Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
WISE: Web-based Interactive Speech Emotion Classification

The ability to classify emotions from speech is beneficial in a number of domains, including the study of human relationships. However, manual classification of emotions from speech is time consuming. Current technology supports the automatic classification of emotions from speech, but these systems have some limitations. In particular, existing systems are trained with a given data set and cannot adapt to new data nor can they adapt to different users’ notions of emotions. In this study, we introduce WISE, a web-based interactive speech emotion classification system. WISE has a web-based interface that allows users to upload speech data and automatically classify the emotions within this speech using pre-trained models. The user can then adjust the emotion label if the system classification of the emotion does not agree with the user’s perception, and this updated label is then fed back into the system to retrain the models. In this way, WISE enables the emotion classification models to be adapted over time. We evaluate WISE by simulating the user interactions with the system using the LDC dataset, which has known, ground-truth labels. We evaluate the benefit of the user feedback enabled by WISE in situations where manually classifying emotions in a large dataset is costly, yet trained models alone will not be able to accurately classify the data.
Improved Error Diffusion Based on HVS and First-Order Gradient Shaping Filter

Halftone image is a binary image that preserves the visual quality from the original continuous-tone image, and it is used for printing and output devices. In this paper, an improved error-diffusion with human visual system (HVS) model and first- order gradient shaping filter is proposed. The details of local edges are reflected, and it presents better halftone images. First, Floyd-Steinberg error diffusion algorithm is applied, and calculate the visual error based on HVS model, then obtain new continuous-tone images with HVS characteristics. Next, generate the details of information by extracting the first-order gradient shaping filter to regulate threshold, execute error diffusion procedure again on obtained new continuous-tone images. The halftone images from the improved algorithm not only meet the human eyes low-pass filter characteristics, but also enhance the local information of mutative details.
Random dopant induced threshold voltage lowering and fluctuations in sub-0.1 /spl mu/m MOSFET's: A 3-D "atomistic" simulation study

A three-dimensional (3-D) "atomistic" simulation study of random dopant induced threshold voltage lowering and fluctuations in sub-0.1 /spl mu/m MOSFETs is presented. For the first time a systematic analysis of random dopant effects down to an individual dopant level was carried out in 3-D on a scale sufficient to provide quantitative statistical predictions. Efficient algorithms based on a single multigrid solution of the Poisson equation followed by the solution of a simplified current continuity equation are used in the simulations. The effects of various MOSFET design parameters, including the channel length and width, oxide thickness and channel doping, on the threshold voltage lowering and fluctuations are studied using typical samples of 200 atomistically different MOSFETs. The atomistic results for the threshold voltage fluctuations were compared with two analytical models based on dopant number fluctuations. Although the analytical models predict the general trends in the threshold voltage fluctuations, they fail to describe quantitatively the magnitude of the fluctuations. The distribution of the atomistically calculated threshold voltage and its correlation with the number of dopants in the channel of the MOSFETs was analyzed based on a sample of 2500 microscopically different devices. The detailed analysis shows that the threshold voltage fluctuations are determined not only by the fluctuation in the dopant number, but also in the dopant position.
Speaking in Two Tongues: an Ethnographic Investigation of the Literacy Practices of English as a ForeignLanguage and Cambodian Young Adult Learners’ Identity

This study focuses on how the literacy practices in English of young Cambodians shaped their individual and social perception as well as performance of identity. It examines the English language as an increasingly dominant cultural and linguistic presence in Cambodia and endeavours to fill the epistemic gap in what Gee (2008, p. 1) has identified as the ‘other stuff’ of language. This other stuff includes ‘social relations, cultural models, power and politics, perspectives on experience, values and attitudes, as well as things and places in the world’ that are introduced to the local culture through English literacy and practices.
Knowledge Based Economy Assessment in Romania

Knowledge and ability to create it, access and use effectively, has long been both an instrument of innovation and competition and a key economic and social development. However, a series of dramatic changes in recent years have increased the importance of knowledge for generating competitive advantage. Ability to process and use information globally and instantly increased exponentially in recent years due to a combination of scientific progress in computing and distributed computing, exacerbation of competition, innovation in all its forms and cuts of operating costs in global communication networks. As barriers to access knowledge regarding a process, product or market are gradually decreasing (distance, geographical features, and costs), knowledge and skills are becoming increasingly a key to competitiveness, both locally and globally. This paper, based on a survey of 551 Romanian companies, address a sensitive issue of both business and academic fields – perception of knowledge based economy in Romanian companies. Its conclusion can guide decision makers in Romania to develop an integrated approach to foster knowledge based economy in our country.
A semiautomated method for classifying program analysis rules into a quality model

Most of the software code quality assessment and monitoring methods uses Quality Model (QM) as an aid to capture quality requirements of the software. An important aspect concerning use of QM is classification of Program Analysis (PA) rules into QM according to their relevance to quality attributes such as maintainability, reliability etc. Currently such classification is performed manually by experts and most of the PA tools (such as FxCop for C#, FindBugs for Java, PC-Lint for C/C++) support hundreds of PA rules. Hence performing classification manually can be very effort intensive and time consuming and can lead to concerns like subjectivity and inconsistency. Hence we propose a light weight semiautomated method to expedite classification and make classification activity less effort intensive. Proposed classifier is based on natural language processing (NLP) techniques and uses a keyword matching algorithm. We have computed precision and recall for such a classifier. We have also shown results from applying technique on classifying rules from FxCop, PC-Lint, and FindBugs into the EMISQ QM. We believe that proposed approach will significantly help in reducing the time required to perform classification and hence also to incorporate newer PA tools and rules into QM based methods.
A Review of Lean-Kanban Approaches in the Software Development

We present a review on the state-of-the-art of the adoption of a specific Agile Methodology (AM), the Lean-Kanban, in different software development contexts. Such approach requires to break down the software development process into smaller steps, which are implemented with the aid of a Kanban board. We study 14 different Kanban boards and we also examined how features are represented in the boards and compared 22 software tools for implementing virtual Kanban boards, analyzing also resources available on the web. We analyzed the main features of the Kanban boards actually used, the main activities defining the software development process, the content of the cards representing work units, and also the automation tools available for Kanban board management. Our survey shows that nor standard definitions of Kanban practices exist for the software development, neither specific practices for the Kanban board management have been rigorously defined, and thus Lean development standardization and improvement is still an unaccomplished task for software development.
XML search personalization strategies using query expansion, reranking and a search engine modification

As the amount of information increases every day and queries are most of the times short and ambiguous, search personalization techniques are becoming almost a must. These techniques retrieve relevant results closer to the user, covering in a better and easier way his/her information needs. This work is focused on improving the personalized retrieval process, trying to combine the advantages of all the approaches used for personalization: query reformulation, reranking of results and search engine modification. The proposed personalization techniques have been designed for XML retrieval, but they could easily be applied to non structured documents. The experimental results obtained from a user study using a parliamentary document collection support the validity of our approach.
Comparative Kantian Peace Theory Economic Interdependence and International Conflict at A Group Level of Analysis

Liberal scholars in the international relations discipline argue that peace among nations would be the consequence of three complementary influences. First, republican constitutions eliminate autocratic caprice in waging war. Second, “an understanding of the legitimate rights of all citizens and of all republics comes into play” with the spread of democracy. This creates a moral foundation for the liberal peace, upon which eventually an edifice of international law can be built. Lastly, economic interdependence reinforces constitutional constraints and liberal norms by creating transnational ties that encourage accommodation rather than conflict. Thus material incentives add their force to law and morality. This paper is an analysis of how change in the level of economic interdependence in a subsystem influences international conflicts within it. The research comparatively analyzes empirical data from two subsystems, OECD and ASEAN. This research is distinctive in that (1) it simultaneously examines the Kantian peace theory’s three “legs”, democracy, inter-governmental organizations and free trade, (2) it provides an aggregated, group-level analysis of economic interdependence, and (3) it differentiates international conflicts between lower intensity conflict and militarized interstate disputes. Results from the statistical analysis indicate that in the OECD, an increase in economic interdependence significantly reduces the incidence of lower intensity conflict, while an increase of economic interdependence in ASEAN increases the occurrence of intra-ASEAN militarized disputes. The results suggest that Kantian peace theory is context contingent and there is a "causal complexity" in the economic interdependence-international conflict relationship. In addition, this research found that a rivalry context was dominant in both OECD and ASEAN, and that a large proportion of militarized disputes were fought over territory issues. Hence, rivalry theory and territory perspective are more applicable than Kantian peace theory to the explanation of militarized international conflicts.
Designing Organizations to Lead with Knowledge

Organizational development practitioners in the knowledge economy must bring frameworks and development processes that help organizations build and sustain knowledge leadership. Today’s sustainable competitive advantage is knowledge: creating it, importing it, and leveraging it to deliver higher value to the market place than one’s competitors can provide. For example, financial services firms depend on broad and deep expertise in various kinds of financial instruments, models, and transactions, on growing that knowledge through data collection and analysis, keeping current the understanding of laws and regulations in many countries, and on combining this technical knowledge with deep knowledge of customers’ needs to guide the development of products and services that yield high value. Product, process, and service innovation in all industries is based on technical, organizational, and customer knowledge. Knowledge defines and is embedded in the competencies of the corporation—yet sustaining knowledge leadership requires explicit focus and the intentional building of an organization’s knowledge capabilities. Knowledge management—the building of a context that brings knowledge into the firm, utilizes it, grows and enhances it, and leverages it for competitive advantage—is a key strategic competence in today’s organizations. This chapter goes beyond the perspective that knowledge is a key resource and that the organization needs to take steps and develop programs to attain it and leverage it. It looks carefully at how knowledge translates into organizational value, builds on the perspective that knowledge is practice-based, and makes the case that the work structures and work processes of the organization should be designed with knowledge management in mind. It is argued that all elements of an organization should be designed with an eye to how knowledge underpins the firm’s capabilities and translates into organizational value. Knowledge and Capabilities Almost any product or process can be copied and/or improved by competitors. Strategic leadership requires ongoing innovation, creativity, learning and improvement that yield distinctive product, solution, and service offerings and effective and efficient technical and organizational processes that leave competitors behind. The corporate world has been full of companies that have struggled on this dimension, some of which no longer exist. Digital Equipment Corporation, for example failed to detect the full significance of the trend toward small computers. Despite its wealth of technical talent, it did not develop knowledge and capabilities to respond to that trend. Bell laboratories produced a great deal of ground-breaking scientific and engineering knowledge, but failed to utilize much of that knowledge to develop
Improved DPPM modulation for optical wireless communications

In the optical wireless communications systems, modulation schemes such as PPM, DPPM are often used because of its power efficiency. This paper presents a modified DPPM modulation technique for optical wireless communication. We study the properties of IDPPM and compare the power and bandwidth efficiency of OOK, PPM, DPPM and IDPPM. Also we analyse the packet-error probability on ideal distortionless channels with AWGN and examine the detection technology of the system. Finally we show the improving of performance using IDPPM modulation.
Abnormal assembly of annulate lamellae and nuclear pore complexes coincides with fertilization arrest at the pronuclear stage of human zygotic development.

BACKGROUND The assembly of nuclear pore complexes (NPC) and their cytoplasmic stacks, annulate lamellae (AL), promote normal nucleocytoplasmic trafficking and accompany pronuclear development within the mammalian zygote. Previous studies showed that a percentage of human oocytes fertilized in vitro failed to develop normal pronuclei and cleave within 40-48 h post insemination. We hypothesized that an aberrant recruitment of NPC proteins, nucleoporins and/or NPC preassembled into AL, might accompany human fertilization arrest. METHODS AND RESULTS We explored NPC and AL assembly in unfertilized human oocytes, and fertilized and arrested zygotes by immunofluorescence with an NPC- and AL-specific antibody, mAb 414, and by transmission electron microscopy. Major NPC or AL assembly was not observed in the unfertilized human oocytes. Once fertilization took place, the formation of AL was observed throughout the cytoplasm and near the developing pronuclei with NPC. On the contrary, NPC assembly was disrupted in the arrested zygotes, whereas AL were clustered into large sheaths. This was accompanied by the lack of NPC incorporation into the nuclear envelopes. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that the aberrant assembly of NPC and AL coincides with early developmental failure in humans.
Anticorrelation between the Mass of a Supermassive Black Hole and the Mass Accretion Rate in Type 1 Ultraluminous Infrared Galaxies and Nearby QSOs

We discovered a significant anticorrelation between the mass of a supermassive black hole (SMBH), MBH, and the luminosity ratio of infrared to active galactic nuclei (AGN) Eddington luminosity, LIR/LEdd, over 4 orders of magnitude for ultraluminous infrared galaxies with type 1 Seyfert nuclei (type 1 ULIRGs) and nearby QSOs. This anticorrelation (MBH vs. LIR/LEdd) can be interpreted as the anticorrelation between the mass of a SMBH and the rate of mass accretion onto a SMBH normalized by the AGN Eddington rate, ṀBH/ṀEdd. In other words, the mass accretion rate ṀBH is not proportional to that of the central BH mass. Thus, this anticorrelation indicates that BH growth is determined by the external mass supply process, and not the AGN Eddington-limited mechanism. Moreover, we found an interesting tendency for type 1 ULIRGs to favor a super-Eddington accretion flow, whereas QSOs tended to show a sub-Eddington flow. On the basis of our findings, we suggest that a central SMBH grows by changing its mass accretion rate from super-Eddington to sub-Eddington. According to a coevolution scenario of ULIRGs and QSOs based on the radiation drag process, it has been predicted that a self-gravitating massive torus, whose mass is larger than a central BH, exists in the early phase of BH growth (type 1 ULIRG phase) but not in the final phase of BH growth (QSO phase). At the same time, if one considers the mass accretion rate onto a central SMBH via a turbulent viscosity, the anticorrelation (MBH vs. LIR/LEdd) is well explained by the positive correlation between the mass accretion rate ṀBH and the mass ratio of a massive torus to a SMBH.
Adjuvant chemotherapy in the elderly.

Cancer is predominantly a disease of the elderly: approximately 60% of all tumors and two-thirds of cancer-related deaths occur in those over 65 years of age. This proportion will grow with the expected increase in the size of the older population in the coming decades. For example, if incidence rates remain constant, the number of elderly women diagnosed with breast cancer in the US will increase by 72% by 2025 [1]. Adequate directives for the treatment of this important group of patients are often lacking, because the elderly have generally been excluded from clinical trials. In an analysis of European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) phase II enrollment, only 22% of patients were ≥65 years of age and 8% were ≥70 years of age; a later Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) trial enrollment report stated that from 1998 to 1999, about 35% of trial participants were ≥60 years of age and only about 17% were ≥70 years of age [2, 3]. Possible reasons for poor participation include the following: few trials are specifically designed for elderly patients; physicians, patients and family members may think that older patients are less likely to benefit from and are less able to tolerate appropriately intensive treatment; the elderly may be less aware of medical developments and less likely to seek out clinical trials; older people are more likely to have other health problems (co-morbidities); and there is lack of financial, logistic and social support for participation of older patients in trials. There is substantial evidence to indicate that, with a range of tumor types, elderly patients have a relative survival similar to that of younger patients when given comparable treatments [4–6]. However, a number of studies have shown that elderly patients often have more advanced disease at the time of diagnosis and receive fewer intensive treatments [7–12]. There is therefore concern that elderly patients frequently receive inadequate treatment. It should be noted, however, that other competing causes of mortality assume a large role in determining survival in older patients and that, relative to other causes of death, breast cancer mortality decreases as patients age [13–15]. In sum, the issues of major concern for evaluating an elderly patient with cancer are whether the patient will die with cancer or of cancer, and whether treatment will produce more benefit than harm.
Adverse events and patients’ perceived health-related quality of life at the end of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis treatment in Namibia

Purpose The health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients completing multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) treatment in Namibia and whether the occurrence of adverse events influenced patients’ rating of their HRQoL was evaluated. Patients and methods A cross-sectional analytic survey of patients completing or who recently completed MDR-TB treatment was conducted. The patients rated their HRQoL using the simplified Short Form-™ (SF-8) questionnaire consisting of eight Likert-type questions. Three supplemental questions on the adverse events that the patients may have experienced during their MDR-TB treatment were also included. Scoring of HRQoL ratings was norm-based (mean =50, standard deviation =10) ranging from 20 (worst health) to 80 (best health), rather than the conventional 0–100 scores. We evaluated the internal consistency of the scale items using the Cronbach’s alpha, performed descriptive analyses, and analyzed the association between the patients’ HRQoL scores and adverse events. Results Overall, 36 patients (20 males, 56%) aged 17–54 years (median =40 years) responded to the questionnaire. The median (range) HRQoL score for the physical component summary was 58.6 (35.3–60.5), while the median score for the mental component summary was 59.3 (26.6–61.9), indicating not-so-high self-rating of health. There was good internal consistency of the scale scores, with a Cronbach’s alpha value of >0.80. In all, 32 (89%) of the 36 patients experienced at least one adverse drug event of any severity during their treatment (median events =3, range 1–6), of which none was life-threatening. The occurrence of adverse events was not related to HRQoL scores. For patients reporting zero to two events, the median (range) HRQoL score was 56.8 (44.4–56.8), while for those reporting three or more events, the median score was 55.2 (38.6–56.8); P=0.34 for difference between these scores. Conclusion Patients completing treatment for MDR-TB in Namibia tended to score moderately low on their HRQoL, using the generic SF-8 questionnaire. The occurrence of adverse events did not lead to lower HRQoL scores upon treatment completion.
VHDL-AMS model of IGBT for electro-thermal simulation

Many IGBT models have been published but none using VHDL-AMS language. The paper objective is to detail the electro-thermal simulation of IGBT and the coupling between electrical and thermal models using VHDL-AMS as a simulation language. This technique uses an electric circuit simulator and is based on a power IGBT model with temperature-dependent characteristics. Particular attention will be given to the extraction of model parameters. A novel electro-thermal coupling simulation is proposed. The simulation results using electrical and electro-thermal model show good agreements with measurement results. The compact thermal model is validated by a comparison to measured temperature transient responses.