Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An efficient line segmentation approach for handwritten Bangla document image

Text line segmentation plays a vital role in the overall performance of a document recognition system. In the literature, similar segmentation works for offline handwritten Bangla documents are rarely found. On the other hand, certain peculiarities of handwritten Bangla script such as widespread occurrences of ascenders and descenders or some of its characters appearing only as an ascender or descender often cause unique difficulties to this segmentation task. Existence of connected components over a number of successive text lines is a common phenomenon in unconstrained handwritten Bangla documents. In this article, we propose a novel and efficient approach for text line segmentation where initially, we smudge the input document image, to blur-out white spaces between words, while preserving gaps between consecutive lines. Next, we obtain an initial segmentation scheme by shredding the image based on the white most pixels in between consecutive smudged lines. Multi-line connected components have been taken care of by thinning, and then finding the most probable point of separation in the component. Combining it with the initial segmentation, we obtain the final output. The proposed approach has been evaluated on ICDAR 2013 Handwriting Segmentation Contest dataset of Bangla. The segmentation results show the efficiency of the proposed approach.
Cognitive reflection as a predictor of susceptibility to behavioral anomalies

To study the effect of cognitive reflection on behavioral anomalies, we used the cognitive reflection test to measure cognitive reflection. The study was conducted on 395 Iranian university students and shows that subjects with lower cognitive reflection are significantly more likely to exhibit the conjunction fallacy, illusion of control, overconfidence, base rate fallacy, and conservatism. In addition, test scores are correlated with risk preferences. The results do not show any relationship between cognitive reflection and self-serving bias or status quo bias. We also find that gender is significantly related to illusion of control and self-serving bias.
Alternating direction method of multipliers for strictly convex quadratic programs: Optimal parameter selection

We consider an approach for solving strictly convex quadratic programs (QPs) with general linear inequalities by the alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM). In particular, we focus on the application of ADMM to the QPs of constrained Model Predictive Control (MPC). After introducing our ADMM iteration, we provide a proof of convergence closely related to the theory of maximal monotone operators. The proof relies on a general measure to monitor the rate of convergence and hence to characterize the optimal step size for the iterations. We show that the identified measure converges at a Q-linear rate while the iterates converge at a 2-step Q-linear rate. This result allows us to relax some of the existing assumptions in optimal step size selection, that currently limit the applicability to the QPs of MPC. The results are validated through a large public benchmark set of QPs of MPC for controlling a four tank process.
Epidemiological relationships between the common cold and exacerbation frequency in COPD

Higher exacerbation incidence rates in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are associated with more rapid decline in lung function and poorer quality of life, yet the mechanisms determining susceptibility to exacerbation remain ill-defined. The same viruses responsible for common colds are frequently isolated during exacerbations. The current authors hypothesised that exacerbation frequency may be associated with an increased frequency of colds, and investigated whether increased exacerbation frequency was associated with increased acquisition of colds, or a greater likelihood of exacerbation once a cold has been acquired. A total of 150 patients with COPD completed diary cards recording peak expiratory flow, and respiratory and coryzal symptoms for a median 1,047 days. Annual cold and exacerbation incidence rates (cold and exacerbation frequency) were calculated, and the relationships between these variables were investigated. This analysis is based on 1,005 colds and 1,493 exacerbations. Frequent exacerbators (i.e. those whose exacerbation frequency was greater than the median) experienced significantly more colds than infrequent exacerbators (1.73 versus 0.94·yr−1). The likelihood of exacerbation during a cold was unaffected by exacerbation frequency. Patients experiencing frequent colds had a significantly higher exposure to cigarette smoke (46 versus 33 pack-yrs). Exacerbation frequency in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is associated with an increased frequency of acquiring the common cold, rather than an increased propensity to exacerbation once a cold has been acquired.
Automatic face recognition of video sequences using self-eigenfaces

The objective of this work is to provide an efficient face recognition scheme useful for video indexing applications. In particular we are addressing the following problem: given a set of known images and given a video sequence to be indexed, find where the corresponding persons appear in the sequence. Conventional face detection schemes are not well suited for this application and alternate and more efficient schemes have to be developed. In this paper we have modified our original generic eigenface-based recognition scheme presented in [1] by introducing the concept of selfeigenfaces. The resulting scheme is very efficient to find specific face images and to cope with the different face conditions present in a video sequence. The main and final objective is to develop a tool to be used in the MPEG-7 standardization effort to help video indexing activities. Good results have been obtained using the video test sequences used in the MPEG-7 evaluation group.
PowerPoint® Presentation Flaws and Failures: A Psychological Analysis

Electronic slideshow presentations are often faulted anecdotally, but little empirical work has documented their faults. In Study 1 we found that eight psychological principles are often violated in PowerPoint® slideshows, and are violated to similar extents across different fields – for example, academic research slideshows generally were no better or worse than business slideshows. In Study 2 we found that respondents reported having noticed, and having been annoyed by, specific problems in presentations arising from violations of particular psychological principles. Finally, in Study 3 we showed that observers are not highly accurate in recognizing when particular slides violated a specific psychological rule. Furthermore, even when they correctly identified the violation, they often could not explain the nature of the problem. In sum, the psychological foundations for effective slideshow presentation design are neither obvious nor necessarily intuitive, and presentation designers in all fields, from education to business to government, could benefit from explicit instruction in relevant aspects of psychology.
pn: A Tool for Improved Derivation of Process Networks

Current emerging embedded System-on-Chip platforms are increasingly becoming multiprocessor architectures. System designers experience significant difficulties in programming these platforms. The applications are typically specified as sequential programs that do not reveal the available parallelism in an application, thereby hindering the efficient mapping of an application onto a parallel multiprocessor platform. In this paper, we present our compiler techniques for facilitating the migration from a sequential application specification to a parallel application specification using the process network model of computation. Our work is inspired by a previous research project called Compaan. With our techniques we address optimization issues such as the generation of process networks with simplified topology and communication without sacrificing the process networks' performance. Moreover, we describe a technique for compile-time memory requirement estimation which we consider as an important contribution of this paper. We demonstrate the usefulness of our techniques on several examples.
A new input/output pairing strategy based on linear quadratic Gaussian control

In this paper a new input/output pairing strategy based on linear quadratic Gaussian control (LQG) is suggested. The strategy is used to compare the expected performance of decentralized control structures in some illustrative examples. The pairing suggestions are compared with the recommendations previously obtained using other interaction measures such as the relative gain array (RGA). The new strategy gives suitable pairing recommendations and is easy to interpret.
We Cannot Go It Alone

Abstract This study examines the effect of stressors and support resources among aging gay men and lesbian women who are caring for their families, both biological families and chosen families. Forty-five percent (N = 155) of the gay men and lesbians in a large study of caregiving were providing some type of caregiving assistance. Lesbian and bisexual women were twice as likely to provide caregiving to biological family, usually a parent, than gay and bisexual men. Results show that gender, strain and family expectations are predictors of greater burden for caregivers, regardless of the care recipient. However, buffering effects of support resources vary by caregiving situation; availability of support was not a significant predictor for family of origin caregivers, but the availability of emotional support predicted lower levels of burden for family of choice caregivers. These findings have implications for health and social care providers as well as public policies that need to be responsive to the unique needs of lesbians and gay men and their families.
Local Gene Silencing of Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 Prevents Vulnerable Plaque Disruption in Apolipoprotein E-Knockout Mice

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), a CC chemokine (CCL2), has been demonstrated to play important roles in atherosclerosis and becoming an important therapeutic target for atherosclerosis. The present study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that local RNAi of MCP-1 by site-specific delivery of adenovirus-mediated small hairpin RNA (shRNA) may enhance plaque stability and prevent plaque disruption in ApoE−/− mice. We designed an adenovirus-mediated shRNA against mouse MCP-1 (rAd5-MCP-1-shRNA). Male apolipoprotein E-knockout (ApoE−/−) mice (n = 120) were fed a high-fat diet and vulnerable plaques were induced by perivascular placement of constrictive collars around the carotid artery, intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide and stress stimulation. Mice were randomly divided into RNA interference (Ad-MCP-1i) group receiving local treatment of rAd5-MCP-1-shRNA suspension, Ad-EGFP group receiving treatment of rAd5-mediated negative shRNA and mock group receiving treatment of saline. Two weeks after treatment, plaque disruption rates were significantly lower in the Ad-MCP-1i group than in the Ad-EGFP group (13.3% vs. 60.0%, P = 0.01), and local MCP-1 expression was significantly inhibited in the Ad-MCP-1i group confirmed by immunostaining, qRT-PCR and western blot (P<0.001). Compared with the Ad-EGFP group, carotid plaques in the Ad-MCP-1i group showed increased levels of collagen and smooth muscle cells, and decreased levels of lipid and macrophages. The expression of inflammatory cytokines and activities of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) were lower in the Ad-MCP-1i group than in the Ad-EGFP group. In conclusion, site-specific delivery of adenoviral-mediated shRNA targeting mouse MCP-1 downregulated MCP-1 expression, turned a vulnerable plaque into a more stable plaque phenotype and prevented plaque disruption. A marked suppression of the local inflammatory cytokine expression may be the central mechanism involved.
Classification and clustering methods for documents by probabilistic latent semantic indexing model

Based on information retrieval model especially probabilistic latent semantic indexing (PLSI) model, we discuss methods for classification and clustering of a set of documents. A method for classification is presented and is demonstrated its good performance by applying to a set of benchmark documents with free format (text only). Then the classification method is modified to a clustering method and the clustering method is applied to a set of experimental documents with fixed and free formats to partition into two clusters, where the experimental documents are obtained from student questionnaires. Since the experimental documents are already categorized, the clustering method can be clearly evaluated its performance. The method has better performance compared to the conventional one based on the vector space model.
A Decentralized Control Method for Islanded Microgrids Under Unbalanced Conditions

Unbalanced load currents not only give rise to unbalanced voltages but also adversely affect the performance of the conventional current-limiting mechanisms. The latter might result in overcurrent stress on the distributed energy resources (DERs) or current harmonics. In this paper, a novel decentralized control method is proposed to improve the power quality and protect DERs from overload. The proposed controller makes use of the model predictive control (MPC) technique to minimize the voltage unbalance, improve current limiting, and prevent active power overload. The MPC is combined with the V- I droop method to realize coordinated operation with fast dynamic response. The proposed method is tested on the CIGRE benchmark microgrid. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed method improves power quality but also allows for operation close to the maximum load capacity without imposing DERs to overload.
The implementation and evaluation of the ViSC program in Cyprus: challenges of cross-national dissemination and evaluation results

Abstract The ViSC program is a socio-ecological anti-bullying program that has been developed, implemented and rigorously evaluated in Austria. The main goals of the present study were (1) to implement the ViSC program with high fidelity in Cyprus and (2) to investigate the program effectiveness within a quasi-experimental longitudinal study. To tackle bullying on different levels in the educational system, a cascaded train-the-trainer model has been realized. Nine permanent staff members of the Cypriot Ministry of Education were trained as multipliers by researchers. These multipliers trained teachers in three Cypriot schools and teachers trained their students. To investigate the effectiveness of the program, data from students of three intervention and three control schools was collected via self-assessments at pre-test (October–November 2012), post-test (April–May 2013) and follow-up (March–April 2014). In total, 1752 grade 7 and 8 students (602 intervention, 1150 control group) with a mean age of 12.6 (SD = .60) at pre-test, nested in 82 classes and 6 schools participated. To investigate the program effectiveness regarding the reduction of victimization and aggressive behavior, multilevel growth models were applied (time points at level 1, individuals at level 2, and classes at level 3). The analyses revealed that the program effects differed depending on the grade level of the students. Overall, the program was more effective for grade 7 compared with grade 8 students. In grade 8, bullying and victimization increased more in the intervention group compared with the control group at time 2, but also steeper decreased at time 3 indicating a sensitizing effect of the program.
A Novel Graphic Coverage Hole Description in Wireless Sensor Networks

The emergence of coverage holes is unavoidable in wireless sensor networks. In this letter, a novel method for describing coverage holes graphically is proposed. Our proposed graphic hole description is divided into two phases, namely, coverage hole detecting and coverage hole describing. Simulation results show that the proposed graphic hole description indicates not only the locations and configurations of holes but also the vulnerable parts in holes. Besides, the graphic description can serve as a useful tool for healing coverage holes.
A wing-assisted running robot and implications for avian flight evolution

DASH+Wings is a small hexapedal winged robot that uses flapping wings to increase its locomotion capabilities. To examine the effects of flapping wings, multiple experimental controls for the same locomotor platform are provided by wing removal, by the use of inertially similar lateral spars, and by passive rather than actively flapping wings. We used accelerometers and high-speed cameras to measure the performance of this hybrid robot in both horizontal running and while ascending inclines. To examine consequences of wing flapping for aerial performance, we measured lift and drag forces on the robot at constant airspeeds and body orientations in a wind tunnel; we also determined equilibrium glide performance in free flight. The addition of flapping wings increased the maximum horizontal running speed from 0.68 to 1.29 m s−1, and also increased the maximum incline angle of ascent from 5.6° to 16.9°. Free flight measurements show a decrease of 10.3° in equilibrium glide slope between the flapping and gliding robot. In air, flapping improved the mean lift:drag ratio of the robot compared to gliding at all measured body orientations and airspeeds. Low-amplitude wing flapping thus provides advantages in both cursorial and aerial locomotion. We note that current support for the diverse theories of avian flight origins derive from limited fossil evidence, the adult behavior of extant flying birds, and developmental stages of already volant taxa. By contrast, addition of wings to a cursorial robot allows direct evaluation of the consequences of wing flapping for locomotor performance in both running and flying.
Altered gene expression in early osteochondrosis lesions

Osteochondrosis is a condition involving defective endochondral ossification and retention of cartilage in subchondral bone. The pathophysiology of this condition is poorly characterized, but it has been proposed that the fundamental defect is failure of chondrocyte hypertrophy. The aim of the current study was to characterize phenotypic changes in chondrocytes associated with the initiation of osteochondrosis. Early lesions were induced in an equine model of osteochondrosis by feeding foals a high energy diet for 8 or 15 weeks. Lesions in articular‐epiphyseal growth cartilage were examined histologically and by quantitative PCR analysis of expression of a number of genes representative of pathways that regulate chondrocyte behavior during endochondral ossification. There were more cells present in clusters in the lesions compared to normal articular cartilage. Expression of matrix metalloproteinase‐13, type I collagen, type X collagen, and Runx2 mRNA was significantly greater in the lesions compared to normal cartilage from the same joint. Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, type II collagen, connective tissue growth factor, aggrecan, Sox9, and fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 mRNA was not significantly different in lesions than in control cartilage. These observations suggest that osteochondrosis does not result from failure of chondrocytes to undergo hypertrophy. © 2008 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 27: 452–457, 2009
Injury-related predictors of symptom severity following sports-related concussion

Introduction: Decisions regarding return to play after sports-related concussion partially revolve around athletes’ self-reported symptoms. Given this emphasis on symptoms, it would be beneficial to be able to identify characteristics that could predict which athletes may be susceptible to developing an increase in postconcussion symptoms following head injury. The purpose of this study was to describe the symptoms that athletes endorse immediately following concussion and to determine what impact injury-related characteristics have on the development of postconcussion symptoms within the first week following concussion. Method: Participants included 54 collegiate athletes who sustained concussions and were referred to our concussion management program for postconcussion testing. The main outcome measures included the Post-Concussion Symptom Scale and an interview querying athletes’ retrospective symptoms over time, starting immediately postinjury. Results: Descriptive statistics revealed that the most common immediate symptoms following concussion include dizziness (endorsed by 83.6% of the sample), headache (65.5%), feeling in a fog (61.8%), and visual disturbance (60.0%). Logistic regression analyses indicated that retrograde and anterograde amnesia, as well as loss of consciousness, were not significantly predictive of postconcussion symptoms within one week following concussion (p > .05). However, the total symptom score assessed immediately postinjury, in addition to endorsing immediate headache symptoms following concussion, reliably predicted a higher level of symptom reporting in the first week following concussion (p < .05). Finally, receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, using 80% sensitivity to predict the high postconcussion symptom group, established cutoff scores of 7.5 for the immediate total symptom score and 0.5 for immediate headache. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate the importance of evaluating symptoms immediately following concussion. Athletes who endorse more immediate postconcussion symptoms, especially headache symptoms, may be at risk for greater and more severe postconcussion symptoms within the first week following concussion. The present findings have implications for the management and treatment of sports-related concussions.
Moving target classification and tracking from real-time video

This paper describes an end-to-end method for extracting moving targets from a real-time video stream, classifying them into predefined categories according to image-based properties, and then robustly tracking them. Moving targets are detected using the pixel wise difference between consecutive image frames. A classification metric is applied these targets with a temporal consistency constraint to classify them into three categories: human, vehicle or background clutter. Once classified targets are tracked by a combination of temporal differencing and template matching. The resulting system robustly identifies targets of interest, rejects background clutter and continually tracks over large distances and periods of time despite occlusions, appearance changes and cessation of target motion.
Experimental Evidence on Voting Rationality and Decision Framing

Electorate sizes of 20, 40, and 70 subjects are used (0 test the paradox of voter turnout. Payoff schemes are designed to induce subjects to vote instrumentally. Our experimental evidence indicates that subjects do vote instrumentally, bur instrumental voting may lot fully explain voter turnouts in some real elections. In addition, theoretical studies associated with instrumental voting, e.g., the expected utility maximization model, the minimax regret model, and game-theoretic models cannot successfully explain the resulting voter turnouts. Our experimental evidence also shows that subjects are more willing to vote when the situation is framed as one in which they will lose something if they make wrong decisions rather Ian one in which they will gain something if they make right decisions, but only in relatively small sizes of electorates. This suggests that as the subject perceives himself to be less pivotal, the asymmetric incentive attributable to framing provides less influence on his voting decisions.