Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words: Improving Mobile Messaging with Real-time Autonomous Image Suggestion

Text messaging on smartphones has become one of the most popular communication methods. With many smartphone chat applications, text messaging no longer is only "text"; users send emoticons to express emotions or share pictures stored on their phones. We believe that providing more visuals in chat applications by autonomously suggesting proper images from the Internet (i.e., "auto complete" with images), based on the chat content, is the next evolution of mobile messaging. Realizing this simple vision however, is a difficult task due to the intrinsic nature of mobile chat and resource limitations of smartphones. We identify these challenges and to overcome them, we suggest integrating solutions from the field of mobile computing, natural language processing, sentiment analysis, machine learning, storage, human computer interaction, networking, and systems. We present MilliCat, a lightweight mobile messaging service that autonomously suggests images based on chat context to improve emotion expression, nuance delivery, and information delivery of a conversation. Experimental results from our preliminary prototype implementation show promises that real-time autonomous image suggestion can provide timely, proper images while only incurring manageable networking and energy overhead.
Fast Slant Stack: a Notion of Radon Transform for Data in a Cartesian Grid Which Is Rapidly Computible, Algebraically Exact, Geometrically Faithful and Invertible

We define a notion of Radon Transform for data in an n by n grid. It is based on summation along lines of absolute slope less than 1 (as a function either of x or of y), with values at non-Cartesian locations defined using trigonometric interpolation on a zero-padded grid. The definition is geometrically faithful: the lines exhibit no 'wraparound effects'. For a special set of lines equispaced in slope (rather than angle), we describe an exact algorithm which uses O(N log N) flops, where N = n 2 is the number of pixels. This relies on a discrete projection-slice theorem relating this Radon transform and what we call the Pseudopolar Fourier transform. The Pseudopolar FT evaluates the 2-D Fourier transform on a non-Cartesian pointset, which we call the pseudopolar grid. Fast Pseudopolar FT – the process of rapid exact evaluation of the 2-D Fourier transform at these non-Cartesian grid points – is possible using chirp-Z transforms. This Radon transform is one-to-one and hence invertible on its range; it is rapidly invertible to any degree of desired accuracy using a preconditioned conjugate gradient solver. Empirically, the numerical conditioning is superb; the singular value spread of the preconditioned Radon transform turns out numerically to be less than 10%, and three iterations of the conjugate gradient solver typically suffice for 6 digit accuracy. We also describe a 3-D version of the transform. which are precursors of these ideas, but miss the mathematical framework, the geometric faithfulness, and the invertibility.
A Fuzzy Logic Based D-STATCOM Topology with Reduced VSI Rating , DC Link Voltage and Filter Size

1586 Manikanta and Chaitanya A Fuzzy Logic Based D-STATCOM Topology with Reduced VSI Rating, DC Link Voltage and Filter Size Abstract—The distribution static compensator (DSTATCOM) is used for load compensation in power distribution network. In this paper, a new DSTATCOM topology with non stiff source is proposed. The proposed topology reduces the rating of VSI and size of interfacing filter with enhanced current compensation capabilities. It uses a series capacitor along with the interfacing inductor to reduce the dc link voltage of the DSTATCOM. Therefore the rating of VSI gets reduced as it is directly proportional to dc link voltage. An LCL filter is used to reduce the size of the interfacing filter. An LCL filter provides better switching harmonics elimination capability while using lower value of inductor as compared to conventional L filter. The proposed topology will reduce size, cost and rating of the DSTATCOM with enhanced current compensation capability compared to conventional topology. Detailed design aspects of the series capacitor and LCL Filter parameters are discussed in this paper. A simulation study of the traditional and proposed topology has been carried out using Matlab/simulink platform. Finally, the proposed topology is implemented with fuzzy logic and the results are presented.
Identification and selection of normalization controls for quantitative transcript analysis in B lumeria graminis

Summary The investigation of obligate biotrophic pathogens, for example B lumeria graminis, presents a number of challenges. The sensitivity of many assays is reduced because of the presence of host material. Furthermore, the fungal structures inside and outside of the plant possess very different characteristics. Normalization genes are used in quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to compensate for changes as a result of the quantity and quality of template material. Such genes are used as references against which genes of interest are compared, enabling true quantification. Here, we identified six potential B . graminis and five barley genes for qPCR normalization. The relative changes in abundance of the transcripts were assayed across an infection time course in barley epidermis, in B . graminis epiphytic structures and haustoria. The B . graminis glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), actin (ACT) and histone 3 (H3) genes and the barley GAPDH, ubiquitin (UBI) and α‐tubulin 2B (TUBA2B) genes were optimal normalization controls for qPCR during the infection cycle. These genes were then used for normalization in the quantification of the members of a Candidate Secreted Effector Protein (CSEP) family 21, a conidia‐specific gene and barley genes encoding putative interactors of CSEP0064. The analysis demonstrates the importance of identifying which reference genes are appropriate for each investigation.
From Frames to Inference

This paper describes a computational formalism that captures structural relationships among participants in a dynamic scenario. This representation is used to describe the internal structure of FrameNet frames in terms of parameters for active event simulations. We apply our formalism to the commerce domain and show how it provides a flexible means of handling linguistic perspective and other challenges of semantic representation. From Frames to Inference
Reducing Plasmodium falciparum Malaria Transmission in Africa: A Model-Based Evaluation of Intervention Strategies

Background Over the past decade malaria intervention coverage has been scaled up across Africa. However, it remains unclear what overall reduction in transmission is achievable using currently available tools. Methods and Findings We developed an individual-based simulation model for Plasmodium falciparum transmission in an African context incorporating the three major vector species (Anopheles gambiae s.s., An. arabiensis, and An. funestus) with parameters obtained by fitting to parasite prevalence data from 34 transmission settings across Africa. We incorporated the effect of the switch to artemisinin-combination therapy (ACT) and increasing coverage of long-lasting insecticide treated nets (LLINs) from the year 2000 onwards. We then explored the impact on transmission of continued roll-out of LLINs, additional rounds of indoor residual spraying (IRS), mass screening and treatment (MSAT), and a future RTS,S/AS01 vaccine in six representative settings with varying transmission intensity (as summarized by the annual entomological inoculation rate, EIR: 1 setting with low, 3 with moderate, and 2 with high EIRs), vector–species combinations, and patterns of seasonality. In all settings we considered a realistic target of 80% coverage of interventions. In the low-transmission setting (EIR∼3 ibppy [infectious bites per person per year]), LLINs have the potential to reduce malaria transmission to low levels (<1% parasite prevalence in all age-groups) provided usage levels are high and sustained. In two of the moderate-transmission settings (EIR∼43 and 81 ibppy), additional rounds of IRS with DDT coupled with MSAT could drive parasite prevalence below a 1% threshold. However, in the third (EIR = 46) with An. arabiensis prevailing, these interventions are insufficient to reach this threshold. In both high-transmission settings (EIR∼586 and 675 ibppy), either unrealistically high coverage levels (>90%) or novel tools and/or substantial social improvements will be required, although considerable reductions in prevalence can be achieved with existing tools and realistic coverage levels. Conclusions Interventions using current tools can result in major reductions in P. falciparum malaria transmission and the associated disease burden in Africa. Reduction to the 1% parasite prevalence threshold is possible in low- to moderate-transmission settings when vectors are primarily endophilic (indoor-resting), provided a comprehensive and sustained intervention program is achieved through roll-out of interventions. In high-transmission settings and those in which vectors are mainly exophilic (outdoor-resting), additional new tools that target exophagic (outdoor-biting), exophilic, and partly zoophagic mosquitoes will be required. Please see later in the article for the Editors' Summary
Dietary Compliance, Dietary Supplementation and Traditional Remedy Usage of Type 2 Diabetic Patients With and Without Cardiovascular Disease

This analytical cross-sectional study examined the nutrient intakes, dietary compliance, dietary supplementation and traditional remedy usage in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients from selected tertiary hospitals in multi-racial Malaysia. We compared the different characteristics of T2DM patients with and without cardiovascular disease (CVD). Socio-demographic status, dietary intakes, dietary supplementation, traditional remedy use, medical history, anthropometric measurements and clinical characteristics were obtained from face-to-face interviews. A total of 313 patients who were treated for T2DM participated in this study, in which 36.1% of them had CVD. The mean age of study subjects was 55.7 ± 9.2 years; mean diabetes duration was 10.1 ± 8.1 years; 52.1% were females; and 47.0% were Malays. The mean total energy intake of the subjects was 1674 ± 694 kcal/day, and patients with CVD consumed higher total calories (p = 0.001). Likewise, the mean carbohydrate, protein and total fat intake of CVD patients were significantly higher than non-CVD patients (p < 0.05), while mean intakes of cholesterol, fibre, minerals and all vitamins were comparable between CVD and non-CVD patients. Regardless of CVD status, a notably high proportion of the subjects did not meet the recommendations of the Medical Nutrition Therapy Guidelines for Type 2 Diabetes for total energy, carbohydrate, protein, total fat, and fibre intakes. Meanwhile, 52.4% used at least one dietary supplement and 12.1% took single traditional remedy or in various combinations. Traditional remedies and supplement intake did not differ between CVD and non-CVD subjects. It is suggested that T2DM patients should be educated based on their personalized dietary intake, dietary supplementation and traditional remedy usage. The recommendations for T2DM patients shall be met to achieve the optimal metabolic goals and minimize the potential diabetic complications.
Incidental physical activity is positively associated with cardiorespiratory fitness.

PURPOSE The primary aim was to determine whether incidental physical activity (IPA), expressed either as duration or intensity, was associated with cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). METHODS Participants were inactive abdominally obese men (n = 43, waist circumference ≥ 102 cm) and women (n = 92, waist circumference ≥ 88 cm) recruited from Kingston, Canada. IPA (>100 counts per minute) was determined by accelerometry during 7 d and categorized into duration (min·d(-1)) and intensity (counts per minute). In secondary analyses, IPA was further categorized as light physical activity (LPA, 100-1951 counts per minute) and sporadic moderate physical activity (MPA, ≥ 1952 counts per minute accumulated in bouts <10 consecutive minutes). CRF was assessed using a maximal treadmill exercise test. RESULTS Participants accumulated 308.2 ± 98.8 (mean ± SD) min of IPA per day of which 19.2 ± 13.5 min was spent in sporadic MPA. Mean CRF was 26.8 ± 4.7 mL·kg(-1) body weight·min(-1). IPA duration was positively associated with CRF in the univariate model (r2 = 0.03, P < 0.05) and after control for gender and body mass index (r2 = 0.53, P < 0.01). Likewise, IPA intensity was positively associated with CRF in univariate (r2 = 0.18, P < 0.001) and multivariate analyses (r2 = 0.56, P < 0.01). After further control for each other, IPA duration was not associated with CRF (P = 0.05), whereas IPA intensity remained a significant predictor (r2 = 0.57, P < 0.001). In secondary analyses, LPA was not associated with CRF (P > 0.05). Sporadic MPA was associated with CRF (r2 = 0.20, P < 0.001) and remained a positive correlate after control for gender, body mass index, and the other physical activity variables (r2 = 0.60, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS In this study, both duration and intensity of IPA were positively associated with CRF among inactive abdominally obese adults. Sporadic MPA, but not LPA, was an independent predictor of CRF.
Momentum and Turnover: Evidence from the German Stock Market

This paper analyzes the relation between momentum strategies (strategies that buy stocks with high returns over the previous three to twelve months and sell stocks with low returns over the same period) and turnover (number of shares traded divided by the number of shares outstanding) for the German stock market. Our main finding is that momentum strategies are more profitable among high-turnover stocks. In contrast to U.S. evidence, this result is mainly driven by winners: high-turnover winners have higher returns than low-turnover winners. We present various robustness checks, long-horizon results, evidence on seasonality, and control for size-, book-to-market-, and industry-effects. We argue that our results are useful to empirically evaluate competing explanations for the momentum effect.
Multiresolution Feature Based Fractional Power Polynomial Kernel Fisher Discriminant Model for Face Recognition

This paper prese nts a technique for face recognition which uses wavelet transform to derive desirable facial features. Three level decompositions are used to form the pyramidal multiresolution features to cope with the variations due to illumination and facial expression changes. The fractional power polynomial kernel maps the input data into an implicit feature space with a nonlinear mapping. Being linear in the feature space, but nonlinear in the input space, kernel is capable of deriving low dimensional features that incorporate higher order statistic. The Linear Discriminant Analysis is applied to kernel mapped multiresolution featured data. The effectiveness of this Wavelet Kernel Fisher Classifier algorithm is compared with the different existing popular algorithms for face recognition using FERET, ORL Yale and YaleB databases. This algorithm performs better than some of the existing popular algorithms.
Generalized KYP lemma: Unified characterization of frequency domain inequalities with application

The cerebrated Kalman-Yakubovi c̆-Popov (KYP) lemma establishes the equivalence between a frequency domain inequality (FDI) and a linear matrix inequality (LMI), and has played one of the most fundamental roles in systems and control theory. This paper generalizes the KYP lemma in two aspects — the frequency range and the class of systems — and unifies various existing versions by a single theorem. In particular, our result covers FDIs in finite frequency intervals for both continuous/discrete-time settings as opposed to the standard infinite frequency range. The class of systems for which FDIs are considered is no longer constrained to be proper, and nonproper transfer functions including polynomials can also be treated. We study implications of this generalization, and develop a proper interface between the basic result and various engineering applications. Specifically, it is shown that our result allows us to solve a certain class of system design problems with multiple specifications on the gain/phase properties in several frequency ranges. The method is illustrated by numerical design examples of digital filters and PID controllers.
Publics, risk communication and the social amplification of risk

Volume I * PART 1 - COMMUNICATING RISK AND INVOLVING PUBLICS * Six Propositions on Public Participation and Their Relevance for Risk Communication * Social Distrust as a Factor in Siting Hazardous Facilities and Communicating Risks * Evaluating Risk Communication * Considerations and Principles for Risk Communication for Industrial Accidents * Risk and the Stakeholder Express * PART 2 THE SOCIAL AMPLIFICATION OF RISK * The Social Amplification of Risk: A Conceptual Framework * Hidden Hazards * Media Risk Signals and the Proposed Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Repository, 1985-1989 * Stigma and the Social Amplification of Risk: Towards a Framework of Analysis * Risk, Trust and Democratic Theory * The Social Amplification of Risk: Assessing 15 Years of Research and Theory * PART 3 RISK AND ETHICS * Responding to the Double Standard of Worker/Public Protection * Developmental and Geographical Equity in Global Environmental Change: A Framework for Analysis * Redirecting the US High-Level Radioactive Waste Programme * Siting Hazardous Facilities: Searching for Effective Institutions and Processes * Climate Change, Vulnerability and Social Justice * Volume II * PART 1 RISK AND SOCIETY: FRAMING THE ISSUES * Acceptability of Human Risk * Societal Response to Hazards and Major Hazard Events: Comparing Natural and Technological Hazards* Large-scale Nuclear Risk Analysis: Its Impacts and Future * PART 2 CORPORATIONS AND RISK * Corporate Management of Health and Safety Hazards: Current Practice and Needed Research * Avoiding Future Bhopals * Emergency Planning for Industrial Crises: An Overview * Corporate Culture and Technology Transfer * Industrial Risk Management in India Since Bhopal * PART 3 THE GLOBALIZATION OF RISK * Hazards in Developing Countries: Cause for Global Concern * Priorities in Profile: Managing Risks in Developing Countries * Risk and Criticality: Trajectories of Regional Environmental * (Assessing the Vulnerability of Coastal Communities to Extreme Storms: The Case of Revere, Massachusetts, US * Border Crossings * Vulnerability to Global Environmental Change *
A Robust Control Concept for Robotic Ankle Gait Assistance

Previously we have developed lightweight and efficient, spring based actuators. The Robotic Tendon actuator is one such device. Testing of the earlier devices have shown good results both theoretically and experimentally in their implementation to human gait assistance. The current development is focused on a robust control methodology to support the Robotic Tendon device. This study has concluded that the stance phase of gait can be broken into five distinct zones in order to dictate controller behavior. Simulated control of these five zones have shown that simple velocity control and stiffness control meet the requirements necessary for robust gait assistance.
A Fuzzy-Based Transport Protocol for Mobile Ad Hoc Networks

A mobile ad hoc network (MANET) is a dynamically reconfigurable wireless network that does not have a fixed infrastructure. Because this kind of network uses wireless connections for communication, traditional transport protocol for wired networks is not suitable for MANETs. In this paper, we propose an improved transport protocol (ITP) to enhance the efficiency of the transport protocol in MANETs. In ITP, we use a rate-based transmission scheme with fuzzy logic control to tune the proper data rate. ITP gets the MAC layer information and uses a fuzzy logic controller to estimate the appropriate data rate for transmission. Then ITP uses a feedback scheme to adjust data flow by receiving a feedback packet. The difference between traditional TCP and ITP is that ITP adjusts its transmission rate using the received packet instead of the acknowledgments or lost packets. Simulation results show that the proposed ITP outperforms TCP and ATP.
The impact of professionally conducted cultural programs on the physical health, mental health, and social functioning of older adults.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to measure the impact of professionally conducted community-based cultural programs on the physical health, mental health, and social activities of individuals aged 65 and older. DESIGN AND METHODS Participants in the study were 166 healthy, ambulatory older adults from the Washington, DC, area. We assigned them to either an intervention (chorale) or comparison (usual activity) group and assessed them at baseline and after 12 months. RESULTS Results obtained from utilizing established assessment questionnaires and self-reported measures, controlling for any baseline differences, revealed positive findings for the effectiveness of the intervention such that the intervention group reported a higher overall rating of physical health, fewer doctor visits, less medication use, fewer instances of falls, and fewer other health problems than the comparison group. The intervention group also evidenced better morale and less loneliness than the comparison group. In terms of activity level, the comparison group evidenced a significant decline in total number of activities, whereas the intervention group reported a trend toward increased activity. IMPLICATIONS The positive impact of participatory art programs for older adults in this study on overall health, doctor visits, medication use, falls, loneliness, morale, and activities reflects important health promotion and prevention effects and a reduction of risk factors driving the need for long-term care.
Cannabis use and violence: Is there a link?

Background: While several studies suggest that cannabis users are at increased risk of interpersonal violence, it is not clear to what extent the association is causal. Our paper aims to assess the association between cannabis use and violence by using a method that diminishes the risk of confounding. Methods: We analysed data on cannabis use and violent behaviour from the second (1994) and third (1999) waves of the Young in Norway Longitudinal Study (cumulative response rate: 68.1%, n = 2681). We applied fixed-effects modelling to estimate the association between these behaviours, implying that changes in the frequency of violence were regressed on changes in the frequency of cannabis use. The effects of time-invariant confounders were hence eliminated. In addition, we included two time-varying covariates. Results: The elasticity estimate implies that a 10% increase in cannabis use frequency is associated with a 0.4% increase in frequency of violence (p=.024). Conclusions: Analyses of panel data on Norwegian youths reveals a statistically significant association between cannabis use and violence.
E-learning: planned and emergent strategies

E-learning is a new strategic arena for higher education, and higher education institutions (HEIs) need to acquire the necessary competencies and capabilities to participate. These may be developed in-house or acquired externally. E-learning involves acquisition and management of new information systems, and deployment of new capabilities. A resource-based view (RBV) suggests a rational stepwise model of how organisations approach entry to a new strategic area. This research uses case analysis in five universities to test this view and identifies two models for implementing e-learning, one confirming the rational model, and one that is emergent. These outcomes permit a richer RBV of strategy, and suggest a diverse range of strategic options for HEIs as they engage in e-learning.