Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An empirical comparison of alternative user equilibrium traffic assignment methods

1. ABSTRACT This paper presents an empirical comparison of alternative methods for computing user equilibrium on large regional transportation networks. Specifically, it examines the solution characteristics, convergence behavior and associated computing times of link-based, origin-based, and path-based methods. The latter two methods use more memory and are computationally more demanding, but have been touted in the literature as converging more rapidly than the link-based Frank-Wolfe method or variants thereof, that are commonly employed in planning software. The principal motivation in searching for improved methods is achieving more rapid and/or tighter convergence in the computation of equilibrium. Greater convergence is needed for accurate forecasting the impacts associated with road and public transport projects and affects nearly all aspects and components of transportation models as well as being a major determinant of their internal consistency. Congested travel speeds are typically used to compute trip distribution and mode choice, and these speeds will be incorrect if a satisfactory traffic assignment is not achieved. Due to long computational times, many models are insufficiently calibrated and converged for forecasting purposes. This problem is partly the result of and is compounded by the slow convergence of the Frank-Wolfe algorithm. In order to perform this research, origin-based and path-based algorithms were coded following the existing literature and tested on networks on large networks of the type that are representative of regional travel demand forecasting efforts for major metropolitan regions. The algorithms coded were those described by Chen et al.(2002) and Dial (2006). An executable version of origin-based traffic assignment code written by one of its proponents (Bar-Gera, 2002) and made freely available for research was also tested. The new algorithms were compared with the current production version of the traffic assignment in TransCAD which is based upon the Frank-Wolfe algorithm and has been shown to be faster than other commercial implementations in the United States. Concurrent with this research, the F-W traffic assignment in TransCAD was multi-threaded leading to speedups in computation proportionate to the number of central processing units and/or CPU cores available. This raises the bar for new assignment algorithms, especially if they are less suitable than F-W for multi-threading.
Curcumin and Health

Nowadays, there are some molecules that have shown over the years a high capacity to act against relevant pathologies such as cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disorders or cancer. This article provides a brief review about the origin, bioavailability and new research on curcumin and synthetized derivatives. It examines the beneficial effects on health, delving into aspects such as cancer, cardiovascular effects, metabolic syndrome, antioxidant capacity, anti-inflammatory properties, and neurological, liver and respiratory disorders. Thanks to all these activities, curcumin is positioned as an interesting nutraceutical. This is the reason why it has been subjected to several modifications in its structure and administration form that have permitted an increase in bioavailability and effectiveness against different diseases, decreasing the mortality and morbidity associated to these pathologies.
Solving Digital Circuit Layout Problem based on Graph Partitioning Technique: A Glance

 Abstract—Digital Circuit Layout is a combinatorial optimization problem. Due to the complexity of integrated circuits, the first step in physical design is usually to divide a design into subdesigns. The work presents a brief survey of major contributions to solve digital circuit layout problem using graph partitioning technique by dividing the study into three parts: Basic inspiration, Graph Partitioning related preliminary work and role of evolutionary approaches in solving digital circuit layout problem. The study analyses the work of major contributors and concludes the findings.
The Whirlpool Secure Hash Function

ABSTRACT In this paper, we describe Whirlpool, which is a block-cipher-based secure hash function. Whirlpool produces a hash code of 512 bits for an input message of maximum length less than 2256 bits. The underlying block cipher, based on the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), takes a 512-bit key and operates on 512-bit blocks of plaintext. Whirlpool has been endorsed by NESSIE (New European Schemes for Signatures, Integrity, and Encryption), which is a European Union-sponsored effort to put forward a portfolio of strong cryptographic primitives of various types.
Estimation of Radio Channel Parameters in Case of an Unknown Transmitter

This paper investigates the estimation of radio channel parameters from receiver data, whereby the transmitter is fully unknown. We use a multipath model to describe the radio channel between transmitter and receiver. According to this model, we discuss the accessibility of parameters for estimation. Based on the Maximum-Likelihood principle, we derive a cost function. A second cost function is derived from the cross relation between the receiver channels. To estimate the parameters, we seek for the minimum of these cost functions. The performance of the presented cost functions are compared in simulations.
Fast dynamics of odor rate coding in the insect antennal lobe

Insects identify and evaluate behaviorally relevant odorants in complex natural scenes where odor concentrations and mixture composition can change rapidly. In the honeybee, a combinatorial code of activated and inactivated projection neurons (PNs) develops rapidly within tens of milliseconds at the first level of neural integration, the antennal lobe (AL). The phasic-tonic stimulus-response dynamics observed in the neural population code and in the firing rate profiles of single neurons is faithfully captured by two alternative models which rely either on short-term synaptic depression, or on spike frequency adaptation. Both mechanisms work independently and possibly in parallel to lateral inhibition. Short response latencies in local interneurons indicate that local processing within the AL network relies on fast lateral inhibition that can suppress effectively and specifically odor responses in single PNs. Reviewing recent findings obtained in different insect species, we conclude that the insect olfactory system implements a fast and reliable coding scheme optimized for time-varying input within the behaviorally relevant dynamic range.
A Simulative Bionic Intelligent Optimization Algorithm: Artificial Searching Swarm Algorithm and Its Performance Analysis

In this paper, a novel optimization algorithm - Artificial Searching Swarm Algorithm (ASSA) is presented by analyzing the operating principle and uniform framework of the Bionic Intelligent Optimization Algorithm. ASSA simulates the process of solving optimal design problem to the process of searching optimal goal by searching swarm with the set rules, and finds the optimal solution through the search and cooperation of the searching individual. The algorithm has easy programmable character, and has strong global searching ability. The simulative tests prove the validity of the proposed algorithm.
The Effect of Induced Mood on Prices in Experimental Asset Markets

In this paper we study the effect of induced positive mood on price patterns in experimental asset markets. Smith, Suchanek and Williams (1988) in their seminal paper documented bubbles and crashes in experimental asset markets (i.e., prices exceed fundamental value in the beginning and fall towards or below the fundamental value towards the end of the market). Since then, a number of studies have shown that the magnitude of the bubble is influenced by experience, the ability to buy on margins and sell short. We believe that price patterns will also be influenced by affect. We use call trading market rules in our experimental asset markets. As expected, our results show a higher deviation of prices from fundamental values under positive affect treatment.
Serially concatenated continuous phase modulation with low density generator matrix codes

We propose a new scheme of serially concatenated continuous phase modulation (SCCPM) by using nonsystematic low density generator matrix (LDGM) codes as the outer code. We use the EXIT chart/function to optimize the LDGM codes. We also show the EXIT function for CPM when the SNR (signal-to-noise-ratio) is fixed. A property of the LDGM code degree is investigated. The union bound is used to analyze the error floor. Numerical results show that this scheme converges earlier (lower SNR) than previous considered SCCPM schemes for iterative decoding.
Pitch Modification of Speech Residual Based on Parameterized Glottal Flow with Consideration of Approximation Error

Pitch modification plays an important part in the field of speech generation. For this task various approaches exist using time signals like PSOLA and related methods. Further approaches exist by using a parameterized model of the glottal flow or its derivative. In this contribution a hybrid approach is proposed based on a partly parameterized model of the glottal flow plus the consideration of the error of the model approximation; both of them are obtained from the residual of speech. By the consideration of the approximation error a high naturalness of the synthetic speech can be achieved; concurrently the use of the glottal flow model allows the alteration of pitch in a large range without appreciable decrease of speech quality
Who is Self-Employed in France, the United Kingdom and West Germany? Patterns of Male Non-Agricultural Self-Employment

This paper investigates the patterns of male non-agricultural self-employment and how they have changed over time in France, Germany and the UK. It is argued that the development of self-employment in the three countries is based on specific institutional frameworks resulting in different opportunities for the self-employed. Thus, we expect that the dynamics of growth, the sectors of activity and the socio-demographic characteristics of the self-employed differ between the countries. The empirical analyses are based on the national Labour Force Surveys of 1984 and 1994 (Germany 1982 and 1995). Our findings indicate that educational requirements differ fundamentally between the three countries and along industrial branches. Further, we could observe some country-specific developments in some sectors of activity but also a remarkable number of common general patterns in the development of self-employment
HIV-1 Coinfection Profoundly Alters Intrahepatic Chemokine but Not Inflammatory Cytokine Profiles in HCV-Infected Subjects

The pathogenesis of accelerated liver damage in subjects coinfected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) remains largely unknown. Recent studies suggest that ongoing chronic liver inflammation is responsible for the liver injury in HCV-infected patients. We aimed to determine whether HIV-1 coinfection altered intrahepatic inflammatory profiles in HCV infection, thereby hastening liver damage. We used a real-time RT-PCR-based array to comparatively analyze intrahepatic inflammation gene profiles in liver biopsy specimens from HCV-infected (n = 16), HCV/HIV-1-coinfected (n = 8) and uninfected (n = 8) individuals. We then used human hepatocytes to study the molecular mechanisms underlying alternations of the inflammatory profiles. Compared with uninfected individuals, HCV infection and HCV/HIV-1 coinfection markedly altered expression of 59.5% and 50.0% of 84 inflammation-related genes tested, respectively. Among these genes affected, HCV infection up-regulated the expression of 24 genes and down-regulated the expression of 26 genes, whereas HCV/HIV-1 coinfection up-regulated the expression of 21 genes and down-regulated the expression of 21 genes. Compared with HCV infection, HCV/HIV-1 coinfection did not dramatically affect intrahepatic gene expression profiles of cytokines and their receptors, but profoundly altered expression of several chemokine genes including up-regulation of the CXCR3-associated chemokines. Human hepatocytes produced these chemokines in response to virus-related microbial translocation, viral protein stimulation, and antiviral immune responses. Conclusions HIV-1 coinfection profoundly alters intrahepatic chemokine but not cytokine profiles in HCV-infected subjects. The altered chemokines may orchestrate the tissue-specific and cell-selective trafficking of immune cells and autoimmunity to accelerate liver disease in HCV/HIV-1 coinfection.
Study on the Location of the Activated Cerebellum Regions in Manual Movement Related to Handedness

The present study used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to study the activated site in the cerebellum during bi-hand movement and uni-hand movement, and the lateralization of the cerebellum in hand movement. The coordinates of the peak activation in the CRB were compared using statistical tests, and the results in the primary motor cortex (PMC) were presented as comparison. The results showed a significant difference in cerebellum during bi-hand movement comparing the right-handed with the left-handed subjects. When comparing the right-handed subjects and left-handed subjects during right-hand movement, the significantly different coordinate in dorsal/ventral orientation was observed. The results also showed the different activated site during bi-hand movement and non-dominant hand movement. Our study took the point of view of the lateralization in cerebellum, and the results demonstrated the different site of the peak activation in cerebellum during bi-hand movement and uni-hand movement, which suggested that the handedness also existed in the cerebellum.
Mindfulness, werkstress en irrationele gedachten

The aim of this study was to examine the relations between mindfulness on the one hand and two types of job stress – general job stress and telepressure – and five types of irrational beliefs on the other hand. It was expected that mindfulness would negatively relate to both types of job stress (Hypothesis 1) and irrational beliefs (Hypothesis 3), that both types of job stress would be positively related to irrational beliefs (Hypothese 2), and that the relationship between mindfulness and the two types of job stress would be mediated by irrational beliefs (Hypothesis 4). To test these hypotheses, 195 employees at a large insurance company filled out an online questionnaire. Results largely confirmed Hypotheses 1, 2 and 3. Mediation analyses conducted to test Hypotheses 4 found that the effect of mindfulness on general job stress was mediated by the irrational ‘rumination’ belief, and that the effect of mindfulness on telepressure was mediated by the irrational ‘need for approval’ belief. The study’s results suggest that mindfulness interventions may contribute to improving the management of work-related stress and, thereby, to the sustainable employability of employees.
ENSINO DE FÍSICA POR INVESTIGAÇÃO: REFERENCIAL TEÓRICO E AS PESQUISAS SOBRE AS SEQUÊNCIAS DE ENSINO INVESTIGATIVAS PHYSICS TEACHING BY INQUIRY: THEORETICAL REFERENCES AND THE RESEARCH ON INQUIRY-BASED TEACHING SEQUENCE

From the proposition that "teaching science is to teach to communicate in science", we propose basis for planning Inquiry-Based Sequence Teaching in Physics according to theoretical referen- ces about inquiry and science learning. We show that our research group performed on Investigative Activities Physics Teaching in elementary school le- vels and medium and reported that some conclu- sions obtained from these investigations.
Comparing Governance and Local Engagement in the St. Marys River Area of Concern

ABSTRACT Under the 1987 revisions to the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement between Canada and the United States, Areas of Concern (AOC) were designated around the Great Lakes to target the remediation of environmental impairments. Local governments have the potential to play an important role in Great Lakes restoration and protection efforts in AOCs, though the scope of their engagement in remediation efforts is not fully understood. This case study investigates the St. Marys River AOC, which spans the border between Canada and the United States. Through the theoretical lens of the ecology of games, the case study explores the strategic choices of local governments to engage in environmental policy networks in Canada and the United States. The case illustrates the importance of intergovernmental aid and collaborative institutions for ongoing environmental remediation efforts and cross-border coordination.
High-Level Synthesis for Self-Timed Systems

We present a tool for high-level synthesis of self-timed system based on the proposed synthesis flow, which allows designers to proceed with asynchronous design by converting channel-level to four-phase handshaking-level HDL without prior knowledge of it. The merit of tool is we take logic-drive approach to tear the commonly-seen algorithmic-level system specification apart into extended burst-mode controllers and self-timed datapath. The controllers can be synthesized by the existing burst-mode synthesis tools such as 3D, ATACTS, XBM2PLA, Minimalist, and so forth. Based on the choice of the circuit implementation, our tool can further transform the minimized hazard-free logic equations to synthesizable HDL specification for FPGA or transistor netlist for fully custom designs. Because of the simplistic nature of the channel-level design style and the flexibility of the FPGA, the proposed synthesis tool can be utilized for rapid prototyping and teaching of asynchronous systems
A survey on internet usage and cybersecurity awareness in students

There has been an exponential increase in the usage of the internet, particularly among students since the introduction of e-learning and Bring Your Own Device (BYO) initiatives into the education system. In New Zealand the percentage of the population using the internet is now 93.8% and this increase in internet usage has increased the risk of cybersecurity attacks. This makes it necessary to provide awareness and education on cybersecurity to students who are potential targets for exploitation. However, to provide this awareness it is necessary to understand what their current knowledge on cybersecurity is which forms the basis of this paper. This paper presents the results of a survey conducted on internet usage and cybersecurity awareness among three age groups between 8 years and 21 years. A questionnaire consisting of various questions on internet usage and cybersecurity concepts was prepared. For this survey, we considered both computers (desktops & laptops) and mobile devices (tablets & smartphones). The results of the survey showed that cybersecurity awareness among the surveyed students was generally low with the lowest level in the 8–12-year age group. The students of 8–12 age group were able to answer only 19% of survey questions. Furthermore, most of the students were not familiar with common cybersecurity terms and did not demonstrate enough awareness of common threats such as phishing. The results further show that the majority of the students were not aware of cybersecurity tools for tablets and smartphones which are frequently used devices for BYOD. The key contribution of this paper is to emphasise the necessity to create cybersecurity awareness among students.
Language Support for Programming Interactions among Wireless Sensor Network Nodes

Advances in hardware technology have lead to computing devices becoming smaller, cheaper and more powerful. Together with the technological advances in wireless networks, they gave rise to a new form of distributed systems, called wireless sensor networks (WSNs). WSNs consist of tiny, sensorand actuatorequipped, battery-powered devices that communicate wirelessly. Due to the low cost of these devices, WSNs can be widely deployed. For instance, they have already been deployed for monitoring zebras and controlling air-conditioning systems. An emerging breed of applications, called sense-and-react applications, tasks a WSN not only with sensing, but also with reacting to sensor readings. However, current programming models for WSNs do not offer appropriate abstractions to deal with the complexity of implementing these applications. Developing sense-and-react applications typically involves programming individual WSN devices, often called nodes, one by one. For each node, the developer has to specify how it interacts with the other nodes in the network. In these interactions, messages are exchanged and processed to trigger the appropriate actions. These messages typically carry sensor data and can, for instance, be reacted to by controlling an actuator (e.g., a heater). While existing programming models have facilitated transmitting messages, most of them have ignored the difficulties of processing incoming messages. For this part of the interaction, they force the developer to implement the required logic in an event handler that will be invoked whenever a new message is received. However, the use of event handlers has already been shown to violate a range of software engineering principles including composability, scalability and separation of concerns. For instance, an event handler cannot simply be composed with another one to have it process additional messages. In addition, reacting to a sequence of time-dispersed messages complicates an event handler as it implies keeping track of what messages have already been received. Ad-hoc solutions for processing incoming messages are error-prone and bound to be duplicated over the event handlers of multiple nodes. This dissertation introduces language support for programming interactions among WSN nodes to address the aforementioned problems. Concretely, we introduce a new domain-specific programming language to be used on top of event-based WSN middleware. This language enables expressing the interactions of a node with others through declarative rules and thereby avoids the complexity of event handlers. In addition, we introduce a macroprogramming language for programming WSN applications as a whole. This language fosters code reuse within and among WSN applications. Our approach minimizes the accidental complexity inherent to programming WSN applications using event-based middleware and enables the developer to focus on the application’s essential complexity instead.