Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multivariate Flattening for Better Predictions

Multivariate regression with p responses as opposed to p multiple regressions is getting increasingly more attention, especially in the context of prediction. Multivariate flattening methods are investigated as a way to obtain improved predictions over ordinary least-squares. With respect to sum of squares of prediction error, or SPE risk, an unbiased estimate of the risk is derived for two recent prediction methods, OPT and GCV, proposed by Breiman & Friedman (1997). Expressions for the exact SPE risk of OPT and GCV are derived generally for p ? 1 and evaluated numerically for p = 1. RESUME Les methodes de prevision de p variables utilisant la regression multivariee, plutot que p regressions multiples, sont de plus en plus utilisees. Le r6tr6cissement multivari6 est 6tudi6 comme methode de pr6vision pour am6liorer la methode des moindres carr6s. On obtient l'estimateur sans biais du risque SPE de deux methodes recentes de prevision, la methode OPT et celle du GCV de Breiman & Friedman (1997). Une expression pour le risque exact de OPT et GCV est obtenue lorsque p ? 1 et une evaluation numdrique en est faite quandp = 1.
High performance non-intrusive distributed CORBA monitoring

Due to a vast emergence of distributed software based on CORBA, a clear need arises for tools to ease the development, debugging and profiling of such complex distributed software. Existing tools were not satisfactory for our intentions because they show only a sequential packet based view of the CORBA communication, they need instrumentation of the software under test or they only provide a single sniffing point. As a result, we developed our own tool for CORBA monitoring which supports at the user-end a GUI which gives a clear overview of the present objects and the communication between these objects and which is at the low level end supported by distributed sniffing of network traffic at different points in the network. Furthermore, sniffing is done by (high end) Linux PCs with the MIT Click Modular Router package which makes it possible to let the network cards work in a polling mode instead of in interrupt mode to avoid the receive livelock problem. As a result, fully loaded gigabit Ethernet links with a minority of CORBA traffic (which is, for example, the case if CORBA is used in network management) can be sniffed without dropping any GIOP packet. Future work includes further investigation of the profiling part by letting the monitor automatically create statistics about the recorded communication and in a further step this information can then be used for automatic object distributing and load balancing of CORBA objects based on monitoring input.
General formulation of the singularity locus for a 3-dof regional manipulator

The analysis of singularities is a central aspect in the design of robotic manipulators. Such analyses are usually based on the use of geometric parameters like DH parameters. However, the manipulator kinematics is naturally described using the concept of screws and twists, associated to Lie groups and algebras. These give rise to general and coordinate-invariant singularity conditions on the manipulator geometry. In this setting no restrictions are imposed onto the type of joints, as it is the case when using DH parameters. In this paper a single closed-form equation is presented that gives a complete description of the singularity locus of an arbitrary regional manipulator in terms of two joint variables and all design parameters, expressed by joint screw coordinates, together with the coordinates for the wrist centre. Some examples are reported, and it is shown that the expression can be used to analyse bifurcations in the singularity locus. The simple form of the condition should make it useful for practical design as well as for a deeper understanding of singularities.
Modal expansion of HRTFs: Continuous representation in frequency-range-angle

This paper proposes a continuous HRTF representation in both 3D spatial and frequency domains. The method is based on the acoustic reciprocity principle and a modal expansion of the wave equation solution to represent the HRTF variations with different variables in separate basis functions. The derived spatial basis modes can achieve HRTF near-field and far-field representation in one formulation. The HRTF frequency components are expanded using Fourier Spherical Bessel series for compact representation. The proposed model can be used to reconstruct HRTFs at any arbitrary position in space and at any frequency point from a finite number of measurements. Analytical simulated and measured HRTFs from a KEMAR are used to validate the model.
THE ROLE OF TENURE I TREES AT THE CO THEORETICAL AND EMP UGANDA A Frank Place an N THE MANAGEMENT OF MMUNITY LEVEL: IRICAL ANALYSES FROM ND MALAWI d Keijiro Otsuka CGIAR Systemwide Program on roperty Rights and Collective Action

CAPRi Working Papers contain preliminary material and research results, and are circulated prior to a full peer review in order to stimulate discussion and critical comment. It is expected that most Working Papers will eventually be published in some other form, and that their content may also be revised. ABSTRACT This paper examines the effects of tenure on tree management at a community level. First, several important conceptual issues arising from this particular meso-level focus are discussed. Second, a description of the key tenure and tree management issues in Uganda and Malawi is presented. In each case, data representing changes in land use and tree cover between the 1960–70s and 1990s are analyzed. In both countries, there has been significant conversion of land from woodlands to agriculture. Tree cover has been more or less maintained over time in Uganda but has decreased in Malawi. Lastly, the paper explores the relationships between tenure and tree management using econometric techniques. Tenure is found to be linked to land-use and tree-cover change in both countries, though it is not necessarily the most important factor (e.g., population pressure is the key driving force for land-use change). In Uganda, conversion of land was more rapid under the customary tenure system and tree cover on nonagricultural land better maintained under the mailo system. In Malawi there was more rapid land-use conversion and tree cover depletion where there were more changes to traditional tenure systems taking place.
Using the crowd to boost video annotation processes: a game based approach

This short paper presents a game for collecting metadata to describe video content. Tags, introduced by registered players on a given timecode of the video, are collected and validated based on a collaborative scoring mechanism that excludes erratic annotations. The system follows a gamification approach for motivating users and includes processes for semantically relating concepts.
How low can you go? Changing the resolution of novel complex objects in visual working memory according to task demands

In three experiments we manipulated the resolution of novel complex objects in visual working memory (WM) by changing task demands. Previous studies that investigated the trade-off between quantity and resolution in visual WM yielded mixed results for simple familiar stimuli. We used the contralateral delay activity as an electrophysiological marker to directly track the deployment of visual WM resources while participants preformed a change-detection task. Across three experiments we presented the same novel complex items but changed the task demands. In Experiment 1 we induced a medium resolution task by using change trials in which a random polygon changed to a different type of polygon and replicated previous findings showing that novel complex objects are represented with higher resolution relative to simple familiar objects. In Experiment 2 we induced a low resolution task that required distinguishing between polygons and other types of stimulus categories, but we failed in finding a corresponding decrease in the resolution of the represented item. Finally, in Experiment 3 we induced a high resolution task that required discriminating between highly similar polygons with somewhat different contours. This time, we observed an increase in the item’s resolution. Our findings indicate that the resolution for novel complex objects can be increased but not decreased according to task demands, suggesting that minimal resolution is required in order to maintain these items in visual WM. These findings support studies claiming that capacity and resolution in visual WM reflect different mechanisms.
Harnessing Reciprocity to Promote Cooperation and the Provisioning of Public Goods

How can we maximize the common good? This is a central organizing question of public policy design, across political parties and ideologies. The answer typically involves the provisioning of public goods such as fresh air, national defense, and knowledge. Public goods are costly to produce but benefit everyone, thus creating a social dilemma: Individual and collective interests are in tension. Although individuals may want a public good to be produced, they typically would prefer not to be the ones who have to pay for it. Understanding how to motivate individuals to pay these costs is therefore of great importance for policy makers. Research provides advice on how to promote this type of “cooperative” behavior. Synthesizing a large body of research demonstrates the power of “reciprocity” for inducing cooperation: When others know that you have helped them, or acted to benefit the greater good, they are often more likely to reciprocate and help you in turn. Several conclusions stem from this line of thinking: People will be more likely to do their part when their actions are observable by others; people will pay more attention to how effective those actions are when efficacy is also observable; people will try to avoid situations where they could help, but often will help if asked directly; people are more likely to cooperate if they think others are also cooperating; and people can develop habits of cooperation that shape their default inclinations.
Modification of acoustic signals in real time with parallel processing

In this document we implemented several digital and filtering techniques in real time using Xilinx Zynq-7010 FPGA To achieve this we use a high level programming language like NI LabView to generate the VHDL that will be recorded in the hardware. We expose the mathematic characteristics of each one of the effects and the impact in the processing of the audio signal. We also compare with those we obtained using Simulink in a personal computer and we can appreciate the power of FPGA in real time processing.
Comparative Advantage and the Cross-Section of Business Cycles

Business cycles are both less volatile and more synchronized with the world cycle in rich countries than in poor ones. We develop two alternative explanations based on the idea that comparative advantage causes rich countries to specialize in industries that use new technologies operated by skilled workers, while poor countries specialize in industries that use traditional technologies operated by unskilled workers. Since new technologies are difficult to imitate, the industries of rich countries enjoy more market power and face more inelastic product demands than those of poor countries. Since skilled workers are less likely to exit employment as a result of changes in economic conditions, industries in rich countries face more inelastic labour supplies than those of poor countries. We show that either asymmetry in industry characteristics can generate cross-country differences in business cycles that resemble those we observe in the data.
First Language Grapheme-Phoneme Transparency Effects in Adult Second Language Learning.

The Spanish writing system has consistent grapheme-to-phoneme correspondences (GPC), rendering it more transparent than English. We compared first-language (L1) orthographic transparency on how monolingual English- and Spanish-readers learned a novel writing system with a 1:1 (LT) and a 1:2 (LO) GPC. Our dependent variables were learning time, decoding, and vocabulary. We found a main effect for transparency. Participants learned LT faster and decoded more words in LT than in LO. L1 reading characteristics influenced learning. English-readers decoded more words in the LO-LT sequence and Spanish-readers decoded more words in the LT-LO sequence. Spanishreaders had more difficulty recalling the meaning of LO than LT words; for Englishreaders there was no difference between the two word types. Our findings indicate that readers’ L1 orthographic transparency or GPC type influences L2 decoding and the learning of L2 words from combined written-auditory teaching.
Prevalence, determinants and prognosis of pulmonary hypertension among hemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND The prevalence, determinants and prognosis of pulmonary hypertension among long-term hemodialysis patients in the USA are poorly understood. METHODS A cross-sectional survey of prevalence and determinants of pulmonary hypertension was performed, followed by longitudinal follow-up for all-cause mortality. Pulmonary hypertension was defined as an estimated systolic pulmonary artery pressure of >35 mmHg using echocardiograms performed within an hour after the end of dialysis. RESULTS Prevalent in 110/288 patients (38%), the independent determinants of pulmonary hypertension were the following: left atrial diameter (odds ratio 10.1 per cm/m(2), P < 0.0001), urea reduction ratio (odds ratio 0.94 per %, P < 0.01) and vitamin D receptor activator use (odds ratio 0.41 for users, P < 0.01). Over a median follow-up of 2.15 years, 97 (34%) patients died yielding a crude mortality rate (CMR) of 114.2 per 1000 patient-years. Of these, 58 deaths occurred among 110 patients with pulmonary hypertension (53%, CMR 168.9/1000 patient-years) and 39 among 178 without pulmonary hypertension (22%, CMR 52.5/1000 patient-years) [unadjusted hazard ratio (HR) for death 2.12 (95% confidence interval 1.41-3.19), P < 0.001]. After multivariate adjustment, pulmonary hypertension remained an independent predictor for all-cause mortality [HR 2.17 (95% confidence interval 1.31-3.61), P < 0.01]. CONCLUSIONS Among hemodialysis patients, pulmonary hypertension is common and is strongly associated with an enlarged left atrium and poor long-term survival. Reducing left atrial size such as through volume control may be an attractive target to improve pulmonary hypertension. Improving pulmonary hypertension in this group of patients may improve the dismal outcomes.
The Relevance of Value

We propose a theory of value relevance based on a theory of information, with foundations in the efficient markets hypothesis. Like the EMH, we consider a theory of heterogeneous information, and like the EMH, testing for value relevance becomes a joint test of market efficiency, the process of price determination and value relevance. In assuming heterogeneity of information, we permit a classification of value relevance studies into weak-form, semi-strong and strong-form value relevance, similar to the classification used by Fama (1970) in defining the EMH. As a consequence, we introduce an Efficient Accounting Hypothesis, and classify existing value relevance studies according to this hypothesis. The theory which we propose implies a recursive procedure for estimation, and we discuss the econometric implications.
Learning the Linear Dynamical System with ASOS

We develop a new algorithm, based on EM, for learning the Linear Dynamical System model. Called the method of Approximated Second-Order Statistics (ASOS) our approach achieves dramatically superior computational performance over standard EM through its use of approximations, which we justify with both intuitive explanations and rigorous convergence results. In particular, after an inexpensive precomputation phase, the iterations of ASOS can be performed in time independent of the length of the training dataset.
IMPROVING QUALITY OF EXPERIENCE FOR MULTIMEDIA SERVICES BY QOS ARBITRATION ON A QOE FRAMEWORK

This contribution presents a Quality of Experience (QoE) framework. It evaluates QoE using QoS metrics, network feedback, and dynamic user requirements, and proposes a definition for QoE. A model for experimenting within the QoE framework is presented. It is believed that a better QoE can be achieved when the QoS and its interaction with the network and application layers is considered as a whole rather than a single entity. The QoE to Layer relation is defined as some function of the network and application factors (NQoS and AQoS). A network arbitrator mechanism is used and is driven by QoS RT tables and weighting factors to manage the QoS mechanisms. The weighting factors reflect delay, jitter and packet loss. A memory factor is introduced; ∆Hi and the QoE metric; βi. Three experiments are introduced 1) simulated prioritised intra-coded video 2) network arbitration using DiffServ and 3) using DiffServ and IntServ.
Experiences with product line development of embedded systems at Testo AG

Product line practices are increasingly becoming popular in the domain of embedded software systems. This paper presents results of assessing success, consistency, and quality of Testo's product line of climate and flue gas measurement devices after its construction and the delivery of three commercial products. The results of the assessment showed that the incremental introduction of architecture-centric product line development can be considered successful even though there is no quantifiable reduction of time-to-market as well as development and maintenance costs so far. The success is mainly shown by the ability of Testo to develop more complex products and the satisfaction of the involved developers. A major issue encountered is ensuring the quality of reusable components and the conformance of the products to the architecture during development and maintenance
Explaining Dual-task Implicit Learning Deficits: the Effect of within Stimulus Presentation a Dissertation Presented to the Academic Faculty Explaining Dual-task Implicit Learning Deficits: the Effect of within Stimulus Presentation

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Firstly, I would like to thank my advisor, Dan Fisk, for his faithful support, encouragement, and for the Big Picture; also Wendy Rogers, for her guidance and attention to detail (an acquired skill that is already paying off in my postgraduate work); and Eric Schumacher, for his interest in my work. I would also like to thank the EoW, without which my CV would be half as long. While I am thanking inanimate objects, I would like to thank The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind – not for increasing my time at Tech by at least 6 months, but for its role in securing the first real job of my life, User Research Engineer at Microsoft Game Studios. The following people uniquely contributed to my success at Georgia Tech, and I wish to recognize them (listed in order of hair color): A man should not hope for better friends than these. I would like to thank my parents and my sisters for loving me over the past 27 years. I would like to thank Olivia and Elliott for making me happy. I will continually thank my beautiful wife, Joy, for being a truly remarkable human being, the finest person I know.
Automatic Bengali news documents summarization by introducing sentence frequency and clustering

A method has been proposed in this paper for Bengali news documents summarization which extracts significant sentences using the four major steps (a) preprocessing, (b) sentence ranking, (c) sentence clustering, and (d) summary generation. The noticeable feature of this method is the incorporation of the sentence frequency where redundancy elimination is a consequence. Another one remarkable aspect is sentence clustering on the basis of similarity ratio among sentences. The summary sentence selection is done from all the clusters so that there will be maximum coverage of information in summary even if information is found scattered in input document. Two sets of human generated summary have been utilized where one is to train the system and another is for performance evaluation. The proposed method has been found better while turning comparison with the latest state-of-the art method of Bengali news documents summarization. The results of performance evaluation show that the average Precision, Recall and F-measure values are 0.608, 0.664 and 0.632 respectively.
USE IN REAL-TIME RECOGNIZERS

It is well known that gender-dependent (male/female) acoustic models are more acoustically homogeneous and therefore give better recognition performance than single genderindependent model in the case where the gender is successfully detected or a priory known. Speakers do not need to be split to two groups only. An algorithm to make higher number of speaker clusters is described in this paper. Further, the paper deals with a problem how to use these gender-based or speaker-clustered acoustic models in a real-time LVCSR where information from an automatic cluster detector is often delayed or incorrect. Moreover, various ways, how to incorporate discriminative training methods into training of the speakerclustered acoustic models, are discussed in the paper.
High Wolbachia density in insecticide–resistant mosquitoes

Wolbachia symbionts are responsible for various alterations in host reproduction. The effects of the host genome on endosymbiont levels have often been suggested, but rarely described. Here, we show that Wolbachia density is strongly modified by the presence of insecticide–resistant genes in the common house mosquito, Culex pipiens. The Wolbachia density was estimated using a real–time quantitative PCR assay. Strains harbouring different genes conferring resistance were more infected than a susceptible strain with the same genetic background. We show that this interaction also operates in natural populations. We propose that mosquitoes may control Wolbachia density less efficiently when they carry an insecticide–resistant gene, i.e. when they suffer from a physiological resistance cost.
ProductSeeker: entity-based product retrieval for e-commerce

The retrieval results of online products information in e-commerce web sites are often difficult for users to use because of different descriptions for the same product. This paper proposes ProductSeeker, a product retrieval system organizing results according to their referring real-world entities for the conveniences of users. In the demonstration, we will present our system providing friendly interface to retrieve fresh product information and refining results according to feedback.
Parameterization of equivalent circuit models for high power lithium-ion batteries in HEV applications

Three different linear equivalent electrical circuit models for power optimized lithium-ion batteries are parameterized and compared in a long dynamic load cycle representing typical hybrid electric vehicle usage. The goal is to estimate the voltage on the battery terminals by only using an open-loop electrical model. Model parameters are extracted trough a simple discharge pulse test and the parameter results are presented for five different types of batteries. A quantification of the model fit is presented and compared with similar studies.