Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Large-scale Analysis of Event Data

With the availability of numerous sources and the development of sophisticated text analysis and information retrieval techniques, more and more spatio-temporal data are extracted from texts such as news documents or social network data. Temporal and geographic information obtained this way often form some kind of event, describing when and where something happened. An important task in the context of business intelligence and document exploration applications is the correlation of events in terms of their temporal, geographic or even semantic properties. In this paper we discuss the tasks related to event data analysis, ranging from the extraction of events to determining events that are similar in terms of space and time by using skyline processing and clustering. We present a framework implemented in Apache Spark that provides operators supporting these tasks and thus allows to build analysis pipelines.
Immunomodulatory activity of petroleum ether extract of Anacyclus pyrethrum

Context: Anacyclus pyrethrum DC (Compositae) roots, commonly known as Pellitory root and locally as akarkara, are widely recognized in the Indian traditional systems of medicine, Ayurveda, as a ‘rasayana’, i.e. a plant with immunomodulatory properties. Objective: Evaluation of A. pyrethrum extract for its effect on normal and chemically suppressed immune systems in vivo. Materials: Petroleum ether extract (PEE) of roots was tested at 50 and 100 mg/kg dose. The effect of both doses on total and differential leukocyte count, cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression, survival rate against Candida albicans infection, delayed type hypersensitivity reaction, percentage neutrophil adhesion, and phagocytic activity were tested. Results: The PEE-treated rats were able to overcome cyclophosphamide-induced myelo-suppression as evidenced by the normalization of blood parameters. Survival rate of albino rats was improved in Candida albicans-infected animals by treatment with the extract (p <0.05). An increase in delayed type hypersensitivity response (DTH), percentage neutrophil adhesion, and in vivo phagocytosis by carbon clearance method was observed after treatment. Extract administration also increased the HA titer value and IgG antibodies. Discussion: Immunostimulant activity increased two-fold upon doubling the dosage of extract administered. While a significant (p <0.05) improvement was observed in the humoral component, a highly significant (p <0.01) effect was observed in the cellular components of the immunity evaluated. The results thus provide a basis for the use of A. pyrethrum as an adaptogen and immunomodulator in the Ayurvedic system of medicine.
The meaning of being at school: The Models of Signification of the school context in a sample of high school students

The present research concerns the analysis of the Models of Signification of a national sample of high school students. The survey concerns, in particular, the analysis of the ways in which the students interpret the school environment and their daily interactions. Interpreting the Models of Signification as the outcome of a process of inter-subjective construction, in turn expression of a specific setting of activities to which the actors take part and of their shared value systems, the educational setting qualifies as the context in which the students define the meaning given to the school and to its practices, according to which they adopt specific modes of behavior, relationships with others, study and participate in collective activities. The patterns of meaning emerging from the analysis constitute as many dimension diverging either from the point of view of their content and at the level of the ways of affectively symbolizing the school context. The knowledge of their organization is therefore a useful tool to orient those who work in the school context to interpret and understand how these meanings can operate as anchors and criteria for the definition of the intervention strategies and the development of the teaching-learning setting.
Multi Biometric System Using Face Recognition by SIFT Algorithm and RFID with SMS Reporting System with Voice Announcement

Face recognition is an integral part of biometrics. In biometrics basic traits of human is matched to the existing data and depending on result of matching identification of a human being is traced. Facial features are extracted and implemented through algorithms which are efficient and some modifications are done to improve the existing algorithm models. A face recognition system using the SIFT (Space invariant feature transformation) algorithm was implemented. The algorithm is based on Image features approach which represents a SIFT method in which a small set of significant features are used to describe the variation between face images. Experimental results for different numbers of faces are shown to verify the viability of the proposed method. In this project an approach to the detection and identification of human faces is presented and then recognizes the person by comparing characteristics of the face to those of known individuals is described. And we introduced a new approach that Multi biometric system with RFID and face recognition and give report by SMS to mobile using GSM modem. Images:
Structure and Trends in a Selection of Academic Literature CS 229 , Autumn 2012

We investigate the use of unsupervised machine learning methods for discovery of latent structure in unstructured, unlabeled text data. We briefly present background material on two such methods, k-means clustering and Latent Dirichlet Allocation for topic modeling. We then describe a dataset of 677 text documents that we assembled and results from evaluating the described methods on this dataset. Lastly, we conclude with some general observations.
Matching of 3D medical images with a potential based method

Three dimensional (3D) images take an increasing importance in the medical imaging field. They may be produced by X-ray computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or position emitting tomography (PET) for example. They usually contain complementary informations which have to be combined together in order to be useful to physicians. Combining the information of sevral 3D images sets the problem of the registration of these images. It arises when two images of the same modality are taken with different positions or taken at different times (before and after a surgery for example) or with two images of different modalities. We present a new method for computing the rigid transformation between two 3D objets. Our method looks like a gradient method that minimizes the distance between both objects, but is more powerful because it is in fact an application of the fundamental laws of dynamics which uses both firt and second temporal derivatives of positions and allows an intuitive control of the minimization process. We show and discuss synthetic examples as well as real examples involving the registration of CT or MRI data of the head and the registration of PET and MRI images of the brain.
Charge modulations in La2-xSrxNiO4+y: Ordering of polarons.

Electron diffraction of La 2-x Sr x NiO 4+y (0≤x≤I) reveals at low temperatures the presence of sharp, quasi-2D superlattice peaks around the (π,π) point. We show that the modulation wave vector δ measured from the (π,π) point decreases with increasing hole concentration. However, a plateau with δ∼1/3 was observed for 0.075≤x≤0.2 and the superlattice peaks were found to collapse into a single spot at the (π,π) point with a truly 2D ordering for x=0.5 where anomalous change of physical properties has been previously reported. Our results can be understood in terms of the ordering of polarons
Social perception of faces: Neuropsychological and behavioural investigations

This thesis concerns theoretical and empirical issues in face processing and facial trait perception. First, I present evidence that challenges two hypotheses proposed as alternatives to face specificity, namely the individuation and the expertise hypotheses. Inconsistent with the individuation hypothesis, an extensive investigation of a new case of acquired prosopagnosia (Herschel) revealed normal exemplar recognition memory for a wide variety of objects, and normal ability to discriminate between highly similar items within a novel object category. Inconsistent with the expertise hypothesis, Herschel and Florence, a second acquired prosopagnosic, showed normal learning profiles and response times putative of successful expertise acquisition in an eight-day training procedure with novel objects, demonstrating that faces are processed by specialised mechanisms not used for objects-of-expertise. Second, testing four patients with acquired prosopagnosia, I demonstrate that perceptual mechanisms underlying trait judgments are dissociable from those implicated in recognising identity. Furthermore, I show that perception of facial aggressiveness does not depend on mechanisms for facial sex recognition, and that normal facial trustworthiness judgments are likely to occur without intact recognition of facial expressions, therefore challenging the overgeneralisation theory in facial trait perception. Third, I present a series of experiments with healthy participants to characterise various properties of facial trait perception. Specifically, I examine: i) the role of facial width-to-height ratio in perceived trustworthiness; ii) the accuracy of facial trustworthiness judgments; iii) the interaction between facial trustworthiness and reputation; and iv) the interaction between face impressions and voice impressions. Overall, the findings of the present thesis have important implications for the nature of the mechanisms underlying facial identity processing, the organisation of facial trait perception and its relationship to other face perception abilities, as well as the physical, ecological, and multimodal aspects of facial trait perception.
Indoor Localization System using RSSI Measurement of Wireless Sensor Network based on ZigBee Standard

To verify the validity of our previously reported autonomous indoor localization system in an actual environment, we implemented it in a wireless sensor network based on the ZigBee standard. The system automatically estimates the distance between sensor nodes by measuring the RSSI (received signal strength indicator) at an appropriate number of sensor nodes. Through experiments, we clarified the validity of our data collection and position estimation techniques. The results show that when the deployment density of sensor nodes was set to 0.27 nodes/ , the position estimation error was reduced to 1.5-2 m.
A Phased Desensitization Protocol With Rituximab and Bortezomib for Highly Sensitized Kidney Transplant Candidates

Background Desensitization protocols comprising plasmapheresis, IVIGs, and rituximab and/or bortezomib have allowed for successful kidney transplantation in some highly HLA-sensitized patients with end-stage renal disease. However, the optimal combination of these therapies and their proper timing remains entirely unknown. We propose a phased desensitization strategy using rituximab followed by bortezomib as a safer method. Methods Three sensitized kidney transplant candidates who could not be desensitized using our conventional protocol, which consists of a single rituximab dose combined with plasmapheresis, were enrolled in this study. When IgM+ CD27− naive B cells reappeared but IgM+ CD27+ memory B cells remained undetectable in their peripheral blood, the patients were treated with 1 cycle of bortezomib followed by plasmapheresis. Results After bortezomib treatment, patients' donor-specific anti-HLA antibodies (DSA) values were decreased, and cross-match tests were consistently negative. All 3 patients underwent living donor kidney transplantation. They showed immediate renal function, and both DSA and non-DSA were undetectable during the observation period. Neither antibody-mediated rejection nor severe acute cellular rejection was encountered in these patients after transplantation. Conclusions The present cases suggest that a phased use of rituximab and bortezomib can safely desensitize highly sensitized kidney transplant candidates.
Routing lookups in hardware at memory access speeds

The increased bandwidth in the Internet puts great demands on network routers; for example, to route minimum sized Gigabit Ethernet packets, an IP router must process about 1.5/spl times/10/sup 6/ packets per second per port. Using the "rule-of-thumb" that it takes roughly 1000 packets per second for every 10/sup 6/ bits per second of line rate, an OC-192 line requires 10/spl times/10/sup 6/ routing lookups per second; well above current router capabilities. One limitation of router performance is the route lookup mechanism. IP routing requires that a router perform a longest-prefix-match address lookup for each incoming datagram in order to determine the datagram's next hop. We present a route lookup mechanism that when implemented in a pipelined fashion in hardware, can achieve one route lookup every memory access. With current 50 ns DRAM, this corresponds to approximately 20/spl times/10/sup 6/ packets per second; much faster than current commercially available routing lookup schemes. We also present novel schemes for performing quick updates to the forwarding table in hardware. We demonstrate using real routing update patterns that the routing tables can be updated with negligible overhead to the central processor.
Behaviour based simulated low-cost multi-robot exploration

The use of multiple robots for exploration holds the promise of improved performance over single robot systems. To exploit effectively the advantage of having several robots, the robots must be co-ordinated which requires communication. Previous research relies on a fixed communication network topology, a single lead explorer, and flat communication. This thesis presents a novel architecture to keep a group of robots as a single connected and adaptable communication network to explore and map the environment. This architecture, BERODE (BEhavioural ROle DEcentralized), aims to be robust, efficient and scalable to large numbers of robots. The network is adaptable, the number of explorers variable, and communications hierarchical (local/global). The network is kept connected by an MST (Minimum Spanning Tree) control network, a subnetwork containing only the minimum necessary links to be a fully connected network. As the robots explore, the MST control network is updated either partially (local network) or globally to improve signal quality. The local network for a robot is formed by the robots that are within a certain retransmission distance in the MST control network. BERODE implements a hierarchic approach to distributing information to improve scalability with respect to the number of robots. The robots share information at two levels: frequently within their local network and less frequently to the entire robot network. The robots coordinate by assuming behaviours depending on their connections in the MST control network. The behavioural roles balance between the tasks of exploration and network maintenance where the Explorer role is the most focused on the exploration task. This improves efficiency by allowing varying number of robots to take the Explorer role depending on circumstances. The roles generate reactive plans that ensure the connectivity of the network. These plans are based on the imposition of heterogeneous virtual spring forces. Our simulations show that BERODE is more efficient, scalable and robust with respect to communications than the previous approaches that rely on fixed control networks. BERODE is more efficient because it required less time to build a complete map of the environment than the fixed control networks. BERODE is more scalable because it keeps the robots as a single connected network for more time than the fixed control networks. BERODE is more robust because it has a better success rate at finishing the exploration.
Molecular basis for invertebrate innate immune recognition of (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan as a pathogen-associated molecular pattern.

Innate immunity responds to various pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) to evaluate the biological nature of foreign materials by using limited numbers of receptors. Analyses of interactions between PAMPs and its receptors are essential to understand the molecular basis regarding how we discriminate self and non-self materials. Upon infection of horseshoe crabs, an arthropod species, rapid hemolymph coagulation is induced to engulf invading microorganisms by a cascade-type reaction. The reaction is very sensitive to lipopolysaccharide and (1-->3)-beta-D-glucans on Gram-negative bacteria and fungi, respectively, and hence is utilized as assay reagents that detect and quantitate these PAMPs with a name of "limulus test. " In this mini-review, recognition of (1-->3)-beta-D-glucans by a unique serine protease zymogen factor G of horseshoe crab is described. Molecular dissection and detailed kinetic analyses have revealed that multivalent binding to polymers of a simple target structure is one of the principles that allows stable and specific recognition of PAMPs by pattern recognition receptors in innate immunity.
Selective iodination and polypeptide composition of pinocytic vesicles

We describe a method for the specific radioiodination of pinocytic vesicles (PVs) based upon the simultaneous endocytosis of lactoperoxidase (LPO) and glucose oxidase (GO). Initial experiments indicated that LPO was interiorized by the macrophage cell line J774 by fluid phase pinocytosis and without detectable binding to the plasma membrane (PM). Interiorization varied linearly with enzyme concentration and exposure time, was temperature dependent, and was undetectable at 4 degrees C. Employing EM cytochemistry, LPO activity was restricted to PVs after a 3- to 5-min pulse at 37 degrees C. These results formed the basis of the method for iodinating the luminal surface of PVs: 5-min exposure to both LPO and GO at 37 degrees C followed by washes and iodination (addition of 125I and glucose) at 4 degrees C. Enzyme-dependent incorporation of iodide into the polypeptides of both PV membrane and contents occurred. Several lines of evidence indicated that there was selective labeling of PV as opposed to PM. Iodination did not occur if the pinocytic uptake of LPO ad GO was inhibited by low temperature. EM autoradiography showed a cytoplasmic localization of grains, whereas a clear PM association was evident with surface labeling. LPO was iodinated only after PV labeling and was present within organelles demonstrating latency. After PV iodination, > 75% of several labeled membrane antigens could be immunoprecipitated by monoclonal antibodies only after cell lysis. In contrast, all labeled antigens were accessible to antibody on intact cells after surface labeling. The polypeptide compositions of PM and PV membrane were compared by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and by quantitative immune precipitation using a panel of anti-J774 monoclonal antibodies. The electrophoretic profiles of iodinated proteins (15-20 bands) were strikingly similar in NP-40 lysates of both PV and PM iodinated cells. In addition, eight membrane antigens examined by immune precipitation, including the trypsin-resistant immunoglobulin (Fc) receptor and the H-2Dd histocompatibility antigen, were found to be iodinated to the same relative extents by both labeling procedures. We conclude that PV membrane is formed from a representative sample of PM polypeptide components.
Physical Unbiased Generation of Random Numbers With Coupled Resistive Switching Devices

The resistive-switching memory (RRAM) is currently under consideration for fast nonvolatile memory thanks to its relatively low cost and high performance. A key concern for RRAM reliability is stochastic switching, which impacts the operation of the digital memory due to distribution broadening. On the other hand, stochastic behaviors are enabling mechanisms for some computing tasks, such as physical unclonable function (PUF) and random number generation (RNG). Here, we present new circuit blocks for physical RNG, based on the coupling of two RRAM devices. The two-resistance scheme allows to overcome the need of probability tracking, where the operation voltage must be tuned to adjust the generation probabilities of 0 and 1. Probability tests are proved successful for one of the three proposed schemes.
Essential oils and their use in animal feeds for monogastric animals - effects on feed quality, gut microbiota, growth performance and food safety: a review.

Essential oils (EOs) are important aromatic components of herbs and spices and their biological activities have been known and utilised since ancient times in perfumery, food preservation, flavouring, and medi - cine. Some of their biological activities include antibacterial, antifungal, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects amongst others. EOs have received attention in recent years as potential 'natural' alternatives for replacing antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) in animal diets due to their positive impact on growth performance, gut microbiota and welfare. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of our own published and unpublished data on the antibacterial, antifungal and insecticidal activity of thymol and cinnamaldehyde (TC blend), and to describe the effects of this specific EO blend on gut microbiota, growth performance and welfare, carcass characteristics and food safety. The possible modes of action of EOs are discussed and areas for future research are proposed.
A peer to peer resource provisioning scheme for cloud computing environment using multi attribute utility theory

Resource provisioning is critical for cloud computing because it manages the virtual machines (VM) and allocated resources. Traditional resource provisioning schemes make decisions based on centralized configuration and global calculation of resource allocation. However these provisioning frameworks become hindered in large deployment followed by Service Level Objectives (SLO) violation and those are exposed to single point failure as well. The proposed provisioning scheme is based on Peer to Peer (P2P) architecture with no lone decision maker. Each node in the data center makes its own provisioning decision regarding VM allocation and migration which are resolved with Multi Attribute Utility Theory (MAUT) methods. Simulation experiments demonstrate that in comparison with centralized schemes, the proposed scheme generates 60.27% less SLO violations and 83.58% less VM migrations on average. Such outcome proves that the system can manage its resources better compared to centralized scheme.
Primate abundance along five transect lines at ngogo, Kibale National Park, Uganda

Using the line transect methods, I studied the primate density at Ngogo, Kibale National Park, Uganda for 18 months. Comparisons with other studies show that the population of red colobus monkeys (Procolobus rufomitratus) and blue monkeys (Cercopithecus mitis) is declining, whereas the populations of black‐and‐white colobus (Colobus guereza), red‐tailed monkeys (Cercopithecus ascanius), grey‐cheeked mangabeys (Lophocebus albigena), baboons (Papio anubis), and chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) remain constant or slightly increase. In this paper, I compare data on density from this study to data from previous and recent censuses at Ngogo and with data from other sites in the Kibale forest to examine the stability of primate populations. Furthermore, I test the hypothesis that the changes in red colobus and blue monkey density are due to changes in the forest structure and abundance of their most selected feeding trees, and show that changes in forest composition cannot account for changes in their red colobus abundance, but that hunting by chimpanzees provides a reasonable explanation. Am. J. Primatol. 69:1030–1044, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.