Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Aspect Ratio Similarity (ARS) for image retargeting quality assessment

During the past few years, there have been various kinds of content-aware image retargeting methods proposed for image resizing. However, the lack of effective objective retargeting quality metric limits the further development of image retargeting. Different from the traditional image quality assessment, the quality degradation of the retargeted images is mainly caused by the geometric changes due to retargeting. In this paper, we propose a practical approach to reveal the geometric changes during image retargeting, and design an Aspect Ratio Similarity (ARS) metric to predict the visual quality of the retargeted image. The experimental results on the widely used dataset show that the proposed metric outperforms the state of the arts.
High Dimensional Yield Curves: Models and Forecasting

Functional Signal plus Noise (FSN) models are proposed for analysing the dynamics of a large cross-section of yields or asset prices in which contemporaneous observations are functionally related. The FSN models are used to forecast high dimensional yield curves for US Treasury bonds at the one month ahead horizon. The models achieve large reductions in mean square forecast errors relative to a random walk for yields and readily dominate both the Diebold and Li (2006) and random walk forecasts across all maturities studied. We show that the Expectations Theory (ET) of the term structure completely determines the conditional mean of any zero-coupon yield curve. This enables a novel evaluation of the ET in which its 1-step ahead forecasts are compared with those of rival methods such as the FSN models, with the results strongly supporting the growing body of empirical evidence against the ET. Yield spreads do provide important information for forecasting the yield curve, especially in the case of shorter maturities, but not in the manner prescribed by the Expectations Theory.
Predicting Resistance by Mutagenesis: Lessons from 45 Years of MBC Resistance

When a new fungicide class is introduced, it is useful to anticipate the resistance risk in advance, attempting to predict both risk level and potential mechanisms. One tool for the prediction of resistance risk is laboratory selection for resistance, with the mutational supply increased through UV or chemical mutagenesis. This enables resistance to emerge more rapidly than in the field, but may produce mutations that would not emerge under field conditions. The methyl benzimidazole carbamates (MBCs) were the first systemic single-site agricultural fungicides, and the first fungicides affected by rapid evolution of target-site resistance. MBC resistance has now been reported in over 90 plant pathogens in the field, and laboratory mutants have been studied in nearly 30 species. The most common field mutations, including β-tubulin E198A/K/G, F200Y and L240F, have all been identified in laboratory mutants. However, of 28 mutations identified in laboratory mutants, only nine have been reported in the field. Therefore, the predictive value of mutagenesis studies would be increased by understanding which mutations are likely to emerge in the field. Our review of the literature indicates that mutations with high resistance factors, and those found in multiple species, are more likely to be reported in the field. However, there are many exceptions, possibly due to fitness penalties. Whether a mutation occurred in the same species appears less relevant, perhaps because β-tubulin is highly conserved so functional constraints are similar across all species. Predictability of mutations in other target sites will depend on the level and conservation of constraints.
Interacting Components as Logic Programs That Play Games

We present a framework for developing complex interacting components in computational logic. Interactive components are developed either as players making moves according to the rules of a game or as umpires that enforce the rules, thereby controlling the interactions of players. From building knowledge-based front-ends with multilingual support, we extend the framework to support the development of interfaces for connected community systems based on agents. The potential of the resulting programming methodology is that centralized organizations via umpires and decentralized organizations with autonomous players can be combined to produce interactive systems of a very complex nature.
Aspect-oriented fault tolerance for real-time embedded systems

Real-time embedded systems for safety-critical applications have to introduce fault tolerance mechanisms in order to cope with hardware and software errors. Fault tolerance is usually applied by means of redundancy and diversity. Redundant hardware implies the establishment of a distributed system executing a set of fault tolerance strategies by software, and may also employ some form of diversity, by using different variants or versions for the same processing. This paper describes our approach to introduce fault tolerance in distributed embedded systems applications, using aspect-oriented programming (AOP). A real-time operating system sup-porting middleware thread communication was integrated to a fault tolerant framework. The introduction of fault tolerance in the system is performed by AOP at the application thread level. The advantages of this approach include higher modularization, less efforts for legacy systems evolution and better configurability for testing and product line development. This work has been tested and evaluated successfully in several fault tolerant configurations and presented no significant performance or memory footprint costs.
Statistical Mechanics of an NP-complete Problem: Subset Sum

We study the statistical properties of an NP-complete problem, the subset sum, using the methods and concepts of statistical mechanics. The problem is a generalization of the number partitioning problem, which is also an NPcomplete problem and has been studied in the physics literature. The asymptotic expressions for the number of solutions are obtained. These results, applied to the number partitioning problem as a special case, are compared with those which were previously obtained by a different method. We discuss the limit of applicability of the techniques of statistical mechanics to the present problem.
Concept Analysis for Module Restructuring

Low coupling between modules and high cohesion inside each module are the key features of good software design. This paper proposes a new approach to using concept analysis for module restructuring, based on the computation of extended concept subpartitions. Alternative modularizations, characterized by high cohesion around the internal structures that are being manipulated, can be determined by such a method. To assess the quality of the restructured modules, the trade-off between encapsulation violations and decomposition is considered, and proper measures for both factors are defined. Furthermore, the cost of restructuring is evaluated through a measure of distance between the original and the new modularizations. Concept subpartitions were determined for a test suite of 20 programs of variable size: 10 public-domain and 10 industrial applications. The trade-off between encapsulation and decomposition was measured on the resulting module candidates, together with an estimate of the cost of restructuring. Moreover, the ability of concept analysis to determine meaningful modularizations was assessed in two ways. First, programs without encapsulation violations were used as oracles, assuming the absence of violations as an indicator of careful decomposition. Second, the suggested restructuring interventions were actually implemented in some case studies to evaluate the feasibility of restructuring and to deeply investigate the code organization before and after the intervention. Concept analysis was experienced to be a powerful tool supporting module restructuring.
Visualization and analysis of large graphs

In Knowledge engineering, synthesized information has often an evolving and relational form. Information representation using graphs may ease data interpretation for non-expert users. However this graph may be complex and simplifications are useful in order to ease analysis. In this article, we present VisuGraph, a powerful tool for graph drawing. This tool gives the possibility to reduce large graph by two techniques: the Markov CLustering algorithm (MCL) application and the global graph division in time-sliced visualizations in order to specify and to simplify temporal analysis.
An Approach of Multi-Tactics in Programming Language Education

This paper introduces the programming language education is important but difficult. Many methods can improve the effects in the programming language education such as scaffolding instruction based on constructivism, case teaching and cooperative learning. But a good method must be suitable for the problem resolved. It analyses the lacks of the traditional teaching method in locating and combining points of knowledge and puts forward the new teaching method including three teaching tactics. It uses five indices comparing two teaching methods. The new teaching method is better than the traditional teaching method according to comparative results.
Stable Precision Grasps by Underactuated Grippers

The ability of underactuated hands to grasp small objects is very limited, because the precision grasp is normally unstable. The goal of this paper is to achieve stable precision grasps by means of simple design modifications of the distal phalanges of the fingers. These modifications comprise the curving of the contact area of the distal phalanx, the application of a mechanical limit to prevent hyperextension of the distal phalanx, and the application of a compliant joint between the proximal and distal phalanges. A model is developed to calculate the limits of the finger dimensions in order to achieve stable precision grasps for different object sizes. An experimental setup is used to test the grasp stability and to verify the calculated results. It is concluded that stable precision grasps exist for the combination of concavely curved distal phalanges with a mechanical limit or with a compliant joint, if the limits to the finger dimensions are satisfied.
Are Banks Different? Evidence from the CDS Market

This paper uses regression analysis to compare the market pricing of the default risk of banks to that of other firms. We study how CDS traders discriminate between banks and other type of firms and how their judgement changes over time, in particular, since the start of the recent financial turmoil. We use monthly data on the Credit Default Swaps (CDS) of 41 major banks and 162 non-banks. By means of panel analysis, we decompose the CDS premia into the expected loss and the risk premium. Our primary result is that market participants indeed viewed banks differently and that they drastically changed their mind during the recent turmoil that started in August 2007.
Comparison of Test Methods for Characterization of High-Leakage Two-Winding Transformers

High-leakage transformers play an important role in power conversion. On-chip, silicon-integrated, and printed-wiring-board-integrated transformers are currently being developed for signal and power applications in high-frequency power supplies. High-power transformers have been developed for the inductive charging of electric-vehicle batteries. These transformers can feature relatively high winding resistances, core loss, and leakage inductances compared with conventional transformers. The conventional open-circuit and short-circuit test calculations have limited use for characterizing these relatively high parasitic transformers. In this paper, the differential (series-opposing) and cumulative (series-aiding) series-coupling tests are developed and applied for the accurate characterization of the transformer resistive and inductive elements. In the series-coupling tests, the various resistive and inductive components simply sum together, making transformer characterization more direct and accurate than attempting to interpret the standard open- and short-circuit (SOS) tests. The SOS tests are extended to provide a more accurate three-measurement approach, and improved correlation is demonstrated between experimental results obtained from the series-coupling tests and the extended open- and short-circuit tests. These results are validated by predictions from finite-element analysis. A sensitivity analysis is carried out to determine the sensitivity of the various test methods to measurement error. The cumulative test is highlighted as being particularly sensitive to measurement error compared with the other test methods.
A Study on the Performance of Feature Extraction Methods According to the Size of N-Gram

In this paper, we studied the performance of feature extraction methods according to the size of N-gram for malware detection. The feature is extracted by three methods, using Opcode Only, both Opcode and API and API Only from PE file. We measure the performance of them indirectly with measuring the AUC score and accuracy of classifier. We did experiments with the different N size by using several classifiers such as DT, SVM, KNN and BNB classifiers. As a result, we got the conclusion as followings. If we use N-gram technique, we recommend Opcode Only method through our experiments. Also, the instance-based classifier KNN and DT among the model based classifier have good performance than SVM and BNB.
A Study of Reliability and Failure Rate for Comparing BIT and non-BIT maintenance cycles in AONA

— The paper brings out basic calculations to explain the inherent advantages in failure rate and reliability in Built-In-Test (BIT) enabled Avionics Optical Networking Architecture (AONA) compared to Non-BIT based avionics network. It explains the developments in AONA, describing the need and advantages of WDM optical network in aviation platform.
Anopheles darlingi polytene chromosomes: revised maps including newly described inversions and evidence for population structure in Manaus

Salivary gland polytene chromosomes of 4th instar Anopheles darlingi Root were examined from multiple locations in the Brazilian Amazon. Minor modifications were made to existing polytene photomaps. These included changes to the breakpoint positions of several previously described paracentric inversions and descriptions of four new paracentric inversions, two on the right arm of chromosome 3 and two on the left arm of chromosome 3 that were found in multiple locations. A total of 18 inversions on the X (n = 1) chromosome, chromosome 2 (n = 7) and 3 (n = 11) were scored for 83 individuals from Manaus, Macapá and Porto Velho municipalities. The frequency of 2Ra inversion karyotypes in Manaus shows significant deficiency of heterozygotes (p < 0.0009). No significant linkage disequilibrium was found between inversions on chromosome 2 and 3. We hypothesize that at least two sympatric subpopulations exist within the An. darlingi population at Manaus based on inversion frequencies.
A trnI_CAU Triplication Event in the Complete Chloroplast Genome of Paris verticillata M.Bieb. (Melanthiaceae, Liliales)

The chloroplast is an essential plant organelle responsible for photosynthesis. Gene duplication, relocation, and loss in the chloroplast genome (cpDNA) are useful for exploring the evolution and phylogeny of plant species. In this study, the complete chloroplast genome of Paris verticillata was sequenced using the 454 sequencing system and Sanger sequencing method to trace the evolutionary pattern in the tribe Parideae of the family Melanthiaceae (Liliales). The circular double-stranded cpDNA of P. verticillata (157,379 bp) consists of two inverted repeat regions each of 28,373 bp, a large single copy of 82,726 bp, and a small single copy of 17,907 bp. Gene content and order are generally similar to the previously reported cpDNA sequences within the order Liliales. However, we found that trnI_CAU was triplicated in P. verticillata. In addition, cemA is suspected to be a pseudogene due to the presence of internal stop codons created by poly(A) insertion and single small CA repeats. Such changes were not found in previously examined cpDNAs of the Melanthiaceae or other families of the Liliales, suggesting that such features are unique to the tribe Parideae of Melanthiaceae. The characteristics of P. verticillata cpDNA will provide useful information for uncovering the evolution within Paris and for further research of plastid genome evolution and phylogenetic studies in Liliales.
Effects of Microwave Heating on Biogas Production, Chemical Oxygen Demand and Volatile Solids Solubilization of Food Residues

This paper presents the results of the preliminary investigation of microwave (MW) irradiation pretreatments on the anaerobic digestion of food residues using biochemical methane potential (BMP) assays. Low solids systems with a total solids (TS) content ranging from 5.0-10.0% were analyzed. The inoculum to bulk mass of substrates to water ratio was 1:2:2 (mass basis). The experimental conditions for pretreatments were as follows: a control (no MW irradiation), two runs with MW irradiation for 15 and 30 minutes at 320 W, and another two runs with MW irradiation at 528 W for 30 and 60 minutes. The cumulative biogas production were 6.3 L and 8.7 L for 15min/320 W and 30min/320 W MW irradiation conditions, respectively, and 10.5 L and 11.4 L biogas for 30min/528 W and 60min/528 W, respectively, as compared to the control giving 5.8 L biogas. Both an increase in exposure time of irradiation and power of MW had increased the rate and yield of biogas. Singlefactor ANOVA tests (p<0.05) indicated that the variations in VS, TS, COD and cumulative biogas generation were significantly different for the pretreatment conditions. Results from this study indicated that MW irradiation had enhanced the biogas production and degradation of total solids with a significant improvement in VS and COD solubilization. Keywords—microwave irradiation, pretreatment, anaerobic digestion, food residues.
Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders and its Correlation to Physical Activity Among Health Specialty Students

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders is defined as a musculoskeletal strain reported by an individual. Physical activity prevents many disabling diseases and musculoskeletal disorders. Low level of physical activity is associated with a higher prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders. In Saudi Arabia and among medical students, lowest rates of physical activity were found. Our aim is to assess the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and its correlation to physical activity. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 392 health specialty students in Taif University was carried out from January 1 to March 1, 2018, using a predesigned questionnaire, including demographic characteristics, an International Physical Activity Questionnaires–short form to assess the level of physical activity, and Standardized Nordic Questionnaires for the analysis of musculoskeletal symptoms. Results: Our study found that 64.8% of the students had musculoskeletal disorders. The highest prevalence was among medical students; 48.4% of them were having musculoskeletal disorders (P < 0.05). The most frequent region was the lower back (33.4%). There is a significant association between the musculoskeletal disorders and the level of physical activity, with 42.9% of the students with a moderate level of physical activity having musculoskeletal disorders (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders is higher among medical than pharmacy and health science students. Most of the affected students were having a moderate level of physical activity. Psychosocial stress seems to be a major contributor to musculoskeletal disorders, rather than physical activity level.
Fast Signal Separation of 2-D Sparse Mixture via Approximate Message-Passing

Approximate message-passing (AMP) method is a simple and efficient framework for the linear inverse problems. In this letter, we propose a faster AMP to solve the L1-Split-Analysis for the 2-D sparsity separation, which is referred to as MixAMP. We develop the MixAMP based on the factor graphical modeling and the min-sum message-passing. Then, we examine MixAMP for two types of the sparsity separation: separation of the direct-and-group sparsity, and that of the direct-and-finite-difference sparsity. This case study shows that the MixAMP method offers computational advantages over the conventional first-order method, TFOCS.
From Awareness to Empowerment: Using Design Fiction to Explore Paths towards a Sustainable Energy Future

This paper presents a novel application of participatory design fiction for sustainable domestic energy consumption. In our study we examine how social practices relate to a newly developed energy management system introduced to households. We explore how design fiction can be used to identify current design limitations and to showcase future design directions to overcome these limitations. In particular, we investigated how energy consumption feedback is leaving users in a state of "helplessness" despite raising awareness of their environmental impact. Through participatory fictional future story-writing workshops we identified five levels of empowerment that design for sustainability practitioners can engage with. Our proposal is to use those levels of empowerment to reframe sustainable design by shifting from behaviour to social practices and from awareness to empowerment.
Understanding the Influence of Sexual Risk Taking, Ethnic Identity, and Family and Peer Support on School Importance Among Hispanic Adolescents

Despite the broader academic gains experienced by Hispanic students, who represent the largest minority group in the United States, they remain the least educated of all major ethnic groups, and our understanding of their academic needs and strengths remains woefully inadequate. Therefore, this study examined the risk (e.g., sexual risk taking) and protective factors (e.g., family support, supportive peer networks, and ethnic identity) associated with school importance among Hispanic teens (N = 587) residing in a high-risk, resource poor urban community and the ways in which these relationships vary between adolescent males (46.5%) and adolescent females (53.5%). Schools that are able to harness the numerous assets embedded within the Hispanic community are well positioned to create learning environments that are encouraging, are culturally responsive, and can potentially reduce risk involvement that may interfere with valuing the role of school importance. Implications for school-based personnel are discussed.