Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multiple Transferable Recursive Feature Elimination Technique for Emotion Recognition Based on EEG Signals

Feature selection plays a crucial role in analyzing huge-volume, high-dimensional EEG signals in human-centered automation systems. However, classical feature selection methods pay little attention to transferring cross-subject information for emotions. To perform cross-subject emotion recognition, a classifier able to utilize EEG data to train a general model suitable for different subjects is needed. However, existing methods are imprecise due to the fact that the effective feelings of individuals are personalized. In this work, the cross-subject emotion recognition model on both binary and multi affective states are developed based on the newly designed multiple transferable recursive feature elimination (M-TRFE). M-TRFE manages not only a stricter feature selection of all subjects to discover the most robust features but also a unique subject selection to decide the most trusted subjects for certain emotions. Via a least square support vector machine (LSSVM), the overall multi (joy, peace, anger and depression) classification accuracy of the proposed M-TRFE reaches 0.6513, outperforming all other methods used or referenced in this paper.
Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and the Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic Syndrome The metabolic syndrome (MetS) comprises a cluster of metabolic abnormalities with insulin resistance and adiposity as its central features, which confer an increased propensity to diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The metabolic abnormalities include central obesity, dyslipidemia (high triglycerides, low high-density lipoprotein [HDL]), hypertension, and impaired fasting glucose (IFG). Five diagnostic criteria have been identified by the Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP-III) and the presence of any three features (central obesity, dyslipidemia [high triglycerides, low HDL], hypertension, and IFG) is considered sufficient to diagnose the syndrome. Twenty-four percent of US adults have the MetS and the prevalence increases with age (44% at 60 years of age).
THE GLOBAL CRISIS IMPACT ON INDONESIA REGIONAL ECONOMY

This paper discusses the impact of global financial crisis to the Indonesia’s economy by using the simultaneous macro model approach. The analysis and simulation results of such model show that the impact of the global financial crisis is dominantly distributed through the trade line, which decreases the regional output. To the components of aggregate demand, the movement of exchange rate has major effect to the exports and imports, whereas to the consumption and investment, it gives relatively small effect. The impact of external shock, which causes the depreciation of Rupiah, is relatively small to the increase of inflation. JEL classification : C32, E44 Keywords : Financial crisis, simultaneous model, Indonesia.
Subject: Proposal for Research on Neural Net Demodulation in Telecommunication Systems Neural Net-based Demodulation vs. Phase Locked Loop Figure 1. a Typical Telecommunication System

The increasing use of telecommunications applications such as high-speed internet and digital television has driven development of improved digital receivers to allow higher data throughput without replacing or improving existing transmission media. Recently, several digital receiver algorithms have been enhanced with the use of neural networks, a powerful new development in high-performance computing [1,2]. Though the primary application of neural networks in digital receivers to date has been the problem of adaptive equalization [3], the success of neural net equalizers indicates that other receiver algorithms may be similarly enhanced. One such algorithm is the Phase Locked Loop (PLL), which is used to recover the frequency and phase of the carrier signal for demodulation. By replacing the traditional adaptive step of the PLL with a neural-based system, it is likely that we can significantly improve receiver performance. I propose an experiment in which I will simulate a typical telecommunication system with both PLL and neural net demodulation in order to compare and evaluate their performance.
Experimental study on the influence of fluid dynamics and mixing on crystallisation of PABA in multiphase flow systems

Cooling crystallization is extensively used by the pharmaceutical industry to produce and purify Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients. Nucleation, that is the first step of crystallization, is pivotal in determining the final product properties. For these reasons, understanding the nucleation process and the factors that control crystal formation is essential to limit product variations and ultimately to improve the efficacy and the safety of the final drug. This thesis aims to investigate the mechanisms responsible for initiating nucleation in a clear solution and to identify the key process parameters that control nucleation. In particular, we used three experimental systems to explore the influence of micromixing, shear rate and gas bubbles under a wide range of fluid dynamic conditions. The first part of this work focuses on the experimental characterization of two laboratory scale batch systems to explore the effect of micromixing on metastable zone width (MZW) in industrial-like fluid dynamic conditions. The results demonstrated that, although increasing agitation is beneficial in reducing the MZW, the presence of gas bubbles was more effective in inducing nucleation supporting the theory that the gas bubbles offer a surface for heterogeneous nucleation. However, due to the complexity of the systems studied (non-spatially uniform fluid dynamic), it is difficult to untangle the effect of the various process parameters. For this reason, a novel droplet-based crystalliser was used to quantitatively investigate the effect of shear rate in well-controlled fluid dynamic conditions (quiescent-stagnant conditions, low-shear laminar flow and high-shear turbulent flow). The results suggested that a shear field can significantly enhance primary nucleation by increasing the meso-scale cluster collision efficiency. However, further experimentation is necessary in order to verify this hypothesis. Finally, a novel experimental system was proposed to explore the possibility of heterogeneous nucleation on gas bubbles. The experiments revealed that nucleation on gas-liquid interface is favoured.
Risk of complications among diabetics self-reporting oral health status in Canada: A population-based cohort study

Background Periodontitis has persistently been associated with diabetes and poor health outcomes. While clear associations have been identified for the diabetes–oral health link, less is known about the implications of poor oral health on incident complications of diabetes. This study sought to investigate the risk of diabetes complications associated with self-reported “poor to fair” and “good to excellent” oral health status among diabetics living in Ontario, Canada. Methods This cohort study was undertaken of diabetics from the Canadian Community Health Survey (2003 and 2007-8). Self-reported oral health was linked to electronic health records at the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences. Participants under the age of 40, missing self-reported oral health and those who could not be identified in linked databases were excluded (N=5,183). A series of Cox Proportional hazard models were constructed to determine the risk of diabetes complications. Participants who did not experience any diabetes complication were censored at time of death or at the study termination date (March 31, 2016). Models were adjusted for age and sex, followed by social characteristics and behavioural factors. Results Diabetes complications differed by self-reported oral health. For those reporting “poor to fair” oral health, the hazard of a diabetes complication was 30% greater (HR 1.29 95%CI 1.03, 1.61) than those reporting “good to excellent” oral health. Conclusions Our findings indicate that oral health status is associated with increased risk for complications among diabetics, after adjusting for a wide range of confounders. Examining oral health and the risk for diabetes complications from a broader perspective including socio-behavioural and biological pathways is principal for informing policies and interventions that aim to mitigate the burdens of poor systemic health.
A Comprehensive Overview on the Development of Compensation Topologies for Capacitive Power Transfer System

Wireless power transfer (WPT) is becoming an attractive concept as an effective and convenient method of delivering power without direct metal-to-metal contact. Among WPT technologies; capacitive power transfer (CPT) system encounters less power losses compared to inductive power transfer (IPT) system around metal objects. This advantage makes CPT technology a prospective alternative to other prevailing technologies for high power and high efficiency wireless power transfer. To achieve considerable transfer distance, increased efficiency and high-power transfer level; proper designing of the compensation circuit is of utmost importance. In this paper, a comprehensive review of the body of research on different compensation circuit topologies including the advantages as well as disadvantages of each compensation topology are presented in order to summarize the current advancements in this field.
Depression outcomes among Chinese internal migrant workers: Comparisons among subgroups of internal migrant workers

Migrant workers (MWS) are a large population (277 million by the end of 2015) in China, to date, very limited studies have focused on mental health of MWS especially with a nationally representative database. This study aims to provide insight into the distribution of depression outcomes of migrants in China and identify relatively more vulnerable groups. To achieve this, we used China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) database containing 5913 observations, spanning 25 provinces in China conducted in 2012. Our results indicated that the distribution of depression, estimated with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), was uneven among sub-groups of MWS. The findings showed that MWS were more susceptible to depression than adults with a city hukou. Economic status, education levels, and self-rated health had negative relationships with the depression outcomes among MWS. Otherwise, Migrants that were male performed better in depression than those female. Using the results, this research can provide references and help for government decision making for raising the depression outcomes among MWS.
Diabetes Prevalence by Leisure-, Transportation-, and Occupation-Based Physical Activity Among Racially/Ethnically Diverse U.S. Adults

OBJECTIVE Leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) has been shown to prevent or delay the development of diabetes. However, little research exists examining how other domains of PA (e.g., occupation based [OPA] and transportation based [TPA]) are associated with diabetes prevalence across diverse racial/ethnic groups. We examined associations between OPA, TPA, and LTPA and diabetes prevalence and whether associations differed by race/ethnicity. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Participants in the 2011–2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) self-reported domain-specific PA. Diabetes status was determined by self-reported doctor/health professional–diagnosis of diabetes or a glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) measurement of ≥6.5% (48 mmol/mol). Multivariable log binomial models examined differences in diabetes prevalence by PA level in each domain and total PA among Latinos (n = 3,931), non-Latino whites (n = 6,079), and non-Latino blacks (n = 3,659). RESULTS Whites reported the highest prevalence of achieving PA guidelines (64.9%), followed by Latinos (61.6%) and non-Latino blacks (60.9%; P < 0.0009). Participants achieving PA guidelines were 19–32% less likely to have diabetes depending on PA domain in adjusted models. Diabetes prevalence was consistently higher among non-Latino blacks (17.1%) and Latinos (14.1%) compared with non-Latino whites (10.7%; P < 0.0001), but interaction results showed the protective effect of PA was similar across PA domain and race/ethnicity—except within TPA, where the protective effect was 4% greater among non-Latino whites compared with Latinos (adjusted difference in risk differences 0.04, P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS PA policies and programs, beyond LTPA, can be leveraged to reduce diabetes prevalence among all population groups. Future studies are needed to confirm potentially differential effects of transportation-based active living on diabetes prevalence across race/ethnicity.
Wirtschaftliche Interessen und juristische Ideen: Die Entwicklung des Aktienrechts in Deutschland und den USA

Grosunternehmen sind zentrale Akteure westlicher Gesellschaften. Sie uben massiven Einfluss auf das wirtschaftliche und politische Geschehen aus. Die Machtverteilung innerhalb von Grosunternehmen ist daher eine Frage von gesellschaftlicher und politischer Tragweite. Am Beispiel des Aktienrechts in Deutschland und den USA beschreibt Philipp Klages, wie sich neue Machtverhaltnisse und Interessen in Grosunternehmen auf die Rechtsentwicklung niederschlagen konnen. So wurden zum Beispiel in beiden Landern die Rechte von Minderheitsaktionaren ausgeweitet, nachdem sich die Vorstande einiger groser Unternehmen deren Interessen plotzlich zu eigen gemacht hatten.
Projected future changes in mean precipitation over Thailand based on multi‐model regional climate simulations of CORDEX Southeast Asia

This paper highlights detailed projected changes in rainfall over Thailand for the early (2011–2040), middle (2041–2070) and late (2071–2099) periods of the 21st century under the representative concentration pathways (RCP) 4.5 and RCP 8.5 using the high‐resolution multi‐model simulations of the Coordinated Regional Climate Downscaling Experiment (CORDEX) Southeast Asia. The ensemble mean is calculated based on seven members consisting of six general circulation models (GCMs) and three regional climate models (RCMs). Generally, the ensemble mean precipitation agrees reasonably well with observations, best represented by the Global Precipitation Climatology Center (GPCC) data, over Thailand during the historical period (1976–2005). However, inter‐model variations can be large among ensemble members especially during dry months (December to March) for northern‐central‐eastern parts, and throughout the year for the southern parts of Thailand. Similarly for future projection periods, inter‐model variations in the sign and magnitude of changes exist. The ensemble means of projected changes in rainfall for both RCPs during dry months show distinct contrast between the northern‐central‐eastern parts and the southern parts of Thailand with generally wetter and drier conditions, respectively. The magnitude of change can be as high as 15% of the historical period, which varies depending on the sub‐region, season, projection period, and RCP scenario. In contrast, generally drier conditions are projected during the wet season (June to September) throughout the country for both RCPs where the rainfall reduction can be as high as 10% in some areas. However, the magnitude of projected rainfall changes of some individual models can be much larger than the ensemble means, exceeding 40% in some cases. These projected changes are related to the changes in regional circulations associated with the winter and summer monsoons, which are projected to weaken. The drier (wetter) condition is associated with the enhanced subsidence (rising motion).
Loneliness Interventions from an Aging Perspective

John T. Cacioppo University of Chicago Social species do not fare well when forced to live solitary lives. Social isolation decreases lifespan of the fruit fly, Drosophilia melanogaster (Ruan & Wu, 2008); promotes the development of obesity and Type 2 diabetes in mice (Nonogaki, Nozue, & Oka, 2007); delays the positive effects of running on adult neurogenesis in rats (Stranahan, Khalil, & Gould, 2006); increases the activation of the sympatho-adrenomedullary response to an acute immobilization or cold stressor in rats (Dronjak, Gavrilovic, Filipovic, & Radojcic, 2004); decreases the expression of genes regulating glucocorticoid response in the frontal cortex of piglets (Poletto, Steibel, Siegford, & Zanella, 2006); decreases open field activity, increased basal cortisol concentrations, and decreased lymphocyte proliferation to mitogens in pigs (Kanitz, Tuchscherer, Puppe, Tuchscherer, & Stabenow, 2004); increases the 24 hr urinary catecholamines levels and evidence of oxidative stress in the aortic arch of the Watanabe Heritable Hyperlipidemic rabbit (Nation et al., 2008); increases the morning rises in cortisol in squirrel monkeys (Lyons, Ha, & Levine, 1995); and profoundly disrupts psychosexual development in rhesus monkeys (Harlow et al., 1965). Humans are an irrepressibly meaning-making species, and a large literature has developed showing that perceived social isolation (i.e., loneliness) in normal samples is a more important predictor of a variety of adverse health outcomes than is objective social isolation (e.g., Cole et al., 2007; Hawkley, Masi, Berry, & Cacioppo, 2006; Penninx et al., 1997; Seeman, 2000; Sugisawa, Liang, & Liu, 1994). In an illustrative study, Luo, Hawkley, Waite, and Cacioppo (2012) examined the relationship between loneliness, health, and mortality using a U.S. nationally representative sample of 2,101 adults aged 50 years
Evaluation of probiotic bacteria Pediococcus acidilactici MA18/5M on penaeid shrimp Litopenaeus stylirostris in New Caledonia

P. acidilactici MA 18/5M is a dietary probiotic (BACTOCELL®) which has shown its efficiency on several terrestrial and aquatic species. The present thesis aimed to investigate more fully the effects of this probiotic on cultured penaeid shrimps. For this study, we chose a global approach by replacing the problem studied in a model of interactions between three compartments: the shrimp, its intestinal microflora and the probiotic. Having first defined how the probiotic should be administrated, we studied its effects under controlled laboratory conditions at several levels of Litopenaeus stylirostris biology: (i) Nutritional status and growth, (ii) associated bacterial microflora, and (iii) health status with respect to oxidative stress. Then the probiotic improves the growth of the shrimps and the feed conversion ratio. Our study shows that these effects are partially due to a better use of the feed, particularly of dietary carbohydrates, but also suggest an action on the metabolism, and\or on the growth via a contribution of essential nutrients. On the other hand, although the intestinal bacterial communities seems little affected, we show an antagonism effect of the probiotic toward total and vibrionacea intestinal flora, as well as a decrease in the level of infection of shrimps during challenge with pathogenic V. nigripulchritudo. Beside, our works highlight that infection by this pathogen, led to a reduction in antioxidant defences, to a rise in oxidative damages, and to a release of mortalities within 48 hours. This oxidative stress following bacterial infection was better controlled by animals receiving the probiotic diet, and resistance of the shrimps to infection was significant improved. A nutritional hypothesis is proposed to explain such result, hypothesis based on a link between carbohydrate metabolism and antioxidant status. As a conclusion of these works, we can propose a first explanatory scenario for the effects of P. acidilactici on a penaeid shrimp. Finally probiotic's effects were assessed under a pilot scale in a commercial farm from New Caledonia currently affected by the "summer syndrome". We confirm the improvements brought in term of zootechnical results, with in particular, a better resistance to this syndrome. This work was made possible thanks to a breeding method in floating cages, developed during this thesis, and therefore transferred, as an experimental tool, to the shrimp industry of New Caledonia.
Enhancement of boresight radiation for leaky wave antenna array

An array of half-width microstrip leaky-wave antennas (HW-MLWAs) of two uniform elements was designed to obtain maximum boresight radiation. Achieve this, two uniform of HW-MLWAs are placed at 180◦ and fed by a probe located at the center between the elements, two uniforms of HW-MLWAs, loaded terminated by 50Ω lumped element. Two beams from two branches individual merge to form the resultant directive beam. The simulation represents the susceptibility of the proposed array of uniform HW-MLWAs to the radiation broadside direction effectively. The predict bandwidth matched of the array is 582 MHz (4.18–4.76 GHz). The direction of its main beam in boresight happens over a wide 13%, relatively (4.18-4.76 GHz) band. The proposed peak gain at the boresight direction of the array is 9.91 dBi.
Measurement of Visual Cues and Their Effects on Online Users: An Image Mining Approach

vii OVERVIEW . 1 ESSAY 1. VISUAL-BASED BRAND PERCEPTION ON SOCIAL MEDIA . 3 Introduction . 3 Conceptual Development . 8 Measuring VBBP on Social Media . 17 An Empirical Study . 37 Conclusion . 46 ESSAY 2. THE JOINT EFFECTS OF IMAGE AND TEXT ON CROWDFUNDING SUCCESS . 50 Introduction . 50 Conceptual Framework . 54 Methodology . 60 Data Analysis and Results . 71 Conclusion . 75 DISCUSSION . 79 APPENDIX A. VISUAL CHARACTERISTICS AND MEASURES . 81 APPENDIX B. VISUAL ATTRIBUTE VALIDATION . 95 REFERENCES . 101 VITA . 112
Cs 598csc: Approximation Algorithms

There are many applications of the tree embedding theorem in approximation and online algorithms. It allows one to reduce certain class of problems on graphs to problems on trees and it is much easier to design algorithms on trees. The ratio one obtains using this approach might not be optimal but gives one a quick upper bound on the approximation ratio. For some problems this is still the best approach known. Let's recall Steiner Forest problem. Given edge weighted graph G = (V, E) and pairs of nodes {s 1 t 1 , s 2 t 2 , . , s k t k }, the object is to find minimum cost subset E ′ ⊆ E such that each s i t i is connected in G[E ′ ]. In pervious lecture, we have obtained a 2(1 − 1 k) approximation for Steiner Forest using LP based methods, e.g. primal-dual method. However, we can obtain a trivial algorithm by using tree embedding technique. Here is the algorithm: Steiner Forest(G(V, E)): Pick a tree T = (V, E T) randomly from tree embedding of G. Solve Steiner Forest on T, let E * T ⊆ E T be the solution on T. Output E ′ = ∪ (u,v)∈E * T P G uv where P G uv is a shortest path in G between u and v. We have the following two claims about the output of the algorithm. Claim 1 E ′ is a feasible solution to the Steiner forest problem induced on T.