Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Unsupervised Learning of Probabilistic Object Models (POMs) for Object Classification, Segmentation, and Recognition Using Knowledge Propagation

We present a method to learn probabilistic object models (POMs) with minimal supervision, which exploit different visual cues and perform tasks such as classification, segmentation, and recognition. We formulate this as a structure induction and learning task and our strategy is to learn and combine elementary POMs that make use of complementary image cues. We describe a novel structure induction procedure, which uses knowledge propagation to enable POMs to provide information to other POMs and ldquoteach themrdquo (which greatly reduces the amount of supervision required for training and speeds up the inference). In particular, we learn a POM-IP defined on interest points using weak supervision [1], [2] and use this to train a POM-mask, defined on regional features, which yields a combined POM that performs segmentation/localization. This combined model can be used to train POM-edgelets, defined on edgelets, which gives a full POM with improved performance on classification. We give detailed experimental analysis on large data sets for classification and segmentation with comparison to other methods. Inference takes five seconds while learning takes approximately four hours. In addition, we show that the full POM is invariant to scale and rotation of the object (for learning and inference) and can learn hybrid objects classes (i.e., when there are several objects and the identity of the object in each image is unknown). Finally, we show that POMs can be used to match between different objects of the same category, and hence, enable objects recognition.
Optimizing pinhole and parallel hole collimation for scintimammography with compact pixellated detectors

The relative advantages of pinhole and parallel hole collimators for scintimammography with compact, pixellated gamma detectors were investigated using analytic models of resolution and sensitivity. Collimator design was studied as follows. A desired object resolution was specified for a pixellated detector with a given crystal size and intrinsic spatial resolution and for a given object-to-collimator distance. Using analytic formulas, pinhole and parallel hole collimator parameters were calculated that satisfy this object resolution with optimal geometric sensitivity. Analyses were performed for 15 cm /spl times/ 20 cm field of view detectors with crystal elements 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 mm on a side and 140 keV incident photons.
Ribosomal Multi-Operon Diversity: An Original Perspective on the Genus Aeromonas

16S rRNA gene (rrs) is considered of low taxonomic interest in the genus Aeromonas. Here, 195 Aeromonas strains belonging to populations structured by multilocus phylogeny were studied using an original approach that considered Ribosomal Multi-Operon Diversity. This approach associated pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) to assess rrn operon number and distribution across the chromosome and PCR-temporal temperature gel electrophoresis (TTGE) to assess rrs V3 region heterogeneity. Aeromonads harbored 8 to 11 rrn operons, 10 operons being observed in more than 92% of the strains. Intraspecific variability was low or nul except for A. salmonicida and A. aquariorum suggesting that large chromosomic rearrangements might occur in these two species while being extremely rarely encountered in the evolution of other taxa. rrn operon number at 8 as well as PFGE patterns were shown valuable for taxonomic purpose allowing resolution of species complexes. PCR-TTGE revealed a high rate of strains (41.5%) displaying intragenomic rrs heterogeneity. Strains isolated from human samples more frequently displayed intragenomic heterogeneity than strains recovered from non-human and environmental specimens. Intraspecific variability ranged from 0 to 76.5% of the strains. The observation of species-specific TTGE bands, the recovery of identical V3 regions in different species and the variability of intragenomic heterogeneity (1–13 divergent nucleotides) supported the occurrence of mutations and horizontal transfer in aeromonad rrs evolution. Altogether, the presence of a high number of rrn operon, the high proportion of strains harboring divergent rrs V3 region and the previously demonstrated high level of genetic diversity argued in favor of highly adaptative capabilities of aeromonads. Outstanding features observed for A. caviae supported the ongoing process of adaptation to a specialized niche represented by the gut, previously hypothesized. 16S rRNA gene is an informative marker in the genus Aeromonas for both evolutionary and polyphasic taxonomic studies provided that multi-operon fingerprinting approaches are used.
Intrinsic religiosity, spirituality, life-satisfaction and worries, what is the relationship between them?

5 Chapter 1: Introduction 6 Intrinsic or extrinsic religiosity? 6 Life-satisfaction and worries 7 Religiosity and level of life-satisfaction 8 Religiosity and every worry 11 Religiosity and Spirituality – is it that simple or is there more behind it? Spiritual Aspect and different patterns 11 Current study 13 Chapter 2: Methodology 16 2.1 Participants 16 2.2 Design 17 2.3 Material 17 2.4 Procedure 20 Chapter 3: Results 21 3.1 The Sample 21 3.2 Hypothesis 1 24 3.3 Hypothesis 2 25
A model of the antecedents of training transfer

Many organizations have invested heavily in training. However, only a small percentage of what is learnt from training is applied or transferred to the workplace. This study examines factors that influence training transfer. A conceptual model based on the Theory of Reasoned Action is hypothesized and tested. The sample consisted of 123 full-time employees in Kuwait’s Oil Sector who attended training programmes conducted by the Petroleum Training Center in Kuwait. Attitude towards training transfer has significant positive correlations with expected contribution and expected association but a non-significant correlation with expected reward. The relationship between attitude towards training transfer and intention to transfer training is moderated by the perceived relevance of the training. Specifically, the correlation between attitude and intention increases as perceived relevance increases. The theoretical and practical implications of the findings as well as the limitations of the study are discussed.
Salary Discrimination by Black Males

type="main" xml:lang="en"> Abstract. Utilizing the human capital framework, the authors apply OLS methods to cross-sectional salary data for 1989-90 for a Southern, historically black, public university (SHBU) to determine whether salary discrimination against other race-sex groups exists when black males hold the top economic power Results indicate that it does.
Con Confianza: The Emergence of the Zone of Proximal Development in a University ESL Course

This article illustrates how a classroom community characterized by confianza—a feeling of mutual understanding, respect, and emotional closeness—facilitated the English language learning of Spanish-speaking students in a content-based English as a second language class at a Puerto Rican public university. To understand the processes by which this language learning took place qualitative data were collected through classroom observations and focus groups. The authors examined the language choices students made in their interactions with professors, teaching assistants, and peers as they engaged in classroom conversations using both Spanish and English as learning tools. The central claim of the article is that confianza created the conditions through which learners were able to activate their zone of proximal development.
Larvicidal effects of endophytic and basidiomycete fungus extracts on Aedes and Anopheles larvae (Diptera, Culicidae).

INTRODUCTION In vitro bioassays were performed to access the larvicidal activity of crude extracts from the endophytic fungus Pestalotiopsis virgulata (Melanconiales, Amphisphaeriaceae) and the saprophytic fungus Pycnoporus sanguineus (Basidiomycetes, Polyporaceae) against the mosquitoes Aedes aegypti and Anopheles nuneztovari. METHODS The extracts were tested at concentrations of 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500ppm. Ethyl acetate mycelia (EAM) extracts and liquid culture media (LCM) from Pe. virgulata and Py. sanguineus were tested against third instar larvae of Ae. aegypti and An. nuneztovari. RESULTS The larvicidal activity of the EAM extracts from Pe. virgulata against Ae. aegypti had an LC50=101.8ppm, and the extract from the basidiomycete fungus Py. sanguineus had an LC50=156.8ppm against the Ae. aegypti larvae. The Pe. virgulata extract had an LC50=16.3ppm against the An. nuneztovari larvae, and the Py. sanguineus extract had an LC50=87.2ppm against these larvae. CONCLUSIONS These results highlight the larvicidal effect of EAM extracts from the endophyte Pe. virgulata against the two larval mosquitoes tested. Thus, Pe. virgulata and Py. sanguineus have the potential for the production of bioactive substances against larvae of these two tropical disease vectors, with An. nuneztovari being more susceptible to these extracts.
Computing large matchings fast

In this paper we present algorithms for computing large matchings in 3-regular graphs, graphs with maximum degree 3, and 3-connected planar graphs. The algorithms give a guarantee on the size of the computed matching and take linear or slightly superlinear time. Thus they are faster than the best-known algorithm for computing maximum matchings in general graphs, which runs in O(√nm) time, where n denotes the number of vertices and m the number of edges of the given graph. For the classes of 3-regular graphs and graphs with maximum degree 3 the bounds we achieve are known to be best possible. We also investigate graphs with block trees of bounded degree, where the d-block tree is the adjacency graph of the d-connected components of the given graph. In 3-regular graphs and 3-connected planar graphs with bounded-degree 2- and 4-block trees, respectively, we show how to compute maximum matchings in slightly superlinear time.
Life sciences on the Semantic Web: the Neurocommons and beyond

Translational research, the effort to couple the results of basic research to clinical applications, depends on the ability to effectively answer questions using information that spans multiple disciplines. The Semantic Web, with its emphasis on combining information using standard representation languages, access to that information via standard web protocols, and technologies to leverage computation, such as in the form of inference and distributable query, offers a social and technological basis for assembling, integrating and making available biomedical knowledge at Web scale. In this article, we discuss the use of Semantic Web technology for assembling and querying biomedical knowledge from multiple sources and disciplines. We present the Neurocommons prototype knowledge base, a demonstration intended to show the feasibility and benefits of using these technologies. The prototype knowledge base can be used to experiment with and assess the scalability of current tools and methods for creating such a resource, and to elicit issues that will need to be addressed in order to expand the scope and use of it. We demonstrate the utility of the knowledge base by reviewing a few example queries that provide answers to precise questions relevant to the understanding of disease. All components of the knowledge base are freely available at http://neurocommons.org/, enabling readers to reconstruct the knowledge base and experiment with this new technology.
Spatial and temporal dependencies of cross-orientation suppression in human vision

A well-known property of orientation-tuned neurons in the visual cortex is that they are suppressed by the superposition of an orthogonal mask. This phenomenon has been explained in terms of physiological constraints (synaptic depression), engineering solutions for components with poor dynamic range (contrast normalization) and fundamental coding strategies for natural images (redundancy reduction). A common but often tacit assumption is that the suppressive process is equally potent at different spatial and temporal scales of analysis. To determine whether it is so, we measured psychophysical cross-orientation masking (XOM) functions for flickering horizontal Gabor stimuli over wide ranges of spatio-temporal frequency and contrast. We found that orthogonal masks raised contrast detection thresholds substantially at low spatial frequencies and high temporal frequencies (high speeds), and that small and unexpected levels of facilitation were evident elsewhere. The data were well fit by a functional model of contrast gain control, where (i) the weight of suppression increased with the ratio of temporal to spatial frequency and (ii) the weight of facilitatory modulation was the same for all conditions, but outcompeted by suppression at higher contrasts. These results (i) provide new constraints for models of primary visual cortex, (ii) associate XOM and facilitation with the transient magno- and sustained parvostreams, respectively, and (iii) reconcile earlier conflicting psychophysical reports on XOM.
University of Groningen VISUAL ASSESSMENT OF SEGMENTAL MUSCLE ULTRASOUND IMAGES IN SPINA BIFIDA

In spina bifida aperta (SBA), spinalMRI provides a surrogate marker to estimate muscle damage caudal to themyelomeningocele (MMC). Thismuscle damage by theMMCcan be quantified by intra-individual comparison of muscle ultrasound density (MUD) caudal versus cranial to the MMC (dMUD 5 [MUDcaudal-to-the-MMC] 2 [MUDcranial-to-the-MMC]). Quantitative dMUD assessment requires time, equipment and expertise, whereas it could also be visually determined by differences in muscle echodensity caudal vs. cranial to the MMC (visual-dMUD). If visual and quantitative dMUD correspond, visual dMUD assessment could provide a clinical screening parameter. In 100 SBA muscle ultrasound recordings of patients with various MMC levels, we aimed to compare quantitative dMUD (dMUD 5 [MUDcalf-muscle/S1] 2 [MUDquadriceps-muscle/L2-L4]) with visual dMUD assessments by 20 different observers. Results indicate that quantitative dMUD can be visually detected (sensitivity 86%; specificity 57%), implicating that visual dMUD screening could provide a quick, clinical screening tool formuscle impairment by theMMC. (E-mail: d.a.sival@umcg.nl) 2012 World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology.
Paper Special Section on Trust, Security and Privacy in Computing and Communication Systems an Authentication Framework for Wireless Sensor Networks Using Identity-based Signatures: Implementation and Evaluation *

SUMMARY In Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs), authentication is a crucial security requirement to avoid attacks against secure communication , and to mitigate against DoS attacks exploiting the limited resources of sensor nodes. Resource constraints of sensor nodes are hurdles in applying strong public key cryptographic based mechanisms in WSNs. To address the problem of authentication in WSNs, we propose an efficient and secure framework for authenticated broadcast/multicast by sensor nodes as well as for outside user authentication, which utilizes identity based cryptography and online/offline signature (OOS) schemes. The primary goals of this framework are to enable all sensor nodes in the network, firstly, to broadcast and/or multicast an authenticated message quickly; secondly, to verify the broadcast/multicast message sender and the message contents; and finally, to verify the legitimacy of an outside user. This paper reports the implementation and experimental evaluation of the previously proposed authenticated broadcast/multicast by sensor nodes scheme using online/offline signature on TinyOS and MICA2 sensor nodes.
A Knowledge-Based Voting Algorithm for Automated Protein Functional Annotation

Motivation: Automated annotation of genome sequences is one of the earliest and indispensable steps toward a comprehensive understanding of the dynamic behavior of living organisms. It is, however, often an error-prone procedure because of the underlying algorithms in current analysis systems, which rely mainly on simple similarity analysis and lack guidance from biological rules. We present here a knowledge-based protein annotation algorithm. Our objectives are to reduce annotation errors, improve and categorize confidences, and explicitly associate them with the annotations. Results: This algorithm consists of two major components: a knowledge-system, called “RuleMiner,” and a voting procedure. The knowledge-system, which includes biological rules and functional profiles for each function, provides guidance for function annotation. The voting procedure relies on the knowledge-system and is designed to make unbiased judgments in functional assignments among complicated and sometimes conflicting information. We have applied this algorithm on ten prokaryotic genomes and observed a significant improvement in annotation confidences. Current limitations of the algorithm and the potential for future improvement are also discussed. Availability: The results can be found by querying the WIT3 database at http://compbio.mcs. anl.gov/wit3.
Short and Sweet: The Persuasive Effects of Message Framing and Temporal Context in Antismoking Warning Labels

Current warning labels on cigarette packages are generally focused on long-term losses that can be incurred if one continues smoking. This study compares the effects of these labels against warning labels that stress short-term losses of smoking as well as labels that stress short- and long-term benefits that can be obtained when one quits smoking. A 2 (message frame: gain vs. loss) × 2 (temporal context: short vs. long term) between-subjects experiment was conducted among 132 smokers, with attitude toward quitting smoking and intention to quit smoking, as well as information-seeking behavior and message recall, as the dependent variables. Findings were in line with theory regarding message framing and temporal discounting, showing enhanced effects of gain over loss frames and short-term over long-term consequences on warning labels for attitudes and intentions. In addition, an interaction between message frame and temporal context was found. Especially, gain-framed messages showed stronger effects on intentions to quit smoking than loss-framed messages when warning labels concerned short-term outcomes. Findings suggest that current warning labels, with an emphasis on long-term negative health outcomes, should be reconsidered.
Swimming performance studies on the eastern Pacific bonito Sarda chiliensis, a close relative of the tunas (family Scombridae) Swimming performance studies on the eastern Pacific bonito Sarda chiliensis, a close relative of the tunas (family Scombridae) II. Kinematics

SUMMARY The swimming kinematics of the eastern Pacific bonito Sarda chiliensis at a range of sustained speeds were analyzed to test the hypothesis that the bonito's swimming mode differs from the thunniform locomotor mode of tunas. Eight bonito (fork length FL 47.5±2.1 cm, mass 1.25±0.15 kg) (mean ± s.d.) swam at speeds of 50–130 cm s-1 at 18±2°C in the same temperature-controlled water tunnel that was used in previous studies of tunas. Kinematics variables, quantified from 60 Hz video recordings and analyzed using a computerized, two-dimensional motion analysis system, were compared with published data for similar sized tunas at comparable speeds. Bonito tailbeat frequency, tailbeat amplitude and stride length all increased significantly with speed. Neither yaw (6.0±0.6%FL) nor propulsive wavelength (120±65% fish total length) varied with speed, and there were no mass or body-length effects on the kinematics variables for the size range of bonitos used. Relative to similar sized yellowfin (Thunnus albacares) and skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis) tunas at similar speeds, the bonito has a lower tailbeat frequency, a higher yaw and a greater stride length. The lateral displacement and bending angle of each intervertebral joint during a complete tailbeat cycle were determined for the bonito at a swimming speed of 90 cm s-1. The pattern of mean maximum lateral displacement (zmax) and mean maximum bending angle (βmax) along the body in the bonito differed from that of both chub mackerel Scomber japonicus and kawakawa tuna Euthynnus affinis; zmax was highest in the bonito. This study verifies that S. chiliensis is a carangiform swimmer and supports the hypothesis that the thunniform locomotor mode is a derived tuna characteristic associated with changes in this group's myotomal architecture. The finding that yaw and zmax were greater in the bonito than in both mackerels and tunas suggests that swimming kinematics in the bonito is not intermediate between that of tunas and mackerels, as would be predicted on the basis of morphological characteristics.
Arbeitskreis Quantitative Steuerlehre Quantitative Research in Taxation – Discussion Papers

The aim of this study is to analyze how depreciation rules influence the decision behavior of investors. For this purpose, we conduct a laboratory experiment in which participants decide on the composition of an asset portfolio in different choice situations. Using an experimental environment with different payment periods, we show that accelerated compared to straight-line depreciation can increase the willingness to invest as hypothesized by theory. Additionally, we are able to replicate the unexpected finding of Ackermann et al. (2013) – that introducing a subsidy leads to a lower willingness to take risk although the net returns are kept constant – with our setting which is different to their experimental environment.
Isolation and characterization of a Tn551-autolysis mutant of Staphylococcus aureus

A Lyt- mutant with reduced autolytic activity was isolated after Tn551 mutagenesis of the methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus laboratory strain RN450. The Lyt- phenotype could be transferred back into the parent and into a variety of other S. aureus strains by transduction of the transposon marker. Southern analysis has located the Tn551 insert to a 3.2-kb HindIII DNA fragment on the SmaI B fragment of the staphylococcal chromosome. The Lyt- phenotype included reduced rates of cell wall turnover and autolysis induced by detergent or methicillin treatment; however, the rate of methicillin-induced killing was not affected. Peptidoglycans prepared from the parental and mutant cells showed identical muropeptide compositions, as resolved by a high-resolution high-pressure liquid chromatography technique. On the other hand, LiCl extracts of the mutant cells contained reduced amounts of total protein and lower specific cell wall-degrading activity compared with those of extracts of parental cells. The profile of bacteriolytic enzymes as detected by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed multiple band differences between mutant and parental cells; a major lytic band with properties characteristic of the staphylococcal endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase was completely absent from the Lyt- cells. The Lyt- phenotype transduced into a series of methicillin-resistant strains of both homogeneous and heterogeneous phenotypes caused only a modest decrease in the level of methicillin resistance, as determined by population analysis.