Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Citation: Al-Ani, Mustafa and Khelifi, Fouad (2016) On the Sensor Pattern Noise Estimation in Image Forensics: A Systematic Empirical Evaluation. IEEE Transactions on Information

Extracting a fingerprint of a digital camera has fertile applications in image forensics, such as source camera identification and image authentication. In the last decade, Photo Response Non_Uniformity (PRNU) has been well established as a reliable unique fingerprint of digital imaging devices. The PRNU noise appears in every image as a very weak signal, and its reliable estimation is crucial for the success rate of the forensic application. In this paper, we present a novel methodical evaluation of 18 state-of-the-art PRNU estimation/enhancement techniques that have been proposed in the literature in various frameworks. The techniques are classified and systematically compared based on their role/stage in the PRNU estimation procedure, manifesting their intrinsic impacts. The performance of each technique is extensively demonstrated with over 2. 2 million test images to conclude this case-sensitive study. The experiments have been conducted on our created database and a public image database, the 'Dresden image database'.
University of Southern Denmark Creating a Disability Variable for Children with Disability Using the WHO ICF-CY Classification System Illum,

Aims: To create a single disability variable in 332 children with different disability severities, ICD-10 diagnoses, and ages by employing the WHO ICF-CY body functions coding system. Study Design: Open field pilot research study. Place and Duration of Study: H. C. Andersen Children’s Hospital and Centre for Clinical Epidemiology, Odense University Hospital, Odense Denmark, between October 2010 and November 2011. Methodology: We included 332 children (144 boys and 188 girls; age range 1.0–15.9 years) with spina bifida, spinal muscular atrophy, muscular disorders, cerebral palsy, visual impairment, hearing impairment, mental disability, and disabilities following treatment for a brain tumour. A set of 47 body function codes (b codes) representing a broad spectrum of functions in daily living and with five qualifiers each was scored during interviews with parents. Psychometric and Rasch data analyses were performed. Original Research Article Illum and Gradel; BJAST, 11(1): 1-19, 2015; Article no.BJAST. 19635 2 Results: Mean code score for each child was 32.17 (range 0–159). The corrected code-total correlation was high (0.70). Inter-code correlation was mean 0.50 (range 0.01–0.97), and Cronbach ́s alpha 0.98. Following Rasch analysis and due to disordering of Andrich thresholds (τs) and infit and outfit mean square values >1.5, the number of codes was reduced from 47 to 33. Retained codes all had ordered τs and mean square and corresponding Z-standardised values within the recommended range of 0.5–1.5. The t-statistic for differential item functioning across codes and diagnosis group, age, and gender was between 2.0 and 3.0. Graphical data for disability variable, the child-code map, paralleled clinical expectations across the total population of children. Conclusion: WHO ICF-CY b codes can provide a coherent measure of the severity of disability in children across various diagnoses, age, and gender and add important information to WHO ICD-10 diagnosis codes when employed in daily clinical practice.
The impact of the 2008 crisis on top labor incomes in Turkey: A nonparametric analysis

This paper presents a nonparametric analysis of the impact of the 2008 crisis on earnings distribution in Turkey. Using micro-level data from the Household Labor Force Survey (2004-2011), I show that the crisis has operated most visibly above the upper quartile of the earnings distribution. I present three main findings: (1) the share of the top decile -- especially the top percentile -- has increased significantly right after the crisis, (2) the top quartile (i.e., the right tail) of labor incomes in Turkey resembles, on average, a Pareto distribution with a corresponding Gini coefficient of around 0.23, and (3) following the crisis, the earnings differentials have widened above the top quartile and wildly deviated from the Pareto form. I document that the changes observed right after the crisis have mostly been temporary; that is, a normalization process has operated in the aftermath of the crisis. I argue that the health of the domestic banking system might be an important determinant of the effect of large scale financial crises on top labor incomes. A sound banking system can generate income polarization in a country, when global crises lead to asymmetric income reallocations across sectors.
Sensitivity of Antarctic freshwater algae to salt stress assessed by fast chlorophyll fluorescence transient

In this study, we investigated the effects of salt stress (2 mM NaCl) on excitation energy transfer from light harvesting complexes to photosystem II (PS II) in two Antarctic algal species: Klebsormidium sp. and Zygnema sp. Short-term salt stress led to a significant changes in the shape of chlorophyll fluorescence transient (OJIP). Analyses of the polyphasic fluorescence transients (OJIP) showed that the fluorescence yield at the phases J, I and P declined considerably with the time of exposition to salt stress. In both experimental species, OJIP transients reached lowest values of chlorophyll fluorescence signal after 30/60 min. of NaCl exposition. Then, OJIP shape and chlorophyll fluo- rescence showed species-specific recovery and rised towards original values (about 2/3 of untreated control). Analyses of chlorophyll fluorescence parameters derived from OJIPs showed that salt stress led to a decrease in the maximal efficiency of PS II photo- chemistry (FV/FM) in Zygnema sp. but not Klebsormidium sp. The results indicated that the probability of excitation energy transfer before and beyond QA, and the yield of electron transport beyond QA is limited by salt-induced stress in Zygnema sp. In addition, salt stress resulted in a decrease in the photosynthetic electron transport per PS II reaction center, but both increase and decrease in the trapping per PS II reaction center was found. Performace index (PIabs) was affected negatively in Zygnema sp. but possitively Klebsormidium sp. indicating that the latter species was more resistant to salt stress than Zygnema sp.
Strengths and Weaknesses in the of Strengths and Weaknesses in the Intellectual Profile of Different Subtypes of Specific Learning Disorder: A Study on 1049 Diagnosed Children

The present study analyzes whether and how the most common diagnoses within the Specific Learning Disorder (SLD) category are characterized by different intellectual profiles. The issue is relevant to the current debate on the unitary vs. decomposable nature of the SLD category and may help define specific interventions. Intellectual profiles were obtained using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children -IV (WISC-IV) on 1049 children diagnosed with SLD using the ICD-10 codes. Four major subsamples were compared: reading disorder, spelling disorder, disorder of arithmetical skills, and mixed disorder of scholastic skills. The four main WISC-IV indexes (verbal comprehension, perceptual reasoning, working memory, and processing speed) were considered. Results showed that all SLD subgroups share similar weaknesses in working memory and processing speed, but also showed that they are characterized by partly different intellectual profiles. These specificities should be considered in the definition of SLD.
Control Charts for Zero-Inflated Generalized Poisson Process with Over-dispersion

This paper aims to study charts for detecting the mean of nonconformities () shifts based on the zero-inflated generalize poisson ( ZIGP ) process with over-dispersion. The first chart is the same as a CUSUM-chart where CUSUM statistics constructed base on log-likelihood ratio called, - CUSUM chart , the second chart is the same as a EWMA-chart based on ZIGP process called, EWMA Z -chart , the third chart is the same as a c-chart based on ZIGP process called, c Z -chart . The performance of control the charts was considered from the average run length. The research result shows that for the shifts process, the EWMA Z -chart is the best for all level of , proportion zero, mean shiftand over-dispersion. Keywords : over-dispersion, zero-inflated generalized poisson distribution, The exponentially weighted moving average control chart
Human recognition using wireless router signal

Human identification technology can revolutionize numerous sectors in human life and a large number of methods already exist to identify humans such as voice recognition, fingerprint identification, face recognition and so on. As WiFi devices have become an inseparable commodity in our daily life, we are presenting a system which can identify human uniquely using WiFi signals and Channel State Information(CSI). Every person has some unique moving features and gestures which can be predicted by WiFi spectrum sensing. When a person walks through a region that is emitting WiFi transmission he or she can be easily identified by our model. Every person moves in a unique manner and therefore causes unique disturbances in the WiFi signals. Using Channel State Information (CSI)of the Wi-Fi signal, we have extracted 10 uncommon characteristics that separate one human being from another. We have analyzed channel state properties of a communication link from the transmitter to receiver and their combined effects. In our database, we stored the trajectory of different people and matched them against measured trace. Our system has showcased 93% to 83% accuracy for K-NN, 94.09% to 88.15% for SVM and 96.05% to 89.84% for MLP for a group of 10 to 50 people. Our system has also shown an accuracy of 96% for K-NN, 97% for MLP in detecting gender for males from the 50 people and an accuracy of 86% for K-NN, 92% for MLP in detecting gender for female from 50 people consisting of 39 male and 11 female. However, the gender identification accuracy for both male and female were an equal 94% for KNN and 97% for MLP when the dataset consisted of 11 male and 11 female. Our proposition is that we can implement our system in residential homes and medium size offices as smart security system for identifying humans.
Effects of downscaling channel dimensions on electrical characteristics of InAs-FinFET transistor

In this paper, we present the impact of downscaling of nano-channel dimensions of Indium Arsenide Fin Feld Effect Transistor (InAs- FinFET) on electrical characteristics of the transistor, in particular; (i) ION/IOFF ratio, (ii) Subthreshold Swing (SS), Threshold voltage (VT), and Drain-induced barrier lowering (DIBL). MuGFET simulation tool was utilized to simulate and compare the considered characteristics based on variable channel dimensions: length, width and oxide thickness. The results demonstrate that the best performance of InAs- FinFET was achieved with channel length = 25 nm, width= 5 nm, and oxide thickness between 1.5 to 2.5 nm according to the selected scaling factor (K = 0.125).
Testing The Order of Markov Dependence in Error Data of IEEE802.11a Standard

The Markov order is a crucial measure of the memory of a process and its information is essential for appropriate simulation of aspects of the process. In this paper we suggest a robust and straightforward exact significance test based on generating surrogate data to assess the Markov order of a time series. This method is valid for any sample size and certifies a uniform sampling from the set of sequences that definitely have the nth order characteristics of the observed data. The Markov property and order of IEEE802.11a errors are investigated using this test.
Multi-Band and Multi-Parameter Reconfigurable Slotted Patch Antenna with Embedded Biasing Network

RF PIN diodes are used to achieve reconfigurability in frequency, polarization, and radiation pattern. The antenna can be used in different bands by controlling ON and OFF states of two PIN diodes using the embedded biasing network (EBN). The antenna can be used for ultra-wideband (UWB) applications (1.0 GHz to 15.2 GHz) with a resonant frequency of 9.2 GHz. Besides ultra-wideband, it can also be switched to other bands (C, X, and Ku) with different operating frequencies (5.75 GHz, 12.3 GHz, and 15.5 GHz) at other biasing combinations. With this type of antenna, Linear and Circular polarization are achievable. The radiation pattern reconfigurable behavior in the vertical plane has also been achieved. Single Design of the proposed antenna is optimized for the multi-band and multi-parameter reconfigurability applications.
From Listening to Reading: Phonological Processes in Comprehension.

Two studies investigated the role of phonological activation in children's silent reading and listening comprehension. The first study addressed the interaction of reading skill level and phonological sensitivity. Subjects, 32 second-grade students, read eight short passages (four rhymed and four not rhymed) and chose one picture (out of three alternatives) to represent the meaning of the passage. The second study addressed the interaction of grade level and reading skill level with phonological sensitivity. Subjects, 34 kindergarten students and 26 second-grade students, listened to eight short passages (four rhymed and four not rhymed) and chose a picture (from three alternatives) to represent the meaning of the passage. Results of both studies indicated that phonological effects were evidenced in children's reading slowdowns and recall accuracy but not in situational comprehension accuracy as measured by the picture selection task. Children were less able to recall the exact sentences or even the gist of phonologically confusing texts that matched control texts. When recalling phonologically confusing texts, children were prone to make errors in which proper names and pronouns were misrecalled or forgotten, but all other semantic information was recalled correctly. The group of kindergarten less-skilled readers was the only group not to show phonological confusion in verbatim recall but showed phonological confusion in both gist recall and error patterns. Kindergarten children's reading scores and their performance on a standardized test of verbal shortterm memory were correlated, suggesting that when memory is overloaded, phonological effects are not apparent in children's verbatim recall, but they are reflected in ability to recall gist. (Five figures of data are included.) (RS) *********************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. ***********************************************************************
A Market Model of Interest Rates with Dynamic Basis Spreads in the Presence of Collateral and Multiple Currencies

The recent financial crisis caused dramatic widening and elevated volatilities among basis spreads in cross currency as well as domestic interest rate markets. Furthermore, the wide spread use of cash collateral, especially in fixed income contracts, has made the effective funding cost of financial institutions for the trades significantly different from the Libor of the corresponding payment currency. Because of these market developments, the text-book style application of a market model of interest rates has now become inappropriate for financial firms; It cannot even reflect the exposures to these basis spreads in pricing, to say nothing of proper delta and vega (or kappa) hedges against their movements. This paper presents a new framework of the market model to address all these issues.
Comparative study of cord blood lipid profile in preterm and post term neonates

Background: The fetal-origin hypothesis and fetal programming emphasize the profound and sustained impact of factors related to fetal health on the development of chronic disease in adulthood. Several studies suggested that low birth weight and preterm birth linked to abnormalities in cord lipid profile and higher prevalence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Authors objectives was to estimate and compare cord lipid profile in term, pre-term, and post-term neonates.Methods: In the study group, there were 200 healthy Polish newborns. Newborn characteristics included sex, gestational age at birth, Apgar score, and anthropometric data (weight and length at birth, neonatal ponderal index, head, chest and abdominal circumferences, placental weight, and placental-fetal weight ratio). Cord blood samples were collected for total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglycerides (TG). Information regarding selected maternal factors was collected. Neonates were classified into preterm (<37 weeks) and term (≥37 weeks) based on new Ballard scoring.Results: The preterm had higher Total cholesterol compared to Term and post term and it was Statistically Significant with a p value of < 0.001. The preterm had higher Triglycerides compared to term and post term and it was statistically significant with a p value of <0.01. The preterm had higher HDL compared to Term and post term and it was statistically significant with a p value of <0.001. The preterm had higher LDL compared to Term and post term it was statistically significant with a p value of <0.001. The preterm had higher VLDL compared to Term and post term and it was statistically significant with a p value of <0.01. Conclusions: Abnormal intrauterine milieu created by maternal changes during gestation may bear a profound impact on lipid metabolism in neonates, which may account for their differences in lipid profile and anthropometry at birth.
The Interaction of Embedded Actors and Exogenous Events: The Emergence of Proteomics

This paper examines the influence of exogenous events within the emergence of an organizational field focusing on which actors becomes institutional entrepreneurs and how these institutional entrepreneurs enable exogenous events to influence an endogenous institutional change process. Focusing on the emergence of proteomics as an institutional change process, it is the success and legitimacy of embedded actors that enables and encourages these actors to take action. The confluence of successful embedded actors who agree with a new logic and an exogenous event transforms embedded actors into institutional entrepreneurs. These institutional entrepreneurs then function as a conduit that translates the influence of exogenous events to the emergence process through their actions and reactions.
Chemical Stability of Zirconolite for Proliferation Resistance under Conditions Typically Required for the Leaching of Highly Refractory Uranium Minerals

In this study, synthetic zirconolite samples with a target composition Ca0.75Ce0. 25ZrTi2O7, prepared using two different methods, were used to study the stability of zirconolite for nuclear waste immobilisation. Particular focus was on plutonium, with cerium used as a substitute. The testing of destabilisation was conducted under conditions previously applied to other highly refractory uranium minerals that have been considered for safe storage of nuclear waste, brannerite and betafite. Acid (HCl, H2SO4) leaching for up to 5 h and alkaline (NaHCO₃, Na2CO3) leaching for up to 24 h was done to enable comparison with brannerite leached under the same conditions. Ferric ion was added as an oxidant. Under these conditions, the synthetic zirconolite dissolved much slower than brannerite and betafite. While the most intense conditions were observed previously to result in near complete dissolution of brannerite in under 5 h, zirconolite was not observed to undergo significant attack over this timescale. Fine zirconolite dissolved faster than the coarse material, indicating that dissolution rate is related to surface area. This data and the long term stability of zirconolite indicate that it is a good material for long-term sequestration of radioisotopes. Besides its long term durability in the disposal environment, a wasteform for fissile material immobilisation must demonstrate proliferation resistance such that the fissile elements cannot be retrieved by leaching of the wasteform. This study, in conjunction with the previous studies on brannerite and betafite leaching, strongly indicates that the addition of depleted uranium to the wasteform, to avert long term criticality events, is detrimental to proliferation resistance. Given the demonstrated durability of zirconolite, long term criticality risks in the disposal environment seem a remote possibility, which supports its selection, above brannerite or betafite, as the optimal wasteform for the disposition of nuclear waste, including of surplus plutonium.
Birds movement impact on the transmission ofWest Nile virus between patches

Spatial heterogeneity plays an important role in the distribution and persistence of many infectious disease. In the paper, a multi-patch model for the spread of West Nile virus among n discrete geographic regions is presented that incorporates a mobility process. In the mobility process, we assume that the birds can move among regions, but not the mosquitoes based on scalespace. We show that the movement of birds between patches is sufficient to maintain disease persistence in patches. We compute the basic reproduction number R0. We prove that if R0 < 1, then the disease-free equilibrium of the model is globally asymptotically stable. When R0 > 1, we prove that there exists a unique endemic equilibrium, which is globally asymptotically stable on the biological domain. Finally, numerical simulations demonstrate that the disease becomes endemic in both patches when birds move back and forth between two regions.
Prediction and Diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus Using a Water Wave Optimization Algorithm

Data mining is an appropriate way to discover information and hidden patterns in large amounts of data, where the hidden patterns cannot be easily discovered in normal ways. One of the most interesting applications of data mining is the discovery of diseases and disease patterns through investigating patients' records. Early diagnosis of diabetes can reduce the effects of this devastating disease. A common way to diagnose this disease is performing a blood test, which, despite its high precision, has some disadvantages such as: pain, cost, patient stress, lack of access to a laboratory, and so on. Diabetic patients’ information has hidden patterns, which can help you investigate the risk of diabetes in individuals, without performing any blood tests. Use of neural networks, as powerful data mining tools, is an appropriate method to discover hidden patterns in diabetic patients’ information. In this paper, in order to discover the hidden patterns and diagnose diabetes, a water wave optimization(WWO) algorithm; as a precise metaheuristic algorithm, was used along with a neural network to increase the precision of diabetes prediction. The results of our implementation in the MATLAB programming environment, using the dataset related to diabetes, indicated that the proposed method diagnosed diabetes at a precision of 94.73%,sensitivity of 94.20%, specificity of 93.34%, and accuracy of 95.46%, and was more sensitive than methods such as: support vector machines, artificial neural networks, and decision trees.