Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Searching for the physical drivers of eigenvector 1: influence of black hole mass and Eddington ratio

We compute the virial mass (M) of the central black hole and the luminosity-to-mass (L/M) ratio of 300 low-z quasars and luminous type 1 Seyfert nuclei. We analyse the following: (1) whether radio-quiet and radio-loud objects show systematic differences in terms of M and L/M; (2) the influence of M and L/M on the shape of the Hβ broad component line profile; and (3) the significance of the so-called 'blue outliers', i.e. sources showing a significant blueshift of the [O III] λλ4959,5007 lines with respect to the narrow component of Hβ, which is used as an estimator of the quasar reference frame. We show that M and L/M distributions for radio-quiet and radio-loud sources are probably different for samples matched in luminosity and redshift, in the sense that radio-quiet sources have systematically smaller masses and larger L/M. However, the L/M ratio distributions become indistinguishable if 8.5 < log M < 9.5. Line profile comparisons for median spectra computed over narrow ranges of M and L/M indicate that a Lorentz function provides a better fit for higher L/M sources and a double Gaussian for lower L/M values. A second (redshifted) Gaussian component at low L/M appears as a red asymmetry frequently observed in radio-loud and radio-quiet sources with broader (full width at half-maximum ≥4000 km s - 1 ) Hβ broad component profiles. This component becomes stronger in larger mass and lower L/M sources. No specific influence of radio loudness on the Hβ broad component profile is detected, although equivalent widths of Hβ broad component and especially of [O III] λλ4959,5007 are larger for radio-loud sources. We identify five more 'blue outlier' sources. Since these sources are, on average, one magnitude brighter than other active galactic nuclei with similar mass, their resulting Eddington ratio is 2-3 times higher. We hint at evolutionary effects that explain some of these results, and reinforce the 'eigenvector 1'correlations.
Forest Growth and Yield Modeling

Forest growth models attempt to quantify the growth of a forest, and are commonly used for two principal purposes: to predict the future status of a forest and the nature of any harvests from that forest, and to help consider alternative cultivation practices. Models may also find other uses, such as in education, communicating information, etc. Depending on the purpose of the model, modelers may choose to emphasize physiological detail or statistical efficiency, but generally seek both biological and statistical accuracy.
Design and validation of an ambulatory inertial system for 3-D measurements of low back movements

In studies of human movement, inertial sensors (accelerometers and gyroscopes) are gaining attention as a promising alternative to laboratory-constrained video capture systems. Kinematics of various body parts and joints can be quantified by attaching inertial sensors at points of interest and integrating the observed acceleration and angular velocity signals. It is broadly accepted that this measurement procedure is significantly influenced by cumulative errors arising from sensor noise, non-linearities, asymmetries, sensitivity variations and bias drifts. In addition, it is also known that linear acceleration superimposed to the gravity acceleration introduces errors when calculating tilt angles. Recently, newer techniques using sensor fusion methods have shown error reduction in orientation measurements, but require additional hardware and consume more energy. In this paper, we assess the accuracy of a low-power wireless inertial system (ViMove) that measures Low Back (lumbar spine) orientation in three dimensions. The system consists of two inertial units (sensor), with each sensor containing one tri-axis accelerometer and one single-axis gyroscope. We investigate the accuracy of 1D, 2D and 3D simultaneous movements by means of root mean square error (RMSE) computed in comparison with NDI Optotrak, an optical tracking system. The RMSE achieved for one dimensional movements in the Flexion, Lateral Flexion and Twist planes were 1.0°, 0.5° and 2.4° respectively, and 2.1°, 2.4° and 4.6° for three dimensional movements.
Predicting Customer Churn in Mobile Telephony Industry Using Probabilistic Classifiers in Data Mining

Customer churn in the mobile telephony industry is a continuous problem owing to stiff competition, new technologies, low switching costs, deregulation by governments, among other factors. To address this issue, players in this industry must develop precise and reliable predictive models to identify the possible churners beforehand and then enlist them to intervention programs in a bid to retain as many customers as possible. This paper proposes a new set of features with the aim of improving the recognition rates of possible churners. The features are derived from call details and customer profiles and categorized as contract-related, call pattern description, and call pattern changes description features. The features are evaluated using two probabilistic data mining algorithms Naive Bayes and Bayesian Network, and their results compared to those obtained from using C4.5 decision tree, a widely used algorithm in many classification and prediction tasks. Experimental results show improved prediction rates for all the models used.
The Relationship between the Market Value of a Company and Internal Performance Measurements

It is widely accepted that the primary objective or goal of a firm is to maximise the shareholders' equity. While there may be legitimate differences of opinion as to whether this is the sole motivation of a firm's management, it should without a doubt be a dominant variable in management's decisions. In management's attempts and decision-making to increase shareholder value as measured by the market value of a company, they continuously influence, directly of indirectly, those variables that affect shareholder wealth. It is thus of the utmost importance that those variables that influence shareholder value are stimulated in the most positive way in order to increase shareholder value to the utmost. In the literature part of this study, the emphasis fell not only on drawing a distinction between accounting-based models of determining shareholder value, but also on the fact that Economic value added (EVA) in particular, have distinct advantages in determining value created (or destroyed) by the management of a company. EVA can also be adjusted for inflation purposes or standardized in order to be an even more complete internal performance measure. However, other ratios or yardsticks which might have an influence on the market value of a company are also identified and placed alongside EVA as variables that can correlate with the market value of a company. Whilst EVA and other variables or ratios are internal measures of shareholder value creation, Market value added (MVA) is the external method of determining shareholder's wealth. The goal of this study is to determine which internal performance measures of a company correlate the best with its external performance measure as represented by the MVA of the corporation. In order to achieve the aforementioned goal, an empirical analysis was conducted. The research methodology, including the statistical techniques as well as the boundaries of the sample used, were set out. The results of the empirical analyses were reported and compared with the theoretical principles. The highest consistent positive correlation coefficient obtained was between MVA and EVA with inflation adjustments to the data. The very same pattern was obtained with discounted EVA. Slightly lower positive correlations were found between MVA and ROA, ROE, EPS and DPS. These correlation coefficients were higher when data with inflation adjustments were utilized.
Iterative learning control based on modified steepest descent control for output tracking of nonlinear non-minimum phase systems

Iterative learning control (ILC) refers to a class of self-tuning controllers where the system performance of a specified task is gradually improved or perfected based on the previous performance of identical tasks. In this paper, based on the modified steepest descent control we proposed the iterative learning control algorithm for nonlinear nonminimum phase system. By applying the modified steepest descent control we have the extended system with relative degree greater one than original systems. By extending result of Gosh, cs [1], the convergence of algorithm is guaranteed.
Respiratory pressures and expiratory peak flow rate of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery

Summary Background To evaluate clinical and laboratorial parameters that predict decreased respiratory function in patients subjected to coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). Material/Methods This was a prospective study evaluating 61 patients subjected to CABG with cardiopulmonary bypass, median sternotomy, and under mechanical ventilation for up to 24 h. One day before surgery, clinical information was recorded. Maximal inspiratory (MIP) and expiratory (MEP) pressures, and expiratory peak flow rate (EPFR) values were assessed 1 day before surgery and on the fifth postoperative day. Student’s t test, 2-way ANOVA, Pearson’s linear correlation, and logistic regression were used for statistical analysis. Results Patients were 63±10 years old, 67% males. Arterial hypertension was found in 75.4% of the patients, diabetes in 31.2%, dyslipidemia in 63.9%, tabagism in 25%, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in 16.4%. Previous myocardial infarction was found in 67%. Preoperative hemoglobin levels were 12.8±1.71 g/dL. Older individuals had lower preoperative MEP and EPFR values. Preoperatively, positive association was found between hemoglobin levels and maximal respiratory pressures and EPFR values. Patients with both class III angina and COPD presented higher reductions in pulmonary pressures between the preoperative period and the 5th postoperative day. Conclusions Older age and low hemoglobin levels are associated with preoperative low maximal respiratory pressures and EPFR. The combination of severe angina and COPD results in higher postoperative reduction of maximal respiratory pressures for patients who underwent CABG.
Role-based multicast in highly mobile but sparsely connected ad hoc networks

We present an approach to multicasting messages among highly mobile hosts in ad hoc networks. We suggest a new definition of a role-based multicast that suits the special needs of inter-vehicle communication: rather than by explicit identification, a multicast group is defined implicitly by location, speed, driving direction and time. As an example, we study a road accident that is reported to nearby vehicles. We focus on sparse deployment of the system which is likely to occur soon after the system is introduced to the market. In this state, the resulting ad hoc network tends to be disconnected. We tailor the proposed algorithm to overcome this problem of network fragmentation. Simulations show us the quality of the proposed protocol by measuring how many vehicles inside a multicast area are informed in time under various conditions.
GlueTag - Linear Logic based Semantics for LTAG - and what it teaches us about LFG and LTAG

We review existing appoaches to semantics construction in LTAG (Lexicalised Tree Adjoining Grammar) based on the notion of derivation (tree)s. We argue that derivation structures in LTAG are not appropriate to guide semantic composition, due to a non-isomorphism, in LTAG, between the syntactic operation of adjunction on the one hand, and the semantic operations of complementation and modification, on the other. Linear Logic based " glue semantics " , as developed within the LFG framework (cf. Dalrymple (1999)), allows for flexible coupling of syntactic and semantic structure. We investigate application of glue semantics to LTAG syntax, using as underlying structure the derived tree, which is more appropriate for principle-based semantics construction. We show how Linear Logic based semantics construction helps to bridge the non-isomorphism between syntactic and semantic operations in LTAG. The glue approach captures non-tree local dependencies in control and modification structures, and extends to the treatment of scope ambiguity with quantified NPs and VP modifiers. Finally, glue semantics applies successfully to the adjunction-based analysis of long-distance dependencies in LTAG, which differs significantly from the f-structure based analysis in LFG.
Recognition of six basic facial expressions by feature-points tracking using RBF neural network and fuzzy inference system

Face expression recognition is useful for designing new interactive devices offering the possibility of new ways for human to interact with computer systems. In this paper, we develop a facial expression recognition system, based on the facial features extracted from facial characteristic points in frontal image sequences. Selected facial feature points were automatically tracked using a cross-correlation based optical flow, and extracted feature vectors were used to classify expressions, using RBF neural networks and a fuzzy inference system (FIS). Then, recognition results from two classifiers were compared with each other. Success rates were about 91.6% using RBF and 89.1% using FIS classifiers
Architecture for an Intelligent Tutoring System that Considers Learning Styles

In this paper we propose the architecture of an Intelligent Tutoring System that considers the student's learning style and the competency-based ed- ucation. We also describe the processes that have been implemented so far. Our architecture presents innovations in the representation of the tutor module and in the knowledge module; the tutor module incorporates a selector agent, which will choose the content to show, considering the teaching strategies that support the student's learning style.
A Generalized Low-Rank Appearance Model for Spatio-temporally Correlated Rain Streaks

In this paper, we propose a novel low-rank appearance model for removing rain streaks. Different from previous work, our method needs neither rain pixel detection nor time-consuming dictionary learning stage. Instead, as rain streaks usually reveal similar and repeated patterns on imaging scene, we propose and generalize a low-rank model from matrix to tensor structure in order to capture the spatio-temporally correlated rain streaks. With the appearance model, we thus remove rain streaks from image/video (and also other high-order image structure) in a unified way. Our experimental results demonstrate competitive (or even better) visual quality and efficient run-time in comparison with state of the art.
Scalable QoS Provisioning and Service Node Selection in Relay Based Cellular Networks

The increasing popularity of wireless communications and the different QoS requirements of new types of service lead to higher demands on cellular mobile networks. With central control and multi-hop communication, relay based cellular networks are seen as an effective way to meet users' increased bit rate requirements while still retaining the benefits of a cellular structure. However, the more complex architecture and topology make the provision of optimal QoS more challenging. The objective of this paper is to illustrate an effective and efficient approach for scalable QoS provision in relay based cellular networks. Primary concerns are, firstly, the selection of the node to service the mobile user with QoS that guarantees the time delay requirement for multimedia services and eliminates bottleneck links; and secondly, the choice of the optimal slot allocation scheme that optimizes the radio resource allocation to maximize user satisfaction level and balance the QoS requirement. The performance evaluations use a Mobile WiMAX network.
User-created persona: Namibian rural Otjiherero speakers

Persona is a communicative artefact for usability that currently functions under the umbrella of User-Centred Design (UCD). Since we argue usability methods differ across cultures, this project presents a cross-cultural research probe on persona generated by indigenous Otjiherero speakers in Namibia. The objective is to find out how participants in this milieu take on, understand and portray persona artefacts, what goals of User Experience (UX) emerge from the inquiry, and whether the artefacts created simulate or differ from those in literature. Tentative methods scaffold from benefits attained by persona in the attempt to advance persona technical communication in cross-cultural design. This experience report presents initial findings on narrative content, rhetorical preferences, and the physical layout of persona artefacts as so-far constructed by Otjiherero speakers in rural Namibia. The report draws to a close reflecting on present challenges and advances, and indicating upcoming pathways.
Provisioning IP backbone networks to support latency sensitive traffic

To support latency sensitive traffic such as voice, network providers can either use service differentiation to prioritize such traffic or provision their network with enough bandwidth so that all traffic meets the most stringent delay requirements. In the context of wide-area Internet backbones, two factors make overprovisioning an attractive approach. First, the high link speeds and large volumes of traffic make service differentiation complex and potentially costly to deploy. Second, given the degree of aggregation and resulting traffic characteristics, the amount of overprovisioning necessary may not be very large. This study develops a methodology to compute the amount of overprovisioning required to support a given delay requirement. We first develop a model for backbone traffic which is needed to compute the end-to-end delay through the network. The model is validated using 331 one-hour traffic measurements collected from the Sprint IP network. We then develop a procedure which uses this model to find the amount of bandwidth needed on each link in the network so that an end-to-end delay requirement is satisfied. Applying this procedure to the Sprint network, we find that satisfying end-to-end delay requirements as low as 3 ms requires only 15% extra bandwidth above the average data rate of the traffic.
Variational Maximum A Posteriori model similarity and dissimilarity matching

A new variational Maximum A Posteriori (MAP) contextual modeling approach is presented that minimizes the product of two ratios: (a) the ratio of the model distribution to the distribution of currently estimated foreground pixels; (b) the ratio of the background distribution to the model distribution for all estimated background pixels. This approach provides robust discrimination to identify the division between foreground and background pixels, which is useful for applications such as object tracking.
A Jacobi-Type Method for Computing Orthogonal Tensor Decompositions

Suppose $\mathcal{A}=(a_{ijk})\in\mathbb{R}^{n\times n\times n}$ is a three-way array or third-order tensor. Many of the powerful tools of linear algebra such as the singular value decomposition (SVD) do not, unfortunately, extend in a straightforward way to tensors of order three or higher. In the two-dimensional case, the SVD is particularly illuminating, since it reduces a matrix to diagonal form. Although it is not possible in general to diagonalize a tensor (i.e., $a_{ijk}=0$ unless $i=j=k$), our goal is to “condense” a tensor in fewer nonzero entries using orthogonal transformations. We propose an algorithm for tensors of the form $\mathcal{A}\in\mathbb{R}^{n\times n\times n}$ that is an extension of the Jacobi SVD algorithm for matrices. The resulting tensor decomposition reduces $\mathcal{A}$ to a form such that the quantity $\sum_{i=1}^n a_{iii}^2$ or $\sum_{i=1}^n a_{iii}$ is maximized.
The shapes and ages of elliptical galaxies

In this paper we investigate the relation between the detailed isophotal shape of el- liptical galaxies and the strength of the Habsorption in their spectra. We find that disky galaxies have higher Hindices. Stellar population synthesis models show that the Hline is a good age indicator, hence disky galaxies tend to have younger mean ages than boxy galaxies. We show that the observed trend can be brought about by a contaminating young population, which we associate with the disky component. This population need only account for a small fraction of the total mass, for example if a contaminating population of age of 2Gyrs is superimposed on an old (12Gyr) ellipti- cal galaxy, then the observed trend can be explained if it contributes only 10% to the total mass. The size of this effect is consistent with the estimates of disk-to-total light ratios from surface photometry.
Shedding Light on Serpent Sight: The Visual Pigments of Henophidian Snakes

The biologist Gordon Walls proposed his “transmutation” theory through the 1930s and the 1940s to explain cone-like morphology of rods (and vice versa) in the duplex retinas of modern-day reptiles, with snakes regarded as the epitome of his hypothesis. Despite Walls' interest, the visual system of reptiles, and in particular snakes, has been widely neglected in favor of studies of fishes and mammals. By analyzing the visual pigments of two henophidian snakes, Xenopeltis unicolor and Python regius, we show that both species express two cone opsins, an ultraviolet-sensitive short-wavelength-sensitive 1 (SWS1) (λmax = 361 nm) pigment and a long-wavelength-sensitive (LWS) (λmax = 550 nm) pigment, providing the potential for dichromatic color vision. They also possess rod photoreceptors which express the usual rod opsin (Rh1) pigment with a λmax at 497 nm. This is the first molecular study of the visual pigments expressed in the photoreceptors of any snake species. The presence of a duplex retina and the characterization of LWS, SWS1, and Rh1 visual pigments in henophidian snakes implies that “lower” snakes do not provide support for Walls' transmutation theory, unlike some “higher” (caenophidian) snakes and other reptiles, such as geckos. More data from other snake lineages will be required to test this hypothesis further.