary patterns (LBP) and modified red channel (MRC). Both methods utilized only the red channel of RGB format fundus image as it alone is enough to achieve good performance in term of image contrast as compared to the other channels. For each method, preprocessing is first performed to enhance the quality of the input fundus image and post-processing is performed to smooth out the segmented boundary of the optic disc. RIM-One database is used to validate the simulation results for both tested methods. The results show that MRC performance is more stable in wider conditions compared to LBP. In conclusion, both methods segment the optic disc boundary with high accuracy, which can be used to calculate cup-to-disc ratio to determine severity of glaucoma.
Understanding the Acceptance and Usage of IT Project Management Methodologies: Towards a Conceptual Model supported by Case Studies

Organizations invest considerable resources in the development and implementation of IT project management (IT PM) methodologies to increase productivity and quality as well as to save time, effort, and resources. However, such methodologies are often rejected outright by users. Our research analyzes the determinants of individual usage behavior in order to enable organizations to engineer IT PM methodologies that not only provide strategic benefits but also meet the needs of actual users. The existing literature, especially Triandis’ Theory of Interpersonal Behavior as well as initial case study results from a number of organizations are used to construct a conceptual model. This research model includes four dimensions: a) Value, b) workgroup influence, c) self-beliefs, and d) organizational characteristics, which are all considered to positively influence the development of the intention to use a methodology. Additionally, we find that the effect of intentions on actual usage can be weakened by an individual’s automatic behavior such as habits.
Strategies in Distributed Evolutionary Algorithms for Multi-objective Optimization

The communication between subpopulations in a distributed evolutionary algorithm is an important issue since it influences the algorithm effectiveness in solving the optimization problem and the efficiency of the parallel implementation. Choosing the adequate communication strategy depends on various factors, thus by comparing different strategies one can collect knowledge on how to design an effective approach. The aim of this paper is to compare a set of communication strategies both with respect to their effectiveness in approximating the Pareto set of a multi-objective optimization problem and with respect to the efficiency of a parallel implementation.
Iris Localisation for a Head-Mounted Eye Tracker

This paper discusses the image processing techniques needed to localise the iris outline in images of the eye produced by a novel, portable eye tracker. The tracker allows gaze direction to be measured by supplying simultaneous views of a subject's eye and of the world from a headmounted camera. Finding gaze direction relative to the head requires accurate and robust measurement of the iris outline under a wide range of lighting conditions, in the presence of highlights, and when the iris is in an extreme position. We describe a reliable method to solve this problem, which achieves a gaze direction accuracy of under 2 degrees.
Organizational Factors Influencing Implementation of Evidence-Based Practices for Integrated Treatment in Behavioral Health Agencies

Objective. In recent years, New Mexico has prioritized integrated treatment for cooccurring mental health and substance use disorders within its public behavioral health system. This report describes factors likely to be important when implementing evidence-based practices (EBPs) in community agencies. Methods. Our mixed-method research design consisted of observations, semistructured interviews, and surveys undertaken with employees at 14 agencies at baseline and after 18 months. We developed four-agency typologies based on iterative coding and analysis of observations and interviews. We then examined survey data from employees at the four exemplar agencies to validate qualitative findings. Results. Financial resources and strong leadership impacted agency capacity to train providers and implement EBPs. Quantitative analysis of service provider survey responses from these agencies (N = 38) supported qualitative findings and demonstrated significant mean score differences in leadership, organizational climate, and attitudes toward EBPs in anticipated directions. Conclusion. The availability of strong leadership and financial resources were key components to initial implementation success in this study of community agencies in New Mexico. Reliance only on external funding poses risks for sustainment when demoralizing work climates precipitate employee turnover. Strong agency leadership does not always compensate for deficient financial resources in vulnerable communities.
Nonlinear attitude and gyroscope's bias estimation for a VTOL UAV

This paper addresses the problem of attitude and heading restitution for a VTOL UAV (Vertical Take Off and Landing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle). In a first step, we propose an observation strategy to restore the attitude starting from a measure of the orientation matrix and angular rate readings polluted by an unknown bias vector. In the second step, we detail the implementation of this algorithm in the HoverEye, a ducted fan VTOL UAV developed by Bertin Technologies, equipped with an inertial measurement unit (IMU) and magnetometers. A measured orientation matrix is calculated from the gravity and the earth's magnetic field. Then, an estimated orientation is built by integration of gyroscopic readings, and corrected by the measured ones. The proposed observer, directly designed in the special orthogonal group SO(3), is as efficient as classical Extended Kalman Filtering based observers, but easier to implement in real time. Experiments achieved on the HoverEye illustrate the concept.