Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Eye movement plots

The visual analysis of eye movement data is a challenging task since the data has an inherent spatio-temporal nature and is typically recorded by measuring the eye movements of various study participants and sometimes, over long time periods. Finding similar strategies among the participants while applying a visual scanning strategy is one of the most important but also most difficult tasks. In this paper we describe the eye movement plots with which we are able to visually encode the eye movement fixation sequences of several study participants as a stacked line-based representation. The two-dimensional fixation points are mapped to a time-dependent sequence of lines while edge splatting is applied to visually augment the otherwise cluttered diagrams. With this visualization concept, time-varying eye movement patterns become visible, comparable, and generate an overview representation for a set of eye movements allowing comparison tasks. We illustrate the usefulness of the technique by means of applying it to formerly recorded eye tracking data by investigating route finding tasks in public transport systems. Moreover, we describe challenges, limitations, and scalability issues of the approach.
An investigation of students' computer-based learning strategies

In recent decades, there has been a significant increase in the development and use of computer based learning technology in tertiary education. At the same time, researchers in the field of education have begun to develop an understanding of student learning in terms of learning strategies. Such constructs represent motives, behaviours and thought processes adopted by the student that are believed to mediate learning. This thesis investigates the learning strategies adopted by students using a computer-assisted learning system as part of their studies. Furthermore, the thesis examines the extent to which these computer-based strategies differ from learning strategies related to traditional teaching methods and tools. The computer-based learning strategies of a population of distance education students were investigated using a CD-ROM. The students were studying the course Biology, Brain and Behaviour at the Open University and the Human Brain CD-ROM was an optional component of their learning materials. Data collected from questionnaires, interviews and observations over four studies led to the proposal of a framework of computei-based strategies. This framework comprises ten strategies that cover motivation, information processing and management of resources on the CD-ROM. When these strategies were compared to a framework of strategies related to the study of traditional teaching materials a number of differences emerged between the strategies used in the computer and traditional learning contexts.
Design and Implementation of a New Real-Time Frequency Sensor Used as Hardware Countermeasure

A new digital countermeasure against attacks related to the clock frequency is –presented. This countermeasure, known as frequency sensor, consists of a local oscillator, a transition detector, a measurement element and an output block. The countermeasure has been designed using a full-custom technique implemented in an Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), and the implementation has been verified and characterized with an integrated design using a 0.35 μm standard Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) technology (Very Large Scale Implementation—VLSI implementation). The proposed solution is configurable in resolution time and allowed range of period, achieving a minimum resolution time of only 1.91 ns and an initialization time of 5.84 ns. The proposed VLSI implementation shows better results than other solutions, such as digital ones based on semi-custom techniques and analog ones based on band pass filters, all design parameters considered. Finally, a counter has been used to verify the good performance of the countermeasure in avoiding the success of an attack.
Cramér-Rao Bounds for Channel Estimation in Amplify-and-Forward Cooperative Communication Systems

The Cramér-Rao bounds of centralized and distributed channel estimations are studied for the cooperative communication systems with single amplify-and-forward relay and two transmission phases. Particularly, two cooperation protocols are considered with full cooperation in both transmission phases and partial cooperation in the listening phase, respectively. It is shown that centralized channel estimation is a better choice than distributed channel estimation for both full and partial cooperation protocols.
A Fast C++ Implementation of Neural Network Backpropagation Training Algorithm: Application to Bayesian Optimal Image Demosaicing

Recent years have seen a surge of interest in multilayer neural networks fueled by their successful applications in numerous image processing and computer vision tasks. In this article, we describe a C++ implementation of the stochastic gradient descent to train a multilayer neural network, where a fast and accurate acceleration of tanh(.) is achieved with linear interpolation. As an example of application, we present a neural network able to deliver state-of-the-art performance in image demosaicing.
Blind multi-path elimination by sparse inversion in Through-The-Wall-Imaging

In this paper, we propose a multi-path elimination by sparse inversion (MESI) algorithm that removes the clutter induced by internal wall reflections in a Through-the-Wall-Imaging (TWI) system without prior knowledge of the scene geometry. Our approach iteratively recovers the time-domain primary impulse responses of targets behind the front wall then finds a delay convolution operator that best maps the primary impulse response of each target to the multi-path reflections available in the received signal. Since the number of targets and the number of reflecting surfaces is typically much smaller than the downrange extent of the scene, we employ ℓ1 regularized sparse recovery in both the target detection and reflection-operator estimation. Moreover, we specify extensions of the MESI algorithm that allow for the detection of targets directly in the image domain even from randomly subsampled arrays and compensate for the distortion of the source waveform due to the front wall propagation. We present numerical simulations that demonstrate the effectiveness of MESI in locating targets inside a room with unknown dimensions or wall parameters and highlight the robustness of our scheme to severe measurement noise.
Das Feldexperiment von Best und die Low-Cost-Hypothese. Eine Erwiderung / The Field Study by Best and the Low-Cost Hypothesis. A Reply

Zusammenfassung In unserer Replik auf den Artikel von Best (ZfS 2/2009) skizzieren wir ein einfaches Modell umweltverantwortlicher Entscheidungen. Unter bestimmten Verteilungsannahmen folgt die Low-Cost-Hypothese aus diesem Modell. Es erklärt zudem die diskrepanten Ergebnisse der Studien von Derksen und Gartrell (1993) und Best zum Recyclingverhalten. Summary In responding to Best (ZfS 2/2009) we sketch a simple model of environmentally responsible decision-making. Under certain distributional assumptions the low-cost hypothesis follows from the model. In addition, the model provides an explanation of the conflicting results of the study by Derksen and Gartrell (1993) and that of Best on recycling behavior.
Evaluation of how different implementation strategies of an injury prevention programme (FIFA 11+) impact team adherence and injury risk in Canadian female youth football players: a cluster-randomised trial

Background Injury prevention programme delivery on adherence and injury risk, specifically involving regular supervisions with coaches and players on programme execution on field, has not been examined. Aim The objective of this cluster-randomised study was to evaluate different delivery methods of an effective injury prevention programme (FIFA 11+) on adherence and injury risk among female youth football teams. Method During the 4-month 2011 football season, coaches and 13-year-old to 18-year-old players from 31 tier 1–3 level teams were introduced to the 11+ through either an unsupervised website (‘control’) or a coach-focused workshop with (‘comprehensive’) and without (‘regular’) additional supervisions by a physiotherapist. Team and player adherence to the 11+, playing exposure, history and injuries were recorded. Results Teams in the comprehensive and regular intervention groups demonstrated adherence to the 11+ programme of 85.6% and 81.3% completion of total possible sessions, compared to 73.5% for teams in the control group. These differences were not statistically significant, after adjustment for cluster by team, age, level and injury history. Compared to players with low adherence, players with high adherence to the 11+ had a 57% lower injury risk (IRR 0.43, 95% CI 0.19 to 1.00). However, adjusting for covariates, this between-group difference was not statistically significant (IRR=0.44, 95% CI 0.18 to 1.06). Conclusion Following a coach workshop, coach-led delivery of the FIFA 11+ was equally successful with or without the additional field involvement of a physiotherapist. Proper education of coaches during an extensive preseason workshop was more effective in terms of team adherence than an unsupervised delivery of the 11+ programme to the team. Trial registration ISRCTN67835569.
Efficient synchronization primitives for large-scale cache-coherent multiprocessors

This paper proposes a set of efficient primitives for process synchronization in multiprocessors. The only assumptions made in developing the set of primitives are that hardware combining is not implemented in the inter-connect, and (in one case) that the interconnect supports broadcast. The primitives make use of synchronization bits (syncbits) to provide a simple mechanism for mutual exclusion. The proposed implementation of the primitives includes efficient (i.e. local) busy-waiting for syncbits. In addition, a hardware-supported mechanism for maintaining a first-come first-serve queue of requests for a syncbit is proposed. This queueing mechanism allows for a very efficient implementation of, as well as fair access to, binary semaphores. We also propose to implement Fetch and Add with combining in software rather than hardware. This allows an architecture to scale to a large number of processors while avoiding the cost of hardware combining. Scenarios for common synchronization events such as work queues and barriers are presented to demonstrate the generality and ease of use of the proposed primitives. The efficient implementation of the primitives is simpler if the multiprocessor has a hardware cache-consistency protocol. To illustrate this point, we outline how the primitives would be implemented in the Multicube multiprocessor [GoWo88].
Broadcast Strategies in Wireless Body Area Networks

The rapid advances in sensors and ultra-low power wireless communication has enabled a new generation of wireless sensor networks: Wireless Body Area Networks (WBAN). To the best of our knowledge the current paper is the first to address broadcast in WBAN. We first analyze several broadcast strategies inspired from the area of Delay Tolerant Networks (DTN). The proposed strategies are evaluated via the OMNET++ simulator that we enriched with realistic human body mobility models and channel models issued from the recent research on biomedical and health informatics. Contrary to the common expectation, our results show that existing research in DTN cannot be transposed without significant modifications in WBANs area. That is, existing broadcast strategies for DTNs do not perform well with human body mobility. However, our extensive simulations give valuable insights and directions for designing efficient broadcast in WBAN. Furthermore, we propose a novel broadcast strategy that outperforms the existing ones in terms of end-to-end delay, network coverage and energy consumption.
Transmammary-delivered meloxicam in piglets undergoing castration and tail docking: Impact on pharmacokinetics and pain biomarkers

To investigate a novel route for providing analgesia to processed piglets via transmammary drug delivery, meloxicam was administered orally to sows after farrowing. The objectives of this study were to prove the transmammary delivery of meloxicam from sows to piglets, describe initial pharmacokinetic parameters and to characterize the analgesic effects in piglets after processing through assessment of pain biomarkers and infrared thermography (IRT). Ten sows received either meloxicam (30 mg/kg) (n=5) or whey protein (placebo) (n=5) in their daily feedings, starting four days after farrowing and continuing for three consecutive days. During this period, blood and milk samples from sows and piglets were collected at 12-hour intervals. On Day 5 after farrowing, three boars and three gilts from each litter were castrated or sham castrated, tail docked and administered an iron injection. Piglet blood samples were collected immediately before processing and at predetermined times over an 84-hour period. IRT images were captured at each piglet blood collection point. Plasma was tested to confirm meloxicam concentrations using a validated high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method. Meloxicam was detected in all piglets nursing on medicated sows at each time point, and the mean (±standard error of the mean) meloxicam concentration at castration was 568.9 ±105.8 ng/mL. Sow plasma and milk, along with piglet plasma reached steady concentrations at 36 hours after the administration of meloxicam. Furthermore, ex-vivo prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesis inhibition was greater in piglets from treated sows compared to controls (p=0.0059). However, button gastric ulcers and subacute gastritis were noted in 2/5 meloxicam-treated sows and their litters. Initial sow oral meloxicam pharmacokinetic parameters (±SD) were calculated including absorption rate constant (ka) of 0.13 (0.05) hr -1 , volume of distribution (V) 149.65 (8.94) mL/kg, and clearance (Cl) of 18.86 (0.45) mL/hr/kg.
Relationship between Science Teaching Practices and Students' Achievement in Singapore, Chinese Taipei, and the US: An Analysis Using TIMSS 2011 Data.

The assumption that inquiry-based instruction is more effective in influencing student science achievement than traditional didactic teaching has been the driving force of science education reform in recent decades and in many countries. However, the empirical relationship between these two kinds of science teaching and student science performance is not soundly established, which is worth a careful examination. Framed through the theoretical perspectives of inquiry-based instruction and culturally relevant pedagogy, using a two-level hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) approach and simultaneous multiple regression, this study examines the above relationship using the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 2011 8th grade dataset from Singapore, Chinese Taipei, and the US. The study found that for the low-performing students, none of the inquiry-based teaching practice items measured had a significant relationship with the science achievements at any performance levels of students in any country/region except for the case of two inquiry-based teaching practice items that were positively related to Chinese Taipei students’ achievements. No didactic teaching practice items were associated with the Singapore students’ science achievement, three of these practice items were found negatively related to Chinese Taipei students’ science achievement, and one traditional didactic teaching practice was negatively related to the science achievement of U.S. students. However, for medium- and high-performing students, none of these inquiry-based or traditional didactic science-teaching practices were found to be positive predictors of science performance in all three countries/regions. However, in the case of Chinese Taipei, one didactic teaching practice item was negatively related with the medium level performing students’ achievement and two didactic teaching practices were found to hinder high-performing students’ science achievements.
Reducing torque ripple of brushless DC motor by varying input voltage

This paper presents the method of reducing torque ripple of brushless direct current (BLDC) motor. In the BLDC motor, the torque ripple is decided by the back-electromotive force (EMF) and current waveform. If the back-EMF is constant in the conduction region of current, the torque ripple depends on the current ripple. The period of freewheeling region in the conduction region can be acquired by circuit analysis using the Laplace transformation and the torque ripple can be also reduced by varying input voltage to reduce the current ripple. The suggested method to reduce the torque ripple is confirmed by the dynamic simulation with the parameters of 500W BLDC motor
Ethical Issues of Social Media Usage in Healthcare

Summary Objective: Social media, web and mobile technologies are increasingly used in healthcare and directly support patient-centered care. Patients benefit from disease self-management tools, contact to others, and closer monitoring. Researchers study drug efficiency, or recruit patients for clinical studies via these technologies. However, low communication barriers in social-media, limited privacy and security issues lead to problems from an ethical perspective. This paper summarizes the ethical issues to be considered when social media is exploited in healthcare contexts. Methods: Starting from our experiences in social-media research, we collected ethical issues for selected social-media use cases in the context of patient-centered care. Results were enriched by collecting and analyzing relevant literature and were discussed and interpreted by members of the IMIA Social Media Working Group. Results: Most relevant issues in social-media applications are confidence and privacy that need to be carefully preserved. The patient-physician relationship can suffer from the new information gain on both sides since private information of both healthcare provider and consumer may be accessible through the Internet. Physicians need to ensure they keep the borders between private and professional intact. Beyond, preserving patient anonymity when citing Internet content is crucial for research studies. Conclusion: Exploiting medical social-media in healthcare applications requires a careful reflection of roles and responsibilities. Availability of data and information can be useful in many settings, but the abuse of data needs to be prevented. Preserving privacy and confidentiality of online users is a main issue, as well as providing means for patients or Internet users to express concerns on data usage.
In vitro evaluation of carrier based obturation technique: a CBCT study.

AIM The goal of the study was to compare the ability of two different carrier based obturation (CBO) techniques to reach working length and fill in three-dimensions root canal systems, by using CBCT. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty-six extracted molars were scanned with CBCT and 40 curved canals were selected (between 30° and 90°) and divided in two similar groups (n=20). All canals were prepared up to size 25 taper . 06 using nickel-titanium instrumentation. The canals in the Group SC were obturated using Soft-Core obturators (Kerr, Romulus, Mi, USA), while Group TH canals (n= 20) were obturated using Thermafil Endodontic Obturators (Tulsa Dental Products, Tulsa, OK, USA), strictly following manufacturers' instructions for use. The obturations were analyzed by means of CBCT to measure the distance from the apical limit of obturation to the apical foramen and the presence of voids inside root canals. RESULTS There was no significant difference between the two groups in the mean distance of the apical extent of the obturation (t test, p>0.05). Overfilling occurred in only 3 cases (2 in Group TH and 1 in Group SC). The percentages of voids in both groups were very low with no significant difference (Z test, p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS The two tested CBO techniques showed similar positive results in terms of performance, even if, after checking with verifiers, in most cases the size of the selected Soft-Core obturator was one size smaller than Thermafil.
Chemokines and soluble adhesion molecules in renal transplant recipients with cytomegalovirus infection

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is associated with leucocyte infiltration in various organs, which supports a role for chemokines and adhesion molecules in the pathogenesis of CMV infection. In a prospectively conducted study of renal transplant recipients, 10 patients with CMV disease, five patients with asymptomatic CMV infection and 10 patients who did not have any CMV infection were included. During CMV infection, and in particular during CMV disease, plasma levels of the chemokines IL‐8, macrophage inflammatory protein‐1α (MIP‐1α) and monocyte chemotactic protein‐1 (MCP‐1) and the soluble adhesion molecules vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 (VCAM‐1), intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1) and l‐selectin increased and were positively correlated with the degree of CMV pp65 antigenaemia. Furthermore, a decrease in plasma levels of these chemokines and adhesion molecules was observed following ganciclovir therapy in the patients with CMV disease. This could suggest a role for these molecules in the pathogenesis of CMV infection.
A Rotary Encoder With an Eccentrically Mounted Ring Magnet

A novel design of a magnetic rotational sensor is presented in this paper. It contains a ring magnet simply magnetized through its central axis, which is deliberately displaced a distance from the axis of rotation. Hall effect sensors fixed at a distance to the magnet will detect a near sinusoidal variation in the magnetic-flux density as the magnet rotates a cycle, even though the flux is symmetrically distributed about the central axis of ring magnet. Finite-element analyses and physical measurement on an experimental device confirm the smoothness of the flux-density curve, based on which a harmonic fitting algorithm is used to estimate the rotational angle. Relation between measurement accuracy and eccentricity of the magnet is established by extensive testings on the experimental device. It is found that, using two differential pairs of Hall effect sensors, a fifth-order harmonic fitting yields a measurement error of less than 0.14 degrees for a certain amount of eccentricity.
Pupil Configuration for Extended Source Imaging with Optical Interferometry: a Computational Geometry Approach

The input pupil of interferometry-based observation instruments is necessarily segmented. Since the optical transfer function (OTF) of any optical instrument observing in incoherent light is the auto-correlation of its input pupil, it follows that any combination of size and position of each pupil segment have an impact on the OTF behavior and therefore on the quality of the output image. The goal of this study is to propose computational geometry methods allowing to find pupil geometries leading to an isotropic OTF support with a controlled redundancy of viewed spatial frequencies in the Fourier domain