Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identification of Degraded Traffic Sign Symbols Using Multi-class Support Vector Machines

We present a novel classification method for recognizing traffic sign symbols undergoing image degradations. In order to cope with the degradations, it is desirable to use combined blur-affine invariants (CBAIs) of traffic sign symbols as the feature vectors. Combined invariants allow to recognize objects in the degraded scene without any restoration. In this research, multi-class support vector machines (M-SVMs) is applied to traffic sign classification and compared with backpropagation (BP) algorithm, which has been commonly used in neural network. Experimental results indicate that M-SVMs algorithm is superior to BP algorithm both on the classification accuracy and generalization performance of the classifier.
Minimum outage RF beamforming for millimeter wave MISO-OFDM systems

We consider the design of the radio-frequency (RF) precoder for minimum outage probability transmission for millimeter wave (mmWave) MISO-OFDM systems under the assumption of partial channel knowledge at the transmitter and full channel knowledge at the receiver. We formulate the problem as minimizing the cumulative distribution function (CDF) of an L-stage hypo-exponentially distributed random variable, where L is the number of propagation paths. To solve the optimization problem of the RF precoder, we propose an iterative gradient ascent algorithm. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm converges in a small number of iterations and achieves lower outage probability, with full diversity order, than the conventional eigenvector beamforming. Moreover, the proposed scheme is more robust against human blockage than the conventional eigenvector beamforming and the maximum capacity scheme with full channel knowledge at the transmitter.
Advanced Approach to Information Security Management System Model for Industrial Control System

Organizations make use of important information in day-to-day business. Protecting sensitive information is imperative and must be managed. Companies in many parts of the world protect sensitive information using the international standard known as the information security management system (ISMS). ISO 27000 series is the international standard ISMS used to protect confidentiality, integrity, and availability of sensitive information. While an ISMS based on ISO 27000 series has no particular flaws for general information systems, it is unfit to manage sensitive information for industrial control systems (ICSs) because the first priority of industrial control is safety of the system. Therefore, a new information security management system based on confidentiality, integrity, and availability as well as safety is required for ICSs. This new ISMS must be mutually exclusive of an ICS. This paper provides a new paradigm of ISMS for ICSs, which will be shown to be more suitable than the existing ISMS.
Towards Ontology Engineering Based on Linguistic Analysis

In this paper we describe OntoLT, a plug -in for the widely used Protege ontology development tool that supports the interactive extraction and/or extension of ontologies from text. The OntoLT approach aims at providing an environment for the integration of linguistic analysis in ontology development. OntoLT enables the definition of mapping rules with which concepts and attributes can be extracted automatically from linguistically annotated text collections. Mapping rules are defined by use of a constraint language. Constraints are implemented as XPATH expressions over the XML-based linguistic annotation. If all constraints are satisfied, the mapping rule activates one or more operators that describe in which way the ontology should be extended if a candidate is found.
Allozyme variation of Cyclobalanopsis championii (Fagaceae), a narrowly distributed species in southern Taiwan.

Allozyme genetic variability in five natural populations of Cyclobalanopsis championii (Fagaceae) in Taiwan was investigated using 12 loci from 9 enzyme systems. The average values of parameters describing within-population variation, expected heterozygosity (He = 0.151), the percentage of polymorphic loci per individual (P = 50%), the average number of alleles per locus (A = 1.7), effective number of alleles per locus (Ae = 1.25), and the average number of alleles per polymorphic loci (AP = 2.2) are comparable to those of other long-lived woody plants. The overall fixation index (Fis = 0.208) indicates a significant deficiency of heterozygotes at the population level. Allelic frequency deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was found for different loci in different populations. An exact test for population differentiation using the Tools for Population Genetic Analyses program also indicates that allelic frequencies among populations are significantly different (P < .001). Among-population variation, Gst, accounted for 9.2% of the total heterozygosity. The population at Shouchia and the southernmost population Nanjenshan had higher inbreeding coefficients (0.177 and 0.153, respectively) than did the northern populations. Genetic drift is supported by the observations of the variance components of linkage disequilibrium and a large proportion of loci in Nanjenshan and Shouchia that show pairwise locus disequilibrium. We believe continuous genetic drift in the southern populations will increase genetic divergence among populations of C. championii in Taiwan. Significant correlation was found between elevation and expected heterozygosity. We therefore inferred that temperature is the most important ecological factor to influence the genetic diversity of C. championii.
Stick or Switch: A Selection Heuristic Predicts when People Take the Perspective of Others or Communicate Egocentrically

This paper examines a cognitive mechanism that drives perspective-taking and egocentrism in interpersonal communication. Using a conceptual referential communication task, in which participants describe a range of abstract geometric shapes, Experiment 1 shows that perspective-taking and egocentric communication are frequent communication strategies. Experiment 2 tests a selection heuristic account of perspective-taking and egocentric communication. It uses participants’ shape description ratings to predict their communication strategy. Participants’ communication strategy was predicted by how informative they perceived the different shape descriptions to be. When participants’ personal shape description was perceived to be more informative than their addressee’s shape description, there was a strong bias to communicate egocentrically. By contrast, when their addressee’s shape description was perceived to be more informative, there was a strong bias to take their addressee’s perspective. When the shape descriptions were perceived to be equally informative, there was a moderate bias to communicate egocentrically. This simple, but powerful, selection heuristic may be critical to the cumulative cultural evolution of human communication systems, and cumulative cultural evolution more generally.
Influence Analyzing and Modeling of High Frequency Forwarding Microblogs

Classification of high frequency micro logs has been completed. A model is proposed in which the direct influence is based on some factors: the micro logger's aggregation, the activity, the amount of microblog comments and the number of fans, and the indirect influence is based on the forward depth and repost time. Official microblog "Chongqing Mobile" and grassroots microblog "Hong Jie" are chosen as examples to illustrate the modeling process of the influence of a single high frequency forward microblog, and the experiment result show that the proposed model is corresponded to the reality.
Multi-sensor fusion robust localization for indoor mobile robots based on a set-membership estimator

Autonomous localization is a primary and crucial issue in mobile robot navigation tasks. In this article, the long-distance robust localization problem of indoor mobile robots is studied and solved by a combination style of using a laser scanner and an odometer. Firstly, a point-to-line iterative closest point(PLICP) approach is adopted to match the successive environmental information collected by a laser scanner to estimate the relative pose transformation of the robot. And then the multi-sensor fusion technology based on bounded-error set-membership estimator is proposed to to use scan matching results to correct the cumulative error of the odometer periodically to achieve precious location of the robot in indoor environments. Experimental results show that the accuracy and robustness of the proposed localization system has been improved greatly with respect to the single odometer localization approach.
Multi-Block ADMM for Big Data Optimization in Modern Communication Networks

In this paper, we review the parallel and distributed optimization algorithms based on the alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) for solving "big data" optimization problems in modern communication networks. We first introduce the canonical formulation of the large-scale optimization problem. Next, we describe the general form of ADMM and then focus on several direct extensions and sophisticated modifications of ADMM from $2$-block to $N$-block settings to deal with the optimization problem. The iterative schemes and convergence properties of each extension/modification are given, and the implementation on large-scale computing facilities is also illustrated. Finally, we numerate several applications in communication networks, such as the security constrained optimal power flow problem in smart grid networks and mobile data offloading problem in software defined networks (SDNs).
Transmission and Pathogenesis of Swine-Origin 2009 A(H1N1) Influenza Viruses in Ferrets and Mice

“Swine Flu” Pathology The clinical spectrum of disease caused by the swine-origin 2009 A(H1N1) influenza virus and its transmissibility are not completely understood. Munster et al. (p. 481; published online 2 July) and Maines et al. (p. 484; published online 2 July) used ferrets, an established model for human influenza, to evaluate the pathogenesis and transmissibility of a selection of 2009 A(H1N1) virus isolates compared with representative seasonal H1N1 viruses. The results help explain the atypical symptoms seen so far, including the gastrointestinal distress and vomiting observed in many patients. Although results were variable, it seems that the 2009 A(H1N1) virus may be less efficiently transmitted by respiratory droplets in comparison to the highly transmissible seasonal H1N1 virus, suggesting that additional virus adaptation in mammals may be required before we see phenotypes observed in earlier pandemics. Animal experiments compare the dynamics and effects of the virus causing the 2009 flu outbreak to those of seasonal H1N1 flu. Recent reports of mild to severe influenza-like illness in humans caused by a novel swine-origin 2009 A(H1N1) influenza virus underscore the need to better understand the pathogenesis and transmission of these viruses in mammals. In this study, selected 2009 A(H1N1) influenza isolates were assessed for their ability to cause disease in mice and ferrets and compared with a contemporary seasonal H1N1 virus for their ability to transmit to naïve ferrets through respiratory droplets. In contrast to seasonal influenza H1N1 virus, 2009 A(H1N1) influenza viruses caused increased morbidity, replicated to higher titers in lung tissue, and were recovered from the intestinal tract of intranasally inoculated ferrets. The 2009 A(H1N1) influenza viruses exhibited less efficient respiratory droplet transmission in ferrets in comparison with the highly transmissible phenotype of a seasonal H1N1 virus. Transmission of the 2009 A(H1N1) influenza viruses was further corroborated by characterizing the binding specificity of the viral hemagglutinin to the sialylated glycan receptors (in the human host) by use of dose-dependent direct receptor-binding and human lung tissue–binding assays.
Bevacizumab is equally effective and no more toxic in elderly patients with advanced colorectal cancer: a subgroup analysis from the AGITG MAX trial: an international randomised controlled trial of Capecitabine, Bevacizumab and Mitomycin C.

BACKGROUND In an ageing population, a greater proportion of geriatric patients will be considered for systemic chemotherapy. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common malignancy and will be a major health issue in geriatrics. We used the MAX population to investigate whether age affected the improved outcome found in CRC when bevacizumab is added to capecitabine chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS MAX, a three arm study of Capecitabine (C) versus CBevacizumab (CB) versus CBMitomycin C (CBM), found an improvement in progression-free survival (PFS), with addition of B [+/- mitomycin C (MMC)] to C. This analysis assesses the effect of adding B (+/- MMC) to C on PFS, overall survival (OS), response rate (RR), toxicity and dose intensity in geriatric patients (age ≥ 75 years). RESULTS Ninety-nine patients (21%) were aged 75-86 years. Baseline characteristics were well balanced. Eighty-eight per cent commenced C at the lower optional dose of 2000 mg/m(2)/day; days 1-14, q21 (61% for <75 years) and 88% were Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group 0-1. Co-morbidities were as expected in this population. The addition of B significantly improved PFS in geriatric patients(C 5.8 months versus CB 8.8 months, Hazard ratio (HR) 0.65 and C versus CBM 10.4 months HR 0.38). The interaction test for OS, RR and PFS revealed no impact of age. Dose intensity was maintained >90% in all patients. There were no major differences in toxicity patterns between age cohorts. CONCLUSIONS Addition of B to C significantly improved PFS in this geriatric population, with similar benefits to those aged <75 years. Treatment was well tolerated with no signal of increased toxicity (including thromboembolism) when compared with those aged <75 years.
Absorption of aerosols above clouds from POLDER/PARASOL measurements and estimation of their direct radiative effect

Abstract. This study presents an original method to evaluate key parameters for the estimation of the direct radiative effect (DRE) of aerosol above clouds: the absorption of the the cloud albedo. It is based on multi-angle total and polarized radiances both provided by the A-train satellite instrument POLDER – Polarization and Directionality of Earth Reflectances. The sensitivities brought by each kind of measurements are used in a complementary way. Polarization mostly translates scattering processes and is thus used to estimate scattering aerosol optical thickness and aerosol size. On the other hand, total radiances, together with the scattering properties of aerosols, are used to evaluate the absorption optical thickness of aerosols and cloud optical thickness. The retrieval of aerosol and clouds properties (i.e., aerosol and cloud optical thickness, aerosol single scattering albedo and Angstrom exponent) is restricted to homogeneous and optically thick clouds (cloud optical thickness larger than 3). In addition, a procedure has been developed to process the shortwave DRE of aerosols above clouds. Three case studies have been selected: a case of absorbing biomass burning aerosols above clouds over the southeast Atlantic Ocean, a Siberian biomass burning event and a layer of Saharan dust above clouds off the northwest coast of Africa. Besides these case studies, both algorithms have been applied to the southeast Atlantic Ocean and the results have been averaged during August 2006. The mean DRE is found to be 33.5 W m−2 (warming). Finally, the effect of the heterogeneity of clouds has been investigated and reveals that it affects mostly the retrieval of the cloud optical thickness and not greatly the aerosols properties. The homogenous cloud assumption used in both the properties retrieval and the DRE processing leads to a slight underestimation of the DRE.
DEW BEADS : A Framework for Distributional and Emergent Web Semantics ?

This is an extension of an accepted ISWC’11 research track contribution [1], which introduces an alternative, bottom-up and emergent conception of the Web semantics based on the distributional hypothesis (an approach that is rather complementary to the top-down Semantic Web standards based on logics and model theory). The promising potential of our proposal has been demonstrated in [1] by a thoroughly evaluated experiment in knowledge consolidation. In this more technically oriented demo paper, we augment [1] by an overview of DEW BEADS – an open source framework we implemented to test our research ideas. We describe the framework’s architecture and features in Section 2. Section 3 then shows an example of DEW BEADS deployment to exploration of knowledge in life science publications. We also outline the general framework’s usage in custom applications there.
Seeing with light and landscape: a walk around Stanton Moor

Abstract This paper focuses on the much-neglected contribution of light to the conceptualisation of landscape. I discuss how light circulates through our visual system and around the spaces we see, refuting notions that we can be detached from the landscapes that we view and characterise. Though we see with the vital light and the landscape, I emphasise that our experiences are invariably entangled with prevalent cultural values, meanings and representations. By drawing upon the experience of walking around an area of raised moorland in the Peak District, I suggest that the experience of particular landscapes can be distinguished by the changing light that radiates upon them and to which we continuously become attuned. By composing an autoethnographic account that highlights key moments when its effects seemed particularly acute, I exemplify the distinctive ways in which the shifting light interacts with elements within this particular landscape.
Automatic Recognition of Emotion for Music Recommendation

Music is widely associated with emotions. The automatic recognition of emotions from audio is very challenging because important factors such as personal experience and cultural background are not captured by the musical sounds. Currently, there are challenges associated with most steps of music emotion recognition (MER) systems, namely feature selection, the model of emotions, annotation methods, and machine learning techniques used. This project uses different machine learning techniques to automatically associate musical features calculated from audio to annotations of emotions made by human listeners. The map between the feature space and the model of emotions learned by the model can be used to estimate the emotions associated with music that the system has not been previously exposed to. Consequently, the system has the potential to recommend music to listeners based on emotional content.
Combination of RNA interference and U1 inhibition leads to increased inhibition of gene expression

RNA interference (RNAi) has been revolutionary for the specific inhibition of gene expression. However, the application of RNAi has been hampered by the fact that many siRNAs induce dose-dependent unwanted secondary effects. Therefore, new methods to increase inhibition of gene expression with low doses of inhibitors are required. We have tested the combination of RNAi and U1i (U1 small nuclear RNA—snRNA—interference). U1i is based on U1 inhibitors (U1in), U1 snRNA molecules modified to target a pre-mRNA and inhibit its gene expression by blocking nuclear polyadenylation. The combination of RNAi and U1i resulted in stronger inhibition of reporter or endogenous genes than that obtained using either of the techniques alone. The increased inhibition observed is stable over time and allows higher inhibition than the best obtained with either of the inhibitors alone even with decreased doses of the inhibitors. We believe that the combination of RNAi and U1i will be of interest when higher inhibition is required or when potent inhibitors are not available. Also, the combination of these techniques would allow functional inhibition with a decreased dose of inhibitors, avoiding toxicity due to dose-dependent unwanted effects.
The Evolution of Sihwa Dam: A Formal Design Theory Perspective

In this work, the evolution of Sihwa dam in Ansan, South Korea is analyzed using a combination of three formal design theories: Axiomatic Design Theory, TRIZ, and User Centered Design. The presence and influence of coupling, conflict, and compromise in the three stages of the dam are used to explain some of the problems associated with Lake Sihwa. Affordances for the three stages of the dam are also discussed and a progression of non-ideality in design is proposed.
Accelerating Parallel Analysis of Scientific Simulation Data via Zazen

As a new generation of parallel supercomputers enables researchers to conduct scientific simulations of unprecedented scale and resolution, terabyte-scale simulation output has become increasingly commonplace. Analysis of such massive data sets is typically I/O-bound: many parallel analysis programs spend most of their execution time reading data from disk rather than performing useful computation. To overcome this I/O bottleneck, we have developed a new data access method. Our main idea is to cache a copy of simulation output files on the local disks of an analysis cluster's compute nodes, and to use a novel task-assignment protocol to co-locate data access with computation. We have implemented our methodology in a parallel disk cache system called Zazen. By avoiding the overhead associated with querying metadata servers and by reading data in parallel from local disks, Zazen is able to deliver a sustained read bandwidth of over 20 gigabytes per second on a commodity Linux cluster with 100 nodes, approaching the optimal aggregated I/O bandwidth attainable on these nodes. Compared with conventional NFS, PVFS2, and Hadoop/HDFS, respectively, Zazen is 75, 18, and 6 times faster for accessing large (1-GB) files, and 25, 13, and 85 times faster for accessing small (2-MB) files. We have deployed Zazen in conjunction with Anton--a special-purpose supercomputer that dramatically accelerates molecular dynamics (MD) simulations-- and have been able to accelerate the parallel analysis of terabyte-scale MD trajectories by about an order of magnitude.
Active Force Control of a fluidic muscle system using Fuzzy Logic

In this paper, Active Force Control with Fuzzy Logic (AFCFL) technique is applied to the control of a fluidic muscle (also known as pneumatic artificial muscle or PAM) that acts as an actuator to drive a trolley system in a laboratory setting. Since, fluidic muscle has a high-tension force, high power/weight ratio, high strength, and cleanliness, ease of maintenance, low cost, compactness and cheap power source, it has caught the attention of researchers in the area of robotics. Despite of its advantageous, the presence of the inherent high nonlinearity behaviour, high hysteresis and time variance in the system has made it a challenging and interesting system for modelling and control design. The main goal of this study is to perform accurate position control of a trolley through a hardware-in-the-loop simulation (HILS) implementation so as to enhance the system performance through the AFCFL scheme. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed controller compared to the conventional proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control method.
Extracting bilingual multi-word expressions for low-resource statistical machine translation

Improving the performance of statistical machine translation is often a significant problem, especially in low language resource scenarios such as Chinese-Mongolian SMT. In this paper, we propose a method to improve the performance of Chinese-Mongolian SMT system using multi-word expressions, which is also a pilot study for this language pair. We extract MWEs from the phrase-table then integrate the MWEs into SMT system by various strategies. Experimental results indicate our method outperforms a baseline model by 0.81 BLEU points on Test-All and 1.54 BLEU points on Test-MWE.