Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Extraction of the Third-Order  $3\times3$  MIMO Volterra Kernel Outputs Using Multitone Signals

This paper uses multitone signals to simplify the analysis of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$3{\times} 3$ </tex-math></inline-formula> multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) Volterra systems by isolating the third-order kernel outputs from each other. Multitone signals fed to an MIMO Volterra system yield a spectrum that is a permutation of the sums of the input signal tones. This <italic>a priori</italic> knowledge is used to design multitone signals such that the third-order kernel outputs are isolated in the frequency domain. The signals are designed by deriving the conditions for the offset and spacing of the input frequency grids. The proposed technique is then validated for the six possible configurations of a <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$3\times 3$ </tex-math></inline-formula> RF MIMO transmitter impaired by crosstalk effects. The proposed multitone signal design is used to extract the third-order kernel outputs, and their relative contributions are analyzed to determine the dominant crosstalk effects for each configuration.
How Should Individual Investors Diversify? An Empirical Evaluation of Alternative Asset Allocation Policies

This paper evaluates numerous diversification strategies as a possible remedy against widespread costly investment mistakes of individual investors. Our results reveal that a very broad range of simple heuristic allocation schemes offers similar diversification gains, as well-established or recently developed portfolio optimization approaches. This holds true for both international diversification in the stock market and diversification over different asset classes. We thus suggest easy-to-implement allocation guidelines for individual investors.
The Anatomy of Trade Deflection

Abstract This study employs four-dimensional (firm-product-destination-year) export data of Brazilian firms to analyze firm-level responses when faced with an antidumping protection in a particular export market. We examine the extent to which firms shift their exports to other destinations in response to the antidumping duties. Our findings suggest that trade deflection depends on past export status in export markets. Firms deflect trade but only to destinations where they already have an established trading relationship. This prior relationship is important both for the intensive as well as for the extensive margin of trade alternative destinations. In addition to making sense of existing puzzles in trade deflection, this paper makes an important contribution by demonstrating how much the fixed costs of developing an export destination matter in terms of trade deflection.
TimelyWare : a Middleware for Timely and Reliable Communication over the Internet

Delivering messages within a deadline is an important objective in several cloud infrastructures in which remote instructions have to be executed within limited time. This work addresses the problem of delivering messages on time over wide-area networks such as the Internet, considering small messages like control messages. We present a middleware called TimelyWare that aims to deliver messages in a timely way with higher probability than alternative solutions. This is possible by exploring the concepts of overlays networks, multihoming, and prediction of timing failures. The article presents the middleware routing protocol and the prediction algorithm. It also presents an experimental evaluation using PlanetLab.
Optimization of Photopolymer Materials for the Fabrication of a Holographic Waveguide

In this work, we present a method of manufacturing an optical see-through display based on a holographic waveguide with transmission holograms that couple the incident light between air and the glass substrate, accomplishing total internal reflection. The holograms (slanted transmission gratings with a spatial frequency of 1700 lines/mm) were recorded on a polyvinyl alcohol acrylamide (PVA/AA) photopolymer. We will also show that the addition of N,N′-methylene-bis-acrylamide (BMA) to the composition of the photopolymer allows the achievement of the index modulations necessary to obtain high diffraction efficiencies in non-slanted diffraction gratings of 1000 and 2200 lines/mm, and also in slanted gratings of 1700 lines/mm (which are the base of the optical system proposed).
An exploration of attrition among clients attending a therapeutic suicide prevention programme in Ireland

Correspondence details: Corresponding author: Dr. Paul Surgenor, Pieta House, 6 Main Street, Lucan, Co. Dublin. Phone number: 01 628 2111. Email: paul.surgenor@pieta.ie. Authors: Amy Moore, Pieta House, 6 Main Street, Lucan, Co. Dublin. Phone number: 01 628 2111. Email: amymoore@pieta.ie Dr. Marelise Spies, Department of Psychology, Trinity College Dublin, College Green, Dublin 2. Phone number: 085 729 1677. Email: spiesm@tcd.ie
Comparison of two supraglottic airways - I-gel and Proseal laryngeal mask airway for ease of insertion and hemodynamic stability

Introduction and Aims: Supraglottic airway devices are safe and efficient in airway management. I-gelTM and ProsealTM laryngeal mask airway are supraglottic airway devices which are used to secure and maintain airway during anaesthesia with additional gastric channel. Aim of our study is to compare the efficacy of both the supraglottic airway devices, I-gel and Proseal LMA(PLMA) in patients under general anaesthesia with controlled ventilation. Materials and Method: A total of 126 patients of ASA Grade I and II who underwent short surgical procedures were included and were randomly allocated to I-gel or PLMA group. Patients were induced with standard doses of propofol airway was secured with either of the supraglottic airway devices. We compared ease, duration of insertion, insertion attempts, mean pulse rate, mean arterial pressure (MAP), ease of gastric tube insertion and adverse events. Data was compiled and analyzed statistically by Mann –Whitney U test and Student t- test, the means and Chi- square test was compared for categorical variables. Results: There was no significant change in demographic data and hemodynamics before premedication, after premedication, at induction and insertion in mean pulse rate and MAP. Mean time for insertion was significantly less in I-gel compared to PLMA. There was significant change in mean pulse rates and MAP in both groups at1, 3, 5, 10 and 15mins with mean pulse rate and MAP being higher in PLMA than I-gel. Gastric tube insertion was easier in I-gel group and sore throat was significant in PLMA. Conclusion: I-gel is a better supraglottic airway device with higher first attempt success rate, was easy to insert, had better hemodynamic stability, with less incidence of sore throat compared to PLMA for controlled ventilation. Keywords: I-gel airway, Proseal LMA, Controlled ventilation, Supraglottic airway device, Hemodynamics
Dynamic and System Agnostic Malware Detection Via Machine Learning

This paper discusses malware detection in personal computers. Current malware detection solutions are static. Antiviruses rely on lists of malicious signatures that are then used in file scanning. These antiviruses are also very dependent on the operating system, requiring different solutions for different systems. This paper presents a solution that detects malware based on runtime attributes. It also emphasizes that these attributes are easily accessible and fairly generic meaning that it functions across systems and without specialized information. The attributes are used in a machine learning system that makes it flexible for retraining if necessary, but capable of handling new variants without needing to modify the solution. It can also be run quickly which allows for detection to be achieved before the malware gets too far.
The tripartite symbiosis between legumes , rhizobia and indigenous mycorrhizal fungi is more efficient in undisturbed soil

We investigated how the rate of colonization by indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) affects the interaction between AMF, Sinorrhizobium meliloti and Medicago truncatula Gaertn. To generate a differential inoculum potential of indigenous AMF, five cycles of wheat, each of 1 month, were grown in sieved or undisturbed soil before M. truncatula was sown. The early colonization of M. truncatula roots by indigenous AMF was faster in undisturbed soil compared with sieved soil, but by pod-fill the frequency of hyphae, arbuscules and vesicles was similar in both treatments. At this latter stage, M. truncatula grown in undisturbed soil had accumulated a greater biomass in aboveground tissues, had a greater P concentration and derived more N from the atmosphere than plants grown in disturbed soil, although soil compaction resulted in plants having a smaller root system than those from disturbed soil. The difference in plant P content could not be explained by modifications in hydrolytic soil enzymes related to the P cycle as the activity of acid phosphatase was greater in sieved than in undisturbed soil, and the activity of alkaline phosphatase was unaffected by the treatment. Thus, the results observed were a consequence of the different rates of AMF colonization caused by soil disturbance. Together with earlier results for soybean, this study confirms that soil disturbance modifies the interaction between indigenous AMF, rhizobia and legumes leading to a reduced efficacy of the bacterial symbiont. r 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
The Impact of participating in Human Resource Development Activities on Individuals' Job Level and income.

This paper addresses the question as to whether individuals benefit from participating in HRD activities. In particular, the question is addressed whether participating in these activities lead to a higher job level and/or higher income. The results, obtained through means of a linear regression analysis and based on a sample of 1957 respondents, show that participating in HRD activities has a significant but modest impact on individuals' job level. In fact, HRD activities are the secondly most explaining group of variables with regard to the variance in job level. Subsequently, participation in HRD activities has also a significant, but very small impact on individuals' income. Other variables included in the analysis, such as gender, level of initial qualification, work experience, and job level explain far more of the variance in income.
Investigating the Efficacy of Crowdsourcing on Evaluating Visual Decision Supporting System

Crowdsourcing recently became a popular approach to substitute time consuming and expensive human subject studies, but its application is generally limited to simple and short-term experimental tasks, such as testing visual perception. The goal of this study is to test if crowdsourcing is applicable to a more complicated user study. Thus, we replicated a controlled lab study of decision-making tasks with different sorting techniques using crowdsourcing. A total of 98 participants were recruited via the Amazon Mechanical Turk service, and they participated in the study remotely through web interfaces. Experiment results indicate that performance measures of our crowdsourcing experiment was not exactly equivalent to lab experiments. However, we found potential sources of problems that we can improve to make the crowdsourcing experiment more viable.
Design of Hybrid Solar Wind Energy System in a Microgrid with MPPT Techiques

DC Microgrid is one feasible and effective solution to integrate renewable energy sources as well as to supply electricity. This paper proposes a DC microgrid with enhanced Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) techniques for wind and solar energy systems. In this paper, the PV system power generation is enhanced by introducing a two-model MPPT technique that combines incremental conductance and constant voltage MPPT algorithms. Also, for the Wind Energy Conversion System (WECS) with pitch angle controlling technique, an Optimal Power Control MPPT technique is added. The Space Vector Pulse Width Modulation technique is introduced on grid side converter to improve the supply to the grid. The performance of proposed system is analyzed and the efficiency obtained with these methods is enhanced as compared with the previous methods.
Optimal Dynamic Asset Allocation with Capital Gains Taxes and Stochastic Volatility

This paper investigates the effect of capital gains tax on investors’ optimal dynamic consumption and portfolio choice when there is predictable variation in return volatility. For conservative investors who are under the leverage effect of a capital gains tax, we assume a negative after-tax leverage effect on the intertemporal hedging demand caused by pure changes in stochastic volatility. As a result, negative correlation between the unexpected return on the stock and its stochastic volatility is expected. Moreover, in a bad market accompanied by high volatility under the leverage effect, a conservative investor will be subject to a negative vega effect of the tax option on the intertemporal hedging demand coming from pure changes in stochastic volatility.
Ideological orientation and life satisfaction in older adults: The mediating role of commitment to societal values

Background and Aims: The current study was designed to investigate the relationship between political orientation and life satisfaction in older adults with a particular interest in the mediating effect of commitment to societal values and ideological beliefs. Methods: A survey was administered to 144 Hungarian older adults, with the variables of interest being that of leftright political orientation, commitment to leftand right-wing related beliefs, and life satisfaction. Results: Structural equation modeling was employed and a full mediation was obtained. Leftist orientation was linked to the endorsement of left-wing related values, which, in turn, resulted in an increased level of life satisfaction. Similarly, right-wing orientation was associated with commitment to right-wing related beliefs, which also positively predicted life satisfaction. However, political orientation itself had no direct link to well-being. Discussion: Findings suggest that regardless of political orientation, strong commitment to societal values increases life satisfaction in older adults. The role of ideological engagement in the general well-being of older people is discussed.
Comparison of Global Food Traceability Regulations and Requirements

The food traceability regulations of 21 Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) countries were examined with attention to whether these regulations are comprehensive for all food commodities and processed foods. The countries were evaluated based on responses to a series of questions that were developed to allow assessment of their traceability programs. The questions sought background information on whether: mandatory traceability regulation(s) exists at the national level within a given country; regulations include imported products, and the nature of required documentation for imports; an electronic database(s) for traceability exists and, if present, its accessibility; and labeling regulations allow consumer access and understanding of traceability. The examination ranked the countries that have specific traceability regulations for all commodities, both domestic and imports, as "Progressive," while countries with less broad or stringent regulations were ranked as "Moderate," and countries that were still in the developmental stage of mandatory or industry-led traceability requirements were ranked as "Regressive. " Aggregate scores were developed from all of the rankings, determined on the basis of the questions, for each of the 21 countries, to provide an overall world ranking score. The aggregate scores were "Superior," "Average," or "Poor. "
Visual Analytics of Millions of GPU Threads

Although the GPGPU has been widely used in various fields for algorithms acceleration, it is notorious for its programming difficulties because of many different concepts from general CPU programming and issues from the huge number of concurrent threads. In order to verify GPGPU software, we have developed a visualization tool known as GPGPU-Vis, which shows the run-time actions of all threads. However, it is still challenging to visualize millions of threads, due to time and memory limitations. To successfully visualize them, we propose reduction methods for threads containing duplicated information. Our methods can reduce the number of threads from millions to only one in many cases, and we can effectively visualize GPGPU software within given resource limitations. Through the suggested reduction methods, our tool can visualize the millions of threads with a minimum information loss, can help verifying the GPGPU software.
Modified clinical test of sensory interaction on balance test use for assessing effectiveness of Epley maneuver in benign paroxysmal positional vertigo patients rehabilitation

Background and Aim: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is most common type of vertigo in general population. Epley maneuver is the most effective treatment technique. However, there is no clinically valid test to verify effectiveness of maneuver quickly after treatment in the same session. Modified clinical test of sensory interaction on balance (mCTSIB) is considered as a quick and simple test. This study aimed to use mCTSIB for assessing effectiveness of Epley maneuver in BPPV patients. Methods: The study was carried out on 44 patients (36 female and 8 male, mean age of 53.11 (SD=7.09) diagnosed with posterior semicircular canals BPPV in Dix-Hallpike test and no other vestibular disorders. mCTSIB in four conditions was assessed, before and after Epley maneuver. Balance time, lateral and anterior-posterior sway were recorded. mCTSIB repeated after three weeks to assess reliability. Results: The time for balance control in mCTSIB after maneuver did not change significantly relative to before maneuver (p>0.05). Lateral sway changes in conditions 2, 3 and 4 in mCTSIB significantly reduced after maneuver (p=0.04). Anterior-posterior sway changes in conditions 1 and 2 showed no significant difference after maneuver, however, differences in conditions 3 and 4 were statistically significant (p<0.05). Test-retest showed reliable results. Conclusion: mCTSIB is seems be a valid test with simple and quick apply for verifying the effectiveness of Epley maneuver in BPPV patients.
When passion leads to excellence: the case of musicians

This article investigates the relationship between passion and the attainment of an elite level of performance within a population of expert musicians. Furthermore, the mediational role of performance goals and deliberate practice between passion and performance is also explored. Results of the path analysis showed that harmonious passion predicted the use of mastery goals, which in turn predicted the use of deliberate practice and a higher level of performance. On the other hand, obsessive passion positively predicted approach and avoidance goals with both having a direct negative impact on performance attainment. Consistent with previous research on passion, results also showed that harmonious, but not obsessive passion, was a positive predictor of subjective well-being. These results suggest the existence of two different pathways linking passion and elite performance, the harmonious passion path being the most adaptive.
Towards Deeper MT : Parallel Treebanks , Entity Linking , and Linguistic Evaluation

In this paper we investigate techniques to enrich Statistical Machine Translation (SMT) with automatic deep linguistic tools and evaluate with a deeper manual linguistic analysis. Using English–German IT-domain translation as a case-study, we exploit parallel treebanks for syntax-aware phrase extraction and interface with Linked Open Data (LOD) for extracting named entity translations in a post decoding framework. We conclude with linguistic phenomena-driven human evaluation of our forays into enhancing the syntactic and semantic constraints on a phrase-based SMT system.
The Trail Making Test in Morocco: Normative Data Stratified by Age and Level of Education

The purpose of this study is to design a Moroccan Trail Making Test B; explore the effects of age, education and gender on the performance of the Trail Making Test (TMT); and provide normative information in Moroccan subjects. Our normalization study was conducted on 348 subjects (156 female and 192 male). The subjects were classified into four groups based on age (18 - 39 years, 40 - 59 years, 60 - 69 years and ≥70 years), and three groups based on educational level (3 - 6 years, 7 - 10 years and ≥11 years). The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics through SPSS. The results displayed that increasing age and decreasing levels of education significantly result in a decreased performance on the Trail A, Moroccan Trail B and English Trail B. Only 229 bilingual subjects among the 348 initial subjects completed both versions of Trail B. There was no significant difference on performance between Moroccan Trail B and English Trail B for these subjects.
Role of Facial Emotion in Social Correlation

Diffusion of information can be found in any social networks, either it be a small network of co-workers or large network in social networking applications like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc. In this work, we propose a methodology to analyse the correlation amongst the group of people by analysing the emotion diffusion among them. Moreover, we adopted a multi-agent paradigm to maintain the robustness and scalability of the algorithm. Finally, the work is validated by comparing the results with ground truth of a scripted discussion. Such knowledge of the influences among the participants of the network, could be used to find the influential individual; further can find many applications such in consensus, negotiation, viral marketing, etc.
University ’ s repository of research publications and other research outputs The shape of online meetings Journal Item

Live videoconferencing has become an integral part of international virtual learning and working with professionals, educators and students using online meetings to enhance their collaboration from different parts of the world. This paper explores the visualization of a set of different online meetings produced by the FlashMeetingTM videoconferencing system. Our polar area visualization analysis reveals interesting patterns in participant dominance in online meetings: seminars, interviews, moderated project meetings, peer-to-peer meetings, web-casts and video lectures. Visualizing patterns in the use of foreground and background communication channels is a promising way to help us to start to explore individual user roles in different communities and in different meeting types.
A Service Composition Approach Based on Patterns

Service composition is an emerging way to provide the value-added service. The existing automatic composition approaches pay little attention to service reuse. In this paper, we propose two kinds service composition patterns to improve the reusability of the composition result and propose an approach to compose services based on pattern. Meanwhile, the composition approach can be done in an automatic manner without any other knowledge. The experiment and analysis show it is effective.