Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Unsupervised and Semi-supervised Learning with Categorical Generative Adversarial Networks

In this paper we present a method for learning a discriminative classifier from unlabeled or partially labeled data. Our approach is based on an objective function that trades-off mutual information between observed examples and their predicted categorical class distribution, against robustness of the classifier to an adversarial generative model. The resulting algorithm can either be interpreted as a natural generalization of the generative adversarial networks (GAN) framework or as an extension of the regularized information maximization (RIM) framework to robust classification against an optimal adversary. We empirically evaluate our method - which we dub categorical generative adversarial networks (or CatGAN) - on synthetic data as well as on challenging image classification tasks, demonstrating the robustness of the learned classifiers. We further qualitatively assess the fidelity of samples generated by the adversarial generator that is learned alongside the discriminative classifier, and identify links between the CatGAN objective and discriminative clustering algorithms (such as RIM).
Packet Trains-Measurements and a New Model for Computer Network Traffic

Traffic measurements on a ring local area computer network at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are presented. The analysis of the arrival pattern shows that the arrival processes are neither Poisson nor compound Poisson. An alternative model called "packet train" is proposed. In the train model, the traffic on the network consists of a number of packet streams between various pairs of nodes on the network. Each node-pair stream (or node-pair process, as we call them) consists of a number of trains. Each train consists of a number of packets (or cars) going in either direction (from node A to B or from node B to A). The intercar gap is large (compared to packet transmission time) and random. The intertrain time is even larger. The Poisson and the compound Poisson arrivals are shown to be special cases of the train arrival model. Another important observation is that the packet arrivals exhibit a "source locality. " If a packet is seen on the network going from A to B, the probability of the next packet going from A to B or from B to A is very high. Implications of the train arrivals and of source locality on the design of bridges, gateways, and reservation protocols are discussed. A numbet of open problems requiring development of analysis techniques for systems with train arrival processes are also described.
Experimental Analysis of Barehand Mid-air Mode-Switching Techniques in Virtual Reality

We present an empirical comparison of eleven bare hand, mid-air mode-switching techniques suitable for virtual reality in two experiments. The first evaluates seven techniques spanning dominant and non-dominant hand actions. Techniques represent common classes of actions selected by a methodical examination of 56 examples of prior art. The standard "subtraction method" protocol is adapted for 3D interfaces, with two baseline selection methods, bare hand pinch and device controller button. A second experiment with four techniques explores more subtle dominant-hand techniques and the effect of using a dominant hand device for selection. Results provide guidance to practitioners when choosing bare hand, mid-air mode-switching techniques, and for researchers when designing new mode-switching methods in VR.
Assessment of Epidermal Barrier Function by Photoacoustic Spectrometry in Relation to Its Importance in the Pathogenesis of Atopic Dermatitis

With the use of the photoacoustic spectrometry system, in which a mixture of lipid- and water-soluble dyes is applied to the skin and then irradiated with light from a xenon lamp (425 nm and 550 nm), we measured photoacoustic signals of both dyes within the stratum corneum and their disappearance rate through the stratum corneum. The signal intensity was higher and dyes penetrated faster in clinically normal skin of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) compared with healthy subjects, indicating an impairment of the in vivo cutaneous permeability barrier function against both lipophilic and hydrophilic chemicals. Furthermore, penetration rates of the hydrophilic dyes tended to increase in proportion to the severity of AD and significantly correlated with serum IgE levels in the severe AD group. Thus, abnormal barrier functions of clinically normal skin in AD may predispose inflammatory processes evoked by irritants and allergens, especially their water-soluble elements.
Detection of early cognitive processing by event-related phase synchronization analysis

In order to investigate the temporal characteristics of cognitive processing, we apply multivariate phase synchronization analysis to event-related potentials. The experimental design combines a semantic incongruity in a sentence context with a physical mismatch (color change). In the ERP average, these result in an N400 component and a P300-like positivity, respectively. Synchronization analysis shows an effect of global desynchronization in the theta band around 288 ms after stimulus presentation for the semantic incongruity, while the physical mismatch elicits an increase of global synchronization in the alpha band around 204 ms. Both of these effects clearly precede those in the ERP average. Moreover, the delay between synchronization effect and ERP component correlates with the complexity of the cognitive processes.
A theoretical and empirical analysis of Expected Sarsa

This paper presents a theoretical and empirical analysis of Expected Sarsa, a variation on Sarsa, the classic on-policy temporal-difference method for model-free reinforcement learning. Expected Sarsa exploits knowledge about stochasticity in the behavior policy to perform updates with lower variance. Doing so allows for higher learning rates and thus faster learning. In deterministic environments, Expected Sarsas updates have zero variance, enabling a learning rate of 1. We prove that Expected Sarsa converges under the same conditions as Sarsa and formulate specific hypotheses about when Expected Sarsa will outperform Sarsa and Q-learning. Experiments in multiple domains confirm these hypotheses and demonstrate that Expected Sarsa has significant advantages over these more commonly used methods.
Architecture of Amylose Supramolecules in Form of Inclusion Complexes by Phosphorylase-Catalyzed Enzymatic Polymerization

This paper reviews the architecture of amylose supramolecules in form of inclusion complexes with synthetic polymers by phosphorylase-catalyzed enzymatic polymerization. Amylose is known to be synthesized by enzymatic polymerization using α-d-glucose 1-phosphate as a monomer, by phosphorylase catalysis. When the phosphorylase-catalyzed enzymatic polymerization was conducted in the presence of various hydrophobic polymers, such as polyethers, polyesters, poly(ester-ether), and polycarbonates as a guest polymer, such inclusion supramolecules were formed by the hydrophobic interaction in the progress of polymerization. Because the representation of propagation in the polymerization is similar to the way that a vine of a plant grows, twining around a rod, this polymerization method for the formation of amylose-polymer inclusion complexes was proposed to be named “vine-twining polymerization”. To yield an inclusion complex from a strongly hydrophobic polyester, the parallel enzymatic polymerization system was extensively developed. The author found that amylose selectively included one side of the guest polymer from a mixture of two resemblant guest polymers, as well as a specific range in molecular weights of the guest polymers poly(tetrahydrofuran) (PTHF) in the vine-twining polymerization. Selective inclusion behavior of amylose toward stereoisomers of chiral polyesters, poly(lactide)s, also appeared in the vine-twining polymerization.
Understanding online social network usage from a network perspective

Online Social Networks (OSNs) have already attracted more than half a billion users. However, our understanding of which OSN features attract and keep the attention of these users is poor. Studies thus far have relied on surveys or interviews of OSN users or focused on static properties, e. g. , the friendship graph, gathered via sampled crawls. In this paper, we study how users actually interact with OSNs by extracting clickstreams from passively monitored network traffic. Our characterization of user interactions within the OSN for four different OSNs (Facebook, LinkedIn, Hi5, and StudiVZ) focuses on feature popularity, session characteristics, and the dynamics within OSN sessions. We find, for example, that users commonly spend more than half an hour interacting with the OSNs while the byte contributions per OSN session are relatively small.
Temperature and sheltering determine patterns of seedling establishment in an advancing subtropical treeline

Questions An advance of high-altitude treelines has been reported in response to warming climate throughout the globe. Understanding local controls on the establishment of seedlings above the treeline is essential for predicting wider patterns of treeline response from a process-based perspective. Here we investigate patterns of seedling establishment in relation to microsite conditions in an advancing treeline ecotone in the subtropics, using climate data recorded at the plant-relevant scale. We sought to determine which temperature factors were of importance, if sheltering plays an important role in seedling establishment and if the response varied with seedling age. Location The Abies kawakamii treelines of the Central Mountain Range, Taiwan, 2800 to 3275 m a.s. l. Methods Seedlings were monitored in plots covering a range of treeline structural forms over a period of 2 yrs. Temperatures were recorded at plant-relevant height (5 cm) above ground and depth below ground with data loggers. Microtopographic sheltering (at a 10-m scale) and surrounding vegetation were measured. The influence of the above variables on seedling number and growth was investigated using generalized linear models and linear mixed effect models, respectively. Results Soil temperatures had more influence on seedling number than air temperature, whilst air temperature was positively associated with subsequent seedling growth. Establishment patterns were found to have a strong relationship with microtopographic sheltering, with more sheltered areas having elevated seedling numbers. Early growth may have significant implications for subsequent plant performance since smaller seedlings were more sensitive to both temperature and microtopography than larger seedlings. Conclusions Air and soil temperatures and microtopography determine spatial patterns of seedling establishment. Our results suggest that establishment above the treeline is likely to continue as the climate warms, although advance will not be spatially uniform due to the modifying influence of topography. This variability has important implications for the persistence and extinction of alpine plant communities occurring above treeline in topographically complex systems.
Composition of Loop Modules in the Structural Blanks Approach to Programming with Recurrences: A Task of Synthesis of Nested Loops

The paper presents, first, the Structural Blanks (SB) approach, then a method to compose loop programs. SB is an approach for expressing computations based on recurrence relations and focuses on data dependencies in loops. The paper presents language constructs and semantics for expressing programs that have complex data dependency patterns. These constructs are expressed using structural “blanks” for computations based on recurrence relations. In SB the recurrence structure and the functional part of a recurrence relation may be described separately. Therefore declarative representation of data dependencies is examined. SB aims at supporting the transformational development and reuse of program modules. The approach deals with two aspects: pragmatics and semantics. In the paper we aim at: (1) developing a theory and language for functional and structural modules, (2) an algorithm for composition of structural modules. The approach is illustrated by toy problems: the Fibonacci function, heat flow, etc. Hence the reuse and verification are viewed as those of, e.g., stacks, queues, bubble sort, etc.
A novel mutation in the HTRA1 gene causes CARASIL without alopecia

Seizures and memory loss are common features of anti-LGI1 limbic encephalitis,1 a recently described autoimmune encephalitis, previously attributed to voltage-gated potassium channel antibodies (VGKC-ab). 2,3 Abnormal involuntary movements are frequently seen in patients diagnosed with anti-LGI1 limbic encephalitis. However, to date it is not clear if these abnormal movements represent seizures or an extrapyramidal movement disorder. Here we describe 3 patients with anti-LGI1 limbic encephalitis, who presented with severe movement abnormalities that were associated with ictal EEG changes. ### Methods. We present 3 female patients (ages 80, 46, and 72) with similar features. #### Clinical features. All patients developed abnormal movements of face, shoulders, arms, or legs (videos 1–3 on the Neurology ® Web site at www.neurology.org). These strong, massive movements were slightly slower than typical myoclonus, occurring 5 to 100 times per day. Their consciousness was preserved during the movements. #### EEG. Continuous video-EEG recordings showed that the longer movements were clearly associated with generalized EEG electrodecremental events (EDEs), usually preceding the onset of movement by approximately 500 msec (figure), a pattern typical of epileptic tonic …
A fast solver for nonlocal electrostatic theory in biomolecular science and engineering

Biological molecules perform their functions surrounded by water and mobile ions, which strongly influence molecular structure and behavior. The electrostatic interactions between a molecule and solvent are particularly difficult to model theoretically, due to the forces' long range and the collective response of many thousands of solvent molecules. The dominant modeling approaches represent the two extremes of the trade-off between molecular realism and computational efficiency: all-atom molecular dynamics in explicit solvent, and macroscopic continuum theory (the Poisson or Poisson-Boltzmann equation). We present the first fast-solver implementation of an advanced nonlocal continuum theory that combines key advantages of both approaches. In particular, molecular realism is included by limiting solvent dielectric response on short length scales, using a model for nonlocal dielectric response allows the resulting problem (a linear integro-differential Poisson equation) to be reformulated as a system of coupled boundary-integral equations using double reciprocity. Whereas previous studies using the nonlocal theory had been limited to small model problems, owing to computational cost, our work opens the door to studying much larger problems including rational drug design, protein engineering, and nanofluidics
A study and comparison of multimedia Web searching: 1997-2006

Searching for multimedia is an important activity for users of Web search engines. Studying user’s interactions with Web search engine multimedia buttons, including image, audio, and video, is important for the development of multimedia Web search systems. This article provides results from a Weblog analysis study of multimedia Web searching by Dogpile users in 2006. The study analyzes the (a) duration, size, and structure of Web search queries and sessions; (b) user demographics; (c) most popular multimedia Web searching terms; and (d) use of advancedWeb search techniques including Boolean and natural language. The current study findings are compared with results from previous multimedia Web searching studies. The key findings are: (a) Since 1997, image search consistently is the dominant media type searched followed by audio and video; (b) multimedia search duration is still short (>50% of searching episodes are <1 min), using few search terms; (c) many multimedia searches are for information about people, especially in audio search; and (d) multimedia search has begun to shift from entertainment to other categories such as medical, sports, and technology (based on the most repeated terms). Implications for design of Web multimedia search engines are discussed.
The role of religion among women in the HIV epidemic in Malawi

Introduction Religious affiliation has been associated with human immune-deficiency virus (HIV) prevalence in India and South Africa. There has been limited research that has explored whether any such association exists in Malawi. Methods The current study, using data from the Malawi Demographic and Health Survey (MDHS) 2004/5, was conducted to examine the association between religion, HIV infection and sexual behaviors among 15 to 49 year old women. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association. Results A total of 2,609 women, 2,181 (83.5%) Christians and 407 (15.6%) Muslims who reported ever having sex and had HIV test results within the survey were included. A total of 415 (15.9%, 95% confidence interval [CI]; 14.5%-17.3%) were HIV infected. Crude estimates showed that Seventh Day Adventists /Seventh-Day Baptists
Adverse drug reactions reporting: pharmacists' knowledge, attitude and practice in Shiraz, Iran.

BACKGROUND While yellow card reporting system has started in 1998 in Iran, the ADR reporting rate is very low. OBJECTIVE In order to explore whether the Iranian Pharmacovigilance system could be modified, and to determine reasons for under-reporting, a study to investigate the role of pharmacists in ADR reporting was done in Shiraz. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted between January and June 2013 in Shiraz, Iran. After describing the study and its goal for each participant, oral consent was taken. RESULTS 100 out of 120 pharmacists (83.3%) agreed to participate in the interview. 79 out of 100 respondents were working in private pharmacies, 7% in governmental pharmacies, and 3% in pharmacies located in hospitals. Although level of knowledge regarding ADR was low among pharmacists, all of them admitted that paying attention to ADRs and timely reporting is very important. While 6 (6%) pharmacists thought that they had been taught too much about ADR in the university, 30% believed that it was enough, 41% claimed that it was not satisfactory and 23% admitted that it was little. CONCLUSIONS Our pharmacists have little knowledge about the process, goal, and importance of ADR spontaneous reporting system. Otherwise, education and training courses will be important in maintaining, improving and enhancing ADR reports by pharmacists.
Multi‐speed solitary wave solutions for nonlinear Schrödinger systems

We prove the existence of a new type of solutions to a nonlinear Schrödinger system. These solutions, which we call multi-speeds solitary waves, behave at large time as a couple of scalar solitary waves traveling at different speeds. The proof relies on the construction of approximations of the multi‐speeds solitary waves by solving the system backward in time and using energy methods to obtain uniform estimates.
MIGRATING BIRDS STOP OVER LONGER THAN USUALLY THOUGHT: AN IMPROVED CAPTURE–RECAPTURE ANALYSIS

Migrating animals often divide their journey into alternating phases of migration bouts and stopping over. For investigating many questions of migration ecology it is crucial (1) to estimate the duration of stopover phases, and (2) to test whether animals of different groups differ in their stopover behavior. Using recent advances in capture–recapture statistics, we show how total stopover duration can be estimated from capture–recapture data. The probabilities of immigration are estimated and modeled by recruitment analysis and are converted into the time the animals spent at the stopover place before capture; the probabilities of emigration are estimated and modeled by survival analysis and are converted into the time the animals spent at the stopover place after capture. The sum of the two parts is the total stopover duration. Tests for differences between groups can be addressed by an appropriate model selection procedure. Two examples of migrating passerine birds at a stopover site in Switzerland illustrate this method. Mean total stopover duration was 12.3 d for Reed Warblers and 7.1 d for Reed Buntings. This was considerably higher than values obtained by the minimum stopover duration estimation (6.0 and 4.4 d, respectively). Because of the fundamental weaknesses of the minimum stopover duration estimation, which has been widely used in migration ecology, many findings obtained by this method need to be reconsidered.
Collaborative Security

Security is oftentimes centrally managed. An alternative trend of using collaboration in order to improve security has gained momentum over the past few years. Collaborative security is an abstract concept that applies to a wide variety of systems and has been used to solve security issues inherent in distributed environments. Thus far, collaboration has been used in many domains such as intrusion detection, spam filtering, botnet resistance, and vulnerability detection. In this survey, we focus on different mechanisms of collaboration and defense in collaborative security. We systematically investigate numerous use cases of collaborative security by covering six types of security systems. Aspects of these systems are thoroughly studied, including their technologies, standards, frameworks, strengths and weaknesses. We then present a comprehensive study with respect to their analysis target, timeliness of analysis, architecture, network infrastructure, initiative, shared information and interoperability. We highlight five important topics in collaborative security, and identify challenges and possible directions for future research. Our work contributes the following to the existing research on collaborative security with the goal of helping to make collaborative security systems more resilient and efficient. This study (1) clarifies the scope of collaborative security, (2) identifies the essential components of collaborative security, (3) analyzes the multiple mechanisms of collaborative security, and (4) identifies challenges in the design of collaborative security.