Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spatial-temporal distortion metric for in-service quality monitoring of any digital video system

Many organizations have focused on developing digital video quality metrics which produce results that accurately emulate subjective responses. However, to be widely applicable a metric must also work over a wide range of quality, and be useful for in-service quality monitoring. The Institute for Telecommunication Sciences (ITS) has developed spatial-temporal distortion metrics that meet all of these requirements. These objective metrics are described in detail and have a number of interesting properties, including utilization of (1) spatial activity filters which emphasize long edges on the order of 10 arc min while simultaneously performing large amounts of noise suppression, (2) the angular direction of the spatial gradient, (3) spatial-temporal compression factors of at least 384:1 (spatial compression of at least 64:1 and temporal compression of at least 6:1, and 4) simple perceptibility thresholds and spatial-temporal masking functions. Results are presented that compare the objective metric values with mean opinion scores from a wide range of subjective data bases spanning many different scenes, systems, bit-rates, and applications.
Hamming coding for Multiple Sources

We introduce Hamming Codes for Multiple Sources (HCMSs) as a potential solution of perfect Slepian-Wolf (SW) coding for arbitrary number of terminals. Moreover, we study the case with three sources in detail. We present the necessary conditions of a perfect SW code and show that there exists infinite number of HCMSs. Moreover, we show that for perfect SW code with sufficiently long code length, the compression rates of different sources can be trade-off flexibly.
Task Completion Transfer Learning for Reward Inference

Reinforcement learning-based spoken dialogue systems aim to compute an optimal strategy for dialogue management from interactions with users. They compare their different management strategies on the basis of a numerical reward function. Reward inference consists of learning a reward function from dialogues scored by users. A major issue for reward inference algorithms is that important parameters influence user evaluations and cannot be computed online. This is the case of task completion. This paper introduces Task Completion Transfer Learning (TCTL): a method to exploit the exact knowledge of task completion on a corpus of dialogues scored by users in order to optimise online learning. Compared to previously proposed reward inference techniques, TCTL returns a reward function enhanced with the possibility to manage the online non-observability of task completion. A reward function is learnt with TCTL on dialogues with a restaurant seeking system. It is shown that the reward function returned by TCTL is a better estimator of dialogue performance than the one returned by reward inference.
Biological explanations of criminal behavior

ABSTRACT There is a growing literature on biological explanations of antisocial and criminal behavior. This paper provides a selective review of three specific biological factors – psychophysiology (with the focus on blunted heart rate and skin conductance), brain mechanisms (with a focus on structural and functional aberrations of the prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and striatum), and genetics (with an emphasis on gene-environment and gene-gene interactions). Overall, understanding the role of biology in antisocial and criminal behavior may help increase the explanatory power of current research and theories, as well as inform policy and treatment options.
News Consumption and Identity: The Case of Adolescent Girls Belonging to a Minority Group

The news is usually generated by members of the majority group and reflects this group’s central narrative. Minority group representation in the news is typically negative and stereotypical, raising questions regarding the news consumption patterns of minority groups. This study investigates this topic by examining news consumption patterns among adolescent girls belonging to the Arab minority in Israel and reveals an inner conflict between components of these girls’ identity. These findings may be used by decision-makers in choosing how to relate to and represent minority groups out of an understanding that they are part of the news consumers.
Glide Formation in Kinande Does NotNeutralize an Underlying [ATR] Contrast

Unlike most other modern Bantu languages, Kinande has faithfully preserved the Proto-Bantu contrast between [-ATR] and [+ATR] high vowels (Hyman, 2002). As a result, while other Bantu languages typically have only two contrastive high vowels (i.e. high back and high front), Kinande has four: [-ATR] [i u] and [+ATR] [i u]. These four high vowels, together with mid [e o] and low [a], are laid out in a vowel chart in (1) below. The fact that they are contrastive is demonstrated in (2): as shown, each of these vowels may appear as the initial vowel of an imperative verb. 2
Identification des processus qui sous-tendent l'anomie des personnes avec un trouble cognitif léger comparativement aux personnes avec la maladie d'Alzheimer et un vieillissement cognitif normal

iv Liste des tableaux . ix Liste des abréviations . x Remerciements . xi Avant-propos . xii Chapitre I. Cadre théorique et conceptuel . 1 Préambule . 1 Trouble cognitif léger . 2 Critères diagnostiques . 2 Symptomatologie. 2 Difficultés langagières . 3 Modèle lexico-sémantique de la production orale d’un mot : notions théoriques . 4 Composantes du modèle lexico-sémantique . 4 Erreurs de dénomination . 5 Paramètres psycholinguistiques . 6 Niveaux de traitement altérés et erreurs reliées . 7 Déficits au niveau de la reconnaissance visuelle . 8 Déficits au niveau du système sémantique . 8 Déficits au niveau du lexique phonologique de sortie et de son accès. 8 Déficits de la mémoire tampon phonologique . 9 Caractéristiques spécifiques de l’anomie des personnes présentant un TCL et origine fonctionnelle des difficultés . 9
Review of Set Theoretic Approaches to Magnetic Resonance Brain Image Segmentation

Image segmentation is a vital step in image processing and has attracted many researchers towards its potential applications like object recognition, pattern recognition, computer vision and artificial intelligence. The medical image segmentation is challenging and complex due to the artifacts or noise present in the image. Many segmentation techniques are proposed in the literature, using mathematical set theoretic approaches like k-means, fuzzy c-means, rough c-means, intutionistic fuzzy c-means, and hybrid clustering algorithms to extract the brain tissues from magnetic resonance brain images. The set theoretic approaches easily model the clustering techniques to extract the brain tissues without the operator intervention. The fuzzy sets, rough sets, and intutionistic sets proved to handle the vagueness, noise and uncertainty present in the medical images, whereas the soft sets can easily parameterize the rough sets for better performance. In this paper, a summary of all brain image segmentation methods based on set theoretic approach is described in detail and also categorized accordingly. Set theoretic based-image segmentation provides a better framework for medical image segmentation.
A Short Survey of Key Distribution Techniques for Namespace Load Balancing

With the enormous growth of volume of data, Namespace distribution and replication are becoming a major challenge as Namenode server needs to coordinate with data nodes for its status, job execution and data blocks operations. Usage of Namespace will resolve the issue of namenode single point of failure and namespace scalability. This paper discusses the key distribution techniques for storing large amount of data (petabytes) and load balancing on namespace server. A comparative analysis of majorly used Key distribution techniques has been provided and it has been analyzed that geographic based key distribution technique are the best candidate for load balancing on Namespace server as it can distribute the keys evenly and efficiently.
A Novel Interface for Audio Search

In this paper a novel cyclic interface for searching through a song database is proposed. The method, which merges multiple audio streams on a server and broadcasts only a single merged stream, allows the user to hear different parts of each audio stream by cycling through all available streams. Experimental results on 21 users illustrate that the proposed interface requires less listening time as compared to traditional list-based interfaces when the desired song/audio clip is among one of the audio streams. The average search time for the proposed interface was 7.3 seconds, compared to 12.1 seconds for the traditional list-based interface when searching for a song which is included among the audio streams
Learning hierarchical latent class models

Hierarchical latent class (HLC) models generalize latent class models. As models for cluster analysis, they suit more applications than the latter because they relax the often untrue conditional independence assumption. They also facilitate the discovery of latent causal structures and the induction of probabilistic models that capture complex dependencies and yet have low inferential complexity. In this paper, we investigate the problem of inducing HLC models from data. Two fundamental issues of general latent structure discovery are identified and methods to address those issues for HLC models are proposed. Based on the proposals, we develop an algorithm for learning HLC models and demonstrate the feasibility of learning HLC models that are large enough to be of practical interest.
Partial Calibration and Mirror Shape Recovery for Non-Central Catadioptric Systems

In this paper we present a method for mirror shape recovery and partial calibration for non-central catadioptric systems. This method is based on an existing algorithm for calibration of general vision systems. In addition only two images are required for both mirror shape recovery and partial calibration instead of three as in the original algorithm. On the other hand the knowledge of the parameters of the primary vision system is required. In this paper collinearity is used to constrain the position of three points in each ray. Transformation matrices convert the local coordinates (known) into world coordinates or equivalently, estimate the motion of the calibration object between the two positions. The third point is defined as the intersection between the incident and reflected rays. In order for three points being collinear four tensor equations must be satisfied. These tensor equations depend on the motion parameters. Once the motion parameters are computed, the ray in space corresponding to each pixel can be estimated. Its intersection with the camera ray yields the coordinates of a mirror point. Simulations and real experiments showed that the solution is possible and accurate, although very sensitive to errors.
Evaluation of molecular typing of foodborne pathogens in European reference laboratories from 2012 to 2013

In 2012, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) initiated external quality assessment (EQA) schemes for molecular typing including the National Public Health Reference Laboratories in Europe. The overall aim for these EQA schemes was to enhance the European surveillance of food-borne pathogens by evaluating and improving the quality and comparability of molecular typing. The EQAs were organised by Statens Serum Institut (SSI) and included Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica, verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) and Listeria monocytogenes. Inter-laboratory comparable pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) images were obtained from 10 of 17 of the participating laboratories for Listeria, 15 of 25 for Salmonella, but only nine of 20 for VTEC. Most problems were related to PFGE running conditions and/or incorrect use of image acquisition. Analysis of the gels was done in good accordance with the provided guidelines. Furthermore, we assessed the multilocus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) scheme for S. Typhimurium. Of 15 laboratories, nine submitted correct results for all analysed strains, and four had difficulties with one strain only. In conclusion, both PFGE and MLVA are prone to variation in quality, and there is therefore a continuous need for standardisation and validation of laboratory performance for molecular typing methods of food-borne pathogens in the human public health sector.
Using Legal Definitions to Increase the Accessibility of Legal Documents

Access to legal documents has been hampered by the lack of attention for specific user groups accessing such documents. In this article, we focus on one of these user groups (legal professionals), who can benefit from specific types of cross-lingual information retrieval for, e.g., comparative law research. We propose to use legal definitions as anchor points in legal documents. Through the body of EU legislation, these anchor points can support a network of concepts between different jurisdictions. A model is presented containing the different entity types and relations types for building such a network, which can be implemented in the WordNet architecture.
A MOF-Based Metamodeling Environment

The Meta Object Facility (MOF) forms one of the core standards of the Object Management Group's Model Driven Architecture. It has several use-cases, in- cluding as a repository service for storing abstract models used in distributed object- oriented software development, a development environment for generating CORBA IDL, and a metamodeling language for the rapid specification, construction, and man- agement of domain-specific technology-neutral modeling languages. This paper will focus on the use of MOF as a metamodeling language and describe our latest work on changing the MIC metamodeling environment from UML/OCL to MOF. We have im- plemented a functional graphical metamodeling environment based on the MOF v1.4 standard using GME and GReAT. This implementation serves as a testament to the power of formally well-defined metamodeling and metamodel-based model transfor- mation approaches.Furthermore, our work gave us an opportunity to evaluate sevaral important features of MOF v1.4 as a metamodeling language: - Completeness of MOF v1.4 for defining the abstract syntax for complex (multiple aspect) DSML-s
NMDA Receptor Function and NMDA Receptor-Dependent Phosphorylation of Huntingtin Is Altered by the Endocytic Protein HIP1

Huntingtin-interacting protein 1 (HIP1) is an endocytic adaptor protein that plays a role in clathrin-mediated endocytosis and the ligand-induced internalization of AMPA receptors (AMPARs) (Metzler et al., 2003). In the present study, we investigated the role of HIP1 in NMDA receptor (NMDAR) function by analyzing NMDA-dependent transport and NMDA-induced excitotoxicity in neurons from HIP1−/− mice. HIP1 colocalizes with NMDARs in hippocampal and cortical neurons and affinity purifies with NMDARs by GST (glutathione S-transferase) pull down and coimmunoprecipitation. A profound decrease in NMDA-induced AMPAR internalization of 75% occurs in neurons from HIP1−/− mice compared with wild type, using a quantitative single-cell-based internalization assay. This defect in NMDA-dependent removal of surface AMPARs is in agreement with the observed defect in long-term depression induction in hippocampal brain slices of HIP1−/− mice and supports a role of HIP1 in AMPAR internalization in vivo. HIP1−/− neurons are partially protected from NMDA-induced excitotoxicity as assessed by LDH (lactate dehydrogenase) release, TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated biotinylated dUTP nick end labeling) and caspase-3 activation assays, which points to a role of HIP1 in NMDA-induced cell death. Interestingly, phosphorylation of Akt and its substrate huntingtin (htt) decreases during NMDA-induced excitotoxicity by 48 and 31%, respectively. This decrease is significantly modulated by HIP1, resulting in 94 and 48% changes in P-Akt and P-htt levels in HIP1−/− neurons, respectively. In summary, we have shown that HIP1 influences important NMDAR functions and that both HIP1 and htt participate in NMDA-induced cell death. These findings may provide novel insights into the cellular mechanisms underlying enhanced NMDA-induced excitotoxicity in Huntington's disease.
Log-parabolic spectra and particle acceleration in the BL Lac object Mkn 421: Spectral analysis of the complete BeppoSAX wide band X-ray data set

We report the results of a new analysis of 13 wide band BeppoSAX observations of the BL Lac object Mkn 421. The data from LECS, MECS and PDS, covering an energy interval from 0.1 to over 100 keV, have been used to study the spectral variability of this source. We show that the energy distributions in different luminosity states can be fitted very well by a log-parabolic law F(E) = K (E/E1) −(a+b Log(E/E1)) , which provides good estimates of the energy and flux of the synchrotron peak in the SED. In the first four short observations of 1997 Mkn 421 was characterized by a very stable spectral shape, with average values a = 2.25 and b = 0.45, independently of the source brightness and of the fact that the source luminosity was increasing or decreasing. In the observations of 1998 smaller values for both parameters, a � 2.07 and b � 0.34, were found and the peak energy in the SED was in the range 0.5-0.8 keV. The observations of May 1999 and April-May 2000 covered runs of a duration of several days and provided a very high number of events for all the instruments. The resulting spectral fits were then limited by some instrumental systematics. Also in these cases, the log-parabolic model gave a satisfactory description of the overall SED of Mkn 421. In particular, in the observations of spring 2000 the source was brighter than the other observations and showed a large change of the spectral curvature. Spectral parameters estimates gave a � 1. 8a ndb � 0.19 and the energy of the maximum in the SED moved to the range 1-5.5 keV. We give a possible interpretation of the log-parabolic spectral model in terms of particle acceleration mechanisms. An energy distribution of emitting particles with curvature close to the one observed can be explained by a simple model for statistical acceleration with the assumption that the probability for a particle to increase its energy is a decreasing function of the energy itself. A consequence of this mechanism is the existence of a linear relation between the spectral parameters a and b ,w ell confirmed by the estimated values of these two parameters for Mkn 421.
Positive deviance, big data, and development: A systematic literature review

Positive deviance is a growing approach in international development that identifies those within a population who are outperforming their peers in some way, eg, children in low‐income families who are well nourished when those around them are not. Analysing and then disseminating the behaviours and other factors underpinning positive deviance are demonstrably effective in delivering development results. However, positive deviance faces a number of challenges that are restricting its diffusion. In this paper, using a systematic literature review, we analyse the current state of positive deviance and the potential for big data to address the challenges facing positive deviance. From this, we evaluate the promise of “big data‐based positive deviance”: This would analyse typical sources of big data in developing countries—mobile phone records, social media, remote sensing data, etc—to identify both positive deviants and the factors underpinning their superior performance. While big data cannot solve all the challenges facing positive deviance as a development tool, they could reduce time, cost, and effort; identify positive deviants in new or better ways; and enable positive deviance to break out of its current preoccupation with public health into domains such as agriculture, education, and urban planning. In turn, positive deviance could provide a new and systematic basis for extracting real‐world development impacts from big data.
Luminosity Density Estimation from Redshift Surveys and the Mass Density of the Universe

In most direct estimates of the mass density (visible or dark) of the universe, a central input parameter is the luminosity density of the universe. Here we consider the measurement of this luminosity density from redshift surveys, as a function of the yet undetermined characteristic scale RH at which the spatial distribution of visible matter tends to a well-defined homogeneity. Making the canonical assumption that the cluster mass-to-luminosity ratio ℳ/ℒ is the universal one, we can estimate the total mass density as a function Ωm(RH, ℳ/ℒ). Taking the highest estimated cluster value ℳ/ℒ ≈ 300 h M☉/L☉ and a conservative lower limit RH ≳ 20 h-1 Mpc, we obtain the upper bound Ωm ≲ 0.1. We note that, for values of the homogeneity scale RH in the range RH ≈ (90 ± 45) h Mpc, the value of Ωm may be compatible with the nucleosynthesis inferred density in baryons.
THE INFLUENCE OF CONCEPTUAL KNOWLEDGE ON VISUAL DISCRIMINATION

Does conceptual knowledge about objects influence their perceptual processing? There is some evidence for interactions between semantic and visual knowledge in tasks requiring both long-term memory and lexical access. Here we assessed whether similar perceptual/semantic interactions arise during sequential visual matching, a task that does not require access to semantic information. Matching of two-dimensional or three-dimensional novel objects was facilitated when the objects were associated with arbitrarily assigned distinctive artificial semantic concepts as compared to similar semantic concepts. In contrast to prior demonstrations, this effect was obtained in a task that did not require naming objects, and was not affected by participants rehearsing consonant strings, suggesting a direct influence from semantic associations on visual object recognition.
The impact of market orientation on manufacturing SME performance in Malaysia with the moderating effect of e-commerce

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are considered as the mainstay of any economy since they contribute towards employment and growth. However, although Malaysia is a fast developing country in South-East Asia [1], SMEs in manufacturing sector faces failures. Many studies have revealed that market orientation has positive impact on business performance. However, the literature is inconsistent; therefore, this article proposes to explore the effect of market orientation (MO) on manufacturing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and the moderating role of e-commerce on the relationship between the two constructs. This could help to enhance SME performance in manufacturing sector in Malaysia in order to avoid failure and maintain success. In addition, this study aims to enrich the literature concerning the effects of market orientation on SME success within the Malaysian context taking into consideration the moderating effect of e-commerce. To the best of the researcher knowledge, the current study is the first to examine such moderator on MO-performance relationship. Drawing upon resource based view theory, a research model is developed and need to be tested on manufacturing SMEs in Malaysia.
Privacy Providing Solution for Vehicular Communication

Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) demands secure communication in Vehicular Networks is that allows vehicles to communicate. Immense amount of research is going on both in academia and by industry. Frequent handovers are realized in vehicular communication because of the high speed of vehicles and hence there is always a requirement of secure and fast authentication for a seamless handover to take place. Apart from security of communication, privacy conservation of user specifics also an important requirement of vehicular communication. In this paper we propose an authentication scheme that will not only provide security and but privacy and also will reduce the storage and communication overhead while increasing the efficiency. Keywords— Vehicular Networks, Security, Privacy, Authentication, VANET.