Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Towards a Standard Approach for Optimization in Science and Engineering

Optimization plays a fundamental role in engineering design and in many other fields in applied science. An optimization process allows obtaining the best designs which maximize and/or minimize a number of objectives, satisfying at the same time certain constraints. Nowadays, design activities require a large use of computational models to simulate experiments, which are usually automated through the execution of the so-called scientific workflows. Even if there is a general agreement in both academy and industry on the use of scientific workflows for the representation of optimization processes, no single standard has arisen as a valid model to fully characterize it. A standard will facilitate collaboration between scientists and industrial designers, interaction between different fields and a common vocabulary in scientific and engineering publications. This paper proposes the use of BPMN 2.0, a well-defined standard from the area of business processes, as a formal representation for both the abstract and execution models for scientific workflows in the context of process optimization. Aspects like semantic expressiveness, representation efficiency and extensibility, as required by optimization in industrial applications, have been carefully considered in this research. Practical results of the implementation of an industrial-quality optimization workflow engine defined in terms of the BPMN 2.0 standard are also presented in the paper.
OPERATOR BASED ROBUST STABILITY AND TRACKING PERFORMANCE OF MIMO NONLINEAR SYSTEMS

In this paper, robust stability and output tracking performance of multi-input multi-output (MIMO) nonlinear feedback system are considered by using operator based robust right coprime factorization approach. Sufficient conditions for the MIMO nonlinear system to be robustly stable are derived, and tracking filters are designed to realize the desired tracking performance. Finally, a simulation example is given to support the theoretical analysis.
Automatic tracker selection w.r.t object detection performance

The tracking algorithm performance depends on video content. This paper presents a new multi-object tracking approach which is able to cope with video content variations. First the object detection is improved using Kanade-Lucas-Tomasi (KLT) feature tracking. Second, for each mobile object, an appropriate tracker is selected among a KLT-based tracker and a discriminative appearance-based tracker. This selection is supported by an online tracking evaluation. The approach has been experimented on three public video datasets. The experimental results show a better performance of the proposed approach compared to recent state of the art trackers.
How social network is evolving?: a preliminary study on billion-scale twitter network

Recently, social network services such as Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn have been remarkably growing. There are various studies about social networks analysis. Haewoon Kwak performed the analysis of the Twitter network on 2009 and shows the degree of separation. However, the number of users on 2009 is about 41.7 million, the graph scale is not very large compared with the current graph. In this paper, we conduct a Twitter network analysis in terms growth by region, scale-free, reciprocity, degree of separation and diameter using Twitter user data with 469.9 million users and 28.7 billion relationships. We report that the value of degree of separation is 4.59 in current Twitter network through our experiments.
Variable-rate variable-power MQAM for fading channels

We propose a variable power and rate adaptive MQAM modulation scheme for high-speed data transmission on fading channels. We show that using just five or six different signal constellations achieves within 1-2 dB of the maximum spectral efficiency. We also obtain the exact efficiency loss for a smaller constellation set. In addition, we compare our technique with a fixed-rate scheme which inverts the channel fading. Assuming perfect power control, the fixed-rate scheme exhibits a 5-10 dB loss in spectral efficiency relative to our adaptive technique. We conclude by discussing performance degradation caused by channel measurement errors.
Real-time bump map synthesis

In this paper we present a method that automatically synthesizes bump maps at arbitrary levels of detail in real-time. The only input data we require is a normal density function; the bump map is generated according to that function. It is also used to shade the generated bump map. The technique allows to infinitely zoom into the surface, because more (consistent) detail can be created on the fly. The shading of such a surface is consistent when displayed at different distances to the viewer (assuming that the surface structure is self-similar). The bump map generation and the shading algorithm can also be used separately.
Robust possibilistic c-regression models algorithm

This paper studies the problem of the parameter identification based on fuzzy c-regression models for nonlinear systems. The novel procedure combines the possibilistic c-means procedure with fuzzy c-regression models (FCRM) in order to reduce the effects of noisy data. In comparison to the existing algorithms in the literature, the proposed method utilizes a generalized objective function that reduces the errors of partitioning data sets contaminated by noise and as a consequence an accurate model is obtained. The results of this study demonstrate the effectiveness of proposed method compared with other extended versions of FCRM algorithm.
Acetylcholine-induced membrane potential oscillations in the intact lens.

PURPOSE Factors that interfere with the acetylcholine signaling system have long been implicated in cataract. The authors sought to investigate the nature of the electrical response of the intact rabbit lens to acetylcholine. METHODS Membrane potential (Vm) and electrical conductance (Gm) were monitored in the isolated, perifused lens by a technique utilizing two internal microelectrodes. RESULTS Acetylcholine (100 nM to 1 mM) induced a decrease in membrane conductance and a depolarization of membrane potential in the intact lens. The responses were reversed by application of the muscarinic antagonist, atropine (1 microM to 100 microM). In the presence of 1 microM thapsigargin and 30 microM cyclopiazonic acid, acetylcholine still induced an electrical response. Long exposures to acetylcholine induced sustained oscillations of Vm in 10 of 29 lenses (34%). Oscillations were blocked by atropine and the L-type Ca2+ channel blocker nifedipine (10 microM) but were potentiated by thapsigargin. CONCLUSIONS The rabbit lens expressed muscarinic receptors that when activated modulate ionic conductances and cause membrane potential oscillations throughout the tissue. Ca2+ influx rather than primary release from intracellular stores appeared to play a major role in the oscillatory response to acetylcholine.
Dependence of induced transmembrane potential on cell density, arrangement, and cell position inside a cell system

A nonuniform transmembrane potential (TMP) is induced on a cell membrane exposed to external electric field. If the induced TMP is above the threshold value, cell membrane becomes permeabilized in a reversible process called electropermeabilization. Studying electric potential distribution on the cell membrane gives us an insight into the effects of the electric field on cells and tissues. Since cells are always surrounded by other cells, we studied how their interactions influence the induced TMP. In the first part of our study, we studied dependence of potential distribution on cell arrangement and density in infinite cell suspensions where cells were organized into simple-cubic, body-centered cubic, and face-centered cubic lattices. In the second part of the study, we examined how induced TMP on a cell membrane is dependent on its position inside a three-dimensional cell cluster. Finally, the results for cells inside the cluster were compared to those in an infinite lattice. We used numerical analysis for the study, specifically the finite-element method (FEM). The results for infinite cell suspensions show that the induced TMP depends on both cell volume fraction and cell arrangement. We established from the results for finite volume cell clusters and layers, that there is no radial dependence of induced TMP for cells inside the cluster.
Visual languages conversion from Saber models to Modelica multi-system simulation environments

The simulation of dynamic systems in aeronautic applications is usually accomplished by integrating different software components that model different aspects of an aircraft. This paper, based on the state of the art of multi-physic systems co-simulation, describes the work in progress for the definition of a tool able to convert an electrical network architecture for an all-electric aircraft, defined in the Hardware Description Language of Synopsys SABER, into a Modelica object which is readable from a multi-physical simulation environment.
Please Scroll down for Article Journal of Environmental Planning and Management Proximal Exposure of Public Schools and Students to Major Roadways: a Nationwide Us Survey Proximal Exposure of Public Schools and Students to Major Roadways: a Nationwide Us Survey

This article may be used for research, teaching and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution , reselling , loan or sub-licensing, systematic supply or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. The publisher does not give any warranty express or implied or make any representation that the contents will be complete or accurate or up to date. The accuracy of any instructions, formulae and drug doses should be independently verified with primary sources. The publisher shall not be liable for any loss, actions, claims, proceedings, demand or costs or damages whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with or arising out of the use of this material. This study addresses the effect of urban planning and road development on the health risk of students attending schools near major roadways. The proximity of public schools and students was quantified to Interstate, US and state highways in nine large Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA) of the USA. In total among the surveyed schools and students, over 30% fell within 400 m of a major roadway and over 10% were within 100 m. For some MSAs almost half of the student population attended schools near (400m) major roadways, resulting in a potentially increased risk for asthma and other chronic respiratory problems, especially in schools representing the urban fringe locale. It was concluded that proximity of major roadways should be an important factor in considering sites for new schools and developing policies for reducing the exposure in existing schools. The findings provide an important reference point for coordinating future urban development, transportation and environmental policies. 1. Introduction Effective land use and road development patterns are necessary to protect the health of school-age children. Elevated levels of air pollutants from traffic exhaust, including nitrogen dioxide (NO 2), carbon monoxide (CO), volatile organic carbon (VOC) and particulate matter (PM), near major roadways are associated with adverse childhood health effects, such as respiratory allergies, decreased lung function, bronchitis and asthma exacerbation Children are especially susceptible as their lungs are growing until adulthood, they breathe with 50% more air per pound of body weight than adults and develop respiratory infections more often than adults (USEPA 2002, ALA 2004). International studies have shown many health risks for children from traffic-related pollutants. Children exposed to high-traffic roadways had substantial deficits in 8-year lung development (Gauderman et al. 2007), and a higher prevalence of …
Transportation mode identification based on smartphone

Transportation mode surveys are essential resources in transportation research. The survey data is required for urban traffic planning. We want to be able to realize a way of traffic survey, in the case of without being limited by the condition, we can master everyone's transportation state in anytime and anywhere. In this paper, we develop a transportation mode survey application for the Android platform. We can obtain real-time information from GPS and accelerometer sensors and the real-time information will be stored in SD card with the form of database. We describe the features extracted from GPS and accelerometer sensors used to identify transportation modes with machine learning algorithms of decision tree. Experimental results show that the classification accuracy of the algorithm is 93.6782%. Finally, we select a test route and verify the reliability of the transportation mode identification system.
Abduction in Neuro Symbolic Integration

Abduction is the process of proceeding from data describing a set of observations or events, to a set of hypotheses which best explains or accounts for the data. Most of the work on abduction has been done using a logical or a probabilistic approach. In this paper, we describe logic recognition as application of this abduction underlying logic to identify data sets of logical clauses that are having similar logic content. Abduction is used in recognition of similar logic content while evading differences in knowledge representations. We used Reverse Analysis method based on Hop field network to capture the rules underlying in a database. Later, we used abduction technique for logic recognition in that database.
Evolving the Quality of a Model Based Test Suite

Redundant test cases in newly generated test suites often remain undetected until execution and waste scarce project resources. In model-based testing, the testing process starts early on in the developmental phases and enables early fault detection. The redundancy in the test suites generated from models can be detected earlier as well and removed prior to its execution. The article presents a novel model-based test suite optimization technique involving UML Activity Diagrams by formulating the test suite optimization problem as an Equality Knapsack Problem. The aim here is the development of a test suite optimization framework that could optimize the model-based test suites by removing the redundant test cases. An evolution-based algorithm is incorporated into the framework and is compared with the performances of two other algorithms. An empirical study is conducted with four synthetic and industrial scale Activity Diagram models and results are presented.
Accessibility and usability of online library databases

Purpose – The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates that all library services, programs and activities be accessible to people with disabilities. Web‐based indexes and databases have become a major staple in today's academic libraries. This study aims to investigate the accessibility and usability of these online resources for people using adaptive software to interface with computers.Design/methodology/approach – Database interfaces were evaluated with two different methods: Selected screens of the interfaces were checked for compliance with major Section 508 and web Content Accessibility Guidelines components; and involving minimally trained subjects to carry out routine search‐related tasks, the interfaces were tested for functionality when used along with adaptive software commonly employed by people with print disabilities. Content accessibility within documents was judged based on document format.Findings – The results indicate that, while most indexes and databases are now largely complian.
Interfaces for staying in the flow

Psychologists have studied "optimal human experience" for many years, often called "being in the flow". Through years of study, the basic characteristics of flow have been identified. This paper reviews the literature, and interprets the characteristics of flow within the context of interface design with the goal of understanding what kinds of interfaces are most conducive to supporting users being in the flow. Several examples to demonstrate the connection to flow are given.
Meta Reconfiguration of Adaptive Middleware Using Semantic Web and Context Information

Considering the basis of ubiquitous computing, as devised by Weiser, the computing resources should be available to the user in such way that they are invisible to she while being fully available to applications -- the computing power should be available everywhere, for example, by means of a middleware. Such middleware must be flexible in order to adapt to several contexts in which the user and/or the applications are running on. Such ability is one of the challenges for new-generation middlewares. The main limitation of current canonical approaches for such adaptive middlewares is that the variables (or context dimensions) used to trigger the adaptation are pre-defined on the middleware itself. Changing these variables tends to lead to changes on the middleware kernel. The thesis proposal summarized on this paper, and the preliminary results previously reported, aims at fostering the adoption of context information in a novel way, allowing the reconfiguration in the way the middleware reconfigures itself -- i.e., meta-reconfiguration.
Electrical equivalent model for an optical VCO in a PLL synchronization scheme for ultrashort optical pulse sources

The electrical modeling of complex electrooptical devices is a useful task for the correct design of its schemes and for the estimation of its performance. In this paper, we consider an electrooptical phase-locked loop (PLL) used to synchronize an RF system clock to the repetition rate of an optical pulsed source, realized by an active fiber mode-locking (ML) technique in the regenerative configuration. The synchronization scheme is suggested by a description of the pulsed source, for the first time, as an optical voltage-control oscillator (VCO). In particular, we present a simple new all-electrical model for the proposed optical VCO, and we verify its accuracy by the implementation of the whole PLL scheme at 2.5 and 10 GHz.
New extremal binary self-dual codes of length 68 via short kharaghani array over f_2 + uf_2

In this work, new construction methods for self-dual codes are given. The methods use the short Kharaghani array and a variation of it. These are applicable to any commutative Frobenius ring. We apply the constructions over the ring F_2 + uF_2 and self-dual Type I [64, 32, 12]_2-codes with various weight enumerators obtained as Gray images. By the use of an extension theorem for self-dual codes we were able to construct 27 new extremal binary self-dual codes of length 68. The existence of the extremal binary self-dual codes with these weight enumerators was previously unknown.
Dynamic Portfolio Choice with Parameter Uncertainty and the Economic Value of Analysts’ Recommendations

We derive a closed-form solution for the optimal portfolio of a nonmyopic utility maximizer who has incomplete information about the alphas or abnormal returns of risky securities. We show that the hedging component induced by learning about the expected return can be a substantial part of the demand. Using our methodology, we perform an "ex ante" empirical exercise, which shows that the utility gains resulting from optimal allocation are substantial in general, especially for long horizons, and an "ex post" empirical exercise, which shows that analysts' recommendations are not very useful. (JEL C61, G11, G24) Copyright 2006, Oxford University Press.
Media Freedom and Democracy: Complements or Substitutes in the Fight against Corruption?

Democracy and media freedom have been suggested as useful tools in the fight against political corruption, but so far their interplay in this fight has received scant attention. We present a game theoretic model which predicts that the corruption-reducing effect of democracy becomes stronger as media freedom increases. Using panel data covering the period 1980-2008 and 126 countries, we find empirical support for this prediction. Our main results hold when we control for the effects of income, time varying common shocks, regional fixed effects and various additional covariates. The complementarity between democracy and media freedom in the fight against corruption is also supported by Indian state level data.
A Context-Aware Mobile User Behavior-Based Neighbor Finding Approach for Preference Profile Construction

In this paper, a new approach is adopted to update the user preference profile by seeking users with similar interests based on the context obtainable for a mobile network instead of from desktop networks. The trust degree between mobile users is calculated by analyzing their behavior based on the context, and then the approximate neighbors are chosen by combining the similarity of the mobile user preference and the trust degree. The approach first considers the communication behaviors between mobile users, the mobile network services they use as well as the corresponding context information. Then a similarity degree of the preference between users is calculated with the evaluation score of a certain mobile web service provided by a mobile user. Finally, based on the time attenuation function, the users with similar preference are found, through which we can dynamically update the target user’s preference profile. Experiments are then conducted to test the effect of the context on the credibility among mobile users, the effect of time decay factors and trust degree thresholds. Simulation shows that the proposed approach outperforms two other methods in terms of Recall Ratio, Precision Ratio and Mean Absolute Error, because neither of them consider the context mobile information.