GPU-Accelerated Mahalanobis-Average Hierarchical Clustering Analysis

in Lecture Notes in Computer Science (2021, August), 12820

Hierarchical clustering is a common tool for simplification, exploration, and analysis of datasets in many areas of research. For data originating in flow cytometry, a specific variant of agglomerative ... [more ▼]

Hierarchical clustering is a common tool for simplification, exploration, and analysis of datasets in many areas of research. For data originating in flow cytometry, a specific variant of agglomerative clustering based Mahalanobis-average linkage has been shown to produce results better than the common linkages. However, the high complexity of computing the distance limits the applicability of the algorithm to datasets obtained from current equipment. We propose an optimized, GPU-accelerated open-source implementation of the Mahalanobis-average hierarchical clustering that improves the algorithm performance by over two orders of magnitude, thus allowing it to scale to the large datasets. We provide a detailed analysis of the optimizations and collected experimental results that are also portable to other hierarchical clustering algorithms; and demonstrate the use on realistic high-dimensional datasets. [less ▲]

On The (In)Effectiveness of Static Logic Bomb Detector for Android Apps

in IEEE Transactions on Dependable and Secure Computing (2021)

Android is present in more than 85% of mobile devices, making it a prime target for malware. Malicious code is becoming increasingly sophisticated and relies on logic bombs to hide itself from dynamic ... [more ▼]

Android is present in more than 85% of mobile devices, making it a prime target for malware. Malicious code is becoming increasingly sophisticated and relies on logic bombs to hide itself from dynamic analysis. In this paper, we perform a large scale study of TSO PEN, our open-source implementation of the state-of-the-art static logic bomb scanner T RIGGER S COPE, on more than 500k Android applications. Results indicate that the approach scales. Moreover, we investigate the discrepancies and show that the approach can reach a very low false-positive rate, 0.3%, but at a particular cost, e.g., removing 90% of sensitive methods. Therefore, it might not be realistic to rely on such an approach to automatically detect all logic bombs in large datasets. However, it could be used to speed up the location of malicious code, for instance, while reverse engineering applications. We also present T RIGDB a database of 68 Android applications containing trigger-based behavior as a ground-truth to the research community. [less ▲]

Talent development in natural science in elementary school: A juxtaposition of research and practice

in Teaching and Teacher Education (2021), 104

We present a working theory of person-related predictors of talent development in natural science during elementary school. The working theory resulted from the juxtaposition of scientific findings and ... [more ▼]

We present a working theory of person-related predictors of talent development in natural science during elementary school. The working theory resulted from the juxtaposition of scientific findings and teachers' expertise. The results showed that both teachers and researchers conceive of talent development in natural science as a complex process including abilities, personality traits, and skills as predictors. However, teachers focused mainly on skills whereas the scientific literature emphasized cognitive abilities. The working theory can be used for the identification and promotion of natural science talent and the development of teachers' diagnostic skills to assess students’ potential in natural science. [less ▲]

Rethinking Trust in Social Robotics

in arXiv (2021)

— In 2018 the European Commission highlighted the demand of a human-centered approach to AI. Such a claim is gaining even more relevance considering technologies specifi cally designed to directly ... [more ▼]

— In 2018 the European Commission highlighted the demand of a human-centered approach to AI. Such a claim is gaining even more relevance considering technologies specifi cally designed to directly interact and physically collaborate with human users in the real world. This is notably the case of social robots. The domain of Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) emerged to investigate these issues."Human-robot trust" has been highlighted as one of the most challenging and intriguing factors influencing HRI. On the one hand, user studies and technical experts underline how trust is a key element to facilitate users’ acceptance, consequently increasing the chances to pursue the given task. On the other hand, such a phenomenon raises also ethical and philosophical concerns leading scholars in these domains to argue that humans should not trust robots. However, trust in HRI is not an index of fragility, it is rooted in anthropomorphism, and it is a natural characteristic of every human being. Thus, instead of focusing solely on how to inspire user trust in social robots, this paper argues that what should be investigated is to what extent and for which purpose it is suitable to trust robots. Such an endeavour requires an interdisciplinary approach taking into account (i) technical needs and (ii) psychological implications. [less ▲]

Editoriaal. Kinderen.

in Tijdschrift. Erfgoedpraktijk in Vlaanderen (2021), 11(2), 4-5

Digitalization in Construction, Computer-based Design for Structural Elements - BIM and structural engineering - Part 1: Impact of digitalization on structural engineering in the future

Learning material (2021)

To better understand the background and complexity of BIM and digitalization within structural engineering, the theoretical approach will highlight the underlying basics first. To draw the line from this ... [more ▼]

To better understand the background and complexity of BIM and digitalization within structural engineering, the theoretical approach will highlight the underlying basics first. To draw the line from this theory driven basics to real live application, the thesis will give multiple examples of how BIM is currently used in practice. In addition to the detailed explanation, these examples will serve as a base to analyze the current situation and problems which still need to be overcome. As far as possible for the respective research scope, potential areas of improvements will be outlined. To gain a better understanding of the current importance of BIM and digitalization within the German construction industry, engineers and companies will be surveyed. [less ▲]

Non-linear design for composite structures in steel and concrete in reference to Eurocode 4, Part 1-1

Learning material (2021)

The design of composite structures in steel and concrete for buildings follows the rules according to Eurocode 4: EN 1994-1-1. In the last years more and more individual composite members and cross ... [more ▼]

The design of composite structures in steel and concrete for buildings follows the rules according to Eurocode 4: EN 1994-1-1. In the last years more and more individual composite members and cross-section types have been developed. Those sections are not always fulfilling the requirements for the application of simplified design methods given by EN 1994-1-1 and therefore plastic resistance cannot always be applied. Furthermore there is an increasing demand for optimization in the design by using more advanced design methods. This optimization is concentrating on the use of individual shaped cross-sections and their efficiency, the composite shear connectors and consideration of their ductility and flexibility, investigation in the sequence of loading, time effects as well as concrete cracking and yielding of steel within the analysis. In addition it is to be mentioned that the draft for the second generation of Eurocode 4 provides more opportunities for advanced numerical methods. At least, the demand for more advanced numerical design methods is permanently increasing also due to the availability of powerful hardware and software applications. The target of this chapter is to introduce the advanced numerical design for composite structural members in steel and concrete and to explain the boundary conditions given by Eurocode 4 and related Eurocodes. Thereby the focus is more on the member and not on the global analysis. The computer-aided global analyses for the determination of action effects are well-known for years while the possibilities for nonlinear analysis based on shell and volume elements considering physical and geometrical nonlinearity becoming more important and will be further developed in future. However, there is not so much information available explaining the application of e.g. the general method in detail and guidance is missing by the code. Therefore the general method acc. to EN 1994-1-1/prEN1994-1-1 is the main focus of this contribution. In the following, some principles for the design according to EN 1994-1-1 are explained. Thereby the basics for the classification of cross-sections as well as the determination of inner forces for continuous beams will be pointed out. However, the focus is on the general method for the design of composite compression members. While in the case studies additional information for the structural analysis and the numerical investigation in composite beams is provided. This chapter will not repeat well-known explanations from the literature, which have been published many times but limits itself to the most important normative fundamentals, rather concentrate on the application of numerical methods for the design of composite structures. More details for global structural analysis and the design according to EN 1994-1-1 [1] are provided by the literature, e.g. [8], [40] and will not be further commented here. It should be noted that the here referred methods according to prEN 1994-1-1, prEN 1993-1-14 and prEN 1992-1-1 do not represent officially introduced design standards, until the introduction of the second generation of Eurocodes modification is not finalized. Therefore this references are to be understood as informative. Until the introduction of the second generation of Eurocodes further changes and adjustments may also to be expected. [less ▲]

Elliptical Symmetry Tests in R

in R Journal (2021), 13:2

The assumption of elliptical symmetry has an important role in many theoretical develop ments and applications. Hence, it is of primary importance to be able to test whether that assumption actually holds ... [more ▼]

The assumption of elliptical symmetry has an important role in many theoretical develop ments and applications. Hence, it is of primary importance to be able to test whether that assumption actually holds true or not. Various tests have been proposed in the literature for this problem. To the best of our knowledge, none of them has been implemented in R. This article describes the R package elliptical symmetry which implements several well-known tests for elliptical symmetry together with some recent tests. We demonstrate the testing procedures with a real data example. [less ▲]

Visual primes as culture-sensitive method to understanding acculturation processes

Scientific Conference (2021, July 31)

One facet of contemporary societies is their increasingly divers composition. With a foreign population percentage of 47, 5 %, Luxembourg is an example for a super-diverse society and provides a rich ... [more ▼]

One facet of contemporary societies is their increasingly divers composition. With a foreign population percentage of 47, 5 %, Luxembourg is an example for a super-diverse society and provides a rich context to explore acculturation processes. The majority of immigrants have European roots, but the number of non-European immigrants is rising. Within this qualitative study we examined the identity construction processes of eight Japanese women living in Luxembourg using several visual primes guiding the interview. Building on Ying-yi Hong’s work on cultural mixing we developed hybrid images to evoke affective responses and to capture the negotiation processes between cultures. The choice of images was carefully prepared and first involved an ethnographic study of cultural dimensions of Japan and Luxembourg. Based on this analysis we decided to explore the domains of beauty, food, living, leisure and family. For each domain, we chose a prototypical European and Japanese image and created a hybrid image. All images were culturally meaningful and anchored in real life experiences. The Japanese images were tested in a pilot study in Japan. The interviews were carefully planned, each phase involving different visual stimuli. In the opening phase, the interviewer presented a business card in three different designs – European, Japanese and a mixed version. Interviewees could choose their preferred version and explain their choice. Next, a series of 15 matched typical images of Japan and Luxembourg were shown and the interviewees again chose their preferred images and explained their choice. Finally, the five sets of domain-specific images were presented. These provided a context for narration and especially the reaction to the hybrid stimuli showed how participants negotiate their cultural identities. The visual primes made the negotiation strategies visible. Findings from this study and the potential of this culture-sensitive method for accessing the process of acculturation will be discussed. [less ▲]

LEO Satellite Constellations for 5G and Beyond: How Will They Reshape Vertical Domains?

in IEEE Communications Magazine (2021), 59(7), 30-36

The rapid development of communication technologies in the past decades has provided immense vertical opportunities for individuals and enterprises. However, conventional terrestrial cellular networks ... [more ▼]

The rapid development of communication technologies in the past decades has provided immense vertical opportunities for individuals and enterprises. However, conventional terrestrial cellular networks have unfortunately neglected the huge geographical digital divide, s ince high-bandwidth wireless coverage is concentrated in urban areas. To meet the goal of “connecting the unconnected,” integrating low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites with the terrestrial cellular networks has been widely considered as a promising solution. In this article, we first introduce the development roadmap of LEO sa tellite constellations (SatCons), including early attempts in LEO satellites with the emerging LEO constellations. Further, we discuss the unique opportunities of employing LEO SatCons for the delivery of integrating 5G networks. Specifically, we present their key performance indicators, which offer important guidelines for the design of associated enabling techniques, and then discuss the potential impact of integrating LEO SatCons with typical 5G use cases, where we engrave our vision of various vertical domains reshaped by LEO SatCons. Technical challenges are finally provided to specify future research directions. [less ▲]