Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Learning probabilistic planning operators from noisy observations

Building agents which can learn to act autonomously in the world is an important challenge for artificial intelligence. While autonomous agents often have to operate in noisy, uncertain worlds, current methods to learn action models from agents’ experiences typically assume fully deterministic worlds. This paper presents a noise-tolerant approach to learning probabilistic planning operators from experience. Preliminary experiments demonstrate that the approach learns accurate models even if agents’ observations are noisy.
Detection of Negative Emotional States from Electroencephalographic ( EEG ) Signals Firgan Nihatov Feradov and Todor Dimitrov Ganchev

We report on the development of an automated detector of negative emotional states based on 32-channel electroencephalographic (EEG) signals. The detector makes use of a fast signal parameterization technique that computes the short-term energy of the multichannel EEG signal which is combined with a state-of-the-art classification scheme based on SVM. The proposed method was evaluated on the DEAP database and we report classification accuracy of 62%. The experimental results indicate the potential of the proposed method and give an idea about the opportunities which this key technology offers in support of therapeutic treatment of emotional and psychological disorders.
A Model of Landscapes

The use of the term ``landscapes'' is increasing rapidly in the field of evolutionary computation, yet in many cases it remains poorly, if at all, defined. This situtation has perhaps developed because everyone grasps the imagery immediately, and the questions that would be asked of a less evocative term do not get asked. This paper presents a model of landscapes that is general enough to encompass most of what computer scientists would call search, though the model is not restricted to either the field or the viewpoint. It is particularly relevant to algorithms that employ some form of crossover, and hence to genetic algorithms and other members of the evolutionary computing family. An overview of the consequences and properties of the model establishes a connection with more traditional search algorithms from artificial intelligence, introduces the notion of a crossover landscape, and argues the importance of viewing search as navigation and structure.
Managing successful universities

Preface Introduction What are the characteristics of a successful university? Strategic management in universities Managing university finance The academic context: Organization, collegiality and leadership Managing the core business Good governance Extending the boundaries Building an image, establishing a reputation Ambition Inhibitions to becoming entrepreneurial Turning round failure, arresting decline, managing retrenchment Managing universities for success Appendix References Index The Society for Research into Higher Education
A multi-baseline stereo system for scene segmentation in natural environments

A long range visual perception system is presented based on a multi-baseline stereo frame. The system is intended to be used onboard an autonomous vehicle operating in natural settings, such as an agricultural environment, to perform 3D scene reconstruction and segmentation tasks. First, the multi-baseline stereo sensor and the associated processing algorithms are described; then, a self-learning ground classifier is applied to segment the scene into ground and non-ground regions, using geometric features, without any a priori assumption on the terrain characteristics. Experimental results obtained with an off-road vehicle operating in an agricultural test field are presented to validate the proposed approach. It is shown that the use of a multi-baseline stereo frame allows for accurate reconstruction and scene segmentation at a wide range of viewing distances, thus increasing the overall flexibility and reliability of the perception system.
Integrated long-range UAV/UGV collaborative target tracking

Coordinated operations between unmanned air and ground assets allow leveraging of multi-domain sensing and increase opportunities for improving line of sight communications. While numerous military missions would benefit from coordinated UAV-UGV operations, foundational capabilities that integrate stove-piped tactical systems and share available sensor data are required and not yet available. iRobot, AeroVironment, and Carnegie Mellon University are working together, partially SBIR-funded through ARDEC's small unit network lethality initiative, to develop collaborative capabilities for surveillance, targeting, and improved communications based on PackBot UGV and Raven UAV platforms. We integrate newly available technologies into computational, vision, and communications payloads and develop sensing algorithms to support vision-based target tracking. We first simulated and then applied onto real tactical platforms an implementation of Decentralized Data Fusion, a novel technique for fusing track estimates from PackBot and Raven platforms for a moving target in an open environment. In addition, system integration with AeroVironment's Digital Data Link onto both air and ground platforms has extended our capabilities in communications range to operate the PackBot as well as in increased video and data throughput. The system is brought together through a unified Operator Control Unit (OCU) for the PackBot and Raven that provides simultaneous waypoint navigation and traditional teleoperation. We also present several recent capability accomplishments toward PackBot-Raven coordinated operations, including single OCU display design and operation, early target track results, and Digital Data Link integration efforts, as well as our near-term capability goals.
Forest Sparsity for Multi-Channel Compressive Sensing

In this paper, we investigate a new compressive sensing model for multi-channel sparse data where each channel can be represented as a hierarchical tree and different channels are highly correlated. Therefore, the full data could follow the forest structure and we call this property forest sparsity. It exploits both intra- and inter- channel correlations and enriches the family of existing model-based compressive sensing theories. The proposed theory indicates that only O(Tk+log(N/k)) measurements are required for multi-channel data with forest sparsity, where T is the number of channels, N and k are the length and sparsity number of each channel, respectively. This result is much better than O(Tk+Tlog(N/k)) of tree sparsity, O(Tk+klog(N/k)) of joint sparsity, and far better than O(Tk+Tklog(N/k)) of standard sparsity. In addition, we extend the forest sparsity theory to the multiple measurement vectors problem, where the measurement matrix is a block-diagonal matrix. The result shows that the required measurement bound can be the same as that for dense random measurement matrix, when the data shares equal energy in each channel. A new algorithm is developed and applied on four example applications to validate the benefit of the proposed model. Extensive experiments demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed theory and algorithm.
UBS Pensions series 24) A Human Capital Explanation for an Asset Allocation Puzzle

We show that a life-cycle asset allocation model with liquidity constraints and realistically calibrated uninsurable labor income risk rationalizes the asset allocation puzzle of Canner, Mankiw and Weil (1997). Based on empirical estimates of the correlation between stock returns and individual earnings, labor income is a closer substitute to long-term bonds than to stocks. As a result, more risk averse investors hold a smaller proportion of their risky portfolio in equities. Moreover, this explanation is consistent with the recommendation that younger households should be more heavily invested in stocks than older households.
Impacts of multiple color nominal coding on usefulness of graph reading tasks

Multiple line graphs have been extensively used in business, finance and education. Previous color researches suggested that high contrast may be useful for nominal information coding in information design. However, empirical studies on its impacts on the graph-reader's perception towards usefulness of the multiple line graph have been rarely examined. This study conducted an experiment to evaluate graphs using two different color combinations. The participants perceived the high luminance contrast Red-Green-Blue graph is more useful than the low luminance contrast Orange-Green-Cyan graph for complicated tasks using multiple lines. There was no difference of perceived usefulness across simple tasks including using a single line. Despite of the results, participants' actual task completion time shows there is no difference in terms of graph reading complexity between the two different color contrast groups.
Special Section on Knowledge-Based Software Engineering Supporting Application Framework Selection Based on Labeled Transition Systems

Framework technology is one of the promising approaches to reuse effectively software and its key issues are 1) to select the suitable frameworks for the software requirements specification, and 2) to fill the suitable hot spots with application-specific codes (customization). This paper proposes a new technique for automated support of the above issues by using labeled transition systems (LTSs) together with metrics technique. We model the behavior of the frameworks and the system behavior specified in the requirements specification by using two LTSs respectively. By establishing bisimilar relationship between the two LTSs, we check whether the behavior of the framework can match to the requirements and explore how to fill its hot spots. This process is done by means of constructing a graph to extract the bisimilar relationships, and each path of the graph denotes one of the implementations of the requirements by the framework. We attach some measures to the LTS of the framework, such as the number of the hot spots to be filled and the number of the parameters to be set up when filling the corresponding hot spot. These measures are used to estimate developer’s efforts in filling the hot spots for each implementation, i.e. for each path of the graph. The result of estimating the efforts guides the developers to select the implementation, and the structure of the application-specific codes to be filled in can be automatically generated from the selected implementation. Furthermore we discuss case studies in the area of Web application, where Struts and Turbine can be used. key words: application framework, labeled transition system
Urban 3d Modelling Using Terrestrial Laser Scanners

This paper describes a technique for 3D Reconstruction of large outdoor areas using terrestrial laser scanning. It presents the paradigm for automated 3D registration and requirements of the positioning and orientation subsystem to handle fully automatic 3D registrations. It analyzes the different problems and difficulties associated with such ty pe of environments, including the analysis of scanning nonstatic objects (e.g. trees, persons) and other difficulties like scanning in n arrow-street environments. Finally, the paper presents the results for a final triangulated model having contributions from both terre strial scan data/images as well as aerial DSM data/images.
The end of the cob operon: evidence that the last gene (cobT) catalyzes synthesis of the lower ligand of vitamin B12, dimethylbenzimidazole

The cob operon of Salmonella typhimurium includes 20 genes devoted to the synthesis of adenosyl-cobalamin (coenzyme B12). Mutants with lesions in the promoter-distal end of the operon synthesize vitamin B12 only if provided with 5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole (DMB), the lower ligand of vitamin B12. In the hope of identifying a gene(s) involved in synthesis of DMB, the DNA base sequence of the end of the operon has been determined; this completes the sequence of the cob operon. The cobT gene is the last gene in the operon. Four CobII (DMB-) mutations mapping to different deletion intervals of the CobII region were sequenced; all affect the cobT open reading frame. Both the CobT protein of S. typhimurium and its Pseudomonas homolog have been shown in vitro to catalyze the transfer of ribose phosphate from nicotinate mononucleotide to DMB. This reaction does not contribute to DMB synthesis but rather is the first step in joining DMB to the corrin ring compound cobinamide. Thus, the phenotype of Salmonella cobT mutants conflicts with the reported activity of the affected enzyme, while Pseudomonas mutants have the expected phenotype. J. R. Trzebiatowski, G. A. O'Toole, and J. C. Escalante Semerena have suggested (J. Bacteriol. 176:3568-3575, 1994) that S. typhimurium possesses a second phosphoribosyltransferase activity (CobB) that requires a high concentration of DMB for its activity. We support that suggestion and, in addition, provide evidence that the CobT protein catalyzes both the synthesis of DMB and transfer of ribose phosphate. Some cobT mutants appear defective only in DMB synthesis, since they grow on low levels of DMB and retain their CobII phenotype in the presence of a cobB mutation. Other mutants including those with deletions, appear defective in transferase, since they require a high level of DMB (to activate CobB) and, in combination with a cobB mutation, they eliminate the ability to join DMB and cobinamide. Immediately downstream of the cob operon is a gene (called ORF in this study) of unknown function whose mutants have no detected phenotype. Just counterclockwise of ORF is an asparagine tRNA gene (probably asnU). Farther counterclockwise, a serine tRNA gene (serU or supD) is weakly cotransducible with the cobT gene.
Blue Horizontal-Branch Stars in the Sagittarius Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxy

We report on the discovery of a blue horizontal-branch (BHB) population belonging to the Sagittarius dwarf spheroidal galaxy. The sequence is clearly identified in the (V, V-I) color-magnitude diagram obtained for about 500,000 stars in the region of the globular cluster M54. The BHB morphology is similar to the analogous sequence in M54, but it is unambiguously associated with Sgr since (1) it is detected well outside the main body of the cluster, up to more than five tidal radii from the cluster center and (2) the BHB stars follow the radial distribution of the other stellar populations of Sgr. This finding finally demonstrates that the Sgr galaxy hosts a significant (of the order of ~10%) old and metal-poor stellar population ([Fe/H] ≲ -1.3; age ≳10 Gyr), similar to that of its oldest clusters (M54, Ter 8). We also show that the Sgr BHB sequence found here is the counterpart of the analogous feature observed by Newberg et al. in the Sgr stream, in a field more than 80° away from the center of the galaxy.
Back to normal? The future of global production networks after the crisis

It is neither likely nor desirable for central banks to exit from unconventional monetary policies in the near future. However, it is important that central banks develop an exit strategy, evaluate the merits of new and old monetary policy tools and communicate with the public so as to maintain financial stability, support economic growth and minimize future inflationary risks. Central bank communication policy will turn out to be crucial and more challenging than it was before the crisis.
The Levinas reader : Emmanuel Levinas

Preface. Acknowledgements. Introduction. Part I: From Existence to Ethics: 1. The Phenomenological Theory of Being. 2. There is: Existence without Existents. 3. Time and the Other. 4. Martin Buber and the Theory of Knowledge. 5. Ethics as First Philosophy. 6. Substitution. Part II: Reading Writing, Revolution, or Aesthetics, Religion, Politics, Aesthetics: 7. Reality and its Shadow. 8. The Transcendence of Words. 9. The Servant and her Master. 10. The Other Proust: Religion. 11. God and Philosophy. 12. Revelation in the Jewish Tradition. 13. The Pact. 14. Prayer without Demand. Politics. 15. Ideology and Idealism. 16. Difficult Freedom. 17. Zionisms. 18. Ethics and Politics. Glossary. Bibliography. Index.
Evaluation of glycine-bearing celecoxib derivatives as a colon-specific mutual prodrug acting on nuclear factor-κB, an anti-inflammatory target

In an inflammatory state where HOCl is generated, glycine readily reacts with HOCl to produce glycine chloramine, an anti-inflammatory oxidant. Colonic delivery of celecoxib elicits anticolitic effects in a trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-induced rat colitis model. Glycine-bearing celecoxib derivatives were prepared and evaluated as a colon-specific mutual prodrug acting on nuclear factor-κB (NFκB), an anticolitic target. Glycylcelecoxib (GC), N-glycylaspart-1-ylcelecoxib (N-GA1C), and C-glycylaspart-1-ylcelecoxib (C-GA1C) were synthesized and their structures identified using infrared and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer. The celecoxib derivatives were chemically stable in pH 6.8 and 1.2 buffers. GC and C-GA1C were resistant to degradation in the small intestinal contents, while N-GA1C was substantially cleaved to release celecoxib. In contrast, all the celecoxib derivatives were degraded to liberate celecoxib in the cecal content. These results suggest that GC and C-GA1C could be delivered to and liberate celecoxib and glycine in the large intestine. In human colon carcinoma HCT116 and murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells, combined celecoxib–glycine chloramine treatment additively suppressed the production of proinflammatory NFκB target gene products. Collectively, our data suggest that C-GA1C is a potential colon-specific mutual prodrug acting against NFκB.
Fuzzy n-normed linear space

The primary purpose of this paper is to introduce the notion of fuzzy n-normed linear space as a generalization of n-normed space. Ascending family of α-n-norms corresponding to fuzzy n-norm is introduced. Best approximation sets in α-n-norms are defined. We also provide some results on best approximation sets in α-n-normed space.
Reciprocation, square root, inverse square root, and some elementary functions using small multipliers

This paper deals with the computation of reciprocals, square roots, inverse square roots, and some elementary functions using small tables, small multipliers, and for some functions, a final 'large' multiplication. We propose a method that allows fast evaluation of these functions in double precision arithmetic.The strength of this method is that the same scheme allows the computation of all these functions.
Non-linear Story-telling in a Mobile World

: Story-telling has been a means of bequeathing knowledge since aeons. Whereas the idea of the story-telling remains unaltered, the world around undertakes continuous changes. New media, new technologies and devices, new ways of communication deﬁne a new format of the story-telling. This paper proposes a new non-linear version of mobile story-telling in the emerging ubiquity of knowledge sharing. To support our concept we provide a description of multimedia services based on the MPEG-7 metadata standard used for our non-linear mobile story-telling environment.
Facial Expression Detection Techniques: Based on Viola and Jones Algorithm and Principal Component Analysis

Facial expression is a prominent posture beneath the skin of the face. They are the way of communication in humans which convey many things non-verbally. During the past years face recognition has received significant attention as one of the most important applications of image understanding and analysis. Many algorithms have been implemented on different static and non-static conditions. Static conditions include static and uniform background, identical poses, similar illumination, neutral frontal face. Non static conditions include position, partial occlusion orientation, varying lightening conditions and facial hair which make recognition process a complex problem. All these factors influence face recognition process. The main stages for face recognition include face detection, feature representation and classifications. Researchers have described distinct approaches for face recognition. In this work we present a glimpse of face detection techniques, methods used, their performance & their limitations and proposed a new technique for Face Detection based on Viola and Jones algorithm and principal component analysis. At the end we have shown simulation results for the proposed technique and established that proposed technique is performing better than the existing one. The proposed system is implemented in MATLAB version 7.1. 4.0. 739 (R2012a).
On algorithmic improvements for computing the CTF for tilted , non-thin specimens in TEM

Resolution in phase contrast cryo-electron tomography is presently at best 4 nm and is for a significant part limited by the effects of the contrast transfer function (CTF) of the microscope. The CTF is, among other factors, a function of the defocus and as a result varies spatially when the sample is tilted or has a finite thickness. Recently there has been an increasing effort to describe this spatially varying transfer, so far these approaches have not widely been adopted; their computational complexity make them unpractical. Here we show an implementation which reduces computation times required for the ‘tilted’ CTF by more than100×, and present an implementation of the full three-dimensional CTF with computation times in the order of a Radon transform. We also derive a damping envelope function describing the loss of resolution due to sample thickness and show its applicability using simulations. Using these simulations we also quantify the effects of the sample thickness on the accuracy of different forward models. We simulate the influence of spatially varying CTF correction and subsequent tomographic reconstruction and present a new approach for spatially varying phaseflipping. These CTF correction strategies are shown to be succesful in increasing the resolution after tomographic reconstruction.
Institute for Mathematical Physics Differential Geometry on the Space of Connections via Graphs and Projective Limits Differential Geometry on the Space of Connections via Graphs and Projective Limits

In a quantum mechanical treatment of gauge theories (including general relativity), one is led to consider a certain completion, A/G, of the space A/G of gauge equivalent connections. This space serves as the quantum configuration space, or, as the space of all Euclidean histories over which one must integrate in the quantum theory. A/G is a very large space and serves as a " universal home " for measures in theories in which the Wilson loop observables are well-defined. In this paper, A/G is considered as the 1 projective limit of a projective family of compact Hausdorff manifolds, labelled by graphs (which can be regarded as " floating lattices " in the physics terminology). Using this characterization, differential geometry is developed through algebraic methods. In particular, we are able to introduce the following notions on A/G: differential forms, exterior derivatives, volume forms, vector fields and Lie brackets between them, divergence of a vector field with respect to a volume form, Laplacians and associated heat kernels and heat kernel measures. Thus, although A/G is very large, it is small enough to be mathematically interesting and physically useful. A key feature of this approach is that it does not require a background metric. The geometrical framework is therefore well-suited for diffeomorphism invariant theories such as quantum general relativity.