Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prosodic features of four types of disfluencies

We present a corpus-based approach for using intonation and duration to detect disfluency sites. The questions we aim to answer are: What are the prosodic cues for each disfluency type? Can predictive models be built to describe the relationship between disfluency types and prosodic cues? Are there correlations between the reparandum onset and offset and the repair onset and offset? Is there a general prosodic strategy? Our findings support four main hypotheses: 1) The Combination Rule: A single prosodic feature does not uniquely identify disfluencies or their types. Rather, it is a combination of several features that signals each type. 2) The Compensatory Rule: If there is an overlap of one prosodic feature, then another cue neutralizes the overlap. 3) The Discourse Type Rule: Prosodic cues for disfluencies vary according to discourse type. 4) The Expanded Reset Rule: Repair onsets are dependent on reparandum onsets and reparandum offsets. The limitation of the current study is the relatively small corpus size. Further testing of our proposed hypotheses is needed.
Resource allocation for data gathering in UAV-aided wireless sensor networks

As the development of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) communication in the residential and commercial areas, different from the traditional wireless sensor networks (WSNs), in this paper we consider a two-layer wireless networks for data gathering, one is sensor nodes to UAVs layer, the other one is UAVs to the outside layer. The sensor nodes sense data and transmit to UAVs, and then UAVs send data to the outside. In this paper, we only focus on the first layer, and we suppose the capacity is sufficient for UAVs to transmit their gathered data in the second layer. The sensor nodes aim to maximize the total data transmitting rate. Because of the limited resources (i.e. limited bandwidth, limited energy of each node, and so on) in the system, thus how to allocate the limited resources to maximize the total data transmitting rate is challenging, and it is necessary to propose an efficient algorithm to allocate the resources. We formulate the problem that jointly considers bandwidth allocation and energy allocation to maximize the total transmitting rate while guarantees the rate in each time slot for each sensor node. Then an optimal algorithm based on dynamic programming named DPBA is proposed. Finally, we conduct the extensive simulation to compare our proposed algorithm and the benchmark algorithm (i.e. equal resource allocation algorithm, denoted by ERAA). Simulation results show that our proposed algorithm outperforms the benchmark algorithm.
Performance Limits and Geometric Properties of Array Localization

Location-aware networks are of great importance and interest in both civil and military applications. This paper determines the localization accuracy of an agent, which is equipped with an antenna array and localizes itself using wireless measurements with anchor nodes, in a far-field environment. In view of the Cramér-Rao bound, we first derive the localization information for static scenarios and demonstrate that such information is a weighed sum of Fisher information matrices from each anchor-antenna measurement pair. Each matrix can be further decomposed into two parts: 1) a distance part with intensity proportional to the squared baseband effective bandwidth of the transmitted signal and 2) a direction part with intensity associated with the normalized anchor-antenna visual angle. Moreover, in dynamic scenarios, we show that the Doppler shift contributes additional direction information, with intensity determined by the agent velocity and the root mean squared time duration of the transmitted signal. In addition, two measures are proposed to evaluate the localization performance of wireless networks with different anchor-agent and array-antenna geometries, and both formulae and simulations are provided for typical anchor deployments and antenna arrays.
Tumour Movement in Proton Therapy: Solutions and Remaining Questions: A Review

Movement of tumours, mostly by respiration, has been a major problem for treating lung cancer, liver tumours and other locations in the abdomen and thorax. Organ motion is indeed one component of geometrical uncertainties that includes delineation and target definition uncertainties, microscopic disease and setup errors. At present, minimising motion seems to be the easiest to implement in clinical practice. If combined with adaptive approaches to correct for gradual anatomical variations, it may be a practical strategy. Other approaches such as repainting and tracking could increase the accuracy of proton therapy delivery, but advanced 4D solutions are needed. Moreover, there is a need to perform clinical studies to investigate which approach is the best in a given clinical situation. The good news is that existing and emerging technology and treatment planning systems as will without doubt lead in the forthcoming future to practical solutions to tackle intra-fraction motion in proton therapy. These developments may also improve motion management in photon therapy as well.
Induction of Delayed Afterdepolarizations and Triggered Activity in Canine Purkinje Fibers by Lysophosphoglycerides

Lysophosphoglycerides accumulate in ischemic myocardium and induce electrophysiologic alterations in normoxic tissue in vitro closely resembling those seen with ischemia in vivo. Delayed afterdepolarizations and triggered activity may be particularly important in the pathogenesis of arrhythmias in the ischemic heart. The present study was performed to determine whether lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), at concentrations comparable to those present in ischemic myocardium, can induce delayed afterdepolarizations and/or triggered activity in normoxic canine Purkinje fibers. In the present study, as little as 75 μM LPC was found to induce delayed afterdepolarizations and as little as 100 μM LPC was found to induce delayed afterdepolarizations and triggered activity even at low cycle lengths. The amplitude of the induced delayed afterdepolarizations was enhanced by augmentation of the extracellular concentration of calcium (7 mM) or by exogenous eplnephrine (10-9 to 10-6 M). The amplitude was decreased by verapamil (1 mg/1) or Mn+ + (2.5 mM). Epinephrine at a concentration of 10-6 M also initiated triggered activity in Purkinje fibers exposed to LPC (75 μM), a response blocked by l-propranolol (2 × 10-7M and 10-6 M) but not by the α1-adrenergic blocking agent BE-2254 (10-6 M). Delayed afterdepolarizations induced by LPC (75 μM) and epinephrine (10-6 M) persisted even in the presence of acidosis (pH 6.7) and hyperkalemia ([K+]o = 7 mM). Thus, delayed afterdepolarizations and triggered activity induced by LPC may contribute to the induction and/or maintenance of arrhythmias early after the onset of myocardial ischemia. However, because of the reversal of these effects after superfusion with media devoid of LPC, they may occur with ischemia in vivo but not be seen in tissue isolated from ischemic regions and evaluated in vitro.
Multitaper Spectrum Sensing Using Sinusoidal Tapers

In this paper, performance evaluation of multitaper spectrum sensing using sinusoidal tapers is presented. In literature slepian tapers are used routinely for spectrum sensing. Riedel introduced sinusoidal tapers as a new family of orthogonal tapers for multitaper spectral estimation (MTSE). In this work, performance of MTSE detector is evaluated using both tapers. Results show that sinusoidal tapers get better results compared to slepian tapers.
Applications of QFT robust control techniques to marine systems

In this work an overview of the application of the Quantitative Feedback Theory (QFT) technique to different marine systems is presented. Namely the problems of the stabilization of a high-speed craft, the dynamic positioning of a moored platform and the tracking control of a hovercraft are studied. An interesting question is that the plants have less degree of freedom for actuation and is more difficult to control. The three multivariable nonlinear problems are tackled by different procedures. Performance evaluation analyses and simulations in different conditions are carried out. It is shown that robust techniques based on QFT methodology result feasible and very suitable; and therefore they constitute attractive alternatives in the application of stabilization, dynamic positioning and tracking control of advanced marine systems.
Phenotypic characterization of Class II malocclusion

ii To my supportive parents, Scott and Julie iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to thank Dr. Lina Moreno for all of her dedication and guidance with this research study. This project would not have been possible without her and the rest of my thesis committee, Drs. for giving me the opportunity to further my education and pursue a career in orthodontics. Finally, I would like to thank my wonderful family for all the support and love they have given me.
Quicknet on Multispert: Fast Parallel Neural Network

The MultiSpert parallel system is a straightforward extension of the Spert workstation accelerator, which is predominantly used in speech recognition research at ICSI. In order to deliver high performance for Artiicial Neural Network training without requiring changes to the user interfaces, the exisiting Quicknet ANN library was modiied to run on MultiSpert. In this report, we present the algorithms used in the parallelization of the Quicknet code and analyse their communication and computation requirements. The resulting performance model yields a better understanding of system speed-ups and potential bottlenecks. Experimental results from actual training runs validate the model and demonstrate the achieved performance levels.
Hors du contexte, point de salut

On ne parle de contexte qu'en reference a quelque chose (pas de definition ducontexte hors contexte) : le contexte des interactions, le contexte de la resolution d'unprobleme, etc. Toutefois, un seul contexte est reconnu d'interet: le contexte desinteractions entre agents car c'est dans ce contexte que les autres contextes sontreferences ou evoluent. Par exemple, en fournissant a celui qui appelle au telephone lecontexte de l'appele (libre, en reunion, sur repondeur), l'appelant mettra en balance sonsouhait d'etablir la communication avec la disponibilite du receveur.Chaque domaine a elaboree une definition de travail du contexte. En IHM, ondefinit une caracteristique contextuelle comme une information qui peut etre utiliseepour definir et interpreter une situation dans laquelle interagissent des agents. Dans lacommunaute des « Context-Aware Applications», Dey et Abowd (1998) definissent parcontexte toute information qui caracterise une situation reliee aux interactions entre deshumains, des applications et l'environnement immediat. En intelligence artificielle, lecontexte est ce qui n'intervient pas explicitement dans la resolution d'un probleme maiscontraint cette resolution (Brezillon, 1999). Ces definitions sont assez proches et leursdifferences proviennent essentiellement de leur difference de … contexte.La communaute s’interessant au contexte se divisent en population "soft" etpopulation "hard". Les « softs » s’interessent au developpement de formalismes derepresentation basee sur le contexte des connaissances et du raisonnement (voirl’exemple des graphes contextuels dans Brezillon et al., 2001). De tels formalismesoffre des facilites naturelles d'apprentissage pour le systeme et d'explications adaptees al'utilisateur. Cette approche est essentiellement une approche centree sur l'utilisateur quiprend en compte la dimension dynamique du contexte
Single trial analysis on EEG signatures to identify individuals

This paper presents a biometric authentication system using brain signature to identify individuals. Research on brain signals has shown that each individual has a unique brain wave pattern for similar activities. EEG signals are recorded for three mental tasks from different subjects to extract the distinctive brain signature of the individual. 15 subjects participated in this experiment. A novel protocol and algorithm using neural networks is proposed. Single trial analysis is performed to test the performance of the proposed algorithm. The identification performance of the neural network by single trial analysis is 78.6%.
Phon-something: a clarification *

This is an attempt to set phonology and its neighbours in and out of the gra mmar in a consistent theory of mind. A series of definitions of modes of sound perception (and production) is offered with as little co mmitment as possible to any particular set of phonological tenets. The idea is to make sense of the modi operandi of phonology and its interfacing with other levels of representation, giving due regard to considerations of learnability, and (even) of evolution.
Background knowledge and PMML: first considerations

This paper introduces an attempt for a holistic approach to integrating background knowledge with PMML in the area of association rule mining. An XML format for capturing background knowledge inspired by PMML that scopes pre-processing and background knowledge association rules is presented. We argue that background knowledge should be kept separated from a specific dataset to foster its reusability and propose an XML format that addresses the problem of interlinking with background knowledge. The discussion is motivated by our experience from development of domain expert oriented data mining support platform.
Comparison of the Stability of Different Arthroscopic Tendon Fixation Techniques in Dynamic Tests

Abstract: In studies concerning the stability of surgical tendon fixation techniques, a large variety of test configurations is found resulting in a broad scatter of results. The goal of this study was to establish a reliable test protocol for the investigation of the stability of repair techniques. At 88 fresh bovine shoulders, four different suture configurations were tested: simple stitches, mattress sutures, modified Mason‐Allen configuration and double‐row configuration. The difference in response to load cycles with native samples and that after repair was recorded. Bioresorbable anchors were used for tendon fixation, in a second run tendons were affixed to metal plates, and with a third run fixation stability was monitored with a video camera. The double‐row technique was the most stable one with the lowest values of compliance at all selected levels of gap formation followed by the mattress suture configuration. The simple stitch configuration and the modified Mason‐Allen techniques were the most compliant techniques. By establishing this test protocol, we achieved a very accurate method of measurement (accuracy of 2 μm) with as few external influences as possible. The great advantage is that the proposed protocol allows the measurement of the mechanical quality of the suture fixation without an external device such as calipers.
Bio-inspired wind frame state sensing and estimation for MAV applications

Kapton strain-based hair sensors were designed and fabricated to measure flow on a micro air vehicle. The fabrication process is carried out using a single mask and a combination of cleanroom and regular lab room processing. The processing resulted in successful realization of 6.4 mm long sensors with high yield. Associated signal conditioning circuitry was developed to extract small variations in resistance due to flow while suppressing noise. Three sensors were deployed on a fuselage shaped structure and characterized in a wind tunnel. Static linear and nonlinear estimation schemes were obtained based on the characterization data to determine the angle of attack, sideslip angle and airspeed values. For small angles of perturbation, the estimation scheme demonstrated good accuracy in determining the variables of interest. The sensors along with the signal conditioning circuitry are sufficiently lightweight that they can be used for estimating velocity states on micro air vehicles.
Baseline Morbidity in 2,990 Adult African Volunteers Recruited to Characterize Laboratory Reference Intervals for Future HIV Vaccine Clinical Trials

Background An understanding of the health of potential volunteers in Africa is essential for the safe and efficient conduct of clinical trials, particularly for trials of preventive technologies such as vaccines that enroll healthy individuals. Clinical safety laboratory values used for screening, enrolment and follow-up of African clinical trial volunteers have largely been based on values derived from industrialized countries in Europe and North America. This report describes baseline morbidity during recruitment for a multi-center, African laboratory reference intervals study. Methods Asymptomatic persons, aged 18–60 years, were invited to participate in a cross-sectional study at seven sites (Kigali, Rwanda; Masaka and Entebbe, Uganda; Kangemi, Kenyatta National Hospital and Kilifi, Kenya; and Lusaka, Zambia). Gender equivalency was by design. Individuals who were acutely ill, pregnant, menstruating, or had significant clinical findings were not enrolled. Each volunteer provided blood for hematology, immunology, and biochemistry parameters and urine for urinalysis. Enrolled volunteers were excluded if found to be positive for HIV, syphilis or Hepatitis B and C. Laboratory assays were conducted under Good Clinical Laboratory Practices (GCLP). Results and Conclusions Of the 2990 volunteers who were screened, 2387 (80%) were enrolled, and 2107 (71%) were included in the analysis (52% men, 48% women). Major reasons for screening out volunteers included abnormal findings on physical examination (228/603, 38%), significant medical history (76, 13%) and inability to complete the informed consent process (73, 13%). Once enrolled, principle reasons for exclusion from analysis included detection of Hepatitis B surface antigen (106/280, 38%) and antibodies against Hepatitis C (95, 34%). This is the first large scale, multi-site study conducted to the standards of GCLP to describe African laboratory reference intervals applicable to potential volunteers in clinical trials. Approximately one-third of all potential volunteers screened were not eligible for analysis; the majority were excluded for medical reasons.
Private Proximity Testing For Location Based Services

Over time privacy attacks on the Internet and Internet–attached systems have grown sophisticated and attacks have become more automated and can cause greater amounts of damage. Thus, a wide range of technologies and tools, complex protocols and applications are needed to counter the growing threat. This paper deals with the implementation and analysis of private proximity testing in the context of Location Based Services (LBS). The protocol states that Alice and Bob can investigate their proximity by exchanging set of encrypted messages via the server. The approach is novel since the server will not be able to track either Alice or Bob.
Visual Odometry for Velocity Estimation of UGVs

An accurate and robust velocity estimation method based on an optical flow technique is presented in this paper. Using image sequences captured by a monocular camera mounted under an UGV (unmanned ground vehicle), image velocities are obtained from the optical flow technique. Combining with a camera model, the velocities of the UGV are directly estimated. This velocity estimation method is validated over various types of terrain surfaces, such as coarse sand, fine sand and mixture of coarse sand and gravel. Experimental results show that estimated velocities have very good agreement with measured velocities. Height between the projection center of camera and the terrain surface is proved to be a key parameter in velocity estimation. Height compensation is implemented to give accurate velocity estimation results. Velocity estimation method proposed has many potential applications including localization and slip estimation for UGVs.
Career and Skill Formation: A Dynamic Occupational Choice Model with Multidimensional Skills

The objective of the paper is to construct and estimate a dynamic structural model of schooling and occupational choice at the three-digit classification level, in which different occupations involve different mix of tasks. In the model, occupations are characterized by complexity of various tasks. Unlike occupational specific human capital, skills used in one occupation help a worker to enter a new occupation, depending on the similarity of the tasks of the two. Individuals build up their skills in low-paying occupations that provide relevant experience before they enter a high-paying occupation. Hence, low skill occupations can be viewed as “stepping stone” to better occupations. The structural parameters of the model are estimated using the occupational characteristics in the Dictionary of Occupational Titles and the work history in the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 79. I find that the model does a good job of fitting the data on occupational choices: individuals gradually move from low-skill occupations to high-skill occupations.
A Multi-Level Defense Against Social Engineering

Social engineering, the process of deceiving people into giving away access or confidential information, is a formidable threat to most secured networks. While there is plenty of information on social engineering, the threat is considered very real and not easily defended. This paper will discuss the basics of social engineering by giving a general overview of social engineering. It will then discuss the psychological triggers that make social engineering so successful. These triggers include strong affect, overloading, reciprocation, deceptive relationships, diffusion of responsibility and moral duty, authority, and integrity and consistency. Finally, this paper will define a multi-level defense that will address these psychological triggers. The levels of defense that are defined are security policy, security awareness training, resistance training, ongoing reminders, social engineering land mines and incident response. Social engineering land mines (SELM) are procedures or policies that, when implemented, act as an intrusion detection system for social engineering. It is expected that this paper will add value to the security community in three ways: by incorporating the current social psychological research into the discussion of understanding and resisting social engineering, by using the psychological literature to provide a multi-level defensive strategy for hardening employees to social engineering threats, and by developing the concept of “social engineering land mines” as a part of the multi-level defense against social engineering.
Electronically Controllable Dual-Mode Universal Biquad Filter Using Single DO-CCCDTA

บทคัดย่อ บทความวิจัยนี้ นําเสนอวงจรกรองความถี่หลาย หน้าที่โหมดคู่ (โหมดแรงดันและโหมดกระแส) วงจร สามารถสังเคราะห์ฟังก์ชันได้ครบทุกฟังก์ชัน ได้แก่ กรองความถี่ต่ําผ่าน กรองความถี่สูงผ่าน กรองแถบ ความถี่ผ่าน หยุดแถบความถี่และกรองผ่านทุกความถี่ โดยใช้ DO-CCCDTA จุดเด่นของวงจรคือ สามารถ ควบคมุความถี ธ่รรมชาตไิดด้ว้ยวธิกีารทางอเิลก็ทรอนกิส ์ โครงสร้างวงจรไม่ซับซ้อนประกอบไปด้วยเพียง DO-CCCDTA จํานวนหนึ ง่ตวัและตวัเกบ็ประจอุกี 2 ตวั สามารถให้ผลตอบสนองทั้งโหมดแรงดันและโหมด กระแสโดยไม่ต้องเปลี่ยนแปลงโครงสร้างวงจร นอกจาก นี้สามารถเลือกผลตอบสนองทางเอาต์พุตได้ด้วยวิธีทาง ดิจิตอล วงจรที่นําเสนอไม่ต้องการตัวต้านทานจึงเหมาะ ที่จะนําไปพัฒนาเป็นวงจรรวม ผลการจําลองการทํางาน ของวงจรด้วยโปรแกรม PSPICE เป็นไปตามที่วิเคราะห์ ไว้ในทางทฤษฎี โดยวงจรมีอัตราบริโภคกําลังงาน 3.90mW ที่แหล่งจ่ายแรงดัน ± . 5V