Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Extraction of lorentz model parameters for dielectrics and their application in nanoplasmonics

The Lorentz model parameters for alumina, aluminum arsenide, zinc oxide, potassium bromide, graphene and gallium arsenide are optimized using a nonlinear optimization algorithm based on the Hooke and Jeeves method. The complex relative permittivity of each of the mentioned materials is calculated over a long wavelength range using the optimized parameters. The obtained permittivity curves exhibit very good match with those obtained from the experimental results. The symmetric SPP mode propagation through MDM waveguides containing alumina and aluminum arsenide as dielectric layers sandwiched between layers of silver has been investigated using their optimized modeling parameters.
FACULTE DES SCIENCES ECONOMIQUES ET SOCIALES

Lagrangian relaxation is commonly used in combinatorial optimization to generate lower bounds for a minimization problem. We propose a modified Lagrangian relaxation which used in (linear) combinatorial optimization with equality constraints generates an optimal intinteger solution. We call this new concept semi-Lagrangian relaxation and illustrate its practical value by solving large-scale instances of the p-median problem. BELTRAN, C. , TADONKI, Claude, VIAL, Jean-Philippe. Semi-Lagrangian Relaxation. 2004
Crises and international cooperation: an Arctic case study

This article contributes the insight that during an international crisis, a pre-existing state of complex interdependence can help to preserve cooperation. It derives the insight from a case study on the International Relations of the Arctic before and after the 2014 Russian annexation of Crimea. The case study is examined through the lens of Robert Keohane and Joseph Nye’s concept of ‘complex interdependence’, as developed in their 1977 book Power and Interdependence – a concept which provides the analytical breadth necessary for a multifactorial situation of regional cooperation and conflict. It finds that Arctic international relations had achieved a state of complex interdependence by 2014, and that some important elements of interdependence then disappeared after the annexation of Crimea. But while most military and economic cooperation between Russia and Western states was suspended, many aspects of regional cooperation continued, including on search and rescue, fisheries, continental shelves, navigation and in the Arctic Council. The question is, why has Arctic cooperation continued in some issue areas while breaking down in others? Why have Russian–Western relations in that region been insulated, to some degree, from developments elsewhere? The concept of complex interdependence provides some answers.
Coordinated Multiple Views to Support Image Retrieval

The number of images available has grown over the years, as well as the number of techniques to aid to organizing and retrieving from image collections. Techniques and systems have been proposed to recover images based on query, in which an image (or words) is used as input parameter and a list of similar images (or images with related text content) is recovered. However, understanding how the retrieved images are related to each other remains as a problem. This paper proposes an approach based on multidimensional visualization and coordination techniques to show the relationship from retrieved images. In this approach, coordination techniques are employed to perform image retrieval methods and highlight the results in visual representations, showing how retrieved images are relate. To evaluate our proposal image collections with and without textual annotations related to each image were used, and also image retrieval mechanisms based on distance, topic and semantic to retrieve images from distinct and multimodal datasets.
Entropy Measures Quantify Global Splicing Disorders in Cancer

Most mammalian genes are able to express several splice variants in a phenomenon known as alternative splicing. Serious alterations of alternative splicing occur in cancer tissues, leading to expression of multiple aberrant splice forms. Most studies of alternative splicing defects have focused on the identification of cancer-specific splice variants as potential therapeutic targets. Here, we examine instead the bulk of non-specific transcript isoforms and analyze their level of disorder using a measure of uncertainty called Shannon's entropy. We compare isoform expression entropy in normal and cancer tissues from the same anatomical site for different classes of transcript variations: alternative splicing, polyadenylation, and transcription initiation. Whereas alternative initiation and polyadenylation show no significant gain or loss of entropy between normal and cancer tissues, alternative splicing shows highly significant entropy gains for 13 of the 27 cancers studied. This entropy gain is characterized by a flattening in the expression profile of normal isoforms and is correlated to the level of estimated cellular proliferation in the cancer tissue. Interestingly, the genes that present the highest entropy gain are enriched in splicing factors. We provide here the first quantitative estimate of splicing disruption in cancer. The expression of normal splice variants is widely and significantly disrupted in at least half of the cancers studied. We postulate that such splicing disorders may develop in part from splicing alteration in key splice factors, which in turn significantly impact multiple target genes.
Truth, human relatedness, and the analytic process: An interpersonal/relational perspective

Many years ago, while trying to please my first analytic supervisor with a story about a highly ‘compliant’ patient who had openly disagreed with something I had said about her, I described the moment as an important event in her treatment because it also made me aware that what I had said to her was not true. ‘‘What do you mean by true? ’’ said he. Taken aback, and a bit irritated, I restated it a bit more loudly: ‘‘Um, you know – it wasn’t true! ’’ ‘‘It sounds more like it wasn’t accurate’’, he countered. ‘‘What do you mean by ‘accurate’? ’’ I asked, somewhat defiantly. One thing led to another, and even though I didn’t appreciate his smugness, as the supervision went on I increasingly appreciated the fact that whatever took place between us could always be talked about. But what I came to value most of all was the power of his distinction between truth and accuracy. Truth, as a subjective phenomenon, continues to have an important place in my clinical work, but only in the context of an ongoing dialectic with the intersubjective phenomenon of accuracy. My supervisor’s openness to jointly processing our somewhat contentious ‘moment of truth’, and his similar openness throughout the supervision, helped me also to experience the distinction between being a psychoanalyst and doing psychoanalysis. And it is the intrinsic tension between being and doing, like that between accuracy and truth, that allows, I believe, for the relational consensus necessary to both shaping therapeutic growth and the clinical sensibility I will try to convey in this essay. Relational psychoanalysis is now a central piece of the psychoanalytic landscape, most notably in the United States and increasingly so internationally. The concept and the name ‘Interpersonal ⁄Relational’, however, may be less familiar to some readers, so I think it would be helpful if I were to briefly contextualize it before continuing with the topic at hand. The school of Relational psychoanalysis was not born of a single seminal theorist or homogeneous group of theorists from which it then evolved, Int J Psychoanal (2009) 90:347–361 doi: 10.1111/j.1745-8315.2009. 00137.x
Linkage Disequilibrium and Recombination Rate Estimates in the Self-Incompatibility Region of Arabidopsis lyrata

Genetic diversity is unusually high at loci in the S-locus region of the self-incompatible species of the flowering plant, Arabidopsis lyrata, not just in the S loci themselves, but also at two nearby loci. In a previous study of a single natural population from Iceland, we attributed this elevated polymorphism to linkage disequilibrium (LD) between variants at loci close to the S locus and the S alleles, which are maintained in the population by balancing selection. With the four S-flanking loci whose diversity we previously studied, we could not determine the extent of the region linked to the S loci in which neutral sites are affected. We also could not exclude the possibility of a population bottleneck, or of admixture, as causes of the LD. We have now studied four more distant loci flanking the S-locus region, and more populations, and we analyze the results using a theoretical model of the effect of balancing selection on diversity at linked neutral sites within and between different functional S-allelic classes. In the model, diversity is a function of the number of selectively maintained alleles and the recombination distances from the selectively maintained sites. We use the model to estimate the number of different functional S alleles, their turnover rate, and recombination rates between the S-locus region and other loci. Our estimates suggest that there is a small region of very low recombination surrounding the S-locus region.
How Well Do Raters Agree on the Development Stage of Caenorhabditis elegans?

The assessment of inter-rater reliability is a topic that is infrequently addressed in Caenorhabditis elegans research, despite the existence of sophisticated statistical methods and the strong interest in the field in obtaining reliable and accurate data. This study applies statistical modeling as a robust means of analyzing the performance of worm researchers measuring the stage of worm development in terms of the two independent factors that comprise “agreement”, which are (1) accuracy, representing trueness, a lack of systematic differences, or lack of bias, and (2) precision, representing reliability or the extent to which random differences are small. In our study, multiple raters assessed the same sample of worms to determine the developmental stage of each animal, and we collected data linking each scorer with their assessment for each worm. To describe the agreement of the raters, we developed a structural equation model with latent variables and thresholds, which assumes that all the raters are jointly scoring each worm. This common factor model separately quantifies the two aspects of agreement. The stage-specific thresholds examine accuracy and characterize the relative biases of each rater during the scoring process. The factor loadings for each rater examine the precision and characterizes the random error of the rater. Within our group, we found that the overall agreement was good, while certain adjustments in particular raters would have decreased systematic differences. Hence, the use of developmental stage as an experimental outcome can be both accurate and precise.
A Dual-PSoC based reconfigurable wearable computing framework for ECG monitoring

We propose a reconfigurable framework using Dual-PSoC (Programmable System-on-Chip) based wearable computing system capable of ECG monitoring. Keeping in view wearability constraints involving comfort, ease and usability, we chose to use vectorcardiographic leads for minimizing the number of electrodes. It also helped to choose proper parameters to capture entire cardiac activity instead of relying only on Heart Rate Variability (HRV). Hidden Markov Model (HMM) combined with Timed Automata (TA) was used for modeling the ECG signal and extracting the features. A combination of Viterbi algorithm and Time-recurrent decision trees were used for classification of the input ECG signal and alert generation in case of abnormality noticed beyond threshold level. In all eight class models of heart diseases have been defined. Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt Database (PTBDB) available at physionet.org was used for modeling. Data specific to these HMM models as well as decision trees were stored in the form of lookup tables in PSoC memory. As a part of the proposal, a belt embedded data acquisition unit has been envisioned for providing signals acquired from electrodes to PSoC. PSoC with wireless module was used for signal processing and further analysis in terms of classification and possible alert generation. The scheme envisages use of two PSoCs such that while first PSoc plays a role in data acquisition and processing, second one shoulders the responsibility of classification and decision making.
Segmenting cardiac-related data using sleep stages increases separation between normal subjects and apnœic patients

Inter-patient comparisons of cardiovascular metrics indicative of patient health have been shown to be successful in differentiating patients on a group rather than an individual level. This is in part due to the range of mental (as well as physical) activity-based variations for each patient and the difficulty assessing physical and mental activity during conscious states. In order to provide an objective scale for measuring central nervous system activity during sleep, the heart rate (RR) interval time series is divided into coarse sleep stage segments in which the LF/HF ratio (the relative balance between low and high frequency power) is estimated for age and sex-matched populations of apnœic and healthy subjects. Activity-based noise is therefore reduced and a more useful comparison of heart rate variability can be made. Additionally, the spectral estimation performances of the FFT and the Lomb–Scargle periodogram (LSP), a Fourier-based technique for unevenly sampled time series are compared. Separation of patients according to condition is shown to be more pronounced when using the LSP than the FFT. Furthermore, separation is found to be most marked in slow wave sleep.
Effect of Handball Specific Repeated – Sprint Training on Aerobic Capacity of Male Handball Players

The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of handball specific repeated – sprint training on aerobic capacity of male handball players. To achieve the purpose of the study thirty male handball players were selected randomly from Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Annamalai University, Chidambaram, Tamilnadu. The selected subjects were assigned into 2 groups: handball specific repeated - sprint training group (n=15) and control group (n=15). The selected subjects mean age: 23.15±3.00 years; weight: 68.74±7.25 kg and height: 176.37±7.67 cm. The criterion variable selected in this study was aerobic capacity which was measured by multistage fitness test. The handball specific repeated - sprint training group underwent eight weeks of training. Pre and post aerobic capacity was measured on the indoor. The data was analysed using Analysis of co- variance (ANCOVA). The result of the study showed post test (F = 20.13) and adjusted post test mean (F = 10.68) showed significant (p < 0.05) difference among repeated – sprint training group and control group on aerobic capacity. It is concluded that handball specific repeated sprint training for eight weeks is more effective in increasing aerobic capacity of men handball players. The training load adopted in repeated – sprint training which resulted in 11.79% of changes in aerobic capacity.
Beauty Is in the Eye of Beholder: Intracultural and Transcultural Heterogeneity of Individuals

Most cross-cultural studies unintentionally give the impression that there is intracultural homogeneity. This research is among a few that suggests otherwise, that there is intracultural and transcultural individual heterogeneity in thinking and logic, or “Mindscape. ” It is a replication and an expansion of the earlier study. It intends to verify the existence of intracultural heterogeneity in support of mindscape theory. In doing so, it employs a unique way of data collection and analysis. The analysis of data that were collected from six countries not only supports the earlier findings but also points to the existence of intracultural and transcultural heterogeneity of individuals.
Signal dependent biorthogonal wavelet based representation

This work presents a framework for wavelet-based representation of a given deterministic signal. We propose a method for matched wavelet based representation of the signal. Our method requires a signal-conditioning step at each stage of the wavelet decomposition. The wavelet system designed in this work is biorthogonal. Both the signal-conditioning step and the wavelet system depend on the given signal. The proposed method is valid for signals having arbitrary spectra. The proposed method when applied to compression of different signals shows substantial improvement over.
Covering both stack and states while testing push-down systems

In this paper we address the problem of generating abstract test cases from a system modelled by a push-down automaton. Existing classical coverage criteria are based either on states, transitions or loops in the automaton. This paper is based on a known theoretical result claiming that the accessible stack configurations in a push-down automaton form a regular language. We propose a new coverage criteria based both on states and on the configurations of the stack. Experimental results on a model of the Shunting Yard Algorithm are also presented.
An analysis prior based decomposition method for audio signals

We consider the problem of separating the tonal and the transient components of an audio signal. We employ mixed norms with different groups on the analysis coefficients to formulate the problem. We provide an algorithm for the solution of the problem and demonstrate that the formulation can be effective for the given task. We also provide a brief discussion on the difference with a synthesis prior based formulation.
Self-training a Constituency Parser using n-gram Trees

In this study, we tackle the problem of self-training a feature-rich discriminative constituency parser. We approach the self-training problem with the assumption that while the full sentence parse tree produced by a parser may contain errors, some portions of it are more likely to be correct. We hypothesize that instead of feeding the parser the guessed full sentence parse trees of its own, we can break them down into smaller ones, namely n-gram trees, and perform self-training on them. We build an n-gram parser and transfer the distinct expertise of the $n$-gram parser to the full sentence parser by using the Hierarchical Joint Learning (HJL) approach. The resulting jointly self-trained parser obtains slight improvement over the baseline.
Managerial Incentives and the Language in Management Forecast Press Releases

Using a sample of 2,085 voluntarily-provided “unbundled” management earnings forecasts in 1,372 unique press releases during the 1997-2006 period, we find significant incremental pricing effects for linguistic sentiment included in management forecast press releases. Our setting is distinct from those examined in prior linguistic studies in that forecasts are voluntarily issued, incentive-driven disclosures that are unaudited, unstructured, and likely noisier than earnings realizations. The pricing effects that we document are strong relative to the accompanying hard management forecast news and stronger when the linguistic sentiment is provided in a pure forecast setting and not bundled with an earnings release. Sentiment and the unexpected earnings conveyed by the hard forecast are positively correlated, suggesting that managerial language is being used to reinforce the information contained in the hard forecasts. Consistent with many management incentives to strategically delay bad news and inflate good news, and with “cheap talk” models that entail a cost to lying, we document that investors react more strongly to net negative relative to net positive sentiment (incremental to a stronger reaction to bad hard forecast news). Net optimism is decreasing in the probability of litigation, the likelihood of financial distress, and in expected political costs, but greater for annual forecasts, for more frequent forecasters, and post-Regulation Fair Disclosure. After controlling for hard news and the stronger pricing effects of net negative sentiment, our capital market tests find little evidence that investors view sentiment as being biased when such situational incentives are in play, except for some evidence of the discounting of the typically more optimistic sentiment in annual forecasts. Furthermore, our findings are consistent with the threat of litigation and more frequent forecasting rendering sentiment more credible. Finally, we detect a positive interaction effect between sentiment and hard forecast news, consistent with the use of language to reinforce rather than overturn the hard news, and with the market’s ascribing credibility to managerial linguistic sentiment. In summary, aside from the finding that net pessimistic language is strategically delayed (or that net pessimistic language is more credible), most of our evidence is not consistent with managers using non-credible language to inflate prices, and taken as a whole, is consistent with the language in management forecasts playing a significant role in the price formation process. JEL Classifications: G14; D82; M41
An Examination of Partner Violence, Polyexposure, and Mental Health Functioning in a Sample of Clinically Referred Youth

Objective: Substantial literature has indicated that witnessing partner violence (WPV) is correlated with poor emotional, behavioral, and functional outcomes and is often associated with exposure to other potentially traumatic events. Young children are often overrepresented in the WPV group. This study fills an important gap in the literature by examining the association between WPV and other co-occurring trauma types and the association of early exposure to WPV with polyexposure, symptoms, and functional impairment. Method: Data from 8,446 youth presenting for clinical evaluation at a National Child Traumatic Stress Network Center were analyzed to examine (a) the association of WPV with polyexposure (defined as 4 or more trauma types); (b) the specific contribution of WPV in the context of polyexposure to posttraumatic stress, internalizing and externalizing symptoms, comorbid psychiatric conditions, functional impairment, and service utilization; and (c) the consequences of early exposure to WPV. Results: Youth with WPV were more likely to experience polyexposure than were youth without WPV (OR = 2.35, 95% confidence interval (CI) [2.11, 2.62]). When polyexposure was included in regression models, WPV was significantly associated with higher mean scores of functional impairment. Moreover, WPV before age 2 resulted in significantly greater risk of polyexposure than did WPV at age 7 or older (OR = 1.54, 95% CI [1.27, 1.86], for ages 7-10 and OR = 1.36, 95% CI [1.08, 1.72], for ages 11 and older). Conclusion: Early screening and intervention for WPV is needed to prevent polyexposure as well as impairments associated with both WPV and polyexposure.
DIMENSIONALITY ANALYSIS OF THE PALS CLASSROOM GOAL ORIENTATION SCALES

OF DISSERTATION DIMENSIONALITY ANALYSIS OF THE PALS CLASSROOM GOAL ORIENTATION SCALES Achievement goal theory is one of the most broadly accepted theoretical paradigms in educational psychology with over 35 years of influencing research and educational practice. The longstanding use of this construct has led to two consequences of importance for this research: 1) many different dimensionality representations have been debated, and 2) methods used to confirm dimensionality of the scales have been supplanted from best practice. A further issue is that goal orientations are used to inform classroom practice, whereas most measurement studies focus on the structure of the personal goal orientation scales rather than the classroom level structure. This study aims to provide an updated understanding of one classroom goal orientation scale using the modern psychometric techniques of multidimensional item response theory and bifactor analysis. The most commonly used scale with K-12 students is the Patterns of Adaptive Learning Scales (PALS); thus, the PALS classroom goal orientation scales will be the subject of this study.