Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Greenwoods: A Practical Random Forest Framework for Privacy Preserving Training and Prediction

In this work we propose two prediction protocols for a random forest model. The ﬁrst takes a traditional approach and requires the trees in the forest to be complete in order to hide sensitive information. Our second protocol takes a novel approach which allows the servers to obliviously evaluate only the “active path” of the trees. This approach can easily support trees with large depth while revealing no sensitive information to the servers. We then present a distributed framework for privacy preserving training which circumvents the expensive procedure of privately training the random forest on a combine dataset and propose an alternate efﬁcient collaborative approach with the help of users participating in the training phase
UAS (drone) Arctic Challenges-Next Steps

This paper develops further the overview of technical and operational challenges associated with Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) operations in the Arctic. Essentially, many weather-relevant challenges are similar in other climate zones. Due to the lack of research on the Arctic particularities, the overview of included references to generic UAS challenges and considerations. Both collections of challenges, technological and operational, are revised and updated. For most of the listed challenges, the appropriate researches are introduced as entry points to the more specific research areas relevant to the given challenges.
BEHAVIOR OF THE GREY-CAPPED SOCIAL WEAVER (PSEUDONIGRITA ARNAUDI) IN KENYA

--We observed color-banded individuals of the Grey-capped Social Weaver (Pseudonigrita arnaudi, Ploceidae) in Kenya during breeding and nonbreeding periods. In each colony, one to several groups centered about different families slept in their nests the year round in the same acacia tree (considered a colony). Nest territories were generally not defended against members of other groups in the same tree. Birds from other colonies, however, were usually attacked whenever they landed in the colony tree. The birds foraged on the ground in communal feeding areas and were organized into dominance hierarchies but did not defend feeding territories. Members of different groups from the same colony tolerated each other when feeding on the ground more than they did birds from other colonies. Aggression was rare or absent between members of the same group. The roofed nests had two entrance or exit holes opening below, one of which was closed in a brood nest before eggs were laid and opened again just before or after the young left the nest. Both members of a pair incubated. Other birds in adult plumage and immature birds from previous broods often helped the pair build nests and feed nestlings. The behavior of P. arnaudi is compared with that of the related Plocepasser mahali and Philetairus socius and resembles the latter most closely. Received 2 April 1979, accepted 10 December 1979. THE weaverbirds (Ploceidae) are excellent subjects for investigating the evolution of avian sociality, particularly in relation to nest-building behavior. The object of this report is to describe the social behavior of the Grey-capped Social Weaver x (Pseudonigrita arnaudi) and to compare its nest and behavior with that of related species. Aside from a brief, preliminary report (Collias and Collias 1978a), there has been no previous general study of the social and breeding behavior of this species. We have described its nest-building behavior (Collias and Collias 1964). It and two species that we previously studied, Plocepasser mahali, the White-browed Sparrow Weaver of East Africa (Collias and Collias 1978b, 1978d), and Philetairus socius, the Sociable Weaver of southwestern Africa (E. Collias and N. Collias 1978, 1980), have often been united together into one subfamily, the Plocepasserinae, in the Ploceidae. Their taxonomic relations have recently been discussed by Bock and Morony (1978) and by Bentz (1979), who support the idea of a close relationship between them on morphological grounds. Bentz has grouped them with Sporopipes and Passer into one subfamily, the Passerinae. ' We prefer the name Grey-capped Social Weaver to Grey-headed Social Weaver (Mackworth-Praed and Grant 1960, Williams 1963) for the English name, because the former is much more accurate (Fig.
ConvSVD++: A Hybrid Deep CF Recommender Model using Convolutional Neural Network

Recommender systems are powerful systems that give added value to business and corporation. They are relatively recent technology and they will only keep improving in the future. The most widely used algorithms for recommender systems are categorized into the traditional recommender and deep-based recommender system. The traditional recommendation algorithm suffers from sparse data that significantly degrades recommendation accuracy. The hybrid approaches are attempts to tackle recommendation challenges. This paper addresses the integration of deep learning into traditional recommendation approaches especially, Collaborative Filtering (CF) algorithms to get a significant accurate prediction. It proposes a hybrid deep CF recommender model called ConvSVD++ that tightly integrates Convolution Neural Network (CNN) and Singular Value Decomposition (SVD++). The proposed model incorporates items’ content, implicit user’s feedback along with explicit item-user interaction to enhance prediction accuracy and handle sparsity problem. The proposed model is evaluated and all baseline models based on Movielens- 1M datasets. The results are evaluated using Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) metric and it is concluded that the proposed model ConvSVD++ outperforms the baselines models. Accordingly, it is concluded that integrating CNN with SVD++ algorithm improves rating prediction accuracy.
Measurement of the quantity and the quality of the motivation of Tunisians teachers to their profession: Transcultural validation of a questionnaire

: This thesis targets to measure the quantity and quality of teachers’ motivation to their profession and consequently to identify the motivational determiners that are likely to ensure perseverance in the profession and avoid disengagement. With reference to a solid and overall conceptual and theoretical frame, set by Abraham Maslow (1954), Alderfer (1969), Murray (1938), MCCLELLAND (1961), Hackman and Oldham (1975), Adams (1963), J. Greenberg (1987), Locke (1976), Bandura (1977), Deci and Ryan (2000), Fenouillet. Fr (2008), Ensconced itself. P (2008), Claude Lévy-Leboyer (2006), we are trying to spot reasons (motive forces) and psychological needs which enliven the professional life of the Tunisian teachers. Our objective consists in identifying the strong points which trigger motivation and the conditions which make the work draw a better management of the teaching staff for professional achievement. This thesis is an occasion to test and adapt metrological tools, for possible transcultural validation, notably the questionnaires used in non-Tunisian contexts.
L- and X-Band Like- and Cross-Polarized Synthetic Aperture Radar for Investigating Urban Environments

Four synthetic aperture airborne radar data sets, Land x-band likeand cross-polarizations, were spatially registered to a common map base for a portion of the Los Angeles basin. Texture calculations for the four SAR data sets were also obtained. Training sites for eight urban land-cover types were located, and statistics were determined for the eight data files. The training site statistics were examined for intraclass variability, the number of channels necessary for class$cation, and the best channels for classification using transformed diuergence calculations. The x-band like-polarized data were the most useful, the L-band cross~olarized data were the least useful among the original data sets, and the texture calculations used in this study did not contribute toward urban cover type delineations. analysis. There is, however, much which is still not understood about radar responses arid how to use the data for resource analysis. Previous studies have examined radar data of different bands and polarizations (Jensen et al., 1977); from different platforms, i.e., aircraft and satellite (Wu, 1980); with different manipulations of the data, i.e., subtraction of one band from another (Bryan, *On leave from the Department of Geography, Ball State University, Muncie, IN 47306. PHOTOCRAMMETRIC ENGINEERING A N D REMOTE SENSING, Vol. 50, No. 3, March 1984, pp. 331-340. the numerical data. The data were spatially registered to a common map base, thus allowing the extraction of data for the same surface features. The principal analytic tool used in this study was transformed divergence calculation. This calculation provides a quick inexpensive indication of the ability to classify numerically and correctly different land covers. The following sections describe the data, study area, research methodology, and study results. 0099-1 112/84/5003-0331$02.25/0 O 1984 American Society of Photogrammetry PHOTOGRAMMETRIC ENGINEERING & REMOTE SENSING, 1984
Secure Data Access and Transmission Control Using Encryption and Decryption Technique

The concept of network security and cryptography is protecting network and data transmission over wireless networks. Information that are secured and transmitted across various networks is the major role of security. It is very important that Security plays a role in the field of networking for transmission of data from one device to another. Networks can be private, such as within a company, and others which might be open to public access In order to maintain the database, secured communicating channel, strong data encryption techniques are included.
Best response computation for partially observable stochastic games

Solving Partially Observable Stochastic games (POSG) is computationally hard in general, therefore the research is focused on variants of POSGs. One-Sided POSGs are played by two players, where one has perfect information about the game and the second does not. The algorithm called PG-HSVI has been developed for these games, but it has a limited scalability. More scalable algorithms may be used, but they might not have convergence guarantees. To compare these computed strategies, a scalable best response algorithm may be used. The main goal of this work is to study One-Sided POSGs and their algorithms, formulate the best response of strategies as the problem of solving Partially Observable Markov Decision Process (POMDP), select appropriate solver to solve POMDP, experimentally evaluate the scalability, identify bottlenecks, and propose possible improvements to formulation/algorithm to improve scalability.
Visual Person Identification Device using Raspberry Pi

— People with low vision find it difficult to socialize publicly due to lack of face recognition ability. Robust assistive solutions are available but either those are too heavy on the pocket or are not wearable. In this paper, we have proposed a low cost lightweight wearable device, based on raspberry pi 3 that uses enhanced machine learning algorithms. The device has two user-selectable operation modes; recognition mode and new entry or training mode. In recognition mode, a combination of Haar cascade and Hog features are used for face detection and recognition. The accuracy of recognition system is further improved by capturing a burst of five images for each subject. Face detection and recognition algorithms are next applied to each frame and the name with maximum votes is announced on the earphones. In case of unrecognized faces, system announces “Unknown”. For the training mode, a web based user interface has been proposed that can help the user for enrolling and updating entries, into the dataset. The system has been tested in real time environment. Results show the accuracy of the proposed methodology.
Predictive Value of Blood N-Terminal Pro-Brain Natriuretic Peptide Concentrations for Early Patent Ductus Closure in Very Preterm Infants

Objectives It has been shown that blood concentrations of NT-proBNP may be useful in identifying preterm infants at risk of hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus and its complications. The aim of the study was to assess predictive value of serum NT-proBNP levels for early ductus arteriosus (DA) closure in very preterm newborns. Methods Fifty-two infants <32 weeks’ gestation aged <72 hours with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) diameter >1.5 mm were involved in a randomized study. Twenty-seven (52%) of them were treated with ibuprofen or paracetamol starting within the first 3 days of life. Expectant management was applied to 25 (48%) infants. All patients underwent planned echocardiographic (daily) and two serum NT-proBNP measurements within the first 10 days after birth. Depending on the DA closure within the first 10 days of life, 2 groups of patients were formed retrospectively, with closed (n = 30) or patent (n = 22) DA by this age. Results In the first 10 days of life, DA closure occurred in 19 (70%) treated infants and in 11 (44%) infants managed expectantly (p > 0,05). Initial concentrations of NT-proBNP were significantly higher in infants that had patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) at 10 days of life. By the eighth day, median NT-proBNP values in both groups significantly decreased but remained considerably higher in newborns with PDA. NT-proBNP serum concentrations on the second day of life could reliably predict DA closure within the first 10 days after birth in treated babies (the AUC was significant 0.81 [95% CI: 0.58–1.03], p < 0.05) but not in infants who were managed expectantly. Conclusions Serum NT-proBNP concentrations on the second day of life could reliably predict early PDA closure in treated but not in expectantly managed very preterm infants.
Maternal Nutrition and Lactational Infertility: A Review

Ample data exist to show that lactation prolongs postpartum amenorrhoea and provides some degree of protection against pregnancy (1,2). There are, however, marked variations in the duration of lactational infertility among women of different countries and women in different communities in the same country (1,2). Investigations undertaken during the past two decades have shown that a large proportion of the observed variations are attributable to differences in the duration of lactation and breastfeeding practices among communities (1). An association between maternal nutritional status and duration of lactational amenorrhoea has also been observed in some of the studies (1). Before reviewing the literature, it might be worthwhile to consider whether delay in return of fertility in undernourished women could constitute a beneficial evolutionary adaptation. Famine and acute starvation are dramatic short-term events that result in acute undernutrition. There are data showing that such drastic reduction in food intake and consequent acute undernutrition are associated with amenorrhoea and reduction in fertility in women (3). With improvement in the food supply, rapid improvement in nutritional status and fertility occur. There are reports of a rebound increase in total marital fertility rates after famine (3). Given the complex socio-economic and political milieu in which famines arise it is unlikely that anyone could document, investigate, and segregate the contribution of undernutrition per se, as well as the psychological factors, to the observed reduction in fertility during famine. But undoubtedly, temporary short-term relative infertility associated with acute starvation is a mechanism by which the breastfed infant might continue to receive breast milk and benefit. Avoidance of the extra nutritional stress of pregnancy could be considered as protective adaptation for the mother. Chronic mild and moderate undernutrition of the kind commonly seen among poorer segments of the population in developing countries is quite a different kind of a problem. Food shortages of varying extent have existed for hundreds of years and are likely to continue to exist, at least for a few more decades. Many nutritionists believe that these population groups might have become "adapted" to the low level of dietary intake, because there is no deterioration in maternal nutrition during pregnancy and lactation or with increasing age and parity (4,5). Prolonged lactation is the rule among undernourished women in developing countries. The
Environmental Odour Impacts from Factory Located in Sensitive Urbanized Area Belgiorno

Odours emitted by factories, like industrial complexes, have become a major concern for local authorities because the resulting annoyance in the neighborhoods. Chemical characterization of emissions is not applicable for the assessment of the impacts on citizen exposed to environmental odours emitted by specific factory. This paper describes the methodology adopted for assessing the odour impact on sensitive area generated by old factory located in the city center. The combination of olfactometric analyses with other in field techniques is presented and discussed for the evaluation of potential odour impact on the surrounding areas. Results discuss and compare different approaches to assessment odour impacts
Demonstration of 3C-SiC MEMS Structures on Polysilicon-on-oxide Substrates

Silicon carbide has robust mechanical, electrical, and chemical properties which make it an attractive material candidate for micro- and nano-electromechanical systems (MEMS and NEMS). 3C-SiC films grown via a polysilicon seed-layer CVD-deposited on an oxide coated (111) Si substrate offers an innovative method to overcome the residual film stress issues associated with 3C-SiC heteroepitaxy and the difficulties of fabricating structures from 3C-SiC films. The oxide plays a dual role by permitting film relaxation with respect to the supporting substrate and functioning as a MEMS release layer, allowing MEMS structures such as cantilevers and diaphragms, to be easily fabricated from the 3C-SiC film. The impact of the oxide layer on the relaxation of the film stress was investigated by comparing direction-sensitive MEMS stress sensors fabricated from 3C-SiC films grown via a polysilicon-on-oxide-coated-substrate and a polysilicon-on-crystalline Si substrate. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis of bridge structures fabricated on the polysilicon-on-oxide substrate revealed evidence of film strain relaxation when compared to bridge structures fabricated on the polysilicon-on-crystalline Si substrate. However, the upward-curled cantilever and comb structures fabricated on both substrates indicate the presence of a strain gradient in the 3C-SiC film grown on both substrates.
Pterocarpanoid constituents of the heartwoods of Pericopsis angolensis and Swartzia madagascariensis

Ten compounds have been isolated from S. madagascariensis, generally in very small quantity and, where not previously known, their structures have been established by degradative and spectroscopic means, supported in two cases by synthesis. Three of these compounds, homopterocarpin (II; R = Me), demethylpterocarpin (I; R = H), and pterocarpin (I; R = Me) are known, whereas the remaining seven, 3-hydroxy-9-methoxyptero-carpan (II; R = H), 3-hydroxy-4-methoxy-8,9-methylenedioxypterocarpan (X), 3-hydroxy-4,9-dimethoxy-pterocarpan (XIII), 3,4-dimethoxy-8,9-methylenedioxypterocarpan (VII), 3,4,9-trimethoxypterocarpan (XI), 3,9-dimethoxypterocarp-6a-en (XIV), and 3,9-dimethoxy-6-oxopterocarp-6a-en (XVI; R = Me) have not been found previously in nature. The known 3,4,3′,5′-tetrahydroxystilbene and homopterocarpin have been isolated from P. angolensis.
Research on the Construction of Consumer Identity under the Perspective of Intercultural Communication

In intercultural communication, the identification of cultural identity is a process of constantly updating and transforming one’s cultural identity, which is well exemplified in international advertisements. Lifestyles, values and personal characters conveyed by international advertisements can unconsciously construct or reconstruct the cultural identity of target audiences, which would motivate their purchasing to a great extent. Under the guidance of cultural identity theory, this thesis theorize and discusses how consumer identity is communicated, constructed, and consumed in the cross-cultural advertising through explicit and implicit processes. Findings of the research reveal that consumer identity construction is not a static and fixed process but a dynamic process in which different identities have been constructed in the selected cross-cultural advertisements. In addition, the present research finds that the constructed identity serves as a persuasive means to induce audiences to make symbolic consumption.
Randomness Beyond Noise: Differentially Private Optimization Improvement through Mixup

Information-theoretical privacy relies on randomness. Representatively, Differential Privacy has emerged as the gold standard to quantify the individual privacy preservation provided by given randomness. However, almost all randomness in existing differentially private optimization and learning algorithms is restricted to noise perturbation. In this paper, we point out another simple randomization technique, mixup : a random linear combination of inputs, with applications in (locally) private (decentralized) optimization and learning. Our contributions are twofold: ﬁrst, we provide a rigorous analysis on the privacy ampliﬁcation provided by mixup ; second, both empirically and theoretically, we show that proper mixup comes almost free of utility compromise in optimization
CONJUGATED LINOLEIC ACID-ENRICHED DAIRY PRODUCTS: A REVIEW

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a family of more than 28 isomers of linoleic acid wherein the isomers cis-9, trans-11 (rumenic acid) and trans-10, cis-12 are the most abundant. It is associated with a number of potential health benefits for human organism. Many foods are a good source of it but it is mosty found in meat and dairy products, derived from ruminants. Dairy products contain CLA in different amounts. The enrichment of these products with CLA is appropriate given the lower CLA content in these products in comparison with the recommended health intake. Modification of CLA concentration can be done by specific animal feeding and diet modification, by direct CLA supplementation in the form of oils or by addition of specific starter culture. The influence of technological treatments on the stability of the final product during storage and maturation is still not completely elucidated. There is a need for further studies on the physiological effects of CLA isomers on humans. The purpose of this review is to summarize the possibilities for increasing CLA content in milk and dairy products and to determine the possible effects of this enrichment on product stability – sensory, chemical, microbiological profile, shelf life and potential health effects of the obtained products.
Snow Depth Classiﬁcation using MultiSensory Ubiquitous Platform and Machine Learning

—In the drastic period of climate change the continuous data monitoring of snow characteristic is required.The immensely impact of snow on hydro production, water resource management and its inhabitants, drive to the need for the importance of snow information such as its extent, dynamics and water it holds at global and local scale. At present, there are various approaches such as traditional ground-based approach, optical satellite imaging and the radio, which are available for snow monitoring at global scale. However, the use of these approaches incurs from large labor and high monitoring cost. Since, the advance in sensor technologies and Internet of Things (Iot), provides an appealing possibility to develop a framework for monitoring snow parameters at enormously low cost. In this study. we implemented two machine learning classiﬁers model based on the input acquired from the low-cost wearable sensor platform. The results of Random forest classiﬁer showed the accuracy of 88.8%, indicate a promising alternative in snow depth measurements with in-situ validation, when data or wireless sensor network are not available or affordable.