Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Handwritten Chinese Text Recognition by Integrating Multiple Contexts

This paper presents an effective approach for the offline recognition of unconstrained handwritten Chinese texts. Under the general integrated segmentation-and-recognition framework with character oversegmentation, we investigate three important issues: candidate path evaluation, path search, and parameter estimation. For path evaluation, we combine multiple contexts (character recognition scores, geometric and linguistic contexts) from the Bayesian decision view, and convert the classifier outputs to posterior probabilities via confidence transformation. In path search, we use a refined beam search algorithm to improve the search efficiency and, meanwhile, use a candidate character augmentation strategy to improve the recognition accuracy. The combining weights of the path evaluation function are optimized by supervised learning using a Maximum Character Accuracy criterion. We evaluated the recognition performance on a Chinese handwriting database CASIA-HWDB, which contains nearly four million character samples of 7,356 classes and 5,091 pages of unconstrained handwritten texts. The experimental results show that confidence transformation and combining multiple contexts improve the text line recognition performance significantly. On a test set of 1,015 handwritten pages, the proposed approach achieved character-level accurate rate of 90.75 percent and correct rate of 91.39 percent, which are superior by far to the best results reported in the literature.
Secure Initial Configuration of Resource Constrained Wireless Smart Objects

A lack of universal initial configuration (or bootstrapping) of low-cost resource constrained wireless sensor networks (WSNs) has greatly limited interconnectivity. Traditional methods such as a central authority or a userentered passphrase are unacceptable on very resourceconstrained nodes. Many methods have been proposed; most of them only suitable in specific situations. An analysis of common problems in WSNs will lead to a set of requirements for a bootstrapping system. From there existing solutions will be compared to the requirements; the results of which are a selection of four main methods of bootstrapping. The methods are then expanded on to describe considerations for deploying them in a secure manner.
Tbx5 is essential for forelimb bud initiation following patterning of the limb field in the mouse embryo

Transcriptional cascades responsible for initiating the formation of vertebrate embryonic structures such as limbs are not well established. Limb formation occurs as a result of interplay between fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and Wnt signaling. What initiates these signaling cascades and thus limb bud outgrowth at defined locations along the anteroposterior axis of the embryo is not known. The T-box transcription factor TBX5 is important for normal heart and limb formation, but its role in early limb development is not well defined. We report that mouse embryos lacking Tbx5 do not form forelimb buds, although the patterning of the lateral plate mesoderm into the limb field is intact. Tbx5 is not essential for an early establishment of forelimb versus hindlimb identity. In the absence of Tbx5, the FGF and Wnt regulatory loops required for limb bud outgrowth are not established, including initiation of Fgf10 expression. Tbx5 directly activates the Fgf10 gene via a conserved binding site, providing a simple and direct mechanism for limb bud initiation. Lef1/Tcf1-dependent Wnt signaling is not essential for initiation of Tbx5 or Fgf10 transcription, but is required in concert with Tbx5 for maintenance of normal levels of Fgf10 expression. We conclude that Tbx5 is not essential for the early establishment of the limb field in the lateral plate mesoderm but is a primary and direct initiator of forelimb bud formation. These data suggest common pathways for the differentiation and growth of embryonic structures downstream of T-box genes.
Predictors of depressive symptoms in centenarians

The purpose of this paper was to assess depression levels and predictors of depressive symptoms in centenarians. One-hundred and thirty-six centenarians, 90 octogenarians and 89 sexagenarians from the Georgia Centenarian Study participated in this research. Family longevity, personality, social relations, activities of daily living, nutritional health behaviors and subjective health measures served as predictors of depressive symptoms. Results indicated that centenarians generally had higher levels of depression than the younger age groups. The strongest predictors of depressive symptoms were distal influences (i.e., self-rating as a student) as well as proximal variables (i.e., personality, nutritional risk, hearing impairment and health appraisal). The results suggest that a more differentiated view needs to be taken concerning depressive symptoms in the oldest old.
A study of stochastic local search algorithms for the quadratic assignment problem

In this article we present preliminary results on the comparison of stochastic local search algorithms for the Quadratic Assignment Problem. Our experimental comparison is based on re-implementations or adaptations of some high performing stochastic local search algorithms and it is done using default configurations and configurations tuned by F-race, a tool for the automatic tuning of parameters of stochastic algorithms.
Neuroprotective Effect of Low-dose Lidocaine in a Rat Model of Transient Focal Cerebral Ischemia

Background A low concentration of lidocaine (10 &mgr;m) has been shown to reduce anoxic damage in vitro. The current study examined the effect of low-dose lidocaine on infarct size in rats when administered before transient focal cerebral ischemia. Methods Male Wistar rats (weight, 280–340 g) were anesthetized with isoflurane, intubated, and mechanically ventilated. After surgical preparation, animals were assigned to lidocaine 2-day (n = 10), vehicle 2-day (n = 12), lidocaine 7-day (n = 13), and vehicle 7-day (n = 14) groups. A 1.5-mg/kg bolus dose of lidocaine was injected intravenously 30 min before ischemia in the lidocaine 2-day and 7-day groups. Thereafter, an infusion was initiated at a rate of 2 mg · kg−1 · h−1 until 60 min of reperfusion after ischemia. Rats were subjected to 90 min of focal cerebral ischemia using the intraluminal suture method. Infarct size was determined by image analysis of 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride–stained sections at 48 h or hematoxylin and eosin–stained sections 7 days after reperfusion. Neurologic outcome and body weight loss were also evaluated. Results The infarct size was significantly smaller in the lidocaine 2-day group (185.0 ± 43.7 mm3) than in the vehicle 2-day group (261.3 ± 45.8 mm3, P < 0.01). The reduction in the size of the infarct in the lidocaine 7-day group (130.4 ± 62.9 mm3) was also significant compared with the vehicle 7-day group (216.6 ± 73.6 mm3, P < 0.01). After 7 days of reperfusion, the rats in the lidocaine group demonstrated better neurologic outcomes and less weight loss. Conclusions The current study demonstrated that a clinical antiarrhythmic dose of lidocaine, when given before and during transient focal cerebral ischemia, significantly reduced infarct size, improved neurologic outcome, and inhibited postischemic weight loss.
Research on Voltage Source Converter Based DC Distribution Network

There are some problems in distribution network such as large power losses, low reliability, needing reactive power, power quality and difficult to control the power flow, etc. The VSC-HVDC is for small-scale power and long distance with flexible control and operation mode. Based on analysis of the structure, technology characteristics and application scope of VSC-HVDC and distribution network, an alternative form of VSC based distribution network is presented in this paper. The configuration, control and operation characteristics are analyzed. Simulation results based on software PSCAD/EMTDC show that the VSC based DC distribution network can operate stably and return stable quickly after faults.
Explaining Scenarios for Information Personalization

Personalization customizes information access. The PIPE (‘Personalization is Partial Evaluation’) modeling methodology represents interaction with an information space as a program. The program is then specialized to a user’s known interests or information seeking activity by the technique of partial evaluation. In this paper, we elaborate PIPE by considering requirements analysis in the personalization lifecycle. We investigate the use of scenarios as a means of identifying and analyzing personalization requirements. As our first result, we show how designing a PIPE representation can be cast as a search within a space of PIPE models, organized along a partial order. This allows us to view the design of a personalization system, itself, as specialized interpretation of an information space. We then exploit the underlying equivalence of explanation-based generalization (EBG) and partial evaluation to realize high-level goals and needs identified in scenarios; in particular, we specialize (personalize) an information space based on the explanation of a user scenario in that information space, just as EBG specializes a theory based on the explanation of an example in that theory. In this approach, personalization becomes the transformation of information spaces to support the explanation of usage scenarios. An example application is described. Word counts: Abstract (183 words), Main Text (10200), Bibliography (1092), Appendix (2375).
Ethical Thoughts on Inheritance of Original Ecological Culture of Minority Nationalities——Guizhou as an Example

The overall structure of original ecological culture of Minority Nationalities and the hope of native minority nationalities as the source of original ecological culture of minority nationalities for getting rid of poverty,catching up with modern progress,and sharing the accomplishments of present civilization account for the inner motive of inheritance and development of original ecological culture.While inheritance is regarded as an obligation for the development of original ecological culture, development becomes the inevitable way for inheritance of original ecological culture.The relationship between conservation of minority nationalities' root culture and spirit vegetation and realization of the hope of native minority nationalities as the source of original ecological culture for modernization is not mutually exclusive,but a rather dialectical unity.
Xmm-newton observation of a distant x-ray selected cluster of galaxies at z=1.26 with possible cluster interaction

We report on the XMM-Newton observation of RX J1053.7+5735, one of the most distant $(z = 1.26)$ selected clusters of galaxies, which also shows an unusual double-lobed X-ray morphology, indicative of possible cluster-cluster interaction. The cluster was discovered during our ROSAT deep pointings in the direction of the Lockman Hole. The XMM-Newton observations were performed with the European Photon Imaging Camera (EPIC) during the performance verification phase. Total effective exposure time was ~100 ksec. The best fit temperature based on a simultaneous fit of spectra from all EPIC cameras (pn+MOS) is $4.9^{+1.5}_{-0.9}$ keV. Metallicity is poorly constrained even using the joint fit of all spectra, with an upper limit on the iron abundance of 0.62 solar. Using the best fit model parameters, we derived an unabsorbed (0.2–10) keV flux of $f_{0.2-10} = 3.0 \times 10^{-14}$ erg cm -2 s -1 , corresponding to a bolometric luminosity of $L_{\rm bol} = 3.4 \times 10^{44}~ h_{50}^{-2}$ erg s -1 . Despite the fact that it was observed at fairly large off-axis angle, the temperature errors are much smaller compared with those of typical measurements based on ASCA or Beppo-Sax observations of high- z ($z > 0.6$) clusters, demonstrating the power of the XMM for determining the X-ray temperature for high- z clusters. The measured temperature and luminosity show that one can easily reach the intrinsically X-ray faint and cool cluster regime comparable with those of $z \sim 0.4$ clusters observed by past satellites. The new cluster temperature and L bol we have measured for RX J1053.7+5735 is consistent with a weak/no evolution of the L bol –$T\rm _x$ relation out to $z \sim 1.3$, which lends support to a low $\Omega_{\rm m}$ universe, although more data-points of $z > 1$ clusters are required for a more definitive statement. The caution has to be also exercised in interpreting the result, because of the uncertainty associated with the dynamical status of this cluster.
CMCC: Misuse Resistant Authenticated Encryption with Minimal Ciphertext Expansion

In some wireless environments, minimizing the size of messages is paramount due to the resulting significant energy savings. We present CMCC (CBC-MAC-CTR-CBC), an authenticated encryption scheme with associated data (AEAD) that is also nonce misuse resistant. The main focus for this work is minimizing ciphertext expansion, especially for short messages including plaintext lengths less than the underlying block cipher length (e.g., 16 bytes). For many existing AEAD schemes, a successful forgery leads directly to a loss of confidentiality. For CMCC, changes to the ciphertext randomize the resulting plaintext, thus forgeries do not necessarily result in a loss of confidentiality which allows us to reduce the length of the authentication tag. For protocols that send short messages, our scheme is similar to Synthetic Initialization Vector (SIV) mode for computational overhead but has much smaller expansion. We prove both a misuse resistant authenticated encryption (MRAE) security bound and an authenticated encryption (AE) security bound for CMCC. We also present a variation of CMCC, CWM (CMCC With MAC), which provides a further strengthening of the security bounds.
Replicated architectures for shared window systems: a critique

Replicating applications in a shared window environment can significantly improve the performance of the resulting system. Compared to a completely centralized approach, a replicated architecture offers superior response time and reduces network load. To date, however, these advantages have been overshadowed by the equally significant synchronization problems associated with replication. In this paper we document these problems and show that the most frequent synchronization problems can be solved without changing existing software. We further indicate how some of the limitations of the resulting system can be removed by making applications or system servers collaboration-aware. Finally, we point out where general system support is needed to address the remaining deficiencies.
Stochastic population oscillations in spatial predator-prey models

It is well-established that including spatial structure and stochastic noise in models for predator-prey interactions invalidates the classical deterministic Lotka–Volterra picture of neutral population cycles. In contrast, stochastic models yield long-lived, but ultimately decaying erratic population oscillations, which can be understood through a resonant amplification mechanism for density fluctuations. In Monte Carlo simulations of spatial stochastic predator-prey systems, one observes striking complex spatio-temporal structures. These spreading activity fronts induce persistent correlations between predators and prey. In the presence of local particle density restrictions (finite prey carrying capacity), there exists an extinction threshold for the predator population. The accompanying continuous non-equilibrium phase transition is governed by the directed-percolation universality class. We employ fieldtheoretic methods based on the Doi–Peliti representation of the master equation for stochastic particle interaction models to (i) map the ensuing action in the vicinity of the absorbing state phase transition to Reggeon field theory, and (ii) to quantitatively address fluctuation-induced renormalizations of the population oscillation frequency, damping, and diffusion coefficients in the species coexistence phase.
Threonine 2609 Phosphorylation of the DNA-Dependent Protein Kinase Is a Critical Prerequisite for Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor–Mediated Radiation Resistance

The EGF receptor (EGFR) contributes to tumor radioresistance, in part, through interactions with the catalytic subunit of DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PKc), a key enzyme in the nonhomologous end joining DNA repair pathway. We previously showed that EGFR-DNA-PKcs interactions are significantly compromised in the context of activating mutations in EGFR in non–small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) and human bronchial epithelial cells. Here, we investigate the reciprocal relationship between phosphorylation status of DNA-PKcs and EGFR-mediated radiation response. The data reveal that both the kinase activity of DNA-PKcs and radiation-induced phosphorylation of DNA-PKcs by the ataxia telangiectasia–mutated (ATM) kinase are critical prerequisites for EGFR-mediated radioresponse. Alanine substitutions at seven key serine/threonine residues in DNA-PKcs or inhibition of DNA-PKcs by NU7441 completely abrogated EGFR-mediated radioresponse and blocked EGFR binding. ATM deficiency or ATM inhibition with KU55933 produced a similar effect. Importantly, alanine substitution at an ATM-dependent DNA-PKcs phosphorylation site, T2609, was sufficient to block binding or radioresponse of EGFR. However, mutation of a DNA-PKcs autophosphorylation site, S2056 had no such effect indicating that DNA-PKcs autophosphorylation is not necessary for EGFR-mediated radioresponse. Our data reveal that in both NSCLCs and human bronchial epithelial cells, activating mutations in EGFR specifically abolished the DNA-PKcs phosphorylation at T2609, but not S2056. Our study underscores the critical importance of a reciprocal relationship between DNA-PKcs phosphorylation and EGFR-mediated radiation response and elucidates mechanisms underlying mutant EGFR-associated radiosensitivity in NSCLCs. Mol Cancer Res; 10(10); 1359–68. ©2012 AACR.
P300 Brain-Computer Interface Design for Communication and Control Applications

This paper introduces the design of a P300-based brain-computer interface (BCI) system. Based on this system, two applications are implemented: a word speller and a remote control device, which are to assist physically disabled people to communicate and control. A number of specific implementation techniques are proposed to achieve good performance in terms of accuracy and reliability. The word speller can achieve a spelling rate of up to 4-6 letters per minute, while both applications achieve 99% accuracy in our experiments with healthy subjects
Learning to Rank Non-Factoid Answers: Comment Selection in Web Forums

Recent initiatives in IR community have shown the importance of going beyond factoid Question Answering (QA) in order to design useful real-world applications. Questions asking for descriptions or explanations are much more difficult to be solved, e.g., the machine learning models cannot focus on specific answer words or their lexical type. Thus, researchers have started to explore powerful methods for feature engineering. Two of the most promising methods are convolution tree kernels (CTKs) and convolutional neural networks (CNNs) as they have been shown to obtain high performance in the task of answer sentence selection in factoid QA. In this paper, we design state-of-the-art models for non-factoid QA also carried out on noisy data. In particular, we study and compare models for comment selection in a community QA (cQA) scenario, where the majority of questions regard descriptions or explanations. To deal with such complex task, we incorporate relational information holding between questions and comments as well as domain-specific features into both convolutional models above. Our experiments on a cQA corpus show that both CTK and CNN achieve the state of the art, also according to a direct comparison with the results obtained by the best systems of the SemEval cQA challenge.
EPMPAC: an efficient power management protocol with adaptive clustering for wireless sensor networks

Aggregating data of several nodes in a wireless sensor networks allows us to accurately monitor a remote environment. The aim of this paper is to introduce a new protocol to reduce overall power consumption, extend network life time, and support mobile nodes in wireless sensor networks. The protocol presented here is EPMPAC (efficient power management protocol with adaptive clustering), a cluster-based protocol that distributes energy load by partitioning network to adaptive local clusters with an organizer in each. Mobility management is a salient feature of this protocol that ensures reliable communication between mobile and static nodes. Simulation results show a better performance of EPMPAC as compared to the conventional protocols.
Happy Hens, sad consumers? The Economic Impact of Restrictions on Farm Animal Housing in California

New animal welfare policies on the horizon in many states have prompted debates about the cost of achieving happier hens and hogs. A rece nt policy change in California offers a unique opportunity to measure the economic repercus sion of minimum space requirements for egg-laying hens. Using retail scan ner data from large California and nonCalifornia markets, we use difference-in-difference estimators to identify the effect of minimum space requirements on retail egg prices, qu antity sold, and sales value, while also estimating impacts of the policy change on consumer w lfare and egg producer net revenue. We estimate that the law increased egg pri ces by about 22%, decreased quantity sold by around 8%, and increased the value of sales by about 12%; the price and sales effects are statistically significant at convention al levels. In the three California markets included in our data set, consumer welfare losses a mount to approximately $30 million over the 16 weeks immediately following implementat ion of minimum space requirements while net revenue from eggs sold in the three Calif orn a markets increased by between 11% and 15% over the same time horizon. Positive impact s on producers may have been short lived, however, and were likely concentrated among producers located in California. Our results are robust to several tests of our identify i g assumptions. Overall, our findings indicate that the potential economic costs of manda ted improvements in farm animal welfare should be taken seriously when considering such policy changes.
Nonlinear Unsharp Masking for Mammogram Enhancement

This paper introduces a new unsharp masking (UM) scheme, called nonlinear UM (NLUM), for mammogram enhancement. The NLUM offers users the flexibility 1) to embed different types of filters into the nonlinear filtering operator; 2) to choose different linear or nonlinear operations for the fusion processes that combines the enhanced filtered portion of the mammogram with the original mammogram; and 3) to allow the NLUM parameter selection to be performed manually or by using a quantitative enhancement measure to obtain the optimal enhancement parameters. We also introduce a new enhancement measure approach, called the second-derivative-like measure of enhancement, which is shown to have better performance than other measures in evaluating the visual quality of image enhancement. The comparison and evaluation of enhancement performance demonstrate that the NLUM can improve the disease diagnosis by enhancing the fine details in mammograms with no a priori knowledge of the image contents. The human-visual-system-based image decomposition is used for analysis and visualization of mammogram enhancement.