Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ANN Development with EC Tools: An Overview

Among all of the Artificial Intelligence techniques, Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) have shown to be a very powerful tool (McCulloch & Pitts, 1943) (Haykin, 1999). This technique is very versatile and therefore has been succesfully applied to many different disciplines (classification, clustering, regression, modellization, etc.) (Rabunal & Dorado, 2005). However, one of the greatest problems when using ANNs is the great manual effort that has to be done in their development. A big myth of ANNs is that they are easy to work with and their development is almost automatically done. This development process can be divided into two parts: architecture development and training and validation. As the network architecture is problem-dependant, the design process of this architecture used to be manually performed, meaning that the expert had to test different architectures and train them until finding the one that achieved best results after the training process. The manual nature of the described process determines its slow performance although the training part is completely automated due to the existence of several algorithms that perform this part. With the creation of Evolutionary Computation (EC) tools, researchers have worked on the application of these techniques to the development of algorithms for automatically creating and training ANNs so the whole process (or, at least, a great part of it) can be automatically performed by computers and therefore few human efforts has to be done in this process.
Transmural electrical potential difference of the human colon

The electrical potential across the human colon was measured by a technique which accurately reflects the true mucosa-to-serosa potential difference. Large negative mucosal potentials were recorded from all regions. The potential difference of the sigmoid colon was significantly greater than that of the rectum. The technique may have important applications to the further study of normal or abnormal colonic function.
The impact of board gender diversity on corporate social responsibility in the Arab Gulf states

Purpose This study aims to examine the impact of board gender diversity on the level of corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure in the Arab Gulf states. Also, this research further aims to explore whether the impact of board gender diversity varies across the Arab Gulf states. Design/methodology/approach Ordinary least squares regression is used in this study to test the impact of board gender diversity on the level of CSR disclosure. Manual content analysis is used to evaluate the extent of CSR disclosure in annual reports, stand-alone CSR reports, sustainability reports and website sections to examine the relationship between the extent of CSR reporting and board gender diversity. This study uses the global reporting initiative (GRI) fourth version reporting guidelines to design and define the classifications of CSR reporting checklist. Findings The findings show that there is a statistically significant relationship between the number of female directors and the level of CSR disclosure. The results show that board gender diversity is positively associated with the level of CSR reporting in two countries, namely, Bahrain and Kuwait. Also, the findings reveal that there is a weak positive relationship between the presence of women on the boards and CSR reporting index in Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Originality/value This study attempts to fill the gap in the literature, in that no similar study covers the Arab Gulf countries as one economic unit. The study is unique in that it focuses on oil-rich countries. This study is, to the best of this researcher’s knowledge, the first to explore the impact of women’s boards on the extent of CSR reporting, as well as investigating the possible variation of board gender diversity impact on the extent of CSR reporting in the Arabian Gulf region.
A Navigation System for the Visually Impaired: A Fusion of Vision and Depth Sensor

For a number of years, scientists have been trying to develop aids that can make visually impaired people more independent and aware of their surroundings. Computer-based automatic navigation tools are one example of this, motivated by the increasing miniaturization of electronics and the improvement in processing power and sensing capabilities. This paper presents a complete navigation system based on low cost and physically unobtrusive sensors such as a camera and an infrared sensor. The system is based around corners and depth values from Kinect's infrared sensor. Obstacles are found in images from a camera using corner detection, while input from the depth sensor provides the corresponding distance. The combination is both efficient and robust. The system not only identifies hurdles but also suggests a safe path (if available) to the left or right side and tells the user to stop, move left, or move right. The system has been tested in real time by both blindfolded and blind people at different indoor and outdoor locations, demonstrating that it operates adequately.
Measuring of Semantic Relatedness between Words based on Wikipedia Links

A novel technique of semantic relatedness measurement between words based on link structure of Wikipedia was provided. Only Wikipedia’s link information was used in this method, which avoid researchers from burdensome text processing. During the process of relatedness computation, the positive effects of two-directional Wikipedia’s links and four link types are taken into account. Using a widely used test set of manual defined measures of semantic relatedness as bench-mark, our method resulted in substantial improvement in correlation of computed relatedness score with human judgments, with a smaller amount of calculation comparing with other present popular methods in computing semantic relatedness between words.
Multi-hop Routing for Wireless Network in Underground Mines

Multi-hop transmission link constructed by wireless relay nodes is a feasible solution to long range wireless communication in underground mines. In this paper, a fast routing protocol is proposed to guarantee the multi-hop wireless link between the mine rescue robot and operation console. This routing method contains a fast recursive algorithm for neighboring nodes selection and routing data frame’s design. The proposed method is proved competent for establishing a reliable and effective multi-hop wireless channel very fast.
Cognitive Dysfunction in Early Multiple Sclerosis: Altered Centrality Derived from Resting-State Functional Connectivity Using Magneto-Encephalography

Background Cognitive dysfunction in multiple sclerosis (MS) is frequent. Insight into underlying mechanisms would help to develop therapeutic strategies. Objective To explore the relationship of cognitive performance to patterns of nodal centrality derived from magneto-encephalography (MEG). Methods 34 early relapsing-remitting MS patients (median EDSS 2.0) and 28 age- and gender-matched healthy controls (HC) had a MEG, a neuropsychological assessment and structural MRI. Resting-state functional connectivity was determined by the synchronization likelihood. Eigenvector Centrality (EC) was used to quantify for each sensor its connectivity and importance within the network. A cognition-score was calculated, and normalized grey and white matter volumes were determined. EC was compared per sensor and frequency band between groups using permutation testing, and related to cognition. Results Patients had lower grey and white matter volumes than HC, male patients lower cognitive performance than female patients. In HC, EC distribution showed highest nodal centrality over bi-parietal sensors (“hubs”). In patients, nodal centrality was even higher bi-parietally (theta-band) but markedly lower left temporally (upper alpha- and beta-band). Lower cognitive performance correlated to decreased nodal centrality over left temporal (lower alpha-band) and right temporal (beta-band) sensors, and to increased nodal centrality over right parieto-temporal sensors (beta-band). Network changes were most pronounced in male patients. Conclusions Partial functional disconnection of the temporal regions was associated with cognitive dysfunction in MS; increased centrality in parietal hubs may reflect a shift from temporal to possibly less efficient parietal processing. To better understand patterns and dynamics of these network changes, longitudinal studies are warranted, also addressing the influence of gender.
Simulations of the evolution of cooperation between the enterprises in cluster based on BA social networks

In this paper, the evolutionary rule of the cooperation relationships between the enterprises in cluster is studied, based on a new scale-free network evolving mechanism and simulations. With the new iterated Prisoner's dilemma game model on scale-free social networks, we obtained some valuable conclusions, such as that different rules of changing strategies influence the correlation between the evolution stabilization value of the average cooperation proportion and its initial value, and the evolution stabilization value of the average cooperation proportion isn't influenced by the whiten temptation value of otimes (b) in grey payoff matrix.
Hybrid data-based/model-based inter-turn fault detection methods for PM drives with manufacturing faults

In this paper, improved online inter-turn fault detection methods are proposed in order to take into account some design specifications related to recent Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machine (PMSM) topologies having modular stator combined with Fractionnal Slot Concentrated Winding (FSCW). This winding allows compact PM motor mainly by reducing end windings. It is often associated with segmented stator in order to simplify the construction of the motor as in the case of Electro-Mechanical Actuators (EMA). This technique may lead to the presence of manufacturing faults such as additional air gaps between the various parts of the modular stator. This urges users to consider complex models of PMSM far removed from classical dq models. Consequently, undesirable harmonics, torque ripples can interfere with fault detection such as inter-turn fault detection algorithms. This paper proposes invasive methods interacting with PMSM control using both model-based and data-based methods in order to take into account these aspects for control and online inter-turn fault detection. Various experimental tests on an industrial EMA prototype validate the effectiveness of the proposed solution.
Methadone in post-herpetic neuralgia: A pilot proof-of-concept study

OBJECTIVE: This research was designed as a pilot proof-of-concept study to evaluate the use of low-dose methadone in post-herpetic neuralgia patients who remained refractory after first and second line post-herpetic neuralgia treatments and had indications for adding an opioid agent to their current drug regimens. METHODS: This cross-over study was double blind and placebo controlled. Ten opioid naïve post-herpetic neuralgia patients received either methadone (5 mg bid) or placebo for three weeks, followed by a 15-day washout period and a second three-week treatment with either methadone or placebo, accordingly. Clinical evaluations were performed four times (before and after each three-week treatment period). The evaluations included the visual analogue scale, verbal category scale, daily activities scale, McGill pain questionnaire, adverse events profile, and evoked pain assessment. All patients provided written informed consent before being included in the study. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01752699 RESULTS: Methadone, when compared to placebo, did not significantly affect the intensity of spontaneous pain, as measured by the visual analogue scale. The intensity of spontaneous pain was significantly decreased after the methadone treatment compared to placebo on the category verbal scale (50% improved after the methadone treatment, none after the placebo, p = 0.031). Evoked pain was reduced under methadone compared to placebo (50% improved after the methadone treatment, none after the placebo, p = 0.031). Allodynia reduction correlated with sleep improvement (r = 0.67, p = 0.030) during the methadone treatment. The side effects profile was similar between both treatments. CONCLUSIONS: Methadone seems to be safe and efficacious in post-herpetic neuralgia. It should be tried as an adjunctive treatment for post-herpetic neuralgia in larger prospective studies.
Sparse Kernel Logistic Regression using Incremental Feature Selection for Text-Independent Speaker Identification

Logistic regression is a well known classification method in the field of statistical learning. Recently, a kernelized version of logistic regression has become very popular, because it allows non-linear probabilistic classification and shows promising results on several benchmark problems. In this paper we show that kernel logistic regression (KLR) and especially its sparse extensions (SKLR) are useful alternatives to standard Gaussian mixture models (GMMs) and support vector machines (SVMs) in Speaker recognition. While the classification results of KLR and SKLR are similar to the results of SVMs, we show that SKLR produces highly sparse models. Unlike SVMs the kernel logistic regression also provides an estimate of the conditional probability of class membership. In speaker identification experiments the SKLR methods outperform the SVM and the GMM baseline system on the POLY-COST database
Weighted vote algorithm combination technique for anomaly based Smart Grid Intrusion Detection systems

Intrusion Detection systems (IDS) are a crucial and necessary aspect of the smart grid, particularly when considering the possible attack vectors and their consequences. While there are many different approaches on IDS for Smart Grid, the benefits of an anomaly detection technique is still in discussion, due to its capability of detecting zero-day attacks and misuse. This paper proposes a weighted vote classification approach and a general weight calculation function to improve the detection performances of anomaly IDS systems. Initial results show that a combination technique is able to improve classifier performance by several percent.
How Does Ethical Leadership Impact Employee Organizational Citizenship Behavior?: A Meta-Analytic Review Based on Two-Stage Meta-Analytic Structural Equation Modeling (TSSEM)

This study investigates the mechanism between ethical leadership and employees’ organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) through a justice perspective. We propose that interactional justice serves as a conduit that induces employees’ OCB in response to leaders’ ethical behaviors. The explanatory powers of interactional justice on two forms of OCB – organizational OCB (OCBO) and interpersonal OCB (OCBI) – are compared. Based on data from 34,028 participants in 100 empirical studies, we applied a two-stage meta-analytic structural equations modeling (TSSEM) and found that interactional justice only explains the influence of ethical leadership on employees’ OCBO but not OCBI. Theoretical and managerial implications of our findings are discussed.
Detection of Aircrafts on a Collision Course using Spatio-Temporal HOG

We have developed a method for the detection of both generic flight neighbouring aircrafts and those on a collision course. Our approach employs a sliding window linear Support Vector Machine (SVM) classifier with a Histogram of Oriented Gradients (HOG) feature representation. An extension of this approach to the spatio-temporal domain is also considered and we demonstrate its advantage for the detection of aircrafts on a collision path. We evaluated our approach for the detection of both small rotorcraft and larger fixed-wing aircrafts in challenging video sequences. Our results show that aircrafts on a collision course can be detected more reliably than when assuming a generic flight path. This is very interesting in practice, since this case is of critical importance. We also show that our spatio-temporal approach improves the detection accuracy with respect to conventional single- frame approaches.
Capsaicin-sensitive cough receptors in lower airway are responsible for cough hypersensitivity in patients with upper airway cough syndrome

Background Cough hypersensitivity may be related to the pathogenesis of upper airway cough syndrome (UACS). The purpose of the study was to investigate the role of capsaicin-sensitive cough receptors on the laryngopharynx and lower airway in the cough hypersensitivity of patients with UACS. Material/Methods 59 patients with UACS, 33 patients with rhinitis/sinusitis without cough, and 39 healthy volunteers were recruited for the study. Cough threshold C5, defined as the lowest concentration of capsaicin required for the induction of ≥5 coughs upon esposure to capsaicin, were determined at baseline and after laryngopharngeal anesthesia with lidocaine in all the subjects. After induced sputum cytology, the concentrations of histamine, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and calcitonin-gene-related peptide (CGPR) in the induced sputum were measured by ELISA. In 15 patients with UACS, sputum cytology and measurement of the above mediators were repeated after successful therapy. Results C5 response to capsaicin was significantly lower in the UACS group than in the rhinitis/sinusitis group and healthy control groups [3.9 (0.98, 7.8) μmol/L vs. 7.8 (3.9, 93.75) μmol/L vs. 31.2 (15.6, 62.5) μmol/L, H=40.12, P=0.000]. Laryngopharngeal anesthesia with lidocaine dramatically increased C5 to capsaicin in the subjects of all 3 groups by a similar degree, but the increase in the UACS group was still the lowest, with an increased level of histamine, PGE2, and CGRP in the induced sputum. When cough resolved with the treatment of cetirizine alone or in combination with erythromycin, the levels of CGRP and histamine in the induced sputum decreased significantly in 15 patients with UACS, with no obvious change in cell differential or concentration of PGE2 in the induced sputum. Conclusions Laryngeal TRPV1 plays an important role in cough sensitivity, but sensitization of capsaicin-sensitive cough receptors in the lower airway may be more responsible for the cough hypersensitivity in patients with UACS.
printr: Exploring the Potential of Paper-based Tools in Low-resource Settings

Despite the recent push toward using information and communication technologies (ICTs) to replace paper-based workflows, there remain many barriers to designing appropriate and deployable ICT solutions that replace paper. As a result, paper tools such as forms, charts, and graphs continue to be widely used, especially in developing regions. While paper is not without its drawbacks, its advantages are especially relevant to low-resource settings as paper tools require only a fraction of the development, deployment, and operational costs of software apps. In this paper, we investigate how paper tools can be improved and combined with ICTs so that low-resource organizations working in developing regions can benefit from the advantages of both types of tools. We perform an exploration of existing tools to design, printr, a system that integrates into existing paper-based workflows by allowing an organization to rapidly generate paper tools that can perform some functions typically associated with computation---addition, subtraction, lookup, visual feedback, and visualization --- without requiring the introduction of an ICT at the point of use. We compare two paper tools that printr produces with two mobile phone apps developed by a large NGO in Ghana and find comparable user performance between apps and generated paper tools.
Sample plans comparisons for shelf life estimation using sensory evaluation scores

Sensory evaluations to determine the shelf life of food products are routinely conducted in food experimentation as a part of each product development program, whether it includes a new product, product improvement or a change in type or specification of an ingredient. In such experiments, trained panelists are asked to judge food attributes by reference to a scale of numbers. The “failure time” associated with a product unit under test is usually defined as the time required to reach a cut‐off point previously defined by the food company. Important issues associated with the planning and execution of this kind of testing are total sampling size, frequency of sample withdrawals, panel design, and statistical analysis of the panel data, to list a few. Different approaches have been proposed for the analysis of this kind of data. In particular, Freitas et al. proposed an alternative model based on a dichotomization of the score data and a Weibull as the underlying distribution for the time to failure. Also, through a simulation study, the bias and mean square error of the estimates obtained for percentiles and fraction defectives were evaluated. These quantities were used to estimate the shelf life. The simulation study used only the same sample plan implemented in the real situation. This paper focuses on the planning issues associated with these experiments. Sample plans are contrasted and compared in a simulation study, through the use of the approach proposed by Freitas et al. The simulation results showed that, in general, one can get results much more precise and with smaller bias with a shorter follow‐up time, allocating more panelists to each evaluation time.
De facto Access Right and People's Preference to Conserve Biodiversity at Micro level: A Study from India

The argument that the use rights arising out of the conventional arrangements play an important role in the degradation of protected areas has motivated this paper. This study adopting a dichotomous choice contingent valuation survey among the urban people in Kerala, India examines the preference and value to conserve biodiversity in Periyar Tiger Reserve, India where different types of de facto user rights exists. It has been found that although such de facto rights like pilgrimage leads to the degradation of the reserve, the preference and value elicitation shows that there is scope for improving biodiversity conservation by paying due attention to the preference and value of those who exercise or perceive informal property rights over the resource. This is very important in such socio-cultural context where the total ban of such activities is impossible or ineffective. It is urged that with the design of appropriate institutional mechanisms perhaps such rights can be converted from resource degrading in nature to that of resource conserving one.
A small-gain approach to stability analysis of hybrid systems

We propose to use ISS small-gain theorems to analyze stability of hybrid systems. We demonstrate that the small-gain analysis framework is very naturally and generally applicable in the context of hybrid systems, and thus has a potential to be useful in many applications. The main idea is illustrated on specific problems in the context of control with limited information, where it is shown to provide novel interpretations, powerful extensions, and a more unified treatment of several previously available results. The reader does not need to be familiar with ISS or small-gain theorems to be able to follow the paper.