Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Family of Trust Region Based Algorithms for Unconstrained Minimization with Strong Global Convergence Properties.

This paper has two aims: to exhibit very general conditions under which members of a broad class of unconstrained minimization algorithms are globally convergent in a strong sense, and to propose several new algorithms that use second derivative information and achieve such convergence. In the first part of the paper we present a general trust-region-based algorithm schema that includes an undefined step selection strategy. We give general conditions on this step selection strategy under which limit points of the algorithm will satisfy first and second order necessary conditions for unconstrained minimization. Our algorithm schema is sufficiently broad to include line search algorithms as well. Next, we show that a wide range of step selection strategies satisfy the requirements of our convergence theory. This leads us to propose several new algorithms that use second derivative information and achieve strong global convergence, including an indefinite line search algorithm, several indefinite dogleg algo.
A Survey for Mobility Big Data Analytics for Geolocation Prediction

Geolocation prediction (GP) can be applied to geolocation-based services (GBS), which could provide future services for application users and expand its field of application. Typical geolocation prediction schemes include Markov- based and Bayesian network-based methods. Emerging mobility big data (MBD) poses new challenges and opportunities for geolocation prediction. Because of the diversity of geolocation data, geolocation prediction can be divided into two primary parts: the mining popular geolocation region (MPGR), which is the first step in preprocessing geolocation data when building a geolocation prediction model (GPM); and mining personal trajectory (MPT), which is the second step in building a geolocation prediction model. This article aims to survey existing solutions for geolocation prediction in the era of mobility big data. It first introduces the concepts, classifications, and characteristics of geolocation prediction. Then it describes the basic principles and characteristics of mining popular geolocation regions and mining personal trajectory. This article also discusses challenges, opportunities, and future directions of mobility data analytics for geolocation prediction.
Intravenous Administration of Human Umbilical Cord Blood Reduces Behavioral Deficits After Stroke in Rats

Background and Purpose— Human umbilical cord blood cells (HUCBC) are rich in stem and progenitor cells. In this study we tested whether intravenously infused HUCBC enter brain, survive, differentiate, and improve neurological functional recovery after stroke in rats. In addition, we tested whether ischemic brain tissue extract selectively induces chemotaxis of HUCBC in vitro. Methods— Adult male Wistar rats were subjected to transient (2-hour) middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Experimental groups were as follows: group 1, MCAO alone (n=5); group 2, 3×106 HUCBC injected into tail vein at 24 hours after MCAO (n=6) (animals of groups 1 and 2 were killed at 14 days after MCAO); group 3, MCAO alone (n=5); group 4, MCAO injected with PBS at 1 day after stroke (n=8); and group 5, 3×106 HUCBC injected into tail vein at 7 days after MCAO (n=5). Rats of groups 3, 4, and 5 were killed at 35 days after MCAO. Behavioral tests (rotarod and Modified Neurological Severity Score [mNSS]) were performed. Immunohistochemical staining was used to identify cells derived from HUCBC. Chemotactic activity of ischemia brain tissue extracts toward HUCBC at different time points was evaluated in vitro. Results— Treatment at 24 hours after MCAO with HUCBC significantly improved functional recovery, as evidenced by the rotarod test and mNSS (P <0.05). Treatment at 7 days after MCAO with HUCBC significantly improved function only on the mNSS (P <0.05). Some HUCBC were reactive for the astrocyte marker glial fibrillary acidic protein and the neuronal markers NeuN and microtubule-associated protein 2. In vitro, significant HUCBC migration activity was present at 24 hours after MCAO (P <0.01) compared with normal brain tissue. Conclusions— Intravenously administered HUCBC enter brain, survive, migrate, and improve functional recovery after stroke. HUCBC transplantation may provide a cell source to treat stroke.
A Field Study of G2G Information Sharing in Chinese Context Based on the Layered Behavioral Model

Despite its importance in government operations, G2G information sharing remains a great challenge worldwide. While current literature examined the challenge primarily in western countries, this study was conducted to better understand the G2G information sharing in Chinese context. The in-depth field study methodology is applied based on two G2G information sharing activities. After interviewing with department officials, administrative staffs and technical staffs of government agencies, the data are analyzed based on the Layered Behavioral Model----including external environment layer, super-managerial agencies layer, inter-agency partnership layer, organizational readiness layer and individual expectation layer. Especially, it is found that GuanXi and senior management commitment are important for the success of G2G information sharing in China. As a result, the Extended Layered Behavioral Model is formed for further research. The finding will help to better identify critical characteristics and elements of G2G information sharing among government agencies.
Spatial Phase-Sweep: Increasing temporal resolution of transient imaging using a light source array

Transient imaging techniques capture the propagation of an ultra-short pulse of light through a scene, which in effect captures the optical impulse response of the scene. Recently, it has been shown that we can capture transient images using commercial, correlation imager based Time-of-Flight (ToF) systems. But the temporal resolution of these transient images are currently limited by high-speed electronics. In this paper, we propose `Spatial Phase-Sweep' (SPS), a technique that exploits the speed of light to increase the temporal resolution of transient imaging beyond the limit imposed by electronic circuits in these commercial ToF sensors. SPS uses a linear array of light sources with a controlled spatial separation between these sources. The differential positioning of these sources introduce sub nano-second time shifts in the light wavefront, improving the time resolution of captured transients. As a proof of concept, we demonstrate a prototype which improves the temporal resolution of transient imaging by a factor of 10x, without any modification to the underlying electronics.
Diffusive gas transport through flooded rice systems

A fully mechanistic model based on diffusion equations for gas transport in a flooded rice system is presented. The model has transport descriptions for various compartments in the water-saturated soil and within the plant. Plant parameters were estimated from published data and experiments independent of the validation experiment. An independent experiment is described in which the diffusion coefficient of sulfurhexafluoride (SF6) in water-saturated soil was determined. The model was validated by experiments in which transport of SF6 through soil and plant was monitored continuously by photoacoustics. The independent default settings could reasonably predict gas release dynamics in the soil-plant system. Calculated transmissivities and concentration gradients at the default settings show that transport within the soil was the most limiting step in this system, which explains why most gases are released via plant-mediated transport. The root-shoot interface represents the major resistance for gas transport within the plant. A sensitivity analysis of the model showed that gas transport in such a system is highly sensitive to the estimation of the diffusion coefficient of SF6, which helps to understand diel patterns found for greenhouse gas emissions, and to the root distribution with depth. This can be understood from the calculated transmissivities. The model is less sensitive to changes in the resistance at the root-shoot interface and in the root fraction active in gas exchange. The model thus provides an understanding of limiting steps in gas transport, but quantitative predictions of in situ gas transport rates will be difficult given the plasticity of root distribution.
Design of dispersion-managed fiber and its FWM suppression performance

We describe the design and performance of a dispersion-managed fiber (DMF) whose purpose is to suppress four-wave mixing (FWM) in a wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) system. We fabricated a 40-km-long DMF and confirmed its FWM suppression effects in a 4/spl times/10 Gbit/s WDM experiment.
Automatic 3D modelling of indoor Manhattan-world scenes from laser data

We developed an automatic technique for the reconstruction of Manhattan-world interior scenes from point clouds. Our method mainly focuses on the reduction of human intervention in the modelling process, thus it aims to a full automation of the modelling phase with a consequent optimization of the efficiency of the laser-scanning project pipeline. We refer to a reconstruction complexity typical for indoor scenes. The work flow starts with a volume sweep reconstruction of the interior from the three-dimensional point cloud. As result of a discrete translational plane sweep, the input data is segmented into separate point sets including the floor, ceiling and wall points. Consequently, each point is assigned to a surface of the volume. The ground plan contours are extracted with a cell decomposition approach after partitioning the floor surface into rectangular cells of variable size. Only cells considered suitable are added to the ground shape and unified to define the ground plan. Along the ground plan contour, the walls are raised from the floor up to the ceiling level. Finally, the interior model is enhanced by the addition of built-in feature like doors.
Brief environmental enrichment elicits metaplasticity of hippocampal synaptic potentiation in vivo

Long-term environmental enrichment (EE) elicits enduring effects on the adult brain, including altered synaptic plasticity. Synaptic plasticity may underlie memory formation and includes robust (>24 h) and weak (<2 h) forms of long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD). Most studies of the effect of EE on synaptic efficacy have examined the consequences of very prolonged EE-exposure. It is unclear whether brief exposure to EE can alter synaptic plasticity. Clarifying this issue could help develop strategies to address cognitive deficits arising from neglect in children or adults. We assessed whether short-term EE elicits alterations in hippocampal synaptic plasticity and if social context may play a role. Adult mice were exposed to EE for 14 consecutive days. We found that robust late-LTP (>24 h) and short-term depression (<2 h) at Schaffer-collateral-CA1 synapses in freely behaving mice were unaltered, whereas early-LTP (E-LTP, <2 h) was significantly enhanced by EE. Effects were transient: E-LTP returned to control levels 1 week after cessation of EE. Six weeks later, animals were re-exposed to EE for 14 days. Under these conditions, E-LTP was facilitated into L-LTP (>24 h), suggesting that metaplasticity was induced during the first EE experience and that EE-mediated modifications are cumulative. Effects were absent in mice that underwent solitary enrichment or were group-housed without EE. These data suggest that EE in naïve animals strengthens E-LTP, and also promotes L-LTP in animals that underwent EE in the past. This indicates that brief exposure to EE, particularly under social conditions can elicit lasting positive effects on synaptic strength that may have beneficial consequences for cognition that depends on synaptic plasticity.
Estimating Image Focusing in Fingerprint Scanners

This work is motivated by the need of simple and practical techniques to evaluate fingerprint scanners for non-AFIS applications. One of the characteristics that has to be considered for the evaluation of a fingerprint scanner is the capability of providing well focused images. It is common practice to indirectly estimate this characteristic by measuring the scanner modulation transfer function (MTF). Unfortunately this requires a rather complex setup and specific expensive targets. In this paper a novel index (TSI) is proposed to simply evaluate finger image focusing. The method is based on the measurement of the steepness of the ridge/valley transitions of the fingerprint impressions. The experimental results confirm the strict relation between the proposed index and the ability of a scanner to clearly focus the fingerprint.
The CaveUT system: immersive entertainment based on a game engine

We describe recent developments in the CaveUT software, which supports immersive virtual reality installations based on the Unreal Tournament game engine. CaveUT implements several high-end VR features such as real-time stereoscopy with head and hand tracking. We demonstrate the use of CaveUT in the SAS Cube™, a PC-based CAVE™-like immersive four-screen display. One of the main advantages of the system is to support fully immersive VR while retaining the game engine's advanced features for interaction and behavioral (or AI) systems. We illustrate the use of CaveUT on two installations: an artistic VR installation and an immersive interactive storytelling system.
The minimum transition hypothesis for intermittent hierarchical motor control

In intermittent control, instead of continuously calculating the control signal, the controller occasionally changes this signal at certain sparse points in time. The control law may include feedback, adaptation, optimization, or any other control strategies. When, where, and how does the brain employ intermittency as it controls movement? These are open questions in motor neuroscience. Evidence for intermittency in human motor control has been repeatedly observed in the neural control of movement literature. Moreover, some researchers have provided theoretical models to address intermittency. Even so, the vast majority of current models, and I would dare to say the dogma in most of the current motor neuroscience literature involves continuous control. In this paper, I focus on an area in which intermittent control has not yet been thoroughly considered, the structure of muscle synergies. A synergy in the muscle space is a group of muscles activated together by a single neural command. Under the assumption that the motor control is intermittent, I present the minimum transition hypothesis (MTH) and its predictions with regards to the structure of muscle synergies. The MTH asserts that the purpose of synergies is to minimize the effort of the higher level in the hierarchy by minimizing the number of transitions in an intermittent control signal. The implications of the MTH are not only for the structure of the muscle synergies but also to the intermittent and hierarchical nature of the motor system, with various predictions as to the process of skill learning, and important implications to the design of brain machine interfaces and human robot interaction.
Crucial factors in the origins of word-meaning

We have been conducting large-scale public experiments with artificial robotic agents to explore what the necessary and sufficient prerequisites are for word-meaning pairs to evolve autonomously in a population of agents through a self-organized process. We focus not so much on the question of why language has evolved but rather on how. There are many good reasons to use language once it has come into existence; for example, for establishing and maintaining group coherence, for transmission of cultural knowledge like tool use, etc. But these reasons only explain why verbal behavior is reinforced, it does not explain how this verbal behavior might emerge or complexify. Our hypothesis is that when agents engage in particular interactive behaviors which in turn require specific cognitive structures, they automatically arrive at a language system. This interactive behavior should be a natural outgrowth of cooperative behavior (if this were not the case, the behavior would be unlikely to emerge), and the cognitive structures should be simple enough to have evolved for other purposes as well (preadaptation). Our main task is therefore to identify precisely what this behavior is and what cognitive structures are required for it.
STURM-LIOUVILLE MATRIX EQUATION FOR THE STUDY OF ELECTROMAGNETIC-WAVES PROPAGATION IN LAYERED ANISOTROPIC MEDIA

We obtain a Sturm-Lioville matrix equation of motion (SLME) for the study of electromagnetic wave propagation in layered anisotropic structures. Conducting media were taken into account so that ohmic loss is considered. This equation can be treated using a 4 × 4 associated transfer matrix (T) in layered anisotropic structures, where the tensors: permittivity, permeability and the electric conductivity have a piecewise dependence on the coordinate perpendicular to the layered structure. We use the SLME eigenfunctions and eigenvalues to analyze qualitatively the numerical instability (Ωd problem) which potentially affects practical applications of the transfer matrix method. By means of the SLME coefficients we show analytically that T determinant value can be used to keep a check on the numerical accuracy of calculations. We derive equations to analyze wave propagation in linear layered isotropic structures. The SLME approach is applied on two typical layered structures to verify theoretical predictions and experimental results.
Point Mutations in GLI3 Lead to Misregulation of its Subcellular Localization

Background Mutations in the transcription factor GLI3, a downstream target of Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) signaling, are responsible for the development of malformation syndromes such as Greig-cephalopolysyndactyly-syndrome (GCPS), or Pallister-Hall-syndrome (PHS). Mutations that lead to loss of function of the protein and to haploinsufficiency cause GCPS, while truncating mutations that result in constitutive repressor function of GLI3 lead to PHS. As an exception, some point mutations in the C-terminal part of GLI3 observed in GCPS patients have so far not been linked to loss of function. We have shown recently that protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) regulates the nuclear localization and transcriptional activity a of GLI3 function. Principal Findings We have shown recently that protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) and the ubiquitin ligase MID1 regulate the nuclear localization and transcriptional activity of GLI3. Here we show mapping of the functional interaction between the MID1-α4-PP2A complex and GLI3 to a region between amino acid 568-1100 of GLI3. Furthermore we demonstrate that GCPS-associated point mutations, that are located in that region, lead to misregulation of the nuclear GLI3-localization and transcriptional activity. GLI3 phosphorylation itself however appears independent of its localization and remains untouched by either of the point mutations and by PP2A-activity, which suggests involvement of an as yet unknown GLI3 interaction partner, the phosphorylation status of which is regulated by PP2A activity, in the control of GLI3 subcellular localization and activity. Conclusions The present findings provide an explanation for the pathogenesis of GCPS in patients carrying C-terminal point mutations, and close the gap in our understanding of how GLI3-genotypes give rise to particular phenotypes. Furthermore, they provide a molecular explanation for the phenotypic overlap between Opitz syndrome patients with dysregulated PP2A-activity and syndromes caused by GLI3-mutations.
Evaluation of String Distance Algorithms for Dialectology

We examine various string distance measures for suitability in modeling dialect distance, especially its perception. We find measures superior which do not normalize for word length, but which are are sensitive to order. We likewise find evidence for the superiority of measures which incorporate a sensitivity to phonological context, realized in the form of n-grams--although we cannot identify which form of context (bigram, trigram, etc.) is best. However, we find no clear benefit in using gradual as opposed to binary segmental difference when calculating sequence distances.
ForC, a novel type of formin family protein lacking an FH1 domain, is involved in multicellular development in Dictyostelium discoideum

Formins are highly conserved regulators of cytoskeletal organization and share three regions of homology: the FH1, FH2 and FH3 domains. Of the nine known formin genes or pseudogenes carried by Dictyostelium, forC is novel in that it lacks an FH1 domain. Mutant Dictyostelium lacking forC (ΔforC) grew normally during the vegetative phase and, when starved, migrated normally and formed tight aggregates. Subsequently, however, ΔforC cells made aberrant fruiting bodies with short stalks and sori that remained unlifted. ΔforC aggregates were also unable to migrate as slugs, suggesting forC is involved in mediating cell movement during multicellular stages of Dictyostelium development. Consistent with this idea, expression of forC was increased significantly in aggregates of wild-type cells. GFP-ForC expressed in ΔforC cells was localized at the crowns, which are macropinocytotic structures rich in F-actin, suggesting that, like other formin isoforms, ForC functions in close relation with the actin cytoskeleton. Truncation analysis of GFP-ForC revealed that the FH3 domain is required for ForC localization; moreover, localization of a truncated GFP-ForC mutant at the site of contacts between cells on substrates and along the cortex of cells within a multicellular culminant suggests that ForC is involved in the local actin cytoskeletal reorganization mediating cell-cell adhesion.
Modular transactional memory

Software transactional memory has the potential to greatly simplify development of concurrent software, by supporting safe composition of concurrent shared-state abstractions. However, STM semantics are defined in terms of low-level reads and writes on individual memory locations, so implementations are unable to take advantage of the properties of user-defined abstractions. Consequently, the performance of transactions over some structures can be disappointing. We present Modular Transactional Memory, our framework which allows programmers to extend STM with concurrency control algorithms tailored to the data structures they use in concurrent programs. We describe our implementation in Concurrent Haskell, and two example structures: a finite map which allows concurrent transactions to operate on disjoint sets of keys, and a non-deterministic channel which supports concurrent sources and sinks. Our approach is based on previous work by others on boosted and open-nested transactions, with one significant development: transactions are given types which denote the concurrency control algorithms they employ. Typed transactions offer a higher level of assurance for programmers reusing transactional code, and allow more flexible abstract concurrency control.