Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Communication Robot in a Shopping Mall

This paper reports our development of a communication robot for use in a shopping mall to provide shopping information, offer route guidance, and build rapport. In the development, the major difficulties included sensing human behaviors, conversation in a noisy daily environment, and the needs of unexpected miscellaneous knowledge in the conversation. We chose a network-robot system approach, where a single robot's poor sensing capability and knowledge are supplemented by ubiquitous sensors and a human operator. The developed robot system detects a person with floor sensors to initiate interaction, identifies individuals with radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags, gives shopping information while chatting, and provides route guidance with deictic gestures. The robot was partially teleoperated to avoid the difficulty of speech recognition as well as to furnish a new kind of knowledge that only humans can flexibly provide. The information supplied by a human operator was later used to increase the robot's autonomy. For 25 days in a shopping mall, we conducted a field trial and gathered 2642 interactions. A total of 235 participants signed up to use RFID tags and, later, provided questionnaire responses. The questionnaire results are promising in terms of the visitors' perceived acceptability as well as the encouragement of their shopping activities. The results of the teleoperation analysis revealed that the amount of teleoperation gradually decreased, which is also promising.
Continuity in a VA Patient-Centered Medical Home Reduces Emergency Department Visits

Background One major goal of the Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) is to improve continuity of care between patients and providers and reduce the utilization of non-primary care services like the emergency department (ED). Objective To characterize continuity under the Veterans Health Administration’s PCMH model – the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT), at one large Veterans Affair’s (VA’s) primary care clinic, determine the characteristics associated with high levels of continuity, and assess the association between continuity and ED visits. Design Retrospective, observational cohort study of patients at the West Haven VA (WHVA) Primary Care Clinic from March 2011 to February 2012. Patients The 13,495 patients with established care at the Clinic, having at least one visit, one year before March 2011. Main Measures Our exposure variable was continuity of care –a patient seeing their assigned primary care provider (PCP) at each clinic visit. The outcome of interest was having an ED visit. Results The patients encompassed 42,969 total clinic visits, and 3185 (24%) of them had 15,458 ED visits. In a multivariable logistic regression analysis, patients with continuity of care – at least one visit with their assigned PCP – had lower ED utilization compared to individuals without continuity (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 0.54; 95% CI: 0.41, 0.71), controlling for frequency of primary care visits, comorbidities, insurance, distance from the ED, and having a trainee PCP assigned. Likewise, the adjusted rate of ED visits was 544/1000 person-year (PY) for patients with continuity vs. 784/1000 PY for patients without continuity (p = 0.001). Compared to patients with low continuity (<33% of visits), individuals with medium (33–50%) and high (>50%) continuity were less likely to utilize the ED. Conclusions Strong continuity of care is associated with decreased ED utilization in a PCMH model and improving continuity may help reduce the utilization of non-primary care services.
Web-Based Intellectual Property MarketPlace: A Survey of Current Practices

In the past year, knowledge and innovation management have acquired increasing relevance in organizations. In the last decade, open innovation strategy, and in particular, crowdsourcing innovation model has also gained increasing importance. This model is seen as a new innovation model, capable of accelerating the innovation process. Therefore, it is important to understand how organizations can best take advantage of this innovation model. This paper approaches in two ways for commercializing intellectual property: crowdsourcing innovation, and intellectual property marketplaces. Thus, with the intention of understanding the concepts and practices, the study started by collecting scientific articles through bibliographic data bases. The paper provides knowledge about concepts and practices underlying the ways for commercializing intellectual property. It also contributes with a proposal of architecture for an intellectual property marketplace, based on the analysis of practices about crowdsourcing innovation and intellectual property marketplaces. This architecture is still in a draft stage, but already includes helpful insights for organizations interested in applying the open innovation strategy.
Gravity sphere: gestural audio-tactile interface for mobile music exploration

Current solutions for managing music in mobile contexts are inconvenient as they require considerable effort and visual attention. We describe a novel system for exploring music and generating playlists in mobile contexts, and present findings from our formative usability evaluations. The system provides audio-tactile feedback and is controlled by manipulating a device's orientation. The system plays songs associated with the current orientation. A spatial gesture or other command is then used to lock the orientation into a playlist. We evaluated two iterations of a prototype of the system and found that users were successful in exploring music and generating playlists with the system. We found that certain orientations are more common than others. Also, manipulating the prototype felt more natural while walking than sitting. Personalization of the music mapping was requested by users and seen as beneficial for usability.
Dynamics of pavement cell-chloride cell interactions during abrupt salinity change in Fundulus heteroclitus.

Freshwater-adapted killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) opercular epithelia were dissected and subjected to blood-side hypertonic bathing solution in Ussing-style chambers to simulate the increase in blood osmolality during migration to sea water. Conversely, seawater-acclimated killifish opercular epithelia were subjected to hypotonic bathing solutions to simulate the initial stages of migration to fresh water. Freshwater-acclimation (hypertonic stress) induced a rapid (approximately 30 min) increase in membrane conductance (G(t)) from 3.10+/-0.56 to 7.52+/-1.15 mS x cm(-2) (P<0.01, N=27), whereas seawater-acclimation (hypotonic stress) induced a rapid decrease in G(t) from 8.22+/-1.15 to 4.41+/-1.00 mS x cm(-2) (P<0.01, N=27; means +/- S.E.M.). Control seawater-acclimated membranes had a density of apical crypts (where chloride cells are exposed to the environment; detected by scanning electron microscopy) of 1133+/-96.4 crypts x mm(-2) (N=12), whereas the hypotonically shocked specimens had a lower crypt density of 870+/-36.7 crypts x mm(-2) (P<0.01 N=10; means +/- S.E.M.). Hypertonic shock of freshwater membranes increased crypt density from 383.3+/-73.9 (N=12) to 630+/-102. 9 crypts x mm(-2) (P<0.05; N=11; means +/- S.E.M.). There was no change in density of chloride cells, as detected by fluorescence microscopy; hence, osmotic stress changes the degree of exposure, not the number of chloride cells. Cytochalasin D (5.0 micromol x l(-1)) completely blocked the conductance response to hypotonic shock and the reduction in apical crypt density measured by scanning electron microscopy, while phalloidin (33 micromol x l(-1)), colchicine (3x10(-4)mol x l(-1)) and griseofulvin (1.0 micromol x l(-1)) were ineffective. Actin imaging by phalloidin staining and confocal microscopy revealed extensive actin cords in pavement cell microridges and a ring of actin at the apex of chloride cells. We conclude that the actin cytoskeleton of chloride cells is required to maintain crypt opening and that osmotic shock causes chloride cells to adjust their apical crypt size.
Optimization of Sequential Paging in Movement-Based Location Management Based on Movement Statistics

The movement-based scheme is a dynamic location management (LM) scheme that is particularly easy to implement. Each mobile simply counts the number of cell-boundary crossings and initiates location update when this number exceeds the predefined movement threshold. Although its LM cost is inferior to that of distance-based schemes, this cost can be decreased by sequential paging methods that take into account mobiles' movement statistics. In this paper, we derive the probability distribution of a mobile's number of cell-boundary crossings during the interval between two location registrations in a movement-based LM scheme for Poisson call arrivals and generally distributed cell residence time. Based on the derived statistics, we obtain the optimal movement threshold and develop an optimal sequential paging scheme. Numeric results are presented to show that the proposed optimal sequential paging scheme outperforms existing sequential paging schemes over a wide range of call-to-mobility ratios
The Italian START-Register on Anticoagulation with Focus on Atrial Fibrillation

START-Register – Survey on anTicoagulated pAtients RegisTer – is an independent, inception-cohort, observational, collaborative database aimed at recording prospectively the clinical history of adult patients starting anticoagulant treatment for any reason and using whatever drug. In this article we present the START-Register and give cross section baseline data focusing on non valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). Participants are asked to insert prospectively consecutive patients recorded as electronic file on the web-site of the registry. Required data are: demographic and clinical characteristics of patients, associated risk factors for stroke and bleeding, laboratory routine data, clinical indication for treatment, expected therapeutic range (in cases of treatment with vitamin K antagonists -VKAs). The follow-up is carried out to record: quality of treatment (for patients on VKAs), bleeding complications, thrombotic events, and the onset of any type of associated disease. To date 5252 patients have been enrolled; 97.6% were on VKAs because direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) have been available in Italy only recently. The median age was 74 years [interquartile range (IQR) 64-80]; males 53.7%. This analysis is focused on the 3209 (61.1%) NVAF patients. Mean CHADS2 score was 2.1±1.1, CHADSVASc score was 3.1±1.3;median age was 76 years (IQR 70-81); 168 patients (5.3%) had severe renal failure [Creatinine clearance (CrCl) <30 ml/min]. Moderate renal failure (CrCl 30-59 ml/min) was found in 1265 patients (39.5%). The analysis of the START-Register data shows that two-third of patients who started chronic anticoagulant treatment had NVAF, one-third of them was > 80 years with high prevalence of renal failure.
Coding-based schemes for fault identification in communication networks

The complexity of communication networks and the amount of information transferred in these networks have made the management of such networks increasingly difficult. Since faults are inevitable, quick detection, identification, and recovery are crucial to make the systems more robust and their operation more reliable. This paper proposes two event correlation schemes for fault identification in communication networks. Both schemes are based on the coding scheme proposed by Yemini et al. (see IEEE Commum. Magazine, vol.34, no.5, p.82-90, 1996). The causality graph model is used to describe the cause-and-effect relationships between network events. For each problem, and each symptom, a unique binary code is assigned. The use of Boolean operations on symptom code makes the correlation process very fast. A simulation model is developed to verify the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed schemes. From simulation results, we notice that the proposed schemes not only identify multiple problems at one time but also are sensitive to noise. For both schemes, their time complexities are much lower than the time complexity of the original coding scheme.
Evaluation of similarity based recommender using Fuzzy Inference System

Recommendation system filters the information and shows only the data that are relevant to the user. In this paper, we have considered external factors in recommendation such as scrutability, algorithm accuracy and user interface as well as internal factors such as similarity, diversity, negative similarity, serendipity. The characteristics of each factor in similarity based recommendation system have been clearly examined and a model Fuzzy Inference System has been developed. Factors that influence in determining the recommendation are discussed and evaluated using rule based fuzzy inference model.
An H-band low-noise amplifier MMIC in 35 nm metamorphic HEMT technology

In this paper, we present the development and characterization of an H-band (220 - 325 GHz) low-noise amplifier MMIC, realized in metamorphic HEMT technology with a gate length of 35 nm. The active devices in the realized three-stage LNA are common-source and common-gate transistors connected in cascode configuration. The LNA circuit achieves a linear gain of 26.3 dB with a 3-dB-bandwidth from 218 to 260 GHz. The measured noise figure of the LNA is 6.1 dB in the frequency range around 243 GHz.
Returns to Education: the Causal Effects of Education on Earnings, Health and Smoking * the Causal Effects of Education on Earnings and Health

We thank Chris Taber for insightful comments on an early draft. We also thank Ariel Pakes and other participants at a Harvard Labor Economics Workshop in April, 2014, for helpful comments on a previous draft. We thank Eleanor Dillon and Matthew Wiswall for comments received at a seminar at Arizona State University, February, 2015. We thank the special editor, Ed Lazear, and an anonymous referee for helpful comments. Abstract This paper defines and estimates returns to education for earnings, health, and smoking using a dynamic model of educational choice. We synthesize approaches in the structural dynamic discrete choice literature with approaches used in the reduced form treatment effect literature. We offer an empirically robust middle ground between the two approaches to estimate economically interpretable and policy-relevant treatment effects that recognize the dynamic nature of schooling decisions. Ability bias is a major component of observed educational differentials for most outcomes we study. Both cognitive and non-cognitive abilities play important roles in explaining observed differences in earnings, health, and smoking across all education levels. Nonetheless, after controlling for their influence, there are substantial causal effects of education at all stages of schooling. Continuation values associated with dynamic sequential schooling decisions are empirically important components of estimated returns to schooling for high-ability individuals. There is considerable heterogeneity in the effects of schooling on outcomes at different schooling levels and across persons. The estimated causal effects of education vary with the level of cognitive and non-cognitive endowments. Graduating college is not a wise strategy for all. It has no benefit for low-ability people. Our model allows for the possibility of myopic behavior and time inconsistency in choices. Individuals do not always act on decision-relevant, publicly available information. However, there are strong sorting gains consistent with pursuit of comparative advantage, especially for wage outcomes, but only at higher levels of education. We use our estimated model to evaluate two policy proposals.
An Efficient and Intelligent Intrusion Detection and Response System using Virtual Private Networks, Firewalls and Packet Filters

There major challenges for current Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) which attempt to identify suspicious network traffic. Due to the high percentage of alerts generated by such systems, the level of false positives is among the significant problems. We present intelligent strategies for reduction of false positives and infrastructure protection using a novel approach using adaptive responses from firewall packet filters in what we call, network quarantine channels (NQC). This involves using an efficient and intelligent intrusion detection and response system using Virtual Private Networks, firewalls and packet filters. The firewall packet filters provide effective intelligent responses by to granting access to the normal packets and denying malicious traffic access to the network, after the identity of the connections are verified through the statistical analysis in the NQC. These effective strategies reduce false positives and increases detection capability of the IDS
Genotypes of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in Livestock in China: High Prevalence and Zoonotic Potential

Despite many recent advances in genotype characterization of Enterocytozoon bieneusi worldwide and the exploration of the extent of cross-species transmission of microsporidiosis between humans and animals, the epidemiology of this neglected disease in China is poorly understood. In this study, a very high prevalence (60.3%; 94/156) of E. bieneusi infections in farmed pigs in Jilin province was detected by PCR of the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS). DNA sequence analysis of 88 E. bieneusi–positive specimens identified 12 distinct genotypes (11 known: CHN7, CS-1, CS-4, CS-6, EbpA, EbpB, EbpC, EbpD, EBITS3, G, and Henan-I; one novel: CS-9). Frequent appearance of mixed genotype infections was seen in the study animals. Weaned (74.6%; 53/71) or pre-weaned (68.8%; 22/32) pigs have infection rates significantly higher than growing pigs (35.8%; 19/53) (p<0.01). Likewise, E. bieneusi was detected in 2 of 45 sheep fecal specimens (4.4%) in Heilongjiang province, belonging to the known genotype BEB6. Genotypes EbpA, EbpC, EbpD, and Henan-I examined herein have been documented in the cases of human infections and BEB6, EbpA, EbpC, and EbpD in wastewater in central China. Infections of EbpA and EbpC in humans were also reported in other areas of the world. The other known genotypes (CHN7, CS-1, CS-4, CS-6, EBITS3, EbpB, and G) and the new genotype CS-9 were genetically clustered into a group of existing E. bieneusi genotypes with zoonotic potential. Thus, pigs could be a potential source of human E. bieneusi infections in China.
Convolutional Neural Networks Based Pornographic Image Classification

Considering the fact that pornographic images are flooding on the web, we propose a pornographic image recognition method based on convolutional neural network. This method can be divided into two parts: coarse detection and fine detection. Because majority of images are normal, we use coarse detecting to quickly identify the normal images with no or fewer skin-color regions and facial images. For the images which contain much more skin-color regions, they need further identification through fine detecting. At first, we trained the CNN using the strategy of pre-training mid-level features non-fixed fine-tuning, then based on the trained model, we can classify whether the image is pornographic or not. Compared with exiting methods, performance of our method is better than the state-of-the-art.
Diel horizontal migration of the Hawaiian mesopelagic boundary community observed acoustically

The mesopelagic boundary community off the leeward coasts of 2 Hawaiian Islands, Oahu and Hawaii, was investigated with an echosounder modified to read directly into a laptop com- puter. Acoustic sampling was conducted over a total distance of 12.6 km off the Waianae coast of Oahu and 46.3 km off the Kona coast of Hawaii. The density of organisms was determined using echo energy integration, and relative abundance was determined in a way analogous to catch-per-unit- effort. The vertical range of mesopelagic organisms expanded as the mesopelagic layer rose and then compressed as it descended. The vertical range of the layer off the Kona coast was larger than that off the Waianae coast, possibly because of the greater bottom depth off Kona. Near midnight, the bound- ary community 3 km from the shoreline was split into 2 distinct layers, one beginning approximately 25 m from the surface and one beginning approximately 90 m from the surface. The density and the relative abundance of mesopelagic organisms were consistently higher off the Waianae coast than the Kona coast. However, the density of organisms observed in both locations was high, reaching a maximum of 1800 organisms m -3 off Waianae and 700 organisms m -3 off Kona. The maximum relative abundance off Waianae neared 100%, while off Kona it never exceeded 70%. In both locations, organisms were found within 1 km of shore, in waters much shallower than their assumed daytime habitat. The temporal patterns of relative abundance and density of organisms in waters closest to the shores of each island resembled a bell curve, with a peak in relative abundance and density around midnight. In waters further from shore, the temporal patterns in relative abundance and density had a bimodal distribution, with peaks around both 21:00 and 03:00 h. These patterns in relative abun- dance and density are significantly affected by the distance of the sampling location from the shore- line, but not by the depth of the sampling site. The data suggest that the organisms of the mesopelagic boundary community undergo a diel horizontal migration that is reciprocal, 1.8 km in 2 h toward shore and then the same distance in approximately the same amount of time away from shore, in addition to their well-established vertical migration. The temporal patterns of the horizontal com- ponent of the migration are predictable and are conserved between days, phases of the moon, sea- sons, and islands.
Using the Piecewise Mixture Model to Evaluate Automated Vehicles in the Frontal Cut-in Scenario

Evaluation and testing are critical for the development of Automated Vehicles (AVs). Currently, companies test AVs on public roads, which is very timeconsuming and inefficient. We proposed the Accelerated Evaluation concept which uses a modified statistics of the surrounding vehicles and the Importance Sampling theory to reduce the evaluation time by several orders of magnitude, while ensuring the final evaluation results are accurate. In this paper, we further extend this idea by using Piecewise Mixture Distribution models instead Single Distribution models. We demonstrate this idea to evaluate vehicle safety in lane change scenarios. The behavior of the cut-in vehicles was modeled based on more than 400,000 naturalistic driving lane changes collected by the University of Michigan Safety Pilot Model Deployment Program. Simulation results confirm that the accuracy and efficiency of the Piecewise Mixture Distribution method are better than the single distribution.
Languages for Dynamic Instrumentation

Dynamic instrumentation has proven to be a valuable technique for a variety of different program analyses. However, developing a new analysis based on dynamic instrumentation is difficult, error prone, and time-consuming. One obvious solution is to develop a common framework that would enable quick and easy dynamic instrumentation for a variety of applications. Developing a practical solution along these lines, however, requires that one understand and effectively model how instrumentation can and should be used. We suggest that an eventoriented framework based on program analysis might be a viable approach to achieving such a practical solution.