Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Supercharging Crowd Dynamics Estimation in Disasters via Spatio-Temporal Deep Neural Network

Accurate estimation of crowd dynamics is difficult, especially when it comes to fine-grained spatial and temporal predictions. A deep understanding of these fine-grained dynamics is crucial during a major disaster, as it guides efficient disaster managements. However, it is particularly challenging as these fine-grained dynamics are mainly caused by high-dimensional individual movement and evacuation. Furthermore, abnormal user behavior during disasters makes the problem of accurate prediction even more acute. Traditional models have difficulties in dealing with these high dimensional patterns caused by disruptive events. For example, the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes disrupted normal crowd dynamics patterns significantly in the affected regions. We first perform a thorough analysis of a crowd population distribution dataset during Kumamoto earthquakes collected by a major mobile network operator in Japan, which shows strong fine-grained temporal autocorrelation and spatial correlation among geographically neighboring grids. It is also demonstrated that temporal autocorrelation during disasters is more than simple diurnal patterns. Moreover, there are many factors that could potentially influence spatial correlations and affect the dynamics patterns. Then, we illustrate how a spatial-temporal Long-Short-Term-Memory (LSTM) deep neural network could be applied to boost the prediction power. It is shown that the error in terms of Mean Square Error (MSE) is reduced by as much as 55.1-69.4% compared to regressive models such as AR, ARIMA and SVR. Furthermore, LSTM outperforms the aforementioned models significantly even when little training data is available right after the mainshock. Finally, we also show a Region-aware LSTM does not necessarily outperform a regular LSTM.
Computer-Aided Eulerian Air Traffic Flow Modeling and Predictive Control

Eulerian models are used to represent the air traffic environment as traffic flows between interconnected control volumes representing the airspace system. While these models can be manually derived for simple air traffic patterns, computer-based approaches are essential for modeling realistic airspaces involving multiple traffic streams. A computer- aided methodology for deriving large-dimensional Eulerian models of air traffic flow is described here. Starting from the specification of a few airspace parameters, and traffic data, the modeling technique can automatically construct Eulerian models of the airspace. The synthesis of air traffic flow control algorithms using the model predictive control technique in conjunction with these models is given. It is shown that the flow control logic synthesis can be cast as a linear programming problem. The flow control methodology is illustrated using air traffic data over two regions in U.S. airspace.
Hidden vector state model for hierarchical semantic parsing

The paper presents a hidden vector state (HVS) model for hierarchical semantic parsing. The model associates each state of push-down automata with the state of an HMM. State transitions are factored into separate stack pop and push operations and then constrained to give a tractable search space. The result is a model which is complex enough to capture hierarchical structure but which can be trained automatically from unannotated data. Experiments have been conducted on ATIS-3 1993 and 1994 test sets. The results show that the HVS model outperforms a general finite state tagger (FST) by 19% to 32% in error reduction.
DEMOS Mobility Model

Uruguay has a countrywide implementation of the One Laptop per Child (OLPC) initiative, locally named Plan Ceibal. Children participant in this project carry their laptops from home to school and back every day, enabling the creation of new applications to take advantage of computers ubiquity, mobility and wireless capabilities. In this context, we are deploying the project Domestic Environment Monitoring with Opportunistic Sensor networks (DEMOS), seeking to use Plan Ceibal laptops as an opportunistic network to obtain, transport, aggregate and communicate environmental information from sensors disseminated in locations close to children neighborhoods. The planning of DEMOS deployment involve several scenarios of variable size and characteristics; the evolution of the prototype over the real networks would impose frequent countrywide software updates to thousands of children's laptops, among other logistic limitations. Therefore, in order to overcome such difficulties, speed up the project deployment and minimize costs, we are developing a simulation environment which must preserve the real laptops mobility and other essential characteristics in order to deliver accurate results. Gathering mobility traces from Plan Ceibal laptops would involve the installation of extra hardware such as Global Position System (GPS) devices; even if we were able to get sample traces, they would be tight to a particular scenario, limiting the possibility of changing relevant parameters such as number of laptops, size of mobility areas, speed, among others. Since the existing mobility models do not match our deployment characteristics, we are evolving our own DEMOS Mobility Model (DMM). This paper presents the relevant characteristics of DMM and a prototype scenario generator tool for standard network simulators. We are starting to evaluate an opportunistic routing protocol prototype using DMM.
The constitutional political economy of a reunified cyprus

Esta tesis analiza el contencioso chipriota a traves de la perspectiva de la economia politica constitucional. El objetivo de la tesis es la busqueda de aquellas reglas apra la interaccion social que podrian ser mutuamente aceptables y que podrian permitir la convivencia pacifica de todos los chipriotas ya sean griegos, turcos u otros. El analisis incluye una examinacion de aquel sistema federal y bicameral que esta en el centro de las mas recientes propuestas constitucionales entregadas por las naciones unidas como parte de un acuerdo marco global del conflicto. Ademas, se reflexiona sobre la naturaleza de una solucion "justa y duradera" del contencioso. Se examinan tambien los posibles efectos sobre la naturaleza de una solucion, de la estrategia de pre-accesion adoptada por la UE hacia chipre, asi como los posibles efectos de una eventual accesion.
A generalized model of fuzzy rough sets

The consideration of approximation problem of fuzzy sets in fuzzy information systems results in theory of fuzzy rough sets. This paper focuses on models of generalized fuzzy rough sets, a generalized model of fuzzy rough sets based on general fuzzy relations are studied, properties and algebraic characterization of the model are revealed, and relationships between this model and related models are also discussed.
Why Moroccan Arabic tolerates anything word-initially, but Slavic does not

2. Sonority Sequencing does not operate in these languages, i.e. anything is a good branching Onset. ==> the properties of syllabic constituents are not universal, they are distributed accidentally over languages. there are no branching Onsets in these languages, they are underlyingly CVCV supported by semitic morphology c. if Sonority Sequencing did not operate in #TR-and-#RT languages, there would be no Coda-Onset sequences because any CC is a good branching Onset ("if you want to know which cluster is a good branching Onset, look at initial clusters"). A language with branching Onsets but no Codas is contrary to typological implications: branching Onset ==> Coda, not the reverse. Hence, CVCV. d. in any case, the theory is unable to say why #TR-only languages are possible, but not #RT-only languages, rather than the reverse.
Text Readability in Head-Worn Displays: Color and Style Optimization in Video vs. Optical See-Through Devices.

Efficient text visualization in head-worn Augmented Reality displays is critical because it is sensitive to display technology, text style and color, ambient illumination, etc. The main problem for the developer is to know the optimal text style for the specific display and for applications where color coding must be strictly followed because it is regulated by laws or internal practices. In this work we experimented the effects on readability of two head worn devices (optical and video see-through), two backgrounds (light and dark), five colors (white, black, red, green, and blue) and two text styles (plain text and billboarded text). Font type and size were kept constant. We measured the performance of 15 subjects by collecting about 5000 measurements using a specific test application and followed by qualitative interviews. Readability turned out to be quicker on the optical see-through device. For the video see-through device, background affects readability only in case of text without billboard. Finally our tests suggest that a good combination for indoor augmented reality applications, regardless of device and background, could be white text and blue billboard, while a mandatory color should be displayed as billboard with a white text message.
Radio Resource Allocation for OFDMA Systems in High Speed Environments

In high speed train (HST) system, real-time multimedia entertainments are very important applications in which a data stream often contains packets with different quality of service requirements. For example, video stream encoded with scalability contains the base layer packets with high quality (HQ) bit error rate (BER) requirement and enhancement layers' packets with low quality (LQ) BER requirement. When a conventional allocation approach, which only considers one BER constraint for one data stream, is applied to orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) systems, the BER constraint will be the strictest one among multiple requirements from different types of packets, which leads to inefficient allocation when each data stream has multiple BER requirements. This paper aims to develop novel resource allocation approach by considering multiple BER requirements for different types of packets in one data stream. In order to not only simplify the resource allocation, but also to compensate for the channel estimation error caused by Doppler shift in the HST environment, a proper number of contiguous subcarriers are grouped into chunks and spectrum is allocated chunk by chunk. Simulation results show that the developed resource allocation scheme outperforms the conventional scheme, particularly when the BER ratio of HQ packets to LQ packets is larger than one. Furthermore, in order to reduce the complexity of resource allocation further, an empirical allocation scheme is proposed to allocate better chunks to HQ packets. It is shown that the performance of the empirical allocation scheme is quite close to that of the optimal scheme.
An Implementation of the Hough Transformation for the Identification and Labelling of Fixed Period Sinusoidal Curves

Hough transforms have long been used as computationally efficient methods for detecting particular shapes in images. This paper describes a practical implementation of a Hough transform for the characterisation of rock fractures in acoustic borehole images, where planar fractures ideally result in sinusoidal curves with a period equal to the perimeter of the borehole. The three remaining degrees of freedom of the sinusoid, namely its amplitude, baseline position, and phase, are successfully determined in ultrasound return images with considerable noise and clutter.
Polyphenolic Maqui Extract as a Potential Nutraceutical to Treat TNBS-Induced Crohn’s Disease by the Regulation of Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Pathways

Nutraceuticals include a wide variety of bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, which have been highlighted for their remarkable health benefits. Specially, maqui berries have shown great antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory effects on some inflammatory diseases. The objectives of the present study were to explore the therapeutic effects of maqui berries on acute-phase inflammation in Crohn’s disease. Balb/c mice were exposed to 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) via intracolonic administration. Polyphenolic maqui extract (Ach) was administered orally daily for 4 days after TNBS induction (Curative Group), and for 7 days prior to the TNBS induction until sacrifice (Preventive Group). Our results showed that both preventive and curative Ach administration inhibited body weight loss and colon shortening, and attenuated the macroscopic and microscopic damage signs, as well as significantly reducing transmural inflammation and boosting the recovery of the mucosal architecture and its muco-secretory function. Additionally, Ach promotes macrophage polarization to the M2 phenotype and was capable of down-regulating significantly the expression of inflammatory proteins COX-2 and iNOS, and at the same time it regulates the antioxidant Nrf-2/HO-1 pathway. In conclusion, this is the first study in which it is demonstrated that the properties of Ach as could be used as a preventive and curative treatment in Crohn’s disease.
Facile Chemical Synthesis of Doped ZnO Nanocrystals Exploiting Oleic Acid

Zinc oxide nanocrystals (ZnO-NCs) doped with transition metal elements or rare earth elements can be probed for magnetic resonance imaging to be used as a molecular imaging technique for accurate diagnosis of various diseases. Herein, we use Mn as a candidate of transition metal elements and Gd as a presenter of rare earth elements. We report an easy and fast coprecipitation method exploiting oleic acid to synthesize spherical-shaped, small-sized doped ZnO-NCs. We show the improved colloidal stability of oleate-stabilized doped ZnO-NCs compared to the doped ZnO-NCs synthesized by conventional sol–gel synthesis method, i.e., without a stabilizing agent, especially for the Mn dopant. We also analyze their structural, morphological, optical, and magnetic properties. We are able to characterize the persistence of the crystalline properties (wurtzite structure) of ZnO in the doped structure and exclude the formation of undesired oxides by doping elements. Importantly, we determine the room-temperature ferromagnetism of the doped ZnO-NCs. This oleate-stabilized coprecipitation method can be subjected as a standard procedure to synthesize doped and also co-doped ZnO-NCs with any transition metal elements or rare earth elements. In the future, oleate-stabilized Gd/Mn-doped ZnO-NCs can be exploited as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents and possibly increase the signal intensity on T1-weighted images or reduce the signal intensity on T2-weighted images.
Double-sampling highpass delta-sigma modulator with inherent frequency translation

A double-sampling highpass delta-sigma modulator (HPDSM) with inherent frequency translation is presented. The switched-capacitor highpass filter with double-sampling not only minimizes the number of capacitors required in the feedback network but also enables chopper stabilization which makes the modulator immune to 1/f noise and DC offset. A first-order prototype HPDSM with 3bit quantization is fabricated in 0.35um CMOS process, and the measurement shows 56.2dB SNR. The total power consumption is 0.65mW, and the active die area is 0.5mm2. The proposed HPDSM can be useful in low-frequency applications such as hall-effect sensors or body area sensor network.
Assessment of caffeine intake in the Korean population

An improved method for the analysis of caffeine in foods by HPLC was validated by measuring several analytical parameters. The caffeine contents of 1202 products available from Korean markets were analysed. A consumption study was conducted by using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), 2010–12, to estimate the caffeine intakes of the Korean population. The mean intakes of caffeine from all sources in the general population and consumers were 67.8 and 102.6 mg day−1 for all age groups, respectively. The 95th percentile intakes of the general population and consumers were 250.7 and 313.7 mg day−1, respectively. In those aged 30–49 years, the caffeine intakes of the general population and consumers were highest at 25.5% (101.8 mg kg−1 day−1) and 36.6% (0.9 mg kg−1 day−1), respectively, compared with the maximum recommended daily intake (400 mg day−1) for adults. In the general population, the main contributors to the total caffeine intake were carbonated beverage for the younger age groups and coffee for the adults. These data provide a current perspective on caffeine intake in the Korean population.
Reliability of the Hypercube

– HyperCube LLC, a leading competitive tandem services provider, today announced that its Chief Technology Officer, Doug Davis, has been appointed to the Communications Security, Reliability and Interoperability Council (CSRIC). The CSRIC is a federal advisory committee established to provide recommendations to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to ensure optimal security, reliability and interoperability of communications systems, including public safety, telecommunications and media communications. Mr. Davis' term begins immediately and will conclude on March 18, 2011. " I am honored to have been chosen to represent the competitive communications service sector on the Communications Security, Reliability and Interoperability Council, " said Mr. Davis. " Our nation's communications systems are critical applications for the American public, especially in times of emergency – and the objective of this council is to ensure that those systems are functioning efficiently and effectively. I look forward to working on behalf of COMPTEL's membership to strengthen and shape the future of communications infrastructure in the United States. " " On behalf of COMPTEL, I would like to congratulate Doug on his appointment to the Communications Security, Reliability and Interoperability Council, " said Jerry James, CEO of COMPTEL. " His more than 25 years of technical, business and operations management experience in the telecommunications industry make Doug the right person to represent the membership of COMPTEL on this very important council. " The CSRIC will address broadband and other advanced technologies, options to ensure the availability of communications capacity during natural disasters, terrorist attacks or other events that result in exceptional strain on the communications infrastructure, and methods to ensure and facilitate the rapid restoration of communications services in the event of widespread or major disruptions. About COMPTEL COMPTEL is the leading industry association representing competitive communications service providers and their supplier partners. COMPTEL members are entrepreneurial companies driving technological innovation and creating economic growth through competitive voice, video, and data offerings and the development and deployment of next-generation, IP-based networks and services. COMPTEL advances its members' interests through trade shows, networking, education, and policy advocacy before Congress, the Federal Communications Commission and the courts. COMPTEL works to ensure that competitive communications providers can continue to offer lower prices, better service, and greater innovation to consumers. About HyperCube HyperCube LLC is a leading provider of local and national tandem switching services to wireless, wireline, cable and VOIP carriers. HyperCube operates a comprehensive national network, which provides an …
Germanium aluminum nitride thin films for piezo-MEMS devices

This paper reports on piezoelectric polarity inversion of AlN thin films by doping. The germanium doped aluminum nitride (GeAlN) thin films are grown by RF magnetron sputtering. Doping amount is varied from 0 to 23%. The maximum piezoelectric polarity inversion from Al polarity to N polarity is observed at 3% of Ge where the piezoelectric d33 value changes from + 7.8 to −7.7 pC/N. The bulk acoustic wave (BAW) resonator with the stack of both N polarity and Al polarity layers is demonstrated. The B AW resonator is excited at 2nd overtone mode at 2.58 GHz. Finally, the mechanism of polarity inversion of GeAlN is discussed and first-principal calculations of GeAlN system are presented.
A Scheme on PN Code Tracking of DS/FH Signals for Telemetry Tracking, and Commanding (TT&C)

The impact of Doppler frequency hopping on code tracking performance is simulated. A design on pseudo-noise (PN) Code Tracking Loop aided by the carrier tracking loop according to the carrier frequency hoping pattern is proposed in this paper. This scheme can be applied in the Telemetry, Tracking, and Commanding system which uses Direct Sequence/Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (DS/FH) hybrid spread spectrum technology. Simulations of the code tracking loop under different carrier to noise ratios are compared based on this scheme. The results show this method on PN code tracking of DS/FH signals is valid.
Social competition, corticosterone and survival in female lizard morphs

We examined the selective consequences of variation in behaviour and endocrine physiology in two female throat‐colour morphs of the lizard, Uta stansburiana in the wild. Female morphs differed in home‐range distribution patterns and corticosterone levels in relation to the density and frequency of their female neighbours. Levels of plasma corticosterone of yellow‐throated females increased with increased density of both morphs. In contrast, orange‐throated females had reduced levels of corticosterone in response to increased density of orange females. Additionally, females with lower corticosterone survived poorly, suggesting that social interactions and high local densities of orange females may be potentially costly for orange females. These results are consistent with decreased fitness effects and suppression of immune function previously reported for orange female morphs surrounded by more orange neighbours. These correlations, in conjunction with previous work in this system, indicate that corticosterone is likely to be an important physiological mechanism regulating female fitness in nature.
Activation of the Oxidative Stress Pathway by HIV-1 Vpr Leads to Induction of Hypoxia-inducible Factor 1α Expression*

The detection of biomarkers of oxidative stress in brain tissue and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with human immunodeficiency virus, type 1 (HIV)-associated dementia indicates the involvement of stress pathways in the neuropathogenesis of AIDS. Although the biological importance of oxidative stress on events involved in AIDS neuropathogenesis and the HIV-1 proteins responsible for oxidative stress remain to be elucidated, our results point to the activation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) upon HIV-1 infection and its elevation in brain cells of AIDS patients with dementia. HIF-1 is a transcription factor that is responsive to oxygen. Under hypoxic conditions, HIF-1α becomes stable and translocates to the nucleus where it dimerizes with aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator and modulates gene transcription. Activation of HIF-1 can also be mediated by the HIV-1 accessory protein Vpr. In addition, cellular components, including reactive oxygen species, contribute to the induction of HIF-1α. Our results show that Vpr induces reactive oxygen species by increasing H2O2 production, which can contribute to HIF-1α accumulation. Interestingly, increased levels of HIF-1α stimulated HIV-1 gene transcription through HIF-1 association with HIV-1 long terminal repeat. These observations point to the existence of a positive feedback interplay between HIF-1α and Vpr and that, by inducing oxidative stress via activation of HIF-1, Vpr can induce HIV-1 gene expression and dysregulate multiple host cellular pathways.