Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
UvA-DARE (Digital Academic Repository) Detecting the reputation polarity of microblog posts

We address the task of detecting the reputation polarity of social media updates, that is, deciding whether the content of an update has positive or negative implications for the reputation of a given entity. Typical approaches to this task include sentiment lexicons and linguistic features. However, they fall short in the social media domain because of its unedited and noisy nature, and, more importantly, because reputation polarity is not only encoded in sentiment-bearing words but it is also embedded in other word usage. To this end, automatic methods for extracting discriminative features for reputation polarity detection can play a role. We propose a data-driven, supervised approach for extracting textual features, which we use to train a reputation polarity classiﬁer. Experiments on the RepLab 2013 col-lection show that our model outperforms the state-of-the-art method based on sentiment analysis by 20% accuracy.
Increased Echogenicity and Radiodense Foci on Echocardiogram and MicroCT in Murine Myocarditis

Objectives To address the question as to whether echocardiographic and/or microcomputed tomography (microCT) analysis can be utilized to assess the extent of Coxsackie B virus (CVB) induced myocarditis in the absence of left ventricular dysfunction in the mouse. Background Viral myocarditis is a significant clinical problem with associated inflammation of the myocardium and myocardial injury. Murine models of myocarditis are commonly used to study the pathophysiology of the disease, but methods for imaging the mouse myocardium have been limited to echocardiographic assessment of ventricular dysfunction and, to a lesser extent, MRI imaging. Methods Using a murine model of myocarditis, we used both echocardiography and microCT to assess the extent of myocardial involvement in murine myocarditis using both wild-type mice and CVB cleavage-resistant dystrophin knock-in mice. Results Areas of increased echogenicity were only observed in the myocardium of Coxsackie B virus infected mice. These echocardiographic abnormalities correlated with the extent of von Kossa staining (a marker of membrane permeability), inflammation, and fibrosis. Given that calcium phosphate uptake as imaged by von Kossa staining might also be visualized using microCT, we utilized microCT imaging which allowed for high-resolution, 3-dimensional images of radiodensities that likely represent calcium phosphate uptake. As with echocardiography, only mice infected with Coxsackie B virus displayed abnormal accumulation of calcium within individual myocytes indicating increased membrane permeability only upon exposure to virus. Conclusions These studies demonstrate new, quantitative, and semi-quantitative imaging approaches for the assessment of myocardial involvement in the setting of viral myocarditis in the commonly utilized mouse model of viral myocarditis.
Simultaneous segmentation and recognition of hand gestures for human-robot interaction

Gestures are a natural form of communication between people that is being increasingly used for human-robot interaction. There are many automatic techniques to recognize gestures, however, most of them assume that gestures are already segmented from continuous video, clearly, this is an unrealistic scenario for human-robot interaction. For instance, when commanding a service robot the agent must be aware at any time of the world (e.g., via continuous video) and ready to react when a user gives an order (e.g., using a gesture). In this paper we propose a method for addressing both tasks, segmentation and recognition of gestures, simultaneously. The proposed method is based on a novel video-stream exploration scheme called multi-size dynamic windows. Several windows of different sizes are dynamically created, each window is classified by a Hidden Markov Model (HMM). Predictions are combined via a voting strategy and eventually the endpoint of a gesture is detected (segmentation). At that moment the method recognizes the gesture that has been just performed using a majority vote decision (recognition). The proposed method is intended to command a service robot by capturing information of user movements with a KinectTM sensor. We evaluated experimentally the proposed method with 5 different gestures suitable for commanding a service robot. Experimental results show that up to 82.76% of the gestures are correctly segmented. The corresponding recognition performance was of 89.58 %. We consider that this performance is acceptable for certain human-robot interaction scenarios.
THE USE OF CONSEQUENCE CHOICE TO ADDRESS ACADEMIC ENGAGEMENT AND PERFORMANCE OF STUDENTS WITH EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIORAL DISABILITIES IN INCLUSIVE SETTINGS

The difficulties students identified with emotional and behavior disabilities present sometimes strain an inclusive setting. General education teachers often find themselves ill equipped to provide effective support for both students with and without disabilities. An effective intervention that may hold promise for included students with academic and behavior problems involves the use of choice; more specifically consequence choice which provides students with the ability to select their own reinforcement. The current study examined the effects of choice of reinforcement via a single-subject multielement design with baseline for four students with emotional disturbance or behavior disabilities educated in an inclusion setting. With an increase in task difficulty, the behavior of two students indicated a functional relation between engagement and choice and two additional students demonstrated a functional relation between the presence and absence of reinforcement. Students did not distinguish academic behavior across the course of the study. The difficulty level of the instructional material, as well as the perceived preference of the reinforcers may play a role in study outcomes. Future directions follow study limitations and implications for inclusion practitioners.
English to Bangla Phrase-Based Machine Translation

Machine Translation (MT) is the task of automatically translating a text from one language to another. In this work we describe a phrase-based Statistical Machine Translation (SMT) system that translates English sentences to Bangla. A transliteration module is added to handle outof-vocabulary (OOV) words. This is especially useful for low-density languages like Bangla for which only a limited amount of training data is available. Furthermore, a special component for handling preposition is implemented to treat systematic grammatical differences between English and Bangla. We have shown the improvement of our system through effective impacts on the BLEU, NIST and TER scores. The overall BLEU score of our system is 11.7 and for short sentences it is 23.3.
Separation of Sensor Control and Data in Closed-Loop Sensor Networks

Sensor networks are prone to congestion due to bursty and high-bandwidth data traffic, combined with wireless links and many-to-one data routing to a sink. Delayed and dropped packets then degrade the performance of the sensing application. In this paper, we investigate the value of separate handling of sensor control and data traffic, during times of congestion, in a closed-loop sensor network. We first show that prioritizing sensor control traffic over data traffic decreases the round-trip control-loop delay, and consequently increases the quantity and quality of the data collected by the sensor network. We then ground our analysis in a closed-loop meteorological sensor network, focusing on a storm-tracking application running over a network of X-band radars. Our application measures reflectivity (a measure of the number of scatterers in a unit volume of atmosphere known as a voxel) and tracks storms (i.e., regions of high reflectivity) using a Kalman filter. Considering data quantity, we show that prioritizing sensor control traffic increases the number of voxels, V, that can be scanned given a constant number of reflectivity samples, Nc, obtained per voxel. Here, utility increases linearly with the number of scanned voxels. Considering data quality, we show that prioritizing sensor control traffic increases the number of reflectivity samples, N, that can be obtained per voxel given a constant number of voxels, Vc, to scan. Here, since sensing accuracy improves only as a function of √N, the gain in accuracy for the reflectivity estimate per voxel as N increases is relatively small except when prioritizing sensor control increases N significantly (such as when sensor control packets suffer severe delays). Because accuracy also degrades as a function of √N, however, and because prioritizing sensor control traffic reduces the number of control packets dropped, data degradation is mitigated. Considering the performance of the tracking application, we then show that during times of severe congestion, not prioritizing sensor control can actually lead to tracking errors accumulating over time.
Computational processes in human vision : an interdisciplinary perspective

This text is the result of a workshop which brought together a group of researchers concerned with understanding human as well as artificial vision from a computational perspective. The chapters are original essays and research reports that span a wide range of disciplinary approaches - from experimental psychophysics and psychobiology to mathematical analysis, to a spectrum of problems in visual processing. Further subjects covered include how the earliest stages of processing visual signals takes place, what the role of visual attention focusing is, and the high level problem of how we recognize familiar objects. Theoretical and empirical explorations of such general issues as the complexity of visual processing and the representation of visual knowledge are undertaken.
A Dynamic En-Route Scheme for Filtering False Data Injection in Wireless Sensor Networks

In this paper, we propose a dynamic en-route filtering scheme for false data injection attacks in wireless sensor networks. In sensor networks, adversaries can inject false data reports containing bogus sensor readings or nonexistent events from compromised nodes. Such attacks may not only cause false alarms, but also drain out the limited energy of sensor nodes. Several existing schemes for filtering false reports either cannot deal with dynamic topology of sensor networks or have limited filtering capacity. In our scheme, a legitimate report is endorsed by multiple sensing nodes using their own authentication keys generated from one-way hash chains. Cluster head uses Hill Climbing approach to disseminate the authentication keys of sensing nodes to the forwarding nodes along multiple paths toward the base station. Hill Climbing guarantees that the forwarding nodes closer to a cluster hold more authentication keys for the cluster than those nodes farther from it do, hence, the number of keys held by each forwarding node can be balanced. In filtering phase, each forwarding node validates the authenticity of the reports and drops those false ones. Compared to existing schemes, our scheme can better deal with dynamic topology of sensor networks. Analytical and simulation results show that our scheme drops false reports earlier even with a lower memory requirement and tolerates more compromised nodes. Our scheme also outperforms others in term of energy efficiency, especially for large sensor networks.
A multi-channel multiple access scheme using frequency offsets — Modelling and analysis

A system using frequency offset based transmit-reference (TR) modulation allows multiple nodes to transmit simultaneously and asynchronously without any mutual timing coordination. Thus, such a system provides inherent capabilities for a multiple access in the medium access control (MAC) layer to coordinate the shared use of the common wireless medium among the nodes of the wireless sensor network (WSN). However, certain characteristics of a frequency offset based system limits its performance, for example, the number of available frequency offsets is limited as it depends on several system parameters, and the number of simultaneous communications using different frequency offsets is limited due to inter-user interference. In this paper, we introduce an extended version of the performance model of a basic slotted-Aloha system, that captures the basic phenomena of a multi-channel system with a limited set of channels and a limit to the number of simultaneously used channels. An analysis of this model reveals the potential of a MAC protocol for TR modulation with frequency offsets.
Expression of the β-glucosidase gene Pgβglu-1 underpins natural resistance of white spruce against spruce budworm

Periodic outbreaks of spruce budworm (SBW) affect large areas of ecologically and economically important conifer forests in North America, causing tree mortality and reduced forest productivity. Host resistance against SBW has been linked to growth phenology and the chemical composition of foliage, but the underlying molecular mechanisms and population variation are largely unknown. Using a genomics approach, we discovered a β-glucosidase gene, Pgβglu-1, whose expression levels and function underpin natural resistance to SBW in mature white spruce (Picea glauca) trees. In phenotypically resistant trees, Pgβglu-1 transcripts were up to 1000 times more abundant than in non-resistant trees and were highly enriched in foliage. The encoded PgβGLU-1 enzyme catalysed the cleavage of acetophenone sugar conjugates to release the aglycons piceol and pungenol. These aglycons were previously shown to be active against SBW. Levels of Pgβglu-1 transcripts and biologically active acetophenone aglycons were substantially different between resistant and non-resistant trees over time, were positively correlated with each other and were highly variable in a natural white spruce population. These results suggest that expression of Pgβglu-1 and accumulation of acetophenone aglycons is a constitutive defence mechanism in white spruce. The progeny of resistant trees had higher Pgβglu-1 gene expression than non-resistant progeny, indicating that the trait is heritable. With reported increases in the intensity of SBW outbreaks, influenced by climate, variation of Pgβglu-1 transcript expression, PgβGLU-1 enzyme activity and acetophenone accumulation may serve as resistance markers to better predict impacts of SBW in both managed and wild spruce populations.
Auditory hallucinations in Parkinson’s disease

Whereas visual hallucinations are often found among patients with Parkinson’s disease, the occurrence of auditory hallucinations has never been systematically documented. The occurrence, past and present, of auditory hallucinations has been studied in 121 consecutive patients with Parkinson’s disease attending a movement disorders clinic. The cognitive state was evaluated using the short mental test (SMT). Hallucinations were reported for 45 patients (37%); 35 (29%) had only visual hallucinations and 10 (8%) both visual and auditory hallucinations. No patient reported auditory hallucinations unaccompanied by visual hallucinations. The auditory hallucinations occurred repeatedly, consisting of human voices. They were non-imperative (n=9), non-paranoid (n=9), and often incomprehensible (n=5). They were not obviously influenced by the patients’ age, duration of disease, or treatment with levodopa. Cognitive impairment was more common among hallucinating patients (64%, 50%, and 25% among patients with visual hallucinations, auditory hallucinations, and non-hallucinating parkinsonian patients respectively). Depression necessitating antidepressants was present in five of 10 and other psychotic features in six patients with auditory hallucinations. It is concluded that auditory hallucinations occur in Parkinson’s disease, particularly in patients who also have visual hallucinations and are cognitively impaired.
Hyperbolic and uniform domains in Banach spaces.

A domain G in a Banach space is said to be δ-hyperbolic if it is a Gromov δ-hyperbolic space in the quasihyperbolic metric. Then G has the Gromov boundary ∂*G and the norm boundary ∂G. We show that the following properties are quantitatively equivalent: (1) G is C-uniform. (2) G is δ-hyperbolic and there is a natural bijective map G∪∂*G → G∪∂G, which is η-quasimobius rel ∂*G. (3) G is δ-hyperbolic and there is a natural η-quasimobius homeomorphism ∂*G → ∂G. In a euclidean space, this improves a result of Bonk-Heinonen-Koskela, whose estimates depend on dimension and on a base point.
Permeability studies of anti hypertensive drug amlodipine besilate for transdermal delivery

Amlodipine besilate, an antihypertensive drug has a half–life of 35-50 hours and a bioavailability of 60-65 %. It undergoes extensive first pass metabolism. The Present study aims to evaluate suitability of transdermal drug delivery of amlodipine besilate. The partition coefficient in octanol / water system was studied, the effect of permeation enhancers SLS, β-cyclodextrin, DMSO, tween 20, sodium tauroglycolate and hyaluronidase on the drug release were studied using parchment paper. The flux and enhancement ratio calculations of amlodipine besilate were studied. The results indicated that the hyaluronidase enzyme show higher permeability and steady state flux increased linearly with increasing donor concentration.
Minority stress and physical health in lesbians, gays, and bisexuals: The mediating role of coping self-efficacy

OF DISSERTATION MINORITY STRESS AND PHYSICAL HEALTH IN LESBIANS, GAYS, AND BISEXUALS: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF COPING SELF-EFFICACY Mental health issues have been the primary focus of much of the health research concerning lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals over the previous decade. Studies have demonstrated that LGB individuals experience psychological distress due to prejudice and discrimination (Lewis, Derlega, Berndt, Morris, & Rose, 2002; Meyer, Schwartz, & Frost, 2008; Rostosky, Riggle, Horne, & Miller, 2009). Health researchers have not given the physical health of LGB individuals the same level of attention (Dibble, Eliason, & Christiansen, 2007). The Gay and Lesbian Medical Association (GLMA; 2001) asserted that little was known about LGB physical health disparities and called for more research in this area. However, the Institute of Medicine (2011) showed that comparatively little is known about LGB physical health. There is growing evidence from population-based studies that LGB individuals may be at greater risk than heterosexuals for many physical health conditions (Cochran & Mays, 2007; Dilley, Simmons, Boysun, Pizacani, & Stark, 2010; Sandfort, Bakker, Schellevis, & Vanwesenbeeck, 2009). Many of these studies (e.g., Cochran & Mays, 2007; Sandfort et al., 2009) referred to the stigmatization of LGB individuals; however, none of these studies empirically explored the relation between stigmatization and physical health in LGB individuals. The goal of this study was to test the utility of Meyer’s (2003) minority stress model as a means of explaining the physical health of LGB individuals in the context of a heterosexist society. This study investigated empirical questions about minority stress factors, physical health, and coping self-efficacy (CSE) of LGB individuals. Five-hundred fifteen LGBidentified adult participants (n = 222 women and n = 293 men) were recruited to complete a web-based survey. Participants were primarily recruited through online forums sponsored by LGB-affirming organizations. Results indicated that higher expectations of rejection based on sexual identity, internalized homonegativity, and LGBbased victimization predicted greater reported physical symptoms severity (PSS). CSE fully mediated the relation between expectation of rejection and physical symptom severity and internalized homonegativity and PSS. CSE partially mediated the relation between victimization and PSS. The document proposed several clinical and systemic interventions that may benefit physical health in LGB individuals.
Warming-induced shift in European mushroom fruiting phenology

In terrestrial ecosystems, fungi are the major agents of decomposition processes and nutrient cycling and of plant nutrient uptake. Hence, they have a vital impact on ecosystem processes and the terrestrial carbon cycle. Changes in productivity and phenology of fungal fruit bodies can give clues to changes in fungal activity, but understanding these changes in relation to a changing climate is a pending challenge among ecologists. Here we report on phenological changes in fungal fruiting in Europe over the past four decades. Analyses of 746,297 dated and geo-referenced mushroom records of 486 autumnal fruiting species from Austria, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom revealed a widening of the annual fruiting season in all countries during the period 1970–2007. The mean annual day of fruiting has become later in all countries. However, the interspecific variation in phenological responses was high. Most species moved toward a later ending of their annual fruiting period, a trend that was particularly strong in the United Kingdom, which may reflect regional variation in climate change and its effects. Fruiting of both saprotrophic and mycorrhizal fungi now continues later in the year, but mycorrhizal fungi generally have a more compressed season than saprotrophs. This difference is probably due to the fruiting of mycorrhizal fungi partly depending on cues from the host plant. Extension of the European fungal fruiting season parallels an extended vegetation season in Europe. Changes in fruiting phenology imply changes in mycelia activity, with implications for ecosystem function.
A Novel Cluster based Routing Algorithm for Hybrid Mobility Model in VANET

This paper proposes a new approach for cluster based routing algorithm for hybrid mobility model to regulating the vehicular traffic. Our approach uses a new hybrid mobility model combining randomwaypoint and group mobility model using static and dynamic sources and a novel cluster based routing algorithm. To transmit the real time updated information and maintain long link duration to improve the data delivery ratio, we propose Location based Multipath Flooding (LMF) algorithm, which is suitable for vehicles with variable mobility. The scenario and the network are modeled and investigated through extensive simulations using Ns2 simulator to study the performance in terms of cluster construction.
Interaction with magic lenses: real-world validation of a Fitts' Law model

Rohs and Oulasvirta (2008) proposed a two-component Fitts' law model for target acquisition with magic lenses in mobile augmented reality (AR) with 1) a physical pointing phase, in which the target can be directly observed on the background surface, and 2) a virtual pointing phase, in which the target can only be observed through the device display. The model provides a good fit (R2=0.88) with laboratory data, but it is not known if it generalizes to real-world AR tasks. In the present outdoor study, subjects (N=12) did building-selection tasks in an urban area. The differences in task characteristics to the laboratory study are drastic: targets are three-dimensional and they vary in shape, size, z-distance, and visual context. Nevertheless, the model yielded an R2 of 0.80, and when using effective target width an R2 of 0.88 was achieved.