Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A computationally efficient high-quality cordic based DCT

In this paper a computationally efficient and high-quality preserving DCT architecture is presented. It is obtained by optimizing the Loeffler DCT based on the Cordic algorithm. The computational complexity is reduced from 11 multiply and 29 add operations (Loeffler DCT) to 38 add and 16 shift operations (which is similar to the complexity of the binDCT). The experimental results show that the proposed DCT algorithm not only reduces the computational complexity significantly, but also retains the good transformation quality of the Loeffler DCT. Therefore, the proposed Cordic based Loeffler DCT can be used in low-power and high-quality CODECs, especially in battery-based systems.
Peer-to-Peer Knowledge Sharing in the Mobile Environment

This paper discusses knowledge sharing in the corporate environment. It studies different barriers for knowledge sharing as well as incentive programs that are aiming to motivate employees to engage in the knowledge sharing activity. Finally it presents a new peer-to-peer (P2P) knowledge sharing paradigm and the architecture of a mobile peer-to-peer knowledge sharing system. The proposed P2P knowledge sharing paradigm addresses the major issues of mobile communication as well as human aspects of social interactions. It supports communities and utilizes strengths of peer-to-peer social networks. The system implementation proves technical feasibility of the proposed approach.
Processing Judeo-Arabic Texts

Judeo-Arabic is a set of dialects spoken and written by Jewish communities living in Arab countries. Judeo-Arabic is typically written in Hebrew letters, enriched with diacritic marks that relate to the underlying Arabic. However, some inconsistencies in rendering words in Hebrew letters increase the level of ambiguity of a given word. Furthermore, Judeo-Arabic texts usually contain non-Arabic words and phrases, such as quotations or borrowed words from Hebrew and Aramaic. We focus on two main tasks: (1) automatic transliteration of Judeo-Arabic Hebrew letters into Arabic letters, and (2) automatic identification of language switching points between Judeo-Arabic and Hebrew. For transliteration, we employ a statistical translation system trained on the character level, resulting in 96.9% precision, a significant improvement over the baseline. For the language switching task, we use a word-level supervised classifier, also showing some significant improvements over the baseline.
A routing protocol and addressing scheme for oil, gas, and water pipeline monitoring using wireless sensor networks

Wireless sensor networks have a vast amount of applications including environmental monitoring, military, ecology, agriculture, inventory control, robotics and health care. This paper focuses on the area of monitoring, and protection of oil, gas, and water pipelines using wireless sensor networks. ROLS: a routing protocol for linear structure wireless sensor networks is presented along with a new hierarchical addressing scheme for this type of networking environment. The networking framework and associated protocols are optimized to take advantage of the linear nature of the network to decrease installation, and maintenance cost, decrease energy requirements, increase reliability and improve communication efficiency. In addition, simulation experiments using the proposed model are presented.
On the Spatial Resolution of GNSS Reflectometry

A method for defining the spatial resolution of a Global Navigation Satellite System reflectometry delay-Doppler map (DDM) and of any derived geophysical product is proposed. An effective spatial resolution is derived as a function of measurement geometry and delay-Doppler (DD) interval, and as a more appropriate representation of resolution than the geometric resolution previously used in the literature. The definition more accurately accounts for variations in the scattered power across different pixels of the DDM and more accurately includes the power spreading effect caused by the Woodward ambiguity function. The dependence of the effective resolution on incidence angle, receiver altitude, and DD interval is analyzed and compared with the dependence of the geometric resolution with similar parameters.
Towards distributed transmission scheduling for wireless ad hoc networks

In this paper we study distributed transmission scheduling via power control in wireless ad hoc networks with multiple channels. The target for each node is to manage to be admitted into a channel from the available channels in the network. The aim of this work is twofold: (a) to determine how a wireless node, based on its limited information, will decide which channel to access and (b), to propose a distributed algorithm for each wireless node with which once the channel is chosen a decision is made whether to stay in the channel or not. Here, we propose an algorithm that, if adopted by all the nodes in the network, it converges to a solution that admits most of the wireless nodes in the network, based on limited information only. Simulations in MATLAB justify the good performance of the algorithm.
The Influence of Immersive Driving Environments on Human-Cockpit Evaluations

To ensure safety and usability of advanced in-car cockpit solutions, prospective evaluation during early prototyping stages is important, especially when developing innovative human-cockpit-interactions. In this context, highly realistic test environments will help to provide reliable and valid findings. Nevertheless, real car driving studies are difficult to control, manipulate, replicate and standardize. They are also more time consuming and expensive. One economizing suggestion is the implementation of immersive driving environments within simulator studies to provide users with a more realistic awareness of the situation. This paper discusses research investigating the influence of immersive driving environments. We evaluated three interaction modalities (touch, spin controller, free-hand gestures), and two levels of immersivity (low, high) to examine this methodology. Twenty participants took part in the driving simulator study. Objective and subjective data show advantages regarding situational awareness and perception for high immersive driving environments when interacting with a navigation system.
Personal Photo Enhancement via Saliency Driven Color Transfer

Personal photos on tour are easily affected by distractive objects, which requires effective post-processing for subject enhancement. In this paper, we propose a novel personal photo enhancement method using saliency driven color transfer, which can effectively reduce the attraction of distractive objects with simple user interaction. To each given image, distractive objects are firstly detected by combining saliency map and user interaction, and their attraction is further reduced by color transfer. The experimental results show that our method achieves similar effectiveness but higher efficiency to manually editing and outperforms other existing techniques.
Interference modeling and capacity-coverage analysis in downlink cellular networks with user scheduling

Interference shapes the interplay between capacity and coverage in cellular networks. However, interference is nondeterministic and depends on various system and channel parameters including user scheduling, frequency reuse, and fading variations. We present an analytical approach for modeling the distribution of intercell interference in the downlink of cellular networks as a function of generic fading channel models and various scheduling schemes. We demonstrate the usefulness of the derived expressions in calculating location-based and average-based data rates in addition to capturing practical interdependence between cell capacity and coverage in downlink cellular networks.
Learning GP-trees from Noisy Data

We discuss the problem of model selection in Genetic Programming using the framework provided by Statistical Learning Theory, i.e. Vapnik-Chervonenkis theory (VC). We present empirical comparisons between classical statistical methods (AIC, BIC) for model selection and the Structural Risk Minimization method (based on VC-theory) for symbolic regression problems. Empirical comparisons of different methods for model selection suggest practical advantages of using VC-based model selection when using genetic training. keywords: Model selection, genetic programming, symbolic regression
Fast H.264 Mode Selection Using Depth Information for Distributed Game Viewing

While H.264 has been known for its superior coding performance over its predecessors, its encoding complexity can be high, especially if an exhaustive search is performed for the rate-distortion optimal mode among many available coding modes for each macroblock. In this paper, we show that in the context of coding 3D graphically rendered frames, depth information-the distance between rendered pixels of objects and the virtual camera popularly used to determine object occlusion during graphics rendering-can be exploited to expedite the mode selection process at a negligible cost of decrease in coding performance. Our proposed techniques take into consideration that regions of similar depth are likely to correspond to regions of uniform motion, an observation that can be exploited to speed-up the selection of block sizes for motion compensation. In our experiments, we show that complexity of the full motion vector search can be reduced by 40% at the expense of small increase of less than 0.7% in bitrate and small decrease of less than 0.07dB in PSNR. Moreover, because our proposed schemes operate in the depth domain, we show that they can be easily combined with an existing pixel-domain mode selection algorithm in the literature leading to similar complexity reductions.
Forecasting hourly electricity load profile using neural networks

We present INN, a new approach for predicting the hourly electricity load profile for the next day from a time series of previous electricity loads. It uses an iterative methodology to make the predictions for the 24-hour forecasting horizon. INN combines an efficient mutual information feature selection method with a neural network forecasting algorithm. We evaluate INN using two years of electricity load data for Australia, Portugal and Spain. The results show that it provides accurate predictions, outperforming three state-of-the-art approaches (weighted nearest neighbor, pattern sequence similarity and iterative linear regression), and a number of baselines. INN is also more accurate and efficient than a non-iterative version of the approach. We also found that although the range of load values for the three countries is very different, the load curves show similar patterns, which resulted in more than 90% overlap in the selected lag variables.
Sometimes you need to see through walls: a field study of application programming interfaces

Information hiding is one of the most important and influential principles in software engineering. It prescribes that software modules hide implementation details from other modules in order to decrease the dependency between them. This separation also decreases the dependency among software developers implementing modules, thus simplifying some aspects of collaboration. A common instantiation of this principle is in the form of application programming interfaces (APIs). We performed a field study of the use of APIs and observed that they served many roles. We observed that APIs were successful indeed in supporting collaboration by serving as contracts among stakeholders as well as by reifying organizational boundaries. However, the separation that they accomplished also hindered other forms of collaboration, particularly among members of different teams. Therefore, we think argue that API's do not only have beneficial purposes. Based on our results, we discuss implications for collaborative software development tools.
Wavelet Analysis Reveals Period Wandering in Circadian Neurons

Period variability in circadian oscillators is a consequence of the stochastic nature of the underlying chemical processes. This variability is significant when considering the interaction of circadian neurons in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and their response to external signals. We use the Morlet continuous wavelet transform to measure the period of the noisy nonstationary circadian oscillator, and demonstrate its use on data from both biological experiment and a stochastic model. Wavelet analysis of the period of individual dispersed cells shows that they sometimes cycle at longer than circadian periods, while cells in a SCN tissue slice do not exhibit these longer periods. We demonstrate that the distinct period variations observed in experiments can be reproduced in a stochastic model by an adjustment of parameter values guided by bifurcation analysis of its nonlinear dynamics. The resulting model suggests that the long periods of individual cells could be produced by switching between the period determined by the PER-CRY feedback loop or the CLOCK-BMAL1 feedback loop of the gene regulatory network. The period of individual cells are then stabilized in SCN tissue with the PER-CRY feedback loop determining the period.
Ibuprofen supplementation and its effects on NF‐κB activation in skeletal muscle following resistance exercise

Resistance exercise triggers a subclinical inflammatory response that plays a pivotal role in skeletal muscle regeneration. Nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) is a stress signalling transcription factor that regulates acute and chronic states of inflammation. The classical NF‐κB pathway regulates the early activation of post‐exercise inflammation; however there remains scope for this complex transcription factor to play a more detailed role in post‐exercise muscle recovery. Sixteen volunteers completed a bout of lower body resistance exercise with the ingestion of three 400 mg doses of ibuprofen or a placebo control. Muscle biopsy samples were obtained prior to exercise and at 0, 3 and 24 h post‐exercise and analysed for key markers of NF‐κB activity. Phosphorylated p65 protein expression and p65 inflammatory target genes were elevated immediately post‐exercise independent of the two treatments. These changes did not translate to an increase in p65 DNA binding activity. NF‐κB p50 protein expression and NF‐κB p50 binding activity were lower than pre‐exercise at 0 and 3 h post‐exercise, but were elevated at 24 h post‐exercise. These findings provide novel evidence that two distinct NF‐κB pathways are active in skeletal muscle after resistance exercise. The initial wave of activity involving p65 resembles the classical pathway and is associated with the onset of an acute inflammatory response. The second wave of NF‐κB activity comprises the p50 subunit, which has been previously shown to resolve an acute inflammatory program. The current study showed no effect of the ibuprofen treatment on markers of the NF‐κB pathway, however examination of the within group effects of the exercise protocol suggests that this pathway warrants further research.
Performance improvement on duplicate address detection in IP mobility protocols

When a mobile node moves into a new network, it should get a new care-of address. The new care-of address must be verified to be unique before used. The process of verifying the uniqueness of a care-of address is called the Duplicate Address Detection (DAD) and is estimated to take 1000 milliseconds or more. It is unacceptable for real-time applications. In this paper, the MD5 algorithm is applied on the IPv6 address auto-configuration to generate an IPv6 address and the numerical result shows that generated IPv6 addresses are expected to be uniformly distributed. Consequently the probability of the IPv6 address collision of generating the same IPv6 address is expected to be much less. A simplified DAD is then proposed to reduce the processing time of the DAD and then to improve the handover performance of IP mobility protocols.
Software metrics: measuring Haskell

Software metrics have been used in software engineering as a mechanism for assessing code quality and for targeting software development activities, such as testing or refactoring, at areas of a program that will most benefit from them. Haskell has many tools for software engineering, such as testing, debugging and refactoring tools, but software metrics have mostly been neglected. The work presented in this paper identifies a collection of software metrics for use with Haskell programs. These metrics are subjected to statistical analysis to assess the correlation between their values and the number of bug fixing changes occurring during the development lifetime of two case study programs. In addition to this, the relationships between the metric values is also explored, showing how combinations of metrics can be used to improve the accuracy of the measurements.
Bovine trypanosomosis: A threat to cattle production in Chena district, southwest Ethiopia

A cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence of bovine trypanosomosis was carried out in Chena district, Kefa zone, southwest Ethiopia from September 2010 to January 2011. Blood samples were collected from 391 randomly selected local (zebu) breed cattle in three representative peasant associations (PAs). The buffy coat and Giemsa stained thin blood films examination techniques were used for parasite detection and identification. The packed cell volume (PCV) estimation was also conducted. From a total of 391 cattle, 6.9% (n = 27) of the animals were found positive for trypanosome infection. The trypanosome species observed across the study animals were T. congolense (4.89%), T. vivax (1.54%), and T. b. brucei (0.51%) as single infections. The infection rate of T. congolense and T. b. brucei varied significantly (P 0.05) in infection rate was found between male (7.79%) and female (5.62%) animals. The prevalence was 2.24% and 8.29% in young and adult cattle, respectively with significant difference (P < 0.05) between them. The prevalence rate in good, medium and poor body conditioned animals were 7.28%, 0.78% and 13.39%, respectively with a statistical significant difference (P < 0.05) among them. The mean PCV of the infected animals (17.56%) appeared significantly (P < 0.05) lower than the non-infected (25.4%). Even if, the present study indicated a low prevalence of bovine trypanosomosis in the study areas, its impact on production and potential transmission to others should not be neglected.
Adventure therapy and its impact on the functioning of youth in a community setting

ABSTRACT The purpose of this article is to explore the impact of one type of activity-based group work, adventure therapy (AT) group practice, on youth in a community-based mental health setting. Using data collected from Adventure Works, a nonprofit outdoor behavioral healthcare and adventure therapy counseling center, this article explores treatment outcomes to identify the effectiveness of adventure therapy group interventions. AT has been identified as an effective intervention within wilderness and residential settings, but little research exists focusing on adventure therapy in a community setting. Data collected shows positive outcomes for youth participating in adventure-based group therapy. Research and practice implications are discussed.
A Professionalization view: A Framework for Research on Information Technology and Organizational Form Evolutions The Case of Webmastering

the importance of an organization's information technology (IT) human resources is widely acknowledged, especially in the arena of new technology development, most organizational research has taken a "black box" approach to the study of IT professionals, treating the IT human resource as a relatively homogeneous community that operates as a fixed department or group within the landscape of the business enterprise. Further, the relationship between professionalization of emerging IT occupations and organizational use of IT is not understood. Using three case studies of the emergence of the "webmastering" specialty, we show the interplay between the types of professionalization and the organizational appropriation of web-based technologies. One theoretical paradigm grounds our analysis: Abbott's (2) concept of jurisdiction in the development of professions. This concept enables us to analyze how the organizational form changes under the impact of IT evolution. We use our case study data to expound a framework of four major professionalization processes: (1) set, (2) amalgam, (3) proactive, and (4) breaking. These represent variations in how organizations have managed the development of web-based capability within their human resources. We then relate these four professionalization processes to three major aspects of web technology appropriation in the firm: (1) attitudes toward the technology, (2) distribution of jurisdiction over web sites, and (3) types of (web-based) technology use. Our results have implications for both scholars and managers interested in the study of new IT jurisdictions in the firm, the professionalization of IT occupations, and organizational use of emerging technologies.
A Simple, Accurate Method for Throughput Analysis of Unslotted CDMA Packet Networks

A theoretical model for describing multiple access interference (MAI) in unslotted CDMA packet networks is presented, and a novel recursive method for throughput analysis of unslotted CDMA packet networks is proposed. Moreover, the impact of spreading gain on throughput performance is discussed. Furthermore, the throughput bounds of unslotted CDMA packet networks are considered by the extension of the proposed method. In comparison with the Markov model of MAI discussed in [7]-[11], the proposed method is more accurate, and more generalized in evaluating the throughput performance of unslotted CDMA packet networks.
Parallel ridge pattern on dermoscopy: observation in non-melanoma cases*

The acral melanoma is the most prevalent type of melanoma in the non-Caucasian population, and dermoscopy is a useful tool for earlier diagnosis and differentiation from benign lesions. The dermoscopic pattern often associated with melanoma on the volar skin is the parallel ridge, with 99% specificity according to the literature. However, this pattern can also occur in several benign acral lesions, so it is important to make a good interpretation of this pattern, along with the clinical history and evolution.
Separation of vocals from monaural music recordings using diagonal median filters and practical time-frequency parameters

In this paper we present a novel method for using median filters to separate vocals from single channel music recordings that contain harmonic and percussive sounds. The method incorporates diagonal median filters in addition to the horizontal and vertical ones to better match the characteristics of the vocal track. Further improvements are obtained through proper choices of the filters' lengths using time and frequency units. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated using a test set of songs by the Beach Boys.
Control and algebra - An introduction

The concept of bisimulation has been developed in computer science by R. Milner for the study of equivalences of transition systems. By now it has been generalized to coalgebra and to category theory. In control and system theory the concept of bisimulation is useful in the study of relations of dynamic systems, in particular of observationally equivalent systems. The exploration of categories of subclasses of dynamic systems are a major approach to advance control theory and in such categories bisimulation relations and coalgebras play a major role. This short paper is an introduction to the session Control and Algebra.