Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neural-based approach to perceptual sparse coding of audio signals

We propose a neural architecture for the perceptual sparse coding of audio signals based on a previously proposed technique called Local Competitive Algorithm (LCA) that was originally applied to image and video coding. LCAs are designed to be implemented in a dynamical system composed of many neuron-like elements operating in parallel. For the processing of audio signals, we here use gammatone filters that mimic the behavior of the auditory pathway as the receptive field of our neurons. We also adapted LCA to time-varying audio signals. Given the fact that LCA does not take into account the difference between perceived coding error and mathematical Mean-Squared Error (MSE), we propose in this article the Perceptual Local Competitive Algorithm (PLCA) and derive a convergence formula, as well as a corresponding neural architecture for it.We show that our proposed PLCA minimizes the perceptual coding error and can model phenomena such as absolute threshold of hearing and masking. Our sparse audio coder based on PLCA compares with the more conventional greedy (i.e., matching pursuit) algorithms for sparse coding in terms of quality and can be implemented in a much faster way, especially when parallel processing units (i.e., embedded circuits) can be afforded. We also show that our proposed PLCA is much more robust to quantization error than the conventional matching pursuit for audio coding.
Wealth from Health: Linking Social Investments to Earnings in Latin America

Common sense suggests that healthier people are more productive and wealthier people can obtain things that make them healthier. This book asks whether investments in health also affect productivity and how public policy can influence this relationship. These questions are probed through a series of Latin American case studies, using household survey data on individuals to analyze the relationships between efforts to improve health on the one hand, and the potential impact of health status on individual hourly earnings on the other. By analyzing these relationships together- health determinants and the impact of health on earnings- it becomes possible to assess the effectiveness of particular strategies for improving health status and to see the critical importance of health as a component of "human capital".
Conservation and Evolutionary Dynamics of the agr Cell-to-Cell Communication System across Firmicutes

ABSTRACT We present evidence that the agr cell-to-cell communication system is present across firmicutes, including the human pathogen Clostridium perfringens. Although we find that the agr system is evolutionarily conserved and that the general functions which it regulates are similar in different species, the individual regulated genes are not the same. This suggests that the regulatory network controlled by agr is dynamic and evolves rapidly.
The Interface between Methyltransferase and Polymerase of NS5 Is Essential for Flavivirus Replication

The flavivirus NS5 harbors both a methyltransferase (MTase) and an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP). Both enzyme activities of NS5 are critical for viral replication. Recently, the full-length NS5 crystal structure of Japanese encephalitis virus reveals a conserved MTase-RdRP interface that features two conserved components: a six-residue hydrophobic network and a GTR sequence. Here we showed for the first time that these key interface components are essential for flavivirus replication by various reverse genetics approaches. Interestingly, some replication-impaired variants generated a common compensatory NS5 mutation outside the interface (L322F), providing novel routes to further explore the crosstalk between MTase and RdRP.
A Generalization of k-Means for Overlapping Clustering

This paper deals with overlapping clustering, a trade off between crisp and fuzzy clustering. It has been motivated by recent applications in various domains such as Information Retrieval or biology. We show that the problem of finding a suitable coverage of data by overlapping clusters is not a trivial task and we propose the algorithm OKM that generalizes the k-means algorithm combining a new objective criterion coupled with an optimization heuristic. Experimental results in the context of document clustering show that OKM first generates suitables overlaps between classes and then outperforms the overlapping clusters derived from fuzzy approaches (e.g. fuzzy-k-means).
A taxonomy of changes in schema evolution

Schema evolution is the ability of a database system to respond to changes in the real world by allowing the schema to evolve. Two main categories of research work on schema evolution exist in literature; the changes-based and the tgd-based (target generating dependencies that represent mappings between elements). The tgd-based work is more recent and is mainly based on the use of composition and inversion operators to manage schema evolution. This body of work has established different combinations of tgds that may be formed as a result of a particular schema change, like LAV to GAV. The change in type of mapping (tgd) is then handled by use of inversion and composition operators. However, these operators have not been tested for different types of schema changes. This requires the merging of two aforementioned categories of work on schema evolution which is the focus of this paper. This work provides a basis for studying the applicability of inversion and composition operators on different schema changes falling in each tgd-based category thus helps to deal schema evolution in a better way.
Geometric design of 3R manipulators for three precision poses using dual quaternions

Three precision poses, geometric synthesis problem of 3R serial manipulators is the subject of the present work. Denavit-Hartenberg parameters and unit dual quaternions are used to formulate the problem so that the design equations are polynomial with reduced degree. Upon choosing some of the design parameters arbitrarily, a system of twelve polynomials in twelve unknowns whose degrees are at most 2 is derived. Less degree results in less complexity and easy approach to solution. Five new types for selecting the free choices are introduced and their design equations are solved using polynomial homotopy continuation. In a numerical example, we will show that the multi-homogeneous bounds for the solutions paths for all the types are 576.
A solution for an application of information visualization in telemedicine

For a long time, science visualization, also called graphic visualization has been widely used in the medical field. However, another kind of visualization, called information visualization or data visualization is playing a more and more important role in this field in recent years. This paper is to provide a solution to apply information visualization in telemedicine. Due to the unique data complexity in telemedicine, directly applying existing visualization techniques into the current practice of telemedicine is ineffective and inefficient, if not impossible. In this paper, we plan to introduce an integrated effective and efficient framework on information visualization for telemedicine applications. This solution will provide the most intuitive way for the doctors to learn the patients' condition and for the Centers of Disease Control or the government to learn a region's macro-distribution of diseases. At the same time, it will combine a patient's condition with the macro-distribution of diseases in the region, which he/she stays in, to show the influence of the environment on his/her condition. On a broader scale, this solution will have significant scientific and engineering impact and have potential applications in many other application fields.
Two Automated Mechanisms to Create eLectures and to Videotape Regular Lectures

Many institutes are offering lectures that students may watch online. These lectures vary in type from true multimedia sophisticated documents to eLectures to videotaped regular lectures that may include auto generated closed caption. This paper studies some formats that can be easily composed by instructors. Whether adopting the eLectures format or videotaped lecture format, the paper proposes two automated mechanisms to create such lectures without the intervention of a camera or video mixer operator. The first mechanism depends on the absence of mouse motion events; while the second mechanism depends on the instructor’s facial and hand detections.
Circuit principles and weak pigeonhole variants 1

This paper considers the relational versions of the surjective, partial surjective, and multifunction weak pigeonhole principles for PV , Σ1, Π b 1, and B(Σ b 1)-formulas as well as relativizations of these formulas to higher levels of the bounded arithmetic hierarchy. We show that the partial surjective weak pigeonhole principle for Π1 formulas implies that for each k there is a string of length 22n k which is hard to block recognize by circuits of size nk. These principles in turn imply the partial surjective principle for Σ1 formulas. We show that the surjective weak pigeonhole principle for B(Σ1) formulas in S 1 2 implies our hard-string principle which in turn implies the surjective weak pigeonhole principle for Σ1 formulas. We introduce a class of predicates corresponding to poly-log length iterates of polynomial-time computable predicates and show that over S 1 2 , the multifunction weak pigeonhole principle for such predicates is equivalent to an “iterative” circuit block-recognition principle. A consequence of this is that if S 1 2 proves this principles then RSA is vulnerable to polynomial time attacks.
Earnings Uncertainty, risk-Aversion and Homeownership

In this paper we investigate the effect of labour income uncertainty on the probability of homeownership in Germany and Spain. This study is motivated by two facts. Firstly, theoretical models tend to provide ambiguous results in this issue. Secondly, there is limited previous empirical evidence and the existing focuses exclusively on the US housing market. We claim that more international evidence is necessary in order to disentangle this puzzle. We develop a simple theoretical formula that highlights the pivotal role of risk attitudes in the housing tenure decisions that also allow us to introduce the concept of "skewness affection" as a relevant phenomenon. To carry out this test we propose an income uncertainty measure based on panel data labour income equations. We observe that households facing increasing income uncertainty display preference for renting while those located in a positively skewed income distribution show a greater propensity for homeownership. Income uncertainty analysis in housing decisions has important implications for the design of public housing policies and also for the design of private mortgage insurance products.
A continuous-time optical neural network

A description is given of the architecture and functioning of an all-optical, continuous-time recurrent neural network. The network is a ring resonator which contains a saturable, two-beam amplifier, two volume holograms, and a linear, two-beam amplifier. The saturable amplifier permits, through the use of a spatially patterned signal beam, the realization of an optical neuron array; the two volume holograms provide global network interconnectivity; and the linear amplifier supplies sufficient cavity gain to permit resonant, convergent operation of the network. Numerical solutions of the network equations of motion indicate that, for real-valued neural state vectors, the network functions in much the same way as either J.J. Hopfield's continuous-time model (1984) or a continuous-time version of D.Z. Anderson and M.C. Erie's BSB model (1987). For complex-valued neural state vectors, the network always converges to the dominant network attractor, thereby suggesting a paradigm for solving optimization problems in which entrapment by local minima is avoided. <<ETX>>
Aspect-Oriented Mobility-Aware Recommender System

Recommender systems are intelligent applications that provide assistance to users by giving personalized product recommendations based on user preferences. Many recommendation applications are intrinsically related to the physical location of user, i.e., a tourist may ask “What next? ” and expect a list of nearby places to visit. Hence the user location becomes a valuable piece of information in order to select relevant information to the user. Aspect-Oriented Mobility-Aware Recommender System (AOMARS) is a proposed multi agent system (MAS) that uses the concept of Aspect Oriented Programming for building mobility aspect to generate the recommendations based on the user preferences and his demographic information such as location, time, need etc. AOMARS exploits two peculiar characteristics of mobile information services such as “location-awareness”, i.e., the knowledge of the user's physical position at a particular time and “ubiquity”, i.e., the ability to deliver the information and services to mobile users wherever they are, and whenever they need. Implementing user mobility in recommender system using conventional agent-oriented approach creates the problem of code scattering and code tangling. This paper presents mobility aspect for the separation of mobility crosscutting concern, which in turn improves the system reusability, maintainability and removes the scattering and tangling problems in the recommender system. The prototype of AOMARS has been designed and developed for tourism recommendation system.
Developmental adaptation: Where we go from here

The concept of developmental adaptation is a powerful framework that can be used for understanding the origin of population differences in phenotypic and genotypic biological traits. There is great deal of information describing how developmental responses can shape adult biological outcomes. Specifically, current research suggest that individuals developing in stressful environments such as high altitude will attain an adult enlarged residual lung volume that contribute to the successful cardiovascular adaptation of the high‐altitude Andean native. Likewise, studies on the etiology of the metabolic syndrome indicate that development under poor nutritional environments elicit efficient physiological and metabolic responses for the utilization of nutrients and energy, which become disadvantageous when the adult environmental conditions provide abundant access to food and low energy expenditure. Epigenetic research in experimental animals and retrospective research in humans confirm that environmental influences during developmental period have profound consequences on the phenotypic expression of biological and behavioral traits during adulthood. Research on epigenetics is a productive direction for human biologists concerned with understanding the origins of human biological variability. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Delayless speech enhancement with a virtual zero-phase response using a prediction of periodic signal components

In this paper, a delayless speech enhancement scheme with zero phase distortion is proposed. It is based on a cascade of adaptive filters that predicts periodic components with a significant auto-correlation for lags larger than a value D. The adaptive filter is positioned at the output of a speech enhancement algorithm, to adjust the phase of the periodic components to the noisy signal, and to remove stochastic signal components with a significant auto-correlation only for lags smaller than D. The stochastic components are enhanced in a separate channel and mixed back together with the periodic components to give an output with no delay or phase distortion compared to the input signal. Such a scheme is useful for low-delay processing where the phase of the signal must be preserved, for instance as a front-end for spatial filtering or when the output is mixed with another source, such as the direct transmitted sound through the vent in an open hearing aid fitting.
Volatile States: Institutions, Policy, and the Performance of American State Economies

Champions of the state growth league --The end of state income convergence -- Volatile states: estimates of the risk-return trade-off -- Demise of the state sales tax -- Economic consequences of state tax policy -- Reliability of revenues from alternative tax instruments -- State budgets outgrow state incomes -- Fiscal uncertainty -- Political ideology and other drivers of state budget priorities -- Fresh perspectives on familiar problems.
How PLM influences knowledge integration in new product development: a set-theoretic approach for causal analysis

This paper evaluates the effects of the use of Product Lifecycle Management and its three sub-systems Organizational Memory, Project and Resource Management and Cooperative Work systems on three components of knowledge integration in New Product Development: knowledge transfer, translation and transformation. A second aim of this paper is to explicate and discuss the use of the crisp set version of Qualitative Comparative Analysis to explain the three components of knowledge integration. It does so in an international inter-organizational context of a moderately turbulent industry. In addition to the PLM sub-systems, this configurational analysis focuses on the level of supplier relationships as characterized by two conditions: the boundary spanner participation and supplier integration. Results show that different types of sub-systems impact various types of knowledge integration, and that the level of supplier relationship conditions is important to ensure knowledge translation and transformation.
A hybrid model and kinematic-free control framework for a low-cost deformable manipulator using in home service

Home service robot works in unstructured environments with various tasks, where a low-cost, dexterous, and intrinsically safe manipulator is important. Traditionally, a redundant manipulator with high degrees of freedom (DOFs) is employed. However, high DOFs bring problems like high cost, complex physical designing, and heavy weight. Here a novel low-cost deformable manipulator for home service robot, which is composed of rigid joints and deformable links, is introduced. The deformable manipulator can obtain relatively dexterous and extended workspace with fewer joints by bending its deformable links. Considering the typical hybrid behaviors caused by bending operation, a hybrid model and a practical kinematic-free control framework with no prior kinematic information are proposed to describe and control the deformable manipulator. The model and controller have been implemented on a 4-DOF deformable manipulator with two deformable links in simulation. The simulation results validate the proposed deformable manipulator and kinematic-free control.
Absence of Intestinal PPARγ Aggravates Acute Infectious Colitis in Mice through a Lipocalin-2–Dependent Pathway

To be able to colonize its host, invading Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium must disrupt and severely affect host-microbiome homeostasis. Here we report that S. Typhimurium induces acute infectious colitis by inhibiting peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) expression in intestinal epithelial cells. Interestingly, this PPARγ down-regulation by S. Typhimurium is independent of TLR-4 signaling but triggers a marked elevation of host innate immune response genes, including that encoding the antimicrobial peptide lipocalin-2 (Lcn2). Accumulation of Lcn2 stabilizes the metalloproteinase MMP-9 via extracellular binding, which further aggravates the colitis. Remarkably, when exposed to S. Typhimurium, Lcn2-null mice exhibited a drastic reduction of the colitis and remained protected even at later stages of infection. Our data suggest a mechanism in which S. Typhimurium hijacks the control of host immune response genes such as those encoding PPARγ and Lcn2 to acquire residence in a host, which by evolution has established a symbiotic relation with its microbiome community to prevent pathogen invasion.
The Necrotic Signal Induced by Mycophenolic Acid Overcomes Apoptosis-Resistance in Tumor Cells

Background The amount of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH), a pivotal enzyme for the biosynthesis of the guanosine tri-phosphate (GTP), is frequently increased in tumor cells. The anti-viral agent ribavirin and the immunosuppressant mycophenolic acid (MPA) are potent inhibitors of IMPDH. We recently showed that IMPDH inhibition led to a necrotic signal requiring the activation of Cdc42. Methodology/Principal Findings Herein, we strengthened the essential role played by this small GTPase in the necrotic signal by silencing Cdc42 and by the ectopic expression of a constitutive active mutant of Cdc42. Since resistance to apoptosis is an essential step for the tumorigenesis process, we next examined the effect of the MPA–mediated necrotic signal on different tumor cells demonstrating various mechanisms of resistance to apoptosis (Bcl2-, HSP70-, Lyn-, BCR-ABL–overexpressing cells). All tested cells remained sensitive to MPA–mediated necrotic signal. Furthermore, inhibition of IMPDH activity in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia cells was significantly more efficient at eliminating malignant cells than apoptotic inducers. Conclusions/Significance These findings indicate that necrosis and apoptosis are split signals that share few if any common hub of signaling. In addition, the necrotic signaling pathway induced by depletion of the cellular amount of GTP/GDP would be of great interest to eliminate apoptotic-resistant tumor cells.
Audio-based unsupervised segmentation of multiparty dialogue

In this paper, we explore a novel way to leverage audio information for unsupervised segmentation of multiparty dialogue. Our system which segments directly on patterns derived from audio sources is evaluated with previous work that segments on lexical patterns found in transcripts. We examine the effectiveness of both systems on recovering a two-layer structure of meeting dialogue. We demonstrate that the audio-based system performs significantly better than the word-based system on this task. In particular, it effectively recover segments of off-topic discussion. Results are encouraging as the audio information used in the system can be obtained in near real time and with absence of manual and ASR transcripts. It is particularly desirable when a system has to be operated online, or in unfamiliar domains and languages.
Novel CT-based imaging markers for high-risk coronary plaques.

A large proportion of patients with suspected coronary artery disease who are referred for coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) have coronary atherosclerotic lesions that do not cause significant anatomical luminal obstruction.1,2 These non-obstructive coronary artery lesions provide incremental prognostic information over the presence of obstructive lesions and clinical variables.1–5 However, the management of such lesions remains inadequately defined and there is a need for markers that could identify atherosclerotic plaques associated with high risk of events. Coronary plaques that are vulnerable to rupture and subsequent vessel thrombosis have been termed as thin cap fibroatheroma (TCFA) and show morphological features similar to disrupted plaques.6 Based on autopsy studies, they have large plaque volume associated with positive remodelling of the vessel and large necrotic core that are covered by a thin fibrous cap. …