Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparative Evaluation of Interactive Segmentation Algorithms Using One Unified User Interactive Type

In interactive segmentation, user inputs are required to produce cues for the algorithms to extract the object of interest. Different input types were recommended by the researchers in their developed algorithms. The most common input types are points, strokes and bounding box. Different evaluation parameters were used in the researches in this field for comparison. Our previous work shows that, for non-complex image, segmentation result will not be affected by the user input type used. Complex images are defined as images whereby the colors of the objects of interest and the background are similar and vice-versa. In some of the complex images, parts of the color of the objects of interest are present in the background. This paper extends our previous work by using the proposed unified input types, which consists of a bounding box to locate the object of interest range and a stroke for the foreground, on three interactive segmentation algorithms for non-complex and complex image. Three different evaluation measures are computed to compare the segmentation quality: Variation of Information (VI), Global Consistency Error (GCE) and Jaccard index (JI). From the experiment results, it is noticed that, all three algorithms perform well for non-complex images but could not perform as good for complex images.
Estimating the permeability from fluid-injection induced seismic emission

During hydraulic-fracturing experiments or other experiments with borehole-fluid injections a micro-seismic activity can be observed. This was the case in the German Continental-Deep-Drilling Borehole at a depth interval of 9030 9100m(Engeser, 1996). About 200m of KBr/KCl brine were injected approximately 40 hours. The fluid injection induced almost 400 micro earthquakes in a spatial domain extending to 500 700m from the borehole in a lateral direction in the depth range 7:5 9km (Zoback and Harjes, 1997).
Explorer HIV , violence , blame and shame

Introduction: Internalized HIV stigma is a key risk factor for negative outcomes amongst adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV), including non-adherence to anti-retroviral treatment, loss-to-follow-up and morbidity. This study tested a theoretical model of multi-level risk pathways to internalized HIV stigma among South African ALHIV. Methods: From 2013 to 2015, a survey using total population sampling of ALHIV who had ever initiated anti-retroviral treatment (ART) in 53 public health facilities in the Eastern Cape, South Africa was conducted. Community-tracing ensured inclusion of ALHIV who were defaulting from ART or lost to follow-up. 90.1% of eligible ALHIV were interviewed (n = 1060, 55% female, mean age = 13.8, 21% living in rural locations). HIV stigma mechanisms (internalized, enacted, and anticipated), HIV-related disability, violence victimization (physical, emotional, sexual abuse, bullying victimization) were assessed using well-validated self-report measures. Structural equation modelling was used to test a theoretically informed model of risk pathways from HIV-related disability to internalized HIV stigma. The model controlled for age, gender and urban/rural address. Results: Prevalence of internalized HIV stigma was 26.5%. As hypothesized, significant associations between internalized stigma and anticipated stigma, as well as depression were obtained. Unexpectedly, HIV-related disability, victimization, and enacted stigma were not directly associated with internalized stigma. Instead significant pathways were identified via anticipated HIV stigma and depression. The model fitted the data well (RMSEA = .023; CFI = .94; TLI = .95; WRMR = 1.070). Conclusions: These findings highlight the complicated nature of internalized HIV stigma. Whilst it is seemingly a psychological process, indirect pathways suggest multi-level mechanisms leading to internalized HIV stigma. Findings suggest that protection from violence within homes, communities and schools may interrupt risk pathways from HIV-related health problems to psychological distress and internalized HIV stigma. This highlights the potential for interventions that do not explicitly target adolescents living with HIV but are sensitive to their needs.
Interfirm Cultural Compatibility and Communication in Supply Chain and Operations Performance

Sociotechnical systems (STS) theory in the intraorganizational context takes a cultural and behavioral view on supply chain relations and emphasizes the foundational role of cultural compatibility in supply chain integration. Drawing from the STS rationale, we suggest that interfirm cultural compatibility can facilitate interfirm communication, which contributes to supply chain and operations performance. We use structural equation modeling method to analyze data from 687 manufacturing facilities and find that interfirm communication mediates the relationship between interfirm cultural compatibility and partner performance. Out of the four customer performance outcomes tested, the effect of cultural compatibility on three outcomes (order delivery, lead time, and sales forecast error in two years) are mediated through interfirm communication. Cultural compatibility impacts sales forecast error in two months directly. Our findings shed light on the processes whereby interfirm cultural compatibility can impact supply chain performance and provide empirical support for STS theory regarding interorganizational relationships.
Method Validation for the Extraction and Analysis of Spiromesifen in Cabbage , Tomato and Soil by GC and GC-MS

Spiromesifen is a non-systemic insecticidal/miticidal compound belonging to the chemical class of spirocyclic phenyl substituted tetronic acid. It is an effective compound for controlling whiteflies (Bemisia and Trialeuroides spp.) and numerous mite species (Tetranychus and Panonychus spp.) [1, 2]. It controls insects and mites which are resistance to other insecticide/miticide [3]. It is a lipid biosynthesis inhibitor, acts by inhibiting lipid metabolism enzyme acetyl Co-A carboxylase [4]. It does not exhibit cross resistance to the more commonly used neonicotinoids [5]. Cabbage (Brassica oleracea) is an annually grown leafy vegetable. The annual production of cabbage is 3 million metric tons [6]. Cabbage reported to have anti-carcinogenic agent. It is a good source of vitamin C, fiber and betacarotene [7]. Most common pests of cabbage are aphids [8]. Tomato is the important vegetable consumed throughout the world. It is good source of carotene and lycopene and acts as a natural antioxidant. Tomato reportedly gives preventive control of prostate, head and neck cancer [9]. Psyllid and whiteflies are the common pests of tomato. Spiromesifen can give effective control of psyllid, whiteflies and aphids of cabbage and tomato [10-13]. When the pesticides are used for the pest control on different crops, it may also reach the soil. Soil is the major source of entry of pesticides into food chain. QuEChERS is the most convenient method for the extraction of the broad range of pesticides. It is a single step buffered acetonitrile extraction and clean-up method using small amount of solvent [14-15]. Method validation is a process to provide the evidence that the method was suitable for the residue analysis of the intended compound. Method validation was carried out as per SANCO (2013) for analysis of spiromesifen in cabbage, tomato and soil [16]. The parameters of the method validation studied were accuracy, precision, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), linearity, range, selectivity and measurement uncertainty (MU). Abstract Spiromesifen (3-mesityl-2-oxo-1-oxaspiro [4.4] non-3-en-4-yl 3, 3-dimethylbutyrate) is a novel miticide/ insecticide that belong to the chemical class of spirocyclic phenyl tetronic acid. An analytical method was validated for the analysis of spiromesifen in cabbage, tomato and soil using gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The sample extraction was carried out using acetonitrile and dispersive solid phase extraction (dSPE) clean-up was carried out using primary secondary amine (PSA). The recoveries were in the range of 72.56-103.37% with relative standard deviation (RSD) of 2.7-9.4%. The Limit of detection (LOD) was 0.003 μg mL -1 . The limit of quantification (LOQ) of the method, the lowest concentration at which the compounds could be analyzed in the samples, was 0.01 mg kg -1 , respectively. The measurement uncertainty was within 9.9-14.9%, indicating the true value remained within this range.
The Science and Practice of Cartographic Interaction

Objective: The research reported here contributes to cartographic theory on interactive mapping in two ways. A review of secondary sources from disciplines related to Cartography and GIS first was completed to understand the current state of science on cartographic interaction, revealing a guiding theoretical framework for a scientific approach to interactive cartography comprising six fundamental research questions. This background review was complemented by a set of semi-structured interviews with twenty-one power users of interactive maps or map-based systems, designed to capture the current state of practice on cartographic interaction across a number of application domains, generating insights into each of the six open questions on cartographic interaction.
LVAD Occlusion Condition Monitoring Using State Augmented Acoustic Spectral Images

Each year, thousands of people die from heart disease and related illnesses due to the lack of available donor organs. Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) aim to mitigate that occurrence, serving as a bridge-to-surgery option. While short term survival rates of LVAD patients near that of orthotopic surgery they are not viable long term options due to varied reasons. This work examines one cause, outlet graft thrombosis, and develops an algorithm for increasingly robust classification of device condition as it pertains to thrombosis or more generally occlusion. In order to do so an in vitro heart simulator is developed so that varying degrees of signal nonstationarity can be simulated and tested over a wide range of physiological blood pressure and heart rate conditions. Using a seeded-fault methodology, acoustics are acquired at the LVAD outlet graft location and subsequent spectral images of the sounds are developed. Statistical parameters from the images are used as features for classification using a support vector machine (SVM) which yields promising results. Given a comprehensive training space classification can be performed to fair accuracies (roughly 80%) using only the spectral image parameters. However, when the training space is limited augmenting the image features with patient state parameters elicits more robust identification. The algorithm developed in this work offers non-invasive diagnostic potential for LVAD conditions otherwise requiring invasive means. Thesis Supervisor: Dr. Jason Kolodziej Title: Associate Professor
Ju l 2 01 9 Testing for Externalities in Network Formation Using Simulation August 2 , 2019

We discuss a simplified version of the testing problem considered by Pelican & Graham (2019): testing for interdependencies in preferences over links among N (possibly heterogeneous) agents in a network. We describe an exact test which conditions on a sufficient statistic for the nuisance parameter characterizing any agent-level heterogeneity. Employing an algorithm due to Blitzstein & Diaconis (2011), we show how to simulate the null distribution of the test statistic in order to estimate critical values and/or p-values. We illustrate our methods using the Nyakatoke risk-sharing network. We find that the transitivity of the Nyakatoke network far exceeds what can be explained by degree heterogeneity across households alone.
EtherCAT Data Acquisition System Based on DMA Mode

Abstract. Data in peripheral registers can be read without cycle stealing in DMA (Direct Memory Access) mode, which work in parallel with CPU, so it can achieve real-time data processing to great extent. Because of this, when it refers to mass data acquisition, to further improve the real-time performance, a data acquisition system based on EtherCAT in DMA mode is proposed. This paper simply introduces the technical features of EtherCAT technology, analyzes the working principle of the system in DMA mode in detail, and completes the hardware connection and software implementation of the system. The feasibility of the whole system is verified through experiment of multi-channel analog data acquisition.
CS 229 Project Final Report : Neural Style Transfer

Given a pair of images, the process of combining the “style” of one image with the “content” of the other image to create a piece of synthetic artwork is known as style transfer. Style transfer is a popular topic in both academia and industry, due to its inherent attraction and wide applicability. Gatys et al. (2015) demonstrated a generalized style transfer technique by exploiting feature responses from a pre-trained CNN, opening up the field of neural style transfer, or the process of using neural networks to render a given content image in different artistic styles. Since then, many improvements, alternatives, and extensions to the algorithm of Gatys et al. has been proposed.
The Fate of the 0 . 5 s : Predictors of 2-Year Outcome in Mild Cognitive Impairment

Impairments in executive cognition (EC) may be predictive of incident dementia in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The present study examined whether specific EC tests could predict which MCI individuals progress from a Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) score of 0.5 to a score Z1 over a 2-year period. Eighteen clinical and experimental EC measures were administered at baseline to 104 MCI patients (amnestic and non-amnestic, singleand multiple-domain) recruited from clinical and research settings. Demographic characteristics, screening cognitive measures and measures of everyday functioning at baseline were also considered as potential predictors. Over the 2-year period, 18% of the MCI individuals progressed to CDRZ 1, 73.1% remained stable (CDR 5 0.5), and 4.5% reverted to normal (CDR 5 0). Multiple-domain MCI participants had higher rates of progression to dementia than single-domain, but amnestic and non-amnestic MCIs had similar rates of conversion. Only three EC measures were predictive of subsequent cognitive and functional decline at the univariate level, but they failed to independently predict progression to dementia after adjusting for demographic, other cognitive characteristics, and measures of everyday functioning. Decline over 2 years was best predicted by informant ratings of subtle functional impairments and lower baseline scores on memory, category fluency, and constructional praxis. (JINS, 2011, 17, 277–288)
Simulations and experimental results of cloud thermodynamic phase classification with three SWIR spectral bands

Abstract. Knowing the thermodynamic phase of a cloud–whether it is composed of spherical water droplets or polyhedral ice crystals–is critical in remote sensing applications and in climate studies. Liquid water and ice have different absorptive properties in certain spectral bands that can be exploited to identify the phase of clouds using ground-based, passive remote sensing. Our simulations found that ground-based radiance measurements at three spectral channels (1.55, 1.64, and 1.70 μm) provide improved discrimination when analyzed in three spectral dimensions as opposed to previous approaches based in two-dimensional parameter space. Our simulations show that these bands provide good discrimination between liquid-water and ice clouds when the optical depth is large. We also show measurements from a ground-based spectrometer confirming the cloud-phase sensing ability of these three channels, with validation provided by a dual-polarization lidar system.
Experimental and Numerical Analysis on Small Scale Wind Turbines : A Review

Nowadays the world is facing problem due to energy crises and rising pollution. The energy production rate is lagging the energy demand. The power generation is mainly dependent on fossil fuels, which is nevertheless having its negative impact on climate. Renewable energy is one of alternative options for eliminating fossil fuel based power production. In the field of renewable energy, wind energy is one of the viable and sustainable resources. Generally big capacity utility scale wind turbines are used for harnessing wind energy. However utility scale wind turbines have certain disadvantages associated with them. Small scale wind turbines have a number of advantages over utility scale wind turbine. Researches are done in the field of small scale wind turbines in the direction of experimental and Numerical analysis. The present review paper gives an idea of the negative aspects of utility scale wind turbine and a review on experimental and numerical analysis done over Small Scale HAWT and VAWT by going through ample number of papers. The findings are concluded with corresponding facts.
The Impact of Community Health Centers on Households and Providers

Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) offer heavily subsidized or free care to over 20 million low-income patients each year, yet their causal impacts are not well understood. This paper estimates the impacts of nearby FQHC entry on household insurance coverage, self-reported health, and nearby providers by linking geocoded data on new FQHCs to household and hospital survey data. The results suggest that FQHCs increase Medicaid take-up, although increased Medicaid coverage is partially counteracted by reduced private coverage. I do not find evidence that FQHCs impact self-reported health. Finally, FQHCs appear to divert low-income patients away from nearby hospitals, moderately reducing the number of Medicaid inpatient discharges. 1 1Funding from the National Institute on Aging, through Grant Number T32-AG000186 to the National Bureau of Economic Research, is gratefully acknowledged. I would like to thank Amy Finkelstein, David Autor, Jonathan Gruber, Jim Poterba, Ryan Hill, and Christina Patterson for thoughtful feedback, as well as James Davis, Stephanie Bailey, Mohan Ramanujan, and Jean Roth for technical support. I would like to thank Martha Bailey, Heather Royer, and Marielle Jacobson for invaluable help on an earlier version of this project, and gratefully acknowledge grant R01-HD070950 that made their work possible.
Rule-based Emotion AI in Arabic Customer Review

The e-commerce emotion analysis is notable and the most pivotal advance since it catches the customer emotion in a product, and emotions with respect to product to decide if the customer attitude is negative, positive, or neutral. Posting on the customer's reviews have turned into an undeniably famous path for individuals to share with different customers their emotion and feelings toward a product. This review has a significant impact on sales in the future. The proposed system utilizes mixed word from an adjective (adj) and adverb to improve the emotion analysis process utilized a rule-based emotion analysis. The system extracts an Arabic customer review and computes the frequency of each word. At that point, it computes the emotion and score of each customer review. The system likewise computes the emotion and score of straightforward Arabic sentence. Keywords—Component; rule-based; emotion; customer review; Arabic
A Competent and Novel Approach of Designing an Intelligent Image Retrieval System

A prominent technique used to search imperceptible images from any vast repository is denoted by Content based image retrieval (CBIR) system. The most eminent features of CBIR system are Texture, Color and Shape and in this paper these features are extracted using Local binary pattern, Color moment and Automatic segmentation process respectively. The features of these descriptors are combined for the formation of a hybrid feature vector by utilizing the process of normalization. Then, for enhancing the retrieval accuracy of the proposed system, Extreme learning machine (ELM) has been utilized as a classifier. The proposed hybrid CBIR system with ELM leads to an evolution of an intelligent system. Various evaluation metrics like Precision, Recall, Accuracy, etc. have been calculated on the proposed system on standard datasets. Average precision of 90%, 78%, 72% and 88.70% has been obtained respectively on Corel-1K, Corel-5K, Corel-10K and GHIM datasets which is significantly higher than the related techniques.
A Customized NGS-Based Resequencing Gene Panel to Identify Genetic Variants in Dementing Disorders: Preliminary Results

Background: Advancements in the next-generation sequencing (NGS) techniques have allowed for efficient genetic variant detection at reduced costs. Methods: We describe an ad hoc NGS-based custom designed resequencing gene panel to identify genetic variants in 8 patients with dementing disorders. Results: We found variants of TREM2 and APP genes in three patients; these have been previously identified as pathogenic or likely pathogenic and, therefore, considered as “Disease Causing”. In the remaining subjects, the pathogenicity was evaluated on the in silico analysis, according to the guidelines of the American College of Medical Genetics. In one patient, the p.R205W variant was causative of the disease, thus considered as “Possibly Disease Causing”. The variants found from the other four subjects in the CSF1R, SERPINI1, GRN, and APP genes revealed discordant in silico results and, therefore, it was not possible to assign a definitive pathogenicity. Conclusions: Notwithstanding the limitations of a customized panel, we detected some rare genetic variants with a probable disease association. The future application of NGS techniques and the further replication of these experimental data will replace the so-called “gene by gene” approach with a “panel of genes” strategy, that offers promising perspectives in the diagnosis and management of neurodegenerative disorders.
Spatial Positioning of Reflectors Using the-p Transform ( Cross-Section Processing )

In 2.5D seismic it is possible to calculate dip and strike if the same event has been picked in inand cross-line sections. In my diploma thesis I use the entire wave field of common-shot gathers to calculate the correct position of a reflector in 3D space. This knowledge is of interest when migrating 2D data as errors occur but are not recognized if side-swipes have been recorded. SUMMARY One aim in reflection seismic is, of course, to create an image where all reflectors are in the correct position in 3D space. In principle, it is no problem to reach this goal if one has 3D data. But for 2D data one has to consider that migration is fulfilled correctly only if the line is in dip direction. Outcrops and geologic knowledge help to avoid deviations of this restriction at least for flat interfaces but their geometry might change dramatically with depth. Therefore, so-called side-swipes are recorded and make the reflector appear at the wrong position. This master thesis focuses on in-line registration accompanied by cross-line registration, i.e. 2.5D data are provided. Identifying and picking on both datasets an event, it is possible to calculate its dip and strike. The new feature in this thesis is not to use only picked values but to make use of the complete wave field! The spatial location of a reflector is determined uniquely if two angles, dip and strike, and one point of it is known. For that purpose, common shot gathers of both lines, corresponding to the same shot, are transformed into the well known ( ,p)-space, where every ray parameter is associated with plane waves (Phinney et al. (1981)). The coherency measure semblance (Neidell and Taner (1971)) is an appropriate tool to 1email: kuvieth@gpirs1.physik. uni-karlsruhe.de 51