Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ZooKeeper: Wait-free Coordination for Internet-scale Systems

In this paper, we describe ZooKeeper, a service for coordinating processes of distributed applications. Since ZooKeeper is part of critical infrastructure, ZooKeeper aims to provide a simple and high performance kernel for building more complex coordination primitives at the client. It incorporates elements from group messaging, shared registers, and distributed lock services in a replicated, centralized service. The interface exposed by Zoo-Keeper has the wait-free aspects of shared registers with an event-driven mechanism similar to cache invalidations of distributed file systems to provide a simple, yet powerful coordination service. The ZooKeeper interface enables a high-performance service implementation. In addition to the wait-free property, ZooKeeper provides a per client guarantee of FIFO execution of requests and linearizability for all requests that change the ZooKeeper state. These design decisions enable the implementation of a high performance processing pipeline with read requests being satisfied by local servers. We show for the target workloads, 2:1 to 100:1 read to write ratio, that ZooKeeper can handle tens to hundreds of thousands of transactions per second. This performance allows ZooKeeper to be used extensively by client applications.
On the Complexity of Mining Itemsets from the Crowd Using Taxonomies

We study the problem of frequent itemset mining in domains where data is not recorded in a conventional database but only exists in human knowledge. We provide examples of such scenarios, and present a crowdsourcing model for them. The model uses the crowd as an oracle to find out whether an itemset is frequent or not, and relies on a known taxonomy of the item domain to guide the search for frequent itemsets. In the spirit of data mining with oracles, we analyze the complexity of this problem in terms of (i) crowd complexity, that measures the number of crowd questions required to identify the frequent itemsets; and (ii) computational complexity, that measures the computational effort required to choose the questions. We provide lower and upper complexity bounds in terms of the size and structure of the input taxonomy, as well as the size of a concise description of the output itemsets. We also provide constructive algorithms that achieve the upper bounds, and consider more efficient variants for practical situations.
Hyperspectral image classification via kernel sparse representation

In this paper, a new technique for hyperspectral image classification is proposed. Our approach relies on the sparse representation of a test sample with respect to all training samples in a feature space induced by a kernel function. Projecting the samples into the feature space and kernelizing the sparse representation improves the separability of the data and thus yields higher classification accuracy compared to the more conventional linear sparsity-based classification algorithm. Moreover, the spatial coherence across neighboring pixels is also incorporated through a kernelized joint sparsity model, where all of the pixels within a small neighborhood are sparsely represented in the feature space by selecting a few common training samples. Two greedy algorithms are also provided in this paper to solve the kernel versions of the pixel-wise and jointly sparse recovery problems. Experimental results show that the proposed technique outperforms the linear sparsity-based classification technique and the classical Support Vector Machine classifiers.
Global clock synchronization in sensor networks

Global synchronization is important for many sensor network applications that require precise mapping of collected sensor data with the time of the events, for example, in tracking and surveillance. It also plays an important role in energy conservation in MAC layer protocols. This paper describes four methods to achieve global synchronization in a sensor network: a node-based approach, a hierarchical cluster-based method, a diffusion-based method, and a fault-tolerant diffusion-based method. The diffusion-based protocol is fully localized. We present two implementations of the diffusion-based protocol for synchronous and asynchronous systems and prove its convergence. Finally, we show that, by imposing some constraints on the sensor network, global clock synchronization can be achieved in the presence of malicious nodes that exhibit Byzantine failures.
Competence semantics: engineering and application

Competence semantics is a descriptive and computational framework for modelling and processing competences for human resource management and development. Different from all other approaches to competence models, it seeks to represent explicitly the meanings or intensions of competence. It recognises that natural language is the essential medium of communication about competence for knowledge and information management. It thus addresses the semantics of competence on the basis of the structure of natural language. Architected in six viewpoints on two layers of representation, a knowledge base of competence semantics is built methodically from the competence specification in French national occupation and competence framework. It is used for the competence-based job match on a nontrivial collection of real life data. The trial demonstrates a unique advantage in the technical capability in interpreting and comparing competence data meaningfully, in consideration of generalisations of knowledge and specifics of data in contexts as well.
Streaming Sparse Principal Component Analysis

This paper considers estimating the leading k principal components with at most s non-zero attributes from p-dimensional samples collected sequentially in memory limited environments. We develop and analyze two memory and computational efficient algorithms called streaming sparse PCA and streaming sparse ECA for analyzing data generated according to the spike model and the elliptical model respectively. In particular, the proposed algorithms have memory complexity O(pk), computational complexity O(pk min {k,s log p}) and sample complexity Θ(s log p). We provide their finite sample performance guarantees, which implies statistical consistency in the high dimensional regime. Numerical experiments on synthetic and realworld datasets demonstrate good empirical performance of the proposed algorithms.
Genome-wide survey of DNA-binding proteins in Arabidopsis thaliana: analysis of distribution and functions

The interaction of proteins with their respective DNA targets is known to control many high-fidelity cellular processes. Performing a comprehensive survey of the sequenced genomes for DNA-binding proteins (DBPs) will help in understanding their distribution and the associated functions in a particular genome. Availability of fully sequenced genome of Arabidopsis thaliana enables the review of distribution of DBPs in this model plant genome. We used profiles of both structure and sequence-based DNA-binding families, derived from PDB and PFam databases, to perform the survey. This resulted in 4471 proteins, identified as DNA-binding in Arabidopsis genome, which are distributed across 300 different PFam families. Apart from several plant-specific DNA-binding families, certain RING fingers and leucine zippers also had high representation. Our search protocol helped to assign DNA-binding property to several proteins that were previously marked as unknown, putative or hypothetical in function. The distribution of Arabidopsis genes having a role in plant DNA repair were particularly studied and noted for their functional mapping. The functions observed to be overrepresented in the plant genome harbour DNA-3-methyladenine glycosylase activity, alkylbase DNA N-glycosylase activity and DNA-(apurinic or apyrimidinic site) lyase activity, suggesting their role in specialized functions such as gene regulation and DNA repair.
Measurement of Straightness for Two-Dimensional Translatory Stage

The large scaled and high accurate 2D-stage is necessary for nanomanufacturing. In order to measure the position of stage, two direction sensors are used. These sensors measure the displacement from the metrological frame. However in nanometer application, as the profile error of metrological frame is comparable with the accuracy of 2D-stage, it is not negligible. Therefore the measuring result includes the displacement of stages and the profile error of metrological frame. So the multi-probe method is applied in one-dimensional measurement to separate the displacement error from the profile error of the metrological frame. In the multi-probe method, the zero adjustment error cannot be removed. So this article proposes a new method which separates the displacement of 2D-stage from the profile errors of the metrological frames in two directions. In this article, as the laser interferometer is used as the sensor, the measuring data is assumed as the shape of the axis of stages mixed with the profile error of the reference mirror in laser interferometer. The relationship during the measuring data, the shape of the axis and the profile error is described. The shape of axis of stage and the profile error of mirror are derived from the measuring result in experiment.
Exploiting Local Orientation Similarity for Efficient Ray Traversal of Hair and Fur

Hair and fur typically consist of a large number of thin, curved, and densely packed strands which are difficult to ray trace efficiently. A tight fitting spatial data structure, such as a bounding volume hierarchy (BVH), is needed to quickly determine which hair a ray hits. However, the large number of hairs can yield a BVH with a large memory footprint (particularly when hairs are pre-tessellated), and curved or diagonal hairs cannot be tightly bounded within axis aligned bounding boxes. In this paper, we describe an approach to ray tracing hair and fur with improved efficiency, by combining parametrically defined hairs with a BVH that uses both axis-aligned and oriented bounding boxes. This BVH exploits similarity in the orientation of neighboring hairs to increase ray culling efficiency compared to purely axis-aligned BVHs. Our approach achieves about 2x the performance of ray tracing pre-tessellated hair models, while requiring significantly less memory.
Generalized Linear Mixed Models for Reliability Analysis of Multi-Copy Repairable Systems

The power law process (PLP) is usually applied to failure data from a single repairable system. When a system has a number of copies for analysis, the usual approach is to assume homogeneity among all system copies, and then to pool data from these copies. In the real world, however, it may be more reasonable to assume heterogeneity among the system copies. Therefore, this paper proposes a new generalized linear mixed model (GLMM), called PLP-GLMM, to analyse failure data from multi-copy repairable systems. In the PLP-GLMM, the underlying model for each system copy is assumed to be a PLP at Stage 1, and parameters vary among copies at Stage 2. The PLP-GLMM can make inferences about both the population, and each system copy when accounting for copy-to-copy variance. A modified Anderson-Darling test is adapted to the goodness-of-fit test of the PLP-GLMM. A numerical application is given to show the effectiveness of the model
A low-cost rotational infrared scanner for cylindrical object diameter measurement

This paper presents a new approach in determining the diameter of cylindrical object based on the available two triangles formation technique. The proposed hardware-software system is useful to be implemented on an unmanned aerial vehicle platform in the agriculture field for row detection and navigation techniques based on simultaneous localization and mapping technique as it offers a lightweight system, hassle-free computation and yet a practical and efficient approach. This approach is proposed purposely for small-scaled unmanned aerial vehicle where substantial devices or equipments is unwelcome due to its enormous weight and size. The most efficient way to detect and measure the diameter size of the trees in the agriculture field is by applying the precise laser range finder as well as combines it with other possible sensors such as vision sensors in many approaches before. Unfortunately, the available commercial product of a laser range finder is found to be expensive, bulky and all the data is acquired through a universal serial bus communication protocol which proves to be impractical for on-board UAV detection and navigation implementation as computer and robust processors is necessitated. Thus, in our innovative research, a non-intrusive infrared sensor is used as it offers a narrow beam for edge detection of the cylindrical object (treated as the tree). This sensor is mounted on a digital servo motor to imitate the rotational operation of the available laser range finder in the market. Series of experiments are executed on varying diameter of cylindrical objects, and the effectiveness and efficiency of this approach are carried out. It is found that, this technique is usable in determining the size of the cylindrical objects with a minimal and acceptable error as well as the outcome is comparable with other approaches.
[Controlled randomized trial on therapeutic effects of acupotomy-injection combined with Feng's spinal manipulation (FSM) for cervical spondylotic radiculopathy].

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the therapeutic effects of acupotomy-injection with FENG Tian-you spinal manipulation (FSM) for treating cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR). METHODS Seventy-two patients with CSR were randomly divided into two groups (n = 36 respectively): treatment and control group. The patients in treatment group were treated with acupotomy-injection combined with FSM, and patients in control group were treated with traction. All the patients were followed up for 3 months after treatment and the therapeutic effects were evaluated. RESULTS Totally there were 72 patients and 69 completed the treatment and the other 3 patients withdraw from treatment. In treatment group, 24 patients were cured, 6 patients had remarkable effects, 4 effective and 2 ineffective; as well in control group, above data were 15, 3, 10 and 8 respectively. The comprehensive effects and the cured patients in the treatment group were obviously better than those of control group (P < 0.05). The comparison of scales for assessment of symptoms and short-form McGill Pain Questionaire before and after treatment in two groups had significant differences (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION The method of acupotomy-injection combined with FSM for treating CSR is better than conventional traction method.
Effects of medial prefrontal cortical injections of GABA receptor agonists and antagonists on the local and nucleus accumbens dopamine responses to stress

Stress stimulates dopamine (DA) release in nucleus accumbens (NAcc) but will do so more strongly in medial prefrontal cortex (PFC). Evidence indicates, however, that the cortical DA response to stress acts to dampen the concurrent increase in NAcc DA release. In the present study, we used voltammetry to investigate the role of PFC GABA in regulating the NAcc DA response to stress. The results of Experiment 1 show that the NAcc stress response is inhibited following bilateral cortical microinjections of baclofen (GABAB receptor agonist). While phaclofen (GABAB receptor antagonist) blocked the effect of baclofen, it had no significant effect of its own. Intra‐PFC injections of muscimol (GABAA receptor agonist) and bicuculline (GABAA receptor antagonist) had no effect on the DA stress response in NAcc. In Experiment 2, we explored the possibility that GABA influences the NAcc DA stress response indirectly by modulating stress‐induced DA release in PFC. None of the drugs tested had an effect on the PFC stress response at a dose (1 nmol) that produced reliable effects on the NAcc stress response. At an order of magnitude higher dose, however, locally applied phaclofen and muscimol enhanced and attenuated, respectively, the DA stress response in PFC. These results were validated in Experiment 3 by showing that intra‐PFC injections of GBR‐12395 (DA uptake blocker) and quinpirole (D2/D3 receptor agonist) dose‐dependently enhanced and inhibited, respectively, the local DA stress response. Together, these findings indicate that increased GABA transmission in PFC exerts an inhibitory influence on the NAcc DA response to stress, and that this action is mediated primarily but not exclusively by GABAB receptors which may be located both on cortical output neurons and on DA terminals. Synapse 32:288–300, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Feasibility of Deploying Biometric Encryption in Mobile Cloud Computing

Biometric Encryption (BE) is a new issue in the information security field which is based on biometric identification and cryptosystems and it will be a key research subject in the future. At the same time the development of cloud computing is not restricted to PC anymore, some cloud computing services for mobile terminals such as cell phones have already appeared due to the booming of mobile internet. However, security problems still exists in mobile cloud computing (MCC) inherited from cloud computing and mechanisms are needed to cope with these problems. In this paper, we examine various aspects of using BE in MCC to solve security problems: first, we describe the background and related work of BE and MCC, and second we demonstrate several scenarios of deploying BE in MCC. Specifically, we analyze the new critical issues in these situations that can be used by an adversary to disable the operation of cloud computing environment. We then discuss different BE methods that applying in MCC, and explore scenarios where each method shows its strengths and weaknesses. In particular, we address the problem of using BE to protect privacy for users in MCC. Further, we propose an advanced protocol that employ BE for transferring private data in cloud computing environment, and design a conceptual cloud platform supporting biometric authentication to serve as future data center.
Process optimization of devulcanization of waste rubber powder from syringe stoppers by twin screw extruder using response surface methodology

Response surface methodology was used to predict the optimal processing parameters viz. barrel temperature and screw speed in a counter-rotating twin screw extruder for devulcanization of rubber powder obtained from factory waste of medical syringe stoppers. Central composite rotatable design for two variables at five levels was chosen as the experimental design. The results obtained after measuring the responses were fitted as two-variable second-order equations. The corresponding contour plot, response surface plot, Pareto chart, and main effect plot were plotted and analyzed. Optimum properties were predicted at temperature 180°C and screw speed 27 rpm, which was confirmed experimentally. POLYM. COMPOS. , 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers
Multiple Human Tracking in RGB-D Data: A Survey

Multiple human tracking (MHT) is a fundamental task in many computer vision applications. Appearance-based approaches, primarily formulated on RGB data, are constrained and affected by problems arising from occlusions and/or illumination variations. In recent years, the arrival of cheap RGB-Depth (RGB-D) devices has {led} to many new approaches to MHT, and many of these integrate color and depth cues to improve each and every stage of the process. In this survey, we present the common processing pipeline of these methods and review their methodology based (a) on how they implement this pipeline and (b) on what role depth plays within each stage of it. We identify and introduce existing, publicly available, benchmark datasets and software resources that fuse color and depth data for MHT. Finally, we present a brief comparative evaluation of the performance of those works that have applied their methods to these datasets.
Neighborhood Growth Dynamics on the Hamming Plane

We initiate the study of general neighborhood growth dynamics on two dimensional Hamming graphs. The decision to add a point is made by counting the currently occupied points on the horizontal and the vertical line through it, and checking whether the pair of counts lies outside a fixed Young diagram. We focus on two related extremal quantities. The first is the size of the smallest set that eventually occupies the entire plane. The second is the minimum of an energy-entropy functional that comes from the scaling of the probability of eventual full occupation versus the density of the initial product measure within a rectangle. We demonstrate the existence of this scaling and study these quantities for large Young diagrams.
Photonic integrated circuit-based imaging system for SPIDER

The Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology Center and the University of California at Davis (UC Davis) has developed an interferometric imaging system based on photonic integrated circuits (PICs). This approach could enable a new hardware architecture with a 10x to 100x reduction in size and weight compared to traditional imaging systems, particularly targeted for space applications. The current PIC design consists of a three-layer system of waveguides, arrayed waveguide gratings (AWGs) and multi-mode interferometers (MMIs) that link 12 interferometric baselines to measure the phase and amplitude of the mutual intensity of an extended object. A series of lenslets couple light into 24 input waveguides on one edge of the PIC. On the opposite side there are 206 interferometer output ports that provide the fringe data for creating images. In this paper we will describe the photonic integrated circuit design and the testbed used to create the first images of extended scenes. We will also summarize the image reconstruction steps and present the final images.
Analysis of XACML policies with ASP

Security policy administrators face difficulties to ensure that the policies they specify in XACML correspond to what they intend to formulate and to understand their overall effect. This paper proposes a logic-based XACML3.0 analysis solution using Answer Set Programming (ASP) where Ansprolog is used to model the XACML decision process and an ASP solver is employed in an innovative way to perform logical reasoning on access control policies such as detecting conflicts in a multi-organizational context.
Developing a CPD Framework in a time of organisational cultural conflict

The need for continual organisational improvement is of critical importance for organisations like that of children’s integrated services where there is both a legal and moral authority to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children. However, the implementation of children’s integrated services since 2004 has produced a series of challenges in the forms of contextual barriers, changing political climates, organisational change and cultural issues (Robinson et al., 2008). A perennial challenge for children’s services has been the ability to meet the CPD needs of the various professions that constitute its workforce without seemingly destabilising the wider organisational norms and beliefs. This paper specifically focuses on the current development of a CPD framework for an entire children’s integrated workforce, and the impact the organisational culture, as well as the professional sub-cultures are having. Reference will be made to members of the workforce being cultural carriers and the role of leaders in relation to organisational change (Schein, 1993 and Lucas and Kline, 2008). In seeking to answer the real world problem of developing a CPD framework for multiple professions within a single organisation, the paper will identify the factors that need to be taken into account.