Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Method for Analyzing Sociodynamics of Telecommunication-Based Services

We propose a method for evaluating the fit of services with users. We adopted a theory for media which conceptually described the organization of inflows generated by individuals. To obtain a formal representation, a natural pairing between inflows and contained entities is used. This pairing enables us to alternatively represent the notions of flows and entities in freely generated linear spaces, which is consistent with conventional data analyses. We discuss how the social structures of the organization of inflows are shown by alternative representation. We give an example using graphs extracted from data of a questionnaire survey on media use. We also discuss how the social structures are possibly characterized by the spectral structure of the conventional Gram matrix. We show that spectral deviations of a normalized Gram matrix enable us to characterize the media structures of web-based video services, which explains differences in service growth and the speed of growth.
Correlations between human-made structures, boat-pass frequency and the number of New Zealand dabchicks (Poliocephalus rufopectus) on the Rotorua Lakes, New Zealand.

Negative effects of human presence and activities on breeding success and survival of many water bird species are well documented. The New Zealand dabchick (Poliocephalus rufopectus) is a protected endemic New Zealand grebe, confined to the North Island mainland and classified as vulnerable. A third of the total New Zealand dabchick population live on the lakes of the central volcanic plateau, where there is potential conflict between humans and dabchicks. We used data from two independent surveys describing the distribution of New Zealand dabchicks to investigate the effect that human-made structures (i.e. jetties and houses) and human recreational activities (i.e. boating) have on the numbers of New Zealand dabchick pairs, chicks and nests in the bays of Lake Rotoiti, Tarawera and Okareka. Our results suggest that human-made structures and recreational activities are not significantly affecting the numbers and distribution of New Zealand dabchick pairs or nests at this time. Furthermore, the number of human-made structures was positively correlated with the number of chicks in the sampled bays. Humans and dabchicks may be distributed similarly around the lakes because factors such as wind exposure and shoreline topography made certain sites preferable for both species. Alternatively, human- made structures may provide protected nesting environments and/or cover for chicks from predators, refuges from harassment by other bird species, or other benefits. Pairs may therefore be able to raise chicks to the fledging stage more successfully. However, little is currently known about dabchick life history or population dynamics. We recommend that a method of capturing and marking be developed so that further monitoring of behavioural and population changes can be carried out. It is also necessary to conduct research on how boats and human activities at jetties affect incubating dabchicks and their young during the nesting phase.
CHK1-driven histone H3.3 serine 31 phosphorylation is important for chromatin maintenance and cell survival in human ALT cancer cells

Human ALT cancers show high mutation rates in ATRX and DAXX. Although it is well known that the absence of ATRX/DAXX disrupts H3.3 deposition at heterochromatin, its impact on H3.3 deposition and post-translational modification in the global genome remains unclear. Here, we explore the dynamics of phosphorylated H3.3 serine 31 (H3.3S31ph) in human ALT cancer cells. While H3.3S31ph is found only at pericentric satellite DNA repeats during mitosis in most somatic human cells, a high level of H3.3S31ph is detected on the entire chromosome in ALT cells, attributable to an elevated CHK1 activity in these cells. Drug inhibition of CHK1 activity during mitosis and expression of mutant H3.3S31A in these ALT cells result in a decrease in H3.3S31ph levels accompanied with increased levels of phosphorylated H2AX serine 139 on chromosome arms and at the telomeres. Furthermore, the inhibition of CHK1 activity in these cells also reduces cell viability. Our findings suggest a novel role of CHK1 as an H3.3S31 kinase, and that CHK1-mediated H3.3S31ph plays an important role in the maintenance of chromatin integrity and cell survival in ALT cancer cells.
Land Surface Temperature Retrieval from the Medium Resolution Spectral Imager Thermal Data

A single channel land surface temperature (LST) retrieval algorithm named Single Channel Water Vapor Dependent (SCWVD) method was presented for Medium Resolution Spectral Imager (MERSI) thermal infrared band aboard FengYun-3A (FY-3A) satellite. Water Vapor Content (WVC) is the only input parameter in the algorithm assuming the surface emissivity is known. NCEP reanalysis monthly mean datasets were used to develop the SCWVD algorithm. Some tests, including global numerical simulations and validations with both in-situ measurements and MODIS LST product at Lake Tahoe, USA, were carried out to evaluate the algorithm performance. The simulation results showed that the LST could be estimated by the SCWVD algorithm with the root mean square error (RMSE) less than 0.8 K. In the inversion test, MERSI Level 2 water vapor product was employed, and the MERSI band emissivity was calculated using the MODIS band 31 and 32 emissivity by an empirical expression. The results show that the difference between the retrieved MERSI LST and the in-situ measurements is less than 1 K in most situations. The comparison with the MODIS LST products (V5) shows that the RMSE is about 2.3 K.
A Spectral Technique for Coloring Random 3-Colorable Graphs

Let G3n,p,3 be a random 3-colorable graph on a set of 3n vertices generated as follows. First, split the vertices arbitrarily into three equal color classes, and then choose every pair of vertices of distinct color classes, randomly and independently, to be edges with probability p. We describe a polynomial-time algorithm that finds a proper 3-coloring of G3n,p,3 with high probability, whenever p $\geq$ c/n, where c is a sufficiently large absolute constant. This settles a problem of Blum and Spencer, who asked if an algorithm can be designed that works almost surely for p $\geq$ polylog(n)/n [J. Algorithms, 19 (1995), pp. 204--234]. The algorithm can be extended to produce optimal k-colorings of random k-colorable graphs in a similar model as well as in various related models. Implementation results show that the algorithm performs very well in practice even for moderate values of c.
Socio-demographic correlates of prolonged television viewing time in Australian men and women: the AusDiab study.

BACKGROUND Sedentary behaviors, particularly television viewing (TV) time, are associated with adverse health outcomes in adults, independent of physical activity levels. These associations are stronger and more consistent for women than for men. METHODS Multivariate regression models examined the sociodemographic correlates of 2 categories of TV time (≥ 2 hours/day and ≥ 4 hours/day); in a large, population-based sample of Australian adults (4950 men, 6001 women; mean age 48.1 years, range 25-91) who participated in the 1999/2000 Australian Diabetes, Obesity, and Lifestyle (AusDiab) study. RESULTS Some 46% of men and 40% of women watched ≥ 2 hours TV/day; 9% and 6% respectively watched ≥ 4 hours/day. For both men and women, ≥ 2 hours TV/day was associated with less than tertiary education, living outside of state capital cities, and having no paid employment. For women, mid and older age (45-64 and 65+) were also significant correlates of ≥ 2 hours TV/day. Similar patterns of association were observed in those viewing ≥ 4 hours/day. CONCLUSIONS Prolonged TV time is associated with indices of social disadvantage and older age. These findings can inform the understanding of potential contextual influences and guide preventive initiatives.
From Sucker to Saint

When people's rationality and agency are implicitly called into question by the more expedient behavior of others, they sometimes respond by feeling morally superior; this is referred to as the sucker-to-saint effect. In Experiment 1, participants who completed a tedious task and then saw a confederate quit the same task elevated their own morality over that of the confederate, whereas participants who simply completed the task or simply saw the confederate quit did not. In Experiment 2, this effect was eliminated by having participants contemplate a valued personal quality before encountering the rebellious confederate, a result suggesting a role for self-threat in producing moralization. These studies demonstrate that moral judgments can be more deeply embedded in judges' immediate social contexts–and driven more by motivations to maintain self-image—than is typically appreciated in contemporary moral-psychology research. Rather than uphold abstract principles of justice, moral judgment may sometimes just help people feel a little less foolish.
XRCC1 and XPD DNA repair gene polymorphisms: A potential risk factor for glaucoma in the Pakistani population

Purpose The present study was designed to determine the association of polymorphisms of the DNA repair genes X-ray cross-complementing group 1 (XRCC1) (c.1316G>A [rs25487]) and xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group D (XPD) (c.2298A>C [rs13181]) with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and primary closed-angle glaucoma (PCAG). Methods In this prospective case-control study, polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis was used to study the association of XRCC1 and XPD with 160 POAG patients, 163 PCAG patients, and 193 unaffected controls. Results XRCC1 rs25487 was found to be significantly associated specifically with male POAG patients (χ2=13.2 [p=0.001]), only for the dominant model (odds ratio [OR]=2.65 [95% confidence interval [CI]=1.44–4.85], p<0.005). In addition XPD rs13181 was also found to be associated with male POAG patients (χ2=12.1 [p<0.005]), for both dominant (OR=2.44 [95% CI=1.33–4.47], p<0.005) as well as recessive model (OR=3.62 [95% CI=1.45–9.01], p<0.01). Combined genotypes of both the genes revealed that the heterozygote AC/GA was significantly associated with the male POAG patients (z=3.00 [p<0.001]). The AA/GG genotype was present at a higher frequency in the male controls and the AA/GA in the female controls and could thus have a protective role in males and females, respectively. Conclusions We postulate that defects in the DNA repair genes XRCC1 and XPD may possibly be associated with the progression of POAG in male patients of Pakistani origin.
A comparison of some ultrastructural and biochemical properties of mitochondria from Morris hepatomas 9618A, 7800, and 3924A.

Summary The ultrastructural and biochemical properties of freshly isolated mitochondria from host livers and from hepatomas 9618A, 7800, and 3924A were examined in some detail. Similar to host liver mitochondria, mitochondria from the two “minimal deviation” hepatomas, 9618A and 7800, have condensed densely staining matrices surrounded by intact inner and outer membranes, and acceptor control ratios near 5 with β-hydroxybutyrate as substrate. Mitochondria from the rapidly growing hepatoma 3924A, in contrast to those from hepatomas 9618A and 7800 and from host liver, have diluted-appearing matrices, fail to oxidize β-hydroxybutyrate, and have low acceptor control ratios in the presence of succinate as substrate. Addition of 2,4-dinitrophenol enhances the respiratory activity of mitochondria from all three hepatomas. Assays for cytochrome oxidase, malate dehydrogenase, adenylate kinase, and monoamine oxidase, showed that only the specific activity of the latter enzyme is low in mitochondria from all hepatomas studied. The specific activity of adenylate kinase is low in mitochondria from hepatomas 7800 and 3924A, but near normal in mitochondria from hepatoma 9618A. The specific activities of cytochrome oxidase and malate dehydrogenase are about as high in hepatoma mitochondria as in mitochondria from host livers. With respect to those properties examined, these studies clearly show that mitochondria from the most rapidly growing heptoma, 3924A, bear the least resemblance to host liver mitochondria, whereas mitochondria from hepatomas 9618A and 7800 are very similar to but not identical with control mitochondria.
Supporting Terminological Standardization in Conceptual Models - a Plugin for a Meta-Modelling Tool

Today’s enterprises are accumulating huge repositories of conceptual models, such as data models, organisational charts and most notably business process models. Those models often grow heterogeneously with the company and are thus often terminologically divers and complex. This terminological diversity originates from the fact that natural language allows an issue to be described in a large variety of ways especially when many modellers are involved. This diversity can become a pitfall when conceptual models are subject to model analysis techniques, which require terminologically comparable model elements. Therefore, it is essential to ensure model quality by enforcing naming conventions. This paper introduces a prototype, which intends to resolve all associated issues of terminological standardisation already during the modelling phase or ex-post based on existing models. The modeller is guided through the standardization process by providing an automated list of all correct phrase propositions according to his entered phrase. In this approach, naming conventions can easily be defined and enforced. This leads to terminologically unambiguous conceptual models, which are easier to understand and ready for further analysis purposes.
NScale: Neighborhood-centric Analytics on Large Graphs

There is an increasing interest in executing rich and complex analysis tasks over large-scale graphs, many of which require processing and reasoning about a large number of multi-hop neighborhoods or subgraphs in the graph. Examples of such tasks include ego network analysis, motif counting in biological networks, finding social circles, personalized recommendations, link prediction, anomaly detection, analyzing influence cascades, and so on. These tasks are not well served by existing vertex-centric graph processing frameworks whose computation and execution models limit the user program to directly access the state of a single vertex, resulting in high communication, scheduling, and memory overheads in executing such tasks. Further, most existing graph processing frameworks also typically ignore the challenges in extracting the relevant portions of the graph that an analysis task is interested in, and loading it onto distributed memory. In this demonstration proposal, we describe NScale, a novel end-to-end graph processing framework that enables the distributed execution of complex neighborhood-centric analytics over large-scale graphs in the cloud. NScale enables users to write programs at the level of neighborhoods or subgraphs. NScale uses Apache YARN for efficient and fault-tolerant distribution of data and computation; it features GEL, a novel graph extraction and loading phase, that extracts the relevant portions of the graph and loads them into distributed memory using as few machines as possible. NScale utilizes novel techniques for the distributed execution of user computation that minimize memory consumption by exploiting overlap among the neighborhoods of interest. A comprehensive experimental evaluation shows orders-of-magnitude improvements in performance and total cost over vertex-centric approaches.
Fingerprint Matching using Ridge Patterns

This paper presents a fingerprint matching scheme that utilizes a ridge patterns to match fingerprint images. The proposed scheme uses a set of 16 Gabor filters where spatial frequencies correspond to the average inter-ridge spacing in fingerprints. It is used to capture the ridge strength at equally spaced orientations. A circular tessellation of filtered image is then used to construct the ridge feature map. This ridge feature map contains both global and local details in a fingerprint as a compact fixed length feature vector. The fingerprint matching is based on the Euclidean distance between two corresponding feature vectors. The genuine accept rate of the Ridge Pattern based matcher is observed to be about 5% to 8% higher than that of minutiae-based matcher at low false accept rates. Fingerprint feature extraction and matching takes nearly 7 seconds on a normal Pentium IV machine.
A Color Stereo Vision System for Extraction of 3D Edges of Obstacle

In this article, we present a fast and self-adaptive stereo vision system for road obstacle detection. In a first step, vertical edge points are extracted using the operator color declivity. Then, vertical edge points are associated using dynamic programming based on geometric, non-reversal, uniqueness and color photometric constraints. Wrong matchings are detected and corrected using constraint of disparity continuity applied on 3D shapes which have been previously constructed. Finally, 3D edges of obstacle are extracted. Performance of segmentation, matching and extraction of 3D edges of obstacle are discussed. Experimental results are shown
Metalearning: a contribution to theory and empirical investigation of Year 4 pupils' reflections on their classroom learning

This thesis constitutes an original theoretical and empirical approach to metalearning (also known as learning about learning). Metalearning is defined as the learner making sense of their own experience of learning, with a view to improving their future learning. Making sense implies being aware of situational features (affordances and constraints) of one's context of learning, and accordingly regulating one's own cognitive, motivational, and affective attitudes towards learning in that context. The overarching aim of this sense-making through regulating these aspects is the construction of a metalearning strategy, understood as a set of attitudes and dispositions towards learning and the application of oneself to this learning. Strategies are open-ended, flexible personal constructions for personal improvement and effectiveness in particular contexts. Lack of any existing empirical studies on how metalearning manifests itself in Primary pupils' learning in their classroom makes this research the first systematised effort towards understanding how a classroom cultivates its particular version of metalearning. This research addresses this issue in two ways: firstly, through a re-conceptualisation of metalearning with added emphasis on situativity; and secondly, through an empirical, interpretative, qualitative case study focusing on whether and how the pupils of a Year 4 Primary classroom make sense of their experiences of learning and use them to improve future learning. In this empirical project, emphasis is fully placed on pupils' voice as expressed in their qualitative interviewing, and in priority over validating theoretical constructions. Central among the findings of this research is the evidence that pupils' metalearning strategies do indeed develop as a result of their interacting with their context; that they manifest as a range of qualitatively different perceptions and attitudes about what learning is, how it happens, and how it can be improved. These perceptions and attitudes form an intertemporal connection between who the learner is and how they apply themselves to learning in the classroom: reflecting on the past and present, and envisaging doing so in the future. Finally, issues of classroom language and learner agency emerge as seminal for pupils' construction of their learning self and their metalearning strategies.
Canonical Autocorrelation Analysis and Graphical Modeling for Human Trafficking Characterization

The present research characterizes online prostitution advertisements by human trafficking rings to extract and quantify patterns that describe their online operations. We approach this descriptive analytics task from two perspectives. One, we develop an extension to Sparse Canonical Correlation Analysis that identifies autocorrelations within a single set of variables. This technique, which we call Canonical Autocorrelation Analysis, detects features of the human trafficking advertisements which are highly correlated within a particular trafficking ring. Two, we use a variant of supervised latent Dirichlet allocation to learn topic models over the trafficking rings. The relationship of the topics over multiple rings characterizes general behaviors of human traffickers as well as behaviours of individual rings.
Scenario Driven In-depth Performance Evaluation of Document Layout Analysis Methods

This paper presents an advanced framework for evaluating the performance of layout analysis methods. It combines efficiency and accuracy by using a special interval based geometric representation of regions. A wide range of sophisticated evaluation measures provides the means for a deep insight into the analysed systems, which goes far beyond simple benchmarking. The support of user-defined profiles allows the tuning for practically any kind of evaluation scenario related to real world applications. The framework has been successfully delivered as part of a major EU-funded project (IMPACT) to evaluate large-scale digitisation projects and has been validated using the dataset from the ICDAR2009 Page Segmentation Competition.
Stronger cortisol response to acute psychosocial stress is correlated with larger decrease in temporal sensitivity

As a fundamental dimension of cognition and behavior, time perception has been found to be sensitive to stress. However, how one’s time perception changes with responses to stress is still unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between stress-induced cortisol response and time perception. A group of 40 healthy young male adults performed a temporal bisection task before and after the Trier Social Stress Test for a stress condition. A control group of 27 male participants completed the same time perception task without stress induction. In the temporal bisection task, participants were first presented with short (400 ms) and long (1,600 ms) visual signals serving as anchor durations and then required to judge whether the intermediate probe durations were more similar to the short or the long anchor. The bisection point and Weber ratio were calculated and indicated the subjective duration and the temporal sensitivity, respectively. Data showed that participants in the stress group had significantly increased salivary cortisol levels, heart rates, and negative affects compared with those in the control group. The results did not show significant group differences for the subjective duration or the temporal sensitivity. However, the results showed a significant positive correlation between stress-induced cortisol responses and decreases in temporal sensitivity indexed by increases in the Weber ratio. This correlation was not observed for the control group. Changes in subjective duration indexed by temporal bisection points were not correlated with cortisol reactivity in both the groups. In conclusion, the present study found that although no significant change was observed in time perception after an acute stressor on the group-level comparison (i.e., stress vs. nonstress group), individuals with stronger cortisol responses to stress showed a larger decrease in temporal sensitivity. This finding may provide insight into the understanding of the relationship between stress and temporal sensitivity.