Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Size Distribution Across All "Cities": A Unifying Approach

In this paper we show that the double Pareto lognormal (DPLN) parameterization provides an excellent fit to the overall US city size distribution, regardless of whether �cities� are administratively defined Census places or economically defined area clusters. We then consider an economic model that combines scale-independent urban growth (Gibrat�s law) with endogenous city creation. City sizes converge to a DPLN distribution in this model, which is much better in line with the data than previous urban growth frameworks that predict a lognormal or a Pareto city size distribution (Zipf�s law).
The first steps of robotic cancan

In this paper we present our first steps taken for the development of a team of robots capable of executing a choreography. We have chosen one highly choreographed dance, the cancan, on which the dancers execute lots of different movements in a chorus-line. The choreography will be executed in real time synchronization with the music. A music analysis system is used to identify rhythmic events. These are sent to robots that react by executing dance movements. We describe two simple robotic dancing models, the Cockatoo and the Cancan Leg, which are our preliminary steps towards the development of a group of cancan robotic dancers
Examining differential relationships of substance use and risky sexual behavior among African American and white adolescents

Banks, Devin E. M.S., Purdue University, December 2016. Examining Differential Relationships of Substance Use and Risky Sexual Behavior among African American and White Adolescents. Major Professor: Tamika Zapolski. Adolescents are at disproportionate risk for health consequences associated with risky sexual behavior, including sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancy. Racial disparities have also been observed with African American adolescents experiencing higher rates of such negative health outcomes than their White peers. Substance use, particularly alcohol and marijuana use, has been shown to predict risky sexual behavior among adolescents of both racial groups. However, research suggests that alcohol use is more predictive of risky sexual behavior in White adolescents than African American adolescents, perhaps due to significantly higher rates of alcohol use among White adolescents. Given recent trends indicating higher rates of marijuana use among African American adolescents than their White peers and a strong association between marijuana use and risky sexual behavior among African American adolescents, marijuana use may better explain the relationship between substance use and risky sexual behavior among African Americans than alcohol use. Thus, the current study examined whether alcohol and marijuana use have differential effects on adolescent risky sexual behavior by race at the eventand global-level of analysis. To that end, 113 adolescents ages 14-18 (African American = 93, White=20) completed self-report measures of
Improved comparative partner selection with brood recombination for genetic programming

The aim of all evolutionary methods is to find the best solution from search space without testing every solution in search space. This study employs strengths and weaknesses of solutions for finding the best solution of any problem in genetic programming. The strengths and weaknesses are used to assist in finding the right partners (solutions) during crossover operation. The probability of crossover between two solutions is evaluated using relative strengths and weaknesses as well as overall strengths of solutions (Improved Comparative Partner Selection (ICPS)). The solutions qualifying for crossover through ICPS criteria are supposed to produce better solutions and are allowed to produce more children through brood recombination. The brood recombination helps to exploit the search space close to the optimum solution more efficiently. The proposed method is applied on different benchmarking problems and results demonstrate that the method is highly efficient in exploring the search space.
CodonPhyML: Fast Maximum Likelihood Phylogeny Estimation under Codon Substitution Models

Markov models of codon substitution naturally incorporate the structure of the genetic code and the selection intensity at the protein level, providing a more realistic representation of protein-coding sequences compared with nucleotide or amino acid models. Thus, for protein-coding genes, phylogenetic inference is expected to be more accurate under codon models. So far, phylogeny reconstruction under codon models has been elusive due to computational difficulties of dealing with high dimension matrices. Here, we present a fast maximum likelihood (ML) package for phylogenetic inference, CodonPhyML offering hundreds of different codon models, the largest variety to date, for phylogeny inference by ML. CodonPhyML is tested on simulated and real data and is shown to offer excellent speed and convergence properties. In addition, CodonPhyML includes most recent fast methods for estimating phylogenetic branch supports and provides an integral framework for models selection, including amino acid and DNA models.
APPLICATION OF AUGMENTED REALITY GIS IN ARCHITECTURE

Paper discusses the function and meaning of ARGIS in architecture through an instance of an aerodrome construction project. In the initial stages of the construction, it applies the advanced technology including 3S (RS, GIS and GPS) techniques, augmented reality, virtual reality and digital image processing techniques, and so on. Virtual image or other information that is created by the computer is superimposed with the surveying district which the observer stands is looking at. When the observer is moving in the district, the virtual information is changing correspondingly, just like the virtual information really exists in true environment. The observer can see the scene of aerodrome if he puts on clairvoyant HMD. If we have structural information of construction in database, AR can supply X-ray of the building just like pipeline, wire and framework in walls. * Corresponding Author: Yan Guo, doctor candidate, majors in multimedia cartography, GIS conceptual model and technologies
Learning a set of directions

Assume our data consists of unit vectors (directions) and we are to nd a small orthogonal set of the \the most important directions" summarizing the data. We develop online algorithms for this type of problem. The techniques used are similar to Principal Component Analysis which nds the most important small rank subspace of the data. The new problem is signicantly more complex since the online algorithm maintains uncertainty over the most relevant subspace as well as directional information.
Design of and subjective response to on-body input for people with visual impairments

For users with visual impairments, who do not necessarily need the visual display of a mobile device, non-visual on-body interaction (e.g., Imaginary Interfaces) could provide accessible input in a mobile context. Such interaction provides the potential advantages of an always-available input surface, and increased tactile and proprioceptive feedback compared to a smooth touchscreen. To investigate preferences for and design of accessible on-body interaction, we conducted a study with 12 visually impaired participants. Participants evaluated five locations for on-body input and compared on-phone to on-hand interaction with one versus two hands. Our findings show that the least preferred areas were the face/neck and the forearm, while locations on the hands were considered to be more discreet and natural. The findings also suggest that participants may prioritize social acceptability over ease of use and physical comfort when assessing the feasibility of input at different locations of the body. Finally, tradeoffs were seen in preferences for touchscreen versus on-body input, with on-body input considered useful for contexts where one hand is busy (e.g., holding a cane or dog leash). We provide implications for the design of accessible on-body input.
Rendering of brain tumors using endoneurosonography

We have developed a method to render brain tumors from endoneurosonography. We propose to track an ultrasound probe in successive endoscopic images without relying on an external optic or magnetic tracking system. The probe is tracked using two different methods, one of them based on generalized Hough transform and the other one on particle filters. With the estimation of the pose of the ultrasound probe in several contiguous images we use conformal geometric algebra to compute the geometric transformations that yield the 3D position of the tumor, which was segmented in the ultrasound image using morphological operators. We have used images from brain phantoms to evaluate the performance of the proposed methods and our results show that they are robust.
An adaptive learning approach to adaptive OFDM

Orthogonal frequency division multiplex (OFDM) technique has been successfully deployed in indoor wireless LAN and outdoor broadcasting applications. It is well-known that under a frequency-selective fading channel the resultant sub-channel frequency functions are frequency-variant and may also be time-variant, i.e. the channel magnitude may be highly fluctuating across the sub-carriers and varies from symbol to symbol. Hence adaptive modulation may be appropriately applied to improve the error performance and data throughput in an OFDM modem by assigning different modulation and coding schemes to different sub-carriers. One fundamental issue in deploying adaptive modulation is to determine what modulation and coding scheme to use. Virtually all past investigations were either based on heuristic methods or analytical means. This paper proposes a novel adaptive learning control approach that is capable of dynamically adjusting the switching thresholds to improve or maximize the data throughput.
Study of attribute word extraction in Chinese product reviews

As e-commerce develops quickly and online product reviews dramatically increases, extraction of attribute words in the product review is of significance. In this paper, authors presented an efficient extraction method, with categorization by synonyms, based on ontology library, of product reviews attribute words under the big data environments. The experiment validated the approach and it improves the extraction efficiency of attribute words.
Fixpoint Computations and Coiteration

An extension of the simply-typed lambda calculus is presented which contains both well-structured inductive and coinductive types, and which also identi(cid:12)es a class of types for which general recursion is possible. The motivations for this work are certain natural constructions in category theory, in particular the notion of an algebraically bounded functor, due to Freyd. We propose that this is a particularly elegant language in which to work with recursive objects, since the potential for general recursion is contained in a single operator which interacts well with the facilities for bounded iteration and coiteration
Focal adhesion kinase (FAK): A regulator of CNS myelination

The formation of the myelin sheath is a crucial step during development because it enables fast and efficient propagation of signals within the limited space of the mammalian central nervous system (CNS). During the process of myelination, oligodendrocytes actively interact with the extracellular matrix (ECM). These interactions are considered crucial for proper and timely completion of the myelin sheath. However, the exact regulatory circuits involved in the signaling events that occur between the ECM and oligodendrocytes are currently not fully understood. Therefore, in the present study we investigated the role of a known integrator of cell–ECM signaling, namely, focal adhesion kinase (FAK), in CNS myelination via the use of conditional (oligodendrocyte‐specific) and inducible FAK‐knockout mice (Fakflox/flox: PLP/CreERT mice). When inducing FAK knockout just prior to and during active myelination of the optic nerve, we observed a significant reduction in the number of myelinated fibers on postnatal day 14. In addition, our data revealed a decreased number of primary processes extending from oligodendrocyte cell bodies at this postnatal age and on induction of FAK knockout. In contrast, myelination appeared normal on postnatal day 28. Thus, our data suggest that FAK controls the efficiency and timing of CNS myelination during its initial stages, at least in part, by regulating oligodendrocyte process outgrowth and/or remodeling. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Abstracting Event-Driven Systems with Lifestate Rules

We present lifestate rules--an approach for abstracting event-driven object protocols. Developing applications against event-driven software frameworks is notoriously difficult. One reason why is that to create functioning applications, developers must know about and understand the complex protocols that abstract the internal behavior of the framework. Such protocols intertwine the proper registering of callbacks to receive control from the framework with appropriate application programming interface (API) calls to delegate back to it. Lifestate rules unify lifecycle and typestate constraints in one common specification language. Our primary contribution is a model of event-driven systems from which lifestate rules can be derived. We then apply specification mining techniques to learn lifestate specifications for Android framework types. In the end, our implementation is able to find several rules that characterize actual behavior of the Android framework.
A novel adaptive fuzzy design for path following for underactuated ships with actuator dynamics

This paper discusses the problem of linear path following for an underactuated surface ship with rudder actuator dynamics under external disturbances. By employing T-S fuzzy system as approximator of those unknown nonlinearities, a robust adaptive fuzzy controller is proposed by fusion of “dynamic surface control”(DSC) approach with “minimum-learning-parameters”(MLP) algorithm for the investigated ship model. With only one parameter updated on line for each subsystem in the proposed algorithm, both substantial problems of “dimension curse” and “explosion of complexity” are circumvented, so the algorithm is convenient to implement in applications. Additionally, the possible controller singularity problem can also be removed and the stability of the closed-loop system is guaranteed. Simulation results on an ocean-going training ship ‘YULONG’, belonging to Dalian Maritime University, are presented to validate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Endocannabinoid signaling controls pyramidal cell specification and long-range axon patterning

Endocannabinoids (eCBs) have recently been identified as axon guidance cues shaping the connectivity of local GABAergic interneurons in the developing cerebrum. However, eCB functions during pyramidal cell specification and establishment of long-range axonal connections are unknown. Here, we show that eCB signaling is operational in subcortical proliferative zones from embryonic day 12 in the mouse telencephalon and controls the proliferation of pyramidal cell progenitors and radial migration of immature pyramidal cells. When layer patterning is accomplished, developing pyramidal cells rely on eCB signaling to initiate the elongation and fasciculation of their long-range axons. Accordingly, CB1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1R) null and pyramidal cell-specific conditional mutant (CB1Rf/f,NEX-Cre) mice develop deficits in neuronal progenitor proliferation and axon fasciculation. Likewise, axonal pathfinding becomes impaired after in utero pharmacological blockade of CB1Rs. Overall, eCBs are fundamental developmental cues controlling pyramidal cell development during corticogenesis.
Virological and epidemiological analysis of coxsackievirus A24 variant epidemic of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis in Okinawa, Japan, in 2011

Background Acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis (AHC) is a highly contagious enterovirus infection of the conjunctiva and cornea. Coxsackievirus A24 variant (CA24v) is one of its etiological agents. We report a clinical, epidemiological, and virological analysis of a large epidemic of AHC that occurred from May to September, 2011, in Okinawa, Japan. Methods Clinical and epidemic aspects were evaluated for 435 AHC patients (348 bilateral and 87 unilateral, 783 eyes). Virological studies were carried out on nine isolates from ten patients. Virus isolation and direct detection of the enterovirus genome by the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction method and complete nucleotide sequencing of the VP1 gene and phylogeny-based classification using the VP4 sequences were carried out. Results The 11–15-year age group comprised the highest (62.0%) proportion of cases among all age groups. Conjunctival hyperemia was present in all patients, and subconjunctival hemorrhage, superficial punctate keratitis, and preauricular lymphadenopathy were present in 25.4%, 10.3%, and 7.8% of eyes, respectively. CA24v was isolated from the epidemic strain, and phylogenetic analysis based on a fragment of the VP1 gene showed 96%–97% identity between the current strain and the recent China/GD01/2010 strain. Conclusion These findings demonstrate that the clinical and epidemiological features of AHC observed in this study were similar to those of the past epidemic in the same region. It should be noted that sequential outbreaks of AHC due to CA24v might occur in the same location after a considerable period of time, and public health precautions are necessary to control this explosive epidemic.
Fragmentation-aware routing and spectrum allocation scheme based on distribution of traffic bandwidth in elastic optical networks

Empowered by multirate transmission and bandwidth-variable switching technology, elastic optical networks (EONs) enhance spectrum utilization efficiency and increase network capacity to satisfy the rapid growth of Internet traffic. Routing and spectrum allocation (RSA) is one of the key elements in realizing EONs. However, previous RSA schemes with superior performance have had the drawback of high computational complexity. In this work, we focus on achieving superior RSA performance with reduced computational complexity. We first propose a dynamic network resource evaluation method that takes into account both the distribution of traffic bandwidth and the spectrum blocks' carrying capability. Based on this, we introduce traffic-based fragmentation-aware concepts into the RSA steps. In the routing step, we propose a low-complexity fragmentation-aware load-balanced shortest path routing scheme and a modified fragmentation-aware load-balanced k-shortest-path routing scheme. In the spectrum allocation step, we propose an efficient traffic-based fragmentation-aware spectrum allocation scheme. Simulation results prove that the proposed RSA schemes can reduce the computational complexity significantly and provide network accommodation that is comparable to and traffic blocking probability that is similar to existing dynamic RSA schemes.
Male and Female Subpopulations of Salix viminalis Present High Genetic Diversity and High Long-Term Migration Rates between Them

Dioecy distributed in 157 flowering plant families and 959 flowering plant genera. Morphological and physiological differences between male and female plants have been studied extensively, but studies of sex-specific genetic diversity are relatively scarce in dioecious plants. In this study, 20 SSR loci were employed to examine the genetic variance of male subpopulations and female subpopulations in Salix viminalis. The results showed that all of the markers were polymorphic (Na = 14.15, He = 0.7566) and workable to reveal the genetic diversity of S. viminalis. No statistically significant difference was detected between male and female subpopulations, but the average genetic diversity of male subpopulations (Na = 7.12, He = 0.7071) and female subpopulations (Na = 7.31, He = 0.7226) were high. Under unfavorable environments (West Liao basin), the genetic diversity between male and female subpopulations was still not significantly different, but the genetic diversity of sexual subpopulations were lower. The differentiation of the ten subpopulations in S. viminalis was moderate (FST = 0.0858), which was conformed by AMOVA that most of genetic variance (94%) existed within subpopulations. Pairwise FST indicated no differentiation between sexual subpopulations, which was accompanied by high long-term migrate between them (M = 0.73~1.26). However, little recent migration was found between sexual subpopulations. Therefore, artificial crossing or/and transplantation by cutting propagation should be carried out so as to increase the migration during the process of ex situ conservation.
Synchronization of Neuronal Activity during Stimulus Expectation in a Direction Discrimination Task

The dorsal pathway of the primate brain, especially the middle temporal area (MT or V5) and the superior middle temporal area (MST or V5a), is strongly involved in motion detection. The relation between neural firing rates and psychophysical performance has led to the assumption that the neural code used by these areas consists of the relative discharge rates of neuronal populations. As an additional neural code, temporal correlation of neural activity has been suggested. Our study addresses the involvement of such a code in awake monkeys performing a motion discrimination task. We found significant temporal correlations between simultaneously recorded pairs of units in areas MT and MST and other extrastriate cortical areas. Units recorded from the same electrode were more frequently synchronized than units recorded from different electrodes placed within the same or different cortical areas. Activity synchronization was present in the expectation period before stimulus presentation and could not be induced de novo by the stimulus. Rather, we found a contrast-dependent reduction of correlation strength on stimulus onset. Correlation strength did not vary systematically with stimulus directions. We conclude that under the conditions of this study, temporal decorrelation of MT and MST neurons could be used to detect the stimulus, but synchronization does not convey specific information about its direction of motion and therefore is unlikely to contribute to performance in our direction discrimination task. Activity synchronization in the period before stimulus onset could be related to attentive expectation.
A Study on the Structural Relationship among Occupational Stress, Psychological Wellbeing, and Stress-Coping Resource of Firefighters

The mediating effects of stress-coping resources (social support and self-efficacy) were tested through the structural model in that occupational stress affects the Firefighter's psychological wellbeing. A self-reported questionnaire survey was done. A total of 225 copies were used for final analysis using AMOS 20.0 Statistical Program. The study results revealed that occupational stress did not directly affect psychological wellbeing of firefighters, but social support and self-efficacy had complete mediating effect in the structural model. Additionally self-efficacy had stronger mediating effect than that of social support.