Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Subjective video quality assessment applied to scalable video coding and transmission instability

This paper presents a study of subjective quality of scalable video sequences, coded using the scalable extension of the H.264 standard (SVC). A group of experiments was performed to measure, primarily, the effects that the transmission instability has in the video quality and the relationship between the three scalability methods (spatial, temporal and quality) in terms of subjective quality. The decisions taken to model the tests were based on layered transmission systems that use protocols for adaptability and congestion control. To run the subjective assessments we used the ACRHRR methodology and recommendations given by ITU-R Rec. BT.500 and ITU-T Rec. P.910. The results show that the instability modeled does not cause signifficant alterations on the overall video quality when compared to a stable video and that temporal scalability usually produces videos with worse quality than spatial and quality scalabilities, the latter being the one with the better quality.
Be-star rotation: how close to critical?

We argue that, in general, observational studies of Be-star rotation have paid insufficient attention to the effects of equatorial gravity darkening. We present new line-profile calculations that emphasize the insensitivity of line width to rotation for fast rotators. Coupled with a critical review of observational procedures, these calculations suggest that the observational parameter v sin i may systematically underestimate the true projected equatorial rotation velocity, v e sin i, by some tens of per cent for rapid rotators. A crucial implication of this work is that Be stars may be rotating much closer to their critical velocities than is generally supposed, bringing a range of new processes into contention for the elusive physical mechanism responsible for the circumstellar disc thought to be central to the Be phenomenon.
Screening and therapy for malnutrition and related gastro-intestinal disorders in systemic sclerosis: recommendations of a North American expert panel.

OBJECTIVES To develop a set of recommendations for clinicians caring for patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) to guide their approach to the patient with malnutrition and possible malabsorption. METHODS The Canadian Scleroderma Research Group convened a meeting of experts in the areas of nutrition, speech pathology, oral health in SSc, SSc and gastroenterology to discuss the nutrition-GI paradigm in SSc. This meeting generated a set of recommendations based on expert opinion. RESULTS Physicians should screen ALL patients with SSc for malnutrition. The physician should ask a series of questions that pertain to GI involvement. Patients who screen positive for malnutrition should be referred to a dietitian and gastroenterologist. Referral to a patient support group should be considered and if screening reveals oral health problems, referral to a dentist, preferably with expertise in treating patients with SSc, should be done. All SSc patients should weigh themselves monthly and report any sudden significant changes in weight. They should be assessed by a rheumatologist once a year for signs of malnutrition. CONCLUSIONS Malnutrition may be common in SSc and a multidisciplinary approach is important.
People living with HIV in Estonia: engagement in HIV care in 2013

Estonia had the highest rate of newly diagnosed human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cases in the European Union (24.6/100,000) and an estimated adult HIV prevalence of 1.3% in 2013. HIV medical care, including antiretroviral therapy (ART), is free of charge for people living with HIV (PLHIV). To maximise the health benefits of HIV treatment, universal access should be achieved. Using data from surveillance and administrative databases and the treatment cascade model, we assessed the number of people infected with HIV, diagnosed with HIV, linked to HIV care, retained in HIV care, on ART, and with suppressed viral load (HIV-RNA: < 200 copies/mL). We identified that about one quarter of the 8,628 HIV-positive people estimated to live in Estonia in 2013 had not been diagnosed with HIV, and another quarter, although aware of their HIV-positive serostatus, had not accessed HIV medical care. Although altogether only 12–15% of all PLHIV in Estonia had achieved viral suppression, the main gap in HIV care in Estonia were the 58% of PLHIV who had accessed HIV medical care at least once after diagnosis but were not retained in care in 2013.
Time Synchronization Strategies in Wireless Sensor Network : A Review

Lately, Wireless Sensor Networks are getting lot of attention by research community. It consists of small devices distributed over geographical areas and each device has sensing, computing and communicating components. Time synchronization is vital to schedule communication and distributed measurement tasks. It targets at equalizing the local times for all nodes in the network. It has been observed from the literature survey that the task of time synchronization mainly focus on two things, firstly drift from master oriented towards master less synchronization and secondly energy efficiency techniques. Various techniques purposed in the literature have been thoroughly covered in this survey paper and related issues and challenges have been highlighted.
Unified Tables for Exponential and Logarithm Families

Accurate table methods allow for very accurate and efficient evaluation of elementary functions. We present new single-table approaches to logarithm and exponential evaluation, by which we mean that a single table of values works for both log(x) and log(1 + x), and a single table for ex and ex − 1. This approach eliminates special cases normally required to evaluate log(1 + x) and ex − 1 accurately near zero, which will significantly improve performance on architectures which use SIMD parallelism, or on which data-dependent branching is expensive. We have implemented it on the Cell/B.E. SPU (SIMD compute engine) and found the resulting functions to be up to twice as fast as the conventional implementations distributed in the IBM Mathematical Acceleration Subsystem (MASS). We include the literate code used to generate all the variants of exponential and log functions in the article, and discuss relevant language and hardware features.
Numerical Homotopy Algorithms for Satellite Trajectory Control by Pole Placement 1

The aim of this paper is to illustrate the application of numerical homotopy algorithms to control the trajectory of a satellite. We design output feedback laws via pole placement. The output feedback laws are computed by numerical homotopy algorithms, which are based on enumerative geometry. We combine the use of MATLAB with PHCpack. 2000 Mathematics Subject Classification. Primary 93B55. Secondary 14Q99, 65H10, 68W30, 93B27.
Experience Measuring Maintainability in Software Product Lines

Families of applications are steadily emerging for distinct settings such as embedded systems, navigational systems, financial applications or even web applications. This moves the attention from single application development to Software Product Line (SPL) development where the focus is on constructing reusable artefacts of the assembly line from which final products are obtained. This paper presents a first reported experience on measuring maintainability index for SPLs where the maintainability index of each feature is measured. This yields a number of benefits towards the global improvement of maintainability before the customer product of the SPL is built.
Distributed Objects: an approach to sharing multimedia information

This paper addresses the issue of multimedia cooperative work. An ODP based view of the system is discussed taking into account some of the viewpoints of the standard. Special emphasis is given to the modeling of multimedia stream interfaces and the concept of binding object which is a key concept. The paper describes a multimedia distributed platform, DIMPLE, supporting interactive and distributed multimedia applications. The example application implemented allows for a shared synchronized access to multimedia information systems and includes an off-the-shelf videoconferencing system which is a non-ODP product. It is shown that the concept of binding object makes the integration very easy.
Does the Fornax dwarf spheroidal have a central cusp or core

ABSTRACT The dark matter dominated Fornax dwarf spheroidal has ﬁve globular clusters orbitingat ∼ 1kpc from its centre. In a cuspy CDM halo the globulars would sink to thecentre from their current positions within a few Gyrs, presenting a puzzle as to whythey survive undigested at the present epoch. We show that a solution to this timingproblem is to adopt a cored dark matter halo. We use numerical simulations andanalytic calculations to show that, under these conditions, the sinking time becomesmany Hubble times; the globulars eﬀectively stall at the dark matter core radius. Weconclude that the Fornax dwarf spheroidal has a shallow inner density proﬁle with acore radius constrained by the observed positions of its globular clusters. If the phasespace density of the core is primordial then it implies a warm dark matter particleand gives an upper limit to its mass of ∼ 0.5keV, consistent with that required tosigniﬁcantly alleviate the substructure problem.Keywords: galaxies:starclusters — galaxies:dwarfs— galaxies:individual (Fornax)methods: N-body simulations
positive approach to career coaching

Seligman and Csikszentmihalyi took the psychology research community by storm in 2000 with their paper on positive psychology, introducing it as an academically rigorous antidote to the pathology driven paradigm that had dominated the discipline for nearly a century. The growing body of evidence around both theory and practice is making the links between positive psychology, career development and career coaching, increasingly clear. This paper will describe the contribution that positive psychology research makes to our understanding of the career context, and will explore how positive psychology can inform and enhance both the process and content of career coaching interventions.
A novel method for color face recognition using KNN classifier

Recently face recognition has become an important area of research in computer vision, neuroscience, and psychology. In this paper a new color face recognition (FR) method is introduced. The effectiveness of color information plays an important role when face images are taken under strong variations in illumination, as well as with low spatial resolutions. The proposed method has 3 steps. In the first step the input color image is converted into various color space models. In the second step eigen values and eigen vectors are extracted from each color space models. In the final step a nearest neighbour classifier is designed for classifying the face images based on the extracted features. The accuracy of proposed method is impressively better than the results of other FR methods over different FR challenges including highly uncontrolled illumination, moderate pose variation, and small resolution face images.
'Fiscal Devaluation' and Fiscal Consolidation: The VAT in Troubled Times

This paper focuses on two core tax design issues that arise in addressing current fiscal challenges. It first explores the idea, prominent in troubled Eurozone countries, of a "fiscal devaluation": shifting from social contributions to the VAT as a way to mimic a nominal devaluation. Empirical evidence is presented which suggests that in Eurozone countries this may indeed improve the trade balance in the short-run, though, as theory predicts, the effects eventually disappear. The paper then assesses the wider scope for VAT reform in meeting fiscal consolidation needs, developing and beginning to apply a methodology for finding additional VAT revenue in ways less distortionary and fairer than further raising the standard rate.
Adding dynamics to sketch-based character animations

Cartoonists and animators often use lines of action to emphasize dynamics in character poses. In this paper, we propose a physically-based model to simulate the line of action's motion, leading to rich motion from simple drawings. Our proposed method is decomposed into three steps. Based on user-provided strokes, we forward simulate 2D elastic motion. To ensure continuity across keyframes, we re-target the forward simulations to the drawn strokes. Finally, we synthesize a 3D character motion matching the dynamic line. The fact that the line can move freely like an elastic band raises new questions about its relationship to the body over time. The line may move faster and leave body parts behind, or the line may slide slowly towards other body parts for support. We conjecture that the artist seeks to maximize the filling of the line (with the character's body)---while respecting basic realism constraints such as balance. Based on these insights, we provide a method that synthesizes 3D character motion, given discontinuously constrained body parts that are specified by the user at key moments.
Natural language image descriptor

Generating descriptions for visual data (images and video) automatically has been a complicated task in the field of Computer Vision and Artificial Intelligence. This paper discusses the working of and improvements on an algorithm called Neural Image Captioner (NIC) by Oriol Vinyals and his team, which uses a deep convolutional and recurrent architecture to generate natural language sentences to describe the visual data input. We look at the possibility of making this algorithm train faster without allowing it to lose accuracy via the usage of techniques like Stochastic Gradient Descent and also employ an algorithm to find the perfect depth of the convolutional part of the network for different datasets. A drop of 33% was observed in the number of iterations required to get the algorithm to its original proficiency as claimed by Oriol et al.
A Full-Band processor for reduction of RF mixer LO harmonic images

A Full-Band Capture (FBC) Harmonic Rejection Canceler (HRC) processor is presented. This processor consists of an RF low-noise preamplifier, a 2700 Msamp/s 6-bit flash ADC, a digital channelizer which selects one or more interfering RF channels, and an adaptive canceler. This canceler removes the interference caused by strong blockers that may be inadvertently folded onto the desired channel by local oscillator (LO) harmonics or spurs. This processor digitizes the entire cable or broadcast television spectrum from 50-1000 MHz and can adaptively cancel folded blocker interference from anywhere within this range. An image reduction of at least 23dB was measured. The processor is embedded within an integrated 40nm CMOS DVB-T2 TV receiver including tuner, demodulator and FEC. The complete embedded RF/analog/DSP HRC processor has an area of 0.38 mm2 and uses 205 mW.
Automated RNA extraction by MagNA Pure followed by rapid quantification of cytokine and chemokine gene expression with use of fluorescence resonance energy transfer.

Cytokines and chemokines, a superfamily of small cytokine-like molecules, are key mediators of immunity and inflammation. Detection of cytokines and chemokines in disease states provides useful diagnostic tools for investigating host responses to invading organisms, tumors, and trauma. Different reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) protocols have been described in the literature, including semiquantitative, quantitative, and competitive PCR techniques, but most of them were labor-intensive and time-consuming (1)(2). Recently, real-time PCR assays have become a major tool for quantifying the number of DNA or cDNA copies in different settings and clinical materials. These assays offer a standardized, rapid, accurate, and reproducible method that combines rapid in vitro amplification with real-time quantification of the DNA or cDNA load. However, to date, only limited data are available for quantification of cytokine gene expression (3)(4). In addition, there is a need for rapid, sensitive, reliable, and standardized methods for RNA extraction. Here we present an automated standardized protocol for the extraction of RNA from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), using the MagNA Pure LC system (Roche Diagnostics), combined with a rapid and easy-to-perform quantitative PCR assay, using the LightCycler (Roche Diagnostics) amplification and detection system. We applied this protocol to quantification of mRNA expression of the following immunorelevant genes: interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p40, IL-18, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), macrophage-inducing protein-3α (MIP-3α), SCYB-11 (IFN-inducible T-cell-α chemoattractant; H174; CXCL11), intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1; CD54), and nuclear factor-κB (NFκB), the transcription factor and central mediator of immune response. PBMCs were prepared from 50 mL of heparinized fresh venous blood obtained from healthy donors (n = 30). PBMCs were separated by centrifugation over Ficoll and resuspended in 1 mL of phosphate-buffered saline. The PBMC concentration was adjusted to 1 × 106/mL in RPMI 1640 containing 100 …
Individual Performance Pay in Relational Employment Contracts When Workers Are Envious-Preliminary Version -

In this paper, I compare the feasibility and the pro tability of group vs. individual performance pay when workers are envious and when veri able signals on the workersperformances are not available. The group bonus contract is superior as long as the principal faces no credibility problem. This is due to the fact that group performance pay avoids the occurrence of inequity. However, the relational individual bonus contract may become dominant although it introduces the prospect of unequal pay. The reason is that precisely the workers distaste for wage inequity may actually soften the principals credibility constraint. Keywords: principal-agent, relational contract, inequity aversion, bonus, envy JEL classi cation: D63, D82, M52, M54 I would like to thank Dominique Demougin, Julia Schmid, Dorothee Schneider, and Anja Schöttner for helpful comments and discussions. Financial support by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft through the SFB 649 "Economic Risk" is gratefully acknowledged. ySchool of Business and Economics, Spandauer Str. 1, D-10099 Berlin, Germany, phone: +49 3
Classifying synthetic and biological DNA sequences with side effect machines

Finite state machines are routinely used to efficiently recognize patterns in strings. The internal state structure of the machine is typically only of peripheral interest, appearing in algorithms only when the number of states is minimized in the interests of efficiency of execution or comparison. A side effect machine saves information about the internal transitions of the state machine. This record of internal state transitions forms an induced feature set for any string run through the side effect machine. In this study the number of times a machine passes though each state is used as a numerical feature set for classification. Finite state machines are trained with an evolutionary algorithm to produce feature sets that are very easy for an unsupervised learning algorithm, k-means clustering, to learn. The system is demonstrated on synthetic and biological data. The biological data are PCR-primers classified by their success at amplification. The parameters, number of states, population size, and mutation rates are explored to characterize their effect on performance. Side effect machines are found to be effective at recognizing classes of DNA sequence data.
A multivariate analysis of 59 candidate genes in personality traits: the temperament and character inventory

Cloninger (Cloninger CR. Neurogenetic adaptive mechanisms in alcoholism. Science 1987: 236: 410–416) proposed three basic personality dimensions for temperament: novelty seeking, harm avoidance, and reward dependence. He suggested that novelty seeking primarily utilized dopamine pathways, harm avoidance utilized serotonin pathways, and reward dependence utilized norepinephrine pathways. Subsequently, one additional temperament dimension (persistence) and three character dimensions (cooperativeness, self‐directedness, and self‐transcendence) were added to form the temperament and character inventory (TCI). We have utilized a previously described multivariate analysis technique (Comings DE, Gade‐Andavolu R, Gonzalez N et al. Comparison of the role of dopamine, serotonin, and noradrenergic genes in ADHD, ODD and conduct disorder. Multivariate regression analysis of 20 genes. Clin Genet 2000: 57: 178–196; Comings DD, Gade‐Andavolu R, Gonzalez N et al. Multivariate analysis of associations of 42 genes in ADHD, ODD and conduct disorder. Clin Genet 2000: in press) to examine the relative role of 59 candidate genes in the seven TCI traits and test the hypothesis that specific personality traits were associated with specific genes. While there was some tendency for this to be true, a more important trend was the involvement of different ratios of functionally related groups of genes, and of different genotypes of the same genes, for different traits.
Clade-Specific Quantitative Analysis of Photosynthetic Gene Expression in Prochlorococcus

Newly designed primers targeting rbcL (CO2 fixation), psbA (photosystem II) and rnpB (reference) genes were used in qRT-PCR assays to assess the photosynthetic capability of natural communities of Prochlorococcus, the most abundant photosynthetic organism on Earth and a major contributor to primary production in oligotrophic oceans. After optimizing sample collection methodology, we analyzed a total of 62 stations from the Malaspina 2010 circumnavigation (including Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans) at three different depths. Sequence and quantitative analyses of the corresponding amplicons showed the presence of high-light (HL) and low-light (LL) Prochlorococcus clades in essentially all 182 samples, with a largely uniform stratification of LL and HL sequences. Synechococcus cross-amplifications were detected by the taxon-specific melting temperatures of the amplicons. Laboratory exposure of Prochlorococcus MED4 (HL) and MIT9313 (LL) strains to organic pollutants (PAHs and organochlorine compounds) showed a decrease of rbcL transcript abundances, and of the rbcL to psbA ratios for both strains. We propose this technique as a convenient assay to evaluate effects of environmental stressors, including pollution, on the oceanic Prochlorococcus photosynthetic function.
Computing Zeros of Functions Using Generalized Interval Arithmetic

We consider the use of a generalized interval arithmetic in algorithms for solving nonlinear equations or systems of nonlinear equations. The algorithms can involve either derivatives or slopes. The convergence rate is improved for either form. The improvement is greater if slopes, rather than derivatives, are used. However, the slope method is applicable to only rational functions. For multidimensional problems we introduce the generalized interval arithmetic into the Hansen-Sengupta method. Again, the convergence rate is improved.