Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Image Segmentation Using FCM Optimized by Quantum Immune Clone Algorithm

The traditional Fuzzy C-Means (FCM) clustering algorithm is usually based on the image intensity, so the segmentation results are unsatisfactory when the images are impacted by noise. Considering this shortcoming, in this paper the FCM objective function is improved by adding two kinds of spatial information: the relative position information and the intensity information of the neighborhood. Moreover, Quantum Immune Clone algorithm (QICA) is used to optimize the spatial impact factors in the objective function. The proposed algorithm has been tested in synthetic and real synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images segmentation. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm is feasible and effective, and it can lead to higher accuracy.
ECOALIM: A Dataset of Environmental Impacts of Feed Ingredients Used in French Animal Production

Feeds contribute highly to environmental impacts of livestock products. Therefore, formulating low-impact feeds requires data on environmental impacts of feed ingredients with consistent perimeters and methodology for life cycle assessment (LCA). We created the ECOALIM dataset of life cycle inventories (LCIs) and associated impacts of feed ingredients used in animal production in France. It provides several perimeters for LCIs (field gate, storage agency gate, plant gate and harbour gate) with homogeneously collected data from French R&D institutes covering the 2005–2012 period. The dataset of environmental impacts is available as a Microsoft® Excel spreadsheet on the ECOALIM website and provides climate change, acidification, eutrophication, non-renewable and total cumulative energy demand, phosphorus demand, and land occupation. LCIs in the ECOALIM dataset are available in the AGRIBALYSE® database in SimaPro® software. The typology performed on the dataset classified the 149 average feed ingredients into categories of low impact (co-products of plant origin and minerals), high impact (feed-use amino acids, fats and vitamins) and intermediate impact (cereals, oilseeds, oil meals and protein crops). Therefore, the ECOALIM dataset can be used by feed manufacturers and LCA practitioners to investigate formulation of low-impact feeds. It also provides data for environmental evaluation of feeds and animal production systems. Included in AGRIBALYSE® database and SimaPro®, the ECOALIM dataset will benefit from their procedures for maintenance and regular updating. Future use can also include environmental labelling of commercial products from livestock production.
A new endmember extraction algorithm by maximum ASC fraction

This paper presents a new simplex-based method for unsupervised endmember extraction, called maximum abundance sum-to-one constraint (ASC) fraction (MAF). The ASC fractions refer to the spectral unmixing results with the abundance sum-to-one constraint unmixing only. The algorithm assumes the existence of the pure pixels in the input data for every endmember in the scene, and exploits the fact that pixels with maximum ASC fractions are corresponding to the vertices of a simplex. In order to demonstrate the performance of the proposed MAF, the N-findr algorithm (N-FINDR) and vertex component analysis (VCA) based merely on PCA dimensional reduction are used for comparison. Experiments using both simulated and real hyperspectral data show that MAF is effective in searching optimal results, with a low computational complexity.
Detection of Deception in the Mafia Party Game

The problem of deception detection is very challenging. Only trained people with specialist knowledge are able to demonstrate an accuracy that is sufficiently higher than random predictions. We present a multi-stage automatic system for extracting features from facial cues and evaluate it on the Mafia game database which we have collected. It is a large database of truthful and deceptive people, recorded in conditions more variable and realistic than many other databases of similar kind. We demonstrate that using the extracted features we are able to correctly classify instances with an average AUC (area under the ROC curve) equal to 0.61, significantly better than random predictions.
Electronic Cigarettes in North America: History, Use, and Implications for Smoking Cessation

Background— Designed to mimic the look and feel of tobacco cigarettes, electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) may facilitate smoking cessation. However, the efficacy and safety of e-cigarette use for this purpose remain poorly understood. Our objectives were to review the available data on the efficacy and safety of e-cigarettes for smoking cessation and to consider issues relevant to the context in which they are used, including product awareness and regulatory and ethical concerns. Methods and Results— We systematically searched PubMed for randomized controlled trials and uncontrolled, experimental studies involving e-cigarettes. Included studies were limited to English or French language reports. Quality assessment was performed according to the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. We identified 169 publications, of which 7 studies were included. Studies have concluded that e-cigarettes can help reduce the number of cigarettes smoked and may be as effective for smoking cessation as the nicotine patch. Although there is a lack of data concerning the safety and efficacy of e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation therapy, available evidence showed no significant difference in adverse event rates between e-cigarettes and the nicotine patch. E-cigarettes are widely used among smokers attempting to quit. However, significant international variation remains in the regulatory mechanisms governing the sale and distribution of e-cigarettes. Ethical concerns surround the use of e-cigarettes among minors and their potential to undermine efforts to reduce cigarette smoking. Conclusion— Given the limited available evidence on the risks and benefits of e-cigarette use, large, randomized, controlled trials are urgently needed to definitively establish their potential for smoking cessation.
Capability wrangling made easy: debugging on a microkernel with valgrind

Not all operating systems are created equal. Contrasting traditional monolithic kernels, there is a class of systems called microkernels more prevalent in embedded systems like cellphones, chip cards or real-time controllers. These kernels offer an abstraction very different from the classical POSIX interface. The resulting unfamiliarity for programmers complicates development and debugging. Valgrind is a well-known debugging tool that virtualizes execution to perform dynamic binary analysis. However, it assumes to run on a POSIX-like kernel and closely interacts with the system to control execution. In this paper we analyze how to adapt Valgrind to a non-POSIX environment and describe our port to the Fiasco.OC microkernel. Additionally, we analyze bug classes that are indigenous to capability systems and show how Valgrind's flexibility can be leveraged to create custom debugging tools detecting these errors.
Increased Basal and Alum-Induced Interleukin-6 Levels in Geriatric Patients Are Associated with Cardiovascular Morbidity

Background/Aim of the study Low-grade systemic inflammation was suggested to participate to the decline of physiological functions and increased vulnerability encountered in older patients. Geriatric syndromes encompass various features such as functional dependence, polymorbidity, depression and malnutrition. There is a strong prevalence of cardiovascular diseases and related risk factors and chronic cytomegalovirus infections in the geriatric population. As these underlying conditions were proposed to influence the inflammatory state, the aim of this study was to assess their potential contribution to the association of geriatric syndromes with inflammatory parameters. Methodology We recruited 100 subjects in the general population or hospitalized for chronic medical conditions (age, 23-96 years). We collected information on clinical status (medical history, ongoing comorbidities, treatments and geriatric scales), biological parameters (hematological tests, cytomegalovirus serology) and cytokines production (basal and alum-induced interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 levels). Using stepwise backward multivariate analyses, we defined which set of clinical and biological variables could be predictive for increased inflammatory markers. Principal Findings We confirmed the age-associated increase of circulating IL-6 levels. In contrast to geriatric scales, we found history of cardiovascular diseases to be strongly associated for this parameter as for high IL-6 production upon ex vivo stimulation with alum. Conclusions Association between low-grade inflammation and geriatric conditions could be linked to underlying cardiovascular diseases.
Signal processing aapplication based on an improved CLIQUE algorithm for marine motors' bearing faults detection

A new signal processing application method of an improved CLIQUE algorithm based on Park's vector modulus spectrum for bearing fault detection is presented. The major theoretical principles of the algorithm based on spectral analysis are described. The presented approach is suited for condition monitoring of machine system under varying operating and loading conditions. The performance of this technique is investigated through study of realistic current signals. Experimental results show that the proposed method has better performance and validity in realizing bearing faults of marine motors.
Does the Governed Corporation Perform Better? Governance Structures and Corporate Performance in Germany

Although there has been an intensive debate on the relative merits of different sys- tems of corporate governance, empirical evidence on the link between corporate governance and firm performance almost exclusively refers to the market-oriented Anglo-Saxon system. This paper therefore investigates the more network- or bank-oriented German system. In panel regressions for 361 German corporations over the time period 1991 to 1996, we find ownership concentration to affect profitability significantly negatively. However, this effect depends intricately on stock market exposure, the location of control rights, and the time horizon (short-run vs. long-run). We conclude from our results that (1) the presence of large shareholders does not necessarily enhance profitability, (2) ownership concentration seems to be sub-optimal for many German corporations, and, finally, (3) having financial institutions as largest shareholders of traded corporations improves corporate performance.
A 4-phase blocker tolerant wideband receiver with MMSE harmonic rejection equalizer

This paper presents a blocker tolerant low-noise wideband receiver that employs digital harmonic rejection equalizer to suppress high order harmonic interferers. Unlike the commonly employed 8-phase harmonic rejection mixers (HRMs), the proposed wideband receiver suppresses any of the harmonic interferers including the seventh and ninth. The wideband receiver employs a two-path front-end structure, consisting of a highly linear mixer-first primary path and gm-first secondary path. An adaptive minimum mean-squared error (MMSE) harmonic rejection equalizer is employed that minimizes the desired signal distortion in the mean-squared error sense in the presence of arbitrary harmonic interferers and the correlated noise between the two paths. Using two sets of 4-phase clocks, a 100-1450MHz receiver that achieves HRR >75dB up to the ninth harmonic while being robust to mismatches is implemented.
STUDENT TEACHER STRESS AND PHYSICAL EXERCICE

This study examines the relationship between student teachers’ stress and physical exercise. Fortythree student teachers at the University of Ottawa completed the Miller-Fraser Stress Tool (MFST) and the Teaching and Your Health Questionnaire (TYHS). A factor analysis revealed four factors related to student teacher stress (interpersonal conflict, assessment and driven behavior, workload and academic malaise). Further analysis revealed that assessment and driven behavior was the most stressful element of the student teacher experience, followed by workload, interpersonal conflict and academic malaise. Participants in the study performed aerobic activity most frequently, with strength training and flexibility training following. Strength training may be a useful strategy for coping with workload stress.
Fish scavenging behaviour in recently trawled areas

The diets of gurnards Aspitrigla cuculus and Eutrigla gurnardus, lesser-spotted dogfish Scyliorhinus canicula and whiting Merlangius merlangus were examined to determine whether they migrated into recently trawled areas to feed on animals that may be damaged or dislodged by the action of a 4 m beam trawl. Gurnards and whiting increased their intake of prey after an area had been fished. In particular, they increased the proportion of the amphipod Ampelisca spinipes in their diets. Beam trawling damaged the purple burrowing heart urchin Spatanguspurpureus, scallop Aequipecten operculans, Ensisspp. and Laevocardium sp. , exposing internal tissues which were then eaten by whit- ing. Some mobile invertebrate scavengers, such as Pandalusspp. , only occurred in diets after the area had been fished, suggesting that these animals were also scavenging over the trawl tracks. Observa- tions of the seabed using a side-scan sonar revealed a greater concentration of fish marks around the trawl tracks than in adjacent unfished areas. Our results indicate that fish rapidly migrate into beam trawled areas to feed on benthic animals whlch have been either damaged or disturbed by fishing or on scavenging invertebrates. In areas where certain benthic communities occur, beam trawling inten- sity may be such that it creates a significant food resource for opportunistic fish species. This is a possi- ble mechanism whereby long-term community structure could be altered by fishing activity.
Microneedle-based drug delivery systems: Microfabrication, drug delivery, and safety

Many promising therapeutic agents are limited by their inability to reach the systemic circulation, due to the excellent barrier properties of biological membranes, such as the stratum corneum (SC) of the skin or the sclera/cornea of the eye and others. The outermost layer of the skin, the SC, is the principal barrier to topically-applied medications. The intact SC thus provides the main barrier to exogenous substances, including drugs. Only drugs with very specific physicochemical properties (molecular weight < 500 Da, adequate lipophilicity, and low melting point) can be successfully administered transdermally. Transdermal delivery of hydrophilic drugs and macromolecular agents of interest, including peptides, DNA, and small interfering RNA is problematic. Therefore, facilitation of drug penetration through the SC may involve by-pass or reversible disruption of SC molecular architecture. Microneedles (MNs), when used to puncture skin, will by-pass the SC and create transient aqueous transport pathways of micron dimensions and enhance the transdermal permeability. These micropores are orders of magnitude larger than molecular dimensions, and, therefore, should readily permit the transport of hydrophilic macromolecules. Various strategies have been employed by many research groups and pharmaceutical companies worldwide, for the fabrication of MNs. This review details various types of MNs, fabrication methods and, importantly, investigations of clinical safety of MN.
Understanding Compact Object Formation and Natal Kicks. I. Calculation Methods and the Case of GRO J1655–40

In recent years proper-motion measurements have been added to the set of observational constraints on the current properties of Galactic X-ray binaries. We develop an analysis that allows us to consider all this available information and reconstruct the full evolutionary history of X-ray binaries back to the time of core collapse and compact object formation. This analysis accounts for five evolutionary phases: mass transfer through the ongoing X-ray phase, tidal circularization before the onset of Roche lobe overflow, motion through the Galactic potential after the formation of the compact object, binary orbital dynamics at the time of core collapse, and hydrodynamic modeling of the core collapse that connects the compact object to its progenitor and any nucleosynthetic constraints available. In this first paper we present this analysis in a comprehensive manner and apply it to the soft X-ray transient GRO J1655-40. This is the first analysis that incorporates all observational constraints on the current system properties and uses the full three-dimensional peculiar velocity constraints right after core collapse instead of lower limits on the current space velocity given by the present-day radial velocity. We find that the system has remained within 200 pc from the Galactic plane throughout its entire lifetime and that the mass loss and a kick possibly associated with the black hole formation imparted a kick velocity of ≃45-115 km s-1 to the binary's center of mass. Right after black hole formation, the system consists of a ≃3.5-6.3 M☉ black hole and a ≃2.3-4 M☉ main-sequence star. At the onset of the X-ray phase the donor is still on the main sequence. We find that a symmetric black hole formation event cannot be formally excluded but that the associated system parameters are only marginally consistent with the currently observed binary properties. Black hole formation mechanisms involving an asymmetric supernova explosion with associated black hole kick velocities of a few tens of km s-1, on the other hand, satisfy the constraints much more comfortably. We also derive an upper limit on the black hole kick magnitude of ≃210 km s-1.
Energy-Efficient Gossiping Protocol of WSN with Realtime Streaming Data

Nowadays, wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are widely used, and various routing schemes have been developed for them. Its lifetime is limited as each node of WSN is battery-powered, and unnecessary data transmissions of the nodes shorten the lifetime of entire network. Gossiping protocol has been recognized as one of the most effective routing schemes employed for WSN. In this paper we propose a new scheme called energy efficient gossiping (E-Gossip) protocol to maximize the lifetime of WSN by properly adjusting the gossip probability and controlling the operation of each sensor node based on the remaining energy. Redundant data transmission is also reduced. The proposed scheme is simulated with NS-2, and the simulation results show that it substantially reduces and balances the energy consumption compared to AODV and the existing gossiping protocol. As a result, the proposed scheme is able to effectively prolong the lifetime of WSN.
CulTural variaTiON iN THE imPOrTaNCE Of ExPECTEd ENJOymENT fOr dECiSiON maKiNG

In Euro-Canadian culture, individuals often base decisions on what they think will make them happy, such that affective forecasts play an important role in driving decisions. In contrast, East Asian cultures warn against excessive hedonism, suggesting that expected positive emotions may have less influence on decision making among East Asians. Consistent with this hypothesis, those with an East Asian cultural background in Study 1 were less likely than Euro-Canadians to choose an enjoyable activity over a useful one. Study 2 showed that East Asians, versus Euro-Canadians, place less weight on expected enjoyment when making hypothetical choices. In Study 3, biculturals placed less weight on expected enjoyment when primed with interdependent versus independent self-construals. We argue that expected enjoyment plays a significant role in decision making across cultures, but that this role may be attenuated for individuals from East Asian cultures due to their interdependent sense of self.
Does Participation in Multiple Welfare Programs Improve Birth Outcomes

Executive Summary The U.S. has relatively high rates of low weight births, preterm births, and infant mortality when compared to other western industrial countries. A number of Federal programs— WIC, Food Stamps, Medicaid, and AFDC—have provided benefits to help improve the birth outcomes for the children of the participants. In spite of the fact that many women participate in more than one of these programs, previous research only considers participation in one program at a time. Such analysis may lead to misleading conclusions if women participate in multiple programs and some programs are effective and others are not. Additionally, such analysis ignores the possibility of synergies among programs. In this paper we examine whether participation in more than one program improves birth outcomes. We allow for possible synergies among programs and attempt to control for non-random selection into the programs. Our analysis uses data from the National Maternal and Infant Health Survey. These data were collected in 1988 and contain information about welfare program participation, birth outcomes, and socio-demographic characteristics of mothers and families for almost 19,000 women. We restrict our analysis to 3,451 low-income, single women who had complete information for all relevant variables. We use a number of techniques to evaluate the impact of program participation on birth outcomes. These approaches include simple descriptive statistics where we compare average birth outcomes for women who participate in different combinations of programs; ordinary least squares regressions where we control for observed characteristics but not for the selection of women into the various programs; and a more complicated model of the decision to participate in each of the four programs and the resulting birth outcome. Highlights of our findings include the following. • The descriptive analysis shows that WIC recipients can expect better birth outcomes than non-recipients. Women who participate in the other programs can generally expect worse birth outcomes than non-participants—suggesting possible adverse selection into these programs. • After controlling for observed characteristics such as age and education, WIC participation continues to improve birth outcomes by approximately 230 grams on average. • When allowing for synergies among programs, WIC continues to be effective. While there appear to be some synergies, the is no consistent pattern across all bundles of choices. • The positive results for WIC become statistically insignificant after controlling for non-random selection into the programs. Further work will refine the methodology for determining which women are eligible for …
Designing a Roadmap for Building Effective Positive Interventions

Liberty Community Connections (LCC), a disability services provider, has a goal to be the premier support coordination agency in Pennsylvania. This goal requires that LCC recruit and retain a talented, resilient, and engaged workforce. LCC has developed a robust training institute with four arms: recruitment, social work education, training, and engagement and development. LCC wishes to use positive psychology to seamlessly align these arms and to improve staff retention and resilience. Drawing from research in positive psychology, our cohort designed a process that will serve as a roadmap for building effective interventions to achieve LCC’s goals and to leverage their core values. To facilitate the execution of the roadmap, the supplemental toolkit offers steps from the appreciative inquiry process to explore positive psychology topics and positive interventions. Once a topic or goal is identified, a comprehensive checklist supports a review of the topic’s alignment with other LCC activities and the design of an implementation strategy. Other organizations can use the findings of this paper, the roadmap and the supplemental toolkit to improve the well-being and quality of life of their staff, consumers, and stakeholders. DESIGNING A PI ROADMAP 3