Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Semiotic Study on Print Advertisements of Luxury Perfume Brands for Women

Semiotics is an indispensable theory of decoding images in modern times. In this paper, I will focus on three important scholars in the semiotics study area who are Saussure, Peirce and Barthes, their theories are extremely important and useful for helping us analyse advertisements. In this case, I use their theories to analyse two luxury perfume advertisements which is Dior J'adore and Burberry London, and can understand the meanings and structures of the advertisements by the theory of semiotics. These semiotic theories explain symbols in print advertisements of these luxury brands from the perspective of Semiotic, to explore the reasons of success of print advertisements of luxury brands and connotation meanings behind extension meanings from these image symbols. It is necessary to master some features of symbols well during advertisements design, sophisticated symbol design during advertisements design can improve texture and level of advertisements as well as spread messages accurately, achieving the unity of beauty and practicality.
Blind sparse source separation for unknown number of sources using Gaussian mixture model fitting with Dirichlet prior

In this paper, we propose a novel sparse source separation method that can be applied even if the number of sources is unknown. Recently, many sparse source separation approaches with time-frequency masks have been proposed. However, most of these approaches require information on the number of sources in advance. In our proposed method, we model the histogram of the estimated direction of arrival (DOA) with a Gaussian mixture model (GMM) with a Dirichlet prior. Then we estimate the model parameters by using the maximum a posteriori estimation based on the EM algorithm. In order to avoid one cluster being modeled by two or more Gaussians, we utilize a sparse distribution modeled by the Dirichlet distributions as the prior of the GMM mixture weight. By using this prior, without any specific model selection process, our proposed method can estimate the number of sources and time-frequency masks simultaneously. Experimental results show the performance of our proposed method.
Comparison of techniques for time aware TV channel recommendation

With the increasing number of TV channels, it is more difficult for viewers to find their preferred TV channel. Thus, the recommender system for TV is needed. However, it has several difficulties. First, the viewer's preferred TV channel is different according to the temporal context. Moreover, the sparseness problem also occurs when we consider temporal context. Temporal context has been recognized as an important factor to consider in personalized recommender systems. A lot of time aware recommendation methods were proposed for these difficulties. In this paper, we survey and compare some techniques for time aware TV channel recommendation such as Singular Value Decomposition (SVD), traditional Matrix Factorization (MF), and Temporal Regularized Matrix Factorization (TRMF). We apply them for real-world data to analyze possible benefits of temporal context information for TV channel recommendation and compare the performance of each of them.
Diversified Business Groups and Economic Calculation

This study shows that diversified business groups have developed in emerging economies to overcome market imperfections. In emerging economies where markets are absent or poorly developed, economic calculation problem makes entrepreneurs to choose a diversified business group rather than a single diversified business firm. The affiliates of a diversified group act as if they were external markets to one another. And the group affiliated firms have shown better business performance than stand-alone firms in emerging economies. An important policy implications is that with factor markets still developing, forced restructuring of the business groups makes the production structure inefficient and blocks their evolution in the market. The best way for the government to resolve it is to well establish infrastructures such as legal system so that the markets can develop in its own efficient way.
Behavioral syndrome in a native and an invasive hymenoptera species

Recent studies have focused on the role of behavior in biological invasions. Individuals may differ consistently in time for several behavioral traits (personality) which covary (behavioral syndrome) resulting in different behavioral types, some of them favoring invasion. Social hymenopterans have a strong potential to be invaders and their success depends primarily on the foundresses’ ability to found viable colonies. They are expected to be active, explorative and bold for optimally establishing their nest. In Europe, 2 hornet species coexist: the native Vespa crabro and the invasive Vespa velutina. These 2 species may compete for nesting sites and we suggest that the initial success of V. velutina has been favored by its behavior in outperforming V. crabro for the traits involved in nest initiation. Here, we (i) defined the personality of V. crabro and V. velutina, (ii) tested for the existence of behavioral syndrome in these species, and (iii) compared their performances using an open‐field test. Our results show that V. crabro foundresses behave consistently but not V. velutina; this lack of consistency being mainly due to reduced variance among individuals. This result questions the possibility of detecting consistent behavioral differences in species having recently undergone a strong bottleneck. Both species exhibit the same correlations between activity, boldness and exploration and V. velutina clearly outperforms V. crabro for all traits. Our results suggest that activity, boldness, and exploration are implicated in both hornet nest initiation and invasion process which contributed to explain why social hymenopterans are so successful at colonization.
Cosmology in the Einstein-Electroweak Theory and Magnetic Fields.

In the SU(2) L x U(1) Y standard electroweak theory coupled with the Einstein gravity, new topological configurations naturally emerge, if the spatial section of the universe is globally a three-sphere (S 3 ) with a small radius. The SU(2) L gauge fields and Higgs fields wrap the space nontrivially, residing at or near a local minimum of the potential. As the universe expands, however, the shape of the potential rapidly changes and the local minimum eventually disappears. The fields then start to roll down towards the absolute minimum. In the absence of the U(1) Y gauge interaction the resulting space is a homogeneous and isotropic S 3 , but the U(1) Y gauge interaction necessarily induces anisotropy while preserving the homogeneity of the space. Large magnetic fields are generically produced over a substantial period of the rolling-over transition. The magnetic field configuration is characterized by the Hopf map.
Optimal texture map reconstruction from multiple views

The recovery of 3D models from multiple reference images involves not only the extraction of 3D shape, but also of texture. Assuming that all surfaces are Lambertian, the resulting final texture is typically computed as a linear combination of reference textures. This is, however, not the optimal means for reconstructing textures, since this does not model the anisotropy in the texture projection. Furthermore, the spatial image sampling may be quite variable within a fore-shortened surface. This also has important implications for computer vision techniques that involve analysis by synthesis and the image-based rendering (IBR) technique of view-dependent texture mapping (VDTM). Starting with sampling theory, we show how weights should be spatially distributed for optimal texture construction. The local weights take into consideration the effects of anisotropy and variable spatial image sampling. We also present experimental results to verify our analysis.
Performance analysis of XOR-based routing in urban vehicular ad hoc networks

This paper presents the URBAN_XOR1 protocol, an XOR-based flat routing mechanism developed for vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs) formed in urban scenarios. The paper firstly describes the URBAN_XOR routing principle, which requires reduced knowledge about the set of nodes present in the VANET in order to provide traffic forwarding. Basically, the URBAN XOR protocol introduces the concept of local visibility, prioritizing the insertion of closer neighbors (in number of hops) in the routing tables, and simplifying the management of the frequent network mobility found in VANETs. Then, the performance of the proposed URBAN_XOR protocol is compared through simulation with other topology-based and position-based protocols, characterizing its performance in terms of path availability ratio, end-to-end delay, path length and path duration. The results reveal that URBAN_XOR contributes for the overall network stability, reducing the end-to-end delay due to its ability of generating shorter paths. At the same time, URBAN_XOR exhibits path availability similar to other topology-based protocols, but exhibiting better path duration times.
Principal Curves

Principal curves are smooth one-dimensional curves that pass through the middle of a p-dimensional data set, providing a nonlinear summary of the data. They are nonparametric, and their shape is suggested by the data. The algorithm for constructing principal curves starts with some prior summary, such as the usual principal-component li e. The curve in each successive iteration is a smooth or local average of the p-dimensional points, where the definition of local is based on the distance in arc length of the projections of the points onto the curve found in the previous iteration. In this article principal curves are defined, an algorithm for their construction is given, some theoretical results are presented, and the procedure is compared to other generalizations ofprincipal components. Two applications illustrate the use of principal curves. The first describes how the principal-curve procedure was used to align the magnets of the Stanford linear collider. The collider uses about 950 magnets in a roughly circular arrangement tobend electron and positron beams and bring them to collision. After construction, it was found that some of the magnets had ended up significantly outof place. As a result, the beams had to be bent too sharply and could not be focused. The engineers realized that the magnets did not have to be moved to their originally planned locations, but rather to a sufficiently smooth arc through the middle of the existing positions. This arc was found using the principalcurve procedure. In the second application, two different assays for gold content in several samples of computer-chip waste appear to show some systematic differences that are blurred by measurement error. The classical approach using linear errors in variables regression can detect systematic linear differences but is not able to account for nonlinearities. When the first linear principal component is replaced with a principal curve, a local "bump" is revealed, and bootstrapping is used to verify its presence.
An efficient post-processing approach for off-line handwritten chinese address recognition

Language model is widely used in OCR post-processing. In this paper, based on language model, we propose a two-step method for post-processing of off-line handwritten Chinese address recognition. According to the characteristics of high level and low level addresses, two different strategies are used: for high level addresses, word-based language model is used with weighed matching search algorithm proposed; for low level addresses, ME model is implemented with similar character method. After post-processing, recognition accuracy rises from 41.60% to 78.19%, which means 62.65% errors reduction
Parameter estimation for visual tracking of a spherical pendulum with particle filter

In this paper we present a particle filter for visual tracking using a physical model of the object to be tracked. Moreover, a parameter estimation scheme is implemented to identify the physical parameters of the dynamic model. This is based on recently developed methods for online estimation of static parameters using stochastic gradient search methods. The use of a dynamic model to compute the particle filter prior gives improved tracking accuracy and reduces the required noise level in the model. This makes it possible to predict the motion of the object for use in robotic applications. The performance of the method is validated in experiments with visual tracking of a free swinging pendulum of the type used in robotic loading of objects for automatic paint lines.
A model of factors affecting independent learners’ engagement with feedback on language learning tasks

In independent learning contexts, the effectiveness of the feedback dialogue between student and tutor or, in the absence of a tutor, the quality of the learning materials, is essential to successful learning. Using the voices of participants as the prime source of data through a combination of data-driven and concept-driven approaches, this investigation attempts to gain deeper insights into the dynamics of the learning process as students express emotional reactions to the learning environment and in particular the written feedback from their tutors and the learning materials. To account for the different ways in which adult learners studying independently engage both cognitively and emotionally with external feedback, we propose a model based on four key drivers: goal relevance, knowledge, self-confidence, and roles. We conclude that only when these key drivers are aligned with each other can learners in independent settings engage with external feedback and learn from it.
WhyCon: an efficient, marker-based localization system

We present an open-source marker-based localization system intended as a low-cost easy-to-deploy solution for aerial and swarm robotics. The main advantage of the presented method is its high computational efficiency, which allows its deployment on small robots with limited computational resources. Even on low-end computers, the core component of the system can detect and estimate 3D positions of hundreds of black and white markers at the maximum frame-rate of standard cameras. The method is robust to changing lighting conditions and achieves accuracy in the order of millimeters to centimeters. Due to its reliability, simplicity of use and availability as an open-source ROS module (http://purl.org/robotics/whycon), the system is now used in a number of aerial robotics projects where fast and precise relative localization is required.
Herbert: Design and Realization of a Full-Sized Anthropometrically Correct Humanoid Robot

In this paper we present the development of a new full-sized anthropometrically correct humanoid robot Herbert. Herbert has 33 DOFs: 1) 29 active DOFs (2 × 4 in the legs, 2 × 7 in the arms, 4 in the waist and 3 in the head); 2) 4 passive DOFs (2 × 2 in the ankles). We present the objectives of the design and the development of our system, the hardware (mechanical, electronics) as well as the supporting software architecture that encompasses the realisation of the complete humanoid system. Several key elements, that have to be taken into account in our approach to keep the costs low while ensuring high-performance, will be presented. In realising Herbert we applied a modular design for the overall mechanical structure. Two core mechanical module types make up the main structural elements of Herbert: 1) small compact mechanical drive modules; and 2) compliant mechanical drive modules. The electronic system of Herbert, which is based on two different types of motor control boards and an FPGA module with a central controller, is discussed. The software architecture is based on ROS with a number of sub nodes used for the controller. All these supporting components have been important in the development of the complete system. Finally, we present results showing our robot’s performances: demonstrating the behaviour of the compliant modules, the ability of tracking a desired position/velocity as well as a simple torque controller. We also evaluate our custom communication system. Additionally, we demonstrate Herbert balancing and squatting to show its performance. Moreover, we also show the simplicity of the higher level supporting software framework in realising new behaviours. All in all, we show that our system is compact and able to achieve comparable human performances and has human proportions while being low cost.
Cortisol and Imaginal Exposure in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: a Case Report

Imaginal exposure is closely associated with hippocampal processing of traumatic memory. The hippocampus is a target for glucocorticoids which influence memory retrieval and stress response. Glucocorticoid secretion in response to imaginal exposure has not been investigated. We measured subjective distress and salivary cortisol during the 1 st and the 20 th exposure session in a patient with PTSD. Despite considerable arousal and anxiety, cortisol did not increase during the first exposure. During the 20 th exposure there was a marked reduction of distress, although cortisol values did not differ from exposure 1. The response of glucocorticoids to imaginal exposure and mechanisms of the lacking cortisol response need further research (German J Psychiatry 2002;5:75-77).
Getting Connected: An Empirical Investigation of the Relationship Between Social Capital and Philanthropy Among Online Volunteers

The concept of social capital has attracted much attention from researchers and policy makers, largely due to links with positive social outcomes and philanthropic acts such as volunteering and donations. However, a rapid growth in Internet technologies and social media networks has fundamentally affected the formation of social capital, as well as the way in which it potentially associates with prosocial behaviors. This study uses unique data from a survey of online volunteers to explore the interrelationships between social capital and a mix of self-reported and observed philanthropic activities in both online and offline settings. Our results show that while social capital levels associate strongly with offline donations, there are key differences in the relationships between social capital and volunteering in online and offline settings. Using two-stage least squares (2SLS) regression analysis to control for endogeneity, we also infer a number of causal relationships between social capital and philanthropy.
Teaching computer programming with PRIMM: a sociocultural perspective

ABSTRACT Background and Context: Vygotsky's sociocultural theory emphasises the importance of language, mediation, and the transfer of skills and knowledge from the social into the cognitive plane. This perspective has influenced the development of PRIMM (Predict, Run, Investigate, Modify, Make), a structured approach to teaching programming. Objective: The objective of the study was to find out if using PRIMM to teach programming had an impact on learner attainment in secondary school, and the extent to which it was valuable for teachers. Method: We evaluated the use of PRIMM in 13 schools with 493 students aged 11-14 alongside a control group, using a mixed-methods approach. Teachers delivered programming lessons using the PRIMM approach for 8-12 weeks. Data were collected via a combination of a baseline test, a post-test to compare control and experimental groups, and teacher interviews. Findings: Learners performed better in the post test than the control group. Teachers reported several benefits of the PRIMM approach, including that PRIMM helped them to teach effectively in mixed-ability classes, enabling all learners to make progress. Implications: PRIMM makes a contribution to programming education research by building on previous work in effective pedagogy for teachers, and encouraging the use of language and dialogue to facilitate understanding.
Mixed-Initiative Agent Teaching and Learning

This paper presents a mixed-initiative teaching and learning method that allows a subject matter expert, who does not have knowledge engineering experience, to transfer his problem solving expertise to a learning agent. The expert is teaching the agent to perform domain specific tasks in a way that resembles how the expert would teach an apprentice while solving problems in cooperation. The method integrates synergistically the complementary knowledge and reasoning styles of the expert and the agent, where the expert helps the agent to learn and the agent helps the expert to teach it. This approach is illustrated with examples of teaching the Disciple-COA agent to critique courses of actions, a challenge problem defined in the DARPA's High Performance Knowledge Bases program.
Oral Reading Intervention for an English Language Learner: A Single-case Design

The purpose of this paper was to investigate the effectiveness of conducting a reading intervention in a public primary school setting in Chinese vernacular school in Malaysia. Literature indicated that struggling readers did not master letter-sound correspondences despite the phonics was emphasised in to date curriculum. One male learner who was identified by his classroom teacher as needing special assistance in reading performance participated this research. Using a single-case research design, the participant’s oral reading fluency (ORF) in terms of word correct per minute (WCPM) was measured. Several nonparametric statistics methods, such as Tau and percentage of nonoverlapping data (PND) were applied to compute the degree of association and effectiveness of the intervention, respectively. Visual analysis was carried out to interpret the graph. The data collected was also compared with the updated ORF norm that was established in the United States. The results revealed that the reading intervention facilitated the improvement of ORF of the participant. The significant implications and future research recommendations on the development of reading intervention were highlighted.
Spatio-Temporal Channels From the Wave Equation Have Butterfly Spectra

Multipath channels between moving senders and receivers ar of interest in many signal processing and communications scenarios, from acoustic echo c ancellation to wireless mobile communications. Two physical constraints characterize these ch annels: (i) propagation is governed by the wave equation, (ii) movements of sender and / or receiver are smooth and slow as compared to propagation. In this paper, we show that the resulting timevarying impulse response has a butterfly shaped spectrum, that is, its spatial bandwidth increases l in ar y with temporal frequency. The method to show this uses smooth trajectories given by continuous-t ime autoregressive processes, in order to generate a suitable stochastic process corresponding to ti me-varying impulse responses. The power spectrum of such a process can be evaluated explicitly in cer tain simple cases and approximated in more general cases. The distinguishing features of the po wer spectrum is its essential butterfly shape and the widening of the shape as a function of the speed o f movement. We specifically derive a Carson’s like approximation rule that predicts the butterfly’s bandwidth as a function of the parameters of the movement and of the channel. Experimen tal results in both the acoustic and the electro-magnetic case verify the established shape of t he power spectra. Both the theoretical and experimental results are relevant for modeling of wideb and channels (e.g. acoustic or ultra-wide band), since they predict the “variation bandwidth” as a fun ction of temporal frequency. This in turn is important for channel adaptation, equalization and powe r allocation.