Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sushi with Einstein: Enhancing Hybrid Live Events with LLM-Based Virtual Humans

It is becoming increasingly easier to set up multi-user virtual reality sessions, and these can become viable alternatives to video conference in events such as international conferences. Moreover, it is possible to enhance such events with automated virtual humans, who may participate in the discussion. This paper presents the behind-the-scenes work of a panel session titled "Is virtual reality genuine reality? ", which was held during a physical symposium, "XR for the people," in June 2022. The panel featured a virtual Albert Einstein, based on a large language model (LLM), as a panelist, alongside three international experts having a live conference panel discussion. The VR discussion was broadcast live on stage, and a moderator was able to communicate with both the live audience, the virtual world participants, and the virtual agent (Einstein). We provide lessons learned from the implementation and from the live production, and discuss the potential and pitfalls of using LLM-based virtual humans for multi-user VR in live hybrid events.
"Application of BOPPPS Teaching Method Based on the \"Rain Classroom\" Information Systems in the Teaching of Experimental Diagnostics"

Purpose To improve the teaching quality of experimental diagnostics for 5-year clinical medicine major, the application of information system in medical education was explored. Method A total of 166 undergraduate students majoring in clinical medicine of grade 2020 were divided into classes, and taught with BOPPPS teaching method based on "rain classroom" information system and traditional LBL teaching method, and the teaching quality was tracked and investigated to analyze the teaching effects. Result The comparison between the two teaching methods reveals that the students' scores of the BOPPPS teaching method based on the "rain classroom" information system were significantly improved, and the difference was statistically significant. Conclusion The application of BOPPPS teaching method based on the "rain classroom" information system for the 5-year clinical medicine course "Laboratory Diagnostics" was effective, and conducive to the cultivation of students' clinical ability and the mastery of diagnostic technology.
Emotional mimicry as a proxy measurement for pro-social indicators of trust, empathy, liking and altruism

The development of automated, unobtrusive measurement of pro-social indicators such as trust, empathy, liking and altruistic tendency in daily interactions is an unsolved problem in designing intelligent agents that socially interact with people. This work puts forward and tests a model for using emotional mimicry (matching of emotional displays/expressions) as a potential proxy measurement for the pro-social indicators above. For this purpose, a human-agent interaction experiment was conducted in a social context where the interacting agent belonged to a competitive in-group/out-group with the interacting person. Computer vision and Cross Recurrence Quantification Analysis (CRQA) were used to measure people's mimicry of facial expressions in response to agent emotional stimuli. We found that the emotional mimicry of sadness was positively correlated with the empathy that people felt towards the agent. We could not find sufficient support for the relationship of sadness mimicry with the other pro-social indicators, or happiness mimicry with any pro-social indicators; the reasons for this are investigated. The results suggest that with the accurate measurement of one's emotions, it could be possible to measure emotional contagion/spread in context and, subsequently, one's pro-social attitudes.
Using Interactive Virtual Agents to Represent Non-prototypical Facial Configurations

Virtual agents are increasingly used to study the perception of affective states. Their facial configurations are mostly prototypical and derived from visual and motor modalities of psychological theories and motion capture. However, facial configurations perceived daily often stem from complex affective states and reach beyond prototypical visual and motor representations. Interactive virtual agents are a promising tool to unveil users' internal (i.e., conceptual) representations of their complex affective states. "is paper presents a new method to study facial configurations that combines customizable faces of interactive virtual agents and multivariate analysis procedure. The results of a proof-of-concept project on affective states mixing pain and emotions show the usefulness of this approach for research in affective computing.
Answering Queries Using Views: A Survey

The problem of answering queries using views is to nd eÆcient methods of answering a query using a set of previously de ned materialized views over the database, rather than accessing the database relations. The problem has recently received signi cant attention because of its relevance to a wide variety of data management problems. In query optimization, nding a rewriting of a query using a set of materialized views can yield a more eÆcient query execution plan. To support the separation of the logical and physical views of data, a storage schema can be described using views over the logical schema. As a result, nding a query execution plan that accesses the storage amounts to solving the problem of answering queries using views. Finally, the problem arises in data integration systems, where data sources can be described as precomputed views over a mediated schema. This article surveys the state of the art on the problem of answering queries using views, and synthesizes the disparate works into a coherent framework. We describe the di erent applications of the problem, the algorithms proposed to solve it and the relevant theoretical results.
Performance-Aware Energy Optimization on Mobile Devices in Cellular Network

In cellular networks, it is important to conserve energy while at the same time satisfying different user performance requirements. In this paper, we first propose a comprehensive metric to capture the user performance cost due to task delay, deadline violation, different application profiles, and user preferences. We prove that finding the energy-optimal scheduling solution while meeting the requirements on the performance cost is NP-hard. Then, we design an adaptive online scheduling algorithm PerES to minimize the total energy cost on data transmissions subject to user performance constraints. We prove that PerES can make the energy consumption arbitrarily close to that of the optimal scheduling solution. Further, we develop offline algorithms to serve as the evaluation benchmark for PerES. The evaluation results demonstrate that PerES achieves average 2.5 times faster convergence speed compared to state-of-art static methods, and also higher performance than peers under various test conditions. Using 821 million traffic flows collected from a commercial cellular carrier, we verify our scheme could achieve on average 32-56 percent energy savings over the total transmission energy with different levels of user experience.
Unifying Abduction and Deduction through Argumentation

The Cognitive Argumentation framework is based on the premise that human logical reasoning is fundamentally a process of dialectic argumentation. To achieve a human cognitive form of logical reasoning, Cognitive Argumentation incorporates, within a general and abstract framework of computational argumentation from AI, cognitive principles derived from empirical and theoretical work in Cognitive Science. Concentrating on the case of conditional reasoning, we study how the two modes of reasoning, predictive (deductive) or explanatory (abductive) as used by humans, can be uniformly captured within the Cognitive Argumentation framework. Within this unification of deductive and abductive reasoning we show how the relative weakness of abductive reasoning is reflected in argumentation by the presence of multiple explanatory arguments that conflict with one another. The approach is evaluated using Byrne’s suppression task showing how the whole empirical data concerning both deductive and abductive reasoning cases by the participants is modelled well by Cognitive Argumentation.
Ecological and Technological Knowledge of Fire: Aborigines Versus Park Rangers in

The attitudes held by Euro-Australians about "bush fires" are markedly different from those of Aborigines. These contrasting perspectives confront each other in different practices ofprescribed burning employed by Aborigines and Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service (ANPWS) rangers at Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory. A large part of the problem that ANPWS personnel have in understanding Aboriginal knowledge and practice involves the perceptions that Euro-Australians have about "simple technologies," "aboriginality," and what is or is not "traditional. " In the northern region of the Northern Territory, the widespread practice of annual burning coupled with a highly mobile population and low intensity of land use has produced a situation where fires are inevitable in large national parks and reserves. The decision to burn or not to burn is a luxury we do not possess and indeed to talk in such terms ignores the very real social, ecological, and climatic practicalities. Complete protection from fire represents a major departure from age-old practice. The only decision to make in this sense is whether to have the parks burnt on the park manager's terms or in an uncontrolled fashion from other sources. It would seem, then, that the most prudent course would be to continue, if possible, Aboriginal practices, at least in the interim. [Fox 1981:5-6]
Multi-dimensional Ontology Model to Support Context-aware Systems A Mobile Application to Search and Invoke Semantic Web Services

Computing has evolved in such a way that has left behind the limitation of being static and local, promoting the emergence of the new era of computing called Ubiquitous Computing. To maximize the use of this new computing platform, it is necessary to develop new and improved structures for knowledge and information representing, in order support the implementation of new intelligent searcher and recommendation systems. Thus, recommendations and search results will be fully based on contextual information and user profiles. This paper describes an architecture based on a multi-dimensional ontology model to represent mobile user contexts, Web services and application domains. A mobile application is also presented to show the benefits of this approach in a mobile computing environment. Keywords-mobile computing; ontologies; semantic Web services; context-aware systems.
How the Match Gets Made: Exploring Student Teacher Placements across Teacher Education Programs, Districts, and Schools. CEDR Working Paper No. 10052018-1-1.

Student teaching has long been considered the most important component of an effective teacher education program. Recently, new research is finding links between these experiences and teacher candidates’ future effectiveness, yet relatively little is known about the student teacher placement process and, in particular, the processes that lead to the matching of teacher candidates to the inservice teachers who supervise their student teaching (“cooperating teachers”). In this study, we examine the match process as well as the factors that influence these placement decisions. We also explore how, if at all, practices vary across teacher education programs (TEPs), districts, and schools. We find that, in broad terms, the process for matching student teachers to mentor teachers is similar across educational institutions, although TEPs and school systems sometimes face competing priorities when placing student teachers in classrooms. We also identify a problem of information asymmetry in the placement process, which leaves TEPs with questions about how cooperating teachers are selected and districts and schools with limited information with which to make thoughtful and intentional matches between candidates and cooperating teachers. Finally, we document the important role of social networks in placements and how they can advantage some TEPs, districts, and schools in this process.
Modeling of the human hand using 3D multi-body models for simulative vibration studies

Modeling the human hand-arm system in dynamic simulations is challenging. Current standards provide separate multibody models for different spatial excitation directions. However, it must be assumed that the dynamic behavior of the human hand-arm system is coupled for different excitation directions. Numerical 3D hand-arm models allow the simulation of arm dynamics taking into account possible coupling effects. In current multibody models of the hand-arm system, the human hand is represented in a very simplified way. More sophisticated finite element models usually deal with very specialized aspects of human arm dynamics and cause high computational and modeling efforts. In this paper, we investigate how the human hand can be modeled in multibody simulations. Two types of models are investigated. One type uses a combination of rigid and flexible modally reduced FE bodies, while the other type investigates a rigid-body-only approach. Using experimental data, both models are parameterized and discussed in terms of their suitability for handheld modeling. This work provides the basis for extending and refining existing hand-arm models in the context of the hand.
In vitro fermentation parameters of brachiaria straw and starchy by-products Parâmetros de fermentação in vitro de palha de braquiária e subprodutos amiláceos

Highlights The starchy feedstuffs showed more intense fermentation in the first hours. The fibrous feedstuffs fermentation occurred more slowly in the first hours. The diets showed lower k1 values and higher k2 values when compared to corn silage. The results confirm the possibility of using the wastes in ruminant feeding. Abstract Our objective was to characterize the degradation kinetics of fibrous and starchy agro-industrial wastes that can be used as feed for ruminants. Unprocessed Brachiaria straw hay (UBH), processed (briquetting) Brachiaria straw hay (PBH), a starchy by-product from potato processing (SBP), and cassava starch (CST) were evaluated. Two diets were formulated: one including UBH and CST (UBH-CST); and the other PBH and SBP (PBH-SBP). For the study of degradation kinetics, the in vitro cumulative gas production fermentation technique was used, in which the two-compartment Monomolecular-G3G1 model provided a more likely fit. The cumulative gas volumes produced were 23.2 (UBH), 29.6 (PBH), 39.1 (SBP), 36.6 (CST), 27.9 (UBH-CST), and 28.5 (PBH-SBP) mL per 0.1 g of dry matter. The starchy feedstuffs showed more intense fermentation in the first hours ( K 1 =1.050 and 0.627, for CST and SBP, respectively). This agile fermentation occurs because this is a soluble and/or rapidly degradable feedstuff that contains a very small amount of fibrous matter. As for the fibrous feedstuffs
Love Wave acoustic sensors behavior in complex liquids. Multiparameter sensing using acoustic and electrical signals

Love wave (LW) acoustic sensors are promising devices for biochemical detection in the liquid media. However, their application for in-situ biochemical detection especially in the turbid liquid medium is not yet explored. Turbid liquids are complex in nature with both mechanical and electrical characteristics. These characteristics could be reliably estimated with LW acoustic sensor response, where some of the dedicated sensors based on electrochemistry or optical principle show limitations. This paper presents experimental responses of LW acoustic sensor to turbid liquids based on Formazin solutions and its comparison to the spectrophotometer response. Analysis of sensorˆa \ euros electro-acoustic response is used to better characterize the sensor performance with turbid liquids. Further, this paper demonstrates the feasibility of LW acoustic sensor as a multiparameter sensing unit by estimating the inﬂuence of electro-mechanical parameters of the turbid liquids on the overall response of the sensor
Merit, Inequality, and Opportunity THE IMPAC T OF M AL AWI’S SELEC TIVE SECONDARY SCHOOLS

This paper examines the effectiveness of Malawi’s selective secondary schools in influencing student learning outcomes. Using data from Malawi’s National Examination Board, we employ value-added and regression discontinuity methods to gauge the impact of school types on high-stakes exam results. Findings reveal that National schools enhance student learning progress by an average of 0.57 standard deviations more than day schools, within two years. Regression discontinuity results corroborate National schools’ positive impact, with National school attendance yielding a 0.40 standard deviation increase in student exam outcomes. Importantly, students from districts with relatively low-performing primary schools benefit substantially from attending National schools, especially those with low-quality secondary education alternatives. Compared to global evidence, our study highlights the importance of evaluating the broader educational context when analysing school tracking effects on student outcomes. Our findings are relevant to policy discussions around secondary school expansion, performance reporting, and student selection in Malawi.
Evaluating the impact of climate communication activities by scientists: What is known and necessary?

Climate scientists and others are urged to communicate climate science in a way that non-scientific audiences can understand, that makes it more relevant to their lives and experiences, and that inspires them to act. To achieve this, climate 10 scientists undertake a range of climate communication activities to engage people with climate change. With the effort and time spent on climate communication activities, comes the need to evaluate the outcomes, impact and effectiveness of such efforts. Here, we aimed to gain insight into the impact and effectiveness of climate communication efforts by scientists by conducting a systematic literature review. However, our most important finding is that there are hardly any studies in which climate communication activities by scientists are evaluated: we found only seven articles over the past ten years. We 15 analyze these articles for the role of the scientists, the audiences reached and the reported outcomes and impact of the activities. We end our study with several recommendations that should be considered when setting up studies on evaluating the impact of climate communication activities by scientists.
VLP Methods at the MedNLP-SC Social Media Adverse Drug Event Detection of NTCIR-17

The VLP team participated in the MedNLP-SC subtask of the NTCIR-17. This paper reports our approach to solving the problem and discusses our experimental and official results. We present approaches which combine the training datasets using different methods, either vertically or horizontally across the languages. We use different text representation methods, either using a continuous embedding vector generated by a large pretrained language model or a discrete count vector generated by a simple bag-of-word method. Our proposed approaches achieve good performance – our system is ranked in the top two or three of the best performing systems for the task.
evaluation of contrast sensitivity and other visual function outcomes in neovascular age-related macular degeneration patients after treatment switch to aflibercept from ranibizumab

and incorporate the Creative Commons Attribution – Non Commercial (unported, v3.0) License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/). By accessing the work you hereby accept the Terms. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further permission from Dove Medical Press Limited, provided the work is properly attributed. For permission for commercial use of this work, please see paragraphs 4.2 and 5 of our Terms (https://www.dovepress.com/terms.php). Clinical Ophthalmology 2017:11 715–721 Clinical Ophthalmology Dovepress
Automatic Sub-Task Focus: LifeInsight’s Contribution to NTCIR-17 Lifelog-5

As the demand for personalized data retrieval systems continues to grow, recent research has emphasized the development of lifelog retrieval mechanisms. Many new research and methods have focused on studying the integration of user interactions and feedback into search engines. In this paper, we introduce the automation approach of LifeInsight, a retrieval system designed explicitly for the NTCIR-17 Lifelog-5 Automatic Task, facilitating a seamless search experience and efficient data mining. Our method entails a two-fold process, where we first enrich the metadata from the raw query, followed by the composition of the retrieval method from input entities. Our proposed system not only enhances the search process but also ensures a comprehensive and detailed analysis of lifelog data for diverse applications. By focusing primarily on the automatic sub-task, we demonstrate the efficacy of our LifeInsight retrieval algorithm, showcasing competitive results that rival those of an expert user.
of Public

The importance of collaboration between organizations, especially in the modern world, has been discussed extensively by researchers from different fields. Yet, the importance of the context, trust dynamics, and the employment social environment, such as the interplay among these factors, i.e., trust, individual behavior, and political behavior, has been less studied. This study evaluates the role of trust in and between organizations on successful collaboration processes. Using qualitative methodology, we interviewed 11 senior directors who were involved in a specific case-study of collaboration among four major organizations as well as direct observation, documentation, and archive records. Our findings emphasize the importance of analyzing multilevel trust, interpolitics, and intrapolitics, even when success is at stake. We suggest that managers have to account for emotional involvement at the individual level, even when successful organizational-level collaboration occurs. Overall, we found that there are two aspects of trust in a collaboration process between organizations: system’s aspect and personal aspect. Each aspect is influenced by various factors, mainly different goals and interest and lack of procedures or regulations (from the system’s aspect) and feelings of vagueness in goals and managerial procedures as well as feelings of exploitation (from the personal aspect). In addition, we found that past acquaintances, mutual experience, and shared visions raise the level of trust, which in turn affects the reciprocal relations and therefore the collaboration process resulting in higher social effectiveness for social services.