Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Performance Analysis of a Multichannel Dynamically Aggregative MAC Protocol for WSNs

In this paper, a multichannel dynamically aggregative medium access control (DA-MAC) protocol is proposed for wireless sensor networks. We develop a self-adaptive burst size control algorithm to adaptively adjust burst size according to the wireless channel quality. To evaluate the performance of DA-MAC, a three-dimensional Markov chain model has been developed. Numerical and simulation results show that energy efficiency and overhead can be significantly improved by the proposed DA-MAC.
A key interfacial residue identified with in-cell structure characterization of a class A GPCR dimer

G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) have been shown homo-dimeric. Despite extensive studies, no single residue has been found essential for dimerization. Lacking an efficient method to shift the monomer-dimer equilibrium also makes functional relevance of GPCR dimer elusive. Here, using fluorescence lifetime-based imaging for distance measurements, we characterize the dimeric structure of GPR17, a class A GPCR, in cells. The structure reveals transmembrane helices 5 and 6 the dimer interface, and pinpoints F229 a key residue, mutations of which can render GPR17 monomeric or dimeric. Using the resulting mutants, we show that GPR17 dimer is coupled to both Gαi and Gαq signaling and is internalized, whereas GPR17 monomer is coupled to Gαi signaling only and is not internalized. We further show that residues equivalent to F229 of GPR17 in several other class A GPCRs are also important for dimerization. Our findings thus provide fresh insights into GPCR structure and function.
Usability testing of mobile applications: a comparison between laboratory and field testing

Usability testing a mobile application in the laboratory seems to be sufficient when studying user interface and navigation issues. The usability of a consumer application was tested in two environments: in a laboratory and in a field with a total of 40 test users. The same problems were found in both environments, differences occurred in the frequency of findings between the contexts. Results indicate that conducting a time-consuming field test may not be worthwhile when searching user interface flaws to improve user interaction. In spite of this, it is possible that field testing is worthwhile when combining usability tests with a field pilot or contextual study where user behavior is investigated in a natural context.
Redundancy of temporal envelope information across frequency bands in normal hearing individuals

Much research has focused on the role of different spectral aspects of the speech signal in speech perception. To date there had been little quantification of the temporal envelope of the speech signal for speech perception. The goal of this study was to examine the role of temporal envelope information in speech recognition by quantifying the shared temporal envelope information extracted from neighbouring high frequency 1/3-octave bands. The Envelope Difference Index (EDI) was used in the current study to calculate similarity of temporal envelope information between adjacent bands. There was significant shared information, but also novel information as well. In general, for listeners identifying nonsense words from limited temporal information, their speech recognition performance increased as the gap between two bands increased. Furthermore, the amount of shared information between 1/3 octave bands also decreased as a function of gap size. The acoustic measure of redundancy between pairs of bands did not predict intelligibility. Based on these results, models of speech intelligibility must account for this redundancy rather than assuming that bands can be analyzed and weighted individually.
Focus on Inclusive Education: Upacking Word Problems for Diverse Learners: A Guide to Using Schemas

e teachers face the challenge of providing differentiated instruction for diverse learners in their classrooms. Research indicates that students with disabilities perform lower in math than peers without disabilities (Wei, Lenz, & Blackorby, 2012), and this is especially true when solving math word problems (Fuchs & Fuchs, 2002; Jordan & Hanich, 2000). In this article, we discuss the challenges related to word problems. Then, we discuss each of the addition and subtraction word problem schemas and provide a framework for introducing these schemas to students who experience difficulty with math.
Impacts of a concentrated solar power trough facility on birds and other wildlife in South Africa

This study assesses bird and wildlife mortality and changes in bird species communities at a 50 MW utility-scale concentrated solar power parabolic trough facility in South Africa. The facility was searched for evidence of large vertebrate mortalities over three months. Eight bird carcasses were recorded in the solar field, all of which probably died prior to the study period. Carcass persistence trials indicated that 94% of bird carcasses survived 24 h, 68% for 7 d, and 56% for 28 d, although persistence varied with carcass size. No large carcasses (>1 000 g) were removed entirely by scavengers after 28 d, whereas only 42% of medium-sized (100–1 000 g) and 17% of small (<100 g) carcasses remained after 28 d. Searchers detected 72% of bird carcasses, with large birds more likely to be detected than small birds. The extrapolated mortality rate for the facility was 3.9 birds y−1 (90% CI 0.0–14.9) or 0.1 bird fatalitites MW y−1 (90% CI 0.0–0.3). Birds were much more abundant (141.9 birds km−1) and species rich (51 species) in the surrounding rangeland than in the solar field (1.27 birds km−1; 22 species). Of the 24 bird carcasses found in the evaporation ponds, six likely drowned (four species). Three reptiles (one species) and 12 mammals (seven species), including sensitive species such as aardvark Orycteropus afer, also drowned in the evaporation ponds. This is the first study of its kind in South Africa and unexpectedly revealed that the evaporation ponds had a bigger impact on wildlife than anticipated.
An Unique Solution for N queen Problem

N-queens problem is a popular classic puzzle where numbers of queen were to be placed on an n x n matrix such that no queen can attack any other queen. The Branching Factor grows in a roughly linear way, which is an important consideration for the researchers. However, many researchers have cited the issues with help of artificial intelligence search patterns say DFS, BFS and backtracking algorithms. We have conducted an extensive study on this problem and realized that no algorithms so far designed with simple formula based. This paper includes a new paradigm which able to compute one unique solutions to the N-queens problem. Again our experimental study brings out a significant outcome.
Parametrični in neparametrični pristopi za odkrivanje trenda v časovnih vrstah

Eno od najpogosteje uporabljenih orodij za odkrivanje sprememb v časovnih vrstah je analiza trenda. Obstaja veliko parametričnih in neparametričnih testov za odkrivanje značilnih trendov v časovnih vrstah. Slednji se pogosteje uporabljajo zaradi manjšega števila predpostavk potrebnih za njihovo izvedbo. Najpogosteje uporabljen test za odkrivanje značilnih trendov je Mann-Kendallov test, ki še vedno zahteva, da so vzorčni podatki neodvisni. Za odstranitev vpliva serialne korelacije v Mann-Kendallovem testu so bili vpeljani različni popravki in metode pred-beljenja. V tem članku je pregled najpogosteje uporabljenih pristopov za odkrivanje trenda v časovnih vrstah ob prisotnosti serialne korelacije ali brez nje. Na koncu so te metode uporabljene še na realnih podatkih.
Biocontrol Potential of Bacillus thuringiensis Isolated from Soil against Mosquito Larva

A major challenge for achieving successful mosquito control is overcoming insecticide resistance. This study was carried out to assess the larvicidal activity of Bacillus thuringiensis isolated from different soil samples within Sokoto metropolis using standard methods. Confirmatory identification of the organism was made based on biochemical characterization and microscopic observation. The larvicidal activity of Bacillus thuringiensis isolated were tested against the larva of mosquito using three dilutions of the Bacillus culture in a bioassay. The isolated organisms were confirmed as Bacillus thuringiensis. The result of the bioassay showed variation in the level of efficacy of the bacteria and depended on the time of the exposure. Mortality rate greater than 20% was observed after 60 minutes and increased to 100% after time of exposure was increased for all dilutions of B. thuringiensis used. The results showed that Bacillus thuringiensis toxins can be bacteriocidal to mosquito larvae in a matter of minutes depending on the concentration ingested by the larvae. This, in essence, proved that Bacillus thuringiensis is an effective bio-larvicide that can be used to reduce and possibly eradicate the nuisance of disease-causing mosquitoes and aid in the rollback of malaria. Original Research Article Riskuwa-Shehu et al.; SAJP, 2(3): 1-7, 2019; Article no.SAJP. 48776 2
Edge-based quality-of-service architecture

Service providers and enterprises used to build and support separate networks to carry their voice, video and mission-critical traffic. There is a growing trend to converge all these networks into a single, packet-based Internet Protocol (IP) network. The Internet and Corporate Intranet have grown exponentially during the last few years and applications other than traditional data, such as Voice-over-IP and video-conferencing, are becoming prevalent. Today, the Internet offers only best-effort service. However, this service does not provide IP packet delivery guarantees. Researchers have overwhelmed the Internet with complex approaches in providing Quality-of-Service (QoS) at the transport layer. The Internet Engineering Task Force has proposed two reservation approaches: hop-by-hop bandwidth reservation (Integrated Services) in which a QoS-sensitive flow makes bandwidth reservation on each hop over its connection path; and per-hop behaviour bandwidth reservation (Differentiated Services) in which QoS-sensitive flows with similar QoS requirements are aggregated at the edge routers of a network domain into service classes that have a predetermined QoS guarantee promised by each core routers in the network domain. The contribution of this dissertation is threefold: an edge-based QoS architecture; a multi-service scheduling discipline; and a generic signalling protocol. We focus on an edge-based QoS architecture that provisions QoS for flows based on traffic information gathered by edge routers. In this architecture, traffic allowed into the core network by each edge router is viewed as a packet train. Edge-based Virtual Time Reference System (EVTRS) is a virtual time reference system proposed to provide information on a flow and an aggregation of flows for core routers. This information includes inter-flow's packet departure time, packet lag time and inter-packet departure time. Using a virtual clock technique, we can derive useful functions like flow extraction, instantaneous service rate and a granular packet dropping algorithm. We proposed Weighted Deficit Earliest Departure First (WDEDF), a new workATTENTION: The Singapore Copyright Act applies to the use of this document. Nanyang Technological University Library
Application of Evolutionary Algorithm-Based Symbolic Regression to Language Assessment: Toward Nonlinear Modeling

This study applies evolutionary algorithm-based (EA-based) symbolic regression to assess the ability of metacognitive strategy use and lexico-grammatical knowledge to predict listening comprehension proficiency among English learners. Linear regression initially found both sets of predictors to have weak or inconclusive effects on listening comprehension; however, the results of EA-based symbolic regression suggested that both lexico-grammatical knowledge and two of the five metacognitive strategies tested predicted strongly and nonlinearly listening proficiency(R 2 =.65). Constraining prediction modeling to linear relationships is argued to jeopardize the validity of language assessment studies, potentially leading these studies to inaccurately contradict otherwise well-established language assessment hypotheses and theories.
Estimating Characteristic Points of Human Body for Automatic Hand Pointing Gesture Recognition

The pointing gesture recognition system based on stereo vision and implemented using open source computer vision library (OpenCV) is presented. The system is able to detect pointing gestures and to determine the 3D pointing direction in real-time. To obtain input features for gesture recognition, at first, detect a person’s head and pointing hand, mark some feature points in detected regions of the head and pointing hand and then perform its tracking in 3D. Two cascades of boosted classifiers were used to detect the occurrence of the head and pointing hand. Results of experimental evaluation prove that the rate of correct detection is quite high, while tracking still needs improvements. Ill.4, bibl. 7 (in English; summaries in English, Russian and Lithuanian).
High efficiency prediction methods for current and next generation video coding

Consumption and production of video signals drastically changed in recent years. Due to the advances in digital consumer technology and the growing availability of fast and reliable internet connections, an increasing amount of digital video sequences are being produced, stored and shared every day in different parts of the world. Video signals are inherently larger in size than other types of multimedia signals. For this reason in order to allow transmission and storage of such data, more efficient compression technology is needed. In this thesis novel methods for enhancing the efficiency of current and next generation video codecs are investigated. Several aspects of interest to video coding technology are taken into account, from computational complexity and compliance to standardisation efforts, to compression efficiency and quality of the decoded signals. Compression can be achieved exploiting redundancies by computing a prediction of a part of the signal using previously encoded portions of the signal. Novel prediction methods are proposed in this thesis based on analytical or statistical models with the aim of providing a solid theoretical basis to support the algorithmic implementation. It is shown in the thesis that appropriately defined synthetic content can be introduced in the signal to compensate for the lack of certain characteristics in the original content. Some of the methods proposed in this thesis aim to target a broader set of use cases than those typically addressed by conventional video coding methods, such as ultra high definition content or coding under high quality conditions.
Rule-Based Cooperative Collision Avoidance Using Decentralized Model Predictive Control

A rule-based decentralized model predictive control (DMPC) approach is employed to address the collision avoidance problem of multiple moving vehicles. Every vehicle uses model predictive control (MPC) to plan its trajectory towards its assigned target. The neighboring vehicles exchange their predicted trajectories at each sample time to predict the conflicts. Then, decentralized coordination and cooperation is performed to resolve the predicted conflicts. The Coordination part consists of online recalculation of the directed interaction graph topology to label conflicting vehicles as leader or follower. Between two conflicting vehicles, the vehicle with higher speed is labeled as leader and the other as follower. The Cooperation part consists of two simple rules, referred to as Heading-rule and Velocity-rule, which are often employed by human pedestrians to avoid potential collisions. The Heading-rule is first employed by both leader and follower to resolve the conflict. If it is not feasible to resolve the conflict by Heading-rule then the Velocity-rule is employed to decelerate the follower and accelerate the leader until the conflict is resolved. Numerous simulations of a team of unicycles are used to illustrate the proposed approach.
CT Evaluation for Clinical Lung Cancer Staging: Do Multiplanar Measurements Better Reflect Pathologic T-Stage than Axial Measurements?

OBJECTIVE To retrospectively investigate whether tumor size assessment on multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) CT images better reflects pathologic T-stage than evaluation on axial images and evaluate the additional value of measurement in three-dimensional (3D) space. MATERIALS AND METHODS From 1661 patients who had undergone surgical resection for primary lung cancer between June 2013 and November 2016, 210 patients (145 men; mean age, 64.4 years) were randomly selected and 30 were assigned to each pathologic T-stage. Two readers independently measured the maximal lesion diameters on MPR CT. The longest diameters on 3D were obtained using volume segmentation. T-stages determined on CT images were compared with pathologic T-stages (overall and subgroup-Group 1, T1a/b; Group 2, T1c or higher), with differences in accuracy evaluated using McNemar's test. Agreement between readers was evaluated with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). RESULTS The diagnostic accuracy of MPR measurements for determining T-stage was significantly higher than that of axial measurement alone for both reader 1 (74.3% [156/210] vs. 63.8% [134/210]; p = 0.001) and reader 2 (68.1% [143/210] vs. 61.9% [130/210]; p = 0.049). In the subgroup analysis, diagnostic accuracy with MPR diameter was significantly higher than that with axial diameter in only Group 2 (p < 0.05). Inter-reader agreements for the ICCs on axial and MPR measurements were 0.98 and 0.98. The longest diameter on 3D images showed a significantly lower performance than MPR, with an accuracy of 54.8% (115/210) (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Size measurement on MPR CT better reflected the pathological T-stage, specifically for T1c or higher stage lung cancer. Measurements in a 3D plane showed no added value.
EVALUATION AND ENHANCEMENT OF WEB CONTENT ACCESSIBILITY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

Web content accessibility is to which degree a site is accessible to the largest possible range of people, especially for persons with disabilities. The current study comprises four interrelated parts revolving around evaluating and enhancing Web content accessibility.First, a novel measurement metrics called Web Accessibility Barriers (WAB) score is constructed based on published Web accessibility design guidelines. The performance of the measurement metrics is assessed using a Web accessibility gold standard. The Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve shows that WAB score separate inaccessible Web pages well from accessible ones with Area Under the Curve (AUC) value of 0.917. Second, using the WAB score, I evaluate the degree of Web accessibility of consumer health information websites. Mean of WAB score of the 108 selected websites is 9.31 with standard deviation of 6.29. Among those websites, government and education websites have lower WAB score - 0.39 and 1.16 respectively. ANalysis Of VAriance (ANOVA) test shows statistical significances across different functional categories of the websites (F=9.705, p < 0.001). In addition, this study shows that WAB score correlated with traffic rank of the websites with (r = 0.32, p < 0.01). Third, a usability study is conducted to examine the performance of a Web Transcoder Gateway (WTG) server for blind Web users to access online information. The WTG server removes Web accessibility barriers in real time based on Web accessibility design guidelines. The study design is a within-subject cross-over design. A mixed model analysis is employed to examine the effect of the WTG server on time, success, errors, and subjective measurement. Sixteen blind Web users took part in the study. Results show that participants spent less time, make few errors, and succeed more on the tasks via WTG server. Participants also feel more satisfactory, less frustrated, and more confident when access online information via WTG server. Observational and anecdotal findings imply that only removing accessibility barriers may not be sufficient to achieve the best usability for blind Web users.Finally, a usability study is conducted to examine the performance of a Web Transcoder Gateway (WTG) server for PDA users to access Web sites. The study design is also a within-subject cross-over design. A mixed model analysis is employed to examine the effect of WTG server on time, success, and subjective measurements. Twenty subjects took part in the study. Results show that participants spend less time on each task via WTG server. Each participant can finish the tasks successfully via either WTG server or non WTG server. This implies that the WTG server can serve as "Electronic Curb Cut" for Web users under constraints. However, the participants show no statistically significant preference to WTG server.
Predictive Functional Control of a Tendon-driven Actuator Using a Pneumatic Balloon

Copyright © 2013 by JSME Abstract In recent years, Japanese society has been aging, engendering a labor shortage of young workers. For a robot that is often in contact with people and which must provide safety and flexibility in nursing and welfare, the development of a soft, lightweight, and compact actuator has been sought. Particularly robots that are intended for use in fields of medical care and welfare should be safe when functioning around humans because they often come into contact with people. Therefore, a tendon-driven balloon actuator (balloon actuator) has been developed for a robot hand to be used in such environments. For this study, we developed a stroke control system for the balloon actuator using a predictive functional control (PFC). The PFC is one of model predictive control (MPC) schemes, which predicts the future outputs of the actual plant over the prediction horizon and computes the control effort over the control horizon at every sampling instance. This paper reports the PFC control performance of the balloon actuator. We compared the control performance for the actuator with that of the PFC and a PID control system.
Multirate digital control system design

A computation effective fixed order multirate digital control system is presented. Introducing a periodically time varying gain, a multirate digital controller is designed, that works without using inter-sample states and delivers a stable closed loop with predictable behavior at every control update instant. The multirate controller outputs control at each control update instant, while the multirate control scheme is evenly computed every measurement sampling period thereby eliminating the need for very powerful processors for implementation. An illustrative example is provided to demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed multirate digital control scheme.