Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Enhancing Multimedia Interfaces with Intelligence

Current software products such as spreadsheets are beginning to include automated graphical design and input checking heuristics to provide added automated functionality. The use of such rules requires higher levels of abstract meaning representation than raw media. They also rely upon representing contextual information describing the domain, task, user and current dialogue. With these technologies interfaces move from being purely multimedia towards multimodality. The MMI2 multimodal system is described to illustrate the representation and architecture required for this class of system and the cooperative dialogue which it can support. A second, simpler multimedia information retrieval and presentation system (MIPS) is then described to show how these technologies of context and abstract meaning representation can be incorporated in commercial multimedia applications to structure and tailor multimedia information to the user.
Qualitative studies of obesity: A review of methodology

BACKGROUND: There is a developing interest in qualitative research to understand the perspectives and experiences of people living with obesity. However, obesity is a stigmatised condition associated with negative stereotypes. Social contexts emphasizing large body size as a problem, including research interviews, may amplify obesity stigma. This study reviews the methodology employed by qualitative studies in which study participants were obese and data collection involved face-to-face interviews. METHODS: Database searches identified qualitative studies meeting inclusion criteria from 1995 to 2012. Following screening and appraisal data were systematically extracted and analyzed from 31 studies. RESULTS: The studies included 1206 participants with a mean age of 44 years and mean BMI of37 kg/m2. Women (78.8%) outnumbered men (21.2%) by four to one. Socio-economic background was not consistently reported. The studies employed similar, typically pragmatic, qualitative methodologies, providing rich textual data on the experience of obesity derived from face-to-face interviews. The majority considered quality issues in data collection, analyses and generalizability of findings. However, the studies were weak as regards researcher reflexivity in relation to interviewer characteristics and obesity stigma. CONCLUSIONS: The impact of obesity stigma has not been attended to in the qualitative research. Clear information about study participants is essential, but studies involving face-to-face interviews should also report on interviewer characteristics including body size.
Identification of collagenase as a critical virulence factor for invasiveness and transmission of pathogenic Leptospira species.

BACKGROUND Leptospirosis is a global zoonotic disease. Transmission of Leptospira from animals to humans occurs through contact with water contaminated with leptospire-containing urine of infected animals. However, the molecular basis for the invasiveness of Leptospira and transmission of leptospirosis remains unknown. METHODS Activity of Leptospira interrogans strain Lai colA gene product (ColA) to hydrolyze different collagenic substrates was determined by spectrophotometry. Expression and secretion of ColA during infection were detected by reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot assay. The colA gene-deleted (ΔcolA) and colA gene-complemented (CΔcolA) mutants were generated to determine the roles of ColA in transcytosis in vitro and virulence in hamsters. RESULTS Recombinant or native ColA hydrolyzed all the tested substrates in which type III collagen was the favorite substrate with 2.16 mg/mL Km and 35.6 h(-)(1) Kcat values. Coincubation of the spirochete with HUVEC or HEK293 cells directly caused the significant elevation of ColA expression and secretion. Compared with wild-type strain, ΔcolA mutant displayed much-attenuated transcytosis through HEK293 and HUVEC monolayers, and less leptospires in blood, lung, liver, kidney and urine and 25-fold-decreased 50% lethal dose and milder histopathological injury in hamsters. CONCLUSIONS The product of colA gene is a collagenase as a crucial virulence factor in the invasiveness and transmission of L. interrogans.
On Tracking Control of Rigid and Flexible Joint Robots

We address the problem of (semiglobal) trajectory tracking control of rigid and exible joints robots using computed torque based controllers. The paper contains two contributions; rst, for rigid robots we show that velocity in the control algorithm can be replaced by the ltered position, thus obviating the explicit need of state observers. Second, we show that it is posible to achieve trajectory tracking of exible joints robots without calculating link jerk. Removing the need of observers and the determination of link jerk reduces the controller complexity and enhances its robustness vis a vis parameter uncertainty and unmodeled dynamics.
A fully non‐linear model for three‐dimensional overturning waves over an arbitrary bottom

An accurate three-dimensional numerical model, applicable to strongly non-linear waves, is proposed. The model solves fully non-linear potential flow equations with a free surface using a higher-order three-dimensional boundary element method (BEM) and a mixed Eulerian–Lagrangian time updating, based on second-order explicit Taylor series expansions with adaptive time steps. The model is applicable to non-linear wave transformations from deep to shallow water over complex bottom topography up to overturning and breaking. Arbitrary waves can be generated in the model, and reflective or absorbing boundary conditions specified on lateral boundaries. In the BEM, boundary geometry and field variables are represented by 16-node cubic ‘sliding’ quadrilateral elements, providing local inter-element continuity of the first and second derivatives. Accurate and efficient numerical integrations are developed for these elements. Discretized boundary conditions at intersections (corner/edges) between the free surface or the bottom and lateral boundaries are well-posed in all cases of mixed boundary conditions. Higher-order tangential derivatives, required for the time updating, are calculated in a local curvilinear co-ordinate system, using 25-node ‘sliding’ fourth-order quadrilateral elements. Very high accuracy is achieved in the model for mass and energy conservation. No smoothing of the solution is required, but regridding to a higher resolution can be specified at any time over selected areas of the free surface. Applications are presented for the propagation of numerically exact solitary waves. Model properties of accuracy and convergence with a refined spatio-temporal discretization are assessed by propagating such a wave over constant depth. The shoaling of solitary waves up to overturning is then calculated over a 1:15 plane slope, and results show good agreement with a two-dimensional solution proposed earlier. Finally, three-dimensional overturning waves are generated over a 1:15 sloping bottom having a ridge in the middle, thus focusing wave energy. The node regridding method is used to refine the discretization around the overturning wave. Convergence of the solution with grid size is also verified for this case. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Association between MEFV Mutations M694V and M680I and Behçet’s Disease: A Meta-Analysis

Objective Several studies have identified an association between Behçet’s disease (BD) and mutations in the Mediterranean fever (MEFV) gene, which was originally linked to the autosomal recessive disease, Familial Mediterranean fever. However, no consensus has been reached. Here, a meta-analysis was conducted on published data to comprehensively evaluate this relationship. Methods Literature searches were performed in Pubmed, Embase, the Web of Science, and HuGE Navigator databases, in order to identify studies pertaining to the association between MEFV mutations and BD. Two investigators independently extracted and evaluated the data from eligible studies. The association between MEFV mutations (M694V, M680I, and E148Q) and BD was estimated overall by the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Further analysis was conducted with STATA 12.0 software (Stata Corp.; College Station, TX). Results Eligible studies (n=8) included genotyping data obtained from 2538 BD patients and 2792 healthy controls. Of the three mutations, M694V (pooled OR: 2.60, 95% CI: 2.02-3.34) and M680I (pooled OR: 1.74, 95% CI: 1.23-2.46) were found to be associated with BD in the overall analysis. The third mutation, E148Q, however, was not found to be linked with BD (pooled OR: 1.26, 95% CI: 0.69-2.31). Subgroup analysis furthermore revealed that M694V and M680I were risk loci for BD specifically in Turkish patients. Conclusions The meta-analysis confirmed that MEFV mutations M694V and M680I were associated with BD. Additional studies from other ethnic populations and functional experiments are necessary to determine the extent to which the MEFV gene underlies the development of BD.
Cumulative Citation Recommendation: A Feature-Aware Comparison of Approaches

In this work, we conduct a feature-aware comparison of approaches to Cumulative Citation Recommendation (CCR), a task that aims to filter and rank a stream of documents according to their relevance to entities in a knowledge base. We conducted experiments starting with a big feature set, identified a powerful subset and applied it to comparing classification and learning-to-rank algorithms. With few set of powerful features, we achieve better performance than the state-of-the-art. Surprisingly, our findings challenge the previously known preference of learning-to-rank over classification: in our study, the CCR performance of the classification approach outperforms that using learning-to-rank. This indicates that comparing two approaches is problematic due to the interplay between the approaches themselves and the feature sets one chooses to use.
Cooperative agent approach to quality assurance and testing Web software

This work applies Lehman's theory of software evolution to analyse the characteristics of Web-based applications and identifies the essences and incidents that cause difficulties in developing high quality Web-based applications. It is argued that they belong to Lehman's E-type systems, hence satisfy Lehman's eight laws of software evolution. The uncertainties underlying the development of Web applications are analyzed and their implications are discussed. In order to support sustainable long term evolution of such systems, we proposed a cooperative multiagent system approach to support both development and maintenance activities. A prototype system with emphasis on testing and quality assurance is reported.
A Methodology for Semantically Annotating a Corpus Using a Domain Ontology and Machine Learning

In this paper we present a methodology for the semantic annotation of domain-specific corpora. This method relies on a domain ontology used initially for identifying and annotating domainspecific instances within the corpus. A machine learning-based information extraction system is then trained on the annotated corpus. The final result of this process is a model which is used to annotate new corpora in the specific domain. We applied the proposed methodology to a Web corpus examining different ontology size using hidden Markov models. The paper presents the proposed methodology together with some first experimental results.
An invariant approach to object classification using background removal

Object recognition and classification in a multi-environment is an important part of machine vision. The goal of this paper is to build a system that classifies the objects of interest plane and helicopter. This paper addresses the issues to classify objects by combining pose and viewpoint invariant to certain extend. The threshold technique with background subtraction is used to segment the background region to extract the object of interest. Feature extraction is done through edge detection. The features of the objects with variety of pose, viewpoint images are fed to the back-propagation neural classifier. Quantitative evaluation shows improved results by comparison of classification done with the proposed method with that of classification done with conventional feature extraction method.
FREC delivrable 12 : Stone duality in semantics vs . Stone duality in variety theory

This report is the 12th delivrable of the FREC project. This report contains the description of a denotational semantics for λY calculus that captures precisely weak Monadic Second Order Logic on the Böhm trees defined by λY -terms. Exploiting Stone duality we have been able to turn properties expressed by those models into an inference system. Moreover we exploited internal dualities of the model so as to exhibit an original type system that refutes properties of λY -terms. We give a denotational semantics of λY -calculus that is capable of computing properties expressed in weak monadic second-order logic (WMSO). λY -calculus faithfully models control in higher-order programs. Our model construction allows to reduce verification to evaluation. The model that we propose presents a lot of symmetries that reflect elegantly the dualities of weak alternating automata at all orders. Following the domain in logical form approach, we derive a type system for verifying WMSO properties.
Nogo-A Stabilizes the Architecture of Hippocampal Neurons

Although the role of myelin-derived Nogo-A as an inhibitor of axonal regeneration after CNS injury has been thoroughly described, its physiological function in the adult, uninjured CNS is less well known. We address this question in the hippocampus, where Nogo-A is expressed by neurons as well as oligodendrocytes. We used 21 d in vitro slice cultures of neonatal hippocampus where we applied different approaches to interfere with Nogo-A signaling and expression and analyze their effects on the dendritic and axonal architecture of pyramidal cells. Neutralization of Nogo-A by function-blocking antibodies induced a major alteration in the dendrite structure of hippocampal pyramidal neurons. Although spine density was not influenced by Nogo-A neutralization, spine type distribution was shifted toward a more immature phenotype. Axonal complexity and length were greatly increased. Nogo-A KO mice revealed a weak dendritic phenotype resembling the effect of the antibody treatment. To discriminate a possible cell-autonomous role of Nogo-A from an environmental, receptor-mediated function, we studied the effects of short hairpin RNA-induced knockdown of Nogo-A or NgR1, a prominent Nogo-A receptor, within individual neurons. Knockdown of Nogo-A reproduced part of the dendritic and none of the spine or axon alterations. However, downregulation of NgR1 replicated the dendritic, the axonal, and the spine alterations observed after Nogo-A neutralization. Together, our results demonstrate that Nogo-A plays a major role in stabilizing and maintaining the architecture of hippocampal pyramidal neurons. Mechanistically, although the majority of the activity of Nogo-A relies on a receptor-mediated mechanism involving NgR1, its cell-autonomous function plays a minor role.
Audrey : The Model and Implementation of A Hybrid P 2 P Framework for Massive Virtual Environments

Massively Multiplayer Online environments continue to grow in popularity, with current technical designs based upon a well proven client-server model. This approach has some inherent limitations, high costs to provision server resources for peak demands and restriction of the maximum number of concurrent participants within a virtual environment. Incorporating Peer-to-Peer (P2P) techniques provides developers the opportunity to significantly reduce costs, while also breaking through the barrier of the number of concurrent participants within a single virtual environment. We propose a hybrid P2P model incorporating a managed server along with a Voronoi-based P2P overlay for the development of massive virtual environments. This paper explains the current limitations of both client-server and pure P2P systems and presents the design and implementation of our hybrid P2P system, which resolves some of these limitations.
Presynaptic Remodeling Contributes to Activity-Dependent Synaptogenesis

Induction of long-term potentiation and application of short periods of anoxia/hypoglycemia result in the growth of dendritic filopodia and formation of new spines. Here we investigated whether these conditions also affected the morphology of presynaptic structures. Using confocal imaging of DiI-labeled axons, electron microscopy, and stereological analyses, we show that short anoxia/hypoglycemia and theta burst stimulation induced rapid, calcium-dependent growth of presynaptic filopodia-like protrusions and remodeling of presynaptic varicosities. Three-dimensional reconstruction of axonal outgrowths revealed that, within 30 min, they made contacts and triggered the formation of a postsynaptic density on the target cell. Interestingly, these axonal filopodia first established synapses with the dendritic shaft and later mostly with spines. They also contributed to the formation of multi-innervated spines. Because these presynaptic growth mechanisms depended on NMDA receptor activation, we investigated whether a diffusing messenger could be involved. We found that blockade of nitric oxide synthase prevented these changes, and conversely, a nitric oxide donor could reproduce them. A model is presented that proposes that activation of NMDA receptors and subsequent release of nitric oxide could trigger the growth of presynaptic filopodia, which, in turn, play an active role in synaptogenesis and spine formation.
On the Analysis of Wikipedia Activity through Time

Wikipedia articles see bursts of update activity whenever a topic is of more interest to the community or has somehow become controversial. Analyzing when and what changes are made can, thus, give us an idea of how the community feels about particular subjects. In this paper we present Pop Culture, a system that provides a visualization of Wikipedia's edits that allows us to reflect on how different subjects are perceived by people over time and, by comparing articles from different language wikipedias, find regional and cultural differences of interest and perception. A set of user studies shows that, indeed, users are able to use Pop Culture effectively and efficiently to find such trends and differences.
Security Building at the Line of Control for Image Stego

has virtually become an indispensable nonfunctional requirement for any technology that deals with data. Traditional methods of imparting security using encryption have given away themselves long ago to cryptanalytic ventures. A different method of secure data transfer without revealing the mere existence of secret, called Steganography is a promising technique to ensure security. This technique camouflages secret data into a casual cover image, without affecting its visually perceived quality. This paper proposes a novel technique, which is a hybrid of cryptography, edge detection and steganography. By differentially embedding secret data into edges and smooth pixels of cover image, so that edge pixels and smooth pixels have data with different encryptions, the cryptic effect can be boosted to a greater limit, making the unauthorized extraction of secret data impossible.
A Topological Approach to Processing Scanned Urban Maps

For many GIS applications the data entry component is the most expensive, and frequently makes the difference between success and failure of the project, in terms of both time and money. The most time-consuming part of manual digitizing is usually the generation of correct topology, which usually involves many of error correction steps. The automatic processing of scanned maps appears to have many advantages, but in practice the line extraction process does not always produce good topology automatically. The situation with scanned maps may be improved with a conceptual change of emphasis. Instead of concentrating on the black pixels (linework) one may emphasize the white pixels (polygonal areas) and build the relationships from these. The process as implemented consists of three steps. Firstly a set of white pixels are selected, at a user-specified distance from the black linework, and these are given a polygon label on the basis of a flood-fill algorithm that scans all connected white pixels. Secondly these selected pixels are used as data points to generate the standard Euclidean point Voronoi diagram. Thirdly, this structure is scanned to extract Voronoi boundaries between pixels having different polygon labels. The result of this operation is a set of vector chains or arcs that are guaranteed to separate regions of white space, and are guaranteed to connect precisely at nodes. Experiments on a small cadastral map show excellent automatic topology generation, and accurate linework. Black linework or symbols that are unclosed are not preserved with this method which may be an advantage or a disadvantage, depending on the application. Unclosed polygons are also lost, and may need pretreatment. Small polygons generated as the interiors of closed symbols may be removed automatically in most cases by simple filters. The results are imported directly into the vector GIS without any cleanup or intersection-testing operations. In many cases the approach described here may make significant savings in the implementation of urban planning systems.
Incompleteness versus a Platonic multiverse

The Platonic multiverse view is that there are multiple and incompatible concepts of a set with corresponding Platonic universes. For example the continuum hypothesis may be true in some of these universes and false in others. This philosophical view leads to an approach for exploring mathematics that is similar to an approach that stems from the more conservative view that infinity is a potential that can never br fully realized. My version of this view sees infinite collections as human conceptual creations that can have a definite meaning even if they cannot exist physically. The integers and recursively enumerable sets are examples. In this view infinite sets are definite things only if they are logically determined by events that could happen in an always finite but potentially infinite universe with recursive laws of physics. This includes much of generalized recursion theory, but can never include absolutely uncountable sets. “Logically determined” is a philosophical principal that can be partially defined rigorously, but will always be expandable. In this view uncountable sets can be definite things only relative to specific countable (as seen from the outside) models. Just as Gödel proved that any formal system embedding basic arithmetic must be incomplete in provability, Cantor’s uncountability proof plus the Löwenheim-Skolem theorem prove that any sufficiently strong formal first order system must be incomplete in definability. One can always define more reals. In this philosophical view uncountable sets are guides to how mathematics can be expanded. Thus at different stages or paths of development one might assume different and conflicting axioms about
Harmonic Rayleigh-Ritz for the multiparameter eigenvalue problem

We study harmonic and refined extraction methods for the multiparameter eigenvalue problem. These techniques are generalizations of their counterparts for the standard and generalized eigenvalue problem. The methods aim to approximate interior eigenpairs, generally more accurately than the standard extraction does. We study their properties and give Saad type theorems. The processes can be combined with any subspace expansion approach, for instance a Jacobi–Davidson type technique, to form a subspace method for multiparameter eigenproblems of high dimension.