Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
IRIS SEGMENTATION OF NON-IDEAL IMAGES

Iris segmentation plays a pivotal role in accurate iris recognition systems. Many iris segmentation methods rely on a controlled environment, wherein the subject may be required to submit themselves to have their eyes photographed in an ideal scenario. In unconstrained environments, however, iris segmentation becomes increasingly difficult to perform due to off-axis tilts, off-angles, and occlusion from reflections, eyelids, eyelashes, eye aids, and hair. This paper focuses specifically on non-ideal images, presents a novel method for locating the pupil, uses least-squares based ellipse fitting techniques to fit boundaries to the pupil and iris regions, describes geometric calibration techniques to compensate for distortion caused by off-angle acquisition, and demonstrates segmentation from within the ellipse boundaries. The proposed method has been tested on off-axis and off-angle images collected at the WVU eye center. Classified by hand, the ellipse fitting process yielded 89.7% accuracy on 195 images and the segmentation stage produced results at 88.2% accuracy on 195 images.
BS-SLAM: Shaping the World

This paper presents BS-SLAM, a simultaneous localization and mapping algorithm for use in unstructured environments that is effective regardless of whether features correspond to simple geometric primitives such as lines or not. The coordinates of the control points defining a set of B-splines are used to form a complete and compact description of the environment, thus making it feasible to use an extended Kalman filter based SLAM algorithm. The proposed method is the first known EKF-SLAM implementation capable of describing both straight and curve features in a parametric way. Appropriate observation equation that allows the exploitation of virtually all observations from a range sensor such as the ubiquitous laser range finder is developed. Efficient strategies for computing the relevant Jacobians, perform data association, initialization and expanding the map are presented. The effectiveness of the algorithms is demonstrated using experimental data.
Three gait patterns recognition with ground reaction force using support vector machine

This paper presents that support vector machine (SVM) is used to classify three gait patterns: level walking, stair ascent and stair descent based on ground reaction force (GRF). The recognition process consists of three stages: i) a three layers wavelet packet analysis is used for feature extraction, with which squared and standard deviation of decomposition coefficients compose features; ii) with attributes distribution analysis of features (similar to principal component analysis), the feature set is cut down to contain six ones; and iii) the optimal feature set is input to the SVM classifier. Six healthy subjects were tested wearing the designed shoes. As a result, the accuracy is around 83.3%. Improved performance of the classifier was evident in ideal situation i.e. a constant walking velocity, no tilting et al., accuracy of SVM is nearly 100%. These results suggest that SVM system can function as an efficient classifier for recognition of three gait patterns.
Pengajaran holistik guru Sekolah Menengah Negeri Bandar Makassar, Sulawesi Selatan, Indonesia

Holistic teaching is expected to develop teachers' ability and potential that are balanced in intellectual, emotional and spiritual aspects in their teaching and learning skill. However, the competency of teaching in Indonesia, particularly in secondary schools, is facing various problems and challenges. Therefore, it is important to identify aspects of holistic teaching needed by teachers that could help them address these issues. The purpose of this study is to identify aspects of holistic teaching at State Secondary School (SMAN) in Makassar City, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. The research design employed is the exploratory sequential mixed method which combined qualitative and quantitative techniques. A total of 12 respondents from among educational supervisors, school principals, and expert teachers were interviewed to identify aspects of holistic teaching. The interview data were analysed thematically, and the results identified four aspects of holistic teaching needed by teachers which are teaching knowledge, teaching skill, teacher’s emotional, and teacher’s spiritual. A set of questionnaire was developed based on the four aspects which consists of 63 items. A total of 370 respondents from among five subject teacher groups, namely Religion and Moral (AAM), Citizenship (Kn), Knowledge and Technology (IPT), Esthetics (EST), and Physical, Sport and Health (JOK) selected using cluster random sampling technique answered the questionnaire. The questionnaire data were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) software. Results showed that the four aspects of holistic teaching are needed by teachers. Moreover, this study also showed that there are no significant differences between teachers in teaching knowledge, teacher’s emotional and teacher’s spiritual aspects. Meanwhile in the aspect of teaching skill, there is a significant difference in subject teacher groups between IPT and AAM, and also between IPT and Kn. Regression analysis results showed that all the aspects being studied are significantly contributed to holistic teaching. A framework for teacher’s holistic teaching in SMAN Makassar City has been developed.
Overexpression of MyoD Attenuates Denervated Rat Skeletal Muscle Atrophy and Dysfunction

Nerve injury commonly contributes to irreversible functional impairment, reconstruction of the function of muscle is big challenge. In denervated skeletal muscle, therapid expression of MyoD mRNA and protein also occurs during early postdenervation, which suggested that the function of denervation-induced MyoD may be to prevent denervation-induced skeletal muscle atrophy. However, the detail mechanism is not clear. Therefore, in this study, we established a stable-transfected MyoD L6 cell line. After the operation for cutting the rats’ tibial nerve, the MyoD-L6 cells were injected in the gastrocnemius, the function of the gastronemius was monitored. It was found that injected the MyoD-L6 cells could attenuate the muscle atrophy and dysfunction. Therefore, overexpression of MyoD could serve as a new therapy strategy to cure denervation-induced dysfunction of skeletal muscle.
Credit-Based Incentive Data Dissemination in Mobile Social Networks

Data dissemination is a challenging issue in mobile social networks. It aims at increasing the overall delivery ratio and reducing the overall delivery delay. Most of the existing works assume all the users in a network are cooperative, i.e., the users are willing to carry the messages that they are not interested in while the nodes they meet maybe. In reality, the behaviors of each individual are naturally selfish, especially when the resources they have and they can access are limited. A data dissemination protocol cannot be pragmatic unless the selfishness is considered. This work proposes an incentive scheme to stimulate the users in a network to be more cooperative. Credits are the stimulus to encourage users to be more cooperative for data dissemination. We evaluate each node’s ability to fetch messages of a specific kind of interest and every single user can rent other nodes to help with obtaining the interested messages by paying credits. Extensive simulations on real traces are carried out to evaluate the proposed incentive scheme.
The zero-inflated negative binomial regression model with correction for misclassification: an example in caries research

Zero-inflated models for count data are becoming quite popular nowadays and are found in many application areas, such as medicine, economics, biology, sociology and so on. However, in practice these counts are often prone to measurement error which in this case boils down to misclassification. Methods to deal with misclassification of counts have been suggested recently, but only for the binomial model and the Poisson model. Here we look at a more complex model, that is, the zero-inflated negative binomial, and illustrate how correction for misclassification can be achieved. Our approach is illustrated on the dmft-index which is a popular measure for caries experience in caries research. An extra problem was the fact that several dental examiners were involved in scoring caries experience. Using our example, we illustrate how a non-differential misclassification process for each examiner can lead to differential misclassification overall.
The influence of speech activity detection and overlap on speaker diarization for meeting room recordings

Abstract This paper addresses the problem of speaker diarization inthe speciﬁc context of meeting room recordings which of-ten involve a high degree of spontaneous speech with largeoverlapped speech segments, speaker noise (laughs, whispers,coughs, etc.) and very short speaker turns. A large variabilityin signal quality has brought an additional level of complexity.This paper investigates the effects of speech activity detectionand overlapped speech through speaker diarization experimentsconducted on the NIST RT’05 and RT’06 data sets. Resultsindicate that our system is highly sensitive to the shape of theinitial segmentation and that, perhaps surprisingly, perfect ref-erences can even degrade performance. Finally we propose adirection for future research to incorporate conﬁdence valuesaccording to acoustic attributes in order to unify what is cur-rently a somewhat disjointed approach to speaker diarization. Index Terms : speaker diarization, meeting room, speech activ-ity detection, overlapped speech.
A Fast and Robust Hand-driven 3D Mouse

The development of new interaction paradigms requires a natural interaction. This means that people should be able to interact with technology with the same models used to interact with everyday real life, that is through gestures, expressions, voice. Following this idea, in this paper we propose a non intrusive vision based tracking system able to capture hand motion and simple hand gestures. The proposed device allows to use the hand as a "natural" 3D mouse, where the forefinger tip or the palm centre are used to identify a 3D marker and the hand gesture can be used to simulate the mouse buttons. The approach is based on a monoscopic tracking algorithm which is computationally fast and robust against noise and cluttered backgrounds. Two image streams are processed in parallel exploiting multi-core architectures, and their results are combined to obtain a constrained stereoscopic problem. The system has been implemented and thoroughly tested in an experimental environment where the 3D hand mouse has been used to interact with objects in a virtual reality application. We also provide results about the performances of the tracker, which demonstrate precision and robustness of the proposed system
A multiple-crystal interface PLL with VCO realignment to reduce phase noise

A phase realignment technique is applied to a ring oscillator VCO in a 3 V 6.8 mW CMOS PLL that converts most of the popular crystal reference frequencies to a 32 MHz baseband clock and RF PLL reference. The peak in-band phase noise at 20 kHz offset is -102 dBc/Hz with the technique enabled, and -92 dBc/Hz with the technique disabled.
Hybrid error detecting and correcting system using hardware associative memories

This paper presents a solution of design and implementation of a hardware error correction and detection system using associative memories. This type of memory allows search of a stored binary value, having as an input data a partial (or modified) amount of this value. This property can be used in communication, for detection and correction of errors. In our experiments the encoder just associate message with corresponded word code, which is sent to communication channel. The decoder can associate back the word code received from communication channel with the message, even if the received word code has errors. This is due to associative memory recognition ability. Experimental results obtained were compared with performances of other hardware systems.
G1/ELE Functions in the Development of Rice Lemmas in Addition to Determining Identities of Empty Glumes

Rice empty glumes, also named sterile lemmas or rudimentary lemmas according to different interpretations, are distinct from lemmas in morphology and cellular pattern. Consistently, the molecular mechanism to control the development of lemmas is different from that of empty glumes. Rice LEAFY HULL STERILE1(OsLHS1) and DROOPING LEAF(DL) regulate the cellular pattern and the number of vascular bundles of lemmas respectively, while LONG STERILE LEMMA1 (G1)/ELONGATED EMPTY GLUME (ELE) and PANICLE PHYTOMER2 (PAP2)/OsMADS34 determine identities of empty glumes. Though some progress has been made, identities of empty glumes remain unclear, and genetic interactions between lemma genes and glume genes have been rarely elucidated. In this research, a new G1/ELE mutant g1–6 was identified and the phenotype was analyzed. Similar to previously reported mutant lines of G1/ELE, empty glumes of g1–6 plants transform into lemma-like organs. Furthermore, Phenotypes of single and double mutant plants suggest that, in addition to their previously described gene-specific functions, G1/ELE and OsLHS1 play redundant roles in controlling vascular bundle number, cell volume, and cell layer number of empty glumes and lemmas. Meanwhile, expression patterns of G1/ELE in osmads1-z flowers and OsLHS1 in g1–6 flowers indicate they do not regulate each other at the level of transcription. Finally, down-regulation of the empty glume gene OsMADS34/PAP2 and ectopic expression of the lemma gene DL, in the g1–6 plants provide further evidence that empty glumes are sterile lemmas. Generally, our findings provided valuable information for better understanding functions of G1 and OsLHS1 in flower development and identities of empty glumes.
Improving Robustness of Codebook-Based Noise Estimation Approaches With Delta Codebooks

We present a new codebook-based speech enhancement approach which is able to increase robustness of conventional codebook-based approaches against model mismatch and unknown noise types. This is achieved by training only the difference between the actual noise and a robust estimate (e.g., obtained by minimum statistics or recursive minimum tracking) in the cepstral domain instead of the noise itself. The noise codebook is then generated by shifting the so obtained delta-codebook by the cepstral representation of a robust noise estimate. We use the recursive minimum tracking approach as robust estimate. It is thus guaranteed that the robust estimate is also a valid estimate of the codebook-based algorithm. Consequently, the codebook-based algorithm inherits the robustness from the recursive minimum tracking approach. Objective and subjective experiments show that the proposed method yields a consistent quality improvement over the basic codebook-based approach and recursive minimum tracking.
A Systematization of Families of Archetypes for Script Analysis

A systematization of families of archetypes, derived in part from Jung and Berne, and augmented by introductions of the author, is developed through correlation of these families with Erikson's stages of psychosocial development and Campbell's stages of the heroic quest. It is suggested that the goal of script analysis should be the relating of the individual life plan to the historic mythic plan which provides a script for a satisfying and fulfilling life according to accumulated human wisdom.
User responses to constraints in computerized design tools (extended abstract)

This study sought to improve our understanding of user attitudes, perceptions, satisfaction and behavior in reference to constraints within computerized design tools. It also attempted to examine the differences in perspective between tool builders and tool users regarding appropriate design practices, as communicated via design tools.The study created a typology of constraints and described a set of strategies users employ in the negotiation of constraints encountered in of computer-aided systems engineering (CASE) tools. Also addressed were (a) the cognitive fit between tool users and tool builders in terms of appropriate and necessary constraints, and (b) issues of creativity in the design of computer software.An eight-page questionnaire containing 61 questions was developed by conducting structured interviews with tool users and managers, in industry. Following a pre-test, the questionnaire was administered to an international sample of tool users, tool builders and non-CASE software application developers (a control group). More than 200 questionnaires were returned (half via electronic mail) from respondents largely in North America, but also from Europe, Australia and New Zealand.Analysis followed a factorial design that evaluated the impact of normative attitudes toward and perceptions of control upon satisfaction and behavior. Most respondents reported not feeling especially encumbered with constraints in their tools, although most also reserved the right to override or work around constraints, depending upon circumstances.The study found that normative attitudes toward control have a significant impact upon behavior in response to constraints in computerized design tools. (Favorable attitudes toward control are associated significantly with conforming behavior.) It also found that perceptions of control have a significant impact upon satisfaction and behavior. (Perceptions of high control are associated significantly with low satisfaction and with resistant behavior.) No significant differences were observed between tool users and tool builders in terms of key constructs.Suggestions for future research include investigation of concerns raised by the current study, examination of similar effects in other domains (such as architectural design), and development of the potential for intelligent machine guidance in creative design activities.
Arbitrary-Order Nodal Mimetic Discretizations of Elliptic Problems on Polygonal Meshes

We develop and analyze a new family of mimetic methods on unstructured polygonal meshes for the diffusion problem in primal form. These methods are derived from the local consistency condition that is exact for polynomials of any degree $m\geq1$. The degrees of freedom are (a) solution values at the quadrature nodes of the Gauss-Lobatto formulas on each mesh edge, and (b) solution moments inside polygons. The convergence of the method is proven theoretically and an optimal error estimate is derived in a mesh-dependent norm that mimics the energy norm. Numerical experiments confirm the convergence rate that is expected from the theory.
Modulating Effect of Ferulic Acid on NF-kB, COX-2 and VEGF Expression Pattern During 7, 12-Dimethylbenz(a)anthracene Induced Oral Carcinogenesis

Ferulic acid, a natural antioxidant, has the potential to prevent inflammation and to modulate angiogenesis in both in vivo and in vitro models. The present study has investigated the modulating effect of ferulic acid on the expression pattern of COX-2, NF-B and VEGF during 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) induced hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis. Over expression of COX-2, NF-B and VEGF was noticed in the oral tumor tissues of hamsters treated with DMBA. Oral administration of ferulic acid at a dose of 40 mg/kg body weight to hamsters treated with DMBA completely prevented the tumor formation and downregulated the expression of COX-2, NF-B and VEGF during DMBA induced oral carcinogenesis. The present results suggest that ferulic acid might have suppressed oral tumor formation by down regulating the expression of COX-2, NF-B and VEGF during DMBA induced oral carcinogenesis.
Stiffness Characteristics and Kinematics Analysis of Parallel 3-DOF Mechanism with Flexible Joints

To investigate the stiffness performance of planar parallel 3-RRR mechanism with flexible joints, the paper solve the first-order and second-order influence coefficient of the mechanism, and give the mechanism kinematics simulation. Based on the principle of virtual work, the constraint equation of the mechanism is established, and the stiffness matrix is deduced. In addition, the direction stiffness characteristic of the mechanism is discussed. So, a novel and general method are raised for analysis stiffness of planar parallel mechanism with flexible joints.
Layered perceptual representation for shadow vision: From detection to removal

On the research of shadow essence and visual scheme, we propose a single image shadow removal method based on certain layered perceptual representation models with the flowchart from shadow detection to shadow removal. Firstly, a modified intersecting cortical model, the typically useful image factorization technique, is applied to extract umbra and penumbra masks. Then, under the energy minimization framework, scale factors for umbra are computed. Furthermore, transparency-coupled atmospheric transfer function is introduced for penumbra compensation by pixel-by-pixel transparency estimation. For aerial images, experimental results illustrate that shadow regions are matted well, and the proposed method yields vivid shadow-free images with smooth boundaries.
Classification of Twitter Accounts into Targeting Accounts and Non-Targeting Accounts

In this paper, we propose a method for classifying Twitter accounts into non-targeting accounts, which post messages to the general public, and targeting accounts, which post messages to specific people. For example, an account posting general news information is a non-targeting account, while an account posting announcements to members of a specific organization is a targeting account. An account posting information on very specific minor topic, and an account used for communication with friends, are also targeting accounts. Our method finds some properties that are common to most followers of a given account, and calculate how much a user set with such a consistency deviates from a random sample from the given universe of users (e.g., the set of all Twitter users in some country). If it largely deviates, the account is a targeting account. We use two types of properties of followers: (1) terms in their metadata and (2) their followees. The result of our experiment shows that one of our methods, which computes two scores based on these two types of properties and combines them using SVM, achieves the accuracy 0.944, and outperforms the baselines.
Evaluation of Battery Lifetimes using Inhomogeneous Markov Reward Models

The usage of mobile devices like cell phones, navigation systems, or laptop computers, is limited by the lifetime of the included batteries. This lifetimes depends naturally on the rate at which energy is consumed, however, it also depends on the usage pattern of the battery. Continuous drawing of a high current results in an excessive drop of residual capacity. However, during intervals with no or very small currents, batteries do recover to a certain extend. We model this complex behaviour with an inhomogeneous Markov reward model. The state-dependent reward rates thereby correspond to the power consumption of the attached device and to the available charge, respectively. We develop new numerical algorithms for the computation of the distribution of the consumed energy and show how different workload patterns inuence the overall lifetime of a battery.