Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lossy Compression in Near-Linear Time via Efficient Random Codebooks and Databases

The compression-complexity trade-off of lossy compression algorithms that are based on a ran- dom codebook or a random database is examined. Motivated, in part, by recent results of Gupta- Verdu-Weissman (GVW) and their underlying connections with the pattern-matching scheme of Kontoyiannis' lossy Lempel-Ziv algorithm, we introduce a non-universal version of the lossy Lempel- Ziv method (termed LLZ). The optimality of LLZ for memoryless sources is established, and its performance is compared to that of the GVW divide-and-conquer approach. Experimental results indicate that the GVW approach often yields better compression than LLZ, but at the price of much higher memory requirements. To combine the advantages of both, we introduce a hybrid algorithm (HYB) that utilizes both the divide-and-conquer idea of GVW and the single-database structure of LLZ. It is proved that HYB shares with GVW the exact same rate-distortion perfor- mance and implementation complexity, while, like LLZ, requiring less memory, by a factor which may become unbounded, depending on the choice or the relevant design parameters. Experimental results are also presented, illustrating the performance of all three methods on data generated by simple discrete memoryless sources. In particular, the HYB algorithm is shown to outperform existing schemes for the compression of some simple discrete sources with respect to the Hamming distortion criterion.
Transforming out timing leaks

One aspect of security in mobile code is privacy: private (or secret) data should not be leaked to unauthorised agents. Most of the work on secure information flow has until recently only been concerned with detecting direct and indirect flows. Secret information can however be leaked to the attacker also through covert channels. It is very reasonable to assume that the attacker, even as an external observer, can monitor the timing (including termination) behaviour of the program. Thus to claim a program secure, the security analysis must take also these into account. In this work we present a surprisingly simple solution to the problem of detecting timing leakages to external observers. Our system consists of a type system in which well-typed programs do not leak secret information directly, indirectly or through timing, and a transformation for removing timing leakages. For any program that is well typed according to Volpano and Smith [VS97a], our transformation generates a program that is also free of timing leaks.
Voices, Silences, and Telling Secrets

In this paper, I discuss how the intersection of qualitative inquiry and poetic-inquiry grounded in arts-based research allows me to construct knowledge about self and the transnational shuttling of two female graduate students from India during their first year of education in the United States. Resonating with the participants’ experiences, I describe the messiness of being an insider-outsider researcher and use arts-based research to portray the in/visible forms of voice, silence, and secrets. Specifically, I play with poetic representation to blur the boundaries between the researcher and the researched while integrating multiple forms of arts-based ways of collecting data that explore how silence and secrets function in the lives of transnational females. Calling for an integration of arts-based epistemologies, I emphasize the need to conceptualize arts-based approaches not just at the data representation stage in qualitative inquiry but throughout the entire qualitative research process.
Review of the visiting teachers service for children with hearing and visual impairment in supporting inclusive educational practice in Ireland: examining stakeholder feedback through an ecological systems theory

Abstract In line with recent developments in inclusive practice in Ireland, children with sensory needs are increasingly educated in mainstream rather than specialist provision. Educational supports are provided by a range of practitioners and include input from the visiting teachers service for children with hearing and visual impairment. This paper reports on findings from the first national review of the service. The review process included desktop research, meetings with a range of key stakeholders as well as a national invitation for written submissions (n = 1372). The findings serve to illustrate the multi-faceted nature of the role of the specialist teachers who work in the service and the range of influences that impact on their work in facilitating inclusive educational practice. To support a holistic analysis of their role, an ecological systems theory is drawn upon as a lens through which to examine the inclusive educational ‘supports’ identified within the review. Mapping the array of educational supports onto an ecological systems theory enables an appreciation of the multiple sources of influence and interconnections in relation to the role. The paper has significance for service providers seeking a theoretical framework that affords potential for comparison of activities across professional roles, settings and contexts.
A hand–eye calibration algorithm based on screw motions

SUMMARY When computer vision technique is used in robotics, robotic hand–eye calibration is a very important research task. Many algorithms have been proposed for hand–eye calibration. Based on these algorithms, we introduce a new hand–eye calibration algorithm in this paper, which employs the screw motion theory to establish a hand–eye matrix equation by using quaternion and gets a simultaneous result for rotation and translation by solving linear equations. The algorithm proposed in this paper has high accuracy and stable computational efficiency and can be understood easily. Both simulations and real experiments show the superiority of our algorithm over the comparative algorithms.
Large-Scale Computation of Pseudospectra Using ARPACK and Eigs

ARPACK and its {\sc Matlab} counterpart, {\tt eigs}, are software packages that calculate some eigenvalues of a large nonsymmetric matrix by Arnoldi iteration with implicit restarts. We show that at a small additional cost, which diminishes relatively as the matrix dimension increases, good estimates of pseudospectra in addition to eigenvalues can be obtained as a by-product. Thus in large-scale eigenvalue calculations it is feasible to obtain routinely not just eigenvalue approximations, but also information as to whether or not the eigenvalues are likely to be physically significant. Examples are presented for matrices with dimension up to 200,000.
HCI for Positive Change

This paper aims to outline some of the key challenges towards a HCI for positive change. Drawing on previous empirical studies concerning the development of positive expressive technologies for social wellness, this paper is a delineation of some of the key challenges in terms of theoretical underpinnings, design and evaluation of technologies that aim to contribute to happy beings in
Genomewide analysis of the Drosophila tetraspanins reveals a subset with similar function in the formation of the embryonic synapse

Tetraspanins encode a large conserved family of proteins that span the membrane four times and are expressed in a variety of eukaryotic tissues. They are part of membrane complexes that are involved in such diverse processes as intracellular signaling, cellular motility, metastasis, and tumor suppression. The single fly tetraspanin characterized to date, late bloomer (lbm), is expressed on the axons, terminal arbors, and growth cones of motoneurons. In embryos lacking Lbm protein, motoneurons reach their muscle targets, but initially fail to form synaptic terminals. During larval stages, however, functional contacts are formed. The newly available genomic sequence of Drosophila melanogaster indicates the existence of 34 additional members of the tetraspanin family in the fly. To address the possibility that other tetraspanins with functions that might compensate for a lack of lbm exist, we determined the expression domains of the Drosophila tetraspanin gene family members by RNA in situ analysis. We found two other tetraspanins also expressed in motoneurons and subsequently generated a small chromosomal deletion that removes all three motoneuron-specific tetraspanins. The deletion results in a significant enhancement in the lbm phenotype, indicating that the two additional motoneuron-expressed tetraspanins can, at least in part, compensate for the absence of lbm during the formation of the embryonic synapse.
Lexical Disambiguation: Sources of Information and their Statistical Realization

Lexical disambiguation can be achieved using different sources of information. Aiming at high performance of automatic disambiguation it is important to know the relative importance and applicability of the various sources. In this paper we classify several sources of information and show how some of them can be achieved using statistical data. First evaluations indicate the extreme importance of local information, which mainly represents lexical associations and selectional restrictions for syntactically related words.
Ja n 20 06 Quantum Landau-Lifshitz model at four loops : 1 / J and 1 / J 2 corrections to BMN energies

Quantum Landau-Lifshitz model at four loops: 1/J and 1/J Abstract In a previous paper (hep-th/0510080) the effective Landau-Lifshitz (LL) La-grangians in the SU (2) sector coming from string theory and gauge theory have been found to three loops in the effective expansion parameter˜λ = λ/J 2. In this paper we continue this study and find the effective Landau-Lifshitz Lagrangians to four loops. We extend to four-loops˜λ 4 the computations of 1/J and 1/J 2 corrections to BMN energies done in hep-th/0510080 to three-loops. We compare these corrections obtained from quantum " gauge-theory " LL action with the corrections obtained from the conjectured Bethe ansatz for the long range spin chain representing perturbative large N N = 4 Super Yang-Mills in the SU (2) sector and find perfect matching to four loops˜λ 4. We compare also the 1/J and 1/J 2 corrections obtained from quantum " string-theory " LL action with those obtained from the " quantum string " Bethe ansatz and again find perfect matching to four-loops.
On Clustering Histograms with k-Means by Using Mixed α-Divergences

Clustering sets of histograms has become popular thanks to the success of the generic method of bag-of-X used in text categorization and in visual categorization applications. In this paper, we investigate the use of a parametric family of distortion measures, called the α-divergences, for clustering histograms. Since it usually makes sense to deal with symmetric divergences in information retrieval systems, we symmetrize the α -divergences using the concept of mixed divergences. First, we present a novel extension of k-means clustering to mixed divergences. Second, we extend the k-means++ seeding to mixed α-divergences and report a guaranteed probabilistic bound. Finally, we describe a soft clustering technique for mixed α-divergences.
A Fundamental plane of black hole activity

We examine the disc-jet connection in stellar mass and supermassive black holes by investigating the properties of their compact emission in the X-ray and radio bands. We compile a sample of ∼100 active galactic nuclei with measured masses, 5-GHz core emission, and 2-10 keV luminosities, together with eight galactic black holes with a total of ∼50 simultaneous observations in the radio and X-ray bands. Using this sample, we study the correlations between the radio (L R ) and the X-ray (L X ) luminosity and the black hole mass (M). We find that the radio luminosity is correlated with both M and L X , at a highly significant level. In particular, we show that the sources define a 'Fundamental Plane' in the three-dimensional (log L R , log L X , log M) space, given by log L R = (0.60 + 0 . 1 1 -0.11) log L X + (0.78 + 0 . 1 1 -0.09) log M + 7.33 + 4 . 0 5 -4.07, with a substantial scatter of σ R = 0.88. We compare our results to the theoretical relations between radio flux, black hole mass, and accretion rate derived by Heinz & Sunyaev. Such relations depend only on the assumed accretion model and on the observed radio spectral index. Therefore, we are able to show that the X-ray emission from black holes accreting at less than a few per cent of the Eddington rate is unlikely to be produced by radiatively efficient accretion, and is marginally consistent with optically thin synchrotron emission from the jet. On the other hand, models for radiatively inefficient accretion flows seem to agree well with the data.
Radio Spectra of Selected Compact Sources in the Nucleus of M82

We have determined detailed radio spectra for 26 compact sources in the starburst nucleus of M82, between 74 and 1.3 cm. Seventeen show low-frequency turnovers. One other has a thermal emission spectrum, and we identify it as an H II region. The low-frequency turnovers result from absorption by interstellar thermal gas in M82. New information on the active galactic nucleus candidate 44.01+595 shows it to have a nonthermal falling power-law spectrum at the highest frequencies and that it is strongly absorbed below 2 GHz. We derive large magnetic fields in the supernova remnants of order (1-2)(1 + k)2/7ϕ-2/7 mG; hence, large pressures in the sources suggest that the brightest ones are either expanding or are strongly confined by a dense interstellar medium. From the largest source in our sample we derive a supernova rate of 0.016 yr-1.
Application of Improved Spectral Subtraction Algorithm for Speech Emotion Recognition

The information extraction and recognition of speech emotional information under the noise environment has been the research hotspot and difficulty, which limits the application of speech emotion recognition technology. An improved spectral subtraction algorithm is presented based on the analysis on the basic principle of spectral subtraction. According to the distribution of noise, the improved algorithm estimates precisely the amplitude of noise. The improved spectral subtraction algorithm used in signal processing of speech emotion recognition can eliminate background noise. Experiments show that feature extraction used the improved spectral subtraction algorithm can better reflect the speech emotional information, and compared with traditional ways, the speech emotion recognition system get good robustness and recognition performance. Keywords—spectral subtraction algorithm; speech emotion recognition;noise estimation; principal component analysis
Learning About Gene Regulatory Networks From Gene Deletion Experiments

Gene regulatory networks are a major focus of interest in molecular biology. A crucial question is how complex regulatory systems are encoded and controlled by the genome. Three recent publications have raised the question of what can be learned about gene regulatory networks from microarray experiments on gene deletion mutants. Using this indirect approach, topological features such as connectivity and modularity have been studied.
An evaluation of techniques for selecting moving targets

Moving targets are found in numerous applications such as computer games, air traffic control systems, and video surveillance. The selection of moving targets is considerably more difficult and error prone than traditional stationary target selection. In this paper, we introduce Comet Tails and Target Lock, two techniques that support the selection of moving targets. Our goal is to facilitate accurate and fast selection of moving targets. We compare our two techniques to unassisted selection in a controlled experiment. The results show that for moving target selection, Comet Tails and Target Lock can outperform unassisted selection, and result in fewer errors. According to post-experiment questionnaires, participants indicate a stronger preference for assisted target selection with Comet Tails and Target Lock than unassisted selection.
Quantum Correlations in Nonlocal BosonSampling

Determination of the quantum nature of correlations between two spatially separated systems plays a crucial role in quantum information science. Of particular interest is the questions of if and how these correlations enable quantum information protocols to be more powerful. Here, we report on a distributed quantum computation protocol in which the input and output quantum states are considered to be classically correlated in quantum informatics. Nevertheless, we show that the correlations between the outcomes of the measurements on the output state cannot be efficiently simulated using classical algorithms. Crucially, at the same time, local measurement outcomes can be efficiently simulated on classical computers. We show that the only known classicality criterion violated by the input and output states in our protocol is the one used in quantum optics, namely, phase-space nonclassicality. As a result, we argue that the global phase-space nonclassicality inherent within the output state of our protocol represents true quantum correlations.
Shadow removal from a real picture

Since shadows in a real picture imply the geometric constraint between lights, objects and viewpoint, the augmented reality using the picture should include the consistent shadows with the real situation. This paper proposes a method to remove shadows from a real picture based on the RGB color space analysis and shows experimental results of actual shadow removal and virtual shadow addition.
A study of quantum error correction by geometric algebra and liquid-state NMR spectroscopy

Quantum error correcting codes enable the information contained in a quantum state to be protected from decoherence due to external perturbations. Applied to NMR, this procedure does not alter normal relaxation, but rather converts the state of a 'data' spin into multiple quantum coherences involving additional ancilla spins. These multiple quantum coherences relax at differing rates, thus permitting the original state of the data to be approximately reconstructed by mixing them together in an appropriate fashion. This paper describes the operation of a simple, three-bit quantum code in the product operator formalism, and uses geometric algebra methods to obtain the error-corrected decay curve in the presence of arbitrary correlations in the external random fields. These predictions are confirmed in both the totally correlated and uncorrelated cases by liquid-state NMR experiments on 13C-labelled alanine, using gradient-diffusion methods to implement these idealized decoherence models. Quantum error correction in weakly polarized systems requires that the ancilla spins be prepared in a pseudo-pure state relative to the data spin, which entails a loss of signal that exceeds any potential gain through error correction. Nevertheless, this study shows that quantum coding can be used to validate theoretical decoherence mechanisms, and to provide detailed information on correlations in the underlying NMR relaxation dynamics.
Accuracy of flow hoods in residential applications

To assess whether houses can meet performance expectations, the new practice of residential commissioning will likely use flow hoods to measure supply and return grille airflows in HVAC systems. Depending on hood accuracy, these measurements can be used to determine if individual rooms receive adequate airflow for heating and cooling, to determine flow imbalances between different building spaces, to estimate total air handler flow and supply/return imbalances, and to assess duct air leakage. This paper discusses these flow hood applications and the accuracy requirements in each case. Laboratory tests of several residential flow hoods showed that these hoods can be inadequate to measure flows in residential systems. Potential errors are about 20% to 30% of measured flow, due to poor calibrations, sensitivity to grille flow non-uniformities, and flow changes from added flow resistance. Active flow hoods equipped with measurement devices that are insensitive to grille airflow patterns have an order of magnitude less error, and are more reliable and consistent in most cases. Our tests also show that current calibration procedures for flow hoods do not account for field application problems. As a result, a new standard for flow hood calibration needs to be developed, along with a new measurement standard to address field use of flow hoods. Lastly, field evaluation of a selection of flow hoods showed that it is possible to obtain reasonable results using some flow hoods if the field tests are carefully done, the grilles are appropriate, and grille location does not restrict flow hood placement.
Multiobjective Optimization of a Vehicle Vibration Model Using the Improved Compressed-Objective Genetic Algorithm with Convergence Detection

Ride quality and road holding capacity of a vehicle is significantly influenced by its suspension system. In the design process, a number of objective functions related to comfort and road holding capacity are taken into consideration. In this paper, the five-degree-of-freedom system of vehicle vibration model with passive suspension is investigated. This multiobjective optimization problem consists of five objective functions. Based on these five design objectives, this paper formulates four two-objective optimization problems by considering four pairs of design objectives and one five-objective optimization problem. This paper proposes the use of the improved compressed objective genetic algorithm (COGA-II) with convergence detection. COGA-II is intentionally designed for dealing with a problem having many optimized objectives. Furthermore, the performance of COGA-II was benchmarked with the multiobjective uniform-diversity genetic algorithm (MUGA) utilized in the previous study. From the simulation results, with equal population sizes, COGA-II employing the convergence detection for searching termination uses less numbers of generations for most sets of design objectives than MUGA whose termination condition is defined by the constant maximum number of generations. Moreover, the solutions obtained from COGA-II are obviously superior to those obtained from MUGA regardless of sets of design objective.
Hybrid architecture of multi-robot systems based on formation control and SOM neural networks

The main goal of formation control strategies is to coordinate a robot team to achieve a desired formation pattern. Some applications of formation control, for instance sensing coverage, searching and rescue, transportation of large objects, etc. require to establish the desired positions of the robots according to an strategic and equidistant spatial coverage within the work area or boundary. This paper presents a hybrid architecture where a SOM neural network establishes the strategic positions of a 2D area or perimeter using the formation graph of robots. This information is transmitted online to a low-level control strategy based on artificial potential functions which ensures the convergence to the desired formation and collision avoidance based on decentralized repulsive vector fields instead the common repulsive potential functions. Some numerical simulations with virtual reality show the performance of the control architecture.
User-Model-Based Evaluation for Interactive Image Retrieval

User-system interaction is sometimes a cumbersome element of non-textual information access. Image retrieval systems now incorporate various interaction mechanisms. However, there is no standard or established way of interacting that has been proven to be most effective. Therefore, many system designers are introducing or eliminating various functionalities. The bottleneck in the development effort is finding an effective and fair way to evaluate these systems. For static information access, several test collections have commonly been used. For interactive information access, expensive laboratory testing is needed. This paper presents a user semi-automatic user-model-based evaluation method that is designed to reduce cost while maintaining objectivity.