Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optimal byzantine resilient convergence in oblivious robot networks

Given a set of robots with arbitrary initial location and no agreement on a global coordinate system, convergence requires that all robots asymptotically approach the exact same, but unknown beforehand, location. Robots are oblivious--- they do not recall the past computations --- and are allowed to move in a one-dimensional space. Additionally, robots cannot communicate directly, instead they obtain system related information only via visual sensors. We draw a connection between the convergence problem in robot networks, and the distributed \emph{approximate agreement} problem (that requires correct processes to decide, for some constant $\epsilon$, values distance $\epsilon$ apart and within the range of initial proposed values). Surprisingly, even though specifications are similar, the convergence implementation in robot networks requires specific assumptions about synchrony and Byzantine resilience. In more details, we prove necessary and sufficient conditions for the convergence of mobile robots despite a subset of them being Byzantine (i.e. they can exhibit arbitrary behavior). Additionally, we propose a deterministic convergence algorithm for robot networks and analyze its correctness and complexity in various synchrony settings. The proposed algorithm tolerates f Byzantine robots for (2f+1)-sized robot networks in fully synchronous networks, (3f+1)-sized in semi-synchronous networks. These bounds are optimal for the class of cautious algorithms, which guarantee that correct robots always move inside the range of positions of the correct robots.
The Relationship between Global Methylation Level, Loss of Heterozygosity, and Microsatellite Instability in Sporadic Colorectal Cancer

Purpose: The relationship between global hypomethylation, chromosomal instability (CIN), and microsatellite instability (MSI) remains unclear in colorectal cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between global methylation status, loss of heterozygosity (LOH), and MSI in sporadic colorectal cancer. Experimental Design: We determined global methylation levels in 80 sporadic colorectal cancers, 51 adjacent normal tissues, and 20 normal tissues using the long interspersed nucleotide elements–combined bisulfite restriction analysis method. We also analyzed 80 colorectal cancers for MSI status and LOH at chromosomes 5q21, 8p12-22, 17p13, and 18q21. Results: We identified 14 cases of MSI (17.5%) and 58 cases of LOH (72.5%). LOH was observed more frequently in microsatellite stable (MSS) cancers than in MSI cancers at all loci. Colorectal cancers showed significantly lower global methylation levels than did normal tissues (41.0 ± 9.7% versus 54.3 ± 6.5%; P < 0.001). MSS cancers showed significantly lower global methylation levels when compared with MSI cancers (39.5 ± 9.4% versus 48.2 ± 8.2%; P = 0.003). Tumors with global hypomethylation (with ≤40% of methylation levels) had a significantly increased number of chromosomal loci with LOH than did tumors without global hypomethylation (1.9 versus 0.9; P < 0.001); 11 tumors (13.9%) lacked both MSI and LOH. This subgroup had significantly higher global methylation levels (46.8 ± 8.7%) than did MSS cancers with LOH (38.0 ± 9.0%; P = 0.006). Conclusions: These data showed a significant association between global hypomethylation and chromosomal instability in sporadic colorectal cancer. This suggests that global hypomethylation plays an important role in inducing genomic instability in colorectal carcinogenesis.
Toward Object-based Place Recognition in Dense RGB-D Maps

—Longterm localization and mapping requires the ability to detect when places are being revisited to “close loops” and mitigate odometry drift. The appearance-based approaches solve this problem by using visual descriptors to associate camera imagery. This method has proven remarkably successful, yet performance will always degrade with drastic changes in viewpoint or illumination. In this paper, we propose to leverage the recent results in dense RGB-D mapping to perform place recognition in the space of objects . We detect objects from the dense 3-D data using a novel feature descriptor generated using primitive kernels. These objects are then connected in a sparse graph which can be quickly searched for place matches. The developed algorithm allows for multi-ﬂoor or multi-session building-scale dense mapping and is invariant to viewpoint and illumination. We validate the approach on a number of real datasets collected with a handheld RGB-D camera.
Real-time emotion recognition from facial images using Raspberry Pi II

In present day technology human-machine interaction is growing in demand and machine needs to understand human gestures and emotions. If a machine can identify human emotions, it can understand human behavior better, thus improving the task efficiency. Emotions can understand by text, vocal, verbal and facial expressions. Facial expressions play big role in judging emotions of a person. It is found that limited work is done in field of real time emotion recognition using facial images. In this paper, we propose a method for real time emotion recognition from facial image. In the proposed method we use three steps face detection using Haar cascade, features extraction using Active shape Model(ASM), (26 facial points extracted) and Adaboost classifier for classification of five emotions anger, disgust, happiness, neutral and surprise. The novelty of our proposed method lies in the implementation of emotion recognition at real time on Raspberry Pi II and an average accuracy of 94% is achieved at real time. The Raspberry Pi II when mounted on a mobile robot can recognize emotions dynamically in real time under social/service environments where emotion recognition plays a major role.
Alcohol use among Norwegian students

Aims: This study investigates demographic, personality, and psychological health correlates of different drinking patterns. Design: Students at the four largest institutions of higher education in Bergen municipality were invited via email to complete an internet-based questionnaire. The final sample size was 11,236 (39.4%), mean age 24.9 years (SD = 6.5), and 63.3% were women. The survey included the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) and questions about demographics, personality traits, and symptoms of depression and anxiety. Binary logistic regressions were used to identify correlates of different drinking patterns. Results: A total of 53.0% of the students had an AUDIT score of or above 8 (i.e., hazardous drinking). Being native Norwegian, male, single, without children, non-religious, extroverted, unconscientious, and less open to experience were associated with higher AUDIT scores, drinking frequently, and binge drinking. Having parents with high alcohol or drug use increased the odds of engaging in binge drinking, but this factor was not associated with frequent drinking. Students scoring higher on neuroticism and openness were less likely to report problematic alcohol usage. Conclusions: A majority of the students reported alcohol habits that are associated with harm if they persist. This emphasises the need to examine the long-term consequences of students’ alcohol use.
Exposome-Explorer: a manually-curated database on biomarkers of exposure to dietary and environmental factors

Exposome-Explorer (http://exposome-explorer.iarc.fr) is the first database dedicated to biomarkers of exposure to environmental risk factors. It contains detailed information on the nature of biomarkers, their concentrations in various human biospecimens, the study population where measured and the analytical techniques used for measurement. It also contains correlations with external exposure measurements and data on biological reproducibility over time. The data in Exposome-Explorer was manually collected from peer-reviewed publications and organized to make it easily accessible through a web interface for in-depth analyses. The database and the web interface were developed using the Ruby on Rails framework. A total of 480 publications were analyzed and 10 510 concentration values in blood, urine and other biospecimens for 692 dietary and pollutant biomarkers were collected. Over 8000 correlation values between dietary biomarker levels and food intake as well as 536 values of biological reproducibility over time were also compiled. Exposome-Explorer makes it easy to compare the performance between biomarkers and their fields of application. It should be particularly useful for epidemiologists and clinicians wishing to select panels of biomarkers that can be used in biomonitoring studies or in exposome-wide association studies, thereby allowing them to better understand the etiology of chronic diseases.
Seeing through Musculoskeletal Tissues: Improving In Situ Imaging of Bone and the Lacunar Canalicular System through Optical Clearing

In situ, cells of the musculoskeletal system reside within complex and often interconnected 3-D environments. Key to better understanding how 3-D tissue and cellular environments regulate musculoskeletal physiology, homeostasis, and health is the use of robust methodologies for directly visualizing cell-cell and cell-matrix architecture in situ. However, the use of standard optical imaging techniques is often of limited utility in deep imaging of intact musculoskeletal tissues due to the highly scattering nature of biological tissues. Drawing inspiration from recent developments in the deep-tissue imaging field, we describe the application of immersion based optical clearing techniques, which utilize the principle of refractive index (RI) matching between the clearing/mounting media and tissue under observation, to improve the deep, in situ imaging of musculoskeletal tissues. To date, few optical clearing techniques have been applied specifically to musculoskeletal tissues, and a systematic comparison of the clearing ability of optical clearing agents in musculoskeletal tissues has yet to be fully demonstrated. In this study we tested the ability of eight different aqueous and non-aqueous clearing agents, with RIs ranging from 1.45 to 1.56, to optically clear murine knee joints and cortical bone. We demonstrated and quantified the ability of these optical clearing agents to clear musculoskeletal tissues and improve both macro- and micro-scale imaging of musculoskeletal tissue across several imaging modalities (stereomicroscopy, spectroscopy, and one-, and two-photon confocal microscopy) and investigational techniques (dynamic bone labeling and en bloc tissue staining). Based upon these findings we believe that optical clearing, in combination with advanced imaging techniques, has the potential to complement classical musculoskeletal analysis techniques; opening the door for improved in situ investigation and quantification of musculoskeletal tissues.
Flow Field Post Processing via Partial Differential Equations

The visualization of stationary and time-dependent flow is an important and challenging topic in scientific visualization. Its aim is to represent transport phenomena governed by vector fields in an intuitively understandable way. In this paper, we review the use of methods based on partial differential equations (PDEs) to post-process flow datasets for the purpose of visualization. This connects flow visualization with image processing and mathematical multi-scale models. We introduce the concepts of flow operators and scale-space and explain their use in modeling post processing methods for flow data. Based on this framework, we present several classes of PDE-based visualization methods: anisotropic linear diffusion for stationary flow; transport and diffusion for non-stationary flow; continuous clustering based on phase-separation; and an algebraic clustering of a matrix-encoded flow operator. We illustrate the presented classes of methods with results obtained from concrete flow applications, using datasets in 2D, flows on curved surfaces, and volumetric 3D fields.
The effect of storage time on egg quality and hatchability characteristics of Rhode Island Red (RIR) hens.

________________________________________________________________________________________ KHAN, M. J. A. , S. H. KHAN, A. BUKHSH, M. AMIN: The effect of storage time on egg quality and hatchability characteristics of Rhode Island Red (RIR) hens. Vet. arhiv 84, 291-303, 2014. ABSTRACT In this research study, hatchability results and some internal egg quality characteristics of 0, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 9 d stored eggs in RIR were examined. It was determined that the effect of storage time on hatchability, hatchability of fertile eggs, embryonic mortality, chick weight, albumen weight, yolk weight, albumen index, yolk index and Haugh unit was signifi cant (P<0.05). There was no positive or negative effect of storage time on the fertility rates, but there was a negative effect of storage time on egg weight, hatchability, embryonic development and chick weight on d 3 (P<0.05). It was determined that prolonged storage time caused a decrease in the albumen weight, yolk weight, albumen index, yolk index and Haugh unit value of Rhode Island Red eggs. Rhode Island Red eggs should not be stored more than 3 d.
Use of passive arrays for characterization and mapping of cavitation activity during HIFU exposure

Inertial cavitation occurring during HIFU exposure can act both as a promoter and as a marker of heat deposition, because bubbles re-radiate part of the incident field as broadband noise emissions that are detectable over a frequency range far removed from the main HIFU excitation frequency. In the present work, a commercially available ultrasound scanning system (with the transmit signal turned off) and linear array are used to detect the emissions emanating from cavitating bubbles passively on 64 independent channels during HIFU exposure. A novel algorithm is presented that enables localization and mapping of cavitation activity, both for the case of a single bubble and in the context of contiguous, disjoint cavitating regions. By contrast to B-mode hyperechogenicity imaging that is widely used in ultrasound-guided HIFU systems but can only operate whilst the HIFU is off, the passive imaging technique presented here can be implemented during HIFU exposure, thus providing a potential means of real-time treatment monitoring during ablation.
Harmonics detection in transformers by entropy of electromagnetic signals radiated

This paper presents another way to assess power quality delivered by transformers. The electro-magnetic signal entropy reveals the presence of harmonics in the industrial and domestic electric power supply. It will show some electromagnetic radiated wave measurements taken below 115 kV electric transformers circuits of Manizales city (Colombia) through a non-invasive and indirect measurement (using wireless sensors) of the power complexity transported by the supply. The electric users are concerned over the electric power quality, since poor quality causes many damages and malfunction for different kind of loads. Some industries are very sensitive and many losses occur by instabilities, harmonic distortion, shorts, line disturbances, impulses, notches, glitches, interruptions, over voltages, under voltages, wave faults, computer lockups, flicker, equipment damage (at partial load),data processing equipment PFC instability, overloading problems when switching heavy loads, overheated neutral, problems with long lines, nuisance tripping, utility metering claims, and others.
Photoinduced Deformations in Azobenzene Polymer Films

This review is devoted to the microscopic mechanism behind photoinduced deformations in side-chain azobenzene polymers. We present the analysis of selected experiments that allows us to propose main criteria for a proper choice of the light induced force. Particularly, we provide convincing evidence that, contrary to a well-spread belief, light induced softening is a very weak accompanying effect rather than a necessary condition for the formation of surface relief gratings. Hence, the theories which need a concept of photo-induced softening are not able to describe the phenomenon correctly. Using molecular dynamics simulations, we show that chromophore reorientation alone is capable of the film deformation under homogeneous illumination. Finally, we discuss a recent microscopic theory that satisfies all main criteria for a proper choice of the light induced force. The theory is based on the orientation mechanism of azobenzene chromophores and takes the internal structure of side-chain azobenzene polymers explicitly into account.
QUANTIFYING REGULATORY CAPITAL FOR OPERATIONAL RISK

The proposed New Accord (Basel II) established by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision calls for an explicit treatment of operational risk. Banks are required to demonstrate their ability to capture severe tail loss events. Value at risk is a risk measure that could be used to derive the necessary regulatory capital. Yet operational loss data typically exhibit irregularities which complicate the mathematical modeling. It is shown that traditional modeling approaches, including extreme value theory, reach their limits as the structure of operational loss data is barely in line with the modeling assumptions.
Queuing Delays in Randomized Load Balanced Networks

Valiant's concept of randomized load balancing (RLB), also promoted under the name 'two-phase routing', has previously been shown to provide a cost-effective way of implementing overlay networks that are robust to dynamically changing demand patterns. RLB is accomplished in two steps; in the first step, traffic is randomly distributed across the network, and in the second step traffic is routed to the final destination. One of the benefits of RLB is that packets experience only a single stage of routing, thus reducing queueing delays associated with multi-hop architectures. In this paper, we study the queuing performance of RLB, both through analytical methods and packet-level simulations using ns2 on three representative carrier networks. We show that purely random traffic splitting in the randomization step of RLB leads to higher queuing delays than pseudo-random splitting using, e.g., a round-robin schedule. Furthermore, we show that, for pseudo-random scheduling, queuing delays depend significantly on the degree of uniformity of the offered demand patterns, with uniform demand matrices representing a provably worst-case scenario. These results are independent of whether RLB employs priority mechanisms between traffic from step one over step two. A comparison with multi-hop shortest-path routing reveals that RLB eliminates the occurrence of demand-specific hot spots in the network.
Segmentation of RT3D ultrasound with implicit deformable models without gradients

This paper presents the implementation and validation of a new 3D deformable model method, based on the Mumford-Shah functional for segmentation of three-dimensional real-time ultrasound. An experiment on 10 patients with primary hypertension was carried out to compare three segmentation methods for quantification of right and left ventricular ejection fraction: (1) manual tracing by an expert cardiologist, (2) 2D parametric deformable model, and (3) 3D implicit deformable model implemented with a level set framework. Deformable model segmentations were performed on denoised data using a (3D+Time) brushlet expansion. The clinical study showed superior performance of the deformable model in assessing ejection fraction when compared to MRI measures. It also showed that the three-dimensional deformable model improved EF measures, which is explained by a more accurate segmentation of small and convoluted ventricular shapes when integrating the third spatial dimension.
Respect, it goes both ways : exploring school connectedness and students' experiences of microaggressions from teachers : a project based upon a joint project

Abstract This mixed-method study explores what kind of microaggressions high school students of various ethnicities and racial identities experience from their teachers, and if type and responses to microaggressions vary according to the levels of perceived school climate. Qualitative thematic analysis was used to find out what types of microaggressions were experienced. Using quantitative measures of school connectedness and teacher support as well as qualitative thematic analysis, the study analyzed differences in the ways in which students who experience low and high levels of school connectedness responded to these microaggressions. Twenty-one participants were interviewed, and nine were further sampled using quantitative measures. The findings were that students experience teachers stereotyping, teachers making students feel erased and adopting color blind narratives, teachers singling out students and calling out differences and teachers minimizing student concerns. School connectedness and teacher support appear to be protective factors for students who experience these kinds of microaggressions. RESPECT, IT GOES BOTH WAYS: EXPLORING SCHOOL CONNECTEDNESS AND STUDENTS’ EXPERIENCES OF MICROAGGRESSIONS FROM TEACHERS A project based upon a joint project, submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Social Work. Laura Josephine Wesely Smith College School for Social Work Northampton, Massachusetts 01063 2017
Tactile synthesis and perceptual inverse problems seen from the viewpoint of contact mechanics

A contact-mechanics analysis was used to explain a tactile illusion engendered by straining the fingertip skin tangentially in a progressive wave pattern resulting in the perception of a moving undulating surface. We derived the strain tensor field induced by a sinusoidal surface sliding on a finger as well as the field created by a tactile transducer array deforming the fingerpad skin by lateral traction. We found that the first field could be well approximated by the second. Our results have several implications. First, tactile displays using lateral skin deformation can generate tactile sensations similar to those using normal skin deformation. Second, a synthesis approach can achieve this result if some constraints on the design of tactile stimulators are met. Third, the mechanoreceptors embedded in the skin must respond to the deviatoric part of the strain tensor field and not to its volumetric part. Finally, many tactile stimuli might represent, for the brain, an inverse problem to be solved, such specific examples of “tactile metameres” are given.
Insights on the Self-identity of the Descendants of Family Business Owners: The Case of German Unternehmerkinder

The objective of the present research is to use social identity theory to elucidate the self-identity development of the descendants of family business owners and the consequences of this identity development. We develop a new understanding of the self-identity of family business heirs using a sample of 179 German and Swiss-German young adults. The starting point of our investigation is the German concept of Unternehmerkind. In German, Unternehmerkind, which literally translates to 'child of an entrepreneur', contains aspects of different identities and group memberships. We argue that self-identification as an Unternehmerkind is not only driven by the fact of being a descendent of a family business owner but also has a subjective component. We find that self-identification is related to individual and firm-related influence factors. Furthermore, we show that the positive relationship between the self-identification as an Unternehmerkind and the affective commitment to the firm is mediated by socialisation.