Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stability amid Change: Ontario’s Religious Schools and Canada’s Regime of Secularism

ABSTRACT Canada’s religious landscape has changed a great deal over the last forty years and, in most provinces, educational institutions have changed to accommodate this social shift. The articles reviews the divergent ways in which educational regimes have responded to this change and then turns to an examination of the one province in which little has changed regarding religious schools, Ontario. Ontario’s educational structure, which has continued to publicly support only a secular and Roman Catholic separate school systems in one of the most religiously diverse jurisdictions on the planet, is a surprising example of institutional rigidity in the face of societal change. This article highlights the peculiarity of this outcome, attempts to explain this surprising example of institutional continuity, and considers its implications for Canadian secularism more broadly.
Developing a Geo-spatial Information Framework to Facilitate National Identification System (NIS) in Ghana

The National Identification System (NIS), an initiative of the government to create a computerized database of Ghanaians and foreign nationals resident in Ghana using a biometric system of registration to captures the biodata of an individual and stores it in a database. The NIS is expected to provide some benefits such as development planning based on sufficient accurate population data, delivery of social services such as health, retirement benefits and social administration; delivery of credit facilities; and identification of individuals for voting, insurance, licensing and general national security purposes (8). The NIS lacks a geospatial database and this could be a setback to the realization of the benefits of the NIS to the citizenry in Ghana. Literature reviewed shows that high quality geographic database is essential to having an effective citizenry identification system, to take care of the spatio-temporal dynamics which is key to the sustainability of such a system. Also this will aid policy makers, social scientist and government to geovisualise available citizenry data for research and decision making. This paper attempts to propose answers to the following questions: Can the NIS keep track of the spatial information pertaining to an individual or a group of people due to relocation? How can spatial information be validated during NIS registration? The paper first investigates novel geo-coding system that would be appropriate for providing spatial information of persons in Ghana. Secondly, the paper looks at the architectural framework for integrating a distributed geo-database into the NIS of Ghana. The paper then proposes a prototype system in the form of a Geo-demographic Information System for delivery of geographical data, demographic data, mapping capabilities and geo-information services. A system for validating location information within the NIS is discussed. Keywords-architecturalframework,citizenry
Persistence of Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes in Adoptive Immunotherapy Correlates With Telomere Length

Transfer of autologous tumor-specific tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in adoptive immunotherapy can mediate the regression of tumor in patients with metastatic melanoma. In this procedure, TILs from resected tumors are expanded in vitro, then administered to patients and further stimulated to proliferate in vivo by the administration of high dose IL-2. After in vitro expansion, TILs are often dominated by a few specific clonotypes, and recently it was reported that the persistence in vivo of one or more of these clonotypes correlated with positive therapeutic response. We and others have previously shown that repeated in vitro stimulation and clonal expansion of normal human T lymphocytes results in progressive decrease in telomerase activity and shortening of telomeres, ultimately resulting in replicative senescence. In the studies reported here, we therefore compared telomerase activity and telomere length in persistent and nonpersistent TIL clonotypes before transfer in vivo, and found a correlation between telomere length and clonal persistence. We also observed that TILs proliferate extensively in vivo in the days after transfer, but fail to induce substantial telomerase activity, and undergo rapid decreases in telomere length within days after transfer. Thus, in vivo loss of telomeres by clonotypes that have the shortest telomeres at the time of administration may drive these clones to replicative senescence, whereas cells with longer telomeres are able to persist and mediate antitumor effects. These findings are relevant both to predicting effectiveness of adoptive immunotherapy and in deriving strategies for improving effectiveness by sustaining telomere length.
Path tracking with obstacle avoidance for pseudo-omnidirectional mobile robots using convex optimization

We consider time-optimal path tracking for the class of pseudo-omnidirectional mobile robots. An Euler-Lagrange model of the robot dynamics is derived, and by writing it on special form a convex reformulation of the path-tracking problem can be utilized. This enables the use and regeneration of time-optimal trajectories during runtime. The proposed approach also incorporates avoidance of moving obstacles, which are unknown a priori. Using sensor data, objects along the desired path are detected. Subsequently, a new path is planned and the corresponding time-optimal trajectory for tracking of the generated path is found. The robustness of the method and its sensitivity to model errors are analyzed and discussed with extensive simulation results. Moreover, we verify the approach by successful execution on a physical setup.
An Empirical Study of Evolution of Inheritance in Java OSS

Previous studies of Object-Oriented (OO) software have reported avoidance of the inheritance mechanism and cast doubt on the wisdom of 'deep' inheritance levels. From an evolutionary perspective, the picture is unclear - we still know relatively little about how, over time, changes tend to be applied by developers. Our conjecture is that an inheritance hierarchy will tend to grow 'breadth-wise' rather than 'depth-wise'. This claim is made on the basis that developers will avoid extending depth in favour of breadth because of the inherent complexity of having to understand the functionality of superclasses. Thus the goal of our study is to investigate this empirically. We conduct an empirical study of seven Java Open-Source Systems (OSSs) over a series of releases to observe the nature and location of changes within the inheritance hierarchies. Results showed a strong tendency for classes to be added at levels one and two of the hierarchy (rather than anywhere else). Over 96% of classes added over the course of the versions of all systems were at level 1 or level 2. The results suggest that changes cluster in the shallow levels of a hierarchy; this is relevant for developers since it indicates where remedial activities such as refactoring should be focused.
Speech technologies for pronunciation feedback and evaluation

Educators and researchers in the acquisition of L2 phonology have called for empirical assessment of the progress students make after using new methods for learning (Chun, 1998, Morley, 1991). The present study investigated whether unlimited access to a speech-recognition-based language-learning program would improve the general standard of pronunciation of a group of middle-aged immigrant professionals studying English in Sweden. Eleven students were given a copy of the program Talk to Me from Auralog as a supplement to a 200-hour course in Technical English, and were encouraged to practise on their home computers. Their development in spoken English was compared with a control group of fifteen students who did not use the program. The program is evaluated in this paper according to Chapelle’s (2001) six criteria for CALL assessment. Since objective human ratings of pronunciation are costly and can be unreliable, our students were pre- and post-tested with the automatic PhonePass SET-10 test from Ordinate Corp. Results indicate that practice with the program was beneficial to those students who began the course with a strong foreign accent but was of limited value for students who began the course with better pronunciation. The paper begins with an overview of the state of the art of using speech recognition in L2 applications.
Mobility quantification for MultiPoint Relays selection algorithm in Mobile Ad hoc Networks

In Mobile Ad hoc Networks (MANETs), with Optimized Link State Routing Protocol (OLSR) the mobility concept is an essential element which can result in the evolution of network performances. In this paper, the main objective is to develop an algorithm to improve the MultiPoint Relay (MPR) selection process in such networks. This algorithm is based on the Mobility Rate (MR) which in turn is relied on the relative velocity of nodes. Additionally, in this algorithm, each node keeps a mobility rate record of other nodes. Moreover, this mobility value will be exchanged between nodes using OLSR messages (HELLO and Topology control (TC)). Furthermore, this value will be used as a criterion when a node chooses their MPR set. In addition, the simulation results using Network Simulator 3 (NS3) have shown that the mobility concept could improve network performances in terms of the throughput, packet received, packet loss, packet delivery ratio and packet forwarded. Moreover, and through this paper the proposed algorithm can be used as a functional mobility mechanism to improve network performances in MANETs.
Relationship between left coronary artery bifurcation angle and restenosis after stenting of the proximal left anterior descending artery

IntroductionRestenosis after a percutaneous coronary intervention for proximal left anterior descending (pLAD) coronary artery disease remains a clinical challenge. However, the relationship between the left main trunk (LMT)/LAD bifurcation angle and the pLAD artery restenosis is unclear. This study examined the relationship between the LMT–LAD bifurcation angle and restenosis after stent implantation for pLAD disease. MethodsWe analysed the data of 177 consecutive patients who underwent stent implantation for pLAD disease, followed by coronary angiography between December 2008 and September 2013. The LMT–LAD bifurcation angle was measured in the left or the right anterior oblique caudal (CAU) angiographic view. Results and discussionOut of 177 patients, 12 developed in-stent restenosis and 21 developed in-segment restenosis. The mean angle in patients with in-stent restenosis (52.2°±14.5°) in the left anterior oblique CAU view was significantly larger than that in patients without restenosis (32.0°±18.1°; P<0.001). The LMT–LAD angle in the right anterior oblique CAU view was significantly larger in patients with in-segment restenosis (27.3°±14.3°) than in patients without restenosis (17.5°±10.1°; P<0.001). Moreover, by multivariate analysis, the LMT–LAD angle was an independent predictor of in-stent and in-segment restenosis, after adjustment for significant confounders such as diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, final minimum lesion diameter and lesion length. ConclusionThis study suggests that a wide LMT–LAD angle is a predictor of restenosis after stent implantation for pLAD artery disease.
Chapter 4 Innovation and Organization: An Overview from the Perspective of Luhmann's Autopoiesis

Few words in modern society have become as positively charged as the word innovation. Of course, premodern societies were also innovative in their way. Still, technology, ideas, and organizational forms have changed over time, and it is only in modern society that innovation has become almost mandatory; that is to say, ranked uppermost in society's value system. “Be innovative! ” has become an imperative in modern society.
ANN prediction tool for ReHeater and SuperHeater sprays in boiler performance

Artificial Neural Networks, as a paradigm, is extremely relevant in the present day context where data obtained from processes is plagued by uncertainty and insufficiency. Hybrid prediction techniques for process control systems are the order of the day, which involve a combination of data driven models and knowledge driven models. In this paper an Artificial Neural Network prediction tool has been generated with Visual Basic GUI to predict the spray values in a 500 MW boiler within permissible tolerances. The prediction of sprays is done using General Regression Neural Network (GRNN), smoothing factors of which have been generated using a Genetic Algorithm. The General Regression Neural Network predicts the ReHeater Spray and SuperHeater Spray from the input combination of Burner Tilt, Mill Combination, Excess Air Percentage and Load.
Managing large scale computational markets

General equilibrium theory has been proposed for resource allocation in computational markets. The basic procedure is that agents submit bids and that a resource (re)allocation is performed when a set of prices (one for each commodity) is found such that supply meets demand for each commodity. For successful implementation of large markets based on general equilibrium theory, efficient algorithms for finding the equilibrium are required. The authors discuss some drawbacks of current algorithms for large scale equilibrium markets and present a novel distributed algorithm, CoTREE, which deals with the most important problems. CoTREE is communication sparse, fast in adapting to preference changes of a few agents, has minimal requirements on local data, and is easy to implement.
Optimized multi-channel deep neural network with 2D graphical representation of acoustic speech features for emotion recognition

This study investigates the effectiveness of speech emotion recognition using a new approach called the Optimized Multi-Channel Deep Neural Network (OMC-DNN), The proposed method has been tested with input features given as simple 2D black and white images representing graphs of the MFCC coefficients or the TEO parameters calculated either from speech (MFCC-S, TEO-S) or glottal waveforms (MFCC-G, TEO-G). A comparison with 6 different single-channel benchmark classifiers has shown that the OMC-DNN provided the best performance in both pair-wise (emotion vs. neutral) and simultaneous multiclass recognition of 7 emotions (anger, boredom, disgust, happiness, fear, sadness and neutral). In the pair-wise case, the OMC-DNN outperformed the single-channel DNN by 5%-10% depending on the feature set. In the multiclass case, the OMC-DNN outperformed or matched the singlechannel equivalents for all features. The speech spectrum and the glottal energy characteristics were identified as two important factors in discriminating between different types of categorical emotions in speech.
Catharsis in Psychology and Beyond : A Historic Overview

Catharsis has been recognized as a healing, cleansing, and transforming experience throughout history, and has been used in cultural healing practices, literature, drama, religion, medicine, and psychology. Some contemporary modalities such as Psychodrama, Primal therapy, Emotion – Focused therapy, to mention a few, use catharsis as their core technique to achieve positive therapeutic change. Modern research on the subject is limited and presents contradicting data about the effectiveness of cathartic techniques in psychotherapy practice. CATHARSIS IN PSYCHOLOGY AND BEYOND: A HISTORIC OVERVIEW
Evaluating cyber terrorism components in Malaysia

In this digital age, the use of cyberspace to carry out terrorist activities has emerged. To date, there is no universally accepted definition of cyber terrorism, which seems to be the fundamental issue and challenge in countering cyber terrorism threats. Some argued that the concept should be parallel with domestic political, cultural and social context. The purpose of this paper is to develop components of cyber terrorism using qualitative method analysis. In this paper, a semi-structured interview with purposive sampling for data collection has been carried out. The analysis indicated that the framework describing cyber terrorism can be considered from six different components: motivation, target, method of attack, domain, action by perpetrator and impact. The analysis has also shown that there were some similarities and differences in views regarding the proposed cyber terrorism conceptual framework.
PsybOt malware: A step-by-step decompilation case study

Decompilation (i.e. reverse compilation) represents one of the most toughest and challenging tasks in reverse engineering. Even more difficult task is the decompilation of malware because it typically does not follow standard application binary interface conventions, has stripped symbols, is obfuscated, and can contain polymorphic code. Moreover, in the recent years, there is a rapid expansion of various smart devices, running different types of operating systems on many types of processors, and malware targeting these platforms. These facts, combined with the boundedness of standard decompilation tools to a particular platform, imply that a considerable amount of effort is needed when decompiling malware for such a diversity of platforms. This is an experience paper reporting the decompilation of a real-world malware. We give a step-by-step case study of decompiling a MIPS worm called psyb0t by using a retargetable decompiler that is being developed within the Lissom project. First, we describe the decompiler in detail. Then, we present the case study. After that, we analyse the results obtained during the decompilation and present our personal experience. The paper is concluded by discussing future research possibilities.
Capacitor voltage balancing of hybrid converter based on nearest level control

Hybrid converter is recently introduced converter topology for high voltage applications. The converter comprises combination of director switches and a wave-shaping circuit assembled with capacitors. Director switch is made of cascaded IGBTs and waveshaping circuit consisting stack of H-bridge cells. This paper presents Nearest level control technique for hybrid converters, resulting in balanced capacitor voltages. Influence of variable modulation indices on capacitor voltage of wave-shaping circuit and THD of converter output voltage are analysed. A specific modulation index range plays a crucial role in balancing of capacitor voltages. Simulation results proves the validity of proposed modulation technique.
Carrier-based sensor deployment by a mobile robot for wireless sensor networks

We consider a realistic wireless sensor deployment strategy by which mobile robot deploys sensor nodes when it moves along the linear backbone network with some branches. Because of its finite load capacity, the robot has to repeatedly move back to the position where all sensors are temporarily stored and reload sensor nodes, which leads to the robot has to travel the path many times and consumes more energy. We present a Shortest Traveling Path for Robot (STPR) algorithm by which the robot can reduce the traveling path and achieve the required coverage. All nodes are stored at the temporary starting point and mobile robot continuously loads sensors and moves to the destination, dropping some sensor to meet the basic coverage and connectivity requirements. The mobile robot arrives at the far intersection and deploys sensors along the branches in accordance with the algorithm rules, and then returns the recent branch when having enough sensors. Otherwise the robot moves back and deploys sensors on the back path. The robot reloads sensors and repeats the deployment process until all the branches and backbone is finished. The paper proves that the algorithm is effective compared with the common methods. Simulation results show that the algorithm effectively reduces the moving distance at the randomly generated network.
The Methodology of the Maximum Likelihood Approach: Estimation, Detection, and Exploration of Seismic Events

The retrieval of information con veyed in data recorded by seis mic arrays plays a key role in seismology and geophysical exploration. Accurate localization and reli able detection of seismic events are major tasks in seis mic monitoring systems. The nonstationarity, low signal-to noise ratio (SNR), and weak signal coherence of seismic data remain challenging issues for signal processing algorithms. The maximum likelihood (ML) approach that performs well in such critical conditions is one of the best solutions for simultaneous detec tion and localization of seismic events. This article will discuss the methodology of ML for estimation and detection of seismic data and its extension to geoacoustic model selection.
Design and optimization of narrow band low noise amplifier using 0.18µm CMOS

In this paper, an optimized design procedure based on evolutionary algorithms for automatic synthesis of a current reuse cascode fully integrated low noise amplifiers (LNA) targeted @2.4GHz is discussed. Here genetic Algorithm is intended to compute the circuit elements values and bias levels capable of maintaining the best level of gain, input matching, and power consumption. The circuit simulate using 0. 18μm RF CMOS TSMC technology for to evaluate performance. Automatic circuit design using evolutionary optimization algorithm optimized design taking less computation time compare to tremendous manual trial. The Simulation results show the power gain (S21) and input matching (S11) are 26dB and -13dB respectively @2.4GHz. Simulation results demonstrate output reflection (S12) is less than -35dB and current sink form 1.8V supply is only 5.6mA.
EXEMPLARS: A Practical, Extensible Framework For Dynamic Text Generation

In this paper, we present EXEMPLARS, an object-oriented, rule-based framework designed to support practical, dynamic text generation, emphasizing its novel features compared to . existing hybrid systems that mix template-style and more sophisticated techniques. These features-. include an extensible classification-based text planning mechanism, a definition language that is a superset of the Java language, and advanced support for HTMIdSGML templates.
Algebraic immunity for cryptographically significant Boolean functions: analysis and construction

Recently, algebraic attacks have received a lot of attention in the cryptographic literature. It has been observed that a Boolean function f used as a cryptographic primitive, and interpreted as a multivariate polynomial over F/sub 2/, should not have low degree multiples obtained by multiplication with low degree nonzero functions. In this paper, we show that a Boolean function having low nonlinearity is (also) weak against algebraic attacks, and we extend this result to higher order nonlinearities. Next, we present enumeration results on linearly independent annihilators. We also study certain classes of highly nonlinear resilient Boolean functions for their algebraic immunity. We identify that functions having low-degree subfunctions are weak in terms of algebraic immunity, and we analyze some existing constructions from this viewpoint. Further, we present a construction method to generate Boolean functions on n variables with highest possible algebraic immunity /spl lceil/n/2/spl rceil/ (this construction, first presented at the 2005 Workshop on Fast Software Encryption (FSE 2005), has been the first one producing such functions). These functions are obtained through a doubly indexed recursive relation. We calculate their Hamming weights and deduce their nonlinearities; we show that they have very high algebraic degrees. We express them as the sums of two functions which can be obtained from simple symmetric functions by a transformation which can be implemented with an algorithm whose complexity is linear in the number of variables. We deduce a very fast way of computing the output to these functions, given their input.