Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exploratory vs.Model-Based Mobility Analysis

In this paper we describe and analyze a visual analytic process based on interactive visualization methods, clustering, and various forms of user knowledge. We compare this analysis approach to an existing map overlay type model, which has been developed through a traditional modeling approach. In the traditional model the layers represent input data sets and each layer is weighted according to their importance for the result. The aim in map overlay is to identify the best fit areas for the purpose in question. The more generic view is that map overlay reveals the similarity of the areas. Thus an interactive process, which uses clustering, seems to be an alternative method that could be used when the analysis needs to be made rapidly and utilizing whatever data is available. Our method uses visual analytic approach and data mining, and utilizes the user knowledge whenever a decision must be made. The tests carried out show that our method gives acceptable results for the cross-country mobility problem, and fulfills the given requirements about the computational efficiency. The method fits especially to the situations in which available data is incomplete and of low quality and must be completed by the user knowledge. The transparency of the process makes the method suitable also in situations when results based on various user opinions and values must be made. The case in our research is from the crisis management application area in which the above mentioned conditions often take place.
Coarse frame synchronisation for OFDM based wireless communication systems

This paper presents a method to fast and easily detect the beginning of a frame which is based on a special frame synchronisation symbol. The method is primarily useful for OFDM systems but can be applied for other systems as well. The implementation can be done with a low power analogue circuit which generates an event that is independent from the remaining signal processing, thus allowing one to switch of the unused circuitry. A digital solution is also given. It is shown that the method is sufficiently reliable for most wireless communication systems under consideration.
Robust fault diagnosis for a class of linear systems with uncertainty

The fault diagnosis problem for a class of uncertain systems is discussed. The systems are transformed into two different subsystems. One is not affected by actuator faults, so the robust observer can be designed under certain conditions. The other whose states can be measured is affected by the faults. The observation scheme is then used for model-based monitoring and failure diagnosis. More specifically, a simple approach for fault detection and isolation (FDI) of actuator faults is presented. Finally, an example of an F16XL aircraft, is used to illustrate the applicability of proposed method.
Choosing Between Print and Electronic Resources

Summary The availability of resources in both print and electronic formats poses a selection dilemma for librarians dealing with rising costs of materials and stagnating or declining budgets. Should a choice between formats be made? There are readily identifiable differences between print and electronic resources and each has strengths and weaknesses. Traditional selection criteria are still valid for evaluating electronic resources but additional issues such as technology, access method, overlap between indexed publications and the library's collection, service implications, archival concerns and availability of new product information must be considered. Decision models can allow for easier comparison of information formats. A collection development policy that incorporates electronic resources is a necessity that both justifies decisions made and ensures that resource collection supports the library's goals. Experiences shared by today's librarians illustrate the complexity of this selection dilemma and highlight the fact that there is no simple answer.
Exploiting the memory hierarchy in sequential and parallel sparse Cholesky factorization

Cholesky factorization of large sparse matrices is an extremely important computation, arising in a wide range of domains including linear programming, finite element analysis, and circuit simulation. This thesis investigates crucial issues for obtaining high performance for this computation on sequential and parallel machines with hierarchical memory systems. The thesis begins by providing the first thorough analysis of the interaction between sequential sparse Cholesky factorization methods and memory hierarchies. We look at popular existing methods and find that they produce relatively poor memory hierarchy performance. The methods are extended, using blocking techniques, to reuse data in the fast levels of the memory hierarchy. This increased reuse is shown to provide a three-fold speedup over popular existing approaches (e.g., SPARSPAK) on modern workstations. The thesis then considers the use of blocking techniques in parallel sparse factorization. We first describe parallel methods we have developed that are natural extensions of the sequential approach described above. These methods distribute panels (sets of contiguous columns with nearly identical non-zero structures) among the processors. The thesis shows that for small parallel machines, the resulting methods again produce substantial performance improvements over existing methods. A framework is provided for understanding the performance of these methods, and also for understanding the limitations inherent in them. Using this framework, the thesis shows that panel methods are inappropriate for large-scale parallel machines because they do not expose enough concurrency. The thesis then considers rectangular block methods, where the sparse matrix is split both vertically and horizontally. These methods address the concurrency problems of panel methods, but they also introduce a number of complications. Primary among these are issues of choosing blocks that can be manipulated efficiently and structuring a parallel computation in terms of these blocks. The thesis describes solutions to these problems and presents performance results from an efficient block method implementation. The contributions of this work come both from its theoretical foundation for understanding the factors that limit the scalability of panel- and block-oriented methods on hierarchical memory multiprocessors, and from its investigation of practical issues related to the implementation of efficient parallel factorization methods.
An Investigation into the Use of an Orientation Course to Address Academic and Social Integration Issues

Distance education programmes warrant the use of innovative intervention practices to enhance student learning experiences. Academic and social empathy by faculty has been shown to enhance student retention in programmes along with their critical thinking abilities. Using Holmberg’s theory of teaching–learning conversations as the guiding theoretical framework, the purpose of this study was to assess whether an intervention activity (a one-week orientation course) increases academic and social empathy for students entering a distance-delivered MBA programme. Empathy was measured through seven academic and social integration indicators. Using pre-surveys and post-surveys (n = 102), the results reveal that an orientation intervention can be effective for facilitating social and academic empathy.
Compiling for Heterogeneous System: A Survey and an Approach

Large applications tend to contain several models of parallelism, but only a few of these map efficiently to the single model of parallelism embodied in a homogeneous parallel system. Heterogeneous parallel systems incorporate diverse models of parallelism within a single machine or across machines. These systems are already pervasive in industrial and academic settings and offer a wealth of underutilized resources for achieving high performance. Unfortunately, heterogeneity complicates software development. We believe that compilers can and should assist in managing this complexity. We identify four goals for extending compilers to assist with managing heterogeneity: exploiting available resources, targeting changing resources, adjusting optimization to suit a target, and allowing programming models and languages to evolve. These goals do not require changes to the individual pieces of a compiler so much as a restructuring of a compiler''s software architecture to increase its flexibility. We examine the features and flexibility of six important parallelizing compilers to find existing solutions for flexibility. Where no solutions exist, we propose architectural changes to compilers.
Loss of differential muscle control leads to weakness and discoordination in individuals with acute hemiparetic stroke

Motor impairment in the affected lower extremity of acute hemiparetic stroke patients was evaluated by quantifying the control strategies these patients utilize to generate maximum isometric torques at the hip and knee joints. For each direction tested, which included hip flexion-extension, abduction-adduction, internal-external rotation, and knee flexion-extension, torques generated simultaneously at the knee and hip were quantified, along with associated muscle activation patterns in eight lower limb muscles. In each direction tested, stroke subjects generated significantly less torque than age-matched control subjects. Furthermore, the control strategies stroke subjects utilized during these maximum exertions, in terms of muscles activation patterns and synergistic torque coupling, were commonly different than the control subjects. Interestingly, some stroke subjects were able to generate torques in the range of the control group along certain directions while attempting to exert maximum torques along a different, non-preferred direction. Our findings suggest that the inability to differentially control muscle groups appropriate for specific tasks leads to weakness and the loss of coordination in the lower extremity of hemiparetic stroke subjects. We propose that goal-directed neurorehabilitation forcing selective muscle control may re-establish descending control over lower limb muscles.
Web services for human interaction

In recent years, with the continuous development of the network, the network society has been built up. To develop a more perfect and more powerful network society, a communication between members of this society is indispensable. The communication between human users is very common. There are already many means of communication between human users, for example, MSN, Mail, Skype, Twitter, etc. Business processes can also communicate with external services. Since the advent of Web Services, this kind of communication becomes platform-independent and flexible. However, how to integrate an automating business process with human users remains to be studied. There are multiple ways how human users communicate electronically, for example via Mail, Skype, ICQ message, and SMS. The main task of this work is to implement such communication channels. To provide a flexible integration between human users and business processes these communication channels will be implemented via Web Services. This work proposes concepts of two communication channels: Mail and Skype. Getting a request, processing a request, sending a message, and receiving a message are basic functions. As a very important component a database has been added to store all information. To prove these concepts, they have been put in practice as part of this work. Two Web Services have been developed in this work: Mail Service and Skype Service. In the very end, a set of test cases illustrates the capabilities of Mail Service and Skype Service.
Full DimensionalDownlink Adaptive Beamforming using Sounding Signals Information

We propose downlink Multi-User MIMO channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) beamforming scheme,of wireless Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) system with large number of transmit antennas at base station. The developed scheme combines Uplink channel sounding information to efficiently predict the downlink channel in the CSI-RS phase. Scheme is developed to consider the practical case of different user elevations (3D coverage) for maximum received per user throughput. Results show that proposed scheme drastically reduces the user feedback overhead bits than the current LTE-A 3GPP standard dual codebook with achieving enhanced performance. It also enables the freedom of increasing BS antennas with limited DL feedback overheads. Keywords—LTE-A; Beamforming; CSI; MIMO; User Feedback overhead; SINR.
Earthquake Focal Mechanisms from Relative Amplitudes of P, pP and sP: Method and Computer Program,

Abstract : This report describes a FORTRAN computer program which determines the orientation (with confidence limits) of an assumed double couple earthquake source, given a series of teleseismically observed relative amplitudes, each of which relates the amplitudes of either P and p superscript p and sP, or p superscript P and sP on one seismogram. Appropriate upper and lower limits are assigned in arbitrary units to the observed amplitude of each phase, with or without a polarity specification, and from these limits the program computes the corresponding range(s) of relative amplitudes for each pair of phases. All source orientations which are compatible with the range(s) of relative amplitudes are then identified, and can be displayed graphically. Those orientations which are compatible with all pairs of phases at all stations constitute the focal mechanism solution, with confidence limits which correspond directly to the confidence of the initial measurements. The program can be applied to shallow or deep earthquakes beneath land or sea. (Author)
Digital Rights Management: Improving Online Digital Images Copy Rights Management through an Enhanced Least Significant Bit Steganographic Algorithm

Digital media no doubt presents numerous advantages compared to the traditional analog media. Of the most importance is the fact that digital content (images, graphics, audio and video) can be easily copied, transmitted, retrieved and distributed over private and open access networks. The global availability of the internet- certainly the most impactful information exchange tool today- plus the numerous file sharing tools freely available have made the distribution of copyrighted digital media files simple and straightforward. Duplication of exact copies of original images, for example can be easily done and circulated without authentication. As much as this is an advantage in trying to enhance sharing of information, it certainly creates problems of ownership and authenticity and digital rights protection. There already exists copyright laws that provide for protection of all online content but the task of continuously guarding the web and correctly identifying those that infringe against these laws is increasingly becoming enormous. There is therefore need to continuously invest in development of new technologies and algorithms that will make it more and more difficult to illegally copy or use someone else content. To improve security of copyrighted online digital images, this paper proposes the use of an enhanced LSB steganographic algorithm that employs a selective and randomized approach in picking specific number of target image bits to swap with the owners signature authentication bits using a pseudo random number generator (PRNG). The carefully selected password seed is used to determine the set of selected numbers used for targeting specific image bits for the signature hiding. An experimental design is setup to determine the effectiveness of the method by comparing and analyzing the stego images’ statistical characteristics and the ability of steganalysis methods to detect the hidden signature. The experimental results indicate improved levels of imperceptibility and hence improved security against illegal copying. Keywords: Digital Media, Steganography, Copyright, Steganalysis, Stego image, imperceptibility
The effect of extrinsic and intrinsic motivation on knowledge sharing intentions of civil servants in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

This study investigated the effect of attitude on employee knowledge sharing intentions and examined the effect of extrinsic and intrinsic motivation on employee attitude and intention toward knowledge sharing. To understand the motivators of employee knowledge sharing intentions, a modified Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) was adopted. Specifically, extrinsic and intrinsic motivations contexts were considered as factors that affect employee attitude and intentions toward knowledge sharing. The descriptive survey design was adopted. The population of the study comprised civil servants in Ebonyi State in Southeastern Nigeria. Random sampling technique was used to select 297 respondents across six ministries in the state’s Civil Service Commission. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analyzed using frequency and percentage distribution and correlation. Findings revealed that attitude did not significantly influence employee intentions to share knowledge. Of the four motivational factors, knowledge self-efficacy (r = 0.171, p = 0.003) and enjoyment in helping others (r = 0.002, p = 0.000) were significant and pointed towards a strong role in employee attitudes and knowledge sharing intentions. However, expected organizational rewards and reciprocal benefits were found not to significantly influence employee attitudes and knowledge sharing intentions. These were attributable to the nature of the civil service and low incentives made available for motivating knowledge sharing. The study concluded that extrinsic motivation does not have a significant effect on the knowledge sharing intentions of the employees of the Ebonyi State Civil Service Commission but enjoyment in helping others and knowledge self-efficacy are motivating factors to their knowledge sharing intentions. It was recommended that organizations emphasize on intrinsic motivation as extrinsic motivation only secures temporary compliance. There should also be an enhancement of knowledge sharing facilities and creation of a feedback system to increase the employees’ knowledge self-efficacy.
An Analysis of Overfitting in Particle Swarm Optimised Neural Networks

The phenomenon of overfitting, where a feed-forward neural network (FFNN) over trains on training data at the cost of generalisation accuracy is known to be specific to the training algorithm used. This study investigates overfitting within the context of particle swarm optimised (PSO) FFNNs. Two of the most widely used PSO algorithms are compared in terms of FFNN accuracy and a description of the overfitting behaviour is established. Each of the PSO components are in turn investigated to determine their effect on FFNN overfitting. A study of the maximum velocity (Vmax) parameter is performed and it is found that smaller Vmax values are optimal for FFNN training. The analysis is extended to the inertia and acceleration coefficient parameters, where it is shown that specific interactions among the parameters have a dominant effect on the resultant FFNN accuracy and may be used to reduce overfitting. Further, the significant effect of the swarm size on network accuracy is also shown, with a critical range being identified for the swarm size for effective training. The study is concluded with an investigation into the effect of the different activation functions. Given strong empirical evidence, an hypothesis is made that stating the gradient of the activation function significantly affects the convergence of the PSO. Lastly, the PSO is shown to be a very effective algorithm for the training of self-adaptive FFNNs, capable of learning from unscaled data.
Design and Implementation of Domain Hijacking Detection System

As the basement of Internet application, DNS plays a very critical role in the network running. On Jan. 21st, 2014, the occurrence of a serious DNS hijacking in Internet has aroused the attentions to the DNS security incident again. This paper comes up with a new method to detect DSN hijacking through the construc- tion of a high-speed cache in terms of the corresponding relation between domain name and server IP. With this method, we build a cache with the domain name and the IP. With this cache, domain name can be detected if DSN hijacking happens in DNS cache server and this system can detect domain name hijacking efficiently after it happens.
Stochastic neural adaptive control for nonlinear time varying systems based on Newton and gradient optimizations

The authors present a stochastic neural adaptive control algorithm for nonlinear time-varying systems. The implicit neural identification is derived based on the Newton optimization approach. Using the one-step-prediction quadratic performance index, the authors design a control law which in combination with the identification algorithm constitutes an effective neural adaptive control algorithm. The identification and control are robust and computationally efficient for real-time control systems design. <<ETX>>
Diagnosing and Measuring Learning Organizations.

Purpose – To explore and analyse various learning organizations and to attempt to outline the form of a holistic learning organization.Design/methodology/approach – The tool described in this article is a continuation of the work published in a Licentiate thesis in 1996 and developed further in a doctoral dissertation in 2001. The Learning Organization Diamond Tool is based on a holistic concept of a learning organization being regarded as a structure of related elements: driving forces, finding purpose, questioning, empowering and evaluation at two interconnected levels of individuals and the whole. Data from 686 respondents were gathered from 25 Finnish organizations in 1998.Findings – The outcomes of the study are mainly presented in the form of imaginary diamonds complying with the basic framework. In 24 organizations the individuals placed more trust in themselves and their own learning than in their organization as a learning environment. When comparing different business sectors the variation on th.
Interactive scenario control in virtual environments

abstract The important needs of training, exposure, and adoption of specific skills and operating procedures in a safe and cost-effective way strongly encourage the use of virtual environments. A critical component in such environments is interactive control of events and objects that are presented to a trainee. In this paper, we present a platform named the Interactive Scene Control Environment that is composed of trainee and trainer supervision parts. The trainer supervision part enables interactive control of placement and behavior of the objects inserted in the trainees’ scene. The overall system architecture for such a platform is developed and a mechanism for scenario definition is proposed.