Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lost without a compass: Nonmetric triangulation and landmark multidimensional scaling

Suppose that we wish to determine the location of a point x* ∈ ℝ<sup>k</sup> by comparing the distance from x* to various points x<sub>1</sub>, x<sub>2</sub>, . , x<sub>k</sub> ℝ<sup>k</sup> with known position. In this paper we consider the scenario where we are only provided with (possibly noisy or contradictory) relations of the form ∥x* - x<sub>i</sub>∥<sub>2</sub> <; ∥x* - x<sub>j</sub>∥<sub>2</sub>. We propose a simple algorithm that uses convex optimization techniques to estimate x* from such data and we provide simulations demonstrating its effectiveness in practice.
Canonical exponential family parameters

Inference about a parameter θ based on the likelihood function is often based on first order approximations to standard summary statistics from the likelihood, such as the likelihood ratio statistic or the standardized maximum likelihood estimate. For more accurate inference refinements are needed to both improve the first order approximation of the distribution of the relevant statistic, and to properly take account of nuisance parameters, in the multi-parameter setting. A great many examples are available that illustrate the failure of first-order methods in models with large numbers of nuisance parameters, and there is a similar wealth of examples illustrating the accuracy of so-called higher order approximations. Recent book-length treatments include Barndorff-Nielsen and Cox (1994), Severini (2000) and Brazzale et al. (2007). In this note we consider the role of an approximating exponential family model, and in particular its canonical parameter, in obtaining higher order approximations. Connections are made between the approximations due to Barndorff-Nielsen (1986), Skovgaard (1996), Severini (1998) and Fraser et al. (1999a), and these connections are used to suggest a new method for computation of higher order approximations. ∗Department of Statistics, University of Toronto, 100 St. George St., Toronto, M5S 3G3, Canada. reid@utstat.toronto. edu, dfraser@utstat.toronto. edu
Circularly polarized shorted ring slot rectenna with a mesh design for optimized inkjet printing on paper substrate

The design of a 2.45 GHz circularly polarized rectenna inkjet printed on paper is presented. The proposed antenna structure is a shorted ring slot with a modified ground plane where a mesh design is employed in order to reduce the required amount of silver nanoparticle ink that needs to be inkjet-printed. A meshed ground plane with 29 % conducting surface relative to a solid ground was demonstrated with a simulated gain of 2.2 dB, axial ratio of 0.6 dB at 2.45 GHz and a peak rectifier efficiency of 45 % for -15 dBm input received power at the antenna terminals.
Operator space embedding of Lq into Lp

Let 1 \le p < q \le 2 and let M be any von Neumann algebra. We use recent techniques from free harmonic analysis to construct a completely isomorphic embedding of Lq(M) (equipped with its natural operator space structure) into Lp(A) for some sufficiently large von Neumann algebra A. We show that hyperfiniteness and the QWEP are preserved in our construction.
The effects of mental toughness training on athletic coping skills and shooting effectiveness for national handball players.

Aim. Mental toughness’ is probably one of the most used but least understood terms used by sporting communities globally and, in particular, by their media. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of mental toughness training on Athletic Coping Skills and shooting effectiveness in male handball players. Methods. The sample was comprised of 18malehandball players[age, 20.76 ± 2.65 years; height, 169.88 ± 7.08 cm; weight, 66.16 ± 8.14 kg; training experience, 6.41 ± 2.34 years (mean ± SD)] . Who all members in handball team – Zagazig university (2012). The subjects divided into two groups. The experimental group (n= 10) participated in mental toughness training program. Three times weekly. To eight weeks. The control group (n= 8) participated in the traditional program only. All of the participants completed the MTQ48 (Clough et al., 2002), an instrument used to measure mental toughness. Responses to the 48 items are based on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from (1) strongly disagree to (5) strongly agree. And the Athletic Coping Skills Inventory – 28 (ACIS-28; Smith, et al., 1995) is a 28-item scale measuring seven classes of sport-specific psychological coping skills including coping with adversity, peaking under pressure, goal setting and mental preparation, concentration; freedom from worry, confidence and achievement motivation, and coach ability. Individuals were asked to respond to each statement by indicating how often they experience different situations using a 4 point scale, 0 = almost never to 3 = almost always). Each subscale consists of four items that are averaged to provide a subscale range of 0 to 3. Additionally, the seven subscales are summed and averaged to provide a total personal coping resource score. Performance effectiveness was determined by success or failure in the shooting. Results. The results of this analysis revealed significant differences between two groups in the mental toughness factors and athletics coping skill factors and Performance effectiveness of the experimental group. Conclusion. The findings indicated that the implication of this research for coaches working with mentally tough athletes is that to match athlete preferences.
Towards Automated Transactions Based on the Offline Handwritten Signatures

Automating business transactions over the Internet relies on digital signatures, a replacement of conventional handwritten signatures in paper-based processes. Although they guarantee data integrity and authenticity, digital signatures are not as convenient to users as the manuscript ones. In this paper, a methodology is proposed to produce digital signatures using off-line hand-written signatures. This methodology facilitate the automation of business processes, where users continually employ their handwritten signatures for authentication. Users are isolated from the details related to the generation of digital signatures, yet benefit from enhanced security. First, signature templates from a user are captured and employed to lock his private key in a fuzzy vault. Then, when the user signs a document by hand, his handwritten signature image is employed to unlock his private key. The unlocked key produces a digital signature that is attached to the digitized document. The verification of the digital signature by a recipient implies authenticity of the manuscript signature and integrity of the signed document. Experimental results on the Brazilian off-line signature database (that includes various forgeries) confirms the viability of the proposed approach. Private keys of 1024-bits were unlocked by signature images with Average Error Rate of about 7.8%.
Enhancing the Effectiveness of Clustering with Spectra Analysis

For many clustering algorithms, such as K-Means, EM, and CLOPE, there is usually a requirement to set some parameters. Often, these parameters directly or indirectly control the number of clusters, that is, k, to return. In the presence of different data characteristics and analysis contexts, it is often difficult for the user to estimate the number of clusters in the data set. This is especially true in text collections such as Web documents, images, or biological data. In an effort to improve the effectiveness of clustering, we seek the answer to a fundamental question: How can we effectively estimate the number of clusters in a given data set? We propose an efficient method based on spectra analysis of eigenvalues (not eigenvectors) of the data set as the solution to the above. We first present the relationship between a data set and its underlying spectra with theoretical and experimental results. We then show how our method is capable of suggesting a range of k that is well suited to different analysis contexts. Finally, we conclude with further empirical results to show how the answer to this fundamental question enhances the clustering process for large text collections.
Space-time trellis codes with transmit antenna selection

A scheme combining transmit antenna selection (TAS) and space-time trellis code (STTC), which is referred to as the TAS/STTC scheme, is considered. In this scheme, two transmit antennas, which maximise the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at the receiver, are chosen to transmit the baseline STTCs designed for two transmit antennas. It is shown by simulation that, similar to two other transmit antenna selection schemes investigated previously by the authors, this scheme also achieves a full diversity order as if all the transmit antennas were used. In addition, this scheme has a fixed low decoding complexity no matter how high the diversity order. Unlike the traditional STTC, this scheme does not have the requirement for minimum memory order to achieve a full diversity order.
Image Mining Using Inexact Maximal Common Subgraph of Multiple ARGs

In this paper we present a novel approach for mining inexact spatial patterns from multiple images. We propose an inexact maximal common subgraph algorithm for discovering similar common subgraph from multiple graphs. We employ attributed relational graph (ARG) for data representation. The subgraph found by our algorithm is supposed to represent the common pattern of the input images. Unlike previous approaches, our algorithm can work effectively and efficiently for more than two input images.
Discussion of “Identifiability and Estimation of Causal Effects in Randomized Trials with Noncompliance and Completely Nonignorable Missing Data”

In this article, we first study parameter identifiability in randomized clinical trials with noncompliance and missing outcomes. We show that under certain conditions the parameters of interest are identifiable even under different types of completely nonignorable missing data: that is, the missing mechanism depends on the outcome. We then derive their maximum likelihood and moment estimators and evaluate their finite-sample properties in simulation studies in terms of bias, efficiency, and robustness. Our sensitivity analysis shows that the assumed nonignorable missing-data model has an important impact on the estimated complier average causal effect (CACE) parameter. Our new method provides some new and useful alternative nonignorable missing-data models over the existing latent ignorable model, which guarantees parameter identifiability, for estimating the CACE in a randomized clinical trial with noncompliance and missing data.
Issues in the reporting of epidemiological studies: a survey of recent practice

Abstract Objectives To review current practice in the analysis and reporting of epidemiological research and to identify limitations. Design Examination of articles published in January 2001 that investigated associations between risk factors/exposure variables and disease events/measures in individuals. Setting Eligible English language journals including all major epidemiological journals, all major general medical journals, and the two leading journals in cardiovascular disease and cancer. Main outcome measure Each article was evaluated with a standard proforma. Results We found 73 articles in observational epidemiology; most were either cohort or case-control studies. Most studies looked at cancer and cardiovascular disease, even after we excluded specialty journals. Quantitative exposure variables predominated, which were mostly analysed as ordered categories but with little consistency or explanation regarding choice of categories. Sample selection, participant refusal, and data quality received insufficient attention in many articles. Statistical analyses commonly used odds ratios (38 articles) and hazard/rate ratios (23), with some inconsistent use of terminology. Confidence intervals were reported in most studies (68), though use of P values was less common (38). Few articles explained their choice of confounding variables; many performed subgroup analyses claiming an effect modifier, though interaction tests were rare. Several investigated multiple associations between exposure and outcome, increasing the likelihood of false positive claims. There was evidence of publication bias. Conclusions This survey raises concerns regarding inadequacies in the analysis and reporting of epidemiological publications in mainstream journals.
A Semi-automation Road Extraction Approach Based on Fast Marching Method and Mean Shift Algorithm

A method for extracting road from high spatial resolution remote sensing imagery (HSRRSI) based on Fast Marching Method and Mean Shift Method is proposed in this paper. Firstly, the user inputs a set of nodes of the road. Secondly, preliminary partition on the imagery is achieved by Mean Shift Method. Last, the roads are extracted between the nodes user has set by the implementation of Fast Marching Method The test results for HSRRSI of IKONOS demonstrates that the novel method is robust and is capable of coping with the partial occlusion and false connectivity.
An Agent-Based Simulation Method For Studying Nervous System

This paper describes an agent-based method for modeling and simulation of the cerebellar cortex of nervous system in particular and for complex systems in general. By modular and hierarchical model design, this method allows us to enhance the system model under study without having to rebuild the whole model. We also discuss how well our agent-based method is sound for the study of these systems and how to represent agents’ behavioural dynamics of simulation models by DEVS formalism (Discrete Event System Specification) from Zeigler. Conceptualization of such systems is shown in terms of how agents and simulation models may interact with one another. Keywords— Cerebellar cortex, complex system, DEVS, agent-based simulation.
Serum biochemical activities and muscular soreness in transported goats administered with ascorbic acid during the hot-dry season

The effects of handling, loading and 12 h of road transportation during the hot-dry season on muscular metabolism of 20 experimental goats administered orally with 100 mg/kg body weight of ascorbic acid (AA) dissolved in 10 ml of sterile water, and other 20 control goats given equivalent of sterile water 40 min prior to transportation were investigated. The result obtained post-transportation showed that handling, loading and transportation were stressful to the goats, especially the control goats and resulted into muscular damage and the development of delayed-onset-muscular-soreness (DOMS), which may lead to dark-firm-dry (DFD) syndrome meat with undesirable effects on its quality. In the experimental goats administered AA such transportation effects were minimal or completely abolished. The result demonstrated that AA reduced the incidence of DOMS and muscular damage in transported goats, therefore it may be used to improve the welfare and quality of meat obtained from goats subjected to long period of road transportation under adverse climatic conditions.
The Eventful Places of Occupy Wall Street and Tahrir Square: Cosmopolitan Imagination and Social Movements

Abstract In 2011, social movements occupied parks and squares around the world. Occupy Wall Street and the Egyptian uprising were among the most spectacular. In this article, I investigate the physical, symbolic, and performed relationship between these social movements and their occupied places. I claim that these movements (re-)created their occupied places as eventful places where cosmopolitan (re-)creations of collective identity and social relations were imagined, enacted, and became prefigurative microcosms of an alternative communal world. First, based on a critique of mainstream social movement studies, I develop the concept of eventful place and link this to cosmopolitanism. The bulk of the article then examines the eventful (re-)creations that took place in Tahrir Square and Zuccotti Park through first-hand accounts. A critical discussion of the reproduction of conflict in the eventful places then follows. I conclude by suggesting that the eventful and cosmopolitan imagination may live on and inspire future mobilisation.
Development of the Teacher Leadership Style Scale

Effective teacher leadership promotes not only students’ motivation to learn, but also the productivity and development of educational institutions. My purpose in this study was to develop the Teacher Leadership Style Scale (TLSS) to extend the framework of the charismatic, ideological, and pragmatic (CIP) model of outstanding leadership. Participants were 264 Chinese college students in Macau. Data collection took place midway through the school year, and respondents took approximately 10 minutes to complete the questionnaire. The 29-item TLSS demonstrated high internal consistency (> .80) and a robust 3-dimensional factor solution. Factor loading results showed that the instrument converged well with measures for 3 possible CIP-based teacher leadership styles. Overall, my results showed that the TLSS is suitable for assessing stable teacher leadership styles based on the perceptions of college students, and that it aligns with theoretical expectations.
Exploring the Sources of Waste in Kanban Software Development Projects

The application of agile software methods and more recently the integration of Lean practices contribute to the trend of continuous improvement in the software industry. One such area warranting proper empirical evidence is a project’s operational efficiency when using the Kanban method. This short paper takes a new angle and explores waste in the Kanban-driven software development project context. A preliminary research model is presented for helping the consequent replication of the study. The results from the empirical analysis suggest Kanban can be an effective method in visualizing and organizing the current work, but does not prevent waste from creeping in, although the overall project outcome may be successful.
An application of V2V communications : Cooperation of vehicles for a better car tracking using GPS and vision systems

The advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS systems) based on cooperation between vehicles can offer serious perspectives to the road security. The inter-vehicle cooperation is made possible thanks to the revolution in the wireless mobile ad hoc network. This paper presents an application of the V2V communications. The car tracking using the GPS receivers is not always ideal in urban areas. To resolve this problem, our original approach is based on using data issued from vision systems when the GPS signal is not available or has a poor quality due to multi-tracks or bad satellite visibility. The method relies on the particle filter for the fusion of the GPS data and the vision data that will be collected from the loading system in the vehicles. Multiple results from different scenarios experimented on our fleet of communicating vehicles carried out in real conditions prove the feasibility of this approach.
One model to rule them all: unified classification model for geotagging websites

The paper presents a novel approach to finding regional scopes (geotagging) of websites. It relies on a single binary classification model per region type to perform the multi-label classification and uses a variety of different features that have not been yet used together for machine-learning based regional classification of websites. The evaluation demonstrates the advantage of our one model per region type method versus the traditional one model per region approach.
Risk aversion: an experiment with self-employed workers and salaried workers

In this article we present the results of a lottery-choice experiment to address the following questions: Do risk vary across individuals? What is the impact of context on risk aversion? The originality of this research lies in introducing variability in socio-demographic characteristics by recruiting not only students but also ‘real people’ among salaried workers and self-employed workers. Our results indicate that risk attitude strongly varies across individuals. In particular, individuals who are self employed tend to be significantly less risk averse than others. In addition, we replicated Holt and Laury (2002, 2005) and Harrison et al. (2005)’s findings that individuals tend to be more risk averse with higher payoffs. Finally, our results concerning a potential experience effect indicate the existence of a significant order effect for both treatments.
Sampling effects in the emission-line spectra of Hii regions

We show that sampling effects in the initial mass function are very important in the low-mass cluster case. To this aim, we compute photoionization models ionized by realistic clusters made up of various combinations of individual stars and clusters built with a synthesis model. We discuss the differences in the position on diagnostic diagrams, their implications, and future and ongoing applications of the present work.
Effects of Female Sex Hormones on Susceptibility to HSV-2 in Vaginal Cells Grown in Air-Liquid Interface

The lower female reproductive tract (FRT) is comprised of the cervix and vagina, surfaces that are continuously exposed to a variety of commensal and pathogenic organisms. Sexually transmitted viruses, such as herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), have to traverse the mucosal epithelial lining of the FRT to establish infection. The majority of current culture systems that model the host-pathogen interactions in the mucosal epithelium have limitations in simulating physiological conditions as they employ a liquid-liquid interface (LLI), in which both apical and basolateral surfaces are submerged in growth medium. We designed the current study to simulate in vivo conditions by growing an immortalized vaginal epithelial cell line (Vk2/E6E7) in culture with an air-liquid interface (ALI) and examined the effects of female sex hormones on their growth, differentiation, and susceptibility to HSV-2 under these conditions, in comparison to LLI cultures. ALI conditions induced Vk2/E6E7 cells to grow into multi-layered cultures compared to the monolayers present in LLI conditions. Vk2 cells in ALI showed higher production of cytokeratin in the presence of estradiol (E2), compared to cells grown in progesterone (P4). Cells grown under ALI conditions were exposed to HSV-2-green fluorescent protein (GFP) and the highest infection and replication was observed in the presence of P4. Altogether, this study suggests that ALI cultures more closely simulate the in vivo conditions of the FRT compared to the conventional LLI cultures. Furthermore, under these conditions P4 was found to confer higher susceptibility to HSV-2 infection in vaginal cells. The vaginal ALI culture system offers a better alternative to study host-pathogen interactions.
Multiple object detection for intelligent robot vision by using growing neural gas

Recently, various types of robots have been researched and developed for supporting our life. Also, the perceptual system for the robot is researched. Visual perception includes a lot of valuable information and it is useful for all intelligent robot system. In this paper, we discuss intelligent robot vision in order to detect multiple object and human. There are many visual sensors and we use the range-imaging camera to detect distance and image data. We propose a method for perceive moving target by using growing neural gas and Genetic algorithm. In the experimental results, we show the potency of our method.
High-frequency stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus prolongs the increase in striatal dopamine induced by acute L-DOPA in dopaminergic denervated rats

Correspondence should be addressed to Dr. Marc Savasta, Dynamique des Reseaux Neuronaux du Mouvement, Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale, Unite 836 (ex Unite 704), Universite Joseph Fourier, Unite de Formation par la Recherche en Biologie, Bâtiment B, Domaine Universitaire, 2280 rue de la Piscine, BP 53, 38041 Grenoble Cedex 09, France. Phone: +33 4 76 63 54 01; Fax: +33 4 76 63 54 15; E-mail: marc.savasta@ujf-grenoble.fr