Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Time and height variations in the daytime processes in the ionosphere: Part I: A noontime model of the ionosphere loss coefficient from 60 to 600 km over middle latitudes

This work deals with the height variations of the various dissipative processes occurring in the ionosphere over a height range of 50 to 600 km, and is an extension of the earlier work by Mitra and Jones [1954]. An expression is given for the calculation of the loss coefficient over the entire ionosphere. For noon conditions, defined by the hours 1030 to 1330 LMST, and for stations in the northern middle latitude zone, the equation for the loss coefficients for heights in the range of 50 to 600 km is
VANET Inherent Capacity for Offloading Wireless Cellular Infrastructure: An Analytical Study

Due to the high user traffic demand increase, offloading cellular traffic through other kinds of networks, such as Wi-Fi hotspots and femtoCells has been highly studied. In this paper, we investigate upon the possibility to use Vehicular ad hoc Networks (VANETs) for the offloading the cellular infrastructure. We present an analytical study based on an optimization problem formulation where the aim is to select a maximum target set of flows that could be routed to the destination downloader node through the VANET network. The offloading decision considers the vehicular link availability, channel load by considering medium contention, vehicle to vehicle link quality and the link connectivity duration between the VANET node and the road side unit. Simulation results of our analytical approach show that the data offloading fraction is closely affected by the data volume of the flows, the channel load and by the link quality. Results show also that the offload of best effort data traffics could reach 100 percent for low data volumes.
Structure économique et croissance locale: étude économétrique des arrondissements belges, 1991-1997

We study the link between economic structure and growth in the 43 Belgian ‘arrondissements’ between 1991 and 1997. We find empirical evidence that local economic structure has a significant impact on the local growth of the service sector as a whole. Sectoral specialization and competition would affect negatively local growth in this sector while we find strong evidence of a positive effect of sectoral diversity. The size of the local market would not play any role on growth but the average local income does so. Our results are consistent with those found by COMBES (2000) for local growth in France.
Navigating through the archipelago of refactorings

The essence of refactoring is to improve software quality via the systematic combination of primitive refactorings. Yet, there are way too many refactorings. Choosing which refactorings to use, how to combine them and how to integrate them in more complex evolution tasks is really hard. Our vision is to provide the developer with a "trip advisor" for the archipelago of refactorings. The core idea of our approach is the map of the archipelago of refactorings, which identies the basic relations that guide the systematic and eective combination of refactorings. Based on the map, the trip advisor makes suggestions that allow the developer to decide how to start, assess the possible alternatives, have a clear picture of what has to be done before, during and after the refactorings and assess the possible implications.
Learning Strategies in Game-theoretic Data Interaction *

As most database users cannot precisely express their information needs in the form of database queries, it is challenging for database query interfaces to understand and satisfy their intents. Database systems usually improve their understanding of users’ intents by collecting their feedback on the answers to the users’ imprecise and ill-specified queries. Users may also learn to express their queries precisely during their interactions with the database system. In this paper, we report our progress on developing a formal framework for representing and understanding information needs in database querying and exploration. Our framework considers querying as a collaboration between the user and the database system to establish a mutual language for representing information needs. We formalize this collaboration as a signaling game between two potentially rational agents: the user and the database system. We empirically analyze the users’ learning mechanisms using a real-world query workload. Given the users’ learning mechanisms, we extend and evaluate some reinforcement learning mechanisms for the database system to establish effectively a mutual language between with adapting users. We believe that this framework naturally models the long-term interaction of users and database systems.
Radioluminescent nanophosphors enable multiplexed small-animal imaging

We demonstrate the ability to image multiple nanoparticle-based contrast agents simultaneously using a nanophosphor platform excited by either radiopharmaceutical or X-ray irradiation. These radioluminescent nanoparticles emit optical light at unique wavelengths depending on their lanthanide dopant, enabling multiplexed imaging. This study demonstrates the separation of two distinct nanophosphor contrast agents in gelatin phantoms with a recovered phosphor separation correlation of −0.98. The ability to distinguish the two nanophosphors and a Cerenkov component is then demonstrated in a small animal phantom. Combined with the high-resolution potential of low-scattering X-ray excitation, this imaging technique may be a promising method to probe molecular processes in living organisms.
Sequence-to-Sequence Generation for Spoken Dialogue via Deep Syntax Trees and Strings

We present a natural language generator based on the sequence-to-sequence approach that can be trained to produce natural language strings as well as deep syntax dependency trees from input dialogue acts, and we use it to directly compare two-step generation with separate sentence planning and surface realization stages to a joint, one-step approach. We were able to train both setups successfully using very little training data. The joint setup offers better performance, surpassing state-of-the-art with regards to n-gram-based scores while providing more relevant outputs.
Binary Associative Memories as a Benchmark for Spiking Neuromorphic Hardware

Large-scale neuromorphic hardware platforms, specialized computer systems for energy efficient simulation of spiking neural networks, are being developed around the world, for example as part of the European Human Brain Project (HBP). Due to conceptual differences, a universal performance analysis of these systems in terms of runtime, accuracy and energy efficiency is non-trivial, yet indispensable for further hard- and software development. In this paper we describe a scalable benchmark based on a spiking neural network implementation of the binary neural associative memory. We treat neuromorphic hardware and software simulators as black-boxes and execute exactly the same network description across all devices. Experiments on the HBP platforms under varying configurations of the associative memory show that the presented method allows to test the quality of the neuron model implementation, and to explain significant deviations from the expected reference output.
Assessment of Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms Associated with Dementia

Neuropsychiatric symptoms (mood, psychotic, and behavioural) are very common in dementia and do not necessarily correlate well with other measures of cognition. However, these symptoms are of great importance, as they are a major source of excess disability, patient distress and caregiver burden and have great impact on the level of care required, and the associated costs. This paper is a review of the most useful outcome measures for behaviour and mood symptoms. Investigators who require a comprehensive instrument to measure neuropsychiatric symptoms in studies of patients with dementia should consider using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), the Behavior Rating Scale for Dementia of the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERADBRSD) or, possibly, the Behavioral Pathology in Alzheimer's Disease Scale (BEHAVE-AD). The Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia and the Dementia Mood Assessment Scale (DMAS) are recommended for evaluating depressive symptoms and the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory (CMAI) is very useful for evaluating the full range of agitation symptoms.
Mechanism of Interferencewith the Jaff # { 233 } Reactionfor Creatinine

We investigated the mechanism of the Jaff#{233} reaction for determinationof creatinineby studyingthe spectrophotometnc, kinetic, and equilibrium properties of the reaction of picrate withcreatinine andwithcyclic and aliphaticketones. Absorbance spectra for the reaction products of picrate with all the ketones were superimposable with that of creatinine 490 nm). Cyclicketonesnotcontainingnitrogenhad a molar absorptivity less than half that of creatinine and equilibriumconstantsapproximately0.01 that of creatinine. Aliphatic ketones, except for benzylacetone, had molar absorptivities similar to that of creatinine, but all of these compounds had equilibrium constants approximately a tenth or less that of creatinine. The common structure for all of the compounds reacting with picrate is the carbonyl group. The variable magnitude of interference for aliphatic and cyclic ketones is ascribable to the different rate constants, molar absorptivities, and equilibrium constants as compared with creatinine. Structures adjacento the carbonyl group significantly affect the absorptivity and equilibrium constant, but steric hindrance is the major factor affecting the rate of reaction. We postulate that the carbonyl group is required for the Jaff#{233} reaction, and we suggest a mechanism for the reaction.
A backcast land use change model to generate past land use maps: application and validation at the Muskegon River watershed of Michigan, USA

We developed a GIS and neural network-based land use/land cover change model for backcasting land use change and applied it to the Muskegon River watershed, a typical upper midwestern watershed in the USA. We developed 12 variants of the model, based on different structural assumptions, to simulate urban, forest, agriculture, and shrubland transitions. We compared the model variants against 12,598 land use interpreted locations from 235 aerial photographs acquired from the study region between the late 1930s through to the early 1970s. The model variants produced around 41–70% accuracy (integrating both omission and commission errors) in simulating the spatial locations of the dominant land use category, forests and agriculture, and lower accuracy for the shrub and urban land use categories. We describe the assumptions made in developing the model and discuss the implications of the assumptions to model goodness-of-fit analysis and to forecasting land use. The Windows executable version of the model and data sets are available for download from http://ltm.agriculture. purdue.edu/default_back. htm.
Dynamic locomotion and whole-body control for quadrupedal robots

This paper presents a framework which allows a quadrupedal robot to execute dynamic gaits including trot, pace and dynamic lateral walk, as well as a smooth transition between them. Our method relies on an online ZMP based motion planner which continuously updates the reference motion trajectory as a function of the contact schedule and the state of the robot. The planner is coupled with a hierarchical whole-body controller which optimizes the whole-body motion and contact forces by solving a cascade of prioritized tasks. We tested our framework on ANYmal, a fully torque controllable quadrupedal robot which is actuated by series-elastic actuators.
Global Asymptotic Stability of PID Controller for Robotic Manipulators

In this paper, we provide an answer to the longstanding question of designing global asymptotically stable proportional-integral-derivative (PID) regulators for uncertain robotic manipulators. Our main contribution is to establish the global asymptotic stability of the controlled system with the commonly-used PID controller by using Lyapunov's direct method and LaSalle's invariance principle. Furthermore, an improved nonlinear proportional-integral plus derivative (NPI-D) controller is proposed to fast the transient. Simulations performed on a planar two degrees-of-freedom (DOF) robot manipulator demonstrate the improved performance of the proposed NPI-D controller over the commonly-used PID controller.
Pacific Asia Conference on Information Systems ( PACIS ) 2014 DETERMINANTS OF UTILITARIAN VALUE IN SMARTPHONE-BASED MOBILE COMMERCE

Given that smartphones are widely used as a key means for m-commerce, this study aims to provide in-depth understanding of smartphone-based m-commerce use. Drawing on TAM, we develop the basic framework of our research model with the three constructs namely, usefulness, ease of use, and m-commerce use. TAM has parsimony, robustness, and generalizability so that it can be widely applied to predict user behavior regardless of particular IT. However, due to these strengths, TAM cannot capture unique characteristics embedded in particular IT. Therefore, this study attempts to expand TAM by including mobile-specific characteristics (i.e., service ubiquity and LBS) and a SST (self-service technology) characteristic (i.e., user control). A total of 164 responses were collected on users having experience in m-commerce. The key findings are as follows: first, the results indicate that TAM is a very useful theoretical lens to predict user behavior in the context of m-commerce enabled by smartphones. Second, the results show that service ubiquity and LBS lead to increased usefulness of m-commerce. Finally, the results demonstrate that user control is positively associated with both usefulness and ease of use. Discussion and implications on the findings are provided.
Evolutionary participatory learning in fuzzy systems modeling

This paper suggests a framework based on participatory learning and evolutionary computation to develop fuzzy models. Participatory evolutionary learning is an algorithm in which the population influences the fitness of individuals during evolution. The framework selects individuals for reproduction using the compatibility between the best and individuals randomly selected from the old and current population. Recombination uses selective transfer to exchange information between individuals, and mutation proceeds similarly as mutation in differential evolution. Selective transfer and selection use compatibility information between individuals, and mutation uses an arousal index in addition to compatibility. Combination of participatory learning with selection, selective transfer and mutation offers a new class of evolutionary algorithms that are particularly useful in fuzzy modeling. The paper emphasizes model development for an application concerning electric system maintenance. The application uses actual data available in the literature, and helps to compare the performance of participatory evolutionary learning with an alternative participatory genetic learning, and with a state of the art genetic fuzzy system tool. Modeling performance is evaluated using the mean squared error and number of rules to measure model accuracy and complexity, respectively. The results show that participatory evolutionary learning is competitive because it produces fuzzy models with similar complexity, better accuracy, and low processing time.
A Role for Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor in the Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome1

Using a mouse model of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), we demonstrate a central role for macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in lung maturation at the developmental stage when human neonates are most susceptible to RDS. We prematurely delivered mouse pups at embryonic day 18, during the early saccular stage of pulmonary development. Only 8% of the prematurely delivered pups genetically deficient in MIF survived 8 h vs 75% of wild-type controls (p < 0.001). This phenotype was corrected when pups of all genotypes were bred from dams heterozygote for MIF deficiency. Local production of MIF in the lung increased at embryonic day 18, continued until full-term at embryonic day 19.5, and decreased in adulthood, thus coinciding with this developmental window. The lungs of pups genetically deficient in MIF were less mature upon histological evaluation, and demonstrated lower levels of vascular endothelial growth factor and corticosterone – two factors that promote fetal lung maturation. In vitro studies support a role for MIF in surfactant production by pulmonary epithelial cells. In a cohort of human neonates with RDS, higher intrapulmonary MIF levels were associated with a lower likelihood of developing bronchopulmonary dysplasia, a sequelae of RDS (p < 0.03). This study demonstrates for the first time a role for MIF in lung maturation, and supports a protective role for MIF in newborn lung disease.
Eyes-free text entry with error correction on touchscreen mobile devices

We present an eyes-free text entry method for mobile touchscreen devices. Input progresses by inking Graffiti strokes using a finger on a touchscreen. The system includes a word-level error correction algorithm. Auditory and tactile feedback guide eyes-free entry using speech and non-speech sounds, and by vibrations. In a study with 12 participants, three different feedback modes were tested. Entry speed, accuracy, and algorithm performance were compared between the three feedback modes. An overall entry speed of 10.0 wpm was found with a maximum rate of 21.5 wpm using a feedback mode that required a recognized stroke at the beginning of each word. Text was entered with an overall accuracy of 95.7%. The error correction algorithm performed well: 14.9% of entered text was corrected on average, representing a 70.3% decrease in errors compared to no algorithm. Where multiple candidates appeared, the intended word was 1st or 2nd in the list 94.2% of the time.
The Assessment of Negative and Positive Features in Schizophrenia

It has become customary to classify the typical abnormalities of the mental state of schizophrenic patients into positive and negative features, with reference to behavioural excesses and deficits. Positive features are pathological by their presence and negative features represent the loss of some normal function. Positive features are generally considered to include delusions, hallucinations and positive formal thought disorder (Fish, 1962). Some studies (e.g. Johnstone et al, 1978) have also included incongruity of affect under this heading. Negative features include affective flattening, poverty of speech, retardation, apathy, lack of sociability. There is some evidence that the clinical correlates of positive and negative features may not be the same (Owens & Johnstone, 1980). Some workers (Andreasen & Olsen, 1982) but not others (Pogue-Geile & Harrow, 1984) have found that among schizophrenic patients positive and negative symptoms were negatively correlated. Although the nature of the relationship between positive and negative features is not entirely established and may not be simple (Wing, 1978) certain generalisations may be applied: (a) Positive features are characteristic of earlier and negative of later phases of the illness (Pfohl & Winokur, 1982). (b) The effects of drugs upon positive features are greater than those upon negative features. Thus neuroleptics produce more marked improvement (Johnstone et al, 1978; Angrist et al, 1980) and amphetamine more marked exacerbation (Angrist et al, 1980) of positive than of negative features. (c) Positive features have been said to be relatively variable and negative features relatively stable (Ovchinnikov, 1968; Snezhnevsky, 1968).
Cultural and ecological insights into sacred groves: managing timber resources for improved grove conservation

This mixed methods study investigated cultural and ecological aspects of five sacred groves within the Kodagu district, South India. Sacred groves are community-managed forests that are protected due to spiritual reasons and can provide habitat for rare species in human-dominated landscapes; however, they are globally threatened due to land use pressures, cultural changes and resource extraction. Within the study region, sacred groves are not only being encroached but are also losing quality, leading to a reduction of rare and threatened species. Interviews with 43 residents documented perceptions of grove quality, grove histories and related beliefs. Ecological indicators of forest disturbance and detailed demographic data of the threatened valuable timber tree Dysoxylum malabaricum as a model species were recorded. Results found degrees of forest disturbance, congruent with residents' perception that grove protection is weakening, and an ongoing local cultural association with these sacred spaces. Management of the sacred groves could be improved through regular interaction between the Forest Department and local temple committees. Additionally, implementing silvicultural management of rare timber species could synergistically serve ecological and cultural conservation goals.
Delayed visual maturation in Karen refugee infants

Abstract Thirty-eight babies born to Karen mothers living in camps for displaced persons in north-western Thailand have delayed visual maturation (DVM type 1) that recovers within 6 months. Vitamin A concentrations were deficient in 16% of breast-milk samples from lactating mothers and vitamin B1 concentrations were deficient in 60% of plasma samples. Infantile beriberi was common in this population. The levels of fatty acids in plasma and milk in Karen women were excellent at birth and in the postpartum period. The degree of deficiencies in these vitamins and the concentration of essential fatty acids in cord blood and maternal breast-milk did not correlate significantly with visual impairment in the infants. DVM might be caused by nutritional deficiency or toxic effects during critical periods of gestation that lead to delayed cortical myelination or structural defects which impinge on parietal cortex function.
Comparison of ALARM and SEBAL Evapotranspiration of Irrigated Alfalfa

Estimating crop evapotranspiration (ETc) is essential for effective agricultural water management and water resources planning. The objective of this study was to compare two methods for estimating daily crop ET (ETc). The first method used the Analytical Land Atmosphere Radiometer Model (ALARM) and the dimensionless temperature (DT) (ALARM-D) procedure, while the second method used the Surface Energy Balance Algorithm for Land (SEBAL). A study was conducted on an irrigated alfalfa field in southern California in summer 2008. Standard meteorological data from a weather station and Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) surface temperature were used to estimate ETc. Observed hourly and daily ETc were determined using surface renewal meteorological method. On average, the relative error of the ASTER 90-m pixel hourly and daily ETc was 8 and 1.2 and -10.3 and -16.3 % for ALARM-D and SEBAL, respectively. For 1-km pixels, MODIS and ASTER (upscaled) ALARM-D daily ET estimates were higher than SEBAL and ASTER ALARM-D and SEBAL daily ETc was greater than MODIS ALARM-D and SEBAL daily ETc. These initial results suggest that the performance of ALARM-D and SEBAL was comparable in hourly ETc estimation while ALARM-D outperformed SEBAL in daily ETc. More studies in diverse locations and environmental conditions are needed before solid conclusions can be drawn about how ALARM-D and SEBAL compare in hourly and daily ETc estimation.