Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ournal of C osmology and A stroparticle hysics Sensitivity of CTA to dark matter signals from the Galactic Center

The Galactic Center is one of the most promising targets for indirect detection of dark matter with gamma rays. We investigate the sensitivity of the upcoming Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) to dark matter annihilation and decay in the Galactic Center. As the inner density proﬁle of the Milky Way’s dark matter halo is uncertain, we study the impact of the slope of the Galactic density proﬁle, inwards of the Sun, on the prospects for detecting a dark matter signal with CTA. Adopting the Ring Method to deﬁne the signal and background regions in an ON-OFF analysis approach, we ﬁnd that the sensitivity achieved by CTA to annihilation signals is strongly dependent on the inner proﬁle slope, whereas the dependence is more mild in the case of dark matter decay. Surprisingly, we ﬁnd that the optimal choice of signal and background regions is virtually independent of the assumed density proﬁle. For the ﬁducial case of a Navarro-Frenk-White parameter space that is complementary to that probed by searches with the Fermi Large Area Telescope. The interpretation of apparent excesses in the measured cosmic-ray electron and positron spectra as signals of dark matter decay will also be testable with CTA observations of the Galactic Center. We demonstrate that both for annihilation and for decay, including spectral information for hard channels (such as µ + µ − and τ + τ − ) leads to enhanced sensitivity for dark matter masses above m DM ∼ 200 GeV.
Technical Variability Is Greater than Biological Variability in a Microarray Experiment but Both Are Outweighed by Changes Induced by Stimulation

Introduction A central issue in the design of microarray-based analysis of global gene expression is that variability resulting from experimental processes may obscure changes resulting from the effect being investigated. This study quantified the variability in gene expression at each level of a typical in vitro stimulation experiment using human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). The primary objective was to determine the magnitude of biological and technical variability relative to the effect being investigated, namely gene expression changes resulting from stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Methods and Results Human PBMC were stimulated in vitro with LPS, with replication at 5 levels: 5 subjects each on 2 separate days with technical replication of LPS stimulation, amplification and hybridisation. RNA from samples stimulated with LPS and unstimulated samples were hybridised against common reference RNA on oligonucleotide microarrays. There was a closer correlation in gene expression between replicate hybridisations (0.86–0.93) than between different subjects (0.66–0.78). Deconstruction of the variability at each level of the experimental process showed that technical variability (standard deviation (SD) 0.16) was greater than biological variability (SD 0.06), although both were low (SD<0.1 for all individual components). There was variability in gene expression both at baseline and after stimulation with LPS and proportion of cell subsets in PBMC was likely partly responsible for this. However, gene expression changes after stimulation with LPS were much greater than the variability from any source, either individually or combined. Conclusions Variability in gene expression was very low and likely to improve further as technical advances are made. The finding that stimulation with LPS has a markedly greater effect on gene expression than the degree of variability provides confidence that microarray-based studies can be used to detect changes in gene expression of biological interest in infectious diseases.
Division of Informatics, University of Edinburgh

In this paper we describe the difﬁculties of poetry generation, particularly in contrast to traditional informative natural language generation. We then point out deﬁciencies of previous attempts at poetry generation, and propose a stochastic hillclimbing search model which addresses these deﬁciencies. We present both conceptual and implemented details of the most important aspects of such a model, the evaluation and evolution functions. Finally, we report and discuss results of our preliminary implementation work.
An energy based two level prioritized control for virtual humans

This paper presents an approach to address conflicting motion tasks in multi-objective control of virtual humans. The novelty in our approach is that we can handle the inequality constraints and maintain the passivity as well. The targets associated with lower priority tasks are constrained so as to guarantee that the higher priority tasks can be sufficiently fulfilled. The multi-objective controller takes as inputs the desired task targets and computes the optimal task wrenches by solving an optimization problem. Finally, the joint torques are computed according to the optimal task wrenches. This control approach can be realized in real-time. Simulations demonstrate that the proposed method can improve the behavior of a virtual human.
Multiepoch Sky Surveys and the Lifetime of Quasars

We present a new method for measuring the episodic lifetime of quasars with current and future large-scale sky surveys. Future photometric observations of large samples of confirmed quasars can provide a direct measurement (or interesting lower limit) to the lifetime of an individual episode of quasar activity (tQ) and potentially enable the study of postquasar host galaxies. Photometric observations of the quasars found by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) and Two-Degree Field Survey could, with a time baseline of 10 years, determine tQ to within a factor of 2 if tQ < 105 yr or set a lower limit to the quasar lifetime. Multiple-epoch precise photometry with the proposed Large Synoptic Survey Telescope could test more complex models for quasar variability and mean quasar luminosity evolution. These observations could also constrain the rate that tidal disruptions of single stars produce quasar luminosities. It is possible to reverse the order of this investigation; previous-epoch plate material, such as the Digitized Sky Survey, can be used to determine if any of the SDSS quasars had not yet turned on at the time of these prior observations. Measurements of the entire SDSS quasar sample over the ~50 yr baseline provided by these plates potentially can be used to estimate tQ to within a factor of 2 if tQ < 105.5 yr, provided quasar variability can be accurately characterized and the detection efficiency and photometric calibration of the plate material can be well determined. These measurements of tQ will have comparable quality to existing, more indirect estimates of the quasar lifetime. Analysis of the 3814 quasars in the SDSS Early Data Release finds that tQ must be larger than approximately 20,000 yr.
Molecular-genetic characterization of thylakoid protein phosphorylation in Arabidopsis thaliana

Plants respond to changes in illumination conditions by modifying the thylakoid proteins post-translationally and by reorganizing the photosynthetic machinery. However, the mechanisms that characterize the short-term and the long-term responses are different. In the first case, the organism reacts to rapid illumination changes via phosphorylation of photosystem II (PSII) and light-harvesting (LHCII) proteins. Phosphorylation of PSII is thought to be relevant for PSII turnover, whereas LHCII phosphorylation is required for state transitions, which ensure the redistribution of the excitation energy between the two photosystems. Long-term imbalances in the energy distribution elicit changes in the composition and stoichiometry of the photosynthetic apparatus (photosynthetic acclimation). Two types of thylakoid protein kinases have been previously associated with LHCII phosphorylation, the TAK (thylakoid-associated kinase) proteins in Arabidopsis thaliana and Stt7 in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. This work shows that the TAK proteins (TAK1, TAK2, and TAK3) are neither involved in LHCII phosphorylation nor in state transitions. In addition, evidences are provided that exclude any role of TAK2 and TAK3 in the photosynthetic electron flow. In Arabidopsis, two Stt7-like proteins exist, STN7 and STN8. Loss of STN7 blocks both LHCII phosphorylation and state transitions, indicating that this protein is a genuine Stt7 homolog. In contrast, STN8 is required for the quantitative phosphorylation of PSII core proteins. PSII activity under high-intensity light is affected only slightly in stn8 mutants, and D1 turnover is indistinguishable from the wild-type (WT), implying that reversible protein phosphorylation is not essential for PSII repair. Functional characterization of stn7 mutants showed that STN7 is not only associated with the short term response, but it is also required for the adaptation to long-term illumination changes including light-quality-induced changes in the mRNA expression of nuclear and plastid genes for photosynthetic proteins. This indicates that short-term and long-term photosynthetic adaptations are coupled and that phosphorylation of LHCII, or of an unknown substrate of STN7, is crucial for the control of photosynthetic gene expression and readjustment of photosystem stoichiometry.
InPhase: evaluation of a communication system focused on "happy coincidences" of daily behaviors

To supplement existing forms of communication such as telephone and e-mail, this research proposes a new method of communicating "awareness" between people who are separated by long distances. In this paper, we investigate cases where coincidences in daily activities lead to casual conversation and thus intimacy and togetherness. We propose a new method of communicating these "happy coincidences" between a pair of remotely located locations. By equipping furniture and appliances such as doors, sofas, refrigerators and televisions with sensors, we developed a system wherein these items are connected to remote equivalents and their near simultaneous use is communicated. We conducted a two month field test of the system in a laboratory setting and a three month field test in an actual home. The study showed that the participant felt the presence of other people and thought about, imagined or even confirmed the habits of others by intentionally triggering the coincidence notification.
Relationships within the supply chain: A case study

In an effort to clarify and reconcile different perspectives of transactional and relational marketing practices the 'Contemporary Marketing Practice' (CMP) group developed a classification scheme of marketing practices. Research by the CMP group identifies that in any particular context there are multiple exchange paradigms present. That is, different combinations of marketing practices are possible. The food supply chain is characterized by highly interdependent partnerships and a span of relationship types (Hogarth-Scott, 1999). The aim of this study is to compare and contrast transactional and relational marketing practices within the Dutch pork supply chain and to consider the contextual factors influencing such practices. The year of reference for this study is 2003-2004. Using a case study approach, we identify that all chain players practice transactional and relational marketing practices concurrently. Previous studies have indicated that the Dutch pork supply chain can be characterized by general mistrust; our study indicates that the lack of trust is primarily towards slaughterhouses and retailers. In line with the literature on business relationships this can be explained by a power imbalance and information asymmetry in the supply chain.
Automated detection and matching of spots in autoradiogram images of two-dimensional electrophoresis for high-speed genome scanning

Presents a pattern analysis scheme of autoradiogram images obtained with 2-D (two-dimensional) gel electrophoresis based on the RLGS (restriction landmark genome scanning) method for the purpose of high-speed genome scanning. By this means several thousands of spots are observed as signals; each spot corresponds to a genetic locus and its intensity reflects the copy number of the restriction landmark. The essential problems of image processing for automated analysis are to detect the location of each spot and to measure its intensity. Some kinds of operator including the gradient and ring operators are used for solving the problem. Then the matching and comparison of the RLGS patterns are also important to analyze the differential state. This is solved by using the Delaunay net and relative neighbourhood graphs. Some experimental results indicate that the authors' method is effective enough to construct an automated analysis system of RLGS patterns and genetic mapping.
Patterns of Growth Costs and Nitrogen Acquisition in Cytisus striatus (Hill) Rothm. and Cytisus balansae (Boiss.) Ball are Mediated by Sources of Inorganic N

Nitrogen-fixing shrubby legumes in the Mediterranean area partly overcome nutrient limitations by making use of soil N and atmospheric N2 sources. Their ability to switch between different sources lets them adjust to the carbon costs pertaining to N acquisition throughout the year. We investigated the utilization of different inorganic N sources by Cytisus balansae and Cytisus striatus, shrubby legumes under low and a sufficient (5 and 500 µM P, respectively) levels of P. Plants grew in sterile sand, supplied with N-free nutrient solution and inoculated with effective Bradyrhizobium strains; other treatments consisted of plants treated with (i) 500 µM NH4NO3; and (ii) 500 µM NH4NO3 and inoculation with effective rhizobial strains. The application of NH4NO3 always resulted in greater dry biomass production. Carbon construction costs were higher in plants that were supplied with mineral and symbiotic N sources and always greater in the endemic C. striatus. Photosynthetic rates were similar in plants treated with different sources of N although differences were observed between the two species. Non-fertilized inoculated plants showed a neat dependence on N2 fixation and had more effective root nodules. Results accounted for the distribution of the two species with regards to their ability to use different N sources.
Extracting Entities and Relations from Web Tables Using a Non-parametric Generative Model

Figure 1(a) illustrates the basic idea. We show excerpts from several tables containing information about various basketball players from four different teams (for simplicity of presentation, we assume the first column contains the subject and the other columns contain the attributes). In order to integrate this information into a KB, we need to solve two main problems. The first problem is entity linkage (aka record linkage or co-reference resolution), which means figuring out which entity is being referred to by each mention; for example, both “LA Lakers” and “LAL” refer to the same entity. The second problem is relation extraction (aka schema alignment), which is the task of figuring out which predicate is being referred to by each column header; for example, both the columns “Pos” and “Posn” refer to the same relation, representing the position of a player on a team. There is a lot of prior work on entity linkage and schema alignment, which we do not have space to review here. However, it is worth mentioning (Limaye et al. 2010), which is closely related to our paper: they use a conditional random field (CRF) where each entry in a table is labeled by the corresponding entity, and each column is labeled by the corresponding relation. We adopt a similar approach in this paper, except we use a generative model, and we associate each row with a single latent subject. A more important difference from this prior work is that we use a non-parametric generative model, which allows for an unbounded number of entities and relations. There have been previous papers, such as (Haghighi and Klein 2010; Wick et al. 2013), which have allowed for an unbounded number of entities, but we are not aware of methods that also allows for an unbounded number of relations. (The work on “open information extraction” (Etzioni et al. 2011) is not applicable here, since it does not attempt to align these relation mentions to a canonical latent schema. ) In summary, the current paper is, as far as we know, the first to attempt to extract new entities and new relations from tabular data in a coherent probabilistic framework.
Improving Signal Prediction Performance of Neural Networks Through Multiresolution Learning Approach

In this paper, we extend the original work on multiresolution learning for neural networks, and present new developments on the multiresolution learning paradigm. The contributions of this paper include: (1) proposing a new concept and method of adjustable neural activation functions in multiresolution learning to improve neural network learning efficacy and generalization performance for signal predictions; (2) providing new insightful explanations for the multiresolution learning paradigm from a multiresolution optimization perspective; (3) exploring underlying ideas why the multiresolution learning scheme associated with adjustable activation functions would be more appropriate for the multiresolution learning paradigm; and (4) providing rigorous validations to evaluate the multiresolution learning paradigm with adjustable activation functions and comparing it with the schemes of multiresolution learning with fixed activation functions and traditional learning. This paper presents systematically new analytical and experimental results on the multiresolution learning approach for training an individual neural network model, demonstrates our integral solution on neural network learning efficacy, and illustrates the significant improvements on neural networks' generalization performance and robustness for nonlinear signal predictions.
Naïve Bayesian Classifier for Rapid Assignment of rRNA Sequences into the New Bacterial Taxonomy

ABSTRACT The Ribosomal Database Project (RDP) Classifier, a naïve Bayesian classifier, can rapidly and accurately classify bacterial 16S rRNA sequences into the new higher-order taxonomy proposed in Bergey's Taxonomic Outline of the Prokaryotes (2nd ed., release 5.0, Springer-Verlag, New York, NY, 2004). It provides taxonomic assignments from domain to genus, with confidence estimates for each assignment. The majority of classifications (98%) were of high estimated confidence (≥95%) and high accuracy (98%). In addition to being tested with the corpus of 5,014 type strain sequences from Bergey's outline, the RDP Classifier was tested with a corpus of 23,095 rRNA sequences as assigned by the NCBI into their alternative higher-order taxonomy. The results from leave-one-out testing on both corpora show that the overall accuracies at all levels of confidence for near-full-length and 400-base segments were 89% or above down to the genus level, and the majority of the classification errors appear to be due to anomalies in the current taxonomies. For shorter rRNA segments, such as those that might be generated by pyrosequencing, the error rate varied greatly over the length of the 16S rRNA gene, with segments around the V2 and V4 variable regions giving the lowest error rates. The RDP Classifier is suitable both for the analysis of single rRNA sequences and for the analysis of libraries of thousands of sequences. Another related tool, RDP Library Compare, was developed to facilitate microbial-community comparison based on 16S rRNA gene sequence libraries. It combines the RDP Classifier with a statistical test to flag taxa differentially represented between samples. The RDP Classifier and RDP Library Compare are available online at http://rdp.cme. msu.edu/ .
Analysis of Neighbourhoods in Multi-layered Dynamic Social Networks

Abstract Social networks existing among employees, customers or other types of users of various IT systems have become one of the research areas of growing importance. Data about people and their interactions that exist in social media, provides information about many different types of relationships within one network. Analysing this data one can obtain knowledge not only about the structure and characteristics of the network but it also enables to understand the semantic of human relations. Each social network consists of nodes – social entities and edges linking pairs of nodes. In regular, one-layered networks, two nodes – i.e. people are connected with a single edge whereas in the multi-layered social networks, there may be many links of different types for a pair of nodes. Most of the methods used for social network analysis (SNA) may be applied only to one-layered networks. Thus, some new structural measures for multi-layered social networks are proposed in the paper. This study focuses on definitio.
Multipartite tournaments with small number of cycles

L. Volkmann, Discrete Math. 245 (2002) 19-53 posed the following question. Let 4 ≤ m ≤ n. Are there strong n-partite tournaments, which are not themselves tournaments, with exactly n − m + 1 cycles of length m? We answer this question in affirmative. We raise the following problem. Given m ∈ {3, 4, . , n}, find a characterization of strong n-partite tournaments having exactly n − m + 1 cycles of length m.
Losing Items in the Psychogeriatric Nursing Home

Introduction: Losing items is a time-consuming occurrence in nursing homes that is ill described. An explorative study was conducted to investigate which items got lost by nursing home residents, and how this affects the residents and family caregivers. Method: Semi-structured interviews and card sorting tasks were conducted with 12 residents with early-stage dementia and 12 family caregivers. Thematic analysis was applied to the outcomes of the sessions. Results: The participants stated that numerous personal items and assistive devices get lost in the nursing home environment, which had various emotional, practical, and financial implications. Significant amounts of time are spent on trying to find items, varying from 1 hr up to a couple of weeks. Numerous potential solutions were identified by the interviewees. Discussion: Losing items often goes together with limitations to the participation of residents. Many family caregivers are reluctant to replace lost items, as these items may get lost again.
Damage frequency measurements and optical properties of NIR coatings produced by ion-assisted deposition

Single layers and high reflecting QWOT stacks for 1064 nm of Al2O3, HfO2, SiO2, Ta2O5, TiO2, and ZrO2 were deposited on polished BK7 and fused silica substrates. All materials were evaporated with a conventional electron beam evaporator. The growing film surface was bombarded with ions from a microwave excited ECR ion source. Refractive indices were determined by spectrophotometric analysis of single layers. Laser calorimetry was used to measure absorption of light. Investigations on laser induced damage were performed by damage frequency measurements. Damage frequencies were based on more than 500 single tests per sample, ('one on one' method). From this data a certain value of damage threshold in accordance with ISO/DIS 11254 could be obtained. All results were compared with the corresponding values of conventional produced coatings.