Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lasso Screening for Object Categories Recognition Using Multi-directional Context Features

Image representation using local features and sparse coding (SC) plays a very important role in image classification when the dataset is fairly large. Despite of its worldwide popularity, there are still some improving space in classification efficiency and computational investment in training and coding phrase of SC. In this paper, we put forward a novel object categories recognition method from two aspects. First, the contextual relevance between image patches are fully utilized by merging local feature of every sub-patch with its neighboring ones into strong context features to generate the multiple sparse representations, which are received by the SC and multi-scale max pooling SPM(Spatial Pyramid Matching), respectively. Second, while calculating the sparse coefficients of SC, we need to solve L1-regularized least square problem. Screening out the zero coefficients and discarding the corresponding inactive codewords before solving Lasso problem can remarkably speed up the optimization. The proposed method outperforms state-of-the-art performancein a large number of image categorization experiments on several benchmarks: the ground truth dataset (21 Land-Use database), the event dataset (UIUC-Sport dataset), and the object recognition dataset (Caltech101 dataset).
Universal Coding on Infinite Alphabets: Exponentially Decreasing Envelopes

This paper deals with the problem of universal lossless coding on a countable infinite alphabet. It focuses on some classes of sources defined by an envelope condition on the marginal distribution, namely exponentially decreasing envelope classes with exponent . The minimax redundancy of exponentially decreasing envelope classes is proved to be equivalent to . Then, an adaptive algorithm is proposed, whose maximum redundancy is equivalent to the minimax redundancy.
Low-degree Polynomial Mapping of Data for SVM

Non-linear mapping functions have long been used in SVM to transform data into a higher dimensional space, allowing the classifier to separate linearly inseparable data. Kernel tricks are used to handle the huge number of features of the mapped data point. However, the training/testing for large data is often time consuming. Following the recent advances in training large linear SVM (i.e., SVM without using nonlinear kernels), this work discusses a method that strikes a balance between the training/testing speed and the testing accuracy. We apply the fast training method for linear SVM to the expanded form of data under low-degree polynomial mappings. The method enjoys fast training/testing, but may achieve testing accuracy close to that of using highly nonlinear kernels. Empirical experiments show that the proposed method is useful for certain large-scale data sets. We successfully demonstrate an NLP application by improving the testing accuracy under some training/testing speed requirements.
Leptogenesis with high-scale electroweak symmetry breaking and an extended Higgs sector

We propose a new scenario for baryogenesis through leptogenesis, where the $CP$ phase relevant for leptogenesis is connected directly to the Pontecorvo-Maki-Nakagawa-Sakada (PMNS) phase(s) in the light neutrino mixing matrix. The scenario is realized in the case when only one $CP$ phase appears in the full theory, originating from the complex vacuum expextation value of a standard model singlet field. In order to realize this scheme, the electroweak symmetry is required to be broken during the leptogenesis era, and a new loop diagram with an intermediate $W$ boson exchange including the low-energy neutrino mixing matrix should play the dominant contribution to the $CP$ violation for leptogenesis. In this article, we discuss the new basic mechanism, which we call type-II leptogenesis, and give an estimate for maximally reachable baryon asymmetry depending on the PMNS phases.
Circulating 25-Hydroxy-Vitamin D and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease: A Meta-Analysis of Prospective Studies

Background—Vitamin D status has been linked to the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the optimal 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25[OH]-vitamin D) levels for potential cardiovascular health benefits remain unclear. Methods and Results—We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE from 1966 through February 2012 for prospective studies that assessed the association of 25(OH)-vitamin D concentrations with CVD risk. A total of 24 articles met our inclusion criteria, from which 19 independent studies with 6123 CVD cases in 65 994 participants were included for a meta-analysis. In a comparison of the lowest with the highest 25(OH)-vitamin D categories, the pooled relative risk was 1.52 (95% confidence interval, 1.30–1.77) for total CVD, 1.42 (95% confidence interval, 1.19–1.71) for CVD mortality, 1.38 (95% confidence interval, 1.21–1.57) for coronary heart disease, and 1.64 (95% confidence interval, 1.27–2.10) for stroke. These associations remained strong and significant when analyses were limited to studies that excluded participants with baseline CVD and were better controlled for season and confounding. We used a fractional polynomial spline regression analysis to assess the linearity of dose–response association between continuous 25(OH)-vitamin D and CVD risk. The CVD risk increased monotonically across decreasing 25(OH)-vitamin D below ≈60 nmol/L, with a relative risk of 1.03 (95% confidence interval, 1.00–1.06) per 25-nmol/L decrement in 25(OH)-vitamin D. Conclusions—This meta-analysis demonstrated a generally linear, inverse association between circulating 25(OH)-vitamin D ranging from 20 to 60 nmol/L and risk of CVD. Further research is needed to clarify the association of 25(OH)-vitamin D higher than 60 nmol/L with CVD risk and assess causality of the observed associations.
Direct Interaction of Pericentrin with Cytoplasmic Dynein Light Intermediate Chain Contributes to Mitotic Spindle Organization

Pericentrin is a conserved protein of the centrosome involved in microtubule organization. To better understand pericentrin function, we overexpressed the protein in somatic cells and assayed for changes in the composition and function of mitotic spindles and spindle poles. Spindles in pericentrin-overexpressing cells were disorganized and mispositioned, and chromosomes were misaligned and missegregated during cell division, giving rise to aneuploid cells. We unexpectedly found that levels of the molecular motor cytoplasmic dynein were dramatically reduced at spindle poles. Cytoplasmic dynein was diminished at kinetochores also, and the dynein-mediated organization of the Golgi complex was disrupted. Dynein coimmunoprecipitated with overexpressed pericentrin, suggesting that the motor was sequestered in the cytoplasm and was prevented from associating with its cellular targets. Immunoprecipitation of endogenous pericentrin also pulled down cytoplasmic dynein in untransfected cells. To define the basis for this interaction, pericentrin was coexpressed with cytoplasmic dynein heavy (DHCs), intermediate (DICs), and light intermediate (LICs) chains, and the dynamitin and p150Glued subunits of dynactin. Only the LICs coimmunoprecipitated with pericentrin. These results provide the first physiological role for LIC, and they suggest that a pericentrin–dynein interaction in vivo contributes to the assembly, organization, and function of centrosomes and mitotic spindles.
Sexual reproduction prevails in a world of structured resources in short supply

We present a model for the maintenance of sexual reproduction based on the availability of resources, which is the strongest factor determining the growth of populations. The model compares completely asexual species to species that switch between asexual and sexual reproduction (sexual species). Key features of the model are that sexual reproduction sets in when resources become scarce, and that at a given place only a few genotypes can be present at the same time. We show that under a wide range of conditions the sexual species outcompete the asexual ones. The asexual species win only when survival conditions are harsh and death rates are high, or when resources are so little structured or consumer genotypes are so manifold that all resources are exploited to the same extent. These conditions, largely represent the conditions in which sexuals predominate over asexuals in the field.
The Impact of Social Support on Resilience of Spousal Caregivers in Wounded Warrior Families

The goal of this dissertation is to illuminate the resilient impact of supportive communication behavior within caregivers’ social networks. Military couples challenged by the stress of serious injury or illness, are an important context in which to understand the processes that promote resilience. Theory and research on social networks and social support are integrated to frame this investigation into the communicative processes through which individuals elicit and receive support from their networks to emerge resilient within the wounded warrior context. To begin, Chapter 1 introduces key concepts presented in this dissertation. This includes a description of the experience of caregiving in military families, an overview of the topic of resilience and is followed by a discussion about social networks and social support. Chapter 2 presents a review of the literature on non-normative stressors, social support, and coping. Specifically, I offer insights into the stressful nature of military families. In Chapter 3, I discuss the factors that reside within the spousal caregiver and their social network that influence their interactions and perceptions of support, and I propose a series of hypotheses linking these variables to resilient outcomes. Chapter 4 describes the methodology for the dissertation study and begins by describing participants, procedures, and the measures utilized in the three-phase study. In the first phase, information was collected from caregivers, which included soliciting the identities of up to six of their social network members. Phase two focused on gathering information from those network members, who described an interaction with the caregivers and reported on perceptions of the caregiver/network member relationship. Finally, phase three involved collecting the caregivers’ views of interactions reported by the network members, as well as the caregivers’ perceived stress level and current well-being. Chapter 4 concluded by summarizing the self-reported
Design and Implementation of SIW Cavity-Backed Dual-Polarization Antenna Array With Dual High-Order Modes

In this communication, a novel approach for high-order modes excitation using substrate-integrated waveguide (SIW) is proposed for the implementation of a dual-polarization cavity-backed slot antenna. The antenna consists of a resonant SIW cavity with eight radiating slots and two separated SIW feeding networks. The vertically linear polarization (VLP) and horizontally linear polarization (HLP) are realized by adopting the TE430 and TE340 modes with different signal schemes. The field distributions and the surface currents of the TE430 and TE340 modes are used to analyze and illuminate the radiation mechanism. To further validate the proposed design, a $2 \times 2$ polarization-diverse SIW cavity-backed antenna array is fabricated and tested. The measured results show that the impedance bandwidths (S11 < −10 dB) for the two linear-polarization (LP) states are 10.73–10.9 GHz and 10.75–10.83 GHz, respectively, while the 3 dB axial ratio bandwidth for the right-hand circular polarization (RHCP) is 10.75–10.83 GHz. The measured peak gains of the two LP modes and CP mode are 13.4, 12.92, and 12.2 dBi, respectively. The proposed approach demonstrates an effective way of high-order modes (TE430 and TE340 modes) generation in a single SIW cavity, which has significant meaning in polarization-diversity applications.
Liquidation in the Face of Adversity: Stealth vs. Sunshine Trading

We consider a multi-player situation in an illiquid market in which one player tries to liquidate a large portfolio in a short time span, while some competitors know of the seller's intention and try to make a profit by trading in this market over a longer time horizon. We show that the liquidity characteristics, the number of competitors in the market and their trading time horizons determine the optimal strategy for the competitors: they either provide liquidity to the seller, or they prey on her by simultaneous selling. Depending on the expected competitor behavior, it might be sensible for the seller to pre-announce a trading intention (sunshine trading) or to keep it secret (stealth trading).
Lamin A Δexon9 mutation leads to telomere and chromatin defects but not genomic instability

Over 300 mutations in the LMNA gene, encoding A-type lamins, are associated with 15 human degenerative disorders and premature aging syndromes. Although genomic instability seems to contribute to the pathophysiology of some laminopathies, there is limited information about what mutations cause genomic instability and by which molecular mechanisms. Mouse embryonic fibroblasts depleted of A-type lamins or expressing mutants lacking exons 8–11 (LmnaΔ8–11/Δ8–11) exhibit alterations in telomere biology and DNA repair caused by cathepsin L-mediated degradation of 53BP1 and reduced expression of BRCA1 and RAD51. Thus, a region encompassing exons 8–11 seems essential for genome integrity. Given that deletion of lamin A exon 9 in the mouse (LmnaΔ9/Δ9) results in a progeria phenotype, we tested if this domain is important for genome integrity. LmnaΔ9/Δ9 MEFs exhibit telomere shortening and heterochromatin alterations but do not activate cathepsin L-mediated degradation of 53BP1 and maintain expression of BRCA1 and RAD51. Accordingly, LmnaΔ9/Δ9 MEFs do not present genomic instability, and expression of mutant lamin A Δexon9 in lamin-depleted cells restores DNA repair factors levels and partially rescues nuclear abnormalities. These data reveal that the domain encoded by exon 9 is important to maintain telomere homeostasis and heterochromatin structure but does not play a role in DNA repair, thus pointing to other exons in the lamin A tail as responsible for the genomic instability phenotype in LmnaΔ8–11/Δ8–11 mice. Our study also suggests that the levels of DNA repair factors 53BP1, BRCA1 and RAD51 could potentially serve as biomarkers to identify laminopathies that present with genomic instability.
Price Discrimination in the Airline Market: The Effect of Market Concentration

We test the hypothesis that price discrimination increases with competition in the airline market. Using a large cross section of tickets offered by several carriers on various routes, we approximate price discrimination with marginal implicit prices of ticket restrictions that carriers typically use to price discriminate: Saturday-night stayover re-quirements and advanced-purchase discounts. We find that the restrictions are associated with lower airfares, but that the discounts are smaller on routes with higher market concentration. The results suggest that price dispersion attributed to ticket restrictions increases as markets becomemore competitive.
The Biphasic Effects of Oxidized-Low Density Lipoprotein on the Vasculogenic Function of Endothelial Progenitor Cells

Late-outgrowth endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are stress-resistant and responsible for reparative functions in the cardiovascular system. Oxidized-LDL (oxLDL) plays a critical role in cardiovascular disease pathogenesis. However, it is largely unknown what the impacts of oxLDL are on late-outgrowth EPCs. This study aimed to investigate the concentration-related effects of oxLDL on EPC functions and related angiogenesis, in vitro and in vivo. In this study, early and late-outgrowth EPCs were generated from circulating human mononuclear cells. oxLDL may regulate EPC vasculogenic function via the lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1). Lower concentrations (5 μg/mL) of oxLDL can potentiate EPC tube formation in vitro and in vivo by activating eNOS mechanisms, which are mediated by p38 MAPK- and SAPK/JNK-related pathways. Higher concentrations of oxLDL (10-50 μg/mL) impaired EPC function via the activation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase pathways and consequent inhibition of eNOS activity, which could be reversed by anti-oxidants (diphenylene iodonium and apocynin) and gp91phox siRNA. In conclusion, oxLDL has concentration-dependent biphasic effects on human late-outgrowth EPC tube formation in vitro and in vivo.
Quebec Cooperative Study of Friedreich's Ataxia

Phase three of the QuebecCooperative Study of Friedreich's Ataxia was devoted to an understanding of the physiopathology of individual symptoms on the basis of previously discovered biochemical leads. The present paper attempts to pull these results together by presenting, as a hypothesis, a unifying scheme of possible interactions and relationships. The central core of this hypothesis is the demonstration in Friedreich's ataxia of a state of mitochondrial energy deprivation. This is indirectly responsible for such associated and important symptoms as muscle weakness, dying-
Effects of Time and Task on L2 Mandarin Chinese Language Development during Study Abroad

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A flexible generative model for preference aggregation

Many areas of study, such as information retrieval, collaborative filtering, and social choice face the preference aggregation problem, in which multiple preferences over objects must be combined into a consensus ranking. Preferences over items can be expressed in a variety of forms, which makes the aggregation problem difficult. In this work we formulate a flexible probabilistic model over pairwise comparisons that can accommodate all these forms. Inference in the model is very fast, making it applicable to problems with hundreds of thousands of preferences. Experiments on benchmark datasets demonstrate superior performance to existing methods
Contextual and Variational Contrast Enhancement

This paper proposes an algorithm that enhances the contrast of an input image using interpixel contextual information. The algorithm uses a 2-D histogram of the input image constructed using a mutual relationship between each pixel and its neighboring pixels. A smooth 2-D target histogram is obtained by minimizing the sum of Frobenius norms of the differences from the input histogram and the uniformly distributed histogram. The enhancement is achieved by mapping the diagonal elements of the input histogram to the diagonal elements of the target histogram. Experimental results show that the algorithm produces better or comparable enhanced images than four state-of-the-art algorithms.
Assessment of Body Composition of Female Volleyball Players of Various Performance Levels

The objective of the study was to verify the significance of somatic parameters as performance factors in volleyball. The study included a total of 164 females. Thirty-nine females (age 23.4±2.8 years) were elite volleyball players (G1), 45 (age 23.7±3.7 years) were amateur volleyball players (G2), and 80 (age 22.7±1.3 years) were females from the general population (G3) and represented the control group. The measured parameters included the following: body height; body mass; body fat and its segmental analysis; total body water and its components, extracellular water (ECW) and intracellular water (ICW); and fat free mass and its components, body cell mass (BCM), extracellular mass (ECM), and skeletal muscle mass (SMM). To assess the differences in body composition, values between the test groups, standardized changes in the means (effect size, ES) and 90% confidence limits (90% CL) were used. In female players of a higher performance level, more appropriate values of body composition parameters in terms of performance were observed. The differences between G1 and G2 were moderate to large. With increasing player performance, the differences in values increased relative to the values of the G3 control group. An exception to this finding was the absence of a difference in the basic anthropometric parameters (BH, BM) between G1 and G2 players. The results of the study confirmed that body composition parameters were part of the structure of sports performance in volleyball.
A collision avoidance system at intersections using Robust Model Predictive Control

Collisions at intersections account for about 40% of all car accidents and for about 20% of all traffic fatalities in the United States. The main cause is human error in recognition and decision making. Active safety systems have thus a great potential for increasing vehicle safety at intersections. They may issue warnings to the driver or assume control of the vehicle in critical situations. Most approaches in current research rely on the assumption that all vehicles at the intersection are controllable, and/or they can be coordinated by a central intersection manager. This paper considers the case of a single controllable ego vehicle surrounded by several uncontrollable target vehicles, without communication. Only a map with the current position and velocity of the target vehicles are assumed to be known, but no pre-defined crossing order is given. A Robust Model Predictive Control strategy is designed for finding safe gaps in the crossing traffic, and for planning optimal trajectories to maximize the ego vehicle's efficiency and driver comfort. It is shown that its performance can be enhanced by Affine Disturbance Feedback. The algorithm is tested in several simulation scenarios and implemented on a test vehicle for experimental validation.
Hierarchical spline-based image registration

The problem of image registration subsumes a number of topics in multiframe image analysis, including the computation of optic flow (general pixel-based motion), stereo correspondence, structure from motion, and feature tracking. We present a new registration algorithm based on a spline representation of the displacement field which can be specialized to solve all of the above mentioned problems. In particular, we show how to compute local flow, global (parametric) flow, rigid flow resulting from camera egomotion, and multiframe versions of the above problems. Using a spline-based description of the flow removes the need for overlapping correlation windows, and produces an explicit measure of the correlation between adjacent flow estimates. We demonstrate our algorithm on multiframe image registration and the recovery of 3D projective scene geometry. We also provide results on a number of standard motion sequences. <<ETX>>