Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Very low cost video wavelet codec

This paper describes a motion Wavelet transform Zero Tree (WZT) codec which achieves good compression ratios and can be implemented in a single ASIC of modest size (and very low cost). WZT includes a number of trade-offs which reduce the compression rate but which simplify the implementation and reduce the cost. The figure of merit in our codec is ASIC silicon area required, and we are willing to sacrifice some rate/distortion performance with respect to the best available algorithms to that goal. The codec employs a group of pictures (GOP) of two interlaced video frames (i.e., four video fields). Each such field is coded by the well-known transform method, whereby the image is subjected to a 2-D linear transform, the transform values are quantized, and the resulting values coded (e.g., by a zero-tree method). To that goal we are using 3D wavelet transform, dyadic quantization and various entropy codecs. In the temporal direction a temporal transform is used instead of motion estimation. Some of the technical innovations that enable the above features set are: (1) Edge filters which enable blockwise processing while preserving quadratic continuity across block boundaries, greatly reducing blocking artifacts. (2) Field image compression which reduces memory requirements for fields within a GOP.
Learning Neural Network Representations Using Cross-Lingual Bottleneck Features with Word-Pair Information

We assume that only word pairs identified by human are available in a low-resource target language. The word pairs are parameterized by a bottleneck feature (BNF) extractor that is trained using transcribed data in a high-resource language. The cross-lingual BNFs of the word pairs are used for training another neural network to generate a new feature representation in the target language. Pairwise learning of frame-level and word-level feature representations are investigated. Our proposed feature representations were evaluated in a word discrimination task on the Switchboard telephone speech corpus. Our learned features could bring 27.5% relative improvement over the previously best reported result on the task.
An efficient blind identification algorithm for multichannel FIR systems using linear prediction

An efficient blind identification algorithm for multichannel FIR systems was proposed based on a deterministic model of the channel input. By decoupling the multichannel identification, the proposed method was able to estimate individual channel responses separately without having to solve for the augmented channel responses. The algorithm was implemented using linear prediction techniques. It was computationally efficient and suitable for real-time applications. Computer simulations were used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Integrating perceptual and cognitive modeling for adaptive and intelligent human-computer interaction

This paper describes technology and tools for intelligent human-computer interaction (IHCI) in which human cognitive, perceptual, motor and affective factors are modeled and used to adapt the H-C interface. IHCI emphasizes that human behavior encompasses both apparent human behavior and the hidden mental state behind behavioral performance. IHCI expands on the interpretation of human activities, known as W4 (what, where, when, who). While W4 only addresses the apparent perceptual aspect of human behavior the W5+ technology for IHCI described in this paper addresses also the why and how questions, whose solution requires recognizing specific cognitive states. IHCI integrates parsing and interpretation of nonverbal information with a computational cognitive model of the user which, in turn, feeds into processes that adapt the interface to enhance operator performance and provide for rational decision-making. The technology proposed is based on a general four-stage interactive framework, which moves from parsing the raw sensory-motor input, to interpreting the user's motions and emotions, to building an understanding of the user's current cognitive state. It then diagnoses various problems in the situation and adapts the interface appropriately. The interactive component of the system improves processing at each stage. Examples of perceptual, behavioral, and cognitive tools are described throughout the paper Adaptive and intelligent HCI are important for novel applications of computing, including ubiquitous and human-centered computing.
An efficient and interactive A*-algorithm with pruning power: materialized view selection revisited

Materialized view selection with resource constraint is one of the most important issues in the management of data warehouses. In this paper, we revisit the problem of materialized view selection under disk-space constraint S. Many efficient greedy algorithms have been developed. However, we observe that when S is small, their solution quality will not be well guaranteed. In order to further improve solution quality in such cases, we develop a competitive A* algorithm. Both theory and experiment results show that our algorithm is a powerful, efficient and flexible scheme for this problem.
RMF4DSR: A Risk Management Framework for Design Science Research

Design science research (DSR) is a complex form of research that combines very heterogeneous activities requiring different skills. Information systems and technolo - gies are complex entities that have more elaborate areas of risk to manage. Research to invent and evaluate new IT artefacts introduces new areas of risk As yet, there is little experience with managing risk in DSR or even identification of types of risks to be man - aged. This paper analyses DSR research activities and elaborates known principles and practices of risk management and applies them to DSR to develop a new framework (RMF4DSR) for identifying, assessing, prioritizing, and treating potential risks inherent to DSR. Potential users of the framework include experienced and novice DSR researchers. The framework classifies six potential risk areas and enumerates specific key risks with - in each area. It includes risk assessment and treatment models. The paper applies the framework to a recent DSR case study to provide initial evidence of its value and feasi - bility and further evaluates the RMF4DSR framework by asking researchers to apply it in a workshop and surveying the participants' opinions about the utility of the framework.
Non-Contact Technique for Determining the Mechanical Stress in thin Films on Wafers by Profiler

This paper presents an algorithm for analysis of relief for the purpose of calculating mechanical stresses in a selected direction on the plate in the form of software package Matlab. The method allows for the measurement sample in the local area. It provides a visual representation of the data and allows to get stress distribution on wafer surface. Automated analysis process reduces the likelihood of errors researcher. Achieved time saving during processing results. In carrying out several measurements possible drawing card plate to predict yield crystals. According to this technique done in measurement of mechanical stresses of thermal silicon oxide film on a silicon substrate. Analysis of the results showed objectivity and reliability calculations. This method can be used for selecting the optimal parameters of the material deposition conditions. In software of device–technological simulation TCAD defined process time, temperature and oxidation of the operation of the sample environment for receiving the set value of the dielectric film thickness. Calculated thermal stresses are in the system silicon–silicon oxide. There is a good correlation between numerical simulations and analytical calculation. It is shown that the nature of occurrence of mechanical stress is not limited to the difference of thermal expansion coefficients of materials.
An integrated optic adiabatic TE/TM mode splitter on silicon

A compact integrated optic fundamental TE/TM mode splitter, based on the mode-sorting characteristics of an asymmetrical adiabatic Y junction of optical waveguides exhibiting shape birefringence, operating at 1550 nm, is designed, using the discrete sine method (DSM) and the beam propagation method (BPM). The structures are fabricated in a system of SiO/sub 2/, SiO/sub x/N/sub y/, and Si/sub 3/N/sub 4/ layers, using a low-temperature plasma-enhanced chemical-vapor deposition (PECVD) process, compatible with standard silicon IC processing. >
Fabrication of mechanically robust superhydrophobic aluminum surface by acid etching and stearic acid modification

Abstract The aluminium surface with multi-scale structure has been fabricated via a facile and rapid solution-phase etching method by HCl/H2O2 etchants. After modification with stearic acid solution, the wettability of the etched aluminum surface turns into superhydrophobicity with an optimal water contact angle of 160° ± 2° and a sliding angle of 4° ± 1°. The processing conditions, such as the etching time, modifier types and the concentration of H2O2 are investigated to determine their effects on the surface morphology and wettability. As a result, the obtained sample shows excellent anti-adhesion property and bouncing phenomenon of water droplet. It can withstand mechanical abrasion for at least 100 cm under 12.3 kPa, or hydrostatic pressure under 24 ± 1 kPa without losing its superhydrophobicity, suggesting superior mechanical durability. Moreover, the surface also remains superhydrophobicity even after contacting corrosive liquids or long-term exposure in air over 100 days. Such a mechanically durable superhydrophobic aluminum surface can provide a promising practical application in various fields.
A Simulation Study of IEEE 802.15.4 Sensor Networks in Industrial Applications by System-Level Modeling

This paper presents a SystemC-based system-level modeling framework for wireless sensor networks. Benefit from the advantages of SystemC in the aspect of hardware and software co-simulation, this modeling framework allows the performance evaluation of sensor networks at system-level with elaborate sensor node models. It is used to study an industrial application, in which an IEEE 802.15. 4 sensor network based on MICAz motes is deployed to achieve the active control of the vibrations in an automotive system. The simulation results (packet delivery rate, packet delivery latency and power consumption) provide a fundamental understanding of this application for the system designers.
EEG correlates of task engagement and mental workload in vigilance, learning, and memory tasks.

INTRODUCTION The ability to continuously and unobtrusively monitor levels of task engagement and mental workload in an operational environment could be useful in identifying more accurate and efficient methods for humans to interact with technology. This information could also be used to optimize the design of safer, more efficient work environments that increase motivation and productivity. METHODS The present study explored the feasibility of monitoring electroencephalo-graphic (EEG) indices of engagement and workload acquired unobtrusively and quantified during performance of cognitive tests. EEG was acquired from 80 healthy participants with a wireless sensor headset (F3-F4,C3-C4,Cz-POz,F3-Cz,Fz-C3,Fz-POz) during tasks including: multi-level forward/backward-digit-span, grid-recall, trails, mental-addition, 20-min 3-Choice Vigilance, and image-learning and memory tests. EEG metrics for engagement and workload were calculated for each 1 -s of EEG. RESULTS Across participants, engagement but not workload decreased over the 20-min vigilance test. Engagement and workload were significantly increased during the encoding period of verbal and image-learning and memory tests when compared with the recognition/ recall period. Workload but not engagement increased linearly as level of difficulty increased in forward and backward-digit-span, grid-recall, and mental-addition tests. EEG measures correlated with both subjective and objective performance metrics. DISCUSSION These data in combination with previous studies suggest that EEG engagement reflects information-gathering, visual processing, and allocation of attention. EEG workload increases with increasing working memory load and during problem solving, integration of information, analytical reasoning, and may be more reflective of executive functions. Inspection of EEG on a second-by-second timescale revealed associations between workload and engagement levels when aligned with specific task events providing preliminary evidence that second-by-second classifications reflect parameters of task performance.
Immature Doublecortin-Positive Hippocampal Neurons Are Important for Learning But Not for Remembering

It is now widely accepted that hippocampal neurogenesis underpins critical cognitive functions, such as learning and memory. To assess the behavioral importance of adult-born neurons, we developed a novel knock-in mouse model that allowed us to specifically and reversibly ablate hippocampal neurons at an immature stage. In these mice, the diphtheria toxin receptor (DTR) is expressed under control of the doublecortin (DCX) promoter, which allows for specific ablation of immature DCX-expressing neurons after administration of diphtheria toxin while leaving the neural precursor pool intact. Using a spatially challenging behavioral test (a modified version of the active place avoidance test), we present direct evidence that immature DCX-expressing neurons are required for successful acquisition of spatial learning, as well as reversal learning, but are not necessary for the retrieval of stored long-term memories. Importantly, the observed learning deficits were rescued as newly generated immature neurons repopulated the granule cell layer upon termination of the toxin treatment. Repeat (or cyclic) depletion of immature neurons reinstated behavioral deficits if the mice were challenged with a novel task. Together, these findings highlight the potential of stimulating neurogenesis as a means to enhance learning.
Ethnopharmacological studies on the uses of Euphorbia hirta in the treatment of dengue in selected indigenous communities in Pangasinan (Philippines)

Aim: Euphorbia hirta is the most widely used plant in the folkloric treatment of dengue in the Philippines. This study documents the anecdotal uses of E. hirta in the treatment of dengue in 3 indigenous communities in Pangasinan from April to June of 2015. Materials and Methods: The number of use reports pertaining to symptoms of dengue and other diseases were tallied from 82 informants living in Anda Island, Mt. Colisao and Mt. Balungao. The demographics of the informants as well as the corrected major use agreements (cMUAs) and fidelity levels (FLs) of each reported symptom of dengue were calculated. The major dosage forms used during treatment were also tallied. Results: Respondents, dominated by the age group 60-80 and mostly females with at least primary and secondary education, provided information on the use reports of E. hirta. High FL values and cMUA of at least 35% were obtained for cardinal symptoms of dengue-related to bleeding episodes while low cMUAs (i.e. 2-4%) were obtained for symptoms during the recovery phase. High FL values were obtained for symptoms observed during the febrile phase. The most widely used dosage forms are decoctions of the leaves and barks of E. hirta. Conclusion: This study was able to qualify the uses of E. hirta in the treatment of dengue in the 3 communities surveyed.
Iris code hashing

This paper proposes an indexing technique for iris database using iris codes. Iris code which is the textural features of an iris is efficiently hashed such that it reduces the complexity of searching. It has been built on the Hamming distance based Locality Sensitive Hashing that samples bits of iris code. It reduces both computational and memory costs significantly. Also, it is robust to illumination and occlusion due to eyelids and eyelashes. It has been tested on publicly available database, viz. CASIA-V3-Interval [7]. Further, it has been compared with enhanced geometric hashing [9] technique and it is found to be better in terms of its query response time.
Compressing relations and indexes

We propose a new compression algorithm that is tailored to database applications. It can be applied to a collection of records, and is especially effective for records with many low to medium cardinality fields and numeric fields. In addition, this new technique supports very fast decompression. Promising application domains include decision support systems (DSS), since fact tables, which are by far the largest tables in these applications, contain many low and medium cardinality fields and typically no text fields. Further, our decompression rates are faster than typical disk throughputs for sequential scans; in contrast, gzip is slower. This is important in DSS applications, which often scan large ranges of records. An important distinguishing characteristic of our algorithm, in contrast to compression algorithms proposed earlier, is that we can decompress individual tuples (even individual fields), rather than a full page (or an entire relation) at a time. Also, all the information needed for tuple decompression resides on the same page with the tuple. This means that a page can be stored in the buffer pool and used in compressed form, simplifying the job of the buffer manager and improving memory utilization. Our compression algorithm also improves index structures such as B-trees and R-trees significantly by reducing the number of leaf pages and compressing index entries, which greatly increases the fan-out. We can also use lossy compression on the internal nodes of an index.
An efficient representation for lazy constructors using 64-bit pointers

Pointers in the AMD64 architecture contain unused space, a feature often exploited by modern programming language implementations. We use this property in a defunctionalizing compiler for a subset of Haskell, generating fast programs having a compact memory representation of their runtime structures. We demonstrate that, in most cases, the compact representation is faster, uses less memory and has better cache characteristics. Our prototype shows competitive performance when compared to GHC with full optimizations on.
Calpains Are Downstream Effectors of bax-Dependent Excitotoxic Apoptosis

Excitotoxicity resulting from excessive Ca2+ influx through glutamate receptors contributes to neuronal injury after stroke, trauma, and seizures. Increased cytosolic Ca2+ levels activate a family of calcium-dependent proteases with papain-like activity, the calpains. Here we investigated the role of calpain activation during NMDA-induced excitotoxic injury in embryonic (E16–E18) murine cortical neurons that (1) underwent excitotoxic necrosis, characterized by immediate deregulation of Ca2+ homeostasis, a persistent depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm), and insensitivity to bax-gene deletion, (2) underwent excitotoxic apoptosis, characterized by recovery of NMDA-induced cytosolic Ca2+ increases, sensitivity to bax gene deletion, and delayed Δψm depolarization and Ca2+ deregulation, or (3) that were tolerant to excitotoxic injury. Interestingly, treatment with the calpain inhibitor calpeptin, overexpression of the endogenous calpain inhibitor calpastatin, or gene silencing of calpain protected neurons against excitotoxic apoptosis but did not influence excitotoxic necrosis. Calpeptin failed to exert a protective effect in bax-deficient neurons but protected bid-deficient neurons similarly to wild-type cells. To identify when calpains became activated during excitotoxic apoptosis, we monitored calpain activation dynamics by time-lapse fluorescence microscopy using a calpain-sensitive Förster resonance energy transfer probe. We observed a delayed calpain activation that occurred downstream of mitochondrial engagement and directly preceded neuronal death. In contrast, we could not detect significant calpain activity during excitotoxic necrosis or in neurons that were tolerant to excitotoxic injury. Oxygen/glucose deprivation-induced injury in organotypic hippocampal slice cultures confirmed that calpains were specifically activated during bax-dependent apoptosis and in this setting function as downstream cell-death executioners.
Cell-Autonomous and Non-Cell-Autonomous Roles for Irf6 during Development of the Tongue

Interferon regulatory factor 6 (IRF6) encodes a highly conserved helix-turn-helix DNA binding protein and is a member of the interferon regulatory family of DNA transcription factors. Mutations in IRF6 lead to isolated and syndromic forms of cleft lip and palate, most notably Van der Woude syndrome (VWS) and Popliteal Ptyerigium Syndrome (PPS). Mice lacking both copies of Irf6 have severe limb, skin, palatal and esophageal abnormalities, due to significantly altered and delayed epithelial development. However, a recent report showed that MCS9.7, an enhancer near Irf6, is active in the tongue, suggesting that Irf6 may also be expressed in the tongue. Indeed, we detected Irf6 staining in the mesoderm-derived muscle during development of the tongue. Dual labeling experiments demonstrated that Irf6 was expressed only in the Myf5+ cell lineage, which originates from the segmental paraxial mesoderm and gives rise to the muscles of the tongue. Fate mapping of the segmental paraxial mesoderm cells revealed a cell-autonomous Irf6 function with reduced and poorly organized Myf5+ cell lineage in the tongue. Molecular analyses showed that the Irf6−/− embryos had aberrant cytoskeletal formation of the segmental paraxial mesoderm in the tongue. Fate mapping of the cranial neural crest cells revealed non-cell-autonomous Irf6 function with the loss of the inter-molar eminence. Loss of Irf6 function altered Bmp2, Bmp4, Shh, and Fgf10 signaling suggesting that these genes are involved in Irf6 signaling. Based on these data, Irf6 plays important cell-autonomous and non-cell-autonomous roles in muscular differentiation and cytoskeletal formation in the tongue.
Comparative gene marker selection suite

MOTIVATION An important step in analyzing expression profiles from microarray data is to identify genes that can discriminate between distinct classes of samples. Many statistical approaches for assigning significance values to genes have been developed. The Comparative Marker Selection suite consists of three modules that allow users to apply and compare different methods of computing significance for each marker gene, a viewer to assess the results, and a tool to create derivative datasets and marker lists based on user-defined significance criteria. AVAILABILITY The Comparative Marker Selection application suite is freely available as a GenePattern module. The GenePattern analysis environment is freely available at http://www.broad. mit.edu/genepattern.
SELECTIVE DISSOLUTION OF PORTLAND-FLY-ASH CEMENTS

Many cement manufacturers are producing an interground or blended portland-fly ash cement. The consumer is interested in establishing the quality of the blended cement being purchased. Of concern to most consumers is the quantity of fly ash in the blend. The European Committee for Standardization has developed a reference method for determining the fly-ash content of blended cements. A variation of that method was used to evaluate the insoluble residue of type I, type II, gypsum, class F, class C, hand-blended cements, and an industrial interground blended cement. The selective dissolution method is very reliable in its prediction of the amount of class F fly ash blended with portland cement. The results from the selective dissolution procedure indicate that 96% of class F fly ash is insoluble and that only 9% of the portland cement is insoluble. The standard deviation for each result is less than 2%. With the selective dissolution procedure presented the amount of fly ash in a blended cement can be accurately predicted.