Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Improving Text Retrieval Accuracy Using a Graph of Terms

It has been demonstrated that a way to increase the number of relevant documents returned by an informational query performed on a Web repository is to expand the original query with additional knowledge, for instance coded through other topic-related terms. In this paper we propose a new technique to build automatically, through the probabilistic topic model and given a small set of documents on a topic, the expansion of a query based on a mixed Graph of Terms (mGT ) representation composed of two levels: the conceptual level, a set of interconnected terms representing concepts (undirected edges), and the word level composed of the cloud of interconnected words specifying a concept (directed edges). A mGT can be automatically learnt from a small set of documents through two learning stages and thanks to the probabilistic topic model. We have evaluated the performance through a comparison between our searching methodology and a classic one which considers the query expansion formed of only the list of concepts and words composing the graph and so where relations have not been considered. The results obtained show that our system, independently of the topic, is able to retrieve more relevant web pages.
Optimal error of query sets under the differentially-private matrix mechanism

A common goal of privacy research is to release synthetic data that satisfies a formal privacy guarantee and can be used by an analyst in place of the original data. To achieve reasonable accuracy, a synthetic data set must be tuned to support a specified set of queries accurately, sacrificing fidelity for other queries. This work considers methods for producing synthetic data under differential privacy and investigates what makes a set of queries "easy" or "hard" to answer. We consider answering sets of linear counting queries using the matrix mechanism [18], a recent differentially-private mechanism that can reduce error by adding complex correlated noise adapted to a specified workload. Our main result is a novel lower bound on the minimum total error required to simultaneously release answers to a set of workload queries. The bound reveals that the hardness of a query workload is related to the spectral properties of the workload when it is represented in matrix form. The bound is most informative for (ε Δ)-differential privacy but also applies to ε-differential privacy.
Event Recognition on News Stories and Semi-Automatic Population of an Ontology

This paper describes a system which recognizes events on news stories. Our system classifies stories and populates a hand-crafted ontology with new instances of classes defined in it. Currently, our system recognizes events which can be classified as belonging to a single category and it also recognizes overlapping events within one article (more than one event is recognized). In each case, the system provides a confidence value associated to the suggested classification. Our system uses Information Extraction and Machine Learning technologies. The system was tested using a corpus of 200 news articles from an archive of electronic news stories describing the academic life of the Knowledge Media (KMi). In particular, these news stories describe events such as a project award, publications, visits, etc.)
It Will Never Happen to Me

All contents are Copyright © 1992 2010 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. This document is Cisco Public Information. Page 1 of 4 Today, with new innovations arriving into the scenes at breakneck pace, most businesses are held ransom in a competitive “ball-and-chain” scenario – by complex business processes further entwined in a deep, perilous reliance on Information Technology (IT). In particular, for Smalland MediumBusinesses (SMBs), most do not have a contingency plan or any response mechanisms to fall back on when a crisis strikes, and this can be attributed to certain some popular beliefs which include:
KERNEL TEMPORAL DIFFERENCES FOR REINFORCEMENT LEARNING WITH APPLICATIONS TO BRAIN MACHINE INTERFACES

of Dissertation Presented to the Graduate School of the University of Florida in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy KERNEL TEMPORAL DIFFERENCES FOR REINFORCEMENT LEARNING WITH APPLICATIONS TO BRAIN MACHINE INTERFACES By Jihye Bae August 2013 Chair: Jose C. Principe Major: Electrical and Computer Engineering Reinforcement learning brain machine interfaces (RLBMI) have been shown to be a promising avenue for practical implementations of BMIs. In the RLBMI, a computer agent and a user in the environment cooperate and learn co-adaptively. An essential component in the agent is the neural decoder which translates the neural states of the user into control actions for the external device in the environment. However, to realize the advantages of the RLBMI in practice, there are several challenges that need to be addressed. First, the neural decoder must be able to handle high dimensional neural states containing spatial-temporal information. Second, the mapping from neural states to actions must be flexible enough without making strong assumptions. Third, the computational complexity of the decoder should be reasonable such that real time implementations are feasible. Fourth, it should be robust in the presence of outliers or perturbations in the environment. We introduce algorithms that take into account these four issues. To efficiently handle the high dimensional state spaces, we adopt the temporal difference (TD) learning which allows the learning of the state value function using function approximation. For a flexible decoder, we propose the use of kernel base representations which provides nonlinear extensions of TD(λ) which we call kernel temporal difference (KTD)(λ). Two key advantages of KTD(λ) are its nonlinear functional approximation capabilities and convergence guarantees that gracefully emerge as
QoS-aware resource allocation for stream processing engines using priority channels

This paper addresses the challenging problem of guaranteeing quality-of-service (QoS) requirements associated with parallel running queries in distributed stream processing engines. In such platforms, the real-time processing of streaming data often requires executing a set of user-defined queries over continues data flows. However, previous studies showed that guaranteeing QoS enforcement (such as end-to-end response time) for a collection of applications is a complex problem. This paper presents an advanced resource allocation strategy to tackle such a problem by considering the traffic pattern of individual data streams. To properly allocate resource for streaming queries execution, we define a certain number of priority channels to categorize the streaming data across the system. The resource allocation is addressed as an optimization problem where a set of cost functions is defined to achieve the following goals: a) reduce the sum of QoS violation incidents across all applications; b) increase the CPU utilization level, and (c) avoid the additional costs caused by frequent reconfigurations. The proposed solution does not depend on any assumption about the incoming data rate or the query processing time. The performance of the proposed solution is benchmarked, and the experimental results reveal that the proposed scheme increases the overall resource utilization by 23% on average and reduces the QoS violations by 29% against round-robin strategy. It could also prevent QoS violation incidents at different levels by tuning the cost function.
The TRP Superfamily of Cation Channels

The transient receptor potential (TRP) protein superfamily consists of a diverse group of cation channels that bear structural similarities to Drosophila TRP. TRP channels play important roles in nonexcitable cells; however, an emerging theme is that many TRP-related proteins are expressed predominantly in the nervous system and function in sensory physiology. The TRP superfamily is divided into seven subfamilies, the first of which is composed of the "classical" TRPs" (TRPC subfamily). Some TRPCs may be store-operated channels, whereas others appear to be activated by production of diacylglycerol or regulated through an exocytotic mechanism. Many members of a second subfamily (TRPV) function in sensory physiology and respond to heat, changes in osmolarity, odorants, and mechanical stimuli. Two members of the TRPM family function in sensory perception and three TRPM proteins are chanzymes, which contain C-terminal enzyme domains. The fourth and fifth subfamilies, TRPN and TRPA, include proteins with many ankyrin repeats. TRPN proteins function in mechanotransduction, whereas TRPA1 is activated by noxious cold and is also required for the auditory response. In addition to these five closely related TRP subfamilies, which comprise the Group 1 TRPs, members of the two Group 2 TRP subfamilies, TRPP and TRPML, are distantly related to the group 1 TRPs. Mutations in the founding members of these latter subfamilies are responsible for human diseases. Each of the TRP subfamilies are represented by members in worms and flies, providing the potential for using genetic approaches to characterize the normal functions and activation mechanisms of these channels. The Drosophila transient receptor potential (trp) locus was discovered about 35 years ago on the basis of its critical role in visual transduction. For many years, the molecular identity and function of the TRP protein were enigmatic. However, we now know that TRP is the defining member of large superfamily of Ca2+-permeable cation channels that are conserved from worms to humans. Members of the TRP superfamily function in various processes, although their roles are best established in sensory modalities ranging from vision to hearing, taste, pheromone detection, pain perception, and osmosensation. The mechanisms underlying the activation of these cation channels are diverse. Some are receptor-operated channels, whereas others appear to be gated by changes in osmolarity, pH, or temperature. Investigations into the functions and modes of activation of TRP-related proteins have relevance for human health, because mutations in at least three members of the TRP superfamily are responsible for human diseases. This STKE Review includes 4 figures, 5 tables, and 324 citations.
Using Remotely-Sensed Land Cover and Distribution Modeling to Estimate Tree Species Migration in the Pacific Northwest Region of North America

Understanding future tree species migration is challenging due to the unprecedented rate of climate change combined with the presence of human barriers that may limit or impede species movement. Projected changes in climatic conditions outpace migration rates, and more realistic rates of range expansion are needed to make sound environmental policies. In this paper, we develop a modeling approach that takes into account both the geographic changes in the area suitable for the growth and reproduction of tree species, as well as limits imposed geographically on their potential migration using remotely-sensed land cover information. To do so, we combined a physiologically-based decision tree model with a remotely-sensed-derived diffusion-dispersal model to identify the most likely direction of future migration for 15 native tree species in the Pacific Northwest Region of North America, as well as the degree that landscape fragmentation might limit movement. Although projected changes in climate through to 2080 are likely to create favorable environments for range expansion of the 15 tree species by 65% on average, by limiting the potential movement by previously published migration rates and landscape fragmentation, range expansion will likely be 50%–90% of the potential. The hybrid modeling approach using distribution modeling and remotely-sensed data fills a gap between naive and more complex approaches to take into account major impediments on the potential migration of native tree species.
Development of an optimizing compiler for a Fujitsu fixed-point digital signal processor

A common design methodology for embedded DSP systems is the integration of one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), program memory, and ASIC circuitry onto a single IC. Consequently, program memory size being limited, the criterion for optimality is that the embedded software must be very dense. We describe the development of an optimizing compiler, based on a retargetable compiler infrastructure, for the Fujitsu Elixir, a fixed-point DSP that is primarily used in cellular telephones. For small DSP benchmark programs (25-90 lines of C code), the average ratio of the size of compiler-generated code to the size of hand-written assembly code is 1.18. For a much larger program (more than 800 lines of C code), the ratio of the size of compiled code to the size of hand-written code is similar (1.14).
Hangman’s Fracture: A Biomechanical Comparison of Stabilization Techniques

Study Design. In vitro biomechanical flexibility experiment studying 5 sequential conditions. Objective. To determine the biomechanical differences among 3 fixation techniques after a simulated hangman’s fracture. Summary of Background Data. Type II hangman’s fractures are often treated surgically with a C2–C3 anterior cervical discectomy, fusion, and plating. Other techniques include direct fixation with C2 pars interarticularis screws or posterior C2–C3 fixation connecting C2 pars screws to C3 lateral mass screws. Methods. Seven cadaveric specimens (Oc–C4) were tested intact, after a simulated hangman’s fracture, and after each fixation technique. Flexion, extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation were induced using nonconstraining torques while recording angular motions stereophotogrammetrically. Results. Direct screw fixation reduced motion an average of 61% ± 13% during lateral bending and axial rotation compared to the injured state (P < 0.007). However, instability remained during flexion and extension. Posterior C2–C3 rod fixation provided significantly greater rigidity than anterior plate fixation during lateral bending (P < 0.008) and axial rotation (P < 0.04). Conclusions. Direct fixation of the pars ineffectively limits flexion and extension after a Type II hangman’s fracture. If pars screw fixation can be achieved, posterior C2–C3 fixation more effectively stabilizes a hangman’s fracture than anterior cervical plating.
A spatio‐temporal approach for global validation and analysis of MODIS aerosol products

With the launch of the MODIS sensor on the Terra spacecraft, new data sets of the global distribution and properties of aerosol are being retrieved, and need to be validated and analyzed. A system has been put in place to generate spatial statistics (mean, standard deviation, direction and rate of spatial variation, and spatial correlation coefficient) of the MODIS aerosol parameters over more than 100 validation sites spread around the globe. Corresponding statistics are also computed from temporal subsets of AERONET‐derived aerosol data. The means and standard deviations of identical parameters from MODIS and AERONET are compared. Although, their means compare favorably, their standard deviations reveal some influence of surface effects on the MODIS aerosol retrievals over land, especially at low aerosol loading. The direction and rate of spatial variation from MODIS are used to study the spatial distribution of aerosols at various locations either individually or comparatively. This paper introduces the methodology for generating and analyzing the data sets used by the two MODIS aerosol validation papers in this issue.
Antihypercholesterolemic and Antioxidative Potential of an Extract of the Plant, Piper betle, and Its Active Constituent, Eugenol, in Triton WR-1339-Induced Hypercholesterolemia in Experimental Rats

Hypercholesterolemia is a dominant risk factor for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. In the present study, the putative antihypercholesterolemic and antioxidative properties of an ethanolic extract of Piper betle and of its active constituent, eugenol, were evaluated in experimental hypercholesterolemia induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of Triton WR-1339 (300 mg/kg b.wt) in Wistar rats. Saline-treated hypercholesterolemic rats revealed significantly higher mean blood/serum levels of glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and of serum hepatic marker enzymes; in addition, significantly lower mean serum levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol and significantly lower mean activities of enzymatic antioxidants and nonenzymatic antioxidants were noted in hepatic tissue samples from saline-treated hypercholesterolemic rats, compared to controls. However, in hypercholesterolemic rats receiving the Piper betle extract (500 mg/kg b.wt) or eugenol (5 mg/kg b.wt) for seven days orally, all these parameters were significantly better than those in saline-treated hypercholesterolemic rats. The hypercholesterolemia-ameliorating effect was better defined in eugenol-treated than in Piper betle extract-treated rats, being as effective as that of the standard lipid-lowering drug, lovastatin (10 mg/kg b.wt). These results suggest that eugenol, an active constituent of the Piper betle extract, possesses antihypercholesterolemic and other activities in experimental hypercholesterolemic Wistar rats.
Preparation of Yeast RNA

This unit provides two protocols for extraction of RNA from yeast that differ primarily in the method for lysing the yeast cells. The first protocol isolates RNA directly from intact yeast cells by extraction with hot acidic phenol. This yields RNA that is relatively free of contaminating DNA, is convenient to perform with multiple samples, and gives little or no sample‐to‐sample variation. In contrast, an alternate protocol relies upon disruption of cells by vigorous mixing with glass beads and denaturing agents. Although this procedure results in efficient breaking of the cells, the product is associated with residual DNA, and the procedure itself is troublesome when one is working with multiple samples. A second alternate protocol describes the scaling up of the first two procedures to isolate enough total RNA for poly (A)+ RNA preparation.
Perceptions of vulnerability: impact on AIDS-preventive behavior among college adolescents.

Perceptions of their own and others' risk of contracting AIDS, AIDS knowledge, and extent of AIDS-preventive behavior (APB) were assessed in sexually active heterosexual college students (N = 80) to investigate why many college students fail to enact APB. Personal risk of contracting AIDS was estimated to be significantly lower than risk for each of a set hypothetical persons who varied in degree of similarity to respondents, p < . 0001. ANOVAs indicated that males (F = 60.13, p < .0001), homosexual males and females (F = 62.55, p < .0001), and young adults not in college (F = 8.17, p < .005) were perceived as more likely to contract AIDS than females, heterosexuals, and college students, respectively. AIDS knowledge was related to accuracy of risk estimates, but was not predictive of APB. Lack of APB is discussed in terms of illusion of unique invulnerability and the characterization of AIDS as an outgroup problem. Implications and recommendations for AIDS-preventive education programs are discussed.
Microrheology of human synovial fluid of arthritis patients studied by diffusing wave spectroscopy

The viscoelastic properties of synovial fluid (SF) are critical to its functions of lubrication and shock‐absorption of joints in human body; a change in the viscoelastic properties, even of only a few percents, is often concomitant with arthritis. In this work, the elastic modulus G ′(f) and the viscous modulus G ′′(f) of SF from patients suffering from three kinds of joint diseases, namely, osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and gouty arthritis (GA), were determined as a function of frequency “f ” (in the low frequency range from f ∼ 0.1 to 10 Hz) by Diffusing Wave Spectroscopy (DWS) and correlated with the white blood cell (WBC) count. A strong correlation was observed, showing a higher WBC count corresponding to lower elastic and viscous moduli, G ′ and G ′′; further details depend on inflammatory vs. non‐inflammatory, and on the severity of inflammation. Different types of arthritis lead to different degrees of decreasing viscoelasticity. Identical measurements were carried out with a commercial visco‐supplementation (or artificial SF) to serve as reference. In general, the reduction in both G ′ and G ′′ was most severe in the case of GA and least severe in the case of OA. Besides, in all cases, the reduction in G ′ was more prominent than the reduction in G ′′, indicating that in general, the deterioration in the elasticity of SF by inflammation is more severe than that in the viscosity. This simple method for quantitative physical characterization of synovial fluid may serve as a useful complementary metric to the conventional biochemical analysis in clinical diagnosis of arthritis. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Control of Notch-ligand endocytosis by ligand-receptor interaction

In Notch signaling, cell-bound ligands activate Notch receptors on juxtaposed cells, but the relationship between ligand endocytosis, ubiquitylation and ligand-receptor interaction remains poorly understood. To study the specific role of ligand-receptor interaction, we identified a missense mutant of the Notch ligand Jagged1 (Nodder, Ndr) that failed to interact with Notch receptors, but retained a cellular distribution that was similar to wild-type Jagged1 (Jagged1WT) in the absence of active Notch signaling. Both Jagged1WT and Jagged1Ndr interacted with the E3 ubiquitin ligase Mind bomb, but only Jagged1WT showed enhanced ubiquitylation after co-culture with cells expressing Notch receptor. Cells expressing Jagged1WT, but not Jagged1Ndr, trans-endocytosed the Notch extracellular domain (NECD) into the ligand-expressing cell, and NECD colocalized with Jagged1WT in early endosomes, multivesicular bodies and lysosomes, suggesting that NECD is routed through the endocytic degradation pathway. When coexpressed in the same cell, Jagged1Ndr did not exert a dominant-negative effect over Jagged1WT in terms of receptor activation. Finally, in Jag1Ndr/Ndr mice, the ligand was largely accumulated at the cell surface, indicating that engagement of the Notch receptor is important for ligand internalization in vivo. In conclusion, the interaction-dead Jagged1Ndr ligand provides new insights into the specific role of receptor-ligand interaction in the intracellular trafficking of Notch ligands.
Effects of feedback on eye typing with a short dwell time

Eye typing provides means of communication especially for people with severe disabilities. Recent research indicates that the type of feedback impacts typing speed, error rate, and the user's need to switch her gaze between the on-screen keyboard and the typed text field. The current study focuses on the issues of feedback when a short dwell time (450 ms vs. 900 ms in a previous study) is used. Results show that the findings obtained using longer dwell times only partly apply for shorter dwell times. For example, with a short dwell time, spoken feedback results in slower text entry speed and double entry errors. A short dwell time requires sharp and clear feedback that supports the typing rhythm.