Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fast locality-constrained low-rank coding for image classification

In this paper, we propose a Fast Locality-constrained low-rank sparse coding for image classification. The low-rank coding seeks the homogeneousness and correlation of local features, encodes jointly and globally, based on the traditional low-rank coding, we incorporate locality constraints to enforce the local features sharing the same representation. Considering that the traditional low-rank coding optimization algorithms have the same complexity with the sparse coding, which is difficult to scaly used to classification. We propose a fast low-rank optimization approach, it replaces the nuclear norm with the Frobenius norm, which not only has a closed form solution but sort the class labels very fast. Experiments show that locality works better than sparse at exploiting the local neighbor correlations, low-rank coding shows advantages of finding spatial layout correlations of local features, encoding jointly and globally. It has standout classification performance which has 2% improvement compared to the standard methods. Moreover, our method has great computation efficiency, the coding time is a bit more than LLC, and it is only 19.40%~21.18% of that of ScSPM, the classification time is also the least.
Safety-Aware Semi-Supervised Classification

Though semi-supervised classification learning has attracted great attention over past decades, semi-supervised classification methods may show worse performance than their supervised counterparts in some cases, consequently reducing their confidence in real applications. Naturally, it is desired to develop a safe semi-supervised classification method that never performs worse than the supervised counterparts. However, to the best of our knowledge, few researches have been devoted to safe semi-supervised classification. To address this problem, in this paper, we invent a safety-control mechanism for safe semi-supervised classification by adaptive tradeoff between semi-supervised and supervised classification in terms of unlabeled data. In implementation, based on our recent semi-supervised classification method based on class memberships (SSCCM), we develop a safety-aware SSCCM (SA-SSCCM). SA-SSCCM, on the one hand, exploits the unlabeled data to help learning (as SSCCM does) under the assumption that unlabeled data can help learning, and on the other hand, restricts its prediction to approach that of its supervised counterpart least-square support vector machine (LS-SVM) under the assumption that unlabeled data can hurt learning. Therefore, prediction by SA-SSCCM becomes a tradeoff between those by semi-supervised SSCCM and supervised LS-SVM, respectively, in terms of the unlabeled data. As in SSCCM, the optimization problem in SA-SSCCM can be efficiently solved by the alternating iterative strategy, and the iteration convergence can theoretically be guaranteed. Experiments over several real datasets show the promising performance of SA-SSCCM compared with LS-SVM, SSCCM, and off-the-shelf safe semi-supervised classification methods.
Computer simulation studies of finite-size broadening of solid–liquid interfaces: from hard spheres to nickel

Using molecular dynamics (MD) and Monte Carlo (MC) simulations interfacial properties of crystal–fluid interfaces are investigated for the hard sphere system and the one-component metallic system Ni (the latter modeled by a potential of the embedded atom type). Different local order parameters are considered to obtain order parameter profiles for systems where the crystal phase is in coexistence with the fluid phase, separated by interfaces with (100) orientation of the crystal. From these profiles, the mean-squared interfacial width w2 is extracted as a function of system size. We rationalize the prediction of capillary wave theory that w2 diverges logarithmically with the lateral size of the system. We show that one can estimate the interfacial stiffness from the interfacial broadening, obtaining for hard spheres and for Ni.
A Reliable Beaconless Routing Protocol for VANETs

In Vehicular Ad hoc Networks (VANETs), video delivery is crucial to enhance the applications associated with safety, management and infotainment. However, the high mobility and dynamic nature of VANETs leads to unreliable links that pose a great challenge in protocol to support the high quality of experience (QoE) for video delivery. To provide an efficient protocol for VANETs, we propose a novel protocol called Reliable Beaconless Routing Protocol (RBRP) to perform receiver-based unicast forwarding without the help of beacons. In RBRP, we propose a self-adaptive forwarding zone to avoid the multipoint relay. And then the nodes compete for the forwarding right based on a comprehensive waiting time which considers the greedy strategy, the quality of link and the load of the node. To verify the performance of the RBRP, we compare it with the Greedy Perimeter Stateless Routing (GPSR) and the gossiping-based protocol by means of simulation with NS-2. Simulation results show that the RBRP improves the packet delivery ratio and reduces the end-to-end delay.
A High-Speed Routing Engine for Software Defined Network

Abstract—Recently, attention is particularly focused on the research of Software defined network (SDN) for reducing network management complexity. The one of a key technology of SDN is OpenFlow. OpenFlow provide a centralized controller for network and the scalability of controller is main issue. In this paper, we propose a high-speed routing engine for improve the scalability of OpenFlow controller. Unlike conventional architectures of routing engine, the proposal is a hardware routing engine that using on-chip diorama network. We define the Diorama Network as a virtual emulated network in a chip. We implement a prototype of the routing engine on an actual dynamically reconfigurable processor (DRP), and test results show that the prototype can execute the shortest path calculation 19 times faster than the current approach.
Design and Analysis of Power and Variability Aware Digital Summing Circuit

Due to aggressive scaling and process imperfection in sub-45 nm technology node Vt (threshold voltage) shift is more pronounced causing large variations in circuit response. Therefore, this paper presents the analyses of various popular 1-bit digital summing circuits in light of PVT (process, voltage and temperature) variations to verify their functionality and robustness. The investigation is carried with ±3ó process parameters and ±10% VDD (supply voltage) variation by applying Gaussian distribution and Monte Carlo analysis at 22 nm technology node on HSPICE environment. Design guidelines are derived to select the most suitable topology for the design features required. Transmission Gate (TG)-based digital summing circuit is found to be the most robust against PVT variations. Hence, a TG-based digital summing circuit is implemented using carbon nanotube field effect transistor (CNFET). This implementation offers tighter spread in propagation delay (3×), power dissipation (1.14×) and EDP (energy delay product) (1.1×) at nominal voltage of VDD = 0.95V compared to MOSFET-based (TG – topology) digital summing circuit implying its robustness against PVT variations.
A Low Phase-Noise Wide Tuning-Range Quadrature Oscillator Using a Transformer-Based Dual-Resonance LC Ring

This paper presents a dual-band quadrature voltage-controlled oscillator (QVCO) using a transformer-based high-order LC-ring resonator, which inherently provides quadrature signals without requiring noisy coupling transistors as in traditional approaches, thereby achieving low phase-noise performance. Moreover, the proposed resonator shows two possible oscillation frequencies, which are exploited to realize a wide-tuning range QVCO employing a mode-switching transistor network. Due to the use of transformers, the oscillator has a minimal area penalty compared to the conventional designs. The implemented prototype in a 65-nm CMOS process achieves a continuous tuning range of 77.8% from 2.75 to 6.25 GHz while consuming from 9.7 to 15.6 mA current from a 0.6-V supply. The measured phase-noise figure-of-merit at 1-MHz offset ranges from 184 to 188.2 dB throughout the entire tuning range. The QVCO also exhibits good quadrature accuracy with 1.5° maximum phase error and occupies a relatively small silicon area of 0.35 mm2.
Examining the Link Between Social Media Uses and Gratifications, and Political Tolerance and Dogmatism

The ability of social media to enable new uses and gratifications, and to shape political behavior, has not been discussed adequately in the social media literature. Drawing on a previous study by the authors that converts a framework by Sundar and Limperos (2013) into a social media uses and gratifications scale, this article examines the association between social media uses and gratifications, and political dogmatism and tolerance. A sample of 313 American citizens was used to develop two discriminant models. The models showed that social media uses and gratifications can be used to classify users with high or low levels of political dogmatism and tolerance with more than 70 percent accuracy. The results also indicate that while some gratifications, such as filtering, are common to individuals with high dogmatism as well as users with high tolerance, there were differences in the perception of uses and gratifications between these two groups. This shows that social media are open platforms that do not gratify only positive, open-minded users.
Video Tracking Using Improved Chamfer Matching and Particle Filter

Object tracking is an essential problem in the field of video and image processing. Although tracking algorithms working on gray video are convenient in actual applications, they are more difficult to be developed than those using color features, since less information is taken into account. In this paper, we proposed a novel video tracking algorithm for gray video. It uses the combination of particle filter and rotation invariant chamfer matching with a likelihood measurement which focuses on the difference. Experiment results show that the algorithm can effectively handle rotation distortion, and is stable and robust.
Improved two-vector direct power control algorithm-based three-phase pulse width modulation rectifier

Direct power control (DPC) has received a significant amount of research attention because of its benefits such as simplicity, robustness and excellent dynamic response. Conventional switching-table-based single-vector DPC (SV-DPC) presents irregular power ripples and variable switching frequency, due to the use of predefined switching table and hysteresis comparators. To solve these problems, two-vector DPC (TV-DPC) and three-vector DPC (THV-DPC) based three-phase pulse width modulation (PWM) rectifier are proposed. Although the performance of the THV-DPC is better than that of TV-DPC, its algorithm implementation is very complex and time consuming. In this paper, two-three combined vector DPC (TTCV-DPC) algorithm is presented which combines two and three voltage vectors by the help of the new switching table. The proposed algorithm has less complexity than the THV-DPC and better performance than the TV-DPC. Comprehensive simulations demonstrate the proposed method can get lower power ripple and lower grid-side current total harmonic distortion (THD) than that of TV-DPC.
Training on Demand in the Context of the Ongoing Training of Teachers: An Original Design in an Inclusive School Setting

This research studies the specifications of the practices related to the conception of training on demand in the field of continuous training of teachers. Training on demand, has the particularity of adapting itself to the problems of professionals. The analysis of the demand faces the inherent complexity of the different contexts as well as the diversity of the relevant professionals. The concept of training, seeks to articulate the problematic provisions of teachers, in order to enable the development of skills. This oral communication emphasizes relevant elements based on a case study to show how the trainer who designs the concept takes into account factors present during the conception i.e. the various aspects of context, contents and students. The method chosen for the research is qualitative and built related to a specific scholar context in which the teachers have questions and difficulties in their daily work specifically in the field of French language learning and reading. The design of the concept provides various modalities including conferences, discussion groups, and support in the classes in the presence of the pupils. Attendant measures to support the teachers in regular classes are provided by specialized professionals. As the schoolchildren come from a great number of cultures, speak diverse languages and attend the courses of regular schools near their homes, this layout takes place in an inclusive context. This layout aims at enabling the teachers to develop reflective practice. Keywords Adult education, demand analysis, conception, layouts, inclusive school context
X-ray detections of two young bona-fide brown dwarfs

I report the detection of two bona-fide brown dwarfs by XMM-Newton: (GY92) 141 in the ρ-Ophiuchus star-forming region and DENIS J155601-233809 in the Upper Scorpius OB association. The two objects have been detected with luminosities of LX = 8.35 ± 2.86 × 10 28 erg s −1 and LX = 6.54 ± 1.35 × 10 28 erg s −1 respectively, corresponding to luminosity ratios of log (LX/Lbol) = −2.07 and log (LX/Lbol) = −2.69. The two sources were close to the limit of detection of the instruments at only 2∼3-σ above the background level, and no significant flare or variation could be detected during the 48.3 ks and 33.9 ks observations. (GY92) 141 had already been observed 10 months earlier with Chandra by Imanishi et al. (2001) with a luminosity ∼14 times fainter than the one reported here, indicating that the X-ray emission of this object is strongly variable.
Successful Up-Scaled Population Interventions to Reduce Risk Factors for Non-Communicable Disease in Adults: Results from the International Community Interventions for Health (CIH) Project in China, India and Mexico

Background Non-communicable disease (NCD) is increasing rapidly in low and middle-income countries (LMIC), and is associated with tobacco use, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity. There is little evidence for up-scaled interventions at the population level to reduce risk in LMIC. Methods The Community Interventions for Health (CIH) program was a population-scale community intervention study with comparator population group undertaken in communities in China, India, and Mexico, each with populations between 150,000-250,000. Culturally appropriate interventions were delivered over 18-24 months. Two independent cross-sectional surveys of a stratified sample of adults aged 18-64 years were conducted at baseline and follow-up. Results A total of 6,194 adults completed surveys at baseline, and 6,022 at follow-up. The proportion meeting physical activity recommendations decreased significantly in the control group (C) (44.1 to 30.2%), but not in the intervention group (I) (38.0 to 36.1%), p<0.001. Those eating ≥5 portions of fruit and vegetables daily decreased significantly in C (19.2 to 17.2%), but did not change in I (20.0 to 19.6%,), p=0.013. The proportion adding salt to food was unchanged in C (24.9 to 25.3%) and decreased in I (25.9 to 19.6%), p<0.001. Prevalence of obesity increased in C (8.3 to 11.2%), with no change in I (8.6 to 9.7%,) p=0.092. Concerning tobacco, for men the difference-in-difference analysis showed that the reduction in use was significantly greater in I compared to C (p=0.014) Conclusions Up-scaling known health promoting interventions designed to reduce the incidence of NCD in whole communities in LMIC is feasible, and has measurable beneficial outcomes on risk factors for NCD, namely tobacco use, diet, and physical inactivity.
From Flawed Design to Misleading Information

It is a matter of concern when large, federally funded programs are evaluated using designs that produce misleading information. In this article, we discuss problems associated with an evaluation design that was adopted by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) to document the performance of a major early intervention (EI) program, serving young children with developmental delays and disabilities. In particular, we focus on OSEP’s requirement that states use a single group pre–post comparison design to evaluate the impact of EI on child outcomes. We also provide a data-based illustration that shows this evaluation design cannot distinguish child progress that is due to EI services from changes associated with other factors, such as regression to the mean. We hope this work will support the adoption of evaluation designs that are more in line with accepted principles of program evaluation.
Effect of Misalignment between Successive Corneal Videokeratography Maps on the Repeatability of Topography Data

Purpose To improve the reliability of corneal topographic data through the development of a method to estimate the magnitude of misalignment between successive corneal videokeratography (VK) maps and eliminate the effect of misalignment on the repeatability of topography data. Methods Anterior and posterior topography maps were recorded twice for 124 healthy eyes of 124 participants using a Pentacam, and the repeatability of measurements was assessed by calculating the differences in elevation between each two sets of data. The repeatability of measurements was re-assessed following the determination of the magnitude of misalignment components (translational displacements: x0, y0 and z0, and rotational displacements: α, β and γ) between each two data sets and using them to modify the second data set within each pair based on an Iterative Closest Point (ICP) algorithm. The method simultaneously considered the anterior and posterior maps taken for the same eye since they were assumed to have the same set of misalignment components. A new parameter, named Combined Misalignment parameter (CM), has been developed to combine the effect of all six misalignment components on topography data and so enable study of the association between misalignment and the data repeatability test results. Results The repeatability tests resulted in average root mean square (RMS) differences in elevation data of 8.46±2.75 μm before ICP map matching when simultaneously considering anterior and posterior surfaces. With map matching and misalignment correction, the differences decreased to 7.28±2.58 μm (P = 0.00). When applied to only the anterior maps, misalignment correction led to a more pronounced reduction in elevation data differences from 4.58±1.84 μm to 2.97±1.29 μm (P = 0.00). CM was found to be associated with the repeatability error (P = 0.00), with posterior maps being responsible for most of the error due to their relatively lower accuracy compared to anterior maps. Conclusions The ICP algorithm can be used to estimate, and effectively correct for, the potential misalignment between successive corneal videokeratography maps.
Brain tumor extraction from MRI brain images using marker based watershed algorithm

Human brain is the most complex and mysterious part of human body. Many complex functions are controlled by brain. Brain imaging is a widely applicable method for diagnosing many brain abnormalities such as brain tumor, stroke, paralysis etc. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is one of the methods used for brain imaging. It is used for analysing internal structures in detail. Brain tumor is an abnormal mass of tissue in which cells grow and multiply uncontrollably, seemingly unchecked by the mechanisms that control normal cells. The aim of this paper is to extract tumor region from the brain MRI image using watershed algorithm based on different feature combinations such as colour, edge, orientation and texture. The results are compared with the ground truth images. Here we used marker based watershed algorithm for extracting tumored region and Dice and Tanimoto coefficients are used for comparison of the results. The method proposed here is found to be producing a promising result.
Cane toads lack physiological enhancements for dispersal at the invasive front in Northern Australia

Summary Many invasive species have evolved behavioural and morphological characteristics that facilitate their dispersal into new areas, but it is unclear how selection on this level of the phenotype filters through to the underlying physiology. Cane toads have been dispersing westward across northern tropical Australia for more than 70 years. Previous studies of cane toads at the invasive front have identified several behavioural, morphological and locomotory characteristics that have evolved to facilitate dispersal of toads. We assessed a range of physiological characteristics associated with locomotory abilities in toads from the long-established, east coast of Australia, from the invasive front, and from a site in between these locations. We measured time to exhaustion and respiratory gases of toads exercising on a treadmill, time to recovery from exhaustion, blood properties (lactate, haematocrit, haemoglobin, red blood cell count, blood cell volume), and muscle properties associated with locomotion (activities of the enzymes citrate synthase and lactate dehydrogenase, and pH buffering capacity). None of the measured physiological parameters supported the hypothesis that toads from the invasive front possess physiological adaptations that facilitate dispersal compared to toads from areas colonised in the past. The strongest difference among the three groups of toads, time to exhaustion, showed exactly the opposite trend; toads from the long-established populations in the east coast had the longest time to exhaustion. Successful colonisers can employ many characteristics to facilitate their dispersal, so the extent to which behaviour, morphology and physiology co-evolve remains an interesting question. However, in the present case at least, behavioural adaptations do not appear to have altered the organism's underlying physiology.
Lenalidomide and pegylated liposomal doxorubicin-based chemotherapy for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma: safety and efficacy.

BACKGROUND Lenalidomide is active and well tolerated in relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma. We conducted a phase I/II trial of the combination of lenalidomide and chemotherapy to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the combination. METHODS The 62 patients enrolled received liposomal doxorubicin 40 mg/m(2) i.v. and vincristine 2 mg i.v. on day 1, dexamethasone 40 mg p.o. on days 1-4 (DVd), and lenalidomide on days 1-21 in 28-day cycles. Primary end points were maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of lenalidomide with DVd chemotherapy and overall response rate (ORR) by Southwest Oncology Group criteria of the combination. FINDINGS The median age was 62 years, 70% of patients were males and 65% had refractory multiple myeloma. The MTD of lenalidomide with DVd chemotherapy was 10 mg and the dose-limiting toxicity was non-neutropenic sepsis. After 7.5 months of median follow-up, the ORR of the combination was 75%, with 29% of patients achieving a complete or near complete remission. The median progression-free survival was 12 months, while the median overall survival has not yet been reached. INTERPRETATION The combination of lenalidomide and DVd chemotherapy was well tolerated and resulted in high response rates in this mostly refractory patient population. Evaluation of this combination in newly diagnosed patients is warranted.