Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exposure to Phthalates in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Infants: Urinary Concentrations of Monoesters and Oxidative Metabolites

Objective We previously demonstrated that among 54 infants in neonatal intensive care units, exposure to polyvinyl chloride plastic medical devices containing the plasticizer di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is associated with urinary concentrations of mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), a DEHP metabolite. In this follow-up report, we studied the neonates’ exposure to DEHP-containing devices in relation to urinary concentrations of two other DEHP metabolites, and to urinary concentrations of metabolites of dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and benzylbutyl phthalate (BzBP), phthalates found in construction materials and personal care products. Measurements A priori, we classified the intensiveness of these 54 infants’ exposure to DEHP-containing medical products. We measured three metabolites of DEHP in infants’ urine: MEHP and two of its oxidative metabolites, mono(2-ethyl-5-hydroxylhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP) and mono(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (MEOHP). We also measured monobutyl phthalate (MBP), a metabolite of DBP, and monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP), a metabolite of BzBP. Results Intensiveness of DEHP-containing product use was monotonically associated with all three DEHP metabolites. Urinary concentrations of MEHHP and MEOHP among infants in the high-DEHP-intensiveness group were 13–14 times the concentrations among infants in the low-intensiveness group (p ≤ 0.007). Concentrations of MBP were somewhat higher in the medium-and high-DEHP-intensiveness group; MBzP did not vary by product use group. Incorporating all phthalate data into a structural equation model confirmed the specific monotonic association between intensiveness of product use and biologic measures of DEHP. Conclusion Inclusion of the oxidative metabolites MEHHP and MEOHP strengthened the association between intensiveness of product use and biologic indices of DEHP exposure over that observed with MEHP alone.
The Three Musketeers: Impacts of National Culture, Organizational Norms and Institutional Environment on Information Security Policy Compliance

This study examines the interplay of national culture, organizational norms, and institutional environment on user compliance with information security policy (ISP). Building on the NeoInstitutional Theory (NIT) and Cross-Cultural Framework, this study intends to (1) investigate the relationship among national culture, organizational norms, and institutional environment for ISP compliance at the individual level; and (2) present the similarities and differences of ISP compliance in a cross-national, cross-industry context. Particularly, this study intends to identify the differences on user’s compliance between the higher education and the banking industry in countries including the United States and South Korea. We believe that the stark contrast between both industries in relation to policy compliance coupled with the distinctive differences in national culture between both nations will draw significant findings to explain the interactive effects of national culture, industry’s institutional environment and organizational norms on user’s compliance.
Computing Nash Equilibrium in Interdependent Defense Games

Roughly speaking, Interdependent Defense (IDD) games, previously proposed, model the situation where an attacker wants to cause as much damage as possible to a network by attacking one of the sites in the network. Each site must make an investment decision regarding security to protect itself against a direct or indirect attack, the latter due to potential transfer-risk from an unprotected neighboring site. The work introducing IDD games discusses potential applications to model the essence of real-world scenarios such as the 2006 transatlantic aircraft plot. In this paper, our focus is the study of the problem of computing a Nash Equilibrium (NE) in IDD games. We show that an efficient algorithm to determine whether some attacker’s strategy can be a part of a NE in an instance of IDD games is unlikely to exist. Yet, we provide a dynamic programming algorithm to compute an approximate NE when the graph/network structure of the game is a directed tree with a single source, and show that it is an FPTAS. We also introduce an improved heuristic to compute an approximate NE on arbitrary graph structures. Our experiments show that our heuristic is more efficient, and provides better approximations, than best-response-gradient dynamics for the case of Internet games, a class of games introduced and studied in the original work on IDD games.
Harvesting Related Entities with a Search Engine

This paper addresses the problem of related entity extraction and focuses on extracting related persons as a case study. The proposed method builds on a search engine. Specifically, we mine candidate related persons for a query person q using q’s search results and the query logs containing q. The acquired candidates are then automatically rated and ranked using a SVM regression model that investigates multiple features. Experimental results on a set of 200 randomly sampled query persons show that the precision of the extracted top-1, 5, and 10 related persons exceeds 91%, 90%, and 84%, respectively, which significantly outperforms a state-ofthe-art baseline.
Characteristics of household demand for financial services in highly uncertain economies : A review of evidence from Burkina Faso

Our main objective in this chapter is to review empirical evidence showing that, when an analysis of true household demand for financial services is conducted, important market niches for financial innovations can be identified that are not filled by existing financial institutions. Indeed, in a context of high uncertainty and poverty, true household demand for financial services is more diverse and complex than is observed demand. In the same context, because of their particular characteristics, informal financial institutions can satisfy only part of the true demand. Financial innovations could effectively lift many of the constraints faced by rural households in their access to financial services, given the appropriate regulatory and legal frameworks. In the absence of formal contingent valuations, I this analysis of household demand for financial services was conducted on the basis of combined analysis of actual informal financial practices, the role of savings and credit for household economies, and the performances of microfinance projects launched in the late 1980s (in terms of outreach, services offered, and financial viability). After reviewing the household socioeconomic environment, we summarize the major findings from studies conducted in Burkina Faso by the Centre de Cooperation Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Developpement (CIRAD) on the characteristics of household demand for financial services. We then discuss how these characteristics might shape the promotion and building process of microfinance institutions. (Resume d'auteur)
OBEmanager: A model of OBE mobile application system management for the academician

Outcome-based Education (OBE) right now is very important to the academician, especially in Higher learning Institutions (HLI) in ensuring the student will get the benefits in teaching and learning of their study. In this context, there is a lacking of the OBE system model in helping the academician to use in OBE management for mobile application system environment. Since that, the implementation of the OBE as a system model for mobile application called as OBEmanager which main objectives is to offer the academician and easy and straightforward access to general information about their courses. So that it's easy to monitor the OBE of student achievement based on Cognitive, Psychomotor and Affective (CPA). Therefore, in this paper we will be highlighting a system model of OBE for academician in HLI. The proposed model will be covering the conceptual design and its interaction as well as the system configuration in supporting the academician to use it in their teaching and learning towards effectiveness and its efficiency.
PAID I CROSS-POLLINATION OF NORMALISATION TECHNIQUES FROM SPEAKER TO FACE AUTHENTICATION USING GAUSSIAN MIXTURE MODELS

This paper applies score and feature normalisation techniques to parts-based Gaussian mixture model (GMM) face authentication. In particular, we propose to utilise techniques that are well established in state-of-the-art speaker authentication, and apply them to the face authentication task. For score normalisation, T-, Zand ZT-norm techniques are evaluated. For feature normalisation, we propose a generalisation of feature warping to 2D images, which is applied to discrete cosine transform (DCT) features prior to modelling. Evaluation is performed on a range of challenging databases relevant to forensics and security, including surveillance and access control scenarios. The normalisation techniques are shown to generalise well to the face authentication task, resulting in relative improvements in half total error rate (HTER) of between 17% and 62%.
Implementation of a steady state visual evoked potantial based brain computer interface

In this study, steady-state visual evoked potential based brain computer interface design and implementation was being carried out. A portable and affordable EEG device was used to obtain brain signals. Computer monitor were preferred as visual stimuli source. In offline and online experiment, for detection of target visual stimulus selected by user, the amplitude of the EEG signal components, which correspond visual stimulus frequencies, and correlation coefficient features were tested. In the classification stage the performance of different classification methods were compared and presented along tables.
Interactive 3D sound hyperstories for blind children

Interactive software is currently used for learning andentertainment purposes. This type of software is not very commonamong blind children because most computer games and electronictoys do not have appropriate interfaces to be accessible withoutvisual cues. This study introduces the idea of interactive hyperstoriescarried out in a 3D acoustic virtual world for blind children. Wehave conceptualized a model to design hyperstories. ThroughAudioDoom we have an application that enables testing cognitivetasks with blind children. The main research question underlyingthis work explores how audio- based entertainment and spatial soundnavigable experiences can create cognitive spatial structures inthe minds of blind children. AudioDoom presents first person experiences through explorationof interactive virtual worlds by using only 3D auralrepresentations of the space.
RISK INDICATORS AND RISK PREDICTORS OF DENTAL CARIES IN SCHOOLCHILDREN

The purpose of this study was to identify risk indicators of high caries level at baseline (HCLB) based on cross-sectional data and predictors of high caries increment (HCI) based on a 7-year-follow-up examination in 6-8-year-old schoolchildren. Two hundred and six schoolchildren were examined in 1997 and in 2004 by the same two calibrated dentists, in Piracicaba, Brazil. At baseline, dental caries, presence of sealants, fluorosis, and oral hygiene status were recorded. The children's parents completed a questionnaire concerning socioeconomic level, fluoride use, dental service utilization, dietary and oral hygiene habits. HCLB and HCI were defined considering the upper quartile of the total caries experience distribution (dmfs+DMFS) and caries increment distribution, respectively. Logistic regression models were adjusted estimating the Odds Ratio (OR), 95% confidence intervals and p-values. Having white spot lesions (OR=5.25) was found to be a risk indicator of HCLB. Schoolchildren with dental fluorosis (OR=0.17) or those who brushed the teeth more than two times a day (OR=0.37) presented less probability of HCLB. The predictors of HCI were: dmfs>0 (OR=2.68) and mothers' educational level up to 8 years of schooling (OR=2.87). Clinical and socioeconomic variables were found to be risk indicators and/or predictors of dental caries in schoolchildren.
Interaction between Reference Frames, A Concern in Embedded Training?

Abstract : One of the embedded training goals is to propose a more demanding task generated by a simulation system during a real life routine activity. The systems using virtual reality (VR) can manipulate structural, semantic and localization information and recreate a new environment replicating and/or enhancing the real world context. Then simulation awareness might interfere with perception of reality, especially when body attitude and/or external environment position lead to conflictual inputs. Multisensory space perception studies strongly support the hypothesis of different reference frames for perception and for action as well.
FAULT-TOLERANT RECONFIGURABLE CONTROL FOR MIMO SYSTEMS USING ONLINE FUZZY IDENTIFICATION

In this paper, a novel fault-tolerant control scheme is proposed for a class of uncertain multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) nonlinear systems based on online fuzzy clustering and identification. The unknown nonlinear function of the system is identified online using an evolving Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy model and the fault-tolerant control law is designed based on the identified fuzzy model. The proposed method has the following features: (i) both the structure and the parameters of the T-S fuzzy model can evolve online, which makes it capable of representing more parameter and structure uncertainties of the nonlinear system; (ii) an online fuzzy clustering algorithm is employed to determine the generation of a new cluster center (new rule), which also serves as a warning signal of detecting a fault; (iii) a self-structuring fault-tolerant controller is constructed based on the online identified fuzzy model, together with a compensation controller, to guarantee the closed-loop stability under parameter variations and faults. The proposed fault-tolerant control scheme does not rely on a specially designed fault diagnosis module. Simulation studies on an inverted pendulum example have verified the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme and demonstrated the proposed control scheme has the capability to achieve desired tracking performance when there exist parameter changes or faults and the generation of new rules can alert the occurrence of faults in the system.
On Classification of Generalized Hadamard Matrices

In this paper, we give an algorithm to list and classify generalized Hadamard matrices of a given order over an arbitrary elementary Abelian group. Generalized Hadamard matrices of order less than or equal to 16 over Abelian groups Z3; Z4, Z2 Z2 and Z5 have been classi ed up to equivalence. We have shown that generalized Hadamard matrices of order 4; 8, and 12 over EA(4) are unique up to equivalence.
Yield Curve and its Predictive Power for Economic Activity : The Case of USA

This paper attempts to examine the statistical relationship between the treasury yield spread and the possible predictive significance it may carry for real economic activity in the United States. We conduct a study of the theories of the yield curve along with an investigation into the variables that give rise to its predictive power. The chief emphasis lies upon an empirical study conducted using the non-linear probability model, the Probit approach. Our results indicate that the yield spread is indeed a strong macroeconomic variable for predicting the probability of a recession with a lead of four quarters as the model effectively forecasts the seven previous recessions in the U.S. economy.
The Stability of the Lattice Structure of Pseudorandom Number Sequences

In this letter, we introduce the concept of k-error lattice structure to describe the stability of lattice structure for pseudorandom number sequences, give some of its properties, and make a study of the relationship between the k-error lattice structure and the k-error linear complexity. These properties and the relationship create an elementary framework to study the stability of the lattice structure of pseudorandom number sequences.
PHEV battery module modeling based on statistical averaging method

Regarding modeling of battery system, if the properties of unit cells comprising the system are different, overall battery system model based on a specific cell may cause an error due to the differences in cell properties. In this paper, the statistical method to minimize the error according to the deviation of properties of unit cells comprising the battery module is proposed. The simulation result of battery module model based on statistical method is compared to the experiment result of PHEV battery module. Through this, the usefulness of proposed statistical averaging method is verified.
Multiuser Zero-Forcing Beamforming with Limited Feedback in Wireless Ad Hoc Networks

The effect of limited feedback on point-to-multipoint communication is investigated in multi-antennas wireless ad hoc networks. We consider zero-forcing beamforming with quantized channel direction information and derive new closed-form expressions for the outage probability, throughput, transmission capacity, and average user rate. Expressions for the performance degradation due to finite rate feedback, the optimal number of streams, and the required feedback resolution are provided. Our results indicate that the optimized system operating points depend on different network parameters such as pathloss exponent, signal-to-noise ratio, and node density.
Towards a probabilistic, multi-layered spoken language interpretation system

We present a preliminary report of a probabilistic spoken-language interpretation mechanism that is part of a dialogue system for an office assistant robot. We offer a probabilistic formulation for the generation of candidate interpretations and the selection of the interpretation with the highest posterior probability. This formulation is implemented in a multi-layered interpretation process that integrates spoken and sensory input, and takes into account alternatives derived from a user’s utterance and expectations obtained from the context. Our preliminary results are encouraging.
Measuring Legislative Boundaries

We introduce the first family of district compactness measures that can incorporate a wide range of internal geographic features. The measures in this family are the probability that a district contains an admissible path between a randomly selected pair of people. The measure can account for roads, travel time, political boundaries, and prior districts. This family of measures includes the path-based measure of Chambers and Miller (2010).
Semantic grep: regular expressions + relational abstraction

Searching source code is one of the most common activities of software engineers. Text editors and other support tools normally provide searching based on lexical expressions (regular expressions). Some more advanced editors provide a way to add semantic direction to some of the searches. Recent research has focused on advancing the semantic options available to text-based queries. Most of these results make use of heavy weight relational database management technology. In this paper we explore the extension of lexical pattern matching by means of light weight relational queries, implemented using a tool called grok. A "semantic grep" (sgrep) command was implemented, which translates queries in a mixed algebraic and lexical language into a combination of grok queries and grep commands. This paper presents the design decisions behind sgrep, and example queries that can be posed. The paper concludes with a case study in which sgrep was used to identify architectural anomalies in PostgreSQL, an open source Database Management System.
Beating the odds (1): intergenerational social mobility from a human capital perspective

The objective of this paper is to use a human capital measure as the positional indicator in an investigation of trends in equality of intergenerational life chances. The BHPS retrospective work and employment history files provide a continuous account of respondents' occupational positions throughout their adult lives, and also records of their parents employment circumstances (if any) when the respondents were aged 14. In a first series of analyses, a conventional Goldthorpe 3*3 mobility model is compared to a categorical model grouping fathers and children into human capital quintiles. The Goldthorpe analysis shows some increase in equality, over mid 20th century birth cohorts, whereas the human capital model shows no clear trend. The difference is explained by: (1) the exclusion of non-employed women from the Goldthorpe model, where the human capital estimation covers all the BHPS respondents irrespective of employment status; and (2) the use of constant-sized quintile groups in the human capital model where the sizes of the Goldthorpe classes change over time. A second series of analyses relies on regression models, explaining children's human capital scores at various ages in terms of their sex, birth cohort, father's human capital and various transformations of, and interactions among, these variables. Instantiations of these models show diverging trends of growth in the predicted mean human capital of children of low- and of high-human capital fathers over successive birth cohorts from the 1930s to the 1960s-implying a regular increase in the inequality of intergenerational life chances in Britain over this period.
The Intra‐Cluster Correlation Coefficient in Cluster Randomized Trials: A Review of Definitions

The intra‐cluster correlation coefficient (ICC) of the primary outcome plays a key role in the design and analysis of cluster randomized trials (CRTs), but the precise definition of this parameter is somewhat elusive, especially in the context of non‐normally distributed outcomes. In this paper, we provide a unified treatment of ICC as used in CRTs. We present a general definition of the ICC that may be expressed in different ways depending on the modelling approach used to describe the data, illustrating how this general definition is applied to continuous and dichotomous outcomes. Greater complexity arises for dichotomous outcomes; in particular, the usual definition of the ICC cannot be related directly to the parameters of the logistic‐normal model that is commonly used for dichotomous outcomes. We show how the definition of the ICC is different when covariates are introduced. Finally, we use our framework and definition of the ICC to draw out implications for those interpreting and choosing values of the ICC when planning CRTs.
Haptic discrimination of material properties by a robotic hand

One of the key aspects of understanding human intelligence is to investigate how humans interact with their environment. Performing articulated movement and manipulation tasks in a constantly changing environment, have proven more difficult than expected. The difficulties of robot manipulation are in part due to the unbalanced relation between vision and haptic sensing. Most robots are equipped with high resolution cameras, which images are processed by well established computer vision algorithms such as color segmentation, motion detection, edge detection, etc. However, the majority of robots have very limited haptic capabilities. This paper presents our attempt to overcome this difficulties by: (a) using a tendon driven robotic hand with rich dynamical movements and (b) covering the hand with a set of haptic sensors on the palm and the fingertips, the sensors are based on a simplified version of an artificial skin with strain gauges and PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) films. The results show that if the robotic hand actively explores different objects using the exploratory procedures: tapping and squeezing, material properties such as hardness and texture can be used to discriminate haptically between different objects.