Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vision-based ego-lane analysis system : dataset and algorithms

Lane detection and analysis are important and challenging tasks in advanced driver assistance systems and autonomous driving. These tasks are required in order to help autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles to operate safely. Decreasing costs of vision sensors and advances in embedded hardware boosted lane related research – detection, estimation, tracking, etc. – in the past two decades. The interest in this topic has increased even more with the demand for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and self-driving cars. Although extensively studied independently, there is still need for studies that propose a combined solution for the multiple problems related to the ego-lane, such as lane departure warning (LDW), lane change detection, lane marking type (LMT) classification, road markings detection and classification, and detection of adjacent lanes presence. This work proposes a real-time Ego-Lane Analysis System (ELAS) capable of estimating ego-lane position, classifying LMTs and road markings, performing LDW and detecting lane change events. The proposed vision-based system works on a temporal sequence of images. Lane marking features are extracted in perspective and Inverse Perspective Mapping (IPM) images that are combined to increase robustness. The final estimated lane is modeled as a spline using a combination of methods (Hough lines, Kalman filter and Particle filter). Based on the estimated lane, all other events are detected. Moreover, the proposed system was integrated for experimentation into an autonomous car that is being developed by the High Performance Computing Laboratory of the Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo. To validate the proposed algorithms and cover the lack of lane datasets in the literature, a new dataset with more than 20 different scenes (in more than 15,000 frames) and considering a variety of scenarios (urban road, highways, traffic, shadows, etc.) was created. The dataset was manually annotated and made publicly available to enable evaluation of several events that are of interest for the research community (i.e. lane estimation, change, and centering; road markings; intersections; LMTs; crosswalks and adjacent lanes). Furthermore, the system was also validated qualitatively based on the integration with the autonomous vehicle. ELAS achieved high detection rates in all real-world events and proved to be ready for real-time applications.
Reinforcement Learning with Interpolated Table Functions

This paper introduces a new function approximation architecture especially well suited to reinforcement learning problems. The architecture is based on using sets of interpolated table look-up functions. These offer rapid and stable learning, and are extremely efficient. An empirical investigation is conducted to test their performance on a supervised learning task, and on the mountain car problem, a standard reinforcement learning benchmark. In each case, the interpolated table functions offer extremely competitive performance.
Elliptical Fourier Descriptors for shape retrieval in biological images

The retrieval of information in a standard database can be obtained in different ways and in some cases a number of steps are necessary to extract the sought for information. More difficulties exist when we are looking for a pictorial information in a database. This paper presents a method for finding an image in a biological database based on elliptical Fourier descriptors . Fourier descriptors are considered here as textual information and a distance function is proposed to evaluate the best result. Fourier descriptors and distance function are used to retrieve image in pictorial database. Key-Words: elliptical Fourier analysis, pictorial database, features extraction, edge, classification, retrieval.
Concordance-based Kendall's Correlation for Computationally-Light vs. Computationally-Heavy Centrality Metrics: Lower Bound for Correlation

We identify three different levels of correlation (pair-wise relative ordering, network-wide ranking and linear regression) that could be assessed between a computationally-light centrality metric and a computationally-heavy centrality metric for real-world networks. The Kendall's concordance-based correlation measure could be used to quantitatively assess how well we could consider the relative ordering of two vertices v i and v j with respect to a computationally-light centrality metric as the relative ordering of the same two vertices with respect to a computationally-heavy centrality metric. We hypothesize that the pair-wise relative ordering (concordance)-based assessment of the correlation between centrality metrics is the most strictest of all the three levels of correlation and claim that the Kendall's concordance-based correlation coefficient will be lower than the correlation coefficient observed with the more relaxed levels of correlation measures (linear regression-based Pearson's product-moment correlation coefficient and the network wide ranking-based Spearman's correlation coefficient). We validate our hypothesis by evaluating the three correlation coefficients between two sets of centrality metrics: the computationally-light degree and local clustering coefficient complement-based degree centrality metrics and the computationally-heavy eigenvector centrality, betweenness centrality and closeness centrality metrics for a diverse collection of 50 real-world networks.
Psychotherapy in Jordan: An Investigation of the Host and Syrian Refugee Community’s Perspectives

Little is known about patient satisfaction, bias, stigma, and the effects of psychotherapy within the Kingdom of Jordan or the Arab world in general. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of both the Jordanian host and refugee community members from the psychotherapeutic services offered at various mental health care settings in Jordan. A sample of 100 patients who received psychosocial expert interventions was recruited between October and December 2017 in Amman, Jordan. Participants were either from the host or Syrian refugee community or contacted through multiple organizations working in the mental health field. The Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire, which consists of four subscales covering 1) patient satisfaction, 2) bias toward therapy, 3) effects of therapy, and 4) stigma, was administered. As a means of investigation and exploration, descriptive statistics of participant responses are displayed. Results revealed overall high rates of satisfaction with provided services and perceived benefits of psychotherapeutic interventions. However, respondents showed ambivalence regarding bias and stigma. Subsample analyses indicated no significant differences between both communities. These findings give an understanding of perceptions surrounding psychotherapy in Jordan and some insights on therapeutic processes that may be useful for clinical applications and future research.
Human rights education in US social work: Is the mandate reaching the field?

Abstract Social work education in the United States takes place not only in classrooms but also in the many workplaces where students complete their mandatory internships. This practicum, known as “field education,” is social work’s “signature pedagogy. ” Although efforts have been made to integrate human rights education (HRE) into US social work education and the Council on Social Work Education now mandates a human rights competency, little research has examined how and whether the HRE mandate is implemented in field education. This article examines the impact of HRE on social work field education by focusing on one state—Florida. For this study, we surveyed 158 Florida field educators about their human rights knowledge and practices and conducted telephone interviews with the staff members who coordinate student internships at six social work schools. The data paint a complex picture. Although strides to foster students’ ability to apply human rights understanding in field education have been made, sustained institutional support for integrating HRE in field is needed at the university and associational level. True integration of HRE into field education will only be achieved when all educators receive the support they need to become educated on social work as a human rights practice.
Fabrication of Troponin I Biosensor Composed of Multi-Functional DNA Structure/Au Nanocrystal Using Electrochemical and Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance Dual-Detection Method

In the present study, we fabricated a dual-mode cardiac troponin I (cTnI) biosensor comprised of multi-functional DNA (MF-DNA) on Au nanocrystal (AuNC) using an electrochemical method (EC) and a localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) method. To construct a cTnI bioprobe, a DNA 3 way-junction (3WJ) was prepared to introduce multi-functionality. Each DNA 3WJ arm was modified to possess a recognition region (Troponin I detection aptamer), an EC-LSPR signal generation region (methylene blue: MB), and an anchoring region (Thiol group), respectively. After an annealing step, the multi-functional DNA 3WJ was assembled, and its configuration was confirmed by Native-TBM PAGE for subsequent use in biosensor construction. cTnI was also expressed and purified for use in biosensor experiments. To construct an EC-LSPR dual-mode biosensor, AuNCs were prepared on an indium-tin-oxide (ITO) substrate using an electrodeposition method. The prepared multi-functional (MF)-DNA was then immobilized onto AuNCs by covalent bonding. Field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to analyze the surface morphology. LSPR and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) experiments were performed to confirm the binding between the target and the bioprobe. The results indicated that cTnI could be effectively detected in the buffer solution and in diluted-human serum. Based on the results of these experiments, the loss on drying (LOD) was determined to be 1.0 pM in HEPES solution and 1.0 pM in 10% diluted human serum. Additionally, the selectivity assay was successfully tested using a number of different proteins. Taken together, the results of our study indicate that the proposed dual-mode biosensor is applicable for use in field-ready cTnI diagnosis systems for emergency situations.
Investigating differences in the attention distribution strategies of high and low media multitaskers through a two-dimensional game

The rapid advancement of mobile computing devices and the ever-growing range of infotainment services they enable have cultivated high levels of media multitasking. Studies have considered the effects of this form of behaviour for cognitive control ability, with findings suggesting that chronic media multitasking is associated with reduced inhibitory control. In this study we advance knowledge in this domain by investigating differences in the attention distribution strategies of high and low media multitaskers (HMMs and LMMs) through a simple, two-dimensional game. 1 063 university students completed a web-based survey concerning their media multitasking behaviour and played the 2D game. Contributing to the ecological validity of the study the game was played within the respondent’s web-browser, as part of the survey, at a time and place (and on a computer) of their choosing. During gameplay one of two different banners, both irrelevant to the game, were displayed adjacent to the game. No instructions were provided in relation to the banners. Our analysis considered respondents’ performance in the game in relation to both their media multitasking and the content of the banner displayed. Our findings suggest that while HMMs attend to distracting stimuli independent of their content or salience, LMMs are more selective. This selectivity enables improved primary task performance when distracting stimuli are deemed unimportant. Additionally, we found that LMMs generally recalled banner information more accurately after the game was played.
Resisting gentrification: The theoretical and practice contributions of social work

Summary Gentrification is changing the landscape of many cities worldwide, exacerbating economic and racial inequality. Despite its relevance to social work, the field has been conspicuously absent from scholarship related to gentrification. This paper introduces the dominant view of gentrification (a political economic lens), highlighting its contributions and vulnerabilities, then introduces four case studies that illuminate the distinct contributions of social work to broaden the ways in which gentrification is theorized and responded to within communities. Findings When gentrification is analyzed exclusively through a political economy lens, researchers, policy makers, and practitioners are likely to focus on changes in land and home values, reducing the adverse effects of gentrification to a loss of affordable housing. A singular focus on affordable housing risks paying insufficient attention to racial struggle, perpetuating damage-based views of poor people and neighborhoods, and obfuscating political, social, and cultural displacements. Social work practice—including social action group work, community organizing, community development, and participatory research and planning—offers a holistic approach to understanding, resisting, and responding to gentrification and advance equitable development in the city. Applications By exploring social work practice that amplifies residents’ and change makers’ efforts, advances existing community organizing, produces new insights, builds inter-neighborhood and interdisciplinary collaborations, and facilitates social action and policy change, this paper helps community practitioners to reimagine the role of social work research and practice in gentrifying neighborhoods.
The Physicochemical Characteristics of Natural Zeolites Governing the Adsorption of Pb2+ from Aqueous Environment

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of natural zeolites characteristics on the adsorption capacity of Pb2+ from an aqueous environment. The used natural zeolites were originated from 3 regions in Indonesia. i.e. Bayah, Banten (coded as ZB) and two samples from South Lampung (coded as ZL-1 and ZL-2) and Nanggung, Bogor (ZN). The characteristics of each natural zeolite were evaluated through a series of detailed analysis including XRD, FTIR, XRF, SEM and N2 physisorption. It was revealed that ZB, ZL-1 and ZL-2 were dominated by clinoptilolite (HEU) frameworks while the major phase of ZN was mordenite (MOR) type. From XRF data, the three natural zeolites (ZB, ZL-1 and ZN) possessed a comparable Si/Al ratio (ca. 5.5 to 6) whereas ZL-2 had slightly lower Si/Al ratio (ca. 4). We found that, at comparable Si/Al ratio, clinoptilolite frameworks has a higher adsorption capacity of Pb2+ compared to that of mordenite due to the compatibility of Pb2+ inside the pores of clinoptilolite. Lower Si/Al ratio of natural zeolite tended to show higher adsorption capacity of Pb2+ since the net charge of zeolite frameworks became more negative. These two factors, the framework type and the Si/Al ratio, are significant for the adsorption capacity. Another factor, i.e. surface area, had no certain effect on the adsorption capacity in this case.
Influences on the Wear Behavior of Grease lubricated Gears operated with Dip and Spray Lubrication

INTRODUCTION The international standard ISO 14635-3 [1] offers a method to investigate the wear behavior of grease lubricated gears in the FZG back-to-back test rig. This standardized test is run with dip lubrication. Grease thickener, base oil viscosity and lubricant additives are known to have significant influence on the wear behavior. Some studies have also identified the lubrication supply mechanisms ‘channeling’ and ‘circulating’ to affect the wear intensity considerably. Large open gear drives, however, are often spray lubricated. It is uncertain, to what extent the test results with dip lubrication apply to spray lubricated gear drives. Within a research project (see acknowledgments) and a Master’s Thesis [6], comparative tests have been performed, showing the effects of different lubrication types on the wear behavior of gears. A test rig was modified and the bulk temperature was measured via an infrared sensor. Under nominally equivalent tribological test conditions, spray lubrication has been found to reduce gear wear significantly compared to dip lubrication.
Tunable Circularly Polarized Luminescence from Molecular Assemblies of Chiral AIEgens

Circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) is important to chiral photonic technologies. In the molecular systems, besides their intrinsic chemical structures, the architectures of molecular assemblies at the mesoscopic scale also account for the final macroscopic CPL properties. Herein, tunable CPL responses can be induced through architectural regulation of these molecular assemblies in suspension and solid states. A liquid crystalline assembled system of DPCE-ECh exhibiting smectic C* phase with a high dissymmetry factor (gCD = -0.20 and glum = +0.38) is reported. The intense and apparent CD and CPL of the film stem from the intrinsic helical structure of the molecular assembles with weak contribution of Bragg reflection, where the helical axis is perpendicular to the optical axis and is parallel to the direction of the glass substrate. To the best of our knowledge, this large glum factor is very rare for organic compounds even in the assembled state formed by annealing at smectic liquid crystalline temperature. Interestingly, strong CPL signal with glum value of +0.18 is still recorded when DPCE-ECh is annealed at chiral isotropic liquid (Iso*) state. On the other hand, DPCE-ACh can form two coexistence phases of chiral hexagonal and smectic liquid-crystalline phases due to intermolecular hydrogen bonding. The non-periodic molecular orientations of DPCE-ACh break itself helical structure to give a weak negtive CPL signal in 10-3 order. This work thus provides a new insight for developing efficient chiroptical materials in the aggregate state and profound implications in high-performance CPL-based device.
Assessing the Training Effectiveness of an Intelligent Tutoring System for Marksmanship Skills

The development of embedded trainers and intelligent tutoring systems (ITS) may allow modern militaries to maintain high proficiency in marksmanship skills despite limitations on training personnel and resources. A system embedding an ITS in a future rifle concept was developed to examine the potential of such technologies. This system was based on two main concepts: 1) instance-based learning and practice that uses a Smart Sight System to present a perceptual cue adjusted for the target’s properties and environmental variables and 2) rule-based learning that relies on artificial intelligence algorithm that delivers training tips and feedback to participants. The experimental task involved engaging moving targets on a virtual shooting range. Three types of training were compared: a control group that received no additional training, a standard Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) training group, and an advanced training group that received ITS training. The results showed that additional training—both CAF and ITS—improved shooting accuracy. The performance in the ITS condition was consistently better than in the Control group or in the CAF training group on selected measures of performance.
Sweat Biomarker Sensor Incorporating Pico-Watt, 3D-Extended Metal Gate ISFETs.

Ion-Sensitive-Field-Effect-Transistors (ISFETs) form a very attractive solution for wearable sensors due to their capacity for ultra-miniaturization, low power operation and very high sensitivity, supported by CMOS integration. This paper reports for the first time, a multi-analyte sensing platform that incorporates high performance, high yield, high robustness, 3D-Extended-Metal-Gate ISFETs (3D-EMG-ISFETs) realized by the post-processing of a conventional 0.18 μm CMOS technology node. The detection of four analytes (pH, Na+, K+ and Ca2+) is reported with excellent sensitivities (58 mV/pH, -57 mV/dec(Na+), -48 mV/dec(K+), -26 mV/dec(Ca2+)) close to the Nernstian limit, and high selectivity, achieved by the use of highly selective Ion Selective Membranes based on post-processing integration steps aimed at eliminating any significant sensor hysteresis and parasitics. We are reporting simultaneous time-dependent recording of multiple analytes, with high selectivities. In-vitro real sweat tests are carried out to prove the validity of our sensors. The reported sensors have the lowest reported power consumption, being capable of operation down to 2 pW/sensor. Due to the ultra-low power consumption of our ISFETs, we achieve and report a final 4-analyte passive system demonstrator including the readout interface and the remote powering of the ISFET sensors, all powered by an Radio Frequency (RF) signal.
Topic Diversity of Online Consumer Reviews and Its Effect on Review Helpfulness

Online consumer reviews can help potential buyers increase product diagnosticity and thus decrease product uncertainty. With the rapid growth of mobile and online shopping, understanding factors that influence the helpfulness of consumer reviews becomes crucial. Among other factors, review content as a main vehicle for conveying information has drawn great attention. In this study, we propose a new measure called topic diversity to estimate reviews’ information. By leveraging statistical and predictive analyses, we furnish empirical evidence to demonstrate a reliable relationship between our proposed measure and review helpfulness. Our findings suggest that topic diversity is another measure to estimate reviews’ conveying information along with the number of words. This study contributes to academia and industry, respectively. For academic researchers, the proposed measure enhances our understanding of consumer reviews’ features in association with helpfulness. Industry practitioners can use reviews’ topic diversity to recommend more helpful reviews to potential buyers.
The Organic Perspective To Cape Town-South Africa Shack Extraction

The spatial reconstruction of man-made objects from urban imagery for use in management and emergency reconnaissance has been a growing research area for over two decades. Informal settlements are an example of man-made objects and they also represent one of the greatest modern challenges of developingcountries. Urban governors constantly require up to date spatial and attribute information on the state of development in these settlements. The challenge with data capture in slums lies in the numerous contextual and societal complexities that characterize these unplanned environs. Several ground and image basedtechniques have been tested in data creation and unlike groundbased data collection techniques, image based techniques have proved superior. The evolution of sensors, data specifications and user requirements however, create a need to revisit existing spatial reconstruction approaches. This study addresses some ofthe contextual and approach based limitations to data collection by proposing an organically inspired perspective to shack extraction. It uses very high resolution aerial image datasets as input in a novel multi-scale framework that employs a watershed segmentation to inform on optimum locations and split complex shack candidates. Both the outer settlement boundary (macro) and the individual shack unit candidates within that boundary are identified and traced (micro scale) at a detection rate of 94%. The results are proposed for inclusion in larger scale urban planning architectures that include social and environmental parameters.