Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ground Reflection Removal in Compressive Sensing Ground Penetrating Radars

Recent results in compressive sensing (CS)-based subsurface imaging showed that, if the target space is sparse, it can be reconstructed with many fewer number of measurements from a stepped frequency ground penetrating radar (GPR). One of the problems in this CS subsurface imaging is the surface reflections. Previous work dealed with surface reflections using a model dictionary generated from the target space excluding specifically the near surface region. While this works fine for some applications, it might lack the imaging of near surface targets. Removing the surface reflections with standard methods is not directly applicable since only very few and random measurements in the frequency domain are taken. This letter provides a simple surface reflection method using compressive measurements, that can be used for nonplanar surfaces. It is observed in both simulated and experimental GPR data that the CS-based imaging method is more robust and can find shallow targets using the surface-reflection-removed data.
An incomplete dominance genetic algorithm approach to microarray data analysis

We address the problem of analyzing the vast amount of data involved in microarray studies. The finality is to discover, from a large pool of candidates, a limited number of genes that could be causally related with a specific pathology. In this context, we propose a new genetic algorithm (GA) approach for feature selection, with diploid number of chromosomes and an incomplete dominance model for genotype to phenotype mapping. We test our algorithm on a familiar data set for performance evaluation purposes.
Barriers to the Use of Assistive Technology with Children: A Survey

This article reports on the responses of 120 teachers and habilitative specialists of multiply handicapped blind and deaf-blind children in Massachusetts to a survey on their use of assistive technology. The respondents reported problems in all areas covered by the survey: knowledge of electronic mobility aids and communication devices; the availability, maintenance, and funding of devices; and adequate information about devices. They especially mentioned the need for resources to assess and match students to appropriate devices and to generate more training for themselves.
National collective identity in transitional societies: Salience and relations to life satisfaction for youth in South Africa, Albania, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Kosovo and Romania

In this study we investigated the salience of the construct of national collective identity and its associations with life satisfaction among adolescents living in transitional societies characterised by relevant change in the last decades. Participants were 1 066 adolescents (M = 15.35 years, SD = 1.35) from South Africa (n = 186) and five Central Eastern European countries, including Albania (n = 209), Bulgaria (n = 146), Czech Republic (n = 306), Kosovo (n = 116), and Romania (n = 103). They completed a questionnaire including national identity and life satisfaction scales. Data were analysed using confirmatory factor analysis and multi-group structural equation modeling. Results showed that national identity of adolescents in transitional societies is multidimensional and pertains to different salient dimensions (i.e., self-categorisation, evaluation, importance, attachment, and behavioural involvement). Importantly, the findings provided evidence to suggest that higher levels of national collective identity are associated with increased levels of life satisfaction.
Rear-Lamp Vehicle Detection and Tracking in Low-Exposure Color Video for Night Conditions

Automated detection of vehicles in front is an integral component of many advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), such as collision mitigation, automatic cruise control (ACC), and automatic headlamp dimming. We present a novel image processing system to detect and track vehicle rear-lamp pairs in forward-facing color video. A standard low-cost camera with a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor and Bayer red-green-blue (RGB) color filter is used and could be utilized for full-color image display or other color image processing applications. The appearance of rear lamps in video and imagery can dramatically change, depending on camera hardware; therefore, we suggest a camera-configuration process that optimizes the appearance of rear lamps for segmentation. Rear-facing lamps are segmented from low-exposure forward-facing color video using a red-color threshold. Unlike previous work in the area, which uses subjective color threshold boundaries, our color threshold is directly derived from automotive regulations and adapted for real-world conditions in the hue-saturation-value (HSV) color space. Lamps are paired using color cross-correlation symmetry analysis and tracked using Kalman filtering. A tracking-based detection stage is introduced to improve robustness and to deal with distortions caused by other light sources and perspective distortion, which are common in automotive environments. Results that demonstrate the system's high detection rates, operating distance, and robustness to different lighting conditions and road environments are presented.
Collision-free trajectory planning of redundant space manipulators based on pseudo-distance

In this paper, we proposed a unified framework to model the obstacles, and a method to plan the 3-D collision-free trajectory for a redundant space manipulator. Firstly, the exterior contour of an obstacle was enveloped by one or several geometric primitives, such as cylinder, sphere, cone, cube, and so on. Secondly, the surface of its envelope was represented by a super-quadratic function, whose parameters can be adjusted to describe different shapes and dimensions. Combining with the pose and motion describing, the complete properties of an obstacle were included in a unified framework. Thirdly, a trajectory planning method based on gradient projection was presented to avoid the obstacles moving in the 3-D workspace. Instead of Euclidean distance, the normalized pseudo-distance was addressed and used as the objective function to be optimized. Finally, simulation studies of typical on-orbital missions with different obstacles were performed. Simulation results verified the unified obstacle model and 3-D collision-free trajectory planning method.
The inverse mean curvature flow and the Riemannian Penrose Inequality

Let M be an asymptotically flat 3-manifold of nonnegative scalar curvature. The Riemannian Penrose Inequality states that the area of an outermost minimal surface N in M is bounded by the ADM mass m according to the formula |N |≤ 16πm 2 . We develop a theory of weak solutions of the inverse mean curvature flow, and employ it to prove this inequality for each connected component of N using Geroch’s monotonicity formula for the ADM mass. Our method also proves positivity of Bartnik’s gravitational capacity by computing a positive lower bound for the mass purely in terms of local geometry.
Comparison between PSO and GA for Parameters Optimization of PID Controller

Based on the conception of evolution, the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm and genetic algorithm (GA) are applied to parameters optimization of PID controller. Simulations are carried out in the typical industrial models. Comparing PSO with GA, it is shown that the performance of PSO is better than that of GA, it is provided that a preferable method to optimization parameters of PID controller
Transport of the ADP/ATP carrier of mitochondria from the TOM complex to the TIM22·54 complex

Members of the mitochondrial carrier family such as the ADP/ATP carrier (AAC) are composed of three structurally related modules. Here we show that each of the modules contains a mitochondrial import signal recognized by Tim10 and Tim12 in the intermembrane space. The first and the second module are translocated across the outer membrane independently of the membrane potential, Δψ, but they are not inserted into the inner membrane. The third module interacts tightly with the TOM complex and thereby prevents complete translocation of the precursor across the outer membrane. At this stage, binding of a TIM9·10 complex confers a topology to the translocation intermediate which reflects the modular structure of the AAC. The precursor is then transferred to the TIM9·10·12 complex, still interacting with the TOM complex. Release of the precursor from the TOM complex and insertion into the inner membrane by the TIM22·54 complex requires a Δψ‐responsive signal in the third module.
On-demand incremental capacity planning in optical transport networks

Incremental planning is performed periodically to decide how a backbone optical network has to be updated to serve the forecast traffic during the next planning period. Based on reliable traffic prediction, new equipment is installed and its capacity is ready to be used. Nonetheless, due to the introduction of new services among other reasons, exact prediction is not usually available. This leads to the installation of more capacity than required, thus increasing network expenditures. In this paper, we propose to reduce expenses by incrementing the capacity of the network as soon as it is required to meet the target performance. Hence, performance metrics are monitored and the incremental capacity (INCA) planning problem is solved on-demand when some metrics drop under a threshold. The INCA problem is mathematically modeled and a heuristic algorithm is proposed to solve the problem in practical computation times. Since solving the INCA problem requires access to both operation and inventory databases, an architecture to support on-demand network planning as well as a model for the inventory is proposed. Exhaustive simulation results, together with its experimental assessment, validate the proposed on-demand INCA planning.
Simplified cross-polarized multi-antenna system for radio relay transmission in wireless backhaul

Wireless backhaul systems have been considered as a promising candidate of beyond 3G wireless broadband system for mobile communications. The achievable transmission performance over radio relay channel depends on antenna directivity and radiation patterns of each antenna element. To improve the transmission performance and keep radio relay channel in an acceptable condition, it is effective to control the antenna directivity by employing multi-antenna signal transmission and reception. In this paper, we propose a simple method to extend the existing single antenna relay node based on IEEE802.11a to multi-antenna system, where a cross polarized multi-antenna is applied to the existing relay nodes as external equipment. The multi-antenna system is controlled by detecting the antenna control information assigned to the lengths of the packets transmitted from the existing node. The proposed method does not require special change of the existing system such as hardware design on multi-antenna configuration. We also developed a prototype base/relay node with optional multi-antenna equipment and confirmed the effectiveness of the proposed method by experiment. To clarify the effectiveness of the proposed multi-antenna system in wireless backhaul networks, we evaluate throughput performance by system level simulations. Simulation results ensure that the proposed multi-antenna system with highly efficient packet forwarding protocol, called Intermittent Periodic Transmit (IPT), improves throughput performance of the radio relay transmission in wireless backhaul as compared with conventional omni-directional antenna system.
Beyond Pokémon: Augmented Reality Is a Universal Design for Learning Tool

The success of Pokémon Go is demonstrating that augmented reality (AR) is reaching the masses quickly and can be a robust tool to enhance student engagement and learning. Leveraging AR for instructional purposes has the potential to become a powerful medium for Universal Design for Learning (UDL) by providing new tools for multiple means of representation, action and expression, and engagement. One of the advantages of using AR applications and AR platforms is the ability to display context relevant digital information to support students’ needs in real time and in specific contexts. Although many educational AR applications are in their developmental stages, the rapid growth of AR is likely to continue. The examples presented in this article focus on how educators can use mobile devices and AR to apply the principles of UDL. Combining AR with the principles of UDL can help educators create lessons that are accessible, engaging, and powerful for a diverse range of learners.
Web-based multimodal biometric authentication application

Biometric authentication systems are currently highly demanded, yet they are facing efficiency and accessibility challenges in terms of te unimodality. This paper addresses those problems and proposes a multimodal biometric system as a solution. The system includes two biometric models: Electroencephalography (EEG) and face recognition. In addition, the proposed multimodal biometric system includes a non-biometric model, known as SMS token. The work presented in this paper describes the feature extraction from the cloud storage of the biometric data and the best multimodal fusion technique for model combination.
Infants’ moral expectations about authority figures

Existing literature suggests that infants are able to represent a dominance relationship and hold different expectations towards the actions of dominant and subordinate individuals. However, it remains unknown whether infants’ expectations of moral principles such as fairness and care would be moderated by the social statuses of individuals. The present research investigates infants’ expectations related to the moral actions of an authority figure towards her subordinate and vice versa. In a series of eye-tracking experiments, we tested whether young infants at 18to 33-month-old expect the authority figure to behave fairly (Experiment 1), that the authority figure should be helpful rather than harmful towards subordinates (Experiment 2), and that subordinates should be helpful instead of harmful towards authority figure (Experiment 3). Results reveal that infants expect authority figures and subordinates to be differentially guided by the principle of fairness and the principle of care. Specifically, infants expect that (a) an authority figure should be fair and altruistic, (b) an authority figure should help and not harm subordinate, (c) subordinate should not harm an authority figure, but neither are they expected to help an authority figure. 9 INFANTS’ EXPECTATIONS ABOUT AUTHORITY FIGURES
Stroke in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: report from the Stockholm Cohort of Atrial Fibrillation.

AIMS Knowledge about stroke risk in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PxAF) is limited. Although current guideline recommendations advocate the same treatment as in permanent atrial fibrillation (PermAF), most patients with PxAF do not receive prophylactic anticoagulation. The aim of this study is to investigate whether there are differences in stroke risk between PxAF and PermAF. METHODS AND RESULTS All patients with PxAF (n = 855) and PermAF (n = 1126) treated for atrial fibrillation (AF) during 2002 at one of Scandinavia's largest hospitals were followed-up for 3.6 years regarding incidence of stroke. Information about type of AF, comorbidity, medication, and clinical events during follow-up was acquired from medical records and the National Register of Hospital Discharges. The incidence of ischaemic stroke was similar in PxAF and PermAF (26 vs. 29 events/1000 patient years). The multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for ischaemic stroke in PxAF compared with PermAF was 1.07 (95% CI 0.71-1.61) in subjects without prior stroke. The corresponding HR for any stroke, ischaemic or haemorrhagic, was 0.89 (95% CI 0.61-1.30). Compared with the general population, ischaemic stroke was twice as common as expected in PxAF after standardization for age and sex (standardized incidence ratio 2.12, 95% CI 1.52-2.71). PxAF patients who took warfarin had approximately half as many ischaemic strokes as those who did not take warfarin (HR 0.44, 95% CI 0.30-0.65). CONCLUSION Ischaemic stroke is about as common in PxAF as in PermAF, and about twice as common as in the general population. Yet, PxAF patients do not receive protective anticoagulant treatment as often as patients with PermAF do. It is therefore important to increase the use of anticoagulants among PxAF patients in accordance with current guideline recommendations.
UvA-DARE ( Digital Academic Repository ) Web-based psychotherapy for posttraumatic stress disorder in war-traumatized Arab patients : randomized controlled trial

Background: In recent years, armed conflicts in the Middle East have resulted in high rates of exposure to traumatic events. Despite the increasing demand of mental health care provision, ongoing violence limits conventional approaches of mental health care provision. Internet-based interventions for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have proved feasible and effective in Western countries, but their applicability and efficacy in war and conflict regions remains unknown. Objective: This study investigated the efficacy of a cognitive behavioral Internet-based intervention for war-traumatized Arab patients, with focus on Iraq. Methods: A total of 159 individuals with PTSD participated in a parallel group randomized trial. Participants were randomly allocated by a computer-generated sequence to a treatment group (n=79) or a waiting list control group (n=80). The treatment group received 2 weekly 45-minute cognitive behavioral interventions via Internet over a 5-week period (10 sessions in total). The primary outcome was recovery from posttraumatic stress symptoms. Results: Posttraumatic stress symptoms were significantly reduced from baseline to posttreatment (intention-to-treat analysis) in the treatment group relative to the control group (F1,157=44.29, P<.001, d=0.92). Treatment effects were sustained at 3-month follow-up. Completer analysis indicated that 29 of 47 patients (62%) in the treatment group had recovered from posttraumatic stress symptoms at posttreatment (reliable change and Posttraumatic Stress Diagnostic Scale score <20) versus 1 patient (2%) in the control group (OR 74.19, 95% CI 9.93-585.8, P<.001) indicating that the chance of recovering was 74.19 times higher in the treatment than in the control group. Conclusions: The results indicate, even in unstable and insecure settings with ongoing exposure to human rights violations through war and dictatorships, people with posttraumatic stress symptoms benefit from a cognitive behavioral treatment provided entirely through the Internet. This method of delivery could improve patients’ access to humanitarian aid in the form of e-mental health services. Trial Registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry, ACTRN12611001019998; https://www.anzctr. org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx? id=347505 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6Wto4HCdH). (J Med Internet Res 2015;17(3):e71) doi:10.2196/jmir.3582
EFL Teachers' Creativity and Their Teaching's Effectiveness: A Structural Equation Modelling Approach.

Due to the importance of creativity in teaching and learning, this study was conducted to study teachers’ creativity and its relationship with their teaching’s effectiveness. Another aim of this study was to measure the creativity among men and women teachers at English institutions in Iran. A sample of 325 EFL Iranians' teachers was randomly chosen and was rated on the ELT-CS and teaching effectiveness scale. With this aim, validated and reliable scales of assessing creativity (ELT-CS) of EFL teachers teaching effectiveness scale were used. After gathering the questionnaires, data was analysed by structural equation modelling approach. According to the results, five subscales of creativity have a significant relationship with teaching effectiveness. Also, the results have shown that there is a significant difference between gender and teachers’ creativity.
Automatic disease diagnosis systems using pattern recognition based genetic algorithm and neural networks

This paper presents three disease diagnosis systems using pattern recognition based on genetic algorithm and neural networks. All systems deal with feature selection and classification. Genetic algorithm chooses subsets of features for the input of the classifier (neural network) and the accuracy of the classifier determine the percentage of effectiveness of each subsets of features. The classifiers using in this paper are general regression neural network (GRNN), radial basis function (RBF) and radial basis network exact fit (RBEF). We use breast cancer and hepatitis disease datasets taken from UCI machine learning database as medical dataset. The system performances are estimated by classification accuracy and they are compared with similar methods without feature selection.
The ISIS Facilities Ontology and OntoMaintainer

This paper presents an ISIS facilities ontology based on keywords in the ISIS Metadata catalog (ICAT) and OntoMaintainer, a web application to facilitate the collaborative development of ontologies. The ISIS facilities ontology aims to organize and make keywords in the ISIS Metadata Catalogue more explicit which will improve the search and navigation of data by category. The Ontology Maintainer allows users to view current versions of the ontology, and send feedback on concepts modeled back to the maintainers of the ontology. To ensure ease of use, this service has been made available to the user community via the World Wide Web.
Flexible yet Efficient Management of Electronic Health Records

This paper presents an approach for managing electronic health record (EHR) data in a flexible yet efficient way. The data model is based on the HL7 Reference Information Model. If clinical requirements change, the data model can be extended by editing a schema spreadsheet. A code generator and the use of state-of-the-art ORM tools allow consistency between EHR application and database. Due to the genericity of the approach, cross-cutting concerns like concurrency control and auditing can be implemented widely. The approach has been implemented in form of an EHR framework. As a proof of concept, a subset of a commercial melanoma care EHR application has successfully been implemented.
Optimal Linear Channel Prediction for LTE-A Uplink Under Channel Estimation Errors

This paper proposes an optimal design of the linear channel prediction scheme for LTE-A uplink transmission, taking into account the effect of channel estimation errors. The optimization criterion is to minimize mean square prediction errors, averaged over the distributions of true channel coefficients and estimation errors. We derive a closed-form solution of the optimal channel predictor and provide exact analysis for the achievable mean square error (MSE). The performance gain, in terms of the amount of reduction in MSE, as compared with the conventional channel predictor, is also analytically characterized. Simulation results are used to validate our MSE analyses and to confirm the performance advantage of the proposed solution.
Performance of quadratic assignment problem by hopfield NN with periodic brake

Solving combinatorial optimization problems is one of the important applications of neural networks. Many researchers have proposed noise induced hopfield neural networks in which noises are induced state values of neurons. However, the noise inducing method to state values of neurons cause problems. In this study, we propose hopfield neural networks with periodic brake. In the proposed system, external noises are not induced to state values of neurons. Thus, the proposed system can avoid the problem caused in the noise induced system. We investigate the solving ability of the proposed system for quadratic assignment problems and designing of parameters.