Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Discriminative Non-negative Matrix Factorization for Multiple Pitch Estimation

In this paper, we present a supervised method to improve the multiple pitch estimation accuracy of the non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) algorithm. The idea is to extend the sparse NMF framework by incorporating pitch information present in time-aligned musical scores in order to extract features that enforce the separability between pitch labels. We introduce two discriminative criteria that maximize inter-class scatter and quantify the predictive potential of a given decomposition using logistic regressors. Those criteria are applied to both the latent variable and the deterministic autoencoder views of NMF, and we devise efficient update rules for each. We evaluate our method on three polyphonic datasets of piano recordings and orchestral instrument mixes. Both models greatly enhance the quality of the basis spectra learned by NMF and the accuracy of multiple pitch estimation.
F-Sign: Automatic, Function-Based Signature Generation for Malware

In this research, we present a new method, termed F-Sign, for automatic extraction of unique signatures from malware files. F-Sign is primarily intended for high-speed network traffic filtering devices that are based on deep-packet inspection. Malicious executables are analyzed using two approaches: disassembly, utilizing IDA-Pro, and the application of a dedicated state machine in order to obtain the set of functions comprising the executables. The signature extraction process is based on a comparison with a common function repository. By eliminating functions appearing in the common function repository from the signature candidate list, F-Sign can minimize the risk of false-positive detection errors. To minimize false-positive rates even further, F-Sign proposes intelligent candidate selection using an entropy score to generate signatures. Evaluation of F-Sign was conducted under various conditions. The findings suggest that the proposed method can be used for automatically generating signatures that are both specific and sensitive.
Combined Prediction-Based Reversible Data Embedding Methods for High Image Quality

Prediction-based reversible data hiding has the capability of embedding a large amount of secret data, but both the embeddable and non-embeddable pixels are modified, which increases the image distortion. In order to improve the quality of stego image, this paper skillfully combines two typical prediction-based reversible data hiding methods and designs the embedding rules to reduce the number of modified pixels. Experimental results demonstrate that the PSNR value of the proposed method is significantly higher than that of the related methods.
BlackjackBench: Portable Hardware Characterization with Automated Results' Analysis

DARPA’s AACE project aimed to develop Architecture Aware Compiler Environments. Such a compiler automatically characterizes the targetted hardware and optimizes the application codes accordingly. We present the BlackjackBench suite, a collection of portable micro-benchmarks that automate system characterization, plus statistical analysis techniques for interpreting the results. The BlackjackBench benchmarks discover the effective sizes and speeds of the hardware environment rather than the often unattainable peak values. We aim at hardware characteristics that can be observed by running executables generated by existing compilers from standard C codes. We characterize the memory hierarchy, including cache sharing and NUMA characteristics of the system, properties of the processing cores affecting instruction execution speed, and the length of the OS scheduler time slot. We show how these features of modern multicores can be discovered programmatically. We also show how the features could potentially interfere with each other resulting in incorrect interpretation of the results, and how established classification and statistical analysis techniques can reduce experimental noise and aid automatic interpretation of results. We show how effective hardware metrics from our probes allow guided tuning of computational kernels that outperform an autotuning library further tuned by the hardware vendor.
Neighbor query friendly compression of social networks

Compressing social networks can substantially facilitate mining and advanced analysis of large social networks. Preferably, social networks should be compressed in a way that they still can be queried efficiently without decompression. Arguably, neighbor queries, which search for all neighbors of a query vertex, are the most essential operations on social networks. Can we compress social networks effectively in a neighbor query friendly manner, that is, neighbor queries still can be answered in sublinear time using the compression? In this paper, we develop an effective social network compression approach achieved by a novel Eulerian data structure using multi-position linearizations of directed graphs. Our method comes with a nontrivial theoretical bound on the compression rate. To the best of our knowledge, our approach is the first that can answer both out-neighbor and in-neighbor queries in sublinear time. An extensive empirical study on more than a dozen benchmark real data sets verifies our design.
Flavonoids from Orostachys japonicus A. Berger Inhibit the Invasion of LnCaP Prostate Carcinoma Cells by Inactivating Akt and Modulating Tight Junctions

Tight junctions (TJs) are a mode of cell-to-cell adhesion in epithelial or endothelial cells, and serve as a physical barrier to maintenance of homeostasis in body by controlling paracellular transport. Claudins are the most important molecules of the TJs, but paradoxically these proteins are frequently over-expressed in cancers and their overexpression is implicated in the invasive potential of cancer. Hence, we investigated the effects of flavonoids extracted from Orostachys japonicus A. Berger (FEOJ) on TJs and the expression of claudins as well as cancer invasion along with in LnCaP human prostate cancer. FEOJ suppressed cancer cell motility and invasiveness at the concentrations where FEOJ did not show anti-proliferative activity. FEOJ increased transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) associated with tightening TJs, and suppressed expression of claudin proteins. Furthermore, FEOJ suppressed the activities of MMP-2 and -9 in a dose-dependent manner, which came from the activation of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) by FEOJ. FEOJ suppressed migration and invasion by suppressing PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Taken together, this study suggest that FEOJ suppresses cancer migration and invasion by tightening TJs through the suppression of claudin expression, and by suppressing MMPs in LnCaP human prostate cancer cells, which at least in part results from the suppression of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
A Unified Markov Chain Monte Carlo Framework for Mapping Multiple Quantitative Trait Loci

In this article, a unified Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) framework is proposed to identify multiple quantitative trait loci (QTL) for complex traits in experimental designs, based on a composite space representation of the problem that has fixed dimension. The proposed unified approach includes the existing Bayesian QTL mapping methods using reversible jump MCMC algorithm as special cases. We also show that a variety of Bayesian variable selection methods using Gibbs sampling can be applied to the composite model space for mapping multiple QTL. The unified framework not only results in some new algorithms, but also gives useful insight into some of the important factors governing the performance of Gibbs sampling and reversible jump for mapping multiple QTL. Finally, we develop strategies to improve the performance of MCMC algorithms.
Efficient video text detection using edge features

In this paper, we explore new edge features such as straightness for the elimination of non significant edges from the segmented text portion of a video frame to detect accurate boundary of the text lines in video images. To segment the complete text portions, the method introduces candidate text block selection from a given image. Heuristic rules are formed based on combination of filters and edge analysis for identifying a candidate text block in the image. Furthermore, the same rules are extended to grow boundary of candidate text block in order to segment complete text portions in the image. The experimental results of the proposed method show that the method outperforms an existing method in terms of a number of metrics.
Stability criteria for emulsions.

The coalescence of monodisperse silicone oil-in-water emulsions stabilized with sodium dodecyl sulfate has been studied. We report the existence of a sharp destabilization threshold, controlled by surfactant chemical potential, osmotic pressure, and droplet diameter, at which the rate of coalescence increases dramatically. We present evidence that the stability of the emulsions can be characterized by two microscopic parameters: a minimum stable value of the surfactant chemical potential and a maximum value of the pressure exerted upon a droplet-droplet interface
Performance of Creatinine and Cystatin C GFR Estimating Equations in an HIV-Positive Population on Antiretrovirals

Objective:To evaluate the performance of Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) creatinine, cystatin C, and creatinine–cystatin C estimating equations in HIV-positive patients. Methods:We evaluated the performance of the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) Study and CKD-EPI creatinine 2009, CKD-EPI cystatin C 2012, and CKD-EPI creatinine–cystatin C 2012 glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimating equations compared with GFR measured using plasma clearance of iohexol in 200 HIV-positive patients on stable antiretroviral therapy. Creatinine and cystatin C assays were standardized to certified reference materials. Results:Of the 200 participants, median (IQR) CD4 count was 536 (421) and 61% had an undetectable HIV viral load. Mean (SD) measured GFR (mGFR) was 87 (26) mL/min per 1.73 m2. All CKD-EPI equations performed better than the MDRD Study equation. All 3 CKD-EPI equations had similar bias and precision. The cystatin C equation was not more accurate than the creatinine equation. The creatinine–cystatin C equation was significantly more accurate than the cystatin C equation, and there was a trend toward greater accuracy than the creatinine equation. Accuracy was equal or better in most subgroups with the combined equation compared to either alone. Conclusions:The CKD-EPI cystatin C equation does not seem to be more accurate than the CKD-EPI creatinine equation in patients who are HIV-positive, supporting the use of the CKD-EPI creatinine equation for routine clinical care for use in North American populations with HIV. The use of both filtration markers together as a confirmatory test for decreased estimated GFR based on creatinine in individuals who are HIV-positive requires further study.
Dynamic Complexes of β2-Adrenergic Receptors with Protein Kinases and Phosphatases and the Role of Gravin*

Signals mediated by G-protein-linked receptors display agonist-induced attenuation and recovery involving both protein kinases and phosphatases. The role of protein kinases and phosphatases in agonist-induced attenuation and recovery of β-adrenergic receptors was explored by two complementary approaches, antisense RNA suppression and co-immunoprecipitation of target elements. Protein phosphatases 2A and 2B are associated with the unstimulated receptor, the latter displaying a transient decrease followed by a 2-fold increase in the levels of association at 30 min following challenge with agonist. Protein kinase A displays a robust, agonist-induced association with β-adrenergic receptors over the same period. Suppression of phosphatases 2A and 2B with antisense RNA or inhibition of their activity with calyculin A and FK506, respectively, blocks resensitization following agonist removal. Recycling of receptors to the plasma membrane following agonist-promoted sequestration is severely impaired by loss of either phosphatase 2B or protein kinase C. In addition, loss of protein kinase C diminishes association of phosphatase 2B with β-adrenergic receptors. Overlay assays performed with the RII subunit of protein kinase A and co-immunoprecipitations reveal proteins of the A kinase-anchoring proteins (AKAP) family, including AKAP250 also known as gravin, associated with the β-adrenergic receptor. Suppression of gravin expression disrupts recovery from agonist-induced desensitization, confirming the role of gravin in organization of G-protein-linked signaling complexes. The Ht31 peptide, which blocks AKAP protein-protein interactions, blocks association of β-adrenergic receptors with protein kinase A. These data are the first to reveal dynamic complexes of β-adrenergic receptors with protein kinases and phosphatases acting via an anchoring protein, gravin.
Neutron scattering and ab initio molecular dynamics study of cross-linking in biomedical phosphate glasses

Details of the microscopic structure of phosphate glasses destined for biomedical applications, which include sodium, magnesium and calcium cations, have been obtained from the static structure factor measured by means of neutron scattering. A complementary, molecular dynamics study has been performed on a range of phosphate glasses using density functional theory methods, which allow structural fluctuations, including bond breaking, in the liquid phase before quenching to the glass phase. Good agreement between experiment and simulation allows the molecular dynamics trajectories to be analysed in detail. In particular, attention is focused on the cross-linking of divalent cations in contrast with the structural aspects associated with monovalent cations. Magnesium cations are found equidistant and bridging between the phosphorus atoms of different phosphate chains, leading to a shorter phosphorus–phosphorus second neighbour distance (that is, a more compact packing of neighbouring phosphate chains) compared to the effect of sodium cations. Calcium cations show behaviour intermediate between those of magnesium and sodium. Molecular dynamics simulations give access to the cation mobility, which is lowest for magnesium, reflecting its structural, cross-linking role.
Radiated emission of bent microstrip line using Hertzian dipole method

Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) and Signal Integrity (SI) issues have generated challenges to the high speed digital circuit designer as the operating clock frequency of the system continue to increase to accommodate broadband applications. Discontinuity due to microstrip bents which appear frequently in most VLSI design requires thorough understanding on the current distribution in order to generate the immunity and emission characteristic of the circuit. In this paper, the focus will be on the bent microstrip transmission line based on the forward-backward travelling wave mode method (TWM) by Xilei Liu et. al. Their approach will be modified with the adoption of equivalent wire model to suit for the case of microstrip line. The expanded Hertzian dipole formulations were then used to determine the inadmissible radiated emission that annoys the external circuits. Computer simulation using MICROWAVE STUDIOreg will be implemented for validation of the modelling technique.
Is it Possible to Analyze DNA and Protein Sequences by the Methods of Digital Signal Processing?

Informational content of linear macromolecules (DNA, RNA, and proteins) is analyzed by the method of digital signal processing. Each element (amino acid or nucleotide) of macromolecules is represented by the corresponding value of electron-ion interaction potential. This numerical representation of the primary structure of macromolecules is subjected to digital signal processing in order to extract the information corresponding to biological function. It is shown that the multiple cross spectrum of functionally related sequences exhibits significant peak frequencies. In the case of functionally unrelated sequences such peaks were not found. Peak frequencies are different for different biological functions. Based on this, we conjecture that the peak frequencies in the multiple cross spectrum of sequences with the same boilogical function are related to this biological function.
Visualizations in Time for a New Look at the Movies

Movies are considered an important art form, a source of entertainment, and a powerful method for educating, having great power to affect us, perceptually, cognitively, and emotionally. A huge amount of movies and related information are becoming increasingly available due to technological advances, demanding new and more powerful ways to search, browse, and view this interesting but complex information space that changes over time. Time-oriented visualization can help to capture, express, understand, and effectively navigate movies over time: both the time when they were released, or viewed, and the time along which their contents are weaved, in each movie. This paper presents the design and evaluation of the authors' work towards the inclusion of the time dimension in 2D and 3D visualizations, based on colors and tag clouds, at the movies space level, and down to the individual movies in an interactive Web application to access, explore, and visualize movies based on the information conveyed in the different tracks or perspectives of its content, especially audio and subtitles where most of the semantics is expressed. Moreover, it is the authors' aim to help provide insights through analytical, ludic, or artistic uses, since it is the aim of these visualizations to provide non-usual kinds of search, whether the user wants a movie to watch or to be aware of the properties in its content. The authors tested the pertinence and effectiveness of the main visualizations, and the results provided a better understanding of what is more effective and appreciated, and encouraged them to continue extending and refining their work.
on Image Feature Extraction and Representation Techniques

Feature extraction and representation is a crucial step for multimedia processing. How to extract ideal features that can reflect the intrinsic content of the images as complete as possible is still a challenging problem in computer vision. However, very little research has paid attention to this problem in the last decades. So in this paper, we focus our review on the latest development in image feature extraction and provide a comprehensive survey on image feature representation techniques. In particular, we analyze the effectiveness of the fusion of global and local features in automatic image annotation and content based image retrieval community, including some classic models and their illustrations in the literature. Finally, we summarize this paper with some important conclusions and point out the future potential research directions.
Modelling and Checking Timed Authentication of Security Protocols

In this paper we offer a novel methodology for verifying correctness of (timed) security protocols. The idea consists in computing the time of a correct execution of a session and finding out whether the Intruder can change it to shorter or longer by an active attack. Moreover, we generalize the correspondence property so that attacks can be also discovered when some time constraints are not satisfied. An implementation of our method is described. As case studies we verify generalized (timed) authentication of KERBEROS, TMN, Neumann Stubblebine Protocol, Andrew Secure Protocol,Wide Mouthed Frog, and NSPK.
Embedded Morphological Dilation and Variable Run Length Wavelet Coding

Recent success in wavelet image compression is mainly attributed to reorganization and representation of wavelet coefficients. Morphological wavelet image coders are among state-of-the-art reorganization schemes and they represent the significance map by morphological dilation based on connectivity analysis to utilize the statistical property of clustering trend of most significant coefficients. A new reorganization scheme named embedded morphological dilation and variable run length wavelet coding is presented in this paper, which captures arbitrary cluster shape of significant coefficients and exploits statistical dependencies of zero-value coefficients within subband. Results show that the proposed algorithm by exploiting within-subband correlation outperforms embedded block coding with optimized truncation (EBCOT) and is competitive with the energy clustering and zero-quadtree representation (ECZQR).
CSE 525 : Randomized Algorithms and Probabilistic Analysis April

In semidefinite programming, one minimizes a linear function subject to the constraint that an affine combination of symmetric matrices is positive semidefinite. Such a constraint is nonlinear and nonsmooth, but convex, so semidefinite programs are convex optimization problems. Semidefinite programming unifies several standard problems (e.g., linear and quadratic programming) and finds many applications in engineering and combinatorial optimization.
M ASTER T HESIS-ABSTRACTION LEVELS OF AUTOMATED TEST SCRIPTS

Computer software development needs an efficient and secure development process where reliable automated tests are run on a daily basis. However, the largest cost of having an automated testing framework is not the time spent writing the test, but the time spent maintaining it. If the maintenance efforts could be less extensive and the tests made more dynamic in order to work for many different projects, development costs may be decreased. This thesis focuses on the abstraction of automated tests, that is, how should the tests be designed in order to keep a high level of abstraction. The thesis treats three different testing frameworks; EMAPI developed by the author, JUnit and the Cinnober proprietary framework Grace. The frameworks are analyzed and evaluated; drawbacks and benefits are presented. Further, a case study is conducted in order to test the abstraction level of test cases in JUnit and Grace. In the case study, tests used in one development project are moved into another project with similar protocol design, that is, some attributes are different in one protocol. Effort of making the tests run with the new protocol structure is examined and analyzed. Since the actual difference between the two projects is protocol changes, the case study should be viewed as adding fields in the existing protocol and make necessary modifications to make the tests run again. The conclusions drawn are that the frameworks have different strengths and weaknesses. JUnit keeps its abstraction on input and Grace on its output. JUnit is focused on verifying only one thing at the time; thus, the output keeps a high level of abstraction. Grace, on the other hand, does by default focus on an extensive validation in every single test case and uses a post validation approach. Thus, the abstraction for the output validation is low.
The meaning of leisure for children and young people with physical disabilities: a systematic evidence synthesis

Participation in leisure has known health benefits. Children and young people (CYP) with physical disabilities demonstrate reduced participation in leisure. To facilitate their meaningful participation, one must understand what leisure means to CYP. The aim of this study was to systematically synthesize evidence from qualitative studies on the meaning of leisure for CYP with physical disabilities.