Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Featuring, Detecting, and Visualizing Human Sentiment in Chinese Micro-Blog

Micro-blog has been increasingly used for the public to express their opinions, and for organizations to detect public sentiment about social events or public policies. In this article, we examine and identify the key problems of this field, focusing particularly on the characteristics of innovative words, multi-media elements, and hierarchical structure of Chinese “Weibo. ” Based on the analysis, we propose a novel approach and develop associated theoretical and technological methods to address these problems. These include a new sentiment word mining method based on three wording metrics and point-wise information, a rule set model for analyzing sentiment features of different linguistic components, and the corresponding methodology for calculating sentiment on multi-granularity considering emoticon elements as auxiliary affective factors. We evaluate our new word discovery and sentiment detection methods on a real-life Chinese micro-blog dataset. Initial results show that our new diction can improve sentiment detection, and they demonstrate that our multi-level rule set method is more effective, with the average accuracy being 10.2% and 1.5% higher than two existing methods for Chinese micro-blog sentiment analysis. In addition, we exploit visualization techniques to study the relationships between online sentiment and real life. The visualization of detected sentiment can help depict temporal patterns and spatial discrepancy.
Analysis of the El Centro differential array for the 1979 Imperial Valley earthquake

Two methods of analysis have been applied to the El Centro differential array data from the 1979 Imperial Valley earthquake. Spectral ratios of array averages were developed as one way of estimating the spatial averaging of ground motion. This spatial averaging will result in a reduction in the high-frequency motion experienced by a large rigid foundation that is assumed to move as a single unit. As an alternative, covariance measurements in several frequency bands were made to illustrate how the fraction of the power propagating as single traveling wave decreases with increasing distance between stations. Base averaging reduction factors determined from these analyses show that reductions of 10 to 30 per cent would be expected for this particular earthquake for foundations of about 50 m in dimension and for frequencies above 20 Hz. The effect is frequency-dependent and does not show any significant reduction at frequencies below 5 Hz. For this particular situation, at a distance from the rupture surface of about 5 km, the reduction is more pronounced for horizontal components than for vertical components.
Cell Therapy for Refractory Angina: A Reappraisal

Cardiac cell-based therapy has emerged as a novel therapeutic option for patients dealing with untreatable refractory angina (RA). However, after more than a decade of controlled studies, no definitive consensus has been reached regarding clinical efficacy. Although positive results in terms of surrogate endpoints have been suggested by early and phase II clinical studies as well as by meta-analyses, the more recent reports lacked the provision of definitive response in terms of hard clinical endpoints. Regrettably, pivotal trials designed to conclusively determine the efficacy of cell-based therapeutics in such a challenging clinical condition are therefore still missing. Considering this, a comprehensive reappraisal of cardiac cell-based therapy role in RA seems warranted and timely, since a number of crucial cell- and patient-related aspects need to be systematically analysed. As an example, the large variability in efficacy endpoint selection appears to be a limiting factor for the advancement of cardiac cell-based therapy in the field. This review will provide an overview of the key elements that may have influenced the results of cell-based trials in the context of RA, focusing in particular on the understanding at which the extent of angina-related endpoints may predict cell-based therapeutic efficacy.
On the application of the LCMV beamformer to speech enhancement

In theory the linearly constrained minimum variance (LCMV) beamformer can achieve perfect dereverberation and noise cancellation when the acoustic transfer functions (ATFs) between all sources (including interferences) and the microphones are known. However, blind estimation of the ATFs remains a difficult task. In this paper the noise reduction of the LCMV beamformer is analyzed and compared with the noise reduction of the minimum variance distortionless response (MVDR) beamformer. In addition, it is shown that the constraint of the LCMV can be modified such that we only require relative transfer functions rather than ATFs to achieve perfect cancellation of coherent interferences. Finally, we evaluate the noise reduction performance achieved by the LCMV and MVDR beamformers for two coherent sources: one desired and one undesired.
Self-Supervised Visual Place Recognition Learning in Mobile Robots

Place recognition is a critical component in robot navigation that enables it to re-establish previously visited locations, and simultaneously use this information to correct the drift incurred in its dead-reckoned estimate. In this work, we develop a self-supervised approach to place recognition in robots. The task of visual loop-closure identification is cast as a metric learning problem, where the labels for positive and negative examples of loop-closures can be bootstrapped using a GPS-aided navigation solution that the robot already uses. By leveraging the synchronization between sensors, we show that we are able to learn an appropriate distance metric for arbitrary real-valued image descriptors (including state-of-the-art CNN models), that is specifically geared for visual place recognition in mobile robots. Furthermore, we show that the newly learned embedding can be particularly powerful in disambiguating visual scenes for the task of vision-based loop-closure identification in mobile robots.
The Performance Study of a Virtualized Multicore Web System

Enhancing the performance of computing systems has been an important topic since the invention of computers. The leading-edge technologies of multicore and virtualization dramatically influence the development of current IT systems. We study performance attributes of response time (RT), throughput, efficiency, and scalability of a virtualized Web system running on a multicore server. We build virtual machines (VMs) for a Web application, and use distributed stress tests to measure RTs and throughputs under varied combinations of virtual cores (VCs) and VM instances. Their gains, efficiencies and scalabilities are also computed and compared. Our experimental and analytic results indicate: 1) A system can perform and scale much better by adopting multiple single-VC VMs than by single multiple-VC VM. 2) The system capacity gain is proportional to the number of VM instances run, but not proportional to the number of VCs allocated in a VM. 3) A system with more VMs or VCs has higher physical CPU utilization, but lower vCPU utilization. 4) The maximum throughput gain is less than VM or VC gain. 5) Per-core computing efficiency does not correlate to the quality of VCs or VMs employed. The outcomes can provide valuable guidelines for selecting instance types provided by public Cloud providers and load balancing planning for Web systems.
Intonation modelling for the synthesis of structured documents

Human readings of structured documents exhibit a much richer intonation than that observed in read isolated sentences. It is a challenge to capture this richness in an automatic way using data-driven techniques. In this paper, we extend our previous research on intonation modelling for isolated sentences in different respects: (i) the RNN (Recurrent Neural Network) intonation model is now trained and evaluated on read documents, (ii) the model is evaluated as part of the overall prosody model, (iii) the feature selection process is completely automated, and (iv) the importance of text-level features such as text type, text structure and type-setting are investigated. It is demonstrated that acceptable intonation models can be constructed starting from a database that does not contain any explicit hand labelling of the intonation contours. It also ap-pearsthattexttypeandtextstructureareimportantfeatureswhereastype-settingisnot.
Automatic Contexonym Organizing Model (ACOM)

Normal language user’s word-association intuition (e.g. drunken – stagger) raises questions about the mental lexicon organization and its application for natural language processing tasks. We present an automatic contextually related words (contexonym) organizing model (ACOM) that reflects this intuition, giving one of the possible answers to this question. Trained on large corpora, the model (1) selects contexonyms for a given word and (2) classifies these groups of related words on a geometric representation. Some near-synonyms discussed in Near-Synonymy and Lexical Choice (Edmonds and Hirst, 2002) were chosen to test the model. The results showed that our model provides valuable contexonyms that reflect different usage and nuance of each word. Furthermore, the test on polysemous words showed that the model can classify contexonyms by grouping the different senses of a target word. The model can can be used as both theoretical lexicon-related research and practical natural language processing (NLP) research as well as an interactive reference.
Improved Proper Name Recall in Aging after Electrical Stimulation of the Anterior Temporal Lobes

Evidence from neuroimaging and neuropsychology suggests that portions of the anterior temporal lobes (ATLs) play a critical role in proper name retrieval. We previously found that anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to the ATLs improved retrieval of proper names in young adults (Ross et al., 2010). Here we extend that finding to older adults who tend to experience greater proper-naming deficits than young adults. The task was to look at pictures of famous faces or landmarks and verbally recall the associated proper name. Our results show a numerical improvement in face naming after left or right ATL stimulation, but a statistically significant effect only after left-lateralized stimulation. The magnitude of the enhancing effect was similar in older and younger adults but the lateralization of the effect differed depending on age. The implications of these findings for the use of tDCS as tool for rehabilitation of age-related loss of name recall are discussed.
Knowledge Media Institute Representing Hard-to-Formalise , Contextualised , Multidisciplinary , Organisational Knowledge

1 Much organisational knowledge is multidisciplinary, hard to formalise, and generated in discussions with competing viewpoints. Knowledge Management (KM) technologies need to be able to capture and share such knowledge. This short paper begins by characterising ‘knowledge work’—are there salient features that we can identify? Next, an approach is described by which teams analyse and discuss problems, building graphical argument spaces as competing ideas are debated. Hypermedia groupware provides a way to embed ideas, decisions and rationale in their conversational context, and with other work artifacts such as reports, sketches and simulations. The orientation of this work emphasises the human dimensions to technologies for supporting organisational memory and expertise. The discussion seeks to situate this approach in relation to other KM approaches by proposing three questions that seek to clarify the interdependencies between economics, technologies, work practices, and the responsibilities of modelling and managing knowledge.
Second-generation Notch1 activity-trap mouse line (N1IP::CreHI) provides a more comprehensive map of cells experiencing Notch1 activity

We have previously described the creation and analysis of a Notch1 activity-trap mouse line, Notch1 intramembrane proteolysis-Cre6MT or N1IP::CreLO, that marked cells experiencing relatively high levels of Notch1 activation. Here, we report and characterize a second line with improved sensitivity (N1IP::CreHI) to mark cells experiencing lower levels of Notch1 activation. This improvement was achieved by increasing transcript stability and by restoring the native carboxy terminus of Cre, resulting in a five- to tenfold increase in Cre activity. The magnitude of this effect probably impacts Cre activity in strains with carboxy-terminal Ert2 fusion. These two trap lines and the related line N1IP::CreERT2 form a complementary mapping tool kit to identify changes in Notch1 activation patterns in vivo as the consequence of genetic or pharmaceutical intervention, and illustrate the variation in Notch1 signal strength from one tissue to the next and across developmental time. Summary: A novel and sensitive Notch1 activity-trap mouse line allows cells experiencing low levels of Notch1 activation to be mapped throughout development.
Late Quaternary freshwater dinoflagellate cysts from the British Isles

Two species of peridinioid dinoflagellate cyst are described from Late Quaternary lacustrine and fluvial deposits in England and Scotland. Saeptodinium skipseaense sp. nov. has a bipesoid tabulation and a hemiepicystal archaeopyle. Colonsaydinium psilatum gen. et sp. nov. has a compound archaeopyle interpreted as 213P (1–2i 3–5″). The morphology of the archaeopyle suggests that this may be the cyst of a species with cinctoid tabulation. Both taxa are found only in sediment laid down in base-rich, non-turbulent, relatively deep fresh water.
Fate of Estrogenic Activity and Specific Endocrine Disrupting Contaminants (4- Nonylphenol and Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers) during Wastewater Treatment and Effluent Polishing Operations

During the past decade, estrogenic contaminants and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) received more and more attention due to their adverse effects as endocrine disruptors. There is a need to examine fate of these contaminants during wastewater treatment and effluent polishing process, as well as during the land application of biosolids as soil amendments, within the context of potable water reuse and sludge application, which have all been widely practiced. Two major research goals guided this research. The first goal was to develop experimental protocols measuring estrogenic activity (including nonylphenol) and PBDEs in environmental samples, especially in organic rich solid samples such as sludges, sediments and soils which are impacted by wastewater and/or application of biosolids. The second objective was to evaluate fate of estrogenic activity and PBDEs during conventional wastewater treatment, effluent polishing, and sludge handling processes including digestion, dewatering, composting, and land application of biosolids by using the protocols developed. The protocol developed to measure estrogenic activity or PBDEs in the solids includes extraction, cleanup, and determination steps. Each step is critical for the successful determination; however cleanup step was the most difficult. In this study, a C18 resin was used as the media to remove the bulk organic interferences in the measurement of estrogenic activity and nonylphenol. In comparison, Florisil was used in the cleanup step for PBDE analysis. In the development of each protocol, mobile phase was carefully selected and optimum cleanup strategy was determined, recovery of
Processing and quality control of DNA array hybridization data

MOTIVATION The technology of hybridization to DNA arrays is used to obtain the expression levels of many different genes simultaneously. It enables searching for genes that are expressed specifically under certain conditions. However, the technology produces large amounts of data demanding computational methods for their analysis. It is necessary to find ways to compare data from different experiments and to consider the quality and reproducibility of the data. RESULTS Data analyzed in this paper have been generated by hybridization of radioactively labeled targets to DNA arrays spotted on nylon membranes. We introduce methods to compare the intensity values of several hybridization experiments. This is essential to find differentially expressed genes or to do pattern analysis. We also discuss possibilities for quality control of the acquired data. AVAILABILITY http://www.dkfz. de/tbi CONTACT M.Vingron@dkfz-heidelberg.de
Evaluating a Morphological Analyser of Inuktitut

We evaluate the performance of an morphological analyser for Inuktitut across a medium-sized corpus, where it produces a useful analysis for two out of every three types. We then compare its segmentation to that of simpler approaches to morphology, and use these as a pre-processing step to a word alignment task. Our observations show that the richer approaches provide little as compared to simply finding the head, which is more in line with the particularities of the task.
Generating precipitation time series using simulated annealing

Long, high time resolution precipitation time series are often needed in hydrology. In most cases available measurements are not sufficient, because of a coarse time resolution and/or because observations are taken at differing locations. Often generated time series are used. These series are usually obtained from stochastic precipitation models that reproduce properties of the observed series. The purpose of this paper is to present a different methodology, one in which precipitation series can be generated by directly using their properties. The method uses simulated annealing, based on the Metropolis‐Hastings algorithm. An objective function including all desired properties is formulated. The method generates series with the desired properties. The advantage of this formulation is that properties of the precipitation that are important for the target application can directly be incorporated. The method can also be applied for generating precipitation series in a changed climate. For this purpose, changes of the statistical properties of the series have to be assessed.
A need for continued collecting of avian voucher specimens in Africa: why blood is not enough

John M Bates1, Rauri CK Bowie2*, David E Willard1, Gary Voelker3 and Charles Kahindo4 1 Zoology Department, Field Museum of Natural History, 1400 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605-2496, United States of America 2 Department of Zoology, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa 3 Department of Biology, University of Memphis, 3700 Walker Avenue, Memphis, TN 38152, United States of America 4 Institute of Environment and Natural Resources, Makerere University, PO Box 7062/7298, Kampala, Uganda * Corresponding author, e-mail: bowie@sun.ac. za
Active aeroelastic control of variable camber airfoil in the presence of structural non-linearities

Abstract. Modern smart materials technologies have led to the idea of aircraft that may actively change their shape to maneuver or to control aeroelastic response. In this context, it is reasonable to consider that nonlinear aeroelastic behavior represents an important issue. If an aircraft structure presents mildly or severe non-linear behavior, the active aeroelastic control by means of changing aircraft shape can represent a great challenge. This work presents an investigation on active fuzzy control of aeroelastic response using variable camber airfoils. Fuzzy aeroelastic control law modeling, where non-linear structural behavior is considered, has been aimed. Distributed lumped vortex method has been used to determine unsteady aerodynamic responses and typical structural have been also adopted for the aeroelastic simulation. Camber variation is achieved by means of time-varying polynomial description of the airfoil camber line. Fuzzy logic approach also allows easy assessment to aeroelastic control because of its relative independence on precise aeroelastic system modeling as a requirement to its design. As a preliminary work on variable geometry aeroelastic structures, typical fuzzy logic schemes have been used. The results show a robust and acceptable methodology to threat aeroelastic response control of variable shape aerodynamic structures.
Synergistic effect of pain and deficits in ADL towards general practitioner visits.

BACKGROUND Pain and activities of daily living (ADLs) deficits are common problems among elderly people who visit general practitioners (GPs). OBJECTIVE To examine whether the probability of visiting a GP is related to deficits in ADLs and pain, and whether these factors act synergistically towards GP visits. METHODS A total of 3097 subjects aged ≥65 years from the Austrian Health Interview Survey formed the cohort. Visiting the GP in the last 4 weeks, chronic pain (CP; pain for at least 3 months) and deficits in ADLs across 11 dimensions were reported. Binary logistic regression models were applied and were stepwise controlled for possible confounders. Based on odds ratios (OR), the synergy index (SI), population attributable fraction (PAF) and relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI) were calculated. RESULTS Overall, 61.0% visited their GP; 51.2% were affected by ADL deficits and 42.2% by CP. In subjects with ADL deficits, the OR for GP consultation was 1.32 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.11-1.56) and in subjects with CP, 1.93 (95% CI 1.63-2.27) in the fully adjusted model. The OR for those affected by both was 2.56 (95% CI 2.08-3.15); SI was 1.82 (95% CI 1.04-3.18), PAF was 0.27 (95% CI 0.08-0.47) and RERI was 0.70 (95% CI 0.13-1.27). CONCLUSION There is a strong synergistic effect of CP and deficits in ADL in patients ≥65 years on visiting the GP. Prevention, screening, treatment and rehabilitation in this population should focus on both CP and ADL deficits.
Geochronological characterization and petrogenesis of granitoids in the Ryoke belt, Southwest Japan Arc: constraints from K–Ar, Rb–Sr and Sm‐Nd systematics

Abstract Rb–Sr and K–Ar chronological studies were carried out on granitic and metamorphic rocks in the Ina, Awaji Island and eastern Sanuki districts, Southwest Japan to investigate the timing of intrusion of the granitoids in the Ryoke belt. Intrusions of ‘younger’ Ryoke granitic magmas took place in the Ina district between 120 Ma and 70 Ma, and cooling began immediately after the emplacement of the youngest granitic bodies. Igneous activity in Awaji Island was initiated at 100 Ma and continued to 75 Ma. Along‐arc variations of Rb–Sr whole‐rock isochron ages suggest that magmatism began everywhere in the Ryoke and San‐yo belts at almost the same time (ca 120 Ma). The last magmatism took place in the eastern part of both belts. Rb–Sr and K–Ar mineral ages for the granitoids young eastwards. The age data suggest that the Ryoke belt was uplifted just after the termination of igneous activity. Initial Sr and Nd isotopic ratios for the Ryoke granitoids indicate that most were derived from magmas produced in the lower crust and/or upper mantle with uniform Sr and Nd isotopic compositions. Several granitoids, however, exhibit evidence of assimilation of Ryoke metamorphic rocks or older Precambrian crustal rocks beneath the Ryoke belt.
Does metaphor increase visual language usability?

Previous research suggests that the graphical metaphor should increase the usability of visual programming languages (VPLs) by providing an instructional aid when learning to use the language. This paper describes three experiments which manipulated the degree of metaphor in VPLs. In the first, an implicit pictorial metaphor was added to a data flow language, while in the second and third an explicit explanatory metaphor was provided for diagrams showing computational concepts. In both cases, the performance of novices was compared to that of expert programmers, in order to judge the improvement in usability that might result from this instructional device. The resulting benefits of metaphor were smaller than expected especially relative to the advantage of experience. This suggests that metaphor may not be an essential component in the usability of VPLs.