Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Simplified Pulse-Coupled Neural Network for Cucumber Image Segmentation

The pulse-coupled neural network (PCNN) algorithm is an efficient method widely used in image segmentation. Parameters adjusting is usually difficult in a classic model of PCNN. In this study the pulse-coupled neural network model was simplified for optimal segmentation by reducing the number of parameters of PCNN. In addition, the local standard deviation was utilized for adjusting the connection strength coefficient adaptively. The simplified PCNN was used for separating the cucumber from complex background in a cucumber image effectively. To evaluate the performance of this algorithm, a simple evaluation method was designed for evaluating the segmentation image. The experimental results show that the average rate of correct segmentation reaches up to 82.4%.
Predicting ERP User Satisfaction―an Adaptive Neuro Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) Approach

ERP projects’ failing to meet user expectations is a serious problem. This research develops an Adaptive Neuro Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) model, to predict the key ERP outcome “User Satisfaction” using causal factors present during an implementation as predictors. Data for training and testing the models was from a cross section of firms that had implemented ERPs. ANFIS is compared with other prediction techniques, ANN and MLRA. The results establish that ANFIS is able to predict outcome well with an error (RMSE) of 0.277 and outperforms ANN and MLRA with errors of 0.85 and 0.86 respectively. This study is expected to provide guidelines to managers and academia to predict ERP outcomes ex ante, and thereby enable corrective actions to redirect ailing projects.
CodeMP: Network coded multipath to support TCP in disruptive MANETs

TCP over Mobile Ad-hoc Networks (MANETs) is challenging due to frequent route breaks, high random errors, and DATA-ACK interference. Network coded multipath approaches have been shown in several previous studies to be an effective transmission paradigms in disruptive networks. However, most of the previous studies either have no adaptive redundancy control or rely on theoretical models that require knowledge at all relays of the entire network state. In this paper, we propose a network coded multipath scheme for conventional TCPCodeMP that adapts to frequent link changes in MANET and requires no explicit control messages. The scheme exploits multiple-path redundancy and maintains total transparency to transport layer protocols. The proposed coding scheme is based on three components: (1) random linear coding scheme with adjustable redundancy, (2) multipath routing, (3) ACK Piggy coding. Simulation results show that in a 3-hop static scenario, the proposed multipath scheme improves TCP flows goodput by 70% compared to our previous single-path scheme. In an extreme MANET scenario where two TCP sessions co-exists and nodes are moving as fast as 25 m/s with up to 40% packet error rate (an environment in which regular TCP collapses completely), CodeMP achieves at least 700Kbps aggregate TCP goodput, with a Jain's fairness index of 0.99.
The Effect of Information Technology Infrastructure Flexibility on Intranet Effectiveness

When intranet was first conceived a decade ago, its adoption was only affordable by large business enterprise or organizations. However, at present, intranet adoption has become so prevalent that almost every organizations, irrespective of sizes and business nature has diffused intranet into their business operations and activities. While studies addressing the effectiveness of the intranet have been greatly reported in the literature, very few have really explored or focused on the antecedents or determinants to intranet effectiveness. Specifically, none has ever attempted to examine the effect of information technology (IT) infrastructure capabilities on intranet effectiveness. Against this concern, this study is an attempt to explore the relationship between IT infrastructure flexibility and intranet effectiveness. In addition, it also seeks to investigate the perceived level of IT infrastructure flexibility and intranet effectiveness in the context of public organizations in Malaysia. Based on the results of the analysis, this study has empirically showed that IT infrastructure flexibility comprising of connectivity and IT personnel are influential in determining intranet effectiveness measured in terms of operation, culture and facilitation.
Volatility in Malaysian Stock Market: An Empirical Study Using Fractionally Integrated Approach

This study explores the fractionally integrated (FI) time series analysis in Malaysian stock market. Four proxies of latent volatility, namely the absolute return, squared return and range-based (Parkinson and Garman and Klass) volatilities are selected for the empirical studies. In addition, the well-known FI autoregressive conditional variance (ARCH) type model is also taken into account for comparison purposes. Our empirical results evidence the proxy of absolute return and ARCH-type volatility model provides better performances in both the estimation and forecasting evaluations.
Why Cannot Poor Countries Utilize Existing Knowledge? Expansion of Firms and Human Capital Accumulation by Training

Current growth literature does not explain the inability of poor countries to utilize existing knowledge. This study presents a stylized development model based on firms' expansion through on-the-job training. Since trained workers can supervise and train more workers, a development process in which output and productivity increase up to a full utilization of existing technology is generated. Unlike schooling based models, which require assumption regarding a smaller local stock of knowledge, this study relies on the size of the industrial sector and the limited supply of training opportunities, therefore highlights barriers to development, even when technology and capital are available.
A fast image retrieval system using index lookup table on mobile device

The development of mobile-based image retrieval system is required for the efficient management about various image data with fast growth of mobile devices. The resource of mobile phone is a bit limited due to low memory capacity and low CPU performance. Hence, the system which is applicable on mobile phone should overcome the problem of limited resource. In this paper, we propose the fast feature extraction method which is applicable on mobile environment. The proposed algorithm is based on the lookup table which converts RGB color space to one of 36 indices on HSV color space. By the lookup table-based feature extraction, we extract three histograms which is about color distribution and the location of the distribution. Then, we load the proposed algorithm to mobile phone. Our system can query by three different queries: query-by-image, query-by-color, and query-by-blob. The experimental result shows that the proposed method is a fast and stable engine enough to utilize on mobile platform.
The Self-Transcendent Existential Present: Empirically Examining the Behavioral Implications and Relationships between Mindfulness, Self-Construal, and Mortality Salience

Author(s): Morseth, Brianna Kathryn | Advisor(s): Kim, Heejung | Abstract: Contemplative traditions place considerable emphasis on using mindfulness to critically investigate the nebulous concept of “self. ” In fact, insight into the true nature of self is widely regarded as a pivotal mechanism underlying the transformative effects of mindfulness practice. Despite this strong emphasis on understanding the “self” within the contemplative traditions from which mindfulness is derived, little research in psychology has explicitly examined the relationship between mindfulness and self-construal. Furthermore, while traditional mindfulness practices are understood to facilitate insight that dissolves the self-other boundary which in turn leads to behavioral manifestations of compassion, the psychological study of mindfulness has thus far largely neglected examining pro-social outcomes of mindfulness in realistic contexts, instead relying overwhelmingly on self-report measures or focusing on cognitive and clinical outcomes. Furthermore, the environmental implications of mindfulness have received hardly any attention in spite of the growing need for scalable solutions to worsening environmental conditions throughout the world. Meanwhile, social psychology has carefully investigated cultural and individual differences in independent and interdependent self-construal and devised an experimental framework in which to examine pro-social behaviors, including willingness to help another in need as well as resource sharing. In the present work, the existing social psychological research on self-construal is contextualized with the existing research on mindfulness. Three studies are then outlined: Study 1 serves as a correlational study intended to establish whether there is any relationship between trait mindfulness and various measures of self-construal. It also introduces a new measure of self-construal, adapted from the Inclusion of Other in the Self Scale (IOS; Aron, Aron a Smollan, 1992) for greater flexibility in measuring the perceived relationship between self and the environment, community, and one’s own thoughts. Studies 2.a. and 2.b. are experimental manipulations examining the effects of a brief 10-minute mindfulness induction on subsequent pro-social (i.e., willingness to help) and pro-environmental (i.e., recycling) behaviors. Study 3 is another experimental manipulation drawing from research on terror management theory (TMT; Greenberg, Pyszczynski, a Solomon, 1986) which suggests that mortality salience, or being reminded of the inevitability of one’s own impending demise, leads to self-esteem striving, cultural world-view defense, and most notably in-group favoritism and out-group discrimination. The results of these studies are examined in the context of the convergence of mindfulness and social psychology, opening up new avenues for research in this still young and emerging field of “contemplative science. ”
Bevacizumab for the Treatment of Radiation-Induced Cerebral Necrosis: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Radiation necrosis (RN) of brain tissue is a serious late complication of brain irradiation and recently bevacizumab has been suggested as treatment option of RN. There is a lack of data in the literature regarding the effectiveness of bevacizumab for the treatment of RN. The purpose of this review was to perform a comprehensive analysis of all reported cases using bevacizumab for the treatment of brain RN. In September 2016, we performed a comprehensive literature search of the following electronic databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and Cochrane Library. The research for the review was conducted using a combination of the keywords “radiation necrosis”, “radiotherapy” and “bevacizumab” alongside the fields comprising article title, abstract and keywords. Randomized trials, non-randomized trials, prospective studies, retrospective studies and single case reports were included in the review. Our research generated 21 studies and 125 cases where bevacizumab had been used for the treatment of RN. The median follow-up was 8 months and the most frequent bevacizumab dose used was 7.5 mg/kg for 2 weeks with a median of four cycles. Low-dose bevacizumab resulted in effectiveness with improvement in both clinical and radiographic response. The median decrease in T1 contrast enhancement and in T2/FLAIR signal abnormality was 64% and 60%, respectively. A reduction in steroidal therapy was observed in majority of patients treated. Based on the data of our review, bevacizumab appears to be a promising agent for the treatment of brain RN. Future prospective studies are required to evaluate the role of bevacizumab in RN and to define the optimal scheduling, dosage and duration of therapy.
A Monitor Plane Component for Adaptive Video Streaming

The growth of broadband Internet access across the world for the last 10 years has made new business models possible. Services which before mainly were provided by network operators and in dedicated networks have now migrated to the open Internet. This has created a global service provider market, using the Internet as platform. The network operators are in many cases left with only providing the broadband access service. For the global service providers, continuous effort is put into the field of finding smart methods for bringing new and advanced services to the market without asking for e.g. QoS features from the involved network operators. This type of service delivery is called Over-The-Top (OTT). The concept of making services able to adapt their network and transport requirements during time of delivery is a strong contribution to success for OTT services.The focus of the work in this thesis, is methods for improving various aspects - as defined by my research questions - related to QoS and potentially also QoE for dynamic adaptive video streaming over HTTP (DASH) services. The motivation for focusing on video services is based on their high QoS requirements (i.e. bandwidth) and also popularity in terms of usage.In the work presented in this thesis, I have studied the behaviour and performance of DASH services by means of simulations, measurements and experiments. Based on insight obtained through this, I established a hypothesis on how QoS and QoE aspects could be improved for users present in the same home network environment. My hypothesis was that making more accurate information available about both services and network conditions in near real-time could facilitate improved control methods. The effectiveness of my suggested methods have in most cases been analysed by means of implementation in an experimental lab scenario, and supported by simulations and analytical approaches when appropriate.The findings presented in the included papers are all closely related and map into the research model used. This model is composed of Knowledge Plane, Monitor Plane and Action plane components located in both service endpoints and involved network components. As my main focus has been on OTT service delivery, the main contributions of my work apply to service endpoints, i.e. components in the home network and on the server side. The server side would in many cases be represented by a Content Delivery Network (CDN) node.The main research questions identified are:RQ1: In a home network how to (autonomously) control the performance of DASH based services.RQ2: How to provide fairness and stability for competing DASH sessions using service endpoint functionality.RQ3: How to choose appropriate quality levels for a DASH session.The main contributions from my research are:C1: A method for controlling the quality levels of DASH in the home gateway.C2: A method for improving fairness among competing DASH sessions.C3: A method for shaping traffic aggregates on access links with DASH components.C4: A method for estimating available bandwidth on access links when DASH sessions are present.
Human Interaction in Multi-User Virtual Reality

In this paper we will present an immersive multiuser environment for studying joint action and social interaction. Besides the technical challenges of immersing multiple persons into a single virtual environment, additional research questions arise: Which parameters are coordinated during a joint action transportation task? In what way does the visual absence of the interaction partner affect the coordination task? What role does haptic feedback play in a transportation task? To answer these questions and to test the new experimental environment we instructed pairs of subjects to perform a classical joint action transportation task: carrying a stretcher through an obstacle course. With this behavioral experiment we demonstrated that joint action behavior (resulting from the coordination task) is a stable process. Even though visual and haptic information about the interaction partner were reduced, humans quickly compensated for the lack of information. After a short time they did not perform significantly differently from normal joint action behavior.
SessionSim: Activity-based session generation for network simulation

We present SessionSim, a tool for generating realistic communication sessions such as phone calls, http and email data traffic. Realistic data traffic is a crucial requirement to gauge the realism of any larger communication network simulation study. SessionSim is part of a large-scale communication network simulation environment (MIITS: Multi-scale Integrated Information and Telecommunications System), where detailed information about the individuals in a synthetic population is available, including activities (e.g., sleep, work, lunch) and locations. The key aspect of the SessionSim modeling philosophy is the insight that communication behavior heavily depends on the type of activity people are engaged in; key model parameters in addition to the nature of this dependence are inter-session times, source-destination pairs, and the actual data content that determines session size or duration. We present a mix of empirical data, earlier models and intuition for determining session parameters for phone calls, http and email and briefly discuss validation studies showing that our generated communication sessions adequately mimic real-world data. We also discuss our implementation of SessionSim in the scalable OO-simulation framework called SimCore.
Volterra filtering and higher order whiteness

Some properties of Volterra filtering are established. Finite-order, finite-horizon Volterra filtering is investigated as well as its asymptotic properties. Next, the concepts of Volterra unpredictability and uninterpolability lead to generalizations of the notion of white noise to higher orders. These generalizations are introduced and relations are established between them. >
Possible role of hemichannels in cancer

In humans, connexins (Cxs) and pannexins (Panxs) are the building blocks of hemichannels. These proteins are frequently altered in neoplastic cells and have traditionally been considered as tumor suppressors. Alteration of Cxs and Panxs in cancer cells can be due to genetic, epigenetic and post-transcriptional/post-translational events. Activated hemichannels mediate the diffusional membrane transport of ions and small signaling molecules. In the last decade hemichannels have been shown to participate in diverse cell processes including the modulation of cell proliferation and survival. However, their possible role in tumor growth and expansion remains largely unexplored. Herein, we hypothesize about the possible role of hemichannels in carcinogenesis and tumor progression. To support this theory, we summarize the evidence regarding the involvement of hemichannels in cell proliferation and migration, as well as their possible role in the anti-tumor immune responses. In addition, we discuss the evidence linking hemichannels with cancer in diverse models and comment on the current technical limitations for their study.
Factors influencing the Thai elderly's intention to use social network for Quality of Life: A case study LINE application

The structure of the population pyramid has changed because of the rapid rise in the amount of population aged 60 years or over. Many regions of the world are moving into an aging society. Meanwhile, the information society is a society today; everything is connected to the internet. Social Networks play a huge role in the daily lives of many young people. Furthermore, there are also many older people who are interested in learning and using the same social networks. This study aimed to investigate the factors that influence the Thai elderly's intention to use the LINE application for Quality of Life. This study was developed by integrating the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). This empirical research model used survey data from 434 elderly participants in Thailand. All six research hypotheses were positively supported. The results indicated that the factor most associated with behavioral intention to use the LINE application in the elderly for quality of life was Performance Expectancy and Effort Expectancy. In addition, the study also indicated that when the elderly's behavioral intention in using the LINE application could predict the relationship and improve the quality of life 30.7%. Moreover, the study suggests that the elderly with behavioral intention to use the LINE application affect the Quality of Life at a moderate level. The use of the LINE application for the elderly can play a part in promoting and developing their quality of life.
Flt3L Combined with Rapamycin Promotes Cardiac Allograft Tolerance by Inducing Regulatory Dendritic Cells and Allograft Autophagy in Mice

The induction of immune tolerance is still a formidable challenge in organ transplantation. Dendritic cells (DCs) play an important role in orchestrating immune responses by either mediating protective immune responses or inducing antigen specific tolerance. Previous studies demonstrated that the fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 receptor (Flt3) and its ligand (Flt3L) play an essential role in the regulation of DC commitment and development. Here, we report a synergic effect between Flt3L and low-dose rapamycin (Rapa) in the protection of allograft rejction. It was found that Flt3L combined with Rapa significantly prolonged murine cardiac allograft survival time as compared with that of untreated recipients or recipients treated with Rapa or Flt3L alone. Mechanistic studies revealed that Flt3L combined with low-dose of Rapa induced the generation of tolerogenic DCs along with the production of CD25+ Foxp3+ regulatory T cells and IL-10 secretion. We also observed enhanced autophagy in the cardiac allograft, which could be another asset contributing to the enhanced allograft survival. All together, these data suggest that Flt3L combined with low-dose of Rapa could be an effective therapeutic approach to induce tolerance in clinical setting of transplantation.
A Comprehensive Theoretical Study on the Rank of the Integral Operators for Large-Scale Electrodynamic Analysis

We propose an analytical approach to study the rank of an integral operator, which is valid for an arbitrarily shaped object with an arbitrary electric size. With this analytical approach, we theoretically prove that for a prescribed error bound, the minimal rank of the interaction between two separated geometry blocks in an integral-equation operator, asymptotically, is a constant for 1-D distributions of source and observation points; grows very slowly with electric size as square root of the logarithm for 2-D distributions; and scales linearly with the electric size of the block diameter for 3-D problems. We thus prove the existence of an errorbounded low-rank representation of both surfaceand volume-based integral operators for electromagnetic analysis, irrespective of electric size and object shape. Numerical experiments have validated the proposed analytical approach and its resultant findings on the rank of integral operators. This work provides a theoretical basis for employing and further developing low-rank matrix algebra for accelerating the computation of electrically large problems.
Composable Locality Optimizations for Accelerating Parallel Forest Computations

Graph algorithms with large, sparse inputs oftentimes perform poorly on cache-based platforms. For parallel spanning forest and minimum spanning forest computations, we propose three locality optimizations, Update, Stages, and PSM, that improve the cache performance. Update exploits the "graft-and-shortcut" pattern of the base algorithms. PSM transforms irregular accesses into regular ones. Stages is a meta approach based on evolution random graph theory that we use to combine Update and Stages. On the target platform, our combined optimization achieves up to 19 times speedups over the base algorithms.