Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cloud-based Privacy Preserving Image Storage, Sharing and Search

High-resolution cameras produce huge volume of high quality images everyday. It is extremely challenging to store, share and especially search those huge images, for which increasing number of cloud services are presented to support such functionalities. However, images tend to contain rich sensitive information (\eg, people, location and event), and people's privacy concerns hinder their readily participation into the services provided by untrusted third parties. In this work, we introduce PIC: a Privacy-preserving large-scale Image search system on Cloud. Our system enables efficient yet secure content-based image search with fine-grained access control, and it also provides privacy-preserving image storage and sharing among users. Users can specify who can/cannot search on their images when using the system, and they can search on others' images if they satisfy the condition specified by the image owners. Majority of the computationally intensive jobs are outsourced to the cloud side, and users only need to submit the query and receive the result throughout the entire image search. Specially, to deal with massive images, we design our system suitable for distributed and parallel computation and introduce several optimizations to further expedite the search process. We implement a prototype of PIC including both cloud side and client side. The cloud side is a cluster of computers with distributed file system (Hadoop HDFS) and MapReduce architecture (Hadoop MapReduce). The client side is built for both Windows OS laptops and Android phones. We evaluate the prototype system with large sets of real-life photos. Our security analysis and evaluation results show that PIC successfully protect the image privacy at a low cost of computation and communication.
Disposition development in drama: the role of moral, immoral and ambiguously moral characters

Understanding what drives narrative appeal is a major focus of entertainment research. Disposition theory proposes that appeal is a function of the dispositions viewers hold towards characters, which are in turn driven by viewer perceptions of character morality and outcomes experienced by characters. However, the manner in which dispositions change overtime has not been extensively researched. In addition, disposition research has overlooked characters that do not provoke consistently strong dispositions in viewers. The current study tracks disposition formation across eight weeks of a serial drama. Results indicate that as predicted, character morality and liking are strongly related, and that depending on the morality of the character, these dispositions can shift overtime in a predictable fashion. Characters who do not engender strong dispositions in viewers do play a role in overall enjoyment, however may be less critical in dispositional processes than clearcut heroes and villains. Therefore, to understand the role these characters play we may need to look beyond dispositional concerns.
Homoeostasis between the GTPase Spg1p and its GAP in the regulation of cytokinesis in S. pombe

Cytokinesis in Schizosaccharomyces pombe begins at mitotic entry, when the site of division is defined by formation of the contractile acto-myosin ring (CAR) at the cell cortex. Contraction of the CAR and formation of the division septum are triggered at the end of mitosis by septation initiation network (SIN) proteins associated with the spindle pole body (SPB). SIN signalling requires activation of the GTPase Spg1p, which is regulated by the bipartite GTPase-activating protein (GAP) Byr4p-Cdc16p. We show that, for Spg1p to associate with the SPB, it must be bound to its GAP or to its mitotic effector, the protein kinase Cdc7p. Analysis of the GAP proteins reveals that the steady-state level of Byr4p reflects that of Spg1p. Furthermore, if the interaction of Byr4p with Spg1p is compromised, the level of Byr4p decreases dramatically. The adaptation of the level of Byr4p to that of Spg1p requires the presence of Cdc16p and is mediated by proteasome-dependent destruction. It requires neither association with the SPB nor an active SIN. We propose a mechanism that limits the amount of the Byr4p-Cdc16p GAP to the amount required to inhibit Spg1p signalling.
The Cognitive Face of Cerebellum; Implications for Extended Research

For years, the role of cerebellum was believed to be limited to motor functions. Only since almost two decades ago, a new concept about cerebellum and its contribution to non-motor functions including cognition and emotion started to emerged. During the recent years, numerous studies have focused on the cerebellar non-motor functions with their results providing supportive evidence on this view. The connections between cerebellum and cortical and subcortical areas such as frontoparietal cortices and the limbic system provide additional evidence for the involvement of cerebellum in higher cognitive functions. This review has been an effort to discuss the studies assessing different aspects of cognitive and affective disorders following cerebellar damage, as well as the cerebellar activity during cognitive tasks using novel approaches including fMRI and PET scans.
Direct policy search reinforcement learning based on particle filtering

We reveal a link between particle ltering methods and direct policy search reinforcement learning, and propose a novel reinforcement learning algorithm, based heavily on ideas borrowed from particle lters. A major advantage of the proposed algorithm is its ability to perform global search in policy space and thus nd the globally optimal policy. We validate the approach on one- and two-dimensional problems with multiple optima, and compare its performance to a global random sampling method, and a state-of-the-art ExpectationMaximization based reinforcement learning algorithm.
Bilateral endoprosthetic total hip or knee arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND More than 300 000 joint replacement operations are performed in Germany every year, and the number is rising. In this article, we consider the question of simultaneous bilateral joint replacement at the hips or knees. Such procedures are indicated in patients suffering from bilateral, symptomatic arthrosis. METHODS The article is based on a selective review of the relevant literature, and on the authors' own prospective comparative study of simultaneous bilateral hip replacement. RESULTS The morbidity and mortality of simultaneous bilateral hip arthroplasty are no different than those of a unilateral procedure. Rehabilitation is easier when both joints are replaced at the same time. Simultaneous bilateral knee arthroplasty has comparable morbidity to a unilateral procedure, but a slightly higher mortality (0.30% vs. 0.14%). Allogenic blood transfusion is more likely to be needed in a bilateral procedure, particularly of the knees. Simultaneous bilateral arthroplasty of either the hips or the knees in one surgical procedure is better than two-staged arthroplasty during a single hospital stay. CONCLUSION Simultaneous bilateral hip arthroplasty is safer for the patient and facilitates rehabilitation, regardless of the patient's age and ASA status (ASA, American Society of Anesthesiologists). With regard to the knees, there are two additional issues, namely the more frequent need for transfusion and somewhat higher mortality of a simultaneous bilateral procedure. Therefore, we recommend simultaneous bilateral knee arthroplasty only for patients in ASA classes 1 and 2. Simultaneous bilateral arthroplasty of either the hip or knee incurs lower costs than two separate operations.
Genetic mapping of the scab resistance gene in cucumber.

Scab, caused by Cladosporium cucumerinum Ell. et Arthur, is a prevalent disease of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) worldwide. Scab can cause serious losses for cucumber production, especially in protected culture such as high tunnel production. Resistance to cucumber scab is dominant and is controlled by a single gene, Ccu. Breeding for resistant cultivars is the most efficient way to control the disease. Selection for resistance might be made easier if the gene were mapped to linked markers. Thus far, there are no tightly linked (genetic distance less than 1 cM) simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers for the Ccu gene, and no studies on mapping of the Ccu gene in cucumber using SSR markers. The objective of this study was to identify SSR markers for use in molecular breeding of scab resistance. In this study, we used a population of recombinant inbred lines (RILs). The population included 148 individuals derived from the cucumber inbred line 9110 Gt (Ccu Ccu) crossed with line 9930 (ccu ccu). The Ccu gene was mapped to linkage group 2, corresponding to chromosome 2 of cucumber. The flanking markers SSR03084 and SSR17631 were linked to the Ccu gene with distances of 0.7 and 1.6 cM, respectively. The veracity of SSR03084 and SSR17631 was tested using 59 diverse inbred lines and hybrids, and the accuracy rate for the two markers was 98.3%. In conclusion, two SSRs closely linked to scab resistance gene Ccu have been identified and can be used in a cucumber breeding program.
Template Use and the Effectiveness of Knowledge Transfer

This paper is a direct empirical examination of the fundamental claim that use of templates enhances the effectiveness of knowledge transfer. We explore the effect of template use through an eight-year, in-depth field investigation of Rank Xerox (now Xerox Europe). The field investigation covers three sequential transfer efforts in 15 western European countries. The investigation reveals a naturally occurring, repeated-treatment quasi experiment that allows us to test the hypothesis that the use of templates enhances the effectiveness of knowledge transfer. “Observations” in this experiment measure the extent of adoption and performance of the practice at the recipient units. The “treatment” is the use of a template during the transfer.
Study comparing video-based characters and 3D-based characters on mobile devices for chat

This study explores presentation techniques for a chat-based virtual human that communicates engagingly with users. Interactions with the virtual human occur via a smartphone outside of the lab in natural settings. Our work compares the responses of users who interact with an animated virtual character as opposed to a real human video character capable of displaying realistic backchannel behaviors. An audio-only interface is compared additionally with the two types of characters. The findings of our study suggest that people are socially attracted to a 3D animated character that does not display backchannel behaviors more than a real human video character that presents realistic backchannel behaviors. People engage in conversation more by talking for a longer amount of time when they interact with a 3D animated virtual human that exhibits realistic backchannel behaviors, compared to communicating with a real human video character that does not display backchannel behaviors.
MODE OF THE PROFILE FOR RANDOM TREES OF LOGARITHMIC HEIGHT 1

We propose a new, direct, correlation-free approach based on central moments of profiles to the asymptotics of width (size of the most abundant level) in random trees of logarithmic height. The approach is simple but gives very precise estimates for expected width, central moments of the width, and almost sure convergence. It is widely applicable to random trees of logarithmic height, including recursive trees, binary search trees, quadtrees, plane-oriented ordered trees and other varieties of increasing trees. Abbreviated title: Width of random log trees. MSC 2000 subject classifications: Primary 60C05; secondary 05C05 68P10.
Nursing Challenges: are changes in the nursing role and skill mix improving patient care?

Nursing Challenges: are changes in the nursing role and skill mix improving patient care? National and local health policy is leading to significant changes in the skill mix of the health care workforce. Nurses are substituting for doctors, less qualified staff are substituting for registered nurses. Without a firm evidence base, these policy changes are little more than a large social experiment with poor evaluation of its risks, costs and benefits. This is one of the conclusions of this latest issue of Health Policy Matters, which has been published in conjunction with the Dr Foster Ethics Committee. The paper highlights the need for further research.
Human Psychopharmacology of Hoasca, A Plant Hallucinogen Used in Ritual Context in Brazil

A multinational, collaborative, biomedical investigation of the effects of hoasca (ayahuasca), a potent concoction of plant hallucinogens, was conducted in the Brazilian Amazon during the summer of 1993. This report describes the psychological assessment of 15 long-term members of a syncretic church that utilizes hoasca as a legal, psychoactive sacrament as well as 15 matched controls with no prior history of hoasca ingestion. Measures administered to both groups included structured psychiatric diagnostic interviews, personality testing, and neuropsychological evaluation. Phenomenological assessment of the altered state experience as well as semistructured and open-ended life story interviews were conducted with the long-term use hoasca group, but not the hoasca-naive control group. Salient findings included the remission of psychopathology following the initiation of hoasca use along with no evidence of personality or cognitive deterioration. Overall assessment revealed high functional status. Implications of this unusual phenomenon and need for further investigation are discussed.
Quantitative Breuer-Major Theorems

We consider sequences of random variables of the type $S_n= n^{-1/2} \sum_{k=1}^n f(X_k)$, $n\geq 1$, where $X=(X_k)_{k\in \Z}$ is a $d$-dimensional Gaussian process and $f: \R^d \rightarrow \R$ is a measurable function. It is known that, under certain conditions on $f$ and the covariance function $r$ of $X$, $S_n$ converges in distribution to a normal variable $S$. In the present paper we derive several explicit upper bounds for quantities of the type $|\E[h(S_n)] -\E[h(S)]|$, where $h$ is a sufficiently smooth test function. Our methods are based on Malliavin calculus, on interpolation techniques and on the Stein's method for normal approximation. The bounds deduced in our paper depend only on $\E[f^2(X_1)]$ and on simple infinite series involving the components of $r$. In particular, our results generalize and refine some classic CLTs by Breuer-Major, Giraitis-Surgailis and Arcones, concerning the normal approximation of partial sums associated with Gaussian-subordinated time-series.
Prenatal exposure to maternal anxiety affects neurocognition in the first year of life

Correctly processing rapid sequences of sounds is essential for developmental milestones, such as language acquisition. We investigated the sensitivity of two-month-old infants to violations of a temporal regularity, by recording event-related brain potentials (ERP) in an auditory oddball paradigm from 36 waking and 40 sleeping infants. Standard tones were presented at a regular 300 ms inter-stimulus interval (ISI). One deviant, otherwise identical to the standard, was preceded by a 100 ms ISI. Two other deviants, presented with the standard ISI, differed from the standard in their spectral makeup. We found significant differences between ERP responses elicited by the standard and each of the deviant sounds. The results suggest that the ability to extract both temporal and spectral regularities from a sound sequence is already functional within the first few months of life. The scalp distribution of all three deviant-stimulus responses was influenced by the infants’ state of alertness.
Distributed Asynchronous Deterministic and Stochastic Gradient Optimization Algorithms

We present a model for asynchronous distributed computation and then proceed to analyze the convergence of natural asynchronous distributed versions of a large class of deterministic and stochastic gradient-like algorithms. We show that such algorithms retain the desirable convergence properties of their centralized counterparts, provided that the time between consecutive communications between processors plus communication delays are not too large.
The Formation of Star Clusters I: 3D Simulations of Hydrodynamic Turbulence

We present the results of a series of numerical simulations of compressible, self-gravitating hydrodynamic turbulence of cluster-forming clumps in molecular clouds. We examine the role that turbulence has in the formation of gravitationally bound cores, studying the dynamical state, internal structure and bulk properties of these cores. Complex structure in turbulent clumps is formed provided that the damping time of the turbulence, $t_{damp}$ is longer than the gravitational free-fall time $t_{ff}$ in a region. We find a variety of density and infall velocity structures among the cores in the simulation, including cores that resemble the Larson-Penston collapse of an isothermal sphere ($\rho \propto r^{-2}$) as well as cores that resemble the McLaughlin-Pudritz collapse of logatropic spheres ($\rho \propto r^{-1}$). The specific angular momentum profiles range between $j \propto r^{1} - r^{2}$. The masses of the bound cores that form are well-fit by the turbulent mass spectrum of Padoan and Nordlund (2002), while the specific angular momentum distribution can be fit by a broken power law. While our hydrodynamic simulations reproduce many of the observed properties of cores, we find an upper limit for the star formation efficiency (SFE) in clusters of 40-50 per cent.
Risk and the Value of Bt Corn

A conceptual model is developed to evaluate the effect of Bt corn on risk. Results highlight the importance of distinguishing between marginal and aggregate risk effects and demonstrate that the effect of Bt corn on risk depends crucially on the price paid for the technology. Empirical results show that, depending on the price, Bt corn can be marginally risk increasing or decreasing and can either increase or decrease corn acreage. Also, depending on the price, Bt corn can provide a risk benefit to farmers, even when Bt corn is risk increasing. Copyright 2004, Oxford University Press.
Square summability of variations and convergence of the transfer operator

Abstract In this paper we study the one-sided shift operator on a state space defined by a finite alphabet. Using a scheme developed by Walters [P. Walters. Trans. Amer. Math. Soc.353(1) (2001), 327–347], we prove that the sequence of iterates of the transfer operator converges under square summability of variations of the g-function, a condition which gave uniqueness of a g-measure in our earlier work [A. Johansson and A. Öberg. Math. Res. Lett.10(5–6) (2003), 587–601]. We also prove uniqueness of the so-called G-measures, introduced by Brown and Dooley [G. Brown and A. H. Dooley. Ergod. Th. & Dynam. Sys.11 (1991), 279–307], under square summability of variations.
The Locus of Adversative Conjunctions in the Research Articles

This study is an endeavor to find how English native and nonnative EFL/ESL (English as foreign language/English as second language) writers use adversative conjunctions to connect ideas together so that texts have both coherence and cohesion. Regarding the problems nonnative writers of EFL face when composing a piece of writing, we attempted a qualitative study through compiling a stack of 200 articles written by the two groups. The research design concerned the content analysis of research articles and descriptive statistics showing the frequency of occurrences of modals in the data. The findings indicated that the number of proper and correction adversatives exceeded those of contrastive and dismissal; the statistically significant difference between two groups lay in the use of proper and correction adversative conjunction, whereas the two groups showed little or no difference in the usage of contrastive or dismissal adversatives. These findings can help material writers, EFL/ESL teachers, and learners to appreciate the significant roles adversative conjunctions play in writing.
Beta‐blockers improve survival outcomes in patients with multiple myeloma: a retrospective evaluation

A preclinical study demonstrated anti‐proliferative and apoptotic effect of propranolol on multiple myeloma (MM) cell. Clinical studies suggested that beta‐blocker (BB) might impact the prognosis of breast, prostate, colorectal, ovarian, lung, and skin cancer. This retrospective study evaluated the effect of BB in MM disease‐specific survival (DSS) and overall survival (OS). Among 1,971 newly diagnosed MM patients seen at Mayo Clinic between 1995 and 2010, usage of BB and other cardiac (or antihypertensive) medications were abstracted. Cumulative incidence function and Kaplan–Meier method were used to estimate 5‐year cumulative incidence rate (CIR) of MM death and OS rate, respectively. Nine hundred and thirty (47.2%) patients had no intake of cardiac medications; 260 (13.2%) used BB alone; 343 (17.4%) used both BB/non‐BB cardiac medications; and 438 (22.2%) had non‐BB cardiac drugs. Superior MM DSS was observed in BB only users, compared to patients without any cardiac drugs ( HRadj.CS , 0.53, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.42–0.67, Padj.<0.0001) and non‐BB cardiac drugs users ( HRadj.CS , 0.49, 95% CI, 0.38–0.63, Padj.<0.0001). Patients on both BB and other cardiac drugs showed superior DSS than non‐cardiac drugs users ( HRadj.CS , 0.54, 95% CI, 0.44–0.67, Padj.<0.0001) and non‐BB cardiac drug users. ( HRadj.CS , 0.50, 95% CI, 0.40–0.62, Padj.<0.0001). MM DSS did not differ between BB users with and without other cardiac drugs (Padj.=0.90). Multivariable analysis showed the same pattern for OS. In patients with MM, BB intake is associated with a reduced risk of disease‐specific death and overall mortality in comparison to non‐BB or no use of cardiac drugs. Am. J. Hematol. 92:50–55, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Maxent modeling for predicting suitable habitat for threatened and endangered tree Canacomyrica monticola in New Caledonia

Distribution data on threatened and endangered species are often sparse and clustered making it difficult to model their suitable habitat distribution using commonly used modeling approaches. We used a novel method called maximum entropy distribution modeling or Maxent for predicting potential suitable habitat for Canacomyrica monticola, a threatened and endangered tree species in New Caledonia, using small number of occurrence records (11). The Maxent model had 91% success rate (that is, a low omission rate) and was statistically significant. The approach presented here appears to be quite promising in predicting suitable habitat for threatened and endangered species with small sample records and can be an effective tool for biodiversity conservation planning, monitoring and management.
UPPER LIMITS ON THE VHE GAMMA-RAY EMISSION FROM THE WILLMAN 1 SATELLITE GALAXY WITH THE MAGIC TELESCOPE

We present the result of the observation of the ultrafaint dwarf galaxy Willman 1 performed with the 17 m MAGIC telescope during 15.5 hr between March and May 2008. No significant γ-ray emission was found. We derived upper limits of the order of 10−12 ph cm−2 s−1 on the integral flux above 100 GeV, which we compare with predictions from several of the established neutralino benchmark models in the mSUGRA parameter space. The neutralino annihilation spectra are defined after including the recently quantified contribution of internal bremsstrahlung from the virtual sparticles that mediate the annihilation. Flux boost factors of three orders of magnitude are required even in the most optimistic scenario to match our upper limits. However, uncertainties in the dark matter intrinsic and extrinsic properties (e.g., presence of substructures, Sommerfeld effect) may significantly reduce this gap.