Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Performance Optimization of Linux Networking for Latency-Sensitive Virtual Systems

Virtual machines and containers have steadily improved their performance over time as a result of innovations in their architecture and software ecosystems. Network functions and workloads are increasingly migrating to virtual environments, supported by developments in software defined networking (SDN) and network function virtualization (NFV). Previous performance analyses of virtual systems in this context often ignore significant performance gains that can be acheived with practical modifications to hypervisor and host systems. In this thesis, the network performance of containers and virtual machines are measured with standard network performance tools. The performance of these systems utilizing a standard 3.18. 20 Linux kernel is compared to that of a realtime-tuned variant of the same kernel. This thesis motivates improving determinism in virtual systems with modifications to host and guest kernels and thoughtful process isolation. With the system modifications described, the median TCP bandwidth of KVM virtual machines over bridged network interfaces, is increased by 10.8% with a corresponding reduction in standard deviation of 87.6%. Docker containers see a 8.8% improvement in median bandwidth and 4.4% reduction in standard deviation of TCP measurements using similar bridged networking. System tuning also reduces the standard deviation of TCP request/response latency (TCP RR) over bridged interfaces by 86.8% for virtual machines and 97.9% for containers. Hardware devices assigned to virtual systems also see reductions in variance, although not as noteworthy.
Development issues in algorithms for system level self-diagnosis

The paper deals with the problem of developing probabilistic algorithm for system level self-diagnosis. The main goal of the suggested algorithm is to minimize the mean time of its executing. The algorithm is based on the computing of the posterior probability of fault-free state of each system unit. Final decision about unit’s state is made on the chosen decision rule. The execution of the probabilistic algorithm is elucidated with the help of simple example and then explained for the case of more complex systems.
Development of a mobile phone app to maintain physical activity in African American men: MobileMen.

Background African American men experience health disparities across a number of chronic diseases. mHealth technology is widely utilized to address lifestyle factors that contribute to these conditions. Participation of African American men in qualitative and quantitative studies of mHealth is low. Therefore, little is known regarding the acceptability of mHealth interventions and few interventions have been specifically developed for this population. The purpose of the current study is to describe the development of a smartphone application, MobileMen, to promote the maintenance of physical activity (PA) in African American men and to report on app feasibility when applied to the target population. Methods We used a mixed methods study design including formative research, user-centered design, and a feasibility study. Focus groups (n=26) were conducted to inform the acceptability of the app and desired features. Lab usability (n=19) was used to develop the app through an iterative process. A feasibility study was conducted to assess utilization of the app over a 1-month timeframe. Measures of usability and user-friendliness were collected during lab usability sessions. Satisfaction and app usage were collected following the feasibility study. Results The focus groups revealed that African American men use smartphone apps and that they are willing to utilize an app to maintain PA habits. The MobileMen app was subsequently developed and contained a dashboard, rewards, a learning component, a prompting system, and activity tracking. Scores increased between the first and last lab sessions for usability [5.0 (0.0) vs. 4.3 (1.0)] and user-friendliness [74.2 (17.0) vs. 70.6 (12.4)]. Participants reported acceptable satisfaction (mean values >3.5 on a 1-5 Likert scale) with most app components. Conclusions African American men are willing to utilize mHealth to improve their health behavior, including PA. An initial version of the MobileMen app has been developed that is acceptable and user-friendly. However, there are several components requested by African American men could not be included in the current app but warrant future app development.
A study on the Euler-Lagrange dynamic models of the single/two phase capacitor-run induction machines

The dynamic models of the three-phase electric machines are obtained in the classical approach with the direct- and quadrature-axis theory via two transformations of the dynamic set of equations, i.e. the Park and Clarke transformations with several assumptions such as no magnetic saturation, no space-harmonics. The Euler-Lagrange method is a variational approach for modeling the electric machines that relates to the physical energy of the machine. This method yields simple models for three-phase permanent magnet and induction machines. In this paper, the authors analyzed the implementation of the Euler-Lagrange models for the two-phase capacitor-run induction machine. The analysis emphasized similarities of the machine's Lagrangian with both three-phase induction machines and machines with saliency structure.
A Study of Impact of Moonlighting Practices on Job Satisfaction of the University Teachers.

This paper is an effort to explore the impact of moonlighting practices on job satisfaction of teachers of public sector universities of the province of Punjab and Federal Capital. Only main campuses of universities were included and the sample of the study consisted of all four categories of university teachers, Professors, Associate Professors, Assistant Professors and Lecturers of the target area. Twenty percent of the population was taken as sample, 533 teachers were studied to discover the impact that moonlighting has on job satisfaction. In order to identify factors responsible for moonlighting among university teachers, four factors including additional income, blocked promotion, skill diversity and job autonomy were studied. Overall the major findings of study revealed that there is significant impact of moonlighting on job satisfaction.
Motivational factors in continuing and completing outpatient mental health treatment: perspectives of older Mexican-American women

ABSTRACT The study explores motivations for mental health service use by older Mexican-American women experiencing psychological distress. Semi-structured qualitative interviews with older Mexican-American women receiving mental health services were conducted to examine treatment experiences and sociocultural and provider dynamics. Relevant themes emphasized relational constructs with providers, peers, and family; perceived effectiveness of solution-driven group-based care; and integration of sociocultural norms into treatment. Disentangling mental health experiences through cultural tailoring services helps address unique needs in late life. Study findings highlight the relevance of personal, cultural, and clinical preferences for care in treatment engagement and adherence.
Performability Evaluation of Web-Based Services

The joint evaluation of performance and dependability in a unique approach leads to the notion of performability which usually combines different analytical modeling formalisms (Markov chains, queueing models, etc.) for assessing systems behaviors in the presence of faults. This chapter presents a systematic modeling approach allowing designers of web-based services to evaluate the performability of the service provided to the users. We have developed a multi-level modeling framework for analyzing the user perceived performability. Multiple sources of service unavailability are taken into account, particularly i) hardware and software failures affecting the servers, and ii) performance degradation due to e.g. overload of servers and probability of loss. The main concepts and the feasibility of the proposed framework are illustrated using a web-based travel agency. Various analytical models and sensitivity studies are presented considering different assumptions with respect to users profiles, architecture, faults, recovery strategies, and traffic characteristics.
Foreground Segmentation for Live Videos by Texture Features

This paper presents a method to extract the foreground images from live videos by means of automatic object segmentation. The parameters such as colour, motion of the pixel and image texture or more specifically texture constraints are used for segmentation. A cellular neural network which combines both colour as well as motion of pixels which varies from frame to frame is implemented which helps in accurately separating the boundaries and thus reducing misclassifications. The global motion of pixels is calculated by computing the forward and backward displaced frame differences (DFDs) with the respect to the current frame. The texture constraint for each pixel to be labeled is calculated from the difference between their corresponding texture descriptors and the texture prior models which is provided by the Local Binary Pattern (LBP) histogram. Finally by means of the randomized texton searching algorithm and graph cut frame work the foreground is extracted from the video.
Applications of Rule Based Classification Techniques for Thoracic Surgery

It has been aroused the necessity of extracting meaningful information from huge amount of available data that is accumulated as result of development in computer technology and database software. Traditional methods can’t cope with turning the data to the knowledge due to amount and complexity of accumulated data that has so many hidden patterns in it. Thus, nowadays the data mining techniques are commonly used for analyzing huge amount of information. Classification, clustering and associated rule extraction of data mining techniques are preferred widely. Classification is the operation of determining class of the data by forming a model that makes use of data whose categories are previously determined. Data mining techniques are frequently used to form a classifier that determines belonging class of a new data among the predetermined classes. Although these classification methods including different classification and rule extraction algorithms are generally successful they don’t reach the required success levels when it comes to multi-class real world problems. In this research the thoracic surgery rules have been induced by classifying thoracic surgery into different classes. For this classification task the rule based methods of Conjunctive Rule, Decision Table, Decision Table/Naive Bayes (DTNB), Java Repeated Incremental Pruning (JRip), Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise (NNge), One Rule (OneR), Partial C4.5 (PART), RIpple-DOwn Rule learner (Ridor) and 0-R classifier (ZeroR) were used. Correctly Classified Instances were found as % 85.1064, % 84.8936, % 84.8936, % 84.6809, %84.4681, % 83.4043, % 81.7021, % 81.0638 and % 79.1489. These results have shown that ZeroR has the most successful prediction ratio among the four techniques regarding to classification rules. The data used for this study has been published in 13 November 2013. Thus, there is no way of making any comparison with the previous studies. Due to this situation only the classification rules methods used in this study were compared to each other. The quality of rules produced by the methods of this study can be enhanced by using different rule pruning methodologies as future study.
VLSI array architectures for navigation and human recognition in vision-guided embedded systems

This thesis focuses on hardware solutions for vision-based navigation and human recognition. The application scenarios include mobile robotics, human-robot interaction, assistive technology for visually-challenged and video surveillance. Hardware accelerators are necessary for the navigation of robots and guiding systems for visually-challenged in a dynamic environment. They are also necessary for real-time identification of a human by a service robot or a visually-challenged for interaction. Single chip solutions with focus on reconfiguration, low area, and high speed are desirable for such applications. This thesis reports hardware-directed algorithms and array-type Very Large Scale Integrated (VLSI) architectures for navigation and face-based human recognition. The key contributions are listed below. 1. A hardware-efficient algorithm for navigation on a binary image of an environment and its VLSI architecture are presented in this thesis. The algorithm computes a distance map to identify the collision-free region and then constructs a breadth-first search tree to find a path in that region. The path obtained from a start point to the goal point is the shortest path in terms of the number of steps. The time-critical section of the algorithm is mapped onto a two-dimensional cellular architecture that consists of a locally interconnected array of identical processing elements. In view of this local interconnection and regular structure, the architecture can be operated at high speed and can be accommodated in a small chip area. The design has been implemented and evaluated on a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA).
AN EVALUATION OF REHABILITATION OF KALARE GANGSTERS IN GOMBE METROPOLIS , NIGERIA

The study is on An Evaluation of Rehabilitation of Kalare Gangsters in Gombe Metropolis. A total sample of 106 respondents comprising rehabilitated Kalare gangsters, members of the public, community leaders and officers in charge of the Kalare Rehabilitation Programme was drawn using judgemental and purposive sampling techniques. The data of the study were collected using questionnaire and in-depth interviews. The quantitative data were analyzed using tables and simple percentages while the qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. The findings reveal that rehabilitating Kalare Gangsters is better than punishing them as it has given them a sense of direction, guidance and assistance which altogether helped them change their behaviour positively and consequently re-entered the society of Gombe Metropolis as productive members. As a result of this, Kalare acts such as assault, rape, murder, pickpocketing and shoplifting have reduced drastically, thereby making Gombe Metropolis relatively peaceful. The study recommended that government has to give rehabilitated ̳formally‘ Kalare Gangsters who are now trained Corps Marshals opportunity to further their education to, at least, first degree on courses relevant to their areas of responsibilities. This will help them discharge their responsibilities and give them insight on how they can lead their life accordingly.
Tackling Wicked Problems Through Engaged Scholarship

Engaged scholarship combines the work of universities with that of community partners. The results can be powerful examples of the synergy that arises between theory and practice. By examining engaged scholarship and reflecting on the nuances that exist between it and engaged research, this paper follows the ways that research questions can be explored in a practical application versus in a controlled environment. I examine the benefits of community-engaged scholarship relative to service recipients, scholars, organizations, and communities at large. The academic benefits extend far beyond the universities; engaged scholarship allows for university programs to provide realistic training to students as an example of future work-related duties and assignments and to collaborate with community partners in service delivery. Results of collective collaboration and community-engaged scholarship can lead to a strengthened sense of community in lasting partnerships that increase dialogue surrounding challenging issues.
A Proximal Perspective on Disgust

The functional basis of disgust in disease avoidance is widely accepted; however, there is disagreement over what disgust is. This is a significant problem, as basic questions about disgust require knowing if single/multiple forms/processes exist. We address this issue with a new model with one form of disgust generated by multiple processes: (a) pure disgust experienced during gastrointestinal illness; (b) somatosensory disgust elicited by specific cues that activate the pure disgust state; (c) anticipatory disgust elicited by associations between distance cues for somatosensory disgust and requiring threat evaluation; (d) simulated disgusts elicited by imagining somatosensory and anticipatory disgust and frequently involving other emotions. Different contamination processes interlink (a–d). The implications of our model for fundamental questions about disgust (e.g., emotion status; continuation into animals) are examined.
The Impact of Ethical Work Climate on Employees’ Organizational Job Embeddedness in Hotels

Hotels are now challenged to retain employees and understand why they are leaving their jobs early. Ethical work climate (EWC) is an organizational factor that influences employees’ attitudes and behaviors. Gaining knowledge about the impact of EWC can help hotel managers to deal effectively with dysfunctional behaviors and make a difference in increasing organizational job embeddedness (JE) of hotel employees. JE represents the forces that keep employees attached to their jobs and organizations. Despite the importance of EWC and JE for organizations and individuals, they have received very limited study, especially in the hospitality field. Therefore, this paper examines the extent to which the organization creates EWC; investigates the degree of the employees’ JE; and measures the relationship between these two variables. For achieving these objectives, data were collected using questionnaires. A convenience sample of 700 hotel employees from 14 five-star hotels in Sharm ElShiekh was chosen for investigation. From the 700 questionnaires that were distributed, 385 valid questionnaire forms were received from the respondents with response rate of 55 per cent. To analyze these forms, descriptive analysis, correlation analysis, Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests, as well as multiple regression analysis were used. The findings showed that EWC, including instrumental climate; caring climate; independence climate; rules climate; and law and code climate directly influence JE. In addition, demographic factors (i.e. age, gender, educational level, position, and work experience) were found to positively influence JE. Thus, it was recommended that hotel management should apply several ways to keep and hire effective employees, such as prevailing a strong ethical climate in hotels, particularly in food and beverage and housekeeping departments; paying more attention to the independence EWC; hiring male employees aged from 18 to 35 years who are university or high school graduates; and hiring persons whose personal and ethical values fit well with the organization ethical cli­mate.
Extent, Correlates, and Consequences of Careless and Inattentive Responding in Certification Job Analysis Surveys

Extent, Correlates, and Consequences of Careless and Inattentive Responding in Certification Job Analysis Surveys by Patricia M. Muenzen MA, Stony Brook University, 1988 Sc.B. , Brown University, 1983 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Industrial/Organizational Psychology
Effect of Memory Training Program on Memory Performance among Residents in Elderly Homes in Lattakia, Syria

One of the common issues facing older adults today is the fear of declining memory performance. Objective: Study the effect of memory training program on memory performance among residents in elderly homes in Lattakia, Syria. Setting: The study was carried out in the three available homes for elderly people. Subjects: The study subjects comprised 40 elderly persons. They were divided randomly into two groups: study and control. Each group comprised 20 elders. Elders in the control group were left to their routine while those in the study group were subjected to memory training for four months. Tools: Two tools were used for data collection: the socio-demographic and clinical data structured interview schedule, and the Blessed Information-Memory-Concentration (BIMC) Test. Results: The implemented memory training had a positive effect in improving memory performance among elders' in the study group where one fifth of them had no memory impairment while one fifth showed improvement in their status. Among the control group, the condition became worse for about a quarter of the subjects. Conclusion: The program succeeded in improving memory performance. Recommendations: Elderly homes should enforce the application of memory training to their residents into their daily routine to improve memory performance.
Simulation for Pyrography Style Painting Based on Texture Transfer

Aiming at solving the problem with the image-based pyrography generation,a novel style of pyrography painting simulation algorithm was proposed based on texture synthesis and transfer.It is suggested that the brightness histogram matching in YCbCr color space be adopted to optimize errors during the image processing,the texture block copy be reoriented correctly,and ultimately the image fusion be achieved through weighted control.Experimental results show that a very similar-to-real pyrography simulation effect can be achieved through this approach.
Gamma and Factorial in the Monthly

Abstract Since its inception in 1894, the Monthly has printed 50 articles on the Γ function or Stirling's asymptotic formula, including the magisterial 1959 paper by Phillip J. Davis, which won the 1963 Chauvenet prize, and the eye-opening 2000 paper by the Fields medalist Manjul Bhargava. In this article, we look back and comment on what has been said, and why, and try to guess what will be said about the Γ function in future Monthly issues.11 It is a safe bet that there will be more proofs of Stirling's formula, for instance. We also identify some gaps, which surprised us: phase plots, Riemann surfaces, and the functional inverse of Γ make their first appearance in the Monthly here. We also give a new elementary treatment of the asymptotics of n! and the first few terms of a new asymptotic formula for invΓ.
Enhanced Anomaly Detection in Imbalanced Credit Card Transactions using Hybrid PSO

Anomaly detection is one of the major requirements of the current age that witnesses a huge increase in online transactions. Data imbalance also poses a huge challenge in the detection process. This paper presents a hybrid metaheuristic algorithm that performs effective anomaly detection on highly imbalanced data. Particle Swarm Optimization is used as the operating algorithm. This algorithm is hybridized by modifying the probabilistic selection using Simulated Annealing. A comparison study was carried out and it was observed that the simulated annealing based PSO showed much prominence when operated on both dominant and submissive data.