Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Norm‐based agency for designing collaborative information systems

Abstract. Information systems are organizations in which signs are created, processed and consumed. In order to fulfil the organizational goals and objectives, its members must understand their responsibilities and authorities, and must act co‐operatively. The key to this organization and co‐ordination lies in norms, which define responsibilities and authorities for each human agent, and establish regularities of behaviour. In the context of co‐operative work, where ‘intelligent’ software agents are involved, to understand the norms of behaviour of various human agents becomes critical. Software agents can perform some tasks autonomously on the user's behalf. Such delegation involves a set of complicated philosophical and legal issues. After discussion on delineation of various boundaries of responsibility and authorities, this paper addresses norms and normative behaviour of human agents within an organization. It discusses the taxonomies of norms and a method of norm specification, with examples. Finally it presents an approach of norm‐based agency for designing collaborative information systems and a case study of an insurance claim for illustration.
Disease Behaviour in Patients with Crohn’s Disease: A Review

The disease behaviour is one of the three phenotypic criterion in Vienna, Montreal and Paris classification and important for the management of Crohn’s disease (CD). This article reviews following aspect of disease behaviour in CD: temporal change in disease behaviour, changing phenotype at presentation over decades, difference in disease behaviour in childhood onset as compared to adult onset CD, changing natural history, the effect of therapy on the natural history of the disease and factors responsible for change in disease behaviour. The disease behaviour changes over time to more complicated phenotype, although the proportion may be less than that in earlier studies. There is mixed data about the change in disease phenotype at presentation over decades although some of the recent data suggests more inflammatory phenotype at presentation. Earlier studies suggested more severe disease behaviour in pediatric onset disease than adult onset but the recent data suggests that the course in pediatric onset CD may be similar to that in adult onset CD. Studies suggest that the disease behaviour may change as early as 90 days but it needs to be confirmed that they did not have subclinical stricturing or penetrating disease. There is some evidence that more patients are presenting with inflammatory behaviour, the progression to complicated disease is decreased and surgery rates are decreased before era of biologics. Finally there is evidence that surgery is delayed due to use of azathioprine and the disease progression may be delayed due to azathioprine and biological agents.
Performance study of traffic balancing via antenna-tilting in CDMA cellular systems

CDMA cellular networks are very promising to provide more capacity than the AMPS system. However, heterogeneous traffic loading will cause traffic congestion in hot-spots with the CDMA system. In this paper, the tilted antenna mechanism for sectored cells in CDMA cellular networks is provided to relieve congestion in the hot-spot sector. The proposed mechanism which tilts the hot-spot antenna can meet the blocking probability of the hot-spot sectors and the adjacent sectors below 1%. Besides congestion relief for the hot-spot, another benefit is the traffic balancing effect with a tilted antenna mechanism that will reduce the transceivers of the hot-spot base station so that one need not provide more extra facilities for hot-spots than for normal or light traffic sectors.
Windowed DFT based pilot-symbol-aided channel estimation for OFDM systems in multipath fading channels

We propose a windowed DFT based pilot-symbol-aided channel estimation method for orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems. This method can reduce the aliasing error of the direct DFT based channel estimation method in the multipath fading channels that have non-sample-spaced path time delays. Furthermore, we compare the proposed channel estimator with the more complex MMSE channel estimator. The performance of the proposed method is close to the MMSE channel estimator.
A Finite Element Model for Bipolar Resistive Random Access Memory

The forming, reset and set operation of bipolar resistive random access memory (RRAM) have been predicted by using a finite element (FE) model which includes interface effects. To the best of our knowledge, our bipolar RRAM model is applicable to realistic cell structure optimization because our model is based on the FE method (FEM) unlike precedent models.
Differential effects of learning games on mathematics proficiency

This study examined the effects of a learning game, [The Math App] on the mathematics proficiency of middle school students. For the study, researchers recruited 306 students, Grades 6–8, from two schools in rural southwest Virginia. Over a nine-week period, [The Math App] was deployed as an intervention for investigation. Students were assigned to game intervention treatment, and paper-and-pencil control conditions. For the game intervention condition, students learned fractions concepts by playing [The Math App]. In the analysis, students’ mathematical proficiency levels prior to the intervention were taken into account. Results indicate that students in the game intervention group showed higher mathematics proficiency than those in the paper-and-pencil group. Particularly, the significantly higher performances of intervention groups were noted among 7th graders and inclusion groups. The empirically derived results of the reported study could contribute to the field of educational video game research, which has not reached a consensus on the effects of games on students’ mathematics performance in classroom settings.
Students' Perceived Ease of Use of an Elearning Management System: An Exogenous or Endogenous Variable?

Five factors affecting student use of an eLearning management system in two Web-enhanced hybrid undergraduate courses are investigated using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). This research represents a causal relationship existing between students' attitude toward WebCT and their actual use of the system. Students' perception of the WebCT use, Computer Self-Efficacy, and Subjective Norms are also taken into account. Multigroup structural modeling procedure, specifically PROC CALIS, is used to extract those factors from student use of WebCT and to determine their interrelatedness among one another. Results show that extended adaptations of the Technology Acceptance Model are not as suitable for Engineering students as they are for Psychology students. Of the two competing models in the psychology class, Perceived Ease of Use is deemed an exogenous variable. A multi-sample analysis suggests that covariance structure differences between psychology and engineering students were found obvious over Computer Self-Efficacy and Subjective Norms variables. Lessons and experience from a southeastern metropolitan university in the United States are addressed.
Adaboost-Gaze Based Multi-Stage Object Tracking

Object tracking is a very important application in the fields of computer vision. In practice, automated tracking systems can rarely meet the required performance. This paper improves the attentional based tracking framework with Adaboost and gaze selection. The object classifier is implemented using the ADA Boosting to recognize digits from the MNIST dataset. At the initial object position Gaze selection is performed. The performance of the framework is evaluated using digit videos generated from the MNIST dataset with clutters. In general, the performance of the framework is robust to changes in motion routes and degree of clutter.
A QoS multicast routing in wireless mesh networks

Wireless mesh network (WMN) has recently emerged as a promising technology for next-generation wireless network. In WMNs, many important applications, such as audio/video conferencing, require the support of multicast communication with quality-of-service (QoS) guarantee. In this paper, we investigate the issues of QoS multicast routing in wireless mesh networks. The paper studies TDMA-based timeslot allocation, and presents an effective heuristic algorithm for calculating bandwidth of a multicast tree. We also propose a novel DSR-based multicasting routing algorithm. Simulation results show that compared with MAODV, the proposed QoS routing algorithm can significantly improve the performance of QoS multicast routing in terms of success ratio and network cost.
Non-rigid ultrasound image registration using generalized relaxation labeling process

This research proposes a novel non-rigid registration method for ultrasound images. The most predominant anatomical features in medical images are tissue boundaries, which appear as edges. In ultrasound images, however, other features can be identified as well due to the specular reflections that appear as bright lines superimposed on the ideal edge location. In this work, an image’s local phase information (via the frequency domain) is used to find the ideal edge location. The generalized relaxation labeling process is then formulated to align the feature points extracted from the ideal edge location. In this work, the original relaxation labeling method was generalized by taking n compatibility coefficient values to improve non-rigid registration performance. This contextual information combined with a relaxation labeling process is used to search for a correspondence. Then the transformation is calculated by the thin plate spline (TPS) model. These two processes are iterated until the optimal correspondence and transformation are found. We have tested our proposed method and the state-of-the-art algorithms with synthetic data and bladder ultrasound images of in vivo human subjects. Experiments show that the proposed method improves registration performance significantly, as compared to other state-of-the-art non-rigid registration algorithms.
250 Mbyte/sec synchronous DRAM using a 3-stage-pipelined architecture

A 3.3 V 512 k/spl times/18/spl times/2 bank synchronous DRAM has been developed using a novel 3-stage-pipelined architecture. The address-access path which is usually designed by analog means, is digitized, separated into three stages by latch circuits at the column switch and data-out buffer. Since this architecture requires no additional read/write bus and data amp, it minimizes an increase in die size. Using the standardized GTL interface, a 250 Mbyte/sec synchronous DRAM with almost the same die-size as the conventional DRAM has been achieved.
A Secure Index for Document Similarity Detection

The document similarity detection plays an essential role in many applications such as plagiarism detection, copyright protection, document management, and document searching. However, the current methods do not care to the privacy of the contents of documents outsourced on remote servers. Such limitation reduces the utilization of these methods. For example, plagiarism detection between two conferences should protect the privacy of the submitted papers. In this paper, we consider the problem of privacy-preserving similarity document detection. The proposed scheme allows comparing documents without disclosing them to the untrusted servers. For each document, the fingerprint set is computed. The inverted index is built based on the entire fingerprint set. The index is protected by Paillier cryptosystem before uploading it to the untrusted server. We have developed a secure yet efficient method to rank the retrieved documents. Several experiments are conducted to investigate the performance of the proposed scheme.
A field-programmable analog array (FPAA) using switched-capacitor techniques

We present a voltage-mode switched-capacitor approach to the design of Field Programmable Analog Arrays (FPAA). The designed FPAA consists of uniform configurable analog blocks (CABs) which allow the implementation of different functions. The CABs are connected to each other via switched and unswitched capacitors. The internal structure of CABs and the interconnection network between them are configured by user-programmable digital control signals. The functionality of the FPAA is verified by embedding of different filters, programmable amplifiers, biquads, modulators and signal generators.
An Efficient Clustering based Segmentation Algorithm for Computer Tomography image Segmentation

Colossal amount of research has been done in creating many different approaches and algorithms for medical image segmentation, but it is still complicated to evaluate all the images. However the problem remains challenging, with no general and unique solution in computer-aided diagnosis. This paper provides medical image segmentation based on Clustering for computer tomography images. In this paper, we consider a mean shift segmentation and medoid shift segmentation method. We validate the mean shift and medoid shift medical image segmentation approach with the parameters in terms of sensitivity, specificity and accuracy. The Real time dataset is used to evaluate the performance of the proposed method. The experimental result shows that the medoid shift segmentation method gives more accurate and robust segmentation results than mean shift segmentation method.
Associative IC memories with relational search and nearest-match capabilities

The authors present the design and implementation of content addressable memories (CAMs) that execute relational and nearest-match instructions. Implementation of a novel relational search cell is presented. Direct performance comparison shows an order-of-magnitude improvement over existing designs with similar cell area. The design and implementation of a neural-inspired nearest-match CAM using a winner-take-all (WTA) network is presented. An original approach to analyzing such neural-inspired CAMs is presented. A model which describes the behavior of the WTA network is derived to be utilized in the design and performance prediction of the network. Performance of the WTA network in differentiating between words with large bit mismatches is analyzed, and an upper bound is set. Fully functional prototype chips have been fabricated through MOSIS using 2- mu m double-metal CMOS technology. Theoretical, simulation, and physical chip measurements are in good agreement. >
Geospatial Service Web: from Data, Information, and Knowledge Sharing to Web Geointelligence

The existing Spatial Data Infrastructure applications or virtual globes allow users to experiment with these tools for sharing and exploration of geospatial data. A typical application is the recently launched MapWorld, an interactive geospatial data browser developed based on GeoGlobe. Geospatial Service Web goes further by providing a geospatial infrastructure that integrates various geospatial-related resources through the Web and service technologies. The development of the Geospatial Service Web will be the establishment of a platform where data, information, and knowledge can be shared and exchanged in an interoperable and interworkable way. The fulfilment of this platform requires the integration of geospatial data acquisition system, data transformation system, distributed spatial data collection, high-capability server system, and large volume storage system etc., and exploration and extraction of useful information and knowledge from oceans of data. These are together known as Web-based Geospatial Intelligence (i.e. Web GeoIntelligence), which is an important content of the Geospatial Service Web.
Effects of Acetaminophen as a Toxic Drug on the Liver Function in Poultry

The most prevalent diseases in country poultry industry that will infect broiler chickens epidemic; be disrupts the liver function. The liver is an important diagnostic organ in broilers is raised and on the other hand, Because of speed up the metabolism in broiler chickens in order to increase production and efficiency, The liver is an important center involved in the metabolism, and the important medium of the gastrointestinal tract and the blood has a special importance, And any Liver damage in broiler chickens in the first step, On the nutrition and consequently will affect on the efficiency of chickens [1].
Turbo multiuser detection and equalization for coded CDMA in multipath channels

The presence of both multiple-access interference (MAI) and intersymbol interference (ISI) constitutes a major impediment to reliable communications in multipath CDMA channels. An iterative receiver structure is proposed for decoding multiuser information data in a convolutionally coded asynchronous multipath DS-CDMA system. The receiver performs two successive soft-output decisions, achieved by a soft-input soft-output (SISO) multiuser detector and a bank of single-user SISO channel decoders, through an iterative process. A low-complexity SISO multiuser detector is developed based on a novel nonlinear interference suppression technique, which makes use of both soft-interference cancellation and linear MMSE filtering. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed receiver offers significant performance gain over the traditional non-iterative receiver structure. Moreover, at high SNR, the detrimental effects of MAI and ISI can be almost completely overcome by iterative processing, and single-user performance can be approached.
Parallel 2-D FFT algorithms on an eight-neighbor processor array

The two-dimensional fast Fourier transform (2-D FFT), which has a wide application in areas such as digital signal processing, speech recognition and image processing, require quite high-speed computing to handle a huge amount of data. Many parallel hardware FFT algorithms have been proposed. The paper discusses 2-D FFT hardware algorithms which are implemented on an eight-neighbor processor array. They allow 2-D FFT computation to be processed by iterating a 2-D butterfly operation and a data transfer alternately. These algorithms combine effectively the direct 2-D FFT algorithm and the communication capability of the 8-neighbor processor array. <<ETX>>
The Biochemical Role of Macro and Micro-Minerals in the Management of Diabetes Mellitus and its Associated Complications: A Review.

UNLABELLED Diabetes mellitus is a chronic physiological glucose metabolic disorder. Its high prevalence globally has a significant impact on the quality of life. The management of diabetes includes non-pharmacological and glucose lowering agents. Although these methods are effective, they have drawbacks. This has led to a search for alternative therapy in macro and micro-minerals from dietary foods and plants. There is therefore a need to review, identify and classify their modes of action in diabetes mellitus therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS This review was carried out using comprehensive literature reports on the use of mineral elements in the management of diabetes. Empirical online searches were conducted for different elements that have been studied for their anti-diabetic potentials both in vivo and in vitro. The University of Fort Hare's online database was also used. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The results indicate that magnesium, molybdenum, zinc, vanadium and manganese facilitate glucose catabolism. Chromium, vanadium, zinc, molybdenum and magnesium can enhance insulin activity while molybdenum, manganese and zinc stimulate lipogenesis. Zinc and iron can modulate glucose, metabolizing enzymes in the gastrointestinal tract and limit oxidative stress, respectively. These agents have similar mechanisms to conventional drugs in ameliorating diabetic status and other associated complications. CONCLUSION The mechanisms of these elements are well known, however, the synergetic effects of their combinations are still obscure. Literature on their safe dose(s) is still scanty. Evaluation of other useful macro and micro-minerals should also be undertaken. It is envisaged that the use of mineral supplements will promote good health in diabetics.
An improved background subtraction approach in target detection and tracking

In this paper, a novel background subtraction approach is proposed to avoid stationary foreground objects being merged into the background in target detection and tracking, in which an improved background model is designed by using virtual frames and the blur can be attenuated with this model when an object moves again after it stays for a long time. Moreover, the proposed model is fused with the eigenbackgrounds to improve the environmental adaptability. Our experimental results indicate that the proposed approach enhances the performance of target detection and tracking in intelligent surveillance and is superior to some state-of-the-art methods according to the precision-recall measurement.
Road markings recognition using image processing

Repainting road markings is an important road maintenance task. An automatic repainting module (called "MRA") is being developed in France by the Laboratoire Central des Ponts-et-Chaussees. In this context, our goal is to design image processing methods for automatically extracting the parameters of the repainting process (e.g. line width or dashes modulation) from the scene images. We describe a three-level road marking recognition algorithm: 1) a road sides extraction procedure reduces the analysis area to the roadway and a road markings detection is performed in this area; 2) the segmentation is simplified using a projection-based method, leading to a polygonal representation of road markings; and 3) the parameters to be transmitted to the repainting system are extracted.
Java Applets for Chemical Reaction Engineering

The power of the Java programming language is briefly reviewed and the steps to create Java applets and applications are described. Examples taken from the literature were implemented to support chemical engineering education (http://www.labore.ufsc.br/java). Numerical methods such as LU decomposition, Newton‐Raphson, fourth‐order Runge‐Kutta, and orthogonal collocation modeled as Java classes were applied to a variety of chemical reactor problems. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 6: 67–77, 1998
TESTING THE TURING TEST — DO MEN PASS IT?

We are fascinated by the idea of giving life to the inanimate. The fields of Artificial Life and Artificial Intelligence (AI) attempt to use a scientific approach to pursue this desire. The first steps on this approach hark back to Turing and his suggestion of an imitation game as an alternative answer to the question "can machines think? ". 1 To test his hypothesis, Turing formulated the Turing test1 to detect human behavior in computers. But how do humans pass such a test? What would you say if you would learn that they do not pass it well? What would it mean for our understanding of human behavior? What would it mean for our design of tests of the success of artificial life? We report below an experiment in which men consistently failed the Turing test.
Coding Algorithms and Network Plan for Context-Aware Data Collection Based on Internet of Things in Large Marine Ships

The equipment maintenance in large marine ships may rely on Internet of Things to provide monitoring of equipment status instantly. The data volume of sensing data is huge as the number of equipments is large. It is critical to decrease the communication overhead of uploading sensing data for efficiently and timely monitoring. In this paper, we propose several coding algorithms by using data context that is modeled by our normal forms on the base of our observations. The communication efficiency is improved, which is justified by formal analysis and rigorous proof. We also propose several network plan policies for further improvement of the communication efficiency by using data context and cluster head deployment.