Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interpolation-directed transform domain downward conversion for block-based image compression

In this paper, we design an interpolation-directed transform domain downward conversion (ITDDC) to build up a new block-based image compression scheme. This ITDDC is derived from our proposed 2-D padding and performed on each 16×16 macro-block of pixels to convert it into an 8×8 coefficient block, leading to a downward image conversion in the transform domain. More interestingly, the further compression is just performed on the down-sized coefficient block and the reconstruction for an entire macro-block is achieved via the interpolation by using the decoded pixels only locating in some specific positions of it. To make the interpolation more efficient, the pixels participating in the interpolation will be optimized before the compression. The ITDDC-based coding is used competitively with the JPEG baseline coding to compress each macro-block in our proposed compression scheme according to a simple but efficient rate-distortion optimization based criterion. Experimental results demonstrate that our proposed method gets a remarkable quality gain over the existing approaches.
A Real-Time H.264 BP Decoder Based on ADSP-BF548

In this paper, we propose an embedded real-time H.264 Baseline Profile (BP) decoder based on ADSP-BF548 Blackfin processor. In order to achieve the real-time requirement of H.264 decoding, we modify and optimize the decoding modules and codes, respectively. Firstly, we analyze the number of operations for various modules using assembly code, and then use direct memory access (DMA) to carry out the parallelism between algorithm execution and data movement. Finally, we make use of two buffer groups (BG) as parallel decoding mechanism of broadcast transformation. Experimental results demonstrate that the play rate can reach above 25 fps as using QCIF video. According to some tests, a real-time H.264 BP decoding can be achieved with a 600 MHz DSP.
The Misconceptions of Sixth Grade Secondary School Students on Fractions

The purpose of this study is to determine the misconceptions of 6th grade primary school students in terms of part-whole relation in fractions, representation of fractions on the number line, comparison of fractions and operations in fractions. The sample of this study is composed of 104 students who are being educated in 6th class of five middle schools in 2017-2018 teaching year in a province which takes place in the north part of Turkey. Fractional information test, which consists of 5 open ended questions developed by researchers, was used as data collection tool. The obtained data were analyzed using coding and frequency/percentage tables according to the content analysis method. By examining the explanations that the students have made, the incorrect answers are divided into categories, and the misconceptions in each question are presented seperately. As a result of the study, it has been seen that students have misconceptions in terms of parts-whole relation in fractions, representation of fractions on the number line, comparison of fractions and operations in fractions.
Female chief executives and state human rights practices: Self-fulfilling the political double bind

ABSTRACT What role does gender of a country's chief executive play in human rights practices of that country? Do female leaders treat the citizens of their country better or worse than their male counterparts? We explore whether gender makes a difference in human rights practices in an effort to examine whether leader characteristics can affect human rights. Previous research has found that countries with higher levels of gender equality, measured by the percentage of women in parliament, have fewer physical integrity rights violations. However, previous research has not found an association between female chief executives and better human rights practices overall, despite clear theoretical arguments for a relationship (Melander 2005). Using updated data on female chief executives for the years 1984 to 2011, together with a robust treatment effects estimator, we find that female chief executives do improve human rights when compared to their male counterparts.
You are the key: Generating cryptographic keys from voice biometrics

In this work we apply randomized biometric templates (RBTs) to voice biometrics by performing an experiment using speech samples from the TI46 database. Additionally, we present a novel algorithm for extracting reliable features from voice biometrics and analyze the resulting entropy of the cryptographic keys generated by the RBT algorithm. We evaluate our implementation by analyzing the number of guesses required by a powerful adversary to generate a user's cryptographic key when given access to the user's decrypted template and population statistics. Furthermore, we compare our results to the results of prior work. We demonstrate that RBTs are able to generate cryptographic keys with at least 30 bits of entropy for 36% of the population and at least 40 bits of entropy for 7% of the population, while keys generated using prior work only contain at least 20 bits of entropy for 19% of the population. We also demonstrate that RBT generated keys are able to achieve a maximum entropy of 51 bits, while keys generated using prior work are only able to achieve a maximum entropy of 26 bits.
Survivors of early childhood trauma: evaluating a two-dimensional diagnostic model of the impact of trauma and neglect

Background A two-dimensional diagnostic model for (complex) trauma-related and personality disorders has been proposed to assess the severity and prognosis of the impact of early childhood trauma and emotional neglect. An important question that awaits empirical examination is whether a distinction between trauma-related disorders and personality disorders reflects reality when focusing on survivors of early childhood trauma. And, is a continuum of trauma diagnoses a correct assumption and, if yes, what does it look like? Objective We describe the design of a cross-sectional cohort study evaluating this two-dimensional model of the impact of trauma and neglect. To provide the rationale of our study objectives, we review the existing literature on the impact of early childhood trauma and neglect on trauma-related disorders and personality disorders. Aims of the study are to: (1) quantify the two-dimensional model and test the relation with trauma and neglect; and (2) compare the two study groups. Method A total of 200 consecutive patients referred to two specific treatment programs (100 from a personality disorder program and 100 from a trauma-related disorder program) in the north of Holland will be included. Data are collected at the start of treatment. The assessments include all DSM-5 trauma-related and personality disorders, and general psychiatric symptoms, trauma history, and perceived emotional neglect. Discussion The results will provide an evaluation of the model and an improvement of the understanding of the relationship between trauma-related disorders and personality disorders and early childhood trauma and emotional neglect. This may improve both diagnostic as well as indication procedures. We will discuss possible strengths and limitations of the design.
Upper and lower bounds for approximation of the Kullback-Leibler divergence between Hidden Markov models

The Kullback-Leibler (KL) divergence is often used for a similarity comparison between two Hidden Markov models (HMMs). However, there is no closed form expression for computing the KL divergence between HMMs, and it can only be approximated. In this paper, we propose two novel methods for approximating the KL divergence between the left-to-right transient HMMs. The first method is a product approximation which can be calculated recursively without introducing extra parameters. The second method is based on the upper and lower bounds of KL divergence, and the mean of these bounds provides an available approximation of the divergence. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methods through experiments including the deviations to the numerical approximation and the task of predicting the confusability of phone pairs. Experimental results show that the proposed product approximation is comparable with the current variational approximation, and the proposed approximation based on bounds performs better than current methods in the experiments.
POCAD: A novel pay load-based one-class classifier for anomaly detection

In this paper, we propose a novel Payload-based One-class Classifier for Anomaly Detection called POCAD, which combines a generalized 2v-gram feature extractor and a one-class SVM classifier to effectively detect network intrusion attacks. We extensively evaluate POCAD with real-world datasets of HTTP-based attacks. Our experiment results show that POCAD can quickly detect malicious payload and achieves a high detection rate as well as a low false positive rate. The experiment results also show that POCAD outperforms state of the art payload-based detection schemes such as McPAD [4] and PAYL [8].
FuzzyFresh: A Fuzzy Logic Approach to the Ranking of Structured Documents

With the increase in the use of mark-up languages, the classic IR models have been extended in order to be applied to structured documents. Generally these adaptations have been carried out by weighting the fields that form the document structure, and making the assumption of statistics independence between fields, forcing to an estimation of the different weights applied to each field. In this paper a new ranking function for structured IR and based on Fuzzy Logic is proposed, where its main aim is to model through heuristics and expert knowledge the relations between fields.
LDLC encodes a brefeldin A-sensitive, peripheral Golgi protein required for normal Golgi function

Two genetically distinct classes of low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor-deficient Chinese hamster ovary cell mutants, ldlB and ldlC, exhibit nearly identical pleiotropic defects in multiple medial and trans Golgi-associated processes (Kingsley, D., K. F. Kozarsky, M. Segal, and M. Krieger. 1986. J. Cell Biol. 102:1576-1585). In these mutants, the synthesis of virtually all N- and O-linked glycoproteins and of the major lipid-linked oligosaccharides is abnormal. The abnormal glycosylation of LDL receptors in ldlB and ldlC cells results in their dramatically reduced stability and thus very low LDL receptor activity. We have cloned and sequenced a human cDNA (LDLC) which corrects the mutant phenotypes of ldlC, but not ldlB, cells. Unlike wild-type CHO or ldlB cells, ldlC cells had virtually no detectable endogenous LDLC mRNA, indicating that LDLC is likely to be the normal human homologue of the defective gene in ldlC cells. The predicted sequence of the human LDLC protein (ldlCp, approximately 83 kD) is not similar to that of any known proteins, and contains no major common structural motifs such as transmembrane domains or an ER translocation signal sequence. We have also determined the sequence of the Caenorhabditis elegans ldlCp by cDNA cloning and sequencing. Its similarity to that of human ldlCp suggests that ldlCp mediates a well- conserved cellular function. Immunofluorescence studies with anti-ldlCp antibodies in mammalian cells established that ldlCp is a peripheral Golgi protein whose association with the Golgi is brefeldin A sensitive. In ldlB cells, ldlCp was expressed at normal levels; however, it was not associated with the Golgi. Thus, a combination of somatic cell and molecular genetics has identified a previously unrecognized protein, ldlCp, which is required for multiple Golgi functions and whose peripheral association with the Golgi is both LDLB dependent and brefeldin A sensitive.
A Comparison of Copper Abundances in Globular Cluster and Halo Field Giant Stars

We derive [Cu/Fe] for 117 giant stars in 10 globular clusters (M3, M4, M5, M10, M13, M15, M71, NGC 7006, NCG 288, and NGC 362) and find that globular cluster Cu abundances appear to follow [Cu/Fe] trends found in the field. This result is interesting in light of recent work, which indicates that the globular cluster ω Centauri shows no trend in [Cu/Fe] with [Fe/H] over the abundance range -2.0 < [Fe/H] < -0.8. Of particular interest are the two clusters M4 and M5. While at a similar metallicity ([Fe/H] ∼ -1.2), they differ greatly in some elemental abundances: M4 is largely overabundant in Si, Ba, and La compared with M5. We find that it is also overabundant in Cu with respect to M5, although this overabundance is in accord with [Cu/Fe] ratios found in the field.
Comparing Virtual Reality Tourism to Real-Life Experience: Effects of Presence and Engagement on Attitude and Enjoyment

With the advent of 360-degree video technology, Virtual reality (VR) headsets can take users to locations in the real world. Despite the increasing number of virtual tourism opportunities using digital VR technology, little research has assessed the effective realism of 360-degree video tourism. This study took users on a guided audio tour of a state Capitol building. Users either took the tour via two-dimensional (2-D) video, immersive 360-degree video using a VR headset, or physically went to the location and walked around the grounds. Users were measured on spatial presence, emotional engagement with the tour, sponsor liking, and tour outreach intentions. Results indicate that users in the two-dimensional viewing condition scored low on all measures relative to the other conditions but that individuals in the physically present and 360-degree video condition had no differences between them. This suggests that 360-degree video tourism may be a strong analogue to a real-world experience.
Development of an Optimal Routing Algorithm for MANET using Neural Networks

This paper evaluates a self-organizing routing protocol for Ad Hoc network, called the Neuron Routing Algorithm (NEURAL). NEURAL has been designed taking into ac- count the learning and self-organizing abilities of the brain. More precisely, it was inspired by the synapses process between neurons, when a signal is propagated. Basically, the most significant characteristic of NEURAL is the uniform distribution of the information around the node‟s location based on the current changes in its neighborhood. Using a 2-hop acknowledgment mechanism, local information is monitored in order to be used for route selection method, classification procedures and learning algorithms.
A comparison of platforms for implementing and running very large scale machine learning algorithms

We describe an extensive benchmark of platforms available to a user who wants to run a machine learning (ML) inference algorithm over a very large data set, but cannot find an existing implementation and thus must "roll her own" ML code. We have carefully chosen a set of five ML implementation tasks that involve learning relatively complex, hierarchical models. We completed those tasks on four different computational platforms, and using 70,000 hours of Amazon EC2 compute time, we carefully compared running times, tuning requirements, and ease-of-programming of each.
A model of the TeV flare of Cygnus X-1: electron acceleration and extended pair cascades

We consider theoretical models of emission of TeV photons by Cyg X-1 during a flare discovered by the Major Atmospheric Gamma Imaging Cherenkov Telescope (MAGIC) detector. We study acceleration of electrons to energies sufficient for TeV emission, and find the emission site is allowed to be close to the black hole. We then consider pair absorption in the photon field of the central X-ray source and a surrounding accretion disc, and find its optical depth is ≲1, allowing emission close to the black hole. On the other hand, the optical depth in the stellar field is ∼10 at ∼1 TeV. However, the optical depth drops with increasing energy, allowing a model with the initial energy of ≳3 TeV, in which photons travel far away from the star, initiating a spatially extended pair cascade. This qualitatively explains the observed TeV spectrum, though still not its exact shape.
SVM based text-dependent speaker identification for large set of voices

The paper presents the test results of speaker identification system based on the Support Vector Machines. The usefulness of SVM classifier for large voice telephone quality database (1300 speakers) was examined. The tested database was recorded according to SpechDat(E) conditions. The SVM classifier has shown its ability of feature generalization for large sets of classes. The obtained high scores (around 90%) of speaker identification have not changed significantly with the increase of number of tested voices. At the same time, very large training sets significantly increase the amount of computation required both during training and classification.
Clustering with Instance-Level Constraints

Clustering algorithms conduct a search through the space of possible organizations of a data set. In this paper, we propose two types of instance-level clustering constraints { must-link and cannot-link constraints { and show how they can be incorporated into a clustering algorithm to aid that search. For three of the four data sets tested, our results indicate that the incorporation of surprisingly few such constraints can increase clustering accuracy while decreasing runtime. We also investigate the relative eects of each type of constraint and nd that the type that contributes most to accuracy improvements depends on the behavior of the clustering algorithm without constraints.
An alternative to enhanced external counterpulsation: A pilot study of ECG-driven sequential muscle stimulation

It is well documented that muscle stimulation may improve regional circulation. However, if this method can enhance systematic circulation remains unclear. In this pilot study, we designed an ECG-driven sequential muscle stimulation (ESMS) system and investigated if it is potentially capable of augmenting diastolic blood pressure as an alternative to enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP). We then used the proposed system to stimulate muscles of the hind limbs of a beagle dog at 36 V, and at the impulse frequency of 40 Hz, 70 Hz, and 100 Hz, respectively, synchronized with ECG ensuring the stimulation at diastole. We observed that ESMS increased diastole/systole pressure ratio of peak and area (DSp and DSa) evidently to 0.87 and 0.33, respectively, at 70 Hz. This encouraging result indicates that the ESMS may change hemodynamics and further study should be carried out to explore the stimulation pattern, target muscle selection, and the benefits of this method on systematic circulation.
A Review Study on Fingerprint Image Enhancement Techniques

Image enhancement techniques have become more popular among the researchers as it is widely been used in security and medical applications. There have been different image enhancement technique approaches and filters were developed to enhancement the fingerprint images. While analysis a few accesses are established in spatial domain, frequency domain and fuzzy model. These techniques are based on local ridge frequency and orientation. This survey research paper was aimed to analyze these techniques, its effectiveness on fingerprint image enhancement. The study has considered and discussed various available methods and techniques that have been used in the previous research studies and also provides the direction for further research on fingerprint image applications. Keywords-Fingerprint image; Enhancement; Filters; Fuzzy Model.
Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) predicts poor outcome in patients undergoing acute pulmonary embolectomy

Introduction Right ventricular failure remains a major cause of mortality during acute pulmonary embolism. Right ventricular function can be assessed with transesophageal echocardiography. However, due to the complex right ventricular anatomy, only a few echocardiographic parameters are reliable and easily obtainable intraoperatively. Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion is a validated parameter of global right ventricular function. Methods Data from 81 patients with acute pulmonary embolus undergoing pulmonary embolectomy were evaluated. Transesophageal echocardiography derived parameters of right ventricular function were obtained and compared to tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion measurements. Patients were then divided into two groups (TAPSE < 18 mm and ≥18 mm). Results The patient population consisted of 46 males and 35 females, mean age 61.0 ± 12.9 years. Patients in the TAPSE <18 mm group had significantly larger diastolic (p=0.0015) and systolic (p=0.0031) right ventricular diameters, lower right ventricular fractional area change (p=0.0065) and greater degrees of tricuspid regurgitation (p=0.0001) compared to patients with TAPSE ≥18 mm. In addition, all patients who needed intraoperative cardiopulmonary resuscitation (11/81) or died intraoperatively (8/81) belonged to the TAPSE <18 mm group. Logistic regression analysis confirmed TAPSE <18 mm as an independent risk factor for intraoperative cardiopulmonary resuscitation and death. Conclusions Transesophageal echocardiography derived TAPSE is easily obtainable and correlates well with other standardized parameters of right ventricular function. TAPSE <18 mm is an independent predictor of intraoperative cardiopulmonary resuscitation and death in patients undergoing emergent pulmonary embolectomy.
How neutral networks influence evolvability

Evolutionary algorithms apply the process of variation, reproduction, and selection to look for an individual capable of solving the task at hand. In order to improve the evolvability of a population we propose to copy important characteristics of nature's search space. Desired characteristics for a genotype-phenotype mapping are described and several highly redundant genotype-phenotype mappings are analyzed in the context of a population-based search. We show that evolvability, defined as the ability of random variations to sometimes produce improvement, is influenced by the existence of neutral networks in genotype space. Redundant mappings allow the population to spread along the network of neutral mutations and the population is quickly able to recover after a change has occurred. The extent of the neutral networks affects the interconnectivity of the search space and thereby affects evolvability.
Adaptive approaches to parameter control in genetic algorithms and genetic programming

The paper concerns the application of Genetic Algor ithms and Genetic Programming to complex tasks such as automated desi gn of control systems, where the space of solutions is non-trivial and may contain discontinuities. Several adaptive mechanisms for control of the sear ch lgorithm's parameters are proposed, investigated and compared to each oth er. It is shown that the proposed mechanisms are useful in preventing the se arch from getting trapped in local extremes of the fitness landscape.
Table S1: Review of existing facial expression databases that are often used in social psycholgy

[1] GEMEP Corpus admiration, amusement, anger, tenderness, disgust, despair, pride, shame, anxiety (worry), interest, irritation, joy (elation), contempt, panic fear, pleasure (sensual), relief, surprise, sadness audio and video recordings This database contains more than 7000 clips of the six basic emotions as well as subtle emotions. For the recordings 10 professional actors (5 female) were coached by a professional director. The actors received a list of the emotions together with short definitions and brief scenarios. The recordings are available in different intensity levels and part of the database has been validated.
Kinematic model of 3D tactile sensing on robotic surfaces

This paper discusses a matrix based algorithm to sense unknown forces acting on a 3D tactile skin consisting of thin film force sensors. The skin can be mounted on any robotic system to measure forces acting on the robot's surface upon contact. The paper describes a kinematic model of the forces acting on the skin, stiffness of the skin and an analytical method to extract the value of unknown forces acting in between the discrete sensor array.