Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
H.264 scalable video over finite-state Markov chain wireless channels

In this paper, a wireless channel is viewed as a heterogeneous network in the time domain, and an adaptive video transmission scheme for H.264 scalable video over wireless channels modeled as a finite-state Markov chain processes is presented. In order to investigate the robustness of adaptive video transmission for H.264 scalable video over wireless channels, statistical channel models can be employed to characterize the error and loss behavior of the video transmission. Among various statistical channel models, a finite-state Markov model has been considered as suitable for both wireless links as Rayleigh fading channels and wireless local area networks as a combination of bit errors and packet losses. The H.264 scalable video coding enables the rate adaptive source coding and the feedback of channel parameters facilitates the adaptive channel coding based on the dynamics of the channel behavior. As a result, we are able to develop a true adaptive joint source and channel based on instantaneous channel estimation feedback. Preliminary experimental results demonstrate that the estimation of the finite-state Markov channel can be quite accurate and the adaptive video transmission based on channel estimation is able to perform significantly better than the simple channel model in which only average bit error rate is used for joint source and channel coding design.
classEx: An online software for classroom experiments

classEx is a novel software that allows lecturers to carry out experiments in the classroom with an instantaneous graphical illustration of findings. Standard experiments with multiple treatments, monetary incentives, roles, groups, rounds and stages are available in a ready-made format. A back end allows more sophisticated users to implement their own experiments. We present examples, describe the architecture and show how the design can be tailored to become useful for research.
An effective collision resolution mechanism for wireless LAN

Based on the current standardized IEEE 802.11 distributed coordination function (DCF) protocol, this paper proposes a new efficient collision resolution mechanism, called GDCF (gentle DCF). Our main motivation is based on the observation that 802.11 DCF decreases the contention window to the initial value after each success transmission, which essentially assumes that each successful transmission is an indication that the system is under low traffic loading. GDCF takes a more conservative measure by halving the contention window size after c consecutive successful transmissions. This "gentle" decrease lowers the collision probability, especially when the competing node number is large. We compute the optimal value for c, and the numerical results from both analysis and simulation demonstrate that GDCF significantly improve the performance of 802.11 DCF including throughput, fairness, and energy efficiency. In addition, GDCF is flexible for supporting priority access by selecting different values of c for different traffic types; it is fully compatible with the original 802.11 DCF, and simple to implement, as it does not requires changes in control message structure and access procedures in DCF.
Teaching by the Moore Method

MSOR Connections May 2006 Vol 6 No 2 For the past two years I have been teaching ‘Developing Mathematical Reasoning’, a first year undergraduate course at Birmingham, using the so called Moore or discovery method championed by the Texan mathematician R.L. Moore (1882—1974). Under the method students learn (or discover? ) mathematics by working through a list of problems, without any reference material, and present their solutions on the board, whilst the other students are encouraged to comment.
La GPEC : de la loi aux pratiques RH – identification de quatre idéaux-types

Depuis son adoption, le 18 janvier 2005, la loi de programmation pour la cohesion sociale (dite loi Borloo) impose aux entreprises de plus de 300 salaries de negocier un plan triennal de gestion previsionnelle de leurs emplois.L’etude que nous avons realisee avait pour but d’evaluer l’impact des accords signes en application de cette loi sur les pratiques de gestion des ressources humaines des entreprises etudiees.Nous avons ainsi mis en evidence quatre types de Gestion previsionnelle des emplois et des competences (GPEC) tres differents : la GPEC « instrumentalisee », la GPEC « externalisee », la GPEC « agent de changement » et la GPEC « territorialisee et mutualisee ». Pour chacun de ces ideaux-types, nous detaillerons, outre leur finalite, comment la GPEC interagit avec les politiques RH, le dialogue social et le debat autour de la strategie, dans les entreprises etudiees. Nous decrirons egalement les pratiques actuelles et proposerons des pistes de recherche pour le futur.
An Empirical Study of Children's Use of Computer Pointing Devices

Four experiments were carried out to investigate the use of computer-based pointing devices by six, eight and ten year old children. Three groups (N = 45) used three devices (mouse, joystick, trackball) for a discrete and a continuous pointing task. Two target shapes were used: square and rectangular. A factorial analysis of variance with repeated-measures design was employed. The dependent variables were movement time (MT) and processing rate and the independent variables were age, device, target depth and trial. Results showed that there was a significant age and device difference for both tasks. Target depth appeared to affect strongly movement time in a linear fashion for the square targets while weaker support was found for Fitts' law for the continuous task/rectangular target condition. The discrete task/rectangular target condition showed no effect of target depth and offered no support for Fitts' law. A comparison of target shape for both tasks indicated that the prediction of movement time was not restricted to the effect of the index of difficulty given a relative definition of the pointing movement. For the continuous task, the definition of target depth as the size of the target measured from the movement initiation point was found to be reasonable. With respect to children's processing rate, surprisingly low rates were recorded.
OPTIMIZATION IN MULTI-RELAY WIRELESS NETWORKS

The concept of cooperation in communications has drawn a lot of research attention in recent years due to its potential to improve the efficiency of wireless networks. This new form of communications allows some users to act as relays and assist the transmission of other users’ information signals. The aim of this thesis is to apply optimization techniques in the design of multi-relay wireless networks employing cooperative communications. In general, the thesis is organized into two parts: “Distributed space-time coding” (DSTC) and “Distributed beamforming”, which cover two main approaches in cooperative communications over multi-relay networks. In Part I of the thesis, various aspects of distributed implementation of spacetime coding in a wireless relay network are treated. First, the thesis proposes a new fully-diverse distributed code which allows noncoherent reception at the destination. Second, the problem of coordinating the power allocation (PA) between source and relays to achieve the optimal performance of DSTC is studied and a novel PA scheme is developed. It is shown that the proposed PA scheme can obtain the maximum diversity order of DSTC and significantly outperform other suboptimal PA schemes. Third, the thesis presents the optimal PA scheme to minimize the mean-square error (MSE) in channel estimation during training phase of DSTC. The effect of imperfect channel estimation to the performance of DSTC is also thoroughly studied. In Part II of the thesis, optimal distributed beamforming designs are developed for a wireless multiuser multi-relay network. Two design criteria for the optimal distributed beamforming at the relays are considered: (i) minimizing the total relay power subject to a guaranteed Quality of Service (QoS) measured in terms of signalto-noise-ratio (SNR) at the destinations, and (ii) jointly maximizing the SNR margin at the destinations subject to power constraints at the relays. Based on convex optimization techniques, it is shown that these problems can be formulated and solved via second-order conic programming (SOCP). In addition, this part also proposes simple and fast iterative algorithms to directly solve these optimization problems.
Rank-Based Routing Strategy for Named Data Network

NDN (Named Data Networking) is clean-slate architecture for future networking, in which packets carry data names rather than source or destination addresses, being a sharp contrast to today IP architecture. The default routing strategy for NDN is flooding the interest packets to all the possible interfaces which could reach for the data provider or data cache container. Obviously, the default routing strategy is not best way in the actual networking for the heavy load of routing items. This article proposes an interface rank-based routing strategy (RBRS), in which the PIT and FIB structures are detailed and expanded to satisfy the Interest and Data packets transmission, and the interfaces are ranked through a cumulative algorithm for route selection. Through the simulation, RBRS has been proved an adaptive routing mechanism with better performance of network load balance, while reducing the average routing hops and the centric nodes load.
Feature extraction and analysis of handwritten words in grey-scale images using Gabor filters

We present a new off-line word recognition system that is able to recognise unconstrained handwritten words from their grey-scale images, and is based on structural and relational information in the handwritten word. We use Gabor filters to extract features from the words, and then use an evidence-based approach for word classification. A solution to the Gabor filter parameter estimation problem is given, enabling the Gabor filter to be automatically tuned to the word image properties. Our experiments show that the proposed method achieves reasonably high recognition rates compared to standard classification methods. <<ETX>>
Library Use and Undergraduate Student Outcomes: New Evidence for Students’ Retention and Academic Success

Academic libraries, like other university departments, are being asked to demonstrate their value to the institution. This study discusses the impact library usage has on the retention and academic success of first-time, first-year undergraduate students at a large, public research university. Usage statistics were gathered at the University of Minnesota during the Fall 2011 semester for thirteen library access points. Analysis of the data suggests first-time, first-year undergraduate students who use the library have a higher GPA for their first semester and higher retention from fall to spring than non-library users.
Design-for-debug to address next-generation soc debug concerns

In summary, DfD has helped to reduce time-to-market in many use cases across the industry. However in general, the need to actual add dedicated debug features to an SoC design is only slowly being realized and accepted. The complexity of next-generation SoCs requires both a holistic approach to system debug, integrating hardware and software debug infrastructures, and extensions beyond current debug capabilities. Semiconductor manufacturers, tool vendors, and academia will have to co-operate to find solutions to the debug challenges of these SoCs.
The algorithm of noise subtraction for cochlear implant based on improved auditory perception wavelet packet

Under the noisy background environment, the performance of cochlear implant (CI) will decrease rapidly. Wavelet transform is the effective analyzing tool for the complicated speech signal. But the traditional wavelet transform has the disadvantage of "over threshold" that leads some effective speech parts lost in the enhanced speech. In order to raise the anti-noise ability of CI and retain richer and clearer speech signal, an improved speech enhancement algorithm is presented and applied into CI. In this method, by using the perceptual wavelet packet transform, the noisy speech signal was decomposed into wavelet packet node coefficients and the time adaptive threshold (TAT) was introduced in the process of noise subtraction. For each frame signal, based on the estimated speech-presence probability, the TAT of subtracting noise was adjusted along with time so that the noise signal can be effectively suppressed while much more useful speech component was retained in the recovered signal, especially for the endpoint parts of speech signal. Based on the ACE processing strategy, the enhanced speech signal was analyzed and synthesized in the simulation system of CI. The simulation experiment results show that the proposed algorithm can produce clearer and better synthesized speech in CI than that of the traditional wavelet transform algorithm. Index Terms - Noise subtraction; Cochlear implant; Auditory perception; Wavelet packet transform.
Análisis comparativo de algunas teorías en el dominio de la frecuencia para la detección de distorsiones en sistemas eléctricos de potencia

In this paper appear some methods in the frequency domain for distortions detection in power electric systems, from then on simulations made in PSCAD 4.1. 0, where some of the most common events that affect the energy quality are presented. Algorithms were implemented in Matlab 7.0 for the frequencial analysis of the most important harmonics generators.
Can Visualizations Complement Quantitative Process Analysis Measures? A Case Study of Nurses Identifying Patients Before Administering Medications

The objective of this study is to demonstrate the effectiveness of visualizations for exploring one error-prone health care process: nurses verifying patients’ identities during the medication administration process. We employed three types of process visualizations (i.e., Markov chains, sparklines, and timeline belt visualizations) to explore process execution data from an experiment wherein nurse participants (N = 20) administered medications to three patients in a simulated clinical setting. One patient had an embedded error, with the medication being incorrect for the patient. The visualizations allowed us to view aggregate and individual-level process execution data, providing insights into the orders in which participants completed process steps. Although we used eye tracking videos, the system developed in this study can automatically generate visualizations using large process execution data sets produced from an array of sources, including observations, sensors, and health IT audit trails. In this article, we demonstrate that the visualizations provide insights complementary to quantitative measures regarding what process steps participants likely used to identify errors, with the visualizations requiring less work to produce. Therefore, the visualizations may be an effective means for efficiently comparing sets of process execution data (e.g., different individuals completing a process, pre– and post–technology implementation, pre– and post–quality improvement intervention).
LifeLogging: Personal Big Data

We have recently observed a convergence of technologies to foster the emergence of lifelogging as a mainstream activity. Computer storage has become significantly cheaper, and advancements in sensing technology allows for the efficient sensing of personal activities, locations and the environment. This is best seen in the growing popularity of the quantified self movement, in which life activities are tracked using wearable sensors in the hope of better understanding human performance in a variety of tasks. This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of lifelogging, to cover its research history, current technologies, and applications. Thus far, most of the lifelogging research has focused predominantly on visual lifelogging, hence we maintain this focus in this review. However, we also reflect on the challenges lifelogging poses for information access and retrieval in general. This review is a suitable reference for those seeking an information retrieval scientist's perspective on lifelogging and the quantified self.
Automatic image registration and color merging for SPOT5 imagery

An automatic process for registering the panchromatic and multispectral SPOT5 imagery is presented. The registration process make used of edges and corner information to select informative image patches in the PAN image. A hierarchical local matching method is then used to find the best matched image patches in the XS image. The coordinates of the matched image patches are fitted to an affine transformation model. The merged high resolution color imagery is obtained by multiplying each spectral bands with a sharpening factor computed from the intensity values of the panchromatic image and the corresponding pixel values of the multispectral images.
Line segment linking algorithm based on gradient orientation

Considering that existing line segment detection algorithms may detect a long line segment as several short fragmented segments, a novel line segment linking algorithm is proposed in this paper to improve the performance of line segment detection. Since the gradient orientations of points on the Right Linking Segments (RLSs) have better consistency than those on Wrong Linking Segments (WLSs), a feature descriptor is designed for each candidate linking segment based on the gradient orientation information that can effectively distinguish RLSs from WLSs. Experiment results of the testing images show that the proposed method can greatly improve the original line segment detection results by connecting most fragmented line segments more accurately.
Towards robust self-managed systems

Software is pervasive. It plays a part in every aspect of our lives, forming a significant part of every automated system or tool that we use, from washing machines to healthcare systems. Like the washing machine, some of these applications are simple, selfcontained devices; however the majority are far more complex. They are generally distributed systems which rely on interacting, distributed subsystems of software components to perform their function. They are expected to interact with users with changing needs and with other systems with unreliable service provision. The challenge is to provide these software systems in such a way that they are robust in the presence of major issues such as change and complexity. Change is inherent, both in the changing needs of users and in the changes which take place in the operational environment of the system. Hence it is essential that our systems can adapt as necessary to continue to achieve their goals. Change is also induced by failures or the unavailability of parts of the system. It is therefore necessary to envisage dynamically changing configurations of software components so as to adapt to the current situation. Dynamic change, which occurs while the system is operational, requires that the system evolves dynamically, and that the adaptation occurs at run-time. Complexity requires that we use rigorous techniques to design, build and analyse our software and thereby avoid unnecessary design flaws. This implies the need for analytical techniques which cope with changing goals and the changing compositions of adaptive software. Since the complexity and response times required by the changes may not permit human intervention, we must plan for automated management of change. The systems themselves must be capable of determining
E-Book Usage of Graduate Students Studying Educational Sciences in Turkiye

Today, we can say that almost everything is having “electronic” prefix and the way to access to information has changed substantially because of the many factors like fast advancements in computer technology and internet which is getting more and more widespread everyday. Although some people stick to printed resources, the fact that electronic resources offer innovation and irresistible options in terms of cost and time is obvious. The aim of this survey study is to detect some data that can be generalized about the graduate students’ state of using printed and electronic resources. A questionnaire, developed by Ebrary, one of the largest e-book suppliers of the world, was used as the data gathering tool. After the studies for improving the reliability and validity of the questionnaire, a questionnaire form with 16 items was obtained. 634 questionnaires were sent to graduate students via e-mail, 130 of them were sent back and 125 questionnaires were evaluated for the study. Concerning all the data, it was concluded that majority of the graduate students are aware of the comfort of the e-resources and prefer to use these resources academically.
Process scheduling with fuzzy inference models

This paper presents a model to treat the problem of process scheduling within a computer network using a fuzzy inference system. The scheduling system implemented, simulated in the Network Simulator, acts in two particularly points: first defining the discard priority for the applications according to its characteristics; and further, to redefine their transfer rate, also considering its particularities; thus providing fitting transfer rates for the applications and, with it, means for Quality of Service.
The problem point and improvement program of the scene search and seizure of digital evidence at practical affairs

Currently, under being related with confiscation method of digital store medium from the court of justice, "the sorting confiscation method of principle, the exceptional medium confiscation method" from in section3 no.106 of the criminal procedure code disregard the actual fields of investigation. What is more, there are many difficulties to execute cases by observing this for the achievement of confiscation purpose. At this point, I present the problems of the present confiscation search method and the desirable scene confiscation search method and the improvement program under the new technology circumstance.
Low sidelobes for radial line slot antennas

A radial line slot antenna (RLSA) is a slotted waveguide planar array proposed for DBS subscriber antennas. Its predicted conductor loss is almost negligible. The RLSA has extremely simple structure. It utilizes nonuniform slots which cancel the tapered aperture illumination associated with radial outward traveling wave excitation. An efficiency of more than 80% has been realized in RLSAs released for commercial use in Japan. The high potential of RLSAs in term of electrical and cost performance has stimulated advanced design for various applications, such as linearly polarized RLSAs and dual polarized RLSAs. One challenging topic is the design of low sidelobes for RLSA. This paper presents the basic design and measured performance of low-sidelobe RLSAs. A first sidelobe level of less than −25 dB and an antenna efficiency of 65% are realized. © 1997 Scripta Technica, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 1, 80(7): 70–76, 1997